Written Answers of 6 July 2000

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when men aged between 60 and 64 years in the Bury St. Edmunds constituency will receive their Winter Fuel Allowance; and if he will make a statement on the reason for the delays. [129021]

  Angela Eagle
  Retrospective payments for previous years Winter Fuel Payments started to be paid in the week commencing 26 June 2000 in line with Government's targets. The payments will be issued as claims are processed and are not defined in postcode areas. Some customers in Bury St. Edmunds may have already received their payment and the remainder will receive them over the coming months as claims are received and processed.

  Claimants (Criminal Convictions)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to modify the benefit arrangements for claimants who have criminal convictions which will appear on criminal conviction certificates and other certificates issued under the Police Act 1997; what assessment he has made of the extent to which details displayed on certificates may result in claimants being unable to find suitable work easily; what plans he has to increase payments to claimants who are obliged to certificate on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement. [129138]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans to modify the benefit arrangements for claimants who have criminal convictions which will appear on criminal conviction certificates and other certificates issued under the Police Act 1997.

  The Home Office will be working closely with relevant organisations to ensure that guidance is provided to encourage employers not to reject applicants with a criminal record without careful consideration of all the relevant factors.

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by his Department, indicating(a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if his Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [129057]

  Mr. Rooker
  The PRIME (Private Sector Resource Initiative for Management of the Estate) contract, commenced on 1 April 1998. It has an estimated private 240W
  sector capital spend value of £350 million. It has not been subject to refinancing and has no specific refinancing share mechanism, but does provide for possible sharing of windfall gains and profits, including benefits from refinancing, made in the first five years.

  The ACCORD (Access to Corporate Data) project has so far progressed to signature of four Services Agreements, which are contractual vehicles to enable the Department to award specific PFI/PPP contracts in future. None of the Service Agreements contains a monetary value, but the projects estimated private sector capital spend value is £100 million. No contracts yet exist, and contract negotiations will include possibilities for sharing in future savings.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the claims for disability living allowance from sufferers of MS were rejected by the tribunal because the sufferer was in temporary remission in the last three years. [129001]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Hunting with Hounds
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, in respect of implementation of the Burns report on banning hunting with hounds, what estimate he has made of the total additional social security payments which will fall to be paid, broken down by type of benefit. [129038]

  Angela Eagle
  The Burns Report (The Final Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England and Wales) investigated the effects of banning hunting on employment. Its finding was that, in view of all the uncertainties, it is not possible to give a precise figure for the number of jobs that would be lost if hunting were banned. Consequently, it is not possible to estimate accurately the effects on Social Security expenditure.

  Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 26 June 2000,Official Report, columns 348–49W, on pensions, if he will re-present the figures assuming (a) the state second pension remains earnings related and (b) the minimum earnings guarantee is available to those who made no second pension provision and the Minimum Income Guarantee is uprated in line with earnings; if he will set out the assumptions about investment returns which underly his estimates of returns on stakeholder pensions; what assumption he has made about the level of contributions to stakeholder pensions; and if he will estimate the effects of these projections based on 75 per cent. of average earnings. [128623]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the tables.
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  Estimated basic and compulsory second tier pension for someone on average earnings throughout their working life who reaches pensionable age in 2050, assuming state second pension remains earnings-related

  £

  All

  Man

  Woman

  Basic Pension

  31.00

  31.00

  31.00

  Additional Pension from State scheme or stakeholder pension

  71.00

  73.00

  67.00

  Total Pension

  102.00

  103.00

  98.00

  Estimated basic and compulsory second tier pension for someone on 75 per cent. of average earnings throughout their working life who reaches pensionable age in 2050, assuming state second pension remains earnings-related

  £

  All

  Man

  Woman

  Basic Pension

  31.00

  31.00

  31.00

  Additional Pension from State scheme or stakeholder pension

  65.00

  67.00

  67.00

  Total Pension

  96.00

  98.00

  91.00

  Notes:

  1. Figures, which are in 1999 earnings terms, are rounded to the nearest £ and may not sum as a result.

  2. The estimates are based on 100 per cent. and 75 per cent. of average earnings of (i) all full-time employees; (ii) all male full-time employees; and (iii) all female full-time employees.

  3. The estimates are based on a person beginning work at 16 and working for 49 years until age 65.

  4. The estimates are based on the Department's Lifepen model and the following assumptions:

  Stakeholder pensions start April 2001

  State Second Pension starts April 2002

  Earnings grow 1.5 per cent. a year faster than prices

  Basic State pension is uprated in line with prices

  Projections for stakeholder pensions are based on National Insurance rebates only. They are estimated weekly amounts a person would receive if the investment return and other relevant factors affecting the amount of the stakeholder pension were the same as the assumptions underlying the calculation of the National Insurance rebates paid into a stakeholder pension. No allowance is made for voluntary contributions made by individuals or their employers.

  The level of the rebates will be determined by the Secretary of State based on the advice of the Government Actuary. The assumptions which underlie the rebate, including investment return, will be the subject of a consultation exercise by the Government Actuary this summer, culminating in an Order to be laid before Parliament no later than April 2001. The Order will set the rebate rates for the period April 2002 to March 2007.

  In 1999 earnings terms, the value of the Minimum Income Guarantee would remain constant at £75 a week if it were consistently increased in line with earnings.

  Child Benefit
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people receive Child Benefit by area in Great Britain. [129912]

  Mr. Darling
  Figures for the numbers of families receiving Child Benefit as at 14 August 1999 broken down by parliamentary constituency, government office region and local authority have been placed in the Library.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Hendon are aged over(a) 65, (b) 75 and (c) 85 years; how many in each of (a) to (c) receive minimum income guarantee; and how many (i) pensioners and (ii) pensioner couples will (1) receive winter fuel payments this year and (2) qualify for a free television licence. [129276]

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

  Number of pensioners receiving the minimum income guarantee in Hendon parliamentary constituency

  Age of Claimant

  Number of claimants

  65–74

  800

  75–84

  900

  85 and over

  700

  Notes:

  1. Figures for pensioners receiving the minimum income guarantee are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error. For this analysis pensioners are defined as where the claimant is aged 65 or over. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. The numbers eligible for winter fuel payments include some people aged between 60 to 64 who are not yet eligible for a pension.

  3. The numbers of pensioner households qualifying for free television licenses refer to any household which is the primary place of residence for any pensioner aged 75 or over.

  4. Information about the numbers of pensioners in Hendon is not held.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, February 2000

  We estimate that around 19,000 people will be eligible for winter fuel payments in the Hendon constituency this winter. It is not possible to give a further breakdown of these figures at this stage.

  Three million pensioner households will qualify nationally for a free television licence this year. We do not hold this information at local level.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey of 28 February concerning Mr. M. Grove. [127347]

  Mr. Byers
  As the right hon. Lady has been informed, the issue she has raised is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I have therefore passed the correspondence to him.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of(a) 3 April, (b) 5 May, (c) 1 June and (d) 29 June relating to her constituent Mr. S. Kitchiner. [128916]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: I replied to the hon. Member on 4 July 2000.

  Start-up Assistance
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses have benefited from start-up assistance from Government schemes; what types of business have benefited; and what initiatives have been taken in the years 1997 to 2000(a) nationally, (b) in Teesside and (c) in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [128512]

  Ms Hewitt
  Numbers of businesses which have used Business Link services, which includes advice to people wanting to start their own business, since 1997 is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  446,040

  1998–99

  393,580

  1999–2000

  419,294

  Note:

  Businesses using BL more than once in a quarter count only once. Business using BL more than once in different quarters are counted in each quarter.

  Nationally, the following major initiatives have been taken since 1997: the Government made their commitment in the Competitiveness White Paper published in December 1998 to provide a new high-quality advice service to 10,000 businesses in England per annum by the end of 2001, focusing on those with high growth potential; the Small Business Service, launched in April this year, will provide information, advice and access to experts on all aspects of running a business. The SBS is ensuring that the Business Link Network tailors its services to the different needs of the whole range of smaller businesses, including the self-employed and those considering starting-up in business; my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 23 June this year a new package of help worth up to £500, and £2000 in areas of high unemployment, for anyone in Britain wanting to start up in business; the DTI is spending some £3 million on the Business Volunteer Mentoring Scheme, which is currently being piloted. The scheme is based on a core of volunteers—both retired and otherwise—drawn from all sections of the business community and who will provide mentoring for pre-start-ups, start-ups and those businesses yet to reach the stage of stability.

  In Teesside, Start Right in Business, a Tees Valley TEC-led partnership, aims to provide support and funding to help create and maintain 900 new businesses during 1999–2001. The partnership brings together unemployed people, local authorities, Business Link Tees Valley, local enterprise agencies, banks and private sector sponsors to give training, advice and support to people wanting to set up their own business.

  No separate information is available for the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East.

  Former Officials (Employment)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials, on ceasing employment in his Department, have sought permission to take up 244W
  employment, since May 1997, with (a) companies and (b) partnerships under the business appointment rules; and to what companies and partnerships they went. [128453]

  Dr. Howells
  Between May 1997 and June 2000, a total of 195 applications have been made to take up external appointments. As applicants are not required to detail the status of the organisation they are proposing to join, it is not possible to break down applications by type of organisation.

  Only senior Crown servants are required to notify that they have taken up appointment after their applications are approved. The following information details relevant appointments that have been taken up:

  Appointment

  Approved

  Date post taken

  Oxford Inst. of Energy Research

  July 1997

  August 1997

  Cambridge Energy Research

  April 1997

  May 1997

  British Airways

  May 1997

  May 1997

  Eagle Star

  October 1997

  October 1997

  BAT Industries

  June 1998

  September 1998

  Covington & Burling

  June 1998

  November 1998

  Industrial Bank of Japan

  September 1998

  November 1998

  DNA Research Instruments

  May 1999

  May 1999

  Wragge & Co.

  January 2000

  January 2000

  Wastepack UK Ltd.

  February 2000

  February 2000

  Expocentric.com

  May 2000

  May 2000

  Tolman-Cunard

  May 2000

  May 2000

  Further information on appointments approved prior to May 1999 is published in the First and Second Reports of The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments that are available in the Library of the House. Details of appointments approved since May 1999 will be covered in the Third Report of the Advisory Committee.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the export licences granted for the export of(a) CS gas, (b) CS irritant cartridges and (c) CS canisters to Malaysia (1) in each year since 1992 broken down by category code; [128552]

  (2) since 1992 where end use destination was for other countries. [128553]

  Dr. Howells
  The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The export of CS gas, CS irritant cartridges and CS canisters are controlled under entries in Part III of Schedule I of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended (commonly known as the Military List): CS and other irritants under entry ML7; cartridges (as ammunition) containing CS irritants under entries ML3 or PL5021 and canisters containing CS irritants under ML4 or PL5030. However, a variety of other devices may contain tear gas and these are also controlled under the latter four entries above as well as several other entries: for instance, portable anti-riot devices for administering an incapacitating substance under PL5001; grenades under ML4 or PL5030; ammunition (including artillery and mortar) under ML3 or PL5021; gas projectors or generators under ML2 or PL5018; gas projecting equipment for controlled ground vehicles, combatant vessels or aircraft, that are specially designed or modified for military use under entries ML6, ML9, or ML10 respectively; and portable devices designed for self-protection by the administration of an incapacitating
  245W
  substance under entry 1A905 of the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulation 1996, as amended. It should be noted that other goods may also be controlled under each of these entries.

  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 January 1992 and 1 May 1997, 548 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end users in Malaysia of goods with the relevant ratings: in the same period six SIELs were issued covering such exports to consignees in Malaysia with end users in any other destination.

  Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings and OIELs may cover a range of countries. Where this is so, the licence is included in the table in the total for all the relevant ratings.

  SIELs issued between 1 January 1992 and 1 May 1997 covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings to consignees in Malaysia with endusers in Malaysia and other destinations

  Rating

  Malaysia

  Australia

  Indonesia

  Kuwait

  Singapore

  ML2

  68

  0

  1

  0

  0

  ML3

  17

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML4

  128

  0

  1

  0

  0

  ML6

  83

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML7

  47

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML9

  45

  1

  0

  0

  0

  ML10

  157

  0

  0

  1

  2

  PL5001

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PL5018

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PL5021

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  An Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) is specific to an individual exporter and covers multiple shipments of specified goods to specified destinations and/or, in some cases, specified consignees; these licences do not authorise exports by the licensee other than to those destinations specified on the licence and do not prohibit transfer between those permitted destinations. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 January 1994 and 1 May 1997, 57 OIELs were issued covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings to Malaysia and any other destination.

  OIELs issued between 1 January 1994 and 1 May 1997 covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings to Malaysia and any other destination

  Rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML2

  4

  ML3

  3

  ML4

  13

  ML6

  5

  ML7

  1

  ML9

  14

  ML10

  19

  PL5001

  2

  PL5018

  1

  Details of SIELs and OIELs issued between 2 May and 31 December 1997 were set out in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office: one of the SIELs issued in this period covered the export of such goods to Malaysia with an end user in the United Arab Emirates.
  246W
  Details of SIELs and OIELs issued between 1 January and 31 December 1998 were set out in the Government's second Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls; copies of both reports are available from the Library of the House: five SIELs issued in this period covered the export of such goods to Malaysia with an end user in any other destination.

  SIELs issued between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 1998 covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings to consignees in Malaysia with end users in other destinations

  ML4

  ML10

  Brunei

  0

  1

  Chile

  1

  0

  Hong Kong SAR

  1

  0

  Philippines

  0

  1

  Singapore

  1

  0

  Between 1 January 1999 and 23 June 2000, 69 SIELs were issued covering the export of such goods to consignees and end users in Malaysia. In the same period, one SIEL was issued covering such exports to a consignee in Malaysia with an end user in Singapore. In the same period, 32 OIELs were issued covering the export of such goods to Malaysia and any other destination.

  SIELs issued between 1 January 1999 and 23 June 2000 covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings to consignees in Malaysia with end users in Malaysia and other destinations

  Rating

  Malaysia

  Singapore

  ML2

  12

  0

  ML3

  10

  0

  ML4

  11

  1

  ML6

  4

  0

  ML7

  4

  0

  ML9

  8

  0

  ML10

  24

  1

  PL5001

  1

  0

  OIELs issued between 1 January 1999 and 23 June 2000 covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings to Malaysia and other destinations

  Rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML2

  1

  ML4

  1

  ML6

  5

  ML9

  11

  ML10

  15

  PL5018

  1

  It would entail disproportionate cost to establish which, if any of these licences covered the export of the particular types of equipment concerned, and make any subsequent inquiries necessary under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  All of the information set out should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08W.
  247W
  Finally, Malaysia is a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List and other goods; copies of all Open General Export Licences are routinely placed in the Library of the House.

  Research Councils
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions are taking place in the Office of Science and Technology concerning the future of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils. [128858]

  Ms Hewitt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the terms of reference for the quinquennial review of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils in his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 13 June 2000,Official Report, columns 596–97W.

  Daresbury Laboratory
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans are being considered for the future of the Daresbury Laboratory as a scientific research establishment after 2007. [128857]

  Ms Hewitt
  The future of Daresbury laboratory is a matter for the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) which, under its Royal Charter, is responsible for the staff and resources under its control. Further to this, the Government have recognised the need to consider Daresbury's role in the North West Science Base and have commissioned two reviews to consider this matter. I refer the hon. Member to the announcements of the North West Science Review on 27 April 2000 and the North West Science and Daresbury Development Group on 9 June 2000,Official Report, column 388W.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect on small and medium-sized enterprises of the assisted area status policy. [128865]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced the introduction of Enterprise Grant Areas in England on 15 July 1999,Official Report, column 275W. Small and medium sized enterprises in the Enterprise Grant Areas and in Tiers 1 and 2 of the Assisted areas are eligible to apply for Enterprise Grants. The introduction of Enterprise Grant Areas significantly increased the number of areas in England where small and medium sized enterprises could apply for grants to support investment.

