Written Answers of 9 June 2000

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what levels of compensation are available to customers of the Royal Mail's Special Delivery service following the termination of the registered post service. [124727]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There are three levels of compensation available with the Special delivery service:

  The service comes with an automatic compensation level of up to £250. For an extra fee of £0.45 compensation of up to £1,000 can be purchased. For an extra fee of £1.35 compensation of up to £2,500 can be purchased. Prices for these services are dependent upon the weight of the item and the level of compensation purchased. A full listing is available on Royal Mail's website, www.royalmail.co.uk.

  Customers are also able to purchase Consequential Loss on top of the compensation service. This covers any additional financial loss that is separate to from the actual market value of the item and is due to delay, loss or damage.

  Limited Liability Partnerships
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of plcs likely to register as limited liability partnerships under his proposed new legislation. [124381]

  Dr. Howells
  No such estimate has been made. For a number of reasons we would be surprised if plcs converted to LLPs. There are no shareholders in an LLP, and no provision for the public listing of an LLP. Shareholders in a plc would have to become LLP members, and would be subject to, for example, the potential "clawback" liability of the new section 214A to be contained in regulations applying the Insolvency Act 1986. Treating LLPs as partnerships for tax will mean that each member will be taxed on their proportionate share of the whole of the LLP's income and capital gains. This would make both the LLP's and the members' tax calculations extremely complicated, with the individual members having to pay that tax through self assessment. Further, if an LLP restricted what the members could draw out because it wanted to retain profit for working capital then taxing each member on their proportionate share of the whole of tin LLP's profit could mean they paid more tax than they had received. This would give the appearance that they were suffering an effective tax rate of over 100 per cent.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the consultation on the good faith provisions of the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill will be completed. [125346]
  386W
  Dr. Howells
  The consultation paper, "Regulatory Default Provisions Governing Relationship Between Members" (URN 00/617) published in February, sought comments on whether it was appropriate to include express statutory provision that members of an LLP owe a duty of good faith to each other. The consultation period closed on 7 April, and the summary of responses (URN 00/865) published in May set out the conclusions reached.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation he had with the Federation of Small Businesses about the opportunities for small businesses to become limited liability partnerships before the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill was introduced. [125345]

  Dr. Howells
  A representative of the Federation of Small Businesses met my officials in October 1999 and has also been in correspondence with them.

  Departmental Policies
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what ways his Department and its executive agencies deliver services to meet the needs of the public as consumers, with particular reference to families. [124537]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]My Department and its agencies are committed to improving family life through the encouragement of enterprise and creation of wealth, and to enabling more choice for working parents to help them balance their work and family commitments while providing benefits for business. In a speech at the New Ways to Work Conference on 9 May, I announced a Government review of the issues surrounding maternity pay and parental leave.

  My Department aims to benefit the public as consumers by creating strong and competitive markets and by developing a fair and effective legal and regulatory framework for commercial activity. Last year, we published a White Paper, "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" (Cm 4410) which set out a comprehensive strategy to help people get a good deal. We also provide financial support for consumer bodies, including the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, and have set up an award winning consumer gateway (www.consumer.gov.uk) to steer people round the wealth of consumer information on the World Wide Web.

  German Post Office
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on the decision of the European Commission to initiate inquiries into the handling of UK mail by the German Post Office, indicating the powers which the Commission possesses; [124764]

  (2) what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Germany about the handling of mail from the UK; and if he will make a statement; [124765]

  (3) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the decision of the European Court of Justice on the German Post Office's entitlement to make additional

  387W
  charges for re-mailed letters; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this decision on the Post Office. [124766]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]This issue relates to the lack of clarity about what does and what does not constitute ABA re-mail which has led to a number of legal cases within Europe. ABA re-mail is mail sent from Country A to Country B for delivery to Country A. The problems have arisen because the way historically post offices have paid each other has not allowed them to fully recover the costs of delivering incoming mail.

  In this context the British Post Office lodged a complaint with the European Commission in February 1998 into the alleged practice of Deutsche Post AG (DPAG) intercepting some international mail inward into Germany. The European Commission has now announced that it has completed an extensive investigation and in its preliminary assessment has concluded that, subject to any arguments DPAG may put forward in its defence, DPAG's practice abuses its dominant market position and restricts competition. The Commission has issued a Statement of Objections, which is a preliminary procedural document and not a final decision. It opens formal proceedings under EU procedural rules. It lists in detail the allegations against DPAG and includes the Commission's assessment of how DPAG infringes Article 82 of the EC Treaty. DPAG has full rights of defence and when these have been considered the Commission will finally decide whether a prohibition decision is necessary. If, following formal proceedings, the initial view of the Commission is confirmed, DPAG will be ordered to cease this behaviour. DPAG may then appeal the decision of the Commission before the European Courts.

