Written Answers of 8 June 2000

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Forms
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [123942]

  Dr. Howells
  There are no forms issued by the Department specifically aimed at charities or other voluntary organisations. Where charities are incorporated as companies under the Companies Acts they will of course need to file company accounts and other event-generated forms in the normal way.

  Efforts are continually being made to simplify these forms. A recent example is the repeal of the requirement to list a director's other directorships on the company annual return.

  Forms

    European Structural Funds
    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount received by the UK under the European Union structura1 funds in each of the last five years. [124743]

    Mr. Caborn
    The total European Union Structural Funds allocation to the United Kingdom for the period 1995–99 is 12,590 million Euros, which is £8,229 million in 1999 prices. The table breaks this total into the yearly sums. This figure includes the European Social Fund allocation.

    Euro million

    £ million

    1995

    2,341

    1,530

    1996

    2,455

    1,604

    1997

    2,552

    1,668

    1998

    2,569

    1,679

    1999

    2,673

    1,748

    The figures in the table are for allocations rather than receipts. Some receipts are not recorded centrally and, in any case, receipts in one year include reimbursement of some claims submitted in respect of previous years, while some claims submitted during the year in question will not be paid in that year. Programmes have until the end of 2001 to spend and claim the amounts allocated and committed for the period 1994–99.

    Petroleum Prices
    Mr. Pollard
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of when the OPEC member countries' decision to restore their 298W
    production to pre-March 1999 levels will be reflected in petroleum prices in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [124205]

    Mrs. Liddell
    OPEC production increases, agreed in March 2000, led to a significant fall in crude oil prices, which has subsequently been reversed due to low stock levels and high product demand.

    In recent months, historically low product stocks and significant European refinery maintenance have reduced the supply of petroleum to the market, putting pressure on prices.

    ECGD
    Mr. Stinchcombe
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to limit the provision of export credits for non-productive exports. [124660]

    Mr. Caborn
    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 216–18W

    There are no plans at present to extend this initiative to other countries.

    Power Lines
    Miss McIntosh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received calling for the undergrounding of the proposed Lackenby to Shipton overhead transmission line to prevent damage from lightning storms. [124227]

    Mrs. Liddell
    Other than the hon. Member's letter of 24 May 2000 to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, to which I am replying separately, I am aware of no such representations.

    Scottish Highlands
    Mr. Charles Kennedy
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the current economic impact of assisted area status on the Scottish Highlands; and if he will make a statement. [124775]

    Mr. Caborn
    Assisted area status is widely considered to have a positive economic impact on those areas—such as the Scottish Highlands—covered by the assisted area map.

    World Petroleum Congress
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which representatives of the UK Government will be attending the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary this month. [125015]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The Department will be represented by senior officials.

    Energy Council
    Mr. Pickthall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Energy Council on 30 May. [125577]
    299W
    Mrs. Liddell
    The Council considered several matters of interest to the United Kingdom.

    The centre-piece of the Council was a structured debate on energy liberalisation where the Commission presented a paper outlining progress on building a single energy market with proposals for accelerating liberalisation. Ministers were asked to comment on measures needed to monitor progress, further harmonisation requirements, social implications and public service obligations. The UK welcomed the Lisbon agreement on accelerating liberalisation, called for 100 per cent. liberalisation by a specific date and supported further structural measures including unbundling and regulated third party access. The UK circulated a report on the UK's experience of the social effects of energy liberalisation aimed at providing the Council with a balanced analysis of social effects of energy liberalisation. Also the UK/Netherlands circulated preliminary results of a joint study providing both qualitative and quantitative data on the development of competition in gas and electricity markets across Europe and urged the Commission to take this work forward. The Commission and most member states welcomed this work. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Council adopted conclusions welcoming progress on implementation of the electricity directive and the agreement of the European electricity regulatory forum on a cross border transmission pricing mechanism, effective from 1 October, and acknowledged that further work was needed on congestion management. On gas the conclusions noted the work of the European gas regulatory forum.

    In addition, the Commission presented a draft proposal on access for renewables to the internal electricity market and an energy efficiency action plan. The UK welcomed both dossiers identified as priorities in the UK Presidency. The first is a particularly important single market measure and both are key elements of the energy/environment integration strategy developed as part of the EU's response towards our Kyoto targets. The Council agreed conclusions on the energy efficiency action plan which recognised the need for Community policies and measures to complement, coordinate and add value to national actions, and invited the Commission, working in cooperation with member states, to come forward with specific proposals quickly.

    The Council agreed conclusions on gas security of supply which invited the Commission to continue to monitor the supply position in Europe and to establish a group on an informal basis to discuss mutual areas of interest to improve coordination between member states.

    Also, the Council adopted a decision enabling the European Community to sign an agreement with the United States on the coordination of energy-efficient labelling programmes for office equipment—energy star—and reached political agreement on a draft regulation for implementation of the energy star scheme.

    Finally, the Council noted reports on Euro-Med Cooperation including conclusions and the Energy Charter Treaty.

  CABINET OFFICE

    Grace and Favour Residences
    Mr. Kemp
    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the(a) number and (b) locations are of grace and favour residences not within royal palaces. [118871]

    Marjorie Mowlam
    I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) by the Prime Minister on 5 June 2000,Official Report, columns 50–51W.

  HOUSE OF COMMONS

    Guillotine Motions
    Mr. Shepherd
    To ask the President of the Council if she will list(a) the Bills since May 1997 that have been subject to a guillotine and (b) the date of each guillotine motion, indicating which were all-party programme motions. [124847]

    Mrs. Beckett
    The information requested is as follows:

    Date

    Session 1997–98

    Bills subject to allocation of time (guillotine) motions:

    Referendums (Scotland and Wales)

    3 June 1997

    30 July 1997

    Finance Bill

    14 July 1997

    23 July 1997

    European Communities (Amendment)

    17 December 1997

    Bills subject to allocation of time (programme) motions:

    Scotland Bill

    13 January 19981

    Government of Wales Bill

    15 January 19981

    Regional Development Agencies Bill

    27 March 1998

    Northern Ireland (Elections) Bill

    22 April 1998

    Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords]

    19 May 1998

    Human Rights Bill [Lords]

    1 June 19981

    21 October 1998

    Northern Ireland (Sentences) Bill

    11 June 1998

    Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]

    16 June 1998

    Landmines Bill

    9 July 1998

    Northern Ireland Bill

    17 July 1998

    Bills subject to Allocation of Time (Business of the House) Motions

    Criminal Justice Bill (Terrorism and Conspiracy)

    2 September 1998

    Session 1998–99

    Bills subject to allocation of time (guillotine) motions:

    European Parliamentary Elections Bill

    2 December 1999

    Local Government Bill

    24 March 1999

    26 July 1999

    Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill

    20 May 1999

    3 November 1999

    Health Bill [Lords]

    15 June 1999

    Immigration and Asylum Bill

    15 June 1999

    9 November 1999

    Tax Credits Bill

    22 June 1999

    Access to Justice Bill [Lords]

    22 June 1999

    Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords]

    8 July 1999

    301W

    Date

    Food Standards Bill

    22 July 1999

    8 November 1999

    Employment Relations Bill

    22 July 1999

    26 July 199

    Greater London Authority Bill

    8 November 1999

    Bills subject to Allocation of Time (Programme) Motions

    Greater London Authority Bill

    13 January 1999

    30 April 1999

    Northern Ireland Bill

    13 July 1999

    Session 1999–2000

    Bills subject to allocation of time (guillotine) motions:

    Representation of the People Bill

    20 January 2000

    8 March 2000

    Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords]

    22 May 2000

    Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill

    22 May 2000

    Royal Parks (Trading) Bill

    22 May 2000

    Television Licences (Disclosure of Information Bill)

    22 May 2000

    Bills subject to allocation of time (programme) motions:

    Northern Ireland Bill

    8 February 2000

    Financial Services and Market Bill

    9 February 2000

    Transport Bill

    9 May 2000

    1Indicates programme motion subsequently amended. For details see Sessional Returns 1997–98)142), pp 10–12.

  CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

    Opinion Research
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 581W, on opinion research, what steps have been taken to ensure that his Department makes such results publicly available as required by paragraph 19 of the Cabinet Office May 1999 Guidelines on Research into Public Attitudes and Opinions. [124903]

    Mr. Alan Howarth
    Officials in the Department and its agencies and staff in our NDPBs are aware of their obligations under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, to which paragraph 19 of the Cabinet Office Guidelines refers, and I expect them to ensure that the Code of Practice is followed. A senior official in my Department wrote to all chief executives of DCMS NDPBs on 10 December 1999, drawing their attention to the publication of the Freedom of Information Bill and reminding them of the need to comply, until a Freedom of Information Act is brought into force, with the Code of Practice.

    National Lottery
    Mr. Steen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the(a) health and (b) education projects that have been funded from the National Lottery in each of the last two years; and how much each has received. [123634]

    Kate Hoey
    Lottery funding for health and education projects is primarily distributed through the New Opportunities Fund, although some awards made by other 302W
    distributors, such as Sport England, the Arts Council and the National Lottery Charities Board, will certainly have educational or health benefits.

    Over the past two years, the New Opportunities Fund has made nearly 1,000 separate awards distributing £75 million to its educational and health programmes. These awards have included nearly £65 million to 980 out of school hours child care and learning schemes, and £10 million to create six Healthy Living Centres. The Fund is about to begin distributing to NHS Trusts over £90 million worth of equipment for detecting and treating cancer.

    I have asked the Chief Executive of the Fund to write to the hon. Member with full details of all of the health and education awards. Copies of this letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Health Projects
    Ms McCafferty
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the level of funding granted by her Department for reproductive health projects in (1) 2000–01 will be set at 85 per cent. for the entire duration of such projects; [124901]

    (2) 2001–02 will be set at 70 per cent. for the entire duration of such projects. [124902]

    Clare Short
    The levels of funding granted by my Department, under the Civil Society Challenge Fund for new reproductive health projects funded in the following fiscal years, are:funded in 2000–01—up to 85 per cent. funding available
    funded in 2001–02—up to 70 per cent. funding available
    funded in 2002–03—up to 50 per cent. funding available.

    The funding level agreed in the first year of each project will be set for the entire duration of the project.

    Central Reserve (Humanitarian Emergencies)
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times her Department has accessed the Treasury's central reserve to fund humanitarian emergencies this year; and if she will make a statement. [124998]

    Clare Short
    My Department has not accessed the Treasury's central reserve during the 2000–01 financial year. During 1999–2000, DFID accessed the central reserve on two occasions to help fund humanitarian emergencies in Kosovo and East Timor.

    Kosovo
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the United Kingdom's assistance to Kosovo is paid from her Department's conflict and emergency fund; and how much is met from Her Majesty's Treasury's central reserve. [125001]
    303W
    Clare Short
    I refer the hon. Member to page 86 (Box 6d) of the Department for International Development's Departmental Report 2000, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

    Sumatra
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian effects of the recent earthquake in Sumatra. [125019]

    Clare Short
    The worst affected areas are Bengkulu and Lampung Provinces and the island of Enggano. Over 100 people are confirmed as dead and a further 700 people have been injured. These figures are likely to rise. There has been extensive damage to housing and public buildings, including Bengkulu city hospital. Communication with the Bengkulu area is extremely difficult as the telephone system is down and access has been restricted due to damage to the airport, major roads and bridges. However, initial reports indicate that the damage was not as devastating as might have been expected, given the size of the earthquake.

    The Indonesian authorities have rapidly mobilised civil and military assets to respond to the disaster and are supported by the local Red Cross Society. A six-person United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team has been deployed to the region to assist with the relief effort.

    My Department has contributed £250,000 for the purchase and distribution of relief items, such as shelter, blankets and the provision of clean water and first aid. This support is being channelled through the Red Cross and will target 140,000 of the worst affected people. We will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to respond further to assessed needs.

    India
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian impact of the drought affecting the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. [125018]

    Clare Short
    A team from my Department has recently returned from India where they made a humanitarian assessment of the impact of the drought and the likely needs of the population. The team found Rajasthan and Gujarat to be among the three states in India worst affected by the drought. The principal humanitarian impacts of the drought include a significant reduction in household income; an increase in temporary migration; death of livestock; weakening of remaining herds; and health problems associated with scarcity of water and reduced food intake.

    The Government of India have launched a large-scale drought relief effort which appears to be reaching a significant proportion of the affected population. United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations are also active in providing humanitarian assistance to those suffering as a result of the drought.

    We have committed nearly £3 million for relief projects in response to the drought regionally, including Pakistan and Afghanistan which are also badly affected. £500,000
    304W
    of this support is being channelled through Oxfam for their relief programme in Rajasthan and Gujarat. We are considering what further assistance to provide.

    Southern Africa
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the implementation of the EU's initiative on prevention of trafficking of light weapons in southern Africa launched in 1998. [125020]

    Clare Short
    Progress has been made in a number of areas. Key organisations such as the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) have made significant efforts to take forward components of the agreed agenda in order to better address small arms questions, and are playing a growing role in bringing together a regional approach. The regional action programme has itself been an important mechanism around which the actions of donors can be co-ordinated with the needs and priorities of partner countries.

    We have continued to provide support through non-governmental organisations such as Saferworld and the South African Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to take the regional action programme forward. In addition, we are also supporting a number of relevant police and customs service development projects which increase security and thereby decrease the need for, and availability of, small arms.

    We are committed to continuing support for the regional action programme and to working closely with other UK Departments to ensure that this important initiative remains a priority activity for the EU.

  FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

    Questionnaires
    Mr. Bercow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many questionnaires have been compiled by his Department since 1 May 1997 for public distribution; and what has been the response rate for each. [123611]

    Mr. Hain
    I refer the hon. Gentleman to previous answers given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe about the questionnaire attached to the "Your Britain, Your Europe" leaflet on 10 April 2000,Official Report, column 77W; on 2 May 2000, Official Report, column 67W; and on 15 May 2000, Official Report, column 28W. In addition, at two FCO Open Days in October 1999 we distributed just under 720 questionnaires to canvass reactions from visitors. We received 227 replies.

    Sri Lanka
    Mr. Kidney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the support for the Government forces in Sri Lanka from Israel. [124357]

    Mr. Hain
    None.

    Intergovernmental Conference
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 8 May 2000,Official Report, column 259W, on the inter-Governmental conference, in what manner applicant states will be permitted (a) to operate fisheries within community waters and (b) otherwise to participate in execution of common policies. [124373]

    Mr. Vaz
    (a) Negotiations on Fisheries have started with six applicant countries (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia). The EU Common Positions agreed for these negotiations will make clear that all new member states will be expected to apply the Common Fisheries Policy in full and that access to fisheries resources within. EU waters will be based on the principle of relative stability, which allocates national quotas according to historic catch levels. In their position papers, these countries have accepted the principle of relative stability and are only seeking to maintain access to stocks and waters which they already fish.

    (b) The participation of new member states in the execution of Common Policies will be determined in the accession negotiations. At the opening of the accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia on 31 March 1998 during the UK Presidency, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State laid down the principles for negotiation, emphasising the necessity of "full acceptance of the actual and potential rights and obligations attaching to the Union system and its institutional framework, known as the 'acquis' of the Union". This principle covers all the Common Policies of the EU. The applicant's acceptance of the 'acquis' may give rise to technical adjustments, and exceptionally to non-permanent transitional measures. The same principles govern the accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovakia, which began in February.

    European Judges
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which published documents relating to the Court of the European Communities contain the(a) required qualifications for persons appointed to it as judges and decision makers concerning its preliminary proceedings including those conducted by the advocate general and the Court of First Instance, (b) procedures for their selection and appointment and the names of the persons appointing them and their staff; together with the names and previous experience and qualifications of the current judges and advocates general, together with the dates of their appointment and the expiry of their terms of office. [124638]

    Mr. Vaz
    The criteria for nomination and the appointment procedure for judges and advocates general at the European Court of Justice are set out in Article 223 TEC. The criteria for judges at the Court of First Instance are set out in Article 225.3. Profiles of the judges can be found on the Court of Justice website at www.curia.eu.int.

    Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the 306W
    differences between the commitments (a) made in the final declaration of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, held in New York in April-May and (b) entered into in 1970 by nuclear weapons states in respect of Article VI of the Treaty. [124794]

    Mr. Hain
    The unequivocal undertaking to the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals contained in the final document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference is the most explicit pledge ever made by the Nuclear Weapon States to work for complete global nuclear disarmament. It is an important statement of intent which we hope will provide a timely boost to international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. The UK played a key role in securing agreement with the New Agenda Coalition for this important achievement.

    EU Council
    Ms Squire
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union to June and also list the major European Union events for the next six months. [125576]

    Mr. Vaz
    The information is as follows:European Calendar: June-November 2000
    This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

    Date

    Venue

    Event

    June

    6

    Luxembourg

    Social Affairs Council

    8

    Luxembourg

    Education Council

    13–14

    Luxembourg

    General Affairs Council

    13–16

    Strasbourg

    European Parliament Plenary

    15

    Luxembourg

    Research Council

    16

    Luxembourg

    Fisheries Council

    19–20

    Luxembourg

    Agriculture Council

    19–20

    Sta. Maria da Feira

    European Council

    21–23

    Cyprus

    3rd Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the Ministers of Industry

    22–23

    Luxembourg

    Environment Council

    26–27

    Luxembourg

    Transport Council

    28

    Lisbon

    EU/India Summit

    July

    3–7

    Strasbourg

    European Parliament Plenary

    7–8

    Paris

    —

    10–11

    Brussels

    GAC

    15–16

    Paris

    Environment Council (Informal)

    17

    Brussels

    ECOFIN Council

    17–18

    Brussels

    Agriculture Council

    17–18

    Brussels

    Agriculture Council

    20–21

    Lille

    Culture Council (Informal)

    27

    Bangkok

    ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial

    28–29

    Bangkok

    ASEAN Post Ministerial

    28–29

    Marseilles

    Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

    20

    Tokyo

    EU/Japan Summit

    August

    There are no Councils scheduled for this month

    September

    1–2

    Evian

    Gymnich

    3–5

    Biarritz

    Agriculture Council (Informal)

    15

    Paris

    EU/Ukraine Summit

    307W

    Date

    Venue

    Event

    9–10

    Versailles

    ECOFIN Council (Informal)

    18–19

    Brussels

    General Affairs Council

    25–26

    Brussels

    Agriculture Council

    29

    Brussels

    ECOFIN Council

    28

    Brussels

    Internal Market/Consumer Council

    28

    Marseilles

    Justice and Home Affairs Council

    October

    2

    Luxembourg

    Transport Council

    3

    Luxembourg

    Telecommunications Council

    9–10

    Luxembourg

    General Affairs Council

    10

    Luxembourg

    Environment Council

    13–14

    Biarritz

    European Council

    16(tbc)

    Paris

    EU/US Ministerial Meeting

    16–17

    Luxembourg

    Labour and Social Affairs Council

    17

    Luxembourg

    ECOFIN-JHA Council

    19

    Luxembourg

    Fisheries Council

    19–21

    Seoul

    Europe/Asia Summit

    23

    China

    EU/China Summit

    23–24

    Luxembourg

    Agriculture Council

    25

    Luxembourg

    Education Council

    30

    Paris

    EU/Russia Summit

    (tbc)

    November

    3 (tbc)

    Paris

    EU/Canada Summit

    7

    Brussels

    ECOFIN Council

    7

    Brussels

    Environment Council

    9

    Marseilles

    Education/Youth Council

    13

    Brussels

    Euro-Med Ministerial

    16

    Brussels

    Research Council

    14

    Marseilles

    Euro-Mediterranean Summit

    17

    Brussels

    Fisheries Council

    20–21

    Brussels

    General Affairs Council

    20–21

    Brussels

    Agriculture Council

    23

    Brussels

    Culture/Audio Council

    23

    Montbeliard

    European Conference Ministerial

    23–24

    Brussels

    Budget Council

    27–28

    Brussels

    ECOFIN Council

    27–28

    Brussels

    Labour and Social Affairs Council

    30

    Brussels

    Justice and Home Affairs Council

    30

    Brussels

    Internal Market/Consumers Council

    29–30

    Gaborone

    EU/SADC Ministerial

    Monthly Forecast of EU Business: June 2000
    This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
    5 June—LUXEMBOURG—ECOFIN Council
    Preparation of the European Council (Santa Maria da Feira)
    The Broad Economic Policy Guidelines—REPORT to the European Council
    Taxation
    Fiscal package, including Taxation on savings
    (poss.) Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)—Report concerning the revision of the Code
    Study on company taxation—Presentation by the Commission
    Ad hoc Working Party on tax fraud—Presentation of a report and possible Council conclusions
    Excise Duties: Derogation given to Denmark, Sweden and Finland on travellers allowances—Presentation of a Commission report
    308W
    Second progress report on the Financial Action Plan—Orientation debate
    Efficient financial management
    Protection of financial interests
    Annual reports on fight against fraud for 1999
    Commission work programme
    AOB

    Date

    Venue

    Event

    June

    6

    Luxembourg

    Social Affairs Council

    7

    Fiji

    ACP/EU Ministerial

    8

    Fiji

    Signing of Post Lomé convention

    8

    Luxembourg

    Education Council

    13–14

    Luxembourg

    General Affairs Council

    13–16

    Strasbourg

    European Parliament Plenary

    15

    Luxembourg

    Research Council

    16

    Luxembourg

    Fisheries Council

    19–20

    Luxembourg

    Agriculture Council

    19–20

    Sta. Maria da Feira

    European Council

    21–23

    Cyprus

    3rd Euro-Med Conference of the Ministers

    22–23

    Luxembourg

    Environment Council

    26–27

    Luxembourg

    Transport Council

    28

    Lisbon

    EU/India Summit

    No agendas yet known.

