Written Answers of 7 June 2000

DEFENCE

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Agency
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [125247]

  Mr. Spellar
  The role of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre is to train the Armed Forces and other Intelligence agencies in intelligence and security disciplines and conduct after capture; to maintain an operational capability; and to contribute to effective and timely advice to the Armed Forces on appropriate intelligence and security matters. The Key Targets for the Agency for the 12 months from April 2000 are:Key Target 1:
  To satisfy 100 per cent. of operational taskings required by the Department to the standard specified by the tasking authority.
  Key Target 2:
  To deliver at least 90 per cent. of a training programme endorsed by the Defence Intelligence Training Policy Group within agreed resources.
  Key Target 3:
  To meet a 100 per cent. standard of quality for all training courses where there is a validated statement of customer training requirement, and a Systems Approach to Training (SAT) mechanism for measuring quality.
  Key Target 4:
  To reduce the real terms cost of delivering the average training place made available by the DISC by 2 per cent. in Financial Year 2000–01.

  Defence Procurement Agency
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Procurement Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [125248]

  Dr. Moonie
  Five Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency for the Financial Year 2000–01. The first three Key Targets apply to projects covered by the Major Projects Report which have passed their Main Gate approval, and prior to their In-Service Date. The Key Targets are:Key Target 1:
  Predicted achievement of customers' core requirements for projects: 91 per cent.
  Key Target 2:
  Average cumulative slippage of In-Service Dates at 31 March 2001: not to exceed 20.9 months.
  Key Target 3:
  Average cumulative cost variation at 31 March 2001: not to exceed 4.9 per cent.
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  Key Target 4:
  Customer Satisfaction Rating: 65 per cent.
  Key Target 5:
  While continuing to meet the demands of the procurement programme, reduce the operating costs of the DPA in relation to the 1997–98 costs of the Procurement Executive by: 19 per cent.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the past three months UK military or diplomatic personnel have been confronted in Sierra Leone by persons purporting to be United Nations personnel but who were not; if he will give details of such instances where United Nations insignia or colours were being worn; and if any such incidents involved the discharge of firearms. [124837]

  Mr. Hoon
  None.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to United Kingdom service personnel when they are required to communicate or collaborate with soldiers of the Sierra Leone Army whom they suspect are below 18 years of age; if those instructions provide specifically for cases where the child soldier is armed; and if he will make a statement. [124832]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is the policy of the Government of Sierra Leone not to employ children under 18 in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Instructions were issued recently by President Kabbah that anyone under 18 currently serving in those forces should be disarmed and demobilised.

  Should UK personnel come into contact with any suspected child combatant in the course of their duties, they are instructed to inform the most senior Sierra Leonean Army Commander on the scene and draw his attention to the Government of Sierra Leone's stated policy. This instruction applies whether the suspected child combatant is armed or not.

  Precision Bombing
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what options are being considered by his Department to ensure aircraft are able to bomb with precision in all weather conditions; when a decision will be announced on the preferred option; and if he will make a statement. [124222]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 7 June 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about what options are being considered by his Department to ensure aircraft are able to bomb with precision in all weather conditions and when a decision will be announced on a preferred option. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The Ministry of Defence is considering procuring Precision Guided Munitions to improve the accuracy with which the RAF can deliver free fall bombs in all weather conditions. A Request For Information was sent to industry and seven responses were received.

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  These propose a variety of technological solutions including the use of Inertial Navigation Systems augmented by information from Global Positioning System equipment.
  An Integrated Project Team has formed within the Defence Procurement Agency to conduct technical and commercial assessments of the solutions available. A decision announcing the preferred option is expected in mid 2002.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Specialist Operations
  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary on specialist operations. [125250]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from the report, together with responses by the Commissioners and comments by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his capacity as police authority for the Metropolitan Police Service. The Metropolitan Police have accepted all 12 recommendations in the report. From 3 July, it will be the responsibility of the new Metropolitan Police Authority to monitor progress on implementation of the recommendations.

  Police Costs
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average cost per police officer for each police force in England in the last financial year. [124400]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The average estimated net expenditure per police officer for 1999–2000 is set out in the table. The figures include pay and all other revenue expenditure.

  £000

  Police force

  Expenditure per police officer

  Avon and Somerset

  58.08

  Bedfordshire

  60.29

  Cambridgeshire

  57.93

  Cheshire

  54.11

  City of London

  77.47

  Cleveland

  61.00

  Cumbria

  57.20

  Derbyshire

  60.78

  Devon and Cornwall

  60.55

  Dorset

  60.13

  Durham

  51.67

  Essex

  58.03

  Gloucestershire

  57.33

  Greater Manchester

  56.58

  Hampshire

  56.42

  Hertfordshire

  58.06

  Humberside

  57.04

  Kent

  57.34

  Lancashire

  55.92

  Leicestershire

  53.14

  Lincolnshire

  61.43

  Merseyside

  57.39

  Metropolitan Police

  70.87

  Norfolk

  62.05

  Northamptonshire

  61.62

  North Yorkshire

  58.45

  Northumbria

  55.63

  Nottinghamshire

  58.04

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  £000

  Police force

  Expenditure per police officer

  South Yorkshire

  54.07

  Staffordshire

  56.50

  Suffolk

  61.34

  Surrey

  61.47

  Sussex

  53.80

  Thames Valley

  61.98

  Warwickshire

  60.78

  West Mercia

  58.27

  West Midlands

  52.00

  West Yorkshire

  58.69

  Wiltshire

  60.46

  Note:

  Figures derived from net revenue estimates and projected average budgeted strengths for 1999–2000

  Source:

  The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Statistics (Estimates) for 1999–2000

  Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 492W, concerning contracts, if he will list the companies concerned; and whether these contracts were subject to a competitive tendering process. [124814]

  Mr. Straw
  Further to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 492W, the named companies, and tender processes undertaken are given in the table.

  Year

  Name of consultants(s)

  Tender action

  May 1997 to March 1998

  NM Rothchild and Son Ltd.

  Competitive

  April 1998 to March 1999

  PA Consulting

  Competitive

  April 1999 to date

  Brian Farrington

  Competitive

  April 1999 to date

  MMM Consultancy Group Ltd.

  Competitive

  Mike Tyson
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if Steve Fitch has applied to enter the UK with Mike Tyson; [124389]

  (2) if he will list the names of the personnel seeking to enter the UK with Mike Tyson as part of his support team; [124388]

  (3) what checks are being made on personnel seeking to enter the UK with Mike Tyson as part of his support team with regard to establishing previous convictions for serious offences. [124387]

  Mr. Straw
  We do not at present know who will be applying for entry to the United Kingdom as part of Mike Tyson's support team. But the question of whether entry may be granted to those accompanying him will be considered by the Immigration Officer on arrival in the normal way.

  It would be open to Immigration Officers to question them about any relevant matters, including their criminal convictions. However, they are likely to do so only if there is reason to believe that any of them has a relevant conviction. This is to ensure consistency with existing

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  practice. Proposals in our consultation paper would introduce the requirement for all non-European Union passengers to declare convictions resulting in imprisonment. It would be premature to implement those proposals while the consultation process is still ongoing.

  In the case of Steve Fitch, we are aware that he has relevant convictions. In January, Mr. Fitch was granted entry for an extremely limited period, and he observed the conditions imposed on his stay. If he is part of Mr. Tyson's entourage on this occasion, his application for entry will be considered separately in accordance with the Rules.

  Community Penalties
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the final report on the Norfolk and Greater Manchester pilot schemes in community penalties for fine defaulters and persistent petty offending; and what proposals he has to extend these schemes to other parts of the country. [124683]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 provides courts with additional sentencing options for dealing with fine defaulters, persistent petty offenders and others. The provisions were piloted in Norfolk and Greater Manchester and the final report evaluating the trials was published as a Home Office Occasional Paper on 29 February this year. A decision will be taken in due course on whether to bring these measures into effect throughout England and Wales.

  Football Hooliganism
  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict the rights of fans to travel abroad to football matches in cases where they have been identified as being involved in incidents of hooliganism but have not been successfully prosecuted. [123717]

  Mr. Straw
  Only convicted football hooligans who are subject to international banning orders can be prevented from leaving the United Kingdom. The Dutch and Belgian authorities have extensive powers to refuse entry to any individual or group who they consider may pose a risk to public order. This includes people subject to domestic bans. The National Criminal Intelligence Service has provided their Dutch and Belgian counterparts with details of the 506 people currently subject to football banning orders and another 500 or so names of suspected hooligans have also been passed on. Police will be monitoring all England supporters at every United Kingdom exit point throughout the period of the tournament and the information gathered will be shared with the Dutch, Belgian and French police teams and United Kingdom police operating in these countries.

  I have placed in the Library a report prepared by the Euro 2000 Co-ordinating Group on measures which have been taken in preparation for the tournament.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Dioxin Emissions
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the five largest producers of dioxin emissions in the UK. [123484]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]Estimates of dioxin emissions from those industrial processes that are regulated by the Environment Agency are published in the Pollution Inventory on the Agency's website. The latest data published for 1998 list the top five as follows:

  Company

  Dioxins emission to air Grams of toxic equivalents (1-TEQ) (per year)

  Corus (formerly British Steel), Llanwem Works

  13

  Corus (formerly British Steel), Port Talbot Works

  10

  Corus (formerly British Steel), Brigg Road

  9

  Calder Industrial Materials Ltd.

  8

  Allied Steel and Wire Ltd., Tremorfa Works

  7

  The Environment Agency are working with those industries to identify ways to reduce their emissions.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what non-departmental technical advice he has sought, and what action he will take in respect of the farm-scale evaluation of GM herbicide-tolerant crops pending his review of separation distances between the crops. [123757]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]When the separation distances relate to risks to human health or the environment, for example for small-scale experimental releases. I seek non-departmental technical advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, chaired by Professor Alan Gray. These distances are kept continually under review.

  When the separation distances are for agronomic or commercial reasons, for example to protect crop integrity, which is the case for the farm-scale evaluations, they are a matter for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who consult appropriate bodies representing, for example, organic farmers and honey producers.

  I am seeking further meetings between the Soil Association and SCIMAC (the body representing agricultural industries involved in the farm-scale evaluations) to examine case-by-case criteria for minimum separation distances for the farm-scale evaluations.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what GM crop trials are being conducted within Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [124473]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]There are currently no GM crop trials authorised under Part B of Directive 90/220 within Shrewsbury and Atcham. There are trials taking place in Shropshire near Ash Parva,
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  Beckbury, Eyton and Prees Heath. Further details of these trials are available on the Public Register held in the Department.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date his Department was informed(a) by telephone, (b) by e-mail and (c) in writing by Advanta Seeds UK that a batch of Hyola oilseed rape seed had been found to be contaminated with GM oilseed rape seed. [124322]

  Mr. Meacher
  Officials from my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were first informed of the contamination when they met with representatives from Advanta on 17 April. At that meeting, Advanta informed them that some Hyola oilseed rape in Germany had been found to be contaminated with GM oilseed rape. Since then officials were in regular contact with Advanta to establish the facts of the case and in particular to determine which GM variety was involved and the extent to which the contamination extended to seeds in the UK.

  Roadside Memorials
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures exist for the erection of roadside memorials to commemorate the lives of those killed in accidents; and if he will make a statement. [123874]

  Mr. Hill
  Although Britain has a good road safety record there are still far too many people killed and injured in road traffic accidents. It is for local highway authorities to ensure that any roadside memorials to commemorate the lives of those killed in accidents comply with the provisions of the various Highways Acts and Road Traffic Acts and do not themselves become a road safety hazard either through obstruction of the highway or a distraction to road users.

  New Millennium Village
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use solar voltaics and small-scale wind power as part of the sustainable energy strategy at the New Millennium Village in Greenwich. [124046]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In winning the competition to select a developer for the Millennium Village at Greenwich, the consortium now known as Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd. proposed to include energy from both wind and solar sources. It is for the developers to decide how to incorporate such features, but I am keen that opportunities in this area should be fully explored. Photovoltaic cells and solar panels are both being considered, and the position in respect of wind power is being reviewed.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations were held with(a) urban sociologists and (b) anthropologists on assessing ways to optimise social cohesion in the New Millennium Village in Greenwich. [124047]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  No consultations were held with professional anthropologists or urban sociologists. However, social cohesion is a key objective of the 244W
  Millennium Village, and is being pursued through its design, through the provision of affordable housing, education and health facilities, along with other community facilities, and through physical and other linkages with existing communities.

  Cap de la Hague (Radioactive Gases)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the concentrations of radioactive gases detectable above East Sussex which can be identified as having originated from Cap de la Hague. [124236]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, the European Commission must be satisfied that no contamination of another member state will result before any routine releases of radioactivity can be authorised; this is the case in respect of Cap de la Hague.

