Written Answers of 18 July 2000

DEFENCE

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what mechanisms are in place to monitor the(a) service provided by defence projects delivered under the private finance initiative and (b) performance of PFI contracts for projects already operating; [128590]

  (2) what monitoring is undertaken by his Department of Private Finance Initiative contracts; and if he will make a statement; [129202]

  (3) what the average period of time is between the completion of a full business case and signing of the final contract for PFI contracts in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [129204]

  Mr. Spellar
  MOD signs PH deals when appropriate contractual arrangements have been negotiated in order to secure best value for money. The time taken to complete such deals varies from contract to contract. Detailed records covering this particular aspect are not held centrally. Each PFI contract contains performance measures against which service provision is reviewed. MOD also seeks to apply lessons learned from its own PFI deals and from elsewhere in Government, drawing on guidance from the National Audit Office and other relevant bodies.

  HMS Orwell
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational status is of HMS Orwell. [129857]

  Mr. Spellar
  HMS Orwell was decommissioned on Monday 10 July 2000.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that the 5 million rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and the 4,081 mm mortar bombs provided to Sierra Leone by the UK Government are used only by the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [130481]

  Mr. Hoon
  The issue of light weapons and ammunition provided by the UK Government to the Government of Sierra Leone, including the 5 million rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and 4,000 81 mm mortar bombs, is controlled by a senior British military officer in Freetown. The Government of Sierra Leone has provided assurances that all weapons and ammunition will be used only by regular Sierra Leone Army soldiers and in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights standards.

  Nuclear Weapons (Iraq and Israel)
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the nuclear weapons capability of(a) Iraq and (b) Israel. [130679]

  Mr. Hoon
  We remain concerned about the potential for Iraq to resume its covert programme to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Hence the importance we attach to re-establishing weapons inspections in Iraq under the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

  Israel is a non-party to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). We consistently call on Israel to join the NPT as a non-nuclear weapons state, to place all its nuclear facilities under international Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, to ratify the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty and to engage in negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty.

  Electronic Test Facility
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Irish Government with regard to his Department's Electronic Test Facility, formerly sited at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. site at Capenhurst, Cheshire since 19 October 1999; when these were received; and from which Departments of the Irish Government. [130531]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations from the Irish Government regarding the Electronic Test Facility since 19 October 1999.

  HMS Sheffield
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to fit HMS Sheffield with the Harpoon missile system. [130443]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: None. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2000, Official Report, column 451W.

  RAF Gliding School
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with moving the RAF Gliding School from RAF Bicester to RAF Rissington. [130941]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Options for the future basing of the Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding) Centre and the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association Bicester Flying Club are currently being investigated. One option being considered is a move from RAF Bicester to RAF Little Rissington.

  Until this work is completed later this year, it will not be possible to decide where these units will be located in future or to progress a move.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [131149]
  103W
  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for the financial year 2000–01 are set out as follows:

  Key Target 1
  Consistent with Treasury requirements, to achieve at least a 6 per cent. Return on Capital Employed.

  Key Target 2
  To increase New Business income (from customers other than the UK MOD) from £137 million forecast to be achieved in 1999–2000 to £165 million.

  Key Target 3
  To increase the number of staff elected as Fellows of professional bodies by 5 per cent. from a baseline at 31 March 2000.

  Key Target 4
  To achieve on time 90 per cent. of the agreed milestones on work for MOD customers.

  Key Target 5
  To maintain the level of MOD customer satisfaction as measured by core questions.

  Key Target 6
  Over a period of three years (1998–99 to 2000–01), to achieve a 20 per cent. increase in peer reviewed publications per professional. For 2000–01, this translates into achieving a figure of 7.1 publications per 100 professionals from a baseline at 1 April 2000 of 6.3.

  Key Target 7
  Over a three year period from (1998–99 to 2000–01), to increase by 50 per cent. the number of scientific teams assessed as `world-class' in the technical assessment exercise. For 2000–01 this translates into achieving 24 from a current baseline at 1 April 2000 of 19.

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training Organisation for the Financial Year 2000–01. [131512]

  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DMTO for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1997 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Academic Success (Quality and Quantity)

  To achieve the following academic success rates:

  Common Core Course (CCC)—96 per cent.

  Specialist Registrars (SpR)—96 per cent.

  Pre-Registration Nurses (Pre-Reg Nurses)—96 per cent.

  Key Target 2—Academic Success (Timeliness)

  The following percentage of trainees achieving academic success to be delivered on time, as agreed with the customer:

  CCC—96 per cent. (at first attempt. remainder at second attempt (which is normally within three months).

  SpR—96 per cent.

  Pre-Reg Nurses—98 per cent.

  Key Target 3—External Individual Medical Services Training
  Confirm with customers the baseline requirement for external medical services training by 31 March 2001.

  Key Target 4—Corporate Efficiency Index
  To achieve a 1.5 per cent. efficiency improvement demonstrated by the DMTO corporate efficiency index for 2000–01.

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Dental Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [131513]
  104W
  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DDA for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—The Operational Requirement
  From within available personnel resources allocated to the DDA by single Services to achieve 100 per cent. of personnel called forward, trained to required professional and military standards, at the specified readiness for deployment with the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) and all operations.

  Key Target 2—Overall Dental Fitness

  For each Service, maintain the dental fitness level targets as follows:

  (a) RN at least 75 per cent.

  (b) Army at least 70 per cent.

  (c) RAF at least 75 per cent.

  Key Target 3—Treatment Needs

  To show a zero increase in the Treatment Needs (TN) Index as follows:

  (a) RN above 500.

  (b) Army above 755.

  (c) RAF above 340.

  Key Target 4—Dental Fitness Category D
  To limit the number of personnel in dental fitness Category D4 (those personnel who have not received a dental inspection and charting for 12 months or more) to the following percentage of the total Service population:

  (a) RN 14 per cent.

  (b) Army 17 per cent.

  (c) RAF 14 per cent.

  Key Target 5—Training

  To achieve the following success rates within the normal duration of each course:

  Vocational Dental Practitioner—90 per cent.

  Dental Hygienist—90 per cent.

  Basic Dental Support Specialist (DSS)—95 per cent.

  Key Target 6—Military Training
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of all DDA personnel, whose medical category permits, are released to undertake annual military training as specified by respective single Services.

  Key Target 7—Personnel For Exercises
  To ensure that 100 per cent. of all DDA personnel nominated to established post in the operational core requirement of their parent Service are released to attend appropriate exercises.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Secondary Care Agency for the Financial Year 2000–01. [131515]

  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DSCA for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—The Operational Requirement
  From within the personnel resources provided to the DSCA by the single Services, to meet 100 per cent. of the requirement of the Commanders in Chief (CinCs) for secondary care personnel for operational deployments.

  Key Target 2—Outpatient Waiting Times
  To ensure that 45 per cent. of Service patients referred to the Agency are offered at first outpatient appointment within four weeks of receipt of a referral and 85 per cent. within 13 weeks.
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  Key Target 3—Inpatient Waiting Times
  To ensure that 75 per cent. of Service patients are offered a treatment date which is within 13 weeks of the decision to give inpatient treatment.

  Key Target 4—Efficiency
  To obtain savings of 10 per cent. in non-project works and maintenance expenditure.

  Key Target 5—Quality
  To carry out NHS requirements for progress in clinical governance and deliver a baseline assessment of capacity and capability across all DSCA Units by 31 August 2000 and a second assessment demonstrating measurable improvement by 31 March 2001.

  Key Target 6—Military Training
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of all DSCA personnel, whose medical category permits, are released to receive their respective Service's annual mandatory military training.

  Key Target 7—Personnel For Exercises
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of DSCA based personnel nominated to established posts in their Service's operational core requirement are released to attend appropriate exercises.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Medical Supplies Agency for the Financial Year 2000–01. [131516]

  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Composite Medical Matériel
  To build, completely, to time and within budget, by 31 March 2001, 100 per cent. of all modules on the agreed Operational Build Programme, as authorised by the Director Medical Operational Capability (D Med Op Cap).

  Key Target 2—The Operational Requirement
  To meet 100 per cent. of the Services requirements for blood products and scaled medical matériel, or matériel approved by D Med Op Cap to mount and sustain operations.

  Key Target 3—The Exercise and Training Requirement
  To meet 100 per cent. of the Services requirements for modularised medical matériel, blood and blood products in support of exercises, training and major events.

  Key Target 4—Response to Demands
  To meet 90 per cent. of all demands for Category B items (common used items with a unit cost of less than £100 and approved by D Med Op Cap) within the agreed timescale, expressed in working days.

  Key Target 5—Stock Issued to Stock Held Ration
  To improve the ratio of stock issued to stock held from 1.75 to 2.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total annual amount spent by his Department in respect of the Falkland Islands in the last year for which figures are available. [130417]

  Mr. Spellar
  The outturn cost to the Ministry of Defence for the Falkland Islands Garrison in financial year 1999–2000 was £71.1 million.

  This figure relates to the costs incurred by the Commander British Forces Falkland Islands only. It does not include the costs of the RAF airbridge to the Falkland Islands, nor the cost of naval deployments to the South Atlantic. These costs fall to other budgets and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the respective stockpiles of reprocessed uranium from(a) magnox fuel, (b) AOR fuel, (c) SGHWR fuel and (d) fast reactor fuel have been re-cycled in new fuel to date; and if he will list the quantities and current locations of the reprocessed uranium stored to date. [129967]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Proportion(a) is approximately 50 per cent. Proportion (b) is 0 per cent. Proportions (c) and (d) cannot be calculated without incurring disproportionate cost, because UKAEA does not separately distinguish the source of the uranium which it uses for fuel manufacture.

  My Department published the figure of holdings of civil depleted, natural and low enriched uranium at 31 December 1999 on 13 June. This material is stored at licensed civil nuclear sites in the UK.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which(a) Government Departments, in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Japan, (b) en route states, (c) nuclear regulatory bodies and (d) non-governmental groups in (1) the United Kingdom, (2) Japan and (3) en route states were consulted on the decision to return plutonium MOX fuel to Sellafield; what considerations underlay the decision to transport the plutonium fuel; what other options were considered; what his estimate is of the cost of the shipment and subsequent processing at Sellafield; and what is the basis for his estimate. [130850]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The agreements announced on 11 July on resolving the problem of the MOX fuel at Takahama in Japan followed discussions between BNFL and its Japanese customer, Kansai Electric Power Company, and between the UK and Japanese Governments.

  The Government's support for BNFL's decision followed full consultation across Departments. The cost of the return shipment and the subsequent handling of the fuel at Sellafield is a commercial matter for BNFL.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the total cost of returning the defective MOX fuel from Japan to the United Kingdom; and if he will break down the main components of the cost. [131301]

  Mrs. Liddell
  British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) is responsible for the return of the MOX fuel in Japan. The fuel will be returned at BNFL's expense. The cost is a commercial matter for BNFL.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licence applications to his Department have been awaiting a decision for more than(a) three months, (b) six months and (c) a year. [130049]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 11 July 2000]: At 7 July 2000, a decision had not yet been taken on 634 applications for new individual export licences received since 2 May 1997. These are broken down as follows:
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  Standard individual export licences

  Open individual export licences

  Applications received between:

  7 July 1999 or earlier

  62

  68

  8 July 1999 and 7 January 2000

  118

  52

  8 January and 7 April 2000

  242

  92

  The figures for open individual export licences do not cover amendments, extensions or OIELs for protective clothing for the media.

  However, this information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry), on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08W.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how often in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 an export required a licence under the weapons of mass destruction end use controls; in which states these end-users were located; and in how many cases the licence was refused. [130800]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Details of all export licensing decisions taken between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 1998 were set out in the Government's 1997 and 1998 annual reports on strategic export controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; copies are in the Library of the House. These reports list by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued and refused in each entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled, which is known as their rating.

  The end use control applies to goods, not otherwise subject to control, where the exporter has been told or knows or suspects that the goods would or might be used in activities connected with weapons of mass destruction or missiles for their delivery. Goods controlled for these reasons are given the rating "End Use".

  Information on export licensing decisions taken in 1999 will be set out in the 1999 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, which will be published soon.

  Venture Capital
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to help developers of agriculture-related projects obtain access to venture capital. [130732]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Enterprise Fund's venture capital elements, the UK High Technology Fund and the Regional Venture Capital Funds, are being established to stimulate the availability of equity finance for smaller businesses which offer significant growth potential.

  A range of agriculture-related projects will be eligible to receive equity funding through the Enterprise Fund venture capital schemes. However, all investment decisions under these programmes will be made by professional Fund Managers in pursuit of the best possible commercial returns for their funds. It is therefore not possible to pre-determine the sectors in which investments will be made.

  Sub-post Office
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate ways of increasing the incomes of sub-post offices by(a) the payment of wages to their staff, (b) provision of swipe cards for the collection of child allowances, pensions and other benefits, (c) encouraging their use for the charging of electricity key meters, (d) the issue of vehicle excise licences and (e) other means. [131162]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Performance and Innovation Unit's report on the future of the post office network identified new business opportunities for sub-post offices and the Post Office is also seeking out new commercial opportunities in order to sustain or enhance the income of sub-post offices.

  Mortgages (Insurance Products)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is towards tying the sale of insurance products to mortgage lending; and if he will make a statement. [130810]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: I consider that tying-in of mortgages with insurance often means that consumers pay uncompetitive premiums for their insurance cover. I believe that consumers should be free to shop around for the best deal.

  DTI is therefore now consulting on a proposal to ban compulsory tie-ins of mortgages with insurance products. Once I have considered fully all the responses to the consultation, I will then look at how this proposal can be taken forward.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what documentation has been prepared by his Department for the TRIPS Council to demonstrate compliance of the United Kingdom's intellectual property law with the TRIPS Agreement which incorporates Article 10bis of the Paris Convention; what response his Department has received from the TRIPS Council; and if he will place a copy of both the document and response in the Library; [130410]

  (2) what discussions his officials have had with the TRIPS Council regarding the compliance of the United Kingdom's intellectual property law with the TRIPS Agreement that incorporates Article 10bis of the Paris Convention. [130411]

  Dr. Howells
  As required by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement the United Kingdom notified its main dedicated intellectual property laws and regulations to the WTO. These were published by the WTO during 1996 in documents with the references IP/N/l/GBR/1, IP/N/l/GBR/C/1, IP/N/1/GBR/C/2, IP/N/l/GBR/T/1, IP/N/1/GBR/T/2, IP/N/1/GBR/G/1, IP/N/1/GBR/G/2, IP/N/1/GBR/D/1, IP/N/1/GBR/D/2, IP/N/1/GBR/P/1, IP/N/1/GBR/P/2, IP/N/l/GBR/P/3, IP/N/1/GBR/L/1, IP/N/1/GBR/U/1, IP/N/2/GBR/1 and IP/N/6/GBR/1.

  The United Kingdom participated in reviews of developed country WTO members' TRIPS implementing legislation carried out by the TRIPS Council throughout

  109W
  1996 and 1997. Records of introductory statements made by the United Kingdom delegation, questions put to the United Kingdom delegation and the responses given were published by the WTO in four documents with references IP/Q/GBR/1, IP/Q2/GBR/1, IP/Q3/GBR/1 and IP/Q4/GBR/1. All of these documents are available to the public on the WTO website, www.wto.org.

  Employment Tribunals
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the appointment of Mrs. J. Upshall as a member of employment tribunals taking account of the operation of Integrate Services in Warrington. [130669]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I am not aware of any grounds for action in relation to Mrs. Upshall's appointment.

TREASURY

  Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the timetable for implementation of each part of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. [126975]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I expect the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to come into force in about one year's time. This will complete the process of the modernisation of financial services regulation announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in May 1997. The timescale provides a framework within which proper preparations can be made for the new regulatory system.

  The Government believe that both the financial services industry and consumers will benefit from a single regulator with clear statutory objectives providing a light touch where possible, protection where necessary.

  Aggregates
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Quarry Products Association was informed of specific legal objections to their proposed preferential purchasing scheme for aggregates from quarry operators meeting certain environmental criteria. [131096]

  Mr. Timms
  The Quarry Products Association put forward their developed proposals for a preferential purchasing scheme in late 1999. The Government at that time made it clear that this scheme raised concerns in terms of both EU procurement law and on competition grounds.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he discussed the Quarry Products Association's proposed preferential purchasing scheme for aggregates from quarry operators meeting certain environmental criteria with(a) the Office of Fair Trading, (b) the European Commission, (c) the DETR and (d) the Department of Trade and Industry. [131095]

  Mr. Timms
  Discussions with the relevant Government Departments on the Quarry Products Association's proposed preferential purchasing scheme began as soon as further details of the scheme were brought forward in late autumn 1999.

