Written Answers of 27 January 2000

DEFENCE

  HMS Glorious
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he took, following his oral statement of 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 564–76, to ensure that contrary opinions to the official view of the HMS Glorious affair were fully taken into account in the latest revision of the official account; and if he will make a statement. [104751]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: The circumstances surrounding the sinking of HMS Glorious have been most thoroughly researched within the MOD, during which opinions and interpretations from a wide variety of sources have been considered. In the course of these exhaustive investigations some new information has come to light which has enabled the MOD to make further minor revisions to the account already provided. This new information incudes the fact that it was the Commander in Chief Home Fleet who insisted that the Glorious should be diverted to Scapa Flow to conduct a court-martial, and not the captain of the carrier himself. In addition, since January 1999, the Naval Historical Branch has been able to track down the daily intelligence summaries which show that the late Sir Harry Hinsley's recollections, broadcast in the Channel 4 programme, were in error. These records, which in the original, are signed off by Sir Harry show that Bletchley Park did indeed report increased wireless signal traffic in the Western Baltic and the Kattegat during the relevant period, but that the assessment of experts at the time was that it was associated with U-boat activity, and not that of heavy German surface ships.

  This extra information does not bring into question the conclusions arrived at in the MOD paper reviewed by my predecessor after the adjournment debate in this House in January last year. I shall arrange for a copy of the revised paper, incorporating these slight amendments to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Parachute Regiment
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of each of the battalions of the Parachute Regiment. [106564]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: The current UK trained strength for each of the three Regular parachute battalions and the Territorial Army battalion, as at 1 December 1999, is shown in the table.
  224W

  Battalion

  Trained strength

  1 Para1

  538

  2 Para1

  2531

  3 Para1

  3644

  4 Para (V)

  4387

  1 The figures are for UK Trained Army Personnel only, and exclude Locally Employed personnel, Royal Irish (Home Service) personnel, Reservists mobilised for duties associated with Bosnia, Full-time Reserve Service personnel, and Gurkhas.

  2 Strength of 2 Para does not include the Gurkha Reinforcement Company (GRC) that is currently attached to it.

  3 3 Para are currently on an operational tour which is reflected in their increased numbers.

  4 On 1 July 1999, 4 and 10 Para merged to form a new 4 Para (V).

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the armed forces were(a) registered disabled, (b) women, (c) from ethnic minorities and (d) from (i) independent, (ii) grammar and (iii) other schools in (1) 1970, (2) 1979, (3) 1989 and (4) 1999. [106760]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) disabled people; I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 132W, and the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 23 July 1999, Official Report, columns 694–95W.

  (b) women; The percentage of serving women in the Armed Forces, as at 1 April for each of the years requested, were:

  Percentage

  1970

  3.80

  1979

  4.86

  1989

  5.22

  1999

  7.74

  (c) ethnic minorities; In my reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) on 21 July 1997, Official Report, column 400W, I stated that a new management-led, self-classification survey of the ethnic origin of serving personnel was introduced in July 1996. I also stated that prior to that date, records could not be relied on. On 1 April 1999, 1.1 per cent. of the Armed Forces were from ethnic minorities.

  (d) education backgrounds; The information is not available in the form requested. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 10 January 2000, Official Report, columns 89–90W, which gave an estimated breakdown of the education background of Army officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for each of the last five financial years. With regard to the Naval Service and the RAF, an estimated breakdown of the education background of the officers accepted for training (by percentage) for each of the last financial years (where known) is:

  Percentage

  Independent

  State

  Others

  Naval Service

  1994–95

  29

  71

  n/k

  1995–96

  20

  80

  n/k

  1996–97

  24

  76

  n/k

  1997–98

  25

  73

  2

  1998–99

  22

  75

  3

  225W

  Percentage

  Independent

  State

  Others

  RAF

  1994–95

  27

  73

  n/k

  1995–96

  23

  77

  n/k

  1996–97

  20

  80

  n/k

  1997–98

  n/k

  n/k

  n/k

  1998–99

  n/k

  n/k

  n/k

  Note:

  Since 1997–98, the RAF no longer record the type of secondary school that officer candidates have attended, but only the last educational establishment that they had been to which, in most cases, is a university or other college.

  The education background of serving other ranks is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy regarding equal opportunities for women, disabled people, ethnic minorities and those from social classes HIM, IV and V in the armed forces. [106573]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Armed Forces Equal Opportunities goal, published in March 1999, is to achieve universal acceptance and application of a working environment free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination, in which all have equal opportunity, consistent with our legal obligations, to realise their full potential in contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of operational effectiveness. The armed forces respect and value every individual's unique contribution, irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, religion or gender and without reference to social background or sexual orientation.

  Members of the armed forces are exempt from the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Disability or a history of disability is not compatible with the need for a combat effective fighting force, able to undertake a full range of military operations anywhere in the world. Service personnel disabled on duty are, depending on circumstances, allowed to continue to serve as long as such service will not undermine overall combat effectiveness. This approach reflects the Services' duty of care to the individual and allows them to benefit from the individual's experience and ensures a return on their training investment.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information British forces in Kosovo have given to the Kosovar population about measures to reduce exposure to the insoluble radioactive alpha-particles given off by depleted uranium dust. [106925]

  Mr. Spellar
  The health risks from DU have been assessed as low. It is unlikely that anyone other than those in an armoured vehicle penetrated by a DU projectile, or those spending prolonged periods within a few tens of metres of the point at which a DU penetrator had impacted with a hard target, would be exposed to large enough quantities of particulate material for them to receive a radiation dose greater than 20–30 millisieverts. For comparison purposes, the UK statutory annual dose limit 226W
  for employees aged 18 years and over is 50 millisieverts. Consequently, I understand that no specific advice has been promulgated by UNMIK for civilians in Kosovo.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information Her Majesty's Government have issued to the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia about the radioactive and chemical toxicity of depleted uranium weapons. [106926]

  Mr. Spellar
  None. We are not aware of anyone in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia who might have been exposed to possible contamination from depleted uranium munitions.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the US Department of Defense has informed his Department of the location of areas in(a) Serbia and (b) Kosovo which are contaminated with depleted uranium as a result of NATO bombing; [106930]

  (2) if he will list the areas believed to be contaminated by depleted uranium munitions dropped during the NATO bombing of Kosovo and Serbia. [106929]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UN Secretary General has requested that NATO make available more detailed information concerning the use of Depleted Uranium (DU) rounds in Kosovo, including locations of use. NATO staff are currently preparing this detailed information for release to the United Nations. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to decontaminate those areas in the former Yugoslavia affected by depleted uranium munitions. [106927]

  Mr. Spellar
  Reconstruction and remediation is primarily a matter for civil agencies within the international community rather than specifically for NATO or the MOD. However, British forces have played their part—particularly in the clearance of unexploded ordnance.

  The UN report on the consequences for the environment of the Kosovo conflict was published on 5 October 1999. Preliminary radiation measures were taken from destroyed military vehicles and from around the heavily damaged Police Station and Post Office in Pristina. No indications of DU contamination were found, although the report acknowledges that this does not exclude the possibility of DU-contaminated areas elsewhere in Kosovo.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel are posted to operate Pristina airfield in Kosovo, broken down where appropriate(a) by military service and rank, (b) by Civil Service grade and (c) in the case of contractors, by company. [107088]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 25 January, there were 196 UK service personnel directly involved in the operation of the airfield at Pristina. Of these, 18 were RAF officers, 34 were RAF senior non-commissioned officers, 143 were RAF other ranks and one was an Army other rank. There are no UK based civil servants or contractor employees directly involved in the operation of the airfield.

  Underspends
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reasons there were underspends in subsections(a) A2 and (b) B2, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2, H2 and J2 of the latest systems procurement and research account; [107086]

  (2) for what reasons there were underspends in subsections (a) A2, B2 and C3 and (b) C2 of the latest Logistics Service Account; [107084]

  (3) for what reasons there were underspends in subsections (a) A2, B2, C2, C4, E2, G2, H2, H3, H4, 14 and (b) B3, D2, D3, F2, F3 and 12 of the latest Operational and Support Costs Account. [107085]

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

  Falklands
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on naval patrols in the Falkland Islands. [107247]

  Mr. Spellar
  Naval patrols in the Falkland Islands are undertaken by the Falkland Islands Guard Ship (currently HMS Somerset) and a Castle class Offshore Patrol Vessel (currently HMS Dumbarton Castle) supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Vessel (currently RFA Grey Rover). The Guardship maintains a presence in the Falkland Islands area for most of the year, but can, on occasions, be held at longer notice to allow the ship to carry out other activities elsewhere. Other Naval assets also deploy to the area from time to time.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to withdraw HMS Dumbarton Castle from the Falklands; and if he will make a statement. [107248]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have no plans to withdraw HMS Dumbarton Castle from the Falkland Islands.

  Medical Services
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his recent letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, on medical services in the Forces, whether it was with his authority that a senior Admiralty officer made a statement on the condition of medical services in the Navy; and if he will make a statement. [107028]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have not authorised any senior naval officer to make a statement on medical services in the Royal Navy, nor have I been asked to do so. This Government have long recognised the problems we inherited in the Defence Medical Services (DMS), the most significant of which is the shortage of manpower. We are committed to ensuring that our Armed Forces have the medical support they require and, following the Strategic Defence Review, we have made an additional £140 million available for the DMS over the four years to 2001–02 for medical equipment and personnel. In December 1998, we announced a new strategy for the DMS, covering a range of measures, a key element of which is the creation of a Centre for Defence Medicine 228W
  (CDM). The University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust has been selected as the host Trust for the Centre which we plan to open in April 2001. As well as being the professional focus for the DMS, and providing clinical services, the CDM will be an important centre for military training and research and we believe it will encourage recruitment and retention of DMS personnel.

  Northern Ireland
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his policy on the carrying of weapons for personal protection by members of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland; [107138]

  (2) how many members of the Territorial Army and Reserve forces have been (a) killed and (b) attacked by terrorists in Northern Ireland in the last 20 years; 1107140]

  (3) under what circumstances Territorial Army units from Northern Ireland are required to relinquish their weapons when undertaking training exercises in Scotland. [107139]

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

  Nimrod Pilots
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving RAF pilots are available and trained in date to fly the Nimrod aircraft. [107046]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 25 January, there are 73 Nimrod pilots who are qualified and current. This figure is made up of 65 Nimrod MR2 pilots and eight Nimrod R1 pilots.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration (Un-opened Mail)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the earliest postmarked date of unopened mail in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on(a) 1 November 1999, (b) 1 December 1999 and (c) 1 January 2000; and how many items of mail remained unopened on each date. [105674]

  Mrs. Roche
  Significant and continuing improvements have been made in the handling of mail in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

  Directly addressed applications for variation of leave are opened when they are initially processed, which now takes place within three days of receipt. The earliest postmarked dates and numbers of unopened items of this category of mail were as follows on the dates specified:

  Date

  Earliest postmark

  Unopened items

  1 November 1999

  17 September 1999

  12,000

  1 December 1999

  1 October 1999

  7,500

  1 January 2000

  20 December 1999

  3,500

  Information on the postmarked dates of mail addressed to the Travel Documents Section is not available, but the numbers of unopened items were as follows.
  229W

  Date

  Unopened items

  1 November 1999

  1,573

  1 December 1999

  897

  1 January 2000

  461

  Information on the unopened items and earliest postmarks of mail that was not directly addressed at the dates specified is not available. Since 1 November 1999, all mail which is not directly addressed has been sent to a Document Management Centre, where it is opened and sent to the correct location. All such mail items are currently opened and despatched on the date of receipt.

  Fee receipts: Home Office and associated public bodies

  £000

  Service

  1992–93 1

  1993–94 1

  1994–95 1

  1995–96 1

  1996–97 1

  1997–98 1

  1998–99 1

  1999–2000 2

  2000–01 2

  Immigration: Additional Service

  378

  588

  806

  1,347

  1,627

  1,620

  972

  882

  n/a

  Accommodation provided for non-Home Office bodies

  65

  96

  101

  150

  106

  62

  131

  190

  29

  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, licences

  1,964

  2,109

  2,028

  2,049

  3,432

  2,398

  2,297

  2,354

  n/a

  Immigration Detention costs recovered from carriers

  773

  790

  291

  372

  640

  1,360

  976

  1,997

  2,250

  Crime Prevention Centre

  90

  60

  67

  80

  92

  127

  84

  93

  95

  Data Protection Registrar

  7,820

  4,471

  3,226

  7,072

  5,057

  6,067

  6,182

  6,302

  6,414

  Data Subject Access Requests

  110

  111

  171

  259

  506

  668

  784

  1,200

  1,500

  Emergency Planning College

  55

  201

  325

  482

  496

  767

  948

  970

  1,200

  Fire Service College

  12,688

  12,979

  13,712

  13,375

  13,069

  13,524

  14,296

  13,956

  14,654

  Forensic Science Service

  24,662

  25,755

  28,653

  31,188

  50,839

  59,732

  68,138

  74,506

  81,122

  Gaming Board for Great Britain: Gaming

  3,292

  3,347

  3,115

  3,508

  3,142

  3,054

  3,015

  3,161

  3,379

  Lotteries3

  n/a

  n/a

  228

  243

  275

  294

  293

  304

  304

  HMIC—Inspection of non Home Office police forces

  102

  0

  98

  0

  170

  215

  202

  183

  n/a

  Licences issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

  319

  359

  409

  432

  390

  494

  494

  570

  n/a

  Nationality fees

  4,424

  5,537

  5,560

  5,433

  5,747

  5,615

  7,608

  6,462

  6,500

  UK Passport Agency

  71,321

  89,261

  87,354

  91,061

  88,923

  78,249

  89,600

  95,800

  116,300

  Police Promotion Exams Board

  13

  53

  36

  58

  60

  59

  64

  51

  41

  Police Staff College

  1,184

  1,250

  1,473

  1,087

  1,194

  1,057

  1,137

  1,459

  n/a

  Police Training Centres

  794

  1,024

  944

  776

  637

  580

  1,122

  995

  n/a

  Specialist Crime Centre

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Travel Documents

  173

  323

  514

  514

  736

  640

  462

  420

  1,423

  1 Actual

  2 Estimate

  3 The fee receipts from Lotteries are included with those from Gaming until 1994–95

  At present, receipts from every on-Vote service are treated wholly or partly as negative expenditure by the Department.

  Naturalisation Applications
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the last five years, how many applications for naturalisation 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. [106046]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested for naturalization applications is given in the table.

  Year

  Applications received

  Decisions (grants and refusals)

  Outstanding at year end

  Average waiting time (months)

  1995

  19,736

  31,143

  1n/a

  13.6

  1996

  26,134

  33,084

  1n/a

  14.8

  1997

  22,365

  26,199

  1n/a

  16.8

  Departmental Fees
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [105999]

  Mr. Straw
  The fees received in years for which the information is readily available and for which reasonable future estimates can be made are given in the table.

  Year

  Applications received

  Decisions (grants and refusals)

  Outstanding at year end

  Average waiting time (months)

  1998

  41,966

  42,219

  1n/a

  19.9

  1999

  38,478

  41,487

  1n/a

  20.4

  1 Information is not available in the form requested, as applications are not always completed in the year of receipt.

  Currency Counterfeiting
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on Council Decision 1999/C 322/04 (C322 of 10 November 1999), with reference to the(a) manner of legislative implementation in the United Kingdom and (b) consequences for extradition arrangements; [106403]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on UK law of the German initiative on increasing penal sanctions against counterfeiting the euro, set out in document 11302/99 of 5 October 1999; what court of law would try UK cases; and what supreme court would take final appeals. [106429]
  231W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  An amended version of Germany's initiative on increasing penal sanctions against counterfeiting the Euro was "agreed in substance" at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in December. The text agreed was similar to that deposited for scrutiny with the House in November (reference: 12585/99). The text did not receive final approval at the Council because a number of member states, including the United Kingdom, held parliamentary scrutiny reservations, and because the European Parliament had not yet given its opinion. The Council hopes to adopt the Framework Decision in March.

  The draft Framework Decision, as provisionally agreed in December, contains three main legislative implications for the United Kingdom. First, the United Kingdom would be required to ensure that pre-circulation Euro notes and coins are covered by United Kingdom legislation. This requirement would be met by Part I of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 in relation to pre-circulation Euro notes, and Part II of the 1981 Act in relation to pre-circulation Euro coins. The Forgery and Counterfeiting (Protected Coins) Order (1999) designates Euro coins as protected coins within the meaning of Section 27(1) of the 1981 Act. Second, the United Kingdom would be required to take jurisdiction over counterfeiting offences committed in whole or in part within the United Kingdom's jurisdiction. The Government intend to meet this requirement through an amendment to Part I of the Criminal Justice Act 1993. Finally, should the United Kingdom adopt the Euro, the United Kingdom would be required to take universal jurisdiction for cases of counterfeiting of the Euro (i.e. to empower United Kingdom courts to try offences of counterfeiting of the Euro which had been committed anywhere in the world).

  Cases of counterfeiting of the Euro within the United Kingdom's jurisdiction, like all other criminal offences, would be tried by United Kingdom courts, and the normal avenues of appeal would apply. I do not expect the draft Framework Decision to have any consequences for the United Kingdom's extradition arrangements.

  Schengen Information System
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which delegation has stated its objection to the UK partial participation in the Schengen Information System; and if he will make a statement. [106423]

  Cost per prisoner cash

  Cost per prisoner (weekly)

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Local prisons and remand centres

  408

  437

  526

  442

  449

  435

  396

  369

  398

  Dispersal prisons

  636

  807

  816

  661

  681

  656

  704

  702

  753

  Category B training

  388

  438

  518

  405

  417

  458

  429

  396

  423

  Category C training

  317

  363

  387

  337

  352

  342

  329

  313

  327

  Adult male open

  313

  316

  331

  270

  283

  323

  325

  310

  325

  Young offender closed

  410

  452

  492

  416

  417

  385

  362

  346

  363

  Young offender open

  570

  551

  634

  474

  457

  477

  463

  481

  491

  Young offender remand

  —

  —

  —

  421

  451

  421

  365

  354

  402

  Male juvenile

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  684

  Female establishments (combined)

  583

  629

  657

  541

  513

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Local female

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  581

  540

  544

  533

  Closed female

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  502

  475

  467

  563

  Open female

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  385

  321

  310

  333

  232W
  Mrs. Roche
  It is not our practice to disclose the negotiating positions of member states. Following discussion at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 3 December of the United Kingdom's application to participate in parts of the Schengen acquis, no objections remain to the United Kingdom's partial participation in the Schengen Information System.

  Prison Service
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria govern decisions by the Prison Service to make out-of-court settlements; and what changes there have been to these criteria in the last 10 years. [106141]

  Mr. Boateng
  In deciding to settle out-of-court, the Prison Service will take professional advice as to the likelihood and financial implications of the claim succeeding, and will normally agree to settle out-of-court those cases where it considers the claim is likely to succeed and the proposed settlement figure is at or below the level a court is likely to award. Savings in costs are also taken into account, as are any wider operational or public policy implications of the case.

  This approach has not changed over the last 10 years, but in handling claims the Prison Service has of course taken into account developments in the law and the civil justice system. The Woolf reforms to civil justice encourage out of court settlements.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the Prison Service has made out-of-court settlements; and how much was paid, in each case, in each year since 1990. [106142]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost per inmate of imprisonment in each category of prison for each year since 1990. [106112]

  Mr. Boateng
  The average weekly cost per prisoner in each category of prison is listed in the tables in cash terms and at 1992–1993 prices, when the Prison Service became an Executive Agency. Data have been obtained from the Prison Service Annual Reports and Accounts.
  233W

  Cost per prisoner cash

  Cost per prisoner (weekly)

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Local prisons and remand centres

  467

  464

  526

  430

  432

  406

  358

  325

  339

  Dispersal prisons

  728

  857

  816

  644

  654

  612

  636

  617

  641

  Category B training

  444

  465

  518

  395

  400

  427

  388

  348

  360

  Category C training

  363

  386

  387

  329

  338

  320

  297

  276

  278

  Adult male open

  358

  336

  331

  263

  272

  302

  294

  272

  277

  Young offender closed

  470

  480

  492

  405

  400

  359

  327

  304

  309

  Young offender open

  653

  585

  634

  462

  439

  445

  419

  423

  418

  Young offender remand

  —

  —

  —

  410

  434

  393

  330

  311

  342

  Male juvenile

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  583

  Female establishments (combined)

  668

  668

  657

  527

  493

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Local female

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  542

  489

  479

  454

  Closed female

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  468

  430

  411

  480

  Open female

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  359

  290

  272

  284

  Notes:

  1. A dash indicates that no comparable data are available.

  2. Data have been obtained from the Annual Report and Accounts in the years concerned.

  3. Where weekly figures are not available in the reports they have been derived by dividing the annual outturn by 52 weeks.

  4. Establishments have been categorised by their main role only.

  Prisons
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many new prisons are planned to open in the next five years; what each will cost; how many places will be provided; and who will manage them; [106117]

  (2) how many new prisons have been (a) constructed and (b) commissioned since 1990; at what cost; and who manages each prison. [106118]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  New prisons constructed and commissioned since 1990

  A: Construction managed by the public sector

  £ million

  Prison

  Opening date

  Cost of construction 1

  Operator

  Belmarsh

  1991

  159

  Prison Service

  Moorland

  1991

  54

  Prison Service

  Whitemoor

  1991

  57

  Prison Service

  Brinsford

  1991

  45

  Prison Service

  Elmley

  1992

  83

  Prison Service

  Bullingdon

  1992

  64

  Prison Service

  Wolds

  1992

  37

  Group 4

  Holme House

  1992

  66

  Prison Service

  Woodhill

  1992

  118

  Prison Service

  Highdown

  1992

  91

  Prison Service

  Lancaster Farms

  1993

  73

  Prison Service

  Blakenhurst

  1993

  91

  2U.K.D.S.

  Doncaster

  1994

  92

  3P.P.S.

  Buckley Hall

  1994

  20

  Group 4

  The Weare

  1997

  13

  Prison Service

  B: Constructed and managed by the private sector under PFI

  £ million

  Prison

  Opening date

  NPV cost of contract4

  Operator

  Parc

  November 1997

  266

  Securicor

  Altcourse

  December 1997

  247

  Group 4

  Lowdham Grange

  February 1998

  137

  3P.P.S.

  234W

  B: Constructed and managed by the private sector under PFI

  £ million

  Prison

  Opening date

  NPV cost of contract 4

  Operator

  Ashfield

  November 1999

  121

  3P.P.S.

  Forest Bank

  January 2000

  197

  2U.K.D.S.

  1 The Construction Costs are actual costs at the time of construction, ie they have not been adjusted to present day values

  2 United Kingdom Detention Services

  3 Premier Prison Services

  4 The "Cost at NPV" is the total cost of designing, constructing, financing and managing the prison over the 25 year life of the contract, expressed in Net Present Value (NPV) terms

  Prisoners (Self-harm)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of self-harm were recorded by people held in(a) court cells and (b) on prison escort, in each of the last five years. [106113]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information systems used by the Prison Service do not allow a differentiation between incidents of self-harm committed by people in court cells and on prison escort. The information available on self-harm incidents of people while on prison escort undertaken by private sector companies acting under contract to the Prison Service is the total number reported to the incident management support unit (IMSU) in Prison Service headquarters. These figures are given in the table.

  Care should be taken when interpreting the data because, although the majority of incidents of self-harm occur while in court, some incidents do take place in cellular vehicles. In addition, it should be noted that responsibility for the escorting of prisoners to and from court was progressively contracted out in England and Wales between April 1993 and August 1997. Consequently, the figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are low because incidents involving prisoners under escort by prison staff would have been recorded against the establishment involved, while those relating to prisoners in police custody would have been collected locally.
  235W

  Reported incidents of self-harm by people while on prison escort 1995–96 to 1999–2000

  Year

  Total

  1995–96

  16

  1996–97

  57

  1997–98

  145

  1998–99

  156

  1999–20001

  184

  1 As at 19 January 1999

  Notes:

  1. These data are derived from information provided by escort contract monitors to the Incident Management Support Unit (IMSU) in Prison Service Headquarters.

  2. Incidents do not necessarily equate to numbers of prisoners as an individual prisoner may self-harm on more than one occasion.

  3. Statistics on self-harm are collated on a financial year basis.

  Prison Mother and Baby Units
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of accommodating an inmate in each of the mother and baby units in the United Kingdom. [106143]

  Mr. Boateng
  At present no separate budget is allocated to the mother and baby units. The cost of running the unit is met from the individual establishment's central budget. Mother and baby units (MBUs), do not have a standard cost as the physical accommodation offered is different in each one. Additionally, the regimes offered differ from prison to prison depending on its security category and its function within the female estate. The information requested is given in the table.

  Prisoner places

  Open/closed

  Weekly cost per prisoner place on MBUs (£)

  Askham Grange

  20

  Open

  731

  Holloway

  13

  Closed

  751

  New Hall

  9

  Closed

  742

  Styal

  20

  Closed

  628

  Prison Suicides
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides of prisoners have occurred(a) in prisons and (b) while on escort from prisons; and if he will indicate the company responsible for the escort at the time in each of the last five years. [106114]

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

  Year

  Total Number of self-inflicted deaths

  Number of self-inflicted deaths while on escort from prisons

  Contractor

  1995

  59

  0

  —

  1996

  64

  1

  Group 4 Court Services

  1997

  68

  2

  Securicor Custodial Services

  Premier Prison Services

  1998

  82

  0

  —

  1999

  91

  5

  Group 4 Court Services (×3)

  Securicor Custodial Services (×2)

  20001

  3

  0

  —

  1 As at 19 January 1999

  236W
  Notes:

  1. The term employed by the Prison Service in England and Wales to refer to an apparent suicide is "self-inflicted death". This is broader than the term suicide and includes all those deaths where it is clear that the person has acted specifically to take his/her own life. It is not restricted to the official verdict from the Coroner's inquest, where verdicts of "suicide", "open" or "misadventure" may be recorded in cases where there was doubt about a person's intent to end their life.

  2. Self-inflicted deaths while on escort from prisons are included in the overall annual figures shown in the table.

  Prison Places
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places have been made available in each new prison opened since 1990. [106139]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1990, 20 new prisons have opened. These are listed in the table along with the calendar year of opening and the number of prisoner places available on 17 December 1999, the latest date for which official figures are available. The figure for Forest Bank, which opened last week, is provisional.

  Prison

  Year opened

  Prisoner places

  Belmarsh

  1991

  869

  Moorland

  1991

  779

  Whitemoor

  1991

  408

  Brinsford

  1991

  509

  Elmley

  1992

  950

  Bullingdon

  1992

  891

  Wolds

  1992

  405

  Holme House

  1992

  971

  Woodhill

  1992

  781

  High Down

  1992

  714

  Lancaster Farms

  1993

  536

  Blakenhurst

  1993

  850

  Doncaster

  1994

  1,111

  Buckley Hall

  1994

  390

  Weare

  1997

  400

  Parc

  1997

  920

  Altcourse

  1997

  860

  Lowdham Grange

  1998

  524

  Ashfield

  1999

  400

  Forest Bank

  2000

  800

  EU Mutual Assistance Convention
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on Article 18 of the Draft Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, between the member states of the European Union, with special reference to the legal status of UK amendments and declarations. [106395]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  On 2 December 1999 the Justice and Home Affairs Council agreed a legally-binding Declaration on the scope of Article 18 of the draft Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the member states of the European Union. This makes clear that, in the United Kingdom, Article 18 will apply to interception warrants issued by the Secretary of State to the Police Service and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise for the purpose of the detection of serious crime. The Declaration also applies Article 18 to interception warrants issued to the Security Service for this purpose (in accordance with its remit under the Security Service Act 1996).
  237W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number of intercepts his Department estimates will be requested annually, by member states, under the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters; and if he will break down that estimate by category of criminal activity. [106397]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is not possible to provide a meaningful estimate of the number or category of requests since this will be determined by the requirements of other member states once the draft Convention is agreed and ratified. However, any request for mutual legal assistance to intercept the communications of a person in the United Kingdom will need to meet the criteria for issuing a warrant for the purpose of the prevention or detection of serious crime under the United Kingdom's legislation on interception of communications.

  Serious crime is defined in the Interception of Communications Act 1985 as conduct which, if it took place in the United Kingdom, would constitute one or more offences if, and only if:
  it involves the use of violence, results in substantial financial gain or is conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose; or
  the offence or one of the offences is an offence for which a person who has attained the age of twenty-one and has no previous convictions could reasonably be expected to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will deposit the Commission paper on Article 17 of the Draft Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, which was examined by the Article 36 Committee on 9 and 10 November 1999, in the Library; and if he will make a statement on the(a) role and (b) composition of the Committee. [106396]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I am depositing the paper produced by representatives of the European Commission in the Library.

