Written Answers of 10 July 2000

HEALTH

  NHS Staff Vacancies
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for(a) doctors and (b) nurses there are in NHS hospitals in the Greater London area. [126268]

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

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and doctor vacancies1 in NHS trusts, within the London Regional Office area, as at 31 March 1999

  Total number (headcount)

  Doctors

  90

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff2

  2,350

  1Three month vacancies

  2Revised figures

  Note:

  Numbers rounded to nearest 10

  Source:

  Department of Health Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey 1999

  Carers Grant
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Carers Grant is additional to the amount county councils have already spent on respite care; how much Kent County Council will receive from the Carers Grant; and if he will make a statement. [126247]

  Mr. Hutton
  The carers special grant is allocated to local authorities to stimulate the diversity and flexibility of provision that enables carers to have a break from caring. Services funded in this way must be additional to any breaks services previously provided.

  Kent County Council received a carers special grant of £530,713 in 1999–2000 and £1,264,352 in 2000–01.

  These figures are in addition to the figure of approximately £197 million and £207 million which Kent received for the provision of personal social services, in 1999–2000 and in 2000–01 respectively, through the standard spending assessment. This money can also be spent on services which benefit carers.

  Antidepressants
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantity of each(a) antidepressant and (b) benzodiazepine was prescribed by doctors in England in 1999. [127967]
  360W
  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is given in the tables.

  Benzodiazepines: number of prescription items dispensed in the community, England, 1999

  Thousand

  Drug group

  Prescription item

  Temazepam

  4,878

  Diazepam

  4,108

  Nitrazepam

  2,210

  Lorazepam

  728

  Chlordiazepoxide

  402

  Oxazepam

  289

  Lormetazepam

  246

  Clonazepam

  231

  Loprazolam

  200

  Clobazam

  85

  Total

  13,378

  Notes:

  1. Data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered. Prescriptions written in hospitals and dispensed in the community are included. Information on items dispensed in hospitals is not available.

  2. Benzodiazepines are contained within British National Formulary paragraphs 4.1.1, hypnotics and 4.1.2, anxiolitics. Also included are benzodiazepines within 4.8.1, drugs used in the control of epilepsy, and 4.8.2, drugs used in status epilepticus, as they are also used for anxiety relief. The therapeutic classifications are based on the British National Formulary No. 38, September 1999 version.

  3. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

  Antidepressants: number of prescription items dispensed in the community, England, 1999

  Thousand

  Drug group

  Prescription item

  Tricyclic and related antidepressant drugs

  Amitriptyline Hydrochloride

  3,712

  Dothiepin Hydrochloride

  3,254

  Lofepramine Hydrochloride

  782

  Clomipramine Hydrochloride

  481

  Trazodone Hydrochloride

  383

  Imipramine Hydrochloride

  362

  Trimipramine Maleate

  249

  Doxepin

  154

  Nortriptyline

  145

  Mianserin Hydrochloride

  62

  Maprotiline Hydrochloride

  17

  Protriptyline Hydrochloride

  9

  Amoxapine

  6

  Amitriptyline Embonate

  2

  Viloxazine Hydrochloride

  1

  Desipramine Hydrochloride

  0

  Total for Tricylic and related antidepressant drugs

  9,619

  Monoamine-Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

  Phenelzine Sulphate

  37

  Moclobemide

  36

  Tranylcypromine Sulphate

  33

  Isocarboxazid

  6

  Total for Monoamine-Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

  112

  SSRIs and related antidepressants

  Fluoxetine Hydrochloride

  3,437

  Paroxetine Hydrochloride

  3,145

  361W

  Antidepressants: number of prescription items dispensed in the community, England, 1999

  Thousand

  Drug group

  Prescription item

  Citalopram

  1,214

  Sertraline Hydrochloride

  1,088

  Fluvoxamine Maleate

  45

  Total for SSRIs and related antidepressants

  8,929

  Other antidepressant drugs

  Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

  825

  Flupenthixol Hydrochloride

  271

  Mirtazapine

  167

  Nefazodone Hydrochloride

  106

  Reboxetine

  74

  Tryptophan

  5

  Total for other antidepressant drugs

  1,447

  Total for all antidepressant drugs

  20,108

  Notes:

  1. Data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered. Prescriptions written in hospitals and dispensed in the community are included. Information on items dispensed in hospitals is not available.

  2. Antidepressants are contained within the British National Formulary section 4.3, antidepressant drugs. The therapeutic classifications are based on the British National Formulary No. 38, September 1999 version.

  3. For reasons of confidentiality, drug groups where less than 50 prescription items were dispensed are not listed but the information is included in the total.

  4. A "0" indicates less than 500 prescription items.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from Mrs. F. Butler of Augustine Road, Sheppey, dated 3 April. [128473]

  Ms Stuart
  A reply was sent to Mrs. Butler on 7 July.

  Care Accommodation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were living in care accommodation under the provisions of the care in the community legislation on 1 May. [128875]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data are not currently held in the form requested. However, the table shows the number of places or registered beds available for people with mental health problems in residential homes or private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics.

  England, as at 31 March 1999

  Number

  Places in residential care homes for people with mental health problems

  38,200

  Of which:

  In Local Authority staffed homes

  3,500

  In Private homes

  23,400

  In Small homes

  2,500

  In Voluntary homes

  —

  Dual registered homes

  2,800

  Registered beds in mental nursing homes

  6,100

  Note:

  Figures may not add because of rounding

  Macular Degeneration
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the speed of onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration; [128724]

  (2) what guidance he has issued on the assessment of treatment options for age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement; [128725]

  (3) how many cases of age-related macular degeneration can be treated by photodynamic therapy per annum; [128727]

  (4) if he will refer Visudyne to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; [128728]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the efficacy of Visudyne following the publication of the two year clinical trial data; [128729]

  (6) what estimate his Department has made of the possible cost of treating age-related macular degeneration with Visudyne; and if he will make a statement; [128780]

  (7) what steps he has taken to promote the use of Amsler grid tests with GPs to test for age-related macular degeneration; [128781]

  (8) what plans he has to promote the increased use of Amsler grid tests in GP surgeries; [128782]

  (9) if he will make a statement on referral protocols for age-related macular degeneration and Visudyne. [128783]

  Mr. Denham
  It is estimated that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects one in 100 people over the age of 75, with some 500,000 people affected overall. There are two major types of AMD: wet and dry. Some 20 per cent. of patients have 'wet' AMD which is sometimes susceptible to laser treatment. Visudyne is a light-activated compound which has been used in a trial of an alternative photodynamic therapy. Visudyne has not yet been approved for use here or in the other countries of the European Union, but the EU Commission is expected to make a final decision on the approval of an application in the next few months. Visudyne is also among the topics we are considering for appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) during the remainder of the current year and in later years. We will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  Consideration of the need to review arrangements for screening, including wider use of Amsler grid tests, would follow any consideration by NICE.

  NHS Hearing Aid Services
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the NHS hearing aid services pilot project. [128909]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) on 6 June 2000,Official Report, columns 143–44W.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with(a) relapsing remitting

  363W
  MS and (b) secondary progressive MS receive beta interferon in each health authority area in England. [128697]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available at the level of detail requested. However, we estimate that between 1,700 and 1,800 people in England are currently receiving beta interferon on the National Health Service.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what additional funding has been provided since 1997 to secure provision of NHS dental treatment in Devon and Cornwall; [129207]

  (2) what percentage of the £60 million extra funding for NHS dentistry announced earlier this year (a) has gone and (b) will go towards improving NHS dental treatment in (i) Cornwall and (ii) Devon; [129208]

  (3) what plans he has to provide additional funding for the provision of NHS dental treatment in Devon and Cornwall. [129206]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have already made good progress towards improving access to dental services in Cornwall and Devon. Investing in Dentistry grants amounting to £1,095,165 have been approved in the area in return for promises of up to 110,200 new National Health Service registrations. Since 1998, a dental access centre pilot has been operational in Cornwall and the NHS Executive is currently working with North East Devon and South West Devon Health Authorities to develop two further dental access centres.

  We have accepted in full the recommendations of the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body, which include an annual £17 million scheme to reward the loyalty and commitment of NHS dentists in England.

  The NHS Executive wrote on 16 May to all health authority chief executives asking them to tell us whether more needs to be done to improve NHS dentistry in their locality and inviting ideas for potential funding.

  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.

  Ultrasound
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for a non-urgent NHS patient to receive an ultrasound examination for a possible thrombosis in each(a) London hospital and (b) NHS region for each of the years (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [129238]

  Mr. Denham
  The data requested are not collected centrally. We take the issue of delays in diagnosis very seriously. Through such initiatives as the national booked admissions programme, the cancer services collaborative, action on cataracts and action on orthopaedics, we are encouraging hospitals to streamline their services so that tests are carried out, and a diagnosis made, as quickly as possible and with the patient making the minimum number of visits to hospital.

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what payments were made to(a) the Chief Executive and (b) Deputy Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust upon their resignations; [129415]

  (2) what salary and other remuneration is paid to the former Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust in his new employment with Avon Health Authority. [129408]

  Ms Stuart
  The severance arrangements agreed between the former chief executive and deputy chief executive and Plymouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust are a confidential matter between the individuals concerned and the trust.

  Avon Health Authority has engaged the former chief executive for a year to develop a strategic framework for acute services in Avon. He is being employed on normal NHS terms and conditions.

  Telephone Steering Systems
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [129633]

  (2) how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129627]

  Ms Stuart
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 27 June 2000,Official Report, column 439W. The Department's Public Enquiry Office has an automated call handling system that uses touch tone telephone steering. Callers without a touch tone telephone will be automatically diverted to a public enquiry office adviser.

  Coronary Services (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to coronary services in the Coventry area in the last three years. [129446]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is in the table.

  Spend for Coventry Health Authority on cardio secondary care

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Angiography

  434

  472

  526

  PTCA1

  441

  481

  508

  Cardiac Surge

  1,576

  1,651

  1,786

  Pacemakers

  117

  109

  145

  Outpatient services

  207

  187

  211

  Total

  2,775

  2,900

  3,176

  1Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

  Note:

  A comprehensive analysis of spending on coronary services would also draw on information regarding primary care, community services, prescribing etc. This form of program budget is being developed in Coventry but is not readily available.

  Source:

  Coventry Health Authority

  Teenage Pregnancy
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made on his Department's national publicity campaign to tell young people they can talk to health professionals about sex and contraception in confidence; and what funding has been allocated to the campaign. [129253]

  Yvette Cooper
  Our media campaign on teenage pregnancy will begin in autumn 2000, following a period of research into promising approaches by similar campaigns elsewhere. Levels of funding for this current year are to be decided, and for future years will depend on the outcome of the Spending Review.

  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local co-ordinators for teenage pregnancy have been established since the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit report "Teenage Pregnancy", in June 1999. [129256]

  Yvette Cooper
  Every area in England now has a local teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, jointly nominated by the local authority and health authority. In total there are 141 co-ordinators, with some working to social services boundaries and some to health authority boundaries, depending on local circumstances.

  Tranquilliser Addiction
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide funding(a) under section 64 and (b) generally for the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction. [128329]

  Yvette Cooper
  Although project funding has been provided in the past, the Department has no current plans to fund this organisation under the section 64 scheme or generally in this financial year. The very high level of demand for cash limited funds has resulted in many worthy applications having to be rejected. This does not prelude the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction from seeking funding in future years.

  The problems of dependence upon tranquillisers have been recognised for many years. In 1994, the Department issued copies of "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence", published by the Mental Health Foundation, to all health authorities and recommended their use by general practitioners. Various treatments may be offered in general practice or by the specialist mental health services for those who have developed dependence upon tranquillisers.

  Dentists (Pensions)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards the pension fund contributions paid by the Treasury for NHS contracted dentists where the agreed increase in payments is phased. [129981]

  Mr. Denham
  Contributions towards the National Health Service pension scheme are based on actual levels of pensionable remuneration. Therefore, where increases have been phased in the past, the amounts paid by way of contributions into the pension scheme by both the employer and employee have been based on the actual pensionable remuneration that was paid.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what assessment he has made of the resources available to the National Audit Office; and if he will make a statement. [128234]

  Mr. Sheldon
  It is the main concern of the Commission to ensure that the Comptroller and Auditor-General has the right resources to undertake his work. The Commission last met on 2 December 1999 to consider the Supply Estimate for the National Audit Office for 2000–01. The Commission took account of the growing work load of the National Audit Office and recommended additional funding for 2000–01 as a result.

  While the Commission will continue to monitor the situation, I am satisfied that, at present, the current level of funding for this work is adequate and that, were the Comptroller and Auditor-General to need more staff or other resources in the future, he would request extra funding from this House when compiling his annual Supply Estimate.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Church Conservation Trust
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what support is given by the commissioners to the work of the Church Conservation Trust; and if he will make a statement. [128228]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The work of the Churches Conservation Trust is jointly funded, 30 per cent. by the Church of England and 70 per cent. by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

  The Church's share of the Trust's budgeted expenditure for the three years beginning on 1 April 2000 is £3.8 million. This will be met partly from a share of the sale proceeds of redundant churches and partly from the Church Commissioners' own funds.

  Over 330 redundant churches of historic and architectural interest are now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, many opening for occasional acts of worship. A full list is available from their offices at 89 Fleet Street.

  Church Repairs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent representations he has received calling for reduced rates of VAT on church repairs; and if he will make a statement. [128230]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  I am hopeful that with the persistence of those hon. Members such as the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh), we shall achieve our goal—that is, reduced rates of VAT on church repairs.
  367W
  The Church continues to make representations on this issue to the Government and has briefed members of the General Synod informally during their current meeting in York.

  Redundant Churches
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the steps the commissioners take to involve congregations in the disposal of Church property declared redundant by the Church authorities. [128232]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 12 June 2000,Official Report, column 494W, in which I explained that the procedure for settling the future of redundant Church of England churches gives priority to dioceses seeking and achieving suitable alternative uses.

  Church Buildings
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many church buildings were sold or otherwise disposed of in 1999; and to what uses these buildings have been put. [128233]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  During 1999 the future of 16 redundant churches was settled by appropriation to alternative uses—six for community purposes, five for residential use, two by other Christian congregations, and three for, respectively, arts purposes, as a restaurant and as a shop.

  Stipends
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion of stipends new incumbents may expect to be met by current congregations. [128231]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  In 1999, some 68 per cent. of the national stipends pay bill, excluding the stipends of Bishops, archdeacons and cathedral clergy, was financed by giving. However, the proportion will vary from parish to parish. A large part of the remainder of the bill is met by allocations from the Commissioners, individual grants, fees and glebe and trust income.

  Bishops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what percentage of the Church Commissioners'(a) total and (b) discretionary expenditure was spent on bishops' emoluments, in each year from 1979 to date. [129657]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The costs of bishops' stipends, administrative support (including staff salaries) and (for diocesan bishops) housing are met by the Commissioners. While the level of that support varies between individuals according to their particular resource needs arising, inter alia, from the nature of their ministry, we none the less meet those needs in full, subject to our guidelines and budgetary procedures. It is therefore not possible to isolate a discretionary element in our provision.
  368W
  Our spending on bishops expressed as a proportion of the Commissioners' total expenditure for the years 1979–99 is:

  Year

  Proportion percentage

  1979

  5.9

  1980

  5.8

  1981

  6.5

  1982

  6.6

  1983

  6.6

  1984

  6.1

  1985

  6.0

  1986

  6.2

  1987

  5.9

  1988

  5.8

  1989

  5.8

  1990

  6.2

  1991

  6.8

  1992

  7.2

  1993

  7.4

  1994

  7.9

  1995

  8.7

  1996

  9.3

  1997

  10.2

  1998

  9.3

  1999

  9.5

  From 1990 the Commissioners took on full funding responsibility for suffragan bishops' working costs. The rising proportion during the years in question also partly arises from factors such as developments in IT.

  The expenditure of the Church of England as a whole was £760 million in 1999; the Commissioners' spending represented 2 per cent. of that sum.

  Rents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much rent is paid by Lady Brentford in respect of her occupancy of the cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace. [129831]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  It is not our practice to disclose rents paid by individual tenants. Nonetheless, the rent has been set at a market level on the basis of comparable evidence.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much rent is paid by Ruth Davy in respect of her occupancy of the Old Palace at Canterbury. [129824]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Commissioners know of no occupant at the Old Palace at Canterbury called Ruth Davy. Parts of the property are commercially let; in addition, housing is provided for the Steward at the Old Palace.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times Ministers in her Department have sought the advice of the Permanent
  369W
  Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in Paragraphs 118, 121 and 123 of the Ministerial Code; and on which occasions such advice was sought. [129176]

  Clare Short
  Neither I, nor my Under-Secretary of State have sought advice from the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances described.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions since May 1997 Ministers in her Department have made a declaration of interest to their colleagues under circumstances envisaged in Paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code. [129165]

  Clare Short
  There have not been any occasions when I or the Under-Secretary of State have made a declaration of interest.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 23 May 2000,Official Report, column 408W, on St. Helena, if she will make representations to the Government of St. Helena about publishing the report on the feasibility of an airstrip. [129214]

  Clare Short
  This is a matter for the Government of St. Helena.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the policy since 1989 on writing annually to those of her Department's staff who are paying reduced rates of National Insurance contributions, reminding them of the rules governing the payment of reduced rates, as recommended in the Inland Revenue guidance note on reduced rate National Insurance contributions for married women. [129484]

  Clare Short
  The Pay and Personnel Agency (PPA), which is an Agency of the Ministry of Defence, has been the payroll provider for the Department for International Development since October 1995.

  The PPA relies upon checking systems at the employee's place of work, the Agency pay office and within computer systems to identify and act upon any changes of circumstances which affect the continuing payment of reduced rate National Insurance contributions. These systems were subjected to an audit in March 1998 by Inland Revenue and Department of Social Security personnel, which included a 100 per cent. check of all staff then paying reduced rates of contributions. No problems were identified with the systems operations.

  It is not the current practice of the PPA or DFID to write annually to officers paying reduced rates of National Insurance contributions.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Shoreditch Magistrates Court
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to renovate and use the former Shoreditch Magistrates Court in Old Street; and if he will make a statement. [129247]
  370W
  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has no plans to make use of the former magistrates court building in Old Street. This building is owned by the Receiver of the Metropolitan Police Service. It is part of the Inner London Courthouse estate, which will be transferred to the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority on 1 April 2001.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with English Heritage about the future use of the former Shoreditch Magistrates Court in Old Street. [129246]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have had no discussions with English Heritage on the future use of Old Street Magistrates Courthouse.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (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; [129179]

  (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. [129153]

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

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to require the renewables obligation on electricity suppliers to be met by renewable energy generated solely within the United Kingdom by 2010. [129221]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The renewables obligation will require licensed electricity suppliers to supply electricity generated from renewable sources of energy to their customers in Great Britain. Suppliers will be free to purchase this electricity in a competitive market. The Government expect that suppliers will purchase the bulk of their renewable electricity from within the United Kingdom, but it will of course comply with the requirements of European law on access for imported electricity.