  Package Holidays
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints his Department has received in the last 12 months in relation to the pricing of foreign package holidays. [128997]

  Dr. Howells
  According to Departmental records, a total of 46 complaints were received in the last 12 months in relation to the pricing of foreign package holidays. Seventeen of these were from the same person.

  Hyder Plc
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding the repatriation of the consideration of competition issues arising from the sale of Hyder plc. [129031]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The Director General of Fair Trading advises this Department on the competition issues raised in cases that have fallen to the EC Merger Regulation. The Secretary of State will assess whether Western Power Distribution Limited's proposed acquisition of Hyder Plc meets the tests laid down in the EC Merger Regulation by which member states can request referral of cases from the Commission and whether to request such a referral in the light of the DGFT' s advice.

  Exports Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a draft regulatory impact assessment in advance of the announcement of the conclusions of the review of the Export Credits Guarantee Department. [129394]

  Mr. Caborn
  There are no plans to make a Regulatory Impact assessment in advance of the Review announcement. It is unlikely that the Review will lead to any legislation or change in regulations.

  Memo Leak
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to launch an inquiry into the leaking of a memo sent to him by Andrew Fraser. [129416]

  Mr. Byers
  An internal inquiry into the leaking of the memo sent to me by Andrew Fraser is underway.

  Commuter Coach Services
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the operation of Commuter coach services from Kent to London to the Competition Commission. [129311]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition law in the first instance, it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of a dominant position.

  If my hon. Friend has any evidence that competition in this market is not working, he should draw it to the attention of the DGFT.

  Post Office (Subsidies)
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with small business organisations concerning his proposals to pay subsidies to sub-post offices. [129431]

  Mr. Byers
  In preparing their report "Counter Revolution: Modernising the Post Office Network", the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) had discussions with a number of organisations representing small businesses. In addition, both the PIU and I have had extensive discussions with the National Federation of
  249W
  Subpostmasters about the Government's proposals for financial assistance to modernise and improve the sub-post office network.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with the EU concerning his proposals to pay subsidies to sub-post offices. [129432]

  Mr. Byers
  The European Competition Commissioner has been informed about the new package of measures to modernise the post office network. Throughout the process of developing detailed projects officials will work in close consultation with the European Commission.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission about the legality of granting subsidies to post offices; [129212]

  (2) if he has clearance from the EU competition authorities to grant subsidies to post offices. [129211]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Mrs. Browning).

  Post Office Network
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices are projected to close in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [129418]

  Mr. Byers
  As all sub-post offices are privately owned and operated, there can be many different reasons leading to a decision to close and there is no accurate way of forecasting future closure levels. However, the Post Office seeks to maintain post office services wherever possible and this policy is being reinforced by the Government's requirement on the Post Office to maintain the rural network and to prevent any avoidable closures of rural post offices.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the research by Christie and Co., referred to on page 62 of the Performance and Innovation Unit's report into the post office network. [129430]

  Mr. Byers
  Christie and Co. provided information about sub-post offices to the Performance and Innovation Unit on an exclusive and confidential basis as the information was and is commercially sensitive. I am therefore unable to place a copy of this research in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has commissioned into the impact of Internet-based services on the letters market. [129420]

  Mr. Byers
  This issue is kept under review by the Post Office.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the level of remuneration sub-post masters will receive for acting as Government general practitioners; and if he will make a statement; [129423]
  250W
  (2) what level of additional investment the Horizon platform will require to operate the universal bank; [129427]

  (3) if the Government intend to provide financial support for the improvement of the urban post office network recommended on page 88 of the Performance and Innovation Unit's report into the post office network; [129426]

  (4) what estimate he has made of the (a) setting up cost and (b) annual running cost of the universal bank; [129424]

  (5) if benefit claimants who opt to receive their benefits in cash from a post office following the switch to ACT will be required to have a bank account; [129428]

  (6) what plans he has for delivery of funds to support post offices in urban deprived areas; [129434]

  (7) what estimate he has made of the income to the Post Office which will be generated by the universal bank; [129425]

  (8) what estimate he has made of the impact on the income of sub-post offices if those people who do not have a bank account at present start to pay utility bills by direct debit following the introduction of the universal bank; [129429]

  (9) how much funding he will commit to improve post offices in deprived areas. [129433]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the hon. Member to my statement and subsequent exchanges on 28 June 2000,Official Report, columns 907–20, and the PIU report also published on 28 June, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of rural sub-post offices have ISDN lines. [129421]

  Mr. Byers
  I understand from the Post Office that they do not have a percentage breakdown of rural post offices which currently have an ISDN line, but every post office will have an ISDN line or equivalent satellite link by February 2001.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of installing ISDN lines to the post office network. [129422]

  Mr. Byers
  Under the existing Horizon programme, every post office outlet will have an ISDN line or equivalent satellite link by February 2001. The costs are an integral part of the Horizon contract.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the average figures for European unleaded petrol prices for each country of the European Union in pence per litre, with the amount of tax paid and the percentage of tax this represents. [129285]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The latest available information for premium unleaded petrol prices and taxes is for April 2000 and is as shown.
  251W

  European Unleaded Petrol Prices1

  Prices as at mid April 2000

  (Pence per litre2)

  (Percentage)

  Pump Price

  Amount of Tax

  Tax Component

  Austria

  56.10

  34.50

  61.5

  Belgium

  63.35

  41.75

  65.9

  Denmark

  64.23

  44.32

  69.0

  Finland

  67.83

  46.19

  68.1

  France

  65.26

  46.40

  71.1

  Germany

  57.84

  42.11

  72.8

  Greece

  45.29

  24.91

  55.0

  Ireland

  50.51

  31.72

  62.8

  Italy

  63.01

  42.03

  66.7

  Luxembourg

  48.70

  27.76

  57.0

  Netherlands

  68.52

  46.39

  67.7

  Portugal

  53.84

  28.10

  52.2

  Spain

  48.58

  29.25

  60.2

  Sweden

  66.45

  46.05

  69.3

  United Kingdom

  79.96

  60.77

  76.0

  1Premium unleaded 95RON

  2Prices converted to pounds sterling using mid April exchange rates.

  Source:

  European Commission Oil Bulletin

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the change in petrol prices per litre, at an annual rate, in each month since March 2000. [129271]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested is in the following table.

  1999

  2000

  Difference

  Pence per litre

  Pence per litre

  Pence per litre

  Percentage change

  Premium unleaded petrol

  March

  66.51

  78.32

  11.81

  17.8

  April

  70.20

  79.96

  9.76

  13.9

  May

  70.04

  79.54

  9.50

  13.6

  June

  69.80

  84.08

  14.28

  20.5

  4 star/lead replacement petrol1

  March

  73.85

  82.99

  9.14

  12.4

  April

  77.83

  84.45

  6.62

  8.5

  May

  77.61

  84.04

  6.43

  8.3

  June

  77.32

  88.00

  10.68

  13.8

  Super unleaded petrol

  March

  82.24

  85.24

  3.00

  3.6

  April

  83.39

  87.18

  3.79

  4.5

  May

  83.82

  86.93

  3.11

  3.7

  1From October 1999 lead replacement petrol replaced four star

  Source:

  DTI Energy Trends

TREASURY

  Pensioners' Incomes
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment his Department has made of levels of taxation on pensioners' income; and if he will make a statement. [127613]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Six out of 10 pensioners do not have any income tax to pay. In his 1999 Budget, the Chancellor increased the age-related personal allowances by an amount well above inflation, and in his latest 252W
  Budget maintained their value by increasing them by statutory indexation. As a result in 2000–01, someone aged 65 to 74 can have an income of £111 a week before paying tax. This Government are committed to supporting older people. We will be spending an extra £6.5 billion on pensioners in the course of this Parliament.

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it costs to send out the forms to taxpayers in respect of child tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [128364]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue sent out claim forms in June to all PAYE taxpayers who they thought might be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. The cost of doing this is estimated to be about £1.7 million.

  Environmental Taxation
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have used the mechanism which allows them to contribute 20 per cent. of their tax obligations to environmental bodies. [128318]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: Operators of landfill sites who are registered for landfill tax may claim tax credits for contributions that they make to support environmental projects. There are currently 850 registered operators. Of these, 494 have made contributions representing 91 per cent. of the potential amount available as tax credits.

  Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the number of new ISA accounts opened by savers who did not previously hold(a) PEPs or (b) TESSAs. [129027]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: Detailed information on each ISA opened has to be sent to the Inland Revenue by ISA managers after the end of each tax year. The information for 1999–2000 has not yet been received from all ISA managers. When all this has arrived, the Inland Revenue will be able to start the analysis which will determine how many ISA savers do not also have TESSAs and PEPs.

  Cruickshank Report
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) the Cruickshank report on anti-fraud aspects of the future development of credit card technology and (b) representations by Europay and its members on the technical basis underlying the report. [128932]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The Government have consulted and received responses from a number of organisations about the Cruikshank report's recommendations on payment systems. While some of these have referred to fraud issues the responses have tended to focus on the broader competition issues raised in the report.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assistance he will provide for micro
  253W
  businesses that will not benefit from the reduction in National Insurance contributions to address the impact of the climate change levy. [128935]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: Small and medium-sized firms stand well placed to benefit from a number of the features of the climate change levy package, notably the reduction in employers' National Insurance Contributions, the enhanced capital allowances for energy savings investments and the £50 million 'energy efficiency' fund. In particular, one of the specific aims of the £50 million 'energy efficiency' fund is to provide energy efficiency advice/audits to small and medium sized firms. Furthermore, firms that are very small consumers of energy—as set out in Schedule 6 of the Finance Bill—will be covered by the exemption for the domestic sector, and will therefore not be subject to the climate change levy.

  Petroleum Product Smuggling
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of revenue lost due to the(a) cross-border purchasing and (b) smuggling of road fuels in Northern Ireland; and what are his latest estimates for the volume of legitimate fuel imports from the Republic of Ireland to (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Great Britain. [128183]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 20 March 2000, Official Report, 442W.

  HM Customs and Excise do not have information on which to base estimates for the volume of commercial-scale legitimate fuel imports from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

  Fuel Duty
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the most recent figures for road fuel duty levels in(a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) the United Kingdom, in sterling; and if he will estimate the additional duty for (i) a motorist to fill a tank of petrol in an average car and (ii) a haulier to fill a tank of diesel in an average lorry in (1) Northern Ireland and (2) the Republic of Ireland. [128184]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: The rates of excise duty for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are published in the European Commission's Oils Bulletin, which is kept in the House of Commons Library.

  Financial Service Authority
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the annual report of the Financial Services Authority to be published. [129789]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A copy of the Board's report was laid before Parliament today. It includes a report, pursuant to Section 1(3) of the Banking Act 1987, on the exercise of the Authority's functions under that Act, during the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. It also includes the report made by the FSA under section 117 of 254W
  the Financial Services Act 1986, covering the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Knowledge Economy
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2000,Official Report, column 106W, on the knowledge economy, if he will list representations that he has received during the course of the review; and if he will make a statement. [129279]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The representations received during the course of the review from external organisations and individuals were provided in confidence.

  Aggregates Tax
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has had with Scottish industry concerning the implementation of the aggregates tax in 2002; and if he will make a statement. [129042]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have developed the aggregates levy in an open and consultative way. HM Customs and Excise issued a consultation document in June 1998, which invited views from industry and other parties with a potential interest on the practical issues that would arise from a levy on aggregates. Draft legislation for the levy was then published for consultation on 30 April 1999.

  During this process, the Government have received a number of representations from Scottish business, and these have been taken account of in the design of the levy.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed aggregates tax on Scottish industry; and if he will make statement. [129040]

  Mr. Timms
  The aggregates levy will bring about environmental benefits by making the price of aggregates better reflect their true environmental costs. This will provide an incentive for all business to use more recycled aggregates and to use all aggregates more efficiently.

  All of the revenues raised will be recycled back through a cut in employer NICs and a new "Sustainability Fund" aimed at delivering local environmental benefits. It is not possible to say precisely what the effect will be on Scottish industry, since this will depend, among other things, on the degree to which firms switch to recycled materials.

  Quarrying (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implementation of the new Quarrying Sustainability Fund in Scotland. [129041]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government will be consulting all interested parties shortly on how the new Sustainability Fund can best be used to deliver local environmental improvements.

  No decisions have yet been made on the form or size of the Fund.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each week since 1 January the number of(a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders in Northern

  Security situation statistics—1 January 2000–28 June 2000

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style shootings

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style assaults

  Security situation related murders

  Year

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  1–8 January 2000

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  9–15 January 2000

  —

  —

  3

  —

  1

  —

  16–22 January 2000

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  23–29 January 2000

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  30 January–5 February 2000

  1

  —

  4

  1

  —

  —

  6–12 February 2000

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13–19 February 2000

  —

  —

  2

  1

  2

  —

  20–26 February 2000

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  27 February–4 March 2000

  4

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  5–11 March 2000

  1

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  12–18 March 2000

  4

  3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  19–25 March 2000

  1

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  26 March–1 April 2000

  2

  2

  3

  1

  —

  —

  2–8 April 2000

  —

  3

  1

  3

  —

  —

  9–15 April 2000

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16–22 April 2000

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  23–29 April 2000

  5

  —

  2

  3

  —

  —

  30 April–6 May 2000

  4

  4

  2

  —

  —

  —

  7–13 May 2000

  4

  —

  2

  5

  —

  —

  14–20 May 2000

  1

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  21–27 May 2000

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  28 May–3 June 2000

  —

  1

  2

  —

  1

  —

  4–10 June 2000

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  11–17 June 2000

  3

  —

  4

  1

  —

  —

  18–23 June 2000

  2

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  25–28 June 2000

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by his Department prior to 30 May, indicating(a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if his Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [129061]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Northern Ireland Office has never entered into any PFI contracts.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  GM Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government first consulted English Nature about the contamination by GMOs of rape seed. [123834]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]: The Government have not formally consulted English Nature about the planting of oil seed rape containing 1 per cent. GM material. However, English Nature is aware of the facts and has been in contact with my officials since
  256W
  Ireland, indicating the number in each category attributable to (i) Republican terrorist organisations and (ii) Loyalist terrorist organisations. [128616]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the number of casualties resulting from paramilitary-style attacks for the period 1 January to 28 June 2000. The figures may be subject to amendment.

  18 May. English Nature has stated publicly in a press notice of 22 May 2000 that there is no immediate risk to wildlife from the contaminated rapeseed.

  English Nature is also an assessor on the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) and was party to the ACRE meeting on 25 May where members discussed this matter in full and further endorsed their recent advice.

  Crop Contamination
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish advice given to him by English Nature on the GM contamination of Advanta Seeds UK's Hyola spring oilseed rape. [124325]

  Mr. Meacher
  English Nature has not given formal advice on this matter. English Nature published a press notice of 22 May 2000, stating that there is no immediate risk to wildlife from the contaminated rapeseed. A copy has been placed in the House Library.