  I welcome the Commission's decision to investigate this case. Any infringement of competition rules or abuse of a dominant position is of concern. We were aware of the Post Office's complaint but have not made direct representations to the Germany Government as we were awaiting the Commission's views.

  The case is one of a number of cases concerning remail. The recent decision of the European Court of Justice on the German Post Office's entitlement to make additional charges for re-mailed letters (in the case of DPAG v. GZS and Citicorp) allowed DPAG to charge bulk mailers the difference between the low rate it receives from the sending countries' postal authorities and the rate it would have received if that mail had been sent domestically within Germany. It did not address the issue of what kinds of items should be regarded as acceptable for ABA re-mail. It is this issue which the current investigation will address.

  Also relevant is the recent rejection of the appeal by DPAG in the International Express Carriers Conference (the IECC) v. Commission against the judgment of the Court of First Instance which annulled the Commission's decision of 6 April 1995 that interceptions of commercial ABA re-mail did not constitute an abuse within the meaning of Article 86 (now 82) of the EC Treaty. The rejection of the appeal does not mean that Deutsche Post, or other European Post Offices, are entitled to intercept commercial physical ABA re-mail. Equally there is no ruling that it may do so. I hope the current investigation will clarify matters.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter of 2 February from the right hon. Member for North-East Hampshire regarding a constituent, Mr. Kelbie. [124997]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]I replied to the right hon. Member yesterday.

  Car Pricing
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect the Competition Commission recommendation on car pricing would have on the independent car retailers. [124898]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 June 20001]The recommendations should bring about greater competition in the supply and retailing of new cars. This should mean lower prices, increased sales and increased consumer confidence. Both consumers and the car industry will benefit.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further response he will make to the Competition Commission's report on the Supply of New Motor Cars in the UK. [125759]

  Mr. Byers
  I intend to publish a draft of the Order under the Fair Trading Act 1973 on Monday 12 June. Under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 I will allow a 30 day period for consultation. This will help to ensure that the Order is workable for the industry and effective for consumers.

  I note that prices for new cars have come down recently. I welcome this response by manufacturers and dealers. The Order is an important part of this process.

  Science Base
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to reinforce the science base in the North West. [125755]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today set up a new group which will examine ways of boosting economic development in the North West by capitalising on the region's scientific and industrial strengths. The North West Science and Daresbury Development Group will also make proposals on the role that the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire can play in this process. The Group will report to me by 29 December 2000.

DEFENCE

  Queen Victoria School
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Queen Victoria School for the Financial Year 2000–01. [125756]
  389W
  Dr. Moonie
  The Chief Executive of Queen Victoria School has been set the following Key Targets for 2000–01:

  1. To maintain the staying on rate at school for S4 to S5 at a minimum of 4 per cent. above the Scottish national average for the current year.1

  2. To maintain the percentage of pupils obtaining at least five Credit awards at Standard Grade at 2 per cent. above the Scottish average.1

  3. To maintain a percentage of the presentations at Higher Grade achieving A to C at least equal to the Scottish average.1

  4. To achieve a pupil per capital cost of not more than £15,500 by March 2001. The 1999–2000 target was £17,415.

  5. To generate income to the school of at least £245,000.

  1 All Queen Victoria School statistics to be based on the school's results over the last three years, compared with the national average for the current year, those statistics being as published in the Scottish Executive Official Statistics.

  War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received calling for extension of the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme. [125757]

  Dr. Moonie
  Following a recent approach by The Royal British Legion, I have agreed to an extension of the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme for a further two years, until 31 March 2003. The Government greatly appreciate the excellent work of The Royal British Legion who administer this subsidised scheme on our behalf and which, to date, has enabled more than 4,000 widows to visit their husband's grave in many parts of the world.

  ECHR (Cyprus)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the European Convention on Human Rights is applied to the sovereign bases in Cyprus. [124402]

  Mr. Spellar
  The European Convention on Human Rights is not extended to the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Young Offenders Institutions
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 May 2000,Official Report, columns 219–20W, on young offenders institutions, at which installations the eight self-inflicted deaths in 1999 took place; and what were the (a) ages and (b) gender of the residents concerned. [123978]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The information requested is given in the table.