  Pesticides Tax
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the representations the Treasury has received and (b) meetings it has held on the proposed pesticides tax, giving details of meetings held with (i) the British Agrochemicals Association, (ii) UKASTA, (iii) NOAH, (iv) the National Farmers Union, (v) the Country Landowners Association, and (vi) agrochemical companies, indicating which companies; and what the duration of the meetings was in each case. [131103]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 21 June 2000,Official Report, columns 215–16W.

  Spending Review (Devolved Administrations)
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the funding rules for the devolved Administrations applied in the 2000 Spending Review. [131564]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Copies of the updated statement of funding policy, which sets out the funding arrangements for the devolved Administrations, have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April; and how many did not receive substantive answers citing disproportionate cost as the reason. [131201]

  Mr. Timms
  1,676 written questions were tabled to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the period concerned. Disproportionate cost was cited in 15 instances as the reason why the information requested could not be provided. In a further 28 cases, some of the information sought was provided, but some other information would have been disproportionately costly to obtain.

  Tax Returns (Internet)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual taxpayers who file self-assessment tax returns have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns on the internet in each month since the service became available; and if he will make a statement. [130564]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Since the registration service became available on 3 April, 63,301 individual taxpayers who file self-assessment tax returns have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns on the internet. The number of registrations in each month were as follows:

  Month

  Registrations

  Cumulative total

  April

  32,937

  32,937

  May

  14,877

  47,814

  June

  10,677

  58,491

  July1

  4,530

  63,021

  July2

  280

  63,301

  1 Week one

  2 Week two

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the statement on travel on Government business by the Treasury's special advisers deposited in

  Official travel overseas by Treasury special advisers: 13 July 1999-June 2000

  Date

  Destination

  Purpose

  Ian Austin

  15–17 September 1999

  New York/Washington, USA

  Chancellor's speaking engagement and bilateral meetings

  Ed Balls

  15–17 September 1999

  New York/Washington, USA

  Chancellor's speaking engagement and bilateral meetings

  24–29 September 1999

  Washington, USA

  G7 and IMF/World bank Annual Meetings, bilateral meetings

  29 November 1999

  Brussels, Belgium

  ECOFIN

  4–8 December 1999

  Washington, USA

  Chancellor's speaking engagement and bilateral meetings

  9–10 December 1999

  Helsinki, Finland

  European Council

  15–16 December 1999

  Berlin, Germany

  G20 Finance Ministers Meeting

  31 January 2000

  Brussels, Belgium

  ECOFIN

  21–23 February 2000

  New York, USA

  Chancellor's speaking engagement

  28 February 2000

  Brussels, Belgium

  ECOFIN

  13–18 April 2000

  Washington, USA

  G7 and IMF/World bank Spring Meetings, bilateral meetings

  18–20 June 2000

  Feira, Portugal

  European Council

  29 June 2000

  Paris, France

  Meeting at the Tresor

  Ed Miliband

  10–11 September 1999

  Turku, Finland

  Informal ECOFIN

  15–17 September 2000

  New York, Washington, USA

  Chancellor's speaking engagement and bilateral meetings

  24–26 September 1999

  Washington, USA

  G7 and IMF Meetings

  21–23 February 2000

  New York, USA

  Chancellor's speaking engagement

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Average Incomes
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 2000,Official Report, column 256W, on average incomes, if he will list the figures requested for single parents and disabled people. [128063]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Data are not available for all the years requested. The earliest and latest financial years for which data from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) data are available are 1994–95 and 1998–99 respectively.

  Year on year changes in average amounts of State benefits reflect changes in employment status, income from other sources (for income-related benefits), benefit entitlement and caseload mix.

  Results are subject to statistical variability. Comparisons of one year with the next should be treated with considerable caution.

  For the purposes of these statistics, disabled people have been defined as anyone in receipt of at least one disability benefit, i.e. Disability Living Allowance (care or mobility), Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Working Allowance or Incapacity or Invalidity Benefit.

  Their average weekly income from state benefits (including the State Retirement Pension) per individual was £110 in 1994–95. It remained at this level in 1995–96 then rose to £117 in 1996–97, £120 in 1997–98 and £124 in 1998–99. The same figures rebased in constant May 2000 prices to adjust for inflation were £129 in 1994–95, £125 in 1995–96, £129 in 1996–97,
  112W
  the Library on 27 July 1999 to include information about the period after 13 July 1999. [124123]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Details for the period since 13 July 1999 are as follows:

  £128 in 1997–98 and £130 in 1998–99. This represented 34 per cent. of average earnings in 1994–95,33 per cent. in each of the years 1995–96,1996–97 and 1997–98, and 32 per cent. in 1998–99.

  Results for single parents are sensitive to the proportion of single parents in employment and are presented separately for those in work—defined as working 16 hours or more per week—and those not in work. The proportion of single parents in work, according to the FRS, rose from 37 per cent. in 1994–95 to 43 per cent. in 1998–99. Benefit income is of course much lower for lone parents in work, who therefore have income from earnings, than lone parents not in work. (For recipients of disability benefits the proportion in work, as recorded in the FRS, was stable over this period.)

  Average weekly income from State benefits (including the State Retirement Pension) per individual lone parent in work was £64 in 1994–95, £66 in 1995–96, £65 in 1996–97, £68 in 1997–98 and £74 in 1998–99. The same figures rebased in constant May 2000 prices to adjust for inflation were £75 in 1994–95, £75 in 1995–96, £72 in 1996–97, £73 in 1997–98 and £77 in 1998–99. This represented 20 per cent. of average earnings in 1994–95 and 1995–96 and 19 per cent. in each of the years 1996–97,1997–98 and 1998–99.

  Average weekly income from state benefits (including the State Retirement Pension) per individual lone parent not in work was £135 in 1994–95, £142 in 1995–96, £144 in 1996–97, £149 in 1997–98 and £155 in 1998–99. The same figures rebased in constant May 2000 prices to adjust for inflation were £158 in 1994–95, £162 in 1995–96, £160 in 1996–97, £160 in 1997–98 and £161 in 1998–99. This represented 41 per cent. of average earnings in 1994–95,42 per cent. in 1995–96,41 per cent. in 1996–97 and 1997–98 and 40 per cent. 1998–99.
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  The amounts listed here and used in the calculation of percentages are per individual. Benefits have been assigned to the individual in receipt. For example, if Income Support is paid to a disabled person with a non-disabled partner, the full amount of Income Support is assigned to the disabled person in these tables.

  The mean has been used to calculate the average weekly income from State benefits for all individuals in the various different groups.

  Real term figures have been calculated by uprating cash term figures to reflect May 2000 prices. The headline Retail Prices Index has been used for this calculation.

  Average earnings figures, used as the base for calculation of the percentage figure, are for all full time adult employees and are based on data from the New Earnings Survey (Office for National Statistics) which is conducted in April of each year. As FRS data is for financial years the April in which the FRS financial year begins has been used as the average earnings base.

  It should be noted that benefit receipt is based on self-assessment and therefore may be subject to mis-reporting.

  All income figures have been rounded to the nearest pound and percentages rounded to the nearest integer.

  Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 June 2000,Official Report, column 720, what additional payments will be made to people who received a (a) £10,000, (b) £20,000, (c) £30,000 and (d) £40,000 payment under the 1979 Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme; and on what basis these amounts have been calculated. [130842]

  Mr. Bayley
  Top-up payments are intended to represent the difference, in real terms, between the original payments and the proposed new £100,000 rate. Calculation of the proposed top-up payments is as follows:

  £

  Original payment

  Top-up payment

  10,000

  67,000

  20,000

  62,500

  30,000

  61,500

  40,000

  58,000

  The original payment made to past recipients has been revalued from the date that the relevant rate of that payment was introduced up to April 2000 using the Retail Prices Index (All items) and the normal method applied in revaluing Social Security benefits across successive upratings.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) where he intends to publish the criteria which will be used under the revised Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to determine whether a person is 60 per cent. disabled; [131126]

  (2) where the criteria determining whether a child is 80 per cent. disabled are published; [131131]
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  (3) if he will publish the protocols used by SEMA Group to determine whether a person's injuries were caused by a vaccine; [131132]

  (4) if he will publish the protocols used by SEMA Group to determine whether a person is 80 per cent. disabled. [131119]

  Mr. Bayley
  Section 1(4) of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 directs that the level of disablement in vaccine damage cases be assessed as for the purposes of section 103 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. Assessment is further covered in Schedule 6 to the latter Act, and in the Social Security (General Benefit) Regulations 1982 (SI 1982/1408), reg 11 and Schedule 2.

  Assessment of 80 per cent. disablement is made by doctors specially trained in disability assessment medicine. They assess the degree of disablement by reference to and comparison with assessments, including guidance on percentage impairments, prescribed in the above legislation. They are assisted in this task by guidance contained in "The Severe Disablement Allowance Handbook for Medical Advisers", approved by the Department of Social Security's Chief Medical Adviser and published by Sema Medical Services, a copy of which will be placed in the Library. Because of the proposed change to the disability threshold under the scheme the need for revised guidance on the 60 per cent. disablement criterion will be considered, and made publicly available as appropriate, before the new threshold comes into force.

  Sema doctors advise on whether, on the balance of probabilities, a person's injuries were caused by a vaccine on the basis of the current consensus of informed medical opinion. The use as reference the book "Adverse Events Associated with Childhood Vaccines" by the Institute of Medicine. Sema doctors also carry out regular electronic searches of published medical research papers. The majority of such research in the past three years has been published in The Lancet. The current consensus of informed medical opinion is summarised in Sema medical Services' procedural guidance to its doctors on processing referrals for advice on vaccine damage claims, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when he plans to publish regulations increasing the statutory sum available under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme; [131127]

  (2) if the £60 million sum for the costs of revisions to the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme is intended to cover only the top-up payments for previous recipients of awards; [131130]

  (3) if additional funds will be made available (a) this year and (b) in future years if more people than anticipated qualify for a vaccine damage payment when the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme is revised; [131117]

  (4) when he plans to introduce legislation on the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme; [131118]

  (5) pursuant to his oral statement of 27 June 2000, Official Report, columns 719–20, on vaccine damage payments, if he will make a statement on the basis of the calculations that top-up payments of £58,000 to £67,000 will provide recipients with a total payment of £100,000 in real terms. [131193]
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  Mr. Bayley
  The draft Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 Statutory Sum Order 2000 was laid on 5 July and is being debated in both Houses this week. We estimate that the costs of implementing the proposals as they affect all existing cases will be around £60 million. There is a statutory entitlement to a vaccine damage payment if the relevant criteria are met and such payments will be made regardless of the future number of awards.

  The original payment made to past recipients has been revalued from the date that the relevant rate was introduced to April 2000 using the Retail Prices Index (All items) and the normal method applied in revaluing Social Security benefits across successive upratings. The top-up payments represent the difference between this figure and the proposed new £100,000 rate.

  We will bring forward primary legislation to implement the proposed changes to the time limit and the disability threshold as soon as possible.

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to receive the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority's fourth annual report; and if he will make a statement. [131562]

  Mr. Darling
  I have received the fourth report of the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority which documents how the organisation has carried out its regulatory functions and worked with others to raise standards in the pensions industry. I have laid copies of the report before both Houses today.

  Widowers
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many widowers have had their claims for retrospective payment of Widow's Benefits or compensation for not receiving those benefits recently refused; and if he will make a statement on the grounds on which those claims were refused. [131184]

  Angela Eagle
  In the two months to 31 May 2000, 104 claims for Widow's Benefits were received from men. All such claims are disallowed as men are not entitled to Widow's Benefits under current legislation.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many widowers have contacted his Department to make an inquiry about the possible payment of retrospective Widow's Benefits to men or a settlement following the European Court of Human Rights ruling. [131183]

  Angela Eagle
  There has been no ruling from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The ECHR's published judgments on two cases explained that, having reached a friendly settlement, these cases have been struck out of the list.

  We have received 40 letters inquiring about Widow's Benefits for men in relation to the European Court of Human Rights.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many widowers have claims for Widow's Benefit for men or compensation for the non-payment of those benefits before the European Court of Human Rights. [131185]
  116W
  Angela Eagle
  Fifteen applications have been referred to us by the European Court of Human Rights, including two cases which have been struck out of the list following acceptance of the Government's offer by way of friendly settlement.

  Disability Benefit
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he intends to respond to the Social Security Commissioner's decision that telephone conversations could in certain circumstances count as attention for the purpose of giving entitlement to Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance. [131563]

  Mr. Bayley
  We know that many people get support from telephone contact with friends and advisers. However, the purpose of Attendance Allowance and the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is to provide a contribution for the extra costs of people who are so severely disabled that they need another person present to help them. We must ensure that the benefits are provided for those people for whom they were intended. Subject to Parliamentary approval, we therefore intend to introduce amending regulations to ensure that benefit entitlement is not available simply where people speak over the telephone or similar media.

  Other assistance is available from social services and social work departments; they have powers to provide assistance with telephone expenses to people who are assessed as needing them for emergency situations.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Government will have access to information on stakeholder pensions to enable it to ascertain whether sales are to people outside or within its target group. [130762]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are planning to collect a range of statistical data. It is intended that this data will, in due course, include information about the level of members' earnings which will enable us to determine how many sales are to people in the target group, as part of the total market for Stakeholder Pensions.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the basis is for his calculation that it would be advantageous for a person earning £9,500 to contract out of the state second pension into a stakeholder pension. [131326]

  Mr. Rooker
  Stakeholder pensions will be open to people at all income levels but are primarily intended for moderate earners—those earning between around £10,000 and £20,000 a year—as well as higher earners. It will be for individuals to decide whether or not to use a stakeholder pension to contract out of the state scheme, but National Insurance rebates for people who do contract out are set at a level which reflects the cost of providing the state benefits forgone. The state second pension is structured to provide extra help in the state scheme above that available from SERPS for people on earnings up to around £20,000. The new contracting-out arrangements have been designed so that members of contracted-out
  117W
  pension schemes will benefit from the extra help that the state second pension brings to low and moderate earners, either through higher rebates or a state scheme top-up.

  Maternity Pay
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of women's average earnings flat rate Statutory Maternity Pay represents; and what was the highest percentage it has ever represented. [131112]

  Mr. Bayley
  The flat rate of Statutory Maternity Pay was 27 per cent. of average women's earnings in 1999–2000, the latest year for which there are figures. This percentage was at its highest in 1987–88 when it reached 28 per cent.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total annual cost is of Statutory Maternity Pay flat rate; and what it would be if it was increased to £100. [131113]

  Mr. Bayley
  Statutory Maternity Pay is paid at 90 per cent. of a woman's average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of her maternity leave and a flat rate of £60.20 for the following 12 weeks.

  The cost of the SMP flat rate is £210 million.

  The total full year cost of paying flat rate at £100 a week would be £350 million.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total extra cost of flat rate Statutory Maternity Pay would be if it were extended from 12 weeks to up to the child's first birthday. [131114]

  Mr. Bayley
  The extra full year cost in 2000–01 of extending the flat rate of Statutory Maternity Pay from 12 weeks up to the child's first birthday would be up to £495 million.

  Pensions
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate for 2000–01, the(a) gross and (b) net difference between the cost of the actual pension increase and (i) an increase of 2.5 per cent., (ii) an increase in line with earnings and (iii) the provision made in the Department's estimates. [131254]

  Mr. Rooker
  The estimated extra cost for 2000–01 of a 2.5 per cent. increase in basic pension rates would be £530 million gross, £400 million net of means-tested benefits.

  The extra cost of an increase in line with earnings would be £1,310 million gross, £1,000 million net. The estimates made in the Departments Report assume a 1.1 per cent. increase and as this was the level of increase there is no difference.

  Notes:

  1. Assumed average earnings growth is 4.6 per cent. The measure of earnings used is the annual change in the seasonally adjusted, three months to July average earnings index, which was used to uprate the Minimum Income Guarantee.

  2. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  3. Costs include benefits whose rates are linked by statute to the rate of basic Retirement Pension (principally Widow's Benefits and long-term Incapacity Benefit).
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  4. Gross costs have been estimated by the Government Actuary's Department. Offsetting means-tested benefit savings have been estimated using the Department's Policy Simulation Model.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the extension of the Housing Benefit Verification Framework; and how the Government intends to achieve this extension, with particular reference to incentives or penalties for local authorities failing to(a) comply fully with the scheme or (b) commit themselves to a date. [130763]

  Angela Eagle
  We are working in partnership with local authorities in developing and implementing anti-fraud initiatives such as the Verification Framework. Local authorities are in a position to consider their specific needs and local circumstances before deciding when to take forward these initiatives.

