Written Answers of 6 June 2000

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmon
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from the Environment Agency on a possible extension of the salmon netting season in North-East England. [124985]

  Mr. Morley
  Following a debate in the House on 10 November 1999, I undertook to obtain advice from the Environment Agency on the implications of extending the salmon netting season by 20 days in North-East England. I emphasised that I would not wish to proceed with any measure that was not in the interests of salmon conservation. I also sought the Agency's advice on whether additional measures were needed to conserve large salmon in river fisheries in the autumn, particularly in the North-East.

  I have now received the Agency's advice, which I have accepted. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. In summary, the Agency has advised that such an extension would substantially increase the level of exploitation of both multi-sea-winter salmon and grilse and would not be in the interests of salmon conservation. The Agency does not believe at present that there is an immediate need for further measures to restrict exploitation by either rods or nets in North-East England, and notes that half of the rod catch in North-East England in 1999 was released. Nevertheless, it will continue to keep the position under review.

  Farming (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much financial assistance has been given to the farming industry from European and UK sources in each year since 1990–91. [123988]

  Ms Quin
  The figures are set out in the table. Most but not all will be transferred to the farming industry. The farming industry also benefits from higher food prices as a result of the CAP, which are paid for by consumers.

  EU and UK expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies, 1990–91 to date

  £ million

  Year (April/March)

  Public expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies

  1990–91

  1,910

  1991–92

  1,977

  1992–93

  2,028

  1993–94

  2,905

  1994–95

  2,512

  1995–96

  2,897

  1996–97

  4,318

  164W

  EU and UK expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies, 1990–91 to date

  £ million

  Year (April/March)

  Public expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies

  1997–98

  3,583

  1998–99

  3,482

  1999–20001

  3,172

  1 Forecast

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of claims under the over-30-months slaughter scheme for the period between 29 April and 25 May 1996 remain unresolved. [123435]

  Ms Quin
  In July 1999, the Agricultural Departments put in place arrangements for the Intervention Board Executive Agency to make ex gratia payments in respect of certain bovine animals, referred to as "Early Casualty Cases". These were casualty animals requiring emergency slaughter on welfare grounds, and which could not be presented onto the Over-30-months Slaughter Scheme between 29 April and 24 May (9 June in Scotland) 1996 solely due to the limited casualty processing facilities then available under the scheme.

  Applications for Early Casualty Case payment were invited during the period 23 July to 31 August 1999. The Intervention Board received claims for payment on 132 animals put down during the relevant period in 1996, and a written response has been provided to each of these. Therefore, no cases remain unresolved.

  Payment was made in respect of 115 animals. Eleven were found to be not payable, and six did not respond to requests for further information.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what payments were made under the over-30-months scheme in each month during the past two years. [123411]

  Ms Quin
  The number of animals slaughtered under the OTMS and the amounts of compensation paid in each month over the period are set out in the table. It is not possible to relate directly the compensation paid to the number of animals slaughtered in any month mainly because payments are generally made up to five weeks after the date of slaughter. Apart from the compensation payments, expenditure totalling about £115 million in 1998–99 and £130 million in 1999–2000 was incurred for services such as slaughtering, rendering, incineration, storage and transport.

  Year

  Animals Slaughtered

  Compensation paid (£000)

  1998–99

  April

  63,154

  17,058

  May

  66,980

  18,593

  June

  46,422

  17,469

  July

  53,341

  15,030

  August

  59,063

  13,705

  September

  84,996

  21,280

  October

  100,665

  23,282

  November

  110,831

  26,500

  165W

  Year

  Animals slaughtered

  Compensation paid (£000)

  December

  99,073

  33,030

  January

  94,287

  22,972

  February

  70,958

  28,938

  March

  70,092

  25,948

  1999–20001

  April

  70,658

  16,769

  May

  60,347

  18,489

  June

  64,213

  17,835

  July

  60,981

  16,007

  August

  65,758

  17,723

  September

  84,743

  15,662

  October

  104,612

  25,504

  November

  127,187

  27,391

  December

  96,509

  23,454

  January

  99,637

  26,471

  February

  88,452

  30,988

  March

  83,247

  28,626

  1 Provisional

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contact Ministers or officials have had during the last 12 months with the United States Department of Agriculture with the aim of lifting the ban on UK beef exports. [123136]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]My right hon. Friend the Minister raised the issue of the lifting of the US import ban on UK beef during his visit to the USA in February. The Chief Veterinary Officer and officials from our Embassy in Washington DC have also lobbied for the lifting of the US ban. The USA currently bans the import of beef from all European Union countries.

  Pig Industry
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to introduce the outgoer and ongoer elements of the pig industry restructuring scheme; and what projection has been made of the funds to be allocated to each element in each of the three years of the overall scheme. [122990]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]Under state aid rules, the European Commission must approve the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme (PIRS) before it can be introduced. To begin that process, the scheme was formally notified to the Commission on 30 March. The Commission has since carried out its initial study of the scheme and raised a number of questions; my officials have already answered these. The outgoers element of the scheme will be introduced as soon as possible following Commission approval. At present we are working towards introducing the ongoers element in early autumn. The outgoers scheme will operate using a sealed bid system, with the expectation that a good proportion of the £26 million plus the additional funds for which bids have been made will be available for the ongoers element.

  GMOs
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement on 166W
  GMOs and conventional crops of 18 May 2000, Official Report, column 473, whether any of the genetically-modified seeds contained the terminator gene. [123543]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 24 May 2000]The genetically modified oilseed rape variety in question (RT73) does not contain the terminator gene.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter dated 21 February from the hon. Member for Stafford concerning Alex Nixon. [123773]

  Ms Quin
  I replied to the letter from my hon. Friend on 11 May 2000.

  Farm Incinerators
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of small incinerators used on farms. [123653]

  Mr. Morley
  My Department has made no such estimate. I understand that the National Farmers' Union considers the number to be somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000, but precise information is not available.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department is conducting into the relationship of cattle movements to the possible spread of bovine TB. [123909]

  Ms Quin
  The risk factors which may increase the likelihood of TB infection in cattle herds, including any relationship between cattle movements and the spread of the disease, is being studied through the analysis of epidemiological data. These data are being collected by MAFF through a detailed survey of farms with TB outbreaks.

  Statistics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statistics relating to the responsibilities of his Department are collated by parliamentary constituency, indicating the dates covered in each case. [123841]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]Statistics from the annual June Census of Agriculture and Horticulture have recently been collated by parliamentary constituency. Our intentions are to place the information in the House of Commons data library.

  Staffing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he has reached about the future of the regional service centres and the Intervention Board Agency; and what are the resulting changes in location and employment. [123897]

  Ms Quin
  No decisions have been made on the future of the Ministry's Regional Service Centres (RSCs) or the Intervention Board Executive Agency (IBEA) following the recent review of CAP scheme administration.
  167W
  The review concluded that we could offer a radically improved service to farmers and significant savings to taxpayers by merging the payment functions of MAFF's RSCs and IBEA and making better use of available technology. The case for restructuring, which will require new funding, is being considered in the context of the Spending Review 2000.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister has made it clear that he will not implement the recommendations of the review unless he is satisfied that we will be able to deliver clear benefits to public administration and to our client groups.

  Aspartame
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring the Food Standards Agency has undertaken of the number of people suffering an adverse reaction to aspartame; and how many cases have so far been reported of such a reaction, broken down by symptoms suffered. [124085]

  Ms Stuart
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment will be publishing shortly a review of adverse reactions to food and food ingredients, including food additives. Their report discusses the difficulties in establishing the true incidence and prevalence of these reactions and attributing an adverse reaction to a specific food or food ingredient. Additionally, the Food Standards Agency has recently commissioned a feasibility study of methods to monitor potential adverse reactions to novel foods and the outcome of this will help to establish whether, and if so in what form, a practical monitoring system might be established. A copy of the COT's report will be placed in the Library as soon as it becomes available.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Estate
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish his Department's Estate Strategy. [124931]

  Dr. Moonie
  "In Trust and On Trust", the Strategy for the Defence Estate, will be published tomorrow, meeting the commitment made by my Department following the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and it will also be placed on the worldwide web.

  The Ministry of Defence has consulted closely with voluntary sector organisations who have an interest in the defence estate and with the Government's statutory advisers. The Strategy will deliver a more efficient and effective estate and will serve to ensure that Ministry of Defence targets resources to the estate in the most effective way. This is a far-reaching document which will be of benefit to all those with an interest in Ministry of Defence's estate.

  CHOTS Project
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 25 January, D/US of S/PK PQ0057K/00/M, what are the total life revenue and capital 168W
  costs of the CHOTS project since conception, including upgrades one through eight; what further upgrades have been planned since March 1999; what are their estimated costs and completion dates; and if he will make a statement. [123647]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Communication Services Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. J. Roper to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 6 June 2000:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the costs of the Corporate Headquarters Office Technology System (CHOTS) programme. As Chief Executive of the Defence Communication Services Agency, the CHOTS programme falls within my area of responsibility.
  The total life costs of the CHOTS programme since its conception in 1984, including upgrades, is estimated at £848.8M at current prices. This cost remains within existing Treasury approvals which cover the period until 2006.
  The last upgrade, known as CSV8 (CHOTS System Version 8), was completed on schedule in March 1999. Whilst no further major upgrades are currently planned, estimates include an assessment for ongoing technology refreshment of the system and a likely enhancement to cover the introduction of the Windows 2000 operating system. Beyond this, it is anticipated that CHOTS will form part of the Department's wider requirements for information delivery, to be met under a new Defence Information Infrastructure project managed by the Defence Procurement Agency under smart procurement principles.

  Iraq (No-fly Zones)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions coalition aircraft patrolling the northern no-fly zone in Iraq released ordnance between 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998 and (b) 20 December 1998 to date, stating in percentage terms (i) the nature of the threat, (ii) the category of the target attacked and (iii) the tonnage of ordnance released on each category of target in proportion to the overall tonnage released in those periods. [122846]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]I am withholding detailed information on the activities of other allies in accordance with Part II Section 1.c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  The UK has never released ordnance over the northern no-fly zone.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions coalition aircraft patrolling(a) the northern and (b) the southern no-fly zone in Iraq hit targets other than the intended target between (i) 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998 and (ii) 20 December 1998 to date, stating what percentage this formed of overall attacks during those periods. [122848]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]The coalition only ever targets, in self-defence, Iraqi military facilities that pose a threat to its forces carrying out legitimate patrols of the no-fly zones. The coalition goes to exceptional lengths to ensure that the right target is hit, including the employment of very strict target clearance procedures and precision guided munitions. We conduct painstaking battle damage assessment after every bomb is dropped. For these reasons we are confident that, in the vast majority of cases, released ordnance by coalition aircraft lands on, or very close to, its intended target.
  169W
  I am withholding detailed information on the activities undertaken by other allies in accordance with Part II Section 1.c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  The UK has never released ordnance over the northern no-fly zone.

  Between 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998 UK aircraft released ordnance on two occasions. On both occasions all of the ordnance hit the intended targets. Since 20 December 1998, there have been two occasions when ordnance from UK aircraft appears to have hit unintended targets. The weapons released on these occasions represent 1 per cent. of the total tonnage of ordnance released by the UK over this period.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total tonnage of ordnance released by coalition aircraft in operations to maintain(a) the southern and (b) the northern no-fly-zones in Iraq between (i) 1 August 1992 and 16 December 1998 and (ii) 20 December 1998 to date; and what is the monthly average in each of these periods. [122844]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]I am withholding detailed information on the activities of other allies in accordance with Part II Section 1.c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Between 1 August 1992 and 16 December 1998, UK aircraft released 2.5 tons of ordnance over the southern no-fly zone at an average of 0.025 tons per month. We do not have sufficiently detailed records of coalition activity over this period to estimate what percentage of the coalition total this represents.

  Between 20 December 1998 and 17 May 2000, UK aircraft released 78 tons of ordnance over the southern no-fly zones, at an average of 5 tons per month. This figure represents approximately 20 per cent. of the coalition total for this period.

  The UK has never released ordnance over the northern no-fly zone.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of Iraqi civilians killed as a result of coalition aircraft responding to threats in(a) the northern and (b) the southern no-fly-zone in Iraq between (i) 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998 and (ii) 20 December 1998 to date through (A) collateral damage, (B) attack on an unintended target and (C) malfunction of ordnance; and what percentage of attacks in the no-fly-zones resulted in civilian casualties in those periods. [122845]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]The coalition only ever targets, in self-defence, Iraqi military facilities that pose a threat to its forces carrying out legitimate patrols of the no-fly zones. The coalition goes to exceptional lengths to ensure civilian casualties are kept to the absolute minimum possible, including the employment of very carefully controlled targeting procedures and precision guided munitions.

  In practice, it is extremely difficult to give estimates of civilian casualties, despite the painstaking battle-damage assessment (BDA) that the coalition routinely carries out every time ordnance is released. However, we can demonstrate categorically that many of the Iraqi claims of
  170W
  civilian casualties are either exaggerated or wholly untrue. On a number of occasions the Iraqis have claimed that coalition aircraft have caused civilian casualties when allied aircraft have not released any munitions, or even been flying. The most recent example of this was on 17 May this year, when it seems very probable that the civilian casualties which the Iraqis claimed were caused by coalition activities, were in fact caused by an Iraqi air defence weapon. There have also been many instances when the Iraqis claimed civilians have been killed, where our BDA has clearly indicated that only military facilities were attacked.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly-zone in Iraq released ordnance between(a) 1 August 1992 and 16 December 1998 and (b) 20 December 1998 to date, stating in percentage terms (i) the nature of the threat, (ii) the category of the target attacked and (iii) the tonnage of ordnance released on each category of target in proportion to the overall tonnage released in those periods. [122847]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]I am withholding detailed information on the activities undertaken by allies under Part II Section 1.c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Between 1 August 1992 and 16 December 1998, UK aircraft released ordnance over the southern no-fly zone on two occasions. The nature of the threat on both occasions was hostile electronic activity. In both cases, ordnance was directed against elements of Iraq's Ground Based Air Defence Systems, posing a direct threat to coalition forces.

  Between 20 December 1998 and 17 May 2000 coalition aircraft were directly threatened by the Iraqi air defence forces on over 320 occasions. Aircraft responded in self-defence on 74 occasions against Iraqi military facilities posing a direct threat to coalition forces. Details of these threats, broken down by percentage, are as follows:

  Percentage

  Nature of threat

  Aircraft violations of southern no-fly zone

  51

  Anti-aircraft artillery/surface to air missile firings

  45

  Hostile electronic activity

  4

  Category of target attacked

  Ground based air defence system

  95

  Other military systems posing a direct threat to
  coalition forces

  5

  Tonnage of weapons released

  Ground based air defence system

  92

  Other military systems posing a direct threat to coalition forces

  8

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Commander for British Forces in charge of(a) Operation Bolton, (b) Operation Warden and (c) preceding operations to maintain the no-fly zones in Iraq has requested authority from his Department to attack a target between (i) 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998 and (ii) 20 December 1998 to

  171W
  date, stating in each case (A) the date of request, (B) the category of the target, (C) whether authority was given and (D) whether the target was attacked. [122849]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]Commanders of British Forces operating over the Iraqi no-fly zones receive a directive from CJO that gives them highly detailed levels of delegated authority for target clearance.

  (a)(i) Between 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998, the Commander of British Forces for Operations over the southern no-fly zone referred to the UK for authority to attack targets beyond his delegated authority on one occasion. This approval was granted. I am withholding further details of this operation under Part II Section 1.a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  (a)(ii) Between 20 December 1998 and 17 May 2000, the Commander of British Forces for Operation Bolton formally sought approval to attack targets beyond his delegated authority on four occasions. On each occasion approval was granted. I am withholding further details of this operation under Part II Section 1.a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  (b) The UK has never released ordnance over the northern no-fly zone.

  Training and Logistics Support
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what request his Department made to the US Government on the sale of training and logistics support to back up the lease of four Boeing C17 Transport Aircraft; what is the cost to his Department of this support and over what time it would run; and if he will make a statement. [124555]

  Mr. Hoon
  Further to my statement of 16 May 2000 in which I announced that it is our intention to lease four C-17 Globemaster aircraft to meet the Royal Air Force short to medium term airlift requirement: following termination of the original Short Term Strategic Airlift competition on 5 August 1999, the Ministry of Defence explored a number of options. These included discussions with Boeing and the US Government on ways of reducing the cost of meeting the RAF's requirement with a possible C-17 lease package. These discussions focused on the most cost-effective means of providing training and logistic support. Following our decision to lease four C-17 aircraft, a UK/US Government agreement has now been signed to provide C-17 training and training support services for the programme at an approximate cost of £8 million. A similar agreement will be put in place to cover the logistic support for the aircraft, but the details, including final costs, have yet to be agreed. Both agreements are expected to run for the full term of the aircraft lease.