  The Article 36 Committee was established under Article 36 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) as a co-ordinating body. The committee's terms of reference are limited to police (including customs) and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. It gives opinions for the attention of the Justice and Home Affairs Council and (with COREPER) contributes to preparation of Council discussions. The committee is composed of senior officials of the member states and the European Commission.

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date Mr. Winser ACC Cambridge Constabulary chaired the first meeting of the working group into the National Firearms Database set up under the Association of Chief Officers Sub-committee (group) on the administration of firearms licensing; [106416]

  (2) if he will place in the Library copies held by his Department of all documents, letters, agendas and minutes provided by the Association of Chief Officers Sub-committee (group) on the administration of firearms licensing since 1996; [106412]
  238W
  (3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the names of the current membership of the Association of Chief Officers Sub-committee (group) on the administration of firearms licensing, giving the names of their forces and the dates on which they took up positions on that committee. [106413]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The arrangements made for appointing members and for managing and publishing the work of the Sub-committee on the Administration of Firearms and Explosives Licensing and any associated working groups are matters for the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place copies in the Library of the reports compiled by the PNC directorate into the resource and financing implications of the National Firearms Database computerisation. [106417]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A realistic estimate of the resource and finance implications for this database can be compiled only when a detailed impact assessment has been completed. The Police Information Technology Organisation plans to begin work on this assessment in February and to complete it in April. It will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the implementation of section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997(a) who is responsible for the problem, (b) who are the stakeholders and (c) what are the success criteria; and if he will make a statement. [106419]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As indicated in the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 370W, the Act does not specify the person or organisation which is to provide the central register referred to in section 39. When completed, the register will form part of the PHOENIX database and the principal stakeholders will be the police service and the Police National Computer Directorate. The success criteria will be the establishment of a computer system accessible on-line to all police forces and containing details of all persons who have applied for a firearm or shotgun certificate or to whom a firearm or shotgun certificate has been granted or whose certificate has been renewed. It is not possible at this stage to give a firm date but it is hoped that the system will be up and running by the summer of 2001.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy in the Library of the user requirement of the Central National Firearms Database, indicating the date when it was drafted. [106415]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A copy of the user requirement was placed in the Library in March 1999 shortly after it was finalised.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates of all meetings attended by Mr. Paul Pugh of the Home Office OPPU and his deputies since January 1997 concerning the proposed implementation of the computerisation of the National Firearms Database requirement contained in
  239W
  section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; and if he will place copies of all such documents produced and discussed in the Library. [106414]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Apart from a presentation which was given by the Police National Computer Directorate at Hendon on 11 February 1997, no staff of the Operational Policing Policy Unit (OPPU) have attended specific meetings to discuss the proposed implementation of the database. The initial work to establish the database was undertaken by a working group set up under the auspices of the Association of Chief Police Officers Sub-Committee on the Administration of Firearms and Explosives Licensing, on which OPPU is not represented. We have no plans to place ephemeral papers considered by the group in the Library, but copies of final documents such as the user requirement and detailed impact assessment have been or will be made available in this way.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving firearms were committed in each of the past 10 years. [106313]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested was published in an Annexe to the statistical bulletin "Firearm Certificate Statistics, England and Wales 1998" on 26 November 1999. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) software and (b) hardware systems used by the (a) City of London, (b) Cumbria, (c) Dorset, (d) Humberside, (e) Norfolk and (f) West Mercia police forces to hold the register of privately held firearms and persons holding firearms certificates; and if he will place a copy of the functional specification and user guide of each system in the Library. [106768]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As indicated in my reply of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 370W, the functional specifications and user guides of systems used by the police to record details of firearm certificate holders are not held centrally.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 370W, on firearms what steps he (a) has taken and (b) is taking to ensure full compliance with section 39 of the Firearms Amendment Act 1997; for what reasons the system is not in full operation; and if it has been piloted. [106772]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Development of the national firearms database currently features in the Police Information Technology Organisation's business plan for 2000–01. Development could not have begun earlier because the resources available were required for projects of even higher priority. It has not been piloted and the next step is to carry out a detailed impact assessment which should be completed in April. It is not possible to give a firm implementation date at this stage but it is hoped that the system will be in place by the summer of 2001. I propose to monitor the situation carefully.

  Mike Tyson
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors he took into account in deciding to permit Mr. Mike Tyson to enter the United Kingdom on compassionate grounds. [106457]
  240W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the compassionate grounds for exempting Mr. Mike Tyson from refusal of entry to the UK. [106651]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: There were no compassionate grounds in relation to Mr. Tyson which affected my decision to admit him. In reaching my decision one of the factors to which I gave particular weight was the lack of consistency in the effect of the Immigration Rules. I also considered the likely effect of cancellation of the fight on those who had already purchased tickets and smaller enterprises and individuals who were probably least able to bear any losses.

  I weighted these factors against the nature and seriousness of Mr. Tyson's convictions and I decided on balance that the exceptional circumstances of this case were such that Mr. Tyson should be granted entry solely for the purpose of participating in the scheduled sporting event. This decision was made in accordance with the Immigration Act 1971 and the Immigration Rules.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 18 January 2000,Official Report, columns 368–69W, on Mr. Mike Tyson, if he will list the companies and individuals with a direct or indirect interest in the promotion, whose comments formed part of the representations from Mr. Frank Warren. [106975]

  Mr. Straw
  In addition to his own letter, Mr. Warren's representations to the Immigration Service of 12 January consisted of 25 pages of copies of requests for media accreditation for the boxing match and 32 other letters from companies and individuals, either associated with the sports and leisure industry or the sport of boxing, including boxers due to fight in Manchester on 29 January.

  As a matter of practice, representations made to the Immigration and Nationality Department about individual cases are treated in confidence.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 417W, what representations he received from BSkyB (a) directly and (b) indirectly in respect of Mr. Mike Tyson's application to enter the country. [106977]

  Mr. Straw
  Representations were submitted to the Immigration Service by Mr. Frank Warren, the promoter of the event. He referred in these representations to the investment in the promotion by television networks including Showtime in the United States of America and BSkyB in this country. I considered these factors but I did not regard them as relevant to the decision I took.

  In reaching my decision to admit Mr. Tyson one of the factors to which I gave most particular weight was the lack of consistency in the effect of the relevant Immigration Rule, as well as the likely effect of cancellation of the fight on those who had already purchased tickets and smaller enterprises and individuals who were probably least able to bear any losses.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state(a) the number of officers involved in policing the visit of Mr. Mike Tyson

  241W
  to Brixton, (b) the cost of policing Mr. Tyson's visit and (c) how much he has asked Mr. Tyson and his promoters to contribute towards that cost. [107081]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that a total of 82 police officers were involved in policing the visit of Mike Tyson to Brixton on 21 January. The net additional manpower costs of these officers was approximately £9,700. I understand that the Lambeth borough Commander did not regard the policing of this event as a "special service" and therefore did not seek a contribution from Mr. Tyson or his promoters.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were on duty in Brixton at 3 p.m. on(a) 14 January, (b) 21 January and (c) 15 January; and if he will make a statement. [107080]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the number of uniformed officers available for routine patrol duties in Brixton at 3pm on these dates were as follows:(a) 14 January, 56; (b) 21 January, 25 with another 82 officers specifically deployed for the policing of the visit of Mike Tyson; (c) 15 January, 42.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations his Department has held with the Scottish Executive on the(a) dispersal of asylum seekers and (b) designation of reception zones. [107074]

  Mrs. Roche
  Officials in my Department have kept in regular contact with officials in the Scottish Executive to discuss a range of issues concerning the dispersal programme for asylum seekers.

  Hunting (Committee of Inquiry)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who appointed the members of the Committee of Inquiry into the Impact of Hunting with Dogs in England and Wales. [106770]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The members of the Committee of Inquiry were appointed by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, following consultation with the noble Lord Bums, the chairman of the inquiry team.

  Police Funding
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to allocate police grant in 2000–01; and what the final funding allocations for police authorities will be for that year. [107555]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today, laid before the House, the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 2000–01 (HC 169). The Report sets out my determination for 2000–01 of the aggregate amount of grants that I propose to pay under section 46(2) of the Police Act 1996, and the amount to be paid to each police authority including the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District.

  Funding allocations for each police authority in England for 2000–01 are set out in the table. The table also shows allocations approved by Parliament for 1999–2000. Final funding allocations for police authorities in Wales will be
  242W
  announced shortly when the National Assembly for Wales publishes Standard Spending Assessment determinations for Welsh authorities.

  Allocation 1 (£ million)

  Police Authority

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  English Shire forces

  Avon and Somerset

  168.4

  173.7

  Bedfordshire

  61.4

  64.1

  Cambridgeshire

  74.8

  77.2

  Cheshire

  109.0

  111.9

  Cleveland

  81.7

  84.7

  Cumbria

  60.1

  62.2

  Derbyshire

  102.1

  105.4

  Devon and Cornwall

  174.3

  178.9

  Dorset

  70.1

  72.4

  Durham

  81.3

  83.9

  Essex4

  163.0

  174.8

  Gloucestershire

  62.4

  63.5

  Hampshire

  194.5

  202.7

  Hertfordshire4

  100.0

  117.2

  Humberside

  113.0

  116.9

  Kent

  183.1

  191.2

  Lancashire

  178.2

  185.3

  Leicestershire

  102.3

  105.6

  Lincolnshire

  63.4

  65.4

  Norfolk

  83.4

  86.5

  North Yorkshire

  77.6

  79.7

  Northamptonshire

  65.3

  67.7

  Nottinghamshire

  126.3

  130.0

  Staffordshire

  113.0

  116.8

  Suffolk

  68.6

  70.9

  Surrey4

  91.9

  112.8

  Sussex

  166.4

  172.4

  Thames Valley

  224.6

  231.7

  Warwickshire

  52.2

  54.3

  West Mercia

  113.0

  117.2

  Wiltshire

  64.9

  66.7

  English Metropolitan forces

  Greater Manchester

  375.7

  386.1

  Merseyside

  236.3

  242.3

  Northumbria

  213.0

  218.4

  South Yorkshire

  171.3

  177.2

  West Midlands

  380.6

  392.7

  West Yorkshire

  286.3

  297.1

  London forces

  Metropolitan Police2,4

  1,743.9

  1,731.2

  City of London3

  55.4

  56.4

  English Total

  6,852.8

  7,045.1

  1 Rounded to the nearest £100.000. The Allocation is the sum of: Police Grant Transitional Grant, Police SSA Capital Finance SSA, SSA Reduction Grant and Central Support Protection Grant.

  2 Figure for the Metropolitan Police does not include funding allocated to the Receiver under the Environmental. Protective and Cultural Services SSA for school crossing patrols, Magistrates' Courts and the Probation Service. It does include its Special Payment.

  3 Figure for the City includes Police SSA, Grant and SSA Reduction Grant, but excludes other SSAs (e.g. Capital Financing) and Central Support Protection Grant. These are allocated to the Common Council of the City of London as a whole in respect of all its functions.

  4 These authorities will be effected by the changes to police force boundaries around London on 1 April 2000. To provide comparison, indicative 1999–2000 totals for these authorities as on the new boundaries are Essex: £169.8 million. Hertfordshire: £114.3 million, Surrey: £113.6 million and Metropolitan Police. £1,701.9 million.

  Security Services
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the Home Affairs Committee's Third report of Session 1998–99 on the Accountability of the Security Service; and if he will make a statement. [107649]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government will respond tomorrow by way of a Command Paper.

  Passports
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the full economic unit cost performance of the UK Passport Agency's passport unit in(a) actual and (b) real terms for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [107078]

  Mrs. Roche
  The latest estimate of the Passport Agency's actual full economic unit cost, as indicated in Annexe B of the Passport Agency's Corporate and Business Plan 1999–2002 which was published on 6 December 1990, is shown in the table. The real terms figures are at 1999–2000 prices.

  £

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Actual Terms

  15.37

  17.22

  17.45

  Real Terms1

  15.37

  16.80

  16.61

  11999–2000 prices

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his objective that passport applications should in future be available at the Passport Agency's public counters; and what is his timetable for attaining that objective. [107073]

  Passport services—Income and expenditure

  Turnover (£ million)

  Resource expenditure (£ million)

  Surplus (intended to cover FCO costs) (£ million)

  Units costs (£)

  Staff (FTE)

  1998–99

  Outtum

  89.6

  57.5

  32.1

  12.13

  1,778

  1999–2000

  Forecast in March 1999

  93.8

  72.8

  21.0

  14.00

  1,950

  Current projection

  98.1

  86.1

  12.0

  15.37

  2,100

  2000–01

  Latest projection

  116.3

  86.1

  30.2

  17.22

  2,200

  2001–02

  Latest projection

  116.3

  87.3

  29.0

  17.45

  2,200

  Integrated Casework Directive
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the figures for the analysis of the work of the Integrated Casework Directorate which he placed in the Library in graph form as part of his answer of 13 December 2000,Official Report, column 1W, on the Integrated Casework
  244W
  Mrs. Roche
  Passport applications can already be made at the public counters of individual passport offices. All the Passport Agency's public counter areas also have a stock of application forms, available to customers.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a tiered service for passport applicants of the kind outlined by the Chief Executive of the Passport Agency on pages 2 and 3 of "A Blueprint for the Future". [107071]

  Mrs. Roche
  Subject to the results of market research the Passport Agency plans to introduce, by early 2001, a fast track service for people applying through the Passport Agency's partners and at counters, and a premium service, for counter service callers only, to meet urgent travel requirements.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the level of productivity of the Passport Agency's PASS system will match that of the PIMIS system. [107075]

  Mrs. Roche
  Passport Application Support System (PASS) productivity should match that of the Passport Issuing and Management Information System (PIMIS) by this summer.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a version of the table showing the Passport Agency's income and expenditure printed in page 19, paragraph 5.3 of the Agency's current corporate and business plan which takes account of the income and expenditure relating to the proposed new Passport Office in Durham. [107076]

  Mrs. Roche
  The table showing the Passport Agency's income and expenditure which is printed in page 19, paragraph 5.3 of the Agency's Corporate and Business plans 1999–02 already takes account of the income and expenditure relating to the proposed new passport office in Durham.

  Directive; and if he will update those figures to the present date. [107091]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have placed in the Library a table giving a breakdown of the weekly output of the Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD) in the four categories against which the recovery of the LCD's business would be measured in the first instance, from 1 January 1999 to the week ending 14 January 2000.
  245W

  ICD—overall BMA output 1999–2000

  January

  February

  March

  BMA category

  1998 1

  1

  8

  15

  22

  29

  5

  12

  19

  26

  5

  12

  a General/Settlement casework

  4,100

  52

  494

  856

  805

  981

  1,288

  1,926

  2,141

  2,563

  3,272

  3,030

  c Asylum 1st Decisions

  650

  0

  25

  142

  159

  192

  230

  246

  173

  228

  185

  362

  d Asylum Appeals despatched to I.A.A

  250

  0

  0

  37

  59

  59

  91

  127

  126

  118

  143

  134

  h European

  250

  0

  0

  26

  23

  35

  45

  115

  95

  156

  197

  222

  Total

  5,250

  52

  519

  1,061

  1,046

  1,267

  1,654

  2,414

  2,535

  3,065

  3,797

  3,748

  March

  April

  May

  June

  20

  27

  3

  10

  17

  24

  1

  8

  15

  22

  29

  5

  a General/Settlement casework

  2,801

  4,068

  3,150

  2,769

  3,550

  4,150

  3,471

  3,028

  3,474

  4,133

  4,020

  3,400

  c Asylum 1st Decisions

  250

  226

  268

  284

  351

  575

  557

  400

  964

  1,013

  1,072

  1,014

  d Asylum Appeals despatched to I.A.A

  180

  178

  75

  134

  130

  143

  140

  184

  201

  178

  241

  193

  h European

  179

  187

  272

  165

  213

  239

  122

  140

  292

  247

  185

  86

  Total

  3,410

  4,659

  3,765

  3,352

  4,244

  5,107

  4,290

  3,752

  4,931

  5,571

  5,518

  4,693

  June

  July

  August

  12

  19

  26

  3

  10

  17

  24

  31

  7

  14

  21

  28

  a General/Settlement casework

  3,521

  3,252

  4,611

  3,539

  3,686

  3,153

  4,020

  3,602

  2,955

  3,847

  4,643

  4,607

  c Asylum 1st Decisions

  1,091

  1,141

  860

  1,066

  655

  451

  652

  685

  833

  711

  807

  710

  d Asylum Appeals despatched to I.A.A

  231

  260

  253

  269

  243

  262

  290

  254

  215

  164

  153

  102

  h European

  94

  168

  117

  313

  341

  562

  734

  599

  399

  411

  404

  191

  Total

  4,937

  4,821

  5,841

  5,187

  4,925

  4,428

  5,696

  5,140

  4,402

  5,133

  6,007

  5,610

  September

  October

  November

  4

  10

  17

  24

  1

  8

  15

  22

  29

  5

  12

  19

  a General/Settlement casework

  4,093

  4,366

  5,772

  4,387

  5,519

  5,422

  5,624

  6,616

  4,894

  6,029

  5,256

  5,969

  c Asylum 1st Decisions

  690

  587

  607

  493

  687

  592

  628

  565

  567

  554

  469

  615

  d Asylum Appeals despatched to I.A.A

  158

  186

  224

  250

  146

  163

  176

  118

  142

  87

  135

  128

  h European

  162

  115

  99

  177

  133

  128

  161

  67

  158

  140

  165

  228

  Total

  5,103

  5,254

  6,702

  5,307

  6,485

  6,305

  6,589

  7,366

  5,761

  6,810

  6,025

  6,940

  Nov.

  December

  January

  25

  3

  10

  17

  24

  31

  7

  14

  a General/Settlement casework

  6,105

  5,790

  6,021

  5,059

  1,526

  3,280

  3,831

  5,759

  c Asylum 1st Decisions

  620

  681

  525

  638

  95

  523

  547

  870

  d Asylum Appeals despatched to I.A.A

  146

  135

  125

  142

  132

  31

  109

  110

  h European

  280

  206

  222

  237

  0

  7

  108

  202

  Total

  7,151

  6,812

  6,893

  6,076

  1,753

  3,841

  4,595

  6,941

  1 Agreed average

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Sir Herman Ouseley will retire as Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality; and when he will announce the name of his successor. [107072]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Sir Herman Ousely is scheduled to retire as Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality on 31 January 2000. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, expects to announce his successor shortly.

  UK Passport Agency (Sick Leave)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of days lost through sickness in the Passport Agency in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) in each month of 1999. [107077]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  246W

  Average sick absence per employee (working days)

  Year

  Average number of days

  1997

  13.76

  1998

  12.96

  1999

  12.60

  The agency has reduced its sickness absence rate by nearly 14 per cent. since 1996.

  The monthly breakdown for 1999 is as follows:

  Percentage

  January

  1.4

  February

  1.1

  March

  1.1

  April

  0.8

  May

  1.0

  June

  0.8

  July

  0.7

  August

  1.0

  September

  1.1

  October

  1.2

  November

  1.5

  December

  0.9

  Family Reunification Directive
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on the United Kingdom's immigration policy of the draft EC Directive on family reunification; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on that draft directive. [107070]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland, annexed to the Treaties by the Treaty of Amsterdam, provides that the United Kingdom is bound by Community measures adopted under Title IV only where it opts in to any measure. The Government will decide whether to opt in to the draft Directive on family reunification within three months of the formal publication of the proposal and will inform Parliament accordingly. The Government's Explanatory Memorandum on the proposal, submitted for scrutiny on 10 January, provides an initial analysis of the impact of the draft Directive on United Kingdom law were the United Kingdom to opt in to this measure.

  Indirect Discrimination
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is on indirect discrimination; and if he will make a statement. [107345]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are committed to achieving a step change in race equality in this country. The Race Relations (Amendment) Bill is part of our programme to ensure that the public sector sets the pace in this drive towards equality. We want to send the clearest possible message that discrimination is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The Government are, therefore, proposing two changes to strengthen the provisions of the Bill.

  First, after very careful deliberation we have decided to extend the indirect discrimination provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 to the functions of public authorities to be newly caught by the Act and we will bring forward an amendment to provide for that. The Government have always been in favour of this in principle, but were concerned to ensure that such a provision would be effective without leaving public bodies open to routine legal challenge in circumstances where their policies were entirely proper. Since the Bill was published, however, we have listened carefully to the arguments put forward about the issue and have concluded that, on balance, the risk of spurious challenge is outweighed by the principle of including indirect discrimination in respect of public sector functions in the Bill.

  Direct and Indirect racial discrimination is already prohibited under the Race Relations Act 1976 in the fields of employment, training, education, housing and the provision of goods, facilities and services in respect of the public and private sector. The Act is already being extended by the Bill to new fields in the public sector which have previously been determined by case law not to be a "service" and to which prohibitions on direct or indirect discrimination did not, therefore, apply. The Act will now extend to areas such as the implementation of central and local government's regulatory, economic and social policies and law enforcement in respect of indirect discrimination as well.
  248W
  Secondly, the Government also see the promotion of equality as a positive way of eliminating unjustifiable indirect discrimination in these and other fields. Our setting of targets for ethnic minority recruitment, retention and promotion and our guidelines for mainstreaming race equality into policy development and implementation are examples. We are already committed to placing the promotion of equality by public bodies on a statutory footing. We will reinforce that commitment by bringing forward a Government amendment to the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill to enshrine the principle on the face of the Bill as a positive duty, leaving room for consultation on how the duty will operate in practice and how it will be enforced.

  The amendments will be brought forward at Commons Committee stage. We are meanwhile considering whether there should be any procedural safeguards consistent with the principle of non-discrimination.

  Attendance Centres
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform attendance centres. [107346]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In January last year, we set up a small working group, including attendance centre representatives and other experts, to consider the centres' future operation. It made a number of useful proposals for reform of their management and operation, including developing more individual programmes to tackle offending problems.

  For the 84 junior attendance centres, we have decided to combine reforms on these lines with organisational changes to match the philosophy of the youth justice reforms launched in the Government's November 1997 White Paper, "No More Excuses—A New Approach to Tackling Youth Crime in England and Wales".

  From April 2000, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales will take over from the Home Office the central responsibility for commissioning and funding junior attendance centres. The Board will invite youth offending teams to start taking over as local agents for these centres from April, that is generally from chief officers of police. Close liaison with the police will continue, through police membership of youth offending teams. The local changes will be made first in a number of pilot areas. They will also be invited to develop the centres' programmes in line with the working group's principles, and liaise with the courts to ensure centres play an appropriate role in the new range of youth justice disposals.

  Senior attendance centres, which cater mainly for offenders aged 18 to 24, will remain the responsibility of the Home Office nationally and the police locally. Their future operation will be reviewed in the context of the adult sentencing framework.

  Police Statistics
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the total number of police officers in(a) Essex and (b) Southend in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997, (iv) 1998 and (v) 1999. [107270]
  249W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information available is set out in the table. The data about the number of officers in the Southend Division have been provided by the Chief Constable of Essex. The force is not able to provide figures for 1995 and 1996.

  Essex police and Southend division police numbers—1995 to 1999

  Year 1

  Essex police

  H Division, Southend

  1995

  2,921

  n/a

  1996

  2,884

  n/a

  1997

  2,961

  319

  1998

  2,929

  320

  1999

  2,891

  304

  1 As at 31 March

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the pilot schemes to test the alternatives to custody for fine defaulters which were provided by the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. [107069]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Measures in the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 which allow courts to impose a community service order, a curfew order or disqualification from driving on fine defaulters instead of sending them to prison are being piloted in Norfolk and Greater Manchester. A report on the findings from the pilots will be published soon and a decision taken over whether or not to make the provisions available nationally. A Research Finding detailing interim findings was published last year evaluating the use of these measures during 1998.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of sentence(a) received and (b) served by prisoners released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme in 1999. [107031]

  Mr. Boateng
  The average sentence length of those released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme in 1999 was 14.5 months, of which 5.7 months (39 per cent.), including time on remand, was served before release.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criminal offences were committed by prisoners released under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme in 1999; and how many prisoners convicted of each type of offence were released. [107036]

  Mr. Boateng
  The original offences committed by prisoners released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme in 1999, and the estimated number (to the nearest hundred) of prisoners convicted of each type of offence who were released, are shown in the table.

  Number

  Violence

  2,600

  Robbery

  600

  Burglary

  1,500

  Theft and handling

  2,000

  Fraud and forgery

  1,300

  Drugs

  2,400

  Other

  4,500

  Total

  14,900

  Crown Court Appeals
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the average(a) cost of, (b) length of and (c) waiting time for a hearing of an appeal to the Crown Court from the decision of magistrates on mode of trial, under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill; [107034]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of defendants in each of the last three years who would have exercised the right of appeal to the Crown Court on mode of trial, under the provisions to be introduced by the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill; [107029]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the average (a) cost of, (b) length of and (c) waiting time for a trial in the magistrates court following the dismissal of an appeal to the Crown Court from the decision of magistrates on mode of trial, under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill. [107033]

  Mr. Straw
  The new appeal procedure would be fast and efficient with determination within forty-eight hours in most cases. Our estimate is that even if as many as a quarter of defendants who had been refused Crown Court trial were to appeal, the cost of the resulting hearings would be less than £500,000. No additional delay would be caused by these appeals, since they would run concurrently with the progress of the case in the magistrates court.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were undertaking investigations under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority in each month for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what was the annual cost of these investigations. [107032]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not recorded centrally on the number of police officers undertaking Police Complaints Authority supervised investigations or on the cost of those investigations.

  The number of cases accepted by the Police Complaints Authority for a supervised investigation in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1995–96

  1,142

  1996–97

  998

  1997–98

  979

  1998–99

  953

  I999–2000

  1638

  1 Up to 31 December 1999

  Alexander Schweidler
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government investigations into Alexander Schweidler. [106941]

  Mr. Straw
  Mr. Schweidler was granted British citizenship in 1964. I understand that he died on 24 January. His case was one of just under 400 cases involving allegations of offences under the War Crimes Act 1991 investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service
  251W
  War Crimes Unit during the 1990s. Police investigations into allegations against Mr. Schweidler started in 1994. I understand there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution. There have been no investigations separate to these.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to public funds of the proceedings concerning Senator Pinochet since his arrest. [105494]

  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost to date of the detention of Senator Pinochet broken down into(a) legal, (b) security and (c) other costs. [105247]

  Mr. Straw
  Total costs will be estimated once the case is completed. The costs we are able to calculate at this stage total £1,322,326.83. The breakdown of this is as follows:

  (a) Legal Costs
  Costs incurred to date by the Crown Prosecution Service

  Counsel's fees: £353,000

  Interpreter's fees: £4,200

  Other cost (including Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) staff time, photocopying, etc): £238,000

  Costs to Treasury Solicitors:

  Amicus curiae (approximate costs and disbursements including counsel's fees: £70,000

  Other costs and disbursements: £18,000

  Costs incurred to date by the Home Office
  Counsel's fees:

  £144,000 of which:

  £38,110.29p is, subject to agreement or assessment by the court recoverable under costs orders made against Senator Pinochet by the Divisional Court.

  Treasury Solicitors fees: £36,000

  Costs incurred to date by the Lord Chancellor's Office

  1st hearing at the House of Lords: £270,935.89

  Application to vacate at the House of Lords: £151,361.30

  Hearing dealt with to date in the Divisional Court: £31,328.39

  (b) Security Costs
  Police costs incurred in detaining Senator Pinochet are a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Chief Constable of Surrey.

  (c) Other Costs
  Cost of Medical Examination: £5,501.25.

  The figures exclude VAT, (which is payable in some but not all items).

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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. [105869]
  252W
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave the right hon. Member on 24 January 2000, Official Report, columns 117–18W.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Medical Assessments
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many medically qualified panel members appointed under the Social Security Act 1998 are(a) employed and (b) contracted on a sessional basis, by the Sema Group to carry out medical assessments on behalf of the Benefits Agency; [103733]

  (2) how many medically qualified panel members appointed under the Social Security Act 1998 were formerly (a) employed and (b) contracted on a sessional basis, by the (i) Benefits Agency and (ii) Sema Group to carry out medical assessments in connection with social security benefit claims. [103732]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  Salaried staff employed by Medical Services (SEMA) who are medically qualified are excluded by the Lord Chancellor's Department from appointment as medically qualified Appeals Panel Members.

  On leaving full-time employment for Medical Services (SEMA), the doctors are excluded from undertaking Tribunal work for a period of two years. There is only a finite pool of doctors who possess the requisite skills in Disability Assessment Medicine and also meet the criteria for appointment as Medical Members of the Appeals Panel. The great majority of these doctors are engaged as part-time sessional fee paid doctors by Nestor Disability Analysis Ltd (NDA) which is an approved subcontractor to SEMA Group in the delivery of Medical Services on behalf of the Benefits Agency. Doctors who are engaged by Medical Services (SEMA) via NDA are allowed to be appointed as medical members of Appeals panels.

