Written Answers of 24 January 2000

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Solicitor-General what request the Spanish authorities have made to the Crown Prosecution Service to seek leave for judicial review of the Home Secretary's decision in respect of Senator Pinochet; and if he will make a statement. [106408]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service is acting as the agent of the Kingdom of Spain in relation to the conduct of the Spanish request for the extradition of Senator Pinochet. It would therefore be inappropriate to reveal details of any instructions received in relation to this matter since The Crown Prosecution Service is under a duty to preserve solicitor-client confidentiality. It is for the Kingdom of Spain to release any details of their instructions to the Crown Prosecution Service.

PRIME MINISTER

  Civil Service Press Officers
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will institute an inquiry into the reported remark by a civil servant to an Evening Standard employee concerning the consequences of the health correspondent continuing particular investigations; and if there are official guidelines concerning the acceptability of such remarks. [106037]

  The Prime Minister
  The Department of Health has already looked into the matter referred to by the hon. Member. I am fully satisfied that the press officer concerned behaved in accordance with the standards expected of civil service press officers.

  A Working Guide for Government Press Officers

  states that:
  "It is the duty of the Press Officer to present the policies of his or her Department to the public through the media and to seek to ensure that they are understood."

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to answer questions on the different Government charges and taxes on students at universities throughout the United Kingdom. [105979]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers will answer on issues for which they are responsible, in line with the resolutions of the House on 25 October 1999.

  Responsibility for the funding of higher education in Scotland and Northern Ireland lies with the relevant devolved executive. Ministers will answer questions
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  which relate to decisions which the devolved executives have taken, only to the extent that these have an impact on the Government's responsibilities.

  EU Charter of Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Charter of Fundamental Rights will accord new rights not currently granted in common law. [106281]

  The Prime Minister
  There is no agreement that it should do so. The Cologne Conclusions state that:"fundamental rights applicable at Union level should be consolidated in Charter and thereby made more evident".

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on including rights of(a) free speech, (b) free association, (c) the existence for political parties and (d) trade union (i) existence and (ii) membership within the Charter of Fundamental Rights; [106279]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his Government's policy on including (a) the right of asylum, (b) age discrimination, (c) social rights, (d) education rights, (e) health rights, (f) social security rights, (g) immigrants' rights, (h) same sex partnerships' rights, (i) women's rights, (j) children's rights, (k) economic rights, (l) cultural rights and (m) disabled people's rights in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. [106280]

  The Prime Minister
  Work on the draft Charter has just begun. It is not possible to say at this stage how the drafting body will approach the question of inclusion of the above categories. The Government will wish to explore the best way to profile existing rights in a way which reflects the Cologne Conclusions and the nature of the current application of those rights in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the financial consequences of the adoption of a Charter of Fundamental Rights for(a) industry and (b) government; and if he will make a statement. [106377]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government see no reason for the Charter to add to existing rights and obligations, nor is there agreement that it should so do.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what anti-discrimination enforcement measures will be included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights; and if he will make a statement. [106376]

  The Prime Minister
  It is for the Charter drafting body to consider how, if at all, such measures should be included.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the withdrawal of voting rights of a member state deemed to be in breach of the Charter of Fundamental Rights under the Treaty of Amsterdam as modified, under Article 13. [106399]

  The Prime Minister
  Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) sets out the circumstances whereby the Council can consider suspending certain rights deriving from the TEU, including voting rights, should they determine the existence of a serious and
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  persistent breach by a member state of principles mentioned in Article 6(1) of the TEU. This says that the Union
  "is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of lay, principles which are common to the Member States".

  There is no agreement that the Charter of Rights should give rise to action of that kind, or that it should be incorporated into the EU/EC Treaties.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister which body will be the final arbiter on questions on interpretation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. [106389]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government want a non-justiciable Charter which makes existing rights more visible. Where those rights are justiciable elsewhere, the relevant source instruments (for example, the European Convention on Human Rights or the EU/EC treaties) will continue to be interpreted in the usual way by the appropriate institutions (for example, the European Court of Human Rights or the European Court of Justice).

  EU Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those areas of potential qualified majority voting raised to date by(a) EU member states, stating the country in each case and (b) the Commission, as areas for negotiation at the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference, in which the Government have not insisted on retaining unanimity. [106165]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 416W.

  EU Membership (Cost-benefit Analysis)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what cost-benefit analysis of UK membership of the European Union the Government have undertaken. [106401]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are clear about the benefits to the United Kingdom of its membership of the European Union. Membership of the European Union brings significant benefits to the British economy. Over half our trade in goods is with the EU, with eight of our top 10 trade partners in Europe. In 1998 trade in goods was worth some £95.4 billion. Membership gives us access to a single market of 372 million people—the largest and richest market in the world. Over three and a half million jobs are directly linked to trade with the EU with thousands of jobs being created as a result of Britain's position as the gateway to countries outside the Union. The UK is now the top location in the EU for foreign direct inward investment. At the same time we benefit as consumers, with Single Market competition bringing lower prices and greater choice, and the Single Market rules ensuring proper protection for consumers. In addition, we have secured European Structural funding worth £10 billion for 2000–06 for regeneration and economic development in the UK regions. Our farmers also benefit from the £5 billion a year in aid under the Common Agricultural Policy.

  Iran
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 18 January,Official Report, columns 416–17W on the Iranian Foreign Minister, if he will define the countries in the area of strategic importance to the United Kingdom mentioned in his answer. [106568]

  The Prime Minister
  Iran and her neighbouring countries represent an area of strategic importance to the United Kingdom for a number of reasons. Among these are the region's history of political instability and conflict, the importance of the region for world energy resources, and its position across important global communications routes. Iran also straddles the major route by which heroin reaches the United Kingdom from Afghanistan.

  Criminal Assets (Confiscation)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to publish the Performance and Innovation Unit's study on the confiscation of criminal assets. [106409]

  The Prime Minister
  I expect the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) to complete its study on the Pursuit and Seizure of Criminal Assets by the spring. Decisions flowing from the PIU's work will be made public in the normal way.

  Liberal Democrats (Co-operation)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to issue a new joint declaration on co-operation with the Liberal Democratic Party. [106722]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the staffing levels of the RUC Special Branch in September 1994 and September 1999 in total and broken down(a) into component operational units, (b) by grade or rank, (c) by perceived religious or community origin and (d) by gender. [101882]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 December 1999]: For the information to be provided fully in the form requested would identify the religious or community background of individual officers and would therefore breach statutory confidentiality. The following tables show the numbers of officers by rank at 30 September 1994 and 1999 and the gender and the community background of officers in the Department at 31 December 1994 and 1998 (the latest figures available).

  Composition by rank

  Rank

  30 September 1994

  30 September 1999

  Superintendent and above

  19

  20

  Chief Inspector

  20

  22

  Inspector

  58

  58

  Sergeant

  136

  133

  Constable

  581

  594

  Total

  814

  827

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  Composition by gender and community background

  1994

  1998

  Perceived Protestant

  Male

  654

  657

  Female

  80

  84

  Total

  734

  741

  Perceived Roman Catholic

  Male

  49

  52

  Female

  3

  4

  Total

  52

  56

  Not known

  Male

  18

  20

  Female

  0

  0

  Total

  18

  20

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what positions, rank and postings were held by the Chief Constable of the RUC in each of the years 1988 and 1989. [105654]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: In 1988 and 1989 the Chief Constable was a Detective Superintendent stationed at RUC Headquarters.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the items in the National Asset Register sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since 25 February 1999, stating in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total amount raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [104495]

  Mr. Ingram
  The amount of items in the National Asset Register sold since 25 February 1999 is £988,860.00.

  Ruskin College, Oxford
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in each of the past five financial years, how many students from Northern Ireland have attended Ruskin College, Oxford. [105277]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mrs. Rosemary Nelson
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the written threats issued against Mrs. Rosemary Nelson were passed to the Minister of Security's office by the Committee on the Administration of Justice. [103818]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Committee on the Administration of Justice wrote to me on 10 August 1998.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps were taken by the Government to ensure the safety of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson. [103820]
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  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Government sought assessments from the RUC on Mrs. Nelson's security on two occasions, February and August 1998. On each occasion the RUC determined that they had no intelligence to substantiate a specific threat to Mrs. Nelson. Following the RUC's reply to our August inquiry we wrote to the Committee on the Administration of Justice on 24 September 1998. My office replied to their queries about how Mrs. Nelson could apply for inclusion in the Key Persons Protection Scheme and for the provision of a personal protection weapon. We also suggested that she may with to seek the advice of her local Crime Prevention Officer in relation to security advice at her home and at her work place.

  Patten Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written submissions were received by the Patten Commission; and if he will place these documents in the Library. [105475]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The number of written submissions received by the Patten Commission is a matter for the Commission itself which was independent of Government. In their Report (para 2.3 page 11) the Commission advised that they received approximately 2,500 individual written submissions in addition to a number of petitions signed by several thousand people and several standardised letters. The Government are not in possession of these submissions and are not in a position to place the documents in the Library.

  Street Signs (Vandalism)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) Irish language and (b) Ulster Scots street signs have been damaged or stolen in each district council area in the past 12 months; what legal sanctions are available in respect of acts of vandalism; what guidelines have been issued to the police to assist in the prevention of vandalism; how many persons have been charged with offences concerned with bilingual signs in each district council area; and what was the outcome of the prosecution. [105459]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: Not all of the information requested is retained in a form that would permit details to be extracted without incurring a disproportionate cost.

  Vandalism of this nature is recorded as Criminal Damage, which covers a wide range of offences and forms an important element of RUC training supported by operational documents. If the cost of the damage is less than £400 under the Summary Jurisdiction Act (NI) 1953, the penalty may be up to six months imprisonment or a Level 3 fine. If the cost of damage exceeds £400, the penalty under the Criminal Damage (NI) Order 1977 may be up to a 10 years imprisonment on indictment or up to two years on summary conviction.

  Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken by the Northern Ireland Office to prepare for the implementation
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  of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Northern Ireland; and what specific training opportunities have been organised. [103824]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Human Rights Unit in the Northern Ireland Office co-ordinates the Department's preparations for the implementation of the Human Rights Act.

  A human rights seminar, organised by the Northern Ireland Office, was held in June 1999. It involved the main criminal justice organisations and players in Northern Ireland, including non-statutory bodies. Its aim was to generate a heightened awareness of issues surrounding the Human Rights Act, contribute to a common understanding of the issues and provide an opportunity to discuss new concerns and discern where a common approach was required.

  The Northern Ireland Office has also explored any vulnerabilities in legislation and action has been taken—or will be taken—wherever necessary.

  Senior officials and other key staff have attended half-day awareness sessions run by The Queen's University, Belfast. Legal groups are also working with the University to provide more in-depth seminars to legal staff in the Department of the Director of Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and the Crown Solicitor's Office.

  An inventory of remaining training requirements is currently under way. All staff are to receive general awareness training, which is to be supported by more detailed training on aspects of the Act which tie in to their specific job needs.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Northern Ireland Office is not participating in the Government's Human Rights Task Force. [103825]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The composition of the Task Force is a matter for the Home Secretary. The Chief Commissioner of The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (which is funded by the Northern Ireland Office) is represented on the Task Force. On 18 January 2000, I made a presentation to the Task Force, outlining the strategy of the Northern Ireland Office for implementation of the Human Rights Act.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training(a) has been undertaken and (b) is planned for the future, relating to the Human Rights Act 1998 for (i) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and (ii) the Northern Ireland civil service. [103831]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: A Project Team has been established within the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland to oversee implementation of the Act. Work is continuing in producing, in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, relevant training materials for staff. It is intended that such materials and subsequent training will have regard to any relevant differences in criminal law and practice between Northern Ireland and England.

  Training for the Northern Ireland Departments is a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.
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  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what written material on the Human Rights Act 1998 has been provided to(a) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and (b) the Northern Ireland civil service; and if he will place copies in the Library. [103832]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland has been provided with the same material as has been issued throughout Government Departments in the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Training for the Northern Ireland Departments is a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made to review policy and practice within departments in order to ensure full compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998; and what arrangements have been made to do this in(a) the Northern Ireland Office and (b) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. [103834]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Northern Ireland Office has undertaken a scrutiny of legislation which requires or may require amendment as a result of the Human Rights Act 1998. Any necessary action has already been taken or is under consideration.

  The Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland continues to monitor developments in criminal law with particular reference to ECHR issues.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent up to 31 December 1999 on the Saville Inquiry into the events in Londonderry on Sunday 30 January 1972. [106079]

  Mr. Mandelson [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The total cost incurred by The Bloody Sunday Inquiry up to 31 December 1999 are £13,306,797.

  Young People in Care
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many places are available in secure accommodation for young people in care in Northern Ireland; [106449]

  (2) how many care homes have been overcrowded in each of the last three years; [106454]

  (3) how much has been spent in providing alternative places in hotels for both young people and accompanying staff in the last three years. [106448]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received the review of the working of the Parades Commission; and if he will place a copy of the review in the Library. [103828]
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  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The review of the approach to handling contentious parades is due to be completed shortly and, once we have had the opportunity to consider its findings, we will make an announcement.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many head de-boners went out of business as a result of the introduction of BSE safeguards; how many people lost their jobs; and how much compensation was paid by the Department. [102311]

  Ms Quin
  Businesses specialising in head de-boning were severely affected when tighter restrictions on cattle heads were introduced in March 1996 in line with advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. The information requested on business closures and job losses is not available. No compensation was paid to head de-boners, a decision which was upheld by the European Commission on Human Rights.

  Those head de-boners which also operated cutting plants were able to benefit from arrangements introduced shortly afterwards to purchase and dispose of unsaleable stocks of beef to ease the pressure on their activities.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if a credit rating was sought for each of the companies which submitted a tender in the recent award of contracts to abattoirs by the Intervention Board under the over 30-month scheme; [102360]

  (2) if credit references were taken up in relation to each of the companies which submitted a tender in the recent award of contracts to abattoirs by the Intervention Board under the over 30 month scheme. [102358]

  Ms Quin
  The Intervention Board (IB) obtained financial reports from Dun and Bradstreet on tendering companies who were not previously contracted to provide Over Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) slaughtering services. Decisions on the award of contracts were taken in full knowledge of the information contained in these reports. Similar reports were not sought in respect of companies with whom IB already had satisfactory and long-standing contractual relationships under the OTMS.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many visits were made to each hunt kennel in the last two years by(a) his Department's veterinary surgeons and (b) his Department's officials. [102541]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 December 1999]: This information is not held centrally. However, the instructions issued to members of the State Veterinary Service require visits to hunt kennels to be carried out on a monthly basis to check compliance with the rules on Specified Risk Material and at least annually to check compliance with rules on non-SRM animal by-products.
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  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Ministry gives to(a) hunts and (b) hunt kennels on the receipt of deadstock where (i) the dead animal is suspected of BSE and (ii) where BSE is present in the relevant herd. [102539]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 December 1999]: All cattle suspected of having BSE are slaughtered by MAFF officials who arrange for their remains to be incinerated, apart from the heads which are sent to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for analysis.

  Deadstock which comes from herds which have had a case of BSE, but which are not BSE suspects or the offspring of BSE cases, may be sent to hunt kennels. We do not provide any special guidance on the handling of such carcases because there is no evidence of horizontal transmission of BSE. The hunt kennels are however subject to controls on specified risk material and are visited by the State Veterinary Service on a regular basis to ensure compliance. Results of their audits are published in the BSE Enforcement Bulletin, which is placed monthly on the Library of the House.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many incineration plants are currently burning(a) carcase and (b) meat and bone meal under the over 30 months scheme contract. [104241]

  Ms Quin
  Seven plants are currently incinerating Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS) carcase material from abattoirs, and 16 plants are incinerating casualty OTMS animals that have been slaughtered on-farm. One plant is currently incinerating OTMS meat and bone meal.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the(a) total number of carcases and (b) total tonnage rendered each year by each company awarded a contract under the over 30 months scheme since those contracts started. [104238]

  Ms Quin
  The tonnage of material processed under the Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS) by rendering companies contracted by the Intervention Board is given in the table.

  Tonnes

  Renderer

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Canterbury Mills

  28,657

  24,673

  39,539

  44,391

  Prosper De Mulder Ltd.

  183,265

  120,390

  198,198

  194,824

  William Forrest & Son (Paisley) Ltd.

  48,080

  37,578

  70,106

  72,433

  Lisburn Proteins/Glen Farm Holdings Ltd.

  25,034

  45,979

  65,574

  66,895

  Duncrue Food Processors

  6,337

  1,288

  0

  0

  Dundas Bros.

  15,501

  23,849

  0

  0

  Fats & Proteins (UK) Ltd.

  47,773

  55,974

  4,801

  0

  Gilberts Animal By-Products

  26,983

  63,672

  0

  0

  J. G. Pears

  8,202

  19,819

  0

  0

  Peninsular Proteins

  28,695

  27,061

  0

  0

  Ulster Farm By-Products

  30,415

  2,770

  0

  0

  1 Estimated

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  Equivalent data for the number of animals rendered are not available in the same format. However, the estimated number of animals rendered in each of the above years is as follows:

  Number of OTMS animals rendered:

  1996: 1,091,570

  1997: 780,785

  1998: 802,078

  1999: 844,920

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the views of the(a) Hygiene Service and (b) Meat and Livestock Commission were formally sought on each of the companies which submitted a tender in the recent award of contracts to abattoirs by the Intervention Board under the 30 month scheme. [104160]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 440W.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those contracts that have been awarded by the Intervention Board for rendering or incineration under the over 30 month scheme, and the gate fees negotiated with each company. [104242]

  Ms Quin
  Four companies have contracts to render OTMS carcase material at an average gate fee of £80 a tonne (equivalent to approximately £40 per animal).

  Prosper De Mulder Ltd.

  Canterbury Mills Ltd.

  Glenfarm Holdings Ltd.

  William Forrest & Son (Paisley) Ltd.

  Five companies have contracts to incinerate OTMS carcase material from approved abattoirs at an average gate fee of £88 per animal.

  WRE Services

  Bronzeoak Ltd.

  Durga Environmental Ltd.

  Sacone Environmental Ltd.

  Orkney Direct Waste Disposal

  Sixteen companies have contracts to incinerate casualty OTMS animals that have been slaughtered on-farm at an average gate fee of £80 per animal.

  Cambridge Pet Crematorium

  Cluttons Agricultural

  Companions Rest

  Tom Goddard & Sons

  Haymans

  Hawkins

  Incineration Scotland

  Incineration South West

  Hamilton (Irvine) Ltd.

  Lawton

  Cremtor

  Scottish Agricultural College (Ayr)

  Scottish Agricultural College (Aberdeen)

  Tellam Incineration

  Wessex Incineration

  Westcot Hides Ltd.

  The Intervention Board has concluded contracts with three companies for the large scale incineration of meat and bone meal (MBM) produced under the OTMS. The contracts cover the incineration of a total of 650,000
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  tonnes of MBM at a total cost of £51.1 million, an average gate fee therefore of £79 per tonne (equivalent to approximately £10 per animal).

  Shanks Chemical Services Ltd.

  Fibrogen Ltd.

  Prosper De Mulder Ltd.

  Negotiations continue with a fourth company for the balance of the Intervention Board's incineration requirement.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate his Department has made of future incineration requirements under the over 30 months scheme. [104237]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) on 15 December 1999,Official Report, column 230W.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance is provided by his Department for the export of English beef to the EU. [105032]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: Officials have sent detailed guidance on the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) to all abattoirs that may be eligible to participate in the Scheme and set up a helpline to give advice. The Government have also spent more than £1 million on developing the scheme, including the IT systems which are necessary to support it, which will not be recovered through charges. Close contact is maintained with the English slaughterhouse participating in DBES and a temporary rebate has been applied to charges for checking the export eligibility of animals.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department will be funding research to confirm the findings of the Scottish Office's flexible fund project RO 818 (grant number FF818) on potatoes modified for the GNA gene undertaken by the Rowett Research Institute. [101753]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: We have no plans to carry forward this research.

  Flood Defences (South-West)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase funding to the Environment Agency to undertake emergency flood prevention measures in the South-West. [105417]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government are aware of the serious flooding that occurred over the Christmas period. We sympathise with all those affected and pay tribute to the work done by the Environment Agency and others to mitigate the effects. Apart from grants towards approved capital works, the Ministry does not contribute to the cost of the Environment Agency's flood defence work. The great majority of this work is funded by levies on local authorities, for which funding is provided through the Revenue Support Grant and Standard Spending Assessments arrangements. The cost of any emergency
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  flood prevention measures in the South-West will need to be met through these existing mechanisms. If studies identify the need for future capital works, MAFF funding will be considered against the normal criteria and national priority assessments.

  Interest Rates (Farmers)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce low-interest loans and mortgages for farmers. [105030]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Government have no plans at present to introduce low interest loans and mortgages for farmers. The £1.6 billion support for Rural Development, which my right hon. Friend announced on 7 December 1999, Official Report, columns 701–03, will be applied through project funding or grants which offer effective and well focused forms of support.

  In addition, loan guarantees will continue to be available to qualifying sectors of the agriculture industry under the Government's Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme.

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are(a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case. [105305]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The information requested is set out as follows:

  Properties wholly vacant
  1. Former Buffer Depot, Nant Alyn Road, Rhydymwyn, Mold, Flint—closed 30 March 1994.
  This site is contaminated as a result of wartime use and cannot be disposed of until the contamination is removed.
  2. Former Buffer Depot, Abergwili Road, Abergwili, Carmarthen—closed 28 March 1991.
  Despite a number of marketing campaigns, it has proved impossible to find a purchaser willing to pay a reasonable price for this property.
  3. Former Buffer Depot, Caton Road, Claughton, Lancs—closed 31 March 1994.
  A purchaser has been identified and sale arrangements are in hand.
  4. Former Buffer Depot, New Street, Earl Shilton, Hinckley, Leics—closed 17 March 1994.
  A purchase has been identified and sale arrangements are in hand.
  5. Former Buffer Depot, Little Glen Road, Glen Parva, Leicester—closed 31 March 1993.
  The sale of this site should be completed within the next month or so.
  6. Former Buffer Depot, Melbourne Place, Sowerby, N. Yorks—closed 31 July 1991.
  It has taken far longer than anticipated to establish the planning status of this site. It will be marketed shortly.
  7. Former Buffer Depot, Trentside, Gunthorpe, Nottingham—closed 17 March 1994.
  Negotiations are under way to sell this property back to the successors of the former owner under the terms of the Crichel Down rules.
  14W
  8. Former Buffer Depot, Kendal Road, Harlescott, Shrewsbury—closed 23 March 1995.
  The site will be marketed when an appeal against a rejection of an application for planning consent is determined.
  9. Former Buffer Depot, 5 Almondbank, Perth—closed 29 September 1995.
  MAFF's agents advise that marketing of this site should be delayed until the planning status of an adjacent site is established.
  10. Former Central Science Laboratory, Torry Research Station, 135 Abbey Road, Aberdeen—closed 31 August 1996.
  A purchaser has been identified and sale arrangements are in hand.
  11. Former Central Science Laboratory, Hatching Green, Harpenden, Herts—closed 1 December 1996.
  A purchaser has been identified and sale arrangements are in hand.
  12. Land and dwellings at Worthing Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex—vacated on various dates between January 1996 and May 1999.
  An application for planning consent has been submitted and we await the outcome.
  13. Land at Ware Road, Hoddesdon, Hertford—originally vacated in 1989,
  We are co-operating with the Health Authority, who own adjacent land, with a view to establishing a planning designation and joint marketing arrangements.

  Properties mainly vacant
  14. Crown House, Sittingbourne Road, Kent—mainly vacated in October 1992.
  15. Offices in Albert Dock, Hull—mainly vacated in June 1996.

  Deregulation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what orders his Department has made under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 in each year since 1994; and what plans it has to introduce such orders. [106084]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: Since 1994 the Department has made two orders reducing regulatory burdens, The Deregulation (Corn Returns Act 1882) Order 1996 and the Deregulation (Slaughterhouses Act 1974 and Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980) Order 1996. These Orders are estimated to have each saved industry £100,000 per year. We will continue to look for opportunities to use such orders to remove legislation where we can.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 14 January; and if he will make a statement. [106539]

  Mr. Morley
  Since the Fisheries Council which met on 16–17 December succeeded in agreeing on Total Allowable Catches for 2000 there was no need for a further meeting of the Council on 14 January.

  Chicken Imports
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received regarding the labelling of chicken imported into the UK from outside the European Union. [103293]
  15W
  Ms Quin
  Ministers and officials have received a number of letters from right hon. and hon. Members, the industry and the public on this matter. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister met with representatives from the National Farmers Union, the British Poultry Meat Federation and other poultry organisations on Monday 20 December to discuss this and other issues of concern to the sector.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Bonuses
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies spent in total on extra bonuses above usual payments for staff working over the New Year period; what were the(a) maximum and (b) minimum bonuses paid; how many people received the (i) maximum and (ii) minimum payments; and if he will make a statement. [104471]

  Mr. Straw
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Home Detention Curfew
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners who have electronic tags have not been convicted of violent crimes. [105334]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at 12 January 2000, 81 per cent. of those prisoners subject to home detention curfew at that time did not have a current index offence for an offence of violence. Of the total number of prisoners placed on home detention curfew since the scheme began on 28 January 1999, 83 per cent. did not have a current index offence for an offence of violence.

  Puppy Farms
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to regulate intermediaries who sell on animals bred on puppy farms, with regard to certification of the animals' health. [105342]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, which came into force on 30 December 1999, the keeper of a licensed dog breeding establishment can only lawfully sell a dog either from his or her own premises direct to a person who it is believed will not be selling it on, or to the keeper of a licensed pet shop or a Scottish rearing establishment.

  A certificate of health is not required and there are no plans to introduce such a requirement into transactions, the conditions of which are essentially for the parties involved. The permitted sales outlets are, however, subject to stringent local authority licensing controls aimed at safeguarding the health and welfare of the animals involved. In addition, dogs sold through licensed pet shops/rearing establishments must wear a collar and identifying tag, to ensure that the originating breeder can be traced in all cases and not least by prospective purchasers wishing to make checks on a dog's provenance.
  16W
  The Home Office has recently issued guidance to local authorities about the administration and enforcement of this legislation.

  Prison Statistics
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 13 January 2000,Official Report, columns 217–18W, on prisoner statistics, if he will reformulate the table provided on Sudbury prison to show the number of prisoners serving a life sentence. [105662]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested, updated to December 1999, is given in the table.

  Total population and life sentence population at Her Majesty's Prison Sudbury 1989–99

  Date

  Life sentence prisoners

  Life sentence prisoners as a percentage of the total population

  Total population

  1989

  30 June

  69

  12.8

  537

  31 December

  67

  12.9

  518

  1990

  30 June

  77

  14.7

  524

  31 December

  75

  16.2

  464

  1991

  30 June

  50

  9.4

  534

  31 December

  42

  9.6

  436

  1992

  30 June

  37

  8.2

  450

  31 December

  43

  10.7

  402

  1993

  30 June

  50

  11.0

  455

  31 December

  71

  17.5

  406

  1994

  30 June

  79

  17.9

  441

  31 December

  80

  20.0

  401

  1995

  30 June

  81

  20.9

  387

  31 December

  81

  21.5

  377

  1996

  30 June

  76

  16.0

  474

  31 December

  64

  14.0

  456

  1997

  30 June

  62

  12.3

  504

  31 December

  62

  13.4

  462

  1998

  30 June

  62

  12.6

  493

  31 December

  72

  14.8

  488

  1999

  30 June

  75

  15.0

  499

  31 December

  91

  18.7

  486

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in his projection of prison numbers for the next five years, what proportion of prisoners
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  will be (a) female, (b) offenders in respect of cannabis, (c) class A drug offenders and (d) housed in hospital wings. [105928]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Research Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office provided revised projections of the prison population in England and Wales in October 1999. A summary of the projection is included in the October 1999 "Prison Population Brief" which is available on the Internet at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.

  Projections are provided according to various alternative scenarios. The middle variant projection assumes that Crown Court custody rates increase at 0.6 per cent. for males and 1.1 per cent. per annum for females, but sentence

  Long-term projections projected through to 2007, England and Wales

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  2005

  2006

  2007

  Higher variant:

  Total population

  67,800

  71,500

  72,900

  73,700

  75,100

  76,900

  78,600

  80,300

  Female population

  3,700

  4,100

  4,500

  4,600

  4,700

  4,800

  4,900

  5,000

  Females as a percentage of total population

  5.5

  5.7

  6.2

  6.2

  6.3

  6.2

  6.2

  6.2

  Middle variant:

  Total population

  67,300

  69,900

  70,700

  71,200

  71,800

  72,500

  73,500

  74,400

  Female population

  3,700

  4,000

  4,200

  4,200

  4,300

  4,300

  4,400

  4,500

  Females as a percentage of total population

  5.5

  5.7

  5.9

  5.9

  6.0

  5.9

  6.0

  6.0

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions, and how many(a) injuries and (b) deaths there were in each category of road traffic offence, in each of the last five years for which statistics are available. [105850]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is available only for those offences where death or injury are explicit in the wording of the charge and are shown in the table. Similar information for other offences is not available centrally as the circumstances of the offences are not collected.

  Prosecutions for motoring offences involving eath or injury, England and Wales, 1993–97

  Offence

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Causing death by dangerous driving

  352

  301

  305

  333

  376

  Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs

  63

  48

  51

  63

  78

  Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking

  27

  26

  13

  27

  28

  Causing bodily harm by furious driving

  98

  122

  97

  99

  85

  Figures for 1998 are not yet available.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases relating to death on the road the charge was reduced from dangerous to careless driving in each of the last five years for which statistics are available. [105849]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available centrally.
  18W
  lengths stay at 1998 levels. A higher variant assumes that from 2001, in addition to the custody rate increase assumed in the middle variant, sentence lengths increase by 1.5 per cent. per year for males and 2 per cent. per annum for females. The results are as given in the table. These scenarios both assume that the amount of courts' business remains constant over the period. Projections take into account known legislative and policy changes.

  Information on the projected number of persons committed to custody for cannabis and class A drug offences are not available. Projections are not made by type of offence.

  For persons housed in hospital wings, it is estimated that over the period of the projections between 1.5 and 1.7 per cent. of the prison population will be located in health care centres at any one time.

  The statistics collected on court proceedings record only the offence for which the court took its final decision and not that for which the defendant was initially prosecuted, if different.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to combat domestic violence suffered by men. [105844]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government regard all forms of domestic violence as unacceptable, whether it is perpetrated by men on women, women on men or within same-sex relationships. The position of men who experience abuse is recognised in, for example, our `Break the Chain' leaflet for domestic violence survivors and those such as family, friends and neighbours who might be able to help them. The evidence is, however, that, by comparison with men, women are more likely to experience domestic violence over a lifetime, more likely to experience repeat victimisation, more likely to be injured and to seek medical help, more likely to experience frightening threats, and more likely to be frightened and upset.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of male victims of domestic violence who are abused by their female partners. [105848]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most reliable figures available are from the 1996 British Crime Survey, which estimated that 650,000 men aged 16 to 59 had been assaulted by a current or former partner in 1995, of which 170,000 suffered some injury. 95 per cent. of the men assaulted had been assaulted by a female on the most recent occasion. 180,000 men said they had experienced frightening threats from a female or male partner (figures not available separately).