    Step Change Project
    Mr. Stephen O'Brien
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Step Change Project, listing its aims, objectives and methods. [124332]

    Mr. Vaz
    Following Britain's Presidency in 1998, the Prime Minister called for a "Step Change" in Britain's relations with its European partners. The initiative is intended to increase ministerial and official contacts across Europe and thereby promote British interests in the EU. As Minister for Europe, I co-ordinate Whitehall's "Step Change" efforts through the "Ministerial Group for European Co-ordination" (MINECOR).

    Embassies (Party Political Activities)
    Mr. Stephen O'Brien
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the rules concerning use of British embassies overseas by(a) Ministers and (b) hon. Members for party political activities. [124333]

    Mr. Robin Cook
    It is established policy that Government property should not be used for party political activities.

    Lockerbie Bombing
    Mr. Spring
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) he, (b) other Foreign Office ministers and (c) officials were informed of statements made by Mr. Ahmad Behbahani, in respect of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103. [124946]

    Mr. Battle
    Officials were informed of Mr. Behbahani's remarks on 5 June 2000. Ministers were informed on 6 June 2000.
    309W
    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will obtain and assess the text of the statement made in the USA on 4 June by Mr. Ahmed Behbahani in relation to the Lockerbie bombing; and if he will make a statement. [124897]

    Mr. Battle
    Since Mr. Behbahani's alleged remarks relate to the current trial at the Scottish Court in the Netherlands, it would be inappropriate to comment on them.

    Drugs Control
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what scent discussions he has had with the United States counterparts concerning the use of Fusarium Oxysporum in drug eradication strategies in Colombia and Peru. [124999]

    Mr. Battle
    Field trials on Fusarium Oxysporum have not yet been conducted by UNDCP in Colombia. Before these take place further research would need to be carried out inter alia to confirm that it is specific to coca and would not harm agricultural crops and other plant species. Field testing and any subsequent eradication campaign would also have to be approved by the Colombian Government.

    Her Majesty's Government are not funding UNDCP research into Fusarium Oxysporum. The Foreign Secretary has not discussed it with the US Government.

    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his UN counterparts about the effectiveness of the UN Drugs Control Programme's drug reduction strategy for drug-producing regions. [125017]

    Mr. Battle
    The UK is an active participant in UN drugs policy forums and is a key supporter of the United Nations Drugs Control Programme. In co-ordination with the United States and EU partners, the UK is supporting improved evaluation and management procedures in UNDCP drugs assistance projects. Examples of UK contributions include support for effective action by the UNDCP in reducing the cultivation of coca bush in Bolivia.

    East Timor
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the return of East Timorese refugees from West Timor. [125016]

    Mr. Battle
    More than 162,000 refugees have now returned to East Timor. The UK continues to press the Indonesian authorities to resolve outstanding issues (eg civil service pensions) to allow those refugees who still wish to return to do so safely and speedily.

    Small Arms
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the implementation of the 1999 EU resolution on combating the excessive and uncontrolled accumulation and spread of small arms. [125021]
    310W
    Mr. Hain
    None, but officials regularly discuss small arms issues with EU counterparts and the Commission. These issues include the implementation of the resolution and the related December 1998 Joint Action on small arms proliferation.

    Rights of the Child Convention
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government plan to ratify the protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibiting states from allowing children under the age of 18 years to fight in armed conflicts. [125022]

    Mr. Hain
    The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 May 2000. It is expected to be opened for signature and ratification later this year. The Government welcome adoption of the Optional Protocol. We are looking closely at the implications for the UK Armed Forces and the measures that would be required to allow the UK to ratify.

    Colombia
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 April 2000,Official Report, column 394W, if he will make a statement on progress made in the hosting of an international gathering to discuss the details of Plan Colombia before the donors conference in July. [125013]

    Mr. Battle
    The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will host a preparatory meeting of senior officials and technical experts on Colombia on Monday 19 June. The Colombian Government will be represented as well as the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, selected NGOs and the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Colombia. We have invited all EU member states, the Commission, Japan, Canada, the US, Norway and Switzerland.

    On 5 June I hosted a meeting in the FCO with academics and NGOs in order to hear a wide range of views of academics, NGOs and officials prior to the London and Madrid meetings.

    Pristina
    Mr. Hilary Benn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Pristina and its effect on the safety of returning refugees. [124906]

    Mr. Vaz
    The security situation in Pristina is described as generally calm by the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). There is no general threat to Kosovo Albanian refugees returning to Pristina. In the case of Serb refugee returns, UNMIK and KFOR are doing their utmost to facilitate their return, offering protection where necessary.

  ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

    Housing
    Mr. Nicholas Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of total capital spending Government spending on housing and construction represented in each of the last 10 years. [123007]

    Mr. Mullin
    Central Government capital expenditure on housing in England as a percentage of total capital public spending for England over the last 10 years is set out in the table. Expenditure consists mainly of grants and subsidies provided through local authorities and the Housing Corporation. By 2001–02, the Government will have doubled the annual level of capital expenditure on housing that it inherited from the previous administration.

    Year

    Percentage

    1990–91

    12.9

    1991–92

    14.7

    1992–93

    16.0

    1993–94

    14.8

    1994–95

    11.9

    1995–96

    10.1

    1996–97

    11.4

    1997–98

    9.7

    1998–99

    10.5

    1999–20001

    10.7

    1Provisional

    Note:

    Calculations based on housing capital expenditure figures in the Department of the Environment Annual Report, 1996, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Annual Report 2000 and Table 4.1 of HM Treasury's Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 2000–01

    London Underground
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which EU legislation governs direct expenditure by London Underground Ltd. and its successors, in undertaking or supervising by a combination of direct and contracted operations, measures necessary to ensure the standards of operational performance required by the long-term contracts proposed by the Government. [124637]

    Mr. Hill
    All arrangements will need to be compatible with the relevant provisions of the EC Treaty and associated legislation.

    Site operator

    Site location

    Type of facility

    Waste planning authority area

    Annual input (tonnes)

    Shanks & McEwan

    Brogborough

    1—

    Bedfordshire

    2,235,514

    Cory Environmental

    Mucking

    1—

    Thurrock

    983,427

    Cleanaway

    Pitsea

    1—

    Essex

    324,659

    Shanks & McEwan

    Stewartby

    1—

    Bedfordshire

    766,707

    Cleanaway

    Ockendon

    1—

    Thurrock

    627,848

    Greenways Waste Management

    Aveley

    1—

    Essex

    381,867

    Viridor

    Gt. Blakenham

    Suffolk

    1—

    264,244

    Camping
    Mr. Todd
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2000,Official Report, column 485W, how many prosecutions under section 59(8) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have been made concerning waste left by unauthorised camping. [124746]

    Mr. Mullin
    The Department holds no central records of prosecutions made under this provision.

    Flight Safety
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the result of the trials on the effects of mobile phones on flight safety carried out by the CAA; what recommendations have been made by the CAA as a result of these trials and what changes will be made to flight safety rules as a result. [124783]

    Mr. Mullin
    The CAA carried out tests on the level of interference from passengers' mobile phones on the avionics systems of two aircraft parked at Gatwick Airport in February. These tests confirmed that mobile phone transmissions (including those made when a phone is on standby) made near an aircraft's flight deck or avionics equipment will produce interference that exceeds certification levels for some equipment. Consequently, the CAA will maintain their policy of prohibiting the use of mobile phones by passengers while an aircraft's engines are running.

    The CAA is also consulting airport operators and airlines about the viability and value of additional measures to further minimise the risks of inadvertent operation of portable telephones. Such additional measures could include reminder notices in airport departure lounges and at aircraft boarding points and the introduction by airlines of detection equipment and related procedures to ensure telephones are switched off.

    The full report of the tests is available on the CAA's web site: www.srg.caa.co.uk/srg/srg—news.asp.

    Waste Disposal
    Mr. Mackinlay
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 570W, concerning the main waste disposal facilities in the East of England, if he will list the quantity of waste dealt with at each facility in 1998–99 or the nearest available year. [124804]

    Mr. Mullin
    [holding answer 7 June 2000]The quantity of waste dealt with, in tonnes of waste for 1998–99 (or the nearest available year), at the main waste disposal facilities in the East of England, is shown in the table.
    313W

    Site operator

    Site location

    Type of facility

    Waste planning authority area

    Annual input (tonnes)

    Cory Environmental

    Stanway

    1—

    Essex

    248,378

    SITA

    Godmanchester

    1—

    Cambridgeshire

    240,510

    Shanks & McEwan

    Arlesey

    1—

    Bedfordshire

    224,203

    Lafarge Redland

    Radlett

    1—

    Hertfordshire

    2—

    Shanks & McEwan

    Dogsthorpe

    1—

    Peterborough

    212,052

    Fenside Waste Management

    Warboys

    1—

    Cambridgeshire

    197,995

    Star Quarry Products

    Hertford

    1—

    Hertfordshire

    2—

    Anti Waste

    Milton

    1—

    Cambridgeshire

    148,383

    Greenways Waste Management

    Ongar

    1—

    Essex

    147,962

    Cory Environmental

    1—

    Barling

    Essex

    144,722

    Anti Waste

    Buckden

    1—

    Cambridgeshire

    139,980

    Pioneer Aggregates Ltd.

    Ware Quarry

    1—

    Hertfordshire

    2—

    Hales

    Ugley

    Essex

    1—

    118,028

    Greenham Construction Materials

    Elsenham

    1—

    Essex

    115,780

    Anti Waste

    Feltwell

    1—

    Norfolk

    113,055

    Mick George Haulage Ltd.

    Southorpe Quarry

    1—

    Peterborough

    108,766

    Hales

    Attlebridge

    1—

    Norfolk

    97,633

    Lafarge Redland

    Roxwell

    1—

    Essex

    96,300

    St. Albans Sand and Gravel

    Ware

    1—

    Hertfordshire

    2—

    St. Albans Sand and Gravel

    St. Albans

    1—

    Hertfordshire

    2—

    Suffolk Waste Disposal Co.

    Lackford

    1—

    Suffolk

    92,624

    M Dickerson

    Hemingford Grey

    1—

    Cambridgeshire

    92,218

    1Landfill

    2Not available

    The data for landfills in Hertfordshire is missing. This is because the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes provision for licensees to request that such information be kept off the public register on the grounds of commercial confidentiality. The Agency is in the process of reviewing these cases.

    Central Railway
    Mr. Mackinlay
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with Central Railway in relation to the company's plans for a high speed freight rail link with particular reference to the part of the route adjacent to or in the vicinity of the M25; and if he will make a statement. [124844]

    Mr. Hill
    [holding answer 7 June 2000]None.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contacts have taken place between(a) officials, (b) special advisers and (c) Ministers in his Department and representatives of the Central Railway. [125062]

    Mr. Hill
    Officials met representatives from Central Railway in 1998 to discuss its revised proposals for a freight railway between Liverpool and Lille. Ministers have received further representations from the company from time to time, including copies of its consultation documents.

    Rail Subsidies
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he takes to ensure that Government subsidies to privatised railway companies are not passed on to shareholders. [124805]

    Mr. Hill
    [holding answer 7 June 2000]Government subsidies to privatised railway companies take two forms: payments under franchise agreements to passenger train 314W
    operating companies, and grant payments to rail freight operators under the track access and freight facilities grant schemes.

    Franchise subsidies are agreed by the Franchising Director following competitive tender. Franchise payments are for specific contractual obligations, including minimum service levels, which the operator must fulfil.

    Grant payments to rail freight operators are available on application in accordance with the published terms of the grant schemes. The grant payments are calculated at the lower of the environmental benefit gained, the economic need of the business, and, where applicable, the level of track access charge. Grant is paid only where the service or investment in question is actually delivered.

    North Wales Main Line
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 May 2000,Official Report, column 436W, which external consultants the Franchising Director used to satisfy himself of the validity of the Virgin rail study on electrification of the North Wales main line; and what their terms of reference were. [124802]

    Mr. Hill
    [holding answer 7 June 2000]The Franchising Director commissioned MVA Ltd. in connection with the Virgin study. Their terms of reference were to make an assessment of the study to allow the sSRA to reach a view on the robustness of methodology and the merits of the proposed North Wales electrification scheme.

    Rail Ticket Pricing
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that rail passengers are not overcharged when buying tickets. [124800]
    315W
    Mr. Hill
    [holding answer 7 June 2000]A condition of station operators' licences from the Rail Regulator is that accurate and impartial advice on ticket pricing must be given to passengers.

    Bus Monitors
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bus monitors have been employed by the Vehicle Inspectorate in each year from 1997 to date. [124909]

    Mr. Hill
    The Vehicle Inspectorate employed 12 bus monitors in a successful pilot project in 1999. The same number will be employed in 2000.

    Traffic Commissioner
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the sufficiency of the personnel available to the Traffic Commissioner within the South Eastern and Metropolitan traffic areas. [124908]

    Mr. Hill
    The level of resources, including the number of staff, required to support the Traffic Commissioner for the South Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Area is assessed each year as part of the normal budgeting process. More generally, the Traffic Area Network is engaged in a major modernisation programme—called TAN 21—designed to equip all the Traffic Area Offices across the country with up to date management and business systems. This has involved a fundamental review of all the business processes carried out in the offices. The aim is to provide improved support to the Traffic Commissioners and a better customer service to the commercial transport industries.

    Local Government Codes of Conduct
    Mr. Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authorities which do not include in their codes of conduct the 15 principles of conduct set out in the White Paper, "Local Government: In Touch with the People". [125101]

    Ms Armstrong
    It is not yet a statutory requirement for local authorities to have their own code of conduct. The obligation on local authorities to adopt a code of conduct, based on the general principles of conduct, is contained within Part III of the Local Government Bill, currently in Committee in this House.

    Mr. Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authorities which have not yet established formal whistleblowing arrangements in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. [125103]

    Ms Armstrong
    My Department collects no information on whether local authorities have such procedures in place. While many employers, including local authorities, will wish to introduce procedures that facilitate internal whistleblowing, the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 does not require them to do so, nor to inform the Government of their actions in this respect.

    South-east Airports
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding projected passenger numbers and numbers of flights into airports in the south-east of England. [124488]

    Mr. Mullin
    None. The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) report, "Options for Growth—meeting demand at London's airports", was received by my Department after it had been published and the contents widely reported.

    The work was commissioned independently and there were no discussions between my Department and the LCCI regarding the report.

    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding new runways in the south-east of England. [124490]

    Mr. Mullin
    The commissioning of the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study, and the consultation on the proposed appraisal framework to be used in that study, has resulted in a wide range of organisations making representations about new runways in the south-east of England.

    These are being carefully considered as part of the ongoing SERAS work. We are currently in the early stages of assessing options, both at existing airports and possible new sites. We will proceed through successive sifts to narrow down options to a final shortlist, on which there will be a full public consultation before Ministers come to decisions.

    House Demolitions, Liverpool
    Mr. Wareing
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received in respect of the possible demolition of houses in Broad Lane, Liverpool; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement. [125106]

    Mr. Mullin
    I have received a total of nine representations regarding the concerns of tenants and residents in Broad Lane, Liverpool. I have been assured by Liverpool City Council that tenants and residents will continue to be consulted throughout the development of proposals for the area, and my responses have reflected this.

    Oceans
    Dr. Ladyman
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent United Nations meeting on the oceans. [125404]

    Mr. Prescott
    The United Nations Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea met for the first time in New York last week. This is a new initiative to provide a global forum where we can identify ways to improve co-ordination at a national and international level, in order to ensure effective implementation of the framework provided by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and Chapter 17 of
    317W
    Agenda 21 (Oceans and All Seas). Participants include states, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations.

    The first meeting succeeded in providing a forum both for a general debate on oceans issues and for a more detailed discussion of particular topics. The scope for further action to counter piracy and armed robbery at sea, and improving co-ordination of global oceans management, particularly by making use of the Secretary General's annual report on all aspects of oceans use, were among the issues covered by the general debate.

    The two issues given special consideration at this meeting were improved fisheries management, particularly to counter the problem of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, and the economic and social implications of marine pollution.

    On fisheries, one of the main priorities to emerge was the need for early adoption by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of an International Action Plan on IUU fishing. There was also support for the newly agreed co-operation between the FAO and the International Maritime Organisation on developing control measures. Regional fisheries organisations were recognised as pivotal instruments through which states can manage particular fisheries, taking account of scientific stock assessments and balancing priorities, including food security and the need for sustainable economic base for fishing communities.

    On marine pollution, the meeting acknowledged the recent progress that had been made in implementing the 1995 Washington Global Programme of Action to Protect the Marine Environment against Land-Based Activities (GPA), but urged states and inter-governmental agencies to do more in this regard. It was also suggested that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) might identify what international support is needed to overcome the obstacles to the implementation of the GPA at national and local levels. The need to integrate action on marine pollution and degradation into mainstream investment programmes, as well as the need for capacity building to facilitate the integrated management of the coastal zone, were both highlighted.

    The report of the meeting will be submitted to this Autumn's UN General Assembly debate on Oceans and Law of the Sea, where I hope it will help produce a focused General Assembly resolution covering the priority areas for action.

    There will be a further meeting of the new process next year. A number of possible issues for special discussion have already been identified. These include improved development and use of marine science, and capacity building in developing countries.

    Particularly today, World Oceans Day, I am pleased to confirm that the UK will continue to support and encourage this new informal consultative process. As well as participating in the meeting, this year we helped to shape the agenda and were able to help broaden participation by funding the attendance of a number of experts from developing countries. I hope that others will follow this lead.

    Central Trains Ltd.
    Mr. Russell Brown
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is an exemption order for the fleet of new Class 170/5 and 170/6 trains to be introduced into service by Central Trains Ltd. in respect of any of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [125526]

    Mr. Hill
    We have received an application from Central Trains Ltd. relating to the new Class 170/5 and 170/6 trains they wish to introduce into service. The exemptions have been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. An exemption order relating to the exemption of these trains was laid in Parliament on Thursday 1 June. Copies are available from the Library.

    The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that the introduction of the new trains will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

    Maternity Benefits
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed under the Sure Start Maternity Grant scheme; what steps his Department is taking to make sure that people eligible for this grant are aware of it; and if he will make a statement. [124548]

    Angela Eagle
    Sure Start Maternity Grant was introduced on 27 March of this year for babies due or born on or after 11 June. The Maternity Payment scheme remains in operation for babies due or born on or before 10 June. Both schemes will continue to run concurrently during the transitional period. In the first full month of the new payment's operation (up to 30 April), there were an estimated 5,224 claims. During the same period there were 8,430 claims for Maternity Payments. The number of claims made for Sure Start Maternity Grant will inevitably be lower now than they will be when claims for Maternity Payments finally come to an end.

    To raise awareness of the new grant a special leaflet and poster have been produced jointly by this Department and the Department of Health. These are being distributed to outlets likely to be used by lower income families with newly born babies. The leaflet is included in a free pack that expectant mothers can obtain from Mothercare. The leaflet and a poster are being distributed through a number of major retail and pharmaceutical chains. They are also available through doctors' surgeries, through advisory organisations, through key Employment Service offices offering ONE and departmental local offices.

    The leaflet and poster are available in Welsh as well as in English and are available in Braille and cassette versions. Information on Sure Start Maternity Grant is also included in departmental leaflets "Expecting a Baby?" and "Babies and Children". These are available in English, Welsh and eight ethnic languages. To coincide with the launch of the new payment, articles were placed in women's magazines. Advice on the grant can also be accessed through the departmental website pages.
    319W
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will extend maternity benefit to those lower-paid women who are excluded from receiving payment; how many people will be beneficiaries of this payment; and if he will make a statement. [124550]

    Mr. Bayley
    More women will be able to qualify for Maternity Allowance (MA) under new rules which apply to women expecting babies on or after 20 August 2000. The improvements will extend MA to low-paid women who earn at least £30 a week on average, and who are employed or self-employed for 26 weeks in the 66 week period ending with the week before the week the baby is expected.

    Around 11,000 employed women and 2,000 self-employed women will receive a maternity payment for the first time. The changes will also increase MA by 15 per cent. for around 11,000 self-employed women who, until now, received less MA than employed women.