  The Appeals Service has in place stringent procedures to ensure that medical members of Appeals Panels do not sit on Tribunals where the Appellant has had any previous professional relationships with a medical member or where a medical member has had any involvement whatsoever in giving advice to, or undertaking assessments for, the first tier decision making process which is under appeal.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the expenditure in current prices in (1) 1978–79, (2) 1982–83, (3) 1986–87, (4) 1991–92, (5) 1996–97 and (6) 2001–02 on(a) supplementary benefit, (b) income support, (c) family income supplement, (d) family credit, (e) working families tax credit, (f) disability working allowance, (g) disabled persons tax credit, (h) rent rebates and allowances, (i) rates rebates, (j) community charge rebates, (k) council tax benefit, (l) social fund grants and (m) social fund loans, including any social security expenditure by local

  253W
  authorities; and if he will provide, where available, a breakdown in each case for (i) pensioners, (ii) disabled non-pensioners, (iii) unemployed non-pensioners and (iv) other non-pensioners; [105533]

  (2) if he will estimate the expenditure in current prices in (1) 1978–79, (2) 1982–83, (3) 1986–87, (4) 1991–92, (5) 1996–97 and (6) 2001–02 on (a) the basic state retirement pension, including Christmas bonus, (b) additional retirement pensions, (c) invalidity benefit, (d) incapacity benefit, (e) industrial injuries and death benefits, (f) national insurance widow's benefits, including lump sums, (g) sickness benefit, (h) statutory sick pay, (i) statutory maternity pay, (j) national insurance maternity benefits, (k) unemployment benefit, (l) contribution-based jobseeker's allowance, (m) national insurance lump-sum maternity grants and (n) national insurance lump-sum death grants, including any social security expenditure by local authorities; and if he will provide, where available, a breakdown in each case for (i) pensioners, (ii) disabled non-pensioners, (iii) unemployed non-pensioners and (iv) other non-pensioners; [105532]

  (3) if he will estimate the expenditure in current prices in (1) 1978–79, (2) 1982–83, (3) 1986–87, (4) 1991–92, (5) 1996–97 and (6) 2001–02 on (a) child benefit, (b) one

  Expenditure £ million (cash prices)

  1978–79

  1982–83

  1986–87

  1991–92

  1996–97

  2001–02

  Supplementary Benefit

  Pensioners

  561

  941

  1,453

  0

  0

  0

  Disabled non-pensioners

  130

  259

  539

  0

  0

  0

  Unemployed non-pensioners

  515

  2,567

  4,336

  0

  0

  0

  Other non-pensioners

  355

  845

  1,632

  0

  0

  0

  Total Supplementary Benefit

  1,561

  4,612

  7,960

  0

  0

  0

  Income Support

  Income Support for over 60s

  0

  0

  0

  2,725

  3,814

  4,196

  Disabled under 60

  0

  0

  0

  1,400

  3,507

  4,643

  Unemployed under 60

  0

  0

  0

  4,200

  2,359

  0

  Other people under 60

  0

  0

  0

  3,288

  4,764

  4,456

  Total Income Support

  0

  0

  0

  11,612

  14,444

  13,295

  Expenditure on Housing Costs

  Expenditure for over 60s

  510

  1,478

  2,324

  3,327

  4,793

  5,790

  Disabled under 60

  79

  228

  359

  660

  2,387

  3,063

  Unemployed under 60

  241

  700

  1,101

  1,747

  2,523

  1,966

  Other people under 60

  277

  805

  1,266

  2,159

  3,977

  4,957

  Total

  1,107

  3,211

  5,050

  7,892

  13,680

  15,776

  Social Fund

  Social Fund for over 60s

  0

  0

  0

  32

  41

  25

  Social Fund for under 60s

  0

  0

  0

  178

  198

  204

  Total Social Fund

  0

  0

  0

  210

  239

  229

  Christmas Bonus—contributory

  Pensioners

  87

  91

  96

  99

  111

  107

  Christmas Bonus paid with Disability Benefits

  9

  11

  11

  15

  17

  15

  Total Christmas Bonus—contributory

  96

  102

  107

  114

  129

  122

  Note:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instruct the Independent Tribunal
  254W
  parent benefit, (c) non-contributory retirement pensions, (d) war pensions, (e) attendance allowance, (f) disability living allowance, (g) mobility allowance, (h) invalid care allowance, (i) non-contributory invalidity pension, (j) severe disablement allowance, (k) maternity grants not funded from the National Insurance Fund, (l) winter fuel payments and (m) concessionary television licences, where funded by his Department, including any social security expenditure by local authorities; and if he will provide where available, a breakdown in each case for (i) pensioners, (ii) disabled non-pensioners, (iii) unemployed non-pensioners and (iv) other non-pensioners. [105534]

  Mr. Rooker
  Great Britain figures for 1978–79 to 1996–97 for each benefit are published in the Social Security Departmental Report 1999 (Cm 4214) and earlier equivalents. Projections for each DSS benefit and additional Local Authority expenditure for 2001–02 are in my reply to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 26 November 1999,Official Report, columns 218–20W.

  Projections for the cost of the Working Families Tax Credit and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit for the United Kingdom in 2001–02 are in Table B13 of the November 1999 pre Budget Report. A breakdown of individual benefits by client group, where available, is in the table.

  Service in Broad Street, Birmingham, to reply to the letter dated 13 October 1999 from the hon. and learned Member for Harborough on behalf of Mrs. Jo Plant of Oadby, Leicestershire. [106952]
  255W
  Angela Eagle
  Administration of the Appeals Service (formally the Independent Tribunal Service) is the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Neil Ward. I understand Neil Ward wrote to the hon. Member on 25 January 2000.

  Examining Medical Practitioners
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the number of examining medical practitioners contracted to(a) the Benefits Agency Medical Service and (b) SEMA; how many of them had qualified four years or fewer previously; and how many were aged over 65 years. [106686]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) provided medical advice and examinations for this Department and other Government Departments in support of the delivery of Incapacity and Disability Benefits.

  The service was provided by, approximately, 3,000 part-time contracted doctors.

  The work previously undertaken by BAMS has been contracted out, from 1 September 1998, to Sema Group. The services previously provided by BAMS are now undertaken by Sema Group 'Medical Services', and are provided on behalf of the Benefits Agency (BA).

  Medical Services have a total of 2,968 doctors contracted to undertake medical examinations, of these a total of 570 are over the age of 65.

  Records held do not show any doctors with less than four years experience.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [105872]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer from my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 January 2000, Official Report, columns 117–18W.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what powers are available to the Child Support Agency to investigate and take action against elected members or former elected members of local authorities who withhold details of attendance allowances and other allowances in their disclosure of financial details on which the level of child support is determined; and if he will make a statement. [106470]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not right that some parents can seek to avoid their maintenance obligation by failing to provide information to the Child Support Agency (CSA) or by providing the wrong information.

  Two new criminal offences are being introduced in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill which is currently before Parliament. The offences apply to
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  anyone who fails to provide information or gives false information to the CSA, there is a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction.

  Local authority councillors are treated as being employed by Local authorities. Flat-rate allowances and attendance allowances paid to local authority councillors are therefore treated as earnings for child support purposes.

  Where the CSA receives an allegation that a non-resident parent is not declaring his full earnings they will contact his employer direct for the information. If details of the earnings are still not forthcoming, an inspector may be sent out to obtain them. If it were established that a councillor had deliberately withheld information about attendance or other allowances, a prosecution under the proposed new powers would certainly be considered. The Agency already has powers to pursue and enforce any arrears of maintenance which may become due.

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when male pensioners over the age of 60 years will be paid winter fuel allowance. [106921]

  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for what reason no winter fuel payments have to made to male claimants aged between 60 and 65 years following the decision of the European Court; [106795]

  (2) when he plans to start making winter fuel payments to male claimants between 60 and 65 years of age, pursuant to the decision of the European Court. [106794]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend and the right hon. and learned Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Dr. Brand) on 24 January 2000,Official Report, column 81W.

  Carers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reason he chose not to introduce home responsibilities protection into SERPs for carers and disabled people from April 1999. [106845]

  Mr. Rooker
  The pension needs of carers and disabled people are being met through the State Second Pension, for which legislation is currently being considered by Parliament.

  State Pension
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received about the planned April 2000 uprating of the state pension; how many of these are(a) in favour and (b) not in favour of the uprating; and if he will make a statement. [106739]

  Mr. Rooker
  Around 5,000 letters were received up to 19 January regarding the April 2000 uprating of the State Pension. Only the subject of each inquiry is recorded, so the specific information requested is not available. Two early-day motions have been tabled, and several petitions, including newspaper campaigns, received. These claimed that the increase was inadequate.
  257W
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many more people would receive a state second pension if the child care qualification was amended to include individuals paid child benefit for children under(a) eight, (b) 10, (c) 12, (d) 14 years and (e) 16 years assuming retirement in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2015, (iv) 2025 and (v) 2047; [106848]

  (2) how many more people would be recipients of the state second pension if he aligned the rules for home responsibilities protection for the state second pension with those that currently apply to the basic state pension taking (a) 2005, (b) 2010, (c) 2015, (d) 2025 and (e) 2047 as the year at retirement. [106849]

  Mr. Rooker
  The number of additional people who would be brought into State Second Pension by the suggested changes is likely to be negligible.

  Benefits (Young People)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost of restoring benefits to 16 and 17-year-olds in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland. [106668]

  Angela Eagle
  We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to achieve their potential. That is why our aim is to engage 16 and 17-year-olds in education, training or work with training, rather than starting their adult lives dependent on the benefits system.

  Departments are working together to develop and implement the proposals in the Government White Paper, "Learning to Succeed", and the Social Exclusion Unit's report, "Bridging the Gap", which are aimed at supporting young people in making a successful transition from childhood to adult life.

  The estimated cost of restoring full entitlement to Social Security benefits to 16 to 17-year-olds in Great Britain would be £100 million per annum, at present rates for the under 18s. The equivalent cost for Scotland would be in the order of £10 million per annum. These costs do not make any allowance for possible changes in labour market behaviour as a result of these changes.

  The figures refer to Great Britain and Scotland. For information about Northern Ireland I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Notes:

  1. Based on data taken from the 1997–98 Family Resources Survey.

  2. Rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the impact on the level of benefit payments of setting the minimum wage for young people at £3.60 per hour. [106670]

  Mr. Bayley
  It is estimated that expenditure on departmental benefits will decrease by £15 million if the minimum wage for young people is increased from 258W
  £3.00 per hour currently to £3.60 per hour. This assumes there are no secondary effects on employment or wages.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates based on 1996–97 Family Resources Survey data, uprated to 2000–01 prices and benefit rates.

  2. Estimates rounded to the nearest £5 million. This covers Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit only.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the impact on the level of benefit payments of maintaining the minimum wage at its present level. [106669]

  Mr. Bayley
  It is estimated that the cost to the Social Security budget of maintaining the minimum wage at its present level is £10 million at 2000–01 prices.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates based on 1996–97 Family Resources Survey data, uprated to 2000–01 prices and benefit rates.

  2. Estimates rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the impact on each benefit payable to those in paid employment of a national minimum wage of(a) £3.80 and (b) £4.00 for the next financial year. [107144]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Estimated savings in 2000–01 on benefits payable to those in paid employment of a national minimum wage of (A) £3.80 and (B) £4.00

  £ million

  £3.80

  £4.00

  Income Support/JSA(IB)

  -15

  -30

  Housing Benefit

  -25

  -50

  Council Tax Benefit

  -5

  -10

  Total

  -50

  -90

  Notes:

  1. Estimates based on 1996–97 Family Resources Survey data, uprated to 2000–01 prices and benefit rates.

  2. Estimates rounded to the nearest £5 million. Totals may not add up owing to rounding.

  3. Estimates assume no secondary effects on employment or wages.

  Pensioner Statistics
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of(a) retired people, (b) pensioners, and (c) people over the age of 65 in each (i) English county and (ii) parliamentary constituency; and what is the average figure in each category. [106738]

  Mr. Rooker
  This information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of pensioners over the age of(a) 75 and (b) 80 in (i) Yeovil constituency and (ii) South Somerset; and if he will make a statement. [106737]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
  259W

  1991 census information of the population by age group in Yeovil constituency

  Aged 75 and over

  Aged 85 and over

  Yeovil

  7,800

  1,600

  Mid-98 estimates of the population by age group in South Somerset

  Aged over 75

  Aged over 80

  South Somerset

  13,100

  7,100

  Notes:

  1. For part (i), mid-year population estimates are not compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for parliamentary constituencies. The lowest level at which population estimates are available is the local authority level. 1991 Census information has therefore been used. Figures by the precise age groups requested are not available.

  2. For part (ii), mid-98 population estimates for South Somerset have been provided. These are the latest available population estimates.

  3. The people in these age groups are not necessarily pensioners.

  4. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred persons throughout.

  State Second Pension
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people, by gender, would benefit, and at what cost, from crediting carers for the state second pension on a weekly basis. [106850]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is not possible to provide the costs requested without further detailed assumptions on how such a system would work. Furthermore, it is unlikely to be operationally feasible to provide entitlement based on weeks rather than whole tax years.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many more people would receive the state second pension, at what cost, and how much would be payable in pension, if he aligned 35 hours of care qualification for credits to the state second pension with the minimum wage qualification of 18 hours, taking(a) 2005, (b) 2010, (c) 2015, (d) 2025 and (e) 2047 as the retirement years; [106847]

  (2) how many (a) men and (b) women in each of the last five years have notified the Contributions Agency of the home responsibilities protection entitlement (i) at state pension age, (ii) two years before state pension age, (iii) five years before state pension age, (iv) 10 years before state pension age and (v) 15 years before state pension age. [106846]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 327W, concerning invalid care allowance, if he will estimate the cost of crediting for each year those invalid care allowance recipients whose award (a) has been terminated (b) is current, where awards were made from (i) 1981, (ii) 1991, (iii) 1995 and (iv) 1999, their state second pension, assuming a retirement in (1) 2002, (2) 2005, (3) 2010, (4) 2015, and (5) 2025. [106853]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many press releases his Department issued in each year from 1995 to 1999. [106560]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Number of press releases issued by the Department and it agencies from 1995–1999

  Year

  HQ

  Benefits Agency

  Contributions Agency

  Child Support Agency

  1995

  180

  29

  20

  2

  1996

  294

  34

  21

  1

  1997

  291

  60

  50

  10

  1998

  311

  42

  28

  4

  1999

  324

  48

  —

  3

  Notes:

  1. Press releases for the War Pensions Agency and Information Technology Agency are included in the figures given for Headquarters.

  2. The 1999 column for Contributions Agency does not show a figure as the Agency has transferred to the Inland Revenue.

  Independent Living Funds
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make changes to the payments limits and earnings disregard operated by the Independent Living Funds. [107383]

  Mr. Bayley
  I am pleased to be able to announce changes to both the ILF payment limits and the earnings disregard. The limit for payments from the Extension Fund will be increased from £560 a week to £625 a week, and the £300 a week limit for 1993 Fund cases will be raised to £375 per week. Within the 1993 Fund the overall joint limit, in conjunction with local authorities, on care packages that can be funded will be raised from £500 a week to £625 a week.

  A more generous disregard of earnings will also be introduced, to allow those severely disabled people who are able to work to gain greater reward from that work. At present only the first £30 a week of reckonable earnings is disregarded. In future, in addition to this £30 a week of reckonable earnings is disregarded. In future, in addition to this £30, the Funds will also disregard 45 per cent. of the remaining earnings up to a maximum of £200 reckonable earnings per week. The new disregard will apply to household earnings, not just the earnings of the disabled person. The changes will come into effect immediately.

  Chief Adjudication Officer's Report
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the final report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if he will make a statement. [107723]

  Angela Eagle
  The report is published today and copies have been placed in the Library. The Chief Adjudication Officer's findings record that, in a difficult transitional period for the Agencies as they adopted the new decision making and appeals processes, standards have in general been maintained. He is, in particular, encouraged by the fact that the Agencies continued to look for ways to effect improvements across benefits. As this is his final report
  261W
  and with his staff moving on to new areas of work, the Chief Adjudication Officer has taken the opportunity to praise them for their work.

  The Chief Adjudication Officer welcomes the changes to decision-making and appeals that were introduced last year. As he acknowledges, those changes lie at the very heart of Ministers' plans for modernising Social Security delivery and promise substantially improved standards of service for customers.

  Chief Executives have taken on the Chief Adjudication Officer's responsibilities for guidance to decision makers and monitoring and reporting on standards. They are now accountable for the quality of decision making in their agencies. The changes help to get decisions right. If a mistake is made, it can be put right more easily. Notifications will be clearer and easier to understand.

  Improvements have been made to the handling of appeals. The ending of the rigid requirement for three person tribunals means that expert resources can be better focused on the issues raised in each appeal. Appeal waiting times will be cut. A new agency is being set up to handle the administration of appeals and we will set demanding targets for clearing appeals.

  These changes will deliver real improvements in service to clients. And we have preserved the essential elements of the current system: decisions continue to be made impartially by applying the law to the facts of each case, and clients still have the right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

TREASURY

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the existing planned total for public expenditure for 2001–02 will be adhered to when the next Comprehensive Spending Review is announced; and if he will make a statement. [106461]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 11 November 1999, Official Report, column 781W.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals are being considered by his Department, the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise to help sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub post offices. [105862]

  Variable rate

  Fixed or capped rate

  Charges—No separate charge for mortgage indemnity guarantee insurance. Any other fees disclosed up front, including any fees and charges which may be payable later in the mortgage. Interest calculated and capitalised daily.

  No fee payable by the borrower for arranging the mortgage. Interest rate no higher than two percentage points above base rate. Interest rates to adjust to keep within the prescribed margin against base rate within four weeks for downward movements. No redemption or early settlement charge at any time.

  Any booking fee not to exceed £150. Any redemption charge should be a maximum of 1 per cent. of the loan for each remaining year of the fixed period, reducing monthly, and expressed in cash terms. No redemption charge after the fixed or capped rate period. No redemption charge if the borrower continues the mortgage when purchasing a new property with or without a top-up loan.

  262W
  Mr. Timms
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for Competitiveness on 20 January 2000,Official Report, columns 519–20W.

  Economic Stability
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he plans to take to protect the UK economy in the event of a considerable stock exchange fall in the United States and the impact that would have on the world economy; and if he will make a statement. [106525]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have taken firm action to lock in economic stability and open the way to steady growth. Sound public finances and low and stable inflation have greatly enhanced the ability of the UK economy to withstand adverse external shocks. In particular, the Government's symmetrical inflation target ensures that policy can respond quickly to risks on the downside, such as from an unforseen fall in equity prices, as well as to risks on the upside. The Government have also played a leading role in promoting macroeconomic stability across the world, to help reduce the likelihood of future global shocks.

  Brussels Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the Budget Council held in Brussels on 18 January; and if he will make a statement. [106563]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There was no Budget Council on 18 January.

  Mortgages
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has decided to set CAT standards for mortgages. [107384]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Yes. The Treasury will set CAT standards for two types of mortgage: one charging variable interest rates, and one charging fixed or capped rates. Like the CAT standards for individual savings accounts, CAT standards for mortgages will define products with reasonable charges, easy access and decent terms and which can readily be understood.

  The standards will be voluntary and non-CAT standard mortgages may be appropriate for many borrowers. But because they will be simple, clear and fair, CAT standard mortgages will help customers to make better informed and more confident choices about mortgage loans. Subject to consultation, FSA's disclosure regime will help prospective borrowers understand how particular mortgage offers measure up to the CAT standards.

  The basic features of CAT standard mortgages are set out.
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  Variable rate

  Fixed or capped rate

  Access—No restriction to existing customers. Mortgages available on the normal terms on which the lender grants loans, including loans for the lender's normal range of residential properties, and the lender's standard criteria for creditworthiness. Borrowers must be able to continue a CAT standard mortgage when moving house provided the existing lender is willing to lend on the new property. Regular payments available on any day of the month of the borrower's choosing. Early repayments permitted at any time.

  Terms—All mortgage documents, including advertising and marketing literature, and explanations of charges, to be put in language which is fair, clear and not misleading. No tying in, i.e. no obligation for borrowers to buy any other product with the mortgage. Any linked special offers to be priced item by item, with discounts expressed explicitly where they apply. If the lender can no longer continue with CAT standard terms in an existing mortgage, borrower's must have at least six months' notice of the change. Borrowers in arrears equivalent to up to three months' repayments pay standard interest charges only on the outstanding debt (including accrued interest). After that period the lender may decide that CAT standard terms no longer apply.

  A more full description of the CAT standards, subject to further consultation with the industry to firm up the technical specification, is being made available in the Library.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has decided whether the Financial Services Authority should regulate mortgage lending. [107385]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government are determined that lenders should not take advantage of mortgage borrowers at a time when they are often vulnerable because their main priority is home purchase. In a modern competitive economy they should expect to be able to finance residential property purchases with confidence that they will understand the nature of the product they are buying and the risks.

  The Treasury carried out a consultation exercise in the second half of last year to examine the case for giving the Financial Services Authority (FSA) responsibility for regulating mortgage business. This was the recommendation of the Joint Committee on the Financial Services and Markets Bill (HC328/HL50) and of the Treasury Committee (HC 73). I am grateful to those in the mortgage industry, as well as borrowers and consumer representatives, for engaging in purposeful dialogue and contributing constructive feedback. The exercise showed that prospective borrowers' main need is better information about the many loans on offer in this competitive and sometimes confusing market.

  I have therefore decided that a statutory instrument under the Financial Services and Markets Bill, now before this House, will give the FSA statutory responsibility for regulating nearly all residential mortgages. This will mean that all mortgage lenders will have to be authorised by FSA with specific permission to lend on mortgage. It will not be necessary for mortgage brokers to be authorised unless they also carry out investment business such as advising on endowment policies, where authorisation is already required.

  This will make the mortgage market more transparent for borrowers. The new power will enable the FSA to regulate mortgage advertising and to require all mortgage lending activity to include specific disclosure of the main features of the loan. The FSA will consult on its policy approach and rules, including their regulatory impact, later this year, with a view to bringing the new regulatory regime for mortgages into effect next year. These rules will be designed to complement the voluntary Code operated by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This has helped deliver welcome improvements, for instance in the competence and expertise of mortgage advisers.
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  The introduction of mortgage regulation and CAT standards, which I am announcing separately today, will take place in parallel with several other measures designed to help home buyers. Recent announcements include the proposed revision to the regulations on annual percentage rates (APRs), which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry laid before the House on 26 November, the package of measures announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing on 11 October about improving the house-buying process, and the proposal, announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 17 December, to prevent lenders making a compulsory link between mortgages and home insurance deals.

  The approach to regulation of the mortgage market reflects the nature of mortgage loans. If information is clear mortgages are intrinsically easier to understand than, for instance, many retail investments, such as endowments. With the new safeguards, we expect there to be many fewer consumers who regret their choice and it will be much easier for mortgage borrowers who do then come to regret their choice to disengage and remortgage at reasonable cost. The FSA already regulates advice on investment products designed to repay mortgages, such as endowment policies.

  These complementary measures will improve the quality and coverage of the information available to prospective mortgage borrowers and house buyers. They will deliver the essential protections borrowers need without burdening them with requirements which could unnecessarily slow down the sales process.

  I am today making available in the Library a summary of the evidence about detriment in the mortgage market collected in the course of the recent consultation exercise.

  School and Hospital Budgets
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to provide for longer-term funding settlements for key public services by fixing budgets for schools and hospitals for three year periods; and if he will make a statement. [106466]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: There are no such plans at present.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2000,Official

  265W
  Report, column 513W, concerning households receiving working families tax credit, how much of the information requested is available; and if he will publish it. [106735]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Reliable estimates of the number of households in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit are not yet available, but will be available shortly.

  Fees
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 2001 05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure. [106001]

  Mr. Timms
  The following fees and charges are collected by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments and can be used to offset the relevant expenditure.

  £000

  Department/Fee

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  HM Treasury

  Insurance Supervisory Service

  8,258

  9,787

  12,204

  HM Customs and Excise

  To prohibit the release of counterfeit goods

  126

  137

  137

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  General charge on building societies

  2,258

  3,753

  2,881

  General charge on friendly societies

  863

  1,006

  1,300

  Statutory fees from mutual societies

  1,546

  1,740

  1,350

  Government Actuary's Department

  Actuarial advice

  6,232

  6,486

  7,178

  Office for National Statistics

  Sale of registration certificates1

  4,806

  25,191

  4,700

  National Investment and Loans Office

  Public works Loan Board

  1,934

  2,048

  2,000

  National Debt Office

  581

  546

  500

  1 Fees count as income rather than negative expenditure

  2 Forecast outturn

  Information for the full requested spread of years prior to 1997–98 could not be gathered without disproportionate cost. Fee levels for 2000–01 and later are not available.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many questions to his Department tabled for ordinary written answer during Session 1998–99 were answered(a) within two weeks of tabling, (b) within one month of tabling, (c) within three months of tabling and (d) after three months of tabling. [106489]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is as follows(a) 1,170; (b) 1,245; (c) 1,286 and (d) none.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many questions to his Department tabled for written answer on a named day during Session 1998–99 were answered(a) on or before a named day, (b) within one week of a named day, (c) within one month of a named day, (d) within three months of a named day and (e) after three months of a named day. [106482]
  266W
  Mr. Timms
  The information is as follows(a) 288; (b) 665; (c) 780; (d) 813; and (e) none.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many questions to his Department were tabled for written answer during session 1998–99; and how many of these he replied to(a) by means of a letter placed in the Library rather than by substantive answer in the Official Report, (b) by stating that a substantive answer could not be given due to information not being held centrally and (c) by stating that a substantive answer could not be given due to disproportionate cost. [106485]

  Mr. Timms
  2,099 written questions were tabled to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1998–99.

  The other information sought by the hon. Member is not held in an accessible form. However, Treasury Ministers seldom reply to Parliamentary questions by letter rather than by substantive answer printed in the Official Report, and would normally do so only in the case of questions tabled shortly before the Summer Recess or Prorogation which could not be answered before the House rose.

  Public Debt
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to amend his net public debt target to a target of public sector net wealth following the introduction of resource accounting. [106775]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  No.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding from the Capital Modernisation Fund will be allocated to Northern Ireland in the next financial year; and how the amount will be determined. [106806]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Northern Ireland's share of funding from the Capital Modernisation Fund is determined by applying the Barnett formula to successful bids to the Fund for projects in England. In the 1999 Budget Northern Ireland was assigned a minimum allocation from the Capital Modernisation Fund of £50 million from 1999–2000 to 2001–02, which represents an indicative allocation of £19.5 million in 2000–01. The funding will be reviewed when final allocations are made from the fund.

  Public Investment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the base year is from which he intends to double net public investment by 2002; and which year is the final year. [106777]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Comparisons over the Comprehensive Spending Review period take a baseline of 1998–99 and a final year of 2001–02.

  Departmental Budgets
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if departments will be allowed to exceed their expenditure limits in 2000–01 and 2001–02 if they receive budgetary transfers from other departments that have spent below their departmental expenditure limits. [106776]
  267W
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Details of planned transfers in 2000–01 and 2001–02 between departmental expenditure limits, reflecting transfers of financing responsibility between Departments or spending sectors or machinery of government changes, are set out in Chapter 2 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1999–2000," published in March 1999 (Cm 4201).

  Farming
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many farming businesses paid corporation tax(a) in the last year for which information is available and (b) five years ago. [106536]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Only a small minority of farmers run their businesses as incorporated concerns subject to corporation tax with the majority being self employed and paying income tax. An estimated 10,500 farming incorporated businesses had a corporation tax liability for accounting periods ending in 1997–98 compared with 12,200 such businesses in 1992–93.

  Electronic Business
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the Treasury's business is undertaken electronically at present; and what target has been set. [106801]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Treasury has already met its target, due to be achieved in 2002, to increase the proportion of business undertaken electronically, in accordance with Government targets, to more than 25 per cent. of external communications.

  Specific targets have been set for non-ministerial correspondence, where the Treasury now has 100 per cent. capability, and for electronic procurement of goods and services, where the current achievement of 55 per cent. exceeds the 40 per cent. target.

  The Treasury carries out a very high proportion of its internal business electronically. The principal constraint to carrying out more external business electronically is the capability of external contacts.