  Environmental monitoring programmes carried out in southern England have detected no elevated levels of radioactivity above normal background. Any evaluation in the levels of ambient gamma dose rate in the UK would be immediately detected by the RIMNET network of continuously operating monitors, several of which are located along the South Coast of England.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the French authorities in respect of emissions from Cap de la Hague. [124217]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]There have been no recent discussions between my Department and the French authorities in respect of emissions from Cap de la Hague.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent data he has obtained in respect of emissions from Cap de la Hague. [124218]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]No recent data on emissions from Cap de la Hague have been received.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the policy of each train operating company towards(a) automatic train protection and (b) train protection and warning system. [124204]

  Mr. Hill
  The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require all passenger lines, and all trains operating on them, to be fitted with a form of train protection equivalent to the train protection and warning system by the end of 2003. Each Train Operating Company has supplied to the Health and Safety Executive an action program to comply with these regulations. Where reasonably practicable, the Regulations require more advanced automatic train protection to be fitted, similar to that in service on Great Western, Chiltern, and Heathrow Express Trains.
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  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with(a) Railtrack and (b) all train operating companies on reducing the number of signals passed at danger. [124203]

  Mr. Hill
  During their normal enforcement duties, the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate have regular and frequent meetings and discussions with both Railtrack and Train Operating Companies on reducing the number of signals passed at danger (SPADs). All SPADs, are required to be reported to the Railway Inspectorate, who investigate the more serious ones. A summary of these activities is given in the Health and Safety Executive's monthly report on SPADs, a copy of which is placed in the House Library.

  The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the issue of SPADs at his recent rail summit with the industry.

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 537W, what proposals he has for the disposal of Landau Cottage, Upton Lovell, Warminster; how the disposal will be effected; and for what reasons. [124634]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Kerman to Mr. David Faber, dated 7 June 2000:
  The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Agency's proposals for the disposal of Landau Cottage, Upton Lovell, Warminster. I am replying in the absence of Peter Nutt.
  The Highways Agency has no current proposals for the disposal of Landau Cottage.
  The route of the withdrawn A36 Codford to Heytesbury scheme remains protected whilst the Government office for the South West carries out a study of the A36/A46 route which, between the M4 and the M27 motorways, is currently part of our non-core network. Disposal is ruled out while protection remains in place.

  Departmental Initiatives
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 2000,Official Report. column 612W, on departmental initiatives, if he will list the amounts originally budgeted for in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000, stating for each year what funds budgeted for were not spent, and if they were carried forward. [124413]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The budgets and underspend of the regeneration initiatives for which my Department is responsible are listed in the tables.

  Under an agreement with the European Commission, the Department carries forward underspend on the European Regional Development Fund programmes from year to year. Where the carry forward of unspent resources by the Department has been permitted under the Treasury's End Year Flexibility arrangements for the other regeneration programmes, it has been for the Secretary of State to determine to which departmental programmes such
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  resources should be allocated, and to obtain Treasury agreement and parliamentary authority in Supplementary Estimates for increases on the Department's Votes. Entitlements to end year flexibility to be carried into 2000–01 have yet to be agreed.

  Holistic regeneration programmes

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Single Regeneration Budget:

  Budget

  481.6

  567.3

  707.6

  Underspend

  22.8

  6.4

  15.3

  New Deal for Communities:

  Budget

  0

  12.5

  100.0

  Underspend

  0

  12.3

  51.5

  The budget for New Deal for the Communities was reprofiled to reflect the pattern of actual spend which has emerged from the implementation of this innovatory programme which places communities at the heart of regenerating their neighbourhoods.

  Other regeneration initiatives

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  European Regional Development Fund:

  Budget

  194.8

  220.0

  266.9

  Underspend

  124.1

  176.6

  245.9

  The underspend figures for the European Regional Development Fund are cumulative from 1994. They cover programmes which ran from 1994 to 1999 for which expenditure is expected to continue until 2002–03.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Coalfields Regeneration Trust

  Budget

  0

  17.7

  10.0

  Underspend

  0

  17.7

  9.0

  The budget for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is being reprofiled to reflect the launch date of September 1999.

  Home Seller's Pack Trial
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have participated in the seller's pack trial in Bristol; and how many transactions have been completed to date. [124635]

  Mr. Mullin
  The table gives the current number and status of people participating in the Bristol Seller's Information Pack.

  Number

  Number of sellers in scheme

  180

  Of which, offers accepted

  54

  Of which, contracts exchanged

  34

  Of which, reached completion1

  12

  1 The number of completions is an estimate, as participating sellers are not required to use the solicitor who assembles their pack to go on and complete their transaction.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects a decision to be announced in respect of the rail franchise for the south-east of England presently held by Connex. [124636]

  Mr. Hill
  Connex currently operate two franchises in the south of England—South Central (which serves Eastbourne) and South Eastern. The Franchising Director is currently evaluating two proposals—from Connex and GoVia—for a replacement South Central franchise. The preferred bidder will be announced when that evaluation process is complete. No date has been set for when that will be as this will depend on the progress of negotiations. The Franchising Director will take opportunities as they arise to replace the longer-term franchises, of which Connex South Eastern is one.

  Secondments
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many employees of private companies are seconded to his Department; and what is(a) the length of their secondment and (b) the subject of their work. [124788]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department currently has 11 secondees from private companies. They are all envisaged to last for a period of 12 months and the areas of work covered are as follows:

  Construction Industry Sponsorship (7)

  Export Promotion and Construction Materials

  Housing Care and Support

  Integrated Transport Task Force

  Environmental Protection Strategy.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2000,Official Report, columns 158–59W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124830]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  From the organisations cited in the answer of 9 February 2000,Official Report, columns 158–59W, secondments of 12 months or less were agreed with the following companies:

  Kvaerner Construction

  OVE Arup

  Crown House Engineering

  Bovis Construction

  Kvaerner Cementation Foundations

  Geoffrey Reid Associates

  Marks & Spencer

  Bellway Urban Renewal

  KPMG

  ABROS

  OPM

  Institute for Fiscal Studies

  Buro-Happold

  Christiani and Nielson.

  Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and
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  other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more of our people out.

  Building Regulations
  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, relating to the conservation of fuel and power, has been delayed from Autumn 1999: when he intends to publish the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement. [124331]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 6 June 2000,Official Report, column 209W.

  Bulk Hazardous Cargoes
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a mandatory operating scheme for vessels carrying bulk hazardous cargoes through the Pentlands Firth. [124685]

  Mr. Hill
  A mandatory reporting scheme is under consideration by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

  Currently, a voluntary reporting scheme is being used by vessels, and MCA are also looking at methods to encourage vessels to further participate in this scheme.

  Discussions at IMO are nearing a close concerning the carriage of transponders by vessels in the near future. This carriage requirement will automatically provide reporting and tracking information to the MC, which will be used in future operating schemes in the Pentland Firth.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives the Government are putting in place in Oxford to tackle rough sleeping. [124395]

  Ms Armstrong
  In 1999, £621,412 funding under the homelessness action programme was allocated to projects in Oxford for the three years from April 1999. This provided support for co-ordination, outreach and resettlement work and to staff working in hostels for rough sleepers.

  In addition, the Department of Health provided £52,500 in 2000–01 under the homeless mentally ill initiative for working with rough sleepers with mental health problems.

  We are currently working with all local authorities with a rough sleeping problem to revise their rough sleeping strategies. Following this review process additional homelessness action programme and drug and alcohol specific grant funding may be allocated to support the revised strategies.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of rough sleepers in the UK are from ethnic minority groups. [124396]
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  Ms Armstrong
  Surveys and research from a wide range of sources consistently find that less than 10 per cent. of rough sleepers in England are from ethnic minority groups, with 90 per cent. or more being White UK or Irish. Tackling rough sleeping and related research in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved Administrations.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of rough sleepers in Oxford in 1999. [124397]

  Ms Armstrong
  A single night street count was carried out in accordance with DETR guidelines in Oxford on 20 October 1999 during which 16 people were found sleeping rough across the city.

  Teesside Development Corporation
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the report on inquiries into allegations against the former Teesside Development Corporation will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [125244]

  Ms Armstrong
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House copies of the report prepared by officials of my Department.

  They sought to establish whether there was any firm evidence which would support various allegations that had been made against the former Development Corporation. In the event, insufficient documentary evidence was found that would definitively prove or disprove the allegations.

  However, some evidence emerged suggesting that a grant paid by the Corporation to a local company had been diverted. The police were informed and I understand that they are making further investigations.

  Community Strategies
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish guidance dealing with the preparation of community strategies; and if he will make a statement. [125356]

  Ms Armstrong
  I am today publishing draft guidance to local authorities on the preparation of community strategies. This will be the subject of wide-ranging consultation over the course of the summer. We aim to issue final guidance to authorities in the autumn.

  The draft guidance, "Preparing Community Strategies", recognises that the key to any effective community planning process lies in engaging local communities, listening to their concerns and addressing their needs and priorities.

  Community strategies will represent a significant shift in the way local organisations work together and the way that they relate to local people. Strategies should bring together public, private and community sector organisations, and focus their activities on responding to local needs articulated by local people.
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  Councils must fully involve local residents, business people and voluntary groups in the preparation of strategies which:
  Establish an agreed vision for the area—setting out the sort of communities that, in the longer term, people want to live in;
  identify the priorities for action that will help realise that vision; and
  secure the commitment of the various partners to specific actions to help meet those priorities.

  Community strategies must be holistic. They should look at all the needs of local communities—jobs and wealth creation, social conditions and the quality of the built and natural environment. They must plan for sustainable, inclusive communities which promote economic, social and environmental aims and contribute to a better quality of life for all.

  I have placed copies of the draft guidance in the Libraries of both Houses.

HEALTH

  HC1 Forms
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many HC1 forms are incorrectly filled in each year. [122781]

  Ms Stuart
  Where an HC1 claim form provides insufficient information for the calculation of entitlement to remission of National Health Service charges, the Prescription Pricing Authority seeks further information or clarification by telephone wherever possible. For 1999–2000, around 169,0001 HC1 claim forms had to be returned because the matter could not be resolved in any other way.
  1 These are in respect of GB as figures are not collected separately for England.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people apply each year for financial help with NHS health costs using an HC1 form. [122782]

  Ms Stuart
  In England for the year 1999–2000, the Prescription Pricing Authority received around 903,000 applications for help with NHS Health costs on an HC1 claim form. The number of people covered by the applications is not collected.

  Photodynamic Therapy
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which have agreed to fund the cost of drugs for use within the photodynamic therapy trials currently being conducted in Liverpool. [123892]

  Ms Stuart
  None of the drugs on trial in Liverpool have yet been licensed in this country. In line with normal practice for any clinical trial, all supplies at this stage are funded by the drug companies concerned. It is unlikely that health authorities will yet have considered or discussed possible future funding arrangements.

  Cancer Services (Dorset)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the National Health Service's ability to ensure that cancer patients in Dorset will be seen by consultants within two weeks of referral. [124518]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Dorset patients with suspected breast cancer who have been referred as urgent by their general practitioner have all been seen within two weeks of referral. The South West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive has assessed Dorset Health Authority's plans and is satisfied that they have the capacity to meet the two week target for urgent referrals in other cancers.

  Non-English Speaking Patients
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the extra cost to the NHS of(a) interpretation services and (b) other costs resulting from providing services for patients who do not speak English in each of the last five years. [124398]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the costs of interpretation services and other services for patients who do not speak English is not collected centrally.

  NHS Executive
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the annual savings resulting from the location of NHS Executive staff in Quarry House, Leeds rather than in London. [124399]

  Ms Stuart
  The outturn review of the financial appraisal for the relocation of the National Health Service Executive carried out in July 1995 estimated net annual savings of £10.1 million from 2000–01 onwards (at 1993–94 prices).

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 119W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124828]

  Ms Stuart
  Secondees from Hempsons, Dickinson Dees, Addleshaw Booth and Company, Berwin Leighton, Herbert Smith and one from Private Finance Panel Executive were appointed for a period of 12 months or less.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2000,Official Report, columns 313–16W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124821]
  252W
  Dr. Howells
  Giving the information in the same format as set out in my answer of 11 February, the details of those secondments that were for a period of less than 12 months are:

  1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998

  British Telecom plc

  Littlejon Frazer

  The Institute of Exports

  Mobil

  EPSRC

  Reuters Ltd.

  Westcountry Development Corp.

  Hydro Technologies Ltd.

  Delamore Associates Ltd.

  1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999

  Lloyds TSB Group plc

  British Telecom plc

  Slaughter & May

  Knight Piebald Ltd.

  AEA Technology plc

  EPSRC

  Grant Thornton

  Financial Service Authority

  GK Communications Group Ltd.

  Simmons & Simmons

  LGC Ltd.

  1 May 1999 to 8 February 2000

  The Beaver Housing Society Ltd.

  The Wellcome Trust

  Proactive Associates Ltd.

  British Telecom plc

  Reuters Ltd.

  AstraZeneca

  Unipath Ltd.

  The Symphony Group plc

  John Laing International Ltd.

  Simmons & Simmons

  Shell UK Exploration & Production

  Grant Thornton

  One North East

  BHP Petroleum Ltd.

  Phoenix Timber Group plc

  Biwater International Ltd.