  That said, we continue to encourage all local authorities to implement the Verification Framework. We have made £100 million available to enable all authorities to implement the Framework by 2001. In addition we have introduced changes that mean that authorities which are compliant with the Framework can claim additional subsidy under the Weekly Benefit Savings Scheme.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Great Britain, for each of the last two financial years, weekly benefit savings for(a) thresholds, (b) claimed savings, (c) amount of additional subsidy claimed and (d) amount of subsidy penalty applied. [130963]

  Angela Eagle
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April did not receive substantive answers, citing as the reasons commercial or other confidentiality. [131202]

  Mr. Rooker
  Of the 1,815 questions we received during this period, we were unable to give substantive answers to three questions where we cited the information was commercial in confidence and one answer where the information was confidential.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his reply of 10 July 2000,Official Report, column 389W, for what reason the Director of the Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate did not sign the reply of 4 July to the hon. Member for Walsall, North concerning a constituent; and why the letter gave no explanation of why the Director was unable to sign. [130658]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Director personally signs letters to right hon. and hon. Members unless he is unavailable, when a nominated deputy signs on his behalf.
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  The Director was out of the office on 4 July. I regret that, in his absence, the normal procedures were not followed in this particular case.

  In future additional guidance will be given to staff about who may sign letters received by Benefits Agency Directors from Members.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 619W, how many pensioners are in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee (a) in total and (b) in each parliamentary constituency, for each year for which figures are available. [131196]

  Mr. Rooker
  The total number of pensioners claiming Income Support has been reducing since 1988 as the following table shows.

  Minimum Income Guarantee claimants in Great Britain1

  Year

  Total

  2000

  1,604,200

  1999

  1,627,900

  1998

  1,650,500

  1997

  1,713,900

  1996

  1,763,640

  1995

  1,781,000

  1994

  1,764,600

  1993

  1,736,200

  1992

  1,643,100

  1991

  1,574,900

  1990

  1,674,700

  1989

  1,606,500

  1988

  1,719,300

  1 Before April 1999 this would have been expressed as Income Support

  Figures for parliamentary constituencies for the Minimum Income Guarantee which was introduced in April 1999 have been placed in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Low-income Countries
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for each low-income country, what proportion of total bilateral aid it received in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1999–2000; and what total amount of bilateral aid it received in 1996–97. [130862]

  Clare Short
  Data for 1999–2000 are not yet available. The tables show both Department for International Development bilateral expenditure and UK Gross Public Expenditure on Aid (GPEX) for 1996–97 and 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available. Low-income countries are defined as those with a 1995 GNP per capita of less than $766. The total figures include bilateral expenditure which cannot be attributed to individual countries, including for instance block grants and regional allocations.
  120W

  Bilateral aid to low-income countries 1996–97

  DFID

  GPEX

  £000

  %

  £000

  %

  Total all countries

  1,074,762

  —

  1,281,794

  —

  Of which low-income group countries

  Afghanistan

  8,544

  0.79

  9,444

  0.74

  Albania

  1,038

  1.10

  1,038

  0.08

  Angola

  9,787

  0.91

  9,787

  0.76

  Armenia

  1,122

  0.10

  1,122

  0.09

  Azerbaijan

  1,093

  0.10

  1,093

  0.09

  Bangladesh

  42,402

  3.95

  42,405

  3.31

  Benin

  29

  0.00

  29

  0.00

  Bhutan

  20

  0.00

  20

  0.00

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  727

  0.07

  752

  0.06

  Burkina Faso

  204

  0.02

  204

  0.02

  Burma

  314

  0.03

  319

  0.02

  Burundi

  1,560

  0.15

  1,560

  0.12

  Cambodia

  5,552

  0.52

  5,552

  0.43

  Cameroon

  2,205

  0.21

  2,205

  0.17

  Central African Republic

  21

  0.00

  26

  0.00

  Chad

  142

  0.01

  142

  0.01

  China

  31,701

  2.95

  31,701

  2.47

  Comoros

  17

  0.00

  17

  0.00

  Congo

  —

  —

  990

  0.08

  Democratic Republic of the Congo

  107

  0.01

  1,213

  0.09

  Cote d'Ivoire

  633

  0.06

  4,915

  0.38

  Equatorial Guinea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eritrea

  1,210

  0.11

  1,210

  0.09

  Ethiopia

  8,078

  0.75

  8,518

  0.66

  Gambia

  1,844

  0.17

  1,844

  0.14

  Georgia

  1,851

  0.17

  1,851

  0.14

  Ghana

  25,643

  2.39

  28,339

  2.21

  Guinea

  178

  0.02

  412

  0.03

  Guinea-Bissau

  6

  0.00

  6

  0.00

  Guyana

  5,382

  0.50

  7,036

  0.55

  Haiti

  10

  0.00

  10

  0.00

  Honduras

  1,077

  0.10

  7,395

  0.58

  India

  92,393

  8.60

  112,140

  8.75

  Kenya

  26,481

  2.46

  26,491

  2.07

  Kyrgyzstan

  923

  0.09

  935

  0.07

  Laos

  729

  0.07

  729

  0.06

  Liberia

  3,006

  0.28

  3,006

  0.23

  Madagascar

  399

  0.04

  601

  0.05

  Malawi

  33,555

  3.12

  44,877

  3.50

  Mali

  523

  0.05

  8,656

  0.68

  Mauritania

  18

  0.00

  293

  0.02

  Mongolia

  378

  0.04

  378

  0.03

  Mozambique

  22,035

  2.05

  26,447

  2.06

  Nepal

  15,371

  1.43

  15,373

  1.20

  Nicaragua

  1,193

  0.11

  1,193

  0.09

  Niger

  112

  0.01

  467

  0.04

  Nigeria

  7,642

  0.71

  7,642

  0.60

  Pakistan

  27,517

  2.56

  59,367

  4.63

  Rwanda

  9,676

  0.90

  9,676

  0.75

  Sao Tome and Principe

  12

  0.00

  12

  0.00

  Senegal

  577

  0.05

  764

  0.06

  Sierra Leone

  10,619

  0.99

  10,841

  0.85

  Somalia

  1,322

  0.12

  1,322

  0.10

  Sri Lanka

  7,364

  0.69

  19,937

  1.56

  Sudan

  4,534

  0.42

  4,534

  0.35

  Tajikistan

  4,301

  0.40

  4,301

  0.34

  Tanzania

  48,208

  4.49

  56,432

  4.40

  Togo

  311

  0.03

  617

  0.05

  Tuvalu

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Uganda

  42,976

  4.00

  49,095

  3.83

  Vietnam

  5,606

  0.52

  5,606

  0.44

  Yemen

  1,975

  0.18

  2,004

  0.16

  Zambia

  17,499

  1.63

  40,629

  3.17

  Zimbabwe

  11,126

  1.04

  21,103

  1.65

  Total to low-income group of countries

  550,878

  51

  706,623

  55

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  1998–99

  DFID

  GPEX

  £000

  %

  £000

  %

  Total all countries

  1,175,605

  —

  1,386,083

  —

  Of which low-income group countries

  Afghanistan

  4,123

  0.35

  4,123

  0.30

  Albania

  643

  0.05

  643

  0.05

  Angola

  4,550

  0.39

  4,550

  0.33

  Armenia

  551

  0.05

  551

  0.04

  Azerbaijan

  498

  0.04

  498

  0.04

  Bangladesh

  69,918

  5.95

  69,918

  5.04

  Benin

  88

  0.01

  88

  0.01

  Bhutan

  14

  0.00

  14

  0.00

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  2,599

  0.22

  2,599

  0.19

  Burkina Faso

  318

  0.03

  318

  0.02

  Burma

  795

  0.07

  795

  0.06

  Burundi

  324

  0.03

  324

  0.02

  Cambodia

  5,625

  0.48

  5,625

  0.41

  Cameroon

  1,888

  0.16

  3,588

  0.26

  Central African Republic

  —

  —

  5

  0.00

  Chad

  —

  —

  —

  —

  China

  39,540

  3.36

  39,541

  2.85

  Comoros

  18

  0.00

  18

  0.00

  Congo

  6

  0.00

  3,216

  0.23

  Democratic Republic of the Congo

  552

  0.05

  1,546

  0.11

  Cote d'Ivoire

  623

  0.05

  13,453

  0.97

  Equatorial Guinea

  0

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  Eritrea

  868

  0.07

  868

  0.06

  Ethiopia

  8,850

  0.75

  9,910

  0.71

  Gambia

  976

  0.08

  979

  0.07

  Georgia

  1,265

  0.11

  1,265

  0.09

  Ghana

  54,365

  4.62

  63,844

  4,61

  Guinea

  424

  0.04

  603

  0.04

  Guinea-Bissau

  8

  0.00

  8

  0.00

  Guyana

  5,777

  0.49

  22,893

  1.65

  Haiti

  59

  0.01

  59

  0.00

  Honduras

  2,611

  0.22

  3,382

  0.24

  India

  92,275

  7.85

  113,865

  8.21

  Kenya

  34,023

  2.89

  43,011

  3.10

  Kyrgyzstan

  442

  0.04

  458

  0.03

  Laos

  546

  0.05

  546

  0.04

  Liberia

  776

  0.07

  776

  0.06

  Madagascar

  410

  0.03

  612

  0.04

  Malawi

  47,265

  4.02

  52,395

  3.78

  Mali

  331

  0.03

  831

  0.06

  Mauritania

  2

  0.00

  429

  0.03

  Mongolia

  470

  0.04

  477

  0.03

  Mozambique

  26,401

  2.25

  29,158

  2.10

  Nepal

  17,209

  1.46

  17,209

  1.24

  Nicaragua

  1,996

  0.17

  1,996

  0.14

  Niger

  172

  0.01

  870

  0.06

  Nigeria

  11,053

  0.94

  11,053

  0.80

  Pakistan

  25,180

  2.14

  28,608

  2.06

  Rwanda

  13,776

  1.17

  13,776

  0.99

  Sao Tome and Principe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senegal

  454

  0.04

  616

  0.04

  Sierra Leone

  9,036

  0.77

  9,241

  0.67

  Somalia

  1,617

  0.14

  1,617

  0.12

  Sri Lanka

  7,831

  0.67

  7,831

  0.56

  Sudan

  24,416

  2.08

  24,416

  1.76

  Tajikistan

  732

  0.06

  1,440

  0.10

  Tanzania

  51,433

  4.38

  78,924

  5.69

  Togo

  124

  0.01

  1,204

  0.09

  Tuvalu

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Uganda

  52,621

  4.48

  64,307

  4.64

  Vietnam

  4,699

  0.40

  4,699

  0.34

  Yemen

  1,048

  0.09

  1,048

  0.08

  Zambia

  14,986

  1.27

  33,134

  2.39

  Zimbabwe

  16,597

  1.41

  29,391

  2.12

  Total to low-income group of countries

  665,797

  57

  829,162

  60

  Notes:

  1. Countries are classified using 1995 GNP per capita estimates

  2. Data for Tuvalu are not available as bilateral assistance to the Pacific is provided under a single regional programme.

  3. 1998–99 figures are the latest available data.
  122W
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what definition her Department uses for low-income countries in relation to its performance target set out in its Public Service Agreement. [130863]

  Clare Short
  The definition of low-income countries, used in the Public Service Agreement, is those with a GNP per capita in 1995 of less than US$766. There are 64 such countries and they are listed on pages 164–166 of the latest (1999) edition of "Statistics On International Development" (a copy of which is in the House Library). The definition was developed by the World bank.

  Aid Indicators
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of each of the indicators was in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1999–2000 for each of the targets listed in her Department's Public Service Agreement for the 30 largest recipients of British aid; and what action is being taken by her Department to increase progress towards achievement of the targets for each of the targets. [130962]

  Clare Short
  The level of each of the Public Service Agreement (PSA) indicators for the baseline year and for 1999–2000 are set out in Box g (items 1 to 3) of the Department for International Development's 2000 Departmental Report. Copies of the Departmental Report and the latest public drafts of the Target Strategy Papers which set out the action necessary to achieve the International Development Targets have been deposited in the House Library. The final Target Strategy Papers will be published over the next few months. A revised PSA for DFID, covering the years 2001–04 will be published shortly as Command Paper 4808.

  Nolan Rules
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list each group that is responsible to her Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it(a) is a company limited by guarantee, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131174]

  Clare Short
  The only body which meets these criteria is CDC Group plc. It is not a company limited by guarantee, nor is it a charity. CDC Group plc has a formal legal basis and was formerly a statutory corporation. On 8 December 1999 CDC was registered as a plc in accordance with, and by virtue of, the CDC Act 1999. CDC is presently wholly owned by Government. The Secretary of State for International Development holds the shares, less one which is held by the Treasury Solicitor. It is to these two members that CDC Group plc is responsible.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many written parliamentary questions were tabled to her Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April; and how many did not receive substantive answers citing disproportionate cost as the reason. [131200]
  123W
  Clare Short
  574 written parliamentary questions were tabled to my Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000. Of these, five were not answered substantively because of disproportionate cost.

  Nepal
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to assist the development of the economy of Nepal; and if she will make a statement. [129553]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The objectives of the UK's development programme to Nepal are set out in the Country Strategy Paper, published in November 1998 (a copy of which I am placing in the House of Commons Library). More recently we have been working with other Donors to help the Government implement its Reform Programme which was announced at the Development Forum meeting at Paris in April. This focuses on key areas such as macroeconomic stability and fiscal administration, creating an enabling environment for private sector development, financial sector reform, and better governance (including decentralisation, anti-corruption measures, and civil service reform).

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the UK's progress towards meeting the G7 commitment on debt relief. [131188]

  Clare Short
  So far, eight countries have qualified for debt relief under the enhanced HIPC Initiative, which is fewer than we had hoped. Some countries who could benefit from HIPC debt relief are involved in conflict, or have failed to demonstrate their commitment to tackling poverty. At the Spring Meetings of the World bank and IMF in April, the Government's proposal to establish a joint World bank/IMF committee to oversee the implementation process was agreed. The committee has begun its work and should provide a focus for efforts to meet the target set by the G7 at the Cologne meeting, that three quarters of eligible countries start to receive debt relief before the end of 2000.

  We have committed over $315 million to the Trust Fund established under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt Initiative to help the multilateral financial institutions fund their shares of HIPC costs. This is the largest contribution from any country. The figure includes our share of the substantial EC contribution for which we pressed; our contribution to the costs of the IMF delivering its HIPC debt relief is additional. We expect the whole of our commitment to be disbursed over the next three years.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the overseas visits(a) she and (b) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary will make during August and September. [131319]

  Clare Short
  I shall be going to Prague for 24 and 25 September for the World bank meetings. I have no other overseas visits planned for August and September though 124W
  I do intend to visit the west of Ireland for my holiday. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary has no overseas visits planned for August and September.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Diplock Court System
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the review into the future operation of the Diplock court system; and when he expects a report to be published. [130422]

  Mr. Ingram
  On 14 December 1999, during the Second Reading of the Terrorism Bill in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary announced that in parallel with the passage of the Bill the Government would conduct a review of the Diplock court arrangements. The Review Group has now completed its work and presented its report to the Secretary of State. The report was placed in the libraries at Westminster on 4 July and I enclose a copy for information.

  While the Government's overall objective remains a return to jury trial for all offences in Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State agrees with the Review Group's recommendation that the time is not yet right for such a move. The Review Group's report also addresses a number of detailed points in relation to the operation of the Diplock court and will be considered further by the Secretary of State.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Director of Public Prosecutions
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Solicitor-General when the Director of Public Prosecutions will publish his Annual Report. [131511]

  The Solicitor-General
  I can confirm that I have today placed copies of the Annual Report in the Libraries of the House.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement concerning the possible prosecution of Roisin McAliskey. [131514]

  The Solicitor-General
  Further to the statement of the Home Secretary on 10 March 1998,Official Report, column 133W, that he would not order the extradition of Roisin McAliskey to Germany, the Crown Prosecution Service, in accordance with this country's obligations under Article 7 of the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, has considered whether to prosecute Roisin McAliskey in this country for the offences allegedly committed in Germany in relation to the Osnabruk bombing of 28 June 1996.

  The test applied by the Crown Prosecution Service is the test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors that applies to all prosecution will be commenced or proceeded with only if there is sufficient evidence to afford a realistic prospect of conviction and that prosecution is in the public interest.
  125W
  The Crown Prosecution Service, having taken the advice of Senior Treasury Counsel, has concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of convicting Miss McAliskey for any offence arising out of the Osnabruk bombing. It has reached that conclusion having taken into account the available evidence and the likely result of any argument that may be put forward by Miss McAliskey that to prosecute her now would be an abuse of process.

  The Law Officers have been consulted and we agree with the conclusion reached by the Crown Prosecution Service.

  It is not usual for the Law Officers to make announcements concerning consideration of individual cases. In this instance, the Home Secretary, in a written reply, 20 March 1998, Official Report, column 742W, said that this matter would be considered for prosecution in the United Kingdom. It is right that the House should be informed of the outcome of those considerations.