  Police Manpower (National Insurance)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received on the effect of changes in national insurance contributions on police staffing levels in England in 2000–01. [105891]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Association of Police Authorities estimated that the cost to the police service in England and Wales of changes in national insurance contributions could be around £23 million in 1999–2000. These additional costs were taken into account when police authorities set their budgets for 1999–2000. It is for chief constables to determine staffing levels within the overall resources available to them.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the phrase "any imposition of a similar nature", used in his answer of 8 April 1998,Official Report, column 262W, has the same meaning as in paragraph 10.5(f) of the White Paper on Interception of Communications in the United Kingdom (Cm 4368). [106059]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Yes. The intention is to provide a statutory framework to regulate the disclosure of communications data to investigating agencies. The grounds upon which disclosure of communications data may be required will be consistent with those contained in existing data protection legislation, and use of this power will be audited by an independent Commissioner, to ensure it is used only where necessary and proportionate to the matter under investigation. The new regime will also be governed by a statutory Code of Practice.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what translation facilities were available to the medical team he appointed to examine General Pinochet; and if they were available throughout the medical examination; [106010]

  (2) what were the linguistic qualifications of the medical team he appointed to examine General Pinochet. [105919]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: Dr. Wyke is a native speaker of Spanish who came to this country after completing a first degree at the Autonomous National University of Mexico. Professor Lees speaks Spanish fluently to a professional standard; he makes frequent visits to Spain and other Spanish speaking countries to give university lectures, in Spanish, on his area of medical expertise.

  The medical examination of Senator Pinochet was accordingly conducted in Spanish.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has held with the Government of Chile concerning the Spanish request for the extradition of General Pinochet; and if he will place correspondence relating to such discussions in the Library. [106017]
  20W
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: I have not personally discussed this case, or corresponded about it, with the Government of Chile, or any of its representatives.

  Some of my ministers and officials have had cause to do so. They have had strict regard to the fact that I am exercising a quasi-judicial function under the Extradition Act 1989. It is not our practice to make publicly available the contents of correspondence with other governments. The details of contacts of this nature are confidential to the governments concerned.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the terms of reference he gave the medical team he appointed to examine General Pinochet. [106007]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The medical team was asked to undertake the examinations and procedures it judged to be desirable in order to provide me with a fully comprehensive report on the state of Senator Pinochet's health.

  The team was also asked, without in any way intending to limit the comprehensive scope of the commission, to advise whether there were any aspects of Senator Pinochet's state of health which, separately or together, would suggest that he is not at present fit, or is likely to become unfit, to stand trial in Spain. Particular attention was drawn to Senator Pinochet's ability to follow a line of questioning, to recall events, some of which took place as long ago as the 1970s, and to give coherent evidence.

  The team was asked to advise on the extent to which the subjection of Senator Pinochet to a criminal trial would itself be likely to affect his health.

  To the extent to which any of the contents of the team's report were to be influenced by observation of Senator Pinochet's conduct and manner, advice was also sought on the extent to which that conduct and manner were capable of being consciously influenced by the Senator himself.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish figures for the 12 months ending September 1998 on the(a) number of notifiable offences by police force area and by category of offence; and (b) percentages of notifiable offences in individual offence groups by police force area. [106531]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It has not been possible to estimate totals for categories of offences at the police force level for the year ending September 1998 because of the change to new Home Office counting rules for recorded crime half way through the period.

  VAT (National Crime Squad and National Criminal Intelligence Service)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the amount of non-reclaimable value-added tax which will have to be paid by the(a) National Crime Squad and (b) National Criminal Intelligence Service in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [106533]
  21W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Estimates of VAT payments by the National Crime Squad (NCS) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) were £4.400 million and £2.068 million respectively for 1999–2000; and £5.310 million (NCS) and £2.304 million (NCIS) for 2000–01. Out-turn for 1999–2000 is likely to be slightly lower; and estimates for 2000–01 are likely to be reduced in the light of the levies I decided for the two organisations on 10 January. There is no current estimate for the costs of VAT for the two organisations for 2001–02.

  Prison Ships
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the viability of using aircraft carriers moored in Portsmouth as prison ships. [106174]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service continuously monitors the projected population figures and makes best use of the available accommodation to contain prisoners in secure custody. The Service evaluates all practical options that present themselves. Consideration has not been given to the idea of using an aircraft carrier moored in Portsmouth harbour as a prison ship.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to respond to the letter of 20 December 1999 from the hon. Member for Poole on behalf of Benjamin Patrick Daniels. [106200]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will reply to the hon. Member for Poole shortly.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 22 November regarding a constituent. [106201]

  Mrs. Roche
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 21 January. I am sorry for the delay.

  Prison, Ashford
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was taken to alter the plans for a 650 bed male prison at Ashford, Middlesex, to a 450 bed female prison. [106175]

  Mr. Boateng
  Ministerial endorsement to the construction on the Ashford site of a 450 place prison to hold female prisoners was formally given in March 1998.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to public funds of asylum seekers awaiting determination of their case in each of the last five years. [105993]

  Mrs. Roche
  Until 1999 (when responsibility transferred to the Home Office) asylum support costs were divided between the Department of Social Security and the Department of Health. In 1998–99, asylum support cost £470 million, of which £280 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1997–98, asylum support 22W
  cost £375 million, of which £305 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1996–97, asylum support cost £412.7 million of which £400 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1994–95 and 1995–96 asylum support costs were met by the Department of Social Security. These costs were £360 million and £420 million respectively. Changes to the Department of Social Security benefits in 1996 removed support to those asylum seekers who applied for support "in country". Support for asylum seekers was made available under the terms of the National Assistance Act 1948. With effect from 1996–97 local authorities were reimbursed for their expenditure through a special grant administered by the Department of Health.

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average waiting time for asylum seekers between arrival in the United Kingdom and determination of their case, in each of the last five years; [105994]

  (2) how many asylum seekers are awaiting determination of their case; and how many were awaiting determination at the end of each of the last five years. [105992]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of November 1999, 98,045 asylum applications were awaiting an initial decision.

  Available information on outstanding applications and average waiting times for 1994 to 1998 is given in the table.

  Average initial decision times in months, and number of outstanding cases, 1994–981

  Average length of decision time2

  Year

  All Applications1

  Applications lodged pre July 1993

  Applications lodged post July 1993

  Applications outstanding at the end of the year3

  1994

  17

  28

  6

  55,255

  1995

  18

  42

  9

  69,650

  1996

  17

  53

  12

  57,405

  1997

  22

  65

  15

  51,795

  1998

  17

  79

  12

  64,770

  1 Excluding dependants

  2 The average length of time (in months) is calculated from when data application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the year in which the decisions were made

  3 Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  Settlement Applications
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average waiting time for the processing of an application by a foreign national for settlement in this country on the basis of his or her marriage to a UK citizen. [105602]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not available.

  The time taken to process applications for settlement on the basis of marriage to a United Kingdom citizen is affected by a number of factors, including the complexity of individual cases. However, where the applicant obtained prior entry clearance for the purpose of marriage before entering the United Kingdom, applications for settlement are at present being dealt with within a week. Those applications where further inquiries may be needed

  23W
  can take considerably longer but are now being given priority. A special exercise was set in place before Christmas to target such applications.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the last five years, how many applications for settlement were(a) made, (b) decided on and (c) outstanding at the year end; and what was the average time taken to process an application in each year. [106047]

  Mrs. Roche
  The available information relates to decisions taken on applications for indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, excluding those cases where indefinite leave to remain is refused but limited leave is granted in some capacity. Data for 1995 to the end of the first half of 1999 are given in the table, together with an estimated average time which such decisions took in 1995–98. Following reorganisation of caseworking practices at the beginning of 1999, the time taken to process applications for variation of leave, which includes applications for indefinite leave to remain, is affected by a number of factors, including the complexity of individual cases. More than half of applications for variation of leave can be processed under "fast track" procedures. Such cases are currently being determined within about a week of receipt, but applications where further inquiries are needed may take considerably longer. Streamlined procedures have, however, been introduced throughout the Integrated Casework Directorate to speed up consideration of all applications.

  Year of decision

  Settlement applications decided

  Average time (in days) to decide applications for indefinite leave to remain

  1995

  59,040

  57

  1996

  64,340

  46

  1997

  60,580

  53

  1998

  71,290

  72

  19991

  236,300

  1 First half

  2 Provisional

  Entry Refusals
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons travelling by coach from Poland in the past six months have been refused entry at Dover; and what is the gender breakdown of these refusals. [104755]

  Mrs. Roche
  Statistics are not kept of the numbers of persons refused entry having travelled by coach, or of the gender breakdown of these refusals. A total of 1,934 Polish nationals were refused leave to enter at Dover between June and December 1999.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passengers travelling from Poland by coach, via Dover, are interviewed by immigration officials; and of those what proportion are(a) male and (b) female. [104753]
  24W
  Mrs. Roche
  All Polish nationals (and other non-European Union nationals travelling from Poland) seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom are interviewed by an immigration officer. Statistics on the gender of passengers are not kept.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Immigration Control Department Management Unit at the Whitgift Centre, Croydon, to reply immediately to the letter about Mrs. Sardj Goswarni of Oadby, Leicestershire, dated 23 October 1999, from the hon. and learned Member for Harborough to Moira Bing. [105982]

  Mrs. Roche
  An official from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the hon. and learned member on 19 January.

  Czech Republic (Visa Requirement)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Department's letter to the hon. Member for North Thanet of 17 January (Ref. PO 20700/99), what plans he has to impose visa requirements upon visitors from the Czech Republic. [106371]

  Mrs. Roche
  The hon. Member is aware of the Government's concern about the numbers of asylum seekers from the Czech Republic and other parts of Central Europe. We are in close contact at ministerial and official level with the countries concerned to try to improve the position and we keep all the possible options, including a visa regime, under review.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Entrepreneurship Lessons
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many secondary school pupils in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire will receive lessons in entrepreneurship in the current school year; and if he will make a statement. [101138]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department does not hold figures on the numbers of secondary school pupils receiving lessons in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship does not currently form part of the National Curriculum, and thus it is up to individual schools to decide whether, and how, to teach it.

  However the revised National Curriculum—most of which will come into force from September 2000—will encourage pupils to think creatively and critically, and will encourage innovation and enterprise. The new framework for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship will cover financial literacy, consumer education and entrepreneurial skills as follows:
  At Key Stage 1, children will be taught that money comes from difference sources and can be used for different purposes.
  At Key Stage 2, they will be taught to look after their money and realise that future wants and needs may be met through saving.

  25W
  At Key Stage 3, they will be taught what influences how we spend or save money, and how to become competent at managing personal money.
  At Key Stage 4, they will be taught to use a range of financial tools and services, including budgeting and saving, in managing personal money. They will also be taught the rights and responsibilities of consumers, employers and employees.

  £7 million of Standards Fund money has been made available for next academic year for implementation of the PSHE/citizenship frameworks in schools, and £5 million has been made available for the introduction of citizenship. Further funding will be available in 2001–02. In addition the Chancellor, in his 1999 Pre-Budget Report, announced a £10 million package to boost enterprise skills in schools, particularly those in disadvantaged areas.

  Life Education Centres
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make additional support available to schools to help them fund the services of life education centres; and if he will make a statement. [104009]

  Jacqui Smith
  The DfEE has already provided a significant amount of support for the work of Life Education Centres (LECs). Specific support has been provided for a Regional Development Officer's post, and LECs have also benefited from some the money provided by the DfEE through the Grants of Education Support and Training (GEST) and Standards Fund programmes for drug prevention and education work. We are providing a further £7.5 million of support this year and in 2000–01, through the Standards Fund, to assist all schools to deliver effective drug education. It is for individual schools to decide on the detailed content and organisation of drug education programmes in schools; Life Education Centres is one of a number of possible programmes they may adopt.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the items in the National Assets Register sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since 23 February 1999, stating in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total amount raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [104497]

  Mr. Wills
  The total value of money realised from the sale of assets by the Department from 23 February 1999 to January 2000, its agencies, and associated public bodies since the publication of the information in the National Assets Register is £8,407,482.

  Asset management is kept under close review, and those which are surplus to requirements are disposed of as quickly as possible, subject to value for money considerations. They are normally disposed of on the open market by public auction or tender. The exception to this rule is that in DfEE, good working IT equipment is gifted to education and employment bodies and projects via third
  26W
  party organisations. The table lists items reported as sold by the Department, its agencies, and associated public bodies since the information on assets was published in the National Assets Register.

  Department for Education and Employment

  Type of asset sold

  Number of transactions or transaction detail

  Value realised (£)

  23 February 1999 to January 2000

  Vehicles

  29

  120,103

  Other IT equipment

  By sale

  1,352

  4,114

  By recycle project1

  478

  0

  Freehold Property2

  Letchworth Skills Centre

  500,000

  Office Machinery

  9

  3,500

  1 Other IT Equipment—Other than the items sold by public auction and the recycling project, approx. 676 IT items were "scrapped" as they had no open market value.

  2 Letchworth Skill Centre—this property was disposed of in October 1998. The cash for this sale is payable in instalments spanning several years. The value realised represents the money received by the Department from this sale since last reported. There remain two instalments to be collected totalling £850,000 (£500,000 due in April 2000 and £350,000 due April 2001).

  Organisation

  Type of asset sold

  Value realised (£)

  Employment Service

  January 1999-December 1999

  Land and buildings1

  3,870,754

  Fixtures and fittings

  280

  Vehicles

  1,522,031

  Office machinery

  1,725

  Ofsted

  1999–2000

  Vehicles—cars2

  26,952

  QCA

  1998–99

  IT equipment

  1,179

  Motor vehicles

  19,279

  1999–2000

  Motor vehicles

  3,503

  Teachers Training Agency

  1999–2000

  Office equipment

  1,700

  Construction Industry Training Board

  1999–2000

  Land and buildings

  219,850

  Plant and machinery

  2,568

  Vehicles

  253,271

  Funding Agency for Schools 1

  1998–99

  IT equipment

  3,600

  1999–2000

  IT equipment

  1,600

  Furnishings

  400

  Fixtures and fittings

  35,000

  Investors in People (UK)

  1998–99

  IT equipment

  1,080

  1999–2000

  IT equipment

  138

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  1998–99

  Miscellaneous

  920

  1999–2000

  Miscellaneous

  2,048

  Remploy Ltd.

  1998–99

  Buildings

  540,000

  Plant and other equipment

  384,000

  27W

  Organisation

  Type of asset sold

  Value realised (£)

  1999–2000

  Buildings

  270,000

  Plant and other equipment

  473,000

  Other

  35,000

  Student Loan Company

  1998–99

  Computer equipment

  26,000

  Vehicles

  10,175

  1999–2000

  Office furniture

  630

  Further Education Funding Council

  1999–2000

  IT equipment

  3,607

  Office furniture

  340

  Office equipment

  135

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  1998–99

  Vehicles

  61,000

  IT equipment

  1,000

  1999–2000

  IT equipment

  7,000

  1 Employment Service Property Assets listed in the National Assets Register were sold between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999: Elephant & Castle ESJ; West London AT Crosby ESJ.

  2 Number of transactions: 7

  Reception Classes
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will review incentives for schools to recruit children early into reception classes. [105356]

  Ms Hodge
  The Secretary of State will continue to encourage school admission authorities to review with Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships the needs of four-year-old children and the preferences of their parents. This is stated in the recently published report "Tomorrow's Children: the review of pre-schools and playgroups and the Government's response."

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list local authorities which maintain(a) a single point of entry and (b) two points of entry to reception classes. [105355]

  Ms Hodge
  The Department is unable to compile a list of local education authorities who operate a single and two point of entry to infant and primary school reception classes. The timing of admission to reception classes may vary from school to school because in some cases responsibility for admission arrangements rest with the individual schools' governing bodies.

  Student Loans
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what ethical guidelines were set for Hays Document Management before the Student Loan contract was placed in Calcutta and Columbo. [105505]

  Mr. Wicks
  This is a matter for the Student Loans Company and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Schools Adjudicators
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to ensure that school closure adjudicators who have served as local councilors 28W
  are not appointed to carry out adjudications into closure proposals put forward by local authorities controlled by the political party to which they belong. [105627]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: The Chief Adjudicator, Sir Peter Newsam, is responsible for allocating school closure proposals to Adjudicators. In doing so he takes into consideration possible conflicts of interest.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements have been made to enable the adjudicator he has appointed to consider Northumberland County Council's proposals to close Kirknewton, Acklington and Milfield schools, to hold a public hearing or inquiry into the proposals, in accordance with the guidance on the School Adjudication System which he issued on 1 April 1999. [105641]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: I understand that Dr. Billings, the Adjudicator appointed to consider Northumberland County Council's proposals, is planning to hear directly from parents and other interested parties who have anything to add to the points made during the consultations which have already taken place. He has instructed the Office of the Schools Adjudicator to make the necessary arrangements.

  Subsidised Recycled Computers Scheme
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide funding to low-income earners and families participating in the subsidised recycled computers scheme to cover the costs of(a) telephone lines and calls, (b) increased electricity usage, (c) paper for printing and (d) maintenance and servicing. [105836]

  Mr. Wills
  The £15 million made available for the 'Computers Within Reach' initiative is entirely focused on maximising the subsidy on the recycling process, to enable computers to be made available at the lowest personal cost to those who could not otherwise afford it. The Department recognises that recipients' needs, circumstances and priorities will change during the lifetime of the scheme—for example, a job-seeker may initially wish to work off-line to produce a CV and develop word-processing, database and spreadsheet skills in order to improve employability. In order to meet this range of need, the computers will all be of a high minimum specification, including 56k modem, enabling recipients to control costs in using them on or off-line as they prefer. As usage will vary, subsidised funding will not be made available to cover telephone lines or calls. Electricity and paper costs are likely to be minimal, and the cost of the bureaucracy to administer them would not represent value for money.

  Maintenance and support are an essential part of this initiative. The minimum level of support available to all users under the scheme is as follows:

  Maintenance and Support

  Delivery and installation

  Delivery and installation to the purchaser's home or preferred location. Installation must include connection to the Internet if required, receipt of a welcome e-mail and access to the NGfL home page

  29W

  Maintenance and Support

  Service

  Maintenance for a minimum of one year for all hardware purchased.

  Warranty

  Replacement of system with equivalent or better specification in the event of failure within one year.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the procedure which must be followed by local education authorities before closing special needs schools; who makes the final decision in such instances; and if he will make a statement. [105577]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: A local education authority wishing to close a special school must first consult all interested parties, including the school itself, parents who have children at the school and any other local education authorities placing children at the school. If, after consultation, the local education authority decide to proceed with closure they must publish notices advising of their intention and providing information about alternative provision to be made for pupils who would be displaced by the closure. The notice must also be sent to whomever will be deciding the proposals. Usually, this will be the local School Organisation Committee; exceptionally, where a local School Organisation Plan has not been agreed, the decision will fall to the Secretary of State.

  Following publication of a proposal there is a statutory period during which anyone can send objections to the proposal to the local education authority. The authority then have a further statutory period in which to send their comments on the objections to the School Organisation Committee (or the Secretary of State).

  The School Organisation Committee's decision on statutory proposals, or that of the Secretary of State, is final. However, in cases where the School Organisation Committee cannot reach a unanimous view, the proposal must be referred to an independent adjudicator for decision.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students with special educational needs receive an assessment and have a plan prepared for their transition from school to further education, as a proportion of those so entitled; and what action he is taking to ensure that local authorities carry out their statutory obligations in this area. [106039]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not collected centrally. We would however expect LEAs and schools to have regard to their statutory duty to carry out a transitional review of a young person's statement of special educational needs following his or her 14th birthday; and to produce a transition plan covering all aspects of the young person's future development. The evidence is that LEAs and schools are meeting their obligations in this area. My Department is however ready to investigate any cases brought to its attention in which a school or LEA is not so complying.

  Autism
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the findings of the 1998–99 annual report of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal on cases involving autism. [105914]

  Jacqui Smith
  The number of appeals registered with the Special Educational Needs Tribunal in 1998–99 was 2,412. Of these, 313 involved autism.

  The Special Educational Needs Tribunal operates independently of Government and it would not be appropriate for the Department to comment on the cases heard.

  In September 1999 I hosted an Autism in Education Seminar, which has led to the establishment of a working group tasked to identify and disseminate good practice in relation to educational provision for children with autism.

  Employment Action Zones
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many contracts for employment action zones have been awarded to bids led by the public and voluntary sectors. [103689]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: We have not yet awarded any contracts to run Employment Zones from April 2000. We have, however, identified preferred bidders in 11 areas. Of these, seven will be led by a public sector/private sector consortium. The other four will be private sector led and we were encouraged that in each case the private sector organisation concerned is working in partnership with other public and/or voluntary organisations.

  Pupil Statistics
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for each year between 1990 and the latest year for which figures are available, what were the number of(a) 16-year-olds and (b) 17-year-olds in full-time education as a percentage of the age group, in total and broken down by gender. [106405]

  Mr. Wicks
  The information requested is contained in the following table:

  The numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education as a percentage of age group and by gender, England, end 1990 to end 1998

  Percentage of age group

  Males

  Females

  Males and Females

  16-year-olds

  End 1990

  55.1

  63.8

  59.5

  End 1991

  62.7

  70.7

  66.6

  End 1992

  66.5

  73.7

  70.0

  End 1993

  69.7

  75.7

  72.6

  End 19941 (a)

  68.6

  74.7

  71.5

  End 19941 (b)

  68.6

  73.5

  71.0

  End 1995

  67.3

  73.6

  70.4

  End 1996

  66.6

  73.0

  69.7

  End 1997

  66.1

  72.6

  69.3

  End 1998 (prov.)

  67.0

  74.2

  70.5

  31W

  The numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education as a percentage of age group and by gender, England, end 1990 to end 1998

  Percentage of age group

  Males

  Females

  Males and Females

  17-year-olds

  End 1990

  39.5

  46.4

  42.8

  End 1991

  45.1

  52.7

  48.8

  End 1992

  50.4

  58.0

  54.1

  End 1993

  54.0

  61.3

  57.5

  End 19941 (a)

  55.5

  62.1

  58.7

  End 19941(b)

  56.2

  61.3

  58.7

  End 1995

  55.5

  61.5

  58.4

  End 1996

  54.7

  61.3

  57.9

  End 1997

  54.1

  60.6

  57.2

  End 1998 (prov.)

  54.9

  61.7

  58.2

  1 Figures are shown on two bases for end 1994 due to a discontinuity in the FE data sources. The rows for (a) are consistent with earlier years and for (b) with later years.

  Source:

  Statistical First Release 13/99: Participation in education and training by 16 to 18 year olds in England, 1988 to 1998

  Higher Education Access Funds
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he intends to publish the report of his study into higher education access funds. [106203]

  Mr. Wicks
  We will publish the report of the Hardship Loans and Access Funds Review shortly.

  Youth Employment (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the(a) percentage and (b) total reduction in youth unemployment have been since 1 May 1997 in (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (ii) Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [105526]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 24 January 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the percentage and reduction in youth unemployment since 1st May 1997 in Shrewsbury and Atcham, and Shropshire.
  The ONS publish a monthly count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits. The claimant count consists of all people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits at Employment Service local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which the claim is made.
  Between 1st May1 and November 1999 unadjusted computerised claimants amongst 18–24 years old fell by 143 (37%) in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency and 695 (36%) in the Shropshire county.

  1 The closest count date for the 1st May relates to April's data.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to implement Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam with regard to age discrimination. [105596]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  At this stage the Commission published its proposal for a framework directive dealing with discrimination in employment and training on the grounds of disability, age, ethnic origin, religion/belief and sexual orientation, which was put forward by the European Commission in November. Negotiations have just begun within the relevant Working Group of the Social Affairs Council and agreement will require unanimity.

  The Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment is the centrepiece of our strategy to combat age discrimination in the workplace. The Code, which is non-statutory, sets the standard for non-ageist approaches to recruitment, training and development, promotion, redundancy and retirement. This is backed by detailed guidance and case studies. The Code, launched in June 1999, was developed with the help and advice of some key social partners, including the TUC, CBI, Institute of Personnel and Development, Age Concern and the Employers Forum on Age, among others. To date over 40,000 copies have been issued.

  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many jobs in(a) the Foreign Office and (b) EU institutions have an age limitation. [105595]

  Mr. Vaz
  All the jobs in the Diplomatic Service and the Home Civil Service of the Foreign Office have a retirement age of 60. For recruitment to the Diplomatic Service there is a lower age limit of 21 and an upper age limit of 52. For the Home Civil Service there is a lower age limit of 16 and an upper age limit of 58.

  The upper age limit for recruitment to the EU institutions is 45. The age of retirement is 65.

  Europe Roadshow
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reasoning behind the selection of each venue for the Your Britain Your Europe roadshow. [105536]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to my written reply to his question of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 415W. He should make a point of reading the replies to questions he has tabled.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he held with hon. Members regarding the Your Britain Your Europe roadshow, prior to its tour. [105537]

  Mr. Vaz
  Prior to the roadshow I wrote to all the hon. Members whose constituencies I covered during my tour.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Her Majesty's Government have sponsored the Your Britain Your Europe roadshow; which organisations were
  33W
  consulted over planning; and if he will make a statement on efforts made to maintain political neutrality therein. [105538]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is Government policy to set out the benefits of our membership of the EU. One of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's publicly declared performance targets is to increase public support for EU activities.

  We consulted the European Commission, European Parliament, Britain in Europe and Government Departments during the planning stage.

  This was not a party political event. All relevant constituency MPs and MEPs were invited to join.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of the activities featuring in the Your Britain Your Europe roadshow as concern(a) the British Embassy in Paris, (b) schools, (c) Nissan, Sunderland, (d) the House of Commons and (e) the South West Regional Euro Forum; and if he will deposit a copy of all material distributed during the tour in the Library. [105535]

  Mr. Vaz
  At the British Embassy in Paris I conducted a radio interview for the Today programme. In the UK, I visited several schools either to discuss EU projects in which they were involved, or to exchange views on Europe with students. At Nissan I met plant management and senior business leaders to discuss the impact of the single market on their businesses. I had no roadshow engagement in the House of Commons. At the South West Regional Euro Forum, I met regional business leaders to discuss trade opportunities and the impact of the euro. I have deposited copies of the roadshow material in the House of Commons Library.

  Cologne Presidency Conclusions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the non-military crisis response tools referred to in Section 56 of the Cologne Presidency Conclusions. [105588]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Conclusions of the Cologne European Council called on the General Affairs Council to deal with all aspects of security with a view to enhancing and better co-ordinating the Union's and member states' crisis response tools. In pursuit of this remit, the Presidency report adopted by the Helsinki European Council on "Non-military crisis management of the European Union" outlined further action on non-military aspects of security. It does not define the scope of that activity, but includes an illustrative list covering civilian police, humanitarian assistance, administrative and legal rehabilitation, search and rescue, electoral and human rights monitoring.

  EMU
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the Wilton Park paper entitled Europe after Economic and Monetary Union; and if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment of political conclusions reached. [105587]
  34W
  Mr. Vaz
  There is no Wilton Park paper with that exact title. However two papers on the subject of EMU, summarising conferences held in October 1998 and May 1999, are available on Wilton Park website www.wiltonpark.org.uk.

  Wilton Park brings together people of all viewpoints to discuss topical issues. Although its finances are underwritten by my Department, its academic independence is guaranteed. Its reports on EMU as on other subjects reflect the personal accounts of the chairman and rapporteur of the range of views expressed at its conferences. Government policy on EMU is clear. The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on EMU membership is whether the economic benefits from joining are clear and unambiguous.

  International Federation of Europe Houses
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the mission statement of the International Federation of Europe Houses; and if he will deposit in the library a list of(a) these Houses and (b) the activities of the Houses funded by the EU in 1999. [105790]

  Mr. Vaz
  The aim of the International Federation of Europe Houses is to encourage debate among the citizens of Europe about the issue of European integration. The members of the Federation are independent bodies with structures and operating procedures which reflect the particular community, region, country and cultural sphere in which they operate.

  A list of the Houses and the activities of the Houses in 1999 has been deposited in the Library.

  The European Commission provides up to a maximum of 50 per cent. funding for individual projects.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105801]

  Mr. Hain
  We have in place a Health Promotion Strategy, based on the White Paper "Our Healthier Nation", and have signed up to the Healthy Workplace Initiative. The strategy includes a policy limiting smoking to designated areas and single occupancy offices. In response to the request by the Government White Paper "Smoking Kills", further restrictions to the smoking policy are under consideration.

  We run a campaign on National No Smoking Day and also incorporate anti-smoking initiatives in regular health fairs. Advice on quitting smoking forms part of routine medical clearance procedures for employees (and spouses) going overseas and our doctors and nurses provide one-to-one and group support for individuals who want to quit smoking. Our health and safety team raise awareness about smoking on seminars for senior managers and on pre-posting training courses and we offer a range of information through our Healthline Library. Plans are in hand for a website which will be used to promote various health issues including anti-smoking initiatives.

  Golden Fleece
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Argentine Government regarding access by the Stanley-registered schooner Golden Fleece to the port of Ushuaia; and if he will make a statement. [106077]

  Mr. Battle
  We are aware of the paper which the owner of the Golden Fleece recently received from the port authorities in Ushuaia about entry by his vessel to Argentine ports. We have taken this incident up with the Argentine Government in Buenos Aires. I understand that these discussions are progressing satisfactorily. I hope that the matter can be resolved in a way that will not result in a recurrence of this type of incident. I shall write to my hon. Friend to update him on the outcome of our representations.

  Corpus Juris
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the basis of his statement that corpus juris was no longer on the agenda. [106400]

  Mr. Vaz
  The idea of a European Public Prosecutor was discussed but not agreed at Tampere. The Corpus Juris package of proposals have never been formally tabled and were not subject to discussion.

  Xenophobia
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the EU Monitoring Centre on Xenophobia in formulating the Charter of Fundamental Rights. [106375]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is open to individuals and organisations such as the EU Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia to contribute views on the Charter. The Charter drafting body consists only of representatives of member states, National Parliaments, the European Parliament and the Commission.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions exports notified as having been denied under the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports have been subsequently taken up by businesses from (i) other EU countries and (ii) non-EU countries. [106309]

  Mr. Hain
  Operative Provision 3 of the EU Code of Conduct sets out the procedures to be followed by member states refusing licence applications and consulting other states about their notification of denial of a licence.

  Operative Provision 4 of the EU Code of Conduct states that
  "Member States will keep such denials and consultations confidential and will not use them for commercial advantage".

  These provisions effectively prevent member states from revealing business gained as a result of undercuts following EU Denials. We are not informed if non-EU countries take up business refused by EU member states.
  36W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of his Department on the control of arms exports to combatants in the Great Lakes Region. [106385]

  Mr. Hain
  Export licence applications for countries involved in the conflict in the Great Lakes region are considered on a case by case basis against our strict national criteria and those in the EU Code of Conduct.

  Nuclear Deterrent
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement made by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 18 January 2000,Official Report, columns 171–74WH, if it remains Her Majesty's Government's policy to retain a strategic nuclear deterrent as long as other countries possess nuclear weapons. [106132]

  Mr. Vaz
  We pledged in our election manifesto to retain Trident as the ultimate guarantee of the United Kingdom's security while pressing for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons.