  Self-inflicted deaths in Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions: 1999

  Sex

  Age

  Aylesbury

  Male

  18

  Aylesbury

  Male

  19

  Aylesbury

  Male

  19

  Castington

  Male

  20

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  Self-inflicted deaths in Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions: 1999

  Sex

  Age

  Glen Parva

  Male

  19

  Portland

  Male

  20

  Stoke Heath

  Male

  19

  Weatherby

  Male

  17

  Notes:

  1. Establishments have been categorised according to their primary role. However, it should be noted that there are a number of other prisons that hold young offenders (eg male remand centres) which are not included.

  2. Not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide.

  Endocrine Disrupters
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received for licences to undertake testing for endocrine disrupters; and if he will indicate in each case the(a) level of funding, (b) length of study, (c) animal species which are to be used and (d) relevant research body. [124786]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No project licences have been issued to undertake regulatory testing of endocrine disrupters as there is currently no formally agreed regulatory test requirement or protocol.

  Licences have been issued to assist in the development and validation of the test systems that might be required to underpin any regulatory testing regime. The work is done almost exclusively on fish.

  Information on sources of funding, research bodies and length of studies are not collated centrally.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors are taken into account by the Chief Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspector when making a cost/benefit assessment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 before granting a licence to allow experiments on animals. [124789]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that, in determining whether and on what terms to grant a project licence, the Secretary of State must weigh the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the programme specified on the application.

  For the purposes of the cost/benefit assessment, the cost to the animal is considered as the adverse effects of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. The benefits must be for humans, animals or the environment and relate to the scientific and/or medical progress likely to result directly from the programme outlined in the application.

  All members of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate apply the cost/benefit assessment set out in detail in the Chief Inspector's paper, including in the Annual Report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1997, Chapter 2, Annex 1.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the Chief Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspector with regard to the safety testing for chemicals used in
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  household products, and the products themselves, where it is not claimed that a product will itself improve the health of man or animals or provide enhanced protection for the environment; and if he will make a statement. [124790]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Section 5(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 sets out the purposes for which a project licence shall be granted. If a programme of work does not satisfy one or more of those reasons, it will not be authorised.

  National and international regulatory bodies require that products, ingredients and chemicals are tested to ensure that they are safe (for humans, animals and the environment) during manufacture, transport and use, thereby preventing ill-health or abnormality or their effects and providing protection of the natural environment. The product itself does not have to improve the health of man or animals or provide enhanced protection of the natural environment.

  This country has taken, and continues to take, a leading role in Europe in encouraging the use of alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals used and refine the procedures to minimise pain and suffering.

  Secure Training Centres
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which secure training centres are unable to accept inmates sentenced to a detention and training order; and if he will make a statement. [125025]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]All three Secure Training Centres (STCs) are able to accommodate children and young people sentenced to Detention and Training Orders (DTOs). Eighteen of the 37 trainees in Medway, 21 of the 40 in Rainsbrook and 17 of the 36 in Hassockfield are serving DTOs.

  Blantyre House
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates HM Inspector of Prisons last inspected HMP Blantyre House; on what date his report was submitted to his Department; and on what date it is expected to be published. [125065]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons carried out a full announced inspection of Blantyre House prison from 21 to 25 January this year. He submitted his report to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 21 March. Discussions on factual accuracy as set out in the established protocol are taking place. I expect the report to be published shortly.

  Prostitutes' Cards
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received to the consultation exercise entitled New Measures to Control Prostitutes' Cards in Phone Boxes; what action he now proposes to take; and if he will make a statement. [125535]
  392W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We received 60 replies to the consultation exercise. Many respondents did not comment directly on the need for action and just under half (27) specifically stated there was a problem which needed to be tackled. Only four did not feel action should be taken. We therefore conclude we need to take specific action to deal with prostitutes' cards in phone boxes.

  However, it remains the case that this is very much a local problem and action needs to be targeted at the specific areas involved.

  No single straightforward solution emerged from the consultation responses, although there was strong support both for call barring and for a new criminal offence. We accept that action should be taken on both these fronts together.

  On call barring, we are asking the Director-General of Oftel to consider how best to develop an effective scheme in consultation with the industry.

  On the new criminal offence, respondents to the consultation exercise expressed differing views on how an effective new criminal offence could be formulated. They highlighted the need for the new offence to fit coherently into controls and regulatory schemes already in place. I have, therefore, asked my officials to meet local authorities, Oftel, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies to draw up final proposals with a view to legislating when parliamentary time allows.