  Small Companies (Employee Incomes)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees working in companies employing fewer than five people have earnings between(a) the lower earnings limit and £5,000, (b) £5,001 and £7,000, (c) £7,001 and £8,000, (d) £8,001 and £9,000, (e) £9,001 and £9,500, (f) £9,501 and £10,000, (g) £10,001 and £12,000, (h) f12,001 and £14,000, (i) £14,001 and £16,000, (j) £16,001 and £18,000 and (k) £18,001 to £18,500 for each of the past five years. [106709]

  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. Frank Field, dated 27 January 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question regarding the number of people working in companies which employ fewer than 5 people, and receive earnings in various earnings bands above the lower earnings limit.
  268W
  The New Earnings Survey (NES), carried out in April of each year, is a one per cent. sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes. However, I am only able to provide estimates of the percentage of employees whose earnings lie within specified ranges, rather than numbers, because appropriate factors to gross the survey results to accommodate this sample frame are not currently available. Additionally, I am unable to provide data for years prior to 1998 since estimates of annual earnings and enterprise size are not available.
  The available information, from the 1998 and 1999 New Earnings Surveys, is attached.
  I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  New Earnings Survey, April of each year (GB)

  Employees on adult rates, who have been in the same job for at least 12 months 1. Companies employing between 1 and 4 employees.

  Percentage of employees with gross annual earnings in the range

  1999

  Full-time employees

  Part-time employees

  All employees

  £3,4322-£5,000

  1.6

  18.7

  6.1

  £5,001-£7,000

  5.8

  18.4

  9.1

  £7,001-£8,000

  4.7

  6.8

  5.2

  £8,001-£9,000

  5.6

  4.2

  5.2

  £9,001-£9,500

  2.5

  1.7

  2.3

  £9,501-£10,000

  3.3

  1.5

  2.9

  £10,001-£12,000

  14.4

  3.5

  11.5

  £12,001-£14,000

  10.7

  2.0

  8.4

  £14,001-£16,000

  10.9

  1.5

  8.4

  £16,001-£18,000

  8.7

  1.0

  6.6

  £18,001-£18,500

  1.6

  0.1

  1.2

  Percentage of employees with gross annual earnings in the range

  1998

  Full-time employees

  Part-time employees

  All employees

  £3,3282-£5,000

  1.9

  21.3

  7.0

  £5,001-£7,000

  7.5

  17.9

  10.2

  £7,001-£8,000

  5.2

  7.1

  5.7

  £8,001-£9,000

  6.6

  3.2

  5.7

  £9,001-£9,500

  2.8

  1.7

  2.5

  £9,501-£10,000

  3.9

  1.2

  3.2

  £10,001-£12,000

  14.6

  2.8

  11.5

  £12,001-£14,000

  11.0

  2.6

  8.8

  £14,001-£16,000

  9.9

  1.5

  7.7

  £16,001-£18,000

  7.3

  1.0

  5.6

  £18,001-£18,500

  1.5

  0.0

  1.1

  1 Annual earnings have been calculated only for those employees that have been in the same job for at least 12 months. Employees with less than 12 months attachment may have relevant annual earnings from another employer but these would not be identified in the NES. Consequently, taking annual earnings for all employees would give a misleading (under) estimate.

  2 The lower earnings limit was £3,328 in April and £3,432 in April 1999.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent meeting with the Portuguese Finance Minister. [107035]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor met the Portuguese Finance Minister, Pina Moura, on 13 January 2000. Their discussion focused on the Portuguese Presidency programme, including the Lisbon Special European Council on employment, economic reform and social cohesion.

  Landfill Tax
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been raised from Landfill Tax, broken down by local authority areas in Scotland in each of the last three years. [106369]

  Mr. Timms
  As Landfill Tax declared by operators is not allocated to specific sites we cannot provide receipts broken down by local authority areas.

  Receipts from operators based in Scotland are estimated at £26 million in 1998–99, £33 million in 1997–98 and £11 million in the part year 1996–97, following the introduction of Landfill Tax on 1 October 1996; all figures are net of contributions to the environmental credit scheme.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what derogations he has(a) sought and (b) secured from the European Commission with regard to the application of the principle of additionality, to allow Her Majesty's Treasury to receive structural funds from the EU, designated for specific regions, without having to pass on those funds to the relevant regions. [107016]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government have neither sought nor secured derogations from the European Commission in respect of the application of the principle of additionality.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what directions for Government Departments and local authorities to sell surplus state assets he issued(a) prior to 18 October 1999 and (b) subsequently; and if he will make a statement. [107153]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government have put in place a number of incentives to ensure public sector assets are managed efficiently. The National Asset Register was published in November 1997, setting out for the first time the assets held by central Government. New incentives to dispose of surplus assets were introduced from 1 April 1998, which allow Departments to recycle receipts from disposals to be reinvested in public sector assets.

  As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review Departments prepared investment strategies, which were published in March 1999, setting out plans for new investment, improved asset utilisation and procedures and systems to ensure value for money. As part of the move to resource accounting and budgeting, Departments are currently producing balance sheets which will show the full value of their asset holdings and budgets that include the cost of capital consumption in the form of a capital charge. Local authorities are currently producing investment overviews across their estate which build upon their ongoing work drawing-up asset management plans.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ensure that the sale of surplus assets will not result in the loss of playing fields. [107173]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government have put in place a number of measures to protect playing fields. The Department for Education and Employment have 270W
  introduced new legislation to require all state schools to seek consent for the disposal of playing fields, which includes consultation with community and user groups. The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions have published a Direction enabling Ministers to consider planning applications concerning local authority playing fields and those used by educational establishment where Sport England have objected to the proposals.

  Sport England also remains statutory consultee on all playing field planning applications and ask local authority planning policies to permit development on playing fields only where it can be demonstrated that there is a proven excess of provision. Finally, Lottery funding of £125 million will be devoted to a new green space initiative, including the creation of new playing fields.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Local Government Finance (London)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for the budgets of the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, the London Development Agency, the Metropolitan Police Authority and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority for 2000–01 and for the Greater London Authority's precepts for that year. [107724]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today issued a consultation paper setting out my proposals to the London boroughs, the ALG, representatives of industry and commerce, predecessor bodies and other interested parties. Subject to consultation, it is proposed to set a consolidated budget requirement for the GLA and functional bodies for 2000–01 of £2,179 million. We estimate that this will support total spending of some £3,600 million. Of this only £333 million will need to be raised from council taxpayers. For a Band D council taxpayer, this is equivalent to about £123 a year in the London Boroughs and £32 a year in the City.

  Just £1.70 of this is to fund the additional cost of the new GLA services: about 3 pence a week for a Band D council taxpayer as promised in the White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (March 1998, Cm 3897). Nearly three-quarters of the council tax goes to fund the Metropolitan police. Since the Metropolitan police district does not include the City, this accounts for the lower cost borne by City council taxpayers.

  From 2001–02 onwards the consolidated budget for the GLA and functional bodies will be set by the Mayor.

  Rent Levels
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact on rent levels of the Court of Appeal's decision in the case of Spath Holme Ltd. vs. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; and if he will make a statement on the impact of the judgment on his Department's policies. [107183]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Court of Appeal's decision to quash the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 is likely to lead to significant increases in fair rents which would have been capped under the Order.
  271W
  We are giving careful consideration to the implications of the judgment. We remain committed to protecting tenants from excessive increases in fair rents.

  Regeneration (Birmingham)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make an announcement on the Arena Central Regeneration Project in Birmingham. [106978]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government have set a target for deciding called-in planning applications within 13 weeks of receipt of the Inspector's Report following the local inquiry. In this case the primary target for decision was 4 January 2000. Although the Secretary of State has not been able to complete his consideration of all the issues raised by this proposal within the primary target, the Government do fully recognise the importance of speedy decisions for the local economy. I therefore expect to be able to issue a decision within the secondary target of 22 February.

  Sutton Railway Station
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ask the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority to investigate the cause of the delayed implementation of the refurbishment of Sutton Station by Connex and take steps with both Railtrack and the train operating company to expedite the project. [106852]

  Mr. Hill
  This is a matter which is primarily for the train operator and Railtrack to resolve. However, I have asked the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority to monitor the situation.

  Green Belt
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total area of land within the established green belt in England on 1 January(a) 1976, (b) 1979, (c) 1982, (d) 1985, (e) 1988, (f) 1991, (g) 1994, (h) 1997 and (i) 2000. [106874]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Figures published in December 1999 show that green belt in England in 1997 amounted to 1,652,300 hectares of land. This estimate is based on a new analysis of information in local plans and is more reliable than previously published figures for earlier years, which have been shown to be inaccurate.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total area of established green belt land given non-conforming use planning permissions in each of the past 20 years. [106875]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not held centrally by the Department, and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Architects Registration Board
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the work and progress of the Architects Registration Board. [106876]
  272W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Architects Registration Board came into being in April 1997 and has made good progress since its inception.

  I look forward to the election of new registered architect members and the appointment by the Board of a new Registrar/Chief Executive.

  Rail Safety
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the report on signals passed at danger in December 1999 will be published. [107469]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of HSE's report on signals passed at danger (SPADs) for December. Future monthly reports will be placed in the Library as a matter of course.

  In December there were 22 SPADs on the national railway. This figure is lower than for the same month in the last two years and half the December average for the last six years. Taken with the significant improvement in November, the December figure appears to indicate that the measures being taken by the industry to cut down on SPADs are beginning to have a positive effect, although it is of course too early to draw definitive conclusions.

  As explained in the October report, Railtrack and the HSE use different criteria to assess the severity and significance of a SPAD. This has led to some confusion as to how to identify for non-specialist purposes a consistent and simple definition by which a SPAD could be considered serious, to the extent that it gives rise to a potential for damage to passengers, staff, or equipment.

  Ministers have accepted a recommendation by Her Majesty's Railways Inspectorate to define as "serious" those SPADs which fall into Railtrack's severity categories 3–8. These categories cover those SPADs which lead to a train over-running by at least 200 yards (the normal safety overlap distance) and/or which cause damage or casualties. This definition gives three serious SPADs in December. On this definition there were 14 serious SPADs in October and 10 in November.

  Millennium Towns
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to announce the development of millennium towns; and if he will make a statement; [106877]

  (2) if he plans to announce the creation of a millennium town in Kent; [106879]

  (3) what criteria he will use in deciding to allow the building of millennium towns; [106880]

  (4) how many millennium towns he intends to create. [106878]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Proposals for a new town and areas of plan-led expansion have been put forward respectively by the Panels examining draft Regional Planning Guidance for the Eastern and South East regions. The Secretary of State will shortly consult on draft changes to the draft Regional Planning Guidance for both regions.

  Conveyancing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the terms of reference of the pilot scheme in Bristol for testing the Government's proposals for speeding up the system of buying and selling homes in England and Wales; and what will be the cost to public funds of the pilot scheme. [107261]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government announced on 11 October 1999 a package of complementary measures aimed at making the home buying and selling process in England and Wales faster, more transparent and consumer-friendly. The announcement also highlighted the Government's intention to set up a study to pilot some aspects of the seller's information pack with approximately 250 home sellers in the Bristol area, covering properties in different price bands and in popular and less-popular local housing markets.

  The pilot was launched on 10 December 1999, and will run for the first half of 2000, reporting in September 2000. The results will help provide a clear picture of the practical operation of a modernised system of home buying and selling. However, the pilot cannot entirely replicate the Government's proposals: there is no element of compulsion; transactions may still experience delays especially where there are chains involving people not in the scheme; and voluntary elements of the Government's proposals are not included, for example faster mortgage processing, and faster release of title deeds.

  Terms of Reference

  1. To identify which elements of the pack work best, and where the practical difficulties lie, including consumer and professional attitudes to the home condition report, and the legal material required for the pack.

  2. To provide clear information on the difference that a seller's pack makes to the process of buying and selling, including, where possible, whether packs help to avoid problems and delays, which occur under the present system.

  3. To assess the potential housing market effects of seller's packs and the benefits of packs for properties in different price bands.

  4. To compare the results of the Bristol pilot with existing initiatives which are being taken forward on a voluntary basis.

  Cost to Public Funds
  Total cost: £315,015.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost to the pig and poultry sectors of the charges levied by the Environment Agency in the implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control EU Directive 96/61. [107233]

  Mr. Hill
  No decisions have yet been taken on the level of charges to be applied to the pig and poultry sectors under regulations implementing integrated pollution prevention and control. The Environment Agency is still engaged in discussions with the National Farmers' Union, pig and poultry trade bodies and officials from my Department.

  New Year's Eve
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of cleaning up(a) central London and (b) its parks following the New Year's Eve celebrations. [104918]

  Mr. Hill
  The riparian boroughs, who have made a major contribution to the success of the Millennium celebrations in Central London, initially estimate that the cost of cleaning up the area covered by the event will be in the region of £500,000.

  The Millennium Commission made grants available, under the Millennium Festival programme, to 22 UK cities, as a contribution towards the cost of clearing up after New Year's Eve. London is receiving £180,000 under these arrangements.

  The Royal Parks Agency estimates that the total cost of the clear up operations in St. James's park, Green park and Victoria Tower Gardens will be between £55,000-£60,000.

  Freight Forwarding Companies
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with representatives of the haulage industry about the freight forwarding companies; and if he will make a statement. [105240]

  Mr. Hill
  Ministers and officials in my Department have frequent contact with the representatives of the haulage industry. If my hon. Friend has any particular concerns about the freight forwarding companies, perhaps he could write to me.

  VED Discounts
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the details of the scheme for vehicle excise duty discounts for vehicles with low carbon dioxide emissions, announced in November 1999. [105865]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his 1998 Budget Statement his plans for the introduction of a graduated system of Vehicle Excise Duty for new cars. Under this system, cars first registered after Autumn this year will be placed in one of four bands according to their carbon dioxide emissions. The system, which is being introduced on a revenue-neutral basis, will be introduced in a flexible way with the potential, for example, to create further incentives for cars which run on less polluting fuels.

  Further details of the scheme will be announced in the forthcoming Budget, in advance of the system's introduction.

  Nabishi Radios
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the use of Nabishi hand-held radios has been reported as presenting problems for freight marshalling yards in the railway industry; and how many radio frequencies are available to train companies. [106289]
  275W
  Mr. Hill
  Information about the use of Nabishi hand-held radios having caused problems for freight marshalling yards in the railway industry is not available. Problems involving hand-held radios are not statutorily reportable to the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate, unless they relate to a reportable accident or dangerous occurrence as defined by the 'Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995' (RIDDOR).

  The number of radio frequencies available to train operators is the responsibility of the Radiocommunications Agency, who authorise the use of radio by licensing.

  Local Government (Camden)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had about Camden Council's decision to reject an executive structure. [106321]

  Ms Armstrong
  Ministers have spoken on a number of occasions to interested parties about Camden's plans for modernisation.

  Car Statistics
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cars per mile there were on Britain's roads in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999. [106688]

  Mr. Hill
  The calculations are shown in the table. Data for road length in 1999 are not available.

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Total road length (miles)

  229,185

  229,835

  230,914

  —

  Number of cars

  21,639,462

  22,298,304

  22,984,336

  23,458,476

  Cars per mile

  94.4

  97.0

  99.5

  —

  Road lengths are as of 1 April each year. For the number of cars, figures are from 31 March for 1997, 1998 and 1999 but the 1996 figure is an estimate based upon figures from the end of 1995 and the end of June 1996. The road lengths do not necessarily reflect the amount of carriageway available to cars. For example, a mile of motorway is treated the same as a mile of minor road.

  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, what percentage of (a) car and motorcycle and (b) lorry and bus licence applications in which the applicant declared a medical condition were processed within the published standards in each month of 1999; and how many were outstanding with the DVLA for longer than the published standards in each month. [106716]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: The published standards contain a time allowance for the receipt of advice from third parties necessary to complete the Agency's consideration. Taking that into account, the percentage number is as follows.
  276W

  Percentage

  Months

  Car/motorcycle

  Lorry/bus

  January 1999

  55

  72

  February

  57

  76

  March

  54

  75

  April

  50

  72

  May

  54

  64

  June

  46

  61

  July

  43

  59

  August

  37

  63

  September

  40

  64

  October

  40

  74

  November

  39

  71

  December

  41

  64

  The number of new cases opened each month which either exceeded at closure or are still currently exceeding the published service standards was:

  Months

  Car/motorcycle

  Lorry/bus

  January 1999

  10,150

  1,497

  February

  11,551

  1,281

  March

  11,514

  1,304

  April

  11,705

  1,003

  May

  9,118

  999

  June

  12,923

  1,369

  July

  11,687

  1,105

  August

  10,164

  972

  September

  14,405

  1,137

  October

  12,734

  790

  November

  14,485

  978

  December

  9,185

  786

  As at 31 December the number of current cases outstanding which has exceeded the published service standards totalled 35,490 (car/motorcycle) and 1,981 (lorry/bus).

  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 were advised by the DVLA that the Medical Unit would take longer than the published standards of five to seven weeks to complete its investigations in each year since 1995. [106734]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: Figures were not produced for 1995–96 financial year and earlier. The figures for subsequent completed years are as follows:

  Year

  Letters sent

  1996–97

  41,987

  1997–98

  52,285

  1998–99

  84,600

  1999–20001

  69,338

  1 To date.

  Customers will also be advised of progress by telephone but no summary records are kept of this means of notification.

  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

  277W
  currently have an application with the DVLA for a (a) car and motorcycle and (b) lorry and bus licence in which the applicant declared a medical condition, which has been outstanding for longer than the published standards of five to seven weeks. [106717]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: The Agency deals with an annual total of some 320,000 applicants and notifications, involving medical investigations. At close of business on 20 January 2000, there were (a) 33,699 car and motorcycle and (b) 1,881 lorry and bus transactions which had been outstanding for longer than the published standards. This includes drivers who have notified a medical condition but are not currently applying for a licence.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each shire county, the SSA and actual expenditure, with the deviation as a percentage of SSA for(a) social services and (b) education for each year for which data are available since 1990–91. [106558]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The requested information has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of allowing applicants for driving licences to present alternative forms of identification from those currently required; and if he will make a statement. [106680]

  Mr. Hill
  The documents required in support of a photocard driving licence application have been agreed by the Ministerial Group on Welfare Reform. The requirements are the same for all driving licence applicants and are in line with Government policy on combating welfare fraud. To accept alternative documents from certain applicants would mean different standards of identity checking and a two-tier system.

  A more flexible arrangement to assist individuals whose cases are under consideration by the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office is being looked into as a temporary measure.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance is offered to applicants for driving licences who are awaiting the issue of travel documents or naturalisation papers by the Home Office, in proving their identity for the purpose of obtaining driving licences; and if he will make a statement. [106683]

  Mr. Hill
  Driving licence applicants who are awaiting the issue of travel documents or naturalisation papers by the Home Office are advised to contact the Home Office to ask for confirmation of details to be provided for driving licence application purposes.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place to assist applicants for driving licences who cannot produce the original documents required to prove their identity, due to these being 278W
  (a) held, and (b) not yet issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department for immigration or nationality purposes; and if he will make a statement. [106684]

  Mr. Hill
  Driving licence applicants whose documents are being held or not yet issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department are advised to contact that Department to ask for confirmation of details to be provided for driving licence application purposes.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for driving licences were not proceeded with in the last year for which figures are available because the applicant was unable to produce the necessary identification on the grounds that it was(a) being held and (b) had not been issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department; and if he will made a statement. [106682]

  Mr. Hill
  Since August 1999, following Home Office advice on evidence of identity some 7,500 photocard driving licence applications have been rejected because the applicant was unable to produce the necessary identification on the grounds that(a) it was being held or (b) had not been issued by the Home Office. It should be noted that those persons included in (b) may never become eligible for the issue of a necessary identity document by the Home Office.

  Air Service Agreements
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the balance of benefits to the United Kingdom regions and to the South East of England in pursuing a mini-deal on transatlantic bilateral air service agreements with the USA. [106788]

  Mr. Mullin
  Transatlantic air services between the UK and the US are governed by the provisions of an air services agreement, commonly referred to as Bermuda II. The Government will contemplate changes to Bermuda II only on terms which are no less advantageous to the generality of UK interests than to US interests. In determining this balance, the Government have regard not only to the interests of airlines but to the interests of airports (London and regional), the regions in which those airports are situated and the interests of consumers. This approach has guided the Government's consideration of a range of options for a possible mini-deal during the current round of talks.

  Airlines
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what progress he is making towards eliminating restriction on the ability of United Kingdom and foreign airlines to serve United Kingdom regional airports without the need for bilateral negotiations; [106789]

  (2) what is his policy on the applications for fifth freedom rights from foreign airlines wishing to serve Manchester airport; and if he will make a statement on how wider regional interests are taken into account in the process of deciding the award of fifth freedoms to air carriers. [106786]
  279W
  Mr. Mullin
  In June 1998 we offered to bilateral partners with whom we did not already have liberal agreements unrestricted third/fourth freedom access to all UK airports (except Heathrow and Gatwick) as long as UK airlines were also allowed to operate on the same routes. Fifth freedom rights were not included in the offer and remain subject to negotiation although in evaluating exchanges of rights we do take account of possible regional economic benefits. In the Department's response to the Select Committee on Environment, Transport and the Regions report on Access to Regional Airports we undertook to review this policy. Officials have consulted interested parties and a response will shortly be made to the Select Committee.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his timetable for achieving full liberalisation of air service agreements. [106787]

  Mr. Mullin
  It is impossible to set a timetable for achieving full liberalisation of air services agreements as this is dependent on bilateral partners. Liberal air service arrangements are already in place with EEA States and a number of other states and officials seek to liberalise our arrangements in other air services negotiations.

  Portsmouth Harbour
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what grounds he rejected the representations from the applicants for the proposed Portsmouth Harbour (Gunwharf Quays) (Millennium Tower) Order concerning the objections to this Order due to be received by him by 20 December; what criteria he uses to make such decisions; and how much time he will give the applicants to revise their representations. [106804]

  Mr. Hill
  The application by the Berkeley Festival Waterfront Company Ltd. for powers to construct the Millennium Tower is subject to the written representations procedure under the Transport and Works Act 1992. The applicants complied with the first stage of this procedure on 20 December by sending to the Department representations on each objection to their application. They did not, however, include in their representations information which had been sought by the Department concerning the proposed use of the Tower. We need to be satisfied that the essential purpose of the Tower would fall within the definition of an observation structure, in order to establish that it would be within the powers of the 1992 Act to make the proposed Order. It would not be appropriate to progress the application further until this fundamental issue has been addressed. We expect the applicants to respond shortly on this issue.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [105873]
  280W
  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 January 2000, Official Report, columns 117–18W.

  Trains (Deaths)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed by trains in each year since 1995; and what estimate he has made of how many such deaths were suicides. [106704]

  Mr. Hill
  For the period 1 April 1995–31 March 1999, the number of people killed by trains was:

  Year

  Total fatalities

  Suicides

  Passenger fatalities in train accidents

  1995–96

  249

  131

  1

  1996–97

  249

  119

  1

  1997–98

  278

  147

  7

  1998–99

  254

  123

  0

  The figures include all fatalities due to train accidents and the movement of trains reported to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) HM Railway Inspectorate. However, 1998–99 was the first time in 5 years (ie since privatisation) that no passenger was killed in a train accident.

  The figures for suicides are included in the total fatalities figures. The total figures also include fatalities to trespassers which have averaged well over 100 a year. The figures in this table are based on published statistics, subject to subsequent change by Coroners verdicts, which are contained in the HSE Chief Inspector of Railways' Annual Reports on Railway Safety for Great Britain, and are available in the House Library.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in respect of restoring the position on private hire vehicles which existed prior to the decision in the case of Benson v. Copeland Borough Council concerning the personal use of a private hire vehicle by the spouse of the licence holder. [106464]

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

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of his Department's staff were(a) registered disabled, (b) women, (c) from ethnic minorities and (d) from (i) independent, (ii) grammar and (iii) other schools in (1) 1970, (2) 1979, (3) 1989 and (4) 1999. [106764]
  281W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  As of the end of 1999 the percentages in the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (including its Agencies) were 3 per cent. disabled staff, 46 per cent. women and 5.2 per cent. ethnic minority staff.

  Figures for 1970, 1979 and 1989 are not available due to the merging of the former Departments of Environment and Transport in 1997 and the formation of the Agencies and Government Offices. Similarly, although records of staff members' educational qualifications and the institutions from which they attained them are now kept, no record is kept of the type of school attended.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that Wales is placed within a single franchise area when railway franchises are next allocated. [107017]

  Mr. Hill
  As part of his preparations for franchise replacement, the Franchising Director has invited proposals for improved services in Wales and the North West. These need not necessarily be based on the existing franchise map. In any re-negotiations 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 consulted interested parties, including the Welsh Assembly, and will continue to do during the renegotiation process.

PRIME MINISTER

  Security Services
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister under what circumstances expenditure by the security services can be incurred outside the funds allocated to the Single Intelligence Vote; and if he will make a statement. [106653]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: None.

  Policy Unit
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Prime Minister how many members of staff at the Number 10 Policy Unit are employed as experts on(a) non-European international affairs and (b) African affairs. [106987]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Arms Exports
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the compliance of the export of spare parts for British made Hawk Jets with(a) criterion 4 and (b) criterion 8 of the EU Code of Conduct for Arms Exports. [107018]

  The Prime Minister
  Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through the Export Control Organisation (ECO) of the Department of Trade and Industry. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by 282W
  the DTI to other Government Departments with an interest as determined by those Departments in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development.

  All applications for licences to export goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List, are assessed against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29W, and European Union Code of Conduct of Arms Exports, including Criteria 4 and 8.

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual report for 1998–99. [107650]

  The Prime Minister
  I intend to present the Government response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report before Parliament tomorrow.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Inward Investment
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on inward investment in the UK. [105768]

  Mr. Caborn
  The UK had another record year for attracting inward investment projects in 1998–99. The Invest in Britain Bureau recorded 652 decision to invest in the UK with almost 119,000 associated jobs. These figures are underscored by latest Office for National Statistics data which show that at the end of the third quarter 1999, the total stock of inward investment in the UK amounted to £222 billion, an increase of 21 per cent. over the previous year.

  The UK remains the number 1 location in Europe for inward investment and this Government are committed to providing a stable economic framework to ensure that the UK stays ahead of its competitors.

  Metrication
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy on metrication. [105769]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government are taking forward the policy adopted by successive Governments since 1965 of overseeing the change to metric units as the primary system of measurement in the United Kingdom. A report by my Department on the progress since 1965, particularly for goods sold by weight or measure, was placed in the Library of the House on 23 July last year.

  E-Commerce
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to provide a network of support for those businesses which trade on the internet. [105770]
  283W
  Ms Hewitt
  We have established a network of 100 Support centres throughout the UK under the Information Society Initiative (ISI) at which businesses can get impartial, jargon-free advice and support. In England, these Centres will be fully integrated into the new Small Business Service.

  We are also working with a newly formed Digital Content Forum on an action plan for growth in this rapidly developing sector which includes many of the key content and service providers for e-commerce based businesses.

  Beyond this, work is under way to develop a new, industry led mentoring scheme for internet based start ups, building on recommendations in the Performance and Innovation Unit's report "e-commerce@its.best.uk".

  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he has taken in framing his policy on e-commerce, of representations received from the IT industry. [105771]

  Ms Hewitt
  The report "e-commerce@its.best.uk", launched by the Prime Minister in September 1999, sets out the Government's e-commerce strategy. In preparing this report, extensive consultation took place with representatives from the IT industry among others.

  In general terms, the Government meet regularly to discuss e-commerce policy with the Information Age Partnership, in which business leaders from the IT industry participate.

  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK is among the world leaders in the exploitation of IT. [105772]

  Ms Hewitt
  We are determined to make the UK the best place in the world for Information Technology and e-commerce. The Government's vision and strategy for e-commerce is set out in the report "e-commerce@its.best.uk", which was launched by the Prime Minister in September.

  The Electronic Communications Bill, currently in committee stage, will give digital signatures legal parity with their written equivalents and will put wholly electronic contracts on a sound legal footing.

  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure the security and privacy of internet transactions. [105780]

  Ms Hewitt
  Government alone cannot ensure the privacy and the security of the internet. We are, however, taking steps to ensure that both business and the public have the tools at their disposal to address their own needs. In particular we have introduced the Electronic Communications Bill, which will both promote the use of electronic signatures and encryption, and enhance the availability of cryptographic support services, such as the issue of authentication certificates. The Department has also been involved in the creation and promulgation of BS7799, the standard for Information Security Management, which is now recognised internationally as an important tool for business in securing their internet transactions. Finally the 1998 Data Protection Act, which will be implemented later this year, ensures that all those who process customer data have to adopt mechanisms to safeguard its privacy.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assist rural sub-post offices. [105773]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are making a substantial contribution to the costs of automating the entire post office counters network to strengthen the viability of the network as a whole. Automation will enable Post Office Counters Ltd. to offer substantial enhancements to the services it is able to offer to clients and customers which in turn will increase the attractiveness of post offices compared with other service delivery channels. In addition, the Performance and Innovation in the Cabinet Office is carrying out an urgent study on the post office network. Various rate relief schemes already apply to many rural post offices.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the level of the national minimum wage. [105774]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Any future changes to the national minimum wage will be made sensibly and taking account of the economic conditions prevailing at the time.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received concerning the level of the minimum wage. [105778]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My Department has received a small number of representations on this issue in the past few weeks. Any future changes to the national minimum wage will be made sensibly and taking account of the economic conditions prevailing at the time.