  Letters and Packets
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 13 June 2000,Official Report, columns 595–96W, on letters and packets, if he will list, in respect of each change in weights of letter post made under Directive 97/67 of 1997 and its predecessors, the (a) reasons for such change and the amount concerned, (b) date of its coming into force, (c) consideration by Parliament and (d) Minister of the

  371W
  Crown who gave consent to the directive and changes arising from it, giving the reasons for any such changes. [129596]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Directive 97/67 was the first Postal Services Directive passed by the European Commission. It has no predecessors. A memorandum setting out how the Government intended to implement each of the requirements of the EU Directive, including draft postal services regulations, was published for consultation on 8 July 1999. Subsequently, the Postal Services Regulations (S.I. 1999/2107) transposed the Directive into United Kingdom law and amended the Postal Privilege (Suspension Order) 1981/1483 to include the words
  either weighs not less than 350 grams or.
  This had the effect of adding a weight threshold of not less than 350 grams to the existing £1 price threshold in order to be compliant with the Directive. The price threshold was already within the limit required by the Directive of five times public tariff for an item of correspondence in the first weight step of the fastest standard category. The Statutory Instrument was laid before Parliament on 27 July 1999 and came into force on 1 September 1999. The Minister responsible for postal issues at that time was my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry.

  Post Office Network
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to pay subsidies to post offices before 2003. [129417]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]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.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that each sub-post office will be entitled to offer the full range of Post Office and contracted Government services subject to the commercial decisions of the sub-postmaster involved. [128753]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In his statement on 28 June 2000,Official Report, columns 907–20, on the Post Office network, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a range of proposals and measures designed to modernise and sustain the post office network. Among them were proposals to develop new areas of business facilitated by the installation of a modern on-line computer system in every office throughout the country. Certain services are likely to remain restricted to a proportion of the network because of the client's requirement for cost-effectiveness in selecting channels for the delivery of their services.

  Universal Bank
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Universal bank will be required to provide banking services to any applicant irrespective of financial status. [128752]
  372W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office is developing plans, in conjunction with the high street banks, for the Universal Bank. It is intended that the Universal bank should cater for as wide a range of customers as possible, bringing many more people into the financial mainstream.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the services of the proposed Universal bank in sub-post offices will differ from those provided by the Alliance and Leicester Girobank. [129988]

  Mr. Byers
  Alliance and Leicester Girobank offer a full range of banking services. The Universal bank is intended to cater for a wide range of people currently outside the financial mainstream and will therefore offer basic bank accounts without overdraft or borrowing facilities.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to publish a business plan for the Universal bank in sub-post offices. [129987]

  Mr. Byers
  The business plan for developing and operating a Universal bank service at post offices will be a commercially confidential document.

  Benefit Payments (ACT)
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if claimants who wish to receive their benefits in cash, and who have no other bank account, will be required to open a new Universal bank account under the Government's proposals for switching benefit payments to ACT. [129605]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  From 2003, the normal method of paying benefits and pensions will be directly into bank or building society accounts. Those who wish to collect their benefits in cash from the post office after 2003 will still be able to do so.

  The establishment of the Universal bank will provide the means for any recipient to have an account for benefits to be paid into, and accessed across a post office counter using a card rather than a benefit book. However, we also recognise that there may still be a small number of people and payments which the Benefits Agency will be unable to pay by ACT. For these, we are considering what alterative simple money transmission system, which could be accessed by post offices, may be commercially available.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to help small businesses minimise the impact of regulations dealing with(a) parental leave and (b) working time regulations. [129950]

  Ms Hewitt
  Officials consulted widely with business and business organisations, and implemented parental leave regulation with a light touch to ensure that they were fair to both employers and employees. To help people understand and adapt to the new regulations, the Department of Trade and Industry has produced clear and detailed guidance material. My right hon. Friend is leading a review of maternity pay and parental leave, and it will consider as part of its remit whether it is possible further to simplify legislation in this area.
  373W
  The Working Time Regulations implemented the Working Time Directive in the UK so as to balance the proper protection of workers with minimising burdens on business. The 1999 amendments to the Regulations both simplified the record-keeping requirements and provided for the provision of statutory guidance.

  Guidance on both parental leave and working time is available in hard copy or on the DTI internet site www.dti.gov.uk/er

  Horizon Project
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the decision by the Post Office to write off the cost of the Horizon Project was taken in the knowledge of the Government's plans for a Universal bank in sub-post offices. [129986]

  Mr. Byers
  The Post Office decision was taken solely in the context of Financial reporting Standard 11.

  Euro Policy
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department was made aware of the leaking of the document from the head of the Invest in Britain Bureau relating to the Government's euro policy; and if he will take steps to establish how this document was made public. [129443]

  Mr. Byers
  On 2 July. An investigation is under way.

  Foreign Investment
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the trend in the level of foreign direct investment into the UK since January 1999. [129445]

  Mr. Caborn
  On 5 July, Invest UK (formerly the Invest in Britain Bureau), announced at its Annual Review another record year for attracting inward investment projects into the UK. Between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000, Invest UK recorded 757 inward investment decisions to locate in the UK by foreign-owned companies, with some 52,783 associated new jobs over the next three years.

  Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 29 June showed that at the end of the first quarter 2000 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in the UK had risen to £252.4 billion—up 23 per cent. compared with a year earlier.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements apply to end users of armaments(a) sold and (b) transferred by the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [129308]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  Most defence exports to Saudi Arabia are organised under Government-to-Government arrangements. I am unable to disclose specific details of these arrangements under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, but I can say that it is normal
  374W
  practice to include a clause in the Memoranda of Understanding which prohibits the transfer of material to third parties without the approval of the UK Government.

  For exports not covered by Government-to-Government arrangements, the risk of diversion to third parties is taken into account in considering export licence applications.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on ministerial transport in each of the last two years. [98720]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 1 December 1999,Official Report, columns 255–56W. In addition, the Ministry of Defence, spent in 1997–98 £174,836 and in 1998–99 £179,707, on transport services for Ministers.

  Queen Mother (100th Birthday)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much public money has been spent on commemorations for HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's 100th birthday. [127909]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 28 June 2000]: The main event to mark Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday will be a Service of Thanksgiving to be held at St. Paul's Cathedral on 11 July, and a Pageant to be held on Horse Guards on 19 July. Events to mark Her Majesty's Birthday on 4 August have yet to be announced.

  Significant costs are likely to arise only from the Pageant on 19 July, which is being funded primarily from private sources. There will be some additional incidental costs borne by the Ministry of Defence. The actual additional cost of this, and of the other events, could be identified only when they have taken place.

  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Commissioner of Police for the City of London that no identifiable costs have yet been incurred by the Metropolitan police service and the City of London police.

  Costs to the Royal Parks Agency as a result of the Pageant will be identifiable only following the event.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposals for DERA on the number of staff employed by private companies at the DERA base at West Freugh. [128284]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which Sir John Chisholm, Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA give him on 29 June 2000,Official Report, column 593W.

  Under our current proposals, we envisage that the capabilities provided by West Freugh will form part of the NewDERA company. It is, therefore, likely that the

  375W
  DERA staff at West Freugh would transfer to the private sector. The status of other staff at DERA West Freugh will continue unchanged.

  We are confident that our proposals will secure a long-term future for both NewDERA and those elements to be retained within the Ministry of Defence, which should have a positive impact on job prospects. In addition, the new freedoms proposed for NewDERA will open up a range of commercial opportunities not previously available and help secure jobs in the longer term.

  No final decisions on the PPP will be taken until all the inputs received during the consultation exercise, which ended on 9 June, have been fully analysed. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the way ahead for DERA before the summer recess.

  Telephone Steering Systems
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many departmental telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by interactive voice response systems; [127399]

  (2) how many agencies of his Department use interactive voice response systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [127407]

  (3) how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [129631]

  (4) how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129629]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Former Civil Servants
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the posts assumed by the 14 officials who have notified his Department that they have taken up appointments in the private sector. [129012]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is as follows:

  Name

  Appointment

  Date taken up

  Field Marshal The Lord Inge GCB DL

  Consultant, British Aerospace

  January 1998

  Non-executive Director, Greenley's

  July 1998

  Consultant, Sedgwick Group

  November 1998

  Consultant, Short

  Sir Moray Stewart KCB

  Brothers plc

  February 1998

  Air Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE

  Consultant, Willis Coroon Hinton

  April 1998

  Non-executive Director, Thomson (UK) Holdings

  January 1999

  Air Chief Marshal Sir William Wratten GBE CB AFC

  Chief Military Adviser, Rolls Royce Military Aero Engines

  May 1998

  Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin KCB AFC

  Fellow of Strategic Forum SERCO Defence

  June 1998

  Professor Sir David Davies CBE

  Non-executive Director, ERA Technology

  October 1998

  Member of the Strategy Board, British Aerospace Virtual University

  December 1999

  376W

  Name

  Appointment

  Date taken up

  Sir Charles Masefield

  Vice-chairman, GEC

  December 1998

  Air Marshal G Robertson CBE

  Military Adviser, British Aerospace plc

  March 1999

  Group Head of Strategic Analysis, British

  Mr. M. J. V. Bell CB

  Aerospace plc

  April 1999

  Non-executive Director,

  Admiral Sir Jock Slater, GCB LVO

  Vosper Thornycroft Holdings plc

  July 1999

  Senior Military Advisor, Lockheed-Martin

  January 2000

  Lieutenant General Sir Robert Hayman-Joyce KCB CBE

  Non-executive Director, Comax

  September 1999

  Consultant, Surestock

  Air Marshal I. D. MacFadyen CB OBE

  Health Services (Unipart Group)

  November 1999

  Group Managing

  Air Marshal Sir Colin Terry KBE CB

  Director, Inflite Engineering Service Ltd.

  November 1999

  Admiral Sir John Brigstock KCB

  Chief Executive, St. Andrew's Hospital Trust

  April 2000

  Information about applications approved by the Prime Minister under the rules on the acceptance of outside appointments by Crown servants is published in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to amend the rules that apply to senior officials from his Department joining private sector companies. [129014]

  Dr. Moonie
  The rules on the acceptance of outside appointments are set out in the Civil Service Management Code and apply to Crown servants in all Government Departments. The Defence Secretary has no plans to propose any changes to them.

  SA80 Rifle
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 June 2000,Official Report, column 319W, if the modified SA80 rifle will be added to the NATO Nominated Weapons List. [128771]

  Dr. Moonie
  In 1997, the SA80 was suspended from the NATO Nominated Weapons list, the list of those weapons used for testing ammunition that is seeking NATO qualification. Once modified, the SA80 will be re-assessed and should be re-admitted to this list.

  Defence Housing Executive
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when empty Defence Housing Executive accommodation in Leeming will be placed on the market; and if he will make a statement. [129096]

  Dr. Moonie
  Twenty empty properties in Leeming Village were handed back to the owners, Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL), on 26 June. It is, of course, for the owners to decide how to dispose of these properties but they are likely to be sold privately through a nominated agent. It is probable that 10 of the remaining properties in Leeming will be part of a future release but they are currently subject to planning and approval processes and a number of them are occupied.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [128984]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence does not operate an approved list of manufacturers of cars or commercial vehicles. The supplier is normally selected through competition. The Department's policy is to seek the best value for money and this will determine whether we purchase or lease vehicles in specific cases. However, management of cars and commercial vehicles is not core MOD business and as a consequence the Department is actively pursuing the provision of vehicle and support services through a competitively let Private Finance Initiative contract. It will be for the contractor to determine the type and mix of vehicles to provide the necessary service.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (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; [129159]

  (2) if he will list the occasions since May 1997 on which Ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in paragraphs 118, 121 or 123 of the Ministerial Code; [129106]

  (3) if he will list the occasions since May 1997 on which Ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in paragraphs 118, 121 or 123 of the Ministerial Code. [129178]

  Dr. Moonie
  Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Married Quarters (Arborfield)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason surplus married quarters at Arborfield were not disposed of on the open market; and if he will make a statement. [129245]

  Dr. Moonie
  The properties at Arborfield were included in the sale, on a 999 year lease, of most of the Service Families Quarters in England and Wales to Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) in November 1996. At that time there was a requirement for the properties to house Service families and they were underleased back from AHL. The properties have since been declared surplus to Service requirements and, under the terms of the sale agreement a total of 105 have been handed back to AHL. The option of sale on the open market is therefore a matter for the owners, AHL.

  Cyber-warfare
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed cyber-warfare unit, identifying its proposed size and detailed costs. [129283]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: There are no plans to establish a cyber-warfare unit in the Ministry of Defence.

  Church Fenton Airfield
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental appraisal has been conducted regarding his Department's plans to secure planning permission for housing on Church Fenton airfield. [129815]

  Dr. Moonie
  To date it has been premature to discuss the issue of environmental appraisals with Selby District Council (SDC). The Ministry of Defence, or the site's eventual developer, will, prior to the submission of any planning application(s), liaise with SDC over the provision of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for those aspects of the development for which one may be required under planning/environmental legislation.

  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental and conservation bodies have been consulted by his Department in connection with its plans to secure planning permission for housing on Church Fenton airfield. [129814]

  Dr. Moonie
  Under the Town and Country Planning legislation it is the duty of the local planning authority (LPA) to consult with environmental and conservation bodies, where necessary, over any applications for development. It is not known what consultations Selby District Council have undertaken in respect of RAF Church Fenton. It would be premature for us to initiate these discussions as our plans are being tested at the Local Plan Inquiry.

  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations his Department has had with local parish councils regarding his Department's proposal to secure planning permission for housing on Church Fenton Airfield. [129830]

  Dr. Moonie
  Under the Town and Country Planning Acts it is an obligation of the local planning authority (LPA) to consult with the parish councils once they receive a planning application for redevelopment. In August 1998, my Department submitted an application for redevelopment of part of the Church Fenton site and the LPA should have consulted the parish councils. Their response is not known. We subsequently agreed to hold any decision on that application in abeyance until the result of the current Local Plan Inquiry was known. As for our submissions to, and appearance at, the Local Plan Inquiry, the local parish councils would have been part of the LPA's consultation process throughout the preparation of the plan. However, they were also specifically advised of our proposals by letter from our planning consultants in early June of this year.

  Departmental News Director
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what civil service grade is held by the Director
  379W
  of News, Mr. Martin Howard; what civil service post was held by Mr. Howard prior to his appointment as Director of News, who the previous holder of the position of Director of News was; and what Mr. Howard's job description is as Director of News. [129829]

  Dr. Moonie
  Mr. Martin Howard is a member of the senior civil service. His previous appointment was in the Ministry of Defence as Head of the Overseas Secretariat. The previous incumbent of the post of Director of News was Ms Oona Muirhead, also a senior civil servant. The role of Director of News is to act as the official spokesman of the Ministry of Defence and to identify media opportunities for promoting the key themes of the Defence Mission proactively, effectively and consistently.

  Journalists (Meetings)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the journalists he has had meetings with at his Department since December 1999; and on what dates these meetings were held. [129828]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been interviewed by the following journalists and broadcasters at the Ministry of Defence since December 1999:

  Interviewer

  Date

  Ian Kirby (News of the World)

  6 January 2000

  Alex Nicholl (Financial Times)

  1 March 2000

  Peter Ryan (Economist)

  2 March 2000

  Lucy Jackson (British Forces Broadcasting Service)

  21 March 2000

  News piece1(BBC TV News)

  23 March 2000

  Anita Anand (Zee TV)

  4 April 2000

  Richard Norton-Taylor (The Guardian)

  17 April 2000

  Tim Sebastian (BBC Hardtalk)

  8 May 2000

  Jon Craig (Express on Sunday)

  5 July 2000

  1Interviewer name not recorded

  In addition, I have had a number of door-step interviews at the MOD with various different broadcast news teams, particularly during May and June when a large number of British troops were deployed to Sierra Leone.

  I have also hosted the following press conferences to which a wide range of journalists and broadcasters have been invited:

  Press conference subject

  Date

  Announcement of Eurofighter missile and heavy lift aircraft procurement decisions

  16 May 2000

  Launch of Defence Estates Strategy

  7 June 2000

  Military Aircraft Accidents
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents there were in which deceased aircrew were found guilty of gross negligence in aircraft that were not fitted with cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders since 1980; and what proportion of accidents involving military aircraft this represented. [108491]
  380W
  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to the reply, 7 February 2000, c. 31W]: I regret that there was an error in the information given. The answer provided was based on an examination of aircraft summaries rather than the original Board of Inquiry reports.

  We have now completed a detailed check of the Board of Inquiry reports of the military aircraft accidents from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1999. There were 486 aircraft accidents and a further 51 personal injury cases involving aircraft within this period. Of the 486 accidents, 317 occurred in the first 10 years. In 20 of the accidents, findings for gross, culpable or serious negligence were made against deceased aircrew in aircraft not fitted with cockpit voice recorders and accident data recorders; 16 of the cases occurred in the first 10 years.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Tax Credits
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households would be taken off(a) Housing Benefit and (b) Council Tax Benefit in each tenure category if a flat rate housing allowance was introduced for recipients of Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Persons Tax Credit at (i) £10, (ii) £15, (iii) £20, (iv) £25 and (v) £30 per week. [125412]

  Angela Eagle
  Precise estimates cannot be made because of the uncertain behavioural effects that would result from the introduction of such an allowance. However, we estimate that introducing a flat rate housing allowance of £30 per week for all recipients of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) would move some claimants off Housing Benefit (HB) in Great Britain in a full year. Assuming that eligible rent in Housing Benefit is reduced by the amount of the housing allowance, the estimated numbers moving off benefit is dependent on the way in which the extra income is treated in the assessment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (CTB). The following table gives estimated results based upon either disregarding the housing allowance as income so that claimants do not lose in net income terms:

  Estimated number of claimants who would be taken-off benefit in 2000–01 under the proposed £30 housing allowance

  Thousand

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  Housing allowance disregarded

  140

  0

  Housing allowance assessed as income

  170

  90

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the Family Resources Survey.

  2. There is currently no administrative data to link WFTC receipt with HB or CTB, so estimates based solely on household survey data should be treated as illustrative only.

  3. This household sample does not have an adequate sample size or the necessary information on disability to be able to produce corresponding estimates for Disabled Persons Tax Credit. The reduction in the number of recipients of Housing Benefit as a result of introducing the allowance for recipients of Disabled Persons Tax Credit is, however, likely to be small.