    Pensions
    Mr. Alasdair Morgan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people(a) are eligible for and (b) claim the state pension in (i) Scotland, (ii) Dumfries and Galloway and (iii) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency. [124729]

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

    There were an estimated 919,600 people of pensionable age resident in Scotland in mid-1998. It is not known how many of these were eligible for the State Retirement Pension.

    31,800 people of pensionable age were estimated to be resident in Dumfries and Galloway unitary local authority in mid-1998 and 14,700 people of pensionable age were estimated to be resident in Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency in 1991.

    An estimated 875,500 people were receiving State Retirement Pension in Scotland in March 1999.

    Notes:

    1. Population of pensionable age defined as men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over.

    2. Population estimates provided by the Office for National Statistics and are rounded to the nearest 100 persons.

    3. Population estimates are not available at constituency level. Constituency level data are derived from the 1991 Census.

    4. Numbers of retirement pension recipients derived from a 5 per cent. sample of the Pensions Computer Strategy System. Estimates rounded to nearest 100 persons. Local authority and constituency level data are not available.

    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the amount of the basic pension would be if it had been uprated in line with hon. Members' salaries since 1987. [124247]

    Mr. Rooker
    [holding answer 6 June 2000]The basic State Pension for a single person in 1987 was £39.50 a week. By 2000 it would have been raised by a factor of 2.61, had it been increased in line with hon. Members salaries over this period.
    320W
    By definition a salary would be presumed to be enough to live on whereas the basic State Pension is not intended to be more than the foundation of total pensioner income, which for the 1997–98 tax year averaged £132 per week net for a single pensioner, this is of course more than twice the level of the basic State Pension for that year.

    Winter Fuel Payments
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were recipients of winter fuel payments in 1999–2000; how many people who were eligible he estimates did not take advantage of these payments; and if he will make a statement. [124546]

    Angela Eagle
    In the winter of 1999–2000 around 10 million people in over 7.5 million households received winter fuel payments.

    In the first three winters of the winter fuel payment scheme, eligibility was based on receipt of one of a number of Social Security benefits. We were able to identify those eligible through the benefit computer systems, and then make payments automatically. There was therefore no need for anyone to claim their winter fuel payment, and all those eligible should have received the payment.

    As a result of changes to the winter fuel payment eligibility rules announced in December 1999, it has been necessary to introduce a claims process so that people aged 60 and over can establish whether they are eligible. The new rules are being backdated to the beginning of the scheme in the winter of 1997–98. The claims process will enable newly eligible people, many of whom are not in receipt of benefits and who will therefore not be identifiable through the benefit computer systems, to claim their winter fuel payments for past winters. It is too early to say what proportion of the newly eligible population will apply for such payments.

    Minimum Income Guarantee
    Mr. Alasdair Morgan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency have claimed support under the minimum income guarantee. [124714]

    Mr. Bayley
    Approximately 21,000 new claims have been made for the minimum income guarantee in Scotland since its introduction in 1999.

    Current numbers of pensioners in receipt of the minimum income guarantee—February 2000

    Parliamentary Constituency/Local Authority Area/Country

    Number

    Scotland

    162,000

    Dumfries and Galloway Local Authority Area

    4,000

    Galloway and Upper Nithsdale Parliamentary Constituency

    2,000

    Notes:

    1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

    2. Pensioners are defined as a benefit unit where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

    3. Sample size 5 per cent.

    4. Figures are allocated by matching the postcode against the 1999 version 2 of the Postcode Directory.

    Source:

    Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, February 2000.

    ONE Service
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the ONE service operation currently piloted in 12 locations will be extended to other areas; when the Portsmouth area will be covered; and if he will make a statement. [124554]

    Angela Eagle
    The 12 pilots of the new ONE service are planned to run until March 2002. The pilots have been designed to test the effectiveness of work-focused interviews for all working-age clients and to develop appropriate models for the integration and improvement of welfare services. No decision has yet been made as to when ONE might be extended beyond the current pilot areas.

    Disability Living Allowance (Children)
    Mr. Derek Twigg
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of children who had their first claim for Disability Living Allowance disallowed, appealed against the decision in(a) Halton, (b) the North West and (c) England and Wales in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999; [123927]

    (2) what percentages of children under the age of five years making their first claim for Disability Living Allowance, had their claim (a) disallowed and (b) allowed in (i) Halton, (ii) the North West and (iii) England and Wales in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; [123928]

    (3) how many children aged under five years in (a) Halton, (b) the North West and (c) England and Wales made a first claim for Disability Living Allowance in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [123929]

    Mr. Bayley
    The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from Charlie MacKinnon to Mr. Derek Twigg, dated 6 June 2000:
    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Alexis Cleveland to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions about claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Due to annual leave
    I am replying on her behalf.
    Information about claims for DLA is not available in relation to an individual constituency or an unsuccessful applicant. However, I am able to provide the information as shown in the attached appendices.
    Information about children who had their first claim for DLA disallowed and then appealed against the decision is shown in Appendix 1.
    The reviews figures noted in the tables refer to claims which were originally disallowed and then subsequently awarded as a result of a review by DLA. The appeal figures refer to claims that were originally disallowed, subject to a review and disallowed and then awarded as the result of an appeal.
    The details about children under the age of five making their first claim for DLA are shown in Appendix 2.
    It should be noted that figures held for Halton Parliamentary Constituency which are relevant, are unreliable because of the small number of cases in the 5% data source. The review figures quoted are for claims which were originally disallowed and awarded following a review and the appeals figures, are for claims which were disallowed after review and subsequently awarded as a result of an appeal.
    322W
    I regret that figures held by the Department for all claims are not in a form that enables me to supply you with the information requested.
    I hope this is helpful.

    Appendix 1:

    (1) Children aged under 16 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance

    1997

    1998

    1999

    All awards

    34,300

    32,000

    33,100

    On initial claim

    27,500

    26,500

    27,700

    On review

    5,300

    4,000

    4,000

    On appeal

    1,500

    1,500

    1,400

    Appendix 1:

    (2) Children aged under 16 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance

    1997

    1998

    1999

    All awards

    2,200

    2,900

    4,800

    On initial claim

    1,600

    2,200

    3,700

    On review

    1400

    600

    800

    On appeal

    1200

    1100

    1200

    1Number too small to be statistically reliable

    Note:

    Please note that the figures have been rounded up

    Appendix 2:

    (1) Children aged under 5 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance

    1997

    1998

    1999

    All awards

    16,500

    15,800

    15,200

    On initial claim

    13,700

    13,500

    13,300

    On review

    2,400

    1,900

    1,700

    On appeal

    500

    1400

    1300

    1Please note that the figures have been rounded up

    Appendix 2:

    (2) Children aged under 5 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance

    1997

    1998

    1999

    All awards

    1,000

    1,500

    2,200

    On initial claim

    700

    1,100

    1,800

    On review

    1200

    1300

    1400

    On appeal

    1100

    —

    —

    1Please note that these figures have been rounded up

    Pension Books
    Mr. Efford
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what performance targets exist for the issue of pension books; [124234]

    (2) what is the average length of time it takes for a widow to receive her pension book from the date of bereavement; [124233]

    (3) how many pension books have been recalled due to errors by the Benefits Agency in each of the past three years. [124235]
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    Mr. Rooker
    The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend. If he has a particular constituency problem then perhaps he will write to me.

    Letter from Charlie MacKinnon to Mr. Clive Efford, dated 6 June 2000:
    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Alexis Cleveland to reply to your recent Parliamentary questions about the performance targets for the issue of pension books, the average time it takes a widow to receive her pension book from the date of bereavement and the number of pension books that have been recalled due to errors by the Benefits Agency in each of the past three years. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
    At April 2000, 56% of widows and retirement pensioners received their payments by order book, out of a customer base in excess of 11 million.
    The Benefit Agency does not have a target for the issue of order books. It measures performance from the date a claim is received to the date the benefit is awarded. The current clearance targets for straightforward Retirement Pension claims is 95% within 60 days and for Widows Benefit claims 85% in 30 days. On average a Widows Benefit claim is awarded within seven days of receipt of the claim.
    Once the benefit has been awarded on the Pension Strategy Computer System an electronic interface between that system and the Area Computer Centre arranges for the production and issue of the order book to the relevant destination. This can be the post office or the customer's home address.
    I am unable to advise you of the number of pension books that have been recalled over the last three years due to Benefit Agency error as Pension order books are recalled for a number of reasons including changes in customer's circumstances. Detailed records are not kept on the reasons for recall.
    I hope this is helpful.

    Reciprocal Agreement (Yugoslavia)
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reciprocal agreement exists between the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia over the payment of social security benefit; which benefits it covers; if it applies to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [125033]

    Angela Eagle
    The UK has had a bilateral social security agreement with the former Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia since 1958. Following the break-up of the Republic, the UK continues to apply the agreement to the now separate independent states until such time as revised agreements are entered into with them individually.

    The agreement covers Retirement Pension, Widows Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Maternity Benefits, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Child Benefit. Where a person does not fully satisfy the conditions for any of those benefits, the agreement can help them qualify if they have contributed to both countries' social security schemes. There is no special provision in the agreement for asylum seekers.

    Fraud
    Mr. Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those local authorities that have not introduced penalties for fraud under the Social Security (Fraud) Act 1997. [125100]
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    Angela Eagle
    All local authorities have the power to offer administrative penalties to those shown to be claiming Housing Benefit fraudulently, as an alternative to criminal proceedings. From 1999–2000, local authorities have been asked to provide data on the number of penalties offered. These figures are not yet available.

    Opinion Research
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 619W, concerning market and opinion research, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of research. [124848]

    Mr. Rooker
    A title and brief description of all research commissioned under the Department's Research Programme, including public opinion research, can be found in the Department's Research Yearbook published annually. A copy of the annual Research Yearbook is available from the House of Commons Library.

    In addition, the War Pensions Agency carries out an annual survey among its customers entitled "War Pensions Agency Customer Research Survey". The objective of this survey is to assist the Agency in determining the needs, expectations and satisfaction of current and future war pensioners.

    A list of research conducted by the Communications Directorate since 1 May 1997 is available in the Library.

    Integrated Child Credit
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of introducing the integrated child credit; what steps are being taken to ensure that the scheme is delivered at the planned time; and if he will make a statement. [124549]

    Dawn Primarolo
    I have been asked to reply.

    The integrated child credit announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Speech will be introduced from 2003 and administered by the Inland Revenue alongside the employment tax credit.

    The Budget Paper "Tackling Poverty and Making Work Pay: Tax Credits for the 21st century" gives more details of the proposals.

  HEALTH

    Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust
    Mr. Blunt
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will make a decision on the future provision of acute services by the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust. [124945]

    Ms Stuart
    Ministers are fully aware of the strength of local feeling about this issue. A final decision, which will be made as soon as possible, will only be made in the best interests of the local community.

    Correspondence
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 1 February from the hon. Member for Aylesbury about the case of Mrs. Sylvia Morgan. [125063]
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    Ms Stuart
    Unfortunately, we do not appear to have received the hon. Members letter on behalf of Mrs. Sylvia Morgan. If he passes me a copy of the letter I will ensure that a response is forthcoming as soon as possible. I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

    Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
    Mrs. Shephard
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds there were at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on(a) 1 June 2000 and (b) 1 April 1997. [125059]

    Ms Stuart
    The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital had six intensive care beds at 1 April 1997 and 1 June 2000. However, as part of their planning for the 1999–2000 winter period, the trust made provision for two additional intensive care beds by transferring resources from its high dependency beds, which reduced in number from six to four.

    We have recently announced a significant investment of £150 million of additional resources to improve capacity of critical care services and the Eastern Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive is currently discussing with Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust how the trust will improve its critical care services for the coming winter.

    Organic Food
    Mr. Tyler
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has carried out on the(a) composition and (b) impact on health of organic food. [118571]

    Ms Stuart
    The Department has not carried out any research on either the composition or impact on health of organic food.

    Responsibility for matters relating to the safety and composition of food now rests with the Food Standards Agency. I am advised by the agency that although it has not carried out any research into the composition of organic food it is aware that a number of studies on this subject have been carried out over the last 10 years. I am also advised that the agency has a programme of research assessing microbiological safety issues that are relevant to the production of both organic and conventionally grown fruit and vegetables.

    Mobile Phones
    Dr. Gibson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Stewart Committee on Mobile Phones and Health. [122311]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Stewart report published on 11 May includes over 30 wide-ranging recommendations. We issued our initial response on the same day and copies are available in the Library. We will implement the research in a comprehensive programme costing several million pounds. We plan to launch this programme by September. Further discussions have been held with the Stewart Group about the provision of information to the public about the use of mobile phone technology. Other recommendations are being taken forward by the appropriate Government Departments and agencies.
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    Mr. Pollard
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned on the health risks of(a) mobile telephones and (b) telecommunication masts; and if he will make a statement. [122354]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Department has funded two research projects on possible effects of radio frequency fields similar to those emitted by mobile phones and base stations. (i) a behavioural study of rodents and (ii) a human study involving psychological tests under simulated mobile phone use. The Department is also providing support for the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project and a multinational study of brain cancer and mobile phone use.

    Preparations are currently under way to set up a substantial programme of research funded jointly by Government and industry. Details will now be taken forward in the light of the recommendations of the independent group on mobile phones and health (Stewart Report). This report was published on 11 May and copies have been placed in the Library.

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the possible links between proximity to mobile phone transmitter masts and the development of cancers; and if he will make a statement. [124095]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Department has not commissioned any research into links between proximity to transmitter masts and cancers. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (the Stewart group) was set up to investigate the broader public health implications of mobile phone technologies. The group's report was published on 11 May and copies are in the Library. The report includes a number of recommendations for research which are being taken forward by Government in a comprehensive programme of research costing several millions of pounds. It is planned to launch this programme by September.

    Paramedics
    Mr. Swayne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of paramedics in the Ambulance Service. [122583]

    Ms Stuart
    We have invested a further £21 million this year to support the ambulances in meeting the new national response time performance standards. Meeting the 75 per cent. response time target for immediately life threatening emergencies will require the recruitment and training of significant numbers of paramedics. All 32 ambulance services have presented their plans for improving performance to the National Health Service Executive including the necessary paramedic work force requirements. Currently every frontline ambulance carries a fully trained paramedic.

    Mr. Swayne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the role of paramedics in the Ambulance Service. [122582]

    Ms Stuart
    Ambulance paramedics have made a very valuable contribution to pre-hospital patient care over the past 10 years. They are playing an increasingly important role in saving lives, particularly the lives of people with heart attacks. Their responsibilities include providing life
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    saving care and drugs to people with immediately life threatening medical conditions. That is why we supported their registration as Professions Supplementary to Medicine last year.

    NHS (Financial Assistance)
    Mr. Nicholls
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people each year receive financial assistance after appealing for help with NHS costs using an HC1 form. [122783]

    Ms Stuart
    In England for the year 1999–2000, the Health Benefits Division of the Prescription Pricing Authority issued around 542,000 National Health Service charges certificates (HC2) for full help and around 299,000 NHS Charges certificates (HC3) for limited help following an HC1 claim. People named on an HC2 would be entitled to full financial assistance with NHS costs (e.g. free NHS prescriptions) when they received treatment. People named on an HC3 would have been entitled to financial assistance with health costs (excluding prescription charges) on a sliding scale when they received treatment. The number of people who receive financial assistance in this way is not recorded.

    Chlamydia Trachomatis
    Mr. Cohen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the policies adopted following the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Advisory Group on screening for chlamydia trachomatis; what has been the outcome of the two pilot studies which were set up; and if he will make a statement. [123779]

    Yvette Cooper
    After considering the expert advice, we strengthened our national health promotion on chlamydia and set up a pilot screening programme to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of opportunistic screening. The pilot is under way and will run until 31 August. The results will be used to develop future policy on national screening programmes and we aim to identify possible policy options by the end of this year. These data will also be considered as part of the national sexual health strategy currently under development.

    Surgical Instruments
    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to ensure that surgical instruments used in NHS hospitals are sterile. [123724]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Department and the National Health Service are aware of the need to maintain high quality decontamination procedures to ensure that surgical instruments used in NHS hospitals are sterile. In August 1999, as part of the Department's initiatives on Infection Control, particularly relating to the risks posed by surgical instruments, a comprehensive package of extant decontamination guidance was issued free of charge to all NHS Trusts under Health Service Circular (HSC) 1999/179 Controls Assurance in Infection Control: Decontamination of Medical Devices.

    The HSC emphasised the importance of implementing existing guidance on the cleaning and sterilisation of medical devices. We have also asked NHS Estates (an executive agency of the Department of Health) to
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    undertake an assessment of current decontamination practices across healthcare sectors in England, including NHS hospitals. The review is due to be completed at the end of June 2000. The need for further policy, advice and guidance will then be reviewed.

    Cancer
    Mr. Paul Marsden
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of cancers in the United Kingdom which were caused by infections in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [123795]

    Yvette Cooper
    There is some evidence to show that certain cancers may be linked to infections (notably stomach, liver, cervix, penis and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma). We are not able to identify the percentage of cases of these cancers which are caused in this way.

    New Variant CJD
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health for how long after the death of an individual that individual's medical records are kept; whether an individual's medical records are kept for a different length of time if they die from new variant CJD; and if he will make a statement. [124088]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Department issued guidance to healthcare organisations in 1998 and 1999 (Health Service Circulars 1999/053 and 1998/217), which advised that hospital medical records for deceased patients should be kept for a minimum of eight years and similar records held by general practitioners for a minimum of 10 years. Such records are often retained for a longer period of time in certain cases such as maternity and mental illness.

    The National CJD Surveillance Unit collates detailed information on patients who have had CJD of any type, including copies of medical records wherever possible. It is expected that this information will be held by the unit for the foreseeable future.

    Vaccines
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent advice his Department has(a) sought and (b) received concerning the effectiveness of the purification process for removing bovine material from vaccines in the early stages of manufacture; what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of this process; and if he will make a statement. [124086]

    Yvette Cooper
    For those vaccines which use bovine material in the early stages of their manufacture, manufacturers are required to provide supporting evidence to the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) that the purification process is properly controlled and validated, to ensure the removal of such material. The Committee on the Safety of Medicines advises the MCA on the suitability of the purification process and its validation.

    Skin Cancer
    Miss McIntosh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recent inquiry commissioned by the NFU into the alleged link between skin cancer and pylon lines; and if he will make a statement. [123907]
    329W
    Yvette Cooper
    No assessment has been made into the alleged link referred to in the question although the general allegation of an association between power line and health effects has been widely researched. The Department of Health Radiation Protection Research Programme has its own ongoing investigations and also contributes to the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project. In 1992, the National Radiological Protection Board's (NRPB) Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation examined in detail the evidence for an association between the incidence of cancer and exposure to electromagnetic fields and concluded that there was no clear evidence of an adverse health effect at the levels of electromagnetic field to which the public is normally exposed. The NRPB Advisory Group keeps the relevant research under review and will be publishing a comprehensive overview of electromagnetic fields and cancer later this year.

    Laptop Computers
    Mr. Keith Simpson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many laptop computers used by Ministers, officials and special advisers in his Department have been(a) lost and (b) stolen since May 1907. [123737]

    Ms Stuart
    [holding answer 25 May 2000]The figures for laptop computers reported lost or stolen belonging to the Department and its agencies for the period covering May 1997 onwards are shown in the table.

    Date

    Number lost or stolen

    1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998

    23

    1 April 1997 to 31 March 1999

    19

    1 April 1997 to 31 March 2000

    18

    1 April 1997 to 31 March 2000

    1

    Total

    61

    Farnham Hospital
    Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the NHS press notices in which Farnham Hospital is named for the past three years. [124229]

    Ms Stuart
    This information is not held centrally.

    Officials at South East Regional Office have, therefore, asked West Surrey and North and Mid Hampshire Health Authorities for copies of all National Health Service press notices issued in the past three years in which Farnham Hospital is named.

    These will be placed in the Library in due course.

    Alcohol Abuse
    Mr. Chaytor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when lie plans to publish a national strategy for dealing with alcohol abuse; and if he will make a statement. [124699]

    Yvette Cooper
    We plan to publish a consultation paper later this year, which will allow a period for comment, prior to the publication of the strategy.

    MMR Vaccines
    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Taunton (Jackie Ballard) of 3 April 2000,Official Report, column 349W, on MMR vaccines, if he will provide the (a) current and (b) projected total costs of meningitis C vaccine purchased by the NHS as part of the current vaccination programme. [123166]

    Yvette Cooper
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]The cost of vaccine purchase is commercially confidential. However, at the end of the programme we hope to be able to give an aggregate cost for the whole programme including vaccine purchase, distribution, implementation, information and publicity.