  Trades Union Congress

  KCA Drilling Ltd.

  Imperial Chemical Industries plc.

  Contracts (Bribes)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government intends to introduce(a) legislative and (b) other steps to meet the United Kingdom's treaty obligations in respect of prosecuting British businesses and individual business personnel who offer bribes and other unlawful inducements to obtain contracts abroad; and if he will make a statement. [124839]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government are already able to comply with their relevant treaty obligations. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary plans however to set out
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  the Government's proposals for the reform of the law of corruption shortly. The Government will look to introduce legislation as soon as a suitable opportunity arises.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from other Governments about United Kingdom action to combat the offering by British businesses and individual business personnel of bribes and other unlawful inducements in order to obtain contracts abroad; and if he will make a statement. [124838]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government have received a number of representations about this issue. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary plans to set out the Government's position as part of its wider proposals for the reform of the law on corruption shortly.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be in a position to announce his decisions on those applications for gas-fired combined heat and power stations that are awaiting determination. [125246]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have today announced the following decisions:Tullis Russell Papermaking Ltd. and Scottish Power plc
  Clearance has been given under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Tullis Russell Papermaking Ltd. and Scottish Power plc to build a 49MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Tullis Russell works, Markinch, Fife.
  Alcan Chemicals Europe and Scottish Power plc
  Clearance has been given under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Alcan Chemicals Europe and Scottish Power plc to build a 13MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Alcan works, Burntisland, Fife.
  Tioxide Europe Ltd.
  Clearance has been given under Section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Tioxide Europe Ltd. to build a 24MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Huntsman Tioxide works, Grimsby, North Lincolnshire.

  The decisions to give clearance to these proposals on energy policy grounds are without prejudice to any decision that may be taken on whether or not planning permissions are granted.

  These decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).

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

  Information and Communication Technologies
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to help the United Kingdom manufacturing sector, with particular reference to small and medium-sized enterprises, to maximise the potential benefits from the use of information and communication technologies. [125068]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have today announced the launch of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Carrier Programme.
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  The ICT-Carrier Programme is valued at £12,000,000, including industrial contributions of £6 million.

  The programme aims to improve the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in engineering industries by adapting and transferring examples of good practice in the use of ICT from one sector to another. It forms part of the Department's drive to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing industry in a knowledge driven economy.

  Internal Market Council (Brussels)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on 25 May; and if he will make a statement. [124666]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Brussels on 25 May.

  The Council discussed the Commission's first review of the Internal Market Strategy and broadly endorsed its priority actions, although I emphasised that the UK could not endorse every action, such as some of those relating to tax. The Commission presented the latest version of the Single Market Scoreboard and France and Sweden outlined their priorities for the Single Market for their Presidencies in the context of the Joint Work Programme of the Three Presidencies. The Council approved the draft Conclusions on the review of the Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market (SLIM) initiative, which took full account of input from the UK. The Council also endorsed the report of discussions of the Commission's White Paper on Food Safety. The Commission's draft eEurope Action Plan, which is to be implemented by the end of 2002 and is intended to enhance European competitiveness by accelerating e-commerce, reducing internet access costs and promoting skills and training, was welcomed.

  The Council reached political agreement on the Winding up of Insurance Undertakings Directive (with Greece, Ireland and Luxembourg abstaining) and the Clinical Trials Directive, which will harmonise the procedures and standards of clinical trials for medicine (with Austria abstaining). The Honey Directive (with UK and Belgium abstaining) and the Chocolate Directive (with Belgium voting against) were agreed as "A" points.

  The Commission presented its proposals for amending the Directives on public procurement and reported progress on the Community Design and on its proposals for making permanent its temporary ban on the use of phthalates in toys and child care articles. The Commission announced that it had decided not to carry out further work on international exhaustion of trademarks, though a number of member states, including the UK, argued that the issue needed further consideration; the Council agreed to revert to the subject at a future session.

  There was no agreement on the Copyright in the Information Society Directive, which updates the framework of EU copyright law to take account of digital technology and the internet. The Council attempted to resolve issues relating to exceptions to copyright and made good progress in identifying the likely framework for a deal. Discussions will continue at Coreper, with the Portuguese intending to achieve political agreement during their Presidency.
  255W
  Over lunch, the Council discussed the follow-up to the Lisbon European Council.

  Limited Liability Partnerships
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the Insolvency Service about the potential for disqualified and failed directors creating limited liability partnerships for new operations. [124451]

  Dr. Howells
  The Insolvency Service have been closely involved at every stage in the development of limited liability partnerships. The Government's proposals include the application, by secondary legislation, of existing safeguards and sanctions relating to disqualified directors. This will ensure that those who have been disqualified on the basis of unfit conduct under any of the provisions of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 will also be prohibited from being a member of, or being in any way, whether directly or indirectly, concerned with taking part in the formation or management of a limited liability partnership, unless they obtain leave of the court to so act.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the(a) FSA, (b) Competition Commission and (c) Office of Fair Trading about their role in regulating limited liability partnerships. [124450]

  Dr. Howells
  There have been discussions at official level with other Departments and the FSA. To date we have not discussed the detail either with the Office of Fair Trading or the Competition Commission.

  The Limited Liability Partnerships Bill creates a new legal entity, the limited liability partnership. Other Departments will consider the limited liability partnership in the context of their policy areas and decide what, if any, amendments to existing legislation are required. Clause 15 of the Bill contains regulation-making powers which may be used to apply to LLPs any law relating to companies, other corporations and partnerships. Clause 16 contains a power to make consequential amendments. Other Departments will give consideration to whether it is appropriate to make amendments to their primary legislation under these powers or under any other legislation which the relevant Department is itself bringing forward.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for stopping(a) convicted fraudsters, (b) directors censured by his Department and (c) directors of failed companies setting themselves up as limited liability partnerships; what regulatory framework such partnerships will operate under; and what sanctions can be operated against such partnerships. [124368]

  Dr. Howells
  We will be applying to limited liability partnerships, under powers contained in clauses 14 and 15 of the LLP Bill, large portions of the Companies Act 1985 and the Insolvency Act 1986, with appropriate modifications. This will provide the general regulatory framework.
  256W
  In addition, the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, which provides for the disqualification of a person from being a director of a company in certain circumstances, will also be applied to the members of an LLP.

  The Company Directors Disqualification Act gives the court a power to disqualify persons on a variety of grounds, including on conviction of an indictable offence, persistent breaches of companies legislation, fraud in a winding up and participation in wrongful trading. In addition, the court will be under a duty to disqualify a person where it is satisfied that his conduct as a member of an insolvent LIP renders him unfit to so act. Simply being a director of a failed company (or, in future a member of a failed LLP) will not, though, necessarily result in disqualification—the intention is to punish abuse of limited liability not the mere fact of failure.

  The application of the Company Directors Disqualification Act to LLPs will ensure that any director who is disqualified under the provisions of the CDDA would not be eligible to be a member of an LLP or take part in the promotion, formation or management of an LLP. In a similar way a member of an LLP may be disqualified from acting as a director of a company.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with(a) the Consumers Association and (b) trading standards authorities about he possibilities of fraud arising from (i) fraudsters and (ii) disqualified and failed directors setting up limited liability partnerships. [124449]

  Dr. Howells
  No such consultations have taken place. Secondary legislation will apply to LLPs appropriately modified parts of the Insolvency Act 1986 and the Companies Act 1585. This will include the wrongful and fraudulent trading provisions, and powers of investigation. The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 will also apply, such that disqualified directors will not be eligible to be members of an LLP and vice versa. In these cases the regulation of an LLP will be the same as that of a company.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for ensuring that limited liability partnerships set money aside for legal claims against the partnership. [124366]

  Dr. Howells
  After considerable consultation, and taking account of the views of the Trade and Industry Committee, the Government concluded that LLPs would not be required to maintain any kind of fund or insurance to protect against claims. The main reasons for reaching this conclusion were:the lack of justification for requiring a higher level of funding than is required of private companies;
  the difficulty of seeing an appropriate level which is high enough to safeguard the interests of third parties, but does not discourage firms from either setting up in business or trading through difficulties;
  the general availability of LLPs makes it difficult to design a regime which could adequately distinguish between the many types of business which might become LLPs and the different liabilities they might face;
  it is more appropriate to regulate an activity, rather than an entity, so as to tailor the regulation effectively. For example, where professions require professional indemnity insurance, the level of

  257W
  insurance required will vary depending on the profession. A general requirement made of LLPs would conflict with any existing requirements.

  More detail on this matter is set out in the Government Observations on the Fourth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee (Session 1998–99) on the draft Limited Liability Partnership Bill (HC 529).

  Premium Rate Telephone Services
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the regulatory framework governing the promotion by businesses of premium rate telephone services so as to improve consumer protection. [124677]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has responsibility for regulating premium rate services. ICSTIS enforces an effective Code of Practice which has provisions to ensure that consumers are given adequate information to enable them to take informed decisions about the use of premium rate services. ICSTIS and Oftel are reviewing the regulatory framework for Premium Rate Services to ensure that consumers continue to benefit from the right level of protection.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Fair Funding
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the net effect on school budgets of the new Fair Funding arrangements for schools during the financial year 1999–2000 for(a) England and (b) each local education authority; and if he will make a statement. [124689]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In 1999–2000, 82.4 per cent. of the Local Schools Budget was delegated to schools, compared with 79.2 per cent. of a broadly comparable figure in the previous year. This increase of 3.2 per cent. in the delegation rate represents an extra £634 million delegated to schools. Fair Funding will result in a further increase in delegation in 2000–01, since it is being implemented in two stages. Comparisons between individual local education authorities for change from 1999–2000 to 2000–01 will appear in expenditure tables to be available shortly.

  Women 2000
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what contribution the Government are making to the United Nations Conference, Women 2000: Gender, Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century. [125249]

  Ms Jowell
  We published yesterday and have placed in the Library two documents: "Equality in practice" and "Women and Men in the UK: facts and figures 2000".

  "Equality in practice" is a short, practical and lively document which shows how the UK Government are improving women's lives at home and overseas by focusing on five vital areas: women and the economy, making equality happen, education, health and the resolving of crime and violence. It also describes some
  258W
  of the work being carried out with partner countries and organisations in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.

  "Women and Men in the UK: facts and figures 2000" tells the story of women and men's changing position in society. It highlights both change and continuity with facts and figures. It is a celebration of women's achievements and a reminder of what more still needs to be done. The UK Government are working to create a more just society, one in which women and men are equal. To achieve this, we have to understand what has and has not changed. These facts and figures are vital to inform our thinking and policy making.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) schools have expanded their published roll, (b) extra teachers have been recruited and (c) additional classrooms have been built, as a result of implementing the class size initiative. [124076]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]We are making available £620 million to local education authorities to deliver our pledge to reduce infant class sizes to 30 pupils or fewer. This will allow authorities to provide some 6,000 extra teachers and to build over 2,000 additional infant classrooms. We do not keep information on the number of schools which have adjusted their standard numbers in order to meet the infant class size limit. However, we estimate that around 12,000 additional places are being provided in popular schools as a result of our initiative to eliminate large infant classes.

  Primary Schools (Access)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a primary school. [124668]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not determine access to primary schools for school admissions. School admission authorities may, however, use distance when determining how to allocate places if the school is oversubscribed. If a pupil is attending his or her nearest suitable school, and that school is beyond statutory walking distance, the local education authority must provide free transport. Statutory walking distances are two miles for pupils aged up to seven and three miles for those aged eight and over.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for each year since the National Lottery began, how many Lottery funding applications from organisations in(a) Dumfries and

  259W
  Galloway, (b) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency were (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful, broken down by National Lottery good cause category. [124723]

  Kate Hoey
  We have contacted the Scottish Arts Council, the National Lottery Charities Board, the New Opportunities Fund, Sport Scotland, the United Kingdom Sports Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Millennium Commission to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the projects funded by capital expenditure from his Department in each of the last six years, indicating the nature of the project, its start date and its value. [124706]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department has funded the following capital projects:

  Project

  Year of start

  Year of completion

  Total cost (£ million)

  British Library: St. Pancras

  1978–79

  1999–2000

  512.8

  Windsor Castle: Fire restoration

  1992–93

  1999–2000

  10.65

  In addition, my Department has spent the following administration capital expenditure mainly on office refurbishment, IT equipment and office furniture:

  Year

  £ million

  1994–951

  2.131

  1995–961

  1.197

  1996–971

  1.110

  1997–981

  0.643

  1998–991

  0.701

  1999–20002

  1.128

  1 Outturn

  2 Provision

  The above expenditure is for my Department only; capital expenditure by my Department's NDPBs is not recorded centrally and has therefore been excluded.

  Forms
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the net change in each year since May 1997 in the number of forms issued by his Department which(a) charities and (b) other voluntary organisations are required to complete. [123952]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not required charities or other voluntary organisations to complete any such forms since May 1997. Various returns are, however, required of non-departmental public bodies funded by the Department, and of these 22 have charitable status, most of which are national museums and galleries.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Conservation Projects (Africa)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the impact of her Department's aid programme on conservation projects in Africa. [123177]

  Clare Short
  We have recently completed a major evaluation of our environmental work in Africa and elsewhere. This concluded that we have been focusing too much on screening development projects to prevent environmental damage. Our future efforts will be focused on promoting better livelihoods for people and sustainable development of their economies.