  When we are satisfied with progress towards our goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons, we will ensure that British nuclear weapons are included in negotiations.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken since 12 October 1999 to seek a European Union embargo on the export of arms and dual-use goods to Pakistan. [106647]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the coup in Pakistan with his EU colleagues at the European Council at Tampere on 15–16 October 1999 and at the General Affairs Council on 15 October 1999. EU Foreign Ministers considered a full range of options for further measures against the military regime.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the meeting on 8 December 1999 between officials of his Department and other departments at which the processing of strategic export licence applications for Pakistan was discussed. [106646]

  Mr. Hain
  Minutes of internal discussions are not made public under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the export of a load handling system and container unit to Norwegian People's Aid in Kosovo. [106867]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have granted a licence for the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of a Load Handling System and Container Unit for use by Norwegian People's Aid, an organisation engaged in humanitarian demining activities in Kosovo on behalf of
  37W
  the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). These goods are on the UK's Military List.

  UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1160 imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that in UNSCR 1244, which provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for use by the international civil and security presence in Kosovo. We have notified the UN Sanctions Committee of this export and they have raised no objection. The export of the equipment required for demining purposes is not prohibited by the EU arms embargo.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the accommodation available for displaced and homeless Roma in Kosovo. [106098]

  Mr. Vaz
  UNMIK have given urgent consideration to the needs of the Roma. Shelter for all of Kosovo's population has been a major concern for the international community working in Kosovo this winter.

  A number of contingency measures have been taken to provide some form of protection for people who do not have access to shelter of their own. These include:
  500 prefabricated units set up in the Mitrovica, Pec and Decane districts;
  8,000 places in heated collective accommodation identified;
  the provision of up to 15,000 all-season tents and heating.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [105870]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for the Treasury,Official Report, columns 117–8W.

  EU Common Defence and Security Policy
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of European Union enlargement on the Common European Defence and Security Policy. [104537]

  Mr. Vaz
  The development of the CEDSP of the EU continues following the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council. The arrangements put in place need to reflect, before enlargement, the EU's relations with the aspirant countries and equally to enable the policy to function in an enlarged community. For their part, new members will be expected to accept the defence acquis of the Union when they join.

  World Trade Organisation (Croatian Membership)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a38W
  statement on the Government's policy on Croatia's application for membership of the World Trade Organisation. [104756]

  Mr. Vaz
  We support Croatia's application to join the World Trade Organisation. Membership will allow Croatia to enjoy the benefits of integration in the world trading system. We hope that agreement on the terms of Croatia's joining can be reached quickly.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact that the deferment of Croatia's application to join the World Trade Organisation will have on its advancement(a) to a full market economy and (b) to meet criteria for European Union membership; and if he will make a statement. [104757]

  Mr. Vaz
  We hope that the agreement on the terms of Croatia's joining the WTO can be reached quickly, but a delay need not affect Croatia's progress towards a full market economy or EU membership. Croatia can reform its economic and market structures independently of pursuing its application to join the WTO. We urge the new Croatian government to make progress towards meeting the criteria for EU membership, including democratisation, respect for human rights and compliance with international obligations.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss Croatia's application for membership of the World Trade Organisation when he next meets(a) the United States Secretary of State, (b) the Foreign Minister of France and (c) the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [104752]

  Mr. Vaz
  The GAC on 24 January will discuss the full range of EU policy towards Croatia in light of the election results. We support Croatia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Balkans are likely to be on the agenda when the Foreign Secretary next speaks to Mrs. Albright.

  Visa Regimes (Europe)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which European countries the United Kingdom operates a visa regime. [104754]

  Mr. Vaz
  The United Kingdom operates a visa regime on the following European countries:

  Albania

  Belarus

  Bosnia Herzegovina

  Bulgaria

  Croatia

  Macedonia

  Romania

  Slovakia

  Turkey

  Ukraine

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  East Timor
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current security situation in East Timor. [104565]
  39W
  Mr. Battle
  I visited Indonesia and East Timor on 16–20 January. As I discussed with Major General Cosgrove, the Commander of INTERFET, the security situation in East Timor is generally stable. A memorandum of understanding between the Indonesian Armed Forces, the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) on relations at the East Timor/West Timor border was signed on 12 January. All remain concerned about militia activity in the enclave of Oecussi and in West Timor's refugee camps. I made our concerns about this clear to the Indonesian Regional Military Commander during my visit.

  Commercial Guidelines
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines his Department gives to British private sector companies which employ non-governmental military companies in areas of conflict in the developing world. [106128]

  Mr. Battle
  No specific prescriptive guidelines exist.

  Both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office encourage British private sector companies to act responsibly in overseas investments, particularly in areas of conflict.

  Both Departments provide briefing on the prevailing internal situation in specific countries on request.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  World Trade Organisation
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to co-ordinate different Government department's policies towards the World Trade Organisation. [104503]

  Mr. Caborn
  We use informal and formal networks into which we put a lot of effort. Informally, DTI officials have almost daily contact with colleagues in other Government Departments, including in particular FCO, HMT, DfID, MAFF and DETR. More formally, we have regular cross-Whitehall meetings of officials in a Trade Policy Group. There is also correspondence at ministerial level and discussions in Cabinet Committee. Reflecting this close co-ordination we had a team of officials including other Government Departments in Seattle and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and myself.

  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate a consultation process concerning the outcome of the World Trade Organisation talks in Seattle and future policy in relation to such talks. [105061]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State stated the Government's position following the Seattle Conference in the debate in the House on 9 December 1999,Official Report, columns 1022–94. As the Government remain committed to the launch of a new comprehensive Round of trade negotiations, the existing consultation
  40W
  processes which they have in place remain valid. This includes consultation with Parliament, to which the Government attach particular importance. The Government launched a wider consultation exercise last year, including a new website which we will be expanding in the coming months to provide more information and features, and to which we have had a good response. We will also continue to hold meetings with a range of people including business, NGOs and trades unions at both official and ministerial level.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he is intending to provide to developing countries without a permanent representative to the World Trade Organisation Secretariat in Geneva in order to assist them to be more fully involved in the Millennium Round of trade negotiations. [105579]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: While the Government regret that a new Round was not launched at the Seattle Conference at the end of last year, we remain committed to launching a comprehensive Round at the earliest opportunity. The Government have committed themselves to increasing the WTO's regular budget for technical assistance. In addition, the Government have funded a number of other programmes for countries without a mission in Geneva including: a week-long series of briefings, seminars and policy debates in Geneva to help these countries prepare for the Seattle meeting; support for CARICOM countries most of whom do not have a representative in Geneva to participate in WTO negotiations; their contribution to the Commonwealth's Trade and Investment Access Facility through which they are funding inter alia a Geneva-based trade policy expert to advise their trade Ministries. In addition, the Government are working with a wide range of organisations including UNCTAD, the World Bank and Commonwealth Secretariat to help build the trade capacity of developing and least developed countries so that they can participate more effectively in the world trading system.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason Croatia's application for membership of the World Trade Organisation was not accepted; and if he will make a statement. [104758]

  Mr. Caborn
  Croatia's market access offer in services which forms part of her World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession negotiations has not been accepted by all WTO members. This currently prevents her becoming a member of the WTO. The United Kingdom continues to fully support Croatian WTO accession, and looks forward to welcoming her as a WTO member in the near future.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to liaise with the Secretary of State for Social Security to ensure that the introduction of stakeholder pension schemes are introduced in a way which minimises the regulatory impact and cost of compliance for small businesses. [105599]

  Ms Hewitt
  As a result of the consultation process, one of the key decisions on stakeholder pensions announced by the Secretary of State for Social Security on 10 January 2000,Official Report, columns 79–80W was that

  41W
  businesses with fewer than five employees will not be required to provide access to a scheme, thus minimising the additional burden for small businesses. My officials in the Small Business Service are in continuing discussions with their counterparts in the Department for Social Security, and with representative bodies, specifically on how the potential administrative burden on employers can be kept to a minimum.

  Company Assistance (Non-assisted Areas)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (1) financial assistance is available to new businesses in non-assisted areas; [105274]

  (2) what financial assistance he will provide for company expansion in non-assisted areas. [105273]

  Mr. Caborn
  Financial Assistance to companies in non-Assisted Areas is restricted to SMEs. The Secretary of State announced on 10 November 1999,Official Report, column 629W, proposals for a new Enterprise Grant scheme for SMEs which will be available in certain specified non-Assisted Areas, as well as the Assisted Areas. This is a discretionary scheme offering a grant of up to 15 per cent. of fixed capital costs on projects of less than £500,000 (7½ per cent. in the case of medium sized firms in the specified non-Assisted Areas), with a maximum grant of £75,000. Both new businesses and existing companies seeking to expand are eligible to apply. Further details of the scheme can be found in the scheme brochure, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. In addition, the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme continues to support small firms nationally by providing a Government Guarantee, against default by borrowers, to high street banks and other financial bodies. Loans under the Scheme can be between £5,000 and £250,000 to both new and existing businesses which are looking to expand.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list for each member of the ECGD Advisory Committee how much ECGD business has been undertaken in respect of which the member has a declared financial interest. [105419]

  Mr. Caborn
  The amount of business for which ECGD has provided cover for companies or banks in which EGAC members have declared a financial interest is as follows:

  Member

  Date of entry

  Company in which interest held

  Business since date of entry £ million

  David Harrison

  January 1997

  Lloyds TSB plc

  1281

  Liz Airey

  March 1998

  LASMO plc

  None

  Alan Brown

  September 1998

  Barclays plc

  124

  Stuart Doughty

  January 1997

  Kennedy Construction Ltd.

  None

  A-C Mac Ltd.

  None

  Paramount Performance

  None

  Geoffrey Lynch

  May 1993

  Hiscox plc

  None

  42W

  Member

  Date of entry

  Company in which interest held

  Business since date of entry £ million

  Peter Mason

  March 1998

  AMEC plc

  20

  Witchingham Development Ltd.

  None

  David

  December

  HSBC plc

  17941

  McLachlan

  1998

  Nat West plc

  1.3

  1 The figures are for finance provided by the banks either as sole lender or member of a lending syndicate (principal amounts only).

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries are off cover for medium/long-term ECGD export credit cover. [105478]

  Mr. Caborn
  The table shows, from information readily available, those markets where there is no medium/long-term cover available.

  The table also includes those markets where only projects meeting the "Good Projects" criteria will be considered. Where no medium-term cover is available ECGD may consider viable hard currency earning projects in the public/private sector (not sovereign) on a case-by-case basis.

  Market

  M/T cover?

  Afghanistan

  N

  Burma

  N

  Chad

  N

  Gabon

  N

  Iraq

  N

  Kenya

  N

  Libya

  N

  Nigeria

  N

  Somalia

  N

  Uganda

  N

  R—although no M/L cover available projects can be considered under 'Good Projects' initiative for the following markets

  Albania

  R

  Algeria

  R

  Angola

  R

  Argentina

  R

  Armenia

  R

  Azerbaijan

  R

  Bangladesh

  R

  Belarus

  R

  Benin

  R

  Bhutan

  R

  Bosnia-Herzegovina

  R

  Bulgaria

  R

  Burkina Faso

  R

  Burundi

  R

  Cambodia

  R

  Cameroon

  R

  Cape Verde Islands

  R

  CAR

  R

  Comoros

  R

  Congo

  R

  Congo DR

  R

  Cook Islands

  R

  Cote d'Ivoire

  R

  Cuba

  R

  Dominican Republic

  R

  Ecuador

  R

  Equatorial Guinea

  R

  Ethiopia

  R

  Gambia

  R

  43W

  Market

  M/T cover?

  Georgia

  R

  Guatemala

  R

  Guinea-Bissau

  R

  Guyana

  R

  Haiti

  R

  Honduras

  R

  Iran

  R

  Jordan

  R

  Kazakhstan

  R

  Kiribati

  R

  Kyrgyzstan

  R

  Laos

  R

  Liberia

  R

  Macedonia

  R

  Madagascar

  R

  Malawi

  R

  Mali

  R

  Marshall Islands

  R

  Mauritania

  R

  Micronesia

  R

  Moldova

  R

  Mozambique

  R

  Nicaragua

  R

  Niger

  R

  Niue

  R

  North Korea

  R

  Northern Marianas

  R

  Pakistan

  R

  Palau

  R

  Peru

  R

  Qatar

  R

  Romania

  R

  Russia

  R

  Rwanda

  R

  St. Lucia

  R

  Samoa

  R

  Sao Tome and Principe

  R

  Senegal

  R

  Serbia and Montenegro

  R

  Seychelles

  R

  Sierra Leone

  R

  Slovakia

  R

  Solomon Islands

  R

  Sudan

  R

  Surinam

  R

  Syria

  R

  Tajikistan

  R

  Tanzania

  R

  Togo

  R

  Turkmenistan

  R

  Tuvalu

  R

  Ukraine

  R

  Uzbekistan

  R

  Venezuela

  R

  Yemen

  R

  Zambia

  R

  Zimbabwe

  R

  Note:

  As at 15 January 2000

  EU Structural Funds
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given on the retrospective funding of projects under the forthcoming Objective 1 Programme. [105523]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Structural Funds General Regulation sets out when retrospective funding of projects is permitted. For the UK's Objective 1 programmes this is the date on which the Commission 44W
  deem they had received an acceptable draft of the programme. For the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly programme, this is 3 November 1999.

  It has always been a matter for Programme Monitoring Committees to decide whether, and to what extent, they wish to use any retrospection.

  Enterprise Grant
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce(a) the criteria for the tier 3 grant up to £75,000 and (b) the amount available to the regions of England; and if he will make a statement. [106152]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information is as follows:

  (a) My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 10 November 1999, Official Report, column 629W, a new discretionary Enterprise Grant scheme which would be available to SMEs in tier 3 and the Assisted Areas of the English regions. The aim is to target high quality projects with fixed capital investment of up to £500,000. There will be some regional variation in the delivery of the scheme through the Government Offices, taking account of the economic strategies of the Regional Development Agencies. Further details of the scheme's core criteria can be found in the scheme brochure, copies of which I have placed in the Libraries of the Houses.

  (b) The budget for Enterprise Grant is £45 million over three years. The allocation for 2000–01 by region, based on 3-year average spending on Regional Selective Assistance cases at this level, will be as follows:

  £000

  Region

  Allocation for 2000–01

  East

  300

  East Midlands

  1,200

  London

  300

  North East

  3,000

  North West

  3,600

  South East

  900

  South West

  450

  West Midlands

  3,150

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,100

  Total

  15,000

  National Minimum Wage
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will quantify the impact of a minimum wage increase to(a) £4, (b) £4.50 and (c) £5 per hour on (i) employment, (ii) price levels and (iii) Government expenditure. [105916]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Measuring the effect of hypothetical levels of the national minimum wage on employment, price levels and Government expenditure is a highly complex task and the impacts would be difficult to quantify. For the last nine months the Low Pay Commission has carried out a thorough empirical study of the impact of the actual minimum wage since its introduction, and that report will be published soon. Neither the Government nor the Low Pay Commission
  45W
  has carried out detailed modelling on the scenarios given in the question, and could not do so except at a disproportionate cost.

  Post Offices
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices and sub-post offices there were in England in May 1997, 1998 and 1999; and what the projected figure is for 2000. [106042]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office the numbers of directly operated post offices and of sub-post offices in England were as follows:

  Directly operated

  Sub-post offices

  Total

  March 1998

  510

  14,268

  14,778

  March 1999

  502

  14,091

  14,593

  The Post Office does not have the comparable figures for years before 1998 and does not make forward projections of post office numbers.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there were in the Salisbury constituency in each year from 1983 to 1999; and if he will make a statement. [106157]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that they do not hold historic information on the numbers of post offices in each parliamentary constituency and that such information cannot readily be compiled.

  The Post Office advise that in October 1999 the number of post offices in the Salisbury constituency was 55.

  Benefit Payment Methods
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact that switching payments from benefits and pensions books to bank transfers will have on local post offices and sub-post offices. [106076]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The automation of the post office network, which is due for completion by the spring of 2001, will enable the Post Office to extend its arrangements with the high street banks to offer a range of banking facilities at post offices. This will mean that benefit recipients who wish to access their benefits in cash at post offices will continue to be able to do so, both before and after the migration of benefit payments to automated credit transfer from 2003, while other bank customers will benefit from the wider availability of banking facilities, particularly in rural areas.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make available all information relating to the proportion of business income accounted for by Benefits Agency business for post offices within(a) Somerset and (b) the Yeovil constituency; and if he will make a statement. [104749]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The proportion of business income accounted for by Benefits Agency business for post offices varies from post office to post office.

  "The Rising Tide"
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the extent to which the objectives set out in the report of the Committee on Women in Science and Technology, The Rising Tide, have been met. [106051]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department's Unit charged with promoting science, engineering and technology (SET) for women, which was set up in response to one of "The Rising Tide" recommendations, continues to monitor progress on the other recommendations in that report.

  There is a continuing problem with the under-representation of women in SET, especially in the physical sciences and engineering, and the Unit works with other organisations in the field to seek to redress this. Recent initiatives include the ATHENA project, a joint project with the Higher Education Funding Councils and the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, targeted at addressing barriers to progression in higher education, and promoting a positive image for women in SET careers through the recent poster campaign targeted at 13-year-old girls. Further information and links to other relevant organisations are available via the Unit's website at www.set4women.gov.uk.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much debt service he estimates will be received from each of the heavily-indebted poor countries in the financial years(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [105745]

  Mr. Caborn
  The UK has debt agreements with 32 heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). The table shows payments due to ECGD under these agreements together with an estimate of amounts likely to be received by the end of each year, assuming the schedules remain unchanged. However a number of these HIPCs will benefit from further debt reduction and rescheduling in the current year under the enhanced HIPC Initiative. This provides for up to 90 per cent. debt reduction multilaterally, or more in the case of need. Additionally some will benefit from the Chancellor's recent announcement that the UK will unilaterally write off 100 per cent. of the debt in certain circumstances. The extent of further debt reduction and the timing thereof for each country depends on a number of factors. Consequently it is not yet possible to gauge with any accuracy the effect on the current estimates.

  Estimate of receipts from HIPCs 1999–2000 and 2000–01 (assuming current debt agreements remain unchanged)

  £ million

  Country

  Amount due 1999–2000

  Estimate of receipts by 31 March 2000

  Amount due 2000–01

  Estimate of receipts by 31 March 2001

  Angola

  10.373

  nil

  10.373

  nil

  Benin

  0.180

  0.180

  0.169

  0.169

  Bolivia

  0.803

  0.627

  0.502

  0.502

  Burkina

  Faso

  0.059

  0.059

  0.037

  0.020

  C.A.R.

  0.069

  nil

  0.011

  nil

  Cameroon

  1.414

  1.414

  2.379

  2.379

  47W

  Estimate of receipts from HIPCs 1999–2000 and 2000–01 (assuming current debt agreements remain unchanged)

  £ million

  Country

  Amount due 1999–2000

  Estimate of receipts by 31 March 2000

  Amount due 2000–01

  Estimate of receipts by 31 March 2001

  Congo

  Republic

  14.447

  nil

  10.165

  nil

  Congo D.R.

  11.753

  nil

  11.753

  nil

  Cote

  d'Ivoire

  2.619

  0.068

  0.087

  0.087

  Ethiopia

  0.478

  0.478

  0.429

  0.429

  Ghana

  1.434

  0.721

  0.722

  0.722

  Guinea

  Republic

  0.673

  0.103

  0.613

  0.613

  Guyana

  2.476

  1.607

  1.548

  1.548

  Kenya

  11.770

  6.850

  13.108

  13.108

  Liberia

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Madagascar

  0.263

  0.263

  1.290

  1.290

  Malawi

  0.117

  0.117

  0.100

  0.100

  Mali

  0.638

  nil

  0.657

  nil

  Mauritania

  0.638

  nil

  0.638

  nil

  Mozambique

  11.176

  nil

  12.159

  12.159

  Nicaragua

  0.031

  nil

  0.007

  0.007

  Senegal

  0.015

  0.015

  0.403

  0.403

  Sierra

  Leone

  0.128

  nil

  0.135

  0.135

  Somali

  Republic

  0.456

  nil

  0.456

  nil

  Sudan

  11.253

  nil

  10.566

  10.566

  Tanzania

  1.732

  1.732

  11.999

  11.999

  Togo

  2.042

  nil

  2.245

  nil

  Uganda

  0.291

  0.291

  0.291

  0.291

  Vietnam

  0.318

  0.318

  0.232

  0.232

  Yemen

  0.189

  0.189

  0.118

  0.118

  Zambia

  0.885

  0.868

  1.031

  1.031

  Note:

  With the exception of Nicaragua for whom a Moratorium was agreed `nil' is shown where countries have not been servicing debt. Liberia's final payment date was in 1998 therefore no payments are scheduled. However they have not paid for many years and there are arrears of some £15.7 million.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much total bilateral debt service was received by Her Majesty's Government from each of the heavily-indebted poor countries in the financial year 1998–99. [105738]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: In the financial year 1998–99 a total of £39.628 million was received from heavily-indebted poor countries under bilateral debt agreements. The table shows a country by country breakdown.

  Receipts from HIPCS in 1998–99 under bilateral debt agreements

  £ million

  Country

  Amounts received 1998–99

  Angola

  nil

  Benin

  0.216

  Bolivia

  1.083

  Burkina Faso

  0.081

  C.A.R.

  nil

  Cameroon

  1.858

  Congo Republic

  nil

  Congo D.R.

  nil

  Cote d'Ivoire

  0.268

  Ethiopia

  0.564

  48W

  Receipts from HIPCS in 1998–99 under bilateral debt agreements

  £ million

  Country

  Amounts received 1998–99

  Ghana

  1.397

  Guinea Republic

  0.154

  Guyana

  3.438

  Kenya

  11.537

  Liberia

  nil

  Madagascar

  0.464

  Malawi

  0.086

  Mali

  0.270

  Mauritania

  0.321

  Mozambique

  nil

  Nicaragua

  0.039

  Senegal

  0.020

  Sierra Leone

  nil

  Somalia Republic

  nil

  Sudan

  nil

  Tanzania

  9.806

  Togo

  0.161

  Uganda

  0.275

  Vietnam

  0.851

  Yemen

  3.491

  Zambia

  3.248

  Note:

  Where 'nil' is shown the countries have not been servicing this debt.

  Information Technology
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ensure the continued growth of the IT and communications infrastructure. [106090]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: We will continue to work with Oftel and the European Commission to ensure that the regulatory framework promotes competition and investment in communications infrastructure and services. This year will see the grant of licences for third generation mobile and broadband fixed wireless services which will give a major boost to competition in broadband services. BT is also investing heavily in upgrading its local loop so that competing service providers can provide new broadband services from this Spring. Competing telecoms operators will also be able to provide such services over unbundled local loop from July 2001.

  Companies (Political Fundraising)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will seek to reform company law to control the use of companies for fundraising for extremist purposes; [106096]

  (2) if he will investigate possible breaches of company law by Info 2000 Software Ltd; and if he will make a statement; [106094]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a limited company may be used for fundraising for extremist causes; [106093]

  (4) if he will seek to amend company law to enable those dealing with companies whose function is fundraising for extremist causes to be aware of the nature of the company with which they are dealing. [106095]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: In many cases a company's memorandum of association, delivered for the purposes of incorporation, will disclose the nature

  49W
  of its objects. However this is not a statutory requirement and a company's objects are often drafted in general terms and do not in practice restrain the company's activities. In subsequent disclosure on its annual return, a company is required either to give its Standard Industrial Classification code, which indicates its main activities, or to give a verbal description of them. Those companies that are obliged to file a directors' report as part of their annual accounts must include a description of their main activities in that report. All these documents are available for public inspection.

  At present, the law requires that companies disclose in the directors' report all donations or subscriptions in excess of £200 to a political party of the United Kingdom. The Political Parties Elections and Referendums Bill, now before the House, will seek to widen the scope of this disclosure requirement by extending it to include all foreign political parties.

  If a company and/or those connected with it, are engaged in any criminal activity, they will be subject to the appropriate criminal sanctions. If a company fails to file its annual report or accounts, this can lead to the company being struck off. In relation to the specific company referred to in my hon. Friend's questions, it is currently in default of its filing obligations, and steps are being taken to strike the company off. If the hon. Member has any further specific information it should be sent to my Department, for consideration of what further action, if any, should be taken.

  Ethical Trading Initiative
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial support his Department has given to the Ethical Trading Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [106126]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department, together with the Department for International Development and other interested departments, fully supports the aims of the Ethical Trading Initiative and encourages companies to associate themselves with it. It is an important voluntary sector initiative promoting corporate codes of conduct relating to companies' dealings with overseas suppliers. My Department does not provide direct financial support to the Ethical Trading Initiative, although such assistance is provided by the Department for International Development.

  Internet
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the amount of telephone traffic going via the internet; and if he will make a statement. [106718]

  Ms Hewitt
  Current estimates are that no more than 1 per cent. of voice telephony traffic globally is carried over the internet. But an increasing proportion of all telecommunications traffic consists of internet data. According to OF1EL, the UK Telecommunications regulator, the current proportion in the UK is around 25 per cent. of all telecommunications traffic.

  Defence-related Exports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the total sum paid out in 50W
  claims authorised by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in 1998–99 was for defence-related exports. [105929]

  Mr. Caborn
  21 per cent. of the claims authorised in 1998–99 were in respect of defence-related exports.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's 1998–99 exposure in unrecovered claims is for defence-related exports. [105931]

  Mr. Caborn
  8.5 per cent. of unrecovered claims were in respect of defence-related exports.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is concerning the underwriting of defence-related equipment sales to the Governments of(a) Jordan, (b) Kenya, (c) Egypt, (d) Algeria and (e) Nigeria. [105933]

  Mr. Caborn
  ECGD, for varying reasons, is not currently underwriting defence-related equipment sales to the Governments of Jordan, Kenya and Algeria. It is unlikely that ECGD support would be available for defence sales to Nigeria. In principle, cover is available for defence sales to Egypt on a case by case basis.

  With the exception of Egypt, ECGD has not supported defence business on these markets for some years.

  It is a condition of ECGD support for defence business that there should be a valid export licence, if applicable, for the goods involved.

  Parental Leave
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of the rate of take-up of parental leave if it were(a) paid by employers, (b) paid by the Government and (c) unpaid. [106032]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In the Regulatory Impact Assessment we produced an estimate that for every 700,000 babies born, 100,000 parents will take unpaid parental leave. We have not produced estimates on the rate of take-up of paid parental leave.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the potential costs of parental leave if it were paid by the Government. [106031]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We have introduced unpaid parental leave as agreed by the European Social Partners and in line with our commitment in the Fairness at Work White Paper. The Regulatory Impact Assessment makes an estimate of the cost of unpaid parental leave. We have not produced an estimate of the potential costs of paid parental leave.

  European Employment Pact
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 6 December, Official Report, column 420W, on the Employment Pact, if it is her Department's assessment that a quantitative evaluation is possible of the practical benefits arising from the European Employment Pact. [105659]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.
  51W
  The European Employment Pact brought together three processes: the Luxembourg employment process, the Cardiff economic reform process and the new Cologne macro-economic dialogue. It brings fresh impetus to the promotion of long term, sustainable job creation in a climate of stability and growth. The Joint Employment Report assesses progress against the Employment Guidelines and the Cardiff Reports assess the progress of product and capital market reforms. It is too soon to evaluate the benefits of the Cologne process.

DEFENCE

  Territorial Army
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will address personnel shortages in the Army by retaining larger numbers of TA units than he had previously planned. [104545]

  Mr. Spellar
  The restructuring of the Territorial Army following the SDR is making it better able to support the regular Army than before. I therefore have no plans to reverse these changes.

  European Defence and Security Policy
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the role of non-NATO states in the common European defence and security policy. [104549]

  Mr. Hoon
  Under arrangements agreed at December's Helsinki European Council, all EU member states will be entitled to participate, on an equal basis, in EU decision making on Common Defence and Security matters. There will be no discrimination between those EU member states who are NATO Allies and those who are not.

  Elvington Airfield
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of Elvington airfield. [104550]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Elvington airfield is surplus and is being sold. My Department has now selected a preferred purchaser and intends to sell the property to Elvington Park Ltd. It is hoped that the sale will be concluded shortly.

  Royal Ordnance
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of Royal Ordnance. [104551]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  As I announced on 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 467W, we have entered into a long term partnering arrangement with Royal Ordnance for the supply of a wide range of ammunition products from Royal Ordnance. The arrangement, which is initially for 10 years, will provide Royal Ordnance with a stable workload worth some £100 million per year. It will provide value for money for the taxpayer by establishing a stable base from which Royal Ordnance can invest and restructure for the future.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Bosnia. [104552]

  Mr. Hoon
  British forces continue to make an outstanding contribution to the international community's peace-keeping operations in Kosovo and Bosnia. In Kosovo, we contribute 3,500 troops to KFOR, while in Bosnia we intend to bring our contribution down from around 3,300 now to some 2,000 during the course of this year.

  The United Kingdom remains fully committed to long-term peace and stability in the Balkans as a whole.

  30. Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the weapons and equipment used by British armed forces during the Kosovo operations; and if he will make a statement. [104566]

  Mr. Hoon
  My Department constantly monitors the effectiveness of the weapons and equipment used by British armed forces, and we have learned valuable lessons from our experiences in Kosovo. Remedial action is being taken forward as appropriate and a report on lessons learned will be published later this year.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations about the SA 80 weapon system were made to Ministers by the Chiefs of Staff during the Kosovo campaign. [106170]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  None.

  Armed Forces (Homosexuals)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken as a result of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on lesbians and gay men in the armed forces. [104553]

  Mr. Hoon
  I made a statement to the House on 12 January 2000,Official Report, columns 287–88, about implementation of the legal judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. Homosexuals are no longer excluded from service in the armed forces. All personnel, regardless of their sexual orientation, are subject to a new code of social conduct that sets out what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The code is concerned with the effect of personal conduct and behaviour on operational effectiveness. I have placed a copy of the code in the Library of the House.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making in settling compensation claims for those service men and women discharged from the armed forces in breach of their rights under the European convention on human rights. [104570]

  Mr. Spellar
  In light of the ECHR's judgment on 27 September 1999, the Secretary of State for Defence authorised that settlement negotiations be entered into with those individuals discharged as a result of their homosexuality who had Employment Tribunal applications already in train and whose account is accepted as being substantially factually true. Over 60 offers of settlement have been made and, to date, three individuals have accepted those offers, and payments have been made.

  Transport Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is being taken to harmonise Future Transport Aircraft requirements with those of the French and German Ministries of Defence. [104554]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The competition for the Royal Air Force's Future Transport Aircraft is being conducted on the basis of a common European Staff Requirement agreed between several European partners, including France and Germany.

  Type 45 Destroyers
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when contracts will be signed with United Kingdom shipyards for the construction of Type 45 destroyers and other vessels for the Royal Navy. [104556]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We plan to place the order for the First-of-Class Type 45 destroyer with the Prime Contractor by the end of this year with the intention that it be built at the Marconi Marine (YSL) Ltd. yard on the Clyde. Decisions have still to be taken on the timing for follow-on Type 45 vessels but current planning assumptions are for a class of 12 ships to enter service between 2007 and 2014.