  In taking this action, we have looked carefully at whether effective measures against prostitutes' cards could lead to an increase in street prostitution, and whether, if so, the cards should be seen as the lesser affront. We raised this issue specifically as part of the consultation. However, the responses as a whole did not suggest this was a major concern. It was noted that street prostitution had not decreased with the advent of carding. Moreover, the number of prostitutes advertising in this way in London was estimated at between 250–400, but the number of cards produced was 13 million per year. Prostitutes outside London and Brighton do not normally have recourse to this particularly offensive form of advertising, although we are aware of small scale use of this form of advertising in a few other areas. We have, therefore, concluded that action against carding is justified and is very unlikely to be counter-productive.

  I have placed a summary of the responses in the Library.

  Chief Inspector of Prisons
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the post of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on the expiry of Sir David Ramsbotham's appointment; and if he will make a statement. [125552]

  Mr. Straw
  I am delighted that Her Majesty the Queen has consented to an extension of the appointment of Her Majesty's Chief inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, until July 2001. Sir David has made a great contribution to our shared goal of ensuring that prisoners are held securely in safe, decent and healthy establishments. I am pleased that he will continue in his role beyond the expiry date of his original appointment.
  393W
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation, Sir Graham Smith, also retires close to the end of July 2001. Aligning the dates when both posts will be vacant, gives the Government flexibility in considering how best to ensure that the arrangements for inspection of prisons and the probation service best support closer working between the services as well as ensuring that the individual services continue to be inspected rigorously and independently as they have been. I shall be making a further statement to Parliament on this in due course.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what re-appointments and appointments are to be made to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [125553]

  Mr. Straw
  Her Majesty the Queen has approved the re-appointment for a further term of the following existing members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission:

  Mr. Barry Capon CBE

  Miss Jill Gort

  Mr. John Knox

  Mr. David Kyle

  Professor Leonard Leigh

  Dr. James MacKeith

  Mr. Edward Weiss

  Her Majesty has also approved the appointment of Mr. David Jessel as a member of the Commission with effect from 1 August.

  Marches and Demonstrations (Kent)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant to the Chief Constable of Kent powers to proscribe marches and demonstrations in public places within the Thanet District, Dover District and Canterbury City Council boundaries between 10 June and 31 October. [125354]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 enables a chief constable to apply to the District Council for an order prohibiting public processions or marches for a period of up to three months, where he reasonably believes that such marches may result in serious public disorder, and that disorder could not be prevented by the imposition of appropriate conditions on the march. The District Council may make such an order with the consent of the Home Secretary. Should an application be received by the Homo Secretary in this case, it will be carefully considered on its merits.

  Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of drug treatment and testing measures contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill. [125325]

  Mr. Boateng
  The current estimates are dependent upon the number of people who will be subject to the drug treatment and testing measures and their deterrence effect. The estimated annual cost for national implementation is in the range of £50 million to £80 million. This includes an estimate of the costs arising from possible increases in the prison population.
  394W
  The initial piloting of these drug testing proposals in three areas will provide further information of the costs.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he commissioned on which he based the plans for the Drug Abstinence Order contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill; and if he will make a statement. [125326]

  Mr. Boateng
  The use of drug testing to deter and monitor drug misuse in the proposed Drug Abstinence order is based on existing evidence from both America and this country. This includes the evaluation of programmes in Oregon showing that drug testing can be useful in supervising offenders in the community. The Prison Service's mandatory drug testing programme also demonstrates that testing can have a significant deterrent effect on drug misusers.

  The drug testing proposals, including the Drug Abstinence Order, are to be piloted over two years and the outcomes fully evaluated. These evaluations will provide further material to inform the future use of Drug Abstinence Orders.

  Prisons
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have appointed an equal opportunities officer; what percentage of(a) staff and (b) managers have received racial harassment and discrimination training; when targets for the implementation of the Instruction to Prison Governors IG51/1996 will be met; and if will he make a statement. [125327]

  Mr. Boateng
  All prisons directly managed by the Prison Service have an equal opportunities officer.

  The current recorded level of delivered training in racial harassment and discrimination is 9.9 per cent. Records do not differentiate between managers and staff.

  The target set out in instruction to governors 51 of 1996, a copy of which is in the Library, was for all staff to receive racial harassment and discrimination training by July 2000. However, legislation and case law have moved on since the instruction was issued and the training needs to be updated. The development and introduction of new training forms part of the Prison Service's diversity action plan.

  The Prison Service launched the racial equality for staff and prisoners programme (RESPOND) in February 1999. Under this material issued to all establishments, it makes clear that racism will not be tolerated and includes guidance on language and behaviours which could cause offence.