  Romania
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had on the condition of Romanian orphans. [123178]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My Department and our Embassy in Bucharest are in close touch with the Romanian authorities and outer key players to support ongoing efforts to improve care for Romanian orphans. Progress has been disappointingly slow. Romania is only now starting to take the problem seriously. I will be visiting Romania on 19–20 June and will press for faster progress.

  Ethiopia and Eritrea
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea. [123180]

  Clare Short
  The situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea is a tragedy. Two of the poorest countries in the world have spent considerable resources in prosecuting a border war over the past two years where it is estimated that over 100,000 people have died. The Government of Ethiopia estimate eight million people will need humanitarian assistance this year. The UN are currently assessing the numbers of people in Eritrea displaced by the war. The international community will provide humanitarian relief for those affected by drought and displaced by war. But what the people of both countries need is peace and development.

  Customs Officers (Caribbean)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the changes will be in the next two financial years in her Department's funding of training for customs officers in(a) St. Lucia and (b) other parts of the Caribbean. [123181]

  Clare Short
  We are currently funding Customs Reform and Modernisation projects in St. Lucia and Grenada at a cost of £1.1 million. The projects aim to enhance the organisational, operational and management capacity of the Customs Departments in those islands and are scheduled for completion in December. We also provide support for the Caribbean Customs Enforcement Council in this provision of training for Customs Officers.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources she is devoting in her aid programmes to support for school infrastructure and equipment in sub-Saharan Africa. [123182]

  Clare Short
  We are committed to the International Development Target of achieving universal primary education by 2015. This is the priority for our education assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa, where over the last two years we have committed over £150 million to support the development of universal primary education programmes, which include support for primary school infrastructure and equipment. Our aim is to help African countries build and sustain effective and equitable education systems which give priority to primary education for all. This requires a shift from the traditional projects-based approach to a sector-wide approach to basic and primary education, with development agencies working together around a focused, agreed strategy drawn up by the Government of the country concerned Uganda is a good example. In collaboration with five other donors and the Government of Uganda, we have played a key role in the establishment of a sector-wide approach to education, resulting in 1998 in our largest ever commitment to a programme in Africa (£67 million) towards the Education Sector Support Programme. This will provide flexible budget support to the Government for five years.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the extent of hunger in southern Africa. [123183]

  Clare Short
  There have been good rains across southern Africa this year and prospects for the grain harvest are good. Given recent floods, there are likely to be pockets of food insecurity in some countries. Food security is being monitored carefully within the Southern Africa Development Community region and our representatives participate in donor/Government consultation groups and receive regular reports from national and regional production forecasting organisations.

  EU Aid Pro grammes
  14. Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reforms she will propose to the European Union to increase the effectiveness of its whole aid programme. [123184]

  Clare Short
  We have published an 18-point strategy to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance. The new European Commission has taken several positive steps, including the reduction of the number of Commissioners responsible for European Community development programmes from five to two, the establishment of poverty reduction as the overarching objective of the successor to the Lomé Convention and the restructuring of the European Development Fund, including the recent publication of a draft development policy statement and of proposals to reform the administration of EC external programmes. However, most of the proposed changes have not yet been implemented. We are pressing the Commission to draw up clear action plans to put the proposals that have been 262W
  made into practice. We will continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states to improve the poverty focus, effectiveness and efficiency of EC programmes.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met her EU counterparts to discuss EU aid programmes; and what subjects were discussed. [123197]

  Clare Short
  I last met my EU counterparts to discuss EC aid programmes at the Development Council on 18 May. The following subjects were discussed:Sierra Leone, Cöte d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau
  EC development co-operation policy
  Action Plan to implement the May 1999 conclusions on the evaluation of EC development assistance
  Reform of the management of Community aid
  Operational co-ordination between the Community and member states
  Structural adjustment
  Integrating the environment and sustainable development into EC development policy
  HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis
  Zimbabwe
  Great Lakes (Rwanda/Burundi)
  Ethiopia/Eritrea
  AIDS
  Evaluation of humanitarian aid
  Crisis and conflict situations in developing countries (emergency, rehabilitation, development and unstable situations)
  New procedures for legislative acts in the field of development
  Preparation for the third UN conference on Least Developed Countries
  Development aspects of the 6th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Climate Change
  Support to development education.

  A copy of the report on the outcome of the Development Council is in the Library of the House.

  Climate-related Disasters
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of Christian Aid's recent reports on the impact of climate-related disasters on developing countries. [123185]

  Clare Short
  I share many of the concerns for developing countries expressed in Christian Aid's recent reports. The impact of climate change is likely to constitute one of the biggest global environmental problems for the 21st century. It is likely to affect developing countries and particularly poor people disproportionately, since they are both more vulnerable to disaster and less able to cope in its event.

  Our objectives in assisting countries to deal with disasters are to save lives through emergency relief, to protect and rebuild livelihoods and communities, and to reduce vulnerability to future disasters. We are working to improve understanding of the possible impacts of climate change on developing countries in order to help them take account of these in their development planning and so reduce their future vulnerability. We also work with developing countries to help improve their energy efficiency and reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions.

  Women (Developing World)
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken to improve the education and productivity of women to reduce poverty in the developing world. [123186]

  Clare Short
  Educating girls and the economic empowerment of women are top priorities in our international development programme. The evidence shows that educating girls is the single most effective way of promoting development. We are committed to helping achieve the international development target of closing gender gaps in primary and secondary education by 2005. Our bilateral and multilateral programmes are placing increasing emphasis on this work.

  The pursuit of gender equality in all areas of development lies at the heart of our programme. A good deal of effort is being directed towards improving women's livelihood security, productivity, and economic independence.

  Mozambique
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of development moneys provided to Mozambique to remedy flood damage. [123187]

  Clare Short
  We have a permanent office in Mozambique, which was strengthened following the floods to allow constant monitoring and ensure effective use of funds. All reports to date indicate that the UK-funded relief and rehabilitation activities are being well managed.

  In May, the Government of Mozambique held a conference to present to the international community reconstruction needs following the floods. Donors responded by pledging over USD453 million to support these efforts. We have provided support to the United Nations Development Programme for a project to assist the Mozambican authorities with the effective prioritisation and channelling of donor reconstruction contributions. We will continue to monitor progress over the coming months.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone. [123188]

  Clare Short
  Humanitarian specialists from my Department have just returned from a week-long assessment mission in Sierra Leone. Chronic humanitarian problems are being exacerbated by the conflict, which is also restricting access to those in need. We are currently looking at the most effective way to provide further humanitarian assistance.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on British aid to Sierra Leone. [123198]

  Clare Short
  We have been strongly engaged in supporting the development of Sierra Leone since the return to democratic Government there in March 1998. In the period since then we have allocated almost £70 million to programmes and projects which are designed to help 264W
  restore peace, stability and promote good governance on a sustainable basis. Some projects will need to be revised in the light of recent events. Others, including humanitarian assistance, will continue as soon as access is possible to those areas where they are to be implemented.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from voluntary organisations and charities regarding the debt reduction initiative in advance of the G8 summit at Okinawa. [123189]

  Clare Short
  I continue to receive many letters from Church and other voluntary organisations on debt relief, many referring to the G8 Summit in Okinawa in July. When the Prime Minister met the Japanese Prime Minister last month, they agreed the importance of discussing debt issues in Okinawa.

  The Government are committed to keeping up the momentum on the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in the run up to the Summit, and beyond.

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about debt relief in southern Africa. [123192]

  Clare Short
  Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia are all Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, and in need of the exceptional debt relief provided under the HIPC Initiative. Mozambique received debt relief totalling $1.72 billion in June 1999, and will receive a further $250 million under the enhanced HIPC Initiative. Following the flooding there multilateral and bilateral creditors took special action to free up resources for reconstruction. The World bank and the IMF agreed to provide 100 per cent. relief on debt service payments in the first year, and the Paris Club has suspended all payments until Mozambique reaches its Completion Point under the revised HIPC framework, which is expected to be early next year.

  Malawi and Zambia are both working towards qualifying for debt relief under the enhanced. HIPC Initiative. To do so they need to maintain progress on economic reform and to develop national poverty reduction strategies.

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects the targets on debt relief for HIPC countries to be reached. [123193]

  Clare Short
  So far, only five countries have qualified for debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. This is disappointing. But at the recent Spring Meetings of the IMF and World bank, it was agreed to establish a joint World bank/IMF committee to oversee the implementation process, as the Chancellor and I had suggested. The committee has now begun its work, and should provide a focus for efforts towards meeting the commitment that three quarters of eligible countries will start to receive debt relief before the end of 2000.

  Globalisation
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to publish the White Paper on globalisation. [123190]
  265W
  Clare Short
  The Government intend to publish their White Paper on Globalisation and Development in the autumn.

  Plan Colombia
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the Plan Colombia proposals made by the Colombian Government. [123191]

  Clare Short
  Plan Colombia is a first step in efforts to bring peace to Colombia. Much remains to be done. The UK is discussing with its EU colleagues how best to respond to the Plan.

  On-line Communications
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to promote the development of on-line communications in the developing world. [123194]

  Clare Short
  Over the next decade these new technologies have the potential significantly to improve poor people's access to information, markets and other services, but also the very real potential to increase the gap yet further between the rich and the poor. We intend to play a significant role in helping to bridge this emerging digital divide. Our new Development White Paper will specifically address the issue of information and communication as one of the key factors in globalisation. The White Paper will outline what role the UK can play, both directly and indirectly, to promote widespread access to information and communication in developing countries.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on aid programmes for Zimbabwe. [123195]

  Clare Short
  Our country strategy paper for Zimbabwe was published in April 1999. It outlines the case for economic reform and land redistribution in order to improve the life opportunities of poor Zimbabweans. It makes clear our willingness to provide resources up to £36 million for this purpose. Unfortunately there has been no such reform and the economic and political situation is very worrying. Our programme is therefore focused on HIV/AIDS, water and rural livelihoods. Our spending is £12 million.

  Biotechnology
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions(a) she and (b) her officials have held with the Governments of countries in receipt of aid on the use of biotechnology. [123196]

  Clare Short
  My officials and I hold many discussions with partner Governments on issues in which the use of biotechnology may be raised.

  The kinds of biotechnology most likely to benefit the world's poorest are processes which improve crop yields, vaccine production, water treatment and contraceptive technologies, antibiotics and diagnostic techniques.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 23 May 2000,Official Report, columns 408–09W, if the Comparative Study of air and sea access to and from St. Helena will consider emergency medical evacuations. [124801]

  Clare Short
  The Comparative Study will consider health issues including emergency medical evacuations from the island.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the aid to St. Helena in(a) cash and (b) constant terms was spent on the island itself in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [124811]

  Clare Short
  The figures for aid to St. Helena for the period 1988–89 to 1998–99 in current and constant (1998–99) prices are:

  £000

  Current prices

  Constant prices

  1988–89

  18,652

  27,760

  1989–90

  24,170

  33,570

  1990–97

  11,636

  14,988

  1991–95

  7,910

  9,594

  1992–93

  8,658

  10,165

  1993–94

  8,603

  9,838

  1994–95

  7,786

  8,778

  1995–96

  8,695

  9,528

  1996–97

  7,781

  8,261

  1997–98

  8,385

  8,661

  1998–99

  8,587

  8,587

  The figures for the period 1988–89 to 1990–91 include construction costs for the RMS St. Helena. Disaggregated figures for offshore and local expenditure are not readily available.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will give details of the visits made to each Overseas Territory by Ministers in her Department since 1 May 1997. [124831]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I have visited Montserrat on two occasions. The first was from 31 August until 2 September 1997, and the second from 12 January to 13 January 1999. Neither the Secretary of State nor I have made other visits to Overseas Territories during this time.

  Aid Programmes (Religious Affiliation)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account she takes of religious affiliation in the planning of aid programmes. [124565]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development does not take account of religious affiliation in planning development programmes. All our work places a strong emphasis on human rights. Freedom of worship is a fundamental freedom. Persecution of people for their religious belief is a breach of international human rights conventions.
  267W
  Where we support civil society organizations which have an evangelising role, we make it clear that our support is for programmes and activities which contribute to the elimination of poverty and which are delivered without religious or sectarian bias.