  Contracts for other RN shipbuilding programmes, of which there are many over the next 10–15 years, will be signed at the appropriate point of the procurement process.

  US (Discussions)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to visit the United States to discuss defence matters. [104558]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am going to the United States later today to discuss defence matters.

  Cadets
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the Army, Air and Sea Cadets of paying fees to the Criminal Records Office for criminal records searches in respect of adult leaders and helpers. [104559]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Sea Cadet Association estimates that its use of the Criminal Records Bureau will cost around £15,000 per year. The Army Cadet Force estimates that it will spend about £20,000 per year, while the Air Training Corps has allocated £6,000 per year in future budgets for the cost of inquiries.

  Service Families (Schools)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to improve access to schools for service families. [104560]

  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve access to schools for service families. [104561]

  Mr. Spellar
  The inter departmental Service Families Task Force has achieved considerable success in improving access to schools for Service families. The Department for Education and Employment has, for the 54W
  first time, made specific reference to Service children in their Code of Practice on Schools Admission. The Code directs local education authorities and school admission authorities to ensure that the needs of Service children are taken into account by considering inviting Service Children's Education, an MOD agency, to their Admission Forum. The Service Children's Education agency is now either a formal member, or is in attendance, on 16 Admission Forums for areas in England where there are large numbers of Service children. The Code of Practice also requires admission authorities to be sensitive to the position of children of parents returning from working abroad, such as Service personnel.

  Armed Forces (Women)
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the restrictions on posts available to women in the armed forces. [104563]

  Mr. Spellar
  Women cannot currently serve in the Royal Marines General Service, cap-badged posts in the Infantry and Royal Armoured Corps (including the Household Cavalry) and the RAF Regiment on the grounds of combat effectiveness. The Army is currently conducting a study into the effects of gender upon combat effectiveness that is due to report to Ministers in 2001.

  Additionally in the Royal Navy women cannot serve in submarines or as mine clearance divers for medical reasons. The position will be kept under review.

  Anglo-French Co-operation
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made since the St. Malo agreement in promoting Anglo-French co-operation in defence. [104564]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Letter of Intent on co-operation in crisis management and operations signed at St. Malo in December 1998 has allowed work to be taken forward on planning for non-combatant evacuation operations; joint exercises; improved links between operational headquarters; co-ordination of naval deployments; information exchanges on peacekeeping activities; Year 2000 computer problems; logistics; and arrangements for dealing with the media.

  Specific examples of co-operation are: the posting of liaison officers into operational headquarters; the attachment of HMS Somerset, and later HMS Grafton, to the French FOCH Carrier Task Group in the Adriatic during the Kosovo conflict; the joint signing ceremony in New York on 25 June of Memoranda of Understanding between our respective Governments and the UN on troop availability for UN peacekeeping operations; and co-operation on media handling during the Kosovo conflict. We also signed a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement at the UK/France Summit held in November 1999.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase spending on the Defence Medical Services over the next three years. [104567]
  55W
  Mr. Spellar
  Following the Strategic Defence Review, an additional £140 million was made available for enhancement of the operational capability of the Defence Medical Services over the four years from 1998–99 to 2001–02. We plan to maintain increased expenditure in subsequent years.

  Ballistic Missile
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the threat of a ballistic missile attack on the United Kingdom. [104569]

  Mr. Hoon
  Our current assessment is that there is no significant ballistic missile threat to the UK at present, but developments continue to be monitored closely.

  Missile Systems
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in assessing future requirements for beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile systems. [104571]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We are currently assessing final bids received from two companies, Matra BAe Dynamics and Raytheon Systems Ltd, to meet the RAF's requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile. Assessment is almost complete and we hope to be in a position to announce the outcome of this competition early this year.

  Merchant Ships
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the agreements between British merchant shipping companies and his Department on the availability of merchant ships for defence purposes. [104572]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no agreements between my Department and British merchant shipping companies on the availability of merchant ships for defence. As my hon. Friend is aware the Ministry of Defence enjoys a close and productive relationship with the UK Chamber of Shipping and the DETR on defence issues, primarily through the auspices of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee.

  Navy Manpower
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the projected levels of Navy manpower for the next three years. [104555]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Strategic Defence Review addressed shortages in the Services and set a target for the Naval Service to bring overall strengths into line with requirements by 2002. It is on course to do so. The forecast requirement for 1 April 2002 is for 38,900 personnel. Our aim is to provide the trained strength needed to meet requirements.

  Eurofighter
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current in-service date of the Eurofighter. [104568]

  Mr. Hoon
  The in-service date of Eurofighter, which is defined as delivery of the first aircraft, is June 2002.
  56W
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effectiveness of the Eurofighter when deployed from aircraft carriers. [104915]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 24 January 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what assessment has been made of the likely effectiveness of the Eurofighter when deployed from aircraft carriers. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  A 'navalised' version of the Eurofighter is one of the options being assessed to meet the Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA) requirement. FCBA is due to replace the Royal Navy Sea Harrier and the Royal Air Force Harrier forces, and will be required to operate from the two new carriers.
  A contract has been placed with BAe Systems, to study launch and recovery design issues that would arise from the development of the Eurofighter aircraft for carrier operations. The outcome of this work, together with MOD operational effectiveness studies on the option, will be used to inform the decision on the choice of FCBA aircraft.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Eurofighter will become operational with its full complement of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. [106566]

  Mr. Hoon
  As the date when Eurofighter will become fully operational could provide a useful indicator about our defence capability to potential adversaries, I am withholding it in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security, and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Joint Rapid Reaction Force
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Royal Navy regarding the timescale for awarding the PFI contract for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force Roll-On Roll-Off vessels. [104089]

  Mr. Spellar
  One the aims of Smart Procurement has been to define more clearly the needs of the customer (in this case the Royal Navy) and to empower them within the procurement process. Members of the Royal Navy are closely involved in the project on a day to day basis and contribute fully to the discussion and resolution of all issues related to the Roll-On Roll-Off ship project.

  Service Personnel (Medical Treatment)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are waiting for NHS hospital and consultant appointments relating to illnesses or accidents which interrupt their military service; how many have been waiting for more than six months; and what estimate he has made of the cost implications of delays. [104411]
  57W
  Mr. Spellar
  Members of the Armed Forces are entitled to full use of NHS hospitals on the same basis as civilians if appropriate military provision is not available. The MOD does not maintain overall records of those Service personnel who require secondary medical care in NHS hospitals.

  A400M Project
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the states supporting the A400M aircraft project have indicated that they would purchase the aircraft; how many each would purchase; and when the first aircraft could be in service with the RAF. [104405]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  None of the seven nations involved in the A400M project has made a contractual commitment to purchase the aircraft although two nations have declared a preference for the A400M. Each of the nations is addressing, within their national assessment programmes, the issue of the number of aircraft needed to fulfil their national air transport requirements but have not yet made firm decisions. We expect the aircraft selected to fulfil our Future Transport Aircraft requirement to enter service with the RAF in the latter half of this decade.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on the A400M project. [105555]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We continue to aim to reach a decision in the early part of this year on our Future Transport Aircraft requirements. A400M is one of the aircraft under consideration.

  Gardening Leave
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's(a) civil servants by grade and (b) service men and women by rank are (i) currently on gardening leave and (ii) have been on gardening leave for two months or more; and at what cost to his budget. [104468]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Civilian staff on gardening leave are individuals who are genuinely surplus because there is no suitable employment for them, or because their circumstances prevent them from taking up that employment. My Department monitors the position routinely and the latest available figures, excluding the Meteorological Office and Defence Evaluation and Research Agency are set out as follows:

  MOD civilian staff between appointments

  Civilian staff by grade1

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Grade 7

  3

  3

  Grade 6

  1

  0

  MOD Police Constable

  1

  1

  Senior Scientific Officer

  1

  1

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  24

  23

  Executive Officer

  5

  5

  Process and General Supervisory Grade 'D'

  1

  0

  Process and General Supervisory Grade 'E'

  1

  1

  Higher Professional and Technology Officer

  1

  1

  Senior Professional and Technology Officer

  3

  3

  Professional and Technology Officer

  1

  0

  Stores Officer Grade 'D'

  1

  1

  58W

  MOD civilian staff between appointments

  Civilian staff by grade1

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Mess Manager 'B'

  1

  1

  Administrative Officer

  1

  1

  Total

  26

  21

  1 As of November 1999

  2 Includes two part-time staff

  The approximate cost of these staff to the MOD budget this financial year, calculated on the basis of the length of time on gardening leave, is £314,000.

  Although these figures represent a tiny proportion of the 100,000 civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence, my Department takes the matter very seriously. Individuals are placed on gardening leave only as a last resort and the aim, wherever possible, is to find work for staff in between appointments.

  Although not recognised across all three Services, the term "gardening leave" (or "Wait Appointment" in the Royal Navy) is understood to apply to those who are fit and available for duty but for whom no post is currently available, and who are awaiting appointment. The amount of time involved for individuals is usually very short, and personnel move in and out of this category on a daily basis.

  Naval service personnel by rank. As of 13 January 2000

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Commodore

  2

  0

  Captain RN

  2

  0

  Commander

  2

  0

  Lieutenant Commander

  6

  1

  Lieutenant Colonel RM

  1

  0

  Totals

  13

  1

  The estimated cost calculated on the basis of the length of time on gardening leave is £62,952.18.

  Army personnel by rank. As of 13 January 2000

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Major General

  2

  1

  Brigadier

  1

  0

  Totals

  3

  1

  The estimated cost calculated on the basis of the length of time on gardening leave is £26,481.79.

  Royal Air Force personnel by rank. As of 13 January 2000

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Air Vice Marshal

  1

  0

  Air Commodore

  1

  0

  Group Captain

  2

  0

  59W

  Royal Air Force personnel by rank. As of 13 January 2000

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Warrant Officer

  1

  0

  Flight Sergeant

  1

  0

  Totals

  6

  0

  The estimated cost calculated on the basis of the length of time on gardening leave is £15,452.36.

  Tri-Service personnel by rank. As of 13 January 2000

  Total

  Total 2 months or more

  Major General and equivalent

  3

  1

  Brigadier and equivalent

  4

  0

  Colonel and equivalent

  5

  0

  Lieutenant Colonel and equivalent

  2

  0

  Major and equivalent

  6

  1

  Warrant Officer

  1

  0

  Staff Sergeant and equivalent

  1

  0

  Totals

  22

  2

  The total estimated cost of these personnel is £104,886.33.

  Unexploded Ordnance
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's estimate of the percentage of unexploded ordnance which results from cluster bombs dropped from(a) 5,000 feet, (b) 10,000 feet, (c) 15,000 feet, (d) 20,000 feet and (e) 25,000 feet. [104806]

  Mr. Spellar
  Approximately 5 per cent. of the bomblets within a Cluster Bomb fail to detonate when they impact. Regardless of the height from which they are dropped, this figure does not vary.

  AWE Aldermaston
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conviction by the Environment Agency in December of AWE Aldermaston for unauthorised discharges of tritium. [105066]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 24 January 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if he will make a statement on the conviction by the Environment Agency in December of AWE Aldermaston for unauthorised discharges of tritium.
  On 13 December 1999, Hunting-BRAE, the current management and operating contractor for the Atomic Weapons Establishment, pleaded guilty at Newbury Magistrates' Court to three charges in connection with the unauthorised discharge of low level tritium into the Aldermaston Stream and were fined a total of £17,500 plus costs of £4,220. The Environment Agency, who issued the summons, have stated that the discharges have no significant health or environmental consequences. They also accept that the stream is the best available method of discharge and have allowed AWE to
  60W
  continue with this. For their part, Hunting-BRAE have stated that the discharges were made in the belief that the Environment Agency were aware of the situation and had condoned it.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's policy on requests from the Indonesian Government for back up support for military hardware already sold to them; [104836]

  (2) what requests have been made by the Indonesian Government over the last 12 months for the renewal and replacement of military equipment that has been sold to the Indonesian regime; and if he will make a statement. [104835]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Requests for licensable back-up support for existing military hardware overseas are considered case by case in line with the criteria which the Foreign Secretary announced to the House on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29W and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

  While the exact details are commercially confidential, we understand that prior to the EU embargo a number of British companies were in discussion with the Indonesian Government about the supply of both spares for existing items and new defence equipment.

  The EU embargo lapsed at midnight on 16 January 2000. Any future UK defence equipment to Indonesia will again be subject to case by case consideration under the criteria referred to above.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105805]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  It is my Department's aim, in line with wider Government policy, to create a non-smoking working environment, in so far as this reflects the wishes of staff. In fact, many MOD sites already operate a no smoking policy. Detailed guidance on smoking policy within MOD is promulgated in the departmental Health and Safety Handbook, Joint Service Publication 375, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Property Disposals
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures his Department has to ensure that elected representatives for an area are consulted on possible future disposals of MOD property in that area prior to discussions with local government officers. [105149]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: My Department liaises closely with local authorities in considering options for the future of defence sites to ensure that local planning issues are taken into account in deliberations. Decisions to close MOD establishments and subsequently dispose of sites are taken by Ministers and colleagues, and I write to inform hon. Members before our officials inform local authority representatives.

  Departmental Lawyers
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by(a) service, (b) rank or grade and (c) location of workplace the numbers of qualified lawyers working for his Department. [105651]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The table gives the service, rank and location of qualified lawyers working for my Department.

  (a) Service/(b) Rank/Grade

  (c) Location

  Royal Navy1

  1 Admiral

  London

  3 Captains

  1 Commander

  1 Lt. Commander

  1 Commodore

  Portsmouth

  1 Captain

  6 Commanders

  7 Lt. Commanders

  1 Lieutenant

  1 Lt. Commander

  Plymouth

  1 Lt. Commander

  Yeovilton

  1 Commander

  Northwood

  1 Lieutenant

  1 Lt. Commander

  Faslane

  2 Commanders

  At sea

  4 Lt. Commanders

  Army

  1 Major General

  Upavon

  1 Brigadier

  1 Colonel

  3 Lt. Colonels

  5 Majors

  1 Captain

  1 Brigadier

  Uxbridge

  1 Colonel

  3 Lt. Colonels

  2 Majors

  8 Captains

  1 Colonel

  Wilton

  1 Major

  1 Lt. Colonel

  York

  1 Major

  1 Major

  Bulford

  1 Lt. Colonel

  Aldershot

  2 Captains

  1 Lt. Colonel

  Shrewsbury

  1 Captain

  1 Colonel

  London

  3 Lt. Colonels

  2 Majors

  1 Major

  Portsmouth

  1 Lt. Colonell

  Aldergrove

  2 Majors

  2 Captains

  1 Lt. Colonel

  Northwood

  1 Major

  Glasgow

  1 Captain

  Edinburgh

  62W

  (a) Service/(b) Rank/Grade

  (c) Location

  2 Lt. Colonels

  Germany (Rheindahlen)

  1 Major

  1 Lt. Colonel

  Germany (Herford)

  1 Major

  1 Captain

  2 Colonels

  Germany (Bielefed)

  3 Lt Colonels

  1 Major

  6 Captains

  1 Lt. Colonel

  Cyprus

  1 Captain

  1 Lt. Colonel

  SHAPE

  1 Lt. Colonel

  HQ Allied Land Forces (NATO)

  1 Major

  Australia (Exchange post)

  1 Captain

  Georgia

  2 Majors

  Kosovo

  1 Major

  Bosnia

  4 Captains

  Under training

  Royal Air Force

  1 Air Vice Marshal

  Innsworth

  1 Air Commodore

  3 Group Captains

  3 Wing Commanders

  4 Squadron Leaders

  3 Flight Lieutenants

  2 Wing Commanders

  High Wycombe

  1 Squadron Leader

  1 Flight Lieutenant

  1 Squadron Leader

  Aldergrove

  1 Wing Commander

  Cyprus

  1 Flight Lieutenant

  1 Wing Commander

  Germany (Herford)

  3 Flight Lieutenant

  1 Squadron Leader

  German (Rheindahlen)

  Civil Service (MOD Legal Adviser)

  3 Senior Civil Servants

  London

  5 at Grade 6

  4 at Grade 7

  1 Senior Civil Servant

  Bristol

  4 at Grade 6

  2 at Grade 7

  1 Senior Civil Servant

  Germany (Rheindahlen)

  1 at Grade 6

  1 at Grade 6

  Cyprus

  1 As the Naval Service does not have a dedicated legal service, not all qualified RN personnel are currently serving in legal appointments

  In addition to those given in the table my Department also uses the services of the Treasury Solicitors Litigation team, based in London; the Crown Solicitor in Belfast and Robson Mclean, a commercial firm under contract to supply advice on Scottish legal matters. Various independent specialist solicitors and Counsel are used as the need arises.

  Departmental Fees
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989–90 to 2004–05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure. [105997]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Unlike certain other departments the Ministry of Defence, its agencies and associated public bodies do not raise fees under legislative authority at present. Charges are, however, raised for a number of activities which are carried out on a discretionary basis, and figures are provided in the table for those from which

  Fees raised by MOD

  £ million

  Activity

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Foreign and Commonwealth Training

  44.500

  47.300

  58.877

  34.135

  39.522

  31.166

  40.313

  34.353

  14.211

  15.310

  15.833

  16.754

  Loan Service Personnel

  38.825

  30.898

  29.017

  25.867

  21.794

  22.207

  29.870

  27.388

  26.128

  19.875

  21.525

  22.613

  Meteorological Office

  34.952

  40.000

  38.500

  44.500

  43.300

  44.000

  44.700

  46.300

  52.257

  47.809

  46.714

  4—

  Government Pipeline and Storage System

  21.449

  24.853

  29.529

  25.753

  24.126

  21.870

  20.087

  22.225

  23.271

  16.944

  17.695

  16.315

  Hydrographic Office

  13.670

  15.960

  19.458

  21.700

  19.800

  21.300

  25.600

  30.200

  3—

  34.000

  4—

  4—

  DESO Support to Industry

  5.200

  7.800

  2.800

  1.500

  2.600

  0.800

  2.700

  0.800

  3.300

  1.700

  1.700

  1.700

  Service Children's Education

  3.930

  4.207

  4.200

  3.589

  4.318

  4.065

  3.107

  2.105

  2.195

  1.582

  1.574

  4—

  Empire Test Pilot School

  2.114

  1.460

  3.575

  2.658

  2.995

  3.460

  5.594

  3.980

  2.810

  4.560

  2.780

  6.210

  Royal College of Defence Studies

  0.441

  0.707

  0.734

  0.800

  0.803

  0.941

  1.041

  1.146

  1.342

  1.352

  1.321

  1.483

  Joint Service Command and Staff College1

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  1.497

  1.543

  1.815

  1.871

  HQ UKSC(G)—Training Facilities2

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  2.656

  4—

  4—

  HQ UKSC(G)—Pay Bureau Facilities2

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  6.931

  4—

  4—

  1 The Joint Service and Staff College came into existence in September 1997, before this costs for the single Service staff colleges were included within the return for Foreign and Commonwealth Training.

  2 This activity did not reach the threshold for reporting until 1998–99.

  3 For technical reasons no figure was reported for 1997–98.

  4 Forward estimates are not available for all activities.

  European Peacekeeping Corps.
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned operational range of the European Peacekeeping Corps. [106394]

  Mr. Hoon
  Member states of the European Union have expressed their determination to be able to act in support of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. They have set themselves a headline goal describing the level of capabilities they wish to achieve by 2003. They are not setting up a standing peacekeeping corps. The scale and range of possible future operations will depend on circumstances.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what specialised British sub-units will be tasked to the European Peacekeeping Corps. [106193]

  Mr. Hoon
  At the Helsinki European Council, EU member states committed themselves to improving their military capabilities, including a specific headline goal of being able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain up to 50,000–60,000 troops for Petersberg Tasks, including peacekeeping. There is no intention to create a Standing European Peacekeeping Corps.

  EU member states have not yet defined their national contributions towards the headline goal. In the event of an EU-led crisis management operation, the make-up of
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  the largest amounts of revenue are realised. These figures are derived from those reported to the Treasury and Parliament in the Department's annual Fees and Charges return and for that reason do not extend beyond 2000–01.

  All the charges listed can be used to offset the expenditure to which they relate. In some cases, retained receipts will count as negative expenditure in national accounts aggregates but in other cases, may score as tax revenues.

  Charges are raised for a number of other activities of insufficient value to warrant inclusion in the Fees and Charges return, but this information is not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

  any UK contribution would depend on the specific circumstances of the operation and UK commitments elsewhere.

  Engineers
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals within the teaching and management staff of the Department of Specialist Ground Training (air force) and comparable training establishments within the Army and Royal Navy are members of professional engineering institutions; and if he will identify those roles which require individuals to be chartered engineers. [106424]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of individuals within the teaching and management staff of the Department of Specialist Ground Training who are members of professional engineering institutions is 34. The number of posts which require individuals to be chartered engineers is two.

  Based on current information supplied by the Army, the number of individuals within the teaching and management staff at the Royal School of Military Engineering at Chatham and Minley (plus associated schools) who are members of professional engineering institutions is 13, and there are nine posts/roles that require chartered engineers. At the Royal Electrical and

  65W
  Mechanical Engineers Training Group at Arborfield and Bordon, the figures are respectively 72 and seven. At the Royal School of Signals, Blandford, the figures are 12 and zero respectively.

  The Royal Navy do not hold figures on the number of teaching and management staff at RN engineering training establishments who are members of professional engineering institutions. RN training is designed to enable individuals to qualify for the relevant engineering institution. Membership of institutions is encouraged and supported, but it is currently up to each individual whether he or she applies for membership.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the compatibility of armed services engineering training courses validation and quality procedures with those of higher education colleges. [106428]

  Mr. Spellar
  Wherever possible, Armed Forces engineering courses are linked to civilian academic or vocational qualifications. Where such qualifications are awarded, in addition to the individual Service's own validation and quality procedures, the training is also subject to validation by the appropriate civilian body in the same way as equivalent qualifications awarded by higher education colleges and universities. This validation is extensive and can include, for example, in the case of NVQs, external verification and inspection by awarding bodies, National Training Organisations (NTOs) and/or the standard setting bodies of the industry concerned, the Training Standards Council and the local TEC.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to offer training courses in engineering to private sector businesses. [106426]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Armed Forces already offer places on their engineering training courses to private sector business, by offering available spare capacity, wherever possible. To reduce the overhead costs of training, the three Service Training Agencies are continuously seeking to develop these opportunities further.

  Training
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation he has made of training course validation processes (i) within each of the armed services and (ii) between the armed services. [106425]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Armed Forces employ the "Systems Approach to Training" methodology for the quality management of the development and delivery of their training courses. This conforms to current best practice in other NATO Armed Forces and is designed primarily to ensure that Service personnel are trained in a cost-effective manner to meet the high standards of performance required in operational situations.

  All three Services allocate resources to the development of validation processes and to their application to training courses. In this context, validation involves confirming that courses meet their stated aims and that students have met the prescribed standards, and confirming that the course aims continue to reflect operational needs.

  The three Services co-operate closely in the development of these processes and take account of best practice in both military and civilian training
  66W
  organisations. They have recently published a joint approach to a quality standard based on the "Systems Approach to Training" which confirms common standards for the management of training across all three Services, while taking account of the differing training requirements of each individual Services.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to merge the training functions of the armed services. [106427]

  Mr. Spellar
  A number of training functions are already being delivered on a joint service or lead service basis. The scope for further rationalisation of training between the three Services and the Civil Service is being examined as part of the wide ranging and fundamental review of defence training and education announced in the House by my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, on 22 July 1999,Official Report, columns 612–13W.

  Sonar
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to conduct and publish research into the environmental effect of sonar weapons on marine mammals. [105315]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Ministry of Defence does not use sonar weapons and has not, therefore, undertaken any primary research into the environmental effects of such devices on marine mammals. We do use active and passive sonars as sensors and all MOD research involving the use of active sonars is assessed to ensure that it complies with the European Union Habitat Directive and Joint Nature Conservancy Council guidelines. The output from any such research is published via international journals and as conference papers in accordance with normal scientific practice.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to develop a long-range low-frequency sonar system for use on marine vessels. [105314]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: We are currently developing a low frequency sonar which we plan to fit to the Type 23 Frigate.

  Overstretch
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent proposals his Department has put to the Treasury to alleviate the effect of overstretch on the armed forces. [106004]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: We announced, before Christmas, enhancements to the Longer Separated Service Allowance and Longer Service at Sea Bonus in recognition of the sacrifices of those who spend long periods away from home. We have also reduced the numbers of personnel on operations in the Balkans, Gulf and Falkland Islands.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press releases his Department issued in each year from 1995 to 1999. [106121]
  67W
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Numbers

  1995

  149

  1996

  176

  1997

  221

  1998

  294

  1999

  416

  British Forces Post Office
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future location of the UK base of the British Forces Post Office. [104562]

  Mr. Spellar
  The future location of the UK base of the British Forces Post Office is currently under review as part of my Department's Strategic Development Plan for Greater London.

  Battle of Britain
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding he will make available for the maintenance of the RAF Battle of Britain Chapel and the associated Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [106030]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Financial provision for the maintenance of the RAF Battle of Britain Chapel and its enclave is some £20–£30,000 annually. As regards the glass fibre replica Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft, it is currently Royal Air Force policy that no public funds should be spent on maintaining such display aircraft, commonly referred to as "Gate Guardians". Funding for the recent refurbishment of the Hurricane was raised privately. Similar funding for the Spitfire is in the process of being raised.

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence(a) what representations he has received following publication of a group photograph of the Royal Irish Regiment in The Andersonstown News on 15 January, (b) where and on what date the photograph was taken, (c) how many soldiers and officers of each rank from battalions participated in the photograph, (d) what rank of soldier took the photograph, (e) what rank of officer supervised the photoshoot, (f) by what means the banner displayed in the photograph was obtained, (g) what transport arrangements were made to bring the banner into military barracks, (h) what was the purpose of the photograph, (i) where the film was developed and how many prints were (i) made, (ii) distributed and (iii) sold, (j) what disciplinary action has been taken consequent to the incident, (k) what assessment he has made of the impact of the incident on community relations and (l) what statement the Ministry has made to the press on the issue; and if he will make a statement. [106410]
  68W
  Mr. Spellar
  The circumstances surrounding the publication of a photograph of the Royal Irish Regiment in the Andersonstown News on 15 January 2000 are currently under investigation by the Special Investigations Branch, Royal Military Police. I will write to my hon. Friend when the investigation is complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Prison Ships
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the viability of using aircraft carriers moored in Portsmouth Harbour as prison ships. [106177]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has not considered the viability of using aircraft carriers moored in Portsmouth Harbour as prison ships, nor has it been asked to.

  Recruitment Advertising
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his expenditure was on national recruitment advertising in(a) cinemas, (b) television, (c) radio, (d) print and (e) posters during each month since April 1999; and what his monthly budget is in each category for (i) January, (ii) February and (iii) March 2000. [106184]

  Mr. Spellar
  The national recruitment advertising expenditure for the categories requested, in respect of the Naval Service and the RAF, broken down by month is as follows:

  £

  Cinema

  Television

  Radio

  Print

  Posters

  Naval Service (actual)

  April

  —

  —

  —

  36,035

  —

  May

  52,703

  7,637

  —

  189,532

  —

  June

  105,406

  8,336

  —

  99,472

  —

  July

  190,178

  10,900

  18,992

  152,786

  23,076

  August

  188,140

  4,350

  16,373

  265,428

  25,859

  September

  206,736

  2,350

  67,511

  179,964

  —

  October

  156,071

  —

  8,248

  128,865

  —

  November

  158,109

  1,316

  —

  303,444

  —

  December

  —

  17,625

  15,000

  91,355

  —

  (planned)

  January

  206,736

  812,000

  —

  97,259

  —

  February

  206,736

  —

  —

  184,866

  —

  March

  105,406

  —

  —

  163,876

  —

  RAF

  (actual)

  April

  —

  —

  —

  40,428

  —

  May

  —

  —

  —

  24,816

  —

  June

  550,000

  —

  425,385

  33,164

  —

  July

  —

  —

  3,000

  212,341

  —

  August

  —

  —

  —

  24,300

  2,614

  September

  40,938

  —

  —

  251,216

  —

  October

  —

  —

  —

  148,034

  —

  November

  —

  —

  —

  137,319

  —

  December

  —

  —

  —

  64,756

  —

  (planned)

  January

  —

  —

  —

  35,079

  —

  February

  —

  —

  —

  50,000

  —

  March

  —

  200,000

  —

  43,610

  —

  The Army do not maintain records of recruit advertising spend on a monthly basis. The general pattern

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  of advertising runs in cycles with the peaks occurring in April/May and September. The expenditure, inclusive of the Regular Army and the Territorial Army, broken down where possible, is as follows:

  £

  April-December 1999

  January-March 1999

  Cinema

  —

  —

  Television

  3,015,279

  850,000

  Radio

  535,274

  425,000

  Print

  1,109,760

  240,000

  Posters

  138,431

  40,000

  The hon. Member may also wish to know that, in addition to the above expenditure, the Armed Forces spent about £267,000 on advertising via the Internet from April to December 1999, with a further forecast spend of £120,000 between January and March 2000.

  Recruitment advertising expenditure for MOD civilians is not held in the form requested. However, the total forecast expenditure on national recruitment advertising for civilian recruitment for financial year 1999–2000 is £4.4 million.

  SA80 Weapon System
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the SA80 weapon system modifications proposed by Heckler and Koch in 1997; and if he has introduced a modification programme. [106182]

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a modification programme for the SA80 weapon system was implemented following the proposals from Heckler and Koch referred to in the letter from the Minister for Defence Procurement to the Defence Committee of 2 June 1997; what estimate was submitted by Heckler and Koch of the cost of their proposals; and if the SA80s used in the Kosovo campaign were modified as a result of these proposals. [106173]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Design Authority for SA80, formerly Royal Ordnance but now Heckler and Koch UK (Ltd.), was tasked in 1996 to investigate the reliability of the SA80 weapon system. Heckler and Koch reported in 1998 that there might be underlying problems with the reliability of the system and presented their proposals for modifications. A contract was placed in mid-1998 with Heckler and Koch for the modification of 200 weapons to be used for trials to determine the effectiveness of these modifications. Deliveries of these modified weapons were made in January 1999. The MOD conducted user trials in hot and cold climatic conditions with a range of NATO ammunition types. The trials were completed in July 1999 and the formal Design Authority report was delivered to the MOD in late December 1999. The trials confirmed that, after modification, there were significant improvements in the reliability of both the SA80 rifle and Light Support Weapon. Urgent work is in hand to assess the wider implications of the Design Authority report, including the cost, and we expect to make a decision on any modification programme by the end of March 2000.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the SA80 weapon system remains suspended from the NATO Nominated Weapons List. [106183]
  70W
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The SA80 weapon system remains suspended from the NATO Nominated Weapons List, the list of weapons for use in the testing of NATO approved ammunition types. This suspension in itself has no impact on the operational effectiveness of the weapon.