  Police Costs
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 November,Official Report, column 241W, on police costs whether information is available on the total additional costs to police forces responsible for policing each of the party conferences last year; and if he will make a statement. [125348]
  395W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The total additional qualifying expenditure (extra costs that were related to the police security operation) that was incurred for the Labour Party and Conservative party conferences in 1999 were as follows:

  £

  Labour Party Conference at Bournemouth

  Dorset Police

  1,659,317

  Conservative Party Conference at Blackpool

  Lancashire Constabulary

  891,867

  The special payment I authorised for Dorset Police was limited to £1.6 million and, therefore, the excess (£59,317) was met from within their budget. In the case of the Lancashire Constabulary, I have made a special payment that is equal to their additional costs as they were less than the special grant maximum I had earlier set at £895,000.

  Drug Testing
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to ensure consistency and accurate standards of drug testing conducted by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [125323]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The piloting of the drug testing proposals contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill is due to start in Spring 2001. Planning will include consultation with the Forensic Science Service on the testing arrangements to ensure that the analytical processes are accurate, fully meet industry standards and are subject to rigorous quality assurance programmes. Use will also be made of the considerable experience gained from the well-established Prison Service mandatory drug testing programmes.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to arrest referral schemes and how arrest schemes are to operate in relation to powers to test for drugs at the time of charging of suspects. [125324]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We anticipate that the testing of arrestees charged with the relevant offences will help to identify those who would benefit from participation in arrest referral schemes which are now being developed with a view to providing coverage of all custody suites by April 2002.

  The drug testing proposals are to be piloted over two years from spring 2001. This will include an assessment of how drug testing can be used to maximise the effectiveness of arrest referral schemes.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Audit Commission report entitled, Another Country; what plans he has to make changes to the current arrangements for the dispersal of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [125320]
  396W
  Mrs. Roche
  We welcome the Audit Commission report on the dispersal arrangements. The field work for the report was undertaken between October 1999 and March 2000 and draws its conclusions from the effectiveness of dispersal operations under the voluntary arrangements, before the National Asylum Support Service became operational on 3 April 2000. Many of the conclusions and recommendations made within the report have been implemented, or are being developed, or are under active consideration.

  We will continue to work with regional consortia to ensure that asylum seekers are properly supported while their claims are being considered, and that no one area takes a disproportionate burden.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive replies to his letters of 9 February and 4 May on behalf of his constituent Dr. Nazir. [125194]

  Mr. Straw
  I wrote to the right hon. Member on 8 June. I apologise to him for the delay.

  Remembrance Sunday
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for this year's ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. [125551]

  Mr. Straw
  The usual ceremony at the Cenotaph will be held on Remembrance Sunday. The Royal British Legion has made proposals which will allow other relevant groups and individuals who have not in the past taken part in the march past at the conclusion of the official ceremony to do so. I welcome these proposals, which the Royal British Legion are now taking forward. Interested parties will be able to apply through the Royal British Legion.

  Burns Inquiry
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what date was first set for the report of the Burns Inquiry into hunting with dogs to be delivered to him; when he expects to receive it; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement. [125349]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Burns Inquiry was asked to report by late spring. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary expects to receive the report from Lord Burns today, and the report to be published next week.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Television Transmitter Failures (Compensation)
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what compensation arrangements apply to television licence holders who are unable to receive broadcasts as a result of transmitter failures. [124738]
  397W
  Janet Anderson
  The television licence fee is a payment for permission to install or use television to receive television programme services and not for a service provided. There is therefore no entitlement to compensation, nor, while a TV remains installed, to refunds of television licence fees in eases of transmitter failures.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the standard adult charge for visiting the Dome; and what is the average entrance receipt achieved per visitor. [123985]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The gross standard adult charge for entrance to the Dome is £20. The average gross yield entrance receipt per visitor to date, is £14.50.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the attainment of a target for visitor figures for the Millennium Dome will be a factor in deciding to award a bonus to Pierre-Yves Gerbeau. [124394]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]The attainment of a target for visitor numbers will be one of a range of measures used in any decision to award a bonus payment to the Chief Executive of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC).

  Designated Museums Challenge Fund
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the period of the Designated Museums Challenge Fund; and if he will make a statement. [125075]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  £15 million his been allocated to the Designation Challenge Fund between 1999 and 2002. Provision beyond that will depend on the outcome of the spending review 2000.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when lie expects the New Millennium Experience Company to publish its next accounts; and what period they will cover. [125030]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) aims to publish its next Annual Report and Accounts at the end of July 2000, to cover the period up to 31 December 1999.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how in my board meetings of the New Millennium Experience Company have taken place since 1 January; when they took place; and which directors were in attendance at each meeting. [125028]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]Since 1 January 2000, the Board of the New Millennium Experience Company has met eight times.