  Opinion Research
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on opinion research in the financial year 1999–2000. [123923]

  Clare Short
  As announced in our "Building Support for Development" strategy paper, we are committed to regular monitoring of public and young people's attitudes to development in order to inform and monitor the impact of the public education work of the Department. Studies were undertaken in July 1999 on general public attitudes and in March 2000 on young people's attitudes. The results are available on DFID's website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. In 1999–2000 we spent £42,625 on this research. In addition, we spent £1,804 on a readership survey of "Developments" magazine, in order to test the impact and reach of the magazine. The results of this are available through the website.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Crop Contamination
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has sought from Canada as to how the contamination of oil seed rape with GM produce occurred. [123766]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]One of my officials has visited the Canadian Authorities in Ottawa to seek information on possible sources of the contamination. Further investigations are being carried out by the Canadian Authorities.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Swedish Board of Agriculture concerning their action on contaminated oilseed rape seed; and what action he intends to take as a result. [124352]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]MAFF has discussed the recent Advanta incident with the Swedish Board of Agriculture and took account of the position in Sweden and elsewhere in the EU in deciding on appropriate action in the UK.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received about conventional maize seed which was contaminated by GM maize being grown in this country. [124341]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]We have received no such reports. Suggestions have been made in the press that some GM seeds of maize may be present in stocks of non-GM maize seeds. I announced on 17 May 2000,Official Report, column 173W, an urgent study of the risk of GM seeds in imported conventional seeds.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what implications planting of oil seed rape contaminated with GM produce 268W
  has for (a) the separation policy for GM crop trials and other crops and (b) the regulations governing GM crops. [123762]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The Government have initiated a review of separation distances for GM crops and are pressing for new international seed purity standards relating to the presence of GM seeds in conventional seed stocks.

  EU Regulations (Appeal Procedures)
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce appeal procedures in cases where farmers incur penalties for what they conceive to be genuine errors in filling in paperwork to comply with EU regulations. [124676]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]We are well aware of the industry's strength of feeling on this issue which was reflected in the recommendation of the IACS and Inspection Working Group that an appeal mechanism is set up and that industry be consulted on proposals. We expect shortly to be in a position to consult on possible options, in addition to the existing provisions, that might be of benefit to the industry. We are keen to ensure that any mechanism we decide to introduce is streamlined, efficient and not an additional burden in terms of cost and time to all parties that are involved in the process.

  Forms
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the net change in each year since May 1997 in the number of forms issued by his Department which(a) charities and (b) other voluntary organisations are required to complete. [123953]

  Ms Quin
  With one exception for the activity and expenditure of one organisation, the Department does not issue any forms which are required to be completed specifically by charities or other voluntary bodies. If organisations within these sectors wish to apply for schemes operated by the Department they would be subject to the same requirements as other applicants.

  Animal By-products
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures are in place to provide authority to a contractor to dispose of animal by-products under the Animal By-Products Order 1999. [124082]

  Ms Quin
  The Animal By-Products Order 1999 requires any person who has in his possession or under his control any animal by-product to dispose of it in accordance with that Order. Such disposal must usually be by rendering or incineration; no prior authority is required.

  However, in certain circumstances, for example if there is a lack of capacity at rendering premises or incinerators, the appropriate Minister may serve a notice on the person in charge of animal by-products requiring those by-products to be disposed of by burning or burial.
  269W
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department undertakes of the implementation of the Animal By-Products Order 1999 requiring disposal of animal by-products by incineration or rendering. [124102]

  Ms Quin
  Members of the State Veterinary Service visit premises registered or approved under the Animal By-Products Order 1999, regularly to monitor compliance with the provisions of the Order. It is a requirement of the Order that detailed records of despatch and receipt of animal by-products are kept.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls his Department has put in place in order to monitor any threat from the importation of cattle suspected of bovine TB. [123910]

  Ms Quin
  Under EU legislation, all cattle imported from another member state must come from a herd which is officially free of TB. They must be tested for TB within 30 days prior to import unless the member state is officially recognised as being free of TB. Once the cattle are imported, they are subject to random non-discriminatory inspections and to our TB monitoring programme, which is also governed by EU legislation. Cattle imported from countries outside the EU have to enter via an approved Border Inspection Post where they are subjected to clinical inspection immediately upon arrival. Such cattle must also have had a pre-export TB test and originate from a TB-free herd.

  Flood Plains (Northamptonshire)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposals for development on flood plains in Northamptonshire. [124140]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]I have been asked to reply.

  Local planning authorities in Northamptonshire are conscious of the need to avoid increasing the risk of flooding and exercise a precautionary approach in considering planning applications for development that is either in the flood plain or likely to increase surface water run-off. They take into account advice from the Environment Agency in deciding whether or not planning permission should be granted. A Northampton Liaison Group including representatives from the Environment Agency, local authorities, developers and local groups meets regularly to consider development proposals.

  The draft replacement Northamptonshire Structure Plan contains a policy which provides that development will not be permitted in areas at direct risk from flooding, or where flood risk would be increased, unless satisfactory mitigation measures are proposed. This issue was debated at the Examination in Public of the Plan in February and the Report of the Panel is awaited.

TREASURY

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 27 March 2000,Official Report, column 47W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124818]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Eleven.

  Pension Funds
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives he has launched to attract new sources of finance, including pension funds, to the risk investment sector. [124758]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Risk capital is a vital source of finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the potential for rapid growth. The Government have introduced a number of measures to encourage individuals, institutional funds and companies to invest more in this sector.

  For individuals, this year's Finance Bill introduces significant reductions in capital gains tax (CGT) for investment in unquoted companies. All such holdings, with no minimum threshold, now qualify as "business assets", and higher rate taxpayers who now invest in such shares for at least four years will pay an effective rate of only 10 per cent. on the capital gains realised.

  The Finance Bill also makes several improvements to the operation of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), which provides tax incentives for individuals to invest in smaller higher risk trading companies. Income tax reliefs will now be available on shares held for at least three years (rather than the previous five year limit), and SMEs will be able more easily to seek capital from both EIS investors and venture capital funds. Parallel changes to the tax reliefs for individuals investing in risk capital via Venture Capital Trusts are also being introduced.

  With the aim of reducing the regulatory cost to SMEs in raising risk capital from individuals, the Government have consulted, and are considering responses, on whether to create specific exemptions from the prohibition on financial promotion for defined classes of "high net worth individuals" and "sophisticated investors". This would enable smaller companies and others to communicate more easily with potential investors who are able and willing to invest without the standard protection offered by financial services legislation.

  For institutional funds, the Government are creating a series of public-private partnerships to stimulate the supply of small scale and early stage venture capital across the UK's regions. The Department of Trade and Industry's Small Business Service (SBS) is in the process of establishing a UK High Technology Fund with a target size of £120 million, using a £20 million Government investment to lever in further capital from UK pension funds and other institutional investors. The SBS is also supporting the creation of a network of Regional Venture Capital Funds across the English regions. These will enable institutional funds and banks to invest, with SBS

  271W
  support, in venture funds which will specialise in financing the growth of smaller companies in particular regions.

  The Chancellor announced in this Budget a further £100 million of Government funding for this activity over the next three years, with the aim of creating a £1 billion target umbrella fund by levering in significant additional amounts of private investment capital. The umbrella fund will encompass the public-private partnerships currently being established, along with further regional funds. SBS will work with the Regional Development Agencies and a new Small Business Investment Task Force to strengthen the risk capital market for SMEs through this programme.

  In addition to creating specific incentives to encourage institutional funds to invest in certain types of risk capital, the Government are also concerned to understand whether there are factors encouraging institutional investors to follow industry-standard investment patterns which focus on quoted equities and gilts. The Chancellor has asked Paul Myners, Chairman of Gartmore investment managers, to conduct a review of institutional investment, to consider this and other issues, which will report back by Budget 2001.

  To encourage UK companies to become more active risk capital investors in SMEs with growth potential, the Finance Bill introduces a new corporate venturing scheme. This will provide relief against corporation tax where a company takes a minority shareholding for a minimum period in a smaller higher risk trading company. It is likely to be particularly useful for high technology SMEs which can benefit from the investment and other non-financial support of larger companies operating in similar technology fields.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is invested in venture capital in the UK as a percentage of all pension funds; and what are the comparable figures for the USA. [124757]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Definitions of venture capital vary between countries: the UK definition normally includes leveraged buyout funds, whereas the US definition does not. In both countries, figures are based on surveys of some, rather than all pension funds and are therefore not precise.

  The British Venture Capital Association has calculated figures based on the 1999 Annual Survey of the National Association of Pension Funds. According to these calculations, approximately 0.6 per cent. of the assets of those pension funds who responded to the Survey were invested in a broad definition of venture capital. A survey of 189 pension funds in the US (Source: Report on Alternative Investing by Tax Exempt Organisations 1999, Goldman Sachs and Frank Russell Company) showed 116 of them investing in alternative assets. Those 116 funds invested 6 per cent. of their assets in venture capital and leveraged buyout funds.

  Tax Allowances
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the benefits of introducing a system of tax allowances for entrepreneurial new companies. [124760]
  272W
  Mr. Timms
  The Government are introducing a wide range of initiatives that will benefit entrepreneurial new companies. Small companies will benefit from the new 10 per cent. starting rate for Corporation Tax. R&D tax credits will encourage innovation by small and medium-sized companies. They increase tax relief for R&D spending, and companies not in profit such as start-up ventures, can take the relief up front as a cash payment. The Corporate Venturing Scheme will encourage companies to invest in small, higher-risk trading companies. The investment will attract corporation tax relief at 20 per cent. Enterprise Management Incentives will make it easier for new companies to attract and retain the best people. Companies can reward key staff with share options free of income tax and national insurance charges. The development of each of these three schemes has involved detailed consultation with businesses and representative bodies. All three have been welcomed.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the increase in capital gains tax on share options in each year since 1996. [124759]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the exercise of share options. CGT may be payable when shares acquired on exercise of the options are sold if the gains exceed the annual exempt amount. The effective rate of CGT depends on the size of the gain, whether the shares were business or non-business assets, and how long the shares have been held. The effect of taper relief is to reduce the tax on gains the longer the shares are held. CGT taper relief normally runs from the date that the shares were acquired.

  The November 1999 Pre-Budget Report announced the intention to make further improvements in CGT in order to promote productivity. Following consultation, the Budget announced proposals to improve the CGT treatment of shares owned by employees and officers in the trading companies in which they work. For periods from 6 April 2000 such shares will be treated as business assets, and will benefit from more generous taper rates. Business asset treatment applies whether the shares were acquired through share options or by other means.

  The Government are introducing in the current Finance Bill two new employee share plans. Under the All Employee Share Plan, employees who keep their shares in the plan until they sell them will have no CGT to pay however great the increase in value of those shares. In addition, under the Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme, companies will be able to grant each of their key employees share options worth up to £100,000, normally without any Income Tax or National Insurance charge on exercise. When the shares are sold, CGT taper relief will normally start from the date the options were granted.

  Tobin Tax Initiative
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with financial organisations on the(a) viability and (b) acceptability of the Tobin Tax initiative. [123179]
  273W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor meets regularly with members of the international financial community to discuss a range of measures designed to reduce currency market instability.

  The Government believe the Tobin tax idea is, in principle, interesting, but has a number of practical drawbacks. In particular, it could introduce serious economic distortions to the international financial system, and is unlikely to have much effect in a crisis. It would be practically impossible to achieve global coverage, and there would be huge scope for avoidance.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief is available to companies which wish to help their employees with child care; and if he will make a statement. [124778]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Employers can get tax relief, under the normal business tax rules, for their day-to-day expenditure on child care provision for employees' children, whether given directly or indirectly. The relief is given by deducting such expenditure when working out their business profit for tax purposes.

  They can also claim relief through the capital allowances system for certain capital expenditure on furnishing and equipping nurseries and playschemes (and for the buildings if the employer is carrying on a qualifying trade in the industrial sector).

  Royal Taxation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 20 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, if an inventory exists to distinguish assets held by the Queen(a) as Sovereign and (b) as a private individual. [124214]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]There is a computerised inventory of the Royal Collection which identifies assets held by the Queen as Sovereign and as a private individual.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason inheritance tax is not payable on private possessions passed from one sovereign to the next. [124212]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The tax arrangements for the Queen and Prince of Wales are set out in the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, attached to the Report of the Royal Trustees published on 11 February 1993 (HC 464).

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what variations have been notified under paragraphs 33 to 35 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation; [124216]

  (2) on how many occasions a disagreement has occurred under the terms of paragraph 31 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation. [124215]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Amendments to the original Memorandum of Understanding were announced in October 1996 to reflect changes in the arrangements for paying tax under self-assessment.
  274W
  A copy of the amended Memorandum was placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The normal rules of taxpayer confidentiality apply to matters under paragraph 31 of the Memorandum of Understanding.

  Royal Trustees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Royal Trustees and the dates on which they have met since 1 May 1997. [124421]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Under the Civil List Act 1952, the Royal Trustees are designated to be those holding the offices of First Commissioner of HM Treasury (the Prime Minister), the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Keeper of HM Privy Purse. Consequently the current Royal Trustees are:

  The right hon. Tony Blair MP

  The right hon. Gordon Brown MP

  Sir Michael Peat KCVO.

  No formal meeting of the Royal Trustees has occurred since 1 May 1997, but regular communications are maintained through their officials and through correspondence.

  Royal Collection
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the tax position in respect of the Royal Collection. [124213]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The Royal Collection is administered under the terms of a charitable trust. The tax treatment is the same as for any other charitable trust.