  Army Cadet Death
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what persons are to be disciplined as a result of the events surrounding the death of Army cadet Claire Louise Shore; [124356]
  172W
  (2) what assessment he has made of (a) the report of the Health and Safety Executive and (b) the Army Board of Inquiry into the death of Army cadet Claire Louise Shore; [124354]

  (3) if he will ensure that the parents of Army cadet Claire Louise Shore receive a detailed personal de-brief of the Army's Board of Inquiry proceedings. [124355]

  Mr. Spellar
  There has been a thorough investigation into this tragic incident by the Ministry of Defence Police, the Army's Training Accident Investigation Team and the Health and Safety Executive. The evidence from these investigations has been considered by the Crown Prosecution Service and by the Army chain of command and it has been found to be insufficient to support a prosecution under civil or military law, nor do they reveal any grounds for disciplinary action against any individual. They do, however, make criticisms of the organisation of the cadet camp and the training safety procedures. The Army accepts these criticisms and will accept the formal censure to be issued later this month. Action is in hand to improve these procedures.

  The Army's Board of Inquiry has not yet been completed. On completion, the Army will be happy to give a copy to Claire Shore's parents and to de-brief them in person.

  Military Bases (Foreign Personnel)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military bases in the United Kingdom where foreign nationals are based, indicating in each case, the(a) nationality and (b) number of individuals involved. [123759]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Bonus Payments (Overseas Deployment)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have qualified for the bonus payments for overseas deployment under the recently introduced procedures; what delays in making these payments to service personnel there have been, and for what reason; how many claims are outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [124476]

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

  Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to date of the work carried out to develop the Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform; what was the total budget provision and completion date for development and trials; and if he will make a statement. [124540]

  Dr. Moonie
  The total cost to the MOD of the Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform is expected to be £6 million, which is within the total budget provision when the programme started in 1993. The
  173W
  initial automotive trials have been successful and the development and trials process is expected to be complete in October 2000.

  Mr. Liam Clarke
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 May 2000,Official Report, column 462W, concerning the Metropolitan Police investigation of Mr. Liam Clarke, what were the times and occasions when complaints were made by him to the Metropolitan Police Service concerning alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Acts following the publication of articles in The Sunday Times concerning interviews by Liam Clarke and Martin Ingram. [124678]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]At a meeting with the Crown Prosecution Service on 8 September 1999 my Department raised its concerns that a breach of the Official Secrets Act may have been committed by Martin Ingram. Subsequent investigations have been a matter for the police.

  Wireless Transmitter Station, Stubbington
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what price the site of the former wireless transmitter station at Stubbington was sold. [124682]

  Dr. Moonie
  The price was £2.085 million.

WALES

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Lord Chancellor's Department concerning the future of rural magistrates courts; and if he will make a statement. [124426]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have had no such discussions with the Lord Chancellor.

  The Government consider that magistrates courts are best managed locally by magistrates courts committees under the provision of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts in Wales, whether rural or urban, are for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine, in consultation with the paying authority or authorities.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Pakistan
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her plans for provision of bilateral development assistance to Pakistan. [124773]

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards restoring the bilateral aid programme to Pakistan. [124564]
  174W
  Clare Short
  I have agreed to provide technical assistance to assist the Administration to prepare some of the key reforms which would enable the UK and multilateral institutions to re-engage in Pakistan.

PRIME MINISTER

  OSPAR Convention, Copenhagen
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister which(a) Departments and (b) Ministers will represent the Government at the forthcoming OSPAR convention in Copenhagen on 26 June. [124242]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The annual meeting of the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic will be held on 26 to 30 June. It is a meeting of officials from the Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention, which Ministers would not normally expect to attend.

  Although the exact composition of the UK delegation has yet to be finalised, I understand it is likely to comprise officials from DETR and DTI.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of Greek participation in the Schengen Agreement on the future level of illegal immigration to Western European states by Albanian nationals; and what recent representations he has made on this issue. [123629]

  Mrs. Roche
  The evaluation of Greece's readiness to participate in Schengen arrangements was made by the existing Schengen stales, which did not include the United Kingdom. That evaluation covered the question of security of Greece's external frontiers. The Schengen arrangements, as incorporated within Treaty structures, provide for a continuing process of evaluation by participating states of adherence to the Schengen acquis, including the maintenance of the external frontiers of the Schengen area. The United Kingdom's participation in the Schengen agreement does not include external frontier arrangements and our participation in the evaluation process is limited to those areas in which we will ourselves participate. We shall continue to operate our own controls to tackle illegal immigration in the way that best suits our national circumstances. The Government have not, therefore, made any representations on this issue to European Union partners.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will compile a list of those(a) elements of acquis, (b) working documents and (c) reports, pertaining to Schengen, to which his Department has to date not had access. [123622]

  Mrs. Roche
  We have had access to all the Schengen acquis as defined in Council Decision 1999/435/EC. Since the incorporation of the acquis into the Treaty on European Union, the United Kingdom as a member of the Council sees all Council working documents and reports.

  Kosovar Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Kosovo came to the United Kingdom under the United Nations humanitarian and medical evacuation programmes; how many are still in the United Kingdom; how many have claimed political asylum; and if he will make a statement. [123791]

  Mrs. Roche
  A total of 4,346 evacuees from Kosovo arrived in the United Kingdom under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Humanitarian Evacuation Programme from Macedonia between 25 April and 25 June 1999, including 19 medical evacuees and their families. A further 109 Kosovans (26 patients with their immediate family members) have, so far, arrived on subsequent medical evacuation flights from Kosovo.

  As of 1 June, 1,527 of the evacuees had returned permanently to Kosovo under the voluntary return programme from the United Kingdom which began on 26 July 1999.

  Since March 2000, 241 principal applicants have sought an extension of exceptional leave to enter, 79 have applied for asylum and 90 have applied for both exceptional leave and asylum. These applications are currently under consideration.

  Immigration Rules
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for clearance to the United Kingdom there were in each of the last three years; and, of these, how many were(a) granted, (b) rejected on the grounds of Rule 320(18) of the UK Immigration Rules and (c) accepted despite the individual having relatively serious criminal convictions which would normally result in the application being rejected under Rule 320(18) of the UK Immigration Rules. [123584]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information on total grants and refusals of entry clearance applications overseas is given in Table 1. I regret that the other entry clearance information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Only some nationalities and categories of person need to obtain entry clearance prior to arrival in the United Kingdom. Information is available on persons refused leave to enter at United Kingdom ports and removed where the principal reason for the decision was taken under paragraph 320(18) of the Immigration Rules, and is given in Table 2. Information is not available on cases where the discretion allowed under the Rule is exercised, either with regard to applications for entry clearance or leave to enter.

  Table 1. Decisions on entry clearance applications made worldwide

  Thousand

  Year

  Applications granted

  Applications refused initially

  1997

  1,284

  81

  1998

  1,304

  85

  1999

  1,515

  100

  176W

  Table 2. Passengers refused leave to enter because of a criminal conviction and removed

  Year

  Number of passengers

  1997

  16

  1998

  15

  1999

  27

  Anti-terrorism Powers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to assess the number of persons detained at ports under anti-terrorism powers for less than an hour and variations year by year in the frequency of stops that fall short of the minimum duration required for the purposes of the formal recording process; if the Independent Assessor has powers and resources available to advertise his address in the Irish community press to facilitate making contact with individuals who may have relevant experiences to relate; and what measures he will take to form an independent assessment of the effect and perceptions of emergency legislation among the travelling public and Irish community in particular. [123957]

  Mr. Straw
  The Independent Review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 has access to and speaks to the National Co-ordinator of Ports Policing who oversees the exercise of police port powers including any variations in the number of people examined.

  Resources are available to the Reviewer to conduct his annual review in the manner he thinks best, which can include placing advertisements in the Irish community press. It will be for any future Reviewer of the counter-terrorist legislation to decide the most appropriate consultation process and whether to invite specifically the travelling public to make known their particular experiences at ports.

  Children and Young Persons Act 1933
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were serving sentences under section 53(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 on 1 April for each year since 1997; and how many of them were serving their sentences in(a) local authority secure accommodation, and (b) Young Offenders Institutions. [123937]

  Mr. Boateng
  The available information for offenders serving sentences under section 53(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993 in Prison Service accommodation is for the end of June each year. It is as follows:

  Year

  1997

  759

  1998

  856

  1999

  862

  2000

  873

  Note:

  End March—provisional
  177W
  The available information for offenders serving sentences in local authority secure accommodation has been supplied by the Department of Health and is for 31 March each year. The numbers are as follows:

  Year

  1997

  96

  1998

  113

  1999

  88

  Note:

  2000 not yet available

  Liam Grogan
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision will be made on the repatriation of Liam Grogan to the Republic of Ireland, to serve the remainder of his sentence there. [123913]

  Mr. Boateng
  A decision regarding Mr. Grogan's application for repatriation to the Republic of Ireland will be made as soon as possible.

  Obscene Publications Acts
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964. [124177]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government keep the obscenity laws under general review and are determined to ensure that they remain effective in protecting the rights and freedoms of different people to have access to, and to be protected from, certain types of material. The Obscene Publications Act 1959 continues to provide a flexible regulatory tool, applying equally now to material published on the internet as it does to other media. Data for 1998 show that the Act continues to be effective with 196 prosecutions under the Act, 176 of which led to convictions.

  Video Classification
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has(a) to review the effectiveness of the Video Recordings Act 1984 and (b) to ensure the public accountability of the British Board of Film Classification and the Video Appeals Committee. [124178]

  Mr. Straw
  The Video Recordings Act 1984 requires that all videos, apart from a small category of exempt works, must be submitted to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for classification. I am satisfied that, in general, the Act provides an effective means of regulating material released on video. I am concerned, however, about the implications of a recent High Court judgment for the small category of videos classified as suitable for sale only in licensed sex shops to those aged 18 and above (Restricted (18) videos).

  On 16 May, the High Court dismissed the BBFC's application for Judicial Review in respect of appeals against their decision not to classify seven sexually explicit videos in the Restricted 18 (R18) category. The Board had focused their application for Judicial Review
  178W
  on the possible harm which the videos might cause to potential viewers, particularly children. I am considering the implications of the Court's decision and intend to publish a Consultation Paper shortly to seek views on whether there are any additional steps that can be taken to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit material.

  Under the Video Recordings Act 1984, I am responsible for designating the authority responsible for classifying videos. I have so designated the President and the two Vice-Presidents of the BBFC. The designated authority is required to submit an annual report to me, which is then laid before both Houses of Parliament. I laid the report for 1999 on 24 May. Since his appointment as President of the BBFC, Andreas Whittam Smith has held two series of 'roadshows' in cities around the country as part of a dialogue with the public on classification policy. The Board is also conducting separate research surveys about its classification policy with members of the public.

  The Video Appeals Committee is responsible for considering appeals by distributors against the decisions of the BBFC. It contributes to the Board's Annual Report which contains a section on the appeals they have considered together with a list of all its members. Appeal hearings are also open to members of the public.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Class Sizes (Kingston)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average c lass size in secondary schools in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames for each year since 1979. [123133]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the following table. The latest provisional estimates for January 2000 show that as few as 0.9 per cent. of pupils were in one teacher classes of over 35 pupils in maintained secondary schools in Kingston upon Thames local education authority area.

  Provisional national estimates of class sizes in maintained secondary schools in England were published in Statistical First Release "Class sizes in maintained schools in England: January 2000" on 14 April 2000. Information by local education authority area has been placed in the Library.

  The element within the Kingston upon Thames SSA which relates to secondary pupils of compulsory school age has risen from £19.44 million in 1997–98 to £22.70 million in 2000–01. Over the same period, funding per secondary pupil of compulsory school age in the local education authority has increased in real terms from £3,010 to £3,300. It is open to Kingston upon Thames to use some of these increased resources to employ extra teachers.

  In addition, schools in Kingston upon Thames received a total of £791,000 in direct grants in May 2000 as their share of the £290 million funding increase that was announced in the Budget of 21 March 2000.

  179W

  Average class sizes taught by one teacher in maintained secondary schools in the local education authority area of Kingston upon Thames: 1979–2000 (provisional)

  Position as at January

  Year

  Number of pupils

  Number of classes

  Average class size

  2000

  7,970

  366

  21.8

  1999

  7,551

  359

  21.0

  1998

  7,584

  361

  21.0

  1997

  7,695

  381

  20.2

  1996

  7,563

  375

  20.2

  1995

  7,238

  362

  20.0

  1994

  6,844

  334

  20.5

  1993

  6,947

  352

  19.7

  1992

  6,849

  361

  19.0

  1991

  6,424

  346

  18.6

  1990

  6,192

  338

  18.3

  1989

  6,440

  356

  18.1

  1988

  6,797

  360

  18.9

  1987

  6,846

  346

  19.8

  1986

  7,262

  387

  18.8

  1985

  7,864

  396

  19.9

  1984

  8,132

  407

  20.0

  1983

  8,479

  407

  20.8

  1982

  8,641

  430

  20.1

  1981

  8,728

  425

  20.5

  1980

  8,836

  440

  20.1

  1979

  8,685

  432

  20.1

  Further Education
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many further education college lecturers transferred from the furthered education sector to the maintained schools sector in 1999–2000. [124173]

  Mr. Wicks
  Data on the movement of teachers from the further education sector to the maintained school sector are not available for 1999–2000.

  Teachers of the Deaf
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list(a) the funding made available in each of the last five years through the Standards Fund to help LEAs with the costs of training teachers of children with special educational needs, including training leading to the mandatory qualifications and (b) the amount and the proportion of that funding spent on mandatory training for teachers of the deaf for each of the last five years; [124466]

  (2) what guidance his Department gives to the Standards Fund to ensure adequate resources are available for mandatory training for teachers of the deaf; [124467]

  (3) what mechanisms are (a) in place and (b) planned, to monitor the amount and proportion of Standards Fund money allocated to support mandatory training for teachers of the deaf. [124468]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Expenditure supported under the Standards Fund relating to training teachers and others in special educational needs over the last five years has been as follows.180W

  Year

  £ million

  1996–97

  20

  1997–98

  17

  1998–99

  18

  1999–00

  21

  2000–01

  26

  Note:

  Total supported expenditure by English local education authorities, against which DfEE pays grant

  The Standards Fund circular makes it clear to local education authorities that support is available for courses leading to mandatory qualifications but the actual decisions as to how the funding is deployed are made by individual LEAs according to local needs. A breakdown for the period in question is not available. As to monitoring of expenditure, LEAs are asked to report on the overall number of teachers and others trained with the benefit of Standards Fund support.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of the new financial arrangements on teacher recruitment in 2000–01; and if such arrangements will be available next year. [124510]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Since the announcement of the new financial arrangements for teacher training, there have been 4,004 applications for courses of postgraduate initial teacher training, 27 per cent. more than in the same period last year.

  Expenditure plans for 2001–02 and beyond are dependent on the outcome of the current Spending Review.

  Guillain-Barré Syndrome
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school pupils suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome have statements of special educational needs. [124625]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not available. However, a medical diagnosis of Guillain Barré Syndrome would not necessarily imply that the child has special educational needs. For most children with this syndrome, education provision will be made in line with the Department's guidance on the education of sick children, through to recovery. Special Educational Needs provision would, of course, be made for any child with significant learning difficulties caused by relapsing Guillain Barré Syndrome.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library audited accounts of education action zones to date. [124662]
  181W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Comptroller and Auditor General has so far placed audited financial accounts for the 1998–99 financial year in both Libraries of Parliament for 15 of the first round zones.

  Primary Schools (Access)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of the population lives(a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from a primary school in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas. [124670]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]It is not possible to answer the question as there are no centrally held data available.

  Performance Targets (Employment Service)
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what performance target levels will be set to ensure that the Employment Service achieves its aims and objectives in 2000–01. [124920]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Aim of the Employment Service is to help people without jobs to find work and employers to fill their vacancies. The Service makes a major contribution to an efficient and flexible labour market and to the Government's objectives of high and stable employment and growth, equality of opportunity and social inclusion. Its chief priority is to help individuals facing particular difficulty in the labour market to move from welfare and economic inactivity into sustainable employment. During the coming year it will be taking forward an ambitious programme of technological change and business improvement and will be preparing for the merger with the Benefits Agency in 2001.