  4. Some cases taken-off Housing Benefit may also be among those taken off Council Tax Benefit, so totals cannot be summed.

  5. Separate estimate for each tenure category are not available.

  Housing Benefit
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what would be the gross and net costs of introducing a flat rate housing allowance to single people under retirement age currently in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if such an allowance was set at(a) £10, (b) £15, (c) £20, (d) £25 and (e) £30; how many people would be entitled to such an allowance and how many people would be taken off Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit completely in each category (a) to (e); [125413]

  (2) if he will estimate the net costs of a flat rate housing allowance, assuming savings on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, if such an allowance was set at (a) £10 per week, (b) £15 per week, (c) £20 per week, (d) £25 per week and (e) £30 per week. [125410]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available as introducing a flat rate housing allowance would need to be considered in the context of the employment tax credit. As set out in chapter 3 of the Treasury paper "Tackling Poverty and Making Work Pay—Tax Credits for the 21stCentury", we will extend the principle of the Working Families Tax Credit to people without children. The detailed design parameters of the new credits have yet to be finalised.

  Pensions
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be without any pension entitlement on retirement in(a) 2000 and (b) each five year period thereafter to 2050; and if he will make a statement. [127837]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are working towards a system which will ensure that no one will retire without a pension entitlement.

  Minimum Funding Requirement
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000,Official Report, column 533W, on the minimum funding requirement, which organisations he will be considering representations from; when he will make public the report from the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries; and if he will make a statement. [129213]

  Mr. Rooker
  We intend to publish the report from the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries alongside a consultation document on any proposals for change arising from the review of the minimum funding requirement. We will consider all representations that we receive in response to the consultation.

  Disability and Carers Benefits Directorate
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the practice of the Director of the Disability and Carers Benefits Directorate in replying to letters from hon. Members writing on behalf of constituents; and if he personally signs such replies. [130008]
  382W
  Mr. Bayley
  When letters are received from hon. Members, acknowledgements are issued on the day of receipt with a commitment to respond fully within 10 working days. This is in line with the Secretary of State's targets for answering correspondence.

  The Director of the Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate personally signs replies unless he is unavailable. A nominated deputy will then reply on his behalf.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have taken place in staff and premises since the ending of family credit; and what future changes are planned. [130007]

  Angela Eagle
  Family Credit was centralised in the North West. Working Families Tax Credit replaced Family Credit from 5 October 1999. At the time, the majority of staff transferred to the Inland Revenue and they continued to use the same premises.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what average time was taken from receipt of application to payment of benefit for family credit; and what was the average number of cases outstanding over the last year of its operation. [130004]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Information on clearance targets

  Percentage

  Target

  Achievement against target (April 1999 to September 1999)

  60 per cent. of applications settled within 13 working days

  83.7

  95 per cent. of applications settled within 42 working days

  98.9

  90 per cent. of "express" applications settled within five working days

  90.1

  The average number of Family Credit cases outstanding in Great Britain during year ending September 1999 was 42,000.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Milk
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on(a) the level of farm gate milk prices and (b) the milk industry, since the breaking up of Milk Marque. [126932]

  Ms Quin
  The Government recognise the considerable problems currently facing the dairy industry, where a combination of factors have reduced milk prices and had a consequential effect on incomes in the sector over the past two years. It is difficult to predict how the creation of the Milk Marque successor companies will affect milk prices in the longer term. Much will depend on the way in which the new companies are run as well as other
  383W
  factors, such as the sterling/euro exchange rate. It should also be noted that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has announced that the successors to Milk Marque will be able to become involved in processing.

  Organic Farmers
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of Government regulation on Britain's organic farmers. [127167]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government seek to minimise regulatory burdens where possible and consults the industry on their impact. Standards for organic farming are contained in Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91. Additionally, the private sector bodies that certify organic farmers are able if they wish to impose standards which go further, and some do. Rigorous production controls are important if public confidence in organic food is to be maintained. It is for producers to decide with which certifier they wish to register.

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [129044]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF is responsible for reporting on the PFI/PPP contract let by the Environment Agency in respect of the Pevensey Bay Sea Defences.

  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Date of Commencement—1 June 2000

  (b) Contract Value—No private sector capital expenditure will be made throughout the life of the contract.

  (c) Subject to refinancing—No

  (d) Is there a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing?—No

  Crop Contamination
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will compensate organic farmers whose crops and organic status are at risk from contamination by GMOs. [128594]

  Mr. Morley
  No. Any issue of liability in these circumstances would be a private law matter between the farmer and the person who caused the problem, and farmers would have to take advice on their individual circumstances.

  Rod-caught Fish
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of angler-caught(a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout caught in England in each of the last five years; and what his estimate is of the number of each of these three categories of fish taken by seals in English waters in each of these years. [128827]
  384W
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: The table sets out the figures for rod-caught salmon, grilse and sea trout caught in England in the last five years. The figures include fish caught and released.

  Declared rod catch for English waters

  Year

  Salmon1

  Grilse1

  Sea trout

  1995

  3,202

  8,658

  16,581

  1996

  4,066

  7,910

  16,562

  1997

  2,441

  6,984

  16,228

  1998

  2,152

  10,619

  23,911

  19992

  2,686

  6,449

  22,209

  1Numbers of salmon and grilse estimated from age/weight keys and the size distribution of fish caught in principal salmon rivers

  2Provisional figures

  No estimate is available of the number of these species of fish taken by seals in English waters. The predominant species targeted by seals are known to be cod, whiting and sandeels. Nationally, salmon, grilse and sea trout form a very small part of seal diet.

  Drift Net Fishery
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his estimate is of the number of(a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout taken by the North East drift net fishery in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what his estimate is of the number and percentage of these fish which were bound for Scottish rivers, indicating also his estimate of the number and percentage which were bound for the River Tweed and its tributaries. [128826]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: The table sets out the figures for salmon, grilse and sea trout taken by drift nets in the North East coast fishery in each of the last five years.

  Year

  Salmon

  Grilse

  Sea trout

  1995

  19,101

  28,904

  29,521

  1996

  7,465

  7,707

  13,225

  1997

  6,305

  12,936

  12,387

  1998

  5,985

  11,343

  11,339

  1999

  8,523

  16,289

  15,059

  No precise estimates are available for the proportion of these fish that were bound for Scottish rivers or the River Tweed and its tributaries. However, a joint MAFF and Scottish Office report on "Salmon Net Fishers" (1991) estimated that 80 per cent. of the salmon and grilse taken by the total North East coast fishery in 1987–88 were bound for Scottish rivers and that 40 per cent. were bound for the Tweed. The "Report of the Technical Working Group on the English North East Coast Salmon Fishery" (1997) suggested that up to 50 per cent. of the sea trout caught in the North East coast fishery may be bound for Scottish rivers, the majority of these to the Tweed. Based on the above approximate percentages, the estimated numbers of salmon, grilse and sea trout caught in the North East coast fishery in the past five years that were bound for Scottish rivers and the River Tweed and its tributaries are given in the table.
  385W

  Year

  Salmon

  Grilse

  Sea trout

  Scottish rivers

  1995

  15,281

  23,123

  14,761

  1996

  5,972

  6,166

  6,613

  1997

  5,044

  10,349

  6,194

  1998

  4,788

  9,074

  5,670

  1999

  6,818

  13,031

  7,530

  River Tweed and its tributaries

  1995

  7,640

  11,562

  14,761

  1996

  2,986

  3,083

  6,613

  1997

  2,522

  5,174

  6,194

  1998

  2,394

  4,537

  5,670

  1999

  3,409

  6,516

  7,530

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which overseas countries supplied the United Kingdom during the last 12 months with(a) beef and (b) lamb for human consumption; what quantities were imported; and if he will make a statement. [129504]

  Ms Quin
  The table lists the countries supplying beef and lamb products to the UK, for human consumption, from May 1999–April 2000 as recorded by the Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Lamb and Lamb Products

  Country

  Tonnes

  New Zealand

  99,892

  Australia

  12,581

  Netherlands

  4,896

  Irish Republic

  3,653

  Uruguay

  1,296

  France

  1,097

  Spain

  1,010

  Germany

  656

  Belgium

  264

  Chile

  256

  Denmark

  152

  Argentina

  67

  Other

  86

  Grand Total

  125,905

  Beef and Beef Products

  Country

  Tonnes

  Irish Republic

  99,801

  Brazil

  66,101

  Netherlands

  12,578

  Uruguay

  9,614

  Argentina

  8,611

  France

  7,221

  Australia

  6,733

  Namibia

  6,692

  Zimbabwe

  6,292

  Botswana

  5,428

  Germany

  2,926

  Denmark

  2,720

  Belgium

  2,017

  Spain

  1,767

  New Zealand

  1,330

  Mauritius

  714

  Italy

  615

  Sweden

  536

  Swaziland

  421

  386W

  Beef and Beef Products

  Country

  Tonnes

  South Africa

  381

  USA

  214

  Other

  186

  Total

  242,900

  Note:

  The data are provisional and subject to amendment

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the process of rendering animal carcases in destroying prions. [129646]

  Ms Quin
  The UK has evaluated historical rendering practices by jointly funding, along with the European Commission and European Renderers Association, research work on the effectiveness of rendering systems in inactivating both sheep scrapie and BSE. Both studies have subsequently been published as indicated below, and resulted in consequential changes to European legislation on processing standards.
  References:
  Taylor D. M. Woodgate S. L. and Atkinson M. J. Inactivation of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent by rendering procedures. Vet Rec (1995) 137 605–610.
  Taylor D. M. Woodgate S. L. Fleetwood A. J. and Cawthorne R. J. G. Effect of rendering procedures on the scrapie agent. Vet Rec (1997) 141 643–649.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated into the effect of the use of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos on the health of children; what uses are authorised; and at what thresholds. [129993]

  Ms Quin
  Both the UK and EU systems for regulating pesticides contain routine review programmes of older pesticides to ensure they meet current safety standards. Chlorpyrifos is presently under review in both the UK and EU review programmes. Both reviews have required the submission of data and research studies by companies wishing to support the compound.

  For the UK review 171 toxicology and metabolism studies relevant to the risk posed by chlorpyrifos to the health of people, including children, have been submitted. The Government's scientific evaluation of these studies is currently being examined by the independent experts of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) and the Food Standards Agency. Once the Committee's review has been completed, in line with normal practice, a detailed evaluation document listing the studies evaluated and setting out the assessment made by the ACP will be made publicly available.

  The European Commission has yet to reach a decision on the European status of chlorpyrifos. The initial evaluation of the safety of the compound carried out by Spain for the Commission is currently being peer reviewed by the relevant experts in the EU member states. The European Commission's review report on

  387W
  chlorpyrifos will be made available to the public once a final decision on the EU status of chlorpyrifos as a pesticide has been taken.

  I will write to the hon. Member with the details of the crops, maximum individual doses and maximum number of treatments for those products containing chlorpyrifos approved for use in agriculture, horticulture and amenity use and place copies of my letter in the House Libraries.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much Forestry Commission land has been sold in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [R] [128043]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 28 June 2000]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. Colin Breed, dated July 2000:
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the areas of Forestry Commission land sold in each of the last 10 years.
  The following table shows the areas, in hectares, of both forest land and other land sold by the Commission throughout Great Britain.

  To year ending 31 March

  Forest Land

  Buildings and other land

  Total

  1990

  5,559

  2,292

  7,851

  1991

  4,770

  2,658

  7,428

  1992

  6,263

  648

  6,911

  1993

  6,827

  3,762

  10,589

  1994

  14,419

  531

  14,950

  1995

  10,014

  794

  10,808

  1996

  8,217

  871

  9,088

  1997

  9,605

  1,237

  10,842

  1998

  10,756

  1,886

  12,642

  1999

  4,261

  1,493

  5,754

  The Government stopped the large scale sales of forest land by the Commission when they took up office in May 1997. The Commission may now only sell agricultural land, land associated with houses and other buildings, unplantable land and relatively small and isolated blocks of forest land which do not make a significant contribution to its objective and which are surplus to its requirements. The Commission may also sell areas for development where this is in the public interest. Areas of forest land which are important for public access will not be sold unless an access agreement is in place.

  Most of the sales in 1997 and 1998 were agreed before May 1997.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [129049]
  388W
  Mr. Hain
  The FCO has three significant PFI contracts:Lease Plan Cars (Public Private Partnership PPP deal)—lease and operate vehicle fleet—value dependent on the number of posts taking up lease-plan option—1996. The lease-plan deal is a PPP arrangement and is not structured in the manner of a standard PFI contract.
  Minerva—record retrieval software—value £1.62 million (net presentive value n.p.v.)—1997. The Minerva contract has not been subject to re-financing.
  FTN—FCO telecommunications network—value £106 million (n.p.v.)—May 2000.
  Berlin—build and operate new Embassy—value £49.8 million (n.p.v.)—June 2000.

  Both the Berlin and FTN contracts have only recently commenced.

  The FCO does not have a "claw-back" entitlement built in to existing PFI contracts.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the BBC World Service online website and its development. [129602]

  Mr. Hain
  The BBC World Service websites currently receive about 25 million page impressions and audio listens a month. We support the World Service's ambition to develop its online services further, including in some vernacular languages into fully multimedia sites. Provision for the development of such services has been included in the FCO's bid on behalf of the World Service under the 2000 Spending Review.

  Telephone Steering Systems
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public. [129640]

  Mr. Battle
  None.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129622]

  Mr. Battle
  Two.

  Moluccas
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek the establishment of an international fact-finding mission to undertake an impartial investigation into the atrocities in the Moluccas. [129456]

  Mr. Battle
  We have been deeply disturbed by reports of escalating violence in Maluku. But a solution cannot be imposed from outside. Diplomatic efforts are now focused on pressing the Indonesian Government to take urgent and effective action. I discussed the issue with the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July. The Head of the Diplomatic Service raised our concerns directly with President Wahid in Jakarta on 4 July. We and others are continuing to urge the Indonesian authorities to redouble their efforts.
  389W
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia in respect of the intimidation of Moluccan Christians. [128332]

  Mr. Battle
  We have been deeply disturbed by reports of escalating violence in Maluku. I discussed the issued with the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July. The Head of the Diplomatic Service raised our concerns directly with President Wahid in Jakarta on 4 July. We and others are continuing to urge the Indonesian authorities to redouble efforts. The UK has seconded a specialist to work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish mechanisms for managing the international humanitarian response. UNDP dispatched a Humanitarian Co-ordinator on a one week needs assessment visit to Maluku on 9 July.

  European Regulations and Directives
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 2000,Official Report, column 701W, on European directives and regulations, how access to the Celex Database can be obtained; and from what source the information it contains originates. [129610]

  Mr. Vaz
  Access to the Celex Database can be obtained either by CDROM or via the internet. The information contained in the Database is provided by the European Commission and originates primarily from the Official Journal of the European Communities.

  Iran
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Iran regarding the verdict in the trial of the Jews from Shiraz. [129495]

  Mr. Hain
  We have made clear to the Iranian authorities our deep concern at the verdicts and sentences passed on 10 Jews and two Muslims on 1 July. We have done so through a public statement issued on 1 July, and on 5 July, both through our Ambassador in Tehran, and here with the Iranian Ambassador to London.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iranian Government on human rights in that country; and if he will make a statement. [129514]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We and our EU partners regularly press the Iranian authorities over our concerns about certain human rights issues in Iran. On each of the three occasions that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has met his Iranian counterpart Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, human rights have featured prominently in their discussions. I too discussed our concerns with Deputy Foreign Minister Sarmadi during his visit to the UK in March.

  In addition, we regularly raise our concerns through our Ambassador in Tehran and the Iranian Ambassador to London.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what talks he has had with human rights organisations regarding the sentencing of the Iranian Jews convicted of espionage. [129675]
  390W
  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We have maintained regular contact with a number of concerned organisations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Inter-Parliamentary Council Against Anti-Semitism on this case.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Iran. [129676]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We will be consulting with the Iranian authorities to arrange mutually convenient dates for a visit.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact he has had with other EU Governments regarding the sentencing of the Iranian Jews for espionage. [129677]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We and our EU partners have been in regular contact throughout the detention and subsequent trial on espionage charges of the 13 members of the Shiraz Jewish community and eight Muslims. A statement expressing the deep concern of all EU member states at the sentencing of 10 of the Jewish defendants and two of the Muslim defendants was issued shortly after the verdicts were announced on 1 July.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government following the sentencing of the Iranian Jews. [129715]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We have made clear to the Iranian authorities our deep concern at the verdicts and sentences passed on 10 Jews and two Muslims on 1 July. We have done so through a public statement issued on 1 July, and on 5 July, both through our Ambassador in Tehran, and here with the Iranian Ambassador to London.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan concerning the timetable for the return to democracy. [129592]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 27 June 2000,Official Report, columns 446–47W.

  Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his role in formulating the first draft of the Charter of Fundamental Rights at the start of the German Presidency of the Council of Ministers; and if he will deposit the text of that draft in the Library. [129821]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) (the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office) gave him on 17 June 1999,Official Report, column 226W.
  391W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first was informed of the interest shown by the German Presidency of the Council of Ministers in the formulation of a Charter of Fundamental Rights. [129922]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 405W.

  India
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian Government concerning the recent violence against Christians in India. [129661]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns over attacks on religious minorities with the Indian Home Minister, L. K. Advani, during this visit to London in June. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed freedom of religion with the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Jaswant Singh, during his visit to India in April. We will continue to make our concerns known.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of attacks on Christians and their places of worship in(a) Uttar Pradesh, (b) Andhra Pradesh, (c) Karnataka and (d) Goa in India. [129520]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We are aware of attacks on Christians in India, including the murder of a Brother George Kuzhikandham in Uttar Pradesh and the bomb attacks on churches in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh in June. We regularly raise our concerns over incidents of religious intolerance with the Indian Government. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the Bill in Uttar Pradesh introducing restrictions on the use and construction of places of worship in India; and what representations he has made to the Indian Government. [129710]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We are aware of the Uttar Pradesh Religious Places Bill. Although we have not discussed the Bill with the Indian Government, we have regularly raised our concerns over incidents of religious intolerance in India. The Indian authorities can be in no doubt about our commitment to freedom of religion and the rights of minorities.

  Security and Defence Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Council's legal opinion on whether the Cologne and Helsinki councils' decisions regarding security and defence policy require treaty amendments. [129924]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Presidency report to the Feira European Council on strengthening the common European security and defence policy took note of the opinion of the Council Legal Service. The Government joined other member states in adopting the report by consensus at the Feira European Council. The issue of Treaty change will continue to be examined between the Feira and Nice European Councils.