  Incineration
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans
  257W
  the Government have to introduce independent and comprehensive testing of incinerator emissions and ash. [126471]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]: Incinerator emissions are already tightly regulated. Under the provisions of Part I the Environmental Protection Act 1990, regulators (for England and Wales, either the Environment Agency for larger plant and all hazardous waste incinerators, or local authorities for other plant) must include in an incineration plant's permit conditions to deliver BAT/BATNEEC (Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost). Guidance is published on what constitutes BATNEEC. The regulators have powers to require independent emissions testing where they consider it warranted.

  Data on levels of dioxins in ash sent for disposal are not routinely held by the Agency or my Department. The operators of incineration plant are required by section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to provide sufficient information to those managing waste ash to ensure that it is disposed of appropriately, for example chemical and physical information. They are also required to ensure that ashes which contain hazardous substances above certain thresholds are disposed of in accordance with the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended). Environment Agency powers enable it to monitor the operation of these controls. We have no plans at present to introduce further requirements for testing ash sent for disposal.

  The Environment Agency requires that site-specific authorisation be sought for the use of ash in unbound construction applications and for ashes which have not been 'characterised' on the basis of various chemical properties. Where used in a construction application the processed ashes will normally be required to meet relevant technical specifications. We understand that the industry is working towards a quality control procedure to ensure that the ash consistently meets the 'fit for purpose' criteria required by these technical specifications. DETR, the Environment Agency and industry representative organisations are also developing a policy protocol for the use of Incineration Bottom Ash (IBA) in construction applications. A draft is currently under review. It will also require the 'characterisation' of ash for various chemical properties which, according to best practice, would be carried out in accordance with a robust quality control procedure.

  The proposed waste incineration Directive (Common Position (EC) No 7/2000), which the Government have welcomed and which is now in the last stages of negotiations, will apply to virtually all types of incineration and co-incineration plant. It sets stringent standards for emissions to air and water, places controls on solid residues, and includes monitoring requirements for air and water emissions. Article 9 of the proposal also says:
  "Prior to determining the routes for the disposal or recycling of the residues from incineration and co-incineration plants, appropriate tests shall be carried out to establish the physical and chemical characteristics and the polluting potential of the different incineration residues."
  Similar wording is already included in Article 9(4) of the hazardous waste incineration Directive (94/67/EC). Subject to the remaining stages of negotiations, the proposed Directive is likely to apply to new plant from Autumn 2002 and to existing plant from Autumn 2005.

  Bus Drivers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the extent of shortages of bus drivers; and if he will make a statement; [128447]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to offer financial incentives to bus companies facing recruitment difficulties for the training of bus drivers. [128446]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department is aware of the difficulties being experienced by bus operators in recruiting and retaining bus drivers in some areas. The bus industry has drawn our attention to this issue, which has also been a matter considered as part of the Department's research on trends in the industry.

  The responsibility for ensuring that they have sufficient drivers is primarily a matter for individual bus companies. However, my Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are pursuing with the industry what steps can be taken to assist with the current problems.

  In addition, I understand the Department for Education and Employment has provided £145,000 to TRANSfED, the bus industry's National Training Organisation, to identify and address future skills needs.

  Single Regeneration Funding
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council wards in Morecambe and Lunesdale that are eligible for single regeneration funding. [128341]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 29 June 2000,Official Report, column 604W.

  Heathrow
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals are under consideration by his Department for additional runways at Heathrow; and what is the status of these proposals. [128869]

  Mr. Mullin
  As the then Minister for Transport announced on 11 March 1999,Official Report, columns 360–61W, the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study will examine a wide range of options and has started from the position that nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out.

  Options will be appraised through a process of successive sifts. A very large number of options will be considered during the sifting process, which is designed to reduce the options to a manageable number, so that those can be appraised in sufficient detail to support a meaningful public consultation at the end of the study.

  Until then, it would be premature to comment on the scope or status of any option.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a performance target for tackling the backlog of repairs in the local authority sector; and if he will make a statement. [128903]
  259W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Housing Green Paper issued in April sets out a range of proposals for tackling housing problems, including our commitment to ensure that all social housing is of a decent standard within 10 years. The Department's Public Service Agreement (PSA) target on the council house repairs backlog agreed in the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review is to deliver a reduction of 10 per cent. in the backlog by April 2002. Any further targets will be announced following the current spending review.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed council housing stock transfer programme for 2000–01 on the rents of(a) existing tenants and (b) future tenants; and if he will make a statement. [129065]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The table shows(a) the transfer rents of existing tenants and (b) the relet rents of new tenants for local authorities who have places on the 2000–01 housing stock transfer programme. These rents are guaranteed to rise by not more than RPI plus 1 per cent. for five years after transfer under the new landlord. We would expect rent increases to be kept below this level wherever possible. We have also set out in the Housing Green Paper, our proposals for achieving rent harmonisation over the next 10 years.

  Birmingham CC and Sunderland CC have yet to be formally accepted onto the programme.

  Weekly Rents at Transfer

  (a) Existing tenants

  (b) New tenants

  Barnsley MBC

  32.33

  35.56

  Blackburn with Darwen BC

  49.69

  49.69

  Birmingham CC

  44.10

  51.60

  Calderdale Metropolitan BC

  37.06

  44.48

  Chester CC

  40.48

  50.60

  Chichester DC

  52.92

  61.23

  Coventry CC

  39.17

  47.00

  East Northamptonshire DC

  40.00

  50.00

  East Staffordshire BC

  38.75

  44.56

  Fylde BC

  37.08

  48.19

  Horsham DC

  59.00

  64.90

  Manchester CC—Handforth Estate

  43.30

  49.80

  Manchester CC—Knutsford Estate

  45.90

  50.50

  Mendip DC

  44.80

  49.29

  LB Richmond

  62.83

  68.62

  South Bedfordshire DC

  48.83

  53.71

  Staffordshire Moorlands DC

  39.31

  47.17

  Sunderland CC

  42.73

  49.13

  Torbay Council

  46.94

  54.23

  Walsall MBC

  39.54

  44.35

  Waverley BC

  59.85

  68.83

  West Oxfordshire DC

  47.25

  51.98

  West Wiltshire DC

  52.87

  60.79

  Wgycombe DC

  52.44

  57.44

  1Weekly rent figures are based on 52 weeks

  Affordable Housing
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on setting targets for affordable housing in regional planning guidance; and if he will make a statement. [128908]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State published his proposed changes to the South East and East of England draft Regional Planning Guidance in March this year. The 260W
  consultation period finished on 19 June and the responses are still being analysed. Over 500 representations have been analysed as of 3 July. Of these some 100 have pressed for targets for affordable housing in regional planning guidance. However, this Government have made it clear that assessments of local housing needs are matters for local authorities to undertake in light of their local circumstances.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the current unmet need for affordable housing in(a) London and (b) England; and if he will make a statement. [128902]

  Mr. Raynsford
  While the Government have from time to time commissioned studies of the extent and nature of housing need to inform their views on the requirement for affordable housing in England, they believe that neither national nor regional estimates can adequately reflect the wide diversity of needs and priorities which exist at the local level. For these reasons, the Government believe that local authorities are best placed to carry out robust assessments of housing need in their areas.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will (1) give local authorities greater discretion to secure affordable housing on sites for developments below the thresholds currently set out in Circular 6/96; and if he will make a statement; [129062]

  (2) revise Circular 6/98 to reduce the threshold above which an affordable housing element can be secured through the planning system in (a) inner and (b) outer London; and if he will make a statement. [129064]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The thresholds were in fact reduced by Circular 6/98. We have recently issued Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (PPG3) which reaffirms the detailed policy guidance on affordable housing in Circular 6/98 including the flexibility to facilitate lower thresholds in areas of special need outside Inner London. We have no plans at present to revise the guidance.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on reducing the threshold set out in Circular 6/98 for securing affordable housing through the planning system; and if he will make a statement. [129067]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We received a number of representations about affordable housing in response to the consultation draft of revised Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing. Of these, 23 raised the question of the thresholds set out in Circular 6/98.

  Starter Home Initiative
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his definition of a key worker is for the purposes of the Starter Home Initiative described in the Housing Green Paper; and if he will make a statement. [128901]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Housing Green Paper made clear that the Government were looking for proposals on how the Starter Home Initiative could be operated most successfully and cost effectively, and that we would
  261W
  announce details of the initiative in the light of responses to the Green Paper and the Spending Review. The announcement will cover, inter alia, how a key worker might be defined.

  Housing Rents
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a breakdown by registered social landlord of the average rent paid by(a) existing tenants and (b) new tenants where large-scale voluntary transfers have taken place in each of the three years following transfer. [129066]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information on average rents is collected by the Housing Corporation as part of their Regulatory Statistical Returns but information on average rents paid by transfer tenants and by new tenants is not collected separately. The Government have set out their proposals for rent harmonisation in the Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: a decent home for all".

  M42 Motorway Service Area Development
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when a decision will be announced on the three motorway service area development applications on the M42 in Solihull. [128876]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government have set a target for deciding 80 per cent. of planning appeals within eight weeks of receipt of the Inspector's report following the local inquiry. The inquiry into the appeals closed in June, and the Inspector has not yet submitted his report to the Secretary of State. At the inquiry the Inspector indicated his intention to submit his report by September.

  European Habitats Directive
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of the European Habitats Directive. [128733]

  Mr. Meacher
  Last year, the Government submitted a list of 340 UK sites as candidate Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. The UK site list was, like those of other member states, criticised as inadequate by the European Commission in the autumn of last year. As a result, the country nature conservation agencies, co-ordinated by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, have conducted a fundamental review of site selection. The advice arising from that review is currently being considered and I hope to be able to make an announcement on a revised site list soon.

  Housing (Capital Improvements)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current year's investment is, for each London borough, per property, of capital improvements to(a) council and (b) housing association properties; and if he will make a statement. [129120]
  262W
  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: The latest available outturn data for Registered social landlords (RSLs) relate to 1999–2000, and for local authorities to 1998–99. Figures for local authorities in 1999–2000 will become available in the autumn.

  Figures for planned expenditure on existing stock by RSLs based on Approved Development Programme (ADP) allocations for 2000–01 are also available. Local authorities reported their planned spend for 2000–01 on the HIP Annual Plan returns last summer but these plans were drawn up before HIP allocations for the year had been decided.

  Contaminated Brownfield Sites
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will challenge the European Commission ruling that member state grants to clear contaminated brownfield land violate EU regulations. [128399]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have accepted the European Commission's ruling of 22 December 1999 that the Partnership Investment Programme breached the state aid rules, and closed the programme from that date. We are discussing with the Commission possible ways forward on joint public/private partnership working in regeneration.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of brownfield sites in(a) England, (b) the South West and (c) Devon are classified by his Department as suffering from contamination preventing redevelopment. [128562]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Sites are not classified in the manner suggested. The potential impact of contamination on any development will depend significantly on the nature and design of the specific development. For example, a site which is "suitable" for development for commercial and retail uses may not be "suitable" for residential use without prior remediation.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many contaminated brownfield sites identified for development(a) qualify for Government grants to aid decontamination and (b) will be affected by the European Commission's ruling on state aid for decontamination. [128563]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Under the former Partnership Investment Programme, it was the specific development proposal for any given site which may have been eligible for support, not the site itself. Data are not available in the form requested, as sites were not classified as eligible for funding support.

  Dartford River Crossings
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about his plans for charging at the Dartford river crossings. [129910]

  Mr. Hill
  The current legislation authorising the collection of tolls at the Dartford river crossings is forecast to expire in June 2002. The cessation of tolling would be likely to have the effect of significantly increasing demand on the eastern sector of the M25 which would further
  263W
  increase the level of congestion at the crossings and elsewhere and have associated environmental and safety implications.

  The Government are therefore minded to continue to charge for the use of the Dartford river crossings when the current legislation expires. Subject to the consent of Parliament we will consult next year on detailed proposals. Revenues from charging would be hypothecated for spending on transport.

  Flooding
  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Wear Valley District Council under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of costs incurred following flooding in the district on the weekend of 3 and 4 June. [129913]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Wear Valley District Council given the exceptional nature of the flooding and the damage caused. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to the authority to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold, which it has incurred in dealing with the flooding.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  GM Contamination
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to check if United Kingdom crops have been affected by GM contamination of French maize crops. [129915]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Following reports in the French press last week that the French authorities had discovered low levels of GM presence in conventional maize seed imported into France, we contacted the French authorities, who confirmed on 30 June that they had indeed found some GM seed in conventional maize seed, which has been sown in South West France. Further information now indicates that they have found three different modifications in a number of varieties of forage maize imported into France by the company Golden Harvest. The French authorities have not yet confirmed which varieties of maize seed are involved, but have confirmed that sweetcorn varieties are not affected by their current investigations. We are seeking further information from them on the varieties concerned. However, as the varieties concerned are cultivated in Southern France, it is possible that they would be unsuitable for cultivation in UK conditions.

  The GMs found in maize samples by the French authorities are BT 176 and BT 11, and one further, as yet unidentified, modification. BT 176 is insect resistant and has Part C consent within the EU under Directive 90/220 for import, food and feed use, and for cultivation. BT 11 is insect resistant and has Part C consent for import and use in animal feed. Pending further information from the French authorities, my Department, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Food
  264W
  Standards Agency are considering what the implications would be should further investigations indicate that affected seed may have been sown in the UK.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list for his Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on his Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128992]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and the Treasury Solicitor's Department make use of cars provided by the Government Car Service. I understand that the Cabinet Office will shortly give details of cars leased and purchased by the Government Car Service to my hon. Friend in a written answer.

  The Crown Prosecution Service has a car and van leasing scheme. There is no purchase scheme. Under the leasing scheme, there are four approved manufacturers: Ford, Peugeot, Rover and Vauxhall. The Crown Prosecution Service ensures good value for money from its leasing scheme by seeking Competitive quotations for all new leases and, to take account of environmental considerations, there are limits on the size of engine capacities for leased vehicles.

  The Serious Fraud Office neither leases nor has purchased cars or commercial vehicles, though it keeps this position under review.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by the Law Officers' Department, indicating(a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if his Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [129053]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers have not entered into any PFI contract.

  Alton Manning
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the action he will take following the High Court ruling in respect of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to prosecute officers involved in the death of Alton Manning in Blakenhurst private prison. [129095]

  The Solicitor-General
  Judgment in this case was handed down on 17 May 2000 when the CPS decision not to prosecute was quashed and the matter was referred back to the CPS to reconsider the decision. The avenue of appeal is to the House of Lords. No appeal is possible unless the Divisional Court certifies that its decision involves a point of law of general public importance and unless leave to appeal is given by either the Divisional Court or the House of Lords. The relevant legislation provides 14 days within which to make an application to the Divisional Court for such certification and leave. The CPS made such an application within the 14-day limit.

DEFENCE

  Trees
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the country of origin of trees planted on its land and that of its agencies. [124633]

  Mr. Spellar
  Conservation is a key element in the Ministry of Defence's stewardship of its woodland and the Defence Estates Agency employs full-time professional foresters who manage this process on Ministry of Defence land. Woodland planning includes a study of the local habitat, the soil and the environmental impact of any planting. Wherever possible, species indigenous to the soil are planted, often using seeds collected on the Defence estate.