WALES

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning facilitating access to further education colleges in Wales by(a) single parents, (b) the long-term unemployed and (c) others; and if he will make a statement. [125561]

  Mr. Hanson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the First Secretary on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues including education and training. I also have regular discussions with the Assembly Secretary for Post-16 Education and Training.

  The new arrangements for post-16 education and training in Wales will enable a coherent system between all providers of post-16 education and training, thereby increasing choice for all our people whatever their personal circumstances. It is envisaged that the new National Council for Education and Training for Wales (CETW) will fund a wide range of learner support measures that will enable more people to participate in training.

  The National Assembly provides Access Funds for students who experience financial difficulties while studying or who are prevented from entering further education because of financial reasons. Further Education Access Funds have been substantially increased from £0.5 million in 1998–99 to a total of £13.3 million over the period 1999–2000 to 2001–02.

  Police
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many police there were in Wales in(a) May 1997 and (b) July 2000. [130981]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Figures are not held centrally for the months specified. At 31 March 1997, there were 6,593 police officers in Wales, and at 30 September 1999 there were 6,692 police officers.

  Assembly (Information Exchange)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on information exchange between the United Kingdom and the Welsh Assembly. [131064]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom Government and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales published in October 1999 says in paragraph 9 that:
  the administrations will aim to provide each other with as full and open as possible access to scientific, technical and policy information including statistics and research and, where appropriate, representations from third parties.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions he has deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April. [131129]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Six papers were deposited in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled between 19 October and 20 April.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the efficiency and environmental standards of the Durga process for burning over-30-months scheme carcases. [129652]

  Ms Quin
  Durga were one of a number of companies contracted to provide incineration services following a competitive tender held by the Intervention Board during 1996. The company's contract required them to have all necessary planning and environmental consents in place prior to commencement of operations. Incineration services began in October 1997 and the company have operated under Environment Agency supervision successfully destroying over 43,000 OTMS carcases by the end of June 2000.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Interactive Voice Response
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many departmental telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by interactive voice response systems. [127404]

  Mr. Wills
  Within the Department for Education and Employment there are no departmental telephone lines used by the general public which are responded to by interactive voice systems.

  Lunchtime Exclusions
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what recent guidance his Department has issued on the exclusion of pupils at lunchtime; and if he will make a statement; [128125]
  127W
  (2) if he will make it his policy to monitor the number of fixed-term lunchtime exclusions; and if he will make a statement. [128126]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 3 July 2000]: My Department's guidance, Circular 10/99 "Social inclusion: Pupil Support", issued in July 1999, makes it clear that lunchtime exclusions are fixed period exclusions and as such are governed by the exclusion provisions in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This statutory framework protects the rights of pupils, parents and headteachers.

  We already collect data on all permanent and certain fixed period exclusions but collecting data on lunchtime exclusions would impose an unjustified additional burden on schools.

  Departmental Payments
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of correctly presented bills were paid by his Department in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 within 30 days of receipt of (i) goods and services, (ii) a valid invoice and (iii) other agreed payment terms. [130035]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 11 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 23 July 1999, Official Report, columns 677–78W.

  Departments and their Agencies are currently collating this information for 1999–2000 and this will be made available to the House shortly.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress his Department has made with the production of a resource pack for Holocaust Memorial Day; when the pack will be made available; and if he will make a statement. [130283]

  Jacqui Smith
  We are working with the Home Office and key organisations involved in Holocaust Education to develop the resource pack. It will comprise guidance and materials for schools, suggesting activities for teachers and pupils to follow, for example in classroom activities and assemblies, and it will be available in autumn this year.

  In June, we launched a teaching pack and guidelines to accompany the Anne Frank Declaration and to support primary and secondary school teachers in their work on Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy.

  Language Teaching
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to increase the teaching of a second language in primary and junior schools. [130286]

  Jacqui Smith
  Around a quarter of all primary schools already offer a second language. The revised National Curriculum, published last November, contains guidance for teaching 7 to 11-year olds, covering skills, knowledge and understanding. It also contains suggested attainment 128W
  targets. Furthermore, we have published a Scheme of Work for French aimed at this age group, and will add German and Spanish later this month.

  We are piloting approaches to extending language teaching in primary schools, through our Early Language Learning initiative, in which we are gathering good practice and providing classroom materials and a draft curriculum framework. We have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to consider the potential to extend this further in the longer term.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [130489]

  Mr. Wills
  Michael Bichard has made the following visits since 1 January 1999:

  13–14 January 1999—Germany

  18–19 February 1999—France

  4–5 November 1999—Netherlands

  25–26 November 1999—Finland

  29 February 2000—USA.

  In all cases the purpose was to exchange views on education and employment issues, including in the first three cases in the EU context.

  Home Education
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what grants are available to parents for educating their children at home. [130975]

  Jacqui Smith
  Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on parents to ensure that their children receive suitable full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. Some parents opt to educate their children at home. Although local education authorities are not required to provide financial help to home educating parents, some do provide support and assistance, including free National Curriculum material. Education authorities are also under a duty to monitor home education to ensure that the education a child receives is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational need they may have.

  Access to Work Grants
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has completed, commissioned or co-operated in which estimates the take-up of Access to Work grants in each of the last five years. [130755]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Andrew George, dated 18 July 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question regarding what research his Department has completed,

  129W
  commissioned or co-operated in which estimates the take up of Access to Work grants in each of the last five years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  The Employment Service commissioned independent research into Access to Work in 1996 and 1998. On both occasions the research focused on a wide range of issues within Access to Work including types of disability, age and gender of applicant, employment type, time taken to provide support and general satisfaction with the programme. Copies of both research reports have been placed in the libraries and their titles are; The Access to Work Programme - A Survey of Recipients, Employers, Employment Service Managers and Staff, the Social & Community Planning Research 1996; and Evaluation of Access to Work, the Institute for Employment Studies, 1998.
  Neither report was commissioned to look specifically into the take up and spend of the Access to Work programme but we do collect management information that gives us this information. The table shows you how many disabled people have been helped and how much has been spent through Access to Work between April 1995 and March 2000.

  Year

  Number of beneficiaries

  Total spend (£ million)

  1999–2000

  20,729

  24.3

  1998–99

  16,094

  19.5

  1997–98

  12,825

  14.6

  1996–97

  10,119

  12.5

  1995–96

  13,577

  19.9

  I hope this is helpful.

  Environment Taskforces
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people took up a job with an environmental taskforce under the New Deal during(a) 1999 and (b) the first half of 2000. [130544]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: During 1999, 18,000 young people took advantage of the work experience opportunities offered by the Environment Taskforce option of the New Deal for Young People. Latest available figures to April 2000, show that a further 5,800 young people have started this option.

  Higher Education Funding
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he has sent to the Greenaway report on Higher Education Funding. [130565]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Greenaway Report was commissioned by the Russell Group of Universities, not the Government. I understand that it has been passed to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, to form part of their wider inquiry into university funding. The Government are opposed to "top-up" tuition fees and have legislated to prevent universities from levying such charges.

  School Funding (Sheffield)
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been invested in total in Sheffield schools in the financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 to date; and if he will indicate the investment in each school. [131329]
  130W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  In 1999–2000, £205.3 million of revenue funding and £9.8 million of capital funding was available for use by Sheffield Local Education Authority. The corresponding figures for 2000–01 are £224.2 million of revenue funding and £10.6 million of capital funding. It is not possible to provide revenue and capital allocations for individual schools.

  Infant Class Sizes (Middlesbrough)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in reducing infant class sizes in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland East; and if he will make a statement. [131203]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are well on course to deliver our pledge to limit infant classes to 30 pupils. We have since January 1998 already reduced the number of children in infant classes of over 30 pupils by 300,000. £620 million is available to support the pledge, and allocations so far to Middlesbrough LEA amount to some £750,000. This has helped to reduce the size of the average Key Stage 1 class in Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East to 25.6. The figure in January 1998 was 26.8.

HEALTH

  NHS Estates Executive Agency
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000 for the NHS Estates Executive Agency. [131479]

  Mr. Denham
  We have received the report and copies have today been laid in accordance with the requirements of section 5 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Road Haulage Firms
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives have been taken by the Council of Ministers, or Commission of the European Community, concerning the desirability and practicality of requiring registration, under commonly agreed conditions, of road haulage firms within the Community licensed to carry goods on surface or sub-surface routes across the sea between the United Kingdom and other member states of the European Community, other than the Republic of Ireland. [128851]

  Mr. Hill
  A system of registration already exists. Since the entry into force of Council Regulation (EEC) 881–92 on 1 January 1993, hauliers seeking to operate internationally within the Community must be in possession of a Community Authorisation certificate as issued by the licensing authorities in the country in which they are established. This applies to heavy goods vehicle traffic to and from the Irish Republic as well as to haulage operations on mainland Europe.

  UK/US Air Services
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in the negotiations between the UK and the US authorities on air service agreements. [129440]

  Mr. Mullin
  A further round of talks took place in Washington on 5–6 July. The discussions were constructive and covered a wide range of issues, including ideas for phasing-in liberalisation. Negotiations will resume again in London in September.

  Housing
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the HOMES scheme and similar mobility schemes for social housing tenants; and if he will make a statement. [130233]

  Mr. Mullin
  The activities of HOMES are monitored on an ongoing basis by the DETR. In particular through a requirement on HOMES to agree annual objectives with the Department; to report on their achievement of objectives; and to submit a three year business plan. The level of grant funding DETR provides to HOMES is subject to effective implementation of the plan. The Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all" sets out the Government's proposals to promote lettings and transfers policies that offer more choice for existing and prospective tenants of social housing. The role and effectiveness of mobility schemes will be an important consideration. The Government will consider responses to the Green Paper and would wish to discuss any proposals with key interested parties.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he plans to take to meet the commitment in the Housing Green Paper to strengthen the obligation on registered social landlords to co-operate with local authorities in offering accommodation to households on local authority housing registers; and if he will make a statement; [130239]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the obligation on registered social landlords to co-operate with local authorities in the provision of accommodation to households on local authority housing registers; and if he will make a statement. [130238]

  Mr. Mullin
  Statutory guidance issued by the Housing Corporation requires registered social landlords (RSLs) to make available at least of 50 per cent. of their lettings to local authority nominees from the housing register, in order to comply with the duty of co-operation placed on RSLs under section 170 of the Housing Act 1996. Under current arrangements, RSLs with more than 250 units of accommodation or 250 bed spaces are required to provide comprehensive data about households and properties in respect of all their lettings. The Housing Green Paper states that the Government will be reviewing—with a view to strengthening—the current obligation on RSLs to co-operate with local authorities in offering accommodation to people on authorities' housing registers. The Government will consider responses to the Green Paper before deciding how to take this forward, and would wish to discuss 132W
  any proposals with representatives of local government, the Housing Corporation, the National Housing Federation and others before introducing any changes.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow social housing tenants to move across local authority boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [130234]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", sets out the Government's proposals for increasing choice in social lettings. As part of these proposals, we are interested in exploring the scope for promoting greater flexibility and more movement across local authority boundaries, and will consider responses to the Green Paper before deciding whether to develop this further. We would wish to discuss any proposals with representatives of local government, Shelter and others before taking them forward.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a standardised monitoring system for the letting of social housing stock by registered social landlords and local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [130236]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", sets out the Government's proposals for increasing choice in social lettings. In taking these proposals forward we will wish to consider the arrangements for monitoring lettings by social landlords.

  Homelessness
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of stock transfer on the availability of social housing for homeless people; [130235]

  (2) what account will be taken of the need to provide housing for homeless people in the proposed selection criteria set out in the Housing Green Paper for applications for stock transfer. [130237]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government consider that stock transfer is an important way of improving the quality and availability of affordable social housing. The proposed selection criteria do not explicitly address the issue of homelessness because, following the transfer of their housing stock, local housing authorities retain their obligations towards homeless households under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. They must also continue to keep a register of applicants who qualify for the allocation of accommodation. To ensure they have access to accommodation to enable them to discharge their housing functions, authorities generally negotiate nomination rights with the transfer landlord of between 50 per cent. and 75 per cent. of the transferred stock.

  Brownfield Development
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his latest assessment is of the availability of brownfield land suitable for housing purposes in urban centres. [130218]
  133W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Estimates for 1998 of the amount of previously developed land that is unused or may be available for redevelopment, including how much may be suitable for housing, are published on the National Land Use Database website (www.nlud.org.uk). Figures are available for England and the Government Office Regions. Figures for local authority districts show amounts of previously developed land with planning allocation or permission for housing. There are no estimates for "urban centres".

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his targets are for the percentage of new homes in Shrewsbury and Atcham to be built on brownfield sites. [131148]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Secretary of State expects Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council to contribute towards the regional target of 61 per cent. contained in Regional Planning Guidance for the West Midlands (RPG 11: April 1998). Local authorities are required to set their own land recycling targets in development plans which will contribute to attaining the regional target. It is understood that in its review of the local plan the borough council proposes to exceed the regional target. The Government's Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (March 2000) confirms the national target of 60 per cent. of additional housing on previously developed land and requires local authorities to give priority to the re-use of such land within urban areas in allocating sites for housing in development plans.

  Crown Exemption
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to remove Crown exemption from the planning system. [130680]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Crown exemption will be removed from the planning system when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

  Hedge Control
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make a decision on the control of Leylandii and other hedges. [130631]

  Mr. Mullin
  We expect to make a statement, setting out our decision on the way forward on this issue and the reason for them, before the summer recess.

  Housing Projections (Suffolk)
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new homes are currently projected to be built in(a) St. Edmondsbury Borough Council and (b) Mid-Suffolk District Council area between 2000–01 and 2015–16; and what corresponding projections were used by his Department in 1997–1998. [130739]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The adopted Suffolk Structure Plan provides for 540 dwellings per annum for St. Edmundsbury and 420 dwellings for Mid Suffolk over the period from 1998 to 2006. These totals are relevant to both 1997–98 and 2000–01. The structure plan is currently under review and the totals for 2006–16 will 134W
  be determined as a result of Suffolk County Council's consideration of the appropriate level of housing in the county.

  A14 (Road Accidents)
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) fatal and (b) non-fatal road accidents were recorded as taking place on the A14 between Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98, (iii) 1998–99 and (iv) 1999–2000. [130740]

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

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Fatal

  0

  1

  2

  4

  Serious

  7

  10

  2

  4

  Slight

  20

  22

  19

  19

  Injured

  27

  32

  21

  23

  Total

  27

  33

  23

  27

  Official Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [130490]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Sir Richard Mottram has made one overseas visit on official business. He attended the 49th Königswinter conference in Düsseldorf from 18 to 20 March 1999.

  Zoos
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many zoos within the UK use(a) electric goads and (b) other weapons to discipline animals; and if he will make a statement. [130486]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Responsibility for the licensing of zoos under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 rests with local authorities. Inspectors, appointed by the Secretary of State, assist local authorities in reaching their decisions.

  Statutory guidance to inspectors is given in the "Revised Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice", which came into effect on 3 April 2000. The revised Standards require that handling must be done with care in order to protect an animal's well being, and avoid unnecessary discomfort, stress or physical harm. Appendix 7 further advises that training methods should be based on positive reinforcement and that if negative reinforcement is used, it must never compromise the welfare of the animal.

  Assured Tenancies
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the law relating to assured tenancies; and if he will make a statement. [130827]

  Mr. Mullin
  We remain firmly committed to the current legal framework of assured and assured shorthold tenancies. Certainty and confidence are essential if we are to persuade reputable landlords and investors to increase the supply of decent rented housing.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received a request to provide Private Finance Initiative credits for community and leisure use aspects of an educational Private Finance Initiative programme in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; what amount of Private Finance Initiative credits was involved; and when a decision was given to the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne authorities. [130825]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The first contact with Newcastle City Council about this proposal was in August 1999. A formal outline business case was submitted in February 2000 and supporting information provided on 31 May 2000. This was assessed in preparation for the July endorsement round. Newcastle City Council was informed of the outcome of that assessment on 14 July. Details of the sums involved are a matter for the local authorities.

  Regional Offices
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost to public funds in the most recent financial year of the administration of the Yorkshire and Humberside Government Regional Office. [131249]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Running costs for the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber are as follows:

  £000

  1999–2000

  Pay

  5,911.0

  Accommodation

  1,227.0

  Other

  1,749.9

  Total

  8,887.9

  Notes:

  Running costs allocations do not include any provision for pay rises. Therefore any increases in costs have to be met by efficiency savings which usually run at around 3 per cent. per year. Any additional funds provided by Departments are only given for new areas of work.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total cost to public funds from inception to the latest available date of administering the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Development Agency. [131309]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Yorkshire Forward (Yorkshire and Humber Regional Development Agency) came into 136W
  existence on 14 December 1998 and became fully operational when it was designated on 1 April 1999. Administration costs were as follows:

  £000

  11998–99

  1999–2000

  Salaries and wages

  144

  5,645

  Other administration costs

  342

  26,692

  Total

  486

  12,337

  1 From 14 December 1998 to 31 March 1999

  2 Includes initial setting up/office costs

  Note:

  The administrative resource allocation for 2000–01 is £8.525 million.