  Currency Transactions
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the 24 Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Social Development, with particular reference to the conclusions concerning the possible taxation of international currency transactions. [129286]

  Mr. Hain
  The Special Session of the General Assembly, following up the World Summit for Social Development, protected the commitments made by governments in Copenhagen five years ago and identified some new, forward-looking initiatives. One such initiative is an analysis of proposals for developing new and innovative sources of funding for social development.

  EU Accession
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited each of the states currently engaged in accession negotiations with the EU. [129781]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited the following countries currently engaged in accession negotiations on the dates shown:

  Country

  Date

  Bulgaria

  19–20 October 1998

  Czech Republic

  27–28 November 1997

  Estonia

  26 July 1999

  Hungary

  26 November 1997

  Poland

  28 November 1997

  Romania

  21–22 October 1998

  Slovakia

  6 March 2000

  Slovenia

  23 November 1998

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also visited Turkey, which is a candidate for EU membership, on 18–19 November 1999. He plans to visit Hungary on 25 July and the Czech Republic on 26 July. Of the other countries in negotiation for EU membership, I myself have just returned from a visit to Malta on 5–6 July and plan to visit Latvia and Lithuania in the autumn. I have also visited Hungary on 18–19 October and Poland on 19–20 October last year.

  Animal Experiments
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to consult British embassies about animal experimentation overseas. [129780]

  Mr. Hain
  Our Embassies continue to monitor the development of science policy in their host countries. I have no plans to consult Embassies about animal experimentation overseas.

  Euro (Leaked Telegram)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ministers in his Department were informed of the leaking of the telegram from the British Ambassador to Japan on the Government's euro policy; and if he will take steps to establish how this document was made public. [129442]
  393W
  Mr. Battle
  Ministers were first informed of the leak in the late afternoon of Monday 3 July. An inquiry is under way.

  Financial Bodies
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost to public funds so far of Her Majesty's Government participation in the(a) Financial Action Task Force and (b) Financial Stability Forum. [126755]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Her Majesty's Government have, since 1997, paid £75,429.87 in subscription towards the UK's membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The subscription for 2000 is approximately £25,000. Information for previous years is not readily available. FATF meetings are attended by officials from HM Treasury, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, HM Customs and Excise and the Financial Services Authority. Details of costs incurred from travel and accommodation resulting from participating at FATF meetings could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Costs incurred by Her Majesty's Government to date in participating in the Financial Stability Forum, consisting of travel costs, accommodation costs, and subsistence are £23,677.59. These costs were incurred in attending the three meetings of the Financial Stability Forum, and also through HM Treasury's participation in the Financial Stability Forum's working group on Offshore Centres.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Roads and Highways SSA
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the standard spending assessment relating to roads and other highways for each English county for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01 (i) in total cash terms and (ii) as a percentage of the standard spending assessment; and if he will make a statement. [125719]

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

  GMOs
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the current contracts between his Department and the Central Science Laboratory that are connected with GMOs. [128066]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department does not as such have any contracts with the Central Science Laboratory because they are an Agency of Government and Government 394W
  cannot enforce a contract with themselves. CSL are, however, currently working for my Department on three projects:
  Project

  1. Research to assess possible environment risks of GM plants grown in containment.

  2. Monitoring gene-flow within the fields of the farm-scale evaluations and to neighbouring crops.

  3. Inspection and enforcement relating to the deliberate release and marketing of GMOs.

  New Deal
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been recruited from the New Deal; and what percentage this represents of total staff. [129101]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Since the New Deal programme commenced, the number of people recruited through New Deal DETR (Central) is 14 and its executive agencies is 23. This represents 0.3 per cent. and 0.1 per cent. of the total staff respectively. The number of New Deal staff in DETR (Central) and its executive agencies shown as a percentage of posts at a level recommended for New Deal staff is 1.5 per cent. and 0.5 per cent. respectively.

  The Department is actively looking to increase these numbers by further recruitment exercises in the coming months.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost of consultants employed by each of the regional development agencies to date; and what is the projected expenditure over the next two years. [128899]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In 1999–2000, the first full year of the RDAs' operations, the estimated expenditure on directly-employed consultants was less than 1 per cent. of their total budget, as follows:

  £000

  One NorthEast

  910

  Northwest Development Agency

  1,960

  Yorkshire Forward

  1,040

  East Midlands Development Agency

  1,550

  Advantage West Midlands

  950

  East of England Development Agency

  350

  South East Development Agency

  680

  South West Development Agency

  290

  Total

  7,730

  Estimates for expenditure on consultants for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are not available.

  Migration
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the proportion of the demand for new housing which arises from population migration(a) between the English regions and (b) from London to other parts of the South East. [128866]
  395W
  Mr. Raynsford
  No explicit estimates are made about the proportion of the demand for new housing that arises from population migration. Trend-based household projects are just one of the considerations taken into account. These are derived from trend-based population projections that contain assumptions about inter-area migration. The migration assumptions are set out in Table 6 of the Office for National Statistics 1996-based Sub-national population projections, England, Series PP3 No. 10, published by TSO.

  However, this publication does not include information on migration flows between specific areas. The Office for National Statistics has therefore provided the additional information on projected migration in relation to the South East Planning Region, given in the table.

  Annual net migration for SERPLAN

  Thousand

  1997

  2001

  2006

  2011

  2016

  2021

  From London

  105

  106

  106

  108

  110

  112

  To London

  68

  68

  68

  70

  71

  70

  Net from London

  37

  38

  38

  38

  40

  41

  From other English regions

  138

  140

  142

  144

  144

  143

  To other English regions

  149

  152

  155

  159

  161

  161

  Net from other English regions

  -10

  -12

  -13

  -15

  -17

  -19

  Net migration from London and other English regions

  27

  26

  25

  23

  23

  23

  Source:

  ONS 1996-based Sub-national population projections

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [128987]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department's purchasing policy is based on achieving best value for money, taking into account whole life cost and quality. In determining what represents best value for money, the leasing option is considered.

  The Department does not have an approved list of manufacturers of cars and commercial vehicles. It uses various supply and leasing contracts awarded by itself and other Government Departments as a result of competitive tender processes appropriate to the value of each contract.

  The Department also makes use of the Government Car Service (GCS).

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and decided upon at the OSPAR meeting on Control of Marine Pollution in the North East Atlantic, held in Copenhagen on 26 to 30 June; and if he will place in the Library a report of the meeting. [128861]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: At its annual meeting in Copenhagen last week, the OSPAR Commission adopted, by consensus, a programme for
  396W
  more detailed work on the implementation of the OSPAR Commission's strategy on radioactive substances. This provides for the adoption of national plans, the submission of detailed forecasts of how the elimination or reduction of radioactive substances from both nuclear and non-nuclear sources will be achieved, in order to meet the OSPAR 2020 goal on radioactive discharges, emissions and losses, and to enable the Commission to develop a collective oversight of progress towards this goal.

  The OSPAR Commission finalised a first and essential step in the implementation of its long-term strategy on hazardous substances. As a result, twelve new hazardous substances were added to the OSPAR List of Chemicals for priority action.

  The Commission also adopted several measures to control chemicals from both offshore and land-based sources, including the setting of a new international standard for the regulation of the use and discharge of offshore chemicals and drilling fluids.

  Under the strategy to combat eutrophication, the OSPAR Commission agreed which areas of the North East Atlantic do not present eutrophication problems, adopted on a trial basis guidelines for evaluating nutrient inputs to the sea, and put in hand work on comprehensive assessments of the areas where there are, or may be, eutrophication problems.

  The Commission adopted and launched the Quality Status Report on the whole of the North East Atlantic, the "QSR 2000". This report, together with reports covering the five regions of the OSPAR maritime area, is the first review of the health of the North East Atlantic in such detail.

  The OSPAR Commission also finished reviewing its working methods and established a new organisational structure, to keep the effective implementation of its five long-term strategies and the effective follow-up to the QSR 2000.

  Twelve OSPAR states adopted a decision requiring a review of nuclear processing in preventing accidental pollution. Although the UK drew attention to its recently published draft national discharge strategy, all the OSPAR states except France supported the decision, and the UK and France abstained.

  I am arranging for copies of the Summary Record of the Commission's meeting to be placed in the Library when it becomes available.

  Connex
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the dispute affecting Connex's trains on its ability to meet agreed performance targets. [129305]

  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director is responsible for monitoring the performance of train operating companies. He publishes the results of his monitoring in his "On Track" report, available in the House Library. This shows that the punctuality and reliability of Connex services has been affected by the dispute. The report also explains that incentives are given to operators to handle disruptions in a planned way.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will provide local authorities with the detailed arrangements for creating arm's-length companies and for raising levels of investment in their housing stock. [129260]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We outlined in the Housing Green Paper proposals to allow authorities which have set up arm's-length companies to manage their housing stock and demonstrate high standards to invest more of their rental income in their stock. As the Green Paper promised, we will be working with the Local Government Association and others to work up the proposals in greater detail over the coming months. We will consult on our proposals later this year and have guidance in place in the early part of 2001.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long it will take local authorities to invest in their housing stock through the creation of arm's-length companies; what assessment he has made of the contribution this will make in tackling the investment backlog in local authority housing within five years; and if he will make a statement. [129259]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The additional resources to be made available for authorities which have set up arm's-length companies to manage their housing stock and demonstrate high standards will be announced as part of the Spending Review. We expect that the first year in which the new regime will operate will be 2002–03. In the meantime, authorities considering this option will need to undertake detailed preparation to enable them to meet the demanding criteria which will apply. Our overall aim, set out in the Housing Green Paper, is to ensure that all social housing reaches a decent standard within 10 years.

  Light Railway Systems
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to fund(a) tram and (b) light railway systems as part of urban regeneration schemes; and if he will make a statement. [129307]

  Mr. Hill
  Tram and light rail systems can have an important role to play in delivering integrated transport in major conurbations. Decisions on whether to provide central Government support for tram and light rail systems are taken on a case-by-case basis on the merits of the particular scheme. Where systems cannot be funded entirely from local sources or by the private sector, promoters must demonstrate that their scheme provides good value for money and forms an essential part of a local transport plan, and that the objectives of that plan cannot be met in other ways. In the Department's appraisal process, the wider economic impacts of a particular scheme, including any regeneration benefits are considered.

  Telephone Steering Systems
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public. [129642]
  398W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Touch tone telephone steering systems are used in a number of the Department's agencies, to a varying degree. These are:

  >The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)—approximately 343 lines

  The Driving Standards Agency (DSA)—up to 300 lines

  Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) are piloting a national number in Scotland that is likely to be rolled out nationwide in October 2000

  Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)—5 lines available

  Highways Agency—the Information line, which can handle up to 15 calls simultaneously.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129624]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  DETR(C) have four telephone lines available to members of the public which offer the opportunity to redirect their call using a touch tone system. These are:

  The Mobility Unit—to order literature about disabled access

  Orange Badge System—to order leaflets and application forms

  Biotechnology Unit—to request information about the public register

  Vehicle Import Advice Line—to request booklets.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional funding he will make available to local authorities for work on the rights of way network consequent upon the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill. [129402]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: Local authorities will be properly and reasonably funded for additional rights of way tasks. The funding expected to be required as a result of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill is identified in the explanatory notes that accompany the Bill as between £12 million and £19 million per annum. We shall determine the exact sums to be made available in the next three years in the light of the outcome of the current spending review.

  Animal Rendering
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what environmental controls are applicable to the process of rendering animal carcases; and which organisation is responsible for them. [129647]

  Mr. Hill
  Animal rendering plants are regulated by local authorities under the air pollution control regime established by Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Where aqueous discharges arise the discharges are regulated by the Environment Agency under the Water Resources Act 1991.

  Animal rendering plants will be subject to integrated pollution control under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 when it applies as set out in the draft Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000. It is envisaged under the regulations that local authorities will be the regulators, subject to the Environment Agency having power to specify emission limit values or conditions to prevent or reduce emissions into water.

  Planning
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in determining the division of responsibilities for planning matters between(a) county and unitary councils, (b) district councils and (c) the proposed South Downs National Park. [129685]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: We have asked the Countryside Agency to look at the detailed arrangements for handling planning matters for the proposed new National Park in the South Downs. They have established a working group who are now examining options for the division of responsibilities between existing authorities and any new National Park Authority. The Agency will be consulting locally on these options before advising Ministers on what they consider to be the most appropriate arrangements.

  Coastal Resorts
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent steps his Department has taken to(a) help regenerate coastal resorts and (b) improve bathing water quality. [129951]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We are continuing to address the needs of disadvantaged areas, including coastal resorts, though our regeneration programmes. Recent steps include:Running Round 6 of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) where 20 per cent. of new SRB resources are targeted on areas, including coastal towns, which are outside the most deprived districts. Bids for resources are currently being considered for schemes commencing summer 2000 onwards. Round 2 of the New Deal for Communities (NDC) also includes assistance to some coastal towns;
  Enabling more coastal resorts to be eligible to receive European Structural Funds. The 2000–06 Objective 1 programmes for South Yorkshire, Cornwall and Merseyside are expected to be formally approved shortly. The Commission formally approved the Objective 2 map for 2000–2006 programmes on 30 March. This includes more coastal areas than before. The Objective 2 programmes are currently under negotiation and we expect them to be approved before the end of the year;
  Securing substantial additional investment by water companies to raise bathing water compliance with the normal EU quality standard to 97 per cent. by 2005 and to help more resorts reach the higher standard needed to gain 'Blue Flag' status.

  EU Flags
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers are available to local authorities to restrict the flying of EU flags on public buildings. [129757]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The European flag may be flown provided planning permission for the flagstaff has been granted and express consent to fly the flag (under the separate arrangements for control of advertisements) has been given by the local planning authority. A Crown body that wishes to undertake development that would otherwise require planning permission, or express consent to display an advertisement, follows the non-statutory arrangements set out in part IV of DOE Circular 18/84. On 29 June I announced proposals to amend the Town and Country
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  Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992. One of the proposed amendments is to allow the European flag to be flown from a flagstaff without having to apply to the local planning authority for permission to do so. National flags already benefit from this exemption.

  Affordable Homes
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the number of new affordable homes required to meet demand; what plans he has to increase the provision of affordable houses; and if he will make a statement. [129796]

  Mr. Raynsford
  While the Government have from time to time commissioned studies of the extent and nature of housing need to inform our views on the requirement for affordable housing in England, we 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 our robust assessments of housing need in their areas.

  This Government are already making available an additional £5 billion for investment in housing over the life of this Parliament. Much of this is spent on tackling the repairs backlog, but local authorities are able to use these resources to invest in additional affordable housing, where this best meets local needs and priorities. In addition, local authorities have powers to require affordable homes to be provided as part of new developments.

  Future levels of provision to fund affordable housing will be announced on completion of the Spending Review.

  First Place Housing
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason First Place Housing of Tavistock Street, Dunstable have been refused a further grant from his Department; and if he will make a statement. [129312]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: My Department offered First Place Housing a grant this year towards the costs of their outreach service. They decided however to forgo this grant and discontinue this area of their work. First Place Housing then bid for a grant under the new Special Innovation Fund. The Fund was significantly oversubscribed and we had to make some very tough choices, which has led to a large number of organisations being disappointed—many of which, like First Place Housing, had submitted proposals for worthwhile projects.

  Houses (Multiple Occupancy)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to introduce compulsory licensing for homes in multiple occupancy. [129531]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We plan to introduce a licensing system for houses in multiple occupancy as soon as Parliamentary time can be found for the necessary primary legislation.
  401W
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes in multiple occupancy there are in(a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK. [129532]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information given to my Department by local authorities indicates that there are 1,000 houses in multiple occupation in Coventry, and 15,441 in the West Midlands. The English House Condition Survey indicates a figure of 525,000 for England. My Department does not hold information concerning houses in multiple occupation in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

  Household Statistics
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the projected number of households in each five year period for each county and metropolitan area between 1996 and 2021, assuming zero net internal migration. [129751]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  This information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on(a) the scale of net regional population migration assumed in its projected level of household formations proposed for the current trend of draft regional planning guidance and (b) the assumed scale of migration underlying the figures published by the Office for National Statistics in the sub-national population projections; [129749]

  (2) what scale of net regional population migration is assumed in the projected level of household formation proposed for the current round of draft regional planning guidance (a) in each of the eight English regions and (b) for the spatial development plan for London. [129748]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Household projections are just one of the considerations taken into account in determining likely housing requirements. No explicit assumptions about population migration are made in considering draft regional planning guidance.

  One of the inputs into the household projections is the sub-national population projections. These contain assumptions about inter-area migration. The migration assumptions for each area are set out in Table 6 of the Office for National Statistics 1996-based Sub-national population projections, England, Series PP3 No. 10, published by TSO.

  This publication does not include information on migration flows between regions. The Office for National Statistics will be making some additional information available on these flows, shortly. I will write to my hon. Friend once this statistical information has been derived.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the(a) initial and (b) longer-term cargo-deck heights on the sprinter trains proposed by the winner of the recent rail freight competition; and if the layout of their longer-term sprinter-train design has been finalised. [129997]
  402W
  Mr. Hill
  The deck-height of the Railtrack MPVC (multi-purpose vehicle container) used in the trials is 120 mm and of the intermediate container flats 100 mm. Further development of the Multi-Purpose Vehicle into a freight Multiple Unit will be on the basis of a 1100 mm deck-height.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the target date is for having new road-rail equipment and systems in-service to allow containers arriving at docks to reach their final destinations by rail. [129998]

  Mr. Hill
  9' 6" deep sea containers can be conveyed on most rail routes today. The shadow Strategic Rail Authority is developing a routing and gauge enhancement strategy with Railtrack intended to permit the carriage of 9' 6" high ISO containers on the network in the forecast over the next 20 years. The implementation of the various stages of this plan will be flexible.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the maximum cargo height on the piggyback trailer systems that have been proposed by the winner of the recent rail freight competition. [129996]

  Mr. Hill
  The maximum cargo-height will be 3.4 m permitting the conveyance of the semi-trailer of 9' 6" ISO containers in the wagon pockets or a C45 Swapbody over SB1-c cleared routes. SB1-c is Swapbody clearance agreement version c. This is an agreement between freight operators and the Channel Tunnel operators concerning maximum dimensions for swapbody containers which will be conveyed through the channel tunnel and also on such internal rail lines within Great Britain as have been cleared to that standard.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for which loading gauges the piggyback trains that have been proposed by the winner of the recent rail freight competition will be suitable.[129999]

  Mr. Hill
  The piggyback trailer on the multi-modal wagon will conform to the Railtrack W6A loading gauge, enabling it to run over most of the rail network.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Transport Council held in Luxembourg on 26 to 27 June; and what plans there are to make EASA a European Community agency. [130000]

  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 July 2000,Official Report, columns 181–83W to my hon. Friend the Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood), which described the outcome of the Council. There was a debate on the establishment of a European Aviation Safety Authority, at the end of which the Council asked the commission to produce a formal proposal for a community agency.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the
  403W
  software that failed at West Drayton Air Traffic Control Centre on 17 June was installed; and if he will make a statement. [130009]

  Mr. Hill
  The software which failed on 17 June was a Flight Data Processing System known as the National Airspace System (NAS). The current software version was introduced in January 2000, with an interim upgrade in April 2000. In addition to this, the system's database and configuration parameters are modified each month. Until June this year, this software version had continued the excellent track record of reliability established by the NAS system in recent years.