  SOLICITOR-GENERAL

    Butler Report
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Solicitor-General if the report by His Honour Gerald Butler QC concerning the handling of the case of Rv. Doran and others has been delivered; what information concerning it will be published; and what action the Government plans to take in response. [124941]

    The Solicitor-General
    The report by His Honour Gerald Butler QC was delivered on 14 April. On 22 July 1999,Official Report, columns 607–09, the Attorney-General indicated the Government's intention to make a summary of the report and its recommendations available to both Houses. In the event, it is possible to make the report available in full, and the Attorney-General has therefore today lodged a copy of the report in the Libraries of both Houses, together with a copy of the Government's response. In addition, the summary included in the report and the inquiry's recommendations, together with the Government's response to them, are being made publicly available on the HM Customs and Excise internet site (http://www.hmce/gov.uk), and copies of the full report will be available on request to HM Customs and Excise at a cost of £8.

    All the recommendations made to the Attorney-General in the report which are capable of acceptance immediately have been accepted. Further work is required by other recommendations and such work is being set in hand.

    With the agreement of the Chairman of Customs and Excise Commissioners, His Honour John Gower QC, assisted by Sir Anthony Hymenoid KCB QC, has agreed to carry out an immediate review of the role of Customs as a prosecuting authority. The terms of reference are:
    Having regard to the Butler Report and the Hosker Report, the tripartite system operated within Customs and Excise in relation to the investigation and prosecution of offences, and to all other relevant considerations, to examine

    (1) whether or not some or all of the prosecutions at present conducted by the Solicitor's Office of HM Customs and Excise should continue to be conducted by
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    (2) to the extent that it is concluded that the Solicitor's Office should not continue to conduct some or all of those prosecutions, whether such prosecutions should be conducted by an existing prosecution authority, or by some other body.
    and to make recommendations.
    The Attorney-General anticipates receiving this report by the end of October this year.

    Crown Prosecution Service
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Solicitor-General what targets he has set the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of the number and duration of adjournments in magistrates courts proceedings. [125038]

    The Solicitor-General
    No specific targets have been set by the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of adjournments. The service is working with other criminal justice partners to reduce the number of avoidable adjournments, which impact on a number of the Government's over-arching objectives for the criminal justice system; particularly those for dealing with cases with appropriate speed and meeting the needs of victims and witnesses. Adjournments may be caused by a combination of factors not necessarily within the control of any one agency, and it would not be appropriate to target the prosecution alone.

    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Solicitor-General how many Crown Prosecution Service inspectors there are; how many(a) are women, (b) are from ethnic minorities, (c) have disabilities and (d) were formerly Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors, and in what grades; and if he will make a statement. [125078]

    The Solicitor-General
    There are three categories of inspector within the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate—casework inspectors, business management inspectors and legal inspectors at levels B2, D and E respectively. The breakdown by reference to gender and ethnic origin is set out in the table.

    Male

    Female

    Ethnic minority

    Casework Inspectors

    0

    5

    2

    Business Management

    1

    11

    0

    Legal Inspectors

    8

    6

    2

    1This person has been appointed and takes up the post on 12 June 2000.

    The Chief Inspector and three Group Directors (SCS level) are all male. None comes from an ethnic minority. No inspector has declared himself/herself disabled.

    The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate at present constitutes a unit within the CPS, but will become an independent statutory body subject to enactment and implementation of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Bill now before Parliament. All staff are at present therefore employed by the CPS. It is intended that the Inspectorate should in future be staffed by a combination of inspectors who have served in the CPS and others who have not and will therefore bring an external perspective to its work.

    Most inspectors are now recruited by open competition. Ten out of 14 legal inspectors served in the CPS immediately before joining the CPS; one served in
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    HM Customs and Excise (although she had in the past been employed by the CPS); one served as a trade union national officer for four years (while remaining employed by the CPS); and two joined from private practice. Both business management inspectors were recruited by one competition from outside the civil service. The casework inspectors all joined the Inspectorate from the CPS itself.

    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Solicitor-General how many Crown Prosecution Service inspectors have undergone race awareness training; what the training consisted of; and if he will make a statement. [125079]

    The Solicitor-General
    With the exception of three inspectors who joined in April and May 2000, all inspectors have had racial awareness training. The common features of the training may be summarised as follows:

    1. All the staff with line management responsibility have been required to attend a formal course run by the CPS on Human Awareness and Racial Equality.

    2. All staff have been required to participate in discussion groups based on a showing of the CPS Equality and Diversity video.

    3. An Inspectorate training event (involving all staff) in May 1999 incorporated separate presentations and discussion sessions led by a senior lawyer within CPS Policy Directorate and by the Director for Criminal Justice and Race at NACRO. A similar training event in May 2000 included a presentation by a senior lawyer within CPS Policy Directorate and by the Director for Criminal Justice and Race at NACRO. Newly appointed inspectors will undergo race awareness training as part of a personal development plan which all staff must have. The Inspectorate keeps under review the need for training to ensure that no discriminatory practices occur within the Inspectorate itself; in addition, inspectors must be properly equipped to examine diversity issues in all aspects of the inspection process.

    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2000,Official Report, column 369W, on the Crown Prosecution Service, if the Crown Prosecution Service has completed its consideration of how the recommendations of the Employment Tribunal in its decision in the case of Bamieh v. CPS (Case No. 2202655(98)), concerning temporary acting-up posts should be met; and if he will make a statement. [125104]

    The Solicitor-General
    The Crown Prosecution Service has implemented the Employment Tribunal's recommendation concerning temporary acting-up posts as Prosecution Team Leader. With effect from 29 February 2000, such opportunities have been advertised in the weekly guide to CPS business which is circulated to all CPS staff. The CPS will be monitoring each acting-up appointment and at the end of the twelve-month period covered by the recommendation will be considering whether this practice should be adopted permanently into the Department's deputising and temporary promotion procedures.

    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Solicitor-General if all Chief Crown Prosecutors have received race awareness training; if the Equality Committee of the Crown Prosecution Service has completed its review of training; and if he will make a statement. [125107]

    The Solicitor-General
    All Chief Crown Prosecutors have seen an internal video to raise awareness of equality issues in the Crown Prosecution Service. In addition, the Chief Crown Prosecutors discussed the issues raised at their recent (April) conference. All of the 42 CCPs and
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    ACCPs have attended a formal training event for racial equality and human awareness. The Equality Committee has agreed an action plan to review and amend the content of 60 internal courses and a number of new courses by the end of December 2000.

  DEFENCE

    Medical and Dental Officers
    Dr. Naysmith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces. [125580]

    Mr. Hoon
    The Armed Forces Pay Review Body has made recommendations on the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces. Consistent with the awards recommended by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body, and to maintain comparability with the salary scales of NHS doctors, the Review Body recommends that all medical and dental officers should receive a general 3.3 per cent. increase in basic pay. The Review Body also recommends a number of additions to the pay scales for consultants and general medical practitioners to reflect additional payments already agreed for comparators in the NHS. In addition, Service medical and dental officers receive the same rate of X-factor as combatants, which increased by 1 per cent. from 1 April 2000.

    The Government have decided to accept the Review Body's recommendations and these will be payable in full from 1 April 2000.

    Service Children's Education Agency
    Jean Corston
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Service Children's Education Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [125579]

    Dr. Moonie
    The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for 2000–01:To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 2 at the end of Key Stage 1 in:
    Reading—88 per cent.
    Writing—91 per cent.
    Spelling—75 per cent.
    Mathematics—92 per cent.
    To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 4 at the end of Key Stage 2 in:
    English—78 per cent.
    Mathematics—76 per cent.
    Science—81 per cent.
    To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 at the end of Key Stage 3 in:
    English—82 per cent. Mathematics—71 per cent.
    Science—71 per cent.
    To maintain a three year rolling average percentage of Year 11 pupils in SCE achieving five or more higher (A*-C) grades in GCSE of 47 per cent.
    To meet a three year rolling average of subject entries achieving passes at grades A-C level of 56 per cent.
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    To achieve as a minimum a "satisfactory" standard in each OFSTED school inspection.
    To respond in full to customers seeking educational advice from SCE(UK) within the following timescales:
    92 per cent. within 10 working days of receipt (remainder within 20 working days of receipt).
    To develop a pilot scheme in 2000–01 to produce a measurement of "value added" in SCE schools for 2001–02.
    To achieve index of satisfaction with SCE within the Army Spouses Continuous Attitude Survey above 362 overall.

    Budget Allocations
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the budget allocation is for (1) the Defence Dental Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125088]

    (2) the Army Training and Recruiting Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125096]

    (3) the Army Training and Recruiting Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125087]

    (4) the Army Base Repair Organisation for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125095]

    (5) the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125093]

    (6) the Defence Housing Executive for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125089]

    (7) the Army Technical Support Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125097]

    (8) the Defence Aviation Repair Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125091]

    (9) the Defence Communication Services for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125086]

    (10) the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125094]

    (11) the Defence Analytical Services Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation; [125090]

    (12) the Defence Bills Agency for the financial year 2000–01; and when the agency received its budget allocation. [125092]

    Mr. Spellar
    The information requested is set out in the table.

    Agency

    Budget allocation (£ million)

    Date agreed

    Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency

    54.416

    31 May 2000

    Army Base Repair Organisation

    65.28

    22 May 2000

    Army Technical Support Agency1

    —

    —

    335W

    Agency

    Budget allocation (£ million)

    Date agreed

    Army Training and Recruiting Agency

    680.996

    15 May 2000

    Defence Analytical Services Agency

    4.499

    17 May 2000

    Defence Aviation Repair Agency

    189.196

    22 May 2000

    Defence Bills Agency

    15.305

    16 May 2000

    Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency2

    —

    —

    Defence Communication Services

    348.1

    22 May 2000

    Defence Dental Agency

    36.429

    25 May 2000

    Defence Housing Executive

    373.315

    31 May 2000

    1The Army Technical Support Agency was disestablished with effect from 1 April 2000

    2The budget allocation for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency has yet to be determined

    Royal Fleet Auxiliaries
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sailings of each of the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, Brambleleaf, Bayleaf, Orangeleaf, Oakleaf, Fort Victoria and Fort George in the past year. [125084]

    Mr. Spellar
    The information requested is set out below:

    Date

    Sailed from

    RFA Brambleleaf

    30 June 1999

    Gibraltar

    16 July 1999

    Devonport

    24 September 1999

    Wallsend after refit

    1 October 1999

    Loch Striven

    25 October 1999

    Devonport

    2 November 1999

    Loch Striven

    19 November 1999

    Devonport

    24 November 1999

    Gibraltar

    1 December 1999

    Soudah Bay

    7 December 1999

    Algeciras

    8 December 1999

    Tangier

    9 December 1999

    Gibraltar

    14 December 1999

    Loch Striven

    17 January 2000

    Devonport

    24 January 2000

    Devonport

    31 January 2000

    Devonport

    15 February 2000

    Devonport

    28 February 2000

    Garelochhead

    14 March 2000

    Loch Striven

    20 March 2000

    Devonport

    21 March 2000

    Devonport

    8 April 2000

    Gibraltar

    17 April 2000

    Devonport

    24 April 2000

    Devonport

    1 May 2000

    Spithead

    7 May 2000

    Cherbourg

    29 May 2000

    Devonport

    2 June 2000

    Devonport

    RFA Bayleaf

    14 June 1999

    Devonport

    21 June 1999

    Loch Striven

    11 July 1999

    Gibraltar

    12 July 1999

    Tangier

    13 July 1999

    Algeciras

    14 July 1999

    Tangier

    17 July 1999

    Gibraltar

    22 July 1999

    Devonport

    6 September 1999

    Garelochhead

    8 September 1999

    Loch Striven

    29 September 1999

    Brest

    13 October 1999

    Loch Striven

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    Date

    Sailed from

    22 October 1999

    Garelochhead

    8 November 1999

    Torbay

    12 November 1999

    Southampton

    15 November 1999

    Spithead

    22 November 1999

    Rotterdam

    5 December 1999

    Antwerp

    11 January 2000

    Garelochhead

    16 February 2000

    Gibraltar

    20 February 2000

    Gibraltar

    20 March 2000

    Devonport

    5 May 2000

    Gibraltar

    8 May 2000

    Tangier

    10 May 2000

    Algeciras

    19 May 2000

    Las Palmas

    21 May 2000

    Gibraltar

    27 May 2000

    Soudah Bay

    RFA Orangleaf

    26 June 1999

    Dubai

    10 July 1999

    Abu Dhabi

    21 July 1999

    Doha

    15 August 1999

    Dubai

    25 August 1999

    Bahrain

    12 September 1999

    Dubai

    1 October 1999

    Dubai

    22 October 1999

    Wudam

    20 November 1999

    Dubai

    3 December 1999

    Dubai

    11 December 1999

    Dubai

    14 December 1999

    Bahrain

    6 January 2000

    Dubai

    19 January 2000

    Dubai

    24 January 2000

    Kuwait

    16 February 2000

    Salalah

    2 March 2000

    Dubai

    20 March 2000

    Dubai

    17 April 2000

    Dubai

    22 April 2000

    Fujairah

    12 May 2000

    Dubai

    20 May 2000

    Kuwait

    28 May 2000

    Jebel Ali

    RFA Oakleaf

    1 June 1999

    Gibraltar

    22 June 1999

    Gibraltar

    10 November 1999

    Gibraltar

    10 December 1999

    Augusta

    7 January 2000

    Gibraltar

    8 January 2000

    Tangier

    9 January 2000

    Algeciras

    18 Janurry 2000

    Garelochhead

    10 February 2000

    Devonport

    27 April 2000

    Falmouth after refit

    24 May 2000

    Devonport

    30 May 2000

    St. Helier

    5 June 2000

    Devonport

    RFA Fort Victoria

    3 July 1999

    Rosyth after refit

    12 July 1999

    Glen Mallen

    20 July 1999

    Loch Striven

    6 August 1999

    Devonport

    21 August 1999

    Glen Mallen

    6 September 1999

    Devonport

    13 September 1999

    Cherbourg

    20 September 1999

    Devonport

    3 October 1999

    Devonport

    4 October 1999

    Spithead

    25 October 1999

    Devonport

    1 November 1999

    Devonport

    15 November 1999

    Loch Striven

    29 November 1999

    Brest

    2 December 1999

    Devonport

    13 December 1999

    Devonport

    18 January 2000

    Loch Striven

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    Date

    Sailed from

    25 February 2000

    Crombie

    6 March 2000

    Devonport

    21 March 2000

    Devonport

    14 April 2000

    Loch Striven

    26 April 2000

    Glen Mallen

    3 May 2000

    Devonport

    9 May 2000

    Toulon

    20 May 2000

    Akrotiri

    7 June 2000

    Muscat

    RFA Fort George

    7 June 1999

    Glen Mallen

    8 August 1999

    Glen Mallen

    19 August 1999

    Devonport

    27 August 1999

    Alicante

    4 September 1999

    Augusta

    8 September 1999

    Izmir

    7 October 1999

    Soudah Bay

    16 November 1999

    Mersin

    19 November 1999

    Akrotiri

    1 December 1999

    Thessaloniki

    3 December 1999

    Soudah Bay

    9 December 1999

    Malaga

    18 January 2000

    Glen Mallen

    24 January 2000

    Gibraltar

    1 February 2000

    Augusta

    13 February 2000

    Fujairah

    17 February 2000

    Dubai

    3 March 2000

    Fujairah

    15 March 2000

    Beira

    20 March 2000

    Beira

    30 March 2000

    Mombasa

    16 April 2000

    Augusta

    23 April 2000

    Cadiz

    30 April 2000

    Brest

    22 May 2000

    Dakar

    Tanker Ships
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what commercial tanker ships his Department has chartered to move fuel between British naval bases in the past 12 months. [125085]

    Mr. Spellar
    In the past 12 months the Ministry of Defence has not chartered any commercial tanker ships to move fuel between British naval bases.

    HMS Cambridge
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the closure of HMS Cambridge. [125010]

    Mr. Spellar
    The proposed closure of HMS Cambridge is now subject to formal consultation, which is not due to complete until 26 June 2000, and a formal statement on the closure cannot be made until after this date. However the recommendations of the Investment Appraisal were that, following the cessation of live gunnery firing at HMS Cambridge, it was likely that the remainder of the establishment's training activity, namely Non Firing Gunnery Training, Board and Search Training and Naval Military Training, could be delivered more cost-effectively elsewhere. Indications are that the earliest date that a co-ordinated closure could be achieved is April 2001. Live firing for initial and career course training ceased in October 1999.
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    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings will accrue from the closure of HMS Cambridge. [125056]

    Mr. Spellar
    Following the cessation of live gunnery firing at HMS Cambridge, it was likely that the remainder of the establishment's training activity, namely, Non Firing Gunnery Training, Board and Search Training and Naval Military Training, could be delivered more cost-effectively elsewhere. The completed Investment Appraisal shows that, against a capital cost of £7.8 million, the projected overall savings to the Ministry of Defence over the 25 years appraisal period would be £112 million (net present value £49 million). The capital cost is for transferring training to HMS Raleigh, HMS Collingwood and HMS Dryad.

    Missiles
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what live-fire training exercises are planned to take place in the next 12 months using Sea Eagle missiles. [125005]

    Mr. Spellar
    I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training exercises involving the live firing of Sea Eagle missiles have taken place in each of the past 10 years. [125081]

    Mr. Spellar
    I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training exercises involving the live firing of Exocet missiles have taken place in each of the past 10 years. [125008]

    Mr. Spellar
    I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to procure further stocks of Exocet missiles for use by the Royal Navy. [125006]

    Mr. Spellar
    We have no plans to procure further stocks of Exocet missiles for use by the Royal Navy. The Exocet missile system has been gradually withdrawn from service since October 1997 as it has become obsolete. The removal of the Exocet system from service is more than adequately offset by other very capable systems deployed in many other ships in the Royal Navy, including the superior Harpoon Anti Ship missile.

    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of(a) Exocet, (b) Sea Eagle and (c) Sea Dart missiles are retained by the Royal Navy. [125011]

    Mr. Spellar
    Both Exocet and Sea Eagle were formally removed from Royal Navy service in 1999 and all remaining missile stocks are currently subject to disposal action.
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    The Sea Dart remains in operational service. Accordingly, I am withholding detailed information on this system in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Exocet missiles are routinely carried by Type 22 Frigates in service. [125007]

    Mr. Spellar
    Exocet missiles are no longer in Naval service, and none are carried by Type 22 Frigates in service.

    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what upgrade and refurbishment work is planned to take place on the Royal Navy's stock of(a) Exocet and (b) Sea Dart missiles in the next 12 months. [125012]

    Mr. Spellar
    The Royal Navy's Exocet missiles have become obsolete and have gradually been withdrawn from service. Therefore no upgrade or refurbishment work on these weapons is planned. The removal of the Exocet system from Service has been offset by other very capable systems deployed throughout the Royal Navy. A contract for the final phase of the Sea Dart missile refurbishment programme was placed on 23 May 2000. This is to ensure that the Royal Navy has sufficient serviceable Sea Dart missiles until 2015, the current planned out of service date for the weapon system.

    Meet Your Navy Programme
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which ships have been withdrawn from the Meet Your Navy programme running from 26 May to 9 July. [125058]

    Mr. Spellar
    RFA Fort George was withdrawn from the Meet Your Navy programme to support operational commitments in Sierra Leone, but has been replaced by RFA Olna.

    Nuclear Submarines
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many submariners are allocated to crew each decommissioned nuclear submarine. [125057]

    Mr. Spellar
    Eleven nuclear submarines have left RN service, of which two continue to be manned by a reduced ship's company (Valiant with 22 personnel and Renown with 43 personnel) until they complete the de-fuel, de-equipping and lay-up process.

    Partnership for Peace
    Mr. Oaten
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department's officials last met their Croatian counterparts; and what discussions were held on the Partnership for Peace initiative. [125003]

    Mr. Hoon
    My officials last met their Croatian counterparts for UK-Croatia Bilateral Defence Talks held in the UK on 19 April 2000. The Croatian delegation was led by the Assistant Minister for Policy, Mr. Ivan Kozlica, who covered a wide range of subjects focusing on the new Government's commitment to root and branch reform of the armed forces.
    340W
    Discussions also touched upon Croatia's potential entry into the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme. The Croatian delegation reiterated not only their Government's strong commitment to meeting the internationally agreed conditions for PfP membership, but also Croatia's intention to play a more constructive role in regional security.

    Given the momentous political changes over the last six months the UK was pleased to support Croatia's early admission to PfP, which was achieved at the Florence Ministerial on 24 and 25 May.

    Mr. Oaten
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role Britain has played in Partnership for Peace activities with Croatia. [125004]

    Mr. Hoon
    Croatia was admitted to the Partnership for Peace programme during the Florence Ministerials on 24 and 25 May 2000 and is now eligible to participate in Partnership for Pt ace (PfP) activities. Prior to that date Croatia, not being a PfP member, did not take part in PfP activities. Croatia is now deciding on the activities in which she will participate and will be an effective contributor to PfP.

    Israel
    Mr. Duncan Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits have been made by Defence Procurement Agency personnel to Israel in the last year. [117560]

    Mr. Spellar
    [holding answer 3 April 2000]This information is not held centrally, but from a survey of the present DPA organisation I understand that there were 13 such visits by staff.

  EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

    Enterprise and Skills Development
    Dr. Iddon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives his Department have established within schools to encourage the development of enterprise and skills relevant to business. [123347]

    Jacqui Smith
    The new National Curriculum, which will be introduced in schools from autumn, encourages schools to provide enterprise education to develop pupils' confidence, self-reliance and willingness to embrace change. We are also working with the Department of Trade and Industry to develop a website to support teachers in this.

    Physical Education
    Mr. Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in reaching the target of two hours physical education a week for pupils at all key stage levels. [123348]

    Jacqui Smith
    We have set a very clear aspiration that all schools should provide two hours of physical activity a week, both within and outside lesson time. We are now working to inspire schools and partners in the sports sector to deliver this through the Sport Strategy.

    New Deal (Over-50s)
    Mr. Anthony D. Wright
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's new deal for the over-50s. [123349]

    Ms Jowell
    My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister launched New Deal 50 Plus nationally in April and I am pleased to announce that in its first foul weeks over 1,700 people have gone back to work with the help of the Employment Credit. We plan to Tend a total of £270 million to the end of this Parliament on this targeted help for people over 50 looking for work.

    Employment Service Direct
    Mr. Singh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average weekly number of jobs secured through the Employment Service Direct. [123351]

    Ms Jowell
    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Mrs. Brinton),Official Report, column 410.

    Our most recent records show that between January 1999, when Employment Service Direct began, and 19 May 2000, the average weekly number of jobseekers who have been helped by the Service is 1,148.

    Between January 2000 and 19 May 2000, the average weekly number is 1,319.

    New Deal (Yorkshire and Humberside)
    Mr. Quinn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many employers have signed up to support the New Deal in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. [123352]

    Ms Jowell
    By the end of April, 7.000 employers in Yorkshire and the Humber Region had signed agreements supporting the New Deal.

    Failing Schools
    Mr. Geraint Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what incentives he is planning to encourage successful teachers to move to work in failing schools. [123353]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    The new pay system for teachers, which comes into effect from 1 September 2000, will introduce more flexibility for schools to make recruitment and retention payments to classroom teachers in challenging situations. From September such payments will be worth up to £3,765 for schools in inner London in special measures, and can be paid as salary enhancements or as one-off bonuses. In September 1999 we introduced flexibility within the pay system to offer head teachers significantly increased rewards if they perform well at schools deemed as failing.

    Mr. Rowe
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the number of failing schools. [123343]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a wide range of representations on failing schools from hon. Members and other interested 342W
    parties. We are particularly encouraged that because of decisive action by this Government, the time it takes to turn around a failing school has fallen from 25 months under the Conservatives to 18 months now. The imposition of a deadline for improvement has been the key factor in this.

    New Deal (Administrative Burden)
    Miss McIntosh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the burden of administration for employers wishing to participate in the New Deal. [123354]

    Ms Jowell
    The New Deal is an unqualified success. 70,000 employers have signed up to New Deal and over 200,000 young people have left and found jobs. Paperwork is kept to a minimum needed to safeguard public funds.

    Information and Communication Technology Learning Centres
    Mrs. Betty Williams
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the development of information and communication technology learning centres. [123355]

    Mr. Wills
    In the March 1999 Budget the Chancellor announced the development of around 700 ICT Learning Centres across England. The initiative is targeted at disadvantaged communities, including: the 2,000 most deprived local authority wards; rural areas with significant transport and deprivation problems; and disadvantaged client groups with low or no ICT skills.

    This initiative centres on people living and working in the most disadvantaged communities and will provide access to ICT and learning into disadvantaged communities to bridge the gap between those in society who have access to ICT and those who do not. Early centres were announced in October. A further round of centres were announced in January when the prospectus for the main rollout of the programme was published. Over 300 applications have been received for the first phase of the programme. The first successful projects will be announced in September.

    Employment Zones
    Mr. Tom Clarke
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Employment Zones in helping the long-term unemployed into work. [123356]

    Ms Jowell
    It is too early to assess the effectiveness of the 15 Employment Zones that were launched in April and May of this year. The Zones will be operational until March 2002 and we will, of course, be monitoring and evaluating their progress over the next two years.

    Performance-related Pay
    Mr. Gill
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the anticipated take-up rate of performance-related pay for teachers. [123357]
    343W
    Ms Estelle Morris
    All teachers who apply for assessment at the performance threshold and are assessed as meeting the national standards will pass. We have set no limits on take-up.

    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment upon what aspects of his performance-related pay proposals teachers from the SEN sector have made representations. [123358]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a variety of representations on the new pay structure for teachers, including a number from heads and teachers involved in providing for SEN. He has made clear his intention that teachers from the SEN sector should be able to benefit from the new pay system in the same way as other teachers.

    Mr. Amess
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received on performance-related pay for teachers. [123368]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    On 2 May we launched consultation on the draft School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document with the statutory consultees. These are the organisations we are required to consult with as part of the Review body process: teaching and headteachers' unions, governors' representatives and the National Employers. The consultation will run until 2 June. We will take the consultation responses into account in finalising the text of the Pay and Conditions Document, which will come into force from September 2000.

    Specialist Schools
    Mr. Blizzard
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Sports Colleges he expects will result from the next round of specialist school designations. [123359]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    All of the applications received in the June 2000 Sports College competition will be considered in relation to the published criteria. It is not possible at this stage to estimate the number of designations we will make. We expect to be on schedule to reach the target of 110 Sports Colleges by 2003 as set out in the recent Sports Strategy "A Sporting Future for All".

    Top-up Student Fees
    Mr. Rammell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his response to the Russell Group of Universities' proposals for top-up student fees. [123360]

    Mr. Wicks
    The Government have legislated to prevent higher education institutions from charging "top-up" tuition fees. We are putting increased resources into higher education. This is an 11 per cent. increase in real terms amounting to an extra £1 billion in the four years from 1998.

    Adult Literacy and Numeracy
    Mr. Watts
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to improve levels of adult literacy and numeracy. [123361]
    344W
    Mr. Wicks
    The Government are committed to tackling poor literacy and numeracy among adults. Last year we announced an additional £17 million to support the first phase of our campaign, and many of the new measures announced at the time are now in place or are well on the way. On 22 May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment dedicated a further £20.25 million this year to improving adult and family literacy and numeracy skills. He will announce a full national strategy later this year and is putting in place a new Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit within this Department to drive forward its implementation.

    New Deal (Subsidised Employment Option)
    Mr. Ian Bruce
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of people on the New Deal are undertaking a subsidised employment option; and what proportion of people having taken this route have remained in employment with the same employer six months after the subsidy has finished. [123362]

    Ms Jowell
    At the end of February 2000, 129,000 young people were on the New Deal. Of these, 8 per cent. (10,600) were on the Employment Option.

    We do not collect separate figures for the numbers of young people who remain with the same employer six months after the subsidy finishes. The findings from a survey of employers will be published in the autumn.

    Higher Education
    Mr. Alan W. Williams
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting Government targets for increased participation rates in full-time education for young people aged 18 to 21 years. [123363]

    Mr. Wicks
    The Government's plans provide scope for participation by young people aged less than 21 entering full-time higher education undergraduate courses to reach 35 per cent. by 2002. Some 31 per cent. entered in autumn 1998; information on those who entered in autumn 1999 will be available by end summer 2000.

    Other than this there are no Government targets specifically concerned with the full-time participation in education of those aged 18–21.

    Agency Lecturers
    Mr. Illsley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received regarding the use of agency lecturers by colleges. [123365]

    Mr. Wicks
    We have been very disturbed by reports about the treatment of staff by some employment agencies, and suggestions that some have sought to circumvent employment legislation. We are working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry, which is in the final stages of revising the regulations which govern the conduct of employment agencies. We hope to have these in place later this year. We remain committed to ensuring that all those in the work place, whether they find work through agencies or otherwise, are treated fairly.

    Early Years Learning
    Mr. Sheerman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to evaluate European best practice in early years learning. [123366]

    Ms Hodge
    The research and evaluation division of my Department maintains a watching brief on research which is being undertaken in other European countries, to assess good practice in early years learning and to inform the development of policy in this country. We are participating currently in a Thematic Review of Early Childhood Education and Care Policy, which is being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD review will compare practice in 12 countries, including the UK, and is expected to publish its report in 2001. The report will provide objective commentary on policy and practice in the UK, within an international context.

    Dance and Drama Students
    Mr. Michael J. Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on support for dance and drama students. [123367]

    Mr. Wicks
    The Dance and Drama Awards announced by my right hon. Friend on 27 November 1998 have been a great success. These scholarships have been taken up fully and over 830 students have started training. A similar allocation has been made for the second intake in September 2000.

    The awards have enabled an unprecedented number of students from low income families to enter training and to study for further and higher education qualifications. We have increased the level of maintenance available to further education students by 300 per cent. to £3,000 a year, to support them through their training. Students on higher education courses have access to the same financial support as other undergraduates, including student loans.

    Other dance and drama students also have access to support towards their fees and maintenance in the publicly maintained further and higher education sectors.

    Manufacturing Training
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department has taken to improve training for work in manufacturing industry. [123369]

    Mr. Wicks
    We are creating the Learning and Skills Council, which will work closely with National Training Organisations to address workforce development for all sectors, including Engineering Manufacture.

    My Department has recognised a network of 76 National Training Organisations (NTOs) to provide the pivotal role in helping to modernise the education and training system needed to deliver the skills for greater competitiveness and employability. We have supported NTOs in several initiatives, including the development of
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    Foundation Modern Apprenticeships, Advanced Modern Apprenticeships and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

    Remploy
    Mr. Caton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been provided to Remploy to enable it to implement its modernisation strategy. [123370]

    Ms Hodge
    I was pleased to announce on 12 May that the Government would be providing £5 million to help Remploy carry out its modernisation strategy. This is on top of the £1.5 million that we made available to Remploy last year and a further £1.5 million for this year to support the restructuring of their factory provision. This, along with the proposals for modernising supported employment I also announced on 12 May, will increase greatly the numbers of disabled people moving into mainstream employment.

    New Deal
    Mr. Fabricant
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the New Deal. [123372]

    Ms Jowell
    The latest figures show that by the end of February 2000, 199,340 young people had gained jobs through the New Deal for Young People. These figures highlight the excellent progress we are making towards our commitment to help 250,000 young people into work through the New Deal in the lifetime of this Parliament.

    Evaluation from independent organisations show that approximately 50 per cent. of those leaving unemployment through New Deal would not have done so in the absence of the programme.

    Furthermore, three quarters of young people believe that the personal adviser played a pivotal role in supporting them through New Deal. This continuity and support is unlike anything seen on previous programmes.

    Thames Gateway
    Mr. Gapes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on plans to increase employment opportunities in the Thames Gateway area. [123371]

    Ms Jowell
    The Government attach great priority to the Thames Gateway. We want the area to become a hub for development and regeneration. We have therefore announced plans to establish a Strategic Partnership and Excellence Body, designed to give a new momentum to development in the area and to ensure that regeneration and economic expansion can be delivered in a sustainable way.

    In the light of the job losses announced by Ford in Dagenham, my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment have announced a 10 point plan for the regeneration of the area. The Employment Service already has a presence on the site through its job shop. There will also be a role for the TECs initially,

    347W
    and subsequently the Learning and Skills Councils, for Business Links and then for the Small Business Services. We are in discussions with Ford about the wider implications for local businesses and for those in the supply chain.

    Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which sections of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 have not yet been subject to a commencement order. [122500]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    The following sections of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 are not in force:

    Section:

    39 (1) (partly in force: for the purpose of making regulations only)

    112 (3)

    115 (2),(3)

    128

    134 (2)

    Schedule:

    30, paragraph 28 (2)(b) repealed (never in force)

    30, paragraph 64,65

    30, paragraph 70 (partly in force)

    30, paragraph 109 (partly in force)

    30, paragraph 114 (partly in force)

    30, paragraph 116 (partly in force)

    30, paragraph 138

    30, paragraph 185 (partly in force)

    31, (partly in force)

    FHE Institutions (Criminal Records)
    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will issue guidance to institutions of(a) further and (b) higher education in respect of the admission of applicants with criminal records. [123249]

    Mr. Wicks
    In November 1999, the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) extended the funding of widening participation to new categories of student. One such category was ex-offenders. The Council has introduced a new code in the Individualised Student Record (ISR) to show that additional funding is being claimed for widening participation because the student is an ex-offender. Some colleges asked whether they would be required to ask all students at enrolment whether they were ex-offenders. The Council provided written advice to all colleges that this was not the case. Where a student's eligibility for widening participation emerges during their programme of study, the institution may amend its data and the additional funding will be allocated for the whole of the teaching year covered by the ISR return. Information provided on enrolment forms is collected and used by the FEFC for the collection and analysis of statistical data, and is shared with other organisations for the purposes of detecting fraud. The FEFC is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984. There are no plans for the introduction of guidance to further education institutions in respect of the criminal records of applicants for admissions at the present time.
    348W
    In respect of Higher Education, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application form includes a declaration by the applicant about criminal convictions. If this section is not completed, the form is returned to the applicant and it is not processed until it is. Institutions, however, may make their own decision about whether there are still concerns about an applicant.

    The declaration was included in the application process two years ago in response to concerns that in a few instances victim and attacker had been accepted by the same institution. There is no guidance from UCAS to institutions about how they should deal with applicants with convictions—it is purely a matter for individual institutions. However, some professions have their own guidelines—for example, teaching and social work—which would guide institutions. The UCAS process also covers some further education institutions offering courses of higher education.

    Citizenship Studies
    Mr. Bercow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will define those elements of citizenship studies which are affected by the new international dimension to the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement. [124748]

    Jacqui Smith
    International issues are currently covered in a number of National Curriculum subjects, such as Geography and History. From September 2002, when Citizenship will become statutory in secondary schools, pupils aged 11–14 will be taught about the world as a global community, and the political, economic, environmental and social implications of this, and the role of the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations, and pupils aged 14–16 will cover the opportunities for individuals and voluntary bodies to bring about social change in Europe and internationally; the United Kingdom's relations in Europe, including the European Union, and relations with the Commonwealth and the United Nations, and the wider issues and challenges of global interdependence and responsibility.

    Special Advisers
    Mr. Tyrie
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on how many occasions since 31 March 1999(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [124127]

    Mr. Blunkett
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]: During the period 31 March 1999 to 31 March 2000, special advisers in this Department travelled overseas on two occasions. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

    Teachers and Lecturers (Salaries)
    Mrs. Organ
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the starting salary for(a) a newly qualified teacher and (b) a further education college lecturer in England. [124171]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    A newly qualified teacher with a second class honours degree or above starts at £16,050 pa; others start at £15,141 pa. If they work in London they also receive London allowances ranging
    349W
    from £591 pa to £2,316 pa. All schools can make additional payments to teachers to address recruitment and retention difficulties. From 1 September 2000 these allowances will range from £909 pa to £3,765 pa.

    It is for each college in the further education sector to decide the salary of its staff. The Sixth Form Colleges' Employers' Forum recommend a minimum starting salary of £15,412 for teachers in Sixth Form Colleges who have a second class honours degree or better.

    Mrs. Organ
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the maximum pay for(a) a qualified teacher in England and (b) a further education college lecturer, on average, in England. [124172]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    The pay reforms that we are introducing from 1 September introduce two pay ranges for teachers. The maximum that a classroom teacher can earn purely by incremental progression is £23,958 pa. However, they will then be able to apply for "threshold assessment" and if successful will move to an upper pay range which starts at £25,959. They will have the prospect of moving through four further points, subject to strong performance, to a maximum of £30,018 pa. Classroom teachers may also receive other payments on top of their basic pay. These include: London allowances ranging from £591 pa to £2,316 pa; recruitment and retention allowances ranging from £909 pa to £3,765 pa; management allowances ranging from £1,485 pa to £9,573 pa; and special educational needs allowances ranging from £1,515 pa to £3,000 pa.

    It is for each college in the further education sector to decide the salary of its staff. Statistics on average salaries of further education staff are not held centrally.

    Primary Pupils (Spending)
    Mr. Todd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 1999,Official Report, column 525W, on primary school pupils, when he will write to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire. [124428]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    The figures required to enable me to reply to my hon. Friend's earlier question are expected to become available shortly. I shall write to him and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

    Online Computer Training Initiative
    Mr. Allan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how the UK online Computer Training initiative will be evaluated; if there will be a control group; and if he will make a statement. [124663]

    Mr. Wills
    The UK online Computer Training initiative will be evaluated firstly by collecting data for a monthly management information report. This will be available from the beginning of August. Further and more detailed reports will be produced in September. The longer-term evaluation of the initiative will be carried out in April 2001. Evaluation will track individual clients to see how the course has altered their chances of employability. We are interested to find out how provision like this can make a change for people who may be at risk of missing out on the benefits of ICT skills in the modern work place.
    350W
    The control group for this initiative will be drawn from people who have not attended the course and will allow us to make a direct comparison between people who have attended the course and those who have not.

    Once we have established what the scheme has achieved I will make a statement as to how we can apply the lessons we have learned.

    Mr. Allan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people he estimates will participate in the UK online Computer Training initiative. [124664]

    Mr. Wills
    Government Offices for the regions have contracted for 50,000 courses to be offered in England under UK online Computer Training. Clients will be directed to courses via the learndirect service. Demand for the courses has been very high: Learndirect received their hundred-thousandth inquiry about this scheme on 6 June 2000. While we anticipate that 50,000 people will benefit directly from the training, we believe that the advertising that supports the scheme will lead people into other courses as well. We will evaluate the benefit to other schemes of the advertising campaign for the UK online Computer Training initiative.

    Mr. Allan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how long the UK online Computer Training initiative will operate. [124665]

    Mr. Wills
    UK online Computer Training is a one year initiative and is due to complete in March 2001. The future of the initiative will be decided once reliable management information becomes available and a sound evaluation has been carried out. It is still very early in the life of this initiative, although early indications are very favourable.

    School Science Laboratories
    Mr. Woodward
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department has implemented to update school science laboratory facilities. [124796]

    Jacqui Smith
    Under the New Deal for Schools programme, 151 projects for improving science laboratories have been funded at a cost of just under £37 million. A further £60 million is being allocated from the Capital Modernisation Fund to tackle deficiencies in school science over the next two years. This will enable around 400 more improvement projects to be implemented at those schools most in need.

    Staff Secondments
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 554W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124817]

    Mr. Wills
    [holding answer 7 June 2000]: All of the secondments listed were for a period of 12 months or less, with the exception of the secondment from Glaxo Wellcome which lasted for a period of 14 months.

    Computers for Teachers Scheme
    Mr. Sanders
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the system for reimbursing teachers under the Computers for Teachers Scheme; and if he will make a statement;[122769]

    (2) what estimate he has made of the average time between the purchase of equipment under the Computers for Teachers Scheme and reimbursement. [122770]

    Mr. Wills
    The Computers for Teachers Initiative was launched on 12 January 2000. It offers a £500 subsidy towards the purchase of a computer for serving teachers and is free of tax. It has proved very popular with teachers and 18,000 applications have been received. The first phase of the scheme was closed on 30 April, with a deadline for receipt of applications of 5 June. 2,470 teachers have already received their reimbursement. The average time between application and reimbursement is about eight weeks, mainly due to incomplete forms in around half of the applications received, which then need to be followed up. Where a form is properly completed, the subsidy can normally be paid more quickly. Additional staff and telephone lines, as well as a dedicated website, were provided to deal with the volume of interest.

    New Deal (Local Authorities)
    Helen Jackson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many New Deal placements have been offered this year by local authorities. [123350]

    Ms Jowell
    We do not hold figures which show separately how many New Deal placements have been offered to people by local authorities.

    Waiting list data from May 1997 to July 1999: Welsh residents waiting for in patient or day case treatment

    Bro Taf Health Authority

    Dyfed Powys Health Authority

    Actual date

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    31 May 1997

    17,513

    —

    —

    14,064

    —

    —

    30 June 1997

    17,364

    -149

    -0.9

    13,915

    -149

    -1.1

    31 July 1997

    17,191

    -173

    -1.0

    12,615

    -1,300

    -9.3

    31 August 1997

    16,942

    -249

    -1.4

    13,449

    834

    6.6

    30 September 1997

    17,043

    101

    0.6

    13,970

    521

    3.9

    31 October 1997

    17,119

    76

    0.4

    13,963

    -7

    -0.1

    30 November 1997

    17,210

    91

    0.5

    13,836

    -127

    -0.9

    31 December 1997

    17,920

    710

    4.1

    14,070

    234

    1.7

    31 January 1998

    17,854

    -66

    -0.4

    13,267

    -803

    -5.7

    28 February 1998

    18,222

    368

    2.1

    14,330

    1,063

    830

    31 March 1998

    18,524

    302

    1.7

    14,428

    98

    0.7

    30 April 1998

    18,679

    155

    0.8

    14,141

    -287

    -2.0

    31 May 1998

    18,495

    -184

    -1.0

    14,310

    169

    1.2

    30 June 1998

    18,922

    427

    2.3

    14.353

    43

    0.3

    31 July 1998

    18,763

    -159

    -0.8

    13,993

    -360

    -2.5

    31 August 1998

    18,483

    -280

    -1.5

    14.192

    199

    1.4

    30 September 1998

    18,045

    -438

    -2.4

    14.036

    -156

    -1.1

    31 October 1998

    18,265

    220

    1.2

    13.789

    -247

    -1.8

    30 November 1998

    17,914

    -351

    -1.9

    13,387

    -402

    -2.9

    31 December 1998

    17,838

    -76

    -0.4

    13,510

    123

    0.9

    31 January 1999

    18,024

    186

    1.0

    13,392

    -118

    -0.9

    28 February 1999

    17,585

    -439

    -2.4

    13.280

    -112

    -0.8

    352W
    However, Local Government National Training Organisation figures indicate that local authorities have taken on over 4,200 people into New Deal options.