  Reservists
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists are currently serving with regular forces as mobilised soldiers; and in each of the last five years what was the total number of(a) regular forces, (b) reservists and (c) reservists serving with regular forces as mobilised soldiers. [126202]

  Mr. Spellar
  The total number of reservists currently serving as mobilised soldiers is 649. (This figure consists of members of the Army Reserve and Territorial Army)

  Total number of regular forces for each of the last five years

  Year

  Number

  1995

  233,340

  1996

  221,870

  1997

  210,823

  1998

  210,136

  1999

  208,636

  Total number of reservists1for each of the last five years

  Year

  Number

  1995

  348,956

  1996

  320,636

  1997

  321,977

  1998

  317,070

  1999

  306,440

  1The total number of reservists consists of members of: the Royal Fleet Reserve, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marine Reserve, the Army Reserve, the Territorial Army, the Air Force Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force

  Number of reservists serving as mobilised soldiers in each of the last five years

  Year

  Number

  1995

  1441

  1996

  1,416

  1997

  973

  1998

  756

  1999

  1,177

  1Records start at the first call-up to Bosnia in December 1995. Figures for the rest of 1995 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost

  Note:

  The figures include members of the Territorial Army and Army Reserve
  266W
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the detailed costs and benefits of the Royal Naval Reserve utilising reservists as Sea Harrier pilots, with particular reference to(a) the costs of the reservist pilot programme and (b) improved aircraft utilisation. [129282]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Air Branch of the RNR has 13 trained Sea Harrier pilots. All of them are former regular RN Sea Harrier pilots.

  Their RNR function is to maintain a close familiarity with current military fast jet operations so that, in the event of call-out, it would take a minimum period of training to bring them up to operational standard and permit them to be deployed alongside, or in support of, their RN counterparts.

  The minimum annual training requirement which these pilots are required to achieve is 17 Operational Role Training days. In the period April 1999 to March 2000 they averaged 25 training days. The training is designed to maintain otherwise perishable skills. The cost of 25 days' training, in current individual pilot salary terms, is £2,778.

  With regard to the benefits of aircraft utilisation, in recent years one, but very often two, such pilots have at any time been serving in support of Sea Harrier pilot training. Every opportunity is taken to recall these pilots—when their civilian jobs allow—as a very cost-effective way of supporting the Regular forces and ensuring maximum usage of Sea Harrier aircraft.

  Clyde Naval Base
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his long-term plans for the Clyde Naval Base, with special reference to the likely impact on the numbers employed there. [128073]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Defence Logistics Organisation has challenging targets to reduce costs while improving the quality of logistics support to the Front Line. As part of this, discussions are being held with the Dockyard companies and senior Trades Union national officers on the problem of over-capacity in warship support within the Dockyards and Naval Bases, including Clyde. The discussions are not aimed at closing any Dockyards or Naval Bases.

  It is too early to say what the outcome of these discussions will be in terms of numbers employed.

  Belize
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British forces are stationed in Belize; and if he has any plans to increase their number. [129077]

  Mr. Spellar
  The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) is the only unit permanently stationed in Belize and consists of 84 British military personnel. There are no plans to increase this number.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from the Belize Government regarding military assistance; and if he will make a statement. [129079]
  267W
  Mr. Spellar
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I, as well as other Ministers including my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, met Said Musa, the Prime Minister of Belize, during his recent visit to the United Kingdom. During our meeting we discussed the strong defence relationship between our two countries, and current levels of military assistance funding provided by the UK to Belize. Her Majesty's Government are giving further consideration to representations from Mr. Musa on this subject. I also took the opportunity to express our thanks to Mr. Musa for his country's continuing support for the British Army jungle training unit in Belize, BATSUB.

  MLRS
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Army's inventory is of MLRS; and how many are operationally available. [129123]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Army has 64 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) including one non-operational training equipment. Three systems are currently in storage or repair. As at 31 May 2000, the latest date for which information is available, 77 per cent. of systems were immediately available for operations increasing to 90 per cent. within 24 hours.

  British Forces Post Office
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement about the future of British Forces Post Office, Mill Hill. [129277]

  Mr. Spellar
  A study is currently being conducted into the future structure and location of the British Forces Post Office, whose headquarters is at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill. I expect to receive advice in the autumn of this year and announce my decision soon after.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Zones
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the function is of the personal job account in the operation of employment zones. [127935]

  Ms Jowell
  The Personal Job Account is a radical and practical way of helping long-term unemployed people into work. Existing funds have been drawn together to make up the Personal Job Account, namely funds for Employment Service Support, training and benefits payments. There is no upper or lower limit to the amount allocated; it is dependent upon the needs of that participant and their most effective route back into work.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what further steps his Department proposes to take to extend the provision of nursery education. [127936]
  268W
  Ms Hodge
  Since September 1998, all four-year-olds have had access to a free nursery education place. By April 2002, we shall have created 190,000 new free places for three-year-olds. 66 per cent. will then have access to such a place.

  In line with our Manifesto pledge, we shall announce in this Parliament the date by which we shall achieve universal provision for three-year-olds.

  Older People
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact of the Government's employment policies for older people. [127937]

  Ms Jowell
  We are making progress in this area. The Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment, launched last year, has been widely welcomed. In the first two months since the national launch of New Deal 50 Plus, over 4,000 older people have returned to work and drawn on the Employment Credit. We are evaluating the impact of these initiatives. Overall, employment levels of older people rose by 2.4 per cent. and unemployment fell by 13.3 per cent. since last year.

  Aptitude Testing
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy on the testing of aptitude in schools. [127938]

  Jacqui Smith
  Our policy is set out in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 which allows schools with a specialism in designated subjects to give priority to up to 10 per cent. of pupils on the basis of aptitude for those subjects.

  Small Schools
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the small school support fund. [127940]

  Ms Hodge
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave today,Official Report, column 270W to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham).

  Numeracy
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support his Department is continuing to give to schools for the teaching of numeracy skills. [127941]

  Jacqui Smith
  The National Numeracy Strategy began in primary schools last September, supported by a training programme for all schools. We are continuing to fund over 370 local numeracy consultants to provide a wide range of intensive support and training to those schools in most need. This year, 27,000 teachers will attend our highly successful five-day intensive training course.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise standards in foundation and advanced modern apprenticeships. [127943]
  269W
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise standards in foundation and advanced modern apprenticeships. [128723]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government are committed to an apprenticeship culture which meets the needs of the individual in a learning environment, offers greater opportunities for progression and secures higher standards. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched a consultation exercise on 27 June on implementing reforms to strengthen Modern Apprenticeships. The consultation document is available in the House Library.

  Physical Education
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision he is making for the teaching of physical education in courses of initial teacher training. [127944]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We recognise the need to ensure that initial teacher training (ITT) equips trainees with the confidence and skills they need to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum in all the foundation subjects, including PE. We are addressing issues in relation to PE and sport through our wider reforms to improve the quality and flexibility of ITT provision. The Teacher Training Agency is also addressing training in PE and sport as part of its review of the ITT Curriculum and Qualified Teacher Status Standards in DfEE Circular 4/98 "Requirements for Courses of Initial Teacher Training".

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the educational responsibilities of the regional development agencies. [127945]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government set up Regional Development Agencies to improve the economies of the English regions. They have a broad statutory responsibility to enhance the development and application of skills in their area. In addition to producing a Regional Economic Strategy, one of their key tasks is to develop with their partners a plan containing actions to improve the regional skills base.

  Child Care Workers
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps have been taken to encourage the recruitment of child care workers. [127947]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government launched earlier this month a National Recruitment Campaign to help raise the status of the early years, childcare and playwork sector and recruit the new workers needed to staff expanding services. The campaign will help support the work of Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs), which are implementing strategies for recruiting workers in their area. An extra £5 million has been made available to the EYDCPs this year to help.

  Internet
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in connecting schools to the internet over the last three years. [127948]

  Mr. Wills
  Excellent progress is being made under the National Grid for Learning programme in connecting schools to the Internet. The 1999 Survey of Information and Communications Technology in Schools indicated a significant increase in connectivity in primary schools from 3 per cent. in 1996 to 62 per cent. in March 1999 and in secondary schools from 42 per cent. to 93 per cent. over the same period.

  Foundation Degrees
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans for foundation degrees. [127950]

  Mr. Wicks
  Following the launch of the proposals for the Foundation Degree in February this year, we established a Foundation Degree Group, comprising all the key stakeholders and including significant employer representation. The work of the Group has informed the prospectus inviting bids from consortia to design and develop the prototype Foundation Degree programmes, which will be issued this month by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. We expect the prototype courses to be delivered from autumn 2001 with further expansion taking place gradually.

  New Deal
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the proportion of people on the New Deal schemes who gain permanent employment on leaving. [127951]

  Ms Jowell
  Statistics are not collected using a category of "permanent" as this is not a term that adequately describes the realities of the modern labour market. By the end of March 2000, 57 per cent. of leavers to known destinations from the New Deal for Young People and 17 per cent. of leavers to known destinations from the New Deal for long term unemployed adults aged 25 or over, found sustained unsubsidised employment (i.e. a job that lasted for 13 weeks or more).

  External Examiners
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made on standardising the work of external examiners in the higher education sector. [127952]

  Mr. Wicks
  External examiners are a matter for the higher education sector itself and I have nothing further to add to the replies I gave on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 542W and 9 February 2000, Official Report, column 183W.

  Class Sizes
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he is making on reducing class sizes in primary schools. [127953]
  271W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  After rising for the previous 10 years, the size of the average class in primary schools has fallen from 27.7 in January 1998 to 27.1 in January 2000. Over the same period, the size of the average class in primary schools in the Sheffield, Hillsborough parliamentary constituency has fallen from 28.2 to 28.1.

  We are well on course to deliver our pledge to limit infant classes to 30 pupils. We have since January 1998 already reduced the number of children in infant classes of over 30 pupils by 300,000. £620 million is available to support the pledge, and allocations so far to Sheffield LEA amount to some £2.8 million. This has helped to reduce the size of the average Key Stage 1 class in Sheffield, Hillsborough to 25.6. The figure in January 1998 was 27.2. The number of children in infant classes of 31 or more pupils in the constituency has fallen from 1,250 in January 1998, to 230 in January 2000.

  Skills Training
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received on skills training for mothers returning to work. [127954]

  Ms Jowell
  The New Deal for Lone Parents currently provides skills training for lone parents on Income Support wishing to return to work. Help with training, normally up to NVQ level two, is available for up to 12 months, provided that the training is related to the local labour market and has been agreed with a New Deal for Lone Parents adviser. From time to time we receive representations about the nature and level of this training.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action his Department is taking to ensure that learning and skills councils will deliver optimum assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises. [127955]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will establish priorities for developing the skills of the workforce and targeted strategies for engaging, influencing and meeting the needs of employers, including small and medium sized enterprises. Subject to the passage of the Learning and Skills Bill, the LSC will

  UCAS UK-domiciled applicants and acceptances to Oxford University by previous educational establishment

  Year of entry

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Applicants:

  Independent

  3,399

  39

  3,501

  42

  3,393

  42

  3,361

  42

  3,416

  42

  State2

  5,210

  61

  4,765

  58

  4,644

  58

  4,645

  58

  4,671

  58

  Total

  8,609

  100

  8,266

  100

  8,037

  100

  8,006

  100

  8,087

  100

  Accepted applicants:

  Independent

  1,424

  50

  1,494

  51

  1,500

  51

  1,477

  49

  1,431

  48

  State2

  1,424

  50

  1,454

  49

  1,442

  49

  1,567

  51

  1,533

  52

  Total

  2,848

  100

  2,948

  100

  2,942

  100

  3,044

  100

  2,964

  100

  272W
  work very closely with the Small Business Service (SBS). In the vast majority of cases, the boundaries of the SBS franchises are coterminous with those of local LSCs to assist with joint working. The local Learning and Skills Councils will contract with the SBS franchises for the provision of LSC—funded workforce development services to small and medium sized enterprises, including advice on Investors in People, Modern Apprenticeships and management development. At national level we will expect the LSC National Council to invite the Chief Executive of the SBS to its meetings, and local LSC Councils will, likewise, be expected to invite a representative of the relevant SBS franchises as observers to their meetings.

  Teachers (Performance-related Pay)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of teachers have applied for the performance-related pay scheme. [127956]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  197,000 teachers in England, which represents over three quarters of the numbers eligible, have applied to cross the performance threshold in the first year of operation.

  Oxbridge Intake
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent research he has undertaken into the proportion of undergraduates at Oxford and Cambridge universities who come from schools in the maintained sector; and what conclusions he has reached. [127957]

  Mr. Wicks
  CVCP are currently undertaking research into higher education as a follow up to their "Elitism to Inclusion" report which was published in 1998. The Higher Education Funding Council for England are preparing a report entitled "Action on Access"—which will be available in the autumn. The most recent information on access is taken from data collected by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS) which gives information about previous educational establishment for students normally resident in the UK. These statistics published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England are shown in the following tables.
  273W

  UCAS UK-domiciled applicants and acceptances to Cambridge University by previous educational establishment

  Year of entry

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Applicants:

  Independent

  3,413

  37

  3,603

  37

  3,764

  37

  3,518

  37

  3,491

  36

  State2

  6,178

  63

  6,115

  63

  6,311

  63

  5,959

  63

  6,334

  64

  Total

  9,321

  100

  9,718

  100

  10,075

  100

  9,477

  100

  9,825

  100

  Accepted applicants:

  Independent

  1,359

  45

  1,223

  44

  1,338

  45

  1,345

  45

  1,286

  43

  State2

  1,630

  55

  1,544

  56

  1,663

  55

  1,637

  55

  1,699

  57

  Total

  2,989

  100

  2,767

  100

  3,001

  100

  2,982

  100

  2,985

  100

  1Constituent parts may not sum to total because of rounding.

  2Includes Sixth Form Centres, other secondary schools, other educational establishments, and students whose previous establishment was not known.

  Note:

  Information on previous educational establishment is only collected from students normally resident in the UK. HEFCE is now providing:

  1. £20 million funding in respect of students recruited and supported from disadvantaged backgrounds which was enhanced by a further £4 million by the Secretary of State when he addressed the AUT on 10 May 2000.

  2. £5 million for providing for students with disabilities.

  3. Funding premiums for mature and part-time students within the funding model Special funding.

  4. £5 million for a special funding programme focusing on developing regional partnerships to improve progression to HE of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and promotion and dissemination of good practice.

  5. £2 million from HEFCE to contribute to a £4 million joint fund with the FEFC to improve pathways from FE to HE for disadvantaged groups, through links between HEIs and the new Lifelong Learning Partnerships.

  6. £2 million p.a. for Development funding to improve the quality of provision for disabled students.

  7. £4 million for HEFCE to administer the Millennium Summer Schools programme under guidance of the DfEE.

  Rapid Response Fund
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the deployment of the Department's rapid response fund within the Yorkshire and Humberside region. [127958]

  Mr. Wicks
  Departmental officials approved in June the first Rapid Response Fund bid within the Yorkshire and the Humber Region. Up to £236,177 will support the 300 workers being made redundant from RHP Bearings, Ferrybridge, Wakefield. Officials also expect to receive a bid to support those being made redundant from Corus, Rotherham (formerly British Steel). There is also a strong possibility of a bid being received for British Aerospace, Brough, Humberside.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has made to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the review of standard spending assessments for education. [127946]

  School

  Purpose of grant allocation

  Northwick Manor Infants

  Replacement of three temporary classrooms

  Northwick Manor Infants

  Enclosure of open courtyard, development of library and IT areas

  St. Clement's CE Primary

  Replacement of two temporary classrooms

  Nunnery Wood High

  Conversion of two science laboratories

  St. Barnabas CE Primary

  Replacement of four temporary classrooms

  274W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister about these issues as part of the current review of local authority grant distribution. As you might expect, the future of education funding is an important part of the review, since education accounts for around 40 per cent. of local authority revenue expenditure. We expect to publish a Green Paper later this summer, which will set out a range of options for debate.