  The failure was cleared by reverting to a previous version of the software and as an additional precautionary measure a system message was input which actively prevented the system from exercising the faulty code sequence. Subsequently a permanent software design solution was devised, tested, and successfully installed. This has enabled National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) to restore capacity levels in the key Scottish sectors which carry a substantial amount of North Atlantic traffic.

  EU Galileo Project
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the share of the capital cost of the EU Galileo project that will fall to the UK taxpayer; and if he will make a statement. [129994]

  Mr. Hill
  The costs of the Galileo project would depend on decisions taken by the Council of Ministers on the project later in the year. The Government have not made an independent estimate of the costs, but the European Commission's current estimate of the capital cost is 3 billion euro for the period 2000–08, of which an estimated 1.25 billion euro would be provided by member states through European Community Programmes and the European Space Agency (ESA). The UK makes its contributions to the EU budget as a whole, not to specific programmes. We estimate that the UK share of the EU budget is around 18 per cent. The UK is contributing about 7 million euro to ESA's work on the definition phase of Galileo. A decision on whether to proceed to the development phase of Galileo may be taken by the December Transport Council. No decision has yet been made as to the UK's contribution to ESA's share of the development costs.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include the safety issue of gaps between railway station platforms and trains, in the criteria for obtaining future train operating franchises. [129435]

  Mr. Hill
  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked the Franchising Director to evaluate bids for replacement franchises against the following criteria: commitment to secure better performance and customer services, the extent to which extra or earlier investment can be secured, the extent to which passengers will be given a greater voice in the level and standard of services, and value for money to the taxpayer. The Franchising Director will look to bidders to provide better access to the network,404W
  particularly for those with limited mobility and disabilities. Bidders will be encouraged to consult interested stakeholders, including local authorities and Rail Passengers' Committees, giving them the opportunity to raise issues which they would like to see addressed.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that warning signs are provided at stations where there is a large gap between the railway station platform and the train. [129436]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack, as infrastructure controller, is responsible for the safe operation of its platforms. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) publish "Railway Safety Principles and Guidance" which, among other things, sets acceptable stepping criteria between trains and platforms. In areas where there is a large gap between the railway platform and the train, warning notices reading 'Mind the Gap' with hatching along the platform edge, or other agreed measures such as public announcements, may be required.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many railway stations there is distance between the platform and the train which exceeds 250 mm vertically, 275 mm horizontally and 350 mm diagonally. [129437]

  Mr. Hill
  The records held by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) are insufficiently detailed to provide information on locations where gaps may exceed particular dimensions. However, Railtrack have acknowledged that at 76 per cent. of their 2,454 stations there are one or more platforms that do not comply with the specifications for acceptable stepping criteria between trains and platforms as set out in HMRI's "Railway Safety Principles and Guidance". Railtrack is developing a strategy of identifying and dealing with these on a prioritised basis. HSE is monitoring progress.

  Flood Defence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the(a) percentage and (b) actual increase in the amount of money provided by the Department for Flood Defence to Devon county council through the standing spending assessment in each of the last three years. [130001]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The changes in Flood Defence Standard Spending Assessments for the last three years for Devon county council are as follows:

  £million

  Year

  Percentage change in SSA

  Actual change in SSA

  2000–01

  +3.1

  0.108

  1999–2000

  +1.7

  0.059

  1998–991

  -31.6

  -1.567

  1As from 1 April 1998 Devon CC area was reduced following the creation of Plymouth and Torbay unitary authorities. If the 1998–99 Flood Defence SSAs for Plymouth and Torbay are added to the 1998–99 Devon CC figure then the results would be (a) -0.7 per cent.

  (b)-£0.037 million.

  Radon
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance his Department is giving to householders and local authorities in areas where the radioactive gas radon is a problem. [130214]

  Mr. Meacher
  Following the success of three pilot studies to encourage and assist householders to carry out radon remedial works, I am pleased to announce that we are embarking on a new programme in partnership with 31 local authorities from the areas most affected by radon.

  The radon measurement programme, carried out by successive Governments since 1987, has meant that every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent. probability of being above the radon 'Action Level' has been offered a Government-funded radon test. In total, some 40,000 homes have now been found to be above the radon Action Level. However, only 10–20 per cent. of these households have taken any action to reduce radon levels in their homes. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas. Without proper action to lower levels in the home it can add to the risk of lung cancer.

  To encourage action, DETR, with the support of the Department of Health, has been working in partnership with Derbyshire Dales, Cherwell and Mendip district councils in pilot studies to encourage and assist householders to carry out remedial work. In this new approach the local authority has been the main point of contact with householders, supported in the background by Central Government Departments.

  The pilot studies have been very successful both in terms of the numbers of householders seeking advice and the numbers that have subsequently gone on to carry out remedial work. I should like to pay tribute to the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of the three local authorities involved.

  The 31 local authorities listed in the table, which all have areas within their districts with notable levels of radon, responded to the Department's invitation to work in partnership with us to extend the approach used in the pilot studies to other parts of the country.

  In order to assist these authorities, and other with a radon problem, we have produced a "Good Practice Guide" based on the lessons learned and the experience gained in the pilot studies. This guidance has been made available in draft to all of the authorities involved in the new programme, and is being published today. I have arranged for copies to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.
  406W
  Local authorities participating in DETR's Radon roll-out programme

  Devon

  West Devon borough council

  South Hams district council

  Torbay district council

  Somerset

  South Somerset district council

  Bath and North East Somerset Unitary Authority

  Dorset

  North Dorset district council

  Gloucestershire

  South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority

  Stroud district council

  Northamptonshire

  Kettering borough council

  Daventry district council

  East Northamptonshire district council

  Corby borough council

  Northampton borough council

  South Northamptonshire district council

  Leicestershire

  Harborough district council

  Melton borough council

  Rutland Unitary Authority

  Cambridgeshire

  Huntingdonshire district council

  Lincolnshire

  South Kesteven district council

  North Kesteven district council

  Shropshire

  South Shropshire district council

  Oswestry borough council

  Derbyshire

  High Peak borough council

  Nottinghamshire

  Ashfield district council

  Staffordshire

  Staffordshire Moorlands district council

  Cumbria

  South Lakeland district council

  Lancashire

  Lancaster City council

  North Yorkshire

  Craven district council

  Richmondshire district council

  Northumberland

  Alnwick district council

  Berwick-upon-Tweed borough council

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recent report by Cardiff University on the effect of the Government's regional development policies on competitiveness differentials between regions. [129834]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A central plank of the Government's economic policy is to improve the competitiveness of our regions. That is why we set up the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), to address the disparities which had been allowed to grow within and between the regions under the previous administration. The RDAs have made an excellent start—securing thousands of jobs, as well as providing new work sites, promoting regeneration and reclaiming derelict sites. We are also looking to strengthen their
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  role as economic drivers, and have embarked on a package of measures to ensure our regions have the skills and knowledge needed to compete successfully in the modern global marketplace.

  Advantage West Midlands
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure the effective management of Advantage West Midlands; and if he will make a statement. [129783]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  On Friday 30 June, the contract of Advantage West Midlands' Chief Executive, Tony Cassidy, was ended by mutual consent.

  To ensure effective management, Advantage West Midlands will now seek to recruit a replacement. They have also arranged for the post to be filled on a temporary basis by John Edwards, Regeneration Director of Advantage West Midlands, and previously Chief Executive of the Rural Development Commission.

  The Chief Executive of any non-departmental public body (NDPB) is accountable to the board. The position of the Chief Executive, and of any employee of an RDA, is an internal matter for that RDA.

  I am confident that the Board and the Chairman are working in the best interests of the West Midlands.

WALES

  Motor Industry
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is pursuing to safeguard jobs in the motor components industry which may be under threat from the sale of Rover; and if he will make a statement. [121727]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I remain in close contact with all stakeholders to ensure Welsh interests are considered.

  The acquisition of Rover by the Phoenix consortium, which plans to maintain volume car production of existing models at Longbridge offers a welcome outcome for suppliers of the motor components industry.

  The Wales Task Force has prepared a study on the possible impact on the Welsh automotive industry and is also undertaking a long-term strategy to improve competitiveness of the industry over the next five years. This was considered by the Economic Development Committee of the National Assembly for Wales on 6 July, who gave their approval. The Welsh Task Force will now concentrate on implementing the recommendations made in the report, through the establishment of a Project Management Board.

  NHS Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning NHS waiting lists, with particular reference to those waiting over a year; and if he will make a statement. [126974]
  408W
  Mr. Hanson
  Both I and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meet regularly with the Assembly First Secretary and the Assembly Health Secretary to discuss the Health Service in Wales.

  The subject of waiting lists is, of course, of concern to us all and is therefore often included in our conversations.

  In March, the Government announced an additional £1,299 million for Wales over four years as a consequence of increases in the NHS budget for England. The Assembly has decided this will all be spent on health in Wales and has invested £40 million from this year's allocation to help reduce waiting lists and address emergency pressures. In addition, they have recently set strict targets for Health Authorities to meet.

  Staff Secondments
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which companies or partnerships have seconded staff to his Department since May 1997; how many have been seconded; and who pays for seconded staff. [128469]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department has paid for three secondees since May 1997, one from Chestertons Property Consultants, one from Eversheds, and one from King Sturge.

  Information is not held centrally on secondees in all instances where their company continues to fund the employee themselves. There have been two secondees from Barclays Bank, and one from BT, where those companies have paid for their own staff, but there may be others who have not been recorded centrally.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [129162]

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

  New Deal
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the New Deal for lone parents; and if he will make a statement. [129502]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular discussions with the First Secretary on a range of UK Government policies including the New Deal.

  The New Deal for Lone Parents was piloted in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan from July 1997 and implemented countrywide in October 1998. To the end of March 2000, about 10,800 lone parents in Wales had attended an initial interview. More than 10,000 of these (93 per cent.) agreed to participate in the scheme, which provides advice and guidance on finding and retaining suitable work.

  To date, some 3,600 lone parents in Wales have secured jobs through the New Deal.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent measures have been introduced to help lone parents achieve a better balance between work and family life. [127244]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 29 June 2000]: The Government's work-life balance campaign was launched by the Prime Minister on 9 March. Work-life balance describes any set of policies and practices that both help people to achieve better balance between work and their lives outside work and benefit the business.

  The campaign aims to increase the number of employers who adopt work-life policies and practices. By introducing flexible working policies employers can increase job opportunities and recruit from a wider pool, especially from those with caring responsibilities, such as lone parents, or those with disabilities.

  The discussion document "Changing Patterns in a Changing World" describes how we will take the campaign forward in partnership with an alliance of 22 leading businesses committed to promoting the business benefits of work-life balance. Our campaign builds on and complements the work of the National Work Life Forum.

  Last month we invited employers to apply for our new £2.25 million Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund. Successful applicants will receive free consultancy advice about implementing flexible policies which improve both their business and help their employees balance work and the rest of their lives.

  New Deal
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many participants from Dumfries and Galloway in(a) the New Deal for 18–24 year olds and (b) the New Deal for 25 year olds and over have returned to (i) Jobseeker's Allowance, (ii) other benefits and (iii) unsubsidised employment through the New Deal. [128468]

  Ms Jowell
  Latest figures to end April 2000 for the categories requested in Dumfries and Galloway are set out as follows. However, they are expressed as leavers from New Deal rather than returners as everyone starting either of the New Deals is already claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. We cannot therefore describe them as returning to other benefits or unsubsidised employment.

  Leavers

  New Deal 18–24

  New Deal 25+

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  178

  446

  Other benefits

  116

  71

  Unsubsidised employment

  379

  68

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are eligible for the guaranteed minimum take home pay of £170 per week under the New Deal for the over 50s(a) nationally, (b) on Teesside and (c) in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [128638]
  410W
  Ms Jowell
  New Deal 50-plus is a major new programme of personal advice, support and financial help for people over 50 who are looking for work. The programme is aimed at unemployed and economically inactive people in receipt of benefit for six months or more and their dependent partners. The table shows those people who are directly eligible for New Deal 50-plus. However, in addition dependent partners of these benefit recipients will also be eligible, as will be men aged 60–65 receiving National Insurance credits automatically.

  The £170 minimum income guarantee applies to those people going into full-time work and additionally receiving the Employment Credit of £60 per week. It is not possible to say how many people will be eligible for the Employment Credit but our assumption is that about 90 per cent. of those that apply will be eligible.

  Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance recipients aged 50 or over with a current claim duration of six months or more, as at February 2000

  Thousand

  Area

  Income Support

  Jobseekers Allowance

  Incapacity Benefit

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  Great Britain

  1,725.3

  98.2

  860.6

  135.9

  Teesside (total of Unitary Authorities):

  19.7

  1.9

  13.8

  1.2

  Middlesbrough UA

  5.5

  —

  3.1

  *0.4

  Redcar and Cleveland US

  5.0

  —

  3.9

  *0.2

  Hartlepool UA

  4.0

  —

  2.6

  *0.3

  Stockton-on-Tees UA

  5.2

  —

  4.1

  *0.3

  Middlesbrough and Cleveland, East Parliamentary constituency

  2.9

  0.3

  2.1

  *0.2

  Notes:

  1. Numbers marked '*'are based on very few sample cases and are subject to a high degree of sampling error. These figures should be used as a guide to the current situation only.

  2. Income Support figures exclude claimants who also receive IB/SDA.

  3. IB and SDA figures exclude those persons receiving National Insurance Credits only.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people have found(a) non-subsidised jobs and (b) education, training or work experience through the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds, (i) nationally, (ii) on Teesside and (iii) in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [128641]

  Ms Jowell
  The latest information, to the end of April 2000, is shown in the table. This sets out the number of unsubsidised jobs taken by young people through the
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  New Deal and those who have benefited from education, training or work experience opportunities on the New Deal options.

  New Deal for Young People

  Unsubsidised jobs

  New Deal options

  Great Britain

  191,360

  168,900

  Teesside

  3,914

  4,083

  Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East

  468

  550

  We are on target to meet our manifesto commitment to help 250,000 young people into jobs through the New Deal. At the end of April we had reached a total of 216,200.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated capital value of jobcentre sites in the United Kingdom. [129087]

  Ms Jowell
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. John Bercow, dated 10 July 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an executive agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the estimated value of the Jobcentre sites in the United Kingdom. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The network of roughly 1000 Employment Service Jobcentres operates in a mixture of freehold and leasehold premises. All Jobcentres in freehold and long leasehold property are subject to a rolling programme of professional valuation. The results of this are collated annually and shown as 'Land and Buildings' in the Employment Service Annual Report and Accounts. The latest audited accounts are for the year 1998–99. These show the total value of Employment Service Land and Buildings as at 31 March 1999 to be just under £122m.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance he issues to Jobcentres about preventing persons not lawfully entitled to work in the United Kingdom having access to their services; and if he will make a statement; [128921]

  (2) what checks Jobcentres are required to undertake (a) generally and (b) prior to reference to an employment agency in order to ensure that persons seeking employment are allowed to work in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [128924]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Lidington, dated 10 July 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about ensuring that persons seeking employment in the United Kingdom are entitled to do so.
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  Permission to work in the United Kingdom is a matter for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office. While Jobcentres do have advice available to them on which groups of jobseekers from outside the UK are entitled to work in the UK, it would not be practical for them to undertake nationality checks given the fact that they make some 20 million job submissions annually. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that jobseekers have permission to work.
  Employment Service guidance to Jobcentres states that non-EEA (European Economic Area) jobseekers are not entitled to obtain work in the UK without a work permit. It advises staff to pass inquiries to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Similarly, vacancies advertised via the Employment Service website carry a statement which makes clear that the vacancies are not open to non-EEA jobseekers.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Examination Scheduling
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has made to awarding bodies concerning the scheduling of GCSE and A level examinations after the summer half-term break. [128633]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the awarding bodies have recently reviewed the arrangements for GCSE and AS/A level examination timetables. We have agreed their proposals which take effect from 2001, re-scheduling some of the major entry GCSE subjects, English literature and geography, to after the summer half-term, maximising study and preparation time. The timetable for the new AS/A level examinations caters for an increased number of papers and although slightly longer than its predecessor has approximately the same number of written papers scheduled in May.

  Medical Schools
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources and money are being made available to widen access to medical schools to ensure that students from all economic groups can enter the profession. [128803]

  Mr. Wicks
  Medical students, in common with other students, benefit from a range of government policies to widen access to higher education: £74.6 million for Access Funds in the academic year 1999–2000; a further £42 million a year from 2000–01 to broaden the social profile of entry into higher education; and from 2001–02, non-repayable Opportunity Bursaries of up to £1,000 for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, some medical schools have special schemes to encourage a wide range of potential students to study medicine.

  Folklore
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the universities which teach(a) an undergraduate and (b) a postgraduate course in folklore; and how many students were on each course for the last year for which figures are easily available. [128878]

  Mr. Wicks
  The information is not available centrally.

  Child Care
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many net child care places were
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  created in the financial year 1999–2000 in (a) the parliamentary constituency of Birkenhead and (b) the parliamentary constituencies in the Wirral. [128911]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The number of child care places created are as follows:

  (a) Constituency of Birkenhead: 49 net places1

  (b) Constituencies of the Wirral: 368 net places

  1The figure for Birkenhead does not include child minder places as these are not broken to constituency level. A proportion of the 120 net child minder places in the Wirral area may be in the constituency of Birkenhead.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list new children places created in each early years development and child care partnership in 1999–2000. [129991]

  Ms Hodge
  Early years development and child care partnerships have reported that by end March 2000 they had created some 140,000 new child care places. These 140,000 to the stock of child care places across England, Providing child care for over 141,000 extra children. Attached is a breakdown of the number of new child care places created by early years development and child care partnerships in 1999–2000.