  I am today announcing the targets I have set the Employment Service for 2000–01, which relate to its four key objectives.
  Vision and Purpose
  The Employment Service aims to make a major contribution to an efficient and flexible labour market and to the Government's objectives of high and stable employment and growth, equality of opportunity and social inclusion. ES works closely with employers and with its private, voluntary and public sector partners to provide a quality service for all people without a job and to promote employment opportunities for all who can work. It aims to attract a diverse range of vacancies and to fill those vacancies quickly by matching the right people and skills with the right jobs. Its chief priority is to help individuals facing particular difficulty in the labour market to move from welfare and economic inactivity into sustainable employment. It does this through correct application of the JSA regime, delivery of the New Deals and the pilot ONE service, and provision of appropriate information, advice, training and support. The Agency has achieved much over the past three years. The challenge and opportunity now facing it is to sustain continuous improvement in its services to jobseekers and employers and to make those services more accessible and relevant to customer needs, through effective use of modern technology and close working with a wide range of partners.
  Aim
  To help people without jobs to find work and employers to fill their vacancies.
  182W
  Objective A
  To help all people without jobs, and particularly those on welfare and at a disadvantage in the labour market, to find and keep work by providing appropriate information, advice, training and support and by encouraging employers to open more opportunities to them.
  Targets
  1. To help 178,000 participants in the New Deals and all Employment Zones into work, directly or in partnership with others
  2. To help 100,000 people with disabilities into work, directly or in partnership with others
  3. To help 295,000 disadvantaged jobseekers into work, directly or in partnership with others
  4. To help 735,000 people from welfare into work, directly or in partnership with others
  5. To help 1,325,000 jobless people into work, directly or in partnership with others
  Objective B
  To ensure that the rights and relevant labour market responsibilities of people on JSA and other benefits are fulfilled, while helping to combat fraud and abuse of the benefit system.
  Target
  To ensure that the relevant labour market responsibilities of people on JSA are fulfilled in 90 per cent. of cases checked.
  Objective C
  To harness new technology, the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement to deliver effective, efficient and accessible services to all people without jobs and to employers in Jobcentres and, increasingly through other locations and means of communication.
  Targets
  1. To achieve a 90 per cent. customer service level for jobseekers
  Milestone Targets
  1. To introduce the Learning and Work Bank, new Labour Market System, touch-screen kiosks and a single national telephone number for employers by March 2001.
  2. To achieve a successful transfer of Work Based Learning for Adults to ES in England by April 2001.
  Objective D
  To deliver services to all ES customers in a way which respects individual differences, helps to overcome disadvantages due to ethnicity, gender, age or disability and achieves the best possible outcome for each of them.

  Two additional targets, for employer service and sustainable employment will be announced in July.

  Target levels for the Employment Service in Scotland and Wales, derived from the national targets, will be announced shortly.

  Learning and Skills Council
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress being made on the appointment of a Chair for the Learning and Skills Council. [124919]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has today appointed Bryan Sanderson as the Chairman (designate) of the Learning and Skills Council. Mr. Sanderson is currently Group Managing Director of BP Amoco plc and Chief Executive of BP Amoco Chemicals. Subject to the successful passage of the Learning and Skills Bill in Parliament, the appointment will be confirmed in July.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industry Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Industry Council held in Brussels on 18 May; and if he will make a statement. [123439]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe represented the UK at the EU Industry Council held on 18 May.

  The Council had a debate on competitiveness, focusing on the follow-up actions from the Lisbon European Council and broad consensus was reached on the challenges ahead. There was agreement that the new Multi-Annual Programme should concentrate resources where they could benefit SMEs generally and should be adopted by the end of this year. There was also widespread support from member states for adoption at the Feira European Council on 19–20 June of a European Charter for Small Firms with concrete targets and actions.

  Several delegations pointed out the need to benchmark Europe's performance against the best in the world to foster a new enterprise policy and the need for greater co-ordination of all the current EU benchmarking exercises.

  The Commission introduced the results of the second report on the situation in world shipbuilding, highlighting the continued problems faced with Korea, and progress made on the "Agreed Minutes" with Korea in an attempt to address this situation. It was agreed that discussion should continue with Korea as a matter of urgency on unfair trade practices and that continuation of operating aid beyond the end of this year in the EU would not resolve these problems. The Council asked the Commission to make a further report by the end of September.

  The Commission reported on follow up to the conclusions on integrating sustainable development into EU policy which were agreed at the Helsinki European Council last year and its recent communication on integrating sustainable development into the EU non-energy mining industry.

  The Commission gave progress reports on the modernisation of competition rules, the impact of electronic commerce on the automotive industry and the future of the European Observatory for Textile and Clothing. It also presented its: eighth survey of state aid; twenty ninth report on competition; monitoring report on restructuring aid to the steel sector.

  The Council adopted conclusions on: information and communication technologies and traditional sectors; the state of competitiveness of the steel industry in the EU; and concerted action with the member states in the field of enterprise policy.

  Advertisements
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to strengthen the arrangements in place to protect consumers from fraudulent claims made in advertisements, with particular reference to the penalties which can be brought to bear on those making such claims; and if he will make a statement. [124084]
  184W
  Dr. Howells
  I am satisfied that the 1988 Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations, together with the self-regulatory system operated by the Advertising Standards Authority for advertisements in the non-broadcast media, are effective in controlling misleading advertising in the United Kingdom.

  In respect of false or misleading claims more generally, the White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" announced that the Government are considering strengthening the Trade Descriptions Act 1968—which applies to both advertisements and on-pack claims—by making misleading claims about services an offence of strict liability, as is already the case for goods, and by introducing new provisions to cover the future supply of services and false or misleading statements made by traders about a consumer's own property—for example the need for remedial work. The Trade Descriptions Act includes criminal penalties.

  Research (Gender Balance)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards promoting gender balance in research, with particular reference to those areas funded by European Community moneys, following the ETAN report of the European Parliament. [123649]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are very keen to increase the participation of women in research. The Promoting SET for Women Unit, within the DTI works with the Research Councils, the Higher Education Funding Councils, the Wellcome Trust and the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals to encourage more women to apply for research funds and for membership of the Framework programme expert and advisory bodies. The Unit Head is a member of a Commission working group to help achieve these aims.

  OECD Convention on Bribery
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the OECD peer group review of the UK concerning the OECD convention on bribery. [123974]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The Phase 1 evaluation report of the UK under the OECD Convention on Combating the Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions will be made public, along with the reports of all other countries so far reviewed, at the OECD Ministerial meeting at the end of June, as agreed by OECD members.

  Ethnic Minority Business Forum
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Ethnic Minority Business Forum will address the needs of the ethnic minority business community. [124384]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department is setting up an ethnic minority business forum so that we can find out at first hand the particular needs and concerns of ethnic minority entrepreneurs. With the benefit of the experience of members of the Forum, we hope we will be able to better tailor our policies and support to overcome these concerns and improve the competitiveness of this important sector of our economy.

  Late Payment
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to introduce legislation on late payment of accounts by companies. [124749]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 was introduced on 1 November 1998 and provides businesses with a statutory right to claim interest on late payment of commercial debt. The legislation is phased and for the first two years—1 November 1998 to 31 October 2000—small businesses can claim interest from large businesses and the public sector.

  The Government propose to extend the right to claim interest from 1 November 2000 to 31 October 2002, so that small businesses will also be able to claim interest from other small businesses on debts incurred under contracts agreed after that date. From 1 November 2002 it is proposed that all businesses and the public sector will be able to claim interest from all businesses and the public sector on debts incurred under contracts agreed after that date.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988; and if he will make a statement. [124674]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department is undertaking research to evaluate whether the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 have been successful in reducing the number of lives lost and serious injuries suffered as a result of furniture fires.

  I plan to publish this research at the end of June 2000 and copies will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Miners Compensation Schemes
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the second stage tests to be available in the North East of England for chronic bronchitis and emphysema under the miners compensation schemes. [123760]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The two spirometry centres based in Newcastle and Durham have been converted to carry out in full the Medical Assessment Process and the first MAP appointments have now been made.

  Research Funding
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to increase funding for research leading to innovation in public bodies and private companies. [124494]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The Government's first Comprehensive Spending Review resulted in an additional £1.0 billion support over three years for the public science and engineering base. A unique partnership with the Wellcome Trust increased this to £1.4 billion, of which £0.75 billion has been used to renew university research infrastructure through the Joint 186W
  Infrastructure Fund. In addition the DTI's Innovation Budget is being increased by some 20 per cent. over three years to fund a number of programmes designed to drive forward a fundamental change in innovation performance in the UK. This includes for example the Smart scheme which supports R&D activities in private small and medium-sized companies and is being expanded and extended over the period 1999–2002, and the technology transfer scheme known as TCS, for which DTI is doubling its expenditure.

  These and other relevant schemes are being considered in the current Spending Review. The Government are also working toward publishing a Science and Innovation White Paper later this year, which will set out our policies in this area.

  Nuclear Fuel (Reprocessing)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is in respect of the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. [124232]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The Government's policy on spent fuel management is set out in United Kingdom Civil Nuclear Policy Including Plutonium, which was presented to the House in January 1998.

  Performance Targets (Employment Tribunals Service)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set the Employment Tribunals Service for 2000–01. [125066]

  Mr. Byers
  I have set the following targets for the Employment Tribunals Service for 2000–01:to bring to a first hearing at least 85 per cent. of single employment tribunal cases within 26 weeks of receipt;
  in relation to the above target, all employment tribunal offices to achieve at least 75 per cent.;
  to issue at least 85 per cent. of decisions within four weeks of the final hearing;
  to reduce administrative unit costs in the employment tribunals by 5 per cent. in real terms;
  at least 85 per cent. of employment tribunal users to express satisfaction, in surveys, with the service offered by ETS;
  at least 90 per cent. of appeals registered by the Employment Appeal Tribunal for preliminary hearing to be ready for listing within six weeks.

  Postal Services Commission
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the membership of the Postal Services Commission. [125067]

  Mr. Byers
  Mr. Robin Aaronson, Mr. Tony Cooper, Ms Julia Kaufmann OBE, Ms Janet Lewis-Jones, and Mr. Ken Olisa are b sing appointed as members of the Postal Services Commission. They start work immediately. It is anticipated that they will be appointed as members of the statutory body of the same name that is expected to be created following the passing of the Postal Services Bill currently before Parliament. The appointment of the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Graham Corbett CBE,
  187W
  was announced on 16 March and that of the Chief Executive, Mr. Martin Stanley, on 15 January. This completes the membership of the Commission.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Clean Technology
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use he has made of the report entitled "Cleaning, Up? Stimulating Innovation in Environmental Technology", produced by POST in respect of his Department's support for the Joint Environmental Market Unit's work on promoting British clean technology commerce; and if he will circulate the report to British Embassies. [122816]

  Mr. Hain
  As the report has only just been published, my officials will consider with other Departments its implications for the promotion of UK exports of environmental technology. More generally, I am keen to make full use of our Missions overseas in promoting such exports.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the single currency games shown in InfEuro Number 14, the Commission newsletter, were created with the assistance of the European Community; and if he will make a statement. [123619]

  Mr. Vaz
  The single currency games referred to by the hon. Member were the result of the work of the children and teachers of the "Nos Enfants" school in Brussels, as well as the "Informer et Enseigner L'Europe et la Democratie", the "Orrizonti" company and the Economic and Social Committee. The project received funding from the Commission, Generale de Banque, Instituto Bancario San Paolo die Iorino and Mouvement E Leclerc, as well as the support of the European Parliament, Credit Mutuel, and the Fondation du Credit Mutuel pour la Lecture.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he made during discussions on the agreement of the Lomé Peace Accord on Sierra Leone, with respect to the(a) freeing of, (b) participation in politics of and (c) rescinding the death penalty passed on Foday Sankoh; [123608]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his role in the establishment of the Lomé Peace Accord on Sierra Leone. [123606]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 23 May 2000,Official Report, column 413W.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which three member states, referred to in the document, "Treaty of Amsterdam: What has Changed in Europe", have indicated a preference for extension of QMV before enlargement. [123616]
  188W
  Mr. Vaz
  "Treaty of Amsterdam: What Has Changed In Europe" was published by the Education and Culture Unit of the Commission. Therefore, I refer the hon. Member to the office of the Commission in London.

  EU Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs further to his answer of 15 May 2000,Official Report, column 30W, on EU working groups, if he will make it his policy to ensure the maximum transparency for (a) draft documents without negotiating position commentary and (b) issues under discussion at European Union working group level. [123631]

  Mr. Vaz
  We will ensure that all documents being prepared in European Union working groups for decision by the Council will be submitted to Parliament in accordance with the established procedures for Parliamentary scrutiny.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many European Community documents were examined by EU working groups in the last 12 months; and, of these, how many were advanced as draft legislation. [123610]

  Mr. Vaz
  There is no comprehensive record of European Community documents examined in 1999. However, there were 43 pieces of legislation enacted by the Council and European Parliament in 1999. In addition, 284 legislative instruments were adopted by the Council, and 1,413 by the Commission. Draft versions of all of these will have been discussed either by Council working groups or Comitology committees.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on democratic accountability within European Community working groups. [123609]

  Mr. Vaz
  Working groups are attended by national civil servants, who work within policies established by Government Ministers, who are themselves directly and democratically accountable.

  European Community (Lobbying Organisations)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to endorse the funding from European Community funds of organisations which exist to lobby the European Community; and if he will make a statement with particular reference to budget line A-3021. [123607]

  Mr. Vaz
  The funding supported by this budget line is financed from the Commission's administrative budget. This funding is long established and is supported by the European Parliament and individual member states where the organisations are located. The UK, however, seeks to keep such expenditure as low as possible.

  European Institute of Public Administration
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2000,Official Report, column 48W, if he will define Management of European Integration, with reference to the inclusion or otherwise of political education on the future shape of the EU. [123630]
  189W
  Mr. Vaz
  As stated in my previous reply, the EIPA supports the practical management of European integration through the provision of training, applied research and consultancy at a European level. The EIPA provides training, research and consultancy services for national and local governments to assist them in the implementation of EU legislation and guidance. Courses are either issue-specific (covering such issues as implementing better procurement practices or internal market legislation) or generic (for example, examining the European legislative process). Courses are practical and do not include political education.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those opinion formers who received free copies of Cm 4595; if they were sent copies without requesting them; what(a) deputations and (b) correspondence he received from opinion formers following receipt of Cm 4595; and if he will make a statement. [123612]

  Mr. Vaz
  Copies of Cm 4595 have been sent to numerous opinion formers in the UK. Posts overseas have also distributed copies as appropriate.

  Friends of Europe
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs further to his answer of 11 May 2000,Official Report, columns 452–53W, on Friends of Europe, if the Friends of Europe event charged for admission; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards the subsidising of fund raising events by such bodies. [123633]

  Mr. Vaz
  Admission to the Friends of Europe event referred to was free. This was not a fund-raising event but a joint event aimed at widening discussion on contemporary European policy.

  European Commission DG Newsletters
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit copies of European Commission DG newsletters in the Library in a readily accessible format. [123627]

  Mr. Vaz
  Those Commission newsletters intended for outside distribution are already readily accessible on the Commission's website (www.europa.eu.int).

  Informer et Enseigner I'Europe et la Democratie
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) activities and (b) public funding arrangements of Informer et Enseigner l'Europe et la Democratie, with particular reference to its role in the UK. [123620]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have no involvement with this organisation.

  European Federation of Retired and Elderly Persons
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what EU funding is awarded to the European Federation of Retired and Elderly Persons. [123651]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Commission's funding of such grants is published annually in its "Report on Beneficiaries of Part A Commission Grants". This report is freely available on the Commission's website www.europa.eu.int.

  India
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on India's gaining a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council; for what reasons this policy has changed; and if he will make a statement. [123727]

  Mr. Hain
  We are committed to early enlargement of both the permanent and the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council, including the creation of a new permanent seat for the Asian regional group. We continue to maintain that it would be for the Asian group to decide who would occupy any permanent seat allocated to them. India would clearly be a strong contender. Our policy on this is unchanged.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2000,Official Report, column 111W, on the Intergovernmental Conference, how many copies of Cm 4595 have been distributed free; and how many were available for sale. [123908]

  Mr. Vaz
  My Department has distributed numerous free copies to opinion formers. The Stationery Office Ltd., who publish Command Papers under a contract administered by HMSO, are responsible for fixing the total print run. Initially, they printed 800 copies for sale but have since reprinted a further 200 copies to meet demand.

  Visit Visas
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visit visas made in(a) India and (b) Pakistan were refused from 1 January to 30 April; and how many of the refused applications gave the reason for seeking entry as (i) attending a family funeral, (ii) attending a family wedding and (iii) visiting a seriously ill relative. [124462]

  Mr. Vaz
  The number of visit visa applications refused between 1 January and 30 April 2000 were as follows:

  Number

  India

  Bombay

  1,820

  Calcutta

  32

  Madras

  449

  New Delhi

  3,251

  Pakistan

  Islamabad

  2,224

  Karachi

  1,392

  191W
  Detailed information on the nature of these applications is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ethiopia and Eritrea
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last held discussions with representatives of the Governments of(a) Ethiopia and (b) Eritrea about the war between these two countries; and if he will make a statement. [124499]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]As I told the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 577W, I last spoke to the Ethiopian Ambassador on 23 May about the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, when I strongly criticised Ethiopia's resumption of fighting with Eritrea.