    College Principals
    Mr. Chaytor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) further education college principals and (b) sixth form college principals are (i) in post and (ii) from ethnic minorities. [124690]

    Mr. Wicks
    Two of the 320 principals of general further education, tertiary and specialist colleges are from ethnic minorities. None of the principals of the 104 sixth form colleges is from an ethnic minority.

    The Government are encouraging the Commission for Black Staff in Further Education in its aims of challenging racism, breaking down barriers for black staff and raising achievement for all who work and learn in further education.

    We shall also require the Learning and Skills Council to promote equality of opportunity and report annually to the Secretary of State on this issue.

  WALES

    NHS Waiting Lists
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes there were each month in Welsh NHS waiting lists in each health authority area from May 1997 to July 1999. [124328]

    Mr. Hanson
    The information my hon. Friend has requested is in the table:
    353W

    Waiting list data from May 1997 to July 1999: Welsh residents waiting for in patient or day case treatment

    Bro Taf Health Authority

    Dyfed Powys Health Authority

    Actual date

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    31 March 1999

    16,918

    -667

    -3.8

    13,009

    -271

    -2.0

    30 April 1999

    16,822

    -96

    -0.6

    13,517

    508

    3.9

    31 May 1999

    17,041

    219

    1.3

    13,693

    176

    1.3

    30 June 1999

    14,328

    287

    1.7

    13,292

    -401

    -2.9

    31 July 1999

    17,325

    -3

    0.0

    13,436

    144

    1.1

    Gwent Health Authority

    Morgannwg Health Authority

    Actual date

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    31 May 1997

    14,490

    —

    —

    9,521

    —

    —

    30 June 1997

    13,821

    -669

    -4.6

    9,310

    -211

    -2.2

    31 July 1997

    13,749

    -72

    -0.5

    9,271

    -39

    -0.4

    31 August 1997

    14,259

    510

    3.7

    8,880

    -391

    -4.2

    30 September 1997

    13,619

    -640

    -4.5

    8,714

    -166

    -1.9

    31 October 1997

    13,855

    236

    1.7

    8,989

    275

    3.2

    30 November 1997

    13,579

    -276

    -2.0

    9,162

    173

    1.9

    31 December 1997

    14,135

    556

    4.1

    9,619

    457

    5.0

    31 January 1998

    13,954

    -181

    -1.3

    9,650

    31

    0.3

    28 February 1998

    14,246

    292

    2.1

    9,985

    335

    3.5

    31 March 1998

    14,357

    111

    0.8

    10,131

    146

    1.5

    30 April 1998

    13,954

    -403

    -2.8

    10,167

    36

    0.4

    31 May 1998

    14,284

    330

    2.4

    10,296

    126

    1.2

    30 June 1998

    14,544

    260

    1.8

    10,436

    143

    1.4

    31 July 1998

    15,658

    1,114

    7.7

    10,429

    -7

    -0.1

    31 August 1998

    15,550

    -108

    -0.7

    10,536

    107

    1.0

    30 September 1998

    14,831

    -719

    -4.6

    10,660

    124

    1.2

    31 October 1998

    14,330

    -501

    -3.4

    10,380

    -280

    -2.6

    30 November 1998

    13,860

    -470

    -3.3

    10,256

    -127

    -1.2

    31 December 1998

    13,804

    -56

    -0.4

    10,209

    -44

    -0.4

    31 January 1999

    13,646

    -158

    -1.1

    10,070

    -139

    -1.4

    28 February 1999

    13,279

    -367

    -2.7

    9,877

    -193

    -1.9

    31 March 1999

    12,916

    -363

    -2.7

    9,467

    -410

    -4.2

    30 April 1999

    13,065

    149

    1.2

    9,867

    400

    4.2

    31 May 1999

    13,170

    105

    0.8

    9,998

    131

    1.3

    30 June 1999

    13,230

    60

    0.5

    9,775

    -223

    -2.2

    31 July 1999

    13,463

    233

    1.8

    9,737

    -38

    -0.4

    North Wales Health Authority

    Grand total

    Actual date

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    31 May 1997

    12,598

    —

    —

    68,186

    —

    —

    30 June 1997

    12,973

    375

    3.0

    67,383

    -803

    -1.2

    31 July 1997

    13,942

    969

    7.5

    66,768

    -615

    -0.9

    31 August 1997

    14,314

    372

    2.7

    67,844

    1,076

    1.6

    30 September 1997

    14,439

    125

    0.9

    67,785

    -59

    -0.1

    31 October 1997

    14,361

    -78

    -0.5

    68,287

    502

    0.7

    30 November 1997

    14,458

    97

    0.7

    68,245

    -42

    -0.1

    31 December 1997

    15,185

    727

    5.0

    70,929

    2-684

    3.9

    31 January 1998

    15,399

    214

    1.4

    70,124

    -805

    -1.1

    28 February 1998

    15,733

    334

    2.2

    72,516

    2,392

    3.4

    31 March 1998

    15,979

    246

    1.6

    73,419

    903

    1.2

    30 April 1998

    16,406

    427

    2.7

    73,347

    -72

    -0.1

    31 May 1998

    16,687

    281

    1.7

    74,069

    722

    1.0

    30 June 1998

    16,892

    205

    1.2

    75,147

    1,078

    1.5

    31 July 1998

    17,107

    215

    1.3

    75,950

    803

    1.1

    31 August 1998

    17,255

    148

    0.9

    76,016

    66

    0.1

    30 September 1998

    16,697

    -558

    -3.2

    74,269

    -1,747

    -2.3

    31 October 1998

    16,263

    -434

    -2.6

    73,027

    -1,242

    -1.7

    30 November 1998

    15,850

    -413

    -2.5

    71,264

    -1,763

    -2.4

    31 December 1998

    16,003

    153

    1.0

    71,364

    100

    0.1

    31 January 1999

    15,207

    -796

    -5.0

    70,339

    -1,025

    -1.4

    28 February 1999

    14,042

    -1,165

    -7.7

    68,063

    -2,276

    -3.2

    354W

    355W

    North Wales Health Authority

    Grand total

    Actual date

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    Number

    Change month on month

    Percentage change per month

    31 March 1999

    13,005

    -1,037

    -7.4

    65,315

    -2,748

    -4.0

    30 April 1999

    13,236

    231

    1.8

    66.507

    1,192

    1.8

    31 May 1999

    13,045

    -191

    -1.4

    66.947

    440

    0.7

    30 June 1999

    13,654

    609

    4.7

    67.279

    332

    0.5

    31 July 1999

    13,677

    23

    0.2

    67,638

    359

    0.5

  PRIME MINISTER

    Civil Service (Political Neutrality)
    Mr. Clifton-Brown
    To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made to the rules on political neutrality of the Civil Service. [123131]

    The Prime Minister
    None.

    Central Railway
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Prime Minister what recent contacts have taken place between his policy unit and representatives of Central Railway; and if he will make a statement. [125060]

    The Prime Minister
    My staff and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

  LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

    Magistrates Courts (Adjournments)
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what targets he has set magistrates courts for the number and duration of adjournments. [125039]

    Jane Kennedy
    The Lord Chancellor has set no targets for magistrates courts in terms of the number and duration of adjournments although he has spoken out strongly against any culture of granting adjournments too readily. The Government are committed to reducing delay in the criminal justice system. The Lord Chancellor has encouraged benches to give rigorous consideration to requests for adjournments, whether from the prosecution or the defence, to the amount of time sought and whether it is genuinely required in the interests of justice.

    Civil Law Convention
    Mr. Hope
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will ratify the Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on corruption; and if he will make a statement. [125583]

    Mr. Lock
    I am pleased to be able to announce that the Lord Chancellor has today signed the Civil Law Convention during the course of the Conference of the European Ministers of Justice.

    The Government have strongly supported the programme of action undertaken by the Council of Europe in the fight against corruption. The Civil Law Convention
    356W
    is an innovative and important international legal instrument which will enable victims of corruption to obtain appropriate remedies in the civil courts of all states who ratify the Convention. The United Kingdom is not in a position to ratify the Convention at present, because the requirements of the Convention with regard to the rules of limitation for civil proceedings go further than is provided for by current UK law. However, the Law Commission is currently considering the rules relating to limitation of actions and the Government will review this issue as soon as the Law Commission's Report is available.

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    Cattle Diseases
    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on future testing in England for the cattle diseases enzootic bovine leukosis and brucellosis. [125582]

    Ms Quin
    We are issuing a consultation paper on proposed changes to the way cattle health testing for enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and brucellosis is carried out in England. This is part of a GB wide initiative and is a direct result of our gaining of "officially EBL free" region status within the EU and the continued recognition of GB status as an "officially brucellosis free" region within the EU.

    It is proposed to amend the EBL Order to take account of new reduced test frequencies. For dairy cattle these would reduce milk testing from three times a year to twice in every fifth year. For beef suckler herds these would reduce blood testing from once every second year to once every fourth year. The proposed reductions are in line with veterinary advice. We aim to have the new arrangements introduced by September this year and fully effective by April next year.

    No changes are currently proposed for brucellosis testing. Test frequencies for brucellosis are currently subject to review but results are not expected before August. GB has had low or no incidence of brucellosis since 1993.

    Since these proposals would require changes to the EBL Order we are also proposing to simplify publication of the list of laboratories approved to do milk testing and clarify the use of laboratory approval. We propose that these changes are also carried over into a remade Brucellosis Order and that both new orders take full account of devolution.
    357W
    I am pleased that, in this consultation, we are able to recommend reducing monitoring for EBL in England now that we have "officially EBL free region" status for GB. This reduces costs and burdens for both industry and the public purse and is in line with EU requirements.

    Correspondence
    Mr. Gill
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter of 28 April from the hon. Member for Ludlow about abattoir closures. [123097]

    Ms Stuart
    I have been asked to reply.

    I replied to the to the hon. Member on 22 May.

    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to reply to the letter of 18 October 1999 from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East, in respect of which a reminder letter was sent on 17 February. [124807]

    Ms Quin
    I replied to the letter from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East on 7 June.

    Crop Contamination
    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government plan to make public the location of crop sites sown with Advanta rapeseeds contaminated with GM rapeseeds. [124156]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]The company is taking action to inform affected farmers. There are no safety implications which would necessitate identifying the location of affected crops.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what obligations EU member states have to inform one another and the Commission of incidents in which conventional crop seed traded across international boundaries is found to be contaminated with genetically modified crop seed. [124150]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]I am not aware of any specific obligations that require member states to inform one another and the Commission of incidents involving the contamination of non-GM seeds with GM seeds. However, member states have exchanged information on a voluntary basis and have been making public statements about such incidents.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received concerning the date that the German authorities discovered that conventional Advanta rapeseed had been contaminated with genetically modified rapeseed. [124149]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]Advanta have told me that the German authorities informed them of their findings on 3 April.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the advice he has received from the(a) Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, (b) Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and (c) Food Standards Agency, about the risks to human health and the environment from the contamination of Advanta rape seed by GM crops. [124137]
    358W
    Mr. Nick Brown:
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]The advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, and the Food Standards Agency has already been placed in the Libraries of the House and is available on the MAFF website.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in full the information made available by Advanta UK on the contamination of conventional rapeseed with genetically modified rapeseed. [124147]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]The main points of the information provided by Advanta were described in the Government's announcement on 17 May and in my statement of 19 May. The company also published information in a news release on 17 May.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he received, prior to being made aware of the contamination of conventional Advanta rapeseed with genetically modified seed, of similar incidents involving crop seeds imported into European Union member states, indicating when each such report was received. [124145]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]None.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government have designated an acceptable level of seed purity in the case of conventional crop seeds in relation to contamination with GM seeds. [124153]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]There are currently no levels set for the presence of GM seeds in non-GM seeds. The Government will be participating in discussions within the EC and the OECD on this matter.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government were first (1) advised by Advanta Seeds UK that supplies of its conventional rapeseed contained genetically modified rapeseed; [124143]

    (2) informed that supplies of conventional Advanta rapeseed had been or may have been contaminated with genetically modified rapeseed. [124144]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]DETR and MAFF officials were informed by Advanta Seeds UK on 17 April that supplies of conventional Advanta rapeseed might have been affected by the presence of genetically modified rapeseed.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason the announcement about the contamination of conventional Advanta rapeseed was made on 17 May. [124146]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]The announcement on 17 May was made to inform Parliament and interested parties of the action which the Government were taking to address the issue of seed purity.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which statutory bodies prior to 17 April had a legal responsibility to ensure the seed purity of imported supplies. [124165]
    359W
    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]The legal duty and responsibility to ensure the seed purity of imported supplies lies with the seeds authorities in the producer country and with the seed merchant marketing the seed in this country.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the separation distances between GM and non-GM crops. [124164]

    Mr. Nick Brown
    [holding answer 5 June 2000]Yes. I announced this in my speech to the House earlier today.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer given on 17 May 2000,Official Report, column 173W, if the report on the study of seed sourcing and the possibility of GM seed in imported seed is now available. [125581]

    Ms Quin
    The report of the preliminary findings of the study has been placed in the Library of the House and will be made available on the Ministry website. The Government inspection programme being undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will be focused on those imported seed species which are identified as most likely to be affected. Further studies are in hand.

  HOME DEPARTMENT

    Asylum Seekers
    Mr. Bercow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from the European women's lobby on gender-sensitive asylum policy; and if he will make a statement. [123615]

    Mrs. Roche
    Recent representations from groups representing women's issues have focused on the treatment of women seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, the delay in resolving asylum claims and the support available for women awaiting the outcome of their applications.

    All applications, whether from women or men, are considered in accordance with the criteria set out in the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. To qualify for asylum, a person must be outside her/his country of nationality and have a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry May to December 1997

    Port

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    Total

    Aberdeen

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    *

    5

    Ashford

    *

    5

    5

    *

    *

    5

    *

    *

    20

    Belfast

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    *

    5

    Birmingham

    5

    5

    *

    *

    5

    5

    5

    5

    30

    Bristol (sea)

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    5

    *

    5

    Cardiff

    —

    *

    —

    5

    *

    *

    *

    —

    10

    Cheriton

    —

    *

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    5

    Unknown

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    *

    Dover

    80

    95

    100

    95

    155

    215

    145

    205

    1,090

    360W
    Caseworkers dealing with these applications are given awareness training in gender and cultural matters and special training is given for dealing with those who have been tortured. It is recognised that women's experiences as asylum seekers may be different from those of men and their applications are handled with due sensitivity.

    Mr. Cohen
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what detailed programmes the Government(a) has in place and (b) has planned, to improve the education, skills and qualifications of asylum seekers; what are the costs of these programmes; and if he will make a statement. [123729]

    Mrs. Roche
    Asylum seekers who receive a positive decision on their application are eligible to enrol on courses at further education colleges. Asylum seekers who have not received a decision on their application after six months can seek permission to work and as part of this can gain access to work based learning. The costs of this would be borne by the Department for Education and Employment, but information relating to the costs of educating asylum seekers is not recorded separately.

    School-age children (under 16 years of age) of asylum seekers are entitled to attend school irrespective of when the application for asylum was lodged. The costs to the Department for Education and Employment of providing places in schools for the children of asylum seekers are not recorded separately.

    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who entered the United Kingdom at(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted and (d) Luton airports since 1 January have claimed asylum on arriving at these airports. [124482]

    Mrs. Roche
    The information requested is given in the table:

    Applications1 for asylum received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by port of application, January to April 2000

    Total

    Heathrow

    3,000

    Gatwick

    1,215

    Stansted

    340

    Luton

    25

    1Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have claimed asylum at each relevant port in the United Kingdom in each month since 1 May 1997. [125105]

    Mrs. Roche
    The information requested is given in the tables.
    361W

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry May to December 1997

    Port

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    Total

    Edinburgh

    *

    *

    *

    10

    *

    5

    —

    —

    15

    East Midlands

    —

    *

    —

    *

    *

    —

    *

    *

    5

    Felixstowe

    5

    *

    10

    5

    5

    *

    *

    10

    40

    Folkstone

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    5

    Gatwick North

    265

    245

    190

    125

    160

    110

    95

    180

    1,380

    Gatwick South

    90

    80

    95

    135

    105

    110

    90

    80

    790

    Glasgow

    —

    *

    *

    *

    5

    5

    *

    5

    20

    Harwich

    5

    *

    5

    15

    5

    15

    15

    30

    95

    Hull

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    *

    —

    5

    5

    Immigham

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    Leeds Bradford

    *

    *

    5

    *

    *

    *

    *

    *

    10

    London City (air)

    5

    5

    5

    20

    10

    35

    45

    55

    180

    Liverpool

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    *

    *

    10

    Luton

    5

    *

    *

    *

    5

    5

    5

    5

    25

    Manchester Terminal 1

    5

    *

    *

    *

    *

    —

    —

    *

    10

    Manchester

    Terminal 2

    15

    15

    30

    20

    15

    15

    10

    20

    145

    Newhaven

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    5

    Tyne

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    5

    Plymouth

    5

    *

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    5

    10

    Poole

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    *

    —

    5

    Portsmouth

    *

    —

    —

    5

    —

    5

    —

    —

    10

    Prestwick

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    Ramsgate

    5

    5

    10

    10

    5

    5

    *

    5

    45

    Sheffield City

    —

    5

    *

    —

    *

    *

    —

    *

    10

    Humberside (air)

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    Stansted

    15

    10

    25

    30

    35

    35

    40

    50

    240

    Southampton (sea)

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    *

    5

    Swansea

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    5

    —

    5

    Heathrow Terminal 1

    130

    90

    125

    170

    140

    155

    170

    210

    1,185

    Heathrow Terminal 2

    250

    210

    245

    145

    140

    195

    160

    300

    1,645

    Heathrow Terminal 3

    190

    190

    245

    190

    225

    270

    260

    335

    1,905

    Heathrow Terminal 4

    105

    130

    160

    110

    140

    90

    80

    145

    960

    Teesport

    15

    *

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    —

    20

    Waterloo

    160

    175

    280

    415

    160

    150

    120

    195

    1,660

    Others

    15

    10

    —

    10

    5

    —

    —

    5

    35

    Total

    1,365

    1,285

    1,545

    1,530

    1,345

    1,445

    1,265

    1,865

    11,645

    1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*'= 1 or 2

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry January to December 1998

    Port

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    Total

    Ashford

    5

    *

    5

    5

    —

    5

    5

    *

    5

    *

    5

    5

    35

    Belfast

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    5

    *

    *

    5

    *

    *

    *

    15

    Birmingham

    5

    5

    15

    *

    *

    *

    5

    5

    5

    10

    5

    10

    60

    Bristol (sea)

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    5

    *

    *

    *

    *

    10

    Cardiff

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    —

    *

    5

    5

    *

    5

    15

    Dover

    240

    260

    265

    155

    225

    255

    325

    450

    540

    480

    475

    570

    4,235

    Edinburgh

    —

    *

    *

    *

    *

    *

    *

    *

    —

    *

    —

    5

    15

    East Midlands

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    *

    *

    —

    *

    10

    Felixstowe

    5

    *

    10

    10

    5

    *

    5

    *

    5

    5

    5

    50

    Folkstone

    —

    —

    5

    *

    5

    —

    15

    5

    *

    —

    —

    *

    30

    Gatwick North

    125

    230

    100

    90

    115

    155

    160

    135

    195

    175

    175

    285

    1,940

    Gatwick South

    105

    65

    75

    90

    105

    115

    135

    105

    130

    135

    105

    145

    1,305

    Glasgow

    5

    5

    *

    —

    5

    *

    5

    *

    5

    5

    *

    5

    30

    Harwich

    25

    15

    30

    50

    50

    60

    55

    85

    85

    90

    45

    45

    630

    Hull

    —

    *

    *

    —

    *

    5

    *

    10

    *

    5

    10

    5

    40

    Leeds Bradford

    5

    *

    *

    *

    —

    *

    *

    5

    *

    *

    *

    5

    25

    London City (air)