  18 January:
  Present: Robert Ayling; Jennifer Page, Ian Ash; Cllr Len Duvall; Michael Grade; Sir Brian Jenkins; Liam Kane; The hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; David Quarmby, Ken Robinson; Neil Spence.
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  31 January:
  Present: David Quarmby; Ian Ash; Jennifer Page; Liam Kane; Ken Robinson; Neil Spence.

  24 February:
  Present: Robert Ayling; P-Y Gerbeau; Ian Ash; Sir Alan Cockshaw; Cllr Len Duvall; Sir Brian Jenkins; Liam Kane; The hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; David Quarmby.

  21 March:
  Present: Robert Ayling; P-Y Gerbeau; Sir Alan Cockshaw; Michael Grade; Sir Brian Jenkins; Liam Kane; The hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; David Quarmby; Neil Spence.

  18 April:
  Present: Robert Ayling; P-Y Gerbeau; Ian Ash; Sir Alan Cockshaw; Cllr Len Duvall; Sir Brian Jenkins; The hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; David Quarmby; Neil Spence.

  2 May:
  Present: Robert Ayling; P-Y Gerbeau; Ian Ash; Sir Brian Jenkins; The hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; David Quarmby; Neil Spence.

  18 May:
  Present: Robert Ayling; P-Y Gerbeau; Ian Ash; Cllr Len Duvall; Michael Grade; Malcolm Hutchinson; Sir Brian Jenkins; The hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; Neil Spence.

  23 May 2000:
  Present: Robert Ayling; P-Y Gerbeau; Ian Ash; Cllr Len Duvall; Michael Grade; Malcolm Hutchinson; Sir Brian Jenkins; David Quarmby; Neil Spence.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the preferred commercial operator of the proposed visitor centre at Stonehenge has been chosen; and if he will make a statement. [125328]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I anticipate that a statement will be made in the near future.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Pakistan
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the rape of eight Christian girls in Pakistan on 7 May. [125143]

  Mr. Hain
  We are aware of reports that Christian girls were raped on 3 May in Lahore. We strongly deplore this dreadful criminal act. Following the coup of 12 October, General Musharraf gave assurances that the rights of Pakistan's minorities would be respected and that they would be treated as equal citizens. We urge him to fulfil this commitment and ensure that all Pakistan citizens are given the full protection of the law.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the administration in Pakistan to eradicate religious intolerance. [125145]

  Mr. Hain
  We share concerns about the position of religious minorities in Pakistan and have relayed those concerns to the Pakistan authorities. Our High Commission in Islamabad maintains a regular dialogue with Christian and human rights groups and the Pakistani authorities on this issue. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns.

  India
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government on the rise of Hindu militancy in India. [125162]

  Mr. Hain
  During his visit to India in April, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised with the India Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, his concerns over incidents of religious intolerance. I also discussed attacks on religious minorities with my Indian interlocutors during my visit to India last November.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the frequency of attacks against the Christian population of India in each of the last four years. [125144]

  Mr. Hain
  We have been following closely reports of attacks on Christians in India. We have noted with concern an apparent increase in such reports over the past four years. We have raised this issue with Indian authorities on a number of occasions and have urged them to respond to international concern over attacks on Christians. We and our High Commission in New Delhi will continue to monitor this issue.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received concerning attacks on Christians in India. [125164]

  Mr. Hain
  Our High Commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the position of religious minorities in India closely, including reports of attacks on Christians.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he is giving the Indian Government to reduce Hindu militant attacks on the Christian population of India. [125163]

  Mr. Hain
  We support the Indian authorities in their efforts to ensure that the right to freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, is guaranteed. We have welcomed the Indian Government's assurances that attacks on Christians are fully investigated and action taken against the perpetrators.

TREASURY

  Income Tax
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 65 years and above pay income tax at the(a) basic and (b) higher rate; and how many did so in the financial year 1996–97. [121010]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 8 June 2000,Official Report, column 382W.

HEALTH

  Taxanes
  Ms Church
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from health care professionals regarding the funding of taxanes. [118345]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department receives communications from members of the public from all walks of life representing a wide range of issues. These include some from health care professionals who have shown concerns regarding the funding of taxanes which has led to so called "postcode prescribing".

  We share these concerns and this is the reason why we asked the National Institute of Clinical Guidance (NICE) to review the evidence around the effectiveness of two taxane drugs (Taxol and Taxotere). NICE published guidance on the use of taxanes in advanced ovarian cancer on 5 May and will be publishing guidance on the use of taxanes for advanced breast cancer shortly. We have made an additional 8.9 per cent. cash increase available to health authorities on average this year. This includes the additional £660 million announced in the Budget which will, among other things, enable health authorities to fund positive recommendations from NICE.