  ICT Access
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress is being made in implementing the Government's policy on increasing access to ICT among families on low incomes. [126115]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 29 June 2000, Official Report, column 575W.

  New Deal for Schools
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in Worcester constituency which have received funding through the New Deal for schools; and in each case for what purpose the money was allocated. [128880]

  Jacqui Smith
  The table shows the information requested for the Worcester constituency.
  275W

  School

  Purpose of grant allocation

  Bishop Perowne CE High

  Asbestos testing, recording and marking

  Christopher Whitehead High

  Nunnery Wood High

  The Elgar High

  Cherry Orchard Primary

  Roof-lights risk assessment

  Cranham Primary

  Dines Green Primary

  Elbury Mount Primary

  Gorse Hill Primary

  Lyppard Grange

  Northwick Manor Infant

  Northwick Manor Junior

  Nunnery Wood Primary

  Oldbury Park Primary

  Perdiswell Primary

  Pitmaston Primary

  Red Hill CE Primary

  Ronkswood Infants

  Ronkswood Juniors

  St. Barnabas CE Primary

  Stanley Road Primary

  Warndon Infants

  Warndon Juniors

  Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Primary

  St. Clement's CE Primary

  St. George's CE Primary

  St. George's RC Primary

  St. Joseph's RC Primary

  Christopher Whitehead High

  Nunnery Wood High

  The Elgar High

  Bishop Perowne CE High

  Manor Park Special

  Rose Hill Special

  Thornton House Special

  Oakfield Pupil Referral Unit

  The Pines Pupil Referral Unit

  Gorse Hill Primary

  Replace boilers and heating system

  Pitmaston Primary

  Replacement of double mobile classroom

  Rose Hill

  Replace dilapidated Life Skill post—16 base and science facilities

  98 selected First and Primary Schools1

  Asbestos testing, recording and marking

  2 schools1

  Rewiring

  2 schools1

  Replace heating system and controls

  3 Primary schools1

  Reconstruct paved areas

  Perdiswell Primary

  Replace warm air heating

  Composite Health & Safety Bid2

  Safety filming and glazing

  Composite Health & Safety Bid2

  H&S Switches—Machines

  Cherry Orchard Primary

  Refurbishment of library

  Christopher Whitehead High

  Refurbishment of showers and changing room

  Pitmaston Primary

  Replace fire alarm

  Dines Green Primary

  Replace fire alarm

  Red Hill CE Primary

  Replace distribution boards, lighting and fire alarm

  Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Primary

  Replace fire alarm and emergency lighting

  St. George's RC Primary

  Replace fire alarm

  Cranham Primary

  Replace fire alarm

  Ronkswood Junior

  Replace fire alarm

  Rose Hill Special

  Reconstruct concrete play area

  St. George's RC Primary

  Reconstruct path and reception play area

  Rose Hill Special

  Craft Design and Technology/Art refurbishment

  Elgar High

  Disabled access (lift)

  Bishop Perowne CE High

  Refurbish Craft Design and Technology facilities

  St. Joseph's RC Primary

  Security/administration improvements

  1Individual schools not identified by the LEA at the time of bidding in NDS Phase 3. Some schools in the Worcester constituency may be included.

  2Individual schools not identified by the LEA at the time of bidding in NDS Phase 2. Some schools in the Worcester constituency may be included.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for his Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on his Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128986]
  276W
  Mr. Wills
  The DfEE and the Employment Service do not operate an approved list of manufacturers for cars and vans.

  The DfEE and the Employment Service do not lease vehicles. Cars and vans are bought from the manufacturer that offers the best value for money across a range of vehicle specifications. This is determined by competitive tender. The current contract was awarded to Vauxhall in 1999.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by his Department, indicating(a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if his Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [129047]

  Mr. Wills
  The Employment Service has entered into three Private Finance Initiative contracts since 1997. It has established private finance deals for the delivery of procedural guidance via networked personal computers, for the delivery of all IT and related services, and for pay and personnel records. These are listed in the following table:

  £ million

  PFI contract

  Commencement date

  Capital value

  ESCOM

  February 1997

  4.0

  IT Partnership

  May 1998

  116.0

  HR Partnership

  January 1999

  5.8

  The commencement date is the date of financial close.

  None of these contracts has been subject to refinancing, although there is provision in the IT partnership contract for refinancing. There is no claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing of this project. If any refinancing were proposed, the parties would be required to negotiate suitable terms.

  National Skills Task Force
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government's response to the National Skills Task Force study on literacy, numeracy and skills levels will be co-ordinated across the United Kingdom between his Department and the devolved Administrations. [128583]

  Mr. Wills
  Education and Training are devolved matters for Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are liaison arrangements in place to ensure co-ordination between my Department and these Administrations. These arrangements will apply to work in response to the National Skills Task Force as they do in other areas of policy.

  City Academies
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 June 2000,Official Report, column 755, if pupils at schools which are to be designated as city academies will have an entitlement to attend the city academy if they so wish. [128592]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We expect most pupils at schools replaced by city academies to have the option of transferring to the city academy. In some cases, the establishment of a city academy will be part of a re-organisation involving several schools and where this happens pupils may transfer to the city academy or to another local school. Parents may also choose to send their children to a school other than the city academy.
  278W
  In all cases, the admission arrangements for each city academy will be agreed with the Secretary of State as a condition of the funding agreement and will be clear, fair and objective.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements are made for the provision of support, including(a) regular access to his Department's documentation, (b) access to funding for the National Grid for Learning and (c) funding for continuing professional development, for local education authority support services for children with special needs. [128324]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: At the moment, all local education authority (LEA) support services for children with special educational needs (SEN) receive "SPECTRUM" a monthly update of new DfEE publications from which support services can place orders for documentation. Each month all the publications DfEE has sent automatically to schools are posted on the EASEA website, where there is also a searchable archive of documents from past months. School and LEA staff can register with the service at www.easea.co.uk to receive a regular e-mail alert when new information fitting their personal profile of interest, is on-line. Work is in hand to automatically provide LEA support services for children with SEN with the monthly batch mailing to schools from September. Funding for the National Grid for Learning is made available to LEAs through the Standards Fund. A total of £205 million has been made available for 2000–01 of which £155 million has been provided specifically to allow LEAs to continue to equip schools in line with their ICT development plans. As such it is not available to LEA support services. Additionally, under the Standards Fund for 2000–01, £26 million is being provided to support in-service training in special educational needs. LEA support services are eligible for this funding.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many special education needs tribunal hearings took place in each of the last five years; and what proportion of them in each year resulted in a determination in favour of a material change in provision for the pupil in question. [128791]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Year

  Decisions issued

  Upheld

  Dismissed

  1994–95

  242

  150

  92

  1995–96

  904

  522

  382

  1996–97

  981

  556

  425

  1997–98

  1,135

  701

  434

  1998–99

  1,220

  921

  299

  Note:

  'Decisions issued' is the terminology used in the Special Educational Needs Tribunal's Annual Reports where this information is published. It equates to hearings that have taken place.

  Veterinary Schools
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the cost of fees and charges for students at veterinary schools. [129275]

  Mr. Wicks
  There is no special treatment in terms of fees and charges for students at university veterinary schools in England and Wales.

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the major changes set out in his second update of the transition plans for post-16 education and training. [129274]

  Mr. Wicks
  The latest version of the joint DfEE/DTI National Transition Plan was published in June 2000. The early part of the plan sets out the considerable progress made since the plan was last updated in November. The most significant changes are reflected in the plans for the Learning and Skills Council and the Inspectorates, where the plans now set out in much greater detail the steps that need to be taken over the next nine months.

  Architects
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to improve disability awareness in the professional training of architects. [129309]

  Mr. Wicks
  The design and content of higher education courses leading to professional qualifications in architectural studies is a matter for the professional bodies which accredit and the institutions which offer that training and education. The Royal Institute of British Architects is involved in a number of initiatives aimed at increasing knowledge of disability issues among their members. Architects also undertake Continuing Professional Development and disability awareness training which includes preparation for the full implementation of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in October 2004.

  Common Clearance Systems
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the benefits of introducing common clearance systems for school applications. [127942]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  None. Under admissions legislation any parent can state a preference for any school. Local education authorities have a duty to ensure that a school place is provided if the parent wants one.

  Universities
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the universities which were established in England and Wales within the last five years with their dates of establishment; what plans he has to establish new universities over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [128789]
  280W
  Mr. Wicks
  No universities have been established in the last five years. As far as the establishment of new universities is concerned, it is for the higher education funding councils to offer advice to the Government in the light of representations made locally.

  Pupil Costs
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the annual levels of full fees were at independent schools in England and Wales which participated in the former assisted places scheme in the last year of its operation; what the average per capita funding was of pupils in maintained schools in the same year; and if he will make a statement. [128790]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The last year in which children could take up assisted places was academic year 1997–98. Existing assisted pupils will continue to hold their places until the end of their current phase of education. The average day tuition fee charged by schools in England for assisted pupils in 1997–98 was £4,598. The average cost to my Department of an assisted place in that year was £4,082 when parental contributions are taken into account. The unit cost of a maintained secondary place in England in 1997–98 was £2,359.

  Figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

HEALTH

  Influenza Immunisation
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 February 2000,Official Report, column 778W, on influenza immunisation for healthcare workers, when he expects the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will publish their recommendations on influenza immunisation of healthcare workers for the coming winter; and if he will make a statement. [124206]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department's guidelines on influenza immunisation for healthcare workers for the coming winter are set out in Health Services Circular 2000/016, which was issued on 23 May 2000. A copy of the circular can be found in the Library.

  Meningitis C (Immunisation)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue new advice to practitioners who are immunising against Meningitis C to take account of possible adverse reactions. [126254]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]: The Deputy Chief Medical Officer wrote to all practitioners immunising against Meningitis C on 13 June 2000, with further advice about possible adverse reactions; a copy is in the Library.

  The safety of all new medicines, including vaccines, is continuously monitored by the Medicines Control Agency. Advice is sought from the independent expert advisory committees, the Committee on Safety of Medicines and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, when appropriate. Advice to prescribers is contained in the

  281W
  Summary of Product Characteristics and to patients in the Patient Information Leaflet. Product information is updated as necessary.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking in his evaluation of the Meningitis C immunisation programme to ensure that he receives an accurate assessment of the numbers of individuals who may be suffering an adverse reaction. [126255]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]: In October 1999 a letter from the Chief Medical Officer advised doctors and pharmacists to report all suspected adverse reactions to the new meningococcal C vaccine to the Medicines Control Agency via the yellow card scheme. In December 1999, following the Committee on Safety of Medicines' advice, nurses were also invited to report suspected adverse reactions to this vaccine via the yellow card scheme. The Medicines Control Agency continuously monitors the safety of all medicines including Meningitis C vaccine. Various data sources are used including spontaneous reports of suspected reactions from health professionals, clinical trials, epidemiological studies and regular safety update reports from manufacturers. This post-licensing monitoring follows the detailed safety and efficacy trials of meningococcal C vaccine undertaken before the vaccine was licensed.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will produce a report on the immunisation programme against Meningitis C, including reported incidents of side effects. [126253]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]: The Department intends to produce a report of the meningitis C campaign after the catch-up programme is complete. The report will cover all aspects, including adverse reactions. A report along these lines was produced after the last major immunisation campaign in the United Kingdom, the measles/rubella (MR) campaign of 1994, when about 8 million children in the UK aged five to 16 were immunised.

  HIV-AIDS
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total financial allocation in respect of HIV/AIDS(a) is in the current financial year and (b) was in each of the previous three years, broken down into the amounts devoted to (i) treatment and care, (ii) prevention, (iii) AIDs support grants, (iv) Section 64 grants, (v) public education and (vi) research. [127014]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]: The information requested is given in the table.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Treatment and care

  199.6

  228.1

  233.1

  1184.2

  HIV prevention

  51.9

  53.4

  53.4

  54.7

  AIDS Support Grant

  13.7

  13.7

  15.5

  16.0

  Section 64

  1.6

  1.5

  1.5

  1.3

  Public education

  4.3

  4.4

  5.0

  3.6

  Research

  15.4

  16.2

  320.4

  2—

  1We have introduced a new funding formula for the treatment and care budget in 2000–01. The HIV/AIDs allocation was brought in line with actual spending as part of the introduction of residence based funding.

  2We have not yet committed all Department of Health/National Health Service research and development expenditure for 2000–01, so figures for 2000–01 are not yet available.

  3Estimate

  Cancer Services
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for(a) breast cancer (b) cervical cancer and (c) cancer of the prostate, (i) the number of cases diagnosed, (ii) the number of recorded and (iii) the amount of Government money spent on research in the financial year 1999–2000. [128117]

  Yvette Cooper
  Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of breast, cervical and prostate cancer in 1993 in England and Wales are as follows:

  Number

  Breast cancer

  30,495

  Cervical cancer

  3,302

  Prostate cancer

  17,208

  The estimated figures for Government spend in 1999–2000 on research supported through the Medical Research Council and the Department are as follows:

  £ million

  Breast cancer

  9.02

  Cervical cancer

  1.53

  Prostate cancer

  1.52

  These figures do not include:
  Department of Health/National Health Service support for research commissioned by the research councils and research charities taking place in the NHS (with the exception of the Royal Marsden Trust/Institute of Cancer Research). The Department spends £63 million a year of this support on cancer research. Management of budgets is devolved and details of spend at project level are not collected routinely by the Department.
  Departmental and Medical Research Council expenditure on research projects relevant to all cancers, for example on the biological basis, causes, prevention, services, psychosocial issues and palliative care.
  Government spend via the higher education funding councils to universities (from the Department for Education and Employment)
  Government spend via research councils other than the MRC (from the Department of Trade and Industry).

  Cobham Cottage Hospital
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the level of resources for Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust in respect of services at Cobham Cottage Hospital. [128463]

  Yvette Cooper
  The distribution of resources among the units of a National Health Service Trust is not properly a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, but is decided instead by the trust itself in conjunction with its commissioning health authorities on behalf of the residents of the area. It is for East Surrey health authority and Mid Surrey Primary Care Group in liaison with Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust to establish the correct level of funding for local services taking a range of health service priorities into account. Discussions around funding this year were concluded recently as part of the negotiations on the service and financial framework.

  Dorset Health Authority
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funds have been made available to NHS trusts in Dorset in the current financial year to deal with administration costs. [128640]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department does not allocate specific funds to meet National Health Service trusts' administration costs. These are met from within the general allocations to health authorities. Dorset Health Authority's allocation for 2000–01 is £487.3 million, a real terms increase of £25.5 million (5.66 per cent.).

  We firmly believe that the NHS needs a sufficient number of good managers to run services efficiently and effectively. Good management is essential to ensure that money is spent prudently on the NHS in order to secure maximum improvements in healthcare. However, we are determined to target wasteful and inefficient practice so that more money is spent on improving health and healthcare services.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many surgical procedures he estimates the private health care sector will carry out for the Dorset Health Authority in 2000–01. [128632]

  Ms Stuart
  This information requested is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Major General Richard Keightley CB, Chairman of Dorset Health Authority, for information on this matter.