  I will discuss the conflict with the recently arrived Eritrean Ambassador when he makes his introductory call on me on 8 June. I will reiterate our strong belief that only a negotiated settlement will bring a lasting peace to the region.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his arms policy towards(a) Ethiopia and (b) Eritrea. [124501]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell and Wishaw (Mr. Roy) on 18 May 2000,Official Report, column 223W.

  Grand Cayman
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about environmental degradation of the mangrove swamp in the central area of Grand Cayman. [123000]

  Mr. Hain
  I have received a copy of a recent report from the Cayman Islands National Trust to the Governor of the Cayman Islands. This expresses concern that the Environmental Protection Fees have not been used to purchase areas of the central mangrove wetlands. It also raises the issue of an area of mangrove recently removed as part of a hotel development project. I have asked the Governor to send me a report on both issues and will write to my hon. Friend when that report is received.

SCOTLAND

  Green Transport
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the key buildings for which his Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122609]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]Key buildings are those with more than 50 staff where the Department is the main occupier. My Department has no buildings in this category and has not submitted green transport plans. We shall however be considering transport arrangements for the building s we occupy.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what reports he has received about the United States Government's proposals to ban the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether as a petrol additive within three years; and if he will make a statement; [123446]

  (2) what recent discussions his Department has held with counterparts in the United States on methyl tertiary butyl ether; and if he will make a statement. [123447]

  Mr. Hill
  No reports have been received from the United States Government. However, officials are in regular contact with their US counterparts and discuss issues such as MTBE. We are aware of the issues surrounding its use in the United States.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the EU's policy is on the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether. [123441]

  Mr. Hill
  There is no overall EU policy on MTBE use other than to restrict quantities of oxygenates that may be added to petrol. In particular EU directive 98/70/EU sets a limit of 15 per cent. on ethers containing five or more carbon atoms per molecule—which includes MTBE. Finland are carrying out a full life cycle risk assessment of MTBE under the European Communities Existing Substances Regulation (793/93/EEC) in order to decide whether any further measures are necessary to protect human health and/or the environment. The draft risk assessment is due to be discussed in depth for the first time by the EU technical experts in June this year.

  Dagenham Ford Plant
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with the Greater London Authority regarding the future of the Dagenham Ford plant. [123513]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who has lead responsibility within Government concerning the Dagenham plant, announced on 12 May a 10-point plan for regeneration, based on high quality training, support for setting up small businesses, developing modern manufacturing and attracting inward investment. The Employment Service is working closely with Ford to support Dagenham workers and to ensure that the effects on the local economy are minimised.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had earlier met the Mayor of London on 8 May. They agreed to work closely together to secure the best possible outcome for the workforce at Dagenham and for the wider community.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with building contractors about the future construction of incinerators in the United Kingdom. [123485]
  193W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]The Government have not held discussions with building contractors about the future construction of incinerators. The development and construction of energy from waste and incineration plant is a matter for local authorities and the waste management industry.

  Registration Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on displaying registration numbers on plates marked with the European Union sign and GB; and if he will make a statement. [123726]

  Mr. Hill
  Following two consultation papers, the Government announced on 30 March that motorists could, if they wished, display the insignia of the European Union together with the letters GB on their number plates, in

  Investment in social housing in Colchester

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–013

  Allocations to Colchester Borough Council

  Total

  3.921

  3.559

  2.604

  3.107

  3.250

  4.449

  Housing annual capital guideline

  2.839

  2.575

  1.377

  1.087

  1.176

  4.189

  Private sector renewal grants1

  1.082

  0.984

  0.558

  0.516

  0.508

  —

  Disabled facilities grants1

  0.252

  0.238

  0.235

  0.260

  Capital receipts initiative

  —

  —

  0.417

  1.266

  1.331

  —

  Allocations to registered special landlords

  Approved development programme2

  2.634

  2.743

  1.150

  1.731

  1.257

  1.398

  1 Support for private sector renewal and disabled facilities grants was provided through a combined single allocation in 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  2 The figures up to 1999–00 are for grants paid; the 2000–01 figures is for schemes approved.

  3 Allocations for the Capital Receipts Initiative and support for private sector renewal grants are included within the housing Annual Capital Guideline allocation for 2000–01.

  CITES-listed Animals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make representations to other EU member states on recording seizures of CITES-listed animals and their products by weight and number; and if he will make a statement. [124049]

  Mr. Mullin
  Following the CITES Adjournment debate on 21 March 2000 in Westminster Hall, when I was asked to examine whether ivory seizures should be recorded by weight as well as number, I wrote to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) to let her know that the Government would ensure that future seizures were so recorded. I also informed her that Her Majesty's Customs and Excise had already taken steps, in response to other requests, to ensure that seizures of other high profile endangered species goods such as coral or caviar are also recorded by weight.

  Although the CITES Convention is implemented within the European Community by way of EU Regulation, the specific method employed to record CITES seizures is a matter for Member States to determine individually. However, since it certainly makes sense for the European Union to employ uniform, or at least similar, reporting regimes, we will raise this issue at the next meeting of the EU's CITES Enforcement Working Group in September.
  194W
  which case vehicles would no longer have to display the "GB sticker" when travelling in Europe. Regulations to bring this into effect from 1 March 2001 will be laid shortly.

  Social Housing (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been invested in social housing in the Colchester constituency in each of the last five years for which figures are available; how much will be provided for the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [123656]

  Mr. Mullin
  Details of the capital allocations for housing investment in Colchester Borough Council area in the current and previous five years are set out in the table. The allocations are additional to any housing investment financed from the authorities own resources.

  Hydrocarbon Gases
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety standards are in p1ace to regulate the use of hydrocarbon gases in refrigeration systems; when they were introduced; and what the safety record has been since their introduction. [122858]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]There is no safety legislation that applies exclusively to the safety of hydrocarbon gases in refrigeration systems. Employers using such a system would have duties under general legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 to ensure the health and safety of anyone who may be affected by their undertaking. In addition, employers and others may have duties specifically in respect of risks from equipment or dangerous substances in other legislation including:the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992
  the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999
  the Pressure Systems (Safety) Regulations 2000
  the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972
  the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999
  the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.
  195W
  A British Standard 4434:1995 "Specification for safety and environmental aspects in the design, construction and installation of refrigerating appliances and systems" is intended to minimise possible hazards from all types of refrigerating appliances, systems and ancillary equipment. The first part of a European Standard (PREN 378) "Refrigerating systems and heat pumps: Safety and environmental requirements" has come into force and partially replaces BS:4434.

  British Standard BS EN60335–2–24 "Safety of household and similar electrical appliances" published in November 1999 covers all safety aspects of refrigerators, freezers and certain ice-makers intended for use in domestic and similar applications, including camping, touring caravans and boats for leisure purposes.

  Statistical information is not sufficiently detailed to determine whether any reported incidents in the home or at work involved hydrocarbon gases in refrigeration systems.

  Byker Heat Station
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the sites at which toxic ash from Byker Heat and Transfer Station, Newcastle, was spread in contravention of the operating licence; when this contravention was first reported to the Environmental Agency and when action was taken to correct it; and if the remedial action has been completed at all locations; [123748]

  Byker CHP plant ash deposit sites (tonnes)

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  Bridleways

  Big Waters

  —

  —

  10

  20

  —

  —

  30

  Blaney Row

  —

  —

  —

  30

  10

  —

  40

  Coach Lane, Throckley

  —

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  Coronation Road

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  40

  Dinnington Recreation Ground

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  40

  Feversham

  —

  —

  80

  —

  —

  —

  80

  NE Mason Farm

  —

  —

  80

  —

  —

  —

  80

  Newburn Riverside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  40

  Reith Burn, Throckley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  40

  Stamfordham Road

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  40

  Three Hills

  —

  100

  —

  40

  —

  —

  140

  UFAMS, Newburn

  —

  —

  80

  10

  —

  —

  90

  Walbottle Dene

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  Allotments

  Blaney Row

  —

  —

  —

  10

  30

  10

  50

  Blutcher

  —

  10

  10

  —

  —

  —

  20

  Braxton B

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  30

  Irish Brickfields

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  20

  Brunswick

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  20

  Christen Road

  —

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  100

  Coxlodge

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  Denton Bank

  20

  —

  —

  30

  —

  —

  50

  Denton Dene

  30

  30

  30

  10

  —

  10

  110

  Fenham Model

  30

  60

  40

  10

  —

  10

  150

  Hulne Terrace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  10

  Jesmond Premier/Vale

  20

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  Keebledale Pigeons

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  10

  Little Moor

  —

  20

  —

  10

  20

  —

  50

  Ridgewood Crescent

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  40

  Salter Lane

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  St. Anthony's

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  10

  196W
  (2) what investigations have been made, and what conclusions have been reached, by the Environment Agency about soil, plant and animal contamination at Byker City Farm, Newcastle; what caused those investigations to be made; and when they started. [123851]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]The Byker Reclamation Plant is the subject of two Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) authorisations issued by the Environment Agency under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. While the IPC authorisation for the Heat Station provides that landfill is the preferred waste disposal option for ash from the plant, disposal by another means is not in contravention of the authorisation. This is because the disposal of waste is subject to the duty of care and the waste management licensing provisions of Part II of the 1990 Act, and section 28 of the Act provides that no condition shall be attached to an IPC authorisation to regulate the final disposal of waste.

  The possibility that ash from the plant might have been used for the construction of footpaths and other purposes was first raised by a local resident during discussions with the Environment Agency on another mater in August 1999. At a public meeting organised by Newcastle City Council on 19 January 2000, it was confirmed by the City Council that sampling would be undertaken to establish the composition of the ash. The Environment Agency then wrote to the City Council's direct works contractor, "Cityworks", on 2 February to request details of the dates, locations and quantities of ash used for the construction of footpaths etc. The sites which have identified as receiving ash from the Heat Plant, and the estimated tonnages, are as follows:

  197W

  Byker CHP plant deposit sites (tonnes)

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  St. Michaels A

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  St. Michaels B

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Union Hall Road

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  Walkergate Hospital

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  10

  Walkergate 3A

  —

  20

  20

  20

  —

  10

  70

  Walkergate 3B

  10

  —

  70

  10

  —

  10

  100

  Westmacott Street

  30

  30

  20

  20

  —

  —

  100

  Whinneytield Road

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  Moorside

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  10

  50

  Nun's Moor

  20

  —

  —

  —

  20

  —

  40

  Other sites

  Leightwood Avenue

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  Murton Riding School

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  40

  Annfield Plain

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  30

  1 Not known

  Newcastle City Council has undertaken the removal of the ash from these sites and its disposal is being supervised by the Environment Agency. I have been informed that the removal of the ash from all of these sites has now been completed but that further investigations will be carried out by the City Council to ascertain whether any further remedial action is required.

  The Environment Agency is conducting an investigation to establish whether the waste management controls of Part II of the 1990 Act have been contravened and, if there is evidence of contravention, action will be taken in line with the Agency's published Enforcement Policy.

  To date, no investigations have been carried out by the Environment Agency into possible contamination at Byker City Farm.

  Newcastle Great Park Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Environment Agency has made of the likelihood of storm flow and storm sewer overflow, into Jesmond Dene and Ouseburn, Newcastle; and what the likelihood will be if the Newcastle Great Park scheme in its present form is fully developed. [123852]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]I understand from the Environment Agency that improvement work has been carried out to intermittent discharges that can, under storm conditions, discharge diluted sewage to the Ouse Burn. These improvements are at Acomb Crescent on the Red House Farm Estate and Three Mile Inn at Gosforth. Further improvement works on the Lower Ouse Burn at Byker are at the design stage. Other sources of contamination include the de-icing run-off from Newcastle Airport which has affected the entire length of the Ouse Burn. The Agency has developed a scheme with the Airport and Northumbrian Water that now conveys the run-off to Howden sewage works for treatment, with notable water quality improvements.

  Potential sources of pollution from Newcastle Great Park have been pre-empted by the Agency at the planning stage. The developers have been encouraged to incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) into their proposals which will mean that water quality will be maintained or perhaps even improved if the
  198W
  development goes ahead. However, the Agency will not hesitate to take the appropriate enforcement action should pollution arise from any aspect of the development.

  Welland Valley
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to designate the Welland Valley up and down stream from Market Harborough an area of outstanding natural beauty; and if he will make a statement. [123904]

  Mr. Mullin
  Designation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) is the responsibility of the Countryside Agency, subject to confirmation in each case by the Secretary of State. I am not aware of any plans by the Agency to designate the Welland Valley as an AONB.

  Bilateral Aviation Agreements
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on reciprocity in bilateral air service negotiations with the United States of America. [123931]

  Mr. Mullin
  Bilateral air services agreements are based on the principle of fair and equal opportunity, and this requires that rights are granted reciprocally. The UK-US negotiations are conducted in accordance with this same principle.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to remove distortions of competition as part of a bilateral airline agreement with the United States of America. [123932]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have consistently pressed the US Government for effective access to the US domestic market for UK airlines so that there can be fair competition on UK-US routes.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what methodology the Government are adopting in seeking to secure wet leasing rights for British airlines in the US market(a) as part of bilateral aviation negotiations and (b) through international agreements. [123933]
  199W
  Mr. Mullin
  We take every opportunity to press the United States Government to relax the restrictions that they impose on the wet-leasing of UK-registered aircraft by US carriers.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government intend to achieve reciprocal access to the US aviation market for British charter passenger airlines and cargo carriers for whom alliances with scheduled US airlines are not an option. [123934]

  Mr. Mullin
  UK charter passenger airlines already have reciprocal rights under the Bermuda II arrangements, and dominate the UK-US charter market. We continue to press the US Government to open up their domestic market to UK cargo carriers.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the consents under which the genetic transformation RT73 has been released in the UK. [123758]

  Mr. Meacher
  (holding answer 25 May 2000]Genetic transformation event RT73 is associated with glyphosate tolerant oil seed rape. Consents which contain RT73 are 200W

  Date

  Court

  Offence

  Fine (£)

  10 July 1990

  Hailsham MC

  Causing sewage to enter a stream at Willingdon

  1,200 and 1,070 costs

  10 January 1992

  Maidstone MC

  Causing sewage to enter a tributary of the River Beult at Headcorn

  500 and 650 costs

  22 January 1992

  Maidstone CC

  Causing effluent to enter the River Stour

  1,000 and 3,340 costs on appeal from Ashford MC

  11 February 1992

  Sevenoaks MC

  Causing sewage to enter a tributary of the River Medway at Penshurst

  1,500 and 840 costs

  13 February 1992

  Margate MC

  Causing sewage to enter the sea off Margate

  800 and 6,090 costs

  16 November 1992

  Gosport MC

  Causing pollution to enter the River Allver

  2,000 and 850 costs

  26 April 1993

  New Forest MC

  For polluting the Lymington River, Brockenhurst on 15 June 1992

  3,000 and 460 costs

  23 June 1994

  Fareham MC

  For causing pollution to enter Stoke Lake

  4,000 and 610 costs

  6 April 1995

  Fareham MC

  Causing pollution to enter the Tanyard Stream

  5,000 and 550 costs

  12 April 1995

  Tunbridge Wells MC

  For breach of consent at Tunbridge Wells STW resulting in pollution on 11 September 1994

  Fined 3,000 and 750 costs

  3 May 1995

  West Mailing MC

  Causing sewage to enter the River Bourne on 29 October 1994

  1,500 and 710 costs

  11 January 1996

  Fareham MC

  For causing pollution to enter a tributary of the River Wallington at Denmead

  5,000 and 690 costs

  20 February 1996

  Lewes MC

  For causing pollution to enter the Framfield Stream, Uckfield, Sussex on 12 September 1995

  3,500 and 630 costs

  14 March 1996

  Fareham MC

  For causing sewage to enter an unnamed stream at Fareham, Hants on 1 November 1995

  4,000 and 530 costs

  19 March 1996

  Lewes MC

  Causing sewage to enter the Eridge Stream, near Crowborough, Sussex on 20 August 1995

  3,500 and 590 costs

  19 June 1996

  Southampton MC

  Fined for causing water containing chalk residues to enter a boating lake at Southampton on 30 October 1995

  1,000 and 450 costs

  19 June 1996

  Southampton MC

  For causing sewage sludge to enter the lichen Estuary at Woolston, Hants on 22 November 1995

  7,000 and 390 costs

  31 July 1996

  Eastleigh MC

  For causing sewage to enter the Monks Brook Stream, Chandlers Ford

  2,000 and 580 costs

  1 August 1996

  Redhill MC

  For breaching consent conditions on quality and circumstances of a discharge at Lingfield STW on 12 November 1995

  Fined 3,500 and 830 costs

  26 March 1997

  Mid-Sussex MC

  For causing sewage to enter the Herrings Stream on 6 May 1996

  5,000 and 580 costs

  listed as follows. Copies are available from the GMO Deliberate Release Public Register in DETR's offices at Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1.
  Oil Seed Rape Consents Containing RT73:
  94/R5/2
  95/R5/6
  95/R22/3
  96/R22/6
  97/R13/7
  97/R19/16
  97/R22/9
  97/R24/1
  97/R24/2
  98/R20/2
  98/R22/13
  98/R24/3.