  Further information is available in Yorkshire Forward's Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000 which will be available as a public document, after it has been laid before Parliament before the summer recess.

  Red Ensign
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the Red Ensign is flown from public buildings to mark Merchant Navy Day on 3 September. [130559]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will fly the Red Ensign from its headquarter buildings on Merchant Navy Day. The day will be marked by special events to celebrate our merchant navy and to highlight the opportunities of a merchant navy career.

  Aggregates
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the Quarry Products Association's proposed preferential scheme for aggregates from quarry operators meeting defined environmental criteria. [131092]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning held a number of discussions with my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the Quarry Products Association's proposals for a voluntary alternative to a levy on primary aggregates, including their scheme for preferential procurement of aggregate by the public sector.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the green purchasing commitments set out in the document entitled, "Building a better quality of life—a strategy for more sustainable construction". [131093]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In "Building a better quality of life—a strategy for more sustainable construction", which I launched during National Construction Week this year, we recognised the Government's responsibilities, as the industry's leading client, to set an example in the sustainable procurement, maintenance and operation of its built assets.

  On 10 July my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning launched the sustainability action plan of the Government Construction Clients' Panel—"Achieving sustainability in construction procurement". The plan's framework is based upon the 10 themes for action from

  137W
  "Building a better quality of life". It supports other cross-government initiatives such as "Achieving Excellence", sets milestones, and outlines a collective programme for implementation. The plan also commits Departments, agencies and NDPBs to assess their current situation, and develop their own action plans (or update existing plans). These would be in line with overall objectives, but specific to individual Departments' activities. The Local Government Task Force is developing a similar approach for local authorities to apply to their construction procurement.

  Disabled Drivers
  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many disabled drivers are awaiting an on-road assessment; how many have been waiting since November 1998; and when he will amend the regulations to allow the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre to authorise applicants to drive for one day for the purposes of assessing whether they are fit to resume driving. [130562]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: There are currently 51 drivers awaiting on-road assessments. Of these, three have been waiting since November 1998. The process of amending the regulations is at an advanced stage and we hope to implement the changes later this year.

  Planning Consultations
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations have been received to the consultations initiated by GOSE on PPG3 and RP69; how many of these were(a) on the official response form and (b) in other forms; and what weight was given to each such type of response. [131320]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department consulted on PPG3 last year and received 620 responses, of which the majority were supportive. Final PPG3 was published in March of this year. The Government Office for the South East led the consultation on draft RPG9 this year and have received 922 responses, all of which are being considered very carefully irrespective of the form in which they were made.

  Car Registrations
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new motor cars were registered at the DVLA in each month from January 1999 to May 2000 using(a) the DVLA form V55/1 and (b) the DVLA form V55/5. [131323]

  Mr. Hill
  Figures for the first registration of new motor cars categorised by the type of application form used are not readily available. Vehicles registered on form V55/1 include all types of new vehicles. Vehicles first registered on form V55/5 include vehicles that are not new. Many new vehicles are registered by motor dealers using an electronic system, known as AFRL (automated first registration and licensing). These cases do not use a paper form, but would have used the V55/1 form if they had not been processed through the AFRL system. The table 138W
  shows the number of registrations recorded at DVLA for all vehicles by type of form and the number of AFRL registrations.

  V55/1

  V55/5

  AFRL

  Total

  1999

  January

  101,150

  12,372

  74,529

  188,051

  February

  93,006

  14,491

  60,777

  168,274

  March

  173,928

  20,944

  155,647

  350,519

  April

  152,052

  16,718

  82,752

  251,522

  May

  126,939

  17,233

  80,145

  224,317

  June

  128,049

  21,522

  96,530

  246,101

  July

  124,793

  20,949

  88,202

  233,944

  August

  89,761

  18,399

  67,083

  175,243

  September

  141,313

  22,529

  216,339

  380,181

  October

  117,483

  20,060

  89,033

  226,576

  November

  77,856

  19,203

  98,825

  195,884

  December

  58,932

  14,655

  59,886

  133,473

  2000

  January

  68,161

  17,654

  127,551

  213,366

  February

  55,847

  18,768

  90,775

  165,390

  March

  118,404

  26,142

  259,478

  404,042

  April

  82,651

  19,657

  121,685

  223,993

  May

  80,401

  23,166

  151,256

  254,823

  Declaration of Interest
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he made a declaration in relation to the Rail and Maritime Transport Union of his interest in accordance with paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code, at the meeting he held with the Department of Trade and Industry and unions to discuss ship building on 13 July. [131194]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  No declaration was made as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no private interest in the business discussed.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April which requested information pursuant to previous answers. [131125]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  For the period in question, 48 parliamentary questions were tabled to my Department which requested information pursuant to previous answers out of a total of 2,865 questions.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 567W, what proportion of (a) all mortgages and (b) the total value of mortgages, were new mortgages on (i) fixed, (ii) discounted variable and (iii) other variable rates in each year from 1994 to 1998. [131325]

  Mr. Mullin
  The proportion of new mortgages that were fixed rate, discounted variable rate and other variable rate is provided in the table.
  139W

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Percentage of new mortgages by number

  Fixed

  49.4

  30.7

  20.5

  41.2

  49.9

  Discounted variable

  28.5

  49.1

  47.2

  30.3

  28.8

  Other variable

  22.2

  20.2

  32.3

  28.4

  21.3

  Percentage of new mortgages by value

  Fixed

  51.5

  33.8

  18.2

  45.4

  53.1

  Discounted variable

  26.0

  45.3

  47.9

  27.2

  26.0

  Other variable

  22.5

  20.9

  33.9

  27.4

  20.9

  Note:

  Figures may not sum to 100.0 due to rounding

  Source:

  DETR 5 per cent. Survey of Mortgage Lenders

  Most fixed rate mortgages will revert to variable rate mortgages after an agreed period of anything from six months up to 10 years.

  House Prices
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the average house prices in(a) South East England, (b) London, (c) North East England and (d) the West Midlands, in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997, (iv) 1998 and (v) 1999. [131065]

  Mr. Mullin
  The figures for average house prices are as follows:

  £

  South East

  London

  North East

  West Midlands

  1995

  83,030

  89,528

  46,565

  62,123

  1996

  87,644

  94,065

  51,009

  64,320

  1997

  94,842

  105,819

  52,824

  67,803

  1998

  106,378

  114,760

  55,957

  71,864

  1999

  121,654

  142,321

  61,620

  79,757

  Source:

  DETR five per cent. survey of mortgage lenders

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet Mr. Scott Ritter to discuss progress made on the disarmament of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [129556]

  Mr. Hain
  The responsibility for ensuring the destruction of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capability lies with the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Monitoring Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We are in close touch with both organisations. I shall be discussing this important issue with the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC, Dr. Hans Blix, on 27 July.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British companies are listed in United Nations reports of inspection visits to Iraq since 1991 as having provided technology used in the Iraqi programmes of weapons of mass destruction. [130851]
  140W
  Mr. Hain
  It is not our practice to comment on information that was given to us in confidence by the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM). In any case, UNSCOM did not share information from inspection reports with the UK except when seeking our help to follow up that information.

  Copies of UNSCOM's reports to the UN Security Council are held in the Libraries of the House.

  Germany
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of bilateral relations between the UK and Germany; and if he will make a statement. [129557]

  Mr. Vaz
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said at this year's Königswinter Conference our relations with Germany are as excellent as any bilateral relations can be. Three weeks ago my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited the German Chancellor in Berlin, and just this morning my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the German Foreign Minister to discuss a range of EU issues where we have many important common interests. I invited the German Minister for Europe Herr Christoph Zopel to London on 14–15 April and I visited him in Berlin in March.

  Italy
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about recent progress in strengthening British-Italian bilateral relations. [R] [129559]

  Mr. Vaz
  British-Italian relations are strong both in bilateral and the EU and NATO contexts. President Ciampi visited Britain for a brief visit on 1 June when he attended a lunch hosted by HM the Queen and Prince Philip. During the visit my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.

  Her Majesty the Queen will make a State Visit to Italy 16–19 October, visiting Rome and Milan.

  International Criminal Court
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in establishing the International Criminal Court. [129560]

  Mr. Hain
  To date the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court has been signed by 97 States and ratified by fourteen. The Court will be established once 60 states ratify. A Preparatory Commission completed two important subsidiary documents to the Statute at its last session in June.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress being made by UNMIK in Kosovo. [129562]

  Mr. Vaz
  UNMIK has made significant progress in the last year. Over one million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned, the KLA has
  141W
  demilitarised, schools and hospitals have reopened, a functioning judiciary is being established, houses are being reconstructed, joint administrative structures have been set up and over 800,000 people have registered for the forthcoming local elections. The UK has played an important part in pushing all this forward. But I do not want to minimise the difficulties we still face in restoring normal economic life in Kosovo and bringing about ethnic reconciliation. It will take time but we are determined to get the job done.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the municipal elections in Kosovo to take place. [130660]

  Mr. Vaz
  UNMIK have confirmed that municipal elections in Kosovo will be held during this coming October. An exact date in October has not been decided.

  Middle East
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Middle East peace process. [129563]

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the Middle East peace process. [129571]

  Mr. Hain
  The Middle East could soon see further steps towards lasting peace. The summit between the Israelis and Palestinians called by President Clinton at Camp David is a crucial event in the search for Permanent Status Agreement. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister saw Ehud Barak on 3 July and sent a message to President Arafat on the eve of the summit. We wish both parties and President Clinton every success in making progress in the talks.

  On the Syrian track, we welcome statements by the new Syrian Government that they are keen to restart negotiations with Israel. We hope that this can happen as soon as possible.

  We welcome UN confirmation of Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. This too is an important step towards a comprehensive peace in the region.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's relations with Yugoslavia. [129564]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia broke off diplomatic relations with the UK on 25 March 1999. Since then relations have been conducted through the British Interests Section of the Brazilian Embassy in Belgrade and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Interests Section of the Cypriot High Commission in London.

  Syria
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the President of Syria; and if he will make a statement. [129565]
  142W
  Mr. Hain
  I met Bashir al-Asad during my visit to Syria in May. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met him at the condolence ceremony for his father on 13 June. We look forward to continuing our dialogue soon, both to improve bilateral relations and as part of our continuing support for all parties seeking a comprehensive peace in the region.

  Drugs Trade
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts abroad on tackling the international illegal drugs trade. [129567]

  Mr. Battle
  I take every opportunity to discuss, with our counterparts, the UK's international activities to combat the trade in illicit drugs. We take the lead in co-ordinating and prioritising such activities across Government in close co-operation with the UK anti-drugs co-ordinator Keith Hellawell. The UK plays an active role in international forums dealing with the threat posed by illicit drugs, including in the UN G8 and EU. Last year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent over £6.5 million on international counter-drugs activities.

  Single Currency
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on progress towards joining the European single currency. [129568]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary meets Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues. The Government's policy towards the single currency has not changed and will not change. We will only recommend joining a successful single currency if it is in our national economic interest to do so, and if the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous. The Treasury will make another assessment of the five economic tests early in the next Parliament.

  Colombia
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government propose to take to support the Colombian peace process following the conference in Madrid on 6 and 7 July on Plan Colombia. [129569]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Mr. Goggins) on 18 July 2000,Official Report, columns 210–11.

  Luxembourg
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent bilateral contacts with Luxembourg. [129570]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held bilateral talks with the Luxembourg Foreign Minister in September 1999. In the last six months there have been bilateral meetings with the Luxembourg Prime Minister
  143W
  and the Ministers of Budget, Justice and Social Affairs. These contacts form part of our Step Change initiative to increase contacts with our EU partners.

  Brigadier Saunders
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of Brigadier Saunders in Greece. [129572]

  Mr. Battle
  Since the incident Her Majesty's Government has been in close contact with the Greek authorities at the highest level. At their request, a team of specialists from the Metropolitan police flew to Athens on the day of the murder. They are still there, working closely with the Greek police. The House must understand that the operational aspects must remain confidential. However, we remain committed, as do the Greek Government, to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

  Fiji
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with the administration in Fiji. [129574]

  Mr. Battle
  We have kept in close touch with the Fijian authorities since the beginning of the current crisis. On 23 May my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke personally to the then President Mara to assure him of our support for a peaceful negotiated solution to the hostage situation. Our High Commission in Suva have been in constant touch with the Fijian authorities since then. In parallel we are keeping in close touch with the Commonwealth Secretariat and with key international partners over a coordinated response to the latest interim administration, announced on 18 July.

  Angola
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Angola to assess the situation there. [129575]

  Mr. Hain
  I visited Angola from 4–6 July when I met President Dos Santos and other senior members of the Angolan Government. I also met representatives of the opposition including UNITA and representatives of the Aid Agencies, Civil Society and the Church. I visited a refugee camp at Huambo and signed a UK/Angola Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services and an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

  Departmental Presentation
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of procedures for informing the public about his Department's policies. [129576]

  Mr. Hain
  Members of the public may access information on Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy via the Foreign and Commonwealth website—http://www.fco.gov.uk—which includes an archive of ministerial policy speeches dating back to May 1997 and other key policy statements and documents. "Briefing Papers" are published on topical areas of foreign policy 144W
  and the "Key Foreign Policy Issues" section includes detailed contributions from many Departments on specific policy work, for example "Britain and the EU", "Human Rights in Foreign Policy", "UK and the United Nations" and "UK and the Commonwealth".

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website is one of the most heavily accessed sites in Whitehall, with around 350,000 page impressions to the site per week. The majority of visitors to the website are from the UK. The "Britain and the EU" home page has been accessed over 8,800 times since the beginning of June. Users may also register their personal foreign policy interests with the website and receive notification by e-mail of the latest news updates. To date, 12,500 UK-based users have registered their interest this way.

  As part of the London String of Pearls Millennium Festival, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is open to the public every Tuesday between 9 May and 25 July. In addition to viewing the Foreign and Commonwealth Office historic rooms, an average of 3,000 visitors per week have seen displays on the Foreign and Commonwealth's work in particular areas, such as Europe, International Security, Global Issues and the Americas. Feedback from the visitors has been very positive.

  Diplomatic Bags
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of new technology on the use of the diplomatic bag. [129577]

  Mr. Battle
  Frequency of bag service has reduced marginally over the last 4 years by 1 per cent. week per post.

  Volume of material for the years 1997–99 has remained within 0.1 per cent.

  World Service
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has held with ministerial colleagues to discuss funding for the BBC World Service; and if he will make a statement. [129578]

  Mr. Hain
  There have been numerous contacts between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other ministerial colleagues in the context of the current Spending Review. We have presented a strong case for increased funding for the BBC World Service, as for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a whole.

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism exists for his Department to receive reports from Lord Levy when he is acting as the Prime Minister's personal envoy on foreign affairs. [129566]

  Mr. Hain
  Lord Levy's visits are reported to my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, in person by Lord Levy, and by telegram from the Ambassador in the country concerned.

  India
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian Government about upholding the rule of law for social and religious minority groups in India. [129573]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns over incidents of religious intolerance with the Indian Home Minister, L. K. Advani, during talks in London in June and with Indian Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, during his visit to India in April.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards India's claim to a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. [131110]

  Mr. Hain
  Our policy is for each regional group to recommend who should occupy any permanent seat allocated to them in an enlarged Security Council. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated this point when he visited India earlier this year. India would clearly be a contender for any eventual Asian Group seat.

  Afghanistan
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application for an export licence for mine-clearance equipment to Afghanistan. [131317]

  Mr. Hain
  Following consultations with this Department and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently issued a licence for the export of mine clearance equipment for the use by the HALO Trust to aid their demining activities in Afghanistan. This licence was granted for humanitarian purposes. This decision does not affect the Government's continued support for the EU Common Position on arms exports to Afghanistan.

  British Indian Ocean Territory
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on policy towards the British Indian Ocean Territory. [131318]

  Mr. Battle
  The territory's immigration laws and policy are currently the subject of an action in the High Court. We are aware that some of the Ilois community have expressed an interest in returning to settle on the outer islands of the archipelago. We have been studying the feasibility of settlement on the outer islands, which have been uninhabited for 30 years, and the potential environmental impact. This work is not complete and we will continue it.

  Recently we have sponsored a group of Ilois to visit the outer islands to see conditions there for themselves.

  We shall maintain our sovereignty over the BIOT for as long as our treaty obligations require it. Thereafter, we stand by the undertaking we have made that we would cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius.