  Source Informatics
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he withdrew his Department's application to the House of Lords in its case against Source Informatics. [129017]

  Ms Stuart
  We have concluded that it would not be in the public interest to pursue this litigation further.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for his Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on his Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128989]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department and the agencies of the Department do not obtain cars or commercial vehicles from an approved list of manufacturers. The Department does not currently purchase vehicles but has a contract for the supply of lease cars. Drivers are free to lease the car of their choice, within the parameters laid down by the Department for the operation of the lease car scheme.

  Patient Waiting Times
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffered from conditions that became inoperable in the time between diagnosis and treatment in each year since 1990. [128698]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Organ Donor Card Scheme
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the organ donor card scheme; and if he will make a statement; [128898]

  (2) how many transplant operations were carried out last year where the donor was identified as a consequence of carrying a donor card. [128897]

  Mr. Denham
  This information requested is not available centrally.

  Our current organ donation campaign, launched in 1998, is ongoing. It encourages people to join the National Health Service organ donor register, carry the donor card and, most importantly, discuss their wishes with their friends and family.

  Cancer Facilities (Merseyside)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on investment in cancer facilities in Merseyside. [129222]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: Cancer services in Merseyside and Cheshire are being developed as a network of cancer units linked to the Oncology Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral. This is in line with the Calman-Hine report on cancer services and the emerging recommendations of the National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards.

  Merseyside and Cheshire have received £3.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund to invest in cancer services. In addition to this, local health authorities have received identifiable shares of the £9 million national gynaecological cancer moneys and, within their general allocations, a pro-rata share of £30 million made available nationally to improve access to cancer services.

  NHS Dentistry (Yeovil)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve access to NHS dentistry in the Yeovil constituency; and if he will make a statement. [128788]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have already made good progress towards improving access to dental services in Yeovil, Somerset. Investing in dentistry grants amounting to nearly £200,000 have been paid to dentists in the Somerset Health Authority area in return for promises of up to 17,000 new National Health Service registrations. The NHS Executive is also working with Somerset Health Authority and East Somerset NHS Trust on plans for a dental access centre. The centre would be based on a network of clinic sites, including one in Yeovil. Access centres provide a full range of NHS dental treatment, routine and urgent, to people who are not registered with a dentist.

  The NHS Executive wrote on 16 May to all health authority chief executives and regional dental advisers asking them to tell us whether more needs to be done to improve NHS dentistry in their locality and inviting ideas for potential funding.
  285W
  Further initiatives to improve access to services will form part of our plans for modernising NHS dentistry, which will be published this summer in conjunction with the National Plan for the New NHS.

  NHS Funding (Bury and Rochdale)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total increase in revenue and capital budgets to(a) Bury and Rochdale health authority and (b) Bury NHS Health Care Trust for each financial year since 1995–96. [128003]

  Mr. Denham
  Health authorities have existed in their current form only since 1 April 1996. Therefore the cash increase for Bury and Rochdale health authority since 1996–97 is as follows:

  £ million

  1996–97

  6.6

  1997–98

  6.7

  1998–99

  8.9

  1999–2000

  116.4

  2000–01

  223.7

  1Allocations for 1999–2000 are not comparable with those for 1996–97 to 1998–99 which cover hospital and community health services only. 1999–2000 is the first year of unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and general practice infrastructure.

  2Includes an element of the extra £660 million announced by the Secretary of State on 28 March 2000.

  Capital budget for Bury and Rochdale health authority

  £

  1996–97

  50,000

  1997–98

  50,000

  1998–99

  50,000

  1999–2000

  534,000

  2000–01

  50,000

  Increase in the total revenue income for the Bury Health Care NHS Trust from 1995–96 to 1998–99

  £ million

  1995–96 to 1996–97

  0.170

  1996–97 to 1997–98

  1.6

  1997–98 to 1998–99

  4.4

  Note:

  The data to provide the increase for 1998–99 to 1999–2000 are not yet available

  Capital budget for the trust

  £

  1996–97

  527,600

  1997–98

  207,800

  1998–99

  194,700

  1999–2000

  404,800

  2000–01

  1,100,000

CABINET OFFICE

  Children
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps she is taking to develop cross-departmental child well-being indicators to help 286W
  monitor child outcomes and set policy goals on child well-being. [128998]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have pledged to halve child poverty in 10 years and eradicate it over 20.

  "Opportunity for All" sets out 13 cross-departmental indicators referring to children and young people that will monitor the success of these and other policy priorities. The indicators are outcome focused and capture a number of aspects of well-being: income, health, education, housing and fuel poverty. It also contains a range of policy milestones, which we will use to monitor our progress in tackling child poverty.

  New Deal
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been employed in the Civil Service under the New Deal for the young and unemployed. [129914]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  As at 1 April 2000, the information on Civil Service departments (including their agencies) participating as employers in the New Deal is as follows:

  New deal starts since programme began as at 1 April 2000

  Main department (inc. agencies)

  Number

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  38

  Intervention Board

  3

  Cabinet Office

  9

  Charity Commission

  18

  Culture, Media and Sport

  4

  Ministry of Defence

  95

  Education and Employment

  1736

  Office for Standards in Education

  1

  Environment, Transport and the Regions

  18

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  4

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  4

  Government Offices for the Regions

  4

  Health

  27

  Home Office

  73

  International Development

  1

  Law Officers' Departments

  10

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  22

  Lord Advocate's Department

  3

  National Assembly for Wales

  33

  Northern Ireland Office

  11

  Scottish Executive

  29

  Social Security

  467

  Trade and Industry

  46

  HM Treasury

  2

  HM Customs and Excise

  35

  Office of Government Commerce

  1

  Inland Revenue

  256

  Office for National Statistics

  10

  Royal Mint

  3

  Total

  2,963

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles operated by her Department were manufactured (i) in the UK, (ii) in the EU and (iii) elsewhere. [122267]
  287W
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [pursuant to his reply, 17 May 2000, c. 141W]: I regret that the figures provided were incomplete and should have been as follows:

  The Government Car and Despatch Agency operates a fleet of vehicles, as shown in the table, for the Government as a whole. Seven of these vehicles are owned by GCDA but operated by the Cabinet Office (Infrastructure Division).

  (a)

  (b)

  Cars

  Commercial vehicles

  Total

  (i) UK

  60

  16

  76

  (ii) EU

  130

  41

  171

  (iii) Elsewhere

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  190

  57

  247

  In addition, one vehicle is leased by the Cabinet Office (Infrastructure Division) from Lex, which is made in the UK; one car is leased by the Civil Service College from A. A. Clark Ltd. which is made in the EU, as well as three commercial vehicles made in the UK.

  The following table shows the vehicles operated by the Cabinet Office (Security Facilities Division):

  (a)

  (b)

  Cars

  Commercial vehicles

  Total

  (i) UK

  19

  8

  27

  (ii) EU

  4

  17

  21

  (iii) Elsewhere

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  23

  25

  48

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery money has been awarded to projects in the Lancaster City council district since the National Lottery began; and if he will list the projects concerned. [128346]

  Kate Hoey
  According to my Department's National Lottery Awards Database, there have been 134 awards in the Lancaster City council district since the Lottery began, with a total value of £16,913,630. I have placed a list of these projects in the Libraries of the House.

  Free TV Licences
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost of extending free TV licences for pensioners aged over 75 years to(a) 70 to 74 and (b) 65 to 69-year-olds. [128564]

  Janet Anderson
  For the UK in the year 2000–01 the additional annual cost of extending free TV licences to

  (a) 65–69 year olds is £200 million, and

  (b) 70–74 year olds is £200 million.

  Lottery Awards
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery money was spent on arts projects, and how many arts projects were funded in(a) 1997 and (b) 1999; since the commencement of the Lottery, how much money has been spend on arts projects; and how many arts projects have been funded in total. [128701]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have asked the Arts Council of England, as the main distributing body of lottery money for the arts, to provide this information. When it is available, I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on the amount of Lottery funds dedicated to good causes in the North-West and to(a) London, (b) the South-East, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales; [128829]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the amount of Lottery funds dedicated to good causes in (a) Chorley and (b) the North-West as a whole. [128828]

  Kate Hoey
  The table shows the allocation of Lottery funds to Scotland and Wales under various Lottery programmes. There is no formal allocation of Lottery funds set out in statute or Government directions for Funds distributed to charities, projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium, or the national heritage; nor is there any formal allocation within England for any Lottery funds.

  Percentage of funds

  Programme

  Scotland

  Wales

  Arts

  8.9

  5

  Sport

  8.1

  4.5

  ICT training for teachers and school library staff (New Opportunities Fund)

  10.1

  5.5

  ICT training for public library staff (New Opportunities Fund)

  11.85

  4.35

  All other New Opportunities Fund programmes

  11.5

  6.5

  The amount of Lottery funds awarded in Chorley, the North-West, London, the South-East, Scotland and Wales, according to my Department's National Lottery Awards Database, are set out in the table.

  £

  Region

  Amount awarded

  Chorley

  2,176,661

  North West

  492,379,174

  London

  1,254,454,386

  South East

  485,686,749

  Scotland

  733,900,053

  Wales

  416,234,366

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) on how many occasions since May 1997 Ministers in his Department have made a declaration of interest to their colleagues under circumstances envisaged in Paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code; [129164]
  289W
  (2) how many times ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in Paragraphs 118, 121 and 123 of the Ministerial Code; and on which occasions such advice was sought. [129175]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption II of the code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities have been made available to Lord Levy by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the last 12 months. [128162]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of 30 March 2000,Official Report, column 245W, and to my answers of 7 June 2000, Official Report, column 291W, and 30 March 2000, Official Report, columns 261–62W. Since those answers, Lord Levy has also stayed in the Ambassador's residence in Egypt.

  Northern Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken on the Cuco report to the Council of Europe on Turkish settlers in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [128891]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK is in regular contact with all those with an interest in the Cyprus settlement process. As recommended in the Cuco report, the UK continues to promote person-to-person contact on the island and to urge the parties involved in the UN process to co-operate with Kofi Annan in a constructive and flexible manner.

  Step Change Project
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers and officials have participated in the Step Change Project efforts, initiatives and visits; and if he will list those efforts, initiatives and visits. [128722]

  Mr. Vaz
  As part of the Government's Step Change initiative, all Departments have taken steps to increase contacts with EU member states and the applicants. It is impossible to quantify the precise number of initiatives and visits which have arisen from the process. Ministers and officials with an interest in EU business across all Departments have participated in the initiative.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those backbench hon. Members who have participated in the Step Change Project efforts, initiatives and visits. [128719]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Step Change initiative is designed to build on and extend Government-to-Government links. As such, it involves Ministers and officials in increasing contacts with EU member states and applicant countries.290W
  Activities arising from the Government's increased engagement with its partners may involve other participants, including MPs (from all parties).

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to date of the Step Change Project; and if he will itemise those costs. [128720]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is not possible to quantify the costs arising solely from the Step Change initiative since it is an integral part of the Government's European policy, which builds on and extends existing contacts.

  MINECOR
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to date of MINECOR; and if he will itemise those costs. [128721]

  Mr. Vaz
  The monthly meetings of the Ministerial Group for European Co-ordination incur no additional costs.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many times Ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in Paragraphs 118, 121 and 123 of the Ministerial Code; and on which occasions such advice was sought; [129168]

  (2) on how many occasions since May 1997 Ministers in his Department have made a declaration of interest to their colleagues under circumstances envisaged in Paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code. [129155]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Armenia
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the export of demining equipment to Armenia. [129911]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have recently approved the export of demining equipment for operations in Armenia. These will be used by the HALO Trust during humanitarian landmine clearance operations. This licence was granted for humanitarian purposes. It also reflects the determination of the Government to eliminate the scourge of landmines.

  The UK remains committed to the OSCE arms embargo against both Azerbaijan and Armenia, which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (commonly known as the military list).

  Visas (Istanbul)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current waiting time is for a person applying in Istanbul for a visa to visit the UK for business purposes to be granted an initial interview. [129284]
  291W
  Mr. Vaz
  91 per cent. of visit visa applications in Istanbul are processed without the applicant requiring a full interview and would look to process their application within 24 hours. The few visitors who require a full interview, including any applicants travelling for business purposes, currently have to wait 10 days.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by his Department indicating(a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if his Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in the savings arising from refinancing. [129054]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has signed the following PFI contracts:

  1. LOCCS (Courts computer system):

  (a) commenced October 1996;

  (b) capital value £14m;

  (c) no;

  (d) no.

  2. ARAMIS (A Resource Accounting and Management Information System):

  (a) commenced December 1997;

  (b) capital value £39.52m;

  (c) no;

  (d) no.

  3. Libra (Magistrates' courts IT system):

  (a) commenced December 1998;

  (b) capital value £75m;

  (c) no;

  (d) yes.

  4. Probate Records Centre (New facility for holding and issuing probate records):

  (a) commenced July 1999;

  (b) capital value £10.89m;

  (c) no;

  (d) yes.

  In addition, the Lord Chancellor's Department supports the following magistrates' courthouse PFI projects which have been signed by local authorities:

  1. Hereford and Worcester Magistrates' Courts:

  (a) commenced February 2000;

  (b) capital value £21m;

  (c) no.

  (d) no.

  2. Humberside Magistrates' Courts:

  (a) commenced March 2000;

  (b) capital value £22m;

  (c) no;

  (d) yes.

  Housing Act 1996
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals were 292W
  heard against reviews undertaken under section 2.4 of the Housing Act 1996 in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000, in each county court. [128907]

  Mr. Lock
  Statistics specifically on appeals against reviews undertaken under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996 are not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for his Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on his Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128996]

  Mr. Lock
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer, covering the Government Car and Despatch Agency, given today in another place by my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office to the noble Lord Hoyle. For the Lord Chancellor's Department and its agencies, HM Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Northern Ireland Court Service the current manufacturers on approved lists for cars are: Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Land Rover, Peugeot, Rover and Vauxhall.

  There are no approved lists of manufacturers for commercial vehicles.

  Vehicles are purchased through Government contracts, which determine the choice that is available.

  Vehicles are procured in line with the Government's policy to secure value for money for the taxpayer and the EC procurement rules.

  New Deal
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been recruited from the New Deal; and what percentage this represents of total staff. [129100]

  Mr. Lock
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given today,Official Report, column 292W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney). The number of New Dealers within my Department, its executive agencies and the Land Registry and Public Records Office represents 0.1 per cent. of total staff. This figure does not include those participants in the New Deal scheme who have joined the Court Service and Public Trust Office agencies or the Land Registry or Public Records Office through normal open recruitment schemes and have taken up unsubsidised places. Statistics on these members of staff are not currently held centrally; however, centralisation of these records is planned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Government Bills
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the President of the Council how many amendments to Government Bills tabled during
  293W
  the present Parliament by (a) Opposition spokesmen, (b) Opposition backbench hon. Members and (c) Government backbench hon. Members which had been selected were not debated on the Floor of the House as a result of timetabling of the report Stage of Bills. [127857]

  Amendments tabled by Opposition spokesmen but not debated

  Amendments tabled by Opposition backbenchers but not debated

  Amendments tabled by Government backbenchers but not debated

  Session 1998–99

  Local Government Bill: Further consideration, 24 March 1999

  11

  0

  0

  Greater London Authority Bill: Consideration, 4 May 1999

  11

  0

  0

  Greater London Authority Bill: Further consideration, 5 May 1999

  1

  0

  0

  Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill: Further consideration, 20 May 1999

  1

  1

  0

  Health Bill [Lords]: Further consideration, 15 June 1999

  47

  0

  1

  Immigration and Asylum Bill: Consideration, 15 June 1999

  0

  0

  0

  Immigration and Asylum Bill: Further consideration, 16 June 1999

  13

  1

  0

  Access to Justice Bill [Lords]: Consideration, 22 June 1999

  0

  0

  0

  Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords]: Consideration, 8 July 1999

  0

  0

  0

  Food Standards Bill: Consideration 22 July 1999

  8

  0

  0

  Session 1999–2000 (up to 30 June 2000)

  Representation of the People Bill: Further consideration, 20 January 2000

  0

  0

  0

  Financial Services and Markets Bill: Further consideration, 9 February 2000

  0

  0

  0

  Transport Bill: Consideration, 9 May 2000

  21

  1

  1

  Transport Bill: Further consideration, 10 May 2000

  9

  2

  0

  Nuclear Safeguards Bill: Consideration, 22 May 2000

  0

  15

  0

  Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill: Consideration, 22 May 2000

  0

  0

  0

  Royal Parks (Trading) Bill: Further consideration, 22 May 2000

  0

  1

  0

  Television Licences (Disclosure of Information) Bill: Consideration, 22 May 2000

  0

  3

  0

  Note:

  Figures include amendments only selected for debate

  1Standing Committee and Committee of the Whole House amendments are excluded. We have not distinguished between "Guillotine" and "Programme" motions.