  Southern Water
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many successful prosecutions the Environment Agency has undertaken against Southern Water; and what fines have been imposed. [123752]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]Listed are details of the successful prosecutions carried out against Southern Water by the Environment Agency since July 1990 and the fines imposed by various Magistrates and Crown courts:
  201W

  Date

  Court

  Offence

  Fine (£)

  9 September 1997

  Hastings MC

  For causing sodium hypochlorite to enter the River Brede on 24 October 1996

  4,000 and 680 costs

  15 September 1997

  Sevenoaks MC

  For causing sewage to escape at Hadlow Stair Tonbridge on 20 August 1996

  Fined 2,500 and 580 costs

  17 October 1997

  Maidstone Crown court

  For causing sewage to enter the River Bourne at Plaxtol on 16 August 1996 with like offence on 25 May 1997 taken into consideration

  Fined 3,000 and 580 costs on appeal from West Mailing MC

  27 November 1998

  Eastleigh MC

  For causing sewage to escape from an inspection chamber into the Tanners Brook at Springford Gardens, Southampton on 29 January 1998

  Fined 2,000 and 630 costs

  5 February 1999

  Portsmouth Crown court

  For causing sewage to enter the River Wallington at Fareham on 29 December 1997

  Fined 4,000 and 630 costs on appeal from South Hampshire MC

  12 February 1999

  Canterbury MC

  For breach of lookup table in that there were 19 failures of consent when the tables allowed a maximum of three for the range of 17 to 28 samples taken during the year ending 7 November 1997

  Fined 10,000 and 660 costs

  17 March 1999

  Lewes MC

  For causing pollution to escape from Coopers Green Pumping Station, Uckfield into adjoining unnamed tributary of the River Uck on 23 December 1997

  Fined 5,000 and 360 costs

  8 July 1999

  Canterbury MC

  For causing screened sewage to enter the Swalecliffe Brook at Whitstable, Kent from Brook Road Pumping Station on 5 July 1998

  Fined 1,500 and 580 costs

  10 August 1999

  Fareham MC

  For causing sewage to discharge from inspection chamber into unnamed tributary of River Hamble near Sarisbury, Hants on 16 August 1998

  Fined 2,500 and 670 costs

  25 August 1999

  New Forest MC

  For breaching the terms of a consent to discharge by discharge by discharging from Barton on Sea works into the Beckton Bunny on 26 October 1998 at a time when there were not storm conditions

  Fined 5,000 and 706 costs

  15 November 1999

  Medway MC

  For causing sewage to enter Janes Creek, Strood due t blockage in sewer and consequent backing up into surface water system on 10 March 1999

  Fined 1,000 and 620 costs

  4 January 2000

  Maidstone MC

  For causing diluted sewage to enter an unnamed stream at Bearsted, Maidstone due to failure of pump systems at Ware Street Pumping Station on 6 June 1999

  Fined 4,500 and 600 costs

  10 February 2000

  Southampton MC

  For causing sewage to enter the Sholing Common Stream, Southampton due to blockage in sewer system on 5 November 1999

  Fined 2,500 and 640 costs

  28 February 2000

  Canterbury MC

  For breach of consent at May Street STW, Herne Bay on 20 and 21 December 1998

  Fined 6,000 (3,000 on each of two charges) and 660 costs

  20 March 2000

  Horsham MC

  For causing pollution to enter the Brockhurst Brook, Billingshurst, Sussex on 19 October 1998

  Fined 7,500 and 660 costs

  Cleaner Vehicles Task Force
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force will publish its final report. [124520]

  Mr. Hill
  The Cleaner Vehicles Task Force, which was set up by my Department in 1997 to look at practical ways of reducing vehicle emissions, is publishing its final report, "The way forward—the final report of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force", today. The report covers five main areas:Transforming the market and achieving lower environmental impacts from vehicles in use through Government incentives, development of technology, and through better public awareness;
  The role of fleets in improving environmental performance of current and new vehicles;
  Cleaner fuels and technologies—both conventional and alternative fuels and technologies;
  The role for low emission zones; and
  Making sure everyone plays their part—the importance of enforcement in maintaining improvements.
  202W
  There has already been progress on the Task Force's interim recommendations, published in the 1999 report "Driving the Agenda". For instance, we announced in March that we would be spending £6 million this year on a Cleaner Vehicles Programme to take forward the Task Force's recommendations on retrofitting. Industry has acted too, with the motor industry adopting a label providing information about emissions on all new cars. We look forward to seeing rapid progress on the recommendations contained in this report.

  Copies of the final report, along with a background paper published by the Task Force on the environmental impacts of vehicle production and disposal and the reports of the Technology and Testing and Alternative Fuels sub-group, are available in the House Library.

  Air Services
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions if the decision-making process outlined in the Appraisal
  203W
  Framework for Airports in the South-East will allow for public consultation on the options examined during the sifting process. [124628]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]We shall ensure that the process of sifting will be open to public scrutiny during public consultation on the shortlisted options following completion of the study.

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

  To attempt earlier consultations would greatly expand the work required and the length of the overall process; and would result in substantial and prolonged blight, uncertainty and anxiety.

  The approach adopted in this study is entirely consistent with my Department's Code of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the timetable is for decisions to be taken after completion of the South-East and East of England Regional Air Services Study in April 2001. [124627]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]It is expected that the South-East and East of England Regional Air Services Study will be completed by spring or summer 2001. This will be followed by a public consultation on the options arising from it.

  The results will feed into an Air Transport White Paper, which will also take account of the Government's decisions in response to the Inspector's report on the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study will examine the effects of an increase in employment in the South East on(a) local businesses and (b) the environment. [124629]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Yes—the study will examine and appraise the effects of airport development options on local employment markets and other urbanisation impacts.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the construction of a new southern-aligned runway at Gatwick Airport on people within the 57 LEQ noise contour, and of the number of people within that contour who would be affected. [124630]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]As I made clear in my answer to the hon. Member of 30 March 2000,Official Report, column 228W, it is premature to comment on what options are being considered in the South-East and East of England Regional Air Services study.

  I can confirm the draft appraisal framework for airports in the South-East and Eastern Regions of England makes provision, during full assessment, for the calculation of
  204W
  population within the 57 LEQ noise contour (16 hour day, average mode) as well as night noise. A simpler assessment will be used in the earlier stages of this study.

  Rents
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the average increase in(a) council, (b) housing association and (c) private rents in each year since 1990–91. [123982]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Estimated average annual rent increases from 1991 to 2000 are as follows:

  Annual percentage change in average rents

  Housing association rents

  Local authority rents

  Private sector rents

  1991–92

  n/a

  15.3

  n/a

  1992–93

  15.1

  11.8

  n/a

  1993–94

  10.5

  9.3

  n/a

  1994–95

  8.1

  6.2

  4.8

  1995–96

  7.6

  7.3

  7.7

  1996–97

  7.0

  4.6

  8.6

  1997–98

  6.2

  2.5

  3.9

  1998–99

  4.0

  2.8

  5.1

  1999–2000

  n/a

  3.8

  n/a

  Sources:

  Private rents: Survey of English Housing (SEH)

  Housing Association (RSL) rents: Annual Regulatory and Statistical Return/Housing Corporation

  Local authority rents: DETR Subsidy Claim Forms (SCF) and annual Government Office survey

  Water Meters
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of water meters in higher rateable value properties on charges for customers in lower rateable value properties. [124650]

  Mr. Mullin
  This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. He has set out his position on the balance between measured and unmeasured water charges in "Tariff structure and charges: 2000–01 report", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current estimated cost of installing water meters in all domestic properties. [124647]

  Mr. Mullin
  There are no plans to meter all domestic properties, so no estimate has been made of the cost of doing so. Under the Water Industry Act 1999, companies in England and Wales must install a meter in any home when requested by the consumer, free of initial charge. The number of meters installed will depend on consumer choices. In his determination of water company price limits, the Director General of Water Services has allowed for £202 million capital and £53 million operating expenditure for the costs of installing optional meters in 2000–05.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of domestic properties are(a) fitted with water meters and (b) pay by volume. [124646]
  205W
  Mr. Mullin
  The Director General of Water Services publishes an annual report on "Tariff structure and charges", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This report gives details of the percentage of domestic properties who pay for water supplies according to volume. The figure for 2000–01 is estimated to be 19.6 per cent., based on forecast data provided by water companies. The equivalent figure for 1999–2000 was 17.1 per cent.

  In some instances a property may be fitted with a meter, but be charged on an unmetered basis. The Director General of Water Services collects only information relating to the number of meters that are installed and used as the basis for charging.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received regarding the implications of water metering for low-income households where there are(a) children, (b) elderly and (c) people with disabilities and illnesses that require them to take frequent baths. [124649]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government published "Water Industry Act 1999: Consultation on Regulations" on 12 October 1999, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Fifty-three responses were received relating to the proposals for assisting low-income households who pay by meter.

  Following that consultation, the Government laid the Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Groups) Regulations 1999 on 22 December 1999, and made minor clarificatory amendments in the Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Groups) (Amendment) Regulations 2000, which were laid on 3 March 2000. Both came into force on 1 April 2000.

  The Regulations offer assistance to low-income households with water meters, who might face hardship as a result of high water use for basic household purposes. To qualify for assistance, a member of the household must be entitled to received income related benefits or tax credits; and either
  be responsible for three or more children under the age of 16;
  have (or have a child with) a qualifying medical condition which requires significant extra use.

  The response to consultation is contained in "Water Industry Act 1999: Delivering the Government's Objectives" which was published on 3 February 2000. This also included a copy of the main Regulations. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many properties in each of the council tax bands are fitted with a water meter. [124648]

  Mr. Mullin
  No information is available on the proportion of properties in each of the council tax bands fitted with a water meter.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what options he is considering to replace rateable values for calculating water charges. [124645]
  206W
  Mr. Mullin
  Under the Water Industry Act 1999, companies must produce charges schemes, which include details of the basis on which they wish to charge for water and sewerage services to homes. Schemes are subject to approval by the Director General of Water Services.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has issued guidance to the Director General on the approval of schemes for companies operating wholly or mainly in England. In considering whether or not to approve a new basis of unmeasured charging, key factors are the transitional effects of any change, any proposals for managing such effects and the impact of the new basis of charging on different groups, particularly vulnerable customers. Because of the potential social impacts on customers, the Director should not approve the widespread introduction of new unmeasured charging arrangements, without full consultation with the Secretary of State. The Government will continue to consider any proposals that come forward provided that they address the key factors.

  The Secretary of State's guidance under the 1999 Act and other background on water charging policy is set out in "Water Industry Act 1999—Delivering the Government's Objectives" published on 3 February, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Water Bills
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those water companies that charge for the payment of bills at post offices. [124657]

  Mr. Mullin
  Water companies do not charge their customers for payment of bills at post offices. Post Office Counters Ltd. levy a handling charge (currently £1 per transaction) for paying bills at post offices. This charge does not apply to GiroBank account holders.

  There is significant variation in the policy of water companies in England towards payment of water bills at Post Offices. Information available from water companies indicates that five companies currently subsidise all of any Post Office handling charge on behalf of their customers:

  Cambridge Water

  Folkestone and Dover Water

  North West Water

  South Staffordshire Water

  Southern Water.

  Customers of a further six companies can pay their bills free of charge if they use a payment card (obtainable free of charge from the water company):

  Essex and Suffolk Water

  Northumbrian Water

  Severn Trent Water

  South West Water

  Thames Water

  Yorkshire Water.

  Customers of Wessex Water and South East Water can pay bills free of charge at Post Offices if they use an instalments book; and customers of Bristol Water can pay bills free of charge if they pay in cash.
  207W
  Payment arrangements for the other companies vary. Such arrangements include part-subsidising the Post Office handling charge, or fully subsidising it for certain groups of customers (such as pensioners). All companies which do not offer an option to pay free of charge at Post Offices offer alternative locations (such as banks and shops) where free payments can be made.

  Under the Water Industry Act 1999, water companies have to submit their charges schemes to the Director General of Water Services for approval. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has issued guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the approval of schemes, which encourages companies to offer a range of payment options to customers, particularly those on low incomes, which they can take up at no extra cost. In approving schemes for 2000–01, the Director required all companies to ensure that charges schemes made provision for making cash payments free of charge at reasonably accessible locations.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give a list of the 10 largest grants awarded by each of the regional development agencies in England since their inception. [124237]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The 10 largest grants awarded by each of the regional development agencies since their inception are as follows:

  Regional Development Agency

  £000

  One North East

  Integrated Regeneration in County Durham and Darlington, SRB

  25,250

  Action for Communities, Northumberland, SRB

  15,610

  Extending East Gateshead, SRB

  12,000

  Focus on Ford and Pallion, Sunderland, SRB

  10,400

  Winning Back Neighbourhoods, Middlesborough, SRB

  8,700

  South Bank and Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, SRB

  7,462

  Extending the South Shields Challenge, SRB

  7,830

  Newcastle West into Work, SRB

  7,300

  North Hartlepool Partnership, SRB

  7,200

  From Exclusion to Inclusion, Stockton-on-Tees, SRB

  6,000

  Northwest Development Agency

  Blackburn Central, Living in the future, SRB

  25,000

  Manchester/East Manchester, Beacons for a better future, SRB

  25,000

  Rochdale/Opportunity and Inclusion, SRB

  25,000

  Salford/Integrating and Sustaining, SRB

  25,000

  St. Helens, Count me in, SRB

  24,916

  Halton, Focus for change, SRB

  23,059

  Knowsley/Northwood into the millennium, SRB

  12,308

  Rochdale Canal remainder

  10,620

  Terminal Complex Speke

  6,715

  Commonwealth Games, SRB

  6,200

  Yorkshire Forward

  Creating an Inclusive and Prosperous City, Sheffield, SRB

  25,040

  Better Neighbourhoods and Communities, Leeds, SRB

  24,864

  Build a Better Future, Doncaster, SRB

  16,500

  A Platform for Change, Kirklees, SRB

  15,124

  The Hemsworth Coalfield Partnership, Wakefield, SRB

  8,050

  Highfield Community Action, Bradford, SRB

  4,000

  Castlegate Markets, Sheffield

  3,861

  Kingswood Spec Factories

  2,964

  Falsgrave Community Investment Initiative, Scarborough, SRB

  2,956

  Reach Out, West Yorks

  2,693

  208W

  Regional Development Agency

  £000

  East Midlands Development Agency

  North Notts/North Derbys Coalfield Alliance, SRB

  24,000

  Leicester North West, Leicester City Council, SRB

  13,000

  Greater Nottingham Partnership, SRB

  12,000

  Lincoln City Partnership, SRB

  5,500

  Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton

  2,510

  Strella and Brook House, Nottingham City

  2,388

  Leicester City Partnership, SRB

  2,000

  Grand Union Wharf, Loughborough

  1,510

  Coastal Regeneration Partnership, SRB

  1,500

  Park Wharf, Nottingham City

  963

  Advantage West Midlands

  Realising the Potential of Young People, Stoke-on-Trent, SRB

  16,540

  Building on Diversity, Walsall, SRB

  13,860

  Family Support, Birmingham, SRB

  12,000

  Valuing Young People, Coventry, SRB

  8,670

  Green Apprentices—Prosper, Black Country, SRB

  5,740

  Transforming Old Town, Leamington Spa, SRB

  4,460

  Wye—We can make it better, Hereford, SRB

  4,380

  Handsworth Area Regeneration Trust, Birmingham, SRB

  3,870

  Rural Community Regeneration, NE Staffordshire, SRB

  3,780

  Opening up Opportunities, Wolverhampton, SRB

  2,210

  East of England Development Agency

  Regenerating Peterborough, SRB

  5,853

  Stevenage, A Neighbourhood, SRB

  2,637

  Cobholm and Lichfield, Great Yarmouth, SRB

  2,438

  Arisdale Avenue, Thurrock

  2,248

  East Colchester, SRB

  2,237

  Bedford—Regenerating Communities, SRB

  2,026

  Southend on Sea, Crossbow 1, SRB

  1,873

  Suffolk Market Towns, SRB

  1,441

  High Street, Purfleet, Thurrock

  1,357

  Greenlands Quarry, Thurrock

  1,076

  South East Development Agency

  Regenerating the Heart of Portsmouth, SRB

  25,000

  Aerolaminates Ltd., St. Cross Business Park

  10,685

  Manston Park Call Centre

  5,947

  Developing Cohesive Communities, Southampton, SRB

  5,197

  Gateways to Community Success, SRB

  4,324

  Cheriton Park

  3,948

  Enterprising Leigh Park, Havant, SRB

  3,510

  East Oxford Action, SRB

  2,936

  Halisham East Area Renewal, SRB

  2,865

  South Kent Rural Development Area Partnership, SRB

  2,708

  South West Development Agency

  Hartcliffe and Withywood, SRB

  12,200

  Plymouth 2000, SRB

  11,800

  Tolvaddon Business Park, Cornwall

  2,990

  TGE Factory, Plymouth

  2,750

  Torbay New Deal, SRB

  2,700

  RNAS, Portland

  2,040

  West Cornwall Engage Programme, SRB

  2,000

  Gloucestershire Better Together, SRB

  1,800

  41 Valley Road, Plymouth

  1,490

  Penrose Farm, Indian Queens

  1,440

  Air Cargo
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what conditions he would liberalise the UK/USA aviation agreement for air cargo; and if he will make a statement. [124535]

  Mr. Mullin
  The liberalisation of cargo as well as passenger services will be discussed at air services talks with the United States commencing on 13 June. We will press the United States to allow greater access to the US domestic market for UK carriers.