    —

    10

    10

    45

    20

    30

    35

    30

    45

    60

    35

    40

    395

    Liverpool

    *

    *

    —

    *

    *

    *

    —

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    10

    Luton

    5

    5

    5

    5

    5

    10

    10

    5

    *

    *

    5

    5

    60

    Manchester Terminal 1

    *

    —

    —

    5

    *

    *

    *

    *

    *

    5

    —

    *

    20

    Manchester Terminal 2

    30

    20

    25

    20

    15

    25

    30

    30

    75

    40

    35

    35

    385

    Newhaven

    —

    *

    —

    *

    *

    —

    10

    10

    25

    5

    10

    5

    75

    362W

    363W

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry January to December 1999

    Port

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    Total

    Norwich

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    5

    *

    10

    Tyne

    —

    *

    5

    *

    5

    5

    5

    *

    15

    5

    10

    5

    55

    Plymouth

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    5

    Poole

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    Portsmouth

    —

    *

    *

    *

    10

    10

    *

    10

    10

    5

    15

    5

    75

    Ramsgate

    5

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    5

    Sheffield City

    *

    *

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    10

    —

    20

    Humberside (air)

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    Stansted

    40

    15

    15

    20

    25

    30

    20

    25

    30

    15

    35

    40

    300

    Southampton (sea)

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    *

    Swansea

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    Heathrow Terminal 1

    215

    160

    185

    135

    150

    140

    150

    230

    200

    350

    240

    245

    2,425

    Heathrow Terminal 2

    200

    180

    195

    265

    170

    215

    260

    410

    500

    305

    395

    250

    3,345

    Heathrow Terminal 3

    185

    185

    250

    240

    220

    265

    315

    320

    335

    220

    245

    285

    3,080

    Heathrow Terminal 4

    135

    110

    140

    140

    140

    115

    140

    165

    165

    175

    165

    180

    1,775

    Teesport

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    5

    *

    5

    —

    —

    —

    5

    20

    Waterloo

    210

    205

    220

    215

    180

    320

    245

    320

    200

    200

    200

    290

    2,810

    Other

    20

    15

    —

    *

    5

    10

    15

    15

    —

    *

    —

    —

    20

    Total

    1,605

    1,490

    1,555

    1,500

    1,465

    1,790

    1,940

    2,395

    2,585

    2,295

    2,230

    2,495

    23,345

    1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*' = 1 or 2

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry January to December 1999

    Port

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    Total

    Aberdeen

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Ashford

    5

    *

    5

    5

    10

    20

    10

    10

    5

    *

    5

    10

    85

    Belfast

    5

    —

    *

    —

    *

    5

    *

    —

    *

    *

    *

    —

    10

    Birmingham

    15

    5

    10

    5

    5

    5

    10

    5

    *

    5

    5

    5

    75

    Bristol (sea)

    5

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    5

    Bournemouth

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Cardiff

    *

    *

    5

    —

    *

    —

    *

    5

    —

    —

    —

    —

    10

    Coqelles

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    Dover

    600

    485

    470

    435

    480

    585

    670

    605

    510

    630

    680

    710

    6,860

    Edinburgh

    *

    5

    *

    *

    —

    —

    5

    *

    —

    *

    —

    5

    15

    East Midlands

    *

    —

    *

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    Felixstowe

    *

    5

    5

    15

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    25

    Folkstone

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    10

    *

    5

    —

    —

    —

    *

    15

    Gatwick North

    190

    195

    205

    180

    210

    215

    240

    230

    220

    185

    215

    305

    2,590

    Gatwick South

    125

    95

    75

    50

    120

    70

    75

    80

    115

    120

    80

    185

    1,190

    Glasgow

    5

    *

    5

    *

    10

    —

    *

    —

    *

    *

    *

    —

    20

    Harwich

    60

    40

    35

    40

    40

    45

    25

    20

    60

    50

    35

    55

    505

    Hull

    5

    *

    *

    5

    *

    *

    *

    —

    20

    35

    65

    10

    140

    Leeds Bradford

    5

    5

    5

    *

    *

    5

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    20

    London City (air)

    30

    25

    70

    35

    25

    60

    40

    70

    15

    10

    10

    15

    405

    Liverpool

    —

    —

    —

    5

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    —

    5

    Luton

    5

    *

    *

    —

    10

    15

    10

    10

    10

    5

    5

    10

    80

    Manchester Terminal 1

    —

    *

    *

    —

    5

    —

    —

    *

    *

    5

    5

    *

    15

    Manchester Terminal 2

    20

    15

    10

    10

    10

    10

    15

    10

    15

    15

    10

    15

    155

    Newhaven

    5

    *

    5

    5

    *

    5

    *

    5

    —

    —

    *

    —

    25

    Norwich

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Plymouth

    *

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    *

    5

    *

    *

    *

    —

    5

    Poole

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    Portsmouth

    10

    5

    5

    5

    15

    5

    5

    15

    *

    *

    10

    75

    Ramsgate

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Sheffield City

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Humberside (air)

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Stansted

    20

    15

    30

    20

    20

    20

    20

    35

    85

    55

    35

    80

    435

    364W

    365W

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry January to December 1999

    Port

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    Total

    Southampton (sea)

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    5

    *

    5

    Swansea

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    —

    5

    —

    5

    Heathrow Terminal 1

    175

    120

    160

    195

    185

    190

    260

    350

    395

    400

    440

    550

    3,420

    Heathrow Terminal 2

    200

    205

    245

    215

    385

    420

    510

    520

    365

    295

    265

    215

    3,870

    Heathrow Terminal 3

    270

    185

    190

    250

    245

    190

    255

    270

    280

    250

    280

    430

    3,095

    Heathrow Terminal 4

    120

    120

    110

    95

    145

    150

    115

    140

    120

    120

    170

    165

    1,570

    Teesport

    5

    —

    *

    *

    *

    *

    —

    10

    5

    5

    *

    5

    30

    Tyne

    5

    5

    *

    —

    5

    10

    *

    5

    *

    5

    *

    5

    40

    Waterloo

    265

    270

    260

    270

    435

    605

    515

    195

    180

    175

    160

    250

    3,580

    Other

    50

    *

    *

    *

    —

    —

    200

    140

    245

    185

    35

    215

    1,075

    Total

    2,200

    1,800

    1,905

    1,870

    2,360

    2,640

    2,980

    2,740

    2,645

    2,550

    2,510

    3,250

    29,455

    1Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*' = 1 or 2

    Asylum applications1, excluding dependants, by port of entry January to April 2000

    Port

    January

    February

    March

    April

    Total

    Ashford

    5

    10

    10

    10

    35

    Belfast

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    Birmingham

    *

    5

    *

    *

    5

    Bristol (sea)

    *

    5

    *

    *

    5

    Cardiff

    *

    —

    *

    —

    —

    Coqelles

    —

    *

    —

    —

    —

    Dover

    690

    640

    645

    410

    2,385

    Edinburgh

    *

    —

    —

    5

    5

    Felixstowe

    —

    15

    5

    —

    20

    Folks tone

    —

    5

    —

    —

    5

    Gatwick North

    205

    200

    250

    160

    815

    Gatwick South

    125

    95

    125

    55

    400

    Glasgow

    *

    *

    *

    *

    —

    Harwich

    45

    30

    40

    30

    145

    Hull

    20

    *

    10

    5

    35

    Leeds Bradford

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    London City (air)

    10

    10

    10

    15

    45

    Liverpool

    —

    —

    *

    *

    —

    Luton

    5

    10

    5

    5

    25

    Manchester Terminal 1

    5

    5

    5

    *

    15

    Manchester Terminal 2

    15

    25

    10

    5

    55

    Newhaven

    —

    —

    *

    —

    —

    Plymouth

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    Poole

    10

    —

    —

    —

    10

    Portsmouth

    *

    10

    —

    *

    10

    Stansted

    50

    140

    115

    35

    340

    Heathrow Terminal 1

    210

    220

    245

    145

    820

    Heathrow Terminal 2

    245

    200

    200

    145

    790

    Heathrow Terminal 3

    265

    230

    270

    175

    940

    Heathrow Terminal 4

    120

    105

    135

    90

    450

    Teesport

    —

    *

    *

    —

    —

    Tyne

    *

    5

    10

    —

    15

    Waterloo

    220

    295

    310

    315

    1,140

    Other

    *

    *

    *

    200

    200

    Total

    2,245

    2,260

    2,400

    1,805

    8,710

    1 Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*' = 1 or 2

    366W
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people the National Asylum Support Service(a) has dispersed and (b) plans to disperse to each of the cluster areas listed in the letter to all hon. Members of 25 May from the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche); [125055]

    (2) if he will list the local council areas to which asylum seekers have been dispersed by (a) local authorities and (b) his Department; and how many dispersed asylum seekers are resident in each such area. [125064]

    Mrs. Roche
    As of 2 June, 2,049 asylum seekers, including dependants, have been dispersed by the National Asylum Support Service. They have been dispersed to Scotland, the North East, the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, West Midlands, East Midlands and Sussex. The figures also include a small number of asylum seekers with specialist medical needs who have been provided with accommodation in London. The number of future dispersals to particular areas will depend on a number of factors including the type of accommodation required by asylum seekers and its availability in any area.

    The National Asylum Support Service does not record details of the local council areas to which it disperses asylum seekers.

    Information of the type requested on dispersal by local authorities under the interim arrangements is not held by the National Asylum Support Service. This is a voluntary scheme between local authorities and is sponsored by the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the people aboard the Afghan airline hijacked to Stansted are still in the United Kingdom; what is the status of each of their asylum claims; and if he will make a statement. [125032]

    Mr. Straw
    Of the 170 people on the plane, 81 have left the United Kingdom, 89 remain in the United Kingdom, including 12 who are the subject of criminal charges in relation to the hijacking. Of those remaining who have applied for asylum, nine have been granted asylum including six as dependants, and 36 have been refused including five dependants. All of the latter have
    367W
    appealed against refusal and the substantive hearings commenced on 8 May. Of the remaining 32, 14 are the dependants of those facing charges and their applications will not be considered until the outcome of the prosecution is known. A further two originally faced charges which were subsequently withdrawn, and consideration is being given to their applications and those of their eight dependants. The wife and six children of one of those facing charges—who had originally applied as his dependants—have now applied in their own right and consideration is being given to their applications also. One application awaits consideration of information from The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. Consideration of further action will be given as soon as the outcome of the appeals is known.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and dependants sent to Oakington detention centre have(a) been granted refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom, (b) been dispersed to other accommodation in the United Kingdom, (c) left the United Kingdom, (d) been detained elsewhere and (e) absconded from Oakington. [125050]

    Mrs. Roche
    As at the end of May, of those asylum seekers and their dependants who were sent to Oakington, three were granted asylum and three granted exceptional leave to remain; 147 were dispersed to other accommodation, mainly under the National Asylum Support Service scheme, and 101 were granted temporary admission and released to private addresses; 26 main applicants refused asylum have left the United Kingdom, 11 of whom were removed after their appeals had been dismissed. In addition, 16 main applicants and seven dependants withdrew their claims and departed before being accommodated at Oakington. Forty nine were detained elsewhere and seven have absconded, of whom three have been apprehended.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and dependants have been sent to the Oakington detention centre since it was opened; and how many of those people have had their cases decided while at Oakington. [125052]

    Mrs. Roche
    As at 31 May, 338 main applicants and 23 dependants have been accommodated at Oakington since the centre opened on 20 March. A total of 265 applications have been decided at Oakington.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time that an asylum seeker sent to Oakington resides there. [125051]

    Mrs. Roche
    The majority of asylum seekers whose cases have been processed have remained seven days or less.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to open further detention or reception centres to house asylum seekers; how many people these centres will accommodate; what will be the start-up costs and running costs of each new centre; and if he will make a statement. [125098]

    Mrs. Roche
    We have made clear on a number of occasions that more detention places are required to support our commitment to remove people whose asylum 368W
    applications are refused and subsequently do not leave the country voluntarily. We have not yet determined precisely how many detention places are required or how they should be provided but, because of the lead-in time, planning notifications have been submitted to local authorities for the provisions of centres on the DERA (Tunnel) site at Thurleigh in Bedfordshire, at Harmondsworth and at Aldington in Kent. Together these three sites would deliver about 1,800 extra places. Potential suppliers have been asked to prepare proposals on that basis, but estimates of start-up and running costs will depend upon the outcome of the competitive tendering process.

    We have no current plans to open further reception centres, but are keeping the need for additional facilities under review as capacity at Oakington increases.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to have information available on the number of asylum seekers being supported by each local authority. [125034]

    Mrs. Roche
    In the reply I gave the hon. Member on 7 April 2000,Official Report, column 633W, I explained that the Home Office had launched an exercise to obtain information from local authorities on how many asylum seekers they were supporting, together with the status of those asylum seekers and where they were being accommodated. The exercise is still on-going and, at this stage, I am unable to say when it will be concluded. The information requested will be available once the exercise is completed.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is towards the proposal that the European Court of Justice should have jurisdiction over asylum matters in accordance with Article 68. [125046]

    Mrs. Roche
    Article 68 of the Treaty of the European Community already provides for the highest domestic court to refer to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for a preliminary ruling on an issue concerning the interpretation or validity of a Community measure made under Title IV (which covers immigration and asylum policy), or on the interpretation of Title IV itself. In the context of the current Inter-Governmental Consultation negotiations, the Government will be seeking an amendment to article 68 to ensure that cases that require a preliminary ruling can be quickly referred to the ECJ, in order to facilitate the prompt resolution of such cases.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many units of accommodation for asylum seekers are(a) being provided and (b) planned to be provided by each regional consortium; how many asylum seekers have been dispersed to such accommodation; and if he will make a statement. [125061]

    Mrs. Roche
    The arrangements with the regional consortia enable the amount of accommodation provided by each region to vary over time according to the changes in demand for accommodation. As there are ongoing negotiations with the regional consortia about the provision of accommodation, information relating to these negotiations is currently commercially confidential. The Scottish Regional consortium has provided 441 units of accommodation to date.
    369W
    As of 2 June, 2,049 asylum seekers including dependants had been dispersed.

    Criminal Assets
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the report of the Performance and Innovation Unit on the pursuit and seizure of criminal assets, following tie recommendations of the Third report of the Home Office Working Group on Confiscation; what action he proposes to take following the report; what discussions(a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) his officials have had with (i) the Minister for the Cabinet Office, (ii) the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, (iii) the Prime Minister and (iv) officials in the Cabinet Office regarding the report; if he will place a copy of the report in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [123788]

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibilities for policy on the confiscation of criminal assets have been transferred to the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [123789]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 5 June 2000,Official Report, columns 105–07W.

    Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial)
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) indictable and (b) either way offences were tried at the Crown court in each of the last five years for which figures are available indicating for each year (i) what proportion of either-way offences reached the Crown court (A) by the defendant electing jury trial and (B) on the direction of the magistrates, (ii) what proportion of trials for each type of offence resulted in a guilty verdict after a plea of not guilty, (iii) what proportion of trials for each type of offence resulted in a guilty plea and (iv) what proportion of trials for each type of offence resulted in an acquittal. [123861]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    [holding answer 25 May 2000]: Official statistics do not include separate information on plea for those who elect Crown court trial. The available information is contained in the following tables:

    Number of cases finalised at the Crown court by type of indictable case, committal and year, 1994–98—England and Wales

    Triable-either-way (TEW)

    Defendant elected

    Direction of magistrate

    Year

    Indictable only

    Number of cases

    Percentage of TEW cases

    Number of cases

    Percentage of TEW cases

    1994

    19,237

    25,178

    35

    46,258

    65

    1995

    21,779

    26,114

    33

    53,210

    67

    1996

    23,993

    22,870

    32

    48,748

    68

    1997

    26,546

    21,783

    28

    56,021

    72

    1998

    26,918

    18,537

    28

    46,835

    72

    1999

    27,721

    18,969

    32

    40,378

    68

    Source:

    Crown Prosecution Service
    370W

    Proportion of defendants tried at the Crown court by type of indictable offence and plea, 1994–981—England and Wales

    Percentage

    Not guilty plea

    Year

    Guilty plea

    Convicted

    Acquitted

    Indictable only offence2

    19941

    —

    —

    26

    19951

    53

    22

    26

    1996

    55

    20

    25

    1997

    54

    21

    25

    1998

    53

    18

    29

    Triable-either-way offence2

    19941

    —

    —

    18

    19951

    68

    14

    18

    1996

    70

    13

    17

    1997

    71

    12

    17

    1998

    66

    13

    21

    Total

    19941

    —

    —

    20

    19951

    66

    15

    19

    1996

    67

    15

    18

    1997

    68

    13

    18

    1998

    63

    14

    23

    1Data by plea are available only from July 1995

    2Based on the defendant's principle offence

    Source:

    Home Office Court Proceedings Database

    Laptops
    Mr. Keith Simpson
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many laptop computers used by Ministers, officials and special advisers in his Department have been(a) lost and (b) stolen since May 1997. [123738]

    Mr. Straw
    [holding answer 25 May 2000]Since 1 May 1997, three laptop computers belonging to the Home Office have been lost. Nine have been stolen from the Prison Service and the Prison Service Ombudsman and 10 have been stolen from the Home Office.

    Community Service Orders
    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been given a community service order by courts in the Greater London Area in each of the last three years. [124481]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, is given in the table.

    Number of persons given a community service order for all offences at all courts within the Metropolitan police area1 by sex, 1996–98

    Male

    Female

    1996

    5,353

    539

    1997

    5,695

    594

    1998

    5,370

    596

    1Including City of London

    Mike Tyson
    Mrs. Fyfe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has investigated the leaks in the press on 12 May, which stated that Mike Tyson would be granted his visa. [124655]

    Mr. Straw
    No. Although the press reported that Mike Tyson would be granted an entry clearance, a decision on Mr. Tyson's application had not been made by 12 May (indeed, the application itself was only made in the United States of America on that day). The media reports were, therefore, entirely speculative.

    Mrs. Fyfe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he made of the arguments in relation to creating a precedent at the time of his authorisation of Mike Tyson's visit to the UK in January. [124740]

    Mr. Straw
    It was clearly indicated in January that there were exceptional circumstances in granting Mike Tyson entry on that occasion. In communicating my decision to him, it was made clear that this decision in no way set a precedent for any future applications he might make to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor or in any other capacity. Any such application would be considered under the Immigration Rules taking all relevant circumstances into account.

    Mrs. Fyfe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with whom he consulted between 3 and 17 May on Mike Tyson's visa application. [124654]

    Mr. Straw
    I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 24 May 2000,Official Report, columns 493–96W.

    Mrs. Fyfe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he took to inform himself of reasons why Mike Tyson should not be granted a visa. [124656]

    Mr. Straw
    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Ms Ward) on 18 May 2000,Official Report, columns 209–10W, where I stated clearly that I weighed up both the factors against granting Mr. Tyson entry clearance and those for.

    Ms Jenny Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he met regarding Mike Tyson's recent application to enter the United Kingdom; and on what dates. [124461]

    Mr. Straw
    As stated in the reply I gave the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 495W, I met my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Ballieston (Mr. Wray) and his delegation, which included my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding), Lord Brooks of Tremorfa and Stephen Davies, on 3 May. In addition, the Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), also met my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Ms Jones), together with my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 17 May.

    Visa Applications
    Mrs. Fyfe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in changing the law on visa applications, he is minded to fast-track applications involving 372W
    (a) weddings, (b) funerals and (c) visiting seriously ill people when in any such case there is a proven close family relationship or other reasonable cause for requesting a short visit. [124739]

    Mr. Straw
    I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the proposals set out in the consultation paper I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ms Kelly) on 18 May 2000,Official Report, column 210W. These are concerned solely with Immigration Rule 320(18), which deals with the refusal of entry to those with criminal convictions.

    Arrangements for processing entry clearance applications differ from post to post, but every effort is made to deal with applications in urgent or compelling compassionate cases as quickly as possible.

    Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
    Mr. Gerrard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which have come into force, indicating the date on which each came into force and (b) the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which have yet to come into force and the projected date on which each will come into force. [124443]

    Mrs. Roche
    Section 170 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 lists those of its provisions which came into force on Royal Assent. The Schedule to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Commencement No.4) Order 2000 (SI 2000 No. 1282 (C.38)), specifies the provisions which commenced on 22 May 2000 and lists those provisions which have been brought into effect by earlier Commencement Orders.

    We are keeping implementation of the Act's remaining provisions under review. However, our current intention is to phase implementation of the major provisions as follows:
    Provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
    June to September 2000
    Carriers' Liability provisions in Part II
    From October 2000
    Bond scheme for visitors pilot provided for in section 16 and 17 of Part I;
    Single, comprehensive appeal process provided for in Part IV and related provisions in sections 10–12 and 23 of Part I;
    Under Part V, the regulatory body established by the Immigration Services Commissioner will begin to consider applications for registration and exemption. The Immigration Services Tribunal will be established;
    Fingerprinting provisions in Part VII;
    Statutory management and operation of detention centres under Part VIII;
    Powers of superintendent registrars regarding marriage in Part IX and their duty to report suspicious marriages in section 24 of Part I.
    From April 2001
    Code of practice on restriction on employment in Part I;
    Immigration control: facilities and charges provisions in Part I;
    Bail provisions in Part III;
    Full implementation of the scheme to regulate immigration advisers and immigration service providers under Part V.