  Telecommunications
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations were held with(a) local authorities and (b) the cable telecommunications industry prior to the laying before Parliament of the Telecommunications (Licence Modifications) (Cable-Local Delivery Operators Licences) Regulations 1999 in relation to the effects of the regulations on local authorities plans to control the height and width of roadside cable telecommunications cabinets; and if he will make a statement. [105775]

  Ms Hewitt
  Telecommunication operators, the Local Government Association and other interested bodies were first consulted on the changes planned to telecommunication licences in November 1997. These changes came into force on 27 September 1999. There were no specific consultations on the maximum size of street cabinets as the proposed measurements had at the date of consultation already become the standard for new licences.

  Furthermore, the licences do not alter the limitations of what operators may do within the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Cabinets which are larger than that permitted under that Order require planning permission.

  Pollution
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about integrated pollution prevention and control changes; and if he will make a statement. [105776]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a small number of representations concerning integrated pollution prevention and control changes.

  Representations on issues including scope, timing and charges have also been made to officials in the Department of Trade and Industry.

  DTI officials have discussed industry concerns with officials in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. DETR is responsible for regulations implementing integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) on a phased basis in England and Wales. These are expected to be laid and to come into force later this year.

  However, the application of the IPPC Directive to offshore combustion installations is the responsibility of the DTI and was part of a wider public consultation exercise on the future of the offshore oil and gas environmental regime undertaken in the spring of 1999. A further consultation on the regulations covering offshore combustion installations was initiated in December 1999.

  Science Parks
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what actions his Department is taking to promote science parks based at leading universities. [105779]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are wholly aware of the importance of business incubation and science parks and has provided £35 million to set up UK Business Incubation as a centre for promoting best practice among fledging companies. The centre acts as a catalyst to extract the maximum benefit from the business incubation process in the UK by promoting best practices, better networking, and encouraging uptake of business incubation. Turning to science parks there over 60 science parks in the UK, including Cambridge, Aston, Durham and Coventry; the majority are based in or around major universities. There are close links between the parks and universities which strengthen the transfer of technology and business skills in order to foster the development and growth of business.

  Out-of-town Supermarkets
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's competition policy in relation to out-of-town supermarkets. [105781]

  Dr. Howells
  The Competition Commission is currently investigating the supply of groceries in the UK. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on matters which may form part of the Commission's inquiry.

  Scientific Research
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to enable the longer-term planning of Government-funded scientific research. [105782]
  286W
  Ms Hewitt
  As a result of the Government's decision in the Comprehensive Spending Review to allocate money for three years instead of one, Departments and Research Councils can now plan ahead with more certainty than before.

  The Government confirmed, in their response of 13 September 1999 to the July 1999 report by the Council for Science and Technology (CST) of its review of science and technology across Government, that it fully accepted the advice that Departments should adopt a more strategic forward-looking approach to science and technology. The response noted that many departments already made substantial efforts here and went a long way towards meeting the recommendation but accepted that there was more that could be done.

  Many Departments are already closely engaged with the UK Foresight programme which aims to develop a culture of forward thinking on science and technology. In response to the CST report, Departments will decide how to make better use of Foresight as part of the development of their science and technology strategies. Work to implement this and other recommendations from the Council for Science and Technology's report is ongoing as part of wider work on a science and innovation strategy.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on prospects for trade in manufactured goods between Britain and its European Union partners. [105783]

  Mr. Caborn
  The prospects for trade with our European Union partners are improving. Respected forecasters expect that market growth across the European Union will strengthen this year. This is already reflected in better export figures, which show that in the three months to November the value of exports to Germany, our main European Union trading partner, were 4 per cent. higher than the previous three months.

  The CBI survey of manufacturers shows that optimism about export prospects for the coming 12 months is positive for the first time since October 1996, suggesting that companies share this view.

  TransTec
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to recover Government grants to TransTec; and if he will make a statement. [105784]

  Mr. Caborn
  Details of the Department's dealings with businesses over grants are confidential.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money has been given by his Department to TransTec since its establishment in(a) grants and (b) loans. [105635]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Mrs. Browning) on 25 January 2000, Official Report, columns 205–06W.

  Science Base
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that the exploitation of the UK science base will lead to increased wealth and job creation. [105785]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are committed to encouraging the exploitation of the UK science base and spending on this sector has increased steadily over the last few years. A number of schemes have been set up to encourage the development and exploitation of research which will place the UK at the cutting edge of technology thereby increasing its ability to compete in the 21st Century and in so doing boosting the economy and creating jobs.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be announcing new measures to help renewable energy producers. [105786]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government intend to make a statement on new and renewable energy shortly, at the time of the Second Reading of the Utilities Bill.

  Synchrotron
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement on the location of the new synchrotron. [105787]

  Ms Hewitt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in his reply to Parliamentary Question 99739, dated 25 November 1999,Official Report, column 164W, said that he would make a final decision as to the location of the new synchrotron in the light of all the evidence and announce it by mid January. He is currently evaluating all the information available and will be making the announcement in the near future.

  Cluster Developments
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to promote cluster developments. [105788]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government attach considerable importance to clusters and are currently putting in place new mechanisms for taking forward the development of its clusters policy. These include a Clusters Policy Steering Group to be chaired by my noble friend Lord Sainsbury, the Minister for Science and a full mapping study of cluster activity in the UK. Membership of the Steering Group and the successful bidders for the mapping study will be announced shortly.

  Miners Compensation
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in meeting retired miners health-related compensation claims. [105767]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We have made over 6,000 offers based on spirometry testing and so far 927 claimants have accepted. Over 16,000 individual interim payments have been made. So far over £45 million in compensation has been paid to ex-miners and their families. The first full medical assessments have begun and we anticipate that substantial numbers of offers will rapidly follow.
  288W
  In addition we have settled over 10,000 claims for Vibration White Finger and paid out over £63 million in compensation to ex-miners.

  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress his Department is making in relation to the settlement of damages claims made by former mineworkers for chronic bronchitis and emphysema; how many claims have been(a) received and (b) settled; and what action is being taken to ensure the speedy processing of the outstanding claims. [106931]

  Mrs. Liddell
  As at 25 January, the Department has received 94,011 claims of which 1,047 have been settled in full and final payment. In addition the Department has made 16,390 interim payments to ex-miners and their families. To date over £46 million has been paid in damages.

  Some 39,479 screening spirometry tests have now been conducted meeting the required target when the contract was let. Screening spirometry should be completed for the vast majority of remaining claimants by March 2000.

  Eight centres have so far been established to provide the services for the full Medical Assessment Process and 23 teams are currently engaged in collecting medical records. A total of 25 centres will be established by the end of February 2000. The first assessments have begun and the infrastructure is in place to process claims fully in accordance with the Handling Agreement reached with the solicitors representing former miners.

  Phthalates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will quantify the risk his Department assesses can be posed to young children from the ingestion of phthalates. [106965]

  Dr. Howells
  The European Commission's independent Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) was consulted on the use of six phthalates in toys and child care articles intended to be mouthed. It concluded that these phthalates could be safely used, provided that any leaching from the toy or child care article did not exceed scientifically established tolerable daily intake (TDI) levels. The DTI, on the advice of the Department of Health, has supported the SCTEE conclusions with regard to DINP. As well as being subject to a very high safety margin for use, there is considerable evidence to indicate that humans are much less sensitive to the liver toxicity which rats exposed to extremely high doses demonstrate. Where the UK does consider there may be cause for greater EU-wide restrictions is in the use of another phthalate, DEHP, where scientific concerns have been raised. DEHP is not used in toys in the UK.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason he does not support a ban on phthalates in toys which are not designed to be sucked or chewed by young children but could be. [106968]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government have taken their steer from the European Commission's independent Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE). The SCTEE has held that, provided migration
  289W
  does not exceed scientifically established levels, phthalates can be safely used. Testing has shown that products currently on UK shelves do not give any cause for concern. However, given public concern, and to try to bring in a harmonised EU approach, the Commission introduced a Decision, supported by all member states, to ban phthalates in items intended to be mouthed by small children. Phthalates leach only with difficulty, requiring very prolonged chewing before they are dislodged. When we consider the science and the risks, the ban reflects a very cautious approach. Had the science indicated otherwise, the Commission would have proposed a more stringent measure than the current ban.

  Drug Companies (Mergers)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from(a) Glaxo Wellcome, (b) SmithKline Beecham and (c) other drug companies about the proposed merger between Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. [106144]

  Dr. Howells
  This Department has received one representation on the proposed merger. It is not our policy to disclose the identity of those who make representations on cases so that interested parties may comment freely without any concern that their comments might then be disclosed. Any such representations are forwarded to the Director General of Fair Trading who will take them into account in his advice to this Department on the case.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the likely impact of the merger of SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome on(a) the price and availability of (i) prescription and (ii) nonprescription medicines and (b) competition among health service suppliers. [106145]

  Dr. Howells
  The Director General of Fair Trading will consult interested parties about the proposed merger and will advise this Department on the case in due course. His advice will take into account any comments on these issues that he has received from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Clean Coal Technology
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by the Government in each of the last five financial years on the research and development of clean coal technology. [106934]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The expenditure by my Department in respect of research and development of cleaner coal technologies is shown in the table.

  Year

  £ million

  1994–95

  8.0

  1995–96

  7.8

  1996–97

  6.9

  1997–98

  3.1

  1998–99

  2.9

  Note:

  Provision for 1999–2000 is £3.7 million, and planned expenditure for 2000–01, as published in Energy Paper 67, is £4.0 million. All figures are net.

  Photovoltaics
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the potential long-term economic benefits of supporting renewable energy sources, with particular reference to photovoltaics, on the basis of the German model; [106782]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the potential for photovoltaics in reducing carbon emissions in the United Kingdom on the basis of a support scheme for renewable energy similar to the German model. [106783]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to a recent assessment of the potential for renewable energy, including photovoltaics, commissioned by my Department. This has been reported in "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects in the UK for the 21st Century". "Supporting analysis, March 1999—ETSUR-122", a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House shortly; this is also available on the Departmental website at www.dti.gov.uk/renew/condoc. This includes information on the potential for reducing carbon emissions and the economics of renewables.

  We have not carried out any specified assessments looking at the German model, but the cost to the German taxpayer of the interest free loans being Offered in support of the 100,000 roofs programme is estimated at around £300 million for an installed capacity of 300 MW. Several German cities and utilities are also offering premium rates—up to 2DM (70p) a unit—to householders exporting electricity to the grid from PV systems. These extra costs are spread over the remaining majority of electricity consumers in those areas.

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department gives to those businesses in areas which have ceased to be eligible for regional assistance since 1 January. [106515]

  Mr. Caborn
  Financial assistance to industry outside England is a matter for the devolved administrations. In England, we have given advice that while discussions continue with the Commission over the new Assisted Areas map, Government Offices will, as a temporary measure, continue to receive applications for RSA from businesses located in the Assisted Areas proposed in July 1999. Government Offices will undertake a full appraisal of such cases but any offers of financial assistance will be conditional on confirmation from the Commission that the location is within the approved map and that the project complies with the appropriate aid ceilings for that area. Similar arrangements are in place in Wales and Scotland. Any area which is outside the Assisted Areas when the map is approved will not be eligible for RSA under Community law. However, in the English regions we have introduced new tier 3 areas which include areas of need outside the Assisted Areas proposed to the Commission. In tier 3, qualifying SMEs may apply for financial assistance from a new discretionary Enterprise Grant scheme.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the public expenditure on the ECGD's business for(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000,

  291W
  (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02, (i) in aggregate, (ii) with highly indebted land mine developing countries and (iii) related to defence. [105418]

  Mr. Caborn
  Aggregate public expenditure on ECGD operations is estimated as:

  Year

  £ million

  1998–99

  1318.7

  1999–2000

  1,025.4

  2000–01

  947

  2001–02

  947

  1 Outturn

  These public expenditure estimates relate to a number of financial facilities which ECGD provides in support of its main trading operations. The vast majority of the amounts relate to the refinancing with public funds of export finance loans and will be repaid as the loans mature. The balance is accounted for by the cost of interest rate support to banks under ECGD's Fixed Rate Export Finance (FREF) Scheme.

  Costs arising from these public expenditure facilities are not estimated or recorded on a basis which allows them to be broken down by country or industrial sector. Fuller details of these facilities can however be found in ECGD's Annual Report and Trading Accounts for 1998–99 of which there is a copy in the Library of the House.

  ECGD's main trading operations are not scored against public expenditure since ECGD looks to cover the cost of claims arising from this business through premium and recoveries of claims paid.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the(a) countries and (b) bodies which have bought arms from the United Kingdom in the last five years under the export credits guarantee scheme and defaulted on their payments, indicating the amounts involved in each case. [105337]

  Mr. Caborn
  The only defence business covered by ECGD in the last five years where the country has subsequently defaulted was with Indonesia. The value of defence business in the last five years to Indonesia is £529 million and the current value of the defaults on this business is £55.9 million.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the estimate prepared for the Defence Committee concerning annual ECGD net costs attributable to arms exports. [105338]

  Mr. Caborn
  I refer the hon. Member to the response by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement on behalf of the Government to the House of Commons Defence Commitment's Report of 31 March 1999. This welcomed the Committee's invitation to the Ministry of Defence to undertake further work on the costs and benefits to the UK economy of defence exports. This analysis, which will include ECGD costs, is under way and the results will be published in due course.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support the Export Credits Guarantees Department has given for Land Rover to establish a licensed production agreement with Otakar in Turkey; and if ECGD support contained(a) export control and (b) human rights criteria. [104159]
  292W
  Mr. Caborn
  In March 1998 ECGD finally concluded financing arrangements through the Supplier Credit Facility in relation to Land Rover's supply to Otakar in Turkey. The financing arrangements, inter alia, include a specific condition that Land Rover has to provide a warranty that all relevant government approvals including export licences where appropriate have been obtained and remain valid.

  Production equipment and technology, components and sub-assemblies whose export from the UK is subject to control are set out in a range of headings in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, and the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996, as amended and Council decision 94/942/CFSP, as amended (which has effect through Council Regulation (EC) 3381/94). While a valid export licence is needed for the export of controlled goods or technology, exporters are not required to obtain one before they conclude an agreement for production overseas.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the sum paid out in claims authorised by the Export Credits Guarantee Department on exports to Nigeria between 1996–97 and 1998–99 was for defence-related exports. [105930]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: None of the claims authorised between 1996–97 and 1998–99 were for defence-related exports.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what amount of money underwritten by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in each of the past 10 years for defence-related equipment has been claimed by manufacturers but not recovered from(a) Indonesia, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya, (d) Egypt and (e) Algeria. [105935]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: From information readily available, the balances of claims outstanding for defence-related exports are as follows:

  £ million

  Indonesia

  131

  Jordan

  253

  Kenya

  16

  Egypt

  46

  Algeria

  98

  Energy Safety Management Audit
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Health and Safety Executive will publish its report on the Safety Management Audit of British Energy. [107558]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I understand that HSE's report, 'Safety Management of British Energy Generation Limited' and 'British Energy Generation (UK) Limited', has been published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  North Yorkshire Power Line
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Lackenby to Norton overhead power line will be removed. [107559]
  293W
  Mrs. Liddell
  Although approval for the North Yorkshire Power Line was given in March 1998 there was an error in the consent documentation resulting in a gap in the line of approximately 160 metres. The filling of this gap had to be the subject of a lengthy legal process, including public consultation. Having considered the representations following that consultation, I have concluded, first, that there is no need to hold a public inquiry before making a decision in respect of this gap in the consents for the line, and second, that it is reasonable to grant the National Grid Company consent for the section of line which was not granted on initial consideration in 1998.

  While this decision resolves the matter of the "gap", there are still a number of issues to be resolved before the National Grid Company can begin the construction of the new line and the dismantling of the existing one.

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

  Export Licences (RDX)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which company, organisation or individual in China was to receive the raw RDX for which a standard individual export licence was issued between 7 May and 10 November 1999. [106440]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: As set out in my letter of 23 September, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, the stated end-use for the RDX in its raw form covered by the licence was wellhead abandonment and oilfield use. The enduser was Halliburton International Inc., and I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  UK Competitiveness Indicators
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the conclusions of his report, "UK Competitiveness Indicators 1999", on(a) working hours and (b) per capita national income in the UK, in relation to that in other G7 countries. [106530]

  Mr. Byers
  The analysis underlying "UK competitiveness Indicators 1999" showed that, on average, we work more hours than our main European competitors and yet we achieve a lower national income per head. The analysis showed that, in comparison to France and Germany, both the proportion of population in employment in the UK and the number of hours worked per person employed are relatively high. Despite this, poor productivity means that GDP per head is some 18 per cent. below the average for the G7. The factors underlying this are assessed in "UK Competitiveness Indicators 1999". Closing the gap will require improvements in several areas, including innovation performance, management and work force skills, and entrepreneurship.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which projects relating to his Department that appeared in the Private Finance Panel's list of 29 November 294W(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. [105871]

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

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which areas of Newcastle upon Tyne receive(a) the maximum level of state support and (b) the full level of Objective 2 support from the European Union; and which areas will receive the maximum levels of support in each category in the next financial year. [106706]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: The maximum level of state support permitted under Community Law in the English regions is available in areas designated under the terms of Article 87(3)A of the Treaty of Rome. There are no such areas in Newcastle upon Tyne, nor will there be in the next Financial Year. Under proposals which are currently awaiting final endorsement from Brussels Objective 2 support will be available in all areas of Newcastle upon Tyne except for the Wards of Castle and Westerhope.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 26 November 1999,Official Report, column 210W, on fuel poverty (1) if he will indicate the date of the first meeting of the inter-ministerial group to examine fuel poverty; [105470]

  (2) if he will list the membership of the inter-ministerial group to examine fuel poverty. [105469]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answers 25 January 2000]: The Group met on Wednesday 19 January 2000. It is jointly chaired by myself and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The other members are: my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office; my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury; my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health; the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, my hon. Friend the Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley), and Callum McCarthy, Director General of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

  The Group discussed and agreed its terms of reference and objective, and approved a programme of work. The agreed terms of reference are:
  To take a strategic overview to ensure policies and new initiatives with a bearing on fuel poverty are co-ordinated across Government and integrated with the activities of relevant external bodies, such as the regulator and the energy industries.

  The Group's objective is:
  "To develop and publish a strategy setting out the Government's fuel poverty objectives, targets for achieving those objectives, the policies to deliver those objectives, and how progress should be monitored".
  295W
  The programme of work to take these forward was agreed as:

  To improve identification of the fuel poor.

  To research the effect of changes in income, energy prices and energy efficiency on the number of fuel poor.

  To identify the projected impact of existing and planned policies on the fuel poor.

  To develop an understanding of the gap between the impact of existing and planned policies and fuel poverty objectives, and the policies and resources required to meet objectives.

  To develop a comprehensive strategy, setting out Government fuel poverty objectives, policies to deliver them, and targets and timescales for those objectives.

  To identify areas where further work is needed to ensure co-ordination of Government policy activity among the various different players, and setting up mechanisms to take this work forward.

  To establish methods of developing indicators, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes.

  Oil and Gas (Scotland)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the percentage of oil and gas produced in Scottish waters which is landed outside Scotland; [106578]

  (2) if he will list the fields in Scottish waters which produce oil and gas that is landed outside Scotland, stating the licence holder for the field in each case. [106577]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: My Department publishes an annual report "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. This lists all the oil and gas fields on the UK Continental Shelf. In each case it shows the location of the field, the operator and how the product is transported from the field. In the case of gas, and of oil sent through a pipeline, the place where the product is landed is given. The "Scottish area" within which offshore platforms are subject to Scots law is defined in the Civil Jurisdiction (Offshore Activities) Order 1987, which has effect under section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998.

  Where the oil is taken off the field by tanker the movements involved are too complex to be listed in full in the Department's annual report. Nor is the information asked for by the hon. Member routinely produced by my Department, or could be except at disproportionate cost.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Murder Inquiry (Robert Hamill)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish an independent judicial inquiry under the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 into the murder of Robert Hamill. [105353]

  Mr. Ingram
  While an inquiry has not been ruled out by Government, they will not consider the issue until disciplinary proceedings, if any, against police officers are concluded.

  RUC School Visits
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the(a) pre-school
  296W
  institutions, (b) primary and (c) secondary schools visited by the RUC and police community relations units in 1999. [105454]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: During 1999, RUC Community Affairs officers delivered Police Education Programme lessons to 335 primary schools and 52 secondary schools. No records were kept of pre-school visits.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efforts are made to secure parental consent prior to school visits by the RUC. [105455]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Police Education Programme (PEP) is delivered by police officers attached to the Community Affairs Branch. Any police involvement with and support to a school is agreed through the school principal.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the meetings held between the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning with the representatives of each political party and the authorised representatives of each paramilitary organisation since 1 November 1999. [105816]

  Mr. Ingram
  This is entirely a matter for the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which carries out its functions independent of Government. It is their policy not to disclose this type of information.

  Firearms Database
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the RUC firearms database is linked into the National Firearms Database established under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. [105819]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: The following table shows the number of legally held handguns stolen from private individuals, the Armed Forces, the Police and Prison Officers in each of the last 10 years.

  Year

  Private individuals

  Armed Forces

  Police Officers

  Prison Officers

  1990

  0

  6

  15

  4

  1991

  8

  5

  12

  2

  1992

  3

  5

  3

  1

  1993

  7

  1

  5

  0

  1994

  12

  6

  14

  0

  1995

  7

  2

  6

  0

  1996

  7

  4

  6

  1

  1997

  11

  1

  2

  0

  1998

  16

  2

  6

  0

  1999

  7

  1

  1

  1

  Totals

  78

  33

  70

  9

  During this period one rifle was stolen from a police officer.

  The Chief Constable has advised that the information in relation to the calibres of these firearms is not easily accessible and obtaining it would incur disproportionate cost.

  Union Flag
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what days in the last year the Union Flag was flown(a) from the headquarters of each public body, (b) at each RUC station and (c) in each school authority. [101873]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 December 1999]The Union Flag has been flown at each RUC station on the following occasions over the past year:

  6 February 1999: Her Majesty's Accession

  8 February 1999: Death of King Hussein of Jordan

  19 February 1999: Birthday of HRH the Prince of York

  8 March 1999: Commonwealth Day

  10 March 1999: Birthday of HRH the Earl of Wessex

  21 April 1999: Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen

  2 June 1999: Coronation Day

  10 June 1999: Birthday of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

  12 June 1999: Official Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen

  4 August 1999: Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

  15 August 1999: Birthday of HRH the Princess Royal

  21 August 1999: Birthday of HRH the Princess Margaret

  14 November 1999: Birthday of HRH the Prince of Wales/Remembrance Day

  20 November 1999: Anniversary of Her Majesty's Wedding.

  The flying of the Union Flag from the Headquarters of each public body and school authority is no longer the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which system is used by the RUC to hold their register of privately held firearms and persons holding firearms certificates; and if he will place a copy of the system's functional specification and user guide in the Library. [105822]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: The Chief Constable has advised that the current system used by the RUC to hold this information was developed by them following research into similar systems operated by GB forces. There are no plans to place the system documentation in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Embargoes
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the binding embargoes agreed by the European Union since 1990, indicating for each the period of the embargo and any arrangements made for extension of the period of validity of export licences to those countries to reflect the period of embargo. [103555]

  Mr. Vaz
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  EU Procedures
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library 298W
  the guidance handbooks on the institutions of the European Union and on the procedures of the Council prepared by his Department for civil servants and Ministers. [106162]

  Mr. Vaz
  These guidance handbooks were prepared for the use of UK officials and Ministers directly involved in EU negotiations. We consider giving them wider circulation could be prejudicial to the UK's position in EU negotiations.

  Lebanon
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the UN and his international counterparts concerning UN Resolution 520 on the removal of Syrian and Israeli forces from the Lebanon. [106649]

  Mr. Hain
  I have regular discussions with a wide range of interlocutors about the peace process in the Middle East. In the case of Lebanon, the Government support United Nations Security Council Resolutions 520 and 425, and believe there is now a real prospect of withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. We look forward to the Lebanese Government's full exercise of its authority throughout the country. The Government also hope that peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will begin as soon as possible.

  Cameroon
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights abuses in Cameroon. [106861]

  Mr. Hain
  We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Cameroon, and believe they are in breach of the Commonwealth's Harare Declaration Principles on Human Rights and Good Governance.

  We have raised our concerns with the Government of Cameroon, both bilaterally and with EU partners, and are working with the Commonwealth and other international partners to encourage reform.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Malaysian authorities on the detention of Karpal Singh. [106527]

  Mr. Battle
  Karpal Singh, the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and a lawyer for Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy Prime Minister, was arrested on 12 January. He has been accused of making seditious comments in court during the Anwar trial. He has been released on bail.

  This case raises significant legal issues, and we shall be following it closely. We are in regular contact with the Malaysian authorities on such matters.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the detention and trial of Kayed Singh in Malaysia. [106526]

  Mr. Battle
  None.

  Entry Clearance Refusals
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry clearance to visit the United Kingdom have been made at the British post in Havana in each of the last 10 years; and how many of those applications have been refused. [106869]

  Mr. Vaz
  Statistics on visit visa applications processed by the visa section in Havana have been collated only since 1993. The figures are as follows:

  Year

  Received

  Refused

  1993

  871

  1—

  1994

  901

  1—

  1995

  2,062

  65

  1996

  1,455

  63

  1997

  1,772

  103

  1998

  2,026

  94

  1999

  2,234

  145

  1 Not available

  The figures for refusals in 1993 and 1994 were not recorded. The 1999 figures are provisional: final statistics for 1999 are currently being compiled.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were refused entry clearance to United Kingdom as visitors in 1998 on the grounds that the entry clearance officer did not believe that the applicant intended to leave the United Kingdom at the end of their visit. [106819]

  Mr. Vaz
  "Intention to leave the UK" is one of the key tests in the Immigration Rules on which an ECO must be satisfied. Most short-term visit refusals will include this as one of the grounds for an application being unsuccessful. However, detailed information on the reasons for refusal is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent(a) reports and (b) representations he has received on violations of human rights by the Indonesian Army in Aceh and West Papua. [106728]

  Mr. Battle
  Despite the progress towards democracy in Indonesia, the security situation in Aceh and West Papua/Irian Jaya is a matter of serious concern. We have received reports of indiscriminate killings, abductions and harassment in Aceh, and we have received reports that four civilians were seriously wounded after security forces opened fire on demonstrators in West Papua/Irian Jaya on 4 December. These incidents highlight the importance of the new Indonesian Government's efforts to secure peace and reconciliation in their troubled provinces through dialogue—a process we fully support.

  We have received a small number of parliamentary letters about the situation in the above provinces.

  I discussed the current violence in Indonesia with President Wahid and senior Ministers during my visit to Indonesia last week and underlined our deep concern.
  300W
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the use by the Indonesian army in Ambon of UK-manufactured Saladin armoured cars against civilians. [106732]

  Mr. Battle
  Saladin vehicles have not been exported to Indonesia since the 1960s. We have no confirmation of recent press reports that UK-supplied Saladin armoured vehicles have been used against civilians in Ambon.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list by constituency the amount spent on lottery tickets and the number of lottery millionaires. [107066]

  Kate Hoey
  I have placed a table showing the amount spent on National Lottery tickets by constituency for the first five years of the National Lottery in the Libraries of the House.

  Figures for the number of Lottery millionaires by constituency are not available.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications for National Lottery grants have been made by organisations in the Yeovil constituency over the last five years; how many of these have been accepted; and if he will make a statement. [106743]

  Kate Hoey
  The table shows the number of applications and awards for each of the National Lottery distributing bodies to organisations in the Yeovil constituency, based on information provided by the National Lottery distributing bodies.

  Distributing body

  Number of applications received

  Number of awards made

  Arts Council of England

  25

  15

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  15

  3

  Film Council

  0

  0

  Millennium Commission

  1—

  4

  National Lottery Charities Board

  163

  68

  New Opportunities Fund

  0

  20

  Sport England

  15

  8

  UK Sport

  0

  0

  1 Not known.

  2 The New Opportunities Fund has allocated funding to schools in the Somerset County Council, amounting to £1,552,054, under its programme for ICT (information and communications technology) training for teachers and school librarians. In addition, under its programme for ICT training for public library staff, Somerset County Council will receive the entitlement of £135,725. Funding is allocated by Local Education Authority/Library Authority and it is not possible at present to provide a breakdown by parliamentary constituency.