  1999–2000 New places

  Partnership Area

  Out of school

  Pre-school

  Total

  Barking and Dagenham

  335

  151

  486

  Barnet

  1,247

  642

  1,889

  Barnsley

  140

  190

  330

  Bath and North East Somerset

  137

  233

  370

  Bedfordshire

  756

  303

  1,059

  Bexley

  204

  252

  456

  Birmingham

  848

  806

  1,654

  Blackburn UA

  205

  178

  383

  Blackpool UA

  226

  102

  328

  Bolton

  459

  280

  739

  Bournemouth UA

  253

  245

  498

  Bracknell Forest UA

  9,581

  116

  9,697

  Bradford

  620

  235

  855

  Brent

  636

  331

  967

  Brighton and Hove UA

  321

  225

  546

  Bromley

  622

  422

  1,044

  Buckinghamshire

  1,022

  831

  1,853

  Bury

  370

  212

  582

  Calderdale

  115

  289

  404

  Cambridgeshire

  1,341

  1,151

  2,492

  Camden

  96

  113

  209

  Cheshire

  948

  686

  1,634

  City of Bristol

  247

  406

  653

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  206

  303

  509

  City of London

  267

  20

  287

  Cornwall

  816

  430

  1,246

  Coventry

  552

  481

  1,033

  Croydon

  357

  407

  764

  Cumbria

  254

  213

  467

  Darlington UA

  194

  86

  280

  Derby UA

  668

  142

  810

  Derbyshire

  664

  94

  758

  Devon

  1,123

  1,148

  2,271

  Doncaster

  205

  127

  332

  Dorset

  173

  174

  347

  Dudley

  180

  105

  285

  Durham

  707

  569

  1,276

  414W

  1999–2000 New places

  Partnership Area

  Out of school

  Pre-school

  Total

  Ealing

  338

  548

  886

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  1,325

  381

  1,706

  East Sussex

  352

  355

  707

  Enfield

  194

  428

  622

  Essex

  2,072

  1,472

  3,544

  Gateshead1

  TBC

  TBC

  TBC

  Gloucestershire1

  TBC

  TBC

  TBC

  Greenwich

  911

  63

  974

  Hackney

  257

  282

  539

  Halton UA

  170

  105

  275

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  115

  83

  198

  Hampshire

  3,458

  1,854

  5,312

  Haringey

  800

  280

  1,080

  Harrow

  238

  115

  353

  Hartlepool UA

  96

  44

  140

  Havering

  98

  45

  143

  Herefordshire, County of

  590

  228

  818

  Hertfordshire

  1,224

  892

  2,116

  Hillingdon

  240

  372

  612

  Hounslow

  262

  97

  359

  Isle of Wight

  312

  146

  458

  Isles of Scilly

  24

  21

  45

  Islington

  469

  163

  632

  Kensington and Chelsea

  134

  113

  247

  Kent

  1,818

  806

  2,624

  Kingston upon Thames

  484

  348

  832

  Kirklees

  524

  462

  986

  Knowsley

  234

  145

  379

  Lambeth

  927

  307

  1,234

  Lancashire

  1,581

  1,479

  3,060

  Leeds

  1,538

  974

  2,512

  Leicester UA

  2,664

  200

  2,864

  Leicestershire

  686

  1,030

  1,716

  Lewisham

  324

  56

  380

  Lincolnshire

  757

  235

  992

  Liverpool

  426

  434

  860

  Luton UA

  249

  212

  461

  Manchester

  275

  353

  628

  Medway (Rochester and Gillingham)

  853

  352

  1,205

  Merton

  111

  145

  256

  Middlesborough

  309

  84

  393

  Milton Keynes UA

  353

  498

  851

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  364

  242

  606

  Newham

  606

  99

  705

  Norfolk

  266

  381

  647

  NE Lincolnshire

  45

  86

  131

  North Lincolnshire UA

  94

  143

  237

  North Somerset

  836

  230

  1,066

  North Tyneside

  186

  293

  479

  North Yorkshire

  1,230

  729

  1,959

  Northamptonshire

  814

  972

  1,786

  Northumberland

  179

  129

  308

  Nottingham UA

  242

  291

  533

  Nottinghamshire

  1,138

  1,278

  2,416

  Oldham

  202

  65

  267

  Oxfordshire

  837

  1,095

  1,932

  Peterborough UA

  659

  101

  760

  Plymouth

  656

  410

  1,066

  Poole UA

  52

  92

  144

  Portsmouth UA

  389

  246

  635

  Reading UA

  53

  0

  53

  Redbridge

  191

  14

  205

  Redcar and Cleveland UA

  188

  64

  252

  415W

  1999–2000 New places

  Partnership Area

  Out of school

  Pre-school

  Total

  Richmond upon Thames

  181

  149

  330

  Rochdale

  310

  182

  492

  Rotherham

  597

  230

  827

  Rutland UA

  116

  107

  223

  Salford

  609

  350

  959

  Sandwell1

  TBC

  TBC

  TBC

  Sefton

  255

  68

  323

  Sheffield

  700

  434

  1,134

  Shropshire

  256

  279

  535

  Slough UA

  52

  4

  56

  Solihull

  431

  315

  746

  Somerset

  551

  729

  1,280

  South Gloucestershire

  270

  169

  439

  South Tyneside

  89

  196

  285

  Southampton UA

  128

  519

  647

  Southend UA

  125

  129

  254

  Southwark

  683

  330

  1,013

  St. Helens

  64

  0

  64

  Staffordshire

  2,388

  350

  2,738

  Stockport

  283

  220

  503

  Stockton-on-Tees UA

  131

  396

  527

  Stoke-on-Trent

  158

  270

  428

  Suffolk

  696

  348

  1,044

  Sunderland

  388

  360

  748

  Surrey

  1,321

  551

  1,872

  Sutton

  139

  121

  260

  Tameside

  269

  262

  530

  Swindon (Thamesdown)

  215

  500

  715

  Telford and Wrekin UA

  309

  583

  892

  Thurrock UA

  135

  75

  210

  Torbay UA

  196

  143

  339

  Tower Hamlets

  120

  142

  262

  Trafford

  628

  225

  853

  Wakefield

  330

  202

  532

  Walsall

  493

  386

  879

  Waltham Forest

  112

  343

  455

  Wandsworth

  227

  0

  227

  Warrington UA

  447

  454

  901

  Warwickshire

  423

  341

  764

  West Berkshire (Newbury)

  471

  189

  660

  West Sussex

  770

  589

  1,359

  Westminster

  119

  301

  420

  Wigan

  305

  380

  685

  Wiltshire

  832

  783

  1,615

  Windsor and Maidenhead UA

  951

  144

  1,095

  Wirral

  511

  296

  807

  Wokingham UA

  217

  335

  552

  Wolverhampton

  581

  125

  706

  Worcestershire

  1,351

  699

  2,050

  York UA

  690

  389

  1,079

  1End year figures for Gateshead, Gloucestershire and Sandwell are to be confirmed.

  Sex and Relationship Guidance
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects his Department's sex and relationships education guidance to be published. [129976]

  Jacqui Smith
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment published the sex and relationship education guidance on Friday and sent a copy to each Member of Parliament. It will be a416W
  significant step forward in supporting schools, teachers and governors to deliver effective sex and relationship education. It is underpinned by the Personal, Social and Health Education framework and the National Healthy School Standard. This fulfils a commitment in the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Report to issue new guidance on sex education as part of our drive to tackle teenage pregnancy. Copies are available in the Library.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sports and Arts
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if primary schools will be able to apply for funding under the space for sports and arts scheme. [128198]

  Kate Hoey
  Yes; the SSA scheme will make an important contribution to improving sporting facilities in primary schools.

  World Cup (Television Coverage)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Broadcasting Act 1989 with regard to television coverage of the 2002 and 2006 football world cup finals tournaments. [128213]

  Janet Anderson
  In 1998 I extended the list of events protected under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996 to cover all matches in the FIFA World Cup final tournament. Under the terms of that Act, as amended by the Television Broadcasting Regulations 2000, live television coverage of the event must be offered on fair and reasonable terms to broadcasters who meet the qualifying conditions as set out in those regulations and listed in the Independent Television's Code on Listed Events. These broadcasters are currently BBC 1, BBC 2, Channel 3 (ITV) and Channel 4.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he will take to ensure that pensioners aged over 75 years who get free television licences are able to receive terrestrial television channels free of charge. [128215]

  Janet Anderson
  People aged 75 years or over who receive free television licences from 1 November this year will have free access to analogue terrestrial television services and to any free-to-air digital services, in exactly the same way as other viewers.

  Football Facilities
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to increase investment in local football facilities. [128216]

  Kate Hoey
  The Government will shortly announce full details of the Football Foundation, a new partnership body including the Football Association, the FA Premier League and Sport England. All three partners will contribute to the Foundation's income, which will include 5 per cent. of the FA Premier League's next broadcasting contract and substantial Lottery funding.
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  The Foundation will fund community and education initiatives and will continue the stadium safety work of the Football Trust. The greater part of its income, though, will go to funding the sport at the grass roots, including the provision of facilities and coaching.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last discussed physical education in schools with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. [128217]

  Kate Hoey
  I talk regularly to DfEE colleagues about physical education in schools and the Government's strategy for sport. The last time I discussed this with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment was on 4 July 2000.

  Lottery
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the criteria taken into consideration in determining awards from national Lottery funds. [128218]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The criteria vary from distributor to distributor and from funding programme to funding programme. They are based on the National Lottery Financial and Policy Directions which I have issued to Lottery distributors, and also on distributors' own policies and strategic plans.

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that funding from the national lottery fund is targeted at the communities with greatest social and economic need to promote participation by young people in performing music. [128221]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The National Foundation for Youth Music, an independent charitable body, was set up by the Department using £30 million in Arts Council Lottery funds to provide and facilitate opportunities for young people to access music making. The Foundation has a key aim to reach young people who are currently deprived of access, improving provision to geographical regions and areas of special need where there are few opportunities for music making.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the criteria for the awarding of funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund. [128214]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Heritage Lottery Fund's criteria for assessing applications under particular schemes are set out in guidance notes in their application pack. The HLF's current Strategic Plan also sets out the four main priorities for allocating grant funding. They are heritage conservation, national heritage, local heritage and heritage education and access.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what estimate he has made of the annual costs to local authorities and other public bodies directly arising from applications to Lottery funding bodies; [129535]
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  (2) what estimate he has made of the annual costs to charities and other voluntary organisations directly arising from applications to lottery funding bodies. [129537]

  Kate Hoey
  None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has, however, directed the independent Quality Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST) to look at the cost to all applicants of making applications for lottery grants, and consider how these costs could be contained without compromising the demands of proper accountability in decisions about how to spend public money. The first phase of QUEST's report, which focuses on applications for lottery grants of up to £100,000, will be published shortly. The second phase, dealing with applications for grants of £100,000 plus, will be published later in the year.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the number of Lottery awards given to(a) the North West, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [128830]

  Kate Hoey
  The following table shows the number of awards in the North West, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since the start of the Lottery, according to my Department's National Lottery awards database.

  Location

  Number of awards

  North West

  3,827

  Scotland

  8,991

  Wales

  5,525

  Northern Ireland

  1,339

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the financial situation of the Millennium Dome. [128219]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) current business plan is based on 6 million revenue-generating visitors. Should visitor numbers fall below this level the business plan will need to be reviewed. Details of the business plan are commercially confidential. NMEC's most recent budget, contained within the business plan, is as follows:

  Project Lifetime Expenditure

  Dome structure and associated infrastructure—£271.2 million

  Set-up costs, staff, accommodation, IT, legal and corporate services—£55.4 million

  Commercial, communications and marketing—£42.7 million

  Exhibits and attractions—£240.2 million

  Operations and running costs in year of operation—£104.6 million

  National Programme: projects (£37.3 million) and programme support (£9.9 million)—£47.2 million

  419W
  Project Lifetime Income

  Millennium Commission Grant—£525 million

  Commercial income—£86 million

  Sponsorship income—£123 million (excludes sponsorship by Ford and BT who have designed, built and funded their zones)

  Legacy: sale of Dome—£30.0 million (as budgeted prior to the Legacy competition commencing. Original 1997 budget provision of £15 million was on the basis that the Dome would remain on-site for one year only)

  Total budget is £758 million plus an additional £3 million granted by the Millennium Commission to enhance marketing of the Millennium Experience.

  Films (Children)
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage the British film industry to make more films aimed at children. [128220]

  Janet Anderson
  The Film Council's Lottery Strategy, published in May, recognises the need to broaden the range of films on offer to the British public. Its £5 million per year script development fund will seek to develop films for the broadest range of audiences, including children. The Council has also announced that it will allocate £1 million of lottery funds to offer children and young people the opportunity to try film-making.

  Amateur Sports Clubs
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial assistance is available to amateur sports clubs; and if he will make a statement. [128222]

  Kate Hoey
  Financial assistance is available to amateur sports clubs from a number of sources including: the Lottery Sports Fund; local authorities; governing bodies of sport who distribute income including exchequer funding from Sport England, through their own grant schemes; Sportsmatch; commercial sponsorship; the European Union Social Fund; the Foundation for Sport and the Arts (FSA); and other trusts and foundations with sport-related purposes.

  Football Clubs
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage football supporters to have greater influence in the running of their clubs. [128223]

  Kate Hoey
  The Government believe that groups of supporters can take a responsible role in the running of football clubs. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Supporters Direct Initiative in January. In shadow form, this is already providing advice to groups of supporters wishing to form shareholding trusts. The Government will make a detailed announcement concerning the operation of the Supporters Direct Unit shortly.

  Football Coaches
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the activities of the Football Foundation will be directed to expanding the activity of qualified football coaches in primary and secondary schools. [128224]
  420W
  Kate Hoey
  The Government will announce details of the Football Foundation shortly. It will be for the Foundation's Board to decide on funding priorities. However, it is envisaged that the greater part of the Foundation's income will be used to develop the sport at the grass roots. The Government expect that this will involve funding for the provision and improvement of playing facilities, equipment and high quality coaching for local football clubs and schools.

  Libraries (New Books)
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the investment in new books made each year by library authorities since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [128199]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In 1997–98 and 1998–99 expenditure by library authorities on books was £1.51 per person. In 1999–2000, the last year for which we have information, the estimated expenditure by library authorities on books was £1.59 per person. This is slightly less than 10 years ago when the figure was £1.73. I have proposed the inclusion of a book expenditure standard in the draft public library standards, which I published in May for wide consultation.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of households which will be able to receive digital television within the next two years. [128209]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Information available from the Independent Television Commission indicates that, with appropriate receivers, most homes in the UK are able to receive digital television now through terrestrial, satellite or cable delivery platforms.

  Free Television Licences (Christchurch)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners in the Christchurch constituency will be eligible to receive free television licences from November. [125967]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 June 2000]: Exact figures on the number of households which will benefit from the concession are not available. However, as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 4 July 2000, Official Report, column 176W, the 1991 Census New Parliamentary Constituency Monitor, published by the Office for National Statistics, shows the population of the Christchurch constituency as 80,938, of which 5.3 per cent. were men aged 75 and over and 8.4 per cent. were women aged 75 and over.

  Free Television Licences (Warrington, North)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the number of pensioners in Warrington, North constituency who will be eligible for free television licences. [127315]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 26 June 2000]: Exact figures on the number of households which will benefit from the concession are not available. However, the 1991 Census New Parliamentary Constituency

  421W
  Monitor, published by the Office for National Statistics, shows the population of the Warrington, North constituency as 94,645, of which 1.8 per cent. were men aged 75 and over and 3.5 per cent. were women aged 75 and over.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to facilitate access for disabled people to new buildings funded by the national lottery. [129310]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: We have encouraged lottery distributors to promote access for all sections of society to the benefits of lottery funding. All lottery distributors take access for disabled people into account when considering grant applications for capital projects.

  World Cup Bid
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the total costs incurred on(a) travel, (b) entertainment and (c) wages, salaries and pensions in connection with the England 2006 World Cup bid; and if he will make a statement. [129709]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: It will be for the Football Association to decide whether to publish details of total expenditure on the 2006 bid. However, Sport England has committed £3.14 million of lottery funding to supporting the bid, and details of the uses to which that money has been put—including the funding of a proportion of the bid team's staff costs—will appear in Sport England's Lottery Annual Report. Travel and entertainment expenditure has not been funded using lottery money as it is specifically excluded from Sport England's funding agreement with the FA.

  Cultural Services
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance he has issued to local authorities on the priority they should attach to cultural services. [128202]

  Janet Anderson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State published draft Guidance on Local Cultural Strategies for all local authorities in England in June last year. This Guidance emphasises the importance of cultural services in improving the quality of life for all. A major theme of the Guidance is how cultural services can contribute to wider aims such as tackling social exclusion, encouraging healthier lifestyles and stimulating a commitment to lifelong learning.

  In February we sent all local authorities a mid-term progress report on the experiences of 14 authorities who have been piloting the Guidance. Responses from some 300 local authorities indicated that 85 per cent. of them were developing or had developed a cultural strategy. That represents approximately two-thirds of local authorities in England, which is very good progress.

PRIME MINISTER

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the total costs of the Social Exclusion Unit in 1999. [126797]

  The Prime Minister
  The Cabinet Office spent £1,570,000 on the Social Exclusion Unit in the financial year 1999–2000. In addition, the pay and associated costs of a number of staff were borne by other Government Departments to the estimated sum of £214,000; and for parts of the year, some secondee, adviser and research costs have been supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Improvement and Development Agency, National Westminster Bank, the Housing Corporation and Kent County Constabulary.

  Ministerial Residences
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000,Official Report, column 50W, if those Ministers having the use of grace and favour residences are required to use the additional cost allowance towards the costs incurred within these properties. [126331]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]: The costs of maintaining official residences are met by the Government. Ministers occupying official residences are not entitled to claim on London properties the Parliamentary additional cost allowance. Nor are they entitled to the Parliamentary London supplement paid to other Members of Parliament who live in London.

  Crime Summit
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he received from(a) the chief constables attending the Crime Summit on 3 July and (b) other chief constables regarding the Government's proposals on spot-fines for anti-social behaviour. [129367]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes).

  Strategic Communications Unit
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) of 27 June 2000,Official Report, column 455W, regarding the Strategic Communications Unit, for what reasons the number of permanent civil servants has increased from four to nine since January 1998. [129722]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: At the time of its creation in January 1998 the Strategic Communications Unit had six civil servant posts and two special adviser posts, though not all the posts were filled immediately. Since then, three new civil service posts have been created to run the Number 10 website.

  Appointments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the positions to which he is entitled to appoint individuals. [129683]
  423W
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: I have listed the appointments that I make as Prime Minister. For some of the bodies listed the appointments are made by the Prime Minister in accordance with statute or by convention. For others, principally the museums and galleries, the appointments are made by the Prime Minister in accordance with the relevant charter or articles of association. In general these are made after consulting the relevant departmental Ministers.