  Influenza
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps the Government plans to take to ensure that vulnerable at-risk groups, including elderly people in nursing homes, have rapid access to antiviral treatment and protection in the early stages of influenza outbreaks in their communities; [121962]

  (2) what plans he has to recommend the wider use of antiviral drugs to help control influenza outbreaks; [121961]

  (3) what plans he has to communicate to health professionals and the public information about influenza protection and treatment measures other than vaccination, with particular reference to established antivirals; [121966]

  (4) what steps he is taking to ensure that general practitioners are aware of the extent to which (a) flu antivirals used in other countries and (b) new antivirals being considered by NICE are available, effective and safe; [121960]

  (5) if he will recommend adoption of anti-flu measures as employed by the West Cumberland NHS Trust. [122297]

  Yvette Cooper
  Recommendations on the use of amantadine (an antiviral drug used in the treatment and prevention of influenza A) are given in the United Kingdom Health Departments' publication 'Immunisation against Infectious Disease'. Recommendations on the use of Relenza (one of a new type of antiviral drugs developed for the treatment of influenza) are given in the guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued last year. NICE will be reviewing its advice on the use of antiviral drugs later this year, in time to give further advice for next winter's influenza season. The Department will consider the need for further guidance on the treatment of influenza in the light of this advice.
  401W
  The use of antiviral treatment in an individual outbreak is a matter for the local Consultant in Communicable Disease Control and offering such treatment to healthcare staff is a decision for individual NHS trusts.

  Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to support the work of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust. [122499]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department provides financial support to the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust through the Section 64 grants scheme. This support comprises core grant funding of £20,000 in 200G–01 and up to a maximum of £20,000 in 2001–02 and £10,000 in 2002–03 to help meet the trust's running costs.

  Kidderminster Hospital
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will intervene to prevent the relocation of medical services provided at Kidderminster Hospital to Worcester Royal Infirmary until the new Worcester hospital is open. [122458]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 16 June 2000]The Secretary of State has approved the proposals in Investing in Excellence for a new hospital and for the reconfiguration of services across the district. The timing of the reconfiguration is a matter for the local trust, with due regard for their responsibility for safety and quality care.

  The lead clinicians at Kidderminster Hospital have agreed to the moves of acute inpatient services to either Worcester or Redditch, in the interests of sub-specialisation and better quality care across the whole of Worcestershire. They have recently become increasingly concerned about the clinical fragility of services in Kidderminster, and the risks involved in coping with winter pressures under these circumstances. The trust proposes that acute inpatient beds currently provided at Kidderminster will be re-provided one-for-one in Worcester or Redditch, and have additional facilities to handle extra demand, including an expanded Accident and Emergency Department, a new minor injuries unit, new Medical Assessment Unit and additional ITU and coronary care beds. The Department has been assured that this work will be complete before the inpatient moves take place.

  Bowel Cancer
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for bowel cancer in(a) the South and West Devon Health Authority area and (b) Torbay Healthcare Trust since 1990; and what were their survival rates. [122694]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information provided by the South and West Cancer Intelligence Unit on the incidence of colorectal cancer and survival rates in South and West Devon Health Authority is given in the following tables. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. David Hudson, Chairman of South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, for details of local treatment and survival rates.
  402W

  Three year rolling average colorectal cancer incidence rates—South and West Devon Health Authority residents

  Crude rate

  ASR

  1990–92

  67.4

  44.2

  1991–93

  66.4

  43.8

  1992–94

  68.2

  44.4

  1993–95

  65.9

  41.7

  1994–96

  68.2

  43.4

  1995–97

  68.9

  44.1

  Notes:

  1. Crude rates relate to incident cases per 100,000 population

  2. Age standardised rates (ASR) are based on European Standard Population and allow for a direct comparison between areas

  3. Colorectal Cancer ICD9/10: 153, 154, C 18–C21

  Survival rates—colorectal cancer 1990 to 1994—South and West Devon Health Authority residents

  Percentage

  Survival time

  All registrations proportion surviving

  Treated within six months, proportion surviving

  30 days

  92

  95

  1 year

  69

  75

  2 years

  56

  62

  3 years

  49

  54

  4 years

  44

  48

  5 years

  41

  45

  Notes:

  1. Survival analysis based on registrations made between 1990–94. This allows for full five year follow up period for all patients.

  2. Persons aged over 85 at diagnosis and registrations made from a Death Certificate Only are excluded from the analysis.