  Forest of Dean
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of granting special status for the Forest of Dean; and what advice he has given to local planning authorities concerning the Forest of Dean and the local minerals plan; [124168]

  (2) if he has instructed the local planning authorities and the Mineral Planning Authority to treat the Forest of Dean as if it were an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. [124169]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Countryside Agency decided in November last year not to pursue the designation of the Forest of Dean as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at this time but instead to devise a package of regeneration measures to deliver integrated rural development in the Forest.

  The Government Office for the South West has submitted comments to Gloucestershire County Council on the initial and revised deposit drafts of the Minerals Local Plan, with a request that they be drawn to the attention of the Inspector at any public local inquiry and be made public. We are still considering a proposal from the Countryside Agency that we should advise the Council to treat the Forest of Dean as if it were an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the purposes of the Minerals Local Plan.

  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has agreed to the funding of the post for the Countryside Agency Co-ordinator for the project in the Forest of Dean to develop special status. [124170]

  Mr. Mullin
  This is a matter for the Countryside Agency. The Agency's approved budget of £55.1 million for this year has been set against its main objectives as agreed with my Department. The Agency is responsible for the allocation of moneys within the budget to individual projects. I understand that a project officer has been appointed to take forward the delivery of integrated rural development in the Forest of Dean.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the publication of proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, concerning the conservation of fuel and power, has been delayed; and if he will make a statement regarding the timetable for publication. [123509]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  When the review of Part L of the Building Regulations was announced in February 1998 it was indicated that this would be a very open process with full consultation on what might be included in the review in advance of the development of the proposals by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee. This open process has been widely welcomed, but has raised a number of issues that have had to be explored before fully considered proposals for public consultations could be published. However, it is expected that the proposals will be published shortly with responses requested by the end of September.

  Beach Safety
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what systems of flag symbols are used on bathing beaches to signify the safety level of swimming conditions. [124248]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency understands that there are three levels of flag symbols used to signify the safety level of swimming conditions on bathing beaches.

  1. Red and Yellow flags signify that Lifeguards are on patrol and that Swimming or Boogie Boarding should only take place in the area between the flags.

  2. A Red Flag means that it is dangerous to bathe or swim and the water should not he entered.

  3. A quartered black and white flag indicates the area is zoned for surf craft and Malibu boards. This flag indicates that the area is not safe for swimmers and bathers.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what his Department's policy is in relation to the provision of life protecting and saving services around the shoreline of the UK(a) on recognised recreational bathing beaches and (b) elsewhere. [124249]

  Mr. Mullin
  The then Secretary of State for Transport announced in Parliament on 9 March 1992,Official Report, columns 409–10W, that following acceptance of the recommendations of the coastal review that the role of Her Majesty's Coastguard needed to be clearly defined and promulgated and that by the authority given to him by the Coastguard Act 1925 it had been agreed that:
  Her Majesty's Coastguard is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of civil maritime search and rescue within the United Kingdom search and rescue region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the United Kingdom.

  Thus, in response to incidents on or to seaward of recognised recreational beaches, HM Coastguard can mobilise, task and co-ordinate search and rescue helicopters, RNLI inshore and all-weather lifeboats, Coastguard Rescue Teams and Beach Lifeguard Units where provided by local authorities. Elsewhere on the coast the same search and rescue units can be mobilised and tasked though Beach Lifeguard Units are not normally found other than on recreational beaches.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the possible correlation between the age of fishing vessels and accidents involving fire, explosion, foundering and loss of life for(a) over 12 metre and (b) under 12 metre vessels. [124485]

  Mr. Hill
  The Marine Accidents Investigation Branch (MAIB) has examined all reported accidents to UK fishing vessels, irrespective of length, involving fires and explosions, and floodings and founderings from 1992 to September 1999. No examination has been made of the correlation between the age of fishing vessels and the fatal accidents.

  The MAIB's figures show that the accident rate for floodings and founderings, for under 12 metre vessels up to 10 years old, and for over 12 metre vessels up to

  211W
  20 years old, is unremarkable but deteriorates thereafter. For all vessels more than 40 years old, the rate improves. For fires and explosions the correlation is similar to floodings and founderings for vessels over 12 metre vessels, but there is no meaningful correlation for under 12 metre vessels as the number reported to the MAIB is small.

  The MAIB concludes generally that the accident rate increases for all vessels in the 20 to 40 bracket largely because maintenance does not reach the level required to prevent these types of accidents. However, the rate improves for vessels more than 40 years old because the worse performing vessels have been removed from the fleet, and the remainder have been extensively refurbished.

  Trust Ports
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of continuance of the trust port election system; and if he will make a statement. [124575]

  Mr. Hill
  Officials have examined these issues in detail and discussed them with the trust ports concerned.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on his Department's plans to reform trust ports, specifically with regard to plans to abolish the present trust port election system. [124574]

  Mr. Hill
  Our plans for reform of trust ports are set out in "Modernising Trust Ports—A guide to good governance" published in January. This guidance, drawn up with the assistance of trust ports and the Scottish Executive, includes advice on the appointment process in trust ports. In a few trust ports appointments are made by local election. We have not proposed to abolish these arrangements but we have offered further advice on improvements to ensure that elections are held in a more open and accountable manner. We have only received representations from two Scottish ports, which are being considered by the Scottish Executive.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account he has taken of democratic accountability in his proposals for changing the election system in trust ports. [124576]

  Mr. Hill
  Our proposals seek to improve democratic accountability by ensuring that local elections for trust port boards reflect current electoral standards and are more representative of each port's community of stakeholders. Such improvements are also intended to deliver candidates with the skills required for governance of the ports.

  Petition (Boddam)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to investigate the loss of a petition from the residents of Boddam, Aberdeenshire, regarding the Boddam Foghorn, which was received by recorded delivery at his Department on 19 April; and if he will make a statement 212W
  concerning the circumstances surrounding the loss and his Department's policy on dealing with petitions from members of the public. [124251]

  Mr. Mullin
  After an extensive search within the Department, we have been unable to find the original correspondence. A copy of the petition was received on 1 June and will be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

  Petitions from members of the public are dealt with by officials in my Department unless they are sent via their MP. All correspondence is logged and passed to the appropriate division for a response.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the new strategy to revitalise health and safety; and if he will make a statement. [124918]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government and the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) will publish their "Revitalising Health and Safety" Strategy Statement tomorrow, and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The strategy is about improving health and safety conditions in all of Britain's workplaces.

  The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 was a landmark in making Britain's workplaces safer. The Act provides for good, effective regulation of health and safety and has transformed Britain's workplaces. We can see the results—the number of deaths at work today is a quarter of the 1971 level. Britain is now one of the safest countries in which to work. But in today's modern economy, it is unacceptable that hundreds of people still die in workplace accidents, and 25,000 more leave the workforce never to return as a result of being injured, or made ill, by their work.

  This Government are determined to build a fair and decent society for everyone, not just the few. A better deal for working people is central to that vision—safe and healthy working conditions are at the core of that vision. Tomorrow, the Government and the HSC will embark on a new 10 year programme of improvement. For the first time ever, the Government and the HSC will set national targets to cut work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses. We will implement 44 separate measures to that end. These will include motivating employers to raise their game, giving further support to the important work done by safety representatives, and giving more help to small firms in their management of health and safety. Above all, we will inject new impetus into the health and safety system to prevent accidents and ill health causing misery to thousands of people.

  Housing Corporation
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Finance Management and Policy Review of the Housing Corporation. [124921]

  Mr. Raynsford
  On 14 December 1999 I announced that, as part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly finance, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department would be conducting a thorough review of The Housing Corporation in 2000.
  213W
  The "Prior Options" stage of the review has been completed and I have placed a copy of the report in the Library.

  The purpose of the Prior Options stage was to assess the extent to which The Housing Corporation's functions were necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there was scope for contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body.

  The Government's Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all" affirms the Government's commitment to improving the quality of social housing and its management, supporting the transfer of up to 200,000 homes from the local authority sector to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and to the continuing allocation of funding to RSLs for new social housing. There is therefore a continuing need for a mechanism to regulate the RSL sector to protect public investment, to promote improved performance in the sector and to allocate funding for new social housing. Against this background, the Government accept the Prior Options Review conclusions, that the Housing Corporation should continue to be responsible for registration and regulation of RSLs in England; should continue to allocate funds for new social housing; and that its status as a non-departmental public body remains appropriate to the Corporation's functions.

  The Housing Corporation is already taking forward a number of recommendations in the report. In particular it is: strengthening its regulatory skills, especially in business and finance; working to establish a full Best Value regime to promote improved performance in the RSL sector; will set up an inspection process to support this regime; and will continue developing its funding arrangements and processes for making investment decisions.

  The report identifies a number of issues to be examined in the second stage of the FMPR, including a review of the Corporation's organisational framework; exploring the options for an appeals mechanism for dealing with disputed regulatory judgments; the case for strengthening the Corporation's powers; agreeing a concordat between the Department and the Corporation for joint working on policy development; and reviewing targets set for the Corporation.

  I am grateful for contributions received in the course of the Review from The Housing Corporation, National Housing Federation, local authority associations, Chartered Institute of Housing, Audit Commission, Council of Mortgage Lenders, individual RSLs and numerous other bodies and individuals. The report contains a list of those who contributed. Copies of written responses are available through the Library.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the County Councils and Unitary Councils ranked in order of the volume of waste disposed of in each of their areas. [123384]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]The table shows County Councils and Unitary Authorities ranked in order of the amount of waste collected for recycling, composting and disposal. This list is based on the data 214W
  provided by the authorities in response to the Department's Municipal Waste Management Survey for 1997–98 and excludes authorities which did not provide a complete response to the questionnaire.

  LA Name

  Total (thousand tones)

  Isles of Scilly Council

  3

  Rutland County Council

  20

  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

  29

  Ceredigion County Council

  37

  Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

  39

  Isle of Anglesey County Council

  41

  Denbighshire County Council

  45

  Hartlepool Borough Council

  46

  Monmouthshire County Council

  47

  Torfaen County Borough Council

  51

  Darlington Borough Council

  52

  Powys County Council

  53

  Vale of Glamorgan Council

  54

  Cyngor Gwynedd

  57

  Swindon Borough Council

  59

  Isle of Wight Council

  60

  Bridgend County Borough Council

  61

  Pembrokeshire County Council

  64

  Corporation of the City of London

  64

  Middlesbrough Borough Council

  66

  Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

  67

  Poole Borough Council

  71

  South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

  72

  Wrexham County Borough Council

  75

  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

  76

  Kingston-upon-Thames London Borough

  77

  North East Lincolnshire Council

  79

  Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

  80

  Carmarthenshire County Council

  81

  London Borough of Greenwich

  86

  North Tyneside Council

  87

  Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

  88

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  89

  Bath and North East Somerset Council

  91

  Portsmouth City Council

  91

  Luton Borough Council

  91

  Milton Keynes Council

  95

  North Somerset Council

  97

  Caerphilly County Borough Council

  97

  Merton London Borough

  99

  North Lincolnshire Council

  101

  Southampton City Council

  101

  Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  105

  London Borough of Lewisham

  108

  Swansea City Council

  110

  Derby City Council

  111

  London Borough of Southwark

  112

  London Borough of Bexley

  119

  Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

  120

  Leicester City Council

  123

  Bournemouth Borough Council

  124

  Brighton and Hove Council

  128

  Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

  128

  Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council

  129

  Stoke-on-Trent City Council

  134

  Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

  134

  South Gloucestershire Council

  137

  Kingston-upon-Hull City Council

  141

  Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

  142

  Sunderland City Council

  142

  Cardiff County Council

  142

  Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

  155

  East Riding of Yorkshire Council

  161

  Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

  163

  Northumberland County Council

  168

  London Borough of Bromley

  168

  Dorset County Council

  178

  London Borough of Croydon

  178

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  180

  Bristol City Council

  185

  Bedfordshire County Council

  187

  215W

  LA Name

  Total (thousand tones)

  Wiltshire County Council

  188

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council

  201

  Shropshire County Council

  204

  Buckinghamshire County Council

  226

  East Sussex County Council

  229

  Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council

  232

  Somerset County Council

  232

  Bradford City Metropolitan District Council

  233

  Cornwall County Council

  239

  Gloucestershire County Council

  243

  Cumbria County Council

  244

  Warwickshire County Council

  248

  Sheffield City Council

  257

  Durham County Council

  263

  Lincolnshire County Council

  274

  Oxfordshire County Council

  276

  North Yorkshire County Council

  280

  Northamptonshire County Council

  284

  Leicestershire County Council

  314

  Cambridgeshire County Council

  322

  Suffolk County Council

  326

  Leeds City Council

  334

  Worcestershire County Council

  342

  Derbyshire County Council

  352

  Norfolk County Council

  372

  West Sussex County Council

  372

  Staffordshire County Council

  427

  Hertfordshire County Council

  456

  Western Riverside Waste Authority

  458

  East London Waste Authority

  464

  Surrey County Council

  482

  Devon County Council

  495

  Birmingham City Council

  528

  Cheshire County Council

  528

  Nottinghamshire County Council

  555

  Hampshire County Council

  561

  Lancashire County Council

  654

  Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority

  699

  Kent County Council

  701

  West London Waste Authority

  704

  North London Waste Authority

  796

  Essex County Council

  811

  Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority

  1,286

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Compensation Agency
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the future plans of the Compensation Agency; and if he will make a statement. [124917]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Compensation Agency will publish today its Corporate Plan and Business Plan. I have set the Agency the following nine Key Performance Targets for the coming year:

  1. To process criminal injuries claims for an average unit cost of £295.

  2. To process criminal damage and emergency provisions claims for an average unit cost of £147.

  3. To maintain the average time taken to reach decisions on criminal injuries claims at 45 weeks for claims received from 1 April 1999.

  4. To maintain the average time taken to reach decisions on criminal damage claims at 19 weeks for claims received from 1 April 2000.

  5. To reduce the average time taken to reach decisions on emergency provisions claims to 35 days for claims received from 1 April 2000.
  216W
  6. To reduce by 85 per cent. the number of criminal injuries claims in hand at 31 March 1999 on which no decision had been reached.

  7. To reduce by 85 per cent. the number of criminal damage claims in hand at 31 March 2000 on which no decision had been reached.

  8. To reduce by 95 per cent. the number of emergency provisions claims in hand at 31 March 2000 on which no decision had been reached.

  9. To manage the Agency's workload in 2000–01 within a running costs budget (to cover salaries and administrative expenditure) to cover salaries and administrative expenditure) to financial limits agreed with the Department (including in-year adjustments).

  Benefit Payments (Costs)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual cost of his Department's and its agencies administration of benefit payments(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of spending on benefit payments. [124254]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The estimated cost of administering the social security benefit system in Northern Ireland in 1998–99, the latest year for which information is available, was £125.6 million. This equates to 4 per cent. of benefit expenditure which amounted in total in that year to £3,168.8 million.

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

  Departmental Staff (Technology)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what staff and technology are shared between his Department and its agencies and the Department of Social Security and its agencies; what work is undertaken(a) on behalf of the DSS and its agencies by his Department and its agencies and (b) by the DSS and its agencies on behalf of his Department or agencies in the last year; and what payments have been made in each case. [124255]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland does not share staff with the Department of Social Security (DSS) in Great Britain. The Department's Child Support Agency provides child support services for those DSS clients living in Eastern England. The Department receives £25.5 million from DSS in respect of this business. The Social Security Agency also provides benefit processing and administration services to DSS for clients living in the Lewisham, Neasden and Brixton areas of London, for which it receives an annual payment of £10.4 million from DSS. The Department also provides a storage and retrieval service to DSS for social security order book foils for which it receives an annual payment of £4.9 million.