  Lebanon
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department 146W
  has discussed for development aid to Lebanon for reconstruction in Southern Lebanon with (a) the Lebanese Government, (b) other EU member states and (c) the EU' s High Representative, Sr. Javier Solana. [130426]

  Mr. Hain
  We have discussed proposals for development aid for southern Lebanon with the Lebanese Government, with other EU member states in regular meetings of the relevant EU working groups, and with the European Union Special Envoy, Miguel Moratinos. These proposals focus on the rehabilitation of southern Lebanon into the infrastructure of Lebanon and the effective disbursement of international aid to the area.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department has discussed for resolving the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon with(a) the Lebanese Government and (b) other EU member states. [130427]

  Mr. Hain
  The issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is part of the wider permanent status negotiations between the Israeli Government and the PLO. We support for all Palestinian refugees the implementation of UNGA Resolution 194 through negotiation and agreement between the parties. We discuss this issue regularly with the Lebanese Government, as host country of this refugee group, and wither other EU member states, as well as with Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

  Indonesia
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the level of violence in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement. [131191]

  Mr. Battle
  We receive regular reports on Indonesia from our Embassy, NGOs and others. We are particularly concerned by the sharp escalation of violence in Maluku, and the extensive loss of life and serious injury. I discussed this with the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July and the Head of the Diplomatic Service raised our concerns directly with President Wahid on 4 July. There is an urgent need to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis. We are working closely with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish mechanisms for managing the international humanitarian response. The UNDP has recently despatched three teams to Maluku to assess current needs.

  Helsinki Final Act
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Government intend to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act; and if he will make a statement. [130665]

  Mr. Vaz
  To mark the 25th Anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE will host a Commemorative Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 19 July to which leading academic and NGO representatives (and others) have been invited. Her Majesty's Government will be represented by an FCO official, who has published a history of the negotiations leading up to the signing of the Act on 1 August 1975.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice has been given to applicant countries with EU candidacy status about the need to have institutions charged with promoting awareness about equal opportunities which are empowered to seek aid and assistance and to enforce rights consistent with European Union norms; and if he will make a statement. [130661]

  Mr. Vaz
  Before negotiations for accession can begin, the EU requires that applicant states achieve stability of institutions guaranteeing human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.

  Article 13 of the Treaty of Rome requires member states to take action on discrimination whether based on sex, racial origin, religious belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The issue of discrimination is a prominent part of the Social Policy and Employment acquis of the EU. Applicant states are expected to implement the acquis and treaty obligations by accession. The Commission monitors applicant states implementation of these requirements in its annual progress reports and makes specific recommendations to each applicant.

  The EU currently operates a programme on equal opportunities for men and women. This programme is open to all applicant states and has a budget of 30 million euro. The Community is to adopt an action programme to combat discrimination based on race, sex, religious belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. This programme will be open to applicant states. It will have a budget of 98 million euro. The programme objectives include improving the understanding of discrimination and developing the capacity of applicant states to address it.

  Separately, the Home Office meets regularly with Government officials from applicant states to discuss race equality matters. This includes advice on the function of the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department is having with(a) other Government Departments, (b) the Government of Gibraltar, (c) trade unions in Gibraltar and (d) representatives of the maritime industry operating in Gibraltar, prior to the United Kingdom formulating its response to the proposals about the future of competition in European ports outlined by the Commissioner for Energy and Transport; and if he will make a statement. [130859]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Commission have not yet made any concrete proposals on this subject and we do not expect them to do so until the end of the year. There will be full consultation with interested parties once these proposals emerge.

  British Council
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which country directorates in the British Council will be assessed for closure over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [131255]
  148W
  Mr. Hain
  The British Council is conducting a strategic review to ensure the sustainability of its overseas network and maximise the impact of its work, for example by taking full advantage of new information technology. This review may recommend reallocation of resources to the new priorities and the closure of some country directorates on the basis of their relative importance to the UK. As yet no decisions have been taken; my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be consulted over any closures.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 10 and 11 July; and if he will make a statement. [130428]

  Mr. Vaz
  The General Affairs Council in Brussels on 10 July adopted the A points in document 10051/00 and noted the resolutions, decisions, and opinions adopted by the European Parliament at its part-session in Strasbourg listed in document 8849/00. Copies of these documents will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  Western Balkans

  The Council held an open debate on the Western Balkans, but also discussed it as a formal agenda item, and adopted conclusions.

  The Council confirmed the EU's intention to hold a summit between the EU and the Western Balkans this autumn. This will confirm that these countries are bound to Europe, will clarify the reciprocal commitments between them and the EU, and will reiterate that the door will also be open to a democratic FRY.

  The Council noted with great concern the revision of the FRY constitution. The Council reiterated its support for the democratically elected authorities in Montenegro and urged them not to yield to provocation from Belgrade.

  The Council extended the suspension of the ban on flights between the territories of the European Community and the FRY until 31 March 2001, and welcomed the Commission's intention to increase the number of companies on the financial sanctions "white list".

  Follow-up to Feira

  The Presidency announced its work programme for the various items following up the Feira European Council, notably on enlargement and European defence.

  Ministers agreed that continued work on the latter should be a priority for the French Presidency, and took note of Presidency papers outlining future work on permanent structures within the EU; EU/NATO working groups; and elaboration of the headline goal for military capabilities. They looked forward to the Capabilities Commitment Conference in November, which would represent an important measure of progress on enhancing military capabilities; and also to continued work on the relationship between the EU and the six European members of NATO outside the EU.

  Russia

  The Council adopted conclusions on Russia which underline the importance of the Common Strategy in developing a strategic partnership with Russia; orient the work plan on the Common Strategy towards institutional/

  149W
  economic reform, democratization, and the strengthening of civil society and the independent media; and urge the Commission to resume preparation of the TAXIS indicative programme for 2000–03 and to propose a targeted action plan for 2000. The Council emphasized that a long-term relationship with Russia must be based on common values, that it remained concerned by the situation in Chechnya, and that it would remain vigilant to ensure that Russia respected its commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

  Zimbabwe

  The Council agreed Conclusions on the recent elections in Zimbabwe. These call on the Zimbabwean Government to take steps to bring those responsible for the pre-election violence to justice; to tackle urgently Zimbabwe's economic and social problems; and to work for a rapid solution to the problem of land reform on the basis of the principles of the 1998 Land Conference.

  Bananas

  The Council invited the Commission to examine the possibility of a quota-based regime based on the "first-come first-served" licensing system. It also asked the Commission, once it had done this, to report back on possible solutions, including a tariff-only regime and its implications. The Council highlighted its desire to reach a solution as quickly as possible, having regard to WTO rules, the interests of Community procedures and the commitments of the Union to the ACP, especially the most vulnerable.

  Institute for European-Latin American Relations

  Under Any Other Business, the Council supported a Spanish proposal to create a working party to seek a solution to IRELA's financial difficulties.

  Inter-governmental Conference

  Ministers held a general exchange of views with the EP President Fontaine and Commission President Prodi, following which the Presidency set out its work programme for the next six months.

  The Council was followed by Association Councils with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the National Lottery Commission concerning the Lottery Operator's policy on withdrawing Lottery contracts from post offices which do not meet sales targets. [129660]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: None. Decisions on the locations of terminals are a matter for the operator of the National Lottery, subject to the minimum requirements set out in the licence.

  Tennis
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Government's support for young tennis players in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom. [129917]
  150W
  Kate Hoey
  Government support for tennis in Scotland is channelled through SportScotland, who have provided the following information.

  Funding is available to tennis through the Lottery, one of whose priorities is young people. Lottery funding for tennis facilities has been made to 312 projects, worth a total of £2,324,802. In addition Lottery funding has been made to young tennis players under the Talented Athletes Programme to the value of £56,015 in 1999–2000. Over the same period the estimated value of the tennis element of local authority junior groups programme is in the region of £20,000. £12,000 was provided under the UK World Class Performance Programme to assist talented young tennis players.

  SportScotland has provided £64,000 Exchequer funding to the Scottish Lawn Tennis Association in 2000–01.

  Junior tennis is eligible for funding from Sportsmatch, the Government's sports sponsorship incentive scheme.

  Sportsmatch in Scotland has made 25 awards worth a total of £86,304 since its inception in 1992, to grass roots and junior tennis projects.

  In addition, Government support for young tennis players in the rest of the United Kingdom, is set out.

  England

  Sportsmatch in England has made 194 awards worth a total of £1.15 million since its inception in 1992, to grass roots and junior tennis projects.

  Funding is also available to tennis through the Lottery Sports Fund, one of whose priorities is young people. The Fund has made 473 awards to tennis projects, worth a total of over £54 million. In addition, the Fund made World Class Performance Programme awards totalling £8,574, to disabled tennis players in 1999–2000.

  Tennis is also one of the nine sports selected by Sport England for a five year sports development programme aimed at young people. The programme is England-wide, delivered at local level and involves local clubs, local authorities, education services, schools and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) working in partnership. Sport England is allocating a total of £10 million Lottery funding each year for all nine sports involved in the programme.

  Wales

  In Wales funding for tennis is channelled through the Sports Council for Wales, who have provided the following information.

  Funding is available to tennis through the Lottery, one of whose priorities is young people. Lottery funding for tennis facilities has been provided to the value of £2,050,982, and to individual competitors through the Elite Cymru programme to the value of £6,500 in 1999–2000. The Council provided £86,886 exchequer funding to "Tennis Wales", the governing body for tennis in 2000–01.

  Sportsmatch in Wales has made 32 awards worth a total of £92,260 since its inception in 1992, to grass roots and junior tennis projects.

  Northern Ireland

  Funding for tennis in Northern Ireland is channelled through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, who have provided the following information.
  151W
  Funding is available to tennis through the Lottery, one of whose priorities is young people. Lottery funding for tennis has been provided to the value of £1,479,650 over the period 1995–2000. Over the same period £8,000 has been provided towards the development of talented young individuals. In 1999–2000 Exchequer funding of £11,500 was provided to the governing body responsible for tennis in Northern Ireland.

  Museums
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria he uses in deciding whether a museum is eligible(a) for Government funding and (b) to reclaim VAT. [130677]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My Department funds the 12 national museums in England, and provides varying degrees of grant-in-aid to seven other museums or museum services, partly for historical reasons and partly in recognition of the importance of their collections. Other funding is generally project related challenge funding, distributed in response to applications made in published criteria (for instance, the £15 million being made available over three years to designated museums through the Designated Museums Challenge Fund).

  To the extent that museums are businesses, they are subject to the same VAT rules as other businesses. These rules are a matter for HM Customs and Excise.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [130488]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Permanent Secretary made two visits outside Britain in the specified period.

  From 13 to 15 October 1999 inclusive he visited Paris and Berlin.

  From 16 February to 18 February 2000 inclusive he visited Portugal and Madrid.

  My Department is committed to improved collaboration with other Governments within the EU; and my Permanent Secretary has undertaken these visits to establish contact and good relations with his opposite numbers in a range of EU countries.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer on 5 May 2000,Official Report, column 229W, when he will write to the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey. [131155]

  Kate Hoey
  I wrote to my hon. Friend with a full response on 13 July. Copies of the letters have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Appointments (Women)
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of the 152W
  (a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129856]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 12 July 2000]: The information is as follows:

  Total

  Paid

  Unpaid

  Number of appointments

  358

  123 (33.2%)

  235 (66.8%)

  Number of women appointed

  133

  50 (40.6%)

  83 (35.5%)

  My Department is committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, the Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities holding public appointments. The latest plan, together with the Government's overall plan, was published on 24 May 2000 in "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments 2000–03", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

  Football Association Premier League Funds
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers are available to him to allocate Football Association Premier League funds to activities other than football. [130845]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  None. The FA Premier League and the Football Association are fully responsible for their own decisions on funding.

  The Government will shortly announce details of a new body to distribute funds for the development of football—the Football Foundation—to which the Premier League, the FA and Sport England will make substantial contributions. It will be for the new body to decide on its funding criteria. In dealing with applications, though, the Foundation may wish to consider whether proposed football facilities may be used for other sports.

  Royal Parks Agency
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what targets he has set for the Royal Parks Agency. [131303]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The following targets have been set for the Royal Parks Agency for 2000–01:

  Financial and Efficiency
  To increase income by 10 per cent. from the 1999–2000 level, from all sources except recharges and VAT refunds.
  Stay within the flat running costs allocation of £8.235 million.
  Keep hourly costs of a Royal Parks Police Constable on duty down to 1999–2000 levels in real terms.

  Visitor satisfaction
  Achieve an overall quality rating of 89 per cent. from visitors to the parks, compared to a rating of 88 per cent. in 1999–2000. The minimum rating for any one park should be no lower than 83 per cent.

  Fabric
  Achieve an average rating from visitors of at least 89 per cent. on cleanliness in the parks, compared with a rating of 88 per cent. in 1999–2000. The minimum rating for a park should be no lower than 85 per cent.

  153W
  Maintain an average score of 88 per cent. for soft landscape presentation, compared with a score of 87 per cent. achieved in 1999–2000. The minimum score for a park should be no lower than 82 per cent.
  Complete the refurbishment works of White Lodge in Bushy Park by December 2000, with a view to the building being removed from English Heritage's "Buildings at Risk" register in 2001.
  Carry out a condition survey of all the lodges in the Parks to establish maintenance requirements and future levels of refurbishment.

  £

  1999–2000 Exchequer funding (outturn)

  2000–01 Exchequer funding (plans)

  Percentage increase

  England/Sport England

  37,900,000

  37,973,000

  +0.2

  Scotland/SportScotland

  10,100,000

  10,309,000

  +2.1

  Wales/Sports Council for Wales

  6,799,000

  7,417,000

  +9.1

  Northern Ireland/Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  2,380,000

  2,322,000

  -2.4

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much direct Exchequer funding per head was spent on supporting sport in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in

  1999–20001,3,4

  2000–012,3,4

  Population (1998 Census)

  Exchequer funding (£)

  Per capita

  Exchequer funding (£)

  Per capita

  England/Sport England

  49,495,000

  37,900,000

  0.77

  37,973,000

  0.77

  Scotland/SportScotland

  5,120,000

  10,100,000

  1.97

  10,309,000

  2.01

  Wales/Sports Council for Wales

  2,933,000

  6,799,000

  2.32

  7,417,000

  2.53

  Northern Ireland/Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  1,689,000

  2,380,000

  1.41

  2,322,000

  1.37

  1 Outturn

  2 Plans

  3 In 1999–2000 and 2000–01, UK Sport received Exchequer funding of £12.6 million to provide support to those sporting programmes and policies that are of benefit for the United Kingdom as a whole. It is not possible to determine the amount of benefit provided by UK Sport to sport in individual home countries. Funding of £0.9 million per annum is also provided to the Football Licensing Authority.

  4 The local authority estimated outturn on current and capital expenditure on sport and recreation activities in 1999–2000 totalled £767 million in England and £55 million in Wales. Expenditure details for 1999–2000 for Scotland and Northern Ireland and Planning figures for 2000–01 are not available.

  World Cup
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the(a) officials and (b) members of FIFA regarding (i) the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany and (ii) reported attempts to influence improperly the voting of the members of FIFA; and if he will make a statement. [131376]

  Kate Hoey
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have discussed the decision to hold the 2006 World Cup in Germany, or the circumstances of the voting on 6 July, with FIFA officials or members.

  Television Inquiry
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he intends to publish the Government's response to Phase I of the Creative Industries Task Force Television Inquiry; and what Phase II will cover. [131480]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have today written to the three sub group chairs involved in Phase I of the Inquiry thanking

  Sport (Funding)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the percentage increase in direct Exchequer funding for sport was in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland between 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [130519]

  Kate Hoey
  The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  1999–2000; and what the planned figures are for 2000–01. [130518]

  Kate Hoey
  The information requested by the hon. Members is as follows:

  them for their report, "UK Television Exports Inquiry", which was published in November 1999. The report makes valuable recommendations both for the industry and for Government and we have responded by drawing up a joint Action Plan. Government remain committed to working in partnership with the industry to improve the UK's export performance, not only in television but in all the creative industries.

  I have also today announced the Terms of Reference for Phase II. This stage of the Inquiry will look at how the UK television programme supply market could best be adapted to realise the potential of UK creative talent to satisfy the growing audio-visual economy. We are currently tendering for a consultant to undertake this work which will feed into the Communications White Paper.

  Copies of the Action Plan and Terms of Reference will be placed in the Library of the House and made available on my Department's website: www.culture.gov.uk/ creative/forms—documents.html.

CABINET OFFICE

  British-Irish Council
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the establishment of the British-Irish Council, its composition, and the consultations held with the executives and presiding officers of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly prior to its establishment. [128622]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The inaugural summit meeting of the British-Irish Council was held at Lancaster House, London, on Friday 17 December 1999. The next meeting is expected in the autumn of this year.