  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish tables for the(a) sales of national lottery tickets in and (b) awards from the lottery to (i) parliamentary constituencies, (ii) counties and (iii) regions ranked in descending order by amount in each case. [106843]
  301W
  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: I have placed tables showing National Lottery awards by constituency, county, and region by descending order of amount; and tables showing ticket sales by constituency and by region, by descending order of amount, in the Libraries of the House. Ticket sales by county are not available.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many National Lottery grants, indicating the amounts involved, have been allocated to projects in London via(a) national companies, (b) national institutions and (c) local London community groups. [106808]

  Kate Hoey
  According to my Department's National Lottery awards database, there have been 5596 grants to organisations based in London since the National Lottery began, with a total value of £2,263,714,761. Of these, 4,650 grants, with a total value of £1,230,738,680, have been classified by the National Lottery distributors as local awards; the remaining 946 awards, with a total value of £1,032,976,081, have been classified as non-local.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the value of lottery funds received by organisations in the Gedling constituency; and if he will make a statement. [106831]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: According to my Department's National Lottery awards database (which uses information supplied by the National Lottery distributing bodies) there have been 50 awards to organisations based in the Gedling constituency, totalling £1,295,563.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, in each constituency the(a) sales of National Lottery tickets and (b) allocation of Lottery funding ranked in order of (i) number of tickets sold and (ii) value of Lottery funding, in each of the first five years of the Lottery's operation. [106150]

  Kate Hoey
  I have placed a table showing Lottery awards by constituency, where known, for each year from 1995 (the first year in which awards were made) to 1999 in the Libraries of the House. The table is taken from my Department's National Lottery awards database, using information provided by the National Lottery distributing bodies. It allocates awards to constituencies according to the applicant's post code.

  I have also placed a table showing total ticket sales to 13 November 1999 in the Libraries of the House. Annual breakdown of these data is not available.

  Deregulation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [106089]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has made two orders under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. They are:
  302W
  The Deregulation (Wireless Telegraphy) Order 1996 (SI 1996/1864)

  This abolished the requirement for TV dealers to hold TV licences and to register with the BBC. It was estimated to have saved TV dealers £10,000 a year.

  The Contracting Out (Functions in relation to the Management of Crown Lands) Order 1998 (SI 1998/215)

  This removes the statutory responsibilities of the Secretary of State for DCMS, for the day to day management of the historic royal palaces which is now carried out under contract by the Historic Royal Palaces Trust.

  DCMS will continue to look for opportunities to use such orders to remove unnecessary legislative restrictions.

  Subtitling
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action his Department is taking to ensure that broadcasters comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in respect of subtitling on their(a) digital television channels and (b) videos. [106138]

  Janet Anderson
  It is for the broadcasters themselves to ensure that they are acting in accordance with the requirements of the Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which relates to access to goods, facilities and services. Broadcasting, like other services to the public is covered by the Act, while the manufacture and design of manufactured goods, such as videos, are not. Broadcasters are also subject to the "Code on Subtitling, Sign Language and Audio Description on Digital Terrestrial Television", drawn up by the Independent Television Commission (ITC) under Section 20 of the Broadcasting Act 1996. The Code is concerned with the access to digital terrestrial television services for people with hearing disabilities and visual impairments. The code requires digital terrestrial broadcasters to provide subtitles on at least 50 per cent. of their services within 10 years of the commencement of digital services. The Independent Television Commission will continue to monitor the performance of commercial DTT channels to ensure compliance with the code. The ITC are currently looking at the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act to ensure that their codes are consistent with it.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the ITC's returns from each of the(a) digital and (b) analogue terrestrial channels covered by its statutory subtitling targets for each of the last five years. [106974]

  Janet Anderson
  The first digital terrestrial services began in November 1998 and the Commission has not yet published returns for these services. The ITC has published the following returns for analogue terrestrial channels in its Annual Reports:

  Percentage

  ITV

  GMTV

  Channel 4

  Channel 5

  1994

  30

  29

  37

  —

  1995

  35

  30

  36

  —

  1996

  41

  37

  45

  —

  1997

  51

  39

  56

  23

  1998

  61

  42

  60

  27

  303W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has to introduce legislation to set statutory subtitling targets for cable and satellite broadcasters; and if he will make a statement; [106970]

  (2) what is his Department's policy on subtitling on (a) cable and (b) satellite television channels. The Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, [106971]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government have no current plans to legislate on subtitling for cable and satellite broadcasters. They have however, made clear their concern at the apparent poor level of subtitling on cable and satellite channels and have encouraged all broadcasters to respond positively to the RNID's initiative for a voluntary charter on broadcast subtitling.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the statutory subtitling targets set by the ITC for each year from 1995 to 2005 inclusive. [106973]

  Janet Anderson
  The ITC has set the following targets:

  Percentage

  Analogue

  Digital Terrestrial Television

  Channel 3

  GMTV

  Channel 5

  Year

  From date of start of each programme service

  1995

  32

  29

  —

  1.

  5

  1996

  38

  33

  —

  2.

  10

  1997

  45

  37

  23

  3.

  15

  1998

  52

  41

  27

  4.

  20

  1999

  56

  46

  32

  5.

  25

  2000

  61

  50

  37

  6.

  30

  2001

  68

  54

  43

  7.

  35

  2002

  75

  54

  50

  8.

  40

  2003

  79

  58

  —

  9.

  45

  2004

  83

  58

  —

  10.

  50

  The Commission will review the targets for subtitling on Channel 3 and Channel 5 analogue services in 2001 to decide whether any further increase is feasible and has undertaken to review the interim targets set for digital terrestrial services every two years from the start of services.

  ITV (Mergers)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding the proposed mergers within ITV. [106953]
  304W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations from interested parties on the proposed mergers within ITV, which reflect a wide range of views. Details of these cannot be given due to commercial confidentiality.

  Channel 5
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of programmes broadcast by Channel 5 in 1999 were of European origin as defined within EU Directive 89/552/EC. [106966]

  Janet Anderson
  Provisional figures for 1999 indicate Channel 5 continued to meet the requirement in the European Broadcasting Directive 89/552/EC, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC, for the majority of transmission time to be devoted to works of European origin. The initial figures indicate that 53 per cent. of broadcast time on Channel 5, excluding advertisements, sports, news, games and teletext services, was devoted to works of European origin. The final figure will be published later this year by the Independent Television Commission.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been raised from sponsors to replace tobacco sponsorship of sporting events by the Government Task Force on tobacco sponsorship of sport. [106445]

  Kate Hoey
  [pursuant to the reply, 12 July 1999, c. 25W]: It is too soon to be looking to replace existing contracts and our help can most effectively be targeted in the 12 to 18 months before they lapse, which is the normal lead in time for negotiating new sponsorships. However, I am keeping in close touch with the sports involved and Task Force members are also offering ongoing advice and assistance to help the sports prepare to move away from existing tobacco sponsors.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Task Force on tobacco sponsorship of sport has met since its inception. [106444]

  Kate Hoey
  There have been three formal meetings of the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force which were held on: 10 December 1998; 24 February 1999; and 19 October 1999. In addition there have been 11 meetings between officials in my Department, Task Force members, and the individual sports concerned.

SCOTLAND

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) in relation to implementation of section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997(a) who is responsible for the problem, (b) who are the stakeholders and (c) what are the success criteria; and if he will make a statement; [106420]

  (2) when he expects police forces in Scotland to comply with the requirement of section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; what is the reason for the delay in doing so; and if he will make a statement. [106418]

  Dr. Reid
  The requirements of section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 are met in Scotland by the Scottish Criminal Records Office computer database which records all certificate holders and firearms dealers and is accessible on-line to Scottish police forces.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total Regional Selective Assistance payments in Scotland by local authority area for the latest 12 month period for which figures are available. [104871]

  Dr. Reid
  The figures for the last fiscal year are given in the table. Since July 1999, the Regional Selective Assistance grant scheme in Scotland has been administered by the Scottish Executive.

  Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) payments made by unitary authority: 1998–99

  £000

  Unitary authority

  Value of RSA payments made

  Angus

  360

  Argyll and Bute

  18

  Clackmannanshire

  21

  Dumfries and Galloway

  528

  Dundee City

  1,761

  East Ayrshire

  1,626

  East Dunbartonshire

  465

  East Renfrewshire

  145

  Falkirk

  400

  Fife

  9,329

  Glasgow City

  7,131

  Highland

  800

  Inverclyde

  2,473

  North Ayrshire

  9,536

  North Lanarkshire

  9,712

  Renfrewshire

  3,302

  South Ayrshire

  1,593

  South Lanarkshire

  6,008

  West Dunbartonshire

  310

  West Lothian

  17,887

  Total Scotland

  73,404

  Post Offices
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals are being considered by his Department to help sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub-post offices. [105861]
  306W
  Mr. Wilson
  I refer to the reply given by the Minister for Competitiveness on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 519W.

  Departmental Productivity
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to increase the productivity and reduce the running costs of his Department. [103854]

  Dr. Reid
  Delivering efficient and modern public services is a key part of the Government's agenda for improving productivity. Greater efficiency is being sought therefore within the public sector to ensure that the most effective results are obtained from available resources. My Department is still in the process of establishing its full range of activities and is committed to delivering improvements in performance within approved running cost limits.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Waltham Forest)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what data he collates regarding the monitoring of training services provided under the New Deal in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. [104102]

  Ms Jowell
  Responsibility for the monitoring of training services provided under the New Deal for Young People in the London Borough of Waltham Forest rests with the local partnership in the Ilford unit of delivery. The Employment Service has worked with the Training Standards Council—the independent body set up by the Secretary of State to evaluate and report on Government funded work based training—to produce a framework to assess training provision. Part of this process is an annual self assessment that in Ilford' s case will take place in February 2000. To inform the inspection process the New Deal Partnership collates details of New Deal participants and information on the achievement of those who have left New Deal options. This information is broken down by gender, ethnicity and disability status. Separate statistics are compiled for each contractor involved in the local delivery of New Deal options.

  A-levels
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the percentage of A-level students who received A grades taking(a) modular examinations and (b) taking non-modular examinations in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [106131]

  Mr. Wicks
  Of the modular GCE A-level entries in England in each of the last three years, the following percentages resulted in A grades:

  Modular courses

  Year

  Percentage

  1997

  17

  1998

  18

  1999

  20

  307W
  Of the non-modular GCE A-level entries in England in each of the last three years, the following percentages resulted in A grades:

  Non-modular courses

  Year

  Percentage

  1997

  15

  1998

  16

  1999

  16

  Of all GCE A-level entries, the split between modular and non-modular is as follows:

  Year

  Percentage

  Modular entries

  1997

  33

  1998

  44

  1999

  39

  Non-modular entries

  1997

  67

  1998

  56

  1999

  61

  Note:

  ie Of all GCE A-level entries in 1999, 61 per cent. were non-modular, and 39 per cent. were modular.

  Assisted Places (Worcester)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils are on assisted places for(a) year nine, (b) year 10, (c) year 11, (d) year 12 and (e) year 13, at the (i) King's School, (ii) Alice Ottley, (iii) Royal Grammar School and (iv) St. Mary's Convent in Worcester for the year 1999–2000. [106769]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Numbers of assisted place holders in academic year 1999–2000

  (i) The King's School, Worcester

  (ii) Alice Ottley School

  (iii) Royal Grammar School

  (iv) St. Mary's Convent School

  (a) Year 9

  25

  17

  38

  9

  (b) Year 10

  20

  16

  29

  8

  (c) Year 11

  30

  23

  35

  0

  (d) Year 12

  29

  8

  33

  1

  (e) Year 13

  28

  11

  28

  0

  Local Learning Partnerships
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on(a) the role of local learning partnerships in the work of local learning and skills councils and (b) the timetable for consultation on local learning partnerships. [106796]

  Mr. Wicks
  There are now over 100 Learning Partnerships throughout the country. They were established following extensive consultation by DfEE 308W
  with national partners and, through them, with local agencies (colleges, TECs, careers services, LEAs etc.). Learning Partnerships have a key role in the new post-16 arrangements. They will provide the local LSCs with invaluable advice about the learning needs of young people, adults and the community in general, as well as the skill needs of employers. This advice will inform the local LSCs' annual planning of learning and skill needs and priorities for the development of local provision.

  The role of Learning Partnerships in relation to the local Learning and Skills Councils has been published in the Learning and Skills Council Prospectus "Learning to Succeed" (December 1999)—paragraph 2.43 to 2.48 and the Secretary of State's letter of 17 January 2000 to all Members enclosing the Learning Partnership Policy Statement. Both documents are available in the Library of the House.

  The White Paper "Learning to Succeed" posed specific questions regarding the role of Learning Partnerships and how they might best support local LSCs. Respondents indicated overwhelming support for their role in the new post-16 arrangements and therefore there are no plans for further consultation on Learning Partnerships.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) total number of pupils on school rolls and (b) pupil-teacher ratio in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in Northumberland for each year since 1995. [106823]

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

  Number of full-time equivalent pupils, pupil-teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in the Northumberland local education authority area: 1995–99

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Full-time equivalent number of pupils

  Pupil:teacher ratio 1

  Full-time equivalent number of pupils

  Pupil:teacher ratio 1

  1999

  20,155

  24.1

  29,968

  19.0

  1998

  20,271

  24.8

  30,011

  19.2

  1997

  20,348

  24.5

  30,052

  18.6

  1996

  20,241

  24.6

  29,804

  18.5

  1995

  20,160

  24.3

  29,758

  18.4

  1 The pupil-teacher ratio within schools is the ratio of the full-time equivalent number of pupils (counting each part-time pupil as 0.5 where applicable) to the full-time equivalent number of qualified teachers.

  Free School Meals (Blyth Valley)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils in Blyth Valley schools who are from families on the(a) income support and (b) family tax credit schemes will be entitled to free school meals. [106822]
  309W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  In schools1 in the Northumberland local education authority area, there were 7,427 pupils who were known to be eligible for free school meals. This represented 14 per cent. of the total pupil population in these schools.
  1 Includes Maintained Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools and all Special Schools.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the upper and lower quartile and median SSA per pupil for each year since 1990–91 at 2001 prices for all LEAs in England. [106559]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table lists the information requested for the primary and secondary SSA per full-time equivalent 5 to 15-year-old pupil.

  Lower (1st) quartile

  Median

  Upper (3rd) quartile

  1990–91

  1,735

  1,801

  1,988

  1991–92

  2,004

  2,073

  2,302

  1992–93

  2,124

  2,195

  2,449

  1993–94

  2,160

  2,259

  2,507

  1994–95

  2,182

  2,273

  2,519

  1995–96

  2,138

  2,226

  2,484

  1996–97

  2,239

  2,305

  2,512

  1997–98

  2,301

  2,379

  2,527

  1998–99

  2,416

  2,502

  2,636

  1999–2000

  2,537

  2,612

  2,763

  2000–01

  2,655

  2,739

  2,895

  Note:

  All figures are in pounds per pupil at 2000–01 prices, using the GDP deflators published on 22 December 1999. No adjustments have been made to take account of changes in local authority function.

  Special Measures Schools
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many newly qualified teachers were working in schools in special measures in September 1999. [106691]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Since 1 September 1999, schools already on special measures cannot employ newly qualified teachers who are going through induction, unless they are certified by Ofsted as suitable for the induction of teachers.

  Information on the number of newly qualified teachers in schools on special measures certified as suitable for induction is not available centrally.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce value-added measurements in higher education. [106842]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: Following the recommendations of the Dearing report, we asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England
  310W
  (HEFCE) to develop a set of indicators and benchmarks for the higher education sector. The new performance indicators for higher education were published on 3 December 1999. The HEFCE has no current plans to introduce value-added measures as strictly defined.

  Sixth-form Curriculum
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding he has made available to local education authorities to support the changes to the sixth-form curriculum coming into force from September 2000; and if he will make a statement. [106832]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: The Department estimates that the recurrent costs of successfully implementing the forthcoming reforms to post-16 qualifications in LEA maintained schools are likely to be of the order of £35 million in 2000–01. The sum was added to the Education Standard Spending Assessment for that year, in the light of the Comprehensive Spending Review. It is for individual local education authorities to decide how to allocate resources to the schools they maintain.

  Independent Sector
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on(a) the size and composition of the independent non-publicly funded sector in (i) further and (ii) higher education, (b) the steps he is taking to ensure that its quality is maintained and (c) his action intended to improve its contribution to the objectives of the White Paper, "Learning to Succeed" (Cm 4392). [106844]

  Mr. Wicks
  There is no centrally held information on the number of independent non-publicly funded providers or institutions of Further and Higher Education.

  Under the Learning and Skills Council's new funding system, independent providers may receive funding, and would therefore be subject to inspection and quality assurance.

  Special Educational Needs
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the pilot schemes supported through the Special Educational Needs Standards Fund Grant to develop work on the education of children with emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems. [106757]

  Jacqui Smith
  Local education authorities in receipt of grant to support children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), under the Special Educational Needs Standards Fund for 1999–2000, must produce a progress report by June this year. Similar levels of information will be required on projects beginning in 2001–02. A major consideration in deciding whether to support each project continues to be that adequate mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the work are built into the design.

  We will be writing to LEAs before Easter with details of the type of additional information we will require. I am setting up an EBD Advisory Group, composed of practitioners and other experts in the field, and we will

  311W
  draw on their expertise as to the most useful form this information might take. The information from LEAs will be used to inform decisions on SEN for the longer term. Where they report good practice we will seek to disseminate this widely through published case studies, conferences and through the Department's Special Educational Needs website.

  Occasional and Unqualified Teachers
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in how many(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools in each LEA inspected by Ofsted during the 1998–99 school year 10 per cent. or more of the staff were treated for the purpose of the inspection as occasional or unqualified teachers. [106689]

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

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [105875]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 118W.

  Islington Council
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library all documentation relating to the appointment of contractors to administer the central services of Islington Council's Education Department. [106344]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: Much of the documentation relating to the contract is commercial in confidence. However, I am placing in the Library the "Invitation to Negotiate" that was issued to selected bidders in August. This includes a draft contract, proposed performance standards and their link to the payment mechanism and a description of the services to be outsourced.

  Pupil Funding
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the funding made available in the 1999–2000 standard spending assessment for each(a) primary and (b) secondary pupil in Northumberland. [106983]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The 1999–2000 Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) per pupil in Northumberland is as follows:

  £ per pupil

  Primary

  2,240

  Secondary

  2,877

  Teachers (Performance-Related Pay)
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the proposed salary scale for the assessors to be employed to assess teachers for performance-related payment; how many such assessors he expects will be employed; and what estimate he has made of the total cost of administering the assessment scheme, excluding the cost of the performance-related pay. [107177]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Headteachers will be responsible for assessing teachers against national standards to move to the new upper pay spine proposed by the Government. DfEE has contracted Cambridge Education Associates Limited (CEA) to manage the appointment, deployment and quality assurance of external assessors who will verify, through sampling, headteachers' assessments.

  The payment of external assessors is a matter for CEA, but it will be made on a pro rata basis dependent upon the number of applicants in each school.

  The number of external assessors to be deployed will be dependent upon the number and distribution of teachers who apply to cross the Performance Threshold. This number will not be known until summer 2000. The total cost of administering the scheme will be dependent upon the number of assessments carried out and again this will not be known until later in 2000.

  Child Labour
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for publishing the White Paper on the instrument adopted at the 1987 session of the International Labour Conference concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. [107557]

  Ms Jowell
  I have today published a White Paper entitled, 'International Labour Conference', copies of which have been placed in the Library.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Jury Trial
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will seek powers to empanel parallel juries to allow the study of the dynamics of juries and how they reach their verdicts. [106723]

  Jane Kennedy
  There is no intention to seek the powers to empanel parallel juries for research into juries. Any proposals received by the Government for such research are considered individually.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research he has commissioned on the jury system and how juries arrive at their verdicts. [106724]

  Jane Kennedy
  Such research is currently restricted by section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. No research has been commissioned by the Lord Chancellor's Department into how juries arrive at their verdicts.

  Prisoners (Court Hearings)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the principle of holding(a) small claims court and (b) county court hearings in prisons on cases brought by prisoners against the Prison Service and others; and if he will make a statement. [106569]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are no plans for a review. The judiciary can hold civil or family court hearings in any location, including prisons. The judge, when considering applications to hold hearings outside the court building, will take into account the views of the other side.

  Judges
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the percentage of judges who were(a) registered disabled, (b) women, (c) from ethnic minorities and (d) from (i) independent schools, (ii) grammar schools and (iii) other schools in each of the years (i) 1970, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1989 and (iv) 1999. [107013]

  Percentages of judges who were women and of ethnic minority origin as at December 1992 and December 1999

  Women

  Ethnic minority origin

  Total

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  December 1992

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Heads of Divisions

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lords Justices of Appeal

  27

  1

  3.7

  0

  0

  High Court Judges

  83

  4

  4.8

  0

  0

  Circuit Judges

  484

  24

  5

  3

  0.6

  Recorders

  780

  39

  5

  8

  1

  Assistant Recorders

  481

  50

  10.4

  8

  1.7

  District Judges

  258

  17

  6.6

  1—

  —

  Deputy District Judges

  649

  1—

  —

  1—

  —

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  79

  9

  11.4

  1

  1.3

  Acting Stipendiary Magistrates

  80

  1—

  —

  1—

  —

  Women

  Ethnic minority origin

  Total

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  December 1999

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  12

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Heads of Divisions

  4

  1

  25

  0

  0

  Lords Justices of Appeal

  35

  1

  2.9

  0

  0

  High Court Judges

  99

  8

  8.1

  0

  0

  Circuit Judges

  559

  38

  6.8

  6

  1.1

  Recorders

  913

  85

  9.3

  14

  1.5

  Assistant Recorders

  439

  72

  16.4

  14

  3.2

  District Judges

  402

  54

  13.4

  6

  1.5

  Deputy District Judges

  766

  115

  15

  11

  1.4

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  96

  14

  14.6

  2

  2.1

  Acting Stipendiary Magistrates

  131

  22

  16.8

  4

  3.1

  1 Information not known

  Women in the judiciary in 1970, 1979 and 1987

  Total

  Women

  Percentage women

  1970

  High Court Judges

  73

  1

  1.4

  Circuit Judges

  103

  1

  1

  314W
  Mr. Lock
  Serving judges and applicants for judicial appointment are not asked currently to declare whether they have a disability and no such records are held. Applicants for judicial appointment are no longer asked to give details of their secondary education. While such information was collected in the past, it is held on individual personal records and has not been collated. It could therefore be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Even if such information were available it would not be possible to provide a breakdown as requested because the status of a particular school may not be clear or might have changed over time. Historical information about gender and the ethnic origin of the judiciary is not available for all of the years requested.

  The table shows the percentages of judges who were women and from ethnic minorities in 1992 (the first full year for which such information is available) and 1999. As the ethnic origin of candidates for judicial office was not sought before October 1991 the data may be incomplete. A second table also provides what limited information there is available about women in the judiciary in 1970, 1979 and 1987. No figures are readily available for 1989.

  Women in the judiciary in 1970, 1979 and 1987

  Total

  Women

  Percentage women

  Recorders

  112

  1

  0.9

  Assistant Recorders

  1—

  1—

  —

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  45

  2

  4.4

  315W

  Total

  Women

  Percentage women

  1979

  High Court Judges

  73

  1

  1.4

  Circuit Judges

  302

  6

  2

  Recorders

  369

  9

  2.4

  Assistant Recorders

  1—

  1—

  —

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  51

  2

  3.9

  Total

  Women

  Percentage women

  1987

  High Court Judges

  79

  3

  3.8

  Circuit Judges

  390

  16

  4.1

  Recorders

  558

  23

  4.1

  Assistant Recorders

  420

  29

  6.9

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  66

  8

  12.1

  1 Information not known

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Hindus are employed by her Department. [106638]

  Clare Short
  My Department does not collect information on the religious affiliations of its employees.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-Governmental organisations funded by her Department that are present in Kosovo; and what assessment she has made of their co-ordination and effectiveness. [106339]

  Clare Short
  My Department has provided funding for the following NGO activity in Kosovo:

  Pharmaciens sans Frontières

  Handicap International

  International Medical Corps

  Goal

  Feed the Children International

  Medair

  Mercy Corps Europe

  Scottish Charities Kosovo Appeal

  Global Care

  Children's Aid Direct

  Help Age International

  Oxfam

  ADRA

  International Rescue Committee

  War Child.

  In making applications for funding, NGOs are required to describe the agency's involvement in sectoral co-ordination arrangements, and their knowledge of other agency activity in the same area. NGO programmes are subject to monitoring by our field office staff and, in
  316W
  the case of larger programmes such as the £5 million International Medical Corps programme of support to primary health care, by London experts.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made in the past three months to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo concerning the humanitarian situation in the Balkans. [106436]

  Clare Short
  The key humanitarian issues in Kosovo are warmth and shelter. Staff from our Field Office and Infrastructure Engineering Unit in Pristina have worked closely with United Nations Mission in Kosovo's (UNMIK) humanitarian pillar, headed by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other donors over the past three months to implement power transmission and water programmes. These will complement the UNHCR-co-ordinated shelter programme, which has received generous support from the European Union.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings of the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy she has attended since May 1997. [106447]

  Clare Short
  Attendance at Cabinet Committee meetings is not made public in line with Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Departmental Consultations
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by her Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106297]

  Clare Short
  In 1997, my Department published its White Paper on International Development following an extensive consultation exercise. This committed us, among other things, to more open and collaborative ways of developing policy. In the following year, we launched a Development Policy Forum. A range of development issues were discussed with individuals and representatives of groups from across society in a series of nine regional forums, culminating in a national Forum. A second round of forums is now underway. The aims are to share thinking and ideas on key current development issues and to raise awareness. A copy of the report of the 1998 Forum and details of the 2000 Forum are available on the DFID website (under 'Working With Us').

  In 1998, over 500 UK and overseas civil society groups were consulted as part of a major review of the way DFID works with these organisations. Groups were invited to write to the Department to set out their views. The ideas which emerged were drawn together and discussed further during 1999, resulting in new DFID funding mechanisms to strengthen civil society in poor countries, through civil

  317W
  society groups in the UK. These mechanisms provide for ongoing consultation, and willingness to further review and update arrangements on the basis of lessons learned.

  We are also providing published strategies for all the countries and institutions with which we work after a period of consultation with appropriate stakeholders.

  In 1999, DFID began a major consultative exercise to produce a set of papers on how the international community, together with developing countries and others, can achieve the International Development Targets set out in the White Paper, and what action DFID should itself be taking to contribute to this global effort. Each of these papers will be produced following a consultation exercise with developing country governments, civil society at home and overseas, the private sector, international development agencies, other donors, academics, and others. Draft copies of each paper are being distributed and written comments invited. Seminars to discuss each draft are being arranged. These papers will be made publicly available when finalised. The analysis they contain of the strategies required to achieve the International Development Targets will be used to sharpen the focus of DFID policies and resource allocations. Further, we hope the analysis will be of value to all those involved in international development, the international agencies, the bilateral donors, civil society organisations and those in developing countries themselves.

  Aid Criteria
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria she uses when deciding whether to suspend aid payments to Governments in the developing world. [106439]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 28 October 1999,Official Report, column 940W.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with(a) other EU countries and (b) the 41 poorest countries concerning reform of the World Trade Organisation since 1 December 1999. [106430]

  Clare Short
  (a) Since 1 December I have had no meetings with EU partners regarding WTO reform. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry discussed this issue in the General Affairs Council in Seattle and since then has been in touch with Commissioner Lamy and EU Trade Minister colleagues, outlining UK proposals for WTO reform.

  (b) Since the Seattle meeting, I have had no direct discussions with representatives of the 41 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) on trade-related matters. I will meet representatives from HIPCs and others at the UNCTAD X meeting in Bangkok, 12–19 February, and will discuss a range of trade-related issues.

  Russia
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what direct Government assistance has been provided to Russia since 1 December 1999. [106431]
  318W
  Clare Short
  Information is not available on the form requested. My Department is responsible for most British Government assistance to Russia. DFID expects to spend around £28 million on bilateral assistance to Russia in the current financial year. Between 1 December and 20 January, DFID approved a total of £4.4 million for new projects; this includes a contribution of £0.89 million to the UN for humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the conflict in Chechnya. Other Government Departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Trade and Industry have smaller programmes of co-operation with Russia. In addition, we provide significant assistance to Russia through the multilateral agencies, especially the EU Tacis programme.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds from the know-how fund are allocated to Russia. [106432]

  Clare Short
  We expect to spend around £28 million on bilateral assistance to Russia in the current financial year.

  Literacy
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will estimate the number of people who have acquired literacy as a result of her Department's contributions to education programmes in the last two years. [105387]

  Clare Short
  It is not possible to give an estimate of the number of people who have acquired literacy as a result of our contribution to education programmes. In Africa and Asia we are currently funding a large number of substantive primary education programmes, all of which will contribute to the eradication of illiteracy. We have committed over £300 million to these programmes since May 1997. Millions of people will benefit from them.

  Guyana
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations there have been between her Department and the European Commission concerning the proposed financing of a road from Georgetown to Lethern in Guyana; and what advice her Department has given on the project. [106146]

  Clare Short
  From our local donor consultative process we understand that consultants were engaged last year by the EC to look at the feasibility of such a road.