  Nancekuke
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 825W, to whom it was intended that the decontaminated plant and equipment disposed of from Nancekuke would be clearly identifiable. [106750]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The locations where decontaminated plant and other materials were disposed of on the Nancekuke site were identified as a matter of good land management practice.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 825W, whether the decontamination and disposal provisions at Nancekuke involved placing equipment used at Nancekuke in mine-shafts. [106749]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Prior to the closure at Nancekuke, the chemical plant was decontaminated and dismantled. Obsolete plant and some scrap metal was disposed of in a disused quarry and in two old mineshafts on the site. As part of a regular land quality assessment, recent surface soil and water samples were analysed and showed no signs of contamination from toxic agents. We are currently consulting with representatives of local authorities, the Environment Agency for England and Wales and other interested parties, how to take forward the land quality assessment work.

  GPS Guided Munitions
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to acquire GPS guided munitions for the Royal Air Force. [106567]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The UK is procuring Storm Shadow, a conventionally armed stand-off missile which utilises Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology, to provide a precision capability to defeat hardened static targets in almost all weather conditions. Storm Shadow has an In Service Date of 2002.

  We are also considering the procurement of precision guided munitions to improve the accuracy with which our forces can deliver ballistic bombs, and to provide a capability for them to be delivered in almost all weather conditions. Various technological solutions are available that could provide autonomous guidance for a weapon which met such a requirement, including the use of GPS technology.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [105877]
  71W
  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Service Management (Delegations)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what delegations have been made in 1999 under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992; to whom those delegations were made; and what were the main conditions attached to them. [166534]

  Mr. Stringer
  Since the last report to Parliament, 14 January 1999,Official Report, columns 253–54W, new delegations have replaced previous ones to reflect the creation of the devolved administrations and machinery of government changes. Ministers and office holders in charge of departments1 have been given delegated authority (from 1 July 1999) under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992:

  (a) to prescribe the qualifications (so far as they relate to age, knowledge, ability, professional attainment, aptitude, potential, health and coping with the demands of the job) for the appointment of home civil servants (with the exception of the Fast Stream Development Programme) in their respective departments; and

  (b) to determine in respect of home civil servants in their respective departments the number and grading of posts outside the Senior Civil Service and the terms and conditions of employment in so far as they relate to the following:

  i. classification of staff, with the exception of the Senior Civil Service;

  ii. remuneration, with the exception of the Senior Civil Service;

  iii. allowances;

  iv. expenses;

  v. holidays, hours of work and attendance;

  vi. part-time and other working arrangements;

  vii. performance and promotion;

  viii. retirement age and redundancy;

  ix. re-deployment of staff within the Home Civil Service.

  In some cases, for staff appointed by statutory office holders, the Minister for the Civil Service was statutorily required to give consent to terms and conditions of service. For such staff, delegation has been effected by waiving that requirement, subject to the condition attached to delegation.

  The delegation was subject to the condition that recipients comply with the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code as amended from time to time. Copies of the Civil Service Management Code are available in the Library of the House. All previous delegations and authorisations made under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992 were revoked with effect from 1 July 1999.

  Similar delegations were also made to the National Assembly for Wales and the First Minister of the Scottish Executive. These came into effect on 7 May and 1 July 1999 respectively and were also subject to the condition that they comply with the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code as amended from time to time.

  1 The statutory office holders are:

  Commissioners of Inland Revenue

  72W

  Head of the Registry of Friendly Societies, being the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies and the First Commissioner of the Building Societies Commission

  Chief Charity Commissioner

  Commissioners of Customs and Excise

  Crown Estate Commissioners

  Director General of Electricity Supply

  Director General of Fair Trading

  Director General of Gas Supply

  Director of National Savings

  Director of Passenger Rail Franchising

  Director General of Telecommunications

  Director General of Water Services

  Director of Public Prosecutions

  Director of the Serious Fraud Office

  Government Actuary

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales

  International Rail Regulator

  Public Works Loan Commissioners

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and Health Service Commissioners

  Rail Regulator

  Government Reports
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Government's annual reports on non-departmental bodies and executive agencies will be published. [106535]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies 1999 Report and the 1999 Executive Agencies Report will be published simultaneously in March.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action she is taking to reduce smoking in her Department. [105807]

  Mr. Stringer
  Restrictions on smoking in Cabinet Office buildings have been in effect since 1 August 1989. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas and rooms.

  Cabinet Office Staff Welfare promotes National No Smoking Day each year and has a web page on the Department's local intranet site giving tips on how to quit smoking. The Staff Welfare Officer is also available to give help and advice to anyone who needs it.

  The Cabinet Office Agencies all have similar no smoking policies in place.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  World Trade Organisation
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to strengthen the World Trade Organisation's capacity to monitor the effect of present trade agreements on developing countries. [105063]

  Clare Short
  The WTO does not have a mandate to monitor the impact of trade agreements. It does have a responsibility to monitor developments in world trade and
  73W
  the implementation of trade agreements which it fulfils with resources from its core budget. My Department has committed £16 million of trade related technical assistance to developing countries, of which details have been placed in the House of Commons Library. This includes payments to a trust fund at the WTO to develop the capacity of developing countries to fulfil their responsibilities as WTO members and implement agreements. It also includes support for the capacity building programmes in UNCTAD and the ITC, and research to assess aspects of the effect of trade liberalisation on developing countries, for example, the effects of trade liberalisation on poverty, and the impact of WTO agreements such as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. Studies on the impact of the Uruguay Round trade agreements by the World Bank and other bodies show that developing countries should benefit, relative to their GDP, as much as, if not more than, developed countries. Similar studies in advance of the expected new Round by the European Commission and others, offer a similar prognosis.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent research reports she has received on the economic impact of the first five years of the World Trade Organisation trading regime on developing countries. [105584]

  Clare Short
  The WTO, World Bank and the academic community have completed many reports on the economic impact of the World Trade Organisation trading regime. Ex-post assessment of the impact of changes to the world trade rules agreed under the Uruguay Round presents problems as it is almost impossible to disentangle the ex-post impact of multilateral trade liberalisation from the many other factors that have an impact on world trade and developing country economies. However, economic modelling can help to give some indication of the possible benefits which have been estimated to be between !13 billion and !125 billion for developing countries.

  This research work also suggests that developing countries stand to gain at least as much as developed countries from the Uruguay Round as a proportion of GDP, although, the distribution of benefits among developing countries is not evenly spread. South East Asia does well, there are also benefits for South Asia, but sub-Saharan Africa may face a small welfare loss.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations her Department has made to the World Trade Organisation concerning procedural reform. [106334]

  Clare Short
  My Department has not made any representations to the World Trade Organisation concerning procedural reform. This work is being led by the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the United States of America concerning reform of the World Trade Organisation since 1 December 1999. [106333]

  Clare Short
  I have not had any discussions with colleagues from the United States concerning reform of the World Trade Organisation since the WTO in Seattle.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the total cost of the humanitarian programme in Kosovo since the beginning of the conflict; and how much has been disbursed in(a) cash and (b) in materials and products. [105689]

  Clare Short
  My Department has committed £100 million to the humanitarian and rehabilitation programme in Kosovo since March 1999. Direct procurement of goods and equipment by the Department amounts to £40 million. Specific contributions to international organisations for the purchase of goods and equipment amount to £5 million. The balance of £55 million has been committed to a range of programmes through international agencies, international and local NGOs, commercial contractors and the DFID Field Offices in Pristina, Skopje, and Tirana. The vast majority of these programmes involve some procurement of goods and equipment, but information on the precise breakdown of programmes between goods and other expenditure is not readily available.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the performance of the United Nations mission in Kosovo. [106453]

  Mr. Foulkes
  United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) face a daunting and complex task in implementing SCR 1244.

  The range of challenges includes meeting humanitarian needs over the winter, setting up basic services in health and education, establishing the rule of law, and putting a system of revenue collection in place. They are also undertaking voter registration in order to hold elections as soon as feasible. These and other tasks have at times been hampered because human and financial inputs have been slow to mobilise. But the Mission is progressively doing a good job and has our support.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the IMF and World Bank concerning the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [106330]

  Clare Short
  We have regular discussions with the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the World Bank on a range of issues, including the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Through our Executive Director's office in Washington, we are in day-to-day contact with World Bank and IMF management. Currently, we are exchanging ideas on how the poverty reduction strategy approach can be implemented most effectively, so that the enhanced debt relief provided under the HIPC initiative can have the maximum possible benefit for the poor. We also continue to press for the early implementation of the revised HIPC Initiative.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from non-Governmental organisations
  75W
  concerning expansion of the number of countries eligible for debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries initiative. [106640]

  Clare Short
  I have received a number of letters requesting an increase from 41 to 52 to the list of countries eligible for HIPC relief. Countries can be added to the HIPC list as demonstrated by the inclusion of Malawi. However such additions require international agreement. Non-HIPC countries can receive up to 67 per cent. relief on their bilateral debts from the Paris Club of official creditors.

  Bilateral Debt Relief
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with local non-governmental organisations about their role in monitoring poverty reduction projects financed as a result of bilateral debt relief. [106639]

  Clare Short
  I refer to my answer to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 19 January 2000,Official Report, column 479W, on the monitoring of bilateral debt relief. I met Directors of the British Agencies Overseas Group on 21 December, and discussed with them the importance of civil society being involved in developing and monitoring poverty reduction strategies.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of her departmental budget in 1998–99 was spent in Asia. [106328]

  Clare Short
  The percentage of the DFID Bilateral programme expenditure spent in 1998–99 in Asia was 28 per cent. This represents 14 per cent. of the total DFID programme. In addition some of our multilateral contributions will be directed towards Asia, but we cannot determine how much.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's planned spending on(a) Latin America, (b) Asia, (c) Africa and (d) Europe is in financial year 1999–2000. [106695]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Department for International Development's (DFID) planned expenditure on Bilateral Country Programmes for the current (1999–2000) financial year is as follows:

  £ million

  (a) Latin America

  33

  (b) Asia

  315

  (c) Africa

  447

  (d) Europe

  196

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of an increase in her Department's spending in the Balkans on projects in southern hemisphere. [106340]

  Clare Short
  No financial or material resources were diverted from projects in the Southern Hemisphere as a result of the increased spending in the Balkans.
  76W
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentages of her departmental budget in 1998–99 were spent in(a) Africa and (b) Latin America. [106694]

  Clare Short
  The percentage of the DFID Bilateral programme expenditure spent in 1998–99 in(a) Africa and (b) Latin America is as follows:

  Percentage

  As a proportion of Bilateral expenditure

  As a proportion of total DFID programme

  Africa

  39.0

  19.0

  Latin America

  3.0

  1.0

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will place the curriculum vitae of her special advisers in the Library. [106343]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Owing to the personal nature of this request, we are not obliged to supply the information requested.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in her Department employs a special adviser. [106765]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I employ no special advisers.

  Ministerial Offices
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the cost of the refurbishment of her Department's ministerial offices. [106342]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Since 1997 our Department has spent the following amounts on the refurbishment of ministerial offices, which include replacement furniture and redecoration:

  Year

  £

  1997

  7,978

  1998

  7,376

  The figures for 1999 are not yet available.

  Indigenous Cultures
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the IMF and the World bank concerning respect for indigenous cultures. [106641]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We have made no direct representations to the IMF and World bank concerning respect for indigenous cultures. But we continue to pay close attention to the development of World bank Country Assistance Strategies, especially the social impact on marginalised or vulnerable groups, and we also keep a close eye on World bank safeguard policies.

  UN Reform
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her criteria are for assessing the progress of United Nations reform. [106456]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The overriding criterion in the field of development is the contribution which the UN and its funds, programmes and specialised agencies make to achieving the International Development Targets for poverty eradication, agreed by the entire UN membership. Better UN performance will require continuing efforts to focus the work of UN development agencies where they can be most effective in helping meet the Targets, to link resources more closely to objectives and outputs, and to strengthen co-ordination within the UN family and between the UN and other development institutions, particularly the World Bank. The UN must also improve its response to conflict, which threatens poverty reduction in many poor countries and continue to work with others to develop and implement the statistical systems needed to measure year-on-year progress towards the Targets. The UK will continue to support the UN and its development agencies in improving their effectiveness on all these fronts.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent progress has been made in reforming the United Nations. [106455]

  Mr. Foulkes
  In the field of Development the process of institutional modernisation started by the UN Secretary General in 1997 has improved the impact of the UN, though much remains to be done. New and improved strategic co-ordinating mechanisms have been established to enhance the UN's development policy cohesion. The pilot UN Development Assistance Framework has begun to increase co-ordination between UN agencies and between the UN and other development institutions at country level and will be extended rapidly to more countries. Agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have established clearer objectives, a sharper focus on clearly defined core activities, sound finances and better management. UNDP and UNICEF have made progress in developing management systems that link resources more closely to objectives and results. We are encouraging all UN development agencies to modernise their management and organisation to increase their effectiveness in helping meet the International Development Targets.

  Departmental Premises
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the premises purchased for use by her Department since 1 May 1997 and their cost. [106643]

  Mr. Foulkes
  No premises have been purchased by our Department since 1 May 1997.

  Aid Suspensions
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to which countries her Department has suspended aid since 1 May 1997; and what was the reason in each case. [106332]
  78W
  Mr. Foulkes
  Our bilateral co-operation programme with the Government of Pakistan was suspended on 15 October 1999, in response to the military coup of 12 October. We continue to provide assistance to poor people through non-governmental channels.

  Our bilateral co-operation programme with the Government of Sierra Leone was suspended on 28 May 1997, in response to the military coup. The programme recommenced again in July 1999 following the Lomé peace agreement.

  North Caucasus
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has provided for the people of Chechnya since 1 December 1999. [106335]

  Clare Short
  Since 1 December 1999, DFID has contributed !145,000 (£893,000) to the UN Inter Agency Appeal for internally displaced people in the North Caucasus. The contribution was split between the World Food Programme (!1,000,000), the United Nations Children's Fund (!250,000), the World Health Organisation (!100,000) and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (!100,000). In November, DFID contributed £500,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appeal for the North Caucasus; ICRC work in the region is ongoing. The UK has also contributed through our share of the 1.2 million euro pledged by the EU.

  British Council
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the projected funding from her Department to the British Council for the financial year(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [106341]

  Clare Short
  The resources set aside by my Department for the Grant-in-aid to the British Council (£30 million 1998–99, £31 million in 1999–2000, £32 million in 2000–01 and £33 million in 2001–02) have been transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. My Department therefore no longer provides core funding for the British Council.

  The British Council continues to be a key provider of services, on a commercial basis, to implement my Department's programmes.

  Departmental Public Information Line
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many calls were made to her Department's public information line in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [106337]

  Clare Short
  In 1997–98 our Public Inquiry Point received 2,410 telephone calls. In 1998–99 this rose to around 5,400.

  Departmental Website
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many complaints she has
  79W
  received from the general public about the effectiveness of the search engine on her Department's website. [106338]

  Clare Short
  In the last year we have received six complaints about the effectiveness of the search engine.

  Russia
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds from the TACIS programme have gone to Russia in the past six months. [106336]

  Clare Short
  We have been unable to obtain information in the precise form requested. However, contracts totalling euro 56,950,523 financed from the TACIS Russia programme commenced during the six months up to 20 January 2000.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  House of Lords
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council when she intends to set up the joint Committee to consider the report of the Royal Commission on the Reform of the House of Lords; and if she will make a statement. [105669]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government set out in its White Paper "Modernising Parliament—Reforming the House of Lords" (Cm 4183), that"longer term reform would be considered by both Houses"
  after the Royal Commission had reported.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Organised Fraud
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the report of the independent review of organised fraud. [106947]

  Mr. Darling
  Last February, I asked John Scampion, Social Fund Commissioner, to review the way we tackled organised fraud. Mr. Scampion has completed his review and I have placed a copy of his report in the Library.

  Organised fraud occurs across the Social Security system. It includes forgery, theft and other abuse of instruments of payment, operation of multiple false identities, and fraud by landlords and tenants. Mr. Scampion was asked specifically to consider how we could counter such threats, in particular through prevention, by designing structures and processes to minimise risk and secure the system against fraud.

  At present the Benefits Agency has a unit dedicated to countering organised fraud which Mr. Scampion has commended for its energy, skill and professionalism. Within local authorities there is very little co-ordinated action against organised fraud.
  80W
  Mr. Scampion's report makes a number of recommendations I will be considering further, but in the meantime I can announce that I will:
  set up a new national benefits intelligence unit to co-ordinate and extend intelligence on Social Security fraud, as the bedrock for both prevention and detection;
  overhaul and strengthen the capability and professionalism of investigators to tackle organised benefit fraud right across the benefit system. I will appoint a senior civil servant to manage the central organised fraud investigation service and to act as the Head of Profession for all benefit fraud investigators;
  set up new arrangements with local authorities to ensure investigations are targeted properly across the Social Security system;
  pursue (as announced last week) changes to the funding arrangements for local authority investigation work by developing a completely new anti-fraud incentive framework to be introduced from April 2001.

  All of this will contribute to a significant strengthening of our defences against organised fraud and our ability to tackle it where it occurs.

  In addition, as I have already announced, our plans to pay benefits through the banking system are a major step in preventing organised fraud attacks on our present, paper based, payment mechanisms.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment the CSA has made of the contact rate between non-resident fathers and their children; and if he will make a statement. [104875]

  Angela Eagle
  No such assessment has been made as liability for child support is not linked to whether a non-resident parent has contact with his child(ren).

  However, research1 Shows that there is a consistent relationship between contact and the payment of child maintenance, although it is difficult to establish causality. Those who are currently paying maintenance tend to have a greater level of contact with their children than those who do not. Additionally, research2 suggests that non-resident parents would be less likely to pay the full amount of their maintenance assessment if they lost contact with their children.

  1 "Parental Obligation: a Study of Parenthood across Households" MacLean and Eekelaar (1997), "Absent Fathers?" Bradshaw et al (1999).

  2 Bradshaw et al (1999).

  Post Offices
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals are being considered by his Department to help sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub-post offices. [105857]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 519W.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent arrangements he has put in place to
  81W
  advertise the winter fuel payments for the elderly; and what percentage of those entitled to the payment have received it in the last three months. [106045]

  Angela Eagle
  A leaflet-based information campaign began in the autumn to inform and reassure those eligible of how and when payments for this winter would be made. National and regional press advertising also took place before Christmas to inform eligible pensioners that payments were currently being made, and provided information on what to do if they had not yet received a payment. An estimated 98 per cent. of those entitled have received their payments.

  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Benefits Agency offices will be instructed to pay heating allowance to men aged over 60 years. [106178]

  Angela Eagle
  Winter Fuel Payments have always been available to men aged 60 and over who are in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and their benefit includes a pensioner premium.

  Payments due to people aged 60 and over who are newly eligible to Winter Fuel Payments because of the recent European Court of Justice ruling, will be made as soon as possible.

  To ensure these payments are made correctly, it will be necessary to determine the names and addresses of those people who are newly eligible.

  We will be able to identify some people through current Departmental records. However, the majority may have had no need to contact the Department for a long period and the information we hold may not be up to date. Therefore, we will need to introduce a claims process to determine their precise entitlement.

  This process will need to be developed carefully. The Benefits Agency is currently working on this and other operational issues to determine the best way to deliver the payments.

  An announcement will be made as soon as possible once our plans are further advanced.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the income that two pensioners in examples 1 and 2 of page 122 of the Opportunities for All report could expect to receive from the minimum income guarantee, assuming that benefit is increased in line with income. [105811]

  Mr. Rooker
  The examples shown in "Opportunities for All" demonstrate how the State Second Pension and Stakeholder Pension will help those with low or interrupted earnings. The estimated weekly incomes of £84 and £91 in the two examples should be set against the current minimum income guarantee of £75 a week.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of(a) average pensioner income and (b) average earnings in (a) Tamworth, (b) Staffordshire and (c) the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [105153]
  82W
  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Average pensioner unit income 1996–97

  £

  Mean income prices

  United Kingdom

  175

  Staffordshire

  1—

  Tamworth

  1—

  1 Not available

  Notes:

  1. Pensioner units are defined as single (non-cohabiting) people over State Pension age (65 for men, 60 for women) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is over State Pension age.

  2. Income is defined as weekly net income before housing costs of the benefit unit.

  3. All money amounts are expressed in £ per week at July 1996 prices.

  4. Reliable estimates for Staffordshire and Tamworth are not available due to small sample sizes.

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey

  Average earnings, April 1996 and April 1999

  £

  April 1996

  April 1999

  United Kingdom

  350

  399

  Staffordshire

  309

  367

  Tamworth

  1—

  1—

  1 Not available

  Notes:

  1. The figures shown are average gross weekly earnings of full-time employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey pay period was not affected by absence.

  2. April 1996 figures are expressed in April 1996 prices; April 1999 figures are expressed in April 1999 prices.

  3. Reliable estimates for Tamworth are not available in either year.

  4. In 1999 the county of Staffordshire figure excludes Stoke-on-Trent UA. This Unitary Authority was not created until 1997.

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets he has set for(a) the reduction in the number of pensioners living below the poverty line and what is his definition of this term and (b) the reduction in the number of pensioners reliant on means-tested benefits. [105473]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have set out our strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion in "Opportunity for All" (Cm 4445). The indicators of success, against which we shall monitor our progress, covers the position of pensioners living on low incomes. Our Green Paper "Partnership in Pensions" describes how State Second Pension and Stakeholder Pensions will over the long term reduce pensioner reliance on means-tested benefits.

  Benefit Payment Methods
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he has made to ensure that recipients of pensions and benefits are aware that they may be paid in cash after 2003. [105331]
  83W
  Mr. Rooker
  The majority of benefit customers are paid by girocheque, order book or automated credit transfer (ACT) to a bank account. In some cases, the Department makes payment in cash to the customer.

  Following the move to ACT from 2003 customers will have their benefits paid into a bank account but will continue to have a choice of where they access their cash, with those who wish to collect at post offices still being able to do so. Our information leaflets and forms will be updated in line with the revised payment arrangements. Arrangements to meet other information needs of our customers arising from the change are being developed.

  Councillors (Incapacity Benefit)
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incidental costs can be offset from a councillor's basic allowance when assessing their entitlement to incapacity benefit. [105517]

  Mr. Bayley
  The benefit rules permit limited work to be undertaken by people in certain circumstances without affecting their right to claim incapacity benefits. Work undertaken as a councillor is disregarded for the purposes of determining whether a person is incapable of work. However, Incapacity Benefit is reduced pound for pound where the net amount of the councillor's allowance exceeds a set limit, currently £49.50. In assessing the net amount of the councillor's allowance to be taken into account any expenses incurred in connection with the person's membership of the council are ignored. Such expenses are not specified in regulations but may include items such as clothes, travel costs and telephone calls.

  We propose to bring forward regulations in April as part of the annual up-rating exercise to increase the councillor's allowance limit from £49.50 to £58.50. This significant increase will align it with the therapeutic earnings limit in Incapacity Benefit.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105794]

  Mr. Rooker
  In general, this Department has developed a range of initiatives that address issues around the ill-effects of smoking. Smoking is restricted to designated areas throughout the Department. A review of the policies is planned in the business year 2000–01, with a view to further reducing smoking within the Department as a whole.

  More specifically, Agencies within the Department have taken the following action.

  Local Benefits Agency managers have authority to organise local initiatives on health, including quitting smoking, and Benefits Agency Central Services regularly distribute literature on smoking and how to give up to all Benefits Agency staff.

  In Headquarters staff are given the opportunity to attend regular Health Fair days which address a number of healthy living issues, including the benefits of non-smoking. They are also invited to attend Quit Smoking clinics which support staff through the quitting
  84W
  process by means of follow up group meetings. Written advice on the ill-effects of smoking and giving up is made widely available to all staff in Headquarters.

  The War Pensions Agency have developed a range of initiatives in line with Cabinet Office recommendations. These include health and welfare initiatives such as awareness exhibitions that have included exhibits on the ill-effects of smoking. The Agency intends to issue literature to staff this year on specific health issues that will include the benefits of non-smoking.

  Future action on smoking and quitting the habit within the Child Support Agency will be influenced by the outcome of the Agency's recent stress audit, which is currently being evaluated and the provisional findings of the audit are due in early March.

  Pensions (Non-residents)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what action he proposes to take to ensure that UK citizens whose entitlement to a British state pension is partially based on contributions made abroad are not prevented from receiving their full pension if they retire in an EU member state; [105488]

  (2) what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in each of the next five financial years of allowing those British citizens who have made contributions to their pensions while working abroad, to receive their full pension entitlement if they are (a) not ordinarily resident in the UK and (b) not ordinarily resident in the UK, but live within the EU;. [105490]

  (3) how many UK citizens receive a pension which is partly dependent on contributions made while resident in (a) Canada and (b) all other countries outside the UK. [105489]

  Mr. Rooker
  Where a person has paid contributions to the Social Security scheme of a country outside the UK, any pension entitlement from those contributions is decided and paid by the country concerned. No UK pension is paid on such contributions.

  A UK pension based entirely on National Insurance contributions is not affected if a person goes to live elsewhere in the EU. However, UK State Pension can be based wholly or partly on residence in Australia, Canada or New Zealand under the UK's Social Security agreements with those three countries. They have residence-based pensions which are not always payable if a person comes to live in the UK. If they go to live elsewhere the amount of pension derived from the agreement is no longer paid.

  There are no plans to change the provisions of these arrangements.

  Reliable estimates are not available of the cost of paying any UK pension derived from residence in Australia, Canada or New Zealand to pensioners who cease to be ordinarily resident in the UK.

  Some 9,000 pensioners in the UK receive State Pensions based wholly or partly on residence in Canada.

  Some 24,000 pensioners in the UK receive State Pensions based wholly or partly on residence in Australia or New Zealand.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if section 10 of the Social Security Act 1998 and Regulation 7(c)(ii) of the Social Security (Decision and Appeals) Regulations 1999, which allows supersession at a later date of an original decision to award Disability Living Allowance when it is believed there has been a change of circumstance, can be applied following an appeal tribunal decision that has found in favour of the claimant using the same evidence available for the same period of time. [105175]

  Angela Eagle
  Yes.

  The Secretary of State is empowered by section 10 of the Social Security Act 1998 and regulation 6 of the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulation 1999 to supersede both his own decisions and those of appeal tribunals. Regulation 7(2)(c)(ii) allows, for instance in Disability Living Allowance, a superseding decision to be effective from the date the Secretary of State is satisfied a disadvantageous change of circumstances took place.

  Where a tribunal finds in favour of an appellant, but in doing so does not (or is unable to) consider the available evidence, the Secretary of State may subsequently supersede on the basis of that same evidence. There is, of course, a further right of appeal against this new decision.

  State Pension
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the basic State Pension(a) to the level of income support, (b) by £5 per week, and (c) by £10 per week. [106516]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table:

  Estimated cost of raising the basic State Pension, including linked benefits for 2000–01

  £million

  Gross

  Net

  To minimum income guarantee level

  6,280

  4,830

  By £5 per week

  2,870

  2,200

  By £10 per week

  5,740

  4,410

  Notes:

  1. Gross estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. For part (a), the full Category A rate of pension has been raised to the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee for a single pensioner aged 60–74 (£78.45 per week in 2000–01). Other categories of State Pension have been increased pro-rata.

  3. For parts (b) and (c), the increases shown apply to the full Category A rate. Other categories of State Pension have been increased pro-rata.

  4. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the Policy Simulation Model.

  5. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of introducing a top up on the basic state pension of(a) £3 at age 75 years and £5 at age 80 years and (b) £5 at age 75 years and £10 at age 80 years. [106518]
  86W
  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Estimated cost of introducing a top up on the basic state retirement pension for 2000–01

  £ million

  Gross

  Net

  3 per week for ages 75–79, £5 per week for ages 80 and over

  940

  640

  £5 per week for ages 75–79, £10 per week for ages 80 and over

  1,810

  1,220

  Notes:

  1. Gross estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. Age-related increases are assumed to be paid in full irrespective of the proportion of the full Category A rate of basic state pension received.

  3. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the Policy Simulation Model.

  4. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the over 80 top-up on the state pension from 25 pence per week to(a) £5 per week, (b) £10 per week, and (c) £15 per week; and if he will make a statement. [106517]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Estimated cost of raising the age addition to the basic state retirement pension for 2000–01

  £million

  Gross

  Net

  £5 per week

  620

  390

  £10 per week

  1,280

  810

  £15 per week

  1,930

  1,270

  Notes:

  1. Gross estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. Age-related increases are assumed to be paid in full irrespective of the proportion of the full Category A rate of basic state pension received.

  3. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the Policy Simulation Model.

  4. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of the basic state pension are aged(a) under 75 years, (b) 75 years and over, and (c) 80 years and over; and if he will make a statement. [106519]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Number of recipients in Great Britain and overseas in receipt of the basic state retirement pension at 31 March 1999

  Million

  Age under 75

  6.3

  Age 75 and over

  4.5

  Age 80 and over

  2.4

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand

  Source:

  5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are used to determine whether individuals are habitually resident in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [106166]

  Mr. Bayley
  The purpose of the habitual residence test is to ensure that the income related benefits are paid to people with reasonably close ties to the United Kingdom and an intention to settle here. Each case is considered on its own merits. Guidance to decision makers and caselaw stresses the need to consider a wide range of factors, including the reason for a person coming (or returning) to the United Kingdom, the length of their stay, a settled intention to reside and any previous links with the country. The weight given to each factor will depend upon the individual's circumstances. Guidance to decision makers is contained in the Decision Makers Guide Volume 2 at paragraph 070719.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the letter of 22 September 1999 from the hon. and learned Member for Harborough to the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), on behalf of the estate of Mr. A. J. H. Boulter of Wigston, Leicestershire. [105983]

  Angela Eagle
  A reply was sent to the hon. and learned Member on 24 January.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the bodies consulted on the design of the proposed ramped area from the external road to the olympic track of the English National Stadium Project; and if he will make a statement. [102391]

  Kate Hoey
  The design of the ramp area was a matter for Wembley National Stadium Ltd. (WNSL) as part of its overall brief for the design of the stadium.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what basis he seeks to recover moneys from the Lottery award for the development of the English National Stadium at Wembley. [104327]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: Sport England, the Football Association and WNSL are currently considering whether amendments are necessary to the existing Lottery Funding Agreement to reflect Wembley's new role as the centrepiece for football and rugby league in England. In the light of the prospective agreement, the Football Association has proposed that £20 million be returned to Sport England.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the additional costs of building the new Wembley Stadium in athletics mode with a capacity of 80,000, rather than in football mode with a capacity of 90,000. [104326]
  88W
  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: I understand that although preliminary discussions took place between Wembley National Stadium, Sport England and UK Athletics about proposals to build the new stadium at Wembley in athletics mode with a capacity of 80,000, no estimates of additional costs were made.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of proposals to offset the costs of building the athletics platform at Wembley Stadium against the corporate hospitality rights owned by UK Athletics. [104338]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: The use of corporate hospitality rights at the new Wembley Stadium during an athletics event would be a matter for commercial negotiation between Wembley National Stadium Ltd. (WNSL) and the event organiser, UK Athletics. While preliminary discussions had taken place between WNSL and UK Athletics in which the Government did not take part, I understand that no firm agreements had been reached.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which condition of the Lottery Funding Agreement for the development of the English National Stadium at Wembley has been breached. [104328]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: The question of whether the conditions of a Lottery Funding Agreement have been breached are a matter for the Lottery distributor, in this case Sport England.