  As envisaged in the Belfast Agreement, the British-Irish Council comprises representatives of the British and Irish Governments, the devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, together with representatives of the Isle of Man, and the Baliwicks of Jersey and Guernsey.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what criteria are used to distinguish between a special adviser and Civil Service appointment; and who approves an increase in numbers in either category. [128806]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Recruitment into the Home Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Order in Council. Appointments are made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition unless covered by one of the exemptions set out in the Civil Service Order in Council. Special Adviser appointments are one such exemption.

  With the exception of the most senior (SASC) posts, Ministers and office holders in charge of Departments determine the number of permanent Civil Service posts within their organisation. All appointments to the SASC group are approved by the Prime Minister.

  Under the terms of the Ministerial Code, the Prime Minister approves the appointment of Special Advisers.

  Departmental Initiatives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data she collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131083]

  Mr. Stringer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 July 2000,Official Report, column 93W.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions she has deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to her Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April. [131128]
  156W
  Mr. Stringer
  Between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000 there have been 35 parliamentary questions tabled to the Cabinet Office which received full answers including a commitment to place documents in the Libraries of the House.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she will publish statistics on progress towards reducing sickness absence in the civil service in 1998 and 1999; and if she will make a statement. [130715]

  Mr. Stringer
  The civil service is collectively working towards reducing sickness absence by 20 per cent. by 2001 and 30 per cent. by 2003, against a 1998 baseline. Details of sickness absence in the civil service for 1998 were given in the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage (Barbara Follett) on 11 May 2000,Official Report, columns 433–34W. Figures for 1999 will be available shortly.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy for Queen's Counsel who have not practised at the bar for five years to be examined to establish their fitness to return to practise as a Queen's Counsel; and if he will make a statement. [130629]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor recognises the need to ensure that all lawyers are competent to do the job. He has no plans, however, to introduce the policy proposed for QCs, the regulation of whose professional standards is primarily for their professional bodies.

  Community Legal Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research his Department(a) has commissioned and (b) intends to commission to assist him in evaluating the effectiveness of the introduction of (i) the new civil court rules and (ii) the Community Legal Service in widening access to justice. [130731]

  Mr. Lock
  Three research projects have been commissioned which fall within the first topic area: Monitoring the Rise in the Small Claims Limit; Cross-Jurisdictional Issues in Case Management; The Impact of Conditional Fees on the Selection, Handling and Outcomes of Personal Injury Cases. In addition, the Court Service conducts locally run customer satisfaction surveys at courts and tribunals in a two-year rolling cycle. The surveys identify trends and changes in customer requirements as well as providing information on delivery of service. The Department is currently discussing the possibility of commissioning a research project which might look at further improvements to case management and the use of joint experts in court proceedings.
  157W
  A project to examine Local Legal Need, which aims to measure the effectiveness of the Community Legal Service, is being undertaken by Legal Services Research Centre. Currently, there are no plans to commission further research on the Community Legal Service.

  The Department carries out a review of its requirements in formulating its priorities for research in its annual programme of work. This is currently under way.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between the community legal services and debt and money advice services. [131210]

  Mr. Lock
  The provision of debt and money advice will be an important part of the local networks of legal services we are developing, and which will be supported by local Community Legal Service Partnerships.

  For example, there are 430 solicitors' firms and 171 not-for-profit agencies with contracts from the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to provide debt advice services. In addition, the LSC is running six pilot projects to look at alternative methods of delivering debt advice, including outreach services in Carlisle, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, and telephone services in Sheffield, Norfolk and Northumberland.

  Advisory Committee on Public Records
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the current composition and role is of the Advisory Committee on Public Records; who appoints its members and for how long they remain on the Committee; how frequently the Committee meets and when it last met; who decides which matters are on its agenda; how its activities will be affected by the implementation of the Freedom of Information Bill; and if he will make a statement. [130686]

  Mr. Lock
  The current composition of the Advisory Council on Public Records is as follows:

  Chairman: the Master of the Rolls (ex officio)

  Miss Amanda Arrowsmith, Director of Libraries and Heritage, Suffolk county council

  Professor David Cannadine, Director of the Institute of Historical Research, University of London

  Sir John Chilcot GCB, retired, formerly Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office

  Professor Peter Clarke, Professor of Modem British History, University of Cambridge and Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge

  Mr. Ian Coulson, teacher, schools inspector in Kent

  Miss Rosemary Dunhill, County Archivist of Hampshire

  Professor Ralph Griffiths, Professor of Mediaeval History, University of Wales, Swansea

  Mrs. Anne Hanford, film librarian and consultant in the management of media collections

  Mrs. Gillian Hughes, a professional researcher and record agent

  Professor Rodney Lowe, Professor of Contemporary History, University of Bristol

  Professor the Earl Russell, Professor of British History, Kings College London. Represents the Liberal Democrats on the Council

  158W

  Mrs. Shahwar Sadeque, educational and information technology consultant

  Mr. Andreas Whittam Smith, Journalist, former editor of The Independent, chairman of the Sir Winston Churchill Archive Trust and president of the British Board of Film Classification

  Dr. Anne Thurston, executive director of the International Records Management Trust

  Right hon. Lady Trumpington, former Baroness in Waiting, House of Lords. Represents the Conservative Party on the Council

  Right hon. Alan J. Williams, Labour MP for Swansea West. Member of the Public Accounts Committee.

  The role of the Council is set out in the Public Records Act 1958 s1(2), as being:
  to advise the Lord Chancellor on matters concerning public records in general and, in particular, on those aspects of the works of the Public Record Office which affect members of the public who make use of the facilities provided by the Public Record Office.

  The Council's current terms of reference were set by the Lord Chancellor on 22 January 1998 and were published with the Council's annual report for 1997–98 in the Keeper's Report for that year (HC 840).

  In accordance with the terms of the Public Records Act 1958, members are appointed by the Lord Chancellor. They normally serve for a three-year term, which is renewable once.

  The Council meets four times a year, normally in February, June, October and December. It last met on 15 June 2000. Much of the Council's agenda is determined by the timetables for applications by Departments for the retention or extended closure of public records. Other items appear on the agenda at the request of members of the Council, of members of the public, or of the Keeper of Public Records. The agenda is approved by the Master of the Rolls.

  The Freedom of Information Bill is expected to give the Council a statutory role in advising on the availability to the public of information in public records once they are more than 30 years old. This will be much the same function as it has exercised for the last 40 years in advising the Lord Chancellor on the operation of s5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958. The Bill currently before Parliament provides for extension of the Advisory Council's role by inserting S1(2A) as follows:
  The matters on which the Advisory Council on Public Records may advise the Lord Chancellor include matters relating to the application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to information contained in public records which are historical records within the meaning of Part VI of that Act.

  The Advisory Council's involvement in the release of information in public records will be set out in some detail in Part II of the Lord Chancellor's code of practice on the management of records under Freedom of Information, a working draft of which will be published shortly.

  Royal Family
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what public records concerning(a) the Royal Family and (b) other matters, relating to events prior to the First World War, have not been made publicly available; and for what reasons. [130687]
  159W
  Mr. Lock
  There are two public records concerning the Royal Family dating from before the First World War which have not been opened. These are both Treasury records. The first concerns the taxation and property rating of members of the Royal Family for the period 1899–1904 and is due for release in 2005; the second concerns Queen Alexandra's annuity and income tax in the period 1910–1914 and is due to be opened in 2015. (They are closed in accordance with Lord Chancellor's Instruments 5 and 6 respectively.) The guidance under which these records were closed for 100 years is currently being re-examined by the Cabinet Office and Public Record Office.

  Records concerning other matters dating from before the First World War and not yet opened are as follows:

  The decennial censuses of 1901 and 1911 are closed for 100 years in order to protect the confidentiality of the information given by the public. They are closed in accordance with Lord Chancellor's Instrument 12. There are approximately 65 items originating from the predecessors of the Crown Estate dating from 1900–1914 which are still closed. These concern leases or other property assignments which are still current. There are three records dating from 1876–1914 concerning activities of the Secret Service in Ireland and Irish terrorist organisations which are currently retained. The sensitivity of these records is currently being reassessed.

  Legal Services (Teesside)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the extent of the needs for assistance in respect of legal services in(a) Teesside and (b) Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [131212]

  Mr. Lock
  The Northern Regional Legal Services Committee of the then Legal Aid Board carried out an assessment of the need for legal services in Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Stockton during the course of 1998. The results of this assessment were published by the Legal Aid Board in February 1999.

  Following the launch of the Community Legal Service in April 2000, Community Legal Service Partnerships (CLSPs) have been formed in each of the four local authority areas. Further assessments of legal needs are being carried out as part of the work of these Partnerships. In Middlesbrough, the needs assessment has been completed and will be discussed by the Partnerships on 18 July 2000. In Hartlepool the needs assessment is currently underway and in Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton the needs assessment will be carried out later this year.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans he has to create a community legal service partnership in the Teesside Region; and if he will make a statement. [131211]

  Mr. Lock
  Community Legal Service (CLS) Partnerships have been formed in Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, and Hartlepool. The Legal Services Commission is also looking to establish a Community Legal Service Partnership in Redcar and Cleveland, but this is still subject to further discussions with the local authority.160W
  We hope that Redcar and Cleveland will form a CLS Partnership by Spring 2001. If it proves possible to form a CLS Partnership in this area earlier, we would be delighted.

  Advocates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the relative work load per case for(a) prosecution advocates and (b) defence advocates. [130412]

  Mr. Lock
  None. In developing a unified fee scheme my officials will work together with the Crown Prosecution Service; the General Council of the Bar; and the Law Society to identify areas where the work undertaken by the prosecution differs fundamentally from that undertaken by the defence.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) legal practices and (b) solicitors in England and Wales were undertaking legal aid work in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000. [130413]

  Mr. Lock
  The Legal Services Commission and its predecessor, the Legal Aid Board have always made payments to solicitors' offices, not to individual solicitors, or practices. It is therefore not possible to provide details of the numbers of individual solicitors undertaking legal aid work. The statistical information collected also relates to the financial year rather than the calendar year. The numbers of solicitors' offices receiving payment for undertaking legal aid work during the years in question were as follows:

  Number

  1989–90

  11,455

  1994–95

  11,062

  1998–99

  11,263

  1999–2000

  11,099

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications for legal aid were(a) accepted and (b) rejected in each year since 1990. [130416]

  Mr. Lock
  The numbers of legal aid applications granted and rejected, in each year for which information is available, were as follows:

  Civil legal aid1

  Assistance by way of representation 1

  Accepted

  Rejected

  Accepted

  Rejected

  1990–91

  333,444

  84,347

  73,948

  12,284

  1991–92

  339,306

  100,030

  67,505

  12,870

  1992–93

  349,619

  126,271

  49,735

  10,621

  1993–94

  335,422

  125,716

  26,503

  5,553

  1994–95

  362,591

  123,453

  22,276

  3,329

  1995–96

  356,138

  124,947

  19,473

  2,646

  1996–97

  315,502

  133,631

  18,149

  2,167

  1997–98

  285,959

  133,735

  17,991

  2,052

  1998–99

  278,709

  98,122

  19,918

  1,034

  1999–2000

  227,494

  65,270

  16,882

  644

  161W

  Criminal magistrates2

  Criminal higher courts2

  Accepted

  Rejected

  Accepted

  Rejected

  1990

  n/a

  n/a

  7,883

  3,981

  1991

  n/a

  n/a

  6,885

  4,650

  1992

  n/a

  n/a

  7,579

  4,569

  1993

  n/a

  n/a

  10,567

  4,796

  1994

  n/a

  n/a

  12,998

  5,591

  1995

  n/a

  n/a

  14,203

  6,377

  1996

  n/a

  n/a

  13,795

  6,710

  1997

  380,430

  42,030

  15,109

  6,766

  1998

  423,314

  42,058

  15,772

  5,887

  1999

  444,955

  35,907

  14,608

  6,122

  n/a = not available

  1 Financial years

  2 Calendar years

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total amount(a) paid and (b) received in respect of legal aid, broken down by (i) costs recouped under orders for costs, (ii) value-added tax, (iii) savings on national insurance payments and (iv) other income in the last year for which figures are available. [130414]

  Mr. Lock
  The Legal Aid Board (which was replaced by the Legal Services Commission on 1 April 2000) recovered costs totalling £318,366,000, overwhelmingly from matters dealt with in the civil courts. The Board paid costs to the opponents of funded clients totalling £2,229,000. It is not possible to separate out the proportion of either the receipts or payments that were paid under the orders for costs.

  The Legal Aid Board was not required to account separately for VAT and some payment systems that it operated do not recognise VAT as a separate item. Since not all disbursements attract VAT, and not all solicitors and counsel are registered for VAT, it is not possible to calculate the amount of VAT that was paid out of, or into the legal aid Fund.

  There are no national insurance savings that the Commission is aware of that had an effect on the Fund.

  Other income to the legal aid Fund during 1999–2000 totalled £159,820,000. This includes such items as contributions paid by funded clients, moneys recovered through statutory charges placed on property gained or kept by funded clients with the benefit of legal aid, and interest on these charges.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason the Legal Aid Board was renamed; and what estimate he has made of the costs arising from this change. [130415]

  Mr. Lock
  The Legal Aid Board has not been renamed. It was replaced on 1 April 2000 by a new executive non-departmental public body—the Legal Services Commission—established under Part I of the Access to Justice Act 1999. The Commission is charged with establishing, maintaining and developing two new services for the provision of publicly funded legal services—the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service. The Commission has also taken over the functions of the Legal Aid Board in relation to any cases being conducted under the provisions of the Legal Aid Act 1988. The appointments of the Chair and members of the Commission were announced on 17 December 1999 and 9 March 2000 respectively. However, costs directly 162W
  attributable to the naming of the Legal Services Commission are: Design and development of logotype, including tender (£6,587.13); Regulations on usage of logotype (£6,431.95); Nameplates for Regional offices (£3,666.00); Internet domain name registration (£141.00); Corporate seal (£120.00).

  Owen McMahon
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many files he retains concerning activities of the RIC in Northern Ireland in 1922; for what reason files relating to the murder of Owen McMahon in March 1922 are withheld from public access; and when the last review of documents of this period was held and what its outcome was. [131380]

  Mr. Lock
  The Northern Ireland Court Service does not hold any records concerning the activities of the RIC or the murder of Owen McMahon in 1922. There is a Ministry of Home Affairs file on the case which is held by the Public Records (Northern Ireland) Office and which is open to the public. All records listed and indexed by the Public Records (Northern Ireland) Office for review have been completed up to 1970.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April did not receive substantive answers, citing as the reason that the information was(a) not held centrally, (b) not held in the form requested and (c) not available. [131198]

  Mr. Lock
  According to departmental records of the relevant period:

  (a) four parliamentary questions did not receive substantive answers because the information was not held centrally and a further 12 received partial answers for this reason;

  (b) one parliamentary question did not receive a substantive answer because the information was not held in the form requested and a further two received partial answers for this reason; and

  (c) five parliamentary questions did not receive a substantive answer because the information was not available and a further four received partial answers for this reason.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his review of section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will be completed. [130533]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents the disclosure of information about the use of animals in scientific procedures that has been provided in confidence. Under the proposals for the Freedom of Information Bill, all statutory bars are being reviewed, including section 24.

  The maintenance of the necessary protection for individual scientists and their research institutions from animal rights extremists is a priority in the review of section 24 and I am considering very carefully how best

  163W
  it can be achieved. The extremists and the violence make openness more difficult than it would be otherwise. In view of this, a decision on whether to repeal or amend section 24 will not now be made until later this year.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to reduce the number of experiments on dogs conducted in UK research laboratories and breeding centres; and if he will make a statement; [130476]

  (2) if he will take steps to prohibit experiments on dogs that do not provide researchers with new information; and if he will make a statement. [130483]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Dogs are primarily used in medicinal drug research and development and in pharmaceutical safety and efficacy evaluations. They are also used, when no other species is suitable, in the evaluation of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory problems in humans. Such work contributes to advances in human healthcare. Dogs are also used in the development of veterinary medicines and techniques.

  In my replies I gave the hon. Member on 17 April 2000, Official Report, column 380W and on 12 July 2000, Official Report, column 595W, I stated that members of the public often find it particularly difficult to accept that species that are kept as domestic pets or companion animals, such as dogs, are also used in research to find cures for illnesses. Such animals must be purpose bred and supplied by designated establishments and can be used only if there is no viable alternative for that particular procedure.

  Dogs are used in regulated procedures where their use is justified under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. There are no current plans to change the legislation. All applications to use protected animals in research are subjected to a detailed cost/benefit assessment by Home Office inspectors. The likely adverse effects on the animals concerned must be weighed against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the proposed programme of work.

  We are continuing to work to ensure that animals are only used where it is fully justified and where there are no alternatives which replace the use of animals, reduce the numbers of animals used, or refine the procedures in which they are used.

  Figures in recent years reflect a downward trend in the use of dogs in research. I should emphasise that dogs are used only in about a quarter of one per cent. of all procedures.