  The EC received a report in December, and this is now the subject of discussion between the EC and the Government of Guyana.

  Congo
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the level of humanitarian aid from HM Government dispatched to the Congo; and what steps she is taking to ensure such aid is not appropriated by the combatants. [106384]
  319W
  Clare Short
  Since the current conflict began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in August 1998, the UK has committed £1.7 million in humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the conflict. This includes £0.7 million to assist Congolese refugee populations in Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.

  Humanitarian assistance is provided to meet the needs of affected populations in the most effective way possible. In the DRC, the UK's assistance has been provided through the United Nations and well-established nongovernmental organisations. My Department is in regular contact with these and other organisations active in the DRC, and receives written reports to account for all the Department for International Development's humanitarian expenditure. Organisations are expected to identify the beneficiaries of any project supported by the UK to ensure that resources are targeted at the civilian populations in most need.

  Great Lakes (HIV)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are being taken to restrict the spread of HIV in the Great Lakes Region; and if she will make a statement. [106404]

  Clare Short
  Tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic must play a central part in helping to reduce poverty, and to work for peace, security and prosperity in Africa. At the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in South Africa in November 1999, the Prime Minister announced a new UK Government commitment of £22.7 million for HIV/AIDS in Africa. This includes £14 million to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to help develop a safe and affordable vaccine.

  In the Great Lakes region, the current conflicts exacerbate the difficulties of addressing health issues. In the cases of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals contain interventions to help tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS.

  In Rwanda in particular, the World Bank and DFID are working together to design a support programme for the education sector. Plans under discussion include support for HIV/AIDS awareness.

  Trade (Globalisation)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role her Department will play in helping developing countries secure a fair share of the benefits of globalisation. [107554]

  Clare Short
  Globalisation is at a critical stage for developing countries. It is generating massive wealth and has the potential to help lift millions out of abject poverty. But it could also lead to increased inequality, with the risk that some countries remain marginalised and in poverty. My Department is analysing the issues surrounding globalisation and its impact on development, with a view to publishing a second White Paper in the autumn. This would also look at the experience of the three years since our first White Paper and provide the platform for the work of the Department over the next few years.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Allowances (Devolution)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements are made in respect of the allowances paid to hon. Members who are also members of(a) the Scottish Parliament and (b) the Welsh Assembly. [107268]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The arrangements for hon. Members who are also Members of the Scottish Parliament or National Assembly for Wales are the same as those for other hon. Members.

  Doorkeepers
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many doorkeepers have been recruited in each year since 1990; and in each year how many have been(a) former military personnel with 22 or more years service and (b) other former military personnel; and how many have been (i) men and (ii) women. [106476]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  Doorkeepers have been recruited in the following years since 1990:

  Year

  Number

  Over 22 years military service

  Under 22 years military service

  Male

  Female

  1993

  4

  2

  1

  4

  —

  1994

  3

  1

  —

  1

  2

  1996

  5

  2

  1

  5

  —

  1998

  2

  —

  1

  2

  —

  Total

  14

  5

  3

  12

  2

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the current complement of doorkeepers; and what plans there are to vary this. [106477]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The current complement of Doorkeepers is:

  1 × Principal Doorkeeper

  2 × Deputy Principal Doorkeeper

  3 × Senior Doorkeeper

  27 × Doorkeepers (1 unfilled post).

  The House of Commons Commission approved the recommendation of the Board of Management on the report of the Staff Inspector on the Doorkeeper grades on 24 November 1997. Any variations to this complement will arise from follow up reviews by the Staff Inspector.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is the Government's policy to conclude a review of the Common Fisheries Policy prior to the expiry of the derogation in 2002 of the six and
  321W
  12 mile limits; and if he will make a statement on the legal status of those waters in the period between expiry and agreement. [106308]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 575W.

  Under Article 14(2) of Council Regulation (EC) 3760/92 the council is required to take any necessary decisions on the future of the Common Fisheries policy by 31 December 2002. The question of a legal hiatus does therefore not arise.

  Genetically modified plant varieties National list applications under consideration at 13 January 2000

  Application number

  Species

  NL applicant

  Earliest date of proposed decision

  DETR Release Consent/Marketing Consent Reference (and holder if different from NL applicant) and date granted

  35/959

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium 1

  Tests and Trials complete2

  1996 95/R15/15 Application 20/11/95 Granted 3/1/96 (Aventis)

  1997 Marketing Consent 94/M1/12 Granted 28/2/96 (Aventis)

  35/960

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  Tests and trials complete2

  1996 95/R15/15 Application 20/11/95 Granted 3/1/96 (Aventis)

  1997 Marketing Consent 94/M1/1 2 Granted 28/2/96 (Aventis)

  35/1174

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  Tests and trials complete3

  1997 97/R15/20 Application 9/6/97 Granted 1/8/97 (Aventis)

  1998 98/R15/24 Application 16/2/98 Granted 10/7/98 (Aventis)

  1999 98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1184

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  Tests and trials complete3

  96/R22/6 Application 20/6/96 Granted 6/8/96 (Monsanto)

  35/1185

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  Tests and trials complete3

  96/R22/6 Application 20/6/96 Granted 6/8/96 (Monsanto)

  35/1210

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  March 200004

  1998 97/R15/23 Application 8/12/97 Granted 19/3/98 (Aventis)

  1999 98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1211

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  March 20004

  1998 97/R15/23 Application 8/12/97 Granted 19/3/98 (Aventis)

  1999 98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1222

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. USA

  March 20004

  97/R24/2 Application 5/1/98 Granted 1/4/98 (Pioneer)

  35/1318

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  November 20004

  1998 98/R15/24 Application 16/2/98 Granted 10/7/98 (Aventis)

  1999 98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1343

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. USA

  March 20014

  97/R24/2 Application 5/1/98 Granted 1/4/98 (Pioneer)

  35/1346

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  March 20014

  98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1347

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  March 20014

  98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1397

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  November 20014

  98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1398

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV, Belgium

  November 20014

  98/R19/18 Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  45/774

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB Sweden

  Tests and trials complete3

  96/R21/4 Application 24/12/96 Granted 5/2/97 (Novartis)

  45/798

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG Germany

  April 20004

  97/R19/13 Application 20/1/97 Granted 17/3/97 (Agrevo)

  GM Seeds
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each application for national seed listing of genetically-modified varieties, indicating(a) the application number, (b) the company name, (c) the approximate date for decision, (d) the release consent number, (e) the date consent was granted and (f) if different from the national list applicants, the applicants' names. [104760]

  Ms Quin
  The information is set out in the table.
  323W

  Genetically modified plant varieties National list applications under consideration at 13 January 2000

  Application number

  Species

  NL applicant

  Earliest date of proposed decision

  DETR Release Consent/Marketing Consent Reference (and holder if different from NL applicant) and date granted

  45/813

  Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds UK

  April 20004

  96/R21/4 Application 24/12/96 Granted 5/2/97 (Novartis)

  45/850

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanglebener Saatzucht AG Germany

  April 20014

  97/R19/13 Application 20/1/97 Granted 17/3/97 (Agrevo)

  45/865

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB Sweden

  April 20014

  96/R21/4 Application 24/12/96 Granted 25/2/97 (Novartis)

  45/877

  Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds UK

  April 20014

  96/R21/4 Application 24/12/96 Granted 25/2/97 (Novartis)

  51/833

  Maize

  Van Der Have Netherlands

  February 20005

  96/R13/6 Application 23/2/96 Granted 2/4/96 (Sharpes) Marketing Consent C/F/95/12/07 Published 5/8/98

  51/886

  Maize

  Van Der Have Netherlands

  February 20015

  96/R13/6 Application 23/2/96 Granted 2/4/96 (Sharpes) Marketing Consent C/F/95/12/07 Published 5/8/98

  132/533

  Fodder Beet

  DLF Trifolium Denmark

  Tests and trials not started

  Awaiting details of release consent before decision on commencement of tests and trials

  1 Formerly Plant Genetic Systems

  2 Marketing consent permits seed multiplication only

  3 Tests and trials complete, awaiting promulgation of marketing consents under Directive 90/220

  4 Subject to promulgation of marketing consents under 90/220 and satisfactory completion of tests and trials

  5 Subject to satisfactory completion of tests and trials

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are currently carried out on beef products imported from South and North America to establish if they contain hormone growth promoters; and if he will make a statement. [105653]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: Samples from every consignment of beef from the USA must be examined for residues of certain xenobiotic hormones, natural hormones and for stilbenes.

  More generally, all meat imported into the EU must originate from approved third countries. Responsibility for approving third countries rests with the European Commission, who must take account of information on matters which include legislation on the use, authorisation, distribution and marketing of substances which might be administered to livestock. Inclusion and retention on the list of approved countries is subject to the submission of acceptable monitoring plans for residues, including hormonal growth promoters, in meat, which provide guarantees at least equivalent to those provided by EU member states.

  Holbeck Holdings
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Intervention Board's most recent inquiries into the financial standing of Holbeck Holdings of Kilmarnock. [105294]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Intervention Board's inquiries revealed that there had been no material change to the company's financial status since they had previously successfully operated under the over-30-month scheme.

  BSE (Compensation)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with animal feed manufacturers on compensation for farmers for the BSE epidemic; and if he will make a statement. [103152]

  Ms Quin
  None. For a farmer to claim damages from the supplier of feed, he would have to show that the supplier either knew or ought to have known the feed was contaminated and would therefore cause damage to the farmer by way of introducing BSE into his herd. No general guidance can be given as each case would have to be determined on its own facts and circumstances.

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Consultation
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by her Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106292]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The information requested is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. We believe that effective consultation is essential to developing policies and services of high quality. We issued guidance to Departments in 1998 on the subject; we are now evaluating the effect the guidance has had, and will publish our findings.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been spent by her Department on external consultants and advisors since May 1997 funded from (i) her Department's programme provision and (ii) her Department's running costs. [99481]

  Mr. Stringer
  My Department's expenditure on external consultants and advisers since May 1997 from programme provision is £134,921. The expenditure from running costs is £7,026,025.

WALES

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [105880]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 25 January 2000, Official Report, columns 117–18W.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of total cost of the new Welsh Assembly building. [106984]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have not made any such estimate. This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Operations (Cancellation)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many operations in Wales have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed since 1 December as a result of the influenza outbreak. [106856]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  EU Structural Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with the First Secretary the granting of Objective 2 status to North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [106700]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet the First Secretary on a regular basis and we discuss a number of issues including Structural Funds support for Wales. However, the decision approving the UK's Objective 2 map was made by the European Commission last month and covered those Welsh areas in the UK Government's proposals of 8 October.

  Armed Robberies (Alyn and Deeside)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent research he has commissioned into the incidence of attempted armed robberies in Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [106701]
  326W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have not commissioned any such research. Law and order are matters for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  Transport
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to meet the First Secretary to discuss the role of Hawarden Airport, Deeside, in the future economic development of North East Wales. [106699]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular meetings with the First Secretary to discuss a wide range of issues including transport and its impact on the future economic development of Wales. This includes the non-devolved subject of airports, a matter reserved to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The First Secretary has not requested a meeting to specifically discuss Hawarden Airport, but transport is an issue considered in the Assembly's economic development plans. The Welsh Regional Air Services study, which concludes this month, will investigate possible enhanced services such as linking North and South Wales, and the link between air services, economic growth and regeneration.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the First Secretary to discuss the impact of the Government's legislative programme on road, rail and air transport, in the constituency of(a) Alyn and Deeside and (b) North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [106703]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular meetings with the First Secretary to discuss a wide range of issues including transport and its impact in Wales, which will of course bring benefits to Alyn and Deeside and North East Wales generally.

  On 30 November I spoke to the whole of the National Assembly for Wales about the Government's legislative programme and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State addressed members' questions in a second plenary session on 8 December. I am keen to ensure that the interests of Wales are fully met during the passage of the Transport Bill, and will maintain dialogue with Cabinet colleagues and the Assembly.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional allocation there has been to standard spending assessments for local authorities in Wales to support their work under the new contaminated land regime; and if he will make a statement. [106148]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since Transfer of Functions on 1 July 1999, local authority allocations and contaminated land policy have been matters for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Departmental Budgets
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the budget for his Department, including the budget for the National Assembly, in the financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02; and what was the outturn spending in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [106063]
  327W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The total Welsh budget for both my Department and the National Assembly, is £7,912 million for 2000–01, and £8,336 million for 2001–02. These are the current figures, which are liable to change to reflect transfers to and from other Government Departments.

  The out-turn spending in 1998–99 was £6,986 million. The actual out-turn spending for 1999–2000 will not be known until after the end of the current financial year, but is planned to be £7,456 million, subject to subsequent revisions.

  NHS Funding
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with the First Secretary proposals for the introduction of social deprivation factors into the funding of the NHS in Wales. [105887]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I understand that the Assembly is currently considering options for a review of the health allocation formula for Wales and the Assembly Health and Social Services Committee is due to consider this issue shortly. I will of course be glad to discuss the range of proposals, including the inclusion of social deprivation factors, with the First Secretary.

  Airbus
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with other Government departments concerning the Airbus A3XX project; and if he will make a statement. [105554]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet my Whitehall and National Assembly for Wales colleagues on a regular basis and we discuss a range of issues. The Airbus A3XX project is clearly a matter of great economic importance to the UK as a whole and to Wales in particular. The final decisions on the applications for financial assistance for the project rest with the DTI (Launch Investment) and the National Assembly for Wales (RSA) and I am in close contact with both on this issue.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105791]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department consists of fewer than 40 staff. They have agreed between themselves that smoking should only take place in certain rooms. Any member of staff who wishes to give up smoking receives the support and encouragement of his or her colleagues.

  Employment Statistics
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [104024]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information that my hon. Friend has requested is not held for the Welsh Office for 1979, and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  The number of male and female staff employed by the Welsh Office, in each of the standard age groups, was (at 1 April 1999):
  328W

  Standard age groups

  Men

  Women

  16–19

  17

  18

  20–24

  90

  90

  25–29

  137

  133

  30–34

  140

  214

  35–39

  183

  257

  40–44

  181

  194

  45–49

  165

  163

  50+

  371

  228

  Following devolution in Wales, the Wales Office was established on 1 July 1999. The staffing position at the end of 1999 was:

  Standard age groups

  Men

  Women

  16–19

  -

  2

  20–24

  2

  3

  25–29

  1

  2

  30–34

  4

  1

  35–39

  4

  2

  40–44

  1

  2

  45–49

  2

  2

  50+

  5

  4

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the items in the National Asset Register sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since 11 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. [104492]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  In the period from 11 February 1999 to 30 June 1999, the Welsh Office did not dispose of any items recorded in the National Asset Register.

  Information is not held centrally for such disposals by the agencies and related public bodies of the Welsh Office during that period, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Since 1 July 1999 the Wales Office has not disposed of any item recorded on the National Asset Register. It does not have agencies or associated public bodies.

HEALTH

  Children Act 1989
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will next report on the Children Act 1989. [107556]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Lord Chancellor have today published a report on the Children Act 1989, pursuant to their duties under section 83 of the Act. Copies are available in the Library and Vote Office; and are being sent to all local
  329W
  authorities in England and to a wide range of organisations. A copy of this document can also be found at the following website:- www.doh.gov.uk/scg/chactrep.htm

  Strokes
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to prevent strokes. The Under-Secretary of State for Health. [100866]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are committed to a substantial and wide-ranging programme to prevent stroke within the "Our Healthier Nation" strategy. We have set a target for reducing the death rate from stroke, heart disease and other circulatory diseases by at least 40 per cent. by 2010. To help to meet this challenging target we are implementing a series of measures to tackle the major risk factors for stroke including smoking, physical inactivity, hypertension and poor diet.

  On smoking, for example, our tobacco control White Paper, "Smoking Kills", set out our plans for implementing a ban on tobacco advertising, a tobacco education campaign and smoking cessation services. This is worth £100 million over three years. Our plans to tackle physical inactivity under the "Active for Life" strategy include a £1.5 million programme in this year alone to promote active lifestyles. This follows up our £9 million campaign that set the foundations for our physical activity strategy.

  Alcohol misuse and high salt diets are two risk factors for high blood pressure, which increase the risk of stroke. In the case of the former, we are developing a strategy to tackle alcohol misuse in England as confirmed in "Our Healthier Nation", and we will publish it early in the New Year. As for the latter, we expect the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) to publish the findings of its survey of salt usage in manufactured foods early in 2000. Once the report is available we propose to explore with the FDF the scope for reducing the levels of salt in processed foods.

  We are also promoting effective prevention within the community in collaboration with the Stroke Association under the Health Action Zone Innovation Fund programme. The 'Preventing Strokes and Saving Lives' innovation fund project in Hull and East Riding Health Action Zone is aimed at those prone to transient ischaemic attacks or mini-strokes to limit the risk of further strokes through providing a programme of lifestyle change, guidance and advice. The service will take a multidisciplinary and patient led approach working at primary care level and involving patients' families.

  CJD
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the incidence of new cases of new variant CJD for each of the last five years. [102310]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases of variant CJD

  19991

  10

  1998

  17

  330W

  Year

  Numbers of cases of variant CJD

  1997

  10

  1996

  10

  1995

  3

  1 This figure is subject to retrospective adjustment as diagnoses are confirmed.

  The Department publishes, on a monthly basis, figures for the number of deaths of definite and probable cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of all types in the United Kingdom. The next press release will be issued on 7 February 2000 and copies will be available in the Library.

  NHS (Overseas Patients)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the NHS guidelines for the treatment of people from abroad. [102610]

  Ms Stuart
  The current Regulations covering charges to overseas visitors for National Health Service hospital treatment came into force on 1 April 1989 (Statutory Instrument 1989 No. 306) and were amended in 1991 (SI 1991 No. 438) and 1994 (SI 1994 No. 1535). The Regulations provide for NHS trusts to establish if an individual patient is exempt from charges and, if not, to make and recover charges for hospital treatment from the liable individual.

  Nerve Gas
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths of workers at military bases in Great Britain have been linked to exposure to nerve gas. [103933]

  Yvette Cooper
  This is a matter for the Ministry of Defence since it concerns the health of workers at MOD establishments.

  The Department has no information on the health of workers at military establishments. For information concerning health issues at the Nancekuke base in Cornwall, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11 January 2000, Official Report, columns 125–26W.

  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of exposure to nerve gas on those working at military bases in the 1950s and 1960s. [103936]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department has not commissioned any research or evaluated data on this issue, which relates to health effects of workers exposed to chemicals at Ministry of Defence establishments.

  Cardiac Surgery (Hampshire)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times are for major cardiac surgery in each area of Hampshire. [104163]

  Mr. Denham
  The maximum waiting time for Hampshire cardiac patients is 15 months. The South East
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  Office of the National Health Service Executive is currently discussing with local trusts measures to reduce the maximum waiting time to 12 months.

  National Framework for Heart Disease
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the National Framework for Heart Disease announced in November 1998. [104626]

  Yvette Cooper
  We intend to publish the Framework shortly.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the items in the National Assets Register sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since 11 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. [104482]

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

  Details of capital receipts are reported by financial year. Providing details of receipts over a period other than a financial year would involve disproportionate cost. The period 11 February 1999 to January 2000 covers two financial years, and for those two years the following information is available:

  (a) Total income from the disposal of National Health Service assets for the 1998–99 financial year

  £ million

  Financial year

  Capital receipts—NHS assets

  1998–99

  500

  (b) Current forecast income from the disposal of NHS assets for the 1999–2000 financial year

  £ million

  Financial year

  Capital receipts—NHS assets

  1999–2000

  337

  Drug Addicts
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department gives to abstinence as distinct from maintenance programmes for drug addicts; and if he will list the targets of these programmes and action taken in pursuit of them. [104870]

  Yvette Cooper
  The commissioning of services for drug misusers is essentially a matter for local discretion. Health authorities and local authorities will receive an extra £70.5 million over the next three years to commission and develop drug treatment services.

  The Government believe that a range of treatments should be available to allow drug misusers to benefit from those most appropriate to their needs and abstinence should be the primary aim of treatment. Guidance on commissioning standards and on clinical management has been issued by the Department which makes clear that
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  maintenance prescribing should not be a treatment of first choice in a patient presenting for the first time, where other options have not initially been tried.

  Well-man Clinics
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of National Health Service general practices offered Well-man Clinics to their patients in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999; [104922]

  (2) how many Well-man Clinics were held in National Health Service general practices in 1999. [104921]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Bowel Cancer
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of the two pilot studies into a bowel cancer screening programme. [105071]

  Yvette Cooper
  The two sites of the bowel cancer screening pilot have made considerable progress and screening is now expected to start in March. New staff have been appointed, clinical datasets and protocols are nearly complete and IT systems are now operational. Considerable time has also been spent preparing leaflets to give prospective patients the ability to make informed choices about participating in the pilot.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the National Radiological Protection Board has recommended as a safe level of radiation from mobile telecommunications masts. [104994]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) provides exposure guidelines that cover the spectrum of radiowave emissions including the microwave frequencies transmitted by mobile telephone base stations. The specific levels depend upon the frequencies used by the operator. The latest advice on exposure guidelines in the United Kingdom can be found in the "Documents of the NRPB," Vol. 10, No. 2 (1999), entitled "Advice on the 1998 ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300GHz)." Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Measurements made by NRPB have shown radiowave strengths at ground level and in regions normally accessible to the public are very many times below UK exposure guidelines. The guideline levels can only be exceeded within a few metres directly in front and at the height of the antennas. NRPB is at present preparing a report on the base station measurements it has made. This should be published within the next few months.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next plans to discuss levels of radiation from mobile telephone masts with the National Radiological Protection Board. [104995]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) keeps the issue of exposure from mobile telephone masts under continuous review. In response to the guidelines of the International Commission on
  333W
  Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) the NRPB published "Advice on the 1998 ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300GHz)" in its series "Documents of the NRPB," Vol. 10, No. 2 (1999). Copies have been placed in the Library.

  In April 1999, my right hon. Friend the former Minister for Public Health asked the National Radiological Protection Board to set up an Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones to assess the current scientific evidence. This Group, chaired by Sir William Stewart, FRS FRSE, is due to report in spring 2000. Government will be considering its findings together with the advice of the NRPB.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review with the National Radiological Protection Board their guidelines on safe levels of radiation from mobile telephone masts taking account of recent changes in the guidelines on such levels in Australia. [104993]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) continues to keep under review its guidelines for the UK for restricting exposures to electric and magnetic fields. It does this based on its own review of the scientific information available taking into account advice from its Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation, chaired by Sir Richard Doll. It will also take into account any recommendations made by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, chaired by Sir William Stewart, that is expected to report in spring 2000. That group is considering all available evidence, both national and international.

  NRPB last gave formal advice on exposure guidelines in 1999 in the "Documents of NRPB", Vol 10, No 2 entitled "Advice on the 1998 ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300GHz)." Copies have been placed in the Library. This was in response to the revised guidelines issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in 1998.

  Influenza
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with health managers in(a) Australia and (b) Sweden concerning the effect of Relenza on the incidence of influenza this winter. [104899]

  Yvette Cooper
  None. Relenza is currently licensed only for the treatment of influenza, not its prevention.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued clear advice last year on the use of Relenza. This advice is for this year (1999–2000) only and NICE will review the available evidence, wherever it comes from, in a full appraisal this year, in time to offer guidance to the NHS for the 2000–01 flu season. All available evidence will be carefully considered as part of this appraisal.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what supplies of influenza vaccine are held within the North Essex Health Authority by the authority itself, its trusts and by its GPs; and if he will estimate the number of patients this will treat. [105281]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not available centrally.
  334W
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with health authorities concerning the availability of influenza vaccine and the promotion of its use. [104911]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The aim of the influenza immunisation policy is to protect those at greatest risk of severe or complicated illness before flu viruses begin to circulate in the community. Ideally people who are in the risk groups recommended for vaccine should have been immunised by now. Flu immunisation delivery is through general practice and general practitioners who order the vaccine direct from the manufacturers. Flu immunisation was well-publicised last autumn and local and national campaigns were run to try and improve vaccination rates. The Chief Medical Officer held a press conference and wrote to GPs about flu immunisation. Circulars on winter planning stressed to health authorities the importance of promoting flu immunisation as part of this planning and as part of the winter 1999–2000 campaign the National Health Service Executive sent all health authorities an information pack to encourage local activity.

  7.7 million doses of flu vaccine were distributed this season. This is the highest ever and manufacturers have advised that they have over half a million doses available.

  Preventive Health Care
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the demand placed on NHS resources by the provision of preventive health measures in(a) Staffordshire Health Authority and (b) the United Kingdom. [105161]

  Yvette Cooper
  The South Staffordshire Health Authority published "Inequalities in Health" in March 1998 identifying its main health needs. It has a higher percentage than the national average of GPs engaged on health promotion generally, and in the management of diabetes and asthma specifically (nationally: 98 per cent., 96 per cent. and 96 per cent. respectively; South Staffordshire: 99 per cent., 98 per cent. and 99 per cent.). £274,000 was allocated this year to the North Staffordshire Health Action Zone for smoking cessation work.

  For 1999–2000 health authorities received an average increase in their allocations of 6.6 per cent.

  Across England, health authorities, in partnership with National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, local authorities and local stakeholders, determine how best to use their funds. Health promotion in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

  Cervical Cancer
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 508W, on plans to incorporate the human papilloma test in cervical cancer screening, when he will make a statement on the advice on HPV testing he received from the National Screening Committee following its meeting on 8 December 1999. [105190]

  Yvette Cooper
  At its meeting on 8 December, the United Kingdom National Screening Committee considered an outline proposal to pilot the use of HPV
  335W
  testing as triage for mild and borderline smears in the National Health Service cervical screening programme. We will make a statement as soon as we have had opportunity to consider all aspects of the National Screening Committee's proposals including service provision, finance and any wider implications.

  BCG Vaccinations
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children received BCG vaccinations on the basis of clinical need in(a) England and (b) Brentwood in the last 12 months. [105192]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information as requested is not available. The latest information available about BCG vaccinations is contained in the Department of Health's Statistical bulletin, "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 1998–99", at Tables 8 and 11, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Physiotherapists
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to improve the recruitment and retention of physiotherapists in the NHS. [105840]

  Mr. Denham
  The national recruitment, retention and vacancy survey published in September 1999 gave us the latest authoritative data on staff vacancies from 98 per cent. of National Health Service trusts. It shows that only 3.3 per cent. of physiotherapist posts have been vacant for three months or more in England.

  We are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficient to get a better match between supply and demand.

  We are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of physiotherapists. These include the publication of the framework for the management of human resources for the whole of the NHS, "Working Together: securing a quality workforce for the NHS", which sets targets for local employers to improve recruitment and retention year on year. We have issued guidance to the service on improving working lives and we will shortly be issuing guidance on Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development.

  We are also modernising services and modernising employment practice in the NHS: developing more supportive, flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development; tackling violence and racism in the workplace; involving staff in the way services are delivered and in the changes and developments that affect their working lives.

  We have accepted in full the pay increases recommended by the Pay Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine (including physiotherapist) for 2000–01. The Review Body has recommended an across the board increase of 3.4 per cent. for 2000–01 and for the second year running these increases will be paid in full without
  336W
  staging. Taken together with last year's award, this means that physiotherapists will have received real-terms increases of over 5 per cent., the best settlement for over ten years. Some targeted key groups of staff have received substantially larger awards: last year, newly qualified basic grade physiotherapists received pay increases worth 8.4 per cent.; this year, about 4,500 experienced Senior II physiotherapists will receive increases worth between 8.1 per cent. and 8.4 per cent.

  NHS Budget
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the total NHS budget in the current financial year is accounted for by(a) administration, (b) the purchase of drugs, (c) remuneration of medically-qualified staff and (d) research into improved techniques and treatments; and what the percentages were in 1970. [105995]

  Mr. Denham
  This information is not available in the exact format requested for this year, and not at all for 1970.

  Of the forecast total gross expenditure on the National Health Service this year of £43 billion, the projected breakdown is 1 per cent. for Department of Health administration, 2 per cent. for Central Health and Miscellaneous Services1 and the remaining 97 per cent. for Hospital, Community and Family Health Services2.

  Of the Hospital Community and Family Health Services2 total, expenditure on drugs accounts for 11.5 per cent., 4 per cent. accounts for NHS management costs and 1 per cent. accounts for the NHS research and development Levy3.

  Information on remuneration is not yet available on remuneration of medically-qualified staff for 1999–2000 but in 1998–99 remuneration for medical staff accounted for 13.1 per cent. of the Hospital, Community and Family Health Services total of £39 billion.

  Notes:

  1. Hospital, Community and Family Health Services include NHS hospitals, community health, family health services and related services and NHS trusts.

  2. Central Health and Miscellaneous Services includes the Welfare Food Scheme, EEA medical costs, expenditure on medical, scientific and technical services predominately on the Public Health Laboratory Service Board, the National Biological Standards Board, the Microbiological Research Authority and the National Radiological Protection Board.