  Free Television Licenses
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the basis of his oral statement of 6 April 2000,Official Report, column 1137, that 11,000 pensioners in the Christchurch constituency will receive free colour television licences. [123919]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The basis of the Chancellor's oral statement to the House on 6 April was his Pre-Budget Report announcement in November 1999 that free TV licences will be available to all pensioners aged 75 and over from autumn 2000.

  Aggregates Tax
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what analysis has been(a) carried out and (b) published by the Government on the price sensitivity of demand for primary aggregates and to quantify the impact of the proposed aggregates tax on demand for primary aggregates; [124440]

  (2) what analysis has been (a) carried out and (b) published by the Government about price sensitivity of demand for recycled and secondary aggregates and to quantify the impact of the proposed aggregates tax on demand for recycled and secondary aggregates. [124441]
  275W
  Mr. Timms
  The estimated impact of the proposed aggregates levy on the demand for aggregates is given in the Aggregates Levy Regulatory Impact Assessment, published on 21 March 2000.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment has been made by the Government about the impact of an aggregates tax on total vehicle mileage involved in the supply of aggregates from all sources of supply; [124432]

  (2) what assessment has been made of the impact of an aggregates tax on the volume of aggregates transported by Rail Freight. [124433]

  Mr. Timms
  The introduction of the aggregates levy will make the price of aggregates better reflect their true social and environmental costs and encourage the use of recycled aggregates. We do not expect there to be a significant impact on the transportation of aggregates.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in(a) Scotland, (b) East Ayrshire and (c) Kilmarnock and Loudoun are eligible for the working families tax credit which are (i) single parent families where the woman is the sole earner, (ii) single parent families where the man is the sole earner, (iii) couples where the male is the sole earner, (iv) couples where the female is the sole earner and (v) dual-income families. [124652]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that 98,800 families in Scotland have been awarded the Working Families Tax Credit to the end of March 2000, of which 3,300 were in the East Ayrshire local authority and 1,700 were in Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

  The breakdowns requested are as follows:

  Family type

  Scotland

  East Ayrshire

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  Single parent—female earner

  61,100

  1,700

  900

  Single parent—male earner

  2,100

  1—

  1—

  Couple—male sole earner

  21,800

  1,000

  600

  Couple—female sole earner

  8,500

  1—

  1—

  Couple—both earning

  5,400

  1—

  1—

  Total

  98,800

  3,300

  1,700

  1 There are two few cases in the 5 per cent. sample used for these analyses to provide a complete breakdown for East Ayrshire, or for Kilmarnock and Loudoun.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 17 April 2000,Official Report, column 361W, on ministerial meetings, how many formal meetings he has had over the last two years with representatives of (a) farming unions, (b) the Country Landowners' Association, (c) the Country Sports Organisation and (d) pensioners' groups. [124577]

  The Prime Minister
  As I made clear in my earlier answer, I have met pensioners and countryside representatives at No.10 in the course of my official duties as well as during my visits throughout the country, and will continue to do so.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 7 June. [124330]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I delivered a speech to the Women's Institute Conference and had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today.

SCOTLAND

  Laptops
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many laptop computers used by Ministers, officials and special advisers in his Department have been(a) lost and (b) stolen since May 1997. [123743]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]From May 1997 to June 1999, the Scottish Office had 14 laptops stolen and five were lost.

  Since 1 July 1999, one laptop used by a Scotland Office official was stolen.

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2000,Official Report, columns 279–80W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124819]

  Dr. Reid
  The following secondments from the Scotland Office were for periods of 12 months or less:

  Private Sector Secondments

  May 1997 to April 1998

  May 1998 to April 1999

  May 1999 to June 1999

  Balfour and Manson

  1

  1

  0

  BP

  1

  —

  —

  Shepperd & Wedderburn

  —

  1

  —

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 February 2000,Official Report, column 203W, concerning contracts, if he will list the companies concerned; and whether these contacts were subject to competitive tendering. [124824]

  Mr. Ingram
  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.

  RUC Investigations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following reports on the night of 7–8 August of attacks upon(a) the Presbyterian church hall in Ballyroney, County Down,

  277W
  (b) the Orange hall in Ballyroney, County Down and (c) the Free Presbyterian church; in each case, how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions, what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105463]

  Mr. Ingram
  (a) and (b) Police were assigned from Banbridge at 0711hrs on 8 August and arrived 0747hrs.

  (c) Police were assigned from Castlewellan at approximately 1130hrs. on 8 August and arrived approximately 20 minutes later.

  No estimate of the cost of damage is available. There is no record of similar incidents in the area. The attacks may be linked on an 0700hrs. service held on 11 July commemorating the 150th Battle of Dolly's Brae. The number of perpetrators is not known but they are believed to be from a Nationalist background. The investigation remains open.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a petrol bomb attack on a property in Ligoniel, north Belfast on 13 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105446]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0403hrs. Police attended the scene at 0420hrs., having checked the authenticity of the call. There is no estimate of the cost of damage which was slight because the petrol did not ignite. There have been no similar incidents in the area although a brick was thrown at the window of this house on 9 August. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The community affiliation of the perpetrators is not known. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on the BT Target Sports Club near Loughbrickland, County Down, on 22 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what beating controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105437]

  Mr. Ingram
  There was no attack at this location on 22 August 1999. However there was an attack on the night of 4 August. That incident was reported at 0059hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0110hrs. Damage to a tracked excavator has been estimated at £29,000. There have been no similar incidents in the area. Parades are not believed to have had a bearing. The community affiliation of the perpetrator(s) is not known. The investigation remains open but is subject to further information becoming available.
  278W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a pipe bomb attack on property in Sallagh Park South, Larne, on 30 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105444]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0106 hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0107 hrs. There was no apparent damage. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a pipe bomb being discovered at St. Peter the Rock church, Lisburn, on 29 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105442]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 1936 hrs. Police attended the scene at 2003 hrs. having verified the authenticity of the call. There was no damage. There have been similar incidents in the area. It is believed that the perpetrators may be Loyalist. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an assault on a woman in Kilkeel on 14 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what injuries were sustained as a result of the attack; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105447]

  Mr. Ingram
  Three men have been charged and are due to appear in court in connection with this incident. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on St. Mary's Gaelic Athletic Association club in Ahoghill, County Antrim, on 29 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105441]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0307 hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0320 hrs. Damage was extensive but an estimate of cost has not yet been received. There have been a number of similar incidents
  279W
  in the area. It is not thought that parades had a bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on a Church of Ireland hall in Strabane on 15 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105448]

  Mr. Ingram
  Police saw smoke coming from the hall and took appropriate action. No estimate of damage has yet been received. There have been six previously recorded incidents involving arson of places of worship in the area between 1995 and 1998. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Nationalists. The investigation remains open.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of attacks on property and residents on Craigwell Avenue, Portadown, on 17 August; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; what is the present stage of the investigation; and what is his estimate of the number of families that have moved out of the area or sought rehousing as a consequence of community tensions in the past four years. [105436]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no record of any such incidents on or about the date given. It is not possible to give the numbers of families who may have moved from the area because of community tensions; however, there have been 12 successful SPED applications during the last four years.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a serious assault upon a 16 year-old boy from the Lower Ormeau Road, Belfast, on 26 August 1999; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105439]

  Mr. Ingram
  When the assault by occupants of a vehicle was reported, police immediately circulated the limited details of the vehicle which was not located. The scene was visited and potential witnesses were interviewed but no further evidence came to light. There is nothing to suggest that this was a sectarian attack. There have been no recent incidents of this type in the area. Parades in the area have caused tension but it is not thought that they had a bearing on the incident. The community affiliation of the three assailants is not known. The investigation remains open but is dependent on additional information becoming available.
  280W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a paint bomb attack on a property on the Curryneirin estate, Deny, on 15 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105449]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0104hrs. Because of incidents of serious disorder that evening, including hijacking, criminal damage and intimidation, police were unable to attend the scene until 0303hrs. Damage to property is estimated at £800. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. Police believe the perpetrators may have been Nationalists. The investigation remains open.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on Ryan's Presbyterian church hall outside Rathfriland, Co. Down, on 9 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105445]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0238hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0247hrs. Damage is estimated at £109,995. There are no recently recorded similar incidents in the area. Parades are not believed to have had a bearing. The community affiliation of the perpetrator(s) is not known. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a petrol bomb attack on a residential property in the early hours of 9 August; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105464]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is assumed that this question refers to an incident at Hampton Crescent, Larne, on 9 August 1999. This incident was reported at 0316hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0318hrs. No estimate of the cost of the damage is available. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area. It is not thought that parades had a bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on the home of councillor Danny O'Connor in Larne, on 28 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached
  281W
  so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105440]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0434hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0437hrs. No damage was caused. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on the home of Mr. Kevin O'Connor in Larne on 30 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105443]

  Mr. Ingram
  This incident was reported at 0916hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0922hrs. There was scorch damage to the area of the hallway and fine nails embedded in a wall. No estimate of the damage is currently available. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation remains open.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of attacks on vehicles and properties on the Shankill Road, Belfast, on the night of 30–31 July; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105460]

  Mr. Ingram
  Police have no records of any attacks of the type described.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following reports of an incident on Craigwell Avenue, Portadown, on 31 July; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; how many shots were fired; what conclusions he has reached on the community affiliation of the perpetrator; how many persons were(a) arrested and (b) charged; and what is the present stage of proceedings. [105461]

  Mr. Ingram
  A man has been charged and is due to appear in court in connection with this incident. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.

  Tourist Intimidation (Bushmills)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC has taken to respond to reports of verbal abuse and intimidation of tourists in the Bushmills area, County Antrim; and how many meetings have been held with the Bushmills Community Association in the past 12 months. [105438]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been no reports of verbal abuse or intimidation reported to the police. There have been six meetings with the Bushmills Community Association in the last year.

  Hurling Summer Scheme
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the Irish News newspaper report of 5 August concerning threats received by organisers and children participating in a hurling summer scheme to have taken place on the O'Neill Park, Dungannon; when the police first learned of the threats against the scheme; and what measures were taken to address the community relations aspects of this incident. [105462]

  Mr. Ingram
  As a result of information on 3 August, police personally informed two representatives of the Gaelic Athletic Association at O'Neill Park that day and a third representative on 4 August of a possible threat to the summer scheme. Appropriate crime prevention and security advice was given and all police patrols were briefed to give attention to the area at the times given by GAA representatives.

  Robert Hamill and Gregory Girvan
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary into the assault on Gregory Girvan in Portadown town centre on 27 April 1997. [119711]

  Mr. Ingram
  A file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions on the 31 July 1997 in respect of this assault. However, he directed that there was insufficient evidence to press charges. The investigation therefore remains open and I would implore anyone who has not already done so to contact the police and provide whatever information they can to assist in catching those responsible for this despicable crime.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list by rank and the time at which they attended, those officers above the rank of constable who attended the scene of the assaults on Robert Hamill and Gregory Girvan in Portadown town centre on 27 April 1997; [119713]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2000, Official Report, column 32W, on Robert Hamill, for what reasons police did not cordon off the location of the attack on Robert Hamill in Portadown on 27 April 1997 until 07.27 hours. [119714]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Independent Commission for Police Complaints are actively considering whether disciplinary proceedings will be instigated against police officers in this particular case and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment on such details at this time.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the applications for judicial review of a decision of the Parades Commission since its creation, in each case describing the(a) issue involved, (b) the result of the application hearing and (c) the result of the substantive hearing and summarising of the findings of the Court. [124107]
  283W
  Mr. Ingram
  To date there have been five occasions when applications for judicial review have been made on determinations made by the Parades Commission:

  1. Ormeau Road parade on 13 July 1998:

  (a) The Commission's decision not to impose route restrictions on the Orange Order parade was the subject of an application for judicial review on 7 July 1998. The grounds of the application were that, in not prohibiting the parade from parading on the Lower Ormeau Road as it had done in relation to previous parades, the Commission had exceeded its statutory powers. It was argued that the functions of the Commission were the balancing of local interests, and that the meaning of "community" in the Public Processions Act 1998 was confined to the people living in the area through which it was proposed that the parade should pass. The Commission could not, therefore, come to a different conclusion in relation to the 13 July parade if, as it was bound to do, it restricted itself to local considerations.

  (b) The application was dismissed. The decision, when appealed, was upheld.

  (c) No substantive hearing.

  2. Apprentice Boys Parade in Dunloy on 8 August 1998:

  (a) The Commission's decision not to permit the Dunloy Apprentice Boys to parade through the village of Dunloy was the subject of an application for judicial review on 6 August 1998. The grounds of the application were, among others, that the Commission had failed to distinguish the various groups which are commonly described as the 'loyal orders' and had imposed an obligation on those loyal orders to engage with the local community. This, it was argued, had fettered the Apprentice Boys discretion.

  (b) The application was dismissed.

  (c) No substantive hearing.