  Olympic Games Stadium
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what(a) guidelines and (b) criteria the International Olympic Committee has notified him of regarding the minimum number of seats required for a stadium to host an Olympic Athletics competition; [104331]

  (2) what (a) guidelines and (b) criteria the International Olympic Committee has notified him of regarding the minimum number of seats required for a stadium to host the opening and closing ceremonies of an Olympic Games. [104332]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: The International Olympic Committee has not notified the Department directly of guidelines or criteria for the minimum number of seats required for a stadium to host an Olympic athletics competition. The BOA have indicated that a viable UK bid would require an 80,000 seat stadium.

  Sports Tourism Strategy
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the arrangements for ticket sales for sporting events in the United Kingdom following the launch of the British Tourist Authority sports tourism strategy. [105059]

  Kate Hoey
  The BTA' s sports tourism strategy seeks to build on the capacity of these events to attract foreign visitors. The Sports Tourism Forum—established as part of the BTA strategy—will be examining the issue of ticket availability for tourists.

  Swimming Pools
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure an equal geographical distribution of Olympic-size swimming pools in the United Kingdom. [105085]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: Sport England have proposed a facilities plan for the provision of Olympic sized swimming pools, in association with the Amateur Swimming Association. In which the assessment of the most appropriate location and geographical coverage are central to decisions being made on final location. Sport England ensure that the key factors needed to sustain a pool of Olympic size are taken into account, including: a critical mass of population to sustain its use; whether the configuration of the pool to Olympic scale best meets the needs for the local population; and the location and needs of high performance swimmers.

  There are currently 11 50m pools in England (including two under construction). Sport England have given in principal Lottery support to proposals for a new 50m pool in Loughborough. Sport England's facilities plan identifies the need for new 50m pools in the North East, Merseyside, Birmingham, Portsmouth, London and Leeds. The demand for a high performance swimming centre at Sheffield is also under consideration.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105806]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department actively encourages a reduction in smoking by operating a policy which permits smoking in only three designated smoking rooms. Ventilation in these rooms is designed to avoid the recirculation of smoke to non-smoking areas. In order to raise general awareness of health issues, my Department has introduced a computerised health checkpoint. This is accessible to all staff and includes information and advice on the risks associated with smoking. Staff have access to an on-site fitness centre and are given a full fitness assessment and advice on healthy living prior to joining. DCMS has also actively encouraged staff to participate in National No Smoking Day and will be doing so again this year.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals are being considered by his Department to help sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub post offices. [105853]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 520W.

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are(a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case. [105303]
  90W
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: My Department has the following properties unoccupied at present:

  Address of Property

  Wholly or partly unoccupied

  Date vacated

  Core Department

  2nd Floor, 179a Tottenham Court Road, W11

  Partly

  January 2000

  Basement, 7 St. James's Square, SW12

  Partly

  January 2000

  Royal Parks Agency

  Brew House Bushey Park

  Wholly

  ©1998

  New Lodge Bushey Park

  Wholly

  December 1999

  White Lodge, Bushey Park3

  Wholly

  ©1980

  Vanburgh Gate Lodge, Greenwich Park

  Wholly

  January 2000

  1 Area became vacant following closure of Y2K contingency office. Being actively marketed.

  2 Area became vacant following Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) reducing their occupation prior to finding alternative premises.

  3 Requires the completion of significant restoration before re-occupation is feasible.

  Note:

  The remainder of the Royal Parks properties are available for re-occupation at any time.

  Television Subtitles
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what arrangements he has made for public consultation regarding his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets; [105985]

  (2) what the timescale is for his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets; and when he expects the review to be completed; [105984]

  (3) if his Department's review of television subtitling targets will include analogue television; [105987]

  (4) if he will publish the findings of his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets when it is completed. [105986]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government's review of the statutory targets on the subtitling, signing and audio description of programmes on digital terrestrial television will begin in early summer this year. We will be consulting the Independent Television Commission, the broadcasters, those who provide subtitling, signing and audio description services and consumer groups representing viewers with sensory disabilities. Once the review is completed in November 2000, we will publish the results.

  The review will not include analogue television to which different arrangements apply. The Broadcasting Act 1990 set a target of 50 per cent. of subtitling of programmes by 1998 (for Channel 3) and by the fifth anniversary of its launch (for Channel 5). Thereafter it is for the Independent Television Commission (ITC) to set targets which are reasonably practicable. The Commission has set a target of 80 per cent. of subtitling of programmes by 2004 for Channel 3 and it will review this target in 2001.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list in descending order of value(a) the number and type of National Lottery grants awarded to organisations in each constituency and (b) the total value of all National Lottery grants made to organisations in each constituency. [105898]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: I have placed the following tables in the Libraries of the House: (a) the total number of Lottery awards to each constituency broken down by good cause and (b) the total value of grants awarded to each constituency broken down by good cause, both shown in descending order.

  The data have been taken from the National Lottery Awards Database which has been compiled using information on National Lottery awards supplied by the Distributing Bodies. The tables exclude Lottery awards not attributed by the Distributing Bodies to a particular constituency. The constituency information relates to the address to which the Lottery Award was sent.

  Television Licences (Pensioners)
  Mr. Õpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when the Government plan to introduce free television licences for pensioners over the age of 75 years; [106551]

  (2) what mechanism the Government intend to put in place to ensure that (a) pensioners aged over 75 years who have previously purchased a television licence are reimbursed for the months still to run after they become eligible for a free licence and (b) pensioners who have purchased a television licence less than a year before turning 75 are reimbursed for the months still to run. [106552]

  Janet Anderson
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his pre-Budget statement on 9 November 1999,Official Report, columns 883–91, that people aged 75 or over will receive their television licence free of charge from this autumn. The Government intend to announce shortly the precise starting date and details of how the scheme will operate. We anticipate that the scheme will incorporate arrangements for refunds in respect of unexpired licences.

  Running Tracks
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authority running tracks there are in Essex. [106468]

  Kate Hoey
  There are six local authority running tracks in Essex.

  Tourist Attractions (North-West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with train and coach operators about promoting tourist attractions in the North-West. [105047]
  92W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: I have had no recent discussions with train and coach operators in the North West. However, I have started a regular dialogue with rail and coach operators at a national level through the English Tourism Council's Transport Task Force. This was set up recently as part of the Government's national strategy for tourism, Tomorrow's Tourism.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Hague Convention
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many children have been returned from(a) Greece to England and Wales and (b) England and Wales to Greece under the Hague Convention since the United Kingdom's accession to the Convention. [105847]

  Jane Kennedy
  The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction came into force between the United Kingdom and Greece in 1993. From 1993 to the end of 1999 there were 25 cases of abduction from England and Wales to Greece with 11 returns (44 per cent. of applications made) and 48 cases of abduction to England and Wales with 22 returns (46 per cent. of applications received. Cases may involve more than one child.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the next international review by member state signatories of the Hague Convention on child abduction will take place; and if he will press for common procedures to be enforced in signatory countries. [105845]

  Jane Kennedy
  The next Special Commission of the Hague Conference to review the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction will be held in the spring of 2001. Contracting states of the Hague Convention have committed themselves to operate the provisions of the Convention and to do so in accordance with the terms under which it has been incorporated into their national law. The Government recognise that the operation of international conventions involves the alignment of different jurisdictions and different traditions of law and society.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many children have been abducted to each of the signatory states of the Hague Convention since the United Kingdom's accession; and what proportion of such children has been returned by each of those states. [105846]

  Jane Kennedy
  Figures for the number of cases of abduction from England and Wales dealt with under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction since the Convention came into force between the United Kingdom and each contracting state, and the percentage of returns, are set out in the table. Cases may involve more than one child. Cases may be resolved satisfactorily between the parents otherwise than by a return.
  93W

  Total number of cases between England and Wales and other contracting states involving children removed from England and Wales since convention in force

  Country

  Date in force with UK

  Total cases

  Number of cases where return effected

  Success rate (percentage)

  Argentina

  1991

  1

  0

  —

  Australia

  1987

  112

  68

  61

  Austria

  1988

  7

  3

  43

  Bahamas

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  Belgium

  1999

  2

  1

  50

  Belize

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  Bosnia

  1992

  2

  0

  —

  Burkina Faso

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  Canada

  1986

  62

  31

  50

  Chile

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  Colombia

  1996

  1

  0

  —

  Croatia

  1991

  3

  2

  66

  Cyprus

  1995

  10

  5

  50

  Czech

  Republic

  1998

  —

  —

  —

  Denmark

  1991

  14

  9

  64

  Ecuador

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  Federal

  Yugoslavia

  1992

  2

  0

  —

  Finland

  1994

  3

  2

  66

  France

  1986

  110

  39

  35

  Georgia

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  Germany

  1990

  80

  28

  35

  Greece

  1993

  25

  11

  44

  Honduras

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  Hong Kong

  1997

  5

  4

  80

  Hungary

  1986

  5

  1

  20

  Iceland

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  Ireland

  1991

  209

  126

  60

  Israel

  1991

  7

  3

  43

  Italy

  1995

  21

  12

  57

  Luxembourg

  1987

  1

  0

  —

  Macedonia

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  Mauritius

  1993

  2

  1

  50

  Mexico

  1991

  4

  0

  —

  Monaco

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  Netherlands

  1990

  56

  23

  41

  New Zealand

  1991

  38

  21

  55

  Norway

  1989

  14

  10

  71

  Panama

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  Poland

  1992

  7

  3

  43

  94W

  Total number of cases between England and Wales and other contracting states involving children removed from England and Wales since convention in force

  Country

  Date in force with UK

  Total cases

  Number of cases where return effected

  Success rate (percentage)

  Portugal

  1986

  18

  7

  39

  Romania

  1993

  1

  1

  100

  Slovenia

  1994

  1

  0

  —

  South Africa

  1997

  9

  0

  —

  Spain

  1987

  122

  70

  57

  St.Kitts and Nevis

  1994

  1

  1

  100

  Sweden

  1989

  18

  10

  55

  Switzerland

  1986

  13

  5

  38

  Turkmenistan

  1998

  —

  —

  —

  USA

  1988

  324

  170

  52

  Venezuela

  1997

  1

  0

  —

  Zimbabwe

  1995

  3

  1

  33

  Overall Total

  1,314

  668

  51

  Post Offices
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals are being considered by his Department to help sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub-post offices. [105860]

  Jane Kennedy
  I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competitiveness on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 519W.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [105868]

  Jane Kennedy
  I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

HEALTH

  Gammahydroxybutyrate
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to ban the sale and possession of the sedative drug, Gammahydroxybutyrate. [105612]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have been asked to reply.

  The sale of Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is governed by the Medicines Act 1968 and prohibited except under licence. GHB is not currently controlled under international drugs conventions or the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and so possession does not constitute an offence.

  The Government keep drug misuse under review and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has a statutory responsibility to advise the Government on such matters. The Council has considered the misuse of GHB on several occasions, most recently in May 1998. It decided against recommending that GHB be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. At present, the World Health Organisation are looking at GHB and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction is considering its misuse within the European Union. The possible use of GHB in cases of drug rape is being considered within a Home Office sponsored Metropolitan Police research initiative into drug-assisted rape. The findings of these various pieces of research will be considered as part of the ongoing review process to which I have referred.

  Thrombolytic Drugs
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of heart attack patients receive thrombolytic drugs within the target time of 30 minutes proposed by his Department. [99988]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Emerging Findings report on the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, published in November 1998, proposes a national standard for 'call-to-needle time' of 60 minutes for thrombolysis. This covers the total National Health Service response time from the point when the patient seeks professional help to the time when treatment is started if it is indicated.

  There is no national audit of thrombolytic therapy in place at present. An audit undertaken in 15 hospitals in 1997, the latest year for which data are available, found that 14 per cent. of eligible patients received thrombolytic therapy within 60 minutes of calling for help, and the proportion treated within 30 minutes of hospital arrival ('door-to-needle' time) was 33.2 per cent.

  Food Hygiene
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require local authorities to publish their inspection reports on food outlets. [100496]

  Yvette Cooper
  Decisions on publication of information in respect of food inspections are a matter 96W
  for individual local authorities in the light of local circumstances, taking into account the need to protect public health.

  In-vitro Fertilisation
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring is carried out to ensure that IVF treatment is available in the North Essex Health Authority Area. [100900]

  Yvette Cooper
  No specific monitoring is carried out to ensure that in-vitro fertilisation treatment is available in the North Essex Health Authority area.

  The decision to provide in-vitro fertilisation treatment is one for individual health authorities. This decision should be taken in the light of local needs, available resources and clinical effectiveness.

  Malnutrition
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were classified as suffering from malnutrition in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) 1998. [101372]

  Yvette Cooper
  The number of admissions to National Health Service hospitals in England with a diagnosis of malnutrition was 3,581 for the financial year 1989–90 and 6,293 for the financial year 1997–98. Figures are not available on a comparable basis for the earlier years.

  Research studies have shown that 40 per cent. of adults patients and 15 per cent. of children are malnourished on admission to hospital, indicating that prevalence in the general population may be higher than the admissions figures suggest.

  The Government's National Diet and Nutrition Survey programme monitors the diet and nutritional status of the population of Great Britain and has shown that while most people are adequately nourished, there has been a persistent rise in obesity. In 1997, the Health Survey for England showed that 17 per cent. of men and 20 per cent. of women in England were obese compared to 6 per cent. and 8 per cent. of those studied in the earliest previous study in 1980.

  Breast Feeding
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps his Department has taken to promote breast feeding. [104093]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is uniformly accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants. We also firmly believe that it is important that women and their partners are able to make a fully informed choice on how to feed their babies based on accurate and consistent information. This means that women should have access to information about all infant feeding practices through the relevant health care professional.

  Two part-time infant feeding advisers have been appointed. One is a practising health visitor and the other a midwife to act as a focus for developing and

  97W
  implementing strategies for promoting breastfeeding. In particular, their expertise will be utilised to increase the incidence of breastfeeding among groups where breastfeeding rates are lowest, for example, those on low income, and to ensure that all mothers have the information and support they need to make informed infant feeding choices.

  The infant feeding advisers are also managing a substantial project budget that will include taking forward developmental work on a model questionnaire for collecting information locally on monitoring breastfeeding rates, administer a small grant scheme to help evaluate projects which provide best practice on increasing breastfeeding rates among mothers on low incomes, take forward initiatives on a parent friendly approach to infant feeding and develop educational resources and promotional materials to promote breastfeeding that would appeal to varying groups in the population.

  We also promote breastfeeding in the following ways. The National Network of Breastfeeding Co-ordinators has been established to promote breastfeeding at a local level and to share ideas nationally with a view to increasing both the number of mothers breastfeeding and the length of time they continue to breastfeed. Each year the four UK Health Departments support National Breastfeeding Awareness Week to increase public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, which will this year take place between 14–20 May.

  The Department provides financial support to the four main voluntary organisations in this area, the National Childbirth Trust, La Leche League, Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. Close links are also kept with UNICEF's Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) which includes a Departmental observer sitting on the Steering Committee of the UK BFI. The Department offers support for research into breastfeeding through the Quinquennial Surveys of Infant Feeding Practice; a new survey will be undertaken this year. The Department also receives and publishes expert advice on breastfeeding through its advisory committees, such as COMA's Panel on Child and Maternal Nutrition.

  Also, as part of the Department's research initiative on health inequalities, we are supporting a study aimed at identifying the barriers to breastfeeding in low income groups. This should also help us to understand what influences a woman's decision whether to breastfeed or not. In turn, this will help us to develop and test new policies to promote and improve the health of babies from low income families. This research will report in late 2001.

  Employment Statistics
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women in each of the standard age groups were employed in his Department in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1999. [104030]

  Yvette Cooper
  In 1979 the Departments of Health and Social Security were a single department. The table shows the number of men and women employed by the DHSS in each of the standard age groups.
  98W

  Age group

  Female

  Male

  Total

  All ages

  62,525

  35,903

  98,482

  16–19

  8,325

  2,437

  10,762

  20–24

  15,599

  5,909

  21,508

  25–29

  8,369

  5,012

  13,381

  30–34

  5,238

  4,154

  9,392

  35–39

  3,848

  2,505

  6,353

  40–44

  3,597

  2,046

  5,643

  45–49

  4,577

  2,138

  6,715

  50–75

  12,969

  11,700

  21,669

  Other

  3

  2

  5

  The table shows the number of women and men employed by the Department of Health at 31 March 1999 in each of the standard age groups.

  Age group

  Female

  Male

  Total

  All ages

  2,821

  2,117

  4,938

  16–19

  13

  5

  18

  20–24

  121

  85

  206

  25–29

  342

  185

  527

  30–34

  555

  282

  837

  35–39

  551

  343

  894

  40–44

  430

  362

  792

  45–49

  367

  379

  746

  Drug Treatment
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health of the £50 million allocated to health authorities for drug treatment services; what priorities he has set out for this expenditure; and what is the total allocated to the North West Region. [104343]

  Yvette Cooper
  £1,314,000 has been allocated to health authorities in the North West for the financial year 1999–2000. This is from a total of £12 million allocated to health authorities for the development of new drug treatment services. Announcements on the allocation of funding in 2000–01 and 2001–02 for the development of new drug treatment services are yet to be made. Three priority areas have currently been identified: development of primary care based treatment services and support for drug misusers; an increase in the provision of treatment services for young people who misuse drugs, particularly the under-18s, and prevention services for vulnerable young people (among the under 25s); and implementation of a hepatitis B immunisation programme targeted at drug misusers most at risk of the infection.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health of the £20 million allocated to local authorities for drug treatment services what priorities he has set out for their use; and what is the figure allocated to each local authority in the North West Region. [104344]

  Yvette Cooper
  The additional drug and alcohol specific grants and special grants allocated to local authorities in the north west for 1999–2000 are shown in the tables. This is from a total additional £3 million allocated to local authorities to develop new services and increase the numbers of problem drug misusers accessing services that have a positive impact on health and crime. It is expected that this will: improve access to services for substance misusers; support substance misusers, including people with a dual diagnosis, in overcoming their problems and helping them to lead healthier, crime free
  99W
  lives; and develop a co-ordinated and flexible service provision which will involve more extensive joint planning and commissioning.

  Local authority

  Additional drug and alcohol specific grant

  Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

  72,000

  Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

  20,000

  Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  20,000

  Halton Borough Council

  39,018

  Oldham Metropolitan Borough

  31,500

  St. Helen's Metropolitan Borough

  23,655

  Local authority

  Special grant

  Liverpool County Council

  30,000

  Salford Metropolitan District Council

  27,600

  Vaccinations
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of vaccinating persons prior to their travelling abroad in the last year for which figures are available. [104134]

  Yvette Cooper
  It is not possible to give a total figure for the cost of immunisation for the purpose of travel abroad each year. Records are not kept of the numbers of people immunised and data on prescription items are limited as they do not differentiate between vaccine given for travel or for other reasons and they do not differentiate between primary courses (usually consisting of several doses of vaccine) and booster doses. The number of prescription items dispensed in England and the net ingredient costs for vaccines that may be given for the purposes of travel are given in the table.

  The number of prescription items dispensed and net ingredient cost for vaccines likely to have been administered for travel1 England, 1994–98

  Year

  Total number of prescription items (millions)

  Total cost (£ million)

  1994

  3.4

  40.5

  1995

  3.3

  47.0

  1996

  3.3

  49.1

  1997

  3.3

  52.4

  1998

  3.1

  52.0

  1 The travel vaccines are those preparations in the British National Formulary (BNF) (issue 38, September 1999) section 14.6—International travel: BCG, diphtheria, hepatitis A, meningococcal A&C, normal immunoglobulin, poliomyelitis, typhoid, and yellow fever. Some of these vaccines will have been prescribed for reasons other than travel.

  Notes:

  1. The data cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England.

  2. The net ingredient cost refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does no include any dispensing costs or fees.

  Infectious Diseases
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of treating patients in the UK for infectious diseases contracted in other countries in the last year for which figures are available. [104133]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on the cost to the National Health Service from travel-related infection is not held centrally. Information on the numbers of all diseases notifiable under various Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations in England and Wales are published in the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Disease Statistics England and Wales. Where known, numbers of cases of diseases contracted abroad are given, but this information is not reliably reported. Copies are available in the Library.

  Lung Cancer
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the last year for which figures are available, how many people in each NHS region who are receiving palliative chemotherapy to relieve the symptoms of inoperable non-small lung cancer are aged(a) under 29, (b) 30 to 49, (c) 50 to 64, (d) 65 to 74, (e) 75 to 84 and (f) 85 years and over. [103950]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on the number of people in each NHS region receiving palliative chemotherapy for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer by age group is not available.

  Evidence based guidance "Improving Outcomes in Lung Cancer" published in June 1998 has been sent to all commissioners and providers of lung cancer services and concentrates on those aspects of services which are likely to have a significant impact on health outcomes. The guidance is intended to support the ongoing implementation of the Calman/Hine report. The guidance makes it clear that palliative care should be an integral part of patient management for all lung cancer patients from the outset, including chemotherapy where appropriate.

  Neurology Treatment
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his target for the maximum waiting time to see a consultant neurologist; what is the current waiting period for Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement. [104506]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no specific target for individual specialities. Over a third of all patients have their first outpatient appointment within 4 weeks of being referred by their general practitioner. We are, however, determined to modernise services and reduce the number of patients waiting longer than thirteen weeks for their first outpatient appointment.

  Figures are not collected on the average waiting period of patients for a first outpatient appointment but figures are available on the length of time patients waited to be seen following a GP written referral. The latest figures available are for Quarter 2 (quarter ending 30 September 1999), and are given in the table.
  101W

  Of those GP written referrals seen in Neurology during Quarter 2, 1999–2000, the number who waited (in weeks) at Essex Rivers Healthcare National Health Service Trust

  Number

  0–3 weeks

  31

  4-under 13 weeks

  40

  13-under 26 weeks

  21

  Over 26 weeks

  36

  Source:

  Form QM08—completed by the Trust quarterly.

  Heart Disease
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of deaths per year(a) in total and (b) of heart patients which would be avoided if those diagnosed with heart disease were legally required to comply with prescribed medical treatment; [104763]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of deaths per year (a) in total and (b) of diabetics which would be avoided if those with a diagnosis of heart disease were legally required to comply with prescribed medical treatment. [104762]

  Mr. Denham
  No such estimates have been made.

  Diabetics
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of insulin-dependent diabetics failed to comply with medically prescribed treatment in the last year for which figures are available. [104761]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  NHS Litigation Authority
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average delay in reimbursement by the NHS Litigation Authority in the last 12 months; and how much is owed to each health authority. [105504]

  Mr. Denham
  The average time taken to reimburse health authorities and National Health Service trusts during this period was 1.8 months. However, the most recent figures indicate that the NHS Litigation Authority is currently meeting its target of dealing with cases within 30 days of receiving a correctly completed payment request form. It is not possible to state how much is owed to each health authority since this will change on a day-to-day basis.

  Babies (Heroin Addiction)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies born in each health authority area in England in each of the last five years have been dependent at birth upon heroin or heroin substitutes. [105256]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Generic Drugs
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to control the cost and availability of generic drugs. [105508]
  102W
  Ms Stuart
  We are determined to ensure that the supply of generic medicines to the National Health Service is reliable and delivers value for money. We have put in place a fundamental review of the generic medicines market to consider how we can best achieve these and related objectives. The review is under way and conclusions are expected in the summer.

  Morphine and Diamorphine
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much(a) morphine and (b) diamorphine by (i) weight and (ii) cost the NHS has purchased in each of the last 10 years. [105354]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is shown in the tables.

  The number of prescriptions and the net ingredient cost of morphine and diamorphine hydrochloride dispensed in the community England, 1989–98

  Prescriptions (thousand)

  Morphine salts

  Diamorphine hydrochloride

  1989

  362.1

  67.5

  1990

  410.3

  72.8

  1991

  526.1

  140.8

  1992

  572.5

  133.0

  1993

  595.3

  119.3

  1994

  664.4

  128.5

  1995

  698.6

  128.9

  1996

  728.7

  119.9

  1997

  762.2

  116.5

  1998

  819.2

  114.6

  Net ingredient cost (£000)

  Morphine salts

  Diamorphine hydrochloride

  1989

  5,745.9

  2,204.8

  1990

  6,734.7

  3,418.2

  1991

  8,653.0

  3,583.0

  1992

  9,835.4

  3,612.4

  1993

  10,489.1

  3,593.4

  1994

  11,414.9

  3,755.6

  1995

  12,069.9

  3,854.6

  1996

  12,328.9

  3,822.9

  1997

  13,009.9

  3,747.5

  1998

  13,931.2

  3,808.1

  Notes:

  Please note that the data up to 1990 are not strictly consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1989 and 1990 are based on fees and on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures for 1991 onwards are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

  The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) intensive care beds and (b) high dependency beds there were within the NHS in each of the last 30 years. [105676]
  103W
  Mr. Denham
  Available information is the average daily number of available and occupied beds by ward type for each National Health Service trust. This is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England" and is available in the Library. However, this was an intensive care ward-based count. As wards classified as intensive care can also contain other types of beds, we have piloted a new census focusing specifically on adult intensive care and high dependency beds. We will publish the results in due course.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many additional intensive care beds were created in each NHS trust hospital during 1999; and how many were withdrawn from use in that year. [106204]

  Mr. Denham
  Information is not available in the form requested. However, we introduced on 31 March 1999 the first of a twice yearly census of intensive care and high dependency beds. A further census was taken on 30 September 1999. We will publish the results in due course.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will (1) list the number of intensive care beds opened at each hospital since 1 May 1997, giving the date of opening in each case; [106176]

  (2) list the number of intensive care beds at each hospital that have been closed since 1 May 1997, giving the date of closure in each case. [105893]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. Available information is the average daily number of available beds by ward type for each National Health Service trust. This is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England" and copies are in the Library. However, this is a ward-based count and as wards classified as intensive care can also contain other beds, we have piloted a new twice yearly census focusing specifically on adult intensive care and high dependency beds. We will publish the results in due course.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and (b) doctors left employment with the National Health Service in each year from 1990 to the latest year for which figures are available. [105655]

  Mr. Denham
  Information about the numbers of nurses and doctors who have left the National Health Service is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and (b) doctors were employed by the National Health Service in each year from 1990 to the latest year for which figures are available. [105593]

  Mr. Denham
  Information about numbers of nurses and doctors employed by the National Health Service in each year from 1990 to 1998 (latest year available) is shown in the tables.
  104W

  NHS hospital and community health services: Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 1990–98 England as at 30 September of each year

  Numbers (headcount)

  Whole-time equivalents

  1990

  463,790

  395,360

  1991

  473,220

  392,200

  1992

  460,180

  378,780

  1993

  445,160

  361,460

  1994

  431,300

  348,690

  19951

  411,840

  330,440

  1996

  415,750

  332,660

  1997

  417,570

  330,620

  1998

  421,750

  332,200

  1 A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995. Pre-1995 the classification was based on payscales.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. Figures exclude agency staff and learners.

  Medical staff (doctors) employed by the NHS 1990–98 England as at 30 September

  Hospital doctors1

  Public health medicine and community health medicine

  All doctors

  1990

  48,590

  5,900

  54,490

  1991

  49,890

  5,320

  55,210

  1992

  50,380

  4,940

  55,320

  1993

  51,550

  4,710

  56,260

  1994

  52,040

  4,070

  56,110

  1995

  55,350

  3,920

  59,270

  1996

  57,120

  3,610

  60,730

  1997

  59,860

  3,410

  63,270

  1998

  61,650

  3,210

  64,860

  1 Hospital medical staff.

  Notes:

  1. Figures rounded to nearest 10.

  2. Totals may not equal sum of components due to rounding.

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and (b) doctors were in training in each year from 1990 to the latest year for which figures are available. [105656]

  Mr. Denham
  Information about numbers of doctors in training in each year from 1990 to 1998 (latest available) is shown in the table. Information about numbers of nurses in training is not available for 1990–91 and 1991–1992. Data for 1998–99 are unvalidated.

  Available information for nurses is shown in the table.

  Doctors in training, 1990–98, England at 30 September

  House officer

  Senior house officer

  Registrar group

  GP registrars1

  All staff

  1990

  3,020

  10,900

  9,570

  1,560

  25,050

  1991

  3,060

  11,290

  9,900

  1,640

  25,890

  1992

  3,040

  11,570

  10,080

  1,610

  26,300

  1993

  3,090

  11,960

  10,370

  1,530

  26,950

  1994

  3,020

  12,190

  10,570

  1,440

  27,220

  1995

  3,220

  12,930

  10,820

  1,400

  28,370

  1996

  3,220

  13,770

  10,840

  1,300

  29,130

  1997

  3,360

  14,560

  11,360

  1,340

  30,620

  1998

  3,450

  14,750

  11,590

  1,450

  31,240

  1 Previously referred to as trainees

  Notes:

  1. Figures rounded to nearest 10

  2. Totals may not equal sum of components due to rounding

  Sources:

  1. Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census

  2. Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
  105W

  NHS Funded Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery Training Commissions1

  Nursing

  Midwifery3

  Total Pre-reg

  Year

  Diploma

  Degree2

  Total

  Degree

  Diploma

  Total Pre-reg

  Other

  Nursing and Midwifery

  Adjusted total4

  1992–93

  14,883

  190

  15,073

  42

  206

  248

  1,292

  15,321

  16,338

  1993–94

  12,439

  199

  12,638

  92

  450

  542

  1,215

  13,180

  14,197

  1994–95

  10,594

  255

  10,849

  92

  522

  614

  1,044

  11,463

  12,480

  1995–96

  11,495

  256

  11,751

  128

  485

  613

  1,030

  12,364

  13,381

  1996–97

  13,011

  297

  13,308

  161

  498

  659

  993

  13,967

  14,984

  1997–98

  14,429

  297

  14,726

  224

  572

  796

  908

  15,522

  16,539

  1998–99

  15,155

  1,201

  16,356

  254

  611

  865

  892

  17,221

  17,221

  1 Data updated on 1 October 1999 following a validation of midwifery data with ROs (against agreed data definitions new data from SERO

  2 The step change in degree commissions in 1998–99 is a result of the transfer from DfEE to DH following Dearing

  3 Midwifery data for 1992–93 is incomplete. Some degree data missing—poss. 60 places in 1993–94, poss. 24 places in 1995–96. 1996–97 onwards is incomplete.

  4 Adjusted to take account of Dearing transfer 1,017 places (1992–93 to 1997–98 inc.)

  Notes:

  1. Planned commissions (with degree data from SGU)

  2. Unvalidated 1998–99 outturn

  3. Data not available for 1990–91 and 1991–92

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for further action to restrain the use of anonymised data extracted from prescription forms; and if he will make a statement on the ownership of the data contained in prescription forms. [106061]

  Ms Stuart
  There has recently been a judgment in the Court of Appeal dealing with the use that can be made of anonymised data extracted from prescription forms. I have arranged for a Petition for leave to appeal to be lodged at the judicial office of the House of Lords. We shall also continue to consider the complex legal issues raised by the judgment, and, in particular, the implications for the use of data on prescription forms.