  Trafficking in Women and Girls
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment the Government have made of the extent of trafficking in women and girls; from which areas of the world this trafficking is most extensive; and what measures Her Majesty's Government are supporting to tackle this. [130694]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office has recently published a ground-breaking study, which establishes for the first time the possible extent of trafficking in women into this country: 'Stopping Traffic: Exploring the extent of, and responses to, trafficking in women for sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom.' That study indicates 164W
  that 18 trafficking cases were identified by the police during 1998, involving 71 women. The majority of those women claimed to come from Europe and the remainder from Brazil and Thailand. The study indicates that these figures do not reveal the full extent of this phenomenon and makes a number of recommendations about tackling it. These are currently being considered by the Government.

  Criminal Cases (Police Conduct)
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action is taken against constabularies that are reported as failing to comply with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 by withholding unused material from defence lawyers in criminal cases; [130537]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure the full implementation of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, with particular reference to full disclosure of evidence by police to defence lawyers; [130639]

  (3) what recent representations he has received about non-disclosure of information to defence lawyers; and if he will make a statement; [130640]

  (4) if the implementation of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 is being monitored; and if he will make a statement. [130638]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are aware of concerns about the operation of the disclosure provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996. Since the beginning of this year, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has received three letters from Members of Parliament and one from a member of the public on this issue. Action is well underway to address these concerns.

  The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has made disclosure a business priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and has initiated a programme of work focusing on the basic principles of disclosure, with a special emphasis on the prosecutor's duty to ensure a fair trial. He has asked Chief Crown Prosecutors to take up with Chief Constables any concerns that they may have with police disclosure practice in their area. Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate undertook a thematic review of disclosure and its report was published in March. The recommendations in that report are being considered and taken forward in the form of an action plan as part of the DPP's programme of work. The Association of Chief Police Officers has also established a working party to look into the working of the disclosure provisions in relation to the police.

  The Attorney-General is developing guidelines on disclosure. In February, these were issued in draft for consultation and the responses are now being considered. The Attorney-General is aiming to issue the final version of the guidance in the summer.

  In addition, as part of its general responsibility to evaluate new legislation the Government have commissioned an independent research study to evaluate all aspects of the disclosure provisions. The study will build on the CPS Inspectorate's report and draw on surveys of the legal profession carried out by the Criminal Bar Association and the Law Society. The

  165W
  work began in January 2000 and is expected to be completed in 12 months. In the light of the research, we will consider what further action needs to be taken.

  Cycling on Pavements
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been within the Greater London area for the offence of cycling on pavements during the last 12 months. [130536]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Available information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database shows that provisionally in 1999 there were 42 prosecutions for the offence of cycling on the pavement in the Greater London area (prosecutions at courts within areas policed by the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London police). In 1998, there were 67 prosecutions.

  The fixed penalty system for this offence was introduced on 1 August 1999 and up to, and including, 31 December 1999 a combined total of 39 fixed penalty notices were issued by the Metropolitan and City of London police forces.

  Asylum Seekers
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have applied under the regularisation scheme set up under section 9 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; what their nationalities are; how many applications(a) have been granted, (b) have been refused and (c) are still pending; and how many applicants had been in the United Kingdom (i) more than and (ii) fewer than seven years at the time of application. [130535]

  Mrs. Roche
  On 13 July, the number of applications received under the regularisation scheme was 1,653. Approximately 175 of these applications have been granted. Most are awaiting substantive consideration. I regret that further information could be obtained only by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in each of the last four years for which figures are available,(a) how many people were detained for more than 24 hours under immigration powers who (i) were and (ii) claimed to be under the age of 18 at the time of their detention, (b) what the average length of time was for which they were detained and (c) what the longest period of time was for which any such person was detained; [130734]

  (2) in each of the last four years for which figures are available, (a) how many asylum applicants detained for more than 24 hours under immigration powers, were subsequently accepted to be under the age of 18 at the time of their detention, (b) what the average length of time was for which they were detained and (c) what the longest period was for which any such person was detained; [130735]
  166W
  (3) in each of the last four years for which figures are available, (a) how many asylum applicants detained for more than 24 hours under immigration powers (i) were and (ii) claimed to be under the age of 18 at the time of their detention, (b) what was the average length of time for which they were detained and (c) what was the longest period of time for which any person was detained; [130738]

  (4) in each of the last four years for which figures are available, (a) how many people were detained for more than 24 hours under immigration powers who were subsequently accepted to be under the age of 18 at the time of their detention, (b) what the average length of time was for which they were detained and (c) what the longest period was for which any such person was detained. [130733]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information on the age of persons detained under Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 powers is not held centrally. Nor is a central record kept of cases where age is disputed, whether or not the person is detained. The information requested is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost.

  Our policy, however, is that where we are satisfied a person is under 18 he or she should be detained only in very limited circumstances. The detention of minors using immigration powers is always regrettable. Unaccompanied children should never be detained other than in the most exceptional circumstances and then only overnight with appropriate care if they, for example, arrive alone at an airport. Where he or she cannot be cared for by responsible family or friends in the United Kingdom, an unaccompanied child should be placed in the care of the local authority while the circumstances of the case are determined.

  Children are also sometimes cared for in detention facilities as part of a family unit in preference to separating them from their parents. In addition to existing facilities for detaining families, extra family accommodation has recently been made available at Oakington Reception Centre, where families may be held together for around seven days if it appears that their applications can be decided quickly. Occasionally, the detention of families is necessary to effect the removal of those who have no authority to remain in this country but who refuse to leave voluntarily. In such circumstances, detention should be planned to be effected as close to removal as possible so that families are not normally detained for more than a few days.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for each of the last four years for which figures are available,(a) how many persons under the age of 18 years have been detained with their parents in Tinsley House Reception Centre, (b) what was the average length of time for which they were detained and (c) how many of those persons were (i) 0 to 5, (ii) 6 to 11, (iii) 12 to 16 and (iv) 17 to 18 years old; [130737]

  (2) how many persons under the age of 18 have been detained with their parents in Oakington Reception Centre since 20 March; and how many of those persons were (a) 0 to 5, (b) 6 to 11, (c) 12 to 16 and (d) 17 to 18 years old. [130736]
  167W
  Mrs. Roche
  I regret that the information held centrally on persons detained under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 powers at Tinsley House Detention Centre is available only in the form of a snapshot at a point in time. Nor is it possible to identify from these data the age of detainees. The information requested is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost.

  The most recent data available for persons detained at Oakington show that up to 2 July 2000, a total of 538 principal asylum applicants and 50 dependants of asylum seekers have been detained at various times since it opened on 20 March 2000. Oakington has accommodated family groups since 10 May 2000. A total of 36 children have been accommodated with one or both of their parents in dedicated family accommodation up to 2 July 2000. Further information regarding the age ranges of the children is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Police (Sick Days)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress made by police forces since 1997 in reducing sick days per officer; and if he will make a statement. [130714]

  Budget requirements (£ million)

  Increase in net budget requirements (£ million)

  Increase in net budget requirements (percentage)

  2001–01 net

  1999–2000 net

  2000–01

  2000–01

  Shire force authorities

  Avon and Somerset police

  181.2

  173.3

  7.9

  4.5

  Bedfordshire police

  66.8

  63.4

  3.4

  5.3

  Cambridgeshire police

  79.5

  75.2

  4.3

  5.8

  Cheshire police

  115.1

  111.1

  4.0

  3.6

  Cleveland police

  86.5

  83.3

  3.2

  3.8

  Cumbria police

  67.4

  64.5

  2.9

  4.5

  Derbyshire police

  111.1

  106.5

  4.6

  4.3

  Devon and Cornwall police

  182.4

  175.9

  6.5

  3.7

  Dorset police

  81.0

  77.4

  3.6

  4.6

  Durham police

  84.0

  81.3

  2.7

  3.4

  Essex police1

  183.1

  169.5

  13.6

  8.1

  Gloucestershire police

  68.6

  66.0

  2.6

  3.9

  Hampshire police

  204.7

  196.5

  8.2

  4.1

  Hertfordshire police1

  121.2

  101.6

  19.6

  19.3

  Humberside police

  118.9

  114.3

  4.6

  4.0

  Kent police

  193.1

  184.2

  8.9

  4.8

  Lancashire police

  189.6

  181.3

  8.3

  4.6

  Leicestershire police

  110.2

  106.3

  3.9

  3.6

  Lincolnshire police

  72.6

  69.7

  2.9

  4.1

  Norfolk police

  91.5

  86.9

  4.6

  5.3

  North Yorkshire police

  81.0

  78.0

  3.0

  3.8

  Northamptonshire police

  73.4

  70.4

  3.0

  4.2

  Nottinghamshire police

  133.8

  129.6

  4.2

  3.2

  Staffordshire police

  127.0

  122.2

  4.8

  3.9

  Suffolk police

  72.9

  69.9

  3.0

  4.3

  Surrey1

  119.9

  93.4

  26.5

  28.4

  Sussex police

  174.5

  168.0

  6.5

  3.9

  Thames Valley police

  238.3

  229.1

  9.2

  4.0

  Warwickshire police

  58.9

  55.9

  3.0

  5.4

  West Mercia police

  125.7

  116.5

  9.2

  7.9

  Wiltshire police

  72.0

  68.9

  3.1

  4.4

  Total

  3,685.9

  3,490.1

  195.8

  5.6

  168W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The average number of days taken on sick leave per police officer in England and Wales has reduced over the last three years, as given in the table. The figures for 1999–2000 are not yet available.

  Average number of days

  1996–97

  12.5

  1997–98

  12.7

  1998–99

  11.7

  The Comprehensive Spending Review set police a two per cent. year on year efficiency target, including the reduction of sickness absence in police forces in England and Wales and nearly all forces now have targets to reduce sickness absence as part of their efficiency plans.

  Police Budgets
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down the police funding statistics used to calculate the statement in the Government's Annual report 1999–2000 that police budgets have risen on average by 3.6 per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [131367]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The figures requested are given in the table.
  169W

  Budget requirements (£ million)

  Increase in net budget requirements (£ million)

  Increase in net budget requirements (percentage)

  2001–01 net

  1999–2000 net

  2000–01

  2000–01

  Metropolitan forces

  Greater Manchester police

  393.6

  382.5

  11.1

  2.9

  Merseyside police

  253.7

  247.0

  6.7

  2.7

  Northumbria police

  218.4

  212.6

  5.8

  2.7

  South Yorkshire police

  179.7

  173.3

  6.4

  3.7

  West Midlands police

  394.6

  380.9

  13.7

  3.6

  West Yorkshire police

  301.4

  289.1

  12.3

  4.3

  Total

  1,741.4

  1,685.4

  56.0

  3.3

  City of London

  57.9

  57.1

  0.8

  1.4

  Metropolitan police1

  1,830.0

  1,836.2

  -6.2

  -0.3

  Welsh Forces

  Dyfed Powys

  59.0

  55.7

  3.3

  5.9

  Gwent

  76.1

  71.4

  4.7

  6.6

  North Wales

  84.0

  79.6

  4.4

  5.6

  South Wales

  179.1

  170.0

  9.1

  5.4

  Total

  398.2

  376.7

  21.5

  5.7

  Total

  7,713.4

  7,445.5

  267.9

  3.6

  1 Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and the Metropolitan police were subject to boundary changes

  Source:

  English forces—Forces returns from DETR

  Welsh forces—Forces returns from the Welsh Assembly

  Immigration Advisers
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress the Immigration Service Commissioner has made in establishing the scheme of regulation for immigration advisers and service providers; and if he will make a statement. [131481]

  Mrs. Roche
  As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 22 May 2000,Official Report, column 370W, the Immigration Services Commissioner took up post on that date. The Commissioner is in the process of consulting widely within the advice sector in order to formulate the rules and standards which will govern the regulatory scheme. The Commissioner expects to have published the documents required by Part V of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and to be ready to consider exemptions and applications for registration from 30 October 2000. We expect the full regulatory scheme to come into force in April 2001.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the latest annual report of the Animal Procedures Committee. [131482]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have today placed a copy of the Animal Procedures Committee's annual report for 1999 in the Library. I welcome the progress the Committee has made on its extensive programme of work.

  Hieratic Disqualification
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will seek an early legislative opportunity to relieve priests of the Church of England 170W
  and the Roman Catholic Church from disqualification as hon. Members of the House; and if he will make a statement; [130663]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the disqualification of priests of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church from membership of the House with the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. [130664]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The disqualification of priests from standing or acting as Members of Parliament was the subject of a Private Member's Bill in June 1999. Since this measure was lost, we have been sounding out opinion of the relevant churches in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, there is no immediate prospect of legislation being brought forward by the Government.

  The question of compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights would be a matter for those bringing forward a relevant Bill.

  Blue Travel Documents
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the French Government about allowing blue travel documents to be accepted at French ports. [129561]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are not aware of any difficulties for those using 1951 Convention travel documents (blue) when travelling to France and have not, therefore, had cause to discuss this with the French authorities. However, we are aware that a number of European Union partners will no longer accept the Certificate of Identity (CID) issued by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. This is a brown travel document issued to
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  certain foreign nationals, other than refugees, who are resident in the United Kingdom and cannot obtain a national passport on which to travel. This type of document is not issued under international convention but has been widely accepted for travel in the past. It is for the authorities of each country to decide whether they will accept the CID as a valid form of travel document. However, my officials are in discussion with colleagues in the various European Union countries in order to identify their particular concerns and if possible provide any reassurance which might encourage them to accept the CID for travel.

  Police Pay
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a pay-weighting scheme for police officers in the South East of England; and what recent representations have been made to him on this matter. [131066]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. St. Aubyn) during the debate on the Policing of London on 23 June 2000,Official Report, columns 563–64.

  Strategic Export Controls: Report
  Strategic Export Controls: Report
  Sierra Leone: Arms Supply
  Sierra Leone: Arms Supply
  Chemical Weapons Convention: Compliance
  Chemical Weapons Convention: Compliance
  Verulamium: Ploughing
  Verulamium: Ploughing
  EU Culture and Audiovisual Ministers' Meeting, 20–21 July
  EU Culture and Audiovisual Ministers' Meeting, 20–21 July
  Public Expenditure
  Public Expenditure
  Devolved Administrations: Funding
  Devolved Administrations: Funding
  Military Wrecks
  Military Wrecks
  Royal Military Tattoo
  Royal Military Tattoo
  Director of Public Prosecutions: Annual Report
  Director of Public Prosecutions: Annual Report
  Miss Roisin McAliskey
  Miss Roisin McAliskey
  Bills: Suspension of Minimum Intervals between Stages
  Bills: Suspension of Minimum Intervals between Stages
  Organic Farming and Rural Economy Programmes: Administrative Costs
  Organic Farming and Rural Economy Programmes: Administrative Costs
  Agricultural Wages Board: Annual Report
  Agricultural Wages Board: Annual Report
  IACS: Complaints to Ombudsman
  IACS: Complaints to Ombudsman
  Registered Homes Act 1984 and Protection of Children Act 1999: Tribunals
  Registered Homes Act 1984 and Protection of Children Act 1999: Tribunals
  NHS Estates Executive Agency: Annual Report
  NHS Estates Executive Agency: Annual Report
  Drug-related Psychosis
  Drug-related Psychosis
  Hospital Construction Costs
  Hospital Construction Costs
  Hospital Running Costs
  Hospital Running Costs
  Medical Staff and Hospital Beds: Additional Requirements
  Medical Staff and Hospital Beds: Additional Requirements
  Advisory Panel on Works of Art
  Advisory Panel on Works of Art
  New Deal Jobs
  New Deal Jobs
  Asylum Seeker Children: School Places
  Asylum Seeker Children: School Places
  Asylum Seeker Children: School Uniforms
  Asylum Seeker Children: School Uniforms
  Examination Results: Publication
  Examination Results: Publication
  Marine Anti-fouling Paint
  Marine Anti-fouling Paint
  Immigration Advisers: Regulation
  Immigration Advisers: Regulation
  Departmental Cars
  Departmental Cars
  Animal Procedures Committee: Annual Report
  Animal Procedures Committee: Annual Report
  Firearms Act 1968 Contravention, Lincolnshire Police HQ
  Firearms Act 1968 Contravention, Lincolnshire Police HQ
  Breach of Community Orders: Prison Sentence Numbers
  Breach of Community Orders: Prison Sentence Numbers
  Anti-social Behaviour Orders
  Anti-social Behaviour Orders
  Prisoner Discharge Grants
  Prisoner Discharge Grants
  Foreign Migrant Workers: Ill Treatment
  Foreign Migrant Workers: Ill Treatment
  Crime Reduction Measures: Spending Impact
  Crime Reduction Measures: Spending Impact
  Trafficking in Women
  Trafficking in Women
  Prisoners: In-cell Television
  Prisoners: In-cell Television
  Prison Population and Crime Projections
  Prison Population and Crime Projections