  3. Parkmount Junior LOL No. 150 parade in Portadown on 29 May 1999:

  (a) The Commission's decision not to impose conditions on the parade along a section of the lower end of Garvaghy Road in Portadown was the subject of an application for judicial review on 27 May 1999. The grounds for the application were that in deciding not to impose conditions the Commission had not acted in accordance with its own procedures.

  (b) Leave to apply was not granted. The applicant appealed the decision and the Court of Appeal subsequently granted leave and heard and determined the application.

  (c) The judgment found that the Commission had taken into account relevant factors, and had not taken into account irrelevant factors, and that the decision to impose no restrictions was lawful, procedurally proper and reasonable in the circumstances.

  4. Long March Parade on 3 July 1999 (Lurgan to Portadown):

  (a) The Commission's decision to re-route that part of the march notified to pass through Lurgan was the subject of an application for leave to apply for a judicial review on 2 July 1999. The grounds for the application were that the Commission had not complied with its own procedures in failing to consult with the organiser of the march in order to facilitate mediation.

  (b) The court considered that the Commission had not acted "in a way which was clearly outside its powers or contrary to its prescribed procedure". The application was refused. The applicant appealed the decision on 2 November 1999. A preliminary hearing was held on 8 November 1999, and the substantive hearing on 1 December 1999. The appeal was dismissed.

  (c) Dismissed on invitation of appellant's counsel.

  5. St. Patrick's Day parades in Kilkeel on 17 March 2000:

  (a) The Commission's decision to permit parades by two nationalist bands to proceed along their notified route was the subject for an application for a judicial review on 16 March
  284W
  2000. The ground for the application was that the Commission had failed to comply with its procedures in not consulting widely enough to gain sufficient information on which to base its decision. It had therefore failed to take into account previous disorder in relation to the parade, and to consider the adverse impact of the parade on community relations, and had not advised anyone that "they were minded to alter the status which had existed for over 20 years".

  (b) The judge agreed, in view of the time constraints, that he would deal with both the leave application, and if this were successful, the substantive hearing. The Court held that the Commission had not acted outside its powers or contrary to its procedures, and the application was dismissed.

  (c) No substantive hearing.

  RUC Personnel
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the composition by gender and perceived community origin of the(a) RUC Special Branch and (b) RUC Criminal Investigation Department. [123956]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table details the current composition by gender and perceived community background of the RUC Special Branch and RUC Criminal Investigation Department:

  Special Branch

  CID

  Male

  739

  886

  Female

  88

  150

  Perceived Protestant

  762

  898

  Perceived Roman Catholic

  54

  98

  Undetermined

  21

  40

  It should be noted that these figures include all police officers in both Departments, unlike the answers given on 10 February 2000, Official Report, column 239W, and on 11 February 2000, Official Report, column 322W, which only stipulated the number of officers with detective status in RUC Special Branch and CID.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the process of selection and entry requirement for officers to serve in the(a) RUC Special Branch and (b) RUC Criminal Investigation Department. [123955]

  Mr. Ingram
  Vacancies in the ranks of Constable to Inspector are circulated throughout the force in accordance with force orders. Applicants, who must have completed their probationary period, are required to complete an application form and receive a line manager's recommendation before being interviewed by a selection panel consisting of officers of at least Chief Inspector rank, one of whom is from the specialism involved. The Chairman of the panel is always from outside the specialism. Successful candidates undergo a one-year aideship and only on successful completion will an appointment to the branches be made permanent. Appointments at the ranks of Chief Inspector and above are the responsibility of Force Command, advised by Personnel Branch, who consider the number of vacancies and the policing experience of potential appointees before making recommendations.

  RUC (Compensation Claims)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a breakdown from
  285W
  (a) 1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999 and (b) 1 May 1999 to 30 April 2000 of compensation claims against the RUC broken down into (i) new claims, (ii) claims disposed of, (iii) damages paid, (iv) plaintiff's solicitor's costs, (v) Crown solicitor's costs and (vi) Crown solicitor's outlay. [123884]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table provides a breakdown of costs associated with compensation claims against the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It should be noted that the figures cover the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 financial years.

  April 1998 to March 1999

  April 1999 to March 2000

  New Claims

  654

  693

  Claims disposed of

  480

  365

  Damages paid (£)

  1,046,115

  1,127,632

  Plaintiff's solicitor's costs (£)

  619,885

  668,050

  Crown Solicitor's costs (£)

  735,637

  900,738

  Crown Solicitor's outlay (£)

  408,159

  386,033

  RUC (Disciplinary Proceedings)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland(a) if he will set out the stages of disciplinary proceedings in the RUC from initial complaint to final outcome, (b) what considerations affect the time taken for the completion of each stage in the procedure, (c) when procedures were last reviewed and (d) what proposals have been adopted in the past five years to enhance the prompt and efficient administration of the system. [124106]

  Mr. Ingram
  The various stages of disciplinary proceedings are contained within The Police (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Complaints etc.) Regulations 1988, The Royal Ulster Constabulary (Complaints)(Informal Resolution) 1988, The Royal Ulster Constabulary (Discipline and Disciplinary Appeals) Regulations 1988, The Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Part-Time)(Discipline and Disciplinary Appeals) Regulations 1988 and Guidance to the Chief Constable of Police Complaints and Discipline Procedures.

  Decisions/submissions

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Initial claim decisions

  503,170

  515,795

  466,960

  383,794

  371,431

  Renewal decisions

  154,102

  167,794

  176,164

  194,579

  185,518

  Reviews inside time2

  165,367

  188,548

  210,256

  173,832

  160,349

  Reviews outside time3

  167,594

  170,786

  159,798

  126,964

  116,234

  Appeal submissions

  33,761

  39,323

  48,047

  46,986

  46,574

  1 Figures for January were estimated for initial claims, renewals and reviews.

  2 Figures include reconsiderations under the new decision making process from October 1999.

  3 Figures include supersessions under the new decision making process from October 1999.

  4 Some reviews and appeals relate to claims made or reviewed in the previous year. It is therefore not possible to provide the exact proportion of the claims made in any year which proceed to review or appeal.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 100 per cent. data.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of each rate of Disability Living Allowance there have been in each of the last five years. [124711]
  286W
  The time taken to complete each stage of the disciplinary procedure is affected by many factors, including the nature and extent of the allegations, the complexity and availability of evidence, the resources devoted to the investigation, the progress of related criminal or civil proceedings and the level and nature of co-operation afforded by the complainant.

  A comprehensive review of the police complaints system in Northern Ireland was carried out by Dr. Maurice Hayes, who published his report in January 1997. The present Independent Commission for Police Complaints will be replaced by the Office of the Police Ombudsman on 1 October 2000. The Police Ombudsman will receive and investigate all complaints about the police and will make recommendations for criminal and disciplinary action.

  Garvaghy Road
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what undertakings he has entered into in relation to parades in the vicinity of Garvaghy Road, Portadown on 9 July with(a) the Orange Order, (b) the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, (c) political parties and (d) the Irish Government. [123954]

  Mr. Ingram
  In the absence of a local agreement, it is entirely the responsibility of the Parades Commission to decide whether or not to allow a parade to take place, or to impose restrictions.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of decisions by adjudication officers and decision makers on Disability Living Allowance have proceeded to (i) review stage and (ii) an independent appeal tribunal in each of the last five years. [124707]

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

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.
  287W

  Disability Living Allowance:recipients by rate and year

  Thousand

  Components and rates

  1995–961

  1996–971

  1997–981

  1998–991

  1999–20001

  All awards2

  1,589

  1,768

  1,926

  2,014

  2,084

  Higher rate care

  290

  336

  369

  383

  396

  Middle rate care

  418

  487

  543

  567

  599

  Lower rate care

  287

  348

  405

  451

  488

  Higher rate mobility

  1,126

  1,229

  1,313

  1,342

  1,360

  Lower rate mobility

  272

  327

  378

  415

  448

  1 Figures based on five per cent. data relating to 31 August

  2 Columns do not sum because many claimants are awarded both care and mobility components

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been paid out in Disability Living Allowance there have been in each of the last five years. [124712]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  >Disability Living Allowance:expenditure by year

  Year

  £ million

  1995–96

  3,802

  1996–97

  4,498

  1997–98

  4,953

  1998–99

  5,336

  1999–20001

  5,630

  Raising age limit of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component

  to age 70

  to age 75

  to age 80

  Cost (£ billion)

  Gainers (Million)

  (£ billion)

  Gainers (Million)

  (£ billion)

  Gainers (Million)

  2001–02

  0.3

  0.15

  0.8

  0.4

  1.4

  0.75

  2002–03

  0.4

  0.2

  0.9

  0.45

  1.6

  0.75

  2003–04

  0.4

  0.2

  1.0

  0.45

  1.7

  0.8

  2004–05

  0.5

  0.25

  1.0

  0.5

  1.8

  0.85

  2005–06

  0.5

  0.25

  1.1

  0.5

  1.9

  0.85

  Notes:

  1. Costs are in cash prices and rounded to nearest hundred million and number of gainers rounded to the nearest fifty thousand.

  2. Estimates derived from model of entitlement based on 1996–97 Disability Survey and forecast caseloads.

  3. Estimates are subject to a significant margin of error underlying uncertainties of modelling entitlement from available survey data. It is assumed that cases leave the benefit at an average rate for all DLA mobility cases.

  4. Estimated costs include effects on income-related benefits.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the(a) cost and (b) number of beneficiaries, in each of the next five years, of removing the upper age limit for the Disability Living Allowance (i) mobility component and (ii) lower rate care component. [124687]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Estimated cost of and numbers of gainers from abolition of upper age limit for Disability Living Allowance mobility component and care component

  Cost of extending mobility component (£ billion)

  Gainers (million)

  Cost of extending care component (£ billion)

  Gainers (million)

  2001–02

  2.6

  1.30

  0.2

  0.30

  2002–03

  2.7

  1.35

  0.2

  0.30

  2003–04

  2.8

  1.35

  0.3

  0.30

  2004–05

  3.0

  1.40

  0.3

  0.30

  2005–06

  3.1

  1.45

  0.3

  0.30

  288W

  1 Figure estimated

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the(a) cost and (b) number of beneficiaries, in each of the next five years, of raising the upper age limit to (a) 70, (b) 75 and (c) 80 years for the Disability Living Allowance mobility component. [124688]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the tables.

  Notes:

  1. Costs are in cash prices and rounded to nearest 100 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 forecast case loads.

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

  4. Estimated costs include effects on income related benefits.

  Social Security Numbers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that social security numbers are given to the right person and linked to the right department; what is the cost of this; how many incidents in the years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 were found where people were (i) allocated and (ii) used the wrong national insurance number; and if he will make a statement. [124557]

  Mr. Rooker
  The National Insurance Number (NINO) exists to allow this Department and the Inland Revenue to differentiate accurately between the millions of people
  289W
  who do business with them. When a person applies for a NINO, the Department checks its records to see that a NINO has not already been issued and then interviews the person to confirm identity. The interviewer checks the person's circumstances, background and history by asking questions. Answers are confirmed and any documents produced as evidence are authenticated before a NINO is allocated.

  The current annual cost of allocating NINOs is £5.4 million.

  The total number of NINOs allocated in 1998 was 272,844 compared with 284,144 for 1999. Inevitably, with these volumes, the system is subject to instances of existing numbers not being traced correctly and duplicate accounts being created in error. Unfortunately, data on wrongly allocated NINOs are not available in the format requested. However, in order to address this issue the Department has established a comprehensive programme of data cleansing.

  The Identity Fraud Unit has recorded 1,314 false NINOs and accounts since it was established in 1997.

  The Department is committed to ensuring that NINOs are issued, used and controlled consistently. Our overall aim is to always establish the correct identity of a person prior to providing a benefit or service to ensure that we are dealing with the right person. We will continue to develop and implement strategies that enable us to achieve this aim.

  Non-local Offices
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's estimate of the annual savings to the social security budget of the disposal of non-local offices from London in each of the last five years. [124401]

  Mr. Rooker
  Prior to 1 April 1998 and within the last five years, the Department vacated only one "non-local office1" in the London area, where it was the major Government occupier. This was Euston Tower, but being a leasehold building there was no disposal value; savings simply accrued through the discontinuance of rent, rates and the service charge.

  On 31 March 1995, an initial release of space at Euston Tower produced net annual savings of £436,694, after the deduction of additional occupation costs following relocation of the Headquarters staff involved to the Adelphi. The final moves, involving a number of units, took place in 1996. The net annual savings after relocation were in the region of £1.4 million.

  On 1 April 1998 the Department subsequently transferred all of its property, both freehold and leasehold, to the private sector consortium Trillium plc under the PRIME Agreement. We now no longer own nor rent any buildings. Instead, serviced office accommodation is purchased from Trillium. So now, if we withdraw entirely from a building, or hand back only a proportion of our space, it is for Trillium to dispose of.

  In the two years since the PRIME contract began, as part of estates strategies in the London area, the Department has handed back some 45,431m2 of space in both local office and non-local office buildings. However, the only buildings that we have withdrawn from entirely
  290W
  are local office buildings. Consideration is presently being given also to taking on additional space elsewhere in London.