  Accident and Emergency Departments (West Midlands)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 24 hour accident and emergency departments there were in the West Midlands region on(a) 31 December 1970 and (b) 31 December 1999. [105989]

  Ms Stuart
  On 31 December 1999 there were 21 24-hour accident and emergency departments in the West Midlands region.

  The figure for 31 December 1970 is not available. Changes in the configuration of health services and in the definition of what constitutes an accident and emergency department have altered significantly over the last 30 years.

  Diseases
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely change over the next 10 years in the incidence of cases of(a) MRSA,(b) TB and (c) Hepatitis C; and what action is he taking to deal with such changes. [105424]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: MRSA is the antibiotic resistant form of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium which is carried harmlessly on the skin by at least a third of the population. About 80 per cent. of people who acquire MRSA similarly carry it harmlessly on the skin and do not suffer from any infection. Action is in
  106W
  hand to improve the surveillance of MRSA and also the prevention and control of hospital acquired infection, including MRSA. The extent to which this work will impact on the cases of incidence over the next 10 years is unpredictable.

  Official notifications of tuberculosis gradually fell to an all time low of 5,086 in England and Wales in 1987 from about 50,000 cases a year in the 1950s. Since the early 1990s there have been overall small year on year increases in total notified cases which are continuing. Provisional notifications for 1998 were just over 6,000. While some of this may be due to better ascertainment of cases, it has occurred against the backdrop of a worldwide resurgence of this disease that will, inevitably, continue to have some impact on tuberculosis in the United Kingdom through travel and immigration.

  We are working to minimise the effect of worldwide developments and have taken steps to strengthen the surveillance, prevention and control of tuberculosis, including drug resistant tuberculosis.

  The incidence of hepatitis C infection is not known as the virus is usually acquired without symptoms. Currently, the most frequent route of transmission of hepatitis C is through sharing of blood-contaminated equipment by injecting drug misusers. Preliminary evidence suggests that the prevalence of hepatitis C infection in newer injectors may be lower than in the past. We are continuing to promote harm minimisation measures to try to accelerate any downward trend.

  However, there is likely to be an increase in the diagnosis of hepatitis C in the next 10 years as individuals who have carried the virus for some time are identified through wider testing of groups who have been at risk. Improved treatments are becoming available to help prevent progression to serious liver disease.

  National Radiological Protection Board
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will(a) give the annual budget of the National Radiological Protection Board during each of the last

  107W
  three years and (b) list the source and amount of every payment to the board which exceeded five per cent. of its income in any one year. [105583]

  Yvette Cooper
  The annual budget of the National Radiological Protection Board during each of the last three years was:

  £ million

  1996–97

  15.2

  1997–98

  14.6

  1998–99

  13.7

  The source and amount of every payment to the Board which exceeded 5 per cent. of its income in any one year for the years above was:

  £000

  1996–97

  DH Revenue and Capital Grant

  6,413

  DETR (DoE)

  1,530

  CEC1

  1,070

  1997–98

  DH Revenue and Capital Grant

  6,303

  DETR

  2,720

  CEC

  860

  1998–99

  DH Revenue and Capital Grant

  6,187

  DETR

  680

  CEC

  930

  1 Commission of the European Community

  Dentistry
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the reasons for the declining number of registrations with NHS dentists; and if he will make a statement. [104722]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The decline in the recorded number of registrations since December 1993 is due to a variety of reasons, including improved systems which remove duplicate registrations, the change in the adult registration period from 24 to 15 months, and some dentists withdrawing from the General Dental Service or reducing their level of commitment to the National Health Service. There will also be some patients who may choose not to register with a dentist, but seek dental treatment only when a problem occurs. The establishment of Dental Access Centres in various parts of the country, announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister last September, will enable people not registered with a dentist but who want to see one, to access high quality NHS care. The Government are committed to ensuring that, within two years, anyone wanting to see a NHS dentist would be able to do so by ringing NHS Direct.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the White Paper on NHS Dentistry. [106721]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service dental strategy will be published shortly.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Mid-Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 13 January 2000,Official Report, columns 233–34W, on the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust, how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area were waiting 12 months or more for treatment on the latest date for which information is available; and what has been the total number of patients waiting for hospital treatment in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area for the last two months for which figures are available. [106033]

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

  Total number of patients waiting and the number of patients waiting over 12 months for hospital treatment in the Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust in October and November 1999

  Month

  Total waiting

  Number waiting over 12 months

  October

  9,372

  1,024

  November

  9,483

  1,042

  Source:

  Monthly Waiting List Returns

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 January 2000,Official Report, column 234W, how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area were, on 30 November 1999, waiting over 18 months for treatment, and for how long over 18 months each such patient was waiting; for what reasons such patients were waiting for more than 18 months; and if all these patients have now been treated. [106034]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to ensuring that no patient has to wait more than 18 months for treatment. However, the last published figures for waiting times, for November 1999, show that at the end of November 1999, 14 patients waited over 18 months for treatment at Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Services Trust.

  Information about individual patients waiting over 18 months is not collected centrally.

  Pay Settlement (North-West Lancashire)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the budget for the North West Lancashire Health Authority for 2000–01 to take account of the latest pay settlement for doctors and nurses. [106168]

  Mr. Denham
  The 2000–01 unified allocation for North West Lancashire Health Authority is £345.28 million, which represents a cash increase of £21.95 million (6.79 per cent.).

  The overall allocation will help fund the increased pay bill and other costs, such as health improvement programmes and reducing waiting lists. However, it is for health authorities, in partnership with National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, local authorities and the local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and modernising services. The significant additional resources available will aid them in this process.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress of the PFI project for the New Lymington Community Hospital. [105585]

  Mr. Denham
  Negotiations between Southampton Community Health Services National Health Service Trust and its private sector partner on the proposed private finance initiative scheme for a new community hospital for Lymington are continuing.

  Hearing Aids
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he has introduced digital hearing aids on a pilot basis; and when he plans to extend their availability nationally. [106122]

  Mr. Hutton
  In order to introduce digital hearing aid technology into the National Health Service, hearing aid departments will need new equipment, professionals will need different skills and revised procedures will be required to prescribe digital hearing aids to patients. Such changes will need to be introduced in an integrated way. The pilots will last for two years, after which we will make decisions about extending their availability nationally.

TREASURY

  House Repossessions (Income Support)
  Mr. White
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with mortgage companies about repossessions caused by a shortfall between payments that income support cover and actual interest due. [105600]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  None. Income Support cover is calculated using a standard interest rate which is based on the weighted average of basic rates charged by the main building societies. It should be noted that the standard interest rate is an average and there is not always a shortfall between Income Support cover and actual interest due.

  Deregulation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what orders his Department has made under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 in each year since 1994; and what plans it has to introduce such orders. [106086]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The following orders have been made by Treasury Ministers:
  The Deregulation (Building Societies) Order 1995 (SI no. 1995/3233).
  The Deregulation (Friendly Societies Act 1992) Order 1996 (SI no. 1996/1188).
  The Deregulation (Credit Unions) Order 1996 (SI no. 1996/1189).
  The Deregulation (Industrial and Provident Societies) Order 1996 (SI no. 1996/1738).

  Debt Relief
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what authority will be responsible for assessing the effect of bilateral debt relief on the heavily indebted poor countries; [105737]

  (2) who will assess the implementation of health and education programmes carried out following the cancellation of bilateral debt. [105736]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Government are satisfied that the conditions of debt relief applied under HIPC are sufficient to guarantee that moneys freed up will be spent on social programmes and poverty reduction. The revised HIPC framework not only provides faster, wider and deeper debt relief, it also increases the impact which this relief has on poverty, through the development and implementation of national Poverty Reduction Strategies, the implementation of which will be an essential pre-condition of qualification for HIPC debt relief.

  The transformation of the IMF' s Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility into the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility means that the Poverty Reduction Strategy will become the key instrument in the country's relations with the donor community. In the context of lending operations and assistance strategies, the Boards of the IMF and World bank will be asked to endorse the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The Strategy will therefore provide the basis for IMF and World bank concessional lending to HIPC countries in the future, as well as for debt relief now.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the amount that each of the heavily indebted poor countries will save in debt service as a result of the decision to cancel bilateral debt. [105825]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The specific amount of extra debt relief that a country will receive in any one year cannot be known until the amounts and way in which their multilateral HIPC debt relief will be given is known—in particular, the effect of any debt rescheduling of official bilateral creditors agreed by the Paris Club. This is why the Government is working with the International Financial Institutions to ensure that countries come forward for multilateral relief as soon as is possible.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which departmental budget will cover the cost of the cancellation of ECGD debt to the heavily indebted poor countries. [105829]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Department for International Development will make grant payments to the countries in question to meet the remaining debt service obligations to ECGD after multilateral HIPC debt relief. These grant payments will be made from resources which are additional to the current aid budget.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he estimates that each of the heavily indebted poor countries will benefit from the bilateral debt relief programme. [105747]
  111W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The UK's extra bilateral debt relief is dependent on countries first qualifying for multilateral debt relief under the HIPC initiative.

  The G7 remains committed to its target of working with the International Financial Institutions to ensure that three-quarters of eligible countries reach their decision point by the end of the year and the remainder embark on the process as soon as possible thereafter.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the reduction of debt owed by heavily indebted poor countries to the UK over each of the next 25 years; what is the value of the debt written off at current prices; and what part of the debt was counted as an asset by the Treasury for accounting purposes. [105837]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The costs of reduction of debt by the heavily indebted poor countries will be divided between those amounts due to the relief provided under traditional multilateral debt mechanisms i.e. due to the UK's participation in the HIPC initiative and those amounts due to the extra bilateral relief that the UK is providing in order to relieve 100 per cent. of the debt burden of these countries. The current value of the total amount of debt owed to ECGD by the heavily indebted poor countries is approximately £1.9 billion.

  The cost of the debt reduction in any one year will depend on the number of countries who are eligible for relief, the amount of debt relief required to bring their debt stock to a sustainable level as defined by the terms of the enhanced HIPC initiative and the terms of their Paris Club debt rescheduling agreement.

  All debt held by ECGD is recorded in their own Accounts, which are managed on a commercial basis and separate from the Government's own accounts. The costs of debt cancellation due to the UK's participation in the multilateral HIPC initiative will fall to ECGD and will be recorded in their Accounts as an amount deducted from Recoverable Claims.

  The costs of providing the extra bilateral relief over and above the amounts due to the UK's participation in the HIPC initiative will be met by the Department for International Development from resources additional to the existing aid budget. The Government estimate, though, that, subject to assumptions about the period over which countries become eligible for relief and the amount of relief they receive under the multilateral HIPC initiative, the costs of providing the extra bilateral relief will be £640 million over the 25 year period.

  Friendly Societies
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many industrial and provident societies are registered with the Registry of Friendly Societies; and what proportion of these have an annual turnover of less than(a) £10,000 and (b) £5,000; [105897]

  (2) what representations he has received in the last two years regarding fees payable to the Registry of Friendly Societies by industrial and provident societies; and if he will make a statement. [105896]
  112W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: 8,892 industrial and provident societies (I&Ps) are registered with the Registry of Friendly Societies (RFS). Based on the latest returns received, 992 and 739 have turnover less than £10,000 and £5,000 respectively. The Treasury receives occasional representations on fees payable by I&Ps to the RFS. Those fees are reviewed every year.

  VAT
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to allow the National Crime Squad and the National Criminal Intelligence Service to reclaim value added tax paid on their normal policing activities. [106532]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No. VAT incurred by police authorities in the course of their normal policing activities can be recovered under section 33 of the VAT Act 1994. The National Crime Squad and National Criminal Intelligence Service are not police authorities and they are not eligible to recover VAT under the terms of this provision.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to continue to exempt from value added tax(a) finance and insurance and (b) betting, gaming and lotteries; and if he will make a statement. [106637]

  Mr. Timms
  Yes. EC law requires member states to exempt these services.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to maintain zero-rating for value added tax purposes on(a) construction of new dwellings, (b) books, newspapers and magazines and (c) international passenger transport; and if he will make a statement. [106636]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We have no current plans to remove these zero-rates. Any changes to VAT coverage would be for the Chancellor to decide in the next Budget.

  Personal Allowances
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue yield in the(a) first year and (b) a full year from abolishing the age related personal allowances and replacing them with the standard personal allowance at the existing level. [106509]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The yield from replacing the age-related personal allowances with the standard personal allowances in 2000–01 is around £0.95 billion in a full year and £0.8 billion in the first year on a National Accounts Basis. These estimates are based on the 1997–98 Survey of Personal incomes and consistent with the November 1999 Pre-Budget Report forecast.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the(a) full year and (b) first year revenues which would be raised by increasing the basic rate of tax by one penny in the pound. [106510]
  113W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The latest estimate for changing the basic rate of income tax was published by HM Treasury in table 4 of the "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" in November 1999, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of abolishing the 10 per cent. income tax band and extending the size of the personal tax allowance by the size of this band. [106511]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The cost of abolishing the starting rate of income tax and increasing the personal allowances by £1,520 in 2000–01 would be £4 billion in a full year. This estimate is based on the 1997–98 Survey of Personal incomes and consistent with the November 1999 Pre-Budget Report forecast.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of increasing the size of the basic rate income tax band by £2,000 per year, assuming no change in the size of the personal allowance or lower rate band. [106505]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full-year cost of increasing the basic rate limit by £2,000 in 2000–01 is £0.9 billion. This estimate is based on the 1997–98 Survey of Personal incomes and consistent with the November 1999 Pre-Budget Report forecast.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the(a) first year and (b) full year revenue yield from introducing a 50 per cent. income tax rate on taxable income of over £100,000 per annum; and how this yield would increase in each of the following two years. [106512]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full-year yields from introducing a 50 per cent. income tax rate on taxable income over £100,000 per annum are £2.6 billion in 2000–01, £2.9 billion in 2001–02 and £3.1 billion in 2002–03. The first year yield on a National Accounts Basis is £1.7 billion. These estimates are based on the 1997–98 Survey of Personal incomes and consistent with the November 1999 Pre-Budget Report forecast.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to hold a referendum on entry to the euro within the lifetime of the next Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [106465]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Government policy towards holding a referendum on the single currency remains as set out by the Chancellor in his statement to the House of Commons on 27 October 1997.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to date of the National Changeover Plan. [106388]

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

  Law Students (Vocational Training Relief)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to ensure that students required 114W
  to undertake a fourth year at law school after taking their first degree will continue to be eligible for Vocational Training Relief after September 2000. [106044]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor announced in the March 1999 Budget that Vocational Training Relief (VTR) will be withdrawn when the national framework for Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) is launched, under which people who open ILAs will be eligible for discounts towards the cost of approved types of learning. In last November's pre-Budget Report we said that, on current plans, the discounts will first become available from September this year and that accordingly VTR is to be withdrawn at the end of August.

  On that basis, VTR will not be due for training payments made on or after 1 September 2000. Students undertaking training which currently qualifies for VTR and continues after September 2000 will, however, be eligible for VTR if they pay the remaining course fees before the end of August 2000.

  Armed Forces Commitment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days total commitment of HM armed forces the reserves can maintain; if holding these reserves as(a) foreign exchange and (b) bullion modifies commitment capability; and if he will make a statement. [106402]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The costs of committing the armed forces depend on many factors, and do not necessarily require use of the Government's reserves.

  Bilateral Financial Assistance
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total of financial assistance given by Her Majesty's Government to(a) Sub-Sahara Africa and (b) the former Yugoslavia in the last financial year. [106194]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Figures for bilateral financial assistance given by HMG are published in the Department for International Development Report "Statistics on International Development". For financial year 1998–99, the total bilateral financial assistance given by HMG to:

  (a) Sub-Sahara Africa was just over £560 million.

  (b) The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) was £4.5 million (the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was promulgated in April 1992 following the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (former Yugoslavia)).

  The UK contributes indirectly to financial assistance in both areas as a member of the EU and in Sub-Sahara Africa as a shareholder in a range of international financial organisations. It is not possible to provide reliable statistics for this assistance in the financial year 1998–99.

  Departmental Consultation
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the
  115W
  consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106290]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Transferable Tax Allowance
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of providing a transferable tax allowance between(a) all married couples, (b) all married couples with children, (c) all families with children, (d) all married couples with children whose youngest child is under the age of five years, (e) all families with children whose youngest child is under the age of five years and (f) all families with caring responsibilities in receipt of invalid care allowance. [104868]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated costs for 2000–01 of allowing married or co-habiting couples to transfer all or part of their personal allowance are given in the following table.

  Family type

  £ million

  (a) All married couples

  4,250

  (b) All married couples with children

  2,250

  (c) All families1 with children

  2,500

  (d) All married couples whose youngest child is under the age of five

  1,750

  (e) All families1 whose youngest child is under the age of five

  2,000

  (f) All families1 with caring responsibilities in receipt of invalid care allowance

  70

  1 A family is defined here as unit with a married or co-habiting couple

  Childcare Tax Credit
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the steady-state cost of providing the childcare tax credit to all households with a child below the age of one year on the current tapers, irrespective of whether anyone is in work. [104865]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The childcare tax credit is available to families in receipt of the Working Families' Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit who meet the work requirements and have eligible child care costs.

  If a separate weekly credit of £70 were to be given to all families with a child under one, including those on income support or Jobseeker's Allowance, subject to a taper of 55 per cent. for net income over £90 per week, then the estimated cost for 2000–01 would be about £800 million.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ensure that the Financial Services Authority's single ombudsman service is sufficiently funded to protect the interests of consumers; and if he will make a statement. [106514]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Financial Services and Markets Bill, in paragraph 2 of Schedule 14, requires the Financial Services Authority to take such steps as are 116W
  necessary to ensure that the operator of the Ombudsman scheme is capable of exercising the functions conferred by the Bill. The Bill also provides that funding should be provided by the industry. The FSA are in the process of consulting on the detailed arrangements of the Ombudsman Scheme.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the eligibility of companies to complain to the Financial Services Authority's single ombudsman service; and if he will make a statement. [106513]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  While the Financial Services and Markets Bill sets the general framework for the ombudsman scheme, the detailed operation of the scheme will be determined in rules made by the Financial Services Authority. It will be open, as specified in Clause 201(7) of the Bill, to the Authority to define certain categories of firms as eligible complainants. The FSA is currently consulting on this matter and has proposed that firms should be eligible to use the scheme if they have a turnover of up to £1 million and no more than four staff.

  Higher Rate Taxpayers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number and percentage of higher rate taxpayers in(a) each county in England and (b) each local authority area in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland. [106745]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that reliable estimates for the number of higher rate taxpayers are not available for each county in England, but they are available at Government Office Region level which are shown in the table:

  Taxpayer numbers by region—1999–2000

  Thousand

  Number of higher rate income taxpayers

  Total number of income taxpayers

  North East

  60

  1,000

  North West and Merseyside

  200

  2,900

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  140

  2,200

  East Midlands

  140

  1,900

  West Midlands

  145

  2,200

  East of England

  300

  2,600

  London

  420

  3,100

  South East

  515

  3,900

  South West

  175

  2,300

  Wales

  65

  1,200

  Scotland

  170

  2,400

  Northern Ireland

  35

  600

  Address abroad

  15

  100

  All

  2,400

  26,600

  These estimates are based on the 1997–98 Survey of Personal incomes and consistent with the November 1999 pre-Budget Report forecast.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105802]
  117W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  HM Treasury has an established policy on smoking intended to strike a balance between the interests of smokers and of non-smokers. Smoking is largely restricted to dedicated ventilated smoking rooms and is not permitted in common areas, with the exception of an area of the staff restaurant.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to encourage the growth of credit unions; and if he will make a statement. [105199]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I announced on 16 November 1999, a range of measures—increased flexibility, better regulation, and the establishment of a central services organization—to encourage the growth of credit unions.

  Revenue Losses
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the revenue lost to the Exchequer in each of the last three years. [105550]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Much of the revenue lost relates to the impact of the hidden economy. Estimates of revenue lost to the Exchequer due to the hidden economy are notoriously difficult to make. Although there have been attempts to do so, there is no reliable estimate available.

  Financial Secretary (Shareholdings)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice the Financial Secretary received from the Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury regarding his shares declared in the Register of Members' Interests. [105433]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  By long-standing convention, any advice which Ministers seek from civil servants is confidential and is not made public, as provided for under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Efficiency Improvements
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department has developed of efficiency improvements in delivering the Treasury's outputs over the three year Comprehensive Spending Review period. [105815]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Treasury monitors those outputs which can be measured, such as replies to Parliamentary questions, letters or other communications with the public, payment performance, and so on.

  However the Treasury's primary output is policy advice. Such outputs are difficult to measure. Here, the Treasury has adopted a benchmarking approach, applying the European Foundation for Quality Management's business excellence model.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [105876]
  118W
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Treasury is responsible for the activities of the now-disbanded Private Finance Panel, so I will answer the right hon. Member's series of questions on this issue for the Government as a whole.

  The information currently available is given in a table, a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House.

  Following disbandment of the Private Finance Panel and Executive, the Treasury Taskforce adopted a database designed only to cover those projects with a realistic change of being achieved through PFI.

  The coverage of this database is therefore not identical to that of the 29 November 1995 table. In particular, the database cannot identify the anonymised projects referred to in that table, and the information sought could be obtained (if at all) only at disproportionate cost. In the case of DETR this is true of all projects.

  What the present table clearly shows is the great progress made by this Government since 1 May 1997 in reinvigorating PFI. Of the 250+ signed PFI deals since 1986, only 70 were achieved in the seven years prior to the election. In the first two and a half years of this administration, we have broken the logjam and are delivering much needed, high quality, value for money public services.

  National Insurance Records
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the national insurance records of the hon. Member for Hereford's constituents Mr. John Farren and Mrs. Ann Farren are not up to date; and if he will make a statement. [106167]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It would be inappropriate to make publicly available personal information about the hon. Member's constituents, as provided for under Exclusion 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I am, however, writing to the hon. Member about this matter.

  Agricultural Workers (Suicide)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by English county since 1995(a) total suicides and (b) suicides among the agricultural workforce. [106181]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Robert Key, dated 24 January 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking for total suicides by English counties since 1995 and suicides amongst the agricultural workforce.
  The information requested is given in the attached tables.

  Suicides and undetermined deaths1, at all ages, by English counties and years of occurrence, 1995–98

  County of usual residence

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  England

  4,816

  4,572

  4,662

  4,815

  Greater London

  683

  649

  684

  734

  Greater Manchester

  263

  277

  270

  297

  Merseyside

  106

  146

  135

  141

  South Yorkshire

  116

  113

  133

  129

  Tyne and Wear

  137

  116

  125

  109

  119W

  Suicides and undetermined deaths1, at all ages, by English counties and years of occurrence, 1995–98

  County of usual residence

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  West Midlands

  259

  211

  215

  219

  West Yorkshire

  220

  186

  219

  199

  Avon

  84

  88

  67

  82

  Bedfordshire

  45

  50

  46

  43

  Berkshire

  87

  79

  55

  76

  Buckinghamshire

  52

  51

  55

  62

  Cambridgeshire

  58

  63

  55

  55

  Cheshire

  90

  90

  81

  102

  Cleveland

  58

  59

  65

  51

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  54

  71

  66

  59

  Cumbria

  68

  49

  62

  68

  Derbyshire

  98

  68

  94

  75

  Devon

  136

  112

  122

  119

  Dorset

  91

  78

  76

  67

  Durham

  45

  47

  63

  60

  East Sussex

  85

  90

  124

  90

  Essex

  151

  111

  126

  153

  Gloucestershire

  46

  50

  50

  56

  Hampshire

  160

  140

  143

  157

  Hereford and Worcester

  71

  63

  71

  70

  Hertfordshire

  84

  91

  74

  72

  Humberside

  88

  57

  96

  86

  Isle of Wight

  13

  13

  9

  20

  Kent

  119

  142

  130

  150

  Lancashire

  193

  155

  181

  181

  Leicestershire

  80

  88

  71

  77

  Lincolnshire

  55

  55

  45

  70

  Norfolk

  78

  66

  74

  92

  Northamptonshire

  63

  67

  61

  54

  Northumberland

  30

  27

  29

  28

  North Yorkshire

  98

  90

  84

  86

  Nottinghamshire

  93

  110

  90

  99

  Oxfordshire

  60

  59

  49

  52

  Shropshire

  30

  31

  33

  28

  Somerset

  50

  46

  47

  43

  Staffordshire

  101

  94

  95

  107

  Suffolk

  68

  67

  50

  60

  Surrey

  86

  101

  94

  85

  Warwickshire

  34

  28

  32

  45

  West Sussex

  76

  79

  78

  59

  Wiltshire

  54

  49

  38

  48

  1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes E950–E959 and E980–E989 excluding E988.8.

  Suicides and undetermined deaths1 among the agricultural workforce2, by English counties and years of occurrence, 1995–98

  Number

  1995

  England

  49

  South Yorkshire

  1

  West Midlands

  1

  Avon

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  Cheshire

  1

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  1

  Cumbria

  1

  Derbyshire

  2

  Devon

  5

  East Sussex

  3

  Essex

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  1

  Humberside

  1

  Kent

  1

  Lancashire

  2

  Leicestershire

  2

  Lincolnshire

  4

  Norfolk

  4

  North Yorkshire

  7

  Oxfordshire

  1

  120W

  Suicides and undetermined deaths1 among the agricultural workforce2, by English counties and years of occurrence, 1995–98

  Number

  Shropshire

  1

  Somerset

  2

  Staffordshire

  1

  Suffolk

  1

  Warwickshire

  1

  1996

  England

  59

  Greater London

  1

  West Yorkshire

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  3

  Cheshire

  1

  Cleveland

  1

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  3

  Cumbria

  2

  Dorset

  2

  Durham

  1

  Essex

  3

  Gloucestershire

  2

  Hampshire

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  2

  Hertfordshire

  1

  Kent

  4

  Lancashire

  2

  Lincolnshire

  4

  Norfolk

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1

  Northumberland

  2

  North Yorkshire

  5

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  Oxfordshire

  2

  Shropshire

  2

  Somerset

  5

  Surrey

  1

  West Sussex

  2

  1997

  England

  58

  Greater London

  1

  Greater Manchester

  1

  Merseyside

  1

  West Midlands

  1

  West Yorkshire

  3

  Avon

  1

  Berkshire

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  Cheshire

  2

  Cleveland

  1

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  2

  Cumbria

  1

  Devon

  4

  Durham

  2

  East Sussex

  1

  Gloucestershire

  1

  Hampshire

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  2

  Humberside

  3

  Lancashire

  2

  Leicestershire

  2

  Lincolnshire

  1

  Norfolk

  2

  Northamptonshire

  3

  North Yorkshire

  5

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  Oxfordshire

  1

  Shropshire

  2

  Somerset

  1

  Staffordshire

  3

  Suffolk

  1

  Wiltshire

  1

  121W

  Suicides and undetermined deaths1 among the agricultural workforce2, by English counties and years of occurrence, 1995–98

  Number

  1998

  England

  68

  South Yorkshire

  1

  West Midlands

  1

  West Yorkshire

  1

  Avon

  2

  Bedfordshire

  2

  Berkshire

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  2

  Cheshire

  2

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  4

  Cumbria

  2

  Derbyshire

  1

  Devon

  5

  Dorset

  1

  East Sussex

  1

  Essex

  1

  Gloucestershire

  1

  Hampshire

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  1

  Humberside

  3

  Kent

  1

  Lancashire

  5

  Leicestershire

  2

  Lincolnshire

  6

  Norfolk

  5

  Northamptonshire

  2

  Shropshire

  2

  Somerset

  2

  Staffordshire

  3

  Suffolk

  1

  Warwickshire

  2

  West Sussex

  1

  Wiltshire

  3

  1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes E950–E959 and E980–E989 excluding E988.9.

  2 Deaths of those aged 16 to 74 whose last gainful occupation was in occupation units 160, 900, 901, 902, as defined in OPCS, Standard Occupational Classification, 1991, London HMSO.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  GM Crops
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the pesticides applied on the farm scale trial of genetically modified oilseed rape and conventional oilseed rape at Model Farm, near Watlington, in 1999, giving in each case(a) the name of the product used, (b) the rate of application and (c) the date or dates applied. [101757]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: Information on all the pesticides (including herbicides) used on both the genetically modified and the conventional crops being grown under the farm scale evaluation programme is recorded in detail by the research contractors as part of their monitoring of field sites. The full information will be passed to the independent scientific steering committee overseeing the farm scale evaluations, and will be published in their report of the evaluations, but is not currently available. Pesticide information will help establish the context of any observed differences in wildlife between the GM and conventional crops, and will be published alongside the results.

  Korean Airlines Crash, Stansted
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has been made(a) by his Department and (b) by the Air Accident Investigation Board, of the environmental implications of the dispersal of the depleted uranium ballast from the wings of the Korean Airlines aircraft which crashed at Stansted on 22 December 1999. [104703]

  Mr. Mullin
  I understand from the Environment Agency and the Air Accidents Investigation Board that the depleted uranium was part of the structure of the aircraft and was incorporated as solid weights in the tail section. Sixteen of the 20 weights have been recovered and none of these shows signs of damage such that dispersal would have occurred. A radiological survey of the crash site is being conducted and it is expected this will lead to the recovery of the others. The facts already established about the nature of the fire that occurred after the crash mean that it is extremely unlikely that any dispersal of the uranium will have taken place.

  The aircraft was carrying a very small amount of radioactive material used for medical diagnosis. This was contained in 220 vials of iodine-125 bound for China. The quantity of material involved is too small to cause any damage to local people or the environment. This material is of such limited potential risk that it is not required to be notified to the pilot in command among the list of dangerous goods carried. The recovery of residual material from the accident site is in hand and its disposal is regulated by the Environment Agency.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the minimum age at which people can hold a driving licence. [104883]

  Mr. Hill
  The rules governing the age at which people can hold driving licences are set out in The Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999.

  Measures to improve the safety record of new licence holders are being considered as part of the road safety strategy, which is to be published shortly.

  Homeless People
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidance to local authorities in relation to providing services for homeless people with multiple needs. [104805]

  Mr. Mullin
  Following consultation last year, the Government propose to issue in the Spring a revised version of the Code of Guidance for Local Authorities on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness (Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996). This will include specific guidance encouraging housing authorities to work together with all relevant agencies to secure the effective delivery of appropriate support packages to homeless people with housing and other needs.

  Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to fill the vacancies on the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; and for how long these vacancies have existed. [105078]

  Mr. Meacher
  At the time of the last round of Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee appointments in November 1998, three positions, out of an agreed Committee complement of 20, were left unfilled. Candidates to fill two of these vacancies, under nuclear and radioactive waste management and health and safety membership template headings, were interviewed towards the end of last year. Appropriate appointments will be made in due course in conjunction with Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Ministers.

  Tourist Attractions
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the maximum distance a tourism site may be from a brown tourist attraction sign on a motorway; [105135]

  (2) if he will increase the maximum distance a tourism site may be from its brown motorway sign. [105136]

  Mr. Hill
  Guidelines for signing on motorways in England specify that an attraction should be within 20 miles of the junction from which it is to be signed. Stricter criteria relating to driving time rather than distance apply on the M25 and roads within it. Signs not meeting the criteria may exceptionally be permitted if justified by special local circumstances.