  The Department for Social Development uses the DSS computer systems to administer social security benefits and to deliver Child Support services. The Department pays DSS £7.7 million for the use of these systems and for the installation and maintenance
  of the equipment on which they run.
  217W
  The DSS also provides the Department with a number of other ancillary services, such as publishing and distribution, fraud inspection, work measurement and Child Support decision making. DSS receive £510,000 for these services.

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

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Leisure Centres and Libraries (Access)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the population lives(a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from (i) a leisure centre and (ii) a library in (A) rural and (B) urban areas. [124497]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]This information is not available. For leisure centres, analysis carried out by Sport England in 1998 using the Facilities Planning Model developed in association with the Scottish Sports Council and Edinburgh University estimated that 96.6 per cent. of people living in England live within 15 minutes drive of a sports hall with at least three courts, and 85.1 per cent. of people in England live within 15 minutes drive of an indoor swimming pool. I have placed a copy of the Facilities Planning Guide published by Sport England in the Library.

  No information on travelling distances or travel times is available in respect of libraries.

  Millennium Experience (Ticket Sales)
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if his Department will conduct an internal review under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information into the non-provision of the information requested by the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central on regional ticket sales to the Millennium Experience. [124365]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]My hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting wrote to my hon. Friend on 6 December 1999. Following an investigation by the New Millennium Experience Company into the pattern of ticket sales, it was discovered that most were purchased from central sales points, including the Dome call centre, and it is therefore impossible to provide any meaningful statistical breakdown of visitors by region. I am satisfied that the reason for the non-provision of information in this respect is that the information does not exist, rather than that it is being deliberately withheld.

  Local Authority Funding
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the funds which are available to local authorities on application, indicating those for which the Torbay Unitary Authority has successfully applied in each of the last two years. [124193]
  218W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  The following funds are available to Local Authorities on application:DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund—£3 million a year to enhance facilities and services of English Public Libraries, of which DCMS makes available £2 million and the Wolfson Foundation £1 million.
  English Heritage—Grants are available to local authorities for the conservation of Grade I and II listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments. Funding is also available to local authorities under EH's Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS), under which a three year programme of grant aid is targeted at heritage-based economic regeneration.
  Arts Council of England—Local authorities can have access to project funds from Regional Arts Boards.
  National Lottery
  Arts Council of England—A number of capital and revenue schemes for which organisations can apply with a view to developing and sustaining access to, and participation in, the arts.
  Lottery Sports Fund—Lottery Sports Fund provides grants for sports facilities and sports provision.
  Heritage Lottery Fund—Grants for works to buildings, structures and areas that are of historic or architectural importance and for action to widen and enhance popular access to the heritage. HLF also supports improvements to the housing and presentation of collections in museums and galleries.
  New Opportunities Fund
  The Information Communication and Technology for Librarians—a £50 million programme that aims to digitise a wide range of material to support lifelong learning needs and education in its broadest sense.
  Out of School Hours Learning—a £205 million grant programme that aims to create regular out-of-school hours learning activities, and new summer school places.
  Community Access to Lifelong Learning Programme—a £200 million grant programme that aims to improve access to lifelong learning for adults through the use of ICT with a particular focus on socially excluded adults and those in disadvantaged communities.
  Successful Awards to Torbay Council
  English Heritage
  A grant of £150,000 has been offered by EH under the HERS towards conservation work in the Paignton Conservation Area between April 2000 and March 2003.
  New Opportunities Fund
  An award of £408,500 through the Out-of-School Hours Learning Programme. The Fund has also allocated funding to schools in Torbay amounting to £421,234 under a programme for ICT training for teachers and school librarians.
  Arts Council of England
  Over the last two years there has been one Grant in Aid award from the Arts Council to Torbay Borough Council:
  a grant of £2,500 as part of the Capital Art Strategy.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the letter of direction for the payment of £29 million to the Dome. [123980]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the right hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Tourism Summit
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will report on the outcome of the first Tourism summit held in London on 1 March. [124922]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Copies of a full report on the summit, and of other documents tabled at the meeting, have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. A further summit will be held next year to review progress and decide further action.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish the bilateral concordat between his Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. [124923]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I am pleased to announce that the Concordat between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales has now been agreed. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Libraries of the House, and the text will also be available on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website http://www.culture.gov.uk.

TREASURY

  EU Stability Pact
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the application of the EU Stability Pact to the UK. [123830]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As set out in Articles 99 and 104 of the EC Treaty, the UK once a year submits a Convergence programme as part of the Stability and Growth Pact.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what obligations are imposed on him in respect of public spending by the EU stability pact; and what contribution these have made to ensuring that divergences in the economic cycle between the UK and Europe are reduced. [124349]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1467/97, the UK should endeavour to avoid excessive deficits.

  Sterling Deposits
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in 1998 and 1999 in(a) foreigners' holdings of sterling deposits and (b) UK residents' deposits overseas, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. [124346]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This information can be found in tables 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B of the "BIS Quarterly Review", and table B8 of "Bank of England Monetary and Financial Statistics".

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what commitments have been made by the UK to the EU convergence programme; how far these have been 220W
  breached; and what contributions they have made to ensuring more stability in the Sterling-Euro exchange rate. [124350]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In line with the Stability and Growth Pact, the Government submit a Convergence Programme to the European Commission and the Council, which provides an annual update of our economic performance. The economic forecasts and fiscal projections for the 1999 Convergence Programme are those given in the Pre-Budget Report.

  Inflation Target
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the benefits and consequences of including asset prices in the Bank of England's inflation target; and if he will make a statement. [124348]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is required to meet the Government's clear inflation target of 2.5 per cent. RPIX inflation. Dual target systems have in the past led to macroeconomic instability for example, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The MPC takes into account all relevant information, including asset prices, in making its judgment on interest rates to achieve the Government's inflation target.

  National Insurance
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional annual revenue from raising the ceiling on employees' national insurance contributions to(a) the level at which taxpayers became liable for higher rate income tax and (b) £1,000 a week. [124250]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full year yields from increasing the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) and Upper Profits Limit (UPL) in 2001–02 are given in the table.

  £ million

  2001–02

  Exchequer yield

  Increase the UEL/UPL to: higher rate threshold

  840

  to £1,000 per week

  2,560

  The estimates are consistent with the March 2000 Budget.

  Census
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the proposed forms of questionnaire that will be required to be completed in next year's census of population in England and Wales. [124924]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have today laid before the House the Census Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000–1473) which include facsimile copies of the forms to be completed by householders, individuals and persons in charge of communal establishments in respect of the next census of population in England and Wales, to be taken on 29 April 2001. The Regulations also provide for
  221W
  the appointment of persons to carry out the field operations and the detailed arrangements for the conduct of the census. Pending the progress of the Census (Amendment) Bill these forms do not currently contain a question on religion.

  Corresponding Regulations covering the Census in Scotland were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 5 April. Similar Regulations covering the Census in Northern Ireland were made on 25 May.

  National Statistics
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the Framework Document relating to National Statistics. [124930]

  Disability Living Allowance appeals

  Appeal decisions

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  All decisions

  28,225

  35,551

  38,194

  49,000

  47,775

  Award reduced

  33

  56

  78

  87

  106

  As percentage

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  Award increased

  4,593

  5,741

  5,662

  6,523

  5,714

  As percentage

  16.3

  16.1

  14.8

  13.3

  12.0

  Award varied

  155

  210

  279

  356

  306

  As percentage

  0.5

  0.6

  0.7

  0.7

  0.6

  Allowed

  11,801

  13,346

  12,710

  16,261

  16,725

  As percentage

  41.8

  37.5

  33.3

  33.2

  35.0

  Notes:

  The following were also included to provide a complete picture of outcomes on DLA appeals.

  1. Award varied is where the length of award changes or the monetary value remains the same but components change.

  2. Allowed is where Lay Review/Appeal is determined in favour of the claimant.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 100 per cent. data.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the(a) net cost and (b) number of beneficiaries of abolishing Attendance Allowance and

  Estimated cost and number of gainers from abolition of upper age limit for Disability Living Allowance

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Cost (£ billion)

  2.8

  3.0

  3.1

  3.2

  3.4

  Gainers (million)

  1.4

  1.4

  1.4

  1.45

  1.5

  Notes:

  1. Costs are in cash prices and rounded to nearest hundred million and number of gainers rounded to the nearest 50,000.

  2. Estimates derived from model of entitlement based on 1996–97 Disability Survey and fort cast case loads.

  3. Estimates are subject to a significant margin of error reflecting underlying uncertainties of modelling entitlement from available survey data.

  Estimated costs include effects on income related benefits.

  Widows Pension
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claim the widow's pension in(a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency. [124715]

  Mr. Rooker
  At 31 March 1999 there were 29,000 recipients of Widows' Benefit living in Scotland. Information is not available below national level.

  Notes:

  1. The figure is the total recipients of Widow's Pension and Widowed Mother's Allowance.
  222W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  National Statistics will be launched tomorrow. The Framework Document and the list of statistics for initial inclusion in National Statistics will be laid before both Houses tomorrow morning. Copies will be available in the Vote Office.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of independent appeals on Disability Living Allowance cases have resulted in a decision being amended (i) upwards and (ii) downwards in each of the last five years. [124708]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  removing the upper age limit for Disability Living Allowance in each of the next five years. [124416]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table:

  2. The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  5 per cent. sample from Pension Strategy Computer System.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the extra total cost of the minimum income guarantee for pensioners over and above the cost of income support for which pensioners were previously eligible. [124344]

  Mr. Bayley
  During the lifetime of this Parliament the extra total cost of the minimum income guarantee and
  223W
  associated benefits for pensioners over and above the cost of Income Support for which pensioners were previously eligible is estimated to be £2.2 billion in real terms.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what methods he uses to measure the annual increase in earnings for the purpose of uprating the minimum income guarantee. [124393]

  Mr. Bayley
  In line with the Government's commitment to provide security in retirement for the poorest pensioners, the minimum income guarantee has been increased by 4.6 per cent., in line with the increase in average earnings. This measure of earnings growth reflects the 12-month headline rate and is based on a three-month average up to July 1999, published in The Stationery Office's "Monthly Digest of Statistics".

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances a pensioner with income above the minimum income guarantee level who claims all the benefits to which they are entitled can be worse off than if they were receiving the minimum income guarantee. [124391]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are not aware of a situation where an individual with weekly income above the minimum income guarantee (MIG) level would be worse off, in terms of weekly cash income, after claiming all the benefits to which they are entitled.

  Receipt of the MIG does provide a pensioner with access to certain additional services, such as free school meals and social fund budgeting loans, that are not available to those not entitled.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the level of fraud by(a) number of claimants and (b) value (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of total benefit payments for each benefit in (1) the UK and (2) Scotland [124252]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is available in the last Government Statistical Service report on the Area Benefit Reviews, "Results of the Area Benefit Review April 1998–99 and measurements for the public service agreement", which was published on 28 January. A copy is available in the Library.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the(a) cost and (b) number of beneficiaries of extending entitlement to invalid care allowance to people who would otherwise be entitled but (i) earn less than the national insurance lower earnings limit, but whose earnings exceed the earnings limit for ICA, (ii) are aged over 65 years and (iii) are aged over 65 or earn less than the national insurance lower earnings limit in each of the next five years. [124417]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.224W

  Estimated cost of the abolition of the upper age limit for claiming Invalid Care Allowance (ICA)

  Cost (£ million)

  Gainers (Thousand)

  2001–02

  25

  40

  2002–03

  25

  40

  2003–04

  25

  40

  2004–05

  25

  40

  2005–06

  30

  40

  Notes:

  1. Costs are given in cash prices. Costs rounded to the nearest 5 million, gainers to the nearest 10,000.

  2. Estimates are based on Family Resources Survey 1997–98 and 1998–99, and caseload forecasts.

  3. As estimates are based on survey data, the above will be subject to sampling error. The limitations of modelling entitlement from available survey data on the number of hours that individuals spend providing care mean that the above are subject to a significant margin of error.

  4. It is assumed that all existing ICA entitlement rules remain in place after any abolition of the upper age limit for new claims. Costs include the effects on Income Support carer premium.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the(a) cost and (b) number of beneficiaries continuing to pay for invalid care allowance (i) after the person cared for dies, (ii) after the person cared for enters permanent residential care and (iii) after care ends, for (1) four weeks and (2) eight weeks in each of the next five years. [124415]

  Mr. Bayley
  No information is available on the numbers/costs of an Invalid Care Allowance run-on when the disabled person enters residential care. Information on the other questions is shown in the tables.

  The estimated costs and number of gainers from a four week run-on after death of the disabled person

  Year

  Costs (£ million)

  Gainers

  2001–02

  1

  10,000

  2002–03

  1

  10,000

  2003–04

  1

  15,000

  2004–05

  1

  15,000

  2005–06

  1

  15,000

  The estimated costs and number of gainers from an eight week run-on after death of the disabled person

  Year

  Costs (£ million)

  Gainers

  2001–02

  2

  10,000

  2002–03

  2

  10,000

  2003–04

  2

  15,000

  2004–05

  2

  15,000

  2005–06

  2

  15,000

  The estimated costs and gainers of a four week run-on when care ceases for any reason

  Year

  Costs (£ million)

  Gainers

  2001–02

  11

  50,000

  2002–03

  12

  50,000

  2003–04

  13

  50,000

  2004–05

  14

  55,000

  2005–06

  15

  60,000

  225W

  The estimated Costs and gainers from an eight week run-on when care ceases for any reason

  Year

  Costs (£ million)

  Gainers

  2001–02

  22

  50,000

  2002–03

  24

  50,000

  2003–04

  25

  50,000

  2004–05

  27

  55,000

  2005–06

  29

  60,000

  Note:

  Costs are rounded to the nearest £ million and gainers to the nearest 5,000.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 18 April 2000,Official Report, column 439W, what the national insurance fund balance would be, and how far above the minimum level recommended by the Government Actuary, at the end of each of the years 2002–03 and 2003–04, if the basic

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Winter fuel payment (a)

  200

  200

  760

  1,380

  1,210

  Minimum income guarantee (b)

  —

  —

  410

  700

  1,090

  Total (c=a+b)

  200

  200

  1,170

  2,080

  2,300

  Retirement pension earning-uprated since April 1998 (d)

  —

  160

  590

  1,610

  2,080

  Extra spending (c-d)

  200

  40

  580

  480

  220

  Cumulative extra spending

  200

  240

  820

  1,300

  1,520

  Notes:

  1. Rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Costs are in 1999–2000 terms.

  3. Some figures do not appear to sum. This is due to rounding.

  4. Average earnings assumptions for both (b) and (d) are based on an average of seasonally adjusted figures for the three months to July of the previous year, as originally published.

  Benefits Administration
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual cost of his Department's administration including its agencies(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of total spending on benefit payments. [124253]

  Mr. Rooker
  The cost of administration, in total and as a percentage of benefit expenditure for the period 1994–95 to 1999–2000, is shown in figure 41 of the Social Security Departmental Report (Cm 4614).

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the estimated cost is in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 of extending entitlement to winter fuel payments to men under 65 years; and how much of the cost in each year represents arrears for previous years. [124256]

  Angela Eagle
  In light of the Taylor ruling by the European Court of Justice in December 1999, we decided to extend eligibility to Winter Fuel Payments to include men aged 60–64. To do so it was also necessary to remove the qualifying benefit as an eligibility condition. This brought some newly eligible women, as well as men, into the scheme.

  The estimated additional programme costs of extending the scheme in 2000–01 and 2001–02 are in the table and take into account the increase in the Winter Fuel Payment
  226W
  pension and linked benefit rates remained at their present level in 2000–01 and were uprated in line with prices thereafter. [124257]

  Mr. Rooker
  As I said on 23 May 2000,Official Report, column 484W, precise long-term forecasts of any excess on the Fund reserves would be misleading given the sensitivity of the difference between forecasts of receipts and expenditure to the variables involved.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Mr. Fitzpatrick) on 11 April 2000,Official Report, column 144W, if the cost of uprating on the basis of earnings the basic pension shown there, including the cost of uprating the linked benefits on the same basis; and what would be the cost for each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02, if the uprating, including the linked benefits, was based on the average earnings index for the three months to July of the previous year. [124392]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  to £150 for eligible households from winter 2000–01. The cost of payments for past winters go back to the beginning of the scheme in the winter of 1997–98.

  £ million

  Additional costs

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Annual costs

  130

  130

  Cost for payments in past winters

  150

  0

  Notes:

  1. These costs are based on assumptions about take-up. The precise cost will vary depending on the level of take-up among the client group concerned.

  2. Costs are in cash terms and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

HEALTH

  NHS Drugs Budget
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reform of the NHS drugs budget. [122876]

  Ms Stuart
  By introducing unified budgets for health authorities, primary care groups and primary care trusts we have given them the flexibility to manage the growing National Health Service budget, including spending on medicines in the way that they consider best for their patients.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS treatment of the elderly. [122877]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are determined that older people should have high standards of care from the National Health Service based on clinical need and no other factor. Our National Service Framework for Older People, to be published in the autumn, will set national standards in health care for older people. Our plans to develop Intermediate Care Services will play an important part in promoting the independence of older people.