PRIME MINISTER

  UK Delegations
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Prime Minister if there are any changes in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the assembly of the Western European Union. [129909]

  The Prime Minister
  The hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) has been appointed as a representative in place of the late Michael Colvin.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Conviction Certificates
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with respect to the Criminal Conviction Certificates to be issued by the Criminal Records Bureau what plans he has(a) to issue advice to employers requesting access to such certificates of job applicants and (b) to extend the statutory code of practice which covers other certificates to the Criminal Conviction Certificate; what research he has undertaken on the impact of the certificate on recidivism; for what activities, other than employment and visa applications, the Criminal Conviction Certificate will be used; and if he will make a statement. [129187]
  294W
  Mrs. Beckett
  The information requested could be provided only for Sessions 1998–99 and 1999–2000 (to 30 June) and is included in the following table1. Information for session 1997–98 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Guidance to employers and others on the use of Criminal Convictions Certificates (CCCs) is in course of preparation. We shall consult widely, including with representatives of employers' organisations, before issuing the guidance. We have not undertaken specific research on the impact of the certificate on recidivism. But the guidance will encourage employers to consider the relevance of information contained in certificates to the particular position being applied for. We shall be working closely with employers' organisations and other interests to ensure that employers are discouraged from rejecting applicants solely on the basis of their criminal records without careful consideration of all the relevant factors.

  The Code of Practice prescribed by section 122 of the Police Act 1997 applies to the use of information provided to registered persons. As the registration arrangements apply only to the higher levels of certificate, the code will not apply to CCCs. We shall be using the code to ensure that Registered Bodies fully understand their obligations under the legislation, and to promote good practice in the handling, interpreting and disposal of information received from the Criminal Records Bureau in connection with Criminal Record Certificates and Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates. To the extent that similar guidance is needed in relation to CCCs, we shall include it in the guidance we shall be issuing to applicants, employers and other interested parties.
  295W
  While the main reason for introducing CCCs is to improve the quality of employment decisions, anyone may apply for a certificate in relation to their own records, and use it as they wish.

  Police (Out-of-court Settlements)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the out-of-court settlements agreed to by UK police forces since 1 January 1998 which included a requirement of(a) non-disclosure of the terms of the settlement and (b) non-publication of the circumstances surrounding actions complained of. [128742]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 5 July 2000,Official Report, columns 239–40W, I gave details of out-of-court settlements. Information is not recorded centrally on which out-of-court settlements were subject to a non-disclosure or non-publication requirement.

  Prisoners (Mental Health)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the report of the Prison Inspectorate team on the care of prisoners with mental health problems; and if he will make a statement. [129107]

  Mr. Boateng
  All prisons and the local health authorities in which they are situated have been asked, in line with the programme of reform set out in "The Future Organisation of Prison Healthcare" (March 1999), by March 2001 at the latest jointly to assess prisoners' health needs and identify appropriate services to meet them and effective means of delivery.

  These should include inreach into prisons from community mental health teams as part of the broader development of mental health services as set out in the National Service Framework for Mental Health. Implementation of improvements through individual prison health plans is scheduled to begin from April 2001, although reforms are well underway in a number of prisons already.

  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the recommendation of the Joint Prison Service and NHS Executive Working Group in its report, "Future Organisation of Prison Health Care" published in March 1999, with particular reference to progress made in securing the care of mentally ill prisoners in line with NHS mental health policy in respect of its arrangements for referral and admission of such prisoners to high and medium secure psychiatric services. [129004]

  Mr. Boateng
  All prisons and the local health authorities in which they are situated have been asked, in line with the programme of reform set out in "The Future Organisation of Prison Healthcare" (March 1999), by March 2001 at the latest jointly to assess prisoners' health needs and identify appropriate services to meet them and effective means of delivery.

  These should include in reach into prisons from community mental health teams as part of the broader development of mental health services as set out in the National Service Framework for Mental Health. Implementation of improvements through individual
  296W
  prison health plans is scheduled to begin from April 2001, although reforms are well underway in a number of prisons already.

  The Prison Service and the NHS are now actively monitoring the number of prisoners awaiting transfer to secure psychiatric hospitals and waiting times, referring particularly difficult cases to the newly established NHS Regional Specialist Commissioning Groups for review or transfer action, as appropriate.

  Anti-social Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been served in each police authority area in Wales; [128581]

  (2) what advice he has given to local authorities in Wales on the use of anti-social behaviour orders. [128582]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As far as we are aware, no anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO's) have been granted in Wales.

  In March 1999, the Home Office issued guidance on anti-social behaviour orders. In June 2000, this was supplemented by guidance on drawing up local ASBO protocols. Both documents have been sent to all local authorities in England and Wales. In addition to the guidance, my officials have spoken at three seminars on ASBO's, which were attended by representatives from local authorities in Wales: at Conwy in December last year, and at Liverpool and Bridgend in March and April this year respectively.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued for(a) juveniles, (b) adults and (c) in total (i) nationally, (ii) on Teesside and (iii) in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [128639]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Figures for the number of anti-social behaviour orders granted are being collected centrally with effect from 1 June. However, we understand that at least 80 such orders were issued in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 May this year, including one against an adult in the Cleveland police area. We understand that the order does not apply in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East. At lease 27 anti-social behaviour orders nationally have been issued against people under the age of 18.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued to date in each district of Greater Manchester. [128001]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Figures for the number of anti-social behaviour orders granted are being collected centrally with effect from 1 June. However, we understand that at least 80 such orders were issued in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 May this year, including at least seven in Greater Manchester. The figure is not broken down by district.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speed camera fines were
  297W
  issued in each of the last 10 years; what was the income from speed camera fines in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [128389]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: The information currently available is for the years 1993–97 and concerns fixed penalties issued and prosecutions undertaken for speeding offences detected by automatic cameras. Details are published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Motoring Offences, England and Wales 1997. A copy is available in the Library.

  The precise income to the Treasury from the penalties imposed is not known, but the fixed penalty for speeding offences during the period was £40 and the average fine imposed by a court for a speeding offence in 1997 was £119.

  The table shows average fines at magistrates' courts for certain motoring offices1and average fines revalued to 1987 prices2(shown in brackets).

  England and Wales

  Year

  Speed limit offences (£)

  1987

  57

  1988

  63 (60)

  1989

  77 (68)

  1990

  83 (67)

  1991

  85 (65)

  1992

  87 (64)

  1993

  127 (92)

  1994

  113 (80)

  1995

  107 (73)

  1996

  101 (67)

  1997

  119 (77)

  1Only fines which are principal sentences are included

  2As estimated by the general index of retail prices

  CCTV Schemes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many CCTV schemes have been funded by the Government in each of the last 10 years; and what is the planned expenditure in future years. [128386]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: The available information is shown in the table:

  Funded schemes

  Cumulative totals

  Year

  Number

  Value £ million

  Number

  Value £ million

  1994–95

  106

  5

  106

  5

  1995–96

  0

  —

  106

  5

  1996–97

  259

  17

  365

  22

  1997–98

  190

  15

  555

  37

  1998–99

  32

  1.5

  587

  38.5

  1999–2000

  342

  59.6

  929

  98.5

  Between 1994–95 and 1998–99, schemes were funded under a Home Office Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Challenge Competition. From 1999–2000, schemes are funded under the Crime Reduction Programme CCTV initiative. Around £90 million remains to be allocated under this initiative, which runs to the end of December 2001.
  298W
  Information prior to 1994–95 is not available. CCTV measures under the earlier Safer Cities and Single Regeneration Budget Programmes (pre 1994) are not separately identifiable.

  Special Units (Prisons)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alarm bells were rung in each calendar year from 1986 to date(a) in the Special Close Supervision Unit in C Wing Parkhurst Prison, (b) in the remainder of Parkhurst Prison and (c) on average in the remainder of the other Special CS Units, with particular reference to Lincoln, Hull, Woodhill and Durham. [128618]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested in relation to Parkhurst could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information requested in relation to the special units at Lincoln or Hull is not available. In relation to Durham and Woodhill, the information requested is only available from 1998, when the Close Supervision Centre (CSC) system came into operation. Since 1998, there has been an annual average of four other occasions when the alarm bell has rung. At Woodhill, there has been an annual average of 12 occasions when the alarm bell has rung.

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what health services are available to young people(a) sentenced and (b) remanded in custody; what specialist mental health services are available to repeat young offenders; and if he will make a statement. [128784]

  Mr. Boateng
  Young people held in prison custody, whether on remand or sentenced, have access to a full range of primary and specialist healthcare services through the institution's healthcare centre. Prison doctors will arrange for any necessary specialist treatment to be provided either within the institution or as an in or out patient at an outside hospital, as appropriate.

  Young offenders needing in-patient treatment for mental disorder may be transferred to psychiatric hospitals. The care and treatment of inmates who do not need to be admitted to hospital is generally undertaken by prison healthcare staff under the supervision of visiting NHS specialists. Part of the substantial programme of reform to prison healthcare now underway is aimed at extending inreach from community mental health teams into prison to improve standards of care for such prisoners.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what academic and vocational education and training is available to young people serving custodial sentences; and if he will make a statement. [128630]

  Mr. Boateng
  Education in Prison Service establishments is provided by education contractors. For all prisoners it focuses on a core curriculum of basic educational skills (literacy and numeracy), life and social skills, information technology and generic preparation for work. Prisoners of compulsory school age as defined in section 8 of the Education Act 1996 must be provided with at least 15 hours a week of education or training, plus five hours of physical education. For juveniles, life and social skills must include citizenship, sex and relationships education, and preparation for work.
  299W
  Education contractors are expected to support students taking General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations by liaising with their previous school.

  Education for prisoners over school leaving age is entirely voluntary. Prisoners aged between 17 and 21 should be offered at least two hours a week of physical education.

  There is a wide range of accredited vocational training available in Young Offender Institutions. Areas covered includes construction industry training; engineering; motor vehicle maintenance; industrial cleaning; catering; office skills; information technology; and agriculture and horticulture.

  Life Tariffs
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have a whole life tariff. [129219]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are at present 23 people in custody in England and Wales with whole life tariffs.

  Hilda Murrell
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress made to establish the identity of the DNA tested by the Forensic Science Service in connection with the Hilda Murrell murder case. [128864]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from West Mercia Constabulary that they are awaiting the outcome of investigations by the Forensic Science Service into the remaining forensic evidence.

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women prisoners are held in prison establishments(a) over 25 miles, (b) over 50 miles and (c) over 100 miles from their committal Crown court. [129198]

  Mr. Boateng
  The following information is based on the distance that female prisoners are held from their committal court town. The Prison Service does not distinguish between prisoners who have been committed from Crown court or magistrates' court. The data were collected on 15 June 2000 and are set out in the table in the nearest format to that requested. There are in the region of 1,000 female prisoners held under 25 miles from their committal court town.

  Distance from home area

  Number of female prisoners1

  Between 25 and 50 miles

  800

  Between 50 and 100 miles

  900

  Over 100 miles

  600

  Total over 25 miles

  2,300

  1Rounded to nearest hundred

  Prison Facilities
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have visiting areas with a supervised children's play area. [129200]
  300W
  Mr. Boateng
  We estimate that there are around 90 play areas in visiting areas of prison establishments. Not all of these are supervised at all times.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons(a) have and (b) do not have prisoner representation on their anti-bullying committees. [129197]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prison Service Order number 1702 (PSO 1702) sets out the requirement for all prison establishments to have a local strategy to reduce bullying. It defines the elements that the strategy must contain and those that may be considered for inclusion.

  The expected practice is that every establishment will have an anti-bullying committee. PSO 1702 suggests that committees may include prisoner representatives, but urges establishments to exercise caution to avoid these prisoners being viewed as informants. It also suggests there are alternative ways of enabling prisoners to put their views forward.

  The statistics required are not held centrally and could not be obtained reliably in time to answer the question. A brief audit of copies of some local strategies held in Prison Service headquarters suggests that establishments have opted for the cautious approach and do not have prisoner representatives on their committee.

  Incentives Scheme
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which prisons, prisoners who maintain their innocence are ineligible for progression to the enhanced stage of the incentives and earned privileges scheme. [129201]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under the national framework for incentives and privileges the criteria for the earning and retention of privileges do not include acceptance of guilt by the prisoner but do include constructive participation in the sentence planning process.

  Sentence planning may include the completion of an offending behaviour programme. If a prisoner then refuses to address his or her offending behaviour this will be of relevance in assessing his or her privilege level and may be sufficient to deny him or her enhanced status.

  Mobile Police Units
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of mobile police units to help police rural areas. [128534]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: The Government welcome imaginative and innovative ways of working by the police, including the use where appropriate of mobile units. To enhance policing in rural areas we have recently announced the allocation of a

  301W
  specific £15 million from the Police Modernisation Fund. This will provide a significant boost to police capabilities and bring direct benefit to the countryside. How the best use is made of the resources available and how the police operate in particular local circumstances are matters for the local Chief Constable.

  Burns Inquiry
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of the implementation of the Burns report on banning hunting with hounds, (1) what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be lost(a) directly and (b) indirectly as a result of the ban; [129039]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the (a) number of additional firearms licences that will be required to control foxes, (b) safety of lamping foxes at night with high-powered rifles and (c) total cost of compensation broken down by (i) value of animals to be destroyed, (ii) redundant property and (iii) fees and other expenses. [129127]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The consequences of a ban on hunting with dogs will be considered as the legislative options for a Hunting Bill are drawn up.