  Trustees—Museums and Galleries

  British Museum

  Imperial War Museum (15 Trustees)

  Museum of London

  National Maritime Museum

  Natural History Museum

  Science Museum including the Chairman

  Victoria and Albert Museum including the Chairman

  Wallace Collection

  National Gallery

  National Portrait Gallery

  Tate Gallery

  Various

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments1

  Armed Forces Pay Review Body

  Chequers Trustee (1)

  Chevening Trustee (1)

  Committee on Standards in Public Life1

  Commissioner for Public Appointments

  Council for Science and Technology

  Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body

  Dorneywood Trustee (1)

  Intrusive Surveillance Commissioners

  Kennedy Memorial Trust

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  Nurses, Midwives and other NHS Professions' Pay Review Body

  Official Historians

  Police Arbitration Tribunal Members

  Political Honours Scrutiny Committee

  Schoolteachers' Pay Review Body1

  Security and Intelligence Services Tribunal Members

  Security Commission

  Senior Salaries Pay Review Body

  1Prime Minister has sole responsibility for appointing

  Waiting Lists (Mid-Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 5 July, if he will review the Mid-Essex waiting list figures; and if he will make a statement on trends in Mid-Essex waiting lists since 2 May 1997. [129977]

  The Prime Minister
  I have written to the hon. Member today. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library.

  On-the-spot Fines
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with chief constables in advance of his speech detailing proposals for on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour made on 30 June. [129978]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes).

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Regional Affairs Committee
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on her plans for the Regional Affairs Committee. [129833]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I hope that the Committee will be established in the near future and will meet before the end of the Session.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Group on Rural Affairs
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many times the Ministerial Group on Rural Affairs has met since it was created; who was in the chair for each meeting; who attended each meeting; and if she will make a statement. [128056]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  It is established practice under exemption two of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. A statement on the Government's policy on rural areas will be made when our Rural White Paper is published.

  Staff Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her answer of 11 January 2000,Official Report, column 134W, on secondments, if she will give the names, grades and job titles of the staff seconded into her Department from each organisation mentioned, stating in each case the name of the section they were seconded to and a summary of the work that they were involved with. [128241]

  Mr. Stringer
  Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur, all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.

  The secondees to the Cabinet Office between May 1997 and December 1999 as listed in the answer of 11 January 2000, Official Report, column 134W, worked in a variety of jobs from Cabinet Office Band B2 (broadly equivalent to Higher Executive Officer) to the Senior Civil Service. They worked in a wide range of areas, many of them concerned with the Modernising Government initiative, where we are keen to benefit from best practice from all sections of the economy.

  I am not prepared to identify individual secondees by name or job title. Secondees are employed on the basis that they can contribute valuable expertise and good practice to the Civil Service, and on the basis that no conflict of interest arises. Where appropriate, their names are published in directories such as the Civil Service Year Book, as are those of permanent staff. But they are not separately identified as being on secondment.

  Media Monitoring Unit
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost of the Government Information and Communication Service Media Monitoring Unit was for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [128462]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) operated as a pilot between December 1997 and March 1998. The MMU's set-up and running costs for this period were absorbed by a wide range of Departments. This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. In the 1998–99 financial year, the total cost of the unit was £478,878. These costs were recovered from a large number of Departments out of their existing funds.

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the PFI contracts entered into by her Department, indicating(a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if her Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [129055]

  Mr. Stringer
  There are no such contracts.

  Anti-drug Strategy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the total amount spent on the Government anti-drug strategy in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and what is the planned expenditure for 2001–02. [128396]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Each year the Government spend in the region of £1.4 billion on anti-drugs activities. For the present strategy, "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain", the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review settlement provided an additional £217 million of resources for three years, 1998–99 to 2000–01. Spending for the financial years 2001–02 to 2003–04 is being considered as part of the current Spending Review which will be announced shortly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Summit
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the(a) agenda and (b) minutes of the crime summit held at 10 Downing street on Monday 3 July; and if he will make a statement. [129294]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: The crime seminar on 3 July brought together senior officers of police and others with expertise in tackling violent crime and disorder. The senior officers of the five Metropolitan forces outlined their plans for using their share of the additional £20 million to tackle robbery, which I announced in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Calder Valley (Ms McCafferty) on 15 June 2000, Official Report, column 714W.
  426W
  In the general discussion which followed, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I underlined our real determination to tackle violence and the culture of disorder. Those present agreed on the need to ensure that the police had sufficient powers to deal effectively with drunken, loutish, anti-social behaviour. The chief officers present were broadly supportive of the idea of fixed penalty fines. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister concluded that the Home Office should work closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers and others to work up this and other options for tackling disorder in the coming weeks. The Home Office has continuous discussions with Chief Constables about measures to deal with anti-social behaviour.

  Brixton Prison
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to market-test Brixton prison. [130212]

  Mr. Boateng
  Last November, I announced in the wake of serious concern about conditions at Brixton prison, that it must be regarded as a failing institution and that there must be rapid and fundamental improvement. I made it clear that unless big improvements were made quickly, Brixton could be subject to market testing. It is now over eight months since then, and progress at the prison has been kept under close review.

  I am not satisfied with the rate of progress being made, nor that the necessary improvements will be in place within 12 months. In particular, there has not been adequate improvement in compliance with standards, the quality of regime remains poor, there are serious concerns about commitment to equal opportunities within the prison, costs remain high, and there is a lack of commitment to changes to free up resources to improve the regime. This judgment, accepted by the Director General, has been confirmed in a recent visit by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, who found that although certain improvements have been made in many areas, basic conditions, including cleanliness in the health care centre, were still unacceptable.

  I have, therefore, reviewed the position and am clear that I would be failing in my public duty to all those at the prison—staff and prisoners alike—if we did not set a new path for the establishment. The Director General agrees with me that there should be a market test of Brixton prison. The new management team will be responsible for quickening the pace of improvement and for putting together an in-house bid, which will be judged alongside bids which will be invited from private sector operators.

  Police Forces (Expenditure)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the expenditure was(a) in total and (b) per head of population (i) in each police force in Great Britain and (ii) in total in (1) 1979, (2) 1987 and (3) each year since 1992; and what was the real terms change for each year. [126229]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]: Tables showing the information for England and Wales have been placed in the Library. Net revenue expenditure figures are in cash terms and are taken from the Chartered

  427W
  Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Police Statistics. The percentage changes are in real terms (1998–99:100). Final data for 1999–2000 are not yet available.

  Departmental Fees
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) of 27 January 2000,Official Report, column 229–30W, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the increase in revenues attributable to the subject access under the Data Protection Act 1998 relates to changes in the practice of enforced subject access; if he will introduce legislation to modify section 75(4) of the Data Protection Act 1998 thereby making enforced subject access an offence as soon as the Criminal Record Certificate and Enhanced Criminal Record Certificate are available; and if he will make a statement. [129185]

  Mr. Straw
  It is not possible to say what proportion of subject access requests made to police records are enforced. We have no plans to amend section 75(4) of the Data Protection Act 1998. Criminal Convictions

  Project name

  Date of commencement

  Capital of value (£ million)

  Subject to refinancing?

  Claw-back entitlement?

  Immigration and Detention Caseworking

  Programme (IT programme)

  April 1996

  41

  No

  No

  Medway Secure Training Centre

  3 March 1997

  10

  No

  No

  Rainsbrook (Onley) Secure Training Centre

  3 July 1998

  10

  No

  No

  Hassockfield (Medomsly) Secure Training Centre

  12 November 1998

  10

  Yes

  No

  Park Prison

  4 January 1996

  74

  No

  No

  Fazakerley Prison

  20 December 1995

  88

  Yes

  1No

  Ashfield Prison

  26 June 1998

  30.7

  No

  No

  Forest Bank Prison

  2 July 1998

  38.6

  No

  No

  Ryehill (Onley) Prison

  22 July 1999

  34.7

  No

  No

  Dovegate (Marchington) Prison

  24 September 1999

  48

  No

  No

  Lowdham Grange

  7 November 1996

  32

  No

  No

  Prisons/Energy Tranche 1 Boilerhouses

  1997

  9

  No

  No

  Quantum

  February 2000

  30

  No

  No

  Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP)

  29 February 2000

  500

  No

  No

  Passport, Data capture and Supply and Personalisation

  July 1997

  30

  No

  No

  1But have negotiated benefits

  Communications Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce an amendment to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill to prohibit the subsequent disclosure of communications data which have legitimately been obtained under the powers granted by the Bill, by virtue of the application of the non-disclosure provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 or by the application of powers in other legislation which could result in statutory demands for communications data; and if he will make a statement. [129210]

  Mr. Straw
  We do not consider it necessary to amend the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill further as my hon. Friend suggests. The law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies are already subject to restrictions on the degree to which they may share data by the terms 428W
  Certificates also need to be available before enforced subject access can be made an offence. The target date for making those certificates available is July 2002.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [129174]

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

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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 savings arising from refinancing. [129051]

  Mr. Straw
  The latest information available to us is as follows:

  of the Data Protection Act 1998 or under the statutory restrictions placed on them by the Security Service Act 1989 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994.

  The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill substantially enhances the existing safeguards which surround the obtaining of communications data by placing on a statutory basis proper levels of authorisation, considerations of necessity and proportionality and independent oversight by the Interception Commissioner.

  Home Detention Curfews
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners convicted of robbery were released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme on(a) 19, (b) 20, (c) 21, (d) 22 and (e) 23 June; and what was the sentence (i) received and (ii) served in each case. [128920]
  429W
  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: Fourteen prisoners convicted of robbery were placed on the Home Detention Curfew scheme on the dates in question. The breakdown of their release dates, and of the sentence received and served in each case, is given in the table.

  Date released

  Number released

  Sentence received

  (days) Sentence served

  19 June

  6

  1,096

  529

  1,096

  512

  1,096

  490

  915

  401

  455

  192

  275

  81

  20 June

  2

  1,096

  489

  640

  263

  21 June

  4

  1,096

  524

  1,096

  489

  1,096

  489

  731

  307

  22 June

  0

  —

  —

  23 June

  2

  1,280

  581

  366

  170

  Prisons (Visitor Centres)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have a staffed visitors' centre; and of these how many are funded by the prison. [129199]

  Mr. Boateng
  In 1993, when prison establishments were last surveyed, there were 81 visitors' centres. We estimate that about 90 Prison Service establishments now have a visitors' centre. Many of these receive funding from the establishment, although exact figures are not available. We are obtaining more precise information in a further survey as part of a review of visits policy.

  Prison Strip Searches
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors to each prison were strip searched in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 to date. [129195]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of strip searches carried out on visitors to prisons each year is not recorded. Visitors are strip searched only when there is reasonable cause to suspect that they are carrying a firearm or a controlled drug, and a full rub down search has failed to reveal the item.

  Anti-social Behaviour
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many young persons aged under 18 years have been made subject to an anti-social behaviour order; [129264]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of obtaining an anti-social behaviour order. [129241]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 6 July 2000,Official
  430W
  Report, column 296W, we are aware of at least 27 anti-social behaviour orders made against people under the age of 18.

  The costs quoted in the Financial and Explanatory Memorandum for the Crime and Disorder Bill assumed an average additional cost of £600 per anti-social behaviour order. This took account of offsetting savings. We have not assessed the cost of making an order since then.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of(a) spot-fines for anti-social behaviour and (b) the enforcement mechanism for spot-fines for anti-social behaviour proposed by the Prime Minister in his announcement of 30 June with the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement. [129375]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: Any new measures would, of course, have to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular the right under Article 6 to a fair trial. Resource implications, the arrangements for handling money and the safety of police officers would also be primary considerations. The Government have no plans to decriminalise anti-social behaviour that currently constitutes an offence in England and Wales.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of training police officers in the use of spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129369]

  (2) what plans he has for police forces to retain the funds levied by way of spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129374]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the police of enforcing spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129370]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the impact on social exclusion of the imposition of spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129373]

  (5) what research his Department has conducted on the increased risk to police officers of (a) violence associated with refusal to pay spot-fines for anti-social behaviour and (b) carrying large amounts of cash obtained from spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129366]

  (6) what plans the Government have to make spot-fines for anti-social behaviour (a) criminal and (b) civil penalties; what standard of proof will be employed; if their imposition will be recorded on criminal records; and if he will make a statement; [129371]

  (7) what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department had with (i) chief constables and (ii) other police officers regarding spot-fines for anti-social behaviour prior to the Prime Minister's announcement of 30 June; what representations were received; and if he will make a statement; [129364]
  431W
  (8) what plans the Government have for spot-fines for anti-social behaviour to be enforced (a) in addition to and (b) instead of criminal proceedings; and if he will make a statement; [129372]

  (9) what plans the Government have to decriminalise acts of anti-social behaviour that currently constitute criminal offences; and if he will make a statement; [129368]

  (10) what recent research his Department has conducted in relation to introducing powers for the police to impose spot-fines for anti-social behaviour. [129365]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes).

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the use of anti-social behaviour orders in Wales. [129836]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is for the police and local authorities concerned, in Wales as in England, to apply to the courts for an anti-social behaviour order if they consider it appropriate in order to protect their local communities. Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) provide an effective weapon to tackle such behaviour. Over 80 ASBOs have been made in the past year in a variety of English local government areas. I very much hope that the new guidance we have recently issued will help to increase their use further still, including in local government areas within England and Wales in which no such orders have as yet been made.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made to date in Wales. [129837]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave to him on 6 July 2000,Official Report, column 295W.

  Cheryl Hartman
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the means by which the parents of Cheryl Simone Hartman were informed of her death in Holloway prison on 18 June. [129262]

  Mr. Boateng
  I was very sorry to learn of the death of Cheryl Hartman at Holloway prison. Both I and Martin Narey, the Director General for the Prison Service, take deaths in custody very seriously indeed. I would like to pass my condolences on to Ms Hartman's family on behalf of myself and Martin Narey.

  I was disappointed to learn that Ms Hartman's family had been notified of her death by telephone. The Prison Service is aware of the need for sensitivity in notifying the next-of-kin about the death of a loved one in prison custody. Accordingly, such notification should normally be done by a prison governor and the chaplain or, where there are geographical constraints, by the police.

  There may be some exceptional occasions when contact by telephone is the most appropriate method of notification, but I would normally expect a personal call to be made. In this instance, I understand that the Duty Governor took the view that, to ensure that Ms Hartman's
  432W
  mother was notified quickly he should do so by telephone. In addition, he was also under the impression that the police would make personal contact, but in the event they did not.

  I understand that Martin Narey has written to the family to apologise for the Prison Service's handling of this matter. I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to Ms Hartman's family for the way in which they were treated by the prison authorities.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many lorry drivers were convicted of bringing immigrants into the country in the year before the coming into force of the Carriers' Liability (Clandestine Entrants and Sales of Transporters) Regulations 2000. [129393]

  Mrs. Roche
  During 1999, the number of those convicted of offences committed under section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971, for knowingly facilitating the entry of either an illegal entrant or an asylum applicant, was 153.

  The number of those convicted who were employed as lorry drivers is not recorded centrally, and data relating to convictions in 2000 are not yet available.

  Emergency Services (Fuel Costs)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each(a) police and (b) fire authority in England and Wales, the amount of their budget for the last financial year that was spent on road fuel for police and fire vehicles. [129391]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 3 July 2000,Official Report, column 69W.

  Detainees (Mental Illness)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that all custody officers(a) ask detainees questions to determine their mental state and (b) receive training in recognising mental illness. [129587]

  Mrs. Roche
  It is not the function of detention custody officers to determine a detainee's mental state. However, it is part of their function to refer any health concerns about a detainee to the medical team located at the Centre. Detainees are offered full medical screening on arrival at a Detention Centre and this includes mental health screening. Qualified medical staff are on duty during the day and an on call system operates at night.

  The level of Health Care at Detention Centres is comparable to that in a local General Practice.

  Detainees are referred for specialist treatment, including psychological counselling, in the same way as any other NHS patient.

  Detention Custody Officers will receive suicide awareness and first aid training as part of their training programme.

  Telephone Steering Systems
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public. [129638]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 27 June 2000,Official Report, column 466W. In addition, most of Her Majesty's prisons and some of the smaller offices of the other agencies of my Department have an "automated attendant" facility. This enables the caller to use the telephone keypad to select the required extension, where direct dialling-in to the extension is not available, or to speak to an operator. No central records of these facilities are kept.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129620]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 27 June 2000,Official Report, column 467W. In addition, some of the smaller offices in my Department have an "automated attendant" facility. This enables the caller to use the telephone keypad to select the required extension, where direct dialling-in to the extension is not available, or to speak to an operator. No central records of these facilities are kept.

  Prison Ships
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison ships are in use in the UK; and how many inmates were held on these ships on 1 July. [129455]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service for England and Wales currently has one floating facility, Weare prison, moored in Portland harbour, Dorset.

  On 1 July, 359 adult males were held by the prison, the certified normal accommodation for which is 400.

  Humberside Police Force
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the additional 5,000 police he recently announced are serving in the Humberside police force. [129609]

  Mr. Straw
  The Crime Fighting Fund will allow police forces in England and Wales to recruit 5,000 officers over and above the number they had otherwise planned to recruit: 3,000 in 2000–01 and 2,000 in 2001–02.

  Humberside have been allocated 74 additional recruits from the Crime Fighting Fund: 47 in 2000–01 and 27 in 2001–02. Nineteen of the Crime Fighting Fund recruits for 2000–01 have been recruited so far and are presently serving in Humberside police.

  Child Detainees
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each institution which has received children under a detention and training order since the introduction of such orders. [129701]
  434W
  Mr. Boateng
  The Detention and Training Order may be served in a number of different types of institution: young offender institutions; secure training centres; and places in local authority secure units. Generally, in the case of boys, those who are aged 15 to 17 will serve their sentence in a young offender institution, and those aged 12 to 14 in secure training centres or local authority secure units, except where individual assessment recommends otherwise. This reflects the Youth Justice Board's placement strategy, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Placements of boys aged 15 to 17 to a young offender institution should be made to those comprising the new distinct estate for boys: Ashfield; Brinsford; Castington; Feltham; Hollesley Bay; Huntercombe; Lancaster Farms; Onley; Portland; Stoke Heath; Thorn Cross; Werrington; and Wetherby. The new estate comprises juvenile-only establishments and juvenile units in young offender institutions.

  The Government have decided that young women aged 15 to 16 should be placed in non-Prison Service accommodation, as should those aged 17 years, as spaces become available. In the interim, 17-year-olds on remand will continue to share facilities with adults due to their small numbers, and those who are sentenced with other young women under 21 in enhanced young offender units in womens' prisons at: Brockhill; Bullwood Hall; Drake Hall; Eastwood Park; Holloway; Low Newton; New Hall and Styal.