  Worcester Royal Infirmary
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proposal to transfer services from Kidderminster hospital to Worcester and Redditch prior to the completion of the new Worcester royal infirmary; and if he will make a statement. [122878]

  Yvette Cooper
  When Worcestershire Health Authority's strategy "Investing in Excellence" was approved, the Secretary of State was satisfied that appropriate evidence and advice had been taken into account. Proposals for the early relocation of services from Kidderminster General Hospital are operational details and as such are the responsibility of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Drug Rehabilitation Programmes
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to improve the delivery of drug rehabilitation programmes. [122879]

  Ms Stuart
  The Government are committed to a robust strategy to tackle drug misuse and we are backing it with extra resources: more than £200 million over three years. It is one of the Department's 13 key priorities. Through better performance management and guidance on optimum models of care we will ensure that more people benefit from treatment which is effective, including residential rehabilitation.

  Skin Cancer
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the increasing incidence of skin cancer among young people. [122880]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are signs of increasing incidence of skin cancer among young people but it seems that any increase may be levelling off. This year the Government will be using posters, factsheets, websites and weather forecasts in a determined effort to provide accessible information enabling young people to make informed choices.

  Asthma
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are suffering from asthma; what action his Department is taking to combat asthma; and if he will make a statement. [122881]

  Yvette Cooper
  The estimated prevalence is 4–6 per cent. in children and 4 per cent. in adults; approximately 2–3 million people in the United Kingdom.
  228W
  We are supporting a range of initiatives to combat the effects of asthma. Collaboration with the National Asthma Campaign, active involvement of the Chronic Disease Management Programme and over £3.5 million of Government-funded research reflect this.

  Diet and Exercise
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the relationship between poverty and diet and exercise. [122882]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government fully recognise the links between social deprivation, poor diet and physical inactivity. The Acheson report commissioned by the Government highlighted the phenomenon of food poverty as a very important consideration within public health. The link is confirmed by the recently published National Diet and Nutritional Survey for young people. This shows that, for example, among manual social groups only 22 per cent. of boys consume fruit compared with 39 per cent. in non-manual classes. A similar picture also emerges in the case of girls in manual classes, with only 29 per cent. consuming fruit compared to 43 per cent. among their non-manual counterparts.

  The social class patterns for physical activity are less clear. Lower levels of leisure time exercise seem balanced by more active jobs for those on the lowest incomes. Based on these and other indicators like the National Diet and Nutrition Survey for young people, we are examining these issues as part of the development of the National Plan.

  Camden and Islington Health Action Zone
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the progress of the Camden and Islington health action zone. [122883]

  Mr. Denham
  We expect Camden and Islington health action zone to achieve significant results in reducing health inequalities and modernising services over its seven year life. Both the independent evaluation and the performance monitoring process report good early progress in Camden and Islington and the other HAZs. We are due to receive an end of year performance report on the HAZ initiative later in the summer and a national report on progress will be published in the autumn.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on reducing waiting times for cancer treatment. [122884]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) today,Official Report, column 141.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the timing of the announcement of special allocations to health authorities for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. [122885]
  229W
  Yvette Cooper
  We announced special allocations for HIV/AIDS treatment and care for 2000–01, totalling £184.3 million on 18 May. This is an increase of £21 million over the baseline or 13 per cent.

  £54.8 million was allocated last December for HIV Prevention.

  Mental Health
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of advocacy to people subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Acts. [122886]

  Mr. Hutton
  All mentally ill people subject to compulsory care should have access to good advocacy. As we announced in our Green Paper on the reform of the Mental Health Act, we are commissioning work to determine and develop models of good practice. I hope to have the results of the study by early next year.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Bendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the average number of hours per week used by GP members of primary care groups on PCG-related work. [R] [122887]

  Mr. Denham
  We estimate that on average a typical board member of a Primary Care Group would need to spend between two and 2½ days per month on board business. However, the actual time commitment which each Primary Care Group member makes will depend on his or her role, responsibilities and personal commitment.

  Teenage Pregnancies (South Yorkshire)
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in the South Yorkshire area. [122889]

  Yvette Cooper
  All four South Yorkshire districts have comprehensive strategies in place to reduce teenage pregnancy and support teenage parents. They have received funds totalling £345,000 for this financial year, to boost local projects. Each health authority has appointed a co-ordinator to drive forward the strategy in their area. This follows the launch last year by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of the Government's strategy to halve the rates of conceptions among under-18s by 2010.

  CJD
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the assistance offered by the Government to CJD victims and their families. [122890]

  Yvette Cooper
  We will shortly be publishing some new guidance for health care professionals on caring for CJD patients. Among other things, it will stress the important role a named 'key worker' plays in ensuring the response properly meets the patient's and family's needs.

  A national care co-ordinator has recently joined the Government-funded National CJD Surveillance Unit in Edinburgh to provide specialist expertise in CJD for professionals and carers.
  230W
  The Department of Health also funds the CJD Support Network, a voluntary organisation providing help and support to patients and families affected by all types of CJD, to employ a case co-ordinator to help local service providers respond appropriately to patients' and families' care needs. In addition, the Human BSE Foundation are funded by the Department to provide help and support specifically to patients and families affected by variant CJD.

  Finally, negotiations are underway to ensure the funding of the London Prion Unit at St. Mary's Hospital, which specialises in treating vCJD patients, and also offers information, advice and support for patients, families and professionals on all types of CJD.

  Treatment Inconsistencies
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made on eliminating inconsistent provision of treatments between health authorities. [122892]

  Mr. Denham
  We are setting standards through the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the National Service Frameworks. We are ensuring local delivery through clinical governance and monitoring delivery through the performance assessment framework and the Commission for Health Improvement. We are working with relevant parties, utilising the record increases in National Health Service funding announced in the Budget, to improve NHS performance.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to fund the elimination of wide variations and discrepancies between local areas in health service provision. [122896]

  Mr. Denham
  We allocate funding to health authorities on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each health authority's target fair share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need.

  It is for health authorities in partnership with primary care groups and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

  Tackling unacceptable variations in performance and treatment is one of the key challenges we have set the National Health Service. We are working with key professionals and frontline staff to see how we can improve NHS performance and productivity so that we make the best use of the record increases in NHS funding announced in the Budget.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to take to ensure uniformity in the availability of complex and expensive medical treatments. [122870]

  Mr. Denham
  The availability of complex and expensive medical treatments is achieved through the work of the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (for services with a national caseload) and the new regional commissioning arrangements introduced in April 1999.
  231W
  In addition, national standards are being set by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the National Service Framework programme, local delivery is ensured through Clinical Governance, and services are monitored through the Performance Assessment Framework, the Commission for Health Improvement and national patient surveys.

  Gene Technology
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of gene technology on the delivery of health services. [122893]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are aware of the rapid advances being made in gene technology. However, much research is still needed to determine the clinical utility of any developments. A strategy project is considering the implications for health services and the new Human Genetics Commission will keep this under review.

  Podiatry Services
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to primary care groups on foot care and podiatry services for elderly and disabled people and their carers. [122894]

  Mr. Hutton
  Guidance on the provision of podiatry services is contained in "Feet First", the report of a joint Department of Health and NHS Chiropody Task Force published in 1994. A steering group has conducted a review of "Feet First" and we shall consider carefully its recommendations.

  Audiology Services
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans to improve audiology services in the NHS. [122897]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Henley) today,Official Report, columns 143–44.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget has been set for the public consultation on the future of the NHS. [122898]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 18 May 2000,Official Report, column 240W.

  Children's Hospices
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that children's hospices receive the same level of national health service funding as other hospices. [122864]

  Ms Stuart
  Unlike hospices for adults, children's hospices provide mainly respite care for children with complex needs and their families. To be worthwhile, such care needs to be convenient and flexible to the needs of the family, so a number of different models, including respite at home or in hospices or hospitals, are available in different localities. Where there is a hospice, I know these services are highly valued by users and by the local health economy
  232W
  Health authorities must use their recurrent funding to meet the assessed health needs of their resident population, including the need for palliative or respite care for children or adults. Precise levels of funding are a matter for local discussion and agreement, based on local health needs assessment as set out in Health Improvement Programmes.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Southend)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in reducing hospital waiting lists in Southend-on-Sea. [122891]

  Mr. Denham
  Since the fourth quarter of 1996–97, Southend Hospital NHS Trust has reduced the total number of patients on their in-patient waiting lists by 959. Out-patient long waiters are currently falling, and Southend Hospital NHS Trust has achieved its locally agreed target for reduction in the number of long waiting out-patient for 1999–00.

  NHS Funding (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that NHS services in Colchester receive at least the national average per capita funding. [122895]

  Mr. Denham
  We allocate funding to health authorities on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each health authority's target fair share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need.

  For 2000–01, North Essex Health Authority's allocation per weighted head of the population is £687, compared to the average for England of £688.

  Health authorities allocate resources direct to their primary care groups in accordance with national guidelines. The formula used to set targets for primary care groups is essentially that used for health authorities. Health authorities determine the pace of change at which individual primary care groups within their area move towards their fair share targets.

  North Essex Health Authority is currently calculating Colchester Primary Care Group's budget for 2000–01.

  Osteopaths
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained osteopaths have been compelled to cease practising since the introduction of the provisions of the Osteopaths Act 1993; what assessment he has made of the operation of the personal and professional profile process; and if he will make a statement. [121111]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 May 2000]Under the provisions of the Osteopaths Act 1993, the General Osteopathic Council is responsible for the development, promotion and regulation of the profession of osteopathy. During the transitional period of registration, which ended on 8 May 2000, the Council decided to require all applicants to complete an extensive 'professional profile and portfolio' as evidence that they meet its criteria for
  233W
  the safe, lawful and competent practice of osteopathy. In some cases the registrar may also request an interview or a test of clinical competence before making a decision.

  We were not involved in the development of the 'professional profile and portfolio', but it appears to be based firmly on the principles of determining competence and could form a basis for professional lifelong learning. It is an innovative and comprehensive approach which should go a long way towards giving the public the assurance they deserve that all registered osteopaths are able to practice osteopathy safely and competently.

  It is an inevitable consequence of an effective professional self-regulatory scheme that, either at its inception or subsequently, some practitioners will not meet the standard required for safe and competent practice and will either have to take remedial training or find alternative employment. From information provided by the General Osteopathic Council, of the 1,911 practitioners whose applications for registration have been decided so far only 80 have been refused.

  NHS (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people his Department estimates are eligible to claim financial help with(a) NHS prescriptions, (b) NHS dental treatment, (c) NHS wigs and fabric supports and (d) travel to hospital for NHS treatment. [122780]

  Mr. Denham
  In England, it is estimated that the following are eligible to claim financial help when they incur costs for:

  (a) National Health Service prescriptions

  10 million children under 16

  1 million young people aged 16–18 who are in full time education

  10 million people aged 60 or more

  5 million people under 60 on low income grounds

  up to 0.3 million war pensioners where treatment is for their pensionable disability

  0.8 million people holding an exemption certificate because they are suffering from specified medical conditions

  0.7 million women holding an exemption certificate because they are pregnant or who have had a child in the past 12 months;

  (b) NHS dental treatment

  10 million children under 16

  1.2 million young people aged 16 and 17 plus 0.2 million aged

  18 who are in full time education

  6.5 million people on low income grounds

  0.9 million women who are pregnant or who have had a child in the past 12 months

  up to 0.3 million war pensioners where treatment is for their pensionable disability

  (c) NHS wigs and fabric supports

  10 million children under 16

  1 million young people aged 16–18 who are in full time education

  6.5 million people on low income grounds

  up to 0.3 million war pensioners where treatment is for their pensionable disability

  (d) Travel to hospital for NHS treatment

  6.5 million people on low income grounds. In addition to this figure, their children and dependent young people will also be entitled to help.

  Up to 0.3 million war pensioners where treatment is for their pensionable disability

  (e) There is no charge for prescribed contraceptives.

  234W
  In addition, around 0.3 million people may be eligible for financial assistance on a sliding scale with the costs of (b), (c) and (d) because they are named on an NHS charges certificate for limited help.

  The figures cannot be totalled as there will be overlap between the groups; for example, women who have had a child in the past 12 months might also be on a low income, many war pensioners will be entitled to free prescriptions on age grounds.

  NHS Messaging
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average cost is of sending externally a 1Mb message from an NHS organisation; [124090]

  (2) if his Department has estimated the cost of sending externally a 1Mb message from an NHS organisation using an alternate SMPT Internet Mail system. [124091]

  Ms Stuart
  From 1 April 1999 the full cost of messaging is now met directly by the National Health Service Information Authority and financed by money from health authority annual allocations. The current tariff and discount structure is negotiated centrally with the service providers and is based on overall volume of traffic, so that incremental costs per individual message are not calculated. The average cost per message at current use and discount rates is 1.2p.

  Chief Executive (Eastbourne)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1999,Official Report, column 309W, what was the work undertaken at Mid Kent Healthcare NHS Trust in Maidstone by the former Chief Executive of Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust; what was the total cost of this work; and which part of the NHS funded the work. [124370]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The former chief executive of Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust contributed towards the preparation of an outline business case for the proposed relocation of ophthalmology services at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells National Health Service Trust.

  The total cost of the work amounted to six months of the former chief executive's salary. Costs were met by the Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  Food Labelling
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of the word pure in connection with food. [124491]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The Food Advisory Committee has issued guidelines on the use of the word "natural" and similar terms such as "real", "genuine" and "pure" in the labelling and advertising of foods. The Committee is currently considering the need for further action and is expected to make recommendations to the Food Standards Agency, which has responsibility for food labelling, later this year.

  The Food Safety Act 1990 already makes it an offence to describe any food in a way that is false or likely to mislead as to its nature, substance or quality.

  Abdominal Scans
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for abdominal scans is(a) nationally, (b) in Sheffield, (c) in Doncaster, (d) in Barnsley and (e) in Rotherham. [124573]

  Mr. Denham
  Data on the length of the waiting list and how long people are waiting are not collected at the level of individual diagnostic procedures.

  MRSA
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on measures taken to deal with MRSA. [122865]

  Yvette Cooper
  Control of infection in hospitals, including MRSA, is a subject that the Government take very seriously, and one on which we are determined 236W
  action will be taken. Tackling it has been set as a "must-do" for the National Health Service. A timetabled programme of action is under way to strengthen infection control arrangements and deliver improvements.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into the potential health effects of chemical leakage from mobile phone handsets. [122814]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have not undertaken or commissioned any research in this area. The most likely potential health effects from leakage would be from the battery. All batteries in mobile phones should comply with the appropriate CENELEC or IEC standards.

  EU External Aid Programme
  EU External Aid Programme
  Rajasthan
  Rajasthan
  Electronic Trade and VAT
  Electronic Trade and VAT
  Budget Press Releases
  Budget Press Releases
  Clean Vehicles Task Force: Report
  Clean Vehicles Task Force: Report
  London Underground: Escalator Repairs
  London Underground: Escalator Repairs
  GM Trials: Bee-keepers and Fruit Growers
  GM Trials: Bee-keepers and Fruit Growers
  Mobile Concrete Pump Vehicle Licensing
  Mobile Concrete Pump Vehicle Licensing
  Animal Carcass Incineration
  Animal Carcass Incineration
  Newbridge-on-Wye: Proposed Wood-burning Power Plant
  Newbridge-on-Wye: Proposed Wood-burning Power Plant
  Transport of Military Equipment
  Transport of Military Equipment
  Warminster Garrison: Gas Appliances
  Warminster Garrison: Gas Appliances
  NMEC Board Members: Meeting with Minister
  NMEC Board Members: Meeting with Minister
  Special Advisers: Registration of Interests
  Special Advisers: Registration of Interests
  Special Advisers: Political Donations
  Special Advisers: Political Donations
  Ministerial Statements: Prior Media Briefing
  Ministerial Statements: Prior Media Briefing
  Millennium Dome: End-of-Year Celebration
  Millennium Dome: End-of-Year Celebration
  Mr David Quarmby
  Mr David Quarmby
  Millennium Dome: Sale
  Millennium Dome: Sale
  NMEC: Trading Position
  NMEC: Trading Position
  Children in Care
  Children in Care
  NHS Use of Imported Human Tissues
  NHS Use of Imported Human Tissues
  Mycobacterium Bovis
  Mycobacterium Bovis
  Paediatric Pathologists and Toxicologists
  Paediatric Pathologists and Toxicologists
  Soil Association Organic Status Awards
  Soil Association Organic Status Awards
  UN "Women 2000" Conference
  UN "Women 2000" Conference
  European Communities Select Committee
  European Communities Select Committee