  Fraud and forgery offences

  1979

  1983

  1987

  1992

  Police force

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Avon and Somerset

  2,570

  90

  3,507

  78

  5,537

  75

  5,699

  46

  Bedfordshire

  1,783

  90

  1,199

  60

  1,648

  59

  2,101

  42

  Cambridgeshire

  928

  87

  910

  70

  967

  66

  1,764

  49

  Cheshire

  982

  98

  1,690

  91

  1,642

  83

  2,414

  74

  Cleveland

  2,140

  78

  1,501

  65

  2,598

  58

  1,679

  36

  Cumbria

  1,094

  91

  622

  74

  935

  81

  858

  63

  Derbyshire

  2,547

  94

  1,973

  90

  1,489

  84

  1,349

  55

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,289

  86

  3,628

  87

  3,849

  79

  3,601

  46

  Dorset

  2,271

  92

  2,178

  84

  2,824

  83

  3,726

  87

  Durham

  1,391

  97

  1,497

  86

  1,840

  18

  2,572

  75

  Essex

  2,281

  86

  1,734

  61

  1,966

  60

  3,670

  40

  Gloucestershire

  780

  92

  876

  69

  1,356

  82

  2,087

  46

  Greater Manchester

  8,066

  96

  13,746

  87

  12,426

  83

  11,819

  74

  Hampshire

  4,231

  91

  2,826

  67

  3,862

  73

  5,146

  61

  Hertfordshire

  3,437

  97

  1,660

  84

  2,531

  90

  1,594

  51

  Humberside

  1,217

  84

  1,525

  76

  2,827

  55

  3,184

  44

  Kent

  2,672

  89

  1,482

  58

  1,842

  60

  4,356

  40

  Lancashire

  2,512

  94

  2,791

  84

  4,384

  92

  3,833

  80

  Leciestershire

  1,349

  93

  2,107

  81

  2,048

  76

  3,156

  51

  Lincolnshire

  690

  82

  809

  70

  933

  61

  1,404

  64

  City of London

  407

  52

  372

  56

  499

  46

  485

  45

  Merseyside

  3,342

  83

  5,416

  81

  4,680

  73

  5,098

  73

  Metropolitan police district

  25,954

  60

  29,714

  49

  27,892

  47

  39,664

  44

  Norfolk

  1,108

  86

  1,001

  77

  1,096

  72

  1,814

  57

  Northamptonshire

  1,285

  86

  1,058

  78

  1,237

  65

  1,556

  52

  Northumbria

  2,413

  89

  2,204

  57

  3,081

  71

  3,507

  37

  North Yorkshire

  1,267

  93

  895

  77

  1,070

  77

  1,033

  72

  Nottinghamshire

  2,850

  78

  2,116

  54

  2,760

  57

  4,023

  37

  South Yorkshire

  1,845

  89

  1,648

  73

  1,638

  75

  2,009

  60

  Staffordshire

  1,668

  84

  1,128

  65

  1,371

  68

  2,246

  46

  Suffolk

  1,364

  89

  831

  71

  1,086

  71

  1,772

  73

  Surrey

  2,156

  91

  1,136

  62

  1,178

  66

  2,078

  44

  Sussex

  3,062

  90

  1,745

  65

  2,692

  64

  3,820

  53

  Thames Valley

  5,049

  91

  4,214

  74

  4,352

  67

  7,651

  43

  Warwickshire

  584

  91

  505

  69

  553

  66

  1,129

  52

  West Mercia

  1,685

  91

  1,344

  77

  1,039

  74

  1,342

  56

  West Midlands

  4,640

  76

  6,111

  53

  5,609

  55

  8,293

  39

  West Yorkshire

  3,717

  70

  4,123

  71

  4,388

  73

  6,183

  64

  Fraud
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fraud cases were investigated in each police authority area in(a) 1979, (b) 1983, (c) 1987, (d) 1992 and (e) each year since 1995; what was the clear-up rate in each year; and what estimate he has made of the value of such fraud in each year since 1995. [129129]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Fraud offences comprise part of the offence group covering both fraud and forgery. The number of fraud and forgery offences recorded in the years requested in each police force, and the clear-up rate, are given in the tables.

  The counting rules for recorded crime changed from 1 April 1998. The effect on the number of fraud and forgery offences recorded was substantial, resulting in an estimated increase of 61 per cent. due to counting rules changes in England and Wales as a whole.

  The Economic Cost of Fraud, a report for the Home Office and the Serious Fraud Office, will be published by National Economic Research Associates (NERA) on Tuesday 11 July. The report will provide estimates of expenditure on investigations, court proceedings and preventative measures, and the amounts of money defrauded across all sectors of the economy, for the years 1997 and 1998.
  303W

  Fraud and forgery offences

  1979

  1983

  1987

  1992

  Police force

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Wiltshire

  1,046

  80

  1,023

  76

  851

  66

  1,711

  66

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,019

  96

  1,116

  93

  1,660

  91

  906

  79

  Gwent

  1,262

  96

  1,292

  91

  1,479

  92

  1,095

  72

  North Wales

  2,125

  90

  1,615

  85

  1,949

  87

  1,354

  66

  South Wales

  2,955

  92

  2,923

  83

  3,339

  74

  3,819

  43

  Total

  118,033

  82

  121,791

  69

  132,976

  67

  168,600

  53

  Fraud and forgery offences

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998–99

  Police force

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Offences recorded

  Clear-up rate (%)

  Avon and Somerset

  4,017

  45

  4,293

  49

  3,584

  44

  9,950

  39

  Bedfordshire

  1,781

  37

  2,033

  49

  1,799

  41

  4,114

  27

  Cambridgeshire

  1,369

  41

  1,498

  44

  1,391

  42

  2,389

  42

  Cheshire

  2,639

  79

  2,359

  83

  1,845

  80

  2,146

  72

  Cleveland

  1,481

  53

  1,475

  46

  1,425

  34

  2,261

  41

  Cumbria

  930

  70

  995

  67

  1,099

  68

  1,388

  78

  Derbyshire

  1,399

  46

  1,355

  44

  1,308

  48

  4,200

  48

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,674

  57

  2,374

  59

  2,232

  59

  7,064

  47

  Dorset

  1,501

  68

  1,303

  64

  1,300

  65

  6,334

  51

  Durham

  1,661

  62

  1,279

  64

  1,163

  75

  1,311

  74

  Essex

  2,465

  42

  2,485

  41

  2,443

  44

  4,366

  41

  Gloucestershire

  1,986

  52

  1,652

  48

  1,517

  49

  2,527

  50

  Greater Manchester

  5,840

  48

  5,532

  42

  5,773

  39

  15,830

  41

  Hampshire

  3,892

  59

  3,907

  58

  3,781

  60

  5,130

  61

  Hertfordshire

  1,232

  47

  1,237

  47

  1,345

  39

  2,312

  46

  Humberside

  2,966

  52

  2,610

  44

  2,316

  55

  3,582

  54

  Kent

  3,627

  44

  3,155

  54

  2,932

  47

  5,687

  42

  Lancashire

  3,484

  77

  3,446

  73

  3,412

  70

  4,446

  63

  Leciestershire

  2,681

  47

  3,365

  52

  2,870

  46

  7,227

  39

  Lincolnshire

  1,163

  63

  1,148

  61

  1,382

  78

  2,723

  78

  City of London

  488

  51

  439

  54

  502

  42

  862

  36

  Merseyside

  4,259

  64

  4,288

  60

  4,269

  59

  4,884

  59

  Metropolitan police district

  32,838

  46

  38,983

  45

  42,687

  41

  80,541

  15

  Norfolk

  1,345

  62

  1,251

  62

  1,045

  74

  2,488

  63

  Northamptonshire

  1,217

  61

  1,246

  63

  1,266

  76

  4,425

  39

  Northumbria

  2,606

  43

  2,109

  44

  2,221

  46

  4,991

  58

  North Yorkshire

  1,032

  55

  1,052

  58

  980

  55

  2,563

  67

  Nottinghamshire

  3,701

  34

  3,352

  36

  2,874

  36

  4,736

  32

  South Yorkshire

  2,524

  35

  2,651

  32

  2,367

  40

  3,951

  59

  Staffordshire

  1,905

  46

  2,004

  50

  2,200

  55

  3,830

  44

  Suffolk

  1,243

  70

  1,333

  69

  1,116

  74

  2,099

  49

  Surrey

  1,442

  55

  1,389

  52

  1,332

  55

  2,994

  51

  Sussex

  2,763

  57

  2,815

  56

  2,994

  54

  7,790

  25

  Thames Valley

  4,732

  46

  4,551

  44

  4,174

  38

  11,778

  25

  Warwickshire

  901

  51

  975

  51

  898

  51

  2,401

  38

  West Mercia

  1,739

  50

  1,894

  44

  1,881

  39

  3,961

  57

  West Midlands

  7,624

  27

  6,365

  33

  4,844

  44

  15,675

  31

  West Yorkshire

  4,818

  55

  5,071

  55

  5,244

  55

  10,608

  45

  Wiltshire

  1,012

  63

  920

  56

  830

  53

  1,933

  56

  Dyfed-Powys

  577

  84

  604

  75

  482

  82

  1,402

  86

  Gwent

  933

  71

  1,305

  64

  1,415

  65

  2,395

  67

  North Wales

  1,130

  71

  1,022

  68

  844

  68

  1,869

  74

  South Wales

  3,399

  33

  3,105

  38

  3,016

  36

  6,340

  44

  Total

  133,016

  50

  136,225

  49

  134,398

  48

  279,503

  36

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of credit card fraud there have been in each year since 1995; what the clean up rate was in each year; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent meeting with credit card systems and providers. [129128]
  304W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A separate recorded crime figure for cheque and credit card fraud has been collected since 1 April 1998. The number of offences in the year ending March 1999 was 141,948, with the clear-up rate for these offences being 31 per cent.
  305W
  On 27 June, I chaired a constructive and positive meeting with cheque and credit card systems providers, retailers and law enforcement agencies. The discussion was wide-ranging: information-sharing, cross-border co-operation, the European and international dimension to fraud, the role of law enforcement agencies, hotspots, education and training were all given serious consideration.

  It was agreed that, in addition to the work already being taken forward by the banking and retail industries on the development of new technologies, the Home Office would lead work on information sharing and the involvement of the relevant law enforcement agencies, with a particular remit to consider how to target and tackle hotspots. The group will reconvene in autumn to review progress.

  Restorative Justice
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the use of restorative justice approaches for(a) young offenders and (b) adult offenders; and if he will make a statement. [128541]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  For young offenders the final warning scheme, reparation order and action plan order under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, were implemented across England and Wales on 1 June 2000; and the referral order under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 is being piloted in seven areas from summer 2000 ahead of national implementation. These measures reflect the restorative justice principles of responsibility, reparation and reintegration in tackling offending and requiring offenders to make amends for their actions. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is funding and evaluating a number of local schemes in support of these measures. For adult offenders, community service orders provide the opportunity for offenders to undertake work for the benefit of the community. In addition, a review of best practice, focused on restorative justice schemes for adult offenders, is being undertaken under the Government's crime reduction programme, on the basis of which further schemes may be funded and evaluated.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the change in recorded crime rates over the last 10 years(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement. [128543]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information covering recorded crime in all the European Union member states (including the parts of the United Kingdom) for the period 1988 to 1998 was published by the Home Office in the Statistical Bulletin 04/00, "International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 1998", on 22 February 2000. A copy is in the Library.

  Voice Tagging
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of voice tagging; what pilot projects are being undertaken; what plans he has to extend the use of voice tagging. [129293]
  306W
  Mr. Boateng
  There are currently two pilots using voice verification technology being undertaken in England and Wales; the first is a pilot using VoiceTrack technology (which is licensed to Group 4 in the United Kingdom) and after an initial six month pilot in the Kent Probation Service region, they have been extended to cover the North Wales area. The Youth Justice Board is also undertaking pilots using a voice verification system developed by Group 4 with Kent and Medway Youth Offending Teams. The Board is currently in discussions about extending the pilots but there are no firm plans at present to extend either of them. Both of these pilots will be evaluated by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. No decision about whether to extend the pilots will be made until after they have been evaluated.

  Sexual Offences Review
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the External Reference Group of the Sexual Offences Review. [129363]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The membership of the External Reference Group of the Sex Offences Review was:

  Julie Barnard (Rape Crisis Federation) (from April to September 1999)

  Nick Bent (from May 1999)

  Mark Blake (Blackliners) (until December 1999)

  David Congdon (Mencap)

  Penny Dean (The Children's Society)

  Dina Gold (Board of Deputies of British Jews)

  Steve Hodges (NCH Action for Children) (from March until October 1999)

  Helen Jones (Rape Crisis Federation) (from September 1999)

  Dr. Liz Kelly, CBE (University of North London)

  Shaun Kelly (NCH Action for Children) (from November 1999)

  Dan Lambeth (Solicitor)

  Sandra McNeill (Campaign to End Rape)

  Anita Mansley (St. Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester)

  Angela Mason, OBE (Stonewall)

  Deryk Mead (NCH Action for Children) (February 1999)

  Dr. Gillian Mezey (Royal College of Psychiatrists) (from July 1999)

  Margaret Pedler (Mind)

  Nerys Rees (Women's National Commission and Soroptimist International)

  Dr. Deborah Rogers (British Medical Association)

  Imam Dr. Abduljalil Sajid, JP (Muslim Council of Britain (from September 1999)

  Sara Swann (Barnardo's)

  Professor Jennifer Temkin (Department of Law, University of Sussex)

  Ruth Vincent (Association of Directors of Social Services) (from May 1999)

  David Watts (Essex Social Services) (from July 1999)

  Reverend Neil Whitehouse (Kairos in Soho and The Methodist Church)

  Claire Wilson-Thomas (CARE, Christian Action, Research and Education).

  Kosovan Humanitarian Evacuation Programme
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reimburse local authorities for their expenditure on the Kosovan Humanitarian Evacuation programme during the current financial year. [129759]

  Mr. Straw
  The arrangements for reimbursement are set out in Special Grant Report Number 68, which I have laid before Parliament today. The Report explains the areas of expenditure that will be eligible for the grant and invites local authorities to submit interim claims by 30 September. This will ensure the prompt repayment of the bulk of the expenditure incurred by local authorities during 2000–01.

  Immigration Adjudicators
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration adjudicators come from an ethnic minority background. [128874]

  Mr. Lock
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are currently 43 full-time and 295 part-time immigration adjudicators. The ethnic background of the 43 full-time adjudicators is 29 white, three black, four Asian, and seven unknown or not specified. The ethnic background of the 295 part-time adjudicators is 199 white, nine black, 14 Asian, two Chinese, seven other and 64 unknown or not specified.

  HIPCs: Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers
  HIPCs: Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers
  Eritrea: Food Relief
  Eritrea: Food Relief
  Departmental Cars
  Departmental Cars
  Scotland Office: Staff Numbers
  Scotland Office: Staff Numbers
  Young Males: Convictions
  Young Males: Convictions
  Refugee Legal Centre: Funding
  Refugee Legal Centre: Funding
  Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers
  Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers
  Eurostar: Costs of Euro 2000 Policing
  Eurostar: Costs of Euro 2000 Policing
  Kosovan Refugees: Reimbursement of Local Authority Costs
  Kosovan Refugees: Reimbursement of Local Authority Costs
  Employment Statistics
  Employment Statistics
  National Savings Ordinary Accounts
  National Savings Ordinary Accounts
  Prosecutions for Cycling on Royal Parks Footpaths
  Prosecutions for Cycling on Royal Parks Footpaths
  Prosecutions for Speeding in the Royal Parks
  Prosecutions for Speeding in the Royal Parks
  "Burghers of Calais" Statue
  "Burghers of Calais" Statue
  Regional Theatres: Review
  Regional Theatres: Review
  Arts Council and Regional Arts Boards
  Arts Council and Regional Arts Boards
  "Do Not Resuscitate" Instructions: Monitoring
  "Do Not Resuscitate" Instructions: Monitoring
  GM Maize Seed, France
  GM Maize Seed, France
  Road Safety Advisory Panel
  Road Safety Advisory Panel
  Nuclear Weapon Elimination
  Nuclear Weapon Elimination
  European Security and Defence Policy
  European Security and Defence Policy
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Eritrea
  Eritrea
  Pakistan
  Pakistan