  Community Safety Partnerships
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which(a) organisations, (b) individuals and (c) projects have benefited from his Department's expenditure on community safety partnerships in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [129527]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires local authorities and police jointly to develop and implement strategies to reduce crime in their area. The main additional source of Home Office funding for partnerships is the Crime Reduction Programme, details of which are contained in the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State, gave on 7 July 2000, Official Report, columns 359–60W. The Home Office also has in place a programme of research, consultancy support, training and seminars to help partnerships achieve real reductions in crime and disorder.

  Grants
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations and individuals received grants and payments in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01 for services in support of the work of (i) the Probation Service and (ii) local authority social services departments; and how much money was paid in each such grant. [129521]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: Information relating to organisations and individuals receiving grants and payments in support of the work of the Probation Service is not available for 1999–2000 or 2000–01. I will write to the hon. Member with details of the figures for 1998–99 and place a copy of the

  435W
  information in the Library. The matter of payments to local social services is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy objective of his Department's annual payment to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. [129528]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The Home Office funds the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) in pursuit of Home Office objectives in the prevention of crime, the resettlement of offenders, the prevention of reoffending, the delivery of justice fairly and equally to all and the promotion of the confidence of all communities in the criminal justice system. This includes projects in crime prevention, research and evaluation, offender employment and housing. NACRO also pursues work for the Prison Service in areas of resettlement, race and women's issues.

  Reoffenders
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reoffending rates following participation in an accredited programme run by the probation service in England and Wales were in each of the last three years; what were the reoffending rates for those sentenced to a probation order in the same period; and if he will make a statement. [129316]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The Joint Prison Probation Accreditation Panel first met to consider applications in December last year. To date the Panel has granted provisional accreditation to one community-based offender programme. It is likely that a further seven offending behaviour programmes will be considered for accreditation when the Panel next meets in September. There are no reconviction or reoffending rates available from the programme, as it has not been running long enough to provide the necessary data. Arrangements are in place for the evaluation of the programmes.

  The reconviction rates of those offenders sentenced to a probation order in the last three years—available data are: 59 per cent. for 1994, and 60 per cent. for 1995 and 1996.

  The work of the Accreditation Panel will promote the use of evidence-based practice, which the probation service is working towards.

  Voluntary Sector Funding
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations were paid grants in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01 (i) to assist work in support of the voluntary sector, (ii) to promote voluntary activity and community development and (iii) to support innovative projects; and how much money was paid in each such grant. [129526]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The information covers grant programmes whose primary purposes are to promote voluntary activity and community development and to assist work, including innovative projects, in support of the voluntary sector. Some
  436W
  organisations receive grants for different purposes and those amounts are shown separately. The tables have been placed in the Library.

  Prisoner Repatriation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign prisoners serving sentences in England and Wales were repatriated in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [129313]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The information requested is given in the table:

  Number

  1997

  17

  1998

  42

  1999

  22

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British nationals who were sentenced abroad were repatriated to serve out their sentences in England and Wales in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [129314]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The information requested is given in the table:

  Number

  1997

  34

  1998

  27

  1999

  11

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made in each of the past three years for repatriation for foreign prisoners in England and Wales; how many of those applications were(a) refused and (b) discontinued; and if he will make a statement. [129315]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: The information requested is given in the table:

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Applications

  127

  157

  193

  Refused

  36

  49

  45

  Discontinued

  38

  34

  16

  Applications refused or discontinued may not have been submitted in the year they were determined.

  Rape
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his response is to the report of the Working Party on Rape submitted to the United Kingdom Programme Action Committee of Soroptimist International; and if he will make a statement. [129287]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The report of the Working Party on Rape of the United Kingdom Programme Action Committee of Soroptimist International is an interesting
  437W
  and useful contribution to the discussion on the law on rape and the treatment of rape victims in the United Kingdom. It was submitted to the review that was considering the law of sex offences in England and Wales and contributed to their work.

  Football Hooliganism
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals(a) have been convicted of a football-related offence and (b) had an international banning order placed upon them; and what reasons the courts have given, under the terms of the Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999, for not imposing banning orders in each case since 26 September 1999. [129779]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Thirty-three individuals have had International Football Banning Orders imposed under the terms of the 1999 Act. I regret that the other information requested is not available, but information on all football-related convictions will be collected by the National Criminal Intelligence Service from the beginning of the next season.

  Prisoner Releases
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners convicted of grievous bodily harm have been released earlier than their normal parole date in the last 12 months. [129980]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prisoners serving four years and over are eligible for parole at the half way point in sentence under a system of discretionary conditional release. Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 allows for release from prison at any time on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances. In the last 12 months, one prisoner serving a sentence for inflicting grievous bodily harm has been released on compassionate grounds prior to his parole eligibility date.

  Prisoners serving under four years are not subject to parole but are released automatically at the halfway point in sentence. The majority of such prisoners are eligible for consideration for the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme which provides for their release up to 60 days before their automatic release date. Full details of those released under the HDC scheme since its introduction in January 1999 are given in the reply by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 3 July 2000, Official Report, columns 58–59W.

  Child Curfew Orders
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been issued under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [129979]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No applications have been received from local authorities to establish child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Following consultation with local authorities and the police the Government are considering what improvements might be made to the provisions to ensure that they are able to contribute effectively to local partnership efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour.

  Sex Education
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young offenders' institutions in the United Kingdom offer parenting and sexual health classes; and if he will make a statement. [129255]

  Mr. Boateng
  All Prison Service establishments in England and Wales must offer a social and life skills programme as part of the Prison Service core curriculum. The social and life skills programme includes units on healthy living, parentcraft, family relationships, sexual health and relationships education. Governors of prisons and young offender institutions order a range of units from education contractors. It is not possible to say what percentage of young offender institutions offer parentcraft and sexual health and relationships education as no information is held centrally on the particular units ordered by individual establishments.

  Young offender institutions in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

  Police Recruits
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to reduce variation between police forces in the medical standards which they require of newly recruited officers. [129990]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is taking action to review recruitment procedures to ensure non-discriminatory practices and to publish national recruitment standards, including medical standards. My officials are working with police representative organisations to meet this deadline.

TREASURY

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the outcome of Spending Review 2000. [130215]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I will make a statement to the House on Tuesday 18 July.

  European Single Currency
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the costs of converting to the euro for(a) Government Departments, (b) the private sector and (c) the economy as a whole. [129594]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Should the UK decide to join the euro, the costs of a changeover would depend on the detailed approach taken.

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which advertising agency has been tasked with the euro preparation work commissioned by his Department; what is the length of the contract; when the work will start and finish; what is the value of the contract; and what plans he has to launch new euro campaigns. [128805]
  439W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury does not have an advertising agency appointed for business euro preparations work.

  Fuel Taxation
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce fuel taxation in order to reduce the current average price of fuel to March 2000 levels. [129272]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: I have no plans to do so. Decisions on the appropriate levels of fuel duties are set on a Budget by Budget basis, taking account of the Government's economic and social objectives as well as the UK's environmental commitments.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Christchurch tabled on 8 June about council tax and pensioners (ref. 125925) and 9 June about pensioners in Christchurch (ref. 125976). [129118]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: Both questions have been answered.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unemployment rate in each of the 20 largest metropolitan boroughs is and what it was in May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [129112]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 10 July 2000:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the unemployment rate in each of the 20 largest metropolitan boroughs.
  The ONS preferred measure of unemployment is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment rate, derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). However, LFS estimates are not available for single months.
  The ONS also publishes a monthly count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits. The claimant count consists of all people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits at Employment Service local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which the claim is made.
  Claimant count rates by local area on the unadjusted basis can be obtained from the Nomis database at the House of Commons Library.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the population of the 20 largest cities in the UK; and what was the population of the same cities(a) two, (b) five and (c) 10 years earlier. [128867]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  440W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Curry, dated 10 July 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the twenty largest cities in the UK. (128867)
  I have given my reply in the attached table in terms of the twenty largest local authorities in the UK rather than cities as official population estimates are produced for local authority areas, not cities. ONS produces annual mid-year population estimates for the local authorities in England and Wales. The local authorities in England and Wales are the unitary authorities, district, borough councils and London boroughs. The population estimates used for each of the years given in this answer are in terms of the local authorities as their boundaries were defined in 1998. This has been done so that comparisons can be made between years without confusion due to the local government reorganisation that took place between 1996 and 1998.
  The General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics Research Agency produces the population estimates for the local authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. The mid-98 population estimates from these sources have been used with the estimates from England and Wales in order to identify the twenty largest local authorities in the UK in mid-98.
  The mid-98 population estimates have been used for this answer as these are the most recent population estimates for England and Wales; the mid-99 estimates are due to be published in August 2000.

  Estimated resident population for the 20 largest local authority areas in mid-1998 in the United Kingdom1, 2

  Total population

  Local authority area3

  Mid-1998

  Mid-1996

  Mid-1993

  Mid-1988

  1. Greater London4

  7,187,300

  7,074,300

  6,933,000

  6,770,300

  2. Birmingham

  1,013,400

  1,020,600

  1,012,400

  1,001,900

  3. Leeds

  727,400

  726,900

  724,500

  710,300

  4. Glasgow City

  619,700

  616,400

  624,900

  649,900

  5. Sheffield

  531,100

  530,400

  531,900

  530,700

  6. Bradford

  483,300

  483,400

  480,000

  467,000

  7. Liverpool

  461,500

  468,000

  477,000

  482,300

  8. Edinburgh, City of

  450,200

  448,900

  441,600

  437,500

  9. Manchester

  429,800

  430,800

  432,000

  439,300

  10. Bristol, City of UA

  402,300

  399,600

  397,600

  392,500

  11. Kirklees5

  390,900

  388,800

  385,800

  378,500

  12. Fife5

  348,900

  349,300

  351,200

  346,600

  13. Wirral5

  327,100

  329,200

  334,100

  335,500

  14. North Lanarkshire5

  326,700

  325,900

  326,800

  330,700

  15. Cardiff UA

  320,900

  315,000

  305,200

  292,900

  16. Wakefield

  318,800

  317,300

  317,500

  310,500

  17. East Riding of Yorkshire UA5

  312,800

  308,800

  302,000

  287,900

  18. Dudley

  311,500

  312,200

  311,500

  305,900

  19. Wigan

  310,500

  309,800

  313,200

  306,600

  20. South Lanarkshire5

  306,900

  307,500

  306,100

  303,600

  1In descending order of size

  2Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred persons

  3The local authorities in England and Wales are as their boundaries were defined in 1998 after local government reorganisation

  4Greater London includes all 33 London boroughs

  5Major population centres in these areas are:

  Kirklees—Huddersfield

  Fife—Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy

  Wirral—Birkenhead

  North Lanarkshire—Cumbernauld and Coatbridge

  East Riding of Yorkshire—Beverley and Bridlington

  South Lanarkshire—East Kilbride and Hamilton.Source:

  Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland

  Mortgages
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consultations he has had with(a) the Financial Services Authority, (b) the Department of Trade and Industry, (c) the Office of Fair Trading, (d) the European Commission and (e) consumer groups about the definition

  441W
  of a mortgage; and if he will list the (i) consumer groups and (ii) others he is consulting about the definition of a mortgage. [129263]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made on 27 January 2000,Official Report, columns 262–64W, of the Government's decision on the regulation of mortgages.

  That decision was the outcome of a consultation exercise that gathered a great deal of evidence, including that from borrowers and consumer groups, about what can go wrong with mortgage lending.

  The proposals announced by the Government were designed specifically to address these problems and put the consumer in control.

  Following the announcement of the Government's decision, the Treasury has received helpful views on the definition of a mortgage, and is also drawing on the expertise of the Financial Services Authority and other Government Departments. The Government will consult on any proposed legal definition at the appropriate time.

  Severn Bridges Tolls (VAT)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about EU proposals to impose VAT on tolls for the Severn Bridges. [129269]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are awaiting the judgment of the European Court of Justice, due on 12 September, on whether or not VAT should be levied on toll charges. An appropriate announcement will be made when this judgment has been studied.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the policy since 1989 on writing annually to those of his Department's staff who are paying reduced rates of National Insurance contributions, reminding them of the rules governing the payment of reduced rates, as recommended in the Inland Revenue guidance note on reduced rate National Insurance contributions for married women. [129478]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue Guide to Employers states that employers may consider it worthwhile to have arrangements in place to issue a periodic reminder to married women employees for whom they hold a certificate of election, advising them of the need to tell the employer if their marriage ends by divorce or annulment or that they are no longer entitled to pay reduced rate National Insurance contributions. All of my Departments with such employees follow this advice either by an annual notice in their staff bulletins or in individual letters issued annually.

  IR35
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last revised the expected revenue yield from IR35; and what the revised estimate is. [129733]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to Table A2.1 of this year's Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families he expects to benefit from implementation of the Children's Tax Credit in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom. [129925]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that about five million families in the UK will benefit from the introduction of the Children's Tax Credit, of which about 400,000 are in Scotland.

  Redundancy Pay
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons money received on redundancy as pay in lieu of notice and holiday pay is treated for tax purposes as income for the tax year in which it is paid, in circumstances where it relates to a period of time within the following tax year; and if he will make a statement. [128182]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: The earnings of all employees and directors, including money received on redundancy as pay in lieu of notice and holiday pay, are taxed in the year in which they are received instead of the year for which they were earned. This way of taxing earnings was introduced in the 1989 Budget in order to simplify the method of assessment. There are no current plans to change this treatment.
  Tax treatment of redundancy payments Payments made solely to compensate for an individual being made redundant are taxable above a £30,000 exemption limit.Tax treatment of payments in lieu of notice and holiday pay Payments in lieu of notice are taxable in full if they are provided for in the contract of employment or if the employer customarily pays them. Other payments in lieu of notice are treated in the same way as redundancy payments, i.e. taxable above a £30,000 exemption limit. Holiday pay owed is taxable in full.All of the above payments are taxed in the year in which they are received. Those payments which are taxable in full have been taxed in this way since 1989 and those payments which are taxable above a £30,000 exemption limit—i.e. redundancy payments and some payments in lieu of notice—have been taxed in this way since 1998.

  Exports
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of UK goods exported to(a) Antwerp and (b) Rotterdam were for onward transit outside the EU in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [129673]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave on 9 May 2000, Official Report, column 334W, and on 10 May 2000, Official Report, columns 400–01W, on the same subject.

  Where goods are moved in transit through other EC countries while en route to non-EC countries, exporters are required to state the final country of destination on their customs declarations. Customs produce trade statistics on the basis of the declared final country of destination and do not record transit details.

  However, some goods exported to other EC countries and reported as such may subsequently be exported on to a third country—e.g. by way of a further commercial transaction. The European trade statistics system does not allow for the identification of these movements.

  Public Sector Workers (Home Loans)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 June 2000,Official Report, column 574W, on Public Sector Workers (Home Loans), whether a teacher employed in (a) a county school and (b) an independent school granted a preferential loan for housing by (i) the Department for Education and Employment, (ii) the Exchequer and (iii) the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, would be liable for tax and national insurance contributions on that loan. [129713]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: On the basis that the teacher would not be an employee of a Government Department and the loan was neither guaranteed nor facilitated by the teacher's employer, the teacher would not be liable to income tax or national insurance contributions on the loan.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 June 2000,Official Report, column 574W, on Public Sector Workers (Home Loans), whether a nurse (a) in the NHS and (b) employed in a private sector hospital granted a preferential loan for housing by (i) the Department of Health, (ii) the Exchequer and (iii) the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, would be liable for tax and national insurance contributions on that loan. [129714]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: On the basis that the nurse would not be an employee of a Government Department and the loan was neither guaranteed nor facilitated by the nurse's employer, the nurse would not be liable to income tax or national insurance contributions on the loan.

  Judicial Review
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of the evidence which he has disclosed in the judicial review application of Williams Jeffery Barber on behalf of the National Crime Squad and others. [128922]
  444W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: Although the Chancellor is under no obligation to publish the evidence that is disclosed in a judicial review, a copy of the witness statement prepared by the Treasury for the judicial review will be placed in the Library.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) pensioners and (b) non-pensioner households spend more than 10 per cent. of their total expenditure on council tax. [125925]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 14 June 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 10 July 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking about spending on council tax. (125925)
  The Family Expenditure Survey shows an estimated 230,000 pensioner households and 500,000 non-pensioner households in Great Britain spent more than 10 per cent. of their total expenditure on council tax in 1998–99, after deducting any discounts or benefits. Total expenditure is all spending on goods and services including mortgage interest, but excluding saving and investment, life assurance and medical insurance payments, and purchase or alteration of dwellings.
  Like all estimates from sample surveys, these figures are subject to sampling variability.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of Working Families Tax Credit payments to families in receipt of child support payments; [128330]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of families in receipt of both child support payments and Working Families Tax Credit. [128331]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A reliable estimate of the number of families in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and which also receive maintenance payments is not yet available. All maintenance received is disregarded for WFTC, and the amount of maintenance received cannot be determined from the information processed for applications for WFTC. Household survey data available for analysis do not yet cover families receiving WFTC.

  Zambia: Teachers
  Zambia: Teachers
  Armenia: Demining Equipment
  Armenia: Demining Equipment
  EU Enlargement
  EU Enlargement
  US National Missile Defence System
  US National Missile Defence System
  Missile and Terrorist Attack: Threat Reduction
  Missile and Terrorist Attack: Threat Reduction
  Arms Control: NATO Policy
  Arms Control: NATO Policy
  River Danube: Clearance
  River Danube: Clearance
  Theatres: Further Arts Council Review
  Theatres: Further Arts Council Review
  Theatre: National Policy
  Theatre: National Policy
  Theatres: Funding by Local Authorities
  Theatres: Funding by Local Authorities
  Below Average Income Statistics
  Below Average Income Statistics
  Community Sentence Breach: Loss of State Benefits, Scotland
  Community Sentence Breach: Loss of State Benefits, Scotland
  Means Testing
  Means Testing
  Departmental Cars
  Departmental Cars
  NHS Boards: Appointments
  NHS Boards: Appointments
  Kent and Canterbury Hospital
  Kent and Canterbury Hospital
  HIV/AIDS Treatment
  HIV/AIDS Treatment
  Medical Student Places
  Medical Student Places
  House of Lords: New Office Accommodation
  House of Lords: New Office Accommodation
  Corporal Punishment of Children
  Corporal Punishment of Children
  Children and Young Persons Act 1993, s. 53(2)
  Children and Young Persons Act 1993, s. 53(2)
  Young Offenders Institutions: Sexual Assaults
  Young Offenders Institutions: Sexual Assaults