  Councillors
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what considerations underlie his policy of ensuring that local authority councillors receive a basic allowance. [105520]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Our policy, as set out in "Modern Local Government"—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014), is that financial support for councillors must reinforce the culture of the modern council and address, as far as possible, any disincentives to serving in local politics. Basic allowance is intended to recognise the time commitment expected of all councillors, including such inevitable calls on their time as meetings with officers and attendance at political group meetings.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many council houses were(a) sold and (b) built in each of the last 10 years in the London borough of Wandsworth. [105509]

  Mr. Mullin
  The available information reported by the London Borough of Wandsworth is in the table.
  124W

  Number of council-owned dwellings sold and built in London Borough of Wandsworth

  Year

  Sales

  New build completions

  1989–90

  2,262

  0

  1990–91

  1,050

  0

  1991–92

  840

  0

  1992–93

  672

  0

  1993–94

  674

  1

  1994–95

  449

  0

  1995–96

  248

  0

  1996–97

  421

  0

  1997–98

  464

  0

  1998–99

  470

  0

  Note:

  New house-building figures are based on calendar years.

  Sources:

  Sales: DETR Housing Activity P1(B) (quarterly) and Housing Investment Programme (annual) returns.

  New build: DETR Housing Activity P2(M) (monthly) returns.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105803]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department seeks to create a non-smoking work environment. This is primarily through the creation of smoking rooms, or smoking areas where the size or configuration of the building does not make this feasible, although in some buildings staff have voted for a total ban on smoking. Health promotion activities have complemented this approach with displays, in-house magazine articles and proactive events. When lifestyle screening programmes are run an individual's smoking habits are one of the areas discussed with the screening nurse.

  Cable Telecommunications
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will revise planning and development control legislation to bring cable communications development within the ambit of regulations governing radio installations; and if he will make a statement; [105664]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the height and bulk of cable telecommunications companies roadside cabinets which can be installed without planning consent; and if he will make a statement; [105522]

  (3) what plans he has to introduce planning control requirements to empower local authorities to control the length, bulk and location of roadside cable telecommunication cabinets; and if he will make a statement. [105521]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Telecommunications operators are licensed by the Department of Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984. These licensed telecommunications code system operators are authorised under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) to install specified telecommunications apparatus without the need to make a planning application to the local authority, ie they have permitted development rights.
  125W
  Under the operator licensing arrangements, SI 1999 No. 2450 harmonises the conditions attached to operators' licences and came into force on 27 September 1999. These permit a maximum cabinet size of 1.8 m high by 2.0 m long by 0.8 m wide.

  Under the GPDO, operators have permitted development rights for cabinets with a base area of up to 1.5 sq m. However, in areas such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and the Broads and Sites of Special Scientific Interest the permitted development right is subject to a prior approval procedure. Under this procedure the local planning authority has the opportunity to say whether it wishes to approve, within 28-days, details of a cabinet's siting and appearance. It can refuse approval if it considers this justified.

  In all cases, the installation of cabinets with a base size exceeding 1.5 sq m would need a full planning application to the local planning authority.

  Currently we have no proposals to amend the provisions of Part 24 of the GPDO.

  Washable Nappies
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to promote the use of washable nappies for environmental reasons; and if he will make a statement. [105178]

  Mr. Mullin
  Disposable nappies are a significant proportion of household waste. However, when all environmental impacts are taken into account, it is not established whether disposable nappies are environmentally preferable in the majority of cases.

  We encourage individuals to consider environmental factors when making purchasing decisions. Ultimately, though, it is for parents to decide which type of nappy is best suited to their circumstances.

  Rural Bus Services (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring his Department carries out of the level of bus services to rural areas in Chorley District. [105549]

  Mr. Hill
  Information on rural bus services is collected at County level.

  Following introduction of the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant in 1998 the Department undertook a monitoring exercise to assess the impact of the new grant. This showed that over 1,800 new or improved services had been introduced in England; 42 of those services were in Lancashire.

  Europe/North-West Rail Link
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role his Department will play in ensuring direct rail links from Europe to the North-West in order to help businesses in this area. [105267]

  Mr. Hill
  I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 7 December 1999,Official Report, column 477W. Such services have been the subject of an extensive
  126W
  independent review, which Ministers are currently considering. An announcement on publication will be made in due course.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost to business of traffic congestion on British motorways. [105264]

  Mr. Hill
  Various estimates have been made of the value road users place on the total amount of time lost to congestion on the road network for different years and using different methods. They agree that taking all road users together and the British network as a whole the total runs to billions of pounds every year, and has been rising.

  Although motorways account for a significant proportion of traffic—nearly 20 per cent. of all vehicle kilometres in England in 1996—analysis undertaken for the Government's report "Tackling Congestion and Pollution", published yesterday, suggests that they account for only about 5 per cent. of the total amount of vehicle time lost.

  Wide Loads
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the congestion costs of the movement of police-escorted wide loads between 7am and 7pm. [105543]

  Mr. Hill
  Delays caused by individual movements of police-escorted wide loads will vary significantly between circumstances depending on the time of travel and the route taken. I am not aware that any assessment has been made of the overall impact on the journey times of other road users.

  Waste Disposal (London)
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, for each London borough, in the year 1998, the percentage of waste disposal by(a) landfill, (b) recycling and (c) incineration. [105327]

  Mr. Mullin
  The tables set out the available information for the percentage of municipal waste recycled, landfilled and incinerated in 1997–98 for the London boroughs. Full information is available for unitary authorities, which are responsible for both waste collection and disposal. For the boroughs that are waste collection authorities, the percentage of municipal waste recycled is shown. Landfill and incineration data are not available for individual waste collection authorities, as this is the responsibility of the waste disposal authority.

  Unitary authorities: Percentage of municipal waste recycled, landfilled and incinerated

  Percentage

  Recycling and composting

  Landfill

  Incineration

  Bexley

  17

  31

  52

  Bromley

  9

  91

  0

  Corporation of London

  0

  100

  0

  Croydon

  9

  90

  1

  Greenwich

  5

  19

  76

  Kingston upon Thames

  10

  90

  0

  127W

  Unitary authorities: Percentage of municipal waste recycled, landfilled and incinerated

  Percentage

  Recycling and composting

  Landfill

  Incineration

  Lewisham

  5

  2

  93

  Merton

  4

  n/a

  n/a

  Southwark

  3

  97

  1

  Sutton

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Tower Hamlets

  2

  98

  0

  Westminster

  5

  n/a

  n/a

  Waste collection authorities: Municipal waste recycled, as a percentage of waste collected by the waste collection authority

  Percentage

  Recycling and composting

  Barking and Dagenham

  n/a

  Barnet

  7

  Brent

  3

  Camden

  7

  Ealing

  6

  Enfield

  7

  Hackney

  n/a

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  5

  Haringey

  3

  Harrow

  6

  Havering

  n/a

  Hillingdon

  6

  Hounslow

  9

  Islington

  2

  Kensington and Chelsea

  6

  Lambeth

  4

  Newham

  2

  Redbridge

  4

  Richmond upon Thames

  n/a

  Waltham Forest

  4

  Wandsworth

  5

  Waste disposal authorities: Municipal waste recycled, landfilled and incinerated, as a percentage of waste recycled and disposed of by the waste disposal authority

  Percentage

  Recycling and composting

  Landfill

  Incineration

  Western Riverside Waste Authority

  1

  99

  0

  East London Waste Authority

  0

  87

  13

  North London Waste Authority

  2

  56

  42

  West London Waste Authority

  0

  100

  0

  Note:

  No response to the 1997–98 survey was received from the boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Hackney and Havering, and data for Richmond upon Thames, Merton and Westminster are incomplete.

  Source:

  Municipal Waste Survey

  Water Industry
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on prospects for employment in the water utilities following Ofwat's recommendations on water pricing. [105147]

  Mr. Mullin
  The examination of the water industry's costs and efficiency assumptions is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. He has a statutory duty to secure that water companies properly carry out 128W
  their functions and are able to finance them. These functions must be carried out in full compliance with all legal requirements, including drinking water quality (regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate), health and safety (regulated by the Health and Safety Executive), environmental standards (regulated by the Environment Agency) and customer service and continuity of supply (regulated by the Director General himself). In conducting his periodic review of water price limits the Director General expects companies to improve on efficiency savings that they have already achieved. It will be for water and sewerage undertakers to ensure that they maintain the necessary staff and other resources to meet these obligations in full.

  In deciding how to meet price limits set by the Director General, companies will need to consider the range of measures open to them, including factors such as dividend policy, as well as the option of making staff redundant.

  The Government believe that it is possible to deliver substantial quality improvements and reductions in customers' bills, for the benefit of consumers. The environmental and water quality improvement programmes will create significant new employment opportunities, although my Department has not undertaken or commissioned research on employment in the water industry.

  Road Safety Schemes
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the expenditure by his Department and its agencies on road safety schemes in each financial year since 1997. [105485]

  Mr. Hill
  The expenditure was:

  £ million

  1997–98

  7.3

  1998–99

  50.6

  1999–2000

  139.3

  1 To date

  The basis for classifying road expenditure was revised from 1998–99 onwards, and the information for 1997–98 is not directly comparable with subsequent years. It may understate the position.

  Leasehold Valuation Tribunals
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring his Department undertakes of the work of Leasehold Valuation Tribunals; and if he will publish a report on that monitoring. [105813]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department monitors the work load and staffing of the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals and their progress in resolving a variety of disputes relating to leasehold property. In addition, we have commissioned a study to monitor the implementation of the leasehold provisions of the Housing Act 1996, including the experience of leaseholders and freeholders using the tribunals. A report on the study will be published by the summer. We are also examining all aspects of the operation of the tribunals as part of a wider review of
  129W
  the Rent Assessment Panels. I announced publication of a consultation paper on the review on 18 November 1999, Official Report, column 5W.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to Leasehold Valuation Tribunals since September 1997. [105812]

  Mr. Mullin
  Leasehold Valuation Tribunals are independent statutory bodies and my Department does not issue them with guidance. The Presidents of Rent Assessment Panels, from which membership of the tribunals are drawn, are responsible for providing advice to members on legal, valuation and procedural matters relevant to the work of the tribunals.

  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the issues discussed during the recent visit to Cuba by UK and EU officials and scientists in connection with the forthcoming meeting of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. [105810]

  Mr. Mullin
  In September 1999, at Cuba's request, a delegation from the EU Scientific Review Group of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conducted a fact finding mission to Cuba regarding the exploitation of Eretmochelys imbricate (hawksbill turtles). The mission met representatives of the Agencia de Medio Ambiente (AMA) of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Technologia y Medio Ambiente, the Cuban CITES Management Authority, and the Cuban Fisheries Research Center. It visited a traditional fishing site, an experimental ranching centre and turtle shell stockpiles. Issues discussed related to a draft proposal by Cuba on hawksbill turtles for the next CITES Conference of Parties (April 2000). The delegation looked at the implications of the proposal for both the Cuban and the wider Caribbean populations of hawksbill turtles, the quality of Cuba's captive rearing facilities, techniques for marketing shells, and conservation benefits arising from the proposal.

  The delegation was impressed with the stringency of Cuban controls, but was unable to see key data on population or monitoring of nesting beaches, and so could not reach any firm conclusions.

  House Building (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new homes have been built in(a) Shropshire and (b) Shrewsbury and Atcham from 1979 to date; and if he will make a statement. [105531]

  Mr. Raynsford
  From January 1979 to November 1999 inclusive, there were 32,400 and 6,250 dwellings completed in Shropshire and Shrewsbury and Atcham respectively.

  Rats
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the findings were of the 1996 English House Condition Survey on 130W
  the relationship between rat infestations and unfitness due to ineffective draining of foul, waste and surface water. [105482]

  Mr. Mullin
  The recent MAFF report "Rodent Infestations in domestic properties in England" covers this issue. MAFF's report tentatively suggests that there is a relationship between the incidence of blocked drains and outdoor rat infestation but this has not been supported with statistically significant analysis of the data so the conclusion needs to be treated with caution. Moreover, faults that might be expected to reflect a direct link with sewers, such as cracked or defective drains covers, were not found to be related to rat infestation. A copy of the MAFF report is in the House of Commons Library.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his proposals concerning areas of outstanding natural beauty. [105471]

  Mr. Mullin
  Funding increases for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) have already been announced. The Countryside Agency has an additional £2.5 million in the current financial year for their management and conservation, rising by a further £1 million in 2000–01, which will bring the Agency's budget for AONBs to £5.7 million.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment expects to make an announcement soon on further proposals to strengthen the protection and management of AONBs.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals are being considered by his Department to help sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub post offices. [105863]

  Ms Armstrong
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competitiveness on 20 January 2000,Official Report, columns 519–20W.

  Some support to sub post offices is currently provided through the non-domestic rating system. The sole post office or shop in a designated rural area is entitled to 50 per cent. mandatory relief from non-domestic rates, provided its rateable value is less than £5,000. Local authorities have discretionary powers to provide further relief up to 100 per cent. of the full rates bill for these and other properties in designated rural areas, with rateable values less than £10,000.

  We are also considering the suggestion in the Report of the Urban Task Force, "Towards an Urban Renaissance", that there should be rate reductions for small retailers in designated urban priority areas.

  In the 1998 White Paper "Modernising Local Government: In Touch With The People" we announced a general rate relief scheme for all small non-domestic properties, which will include small post offices in urban and rural areas. We aim to consult shortly on the details of this scheme.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many housing association units have been available for rent in each of the past 10 years. [105228]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: The available figures for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in England are given in the tables below.

  Units owned by registered social landlords and available for rent, 1989–99 England only

  Thousands

  As at 31 March

  Occupied homes

  Homes vacant and available for letting

  Total number of units available for rent

  1989

  497.9

  8.2

  506.1

  1990

  548.6

  7.0

  555.6

  1991

  591.9

  7.3

  599.2

  1992

  629.9

  7.0

  636.9

  1993

  686.7

  17.2

  703.9

  1994

  758.1

  10.5

  768.6

  1995

  835.6

  10.6

  846.2

  1996

  911.2

  13.5

  924.7

  1997

  955.1

  14.8

  969.9

  1998

  1,012.0

  16.1

  1,028.1

  1999

  1,121.5

  17.8

  1,139.3

  Figures for the availability of hostel and shared housing bedspaces also exist for 1994–99.

  Number of hostel and shared housing bedspaces owned by RSLs, 1994–99 England only

  Thousands

  As at 31 March

  Occupied bedspaces

  Bedspaces vacant and available for letting

  Total availability of bedspaces

  1994

  71.6

  5.4

  77.0

  1995

  77.2

  6.0

  83.2

  1996

  81.0

  6.8

  87.8

  1997

  81.0

  7.3

  88.3

  1998

  86.4

  6.7

  93.1

  1999

  90.0

  7.2

  97.2

  Sources:

  (a) 1989–98 data: Registered Social Landlords in 1998: Profile of the RSL sector.

  (b) 1999 data: as yet unpublished.

  Airline Accidents
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has undertaken of the numbers of cases at international airports over the last 10 years when civil airline accidents on take-off or departure have resulted in ground fatalities. [105981]

  Mr. Hill
  In 1995 the then Department of Transport commissioned NATS Ltd. to advise on the scope for detailed modelling of the size and shape of risk contours around airports, in connection with its review of Public Safety Zone policy. In preparing its advice NATS used the CASE (Client Aviation System Enquiry) database of aircraft accidents maintained by Airclaims Ltd. to identify 132W
  information on crashes between 1979 and 1995 involving western-built airliner jets and turboprops. It used this information, in conjunction with data about aircraft movements, to calculate crash rates which would be relevant to the UK. From this information NATS used its own location model to determine the statistical distribution of crash locations in the vicinity of an airport. NATS also developed a consequence model to determine the size of the areas on the ground destroyed by aircraft accidents.

  The crashes used for the purpose of this work were not limited to those which resulted in ground fatalities. The most useful approach was considered to be to draw upon the most reliable data available to calculate crash rates and model crash location and consequences, and then to apply those results in defining new boundaries for Public Safety Zones at airports.

  London Underground
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements have been put in place to ensure that operation of the London Underground under a public-private partnership is subject to the provisions of the Customer Charter respecting compensation for delays experienced by passengers. [106071]

  Mr. Hill
  London Underground Ltd., which administers refunds under its customer charter, will remain as a public-sector company in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Therefore the refund policy will not be affected by the PPP.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent a full service has been provided on the Jubilee line extension since its opening. [106072]

  Mr. Hill
  When the Jubilee line extension began to open, in phases, from May 1999, services were only offered from Monday to Friday, and limited hours were operated. This was to allow contractors access to the line for completion works.

  Now that the whole extension is open, and has joined the existing Jubilee line, full through services from Stanmore to Stratford, seven day a week services, and normal Tube opening hours are provided.

  There have been some problems with reliability due to technical difficulties with new equipment and systems. I understand that London Underground is addressing these issues. In the four weeks to 8 January, the percentage of scheduled trains operated has increased to 94.2 per cent. LU has work in hand to improve reliability further.

  Rail Passenger Partnership (Merseyside)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the applications he has received in connection with the Rail Passenger Partnership from Merseyside. [105890]
  133W
  Mr. Hill
  The first two successful bids under the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, together worth more than £3.5 million, were announced on 8 December 1999. The Franchising Director will make further announcements on bids already received and those he is expecting to receive in due course. These include at least one from Merseyside.

  Greenbelt Land
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities where the amount of greenbelt land exceeds(a) 90 per cent. and (b) 75 per cent. of the total land area of the local authorities. [105907]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Information on the area of greenbelt land in each local authority is not currently available centrally. Estimates under preparation, based on designated greenbelt areas shown in adopted and deposited local plans, should be finalised within two months. I shall write to the hon. Member when they are available.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which overseas distribution systems his Department is reviewing as part of its review of local government grant distribution systems; and when changes in the grant system will be introduced. [105917]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The DETR commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct a research project examining grant distribution systems used overseas. The initial phase of the project entailed PwC producing outline descriptions of 19 grant distribution systems used in other OECD countries. The 19 countries examined were:

  Austria

  Australia

  Belgium

  Canada

  Denmark

  Finland

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Ireland

  Italy

  Japan

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Portugal

  Spain

  Sweden

  United States.

  The preliminary analysis of the 19 countries by PwC can be found on the Local Government Association (LGA) website at http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/rgd/index.htm. Discussion of the 19 outline descriptions was carried out at the joint DETR and LGA review group. The next stage of the project required eight countries to be
  134W
  selected by the review group for further analysis. PwC produced detailed reports on these eight countries. The eight countries were:

  Australia

  Denmark

  France

  Germany

  Netherlands

  Spain

  Sweden

  United States.

  The preliminary in-depth reports produced by PwC can also be found on the LGA website. The next stage of the project required the joint DETR and LGA review group to agree which, if any, of the eight countries warranted further study. Four countries were selected for further analysis and a visit by representatives of DETR and local government. The four countries were:

  Denmark

  France

  Netherlands

  Sweden.

  Papers recording the information gained from the four visits can also be found on the LGA website. PwC will shortly be producing their final report. This will bring together all the material from the research project.

  The implementation of any change to the current grant distribution system will depend on the outcome of the consultation exercise taking place this summer and its timing will depend on whether legislation is required.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what training staff in his Department have received on the implications of the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales on their work in giving advice in response to inquiries. [106069]

  Ms Armstrong
  General information and guidance on the implications of devolution for the work of the Department, including the handling of correspondence and inquiries, has been promulgated to staff throughout the Department. All senior managers have been briefed on the need for good communications and relations with the devolved administrations, following the arrangements set out in the "Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements" (Cm 4444).

  We hope shortly to conclude and publish a bilateral concordat with the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales.

  Rail Franchising
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the Franchising Director a requirement that in the next round of railway franchises for services between(a) Holyhead and Crewe and (b) Cardiff and Crewe, companies are required to tender on the basis of at least two through-train services between Holyhead and Cardiff each day. [R] [105888]
  135W
  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director has invited proposals for improved services in Wales and the North West. In any renegotiations the Franchising Director will seek the best deal he can for passengers, in line with the Instructions and Guidance the Deputy Prime Minister gave him last year. The Franchising Director has met with Welsh Assembly officials to discuss their aspirations, and he will consult them as plans for future services provision are formulated.

  Storm Damage
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what special financial assistance will be made available for coastal authorities in response to the damage caused by recent storms; and if he will make a statement. [106310]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Local authorities have statutory powers to deal with emergencies and are expected to budget accordingly. They may apply for additional financial assistance where there is a case for doing so under existing rules. All local authorities were sent copies of the current guidance notes and thresholds on 26 February 1999. To date we have received no applications in respect of the recent storms.

  Multilateral Environmental Agreements
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he is making to the European Commission in respect of the arrangements enabling European Commission trade negotiators to take full account of environmental considerations and the requirements of multilateral environmental agreements. [105581]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The United Kingdom played a leading role in the development of the European Union's position on how the relationship between trade and the environment should be addressed in the proposed new Round of multilateral trade negotiations. This position was set out in the conclusions of the General Affairs Council prior to the third World Trade Organisation Ministerial in Seattle in December 1999. The conclusions of the General Affairs Council are consistent with the Government's priorities for action in this area. They include commitments to clarifying the legal relationship between the rules of the WTO and trade measures taken pursuant to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and to taking environmental considerations into account throughout the negotiations. I attended the Seattle Ministerial, where I was able to discuss trade and environment issues directly with representatives of the European Commission.

  The Government also strongly support the Sustainability Impact Assessment which the European Commission is undertaking to inform the European Union's negotiating position in future trade liberalisation negotiations. Officials from my Department and the Department for Trade and Industry will continue to participate in meetings with the European Commission and other member states of the European Union to discuss trade and environment issues.

  Severn Trent Water
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what 136W
  representations he has received concerning the impact of Ofwat's price review on employment at Severn Trent Water. [106043]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Department has received a number of representations on this issue, including correspondence from the Managing Director and employees of Severn Trent Water, local union representatives and hon. Members whose constituencies fall within the Severn Trent area. The representations expressed concern that Severn Trent Water might make some staff redundant following the decisions of the Director General of Water Services on price limits for water companies, to apply from April 2000.

  Setting price limits, at the price review, is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. He has a statutory duty to secure that water companies properly carry out their functions and are able to finance them. These functions must be carried out in full compliance with all legal requirements, including drinking water quality (regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate), health and safety (regulated by the Health and Safety Executive), environmental standards (regulated by the Environment Agency) and customer service and continuity of supply (regulated by the Director General himself). The Director General expects companies to improve on efficiency savings that they have already achieved. It will be for water and sewerage undertakers to ensure that they maintain the necessary staff and other resources to meet these obligations in full.

  In deciding how to meet price limits set by the Director General, companies will need to consider the range of measures open to them, including factors such as dividend policy, as well as the option of making staff redundant.

  The Government believe that it is possible to deliver substantial quality improvements and reductions in customers' bills, for the benefit of consumers. The environmental and water quality improvement programmes will create significant new employment opportunities, although my Department has not undertaken or commissioned research on employment in the water industry.

  French Lorry Strike
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the total amount of compensation so far paid by the French Government to British road haulage firms following the French truck drivers strike in 1996. [106149]

  Mr. Prescott
  While the Department was pleased to assist claimants in lodging their claims with the French authorities, the claimants are under no obligation to inform the Government of the outcome. However, I understand that an offer of compensation has been made in respect of all eligible claims.

  School Buses
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local education authorities and his ministerial colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment about the contribution that school buses can make to reducing traffic congestion. [106164]
  137W
  Mr. Hill
  Congestion caused by the "school run" is one of the issues considered by the School Travel Advisory Group (STAG). The first report from STAG was presented to me and to colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health on 13 January. A copy of the report and the Government response have been placed in the Library of the House. As recommended by STAG, we have commissioned consultants to identify and analyse examples of good practice in promoting bus use for travel to school and to produce a guide to best practice.

  Motor Insurance
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the British Insurers Association measures to avoid the practice of including motorists with criminal convictions on company insurances in cases where personal insurance is not available to them. [106288]

  Mr. Hill
  The main aim of our policy on motor insurance is to ensure that any driver who uses a vehicle on the road will be covered for their liabilities to third parties. To that end the motor insurance industry have agreed informally that they will always find a policy for anybody who holds a valid driving licence and is legally entitled to use a vehicle on the road. The premium charged reflects the risk attached to the driver and this includes driving history and any relevant convictions. This practice applies to both individual and company insurance policies. Seeking to prevent insurers from issuing any cover for valid licence holders would be likely to lead to an increase in uninsured driving.

  DVLA
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 January 2000,Official Report, column 210W, concerning the DVLA, how many people waited longer than (a) five, (b) eight, (c) 10, (d) 15 and (e) 20 weeks for car or motorcycle licences which required a medical investigation by the DVLA Medical Unit in each month of 1999. [106715]

  Mr. Hill
  The information is not available in the form requested, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the(a) total and (b) unit cost of the DVLA's payments to private medical practitioners to process driving licence applications where the applicant declared a medical condition, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [106572]

  Mr. Hill
  In the financial year ended March 1999, a total of £2,576,233 was paid for 120,561 medical examinations (including opticians) an average payment of £20.98.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 January 2000,Official Report, column 210W, concerning the DVLA, how many people waited longer than (a) seven, (b) 10, (c) 15, (d) 20 and
  138W
  (e) 25 weeks for a bus or lorry licence which required a medical investigation by the DVLA Medical Unit in each month of 1999. [106733]

  Mr. Hill
  The information is not available in the form requested, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 249W, concerning the use of private opticians by DVLA, how the annual saving of £504,000 relates to the extra costs of £280,000 referred to in his answer of 10 January 2000, Official Report, column 5W. [106697]

  Mr. Hill
  The DVLA Medical Unit refers some 8,000 applicants per annum for visual field tests. The cost for NHS Consultant Ophthalmologists was £98 per test, some £784,000 per annum. Using private Optometrists, the fee will be £35 per test, or £280,000 per annum which gives an annual saving of £504,000.

  Regional Chambers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost to(a) central and (b) local government to date, of each of the regional chambers. [106125]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The costs of the voluntary regional chambers are a matter for their members. The Government have provided some support in-kind. In the East Midlands a member of the Government Office staff was seconded to assist with start-up arrangements, and in the South-East the Government Office has provided office space to the chamber.

  Salisbury Railway Station
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list by(a) date, (b) category and (c) outcome, the incidents recorded by Wiltshire Constabulary at Salisbury railway station in each year since 1995; [106553]

  (2) if he will list by (a) date, (b) category and (c) outcome, the incidents recorded by the British Transport Police at Salisbury railway station in each year since 1995. [106554]

  Mr. Hill
  The British Transport Police are responsible for policing, and recording the crime statistics, at Salisbury railway station.

  The figures for 1998 and 1999 are in the table, listed by date, offence and whether they were detected. Detected means where a person has been identified with the crime and either charged, cautioned or no prosecution has occurred. Records for the earlier years are now archived and are not easily retrieved.

  Date

  Offence

  Detected

  1998

  9 February

  Burglary of tenants premises

  No

  21 February

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  6 March

  Theft of personal property

  No

  7 March

  Criminal damage to motor vehicle

  No

  10 March

  Male rape

  Yes

  10 March

  Gross indecency

  No

  14 April

  Theft of cash

  No

  139W

  Date

  Offence

  Delected

  21 May

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  21 May

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  21 May

  Theft of personal property

  Yes

  24 May

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  3 June

  Theft of personal property

  No

  8 June

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  29 June

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  17 July

  Obtain service by deception

  No

  25 July

  Provocation/violence

  No

  8 August

  Criminal damage to motor vehicle

  No

  12 October

  Theft of cash

  Yes

  6 November

  Theft of personal property

  No

  11 November

  Criminal damage to motor vehicle

  No

  19 November

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  15 December

  Criminal damage to motor vehicle

  No

  1999

  10 January

  Interference with motor vehicle

  No

  21 January

  Theft from motor vehicle

  No

  29 January

  Theft of motor vehicle

  No

  19 April

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  17 May

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  17 May

  Theft of pedal cycle

  No

  8 June

  Theft of personal property

  No

  21 June

  Theft from motor vehicle

  No

  8 July

  Common assault

  Yes

  10 August

  Theft of cash

  No

  28 August

  Theft from motor vehicle

  No

  4 November

  Theft of personal property

  No

  26 November

  Theft of personal property

  No

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) which Government Ministers he met, (b) which outside organisations he met, (c) which outside individuals he had appointments with, (d) what outside visits he made together with the mode of transport used, (e) what overseas visits he made, (f) the Cabinet Committees he attended, (g) which
  140W
  English regions he visited together with the mode of transport used and (h) what other official engagements he carried out, on (i) 1 September, (ii) 2 September, (iii) 3 September, (iv) 4 September and (v) 5 September 1999. [105881]

  Mr. Prescott
  Between 1 September and 5 September I was on holiday in the United Kingdom.

  Allington, Incinerator
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for a public inquiry in respect of the proposed incinerator at Allington. [106406]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My right hon. Friend decided on 21 December 1999, after very careful consideration, not to call in the planning application for the Allington incinerator for his own decision, but to leave the decision to be taken by the planning authority. The Government's policy on call-ins is to be very selective. It is right that in almost all cases the decision on whether a development should proceed should be taken by the local planning authority.

  Therefore, planning applications are in general only called in if planning issues of much more than local importance are involved, and if those issues need to be decided by the Secretary of State rather than at local level. We have given as examples of cases where the Secretary of State might consider call-in appropriate those which may conflict with national policy on important matters; those which could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality; those which give rise to substantial regional or national controversy; those which raise significant architectural and urban design issues; and those where the interests of national security or a foreign government may be involved, 16 June 1999, Official Report, column 138W.

  Ridgeway National Trail
  Ridgeway National Trail
  Multi-storey Car Parks
  Multi-storey Car Parks
  River Wye Navigation Order
  River Wye Navigation Order
  Eurocontrol: Charges
  Eurocontrol: Charges
  Anti-personnel Mines Stocked in UK
  Anti-personnel Mines Stocked in UK
  Nuclear Deterrent
  Nuclear Deterrent
  Organophosphates: Long-term Low-level Exposure
  Organophosphates: Long-term Low-level Exposure
  Gulf War: Biological Warfare Immunisation Programme
  Gulf War: Biological Warfare Immunisation Programme
  Alleged Chemical Warfare Incident, Al Jubayl, 19 January 1991
  Alleged Chemical Warfare Incident, Al Jubayl, 19 January 1991
  Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme Audit
  Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme Audit
  Objective 2 Areas
  Objective 2 Areas
  A & E Facilities, City of London
  A & E Facilities, City of London
  NHS Trusts: Waiting List Reduction
  NHS Trusts: Waiting List Reduction
  "Epidemic": Definition
  "Epidemic": Definition
  Private Intensive Care Beds Available to NHS Trusts
  Private Intensive Care Beds Available to NHS Trusts
  Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill [H.L.]
  Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill [H.L.]
  Criminal Justice System and Ethnicity
  Criminal Justice System and Ethnicity
  Income Support and Lone Parents
  Income Support and Lone Parents
  Minimum Wage
  Minimum Wage
  Reduced Benefit Directions
  Reduced Benefit Directions