    Harassment (Formal Warnings)
    Mr. Goggins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many formal warnings have been issued to(a) juveniles and (b) adults under powers contained in the Harassment Act 1997 in (i) Manchester, (ii) Trafford, (iii) Greater Manchester and (iv) England. [124525]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Records of formal warnings are not held centrally.

    Schengen Information System
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2000,Official Report, columns 52–53 W, on the Schengen Information System, when he made an application for participation in that system; what reply he has received; and if (a) Iceland and (b) Norway participate in the manner for which he has made application and without any additional condition. [124378]

    Mrs. Roche
    The United Kingdom's application to participate in parts of the Schengen acquis, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), which was made on 20 May 1999, was agreed by the Justice arid Home Affairs Council on 29 May 2000. The SIS will be a valuable weapon in the fight against organised and international crime as part of Schengen co-operation agreements.

    Iceland and Norway's applications to become associated members of Schengen were agreed in December 1996 within Schengen structures and subsequently in accordance with Article 6(1) of the Schengen Protocol in Council Decision 1999/437/EC. They are not expected to have implemented the Schengen acquis fully until next year. When they have done so, they will participate in the SIS in broadly the same way as the United Kingdom will do when it has implemented the acquis. The principal difference will be that the United Kingdom has not sought access to, and exchange of, immigration data contained in the SIS as it will not participate in those parts of the acquis which concern external frontier controls.

    Kosovo
    Mr. Hilary Benn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries he proposes to undertake about housing conditions in Kosovo for those refugees expected to return from the United Kingdom by 25 June. [124907]

    Mrs. Roche
    The Home Office receives regular up-to-date information regarding housing conditions in Kosovo from a range of sources including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

    Opinion Research
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 623W, concerning market and opinion research, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of research, stating in each case whether the results will be published. [124899]
    374W
    Mr. Straw
    For the available information, I refer to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 392W, and to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), the then Minister of State, Home Office, to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 51–52W, and the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) on 3 July 1998, Official Report, column 287W. Details of the eight completed and a further eight on-going additional items to add to this list have been placed in the Library.

    Racial Discrimination
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is concerning the burden of proof in cases of alleged racial discrimination. [125053]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    This Government welcome the agreement of the European Community Directive on racial discrimination, which includes a provision requiring the respondent, once a prima facie case of discrimination has been made by the complainant and accepted by the court or other instance, to demonstrate that there is a reasonable explanation for the practice or criterion concerned. This applies only to civil cases.

    This does not represent a major change in terms of United Kingdom legal practice. Under current United Kingdom law, United Kingdom tribunals can and do, if faced with facts which raise a presumption of discrimination, draw inferences that discrimination has occurred.

    Immigration
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people are employed and at which grades in(a) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (b) the Immigration Service;[125044]

    (2) if he will list the locations where members of the Immigration Service are employed, indicating in each case the number of staff and their grades. [125043]

    Mrs. Roche
    On 1 June 2000, there were a total of 6,817 staff employed by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, of whom 2,786 were employed within the Immigration Service and 4,031 were generalist grades. A breakdown by grade is as follows:

    Grade

    Number

    AA

    814

    AO

    1,370

    Assistant Librarian

    1

    Chief Typing Manager

    1

    Executive Officer

    1,002

    Higher Executive Officer

    459

    Industrial

    9

    Information Officer

    3

    Personal Secretary

    34

    Senior Executive Officer

    96

    Senior Personal Secretary

    3

    Support Grade Band 1

    12

    Support Grade Band 2

    171

    375W

    Grade

    Number

    Support Manager 2

    1

    Support Manager 3

    1

    Typing Manager

    2

    Typist

    52

    Total

    4,031

    Assistant Immigration Officer

    284

    Immigration Officer

    2,053

    Chief Immigration Officer

    391

    Inspector

    56

    Interpreter (Permanent)

    2

    Total

    2,786

    There are 69 locations where members of the Immigration Service are employed and the breakdown by grade, including staff who are in training, in each of those locations is as follows:

    Location

    A10

    10

    C10

    HMI

    Total

    Aberdeen Airport

    1

    8

    1

    0

    10

    Apollo House IS HQ

    2

    41

    26

    2

    71

    Assigned Overseas

    0

    25

    23

    0

    48

    Beckett House

    5

    62

    12

    3

    82

    Belfast

    2

    7

    1

    0

    10

    Birmingham Airport

    6

    38

    6

    2

    52

    Bournemouth

    0

    3

    0

    0

    3

    Bristol Immigration

    Office

    0

    10

    0

    0

    10

    Bristol Airport

    1

    2

    1

    0

    4

    Brize Norton

    0

    2

    0

    0

    2

    Cambridge Airport

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    Campsfield House

    0

    4

    1

    1

    6

    Cardiff

    2

    8

    0

    0

    10

    Cheriton

    0

    62

    6

    0

    68

    Croydon Enforcement Unit

    7

    13

    5

    1

    26

    Dominion Court, Solihull

    1

    9

    4

    0

    14

    Dover East

    48

    194

    28

    5

    275

    Dover Hoverport

    6

    1

    2

    0

    9

    East Midlands Airport

    4

    13

    2

    0

    19

    Edinburgh Airport

    0

    6

    1

    0

    7

    Felixtowe

    0

    3

    0

    0

    3

    Feltham Green (POU)

    0

    0

    1

    0

    1

    Gatwick Airport

    3

    3

    1

    0

    7

    Gatwick Atlantic House

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    Gatwick North

    25

    131

    23

    2

    181

    Gatwick South

    37

    151

    21

    4

    213

    Glasgow

    0

    0

    2

    1

    3

    Glasgow Airport

    2

    23

    2

    0

    27

    Gravesend

    0

    12

    2

    0

    14

    Grenadier House

    0

    0

    1

    0

    1

    Harwich

    0

    32

    6

    1

    39

    Heathrow TN1

    28

    131

    22

    4

    185

    Heathrow TN2

    23

    134

    28

    5

    190

    Heathrow TN3

    16

    208

    34

    5

    263

    Heathrow TN4

    18

    127

    24

    3

    172

    Hull

    0

    9

    2

    0

    11

    Humberside Airport

    0

    5

    0

    0

    5

    Leeds/Bradford Airport

    1

    14

    2

    1

    18

    Liverpool

    0

    7

    1

    0

    8

    London City Airport

    2

    16

    2

    0

    20

    Luton Airport

    2

    22

    3

    0

    27

    Manchester Airport

    8

    82

    14

    3

    107

    Newcastle Airport

    0

    8

    1

    0

    9

    Newhaven

    0

    14

    1

    0

    15

    Newport Olympia House

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    North Shields

    0

    7

    1

    0

    8

    376W

    Location

    A10

    10

    C10

    HMI

    Total

    Norwich Airport

    0

    5

    0

    0

    5

    Oakington

    1

    13

    4

    0

    18

    Plymouth

    1

    9

    1

    0

    11

    Poole

    0

    6

    1

    0

    7

    Portsmouth

    0

    31

    3

    1

    35

    Preston

    0

    3

    0

    0

    3

    Queen Annes Gate

    0

    1

    1

    0

    2

    RAF Mildenhall

    0

    3

    0

    0

    3

    Ramsgate

    0

    6

    0

    0

    6

    Sheffield

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    Southampton

    0

    8

    1

    0

    9

    Southend Airport

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    Spring Gardens NCIS

    1

    3

    0

    0

    4

    Stansted Airport

    3

    60

    10

    2

    75

    Status Park 2

    14

    68

    16

    4

    102

    Status Park 3

    12

    70

    19

    3

    104

    Stockton on Tees

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    Swansea

    0

    2

    0

    0

    2

    Teesside Airport

    1

    7

    1

    0

    9

    Tinsley House

    0

    3

    1

    0

    4

    Waterloo International

    0

    94

    14

    1

    109

    West Drayton

    0

    7

    6

    2

    15

    Location not specified

    1

    1

    0

    0

    2

    Total

    284

    2,053

    391

    56

    2,784

    Eurodac
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on whether the implementing powers under the Eurodac Regulation should be exercised by(a) the Commission or (b) the Council. [125049]

    Mrs. Roche
    The European Parliament is to be reconsulted on the Council's proposal to reserve these implementing powers to itself, rather than delegate them to the Commission. A copy of an Explanatory Memorandum has been sent to the Scrutiny Committees setting out the Government's position on the draft regulation. A copy will be available in the Library.

    Equal Treatment Directive
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the proposed EU Directive against racial discrimination with existing British race relations legislation as it affects the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [125080]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    (The Directive is a European Community Directive, not a European Union Directive.)

    No assessment Of the Directive's compatibility as it affects the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is necessary. Immigration functions are not covered by the fields listed under the scope of the Directive in article 3(1). Furthermore, the United Kingdom secured the addition of paragraph 3(2), which states:
    This Directive does not cover difference of treatment based on nationality and is without prejudice to provisions and conditions relating to the entry into and residence of third-country nationals and stateless persons on the territory of member states, and to any treatment which arises for the legal status of the third-country national and stateless persons concerned.

    Thus the social protection-type functions carried out by the National Asylum Support Service are not covered by the Directive either.
    377W
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations he has consulted on the impact of the draft EU Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. [125042]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    (The Directive is a European Community Directive, not a European Union Directive.)

    The Home Office has consulted: all relevant Whitehall Departments, and the devolved administrations; a range of business organisations and employee organisations, including the Confederation of British Industry, the Construction Federation, the Small Business Centre, the Institute of Personnel Development, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Engineering Employers Federation and the Trade Union Congress; and some 80 non-governmental organisations working in the race relations field, including the Commission for Racial Equality and the European Monitoring Centre.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) British businesses and (b) other organisations of implementing the proposed EU Directive on the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. [125054]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    (The Directive is a European Community Directive, not a European Union Directive.)

    Since a final version of the text was only agreed yesterday, it has not been possible to carry out a full assessment of the cost to British businesses and other organisations of implementing the European Community Directive on the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. A copy of the Regulatory Impact Assessment has been placed in the Library. It has been prepared on the basis of an earlier draft of the Directive, which addressed the potential costs of the proposed Directive, the contents of which have been shared with representatives of the business community.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward further amendments to the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill[Lords] in respect of the EU Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or national origin. [125041]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    We have no such plans. The main purpose of the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill is to extend further the Race Relations Act 1976 to the police and other public authorities, meeting a key recommendation of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report. It would not be within the scope of the Bill to seek to implement the measures contained in the European Union Race Directive, which would have implications for the private sector as well as the public sector. In addition, the timing of the Directive does not fit in with that of the Bill. We are hopeful that the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill will receive Royal Assent by the summer. By contrast, although political agreement on the Directive was reached at the European Union Social Affairs Council at its June meeting, the Directive will now be subject to legal scrutiny and will not be adopted before the Council's October meeting, from which time the United Kingdom 378W
    will have three years to implement it. In these circumstances, it would be unwise to attempt to make unnecessarily speedy amendments to legislation which is already passing through Parliament.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which aspects of education will be covered by the draft European Union Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin; what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the draft Directive with the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 relating to duties imposed on educational bodies; and if he will make a statement. [125031]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    (The Directive is a European Community Directive not a European Union Directive.)

    Our Race Relations Act has, since 1976, fully covered the education sector in the United Kingdom and the Directive has limited coverage in respect of education. The areas where the Directive will primarily come into play are those which deal with such schemes as exchange of best practice and encouraging co-operation between educational bodies in different member states and student and teacher mobility schemes such as exchanges.

    Justice and Home Affairs Council
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proceedings and conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 29 and 30 May. [125040]

    Mr. Straw
    I am writing to the Chairman of the Select Committee on European Scrutiny, in accordance with established practice, to report on the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 29 May. I will arrange for a copy of that letter to be placed in the Library.

    Dublin Convention
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the Commission Working Paper, "Revisiting the Dublin Convention". [125048]

    Mrs. Roche
    The European Commission has produced a working paper entitled "Revisiting the Dublin Convention". This seeks to initiate debate on the Dublin Convention as the first step towards developing Community legislation for determining which member state is responsible for considering an application for asylum submitted in one of the member states, as required by the Treaty of Amsterdam. The Government's view of this document can be found in the Home Office Explanatory Memorandum dated 10 May, a copy of which is in the Library.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of the quarterly statistics on the Dublin Convention exchanged between member states under the terms of decision 1/97. [125047]

    Mrs. Roche
    I have arranged for copies of these latest statistics to be placed in the Library.
    379W
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the Government's policy to seek to replace the Dublin Convention with a system which allocates responsibility for an asylum applicant to the last known transit country within the EU. [125045]

    Mrs. Roche
    The Treaty of Amsterdam requires that a Community instrument must replace the Dublin Convention by May 2004. The Commission has already presented a working document entitled "Revisiting the Dublin Convention" to the Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting held in Brussels on 27 March.
    380W
    The next step in the process will be the circulation of a Commission questionnaire to evaluate the operation of the Dublin Convention as it stands. The Government see evaluation as central to the development of a new draft measure. We must build on the results of the forthcoming evaluation to ensure the development of a more robust and efficient new mechanism in this field. At this preliminary stage, however, the Government consider that the underlying premise of the Dublin Convention (that the State responsible for an applicant's entry into European Union territory is responsible for the determination of any resulting asylum claim) provides a proper model for any future measure.

  TREASURY

    Pensioners (Tax)
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners pay tax and at what

    Number of pensioners1

    Million

    Marginal rate

    1996–972

    1997–982

    1998–992

    1999–20002

    2000–012

    2001–022

    0% (non-taxpayer)

    6.8

    6.7

    6.6

    6.8

    6.5

    6.7

    10%

    —

    —

    0.1

    0.7

    0.9

    0.8

    20%

    2.3

    2.4

    2.4

    0.5

    0.6

    0.6

    22%, 23% or 24%

    1.4

    1.4

    1.5

    2.4

    2.5

    2.5

    40%

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    Total

    10.7

    10.7

    10.7

    10.8

    10.8

    10.8

    1Women aged 60 or over, men aged 65 or over

    2The estimates are rounded to the nearest 100,000

    Note:

    The estimates are based on the Survey of Pen onal Incomes and consistent with the March 2000 Budget.

    Marginal Deduction Rates
    Mr. Willetts
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the taxes and benefits taken into account in calculating the effect of Government reforms on marginal deduction rates, as shown in Table 4.2 of the Red Book, HC 346. [122498]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 16 May 2000]: A marginal deduction rate (MDR) measures how much of an additional pound of earnings is deducted through the combination of taxes and/or reduced entitlement to benefits and/or tax credits. The figures in table 4.2 of the Red Book are for working households in receipt of income-related benefits or the Working Families Tax Credit where at least one person works 16 hours or more a week. The calculation of an MDR therefore incorporates Income Tax (taking into account personal allowances and tax credits such as the Children's Tax Credit) employee National Insurance Contributions, and income-related benefits and tax credits, namely the Working Families Tax Credit, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.

    Tax Credits
    Ms Kelly
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of projected claimants of the(a) Working Families Tax Credit and (b) Disabled Person's Tax Credit for the years (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02. [123798]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 25 May 2000]: Table C12 in the March 2000 Financial Statement and Budget Report shows projected expenditure on the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC). These projections were based on the expectation that up to 1.4 million individuals and families will benefit from WFFC and DPTC.

    Child Poverty
    Mr. Webb
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of children which his policies have lifted out of poverty between 1997–98 and 2000–01, based on a poverty line of(a) 50 per cent. of mean income
    382W
    rates; and how many (a) paid no tax before the Budget and (b) are paying no tax after the Budget. [117517]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 4 April 2000]: Only around 40 per cent. of pensioners currently have any income tax to pay. Estimates for the number of pensioners by different marginal rates are given in the table:

    before housing costs, (b) 50 per cent. of mean income after housing costs, (c) 60 per cent. of median income before housing costs and (d) 60 per cent. of median income after housing costs, indicating in each case the cash value of each threshold. [123716]

    Dawn Primarolo
    Based on a threshold of 60 per cent. of median income, after housing costs, there will be a total of 1.2 million children in households lifted out of poverty as a result of measures announced this Parliament. Figures for this and for other proportions of the median are given in Box 5.1 on page 86 of the Budget 2000 Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report.

    A threshold at 50 per cent. of mean income would be very similar to the 60 per cent. of median income threshold used above. Any difference in results using this threshold would be rendered insignificant by the sampling and estimating errors involved in these calculations.

    The number of children lifted out of poverty before housing costs is similar to the after housing costs figures. As before, the differences are small and rendered insignificant by the sampling and estimating errors involved. However, as the number of children in poverty in 1997–98 was lower before housing costs, the proportional reduction in child poverty arising from Budget measures would be greater.

    Latest statistics on household incomes (covering 1997–98) can be found in "Households below average incomes 1994–95 to 1997–98" published by he Department of Social Security.

    CITES
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) investigations and (b) successful prosecutions Customs officials have conducted with regard to breaches of CITES legislation in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [124050]

    Dawn Primarolo
    HM Customs and Excise do not hold central records of the number of endangered species related investigations undertaken by its staff in any given period.
    383W
    In the period 1995 to date, the Department made 2,174 detections of live species or derivatives covered by CITES legislation. Of these, however, the vast majority were either tourist souvenirs (85 per cent.) or relatively small commercial quantities where there was insufficient evidence of deliberate criminal activity to warrant action beyond seizure of the goods.

    During this period Customs has mounted four successful prosecutions, all resulting in custodial sentences.

    Single Ombudsman Service
    Mr. Efford
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Financial Services Authority to publish its response to the consultation on the Single Ombudsman Service; and if he will make a statement. [124944]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The Financial Services Authority published its response to the consultation on the Single Ombudsman Service on 24 May on the internet and on 1 June in hard copy form. I understand the FSA has sent a copy of its response direct to my hon. Friend.

    National Insurance
    Mr. Field
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he plans to take to compensate those contributors who were wrongly advised to continue to pay the married women's option in the national insurance scheme. [125102]

    Dawn Primarolo
    The Government's policy is to provide sufficient information to enable women to make an informed choice about their election to pay reduced rate contributions.

    Opinion Research
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 585W, on opinion research, what steps have been taken to ensure that his Department
    384W
    makes such results publicly available as required by paragraph 19 of the Cabinet Office May 1999 Guidelines on Research into Public Attitudes and Opinions. [124904]

    Mr. Timms
    The Treasury take full account of the Cabinet Office Guidelines on Government Research into Public Attitudes and Opinions, which were published on 12 May 2000.

    Taxation (I-E Formula)
    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 524W, on Taxation (I-E Formula), in respect of each rate of tax shown in the table, what is his estimate of a 1 per cent. reduction in each of the rates shown for tax years 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [125120]

    Dawn Primarolo
    No estimates are available.

    Correspondence
    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter of 21 October 1999 from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East, in respect of which a reminder letter was sent on 17 February. [124806]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    I replied to the hon. Member on 23 November 1999 and am sending him a copy of my letter.

    Inter-Governmental Conference
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions have taken place on the rebate of the contribution of the United Kingdom to the EU Budget at the Inter-Governmental conference considering the prospective Treaty of Nice; and what has been the percentage Change in the UK's(a) gross and (b) net contribution to the EU (i) taking into account and (ii) not taking into account the rebate in the last five years. [125252]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    No such discussions have taken place. Details of the United Kingdom's gross contributions, abatement, public sector receipts and net contributions for he period 1973–74 to 1999–2000 can be obtained from various Departmental Reports of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments—or, previously, Government Expenditure Plans.

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  NATO/Russia Permanent Joint Council
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  EU: Reform for Enlargement Proposals
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  Iran: Arms Embargo and Export Licences
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  EU Business Calendar
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  Sri Lanka: Assistance
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  Pakistan: Bilateral Assistance
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  Corruption: Civil Law Convention
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  Butler Report
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  Departmental Cars
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  Belfast Agreement: Parity of Esteem
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  Questions for Written Answer
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  Northern Ireland: Learning Disorder Assessments
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  Northern Ireland Railway Task Force
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  County Down to Belfast Expressway Proposal
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  Northern Ireland: Rail Safety
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  Northern Ireland: Public Transport
  Northern Ireland: Public Transport
  Belfast to Londonderry Railway Line
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  NMEC: Resignation of Mr Ayling
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  NMEC: Ministerial Responsibilities
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  NMEC: Funding
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  School-age Children: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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  London Underground: Out of Service Escalators
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  GM Contaminated Seed
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  Enzootic Bovine Leukosis and Brucellosis Testing
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  Seed Purity
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