  Note:

  1. A non-local office has been defined as a building without public caller facilities.

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2000,Official Report, column 213W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124820]

  Mr. Rooker
  All three of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less.

  Benefits Agency
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to improve the quality and accuracy of postcode data with the Analytical Services Division within the Benefits Agency. [124686]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department's Analytical Services Division currently produces a range of local level information by matching a claimant's postcode against the Office for National Statistics postcode directory for the key benefits including Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance and Incapacity Benefit. For some benefits, incomplete or missing postcode information makes such a process unreliable and work to improve the accuracy of this information is ongoing. For example, August 1999 Child Benefit data were recently enhanced through the imputation of postcode from claimant address details. A final phase of work to match this against the 2000 postcode directory will soon result in the production of reliable small area estimates for child benefit for the first time.

  A copy of the child benefit data for all parliamentary constituencies will be placed in the Houses of Parliament Libraries by the end of July 2000.

  Pension Funds
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the minimum funding requirements for pension funds with reference to venture capital. [124756]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Minimum Funding Requirement (MFR) does not prescribe how pension funds should invest their assets. Investment practice is a matter for pension schemes. The MFR is intended to provide a reasonable level of security for members in the event of the employer becoming insolvent and requires defined benefit schemes to hold a minimum level of assets to meet their liabilities valued according to a prescribed methodology. We have asked the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries to carry out a review of the minimum funding requirement and will be consulting shortly on the proposals in their report. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also asked Paul Myners to conduct a review of institutional investment which is considering this and other issues.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Lord Levy
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of 11 April 2000,Official Report, column 179, if Lord Levy has held meetings with representatives of foreign (a) intelligence and (b) security agencies. [118947]

  Mr. Hain
  In line with long standing practice of successive Governments we do not comment on intelligence matters.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which officials Lord Levy has received briefings on the Middle East. [119672]

  Mr. Hain
  Lord Levy has been briefed by officials responsible for the regional and bilateral issues on which he has passed messages from the Prime Minister, and by Ambassadors in the countries where he has passed such messages. As I know from having talked to the Ministers and others in these countries, his work is greatly appreciated and has helped enhance both Britain's standing and our contribution to the Middle East peace process.

  British Council
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Council offices there were overseas on 1 April. [123376]

  Mr. Hain
  On 1 April there were 243 British Council offices overseas, in 110 countries.

  Joint Entry Clearance Unit
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Joint Entry Clearance Unit. [125245]

  Mr. Vaz
  As I told the House on 20 March 2000,Official Report, column 833–36, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Joint Entry Clearance Unit (the JECU). Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. This week the JECU has moved to its new offices at 89 Albert Embankment. By bringing together Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office expertise in a single unit, it will provide a better co-ordinated and more effective service to entry clearance applicants. More information about the new Unit, including contact numbers within it, will be circulated to Members.

  Export Licences (Iran)
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has recently authorised the issue of export licences for Iran as an exception to the national arms embargo. [125251]

  Mr. Hain
  We have recently issued, as an exception to the national arms embargo on Iran, an export licence for the export of night vision equipment for the use of Iranian drug enforcement personnel. This equipment has been procured by a private company on behalf of the UN Drugs 292W
  Control Programme (UNDCP) as a contribution to the UNDCP in Iran. These goods require a UK export licence as they are transiting the UK en route to Iran.

  The UK fully supports assistance for the considerable efforts being made by the Iranian authorities to stem the trafficking of drugs through Iran. Since early 1999 the UK has contributed £1.5 million to support Iranian counter drugs activity.

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2000,Official Report, columns 337–38W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124822]

  Mr. Battle
  There were(a) 14 private sector staff who undertook secondments of 12 or less months to my Department between May 1997 and April 1998, (b) 11 between May 1998 and April 1999 and (c) 19 between May 1999 and February 2000.

  Overseas Territories
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which Overseas Territories legislatures have e-mail addresses; and which of these can he used to contact individual members of those legislatures; [124842]

  (2) when his Department will make an up-to-date list of members of all Overseas Territories legislatures, together with their point of contact, available in the Library; and if he will make it his Department's practice for this to be updated regularly. [124841]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department is in the process of compiling a list of elected members of those Overseas Territories which have a legislature, together with contact details, including e-mail addresses where these exist. This will be placed in the House of Commons Library and will be updated after elections in the territories. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is in regular contact with elected members both in the UK and in the territories and provides a forum for direct liaison between the two.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the proposals outlined in the recent White Paper on Overseas Territories; and if he will make a statement. [124843]

  Mr. Battle
  Good progress has been made in key areas covered by the White Paper. Preparations for an Overseas Territories Bill granting British citizenship have reached an advanced stage; structured political dialogue has been effected by the establishment of an annual Consultative Council between. British and Overseas Territories Ministers; a process of constitutional modernisation has been initiated; a draft environmental charter has been distributed for consultation; capital and corporal punishment have been abolished in most territories, with agreement to do so in the others, and an independent review of the regulation of financial sectors in the Overseas Territories is being conducted by consultants.
  293W
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits made to each Overseas Territory by Ministers in

  Outward ministerial visits to the Overseas Territories since 1 May 1997

  Country

  Visitor

  Position held

  Date of visit

  Purpose of visit

  Montserrat

  Baroness Symons

  PUSS

  17 to 18 June 1997

  Official

  Montserrat

  Baroness Symons

  PUSS

  late June 1997

  Official

  Montserrat

  Robin Cook

  Secretary of State

  14 February 1998

  Official

  Falkland Islands

  Tony Lloyd

  Minister of State

  21 to 25 April 1998

  Official

  British Virgin Islands

  Baroness Symons

  PUSS1

  8 to 10 September 1998

  Official

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  Baroness Symons

  PUSS

  10–11 September 1998

  Official

  Cayman Islands

  Baroness Symons

  PUSS

  18–20 January 1999

  Official

  Montserrat

  Baroness Scotland

  PUSS

  15–16 September 1999

  Official

  Bermuda

  Baroness Scotland

  PUSS

  8–11 March 2000

  Official

  1 Formally designated a Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories in July 1998

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the speeches and press releases and documents pertaining to the United Kingdom's bilateral and EU relations with Spain which have related to Gibraltar, since the recent agreement was reached with Spain on Gibraltar. [124835]

  Mr. Vaz
  A copy of the documents relating to the arrangements covering a number of issues within the European Union concerning Gibraltar which were agreed with Spain following extensive consultation with the Government of Gibraltar were placed in the Library of the House on 19 April 2000, and details were given to the House by the Foreign Secretary on the same day,Official Report, columns 499–500W. The Foreign Secretary's statement announcing the arrangements on 19 April will also be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has collected relating to the average time of waiting at the Spain-Gibraltar border for motor vehicles entering or leaving Gibraltar since the recent agreement reached with Spain on Gibraltar; [124834]

  (2) if he will list, for each day since the recent agreement with Spain about Gibraltar, the (a) longest and (b) average waiting time for vehicles entering or leaving Gibraltar. [124833]

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there has been a diminution of delays at the border between Gibraltar and Spain as a result of the recent Anglo-Spanish agreement. [124798]

  Mr. Vaz
  The border did not form part of the discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government, which concluded on 19 April, with the support of the Government of Gibraltar. The table shows maximum and average delay times for cars entering and leaving Gibraltar since 19 April, based on figures collated by the Royal Gibraltar Police.
  294W
  his Department since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [124840]

  Mr. Battle
  The information is in the table.

  Minutes

  Delay exiting Gibraltar

  Delay exiting Gibraltar

  Date

  Maximum

  Average

  Maximum

  Average

  April

  19

  75

  41

  30

  11

  20

  45

  31

  15

  5

  21

  20

  15

  20

  12

  22 Saturday

  45

  35

  60

  35

  23 Easter

  60

  40

  30

  5

  24 Bank Holiday

  60

  41

  20

  15

  25

  60

  41

  45

  14

  26

  60

  45

  45

  23

  27

  90

  43

  20

  3

  28

  90

  44

  45

  10

  29 Saturday

  75

  47

  60

  24

  30 Sunday

  75

  41

  75

  25

  May

  01 Bank Holiday

  75

  48

  60

  25

  02

  75

  52

  30

  6

  03

  75

  49

  30

  7

  04

  45

  33

  30

  5

  05

  90

  30

  60

  15

  06 Saturday

  90

  65

  30

  7

  07 Sunday

  60

  35

  15

  3

  08

  60

  45

  15

  5

  09

  45

  41

  25

  5

  10

  60

  31

  45

  9

  11

  75

  35

  40

  6

  12

  90

  34

  45

  10

  13 Saturday

  45

  32

  40

  9

  14 Sunday

  90

  54

  20

  2

  15

  90

  51

  20

  4

  16

  60

  37

  0

  0

  17

  120

  38

  45

  8

  18

  60

  43

  30

  5

  19

  90

  47

  45

  7

  20 Saturday

  75

  61

  20

  1

  21 Sunday

  180

  76

  0

  0

  22

  90

  47

  40

  7

  23

  75

  49

  20

  5

  24

  90

  40

  45

  7

  25

  75

  37

  20

  1

  26

  90

  44

  30

  4

  27 Saturday

  60

  36

  15

  2

  28 Sunday

  30

  12

  0

  0

  29 Bank Holiday

  30

  14

  30

  9

  30

  90

  39

  30

  6

  31

  90

  52

  45

  8

  June

  01

  60

  40

  20

  3

  02

  60

  33

  40

  8

  03 Saturday

  60

  40

  20

  5

  04 Sunday

  40

  28

  0

  0

  05

  90

  33

  30

  5

  Note

  Average delays are measured for the period 0900 to 2100, when most traffic crosses the border.
  295W
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department will play in respect of matters covered by the recent Anglo-Spanish agreement. [124812]

  Mr. Vaz
  A United Kingdom Government/Gibraltar Liaison Unit for EU Affairs has been established in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for conveying formal communications between Gibraltar authorities and their counterparts in other EU member states under the new arrangements concerning Gibraltar competent authorities. The Department will also play a role in facilitating as necessary the implementation of other aspects of the various new arrangements, including the development of practical cooperation between the Royal Gibraltar Police and the Spanish police forces under the new police cooperation arrangements.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits made by himself or his ministers to Gibraltar within the last two years, stating the(a) purpose and (b) outcome of the visit. [124799]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) visited Gibraltar on 22–23 July 1999 and I visited on 18–19 May 2000.

  The main purpose of the visits was to enable Ministers responsible for Gibraltar to meet and hear the views of the people of Gibraltar and their elected representatives. This was achieved.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) also visited Gibraltar from 7–8 October 1997.

CABINET OFFICE

  Laptops
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many laptop computers used by 296W
  Ministers, officials and special advisers in her Department have been (a) lost and (b) stolen since May 1997. [123731]

  Mr. Stringer
  No laptop computers have been reported lost from my Department, excluding its agencies, since May 1997. Two laptop computers have been reported stolen.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 132W, concerning secondments, if the secondee to the Law Commission listed was appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124826]

  Mr. Lock
  The secondment in question lasted for less than 12 months.

  Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the members of the panel from which boards are drawn to determine cases under the vaccine damage payments scheme; what are their qualifications; and which members have registered links with pharmaceutical companies. [124754]

  Mr. Lock
  There are a number of legal and medical members. Legal members must be qualified lawyers of at least five years' standing. Medical members must have at least five years' experience treating patients as a fully registered medical practitioner in the UK or other EEA state, and in addition must either be on a specialist register maintained in the UK or other EEA state, or hold a vocational training certificate. In the time available, it has not been possible to collate all the information requested. When we have the information I will write to the hon. Member and put a copy of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

  Wind Farms: Capacity
  Wind Farms: Capacity
  Timber Products: Dumping
  Timber Products: Dumping
  Railtrack (Waverley Station) Order Confirmation Bill
  Railtrack (Waverley Station) Order Confirmation Bill
  Millennium Dome: Funding Requirements
  Millennium Dome: Funding Requirements
  Millennium Dome Additional Funding: Direction
  Millennium Dome Additional Funding: Direction
  Financial Services and Markets Bill: Amendments
  Financial Services and Markets Bill: Amendments
  Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee
  Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee
  Development Council, 18 May
  Development Council, 18 May
  Salmon Netting
  Salmon Netting
  GM Seed Planting Distances
  GM Seed Planting Distances
  IACS Payments
  IACS Payments
  Freedom of Information Bill: Amendments
  Freedom of Information Bill: Amendments
  HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary: Report on Specialist Operations
  HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary: Report on Specialist Operations
  Firearms Act 1968: Issue of Permits under Section 7(1)
  Firearms Act 1968: Issue of Permits under Section 7(1)
  Law of Disclosure
  Law of Disclosure
  Offenders Serving Community Sentences: Return to Court
  Offenders Serving Community Sentences: Return to Court
  Export of Human Tissues
  Export of Human Tissues
  Medicines: Prescription by Pharmacists
  Medicines: Prescription by Pharmacists
  Dietary Supplements: Proposed Directive
  Dietary Supplements: Proposed Directive