  3. The NHS R&D programme provides the evidence base to help with clinical excellence, better quality services and the formulation of policy. R&D programmes also continue to trial and test medical advances and service innovation and to evaluate much recent policy innovation to ensure that good practice is shared and barriers to implementation are overcome.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total budget of the NHS in the current financial year, expressed in pounds per head of the population; and what the corresponding figures are for(a) the Netherlands, (b) Belgium, (c) France and (d) Germany. [105990]

  Mr. Denham
  Gross total NHS expenditure in England is forecast to be £43,049 million in 1999–2000. This is £868 per head of population. The equivalent UK figures are £52,645 million and £887 per head. It is not possible
  337W
  to provide similar comparisons to this figure for Belgium, Netherlands, France and Germany because the data are not available.

  The latest comparable data are produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The table gives public and total healthcare expenditure in dollars per capita for the countries quoted above. All figures are for 1997.

  It should be emphasised that figures for the different countries are not strictly comparable because of the different definitions of health spending, for example where the boundary between health and social care is drawn.

  Expenditure per head: $PPP 1997

  Country

  Public healthcare expenditure per head of population ($PPP 1)

  Total healthcare expenditure per head of population ($PPP)

  UK

  1,177

  1,391

  France

  1,520

  2,047

  Germany

  1,822

  2,364

  Netherlands

  1,404

  1,933

  Belgium

  1,549

  1,768

  1 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is an exchange rate determined by relative price levels and equates the prices of a representative bundle of goods in the countries concerned.

  Source:

  OECD Health Databank 1999

  Death Rates (Suicides and Accidents)
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the death rate from(a) suicide and (b) serious injury from accidents by 2010. [106160]

  Mr. Hutton
  The development of strategies to reduce suicide and serious injury from accidents are a major part of the Government's programme outlined in the White Paper "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation". The National Service Framework for Mental Health sets a specific

  Number of 24 hour staffed beds by Health Authority 1998–99 to 1999–2000

  Health authority

  Region

  1998–99 outturn

  1999–2000 quarter 2

  Bradford

  Northern and Yorkshire

  10

  10

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  Northern and Yorkshire

  278

  278

  Durham

  Northern and Yorkshire

  0

  29

  East Riding

  Northern and Yorkshire

  183

  213

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  Northern and Yorkshire

  8

  8

  Leeds

  Northern and Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  Northern and Yorkshire

  153

  165

  North Cumbria

  Northern and Yorkshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  Northern and Yorkshire

  98

  98

  Northumberland

  Northern and Yorkshire

  34

  34

  Sunderland

  Northern and Yorkshire

  44

  44

  Tees

  Northern and Yorkshire

  17

  17

  Wakefield

  Northern and Yorkshire

  113

  113

  Barnsley

  Trent

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  Trent

  15

  15

  Leicestershire

  Trent

  95

  95

  Lincolnshire

  Trent

  0

  0

  North Derbyshire

  Trent

  0

  0

  North Nottinghamshire

  Trent

  0

  0

  338W
  standard for health and social services to prevent suicides. The forthcoming National Service Framework for Older People will include a section on the prevention of falls.

  A high level national Task Force on accidents, accountable to the Chief Medical Officer, will be appointed shortly to ensure that the essential groundwork is in place to targets on accident prevention set out in the White Paper. In addition, we are in the process of bringing together the necessary expertise to work across Government to drive forward a whole range of initiatives to make progress towards achieving the targets to reduce suicide. We also provide funding for voluntary groups to support specific initiatives in both areas.

  Folic Acid
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he proposes to consult on the practical and legislative implications of the report of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition into the universal fortification of flour with folic acid. [106206]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: The report, "Folic Acid and the Prevention of Disease", from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy considered the public health implications of fortification. A public consultation will be undertaken shortly inviting comments on the report's conclusions. Ministers will take into account the views expressed before deciding on policy.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 24 hour-staffed beds for people with severe and enduring mental illness there are in each health authority in England; and how many there were in each of the last three years. [106751]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested has been collected centrally only since 1998–99. The following are the numbers of 24 hour staffed beds for people with a mental illness in each health authority in England for 1998–99 and the first two quarters in 1999–2000. In those authorities where centrally collected data show no beds, developments are taking place locally to provide care in appropriate settings.
  339W

  Number of 24 hour staffed beds by Health Authority 1998–99 to 1999–2000

  Health authority

  Region

  1998–99 outturn

  1999–2000 quarter 2

  Nottingham

  Trent

  64

  70

  Rotherham

  Trent

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  Trent

  37

  37

  South Derbyshire

  Trent

  31

  31

  South Humber

  Trent

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  Eastern

  46

  46

  Cambridgeshire

  Eastern

  12

  12

  East and North Hertfordshire

  Eastern

  12

  12

  Norfolk

  Eastern

  0

  77

  North Essex

  Eastern

  20

  30

  South Essex

  Eastern

  187

  187

  Suffolk

  Eastern

  6

  6

  West Hertfordshire

  Eastern

  30

  36

  Barking and Havering

  London

  0

  0

  Barnet

  London

  15

  15

  Bexley and Greenwich

  London

  8

  8

  Brent and Harrow

  London

  32

  32

  Bromley

  London

  10

  10

  Camden and Islington

  London

  60

  60

  Croydon

  London

  0

  0

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  London

  39

  43

  East London and City

  London

  106

  106

  Enfield and Haringey

  London

  56

  56

  Hillingdon

  London

  0

  28

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  London

  13

  13

  Kingston and Richmond

  London

  62

  62

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  London

  138

  142

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  London

  185

  185

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  London

  50

  50

  Berkshire

  South East

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  South East

  29

  29

  East Kent

  South East

  45

  45

  East Surrey

  South East

  21

  21

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  South East

  175

  175

  Isle of Wight

  South East

  0

  8

  North and Mid Hampshire

  South East

  167

  167

  Northamptonshire

  South East

  10

  10

  Oxfordshire

  South East

  0

  20

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  South East

  47

  54

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  South East

  83

  83

  West Kent

  South East

  0

  0

  West Surrey

  South East

  0

  51

  West Sussex

  South East

  18

  18

  Avon

  South West

  0

  0

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  South West

  20

  20

  Dorset

  South West

  55

  55

  Gloucestershire

  South West

  0

  0

  North and East Devon

  South West

  44

  44

  Somerset

  South West

  108

  108

  South and West Devon

  South West

  67

  59

  Wiltshire

  South West

  150

  150

  Birmingham

  West Midlands

  53

  63

  Coventry

  West Midlands

  27

  27

  Dudley

  West Midlands

  155

  155

  Herefordshire

  West Midlands

  14

  15

  North Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  Sandwell

  West Midlands

  0

  10

  Shropshire

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  Solihull

  West Midlands

  9

  9

  South Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  4

  4

  Walsall

  West Midlands

  10

  10

  Warwickshire

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  Wolverhampton

  West Midlands

  6

  8

  Worcestershire

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  Bury and Rochdale

  North West

  11

  11

  East Lancashire

  North West

  11

  11

  Liverpool

  North West

  0

  10

  Manchester

  North West

  87

  94

  Morecambe Bay

  North West

  53

  53

  North Cheshire

  North West

  24

  24

  340W 341W

  Number of 24 hour staffed beds by Health Authority 1998–99 to 1999–2000

  Health authority

  Region

  1998–99 outturn

  1999–2000 quarter 2

  North West Lancashire

  North West

  26

  36

  Salford and Trafford

  North West

  54

  54

  Sefton

  North West

  0

  0

  South Cheshire

  North West

  40

  40

  South Lancashire

  North West

  33

  33

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  North West

  22

  22

  Stockport

  North West

  16

  16

  West Pennine

  North West

  0

  0

  Wigan and Bolton

  North West

  37

  37

  Wirral

  North West

  0

  5

  England

  3,998

  4,331

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute psychiatric beds there are (1) in each health authority in England; [106747]

  (2) in each London health authority. [106752]

  Average daily number of available acute psychiatric beds by Health Authority 1997–98

  Health authority

  Region

  Average daily number of available psychiatric beds

  Bradford

  Northern and Yorkshire

  308

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  Northern and Yorkshire

  403

  County Durham

  Northern and Yorkshire

  503

  East Riding

  Northern and Yorkshire

  279

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  Northern and Yorkshire

  374

  Leeds

  Northern and Yorkshire

  708

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  Northern and Yorkshire

  506

  North Cumbria

  Northern and Yorkshire

  325

  North Yorkshire

  Northern and Yorkshire

  530

  Northumberland

  Northern and Yorkshire

  230

  Sunderland

  Northern and Yorkshire

  323

  Tees

  Northern and Yorkshire

  393

  Wakefield

  Northern and Yorkshire

  341

  Barnsley

  Trent

  186

  Doncaster

  Trent

  210

  Leicestershire

  Trent

  563

  Lincolnshire

  Trent

  529

  North Derbyshire

  Trent

  244

  North Nottinghamshire

  Trent

  235

  Nottingham

  Trent

  498

  Rotherham

  Trent

  261

  Sheffield

  Trent

  403

  South Derbyshire

  Trent

  514

  South Humber

  Trent

  138

  Birmingham

  West Midlands

  856

  Coventry

  West Midlands

  129

  Dudley

  West Midlands

  166

  Herefordshire

  West Midlands

  80

  North Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  510

  Sandwell

  West Midlands

  132

  Shropshire

  West Midlands

  270

  Solihull

  West Midlands

  160

  South Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  258

  Walsall

  West Midlands

  124

  Warwickshire

  West Midlands

  276

  Wolverhampton

  West Midlands

  124

  Worcester

  West Midlands

  157

  Bury and Rochdale

  North West

  189

  East Lancashire

  North West

  329

  Liverpool

  North West

  302

  Manchester

  North West

  412

  Morecambe Bay

  North West

  368

  North Cheshire

  North West

  232

  North West Lancashire

  North West

  558

  Salford and Trafford

  North West

  584

  Sefton

  North West

  253

  South Cheshire

  North West

  222

  South Lancashire

  North West

  132'

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  North West

  194

  342W
  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the average daily number of available acute psychiatric beds by health authority in England, derived from information obtained at trust level.
  343W

  Average daily number of available acute psychiatric beds by Health Authority 1997–98

  Health authority

  Region

  Average daily number of available psychiatric beds

  Stockport

  North West

  206

  West Pennine

  North West

  334

  Wigan and Bolton

  North West

  402

  Wirral

  North West

  313

  Bedfordshire

  Eastern

  439

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  Eastern

  355

  East Norfolk

  Eastern

  698

  North and East Hertfordshire

  Eastern

  170

  North Essex

  Eastern

  483

  North West Anglia

  Eastern

  258

  South Essex

  Eastern

  488

  Suffolk

  Eastern

  351

  West Hertfordshire

  Eastern

  218

  Barking and Havering

  London

  519

  Barnet

  London

  486

  Bexley and Greenwich

  London

  664

  Brent and Harrow

  London

  394

  Bromley

  London

  673

  Camden and Islington

  London

  497

  Croydon1

  London

  —

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  London

  659

  East London and The City

  London

  501

  Enfield and Haringey

  London

  486

  Hillingdon

  London

  117

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  London

  646

  Kingston and Richmond

  London

  196

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  London

  309

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  London

  529

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  London

  625

  Berkshire

  South East

  446

  Buckinghamshire

  South East

  330

  East Kent

  South East

  265

  East Surrey

  South East

  320

  East Sussex

  South East

  490

  Isle of Wight

  South East

  85

  North and Mid Hampshire

  South East

  210

  Northamptonshire

  South East

  374

  Oxfordshire

  South East

  328

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  South East

  437

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  South East

  289

  West Kent

  South East

  561

  West Surrey

  South East

  465

  West Sussex

  South East

  561

  Avon

  South West

  628

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  South West

  210

  Dorset

  South West

  525

  Gloucester

  South West

  255

  North and East Devon

  South West

  413

  Somerset

  South West

  412

  South and West Devon

  South West

  393

  Wiltshire

  South West

  570

  England

  36,601

  1 Croydon Health Authority shows no available beds for 1997–98. This is because the hospital sites in the health authority area have their Trust headquarters in a neighbouring health authority.

  Source:

  Annual Körner return KH03—'Bed Availability and Occupancy'

  Consultants (Suspensions and Dismissals)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS consultants in England have been dismissed on(a) clinical and (b) other grounds, in each of the last three years. [106538]

  Mr. Denham
  Disciplinary action is the responsibility of local National Health Service employers. Information on NHS staff who have been dismissed is not collected centrally, but may be obtained from individual NHS employers.

  Wheelchairs (North-West)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average length of the waiting list for an electrically powered(a) indoor and outdoor and (b) indoor NHS wheelchair in the North West; [106471]

  (2) how many additional electric powered (a) indoor and outdoor and (b) indoor NHS wheelchairs will be made available in the North West for the year 1999–2000; [106474]
  345W
  (3) what is the waiting time for electrically powered (a) indoor and outdoor and (b) indoor NHS wheelchairs in the North West; [106473]

  (4) how many electrically powered (a) indoor and (b) indoor and outdoor NHS wheelchairs there are in the North West. [106472]

  Mr. Hutton
  The current forecast, at Q2, is that 398 electrically powered indoor and outdoor wheelchairs will be available in the North West for 1999–2000, compared with a year end figure of 331 for 1998–99.

  Other information is not readily available on a regional basis. The following figures relate to North West Lancashire Health Authority area:

  Forty-two electrically powered indoor and outdoor wheelchairs and 97 indoor National Health Service wheelchairs (including outdoor powered, attendant controlled NHS wheelchairs) will be made available to new recipients in 1999–2000.

  There are currently 277 indoor (plus 17 outdoor, attendant controlled) and 981 indoor/outdoor electrically powered wheelchairs in North West Lancashire.

  Nineteen people are awaiting home or clinic assessment for electrically powered wheelchairs and 41 for indoor NHS and outdoor attendant controlled, electrically powered wheelchairs.

  The present waiting times for electrically powered indoor and outdoor and indoor NHS wheelchairs are 12 weeks and 40 weeks respectively.
  1 Figure does not include all wheelchairs available for 1999–2000.

  Cancer Services
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to audit the Calman-Hine recommendations on the organisation of cancer services; [106123]

  (2) what role the Commission for Health Improvement will play in the implementation of the Calman-Hine recommendations. [106124]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: We are committed to improving the quality of cancer services through the implementation of the "Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" (the Calman/Hine report) and subsequent evidence-based guidance.

  The National Health Service Executive is currently developing national standards and performance indicators, based on the Calman/Hine report and guidance, which will be used by providers, commissioners and regional offices to deliver and measure continuous quality improvement in a consistent manner across the country within a national quality management framework. The NHS Executive will shortly be consulting on the draft standards and performance indicators prior to national roll-out from April 2000.
  346W
  We have asked the Commission for Health Improvement to conduct a national review of the implementation of Calman/Hine as one of its first major tasks when it begins work in April.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his oral statement of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 702, where the additional intensive treatment unit beds provided this year have been made available. [106807]

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals in which the new intensive care beds referred to by him in his oral statement of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 702, are located. [106443]

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secrertary of State for Health if he will publish a list of the locations of the 100 additional intensive care beds which he has provided. [106205]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: We will publish this information in due course.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend access to digital hearing aids to those who are hard of hearing and who have additional impairment of other faculties. [106451]

  Mr. Hutton
  We will be starting a project in England later this year to trial digital hearing aids for National Health Service patients. This project will help inform our plans to modernise hearing aid services. We anticipate that the project will cover 20 hearing aid departments and that an estimated 20–30,000 patients will benefit from the scheme. Ultimately, the project will lead to improvements for all NHS patients.

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timescale is for the completion of the review by the NHS executive working group on hearing aid services; and if he will place a copy of the report of the working groups in the Library. [106834]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: The working group established by the National Health Service Executive was set up to identify areas for development in hearing aid services. There are no plans to publish a report of this work.

  We will be starting a project in England later in the year to trial digital hearing aids for NHS patients. The pilot project will help inform our plans to modernise hearing aid services. We anticipate that the project will cover 20 hearing aid departments and that an estimated 20–30,000 patients will benefit from the scheme. Ultimately, the project will lead to improvements for all NHS patients.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means and from what sources nurses have been recruited for NHS Direct. [106785]
  347W
  Ms Stuart
  Nurses wanting to apply to NHS Direct find that this is no different from applying for any job elsewhere in the National Health Service. Many of the jobs are advertised in the Nursing Times and Nursing Standard as well as local papers, job centres, NHS trust newsletters and bulletin boards. NHS Direct has deliberately recruited nurses from a wide range of different backgrounds. Some will be from a hospital background but others will be from primary care or will have been working outside the NHS. NHS Direct has also provided opportunities for disabled and work-injured nurses. Many staff who work for NHS Direct do so on a part time basis allowing them to combine working for NHS Direct with other clinical duties.

  NHS Funding
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations his Department has received about alternative arrangements for funding the NHS. [106544]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department receives many representations about alternative arrangements for funding the National Health Service. All suggestions received are considered on their merit and it remains the Government's policy that the NHS should be funded through public expenditure.

  NHS Pay
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the offer to professional NHS staff not covered by the Pay Review Body was lower than that for staff covered by the Pay Review Body. [106840]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: The pay increases recommended by the independent review bodies reflected the particular circumstances of their remit groups. The pay of professional staff in the National Health Service not covered by the review bodies is negotiated in the Whitley Councils. For 1999–2000 higher offers have been made to some non-review groups in recognition of their particular recruitment and retention difficulties.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the overall increase in the pay bill for NHS professional staff not covered by the Pay Review Body awards and instead covered by that part of the offer on long-term pay specified for April 2000. [106838]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: The increase, for 2000–01, currently on offer to those staff within the National Health Service, but not covered by the Review Bodies, is 3.25 per cent. or £300, whichever is the higher. Overall it is estimated that this will add £210 million to their paybill.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the overall increase in the pay bill for NHS staff covered by the Pay Review Body following the awards announced on 17 January. [106837]
  348W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: Following the full implementation of the Review Bodies' recommendations on pay, it is estimated that an additional £570 million will be added to the paybill of those National Health Service staff directly covered by these awards during 2000–01.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it would cost to pay all professional NHS staff not covered by the Pay Review Body the difference between the 3.4 per cent. offered to nursing staff and professions allied to medicine covered by the Pay Review Body and the 3.25 per cent. offered to staff not covered by the Pay Review Body. [106841]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: To pay all non-Review Body staff an additional 0.15 per cent. would add an estimated £10 million to the National Health Service paybill next year.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a decision on expanding Pay Review Body coverage to all professional NHS staff will be made. [106839]

  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include other NHS staff within the Pay Review Body that covers dentists, doctors and nurses. [106574]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: Proposals to modernise the National Health Service pay system set out in "Agenda for Change" include bringing some smaller groups of highly qualified staff within the scope of the Nurses and professions allied to medicine Pay Review Body, without changing its fundamentally professional character. This issue is part of continuing discussions with NHS Unions aimed at reaching agreement by summer 2000.

  Generic Drugs
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent(a) the availability of generic drugs has improved and (b) the Category D List has decreased; and if he will make a statement on the impact of such changes on such drugs' overall cost to the NHS since August 1999; and if he will make a statement. [106871]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: There are some indications that the supply situation for generic drugs is easing. The number of drugs on the Category D list—and therefore regarded, under the existing reimbursement system, as being in short supply—has fallen in the last three months. The position since August 1999 is shown in the table.

  The cost of generic drugs to the National Health Service is continuing to rise, though the rate of increase is slowing down. On 21 December last year we announced additional in-year funding of £90 million to help the NHS manage the pressures from generic prices on health authority budgets.
  349W

  Number of preparations or packs in Category D since August 1999 1

  Number

  1999

  August

  176

  September

  190

  October

  196

  November

  175

  December

  109

  2000

  January

  96

  1 The figures relate to the month in which scripts are dispensed

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the numbers of cases of(a) salmonella enteritidis, (b) other strains of salmonella and (c) e.coli-type infections in each (i) region and (ii) nation of the United Kingdom, and (iii) in total, in each year since 1994. [106708]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: Information on the numbers of cases of Salmonella and E.coli O157 infections within England and Wales is collected by the Public Health Laboratory Service. The tables detail (a) numbers of Salmonella enteritidis (b) numbers of E.coli O157 reported to the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens by year and NHS Region since 1994.

  Data on other strains of Salmonella are not routinely produced.

  The PHLS can only provide data for England and Wales. Information on data from Northern Ireland and Scotland should be sought from their respective Administrations.

  The table provides details of the numbers of cases of Salmonella enteritidis (all phage types) reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens by year and NHS Region, since 1994.

  NHS Region

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Northern

  889

  799

  1,197

  1,120

  751

  Yorkshire

  1,682

  1,391

  1,793

  1,802

  1,245

  Trent

  1,422

  1,360

  1,725

  1,982

  1,365

  East Anglia

  837

  748

  842

  1,057

  729

  North West Thames

  1,130

  1,069

  1,233

  1,513

  1,195

  North East Thames

  1,217

  1,181

  1,145

  1,684

  1,212

  South East Thames

  1,242

  1,074

  1,051

  1,659

  1,251

  South West Thames

  1,218

  1,114

  1,168

  1,869

  1,334

  Wessex

  1,090

  972

  987

  1,423

  985

  Oxford

  1,048

  993

  1,100

  1,398

  988

  South Western

  1,254

  1,307

  1,256

  1,820

  1,530

  West Midlands

  1,591

  1,359

  1,702

  1,826

  1,240

  Mersey

  549

  530

  791

  804

  605

  North Western

  1,166

  1,186

  1,366

  1,423

  926

  Wales

  1,036

  961

  900

  1,528

  1,041

  Total

  17,371

  16,044

  18,256

  23,008

  16,397

  Note:

  Data for 1999 are not yet available

  The following table provides details of the numbers of cases of E.coli O157 reported to the Public Health
  350W
  Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens by year and NHS Region, since 1994.

  NHS Region

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Northern

  54

  79

  33

  38

  49

  145

  Yorkshire

  21

  47

  76

  112

  113

  99

  Trent

  41

  65

  105

  156

  78

  97

  East Anglia

  30

  35

  38

  69

  46

  47

  North West Thames

  14

  28

  30

  49

  58

  33

  North East Thames

  14

  15

  20

  45

  31

  36

  South East Thames

  13

  26

  34

  43

  54

  59

  South West Thames

  10

  29

  12

  28

  33

  53

  Wessex

  32

  76

  27

  58

  45

  38

  Oxford

  25

  28

  24

  44

  36

  28

  South Western

  35

  89

  83

  104

  93

  109

  West Midlands

  46

  106

  57

  137

  76

  85

  Mersey

  14

  25

  21

  47

  28

  28

  North Western

  36

  63

  64

  114

  87

  161

  Wales

  26

  81

  36

  43

  63

  66

  Total

  411

  792

  660

  1,087

  890

  1,084

  Note:

  1999 data are provisional

  Health Service (Somerset)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many(a) intensive care beds and (b) general hospital beds there were in (i) East Somerset and (ii) Somerset in each year from 1980; what is the latest available estimate in each case; and if he will make a statement; [106766]

  (2) if he will estimate the number of intensive care beds per head of population in (a) each English county and (b) Somerset Health Authority for each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [106740]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the average daily number of beds by ward type for each National Health Service trust is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England" and is available in the Library. The latest information is for 1997–98. 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. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been on hospital waiting lists in(a) East Somerset and (b) Somerset in each year since 1992, giving figures on a quarterly basis since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [106767]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on waiting lists is published monthly (quarterly before April 1998) and is available in the Library.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of hospital operations in East Somerset Health Authority(a) postponed and (b) postponed solely at the discretion of the authority, in each quarter since 1995. [106741]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the number of operations cancelled for non medical reasons on the day patients are due to arrive or after arrival in hospital is published quarterly and is available in the Library.
  351W
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of(a) nurses and (b) doctors working for each Somerset health authority for each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [106742]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on National Health Service manpower is published annually in the Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce census, the Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census and the General and Personal Medical Services Statistics for England and Wales which are available in the Library.

  Milk Tokens
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the 9 per cent. levy against retailers in respect of milk tokens sent to the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit. [106967]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Welfare Food Scheme is currently under review and the nine per cent. levy will form part of that review. Any proposals for change to the scheme will be subject to Parliamentary approval.

  Accident and Emergency Departments (Barnet)
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total costs of funding the accident and emergency departments within the Barnet Health Authority area in each of the last five years. [106873]

  Ms Stuart
  The table contains information on the purchase of accident and emergency healthcare by Barnet Health Authority for the financial years 1994–95 to 1998–99.

  Barnet Health Authority purchase of healthcare: Accident and Emergency 1994–95 to 1998–99

  Financial year

  Total expenditure (£)

  1994–95

  4,438,795

  1995–96

  4,605,000

  1996–97

  4,816,000

  1997–98

  4,184,000

  1998–99

  6,141,000

  Source:

  1. Annual financial returns of health authorities 1994–95.

  2. Contract documentation, Barnet HA and Welhouse NHS Trust, 1995–96.

  3. Annual Accounts of Health Authorities 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will make needles and re-usable pens for the treatment of diabetes available free on prescription. [106964]

  Mr. Denham
  We have consulted on proposals which would include allowing insulin pen needles and reusable pens to be prescribed by general practitioners on the National Health Service. We have received representations from most of the organisations consulted. We are considering them, and are seeking clarification on certain points before we make our final decisions.

  NHS Staff (Employment Contract Renewals)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) NHS medical staff, (b) NHS staff who were members of professions allied to medicine and (c) NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff did not have their contract of employment renewed in each NHS region, in each year since 1995. [106679]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on National Health Service staff who have not had their contract of employment renewed is not collected centrally, but may be obtained from individual NHS employers.

  Health Spending (Southend)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the impact of Southend borough council's SSA on health spending; and if he will make a statement on the recent meeting between hon. Members, councillors, officers and the Minister of State. [107269]

  Mr. Hutton
  I met representatives of Southend borough council and hon. Members from Southend on 10 January where they outlined the local situation with regard to their SSA. The meeting mainly discussed the financial difficulties the local authority is facing particularly with regard to mental health and learning disability client groups. I am currently considering whether there is any underspend in this year's mental health care grant which may provide additional support to the borough council. I agreed to examine what extra assistance the social services inspectorate could provide to support the authority.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the question tabled for answer on 8 December by the hon. Member for Walthamstow relating to the review of NHS guidelines for the treatment of people from abroad. [107133]

  Ms Stuart
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 26 January.

  NHS Net
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects all family doctors to have access to NHS Net; what is the total estimated cost to public funds of NHS Net; and if he will make a statement. [107082]

  Ms Stuart
  All family doctors will have access to NHSnet by the end of 2002. NHSnet is a managed service and has no capital costs to public funds. The annual cost of access to NHSnet for health authorities and National Health Service trusts is £3.8 million. The annual cost of access for general practitioners will be approximately £19 million once they are all connected. This sum includes managed services such as routers and firewalls as well as costs for 24-hour/7 day network access.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the percentage of(a) registered disabled people, (b) women, (c) people from ethnic minorities and (d) people from (i) independent schools, (ii) grammar schools and (iii) other schools employed by his Department in each of the years (i) 1970, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1989 and (iv) 1999. [107012]

  Ms Stuart
  We do not collect information about the educational background of staff. Available information is set out in the table.
  354W

  Percentage

  1970

  1979

  1989

  1999

  DHSS 1

  DHSS 1

  DHSS 1

  DH

  DH

  (a) Disability2

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  1.3

  6

  (b) Women

  40

  63

  64

  351

  57

  (c) Ethnic minority4

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  4.7

  14

  1 Until 1989 the Department of Health and Social Security were a single Department (DHSS)

  2 Figure not available for the number of people with a disability before 1985. The 1989 figure is "registered disabled"; the 1999 figure is those with a self-declared disability

  3 Women in DH workforce after the split of DHSS

  4 Figure not available for number of people from an ethnic minority before 1989

  International Conventions: Explanatory Memoranda
  International Conventions: Explanatory Memoranda
  Burma: Imprisonment of James Mawdsley
  Burma: Imprisonment of James Mawdsley
  Burma: Human Rights
  Burma: Human Rights
  Higher Education: Expenditure
  Higher Education: Expenditure
  Sand Eels
  Sand Eels
  EU: Over-quota Fish Catches
  EU: Over-quota Fish Catches
  Health Authorities: Eligibility Criteria
  Health Authorities: Eligibility Criteria
  Social Inclusion Action Plan
  Social Inclusion Action Plan
  Sports Tourism
  Sports Tourism
  Knives Act 1997
  Knives Act 1997
  Offences Against the Person Act 1861
  Offences Against the Person Act 1861
  Criminal Law Revision Committee
  Criminal Law Revision Committee
  Task Forces
  Task Forces
  Attendance Centres
  Attendance Centres
  Security Service: Accountability
  Security Service: Accountability
  Police Authorities: Funding
  Police Authorities: Funding