  3. Analysis on treated within six months looks only at those persons for whom SW Cancer Intelligence Unit have received information regarding surgery and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy within six months of diagnosis.

  4. Colorectal Cancer ICD9/10: 153, 154, C18–C21.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is being carried out by his Department to improve the services available to people suffering from ME. [123266]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis have access, and such patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties. The CFS/ME working group will produce guidance aimed at improving the quality of this care and treatment.

  Health Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in respect of nursing homes and community-based settings, the Commission for Health Improvement or the Care Standards Commission will have responsibility for policing the standards of care provided to NHS patients in receipt of intermediate care. [122795]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]The Commission for Health Improvement has responsibility for reviewing the quality of healthcare, including intermediate care, provided to National Health Service patients wherever they are treated. The Care Standards
  403W
  Bill, currently before Parliament, will establish the National Care Standards Commission which will be responsible for regulating care homes and nursing homes. The Bill will introduce measures to enable the two bodies to work co-operatively and carry out these responsibilities in an effective way.

  HPV Testing
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the limited competition to select pilot sites for HPV testing this summer. [123379]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are in the process of selecting an advisory committee on human papilloma virus testing, which will also act as a selection board for choosing the pilot sites. We are working with the managers of the National Health Service cervical screening programme to develop a method of short-listing sites.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the membership and role will be of the advisory group that will oversee the commissioning and running of the pilot sites for HPV testing. [123378]

  Yvette Cooper
  The membership of the expert advisory group on the pilot for human papilloma virus testing has not yet been agreed. Prospective members will be approached shortly and will include representatives from colposcopy, cyto-pathology, virology, primary care, epidemiology and consumer groups. When the membership is finalised, details will be posted on the United Kingdom National Screening Committee's website at http://www.nsc.nhs.uk/

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the expert advisory group which will oversee the commissioning and running of the pilot sites for HPV testing. [124329]

  Yvette Cooper
  The membership of the expert advisory group on the pilot for human papilloma virus testing has not yet been agreed. Officials have developed a pilot protocol and identified potential members of the advisory group. Prospective members will be approached shortly and will include representatives from colposcopy, cyto-pathology, virology, primary care, epidemiology and consumer groups. When the membership is finalised, details will be posted on the UK National Screening Committee's website at http://www.nsc.nhs.uk/

  Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the effects on(a) human and (b) animal health of methyl tertiary butyl ether; and if he will make a statement. [123448]

  Yvette Cooper
  A major review of the potential health effects of oxygenates, including methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), carried out by the Health Effects Institute in 1996 in the United States where levels can be considerably higher than in the United Kingdom at levels of about 10–15 per cent., concluded that "it is unlikely that fuel containing oxygenates would substantially increase the overall health risk from fuel used in motor vehicles".
  404W
  The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) is currently considering the possible effects on human health of the inclusion of MTBE in petrol from the point of view of exposures via air. In its examination of evidence, COMEAP is looking at data on the effects of MTBE on animals. A statement will be produced in due course.

  Sudden Death Syndrome
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to make electrocardiogram community testing programmes more widely available to reduce Sudden Death Syndrome fatalities in young people; [124700]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of electrocardiogram testing in identifying heart problems in young people likely to make them susceptible to Sudden Death Syndrome; [124701]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the causes of Sudden Death Syndrome in young people. [124702]

  Yvette Cooper
  Sudden Adult Death Syndrome is not one single condition but a group of conditions which result in the sudden and unexpected death of apparently healthy young adults.

  Many of the deaths in this syndrome appear to be caused by cardiomyopathies. Our policy is that the relatives of a family with a known high risk of contracting this disease should receive regular cardiovascular examinations. We fully recognise the importance of all patients known to be at cardiac risk being referred for specialist clinical assessment. This examination and testing—perhaps more appropriately referred to as case-finding rather than screening—has been encouraged increasingly in recent years.

  The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (NSC) advises Ministers on all aspects of screening policy. The NSC assesses proposed new screening programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria to ensure that the programme does more good than harm. A recent review of the evidence for cardiomyopathy screening showed that a programme would not yet meet these criteria. However, we will keep this position under review as new evidence emerges.

  In the meantime, the Department is working closely with the medical profession and voluntary organisations with a view to raising awareness and improving the diagnosis and testing of people at risk.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research projects that he has commissioned in the last six months to study the health effects of mobile telephones; indicating in each case(a) level of funding, (b) length of study, (c) whether animals will be used, (d) membership of project team and (e) relevant research body. [124639]

  Yvette Cooper
  No new projects on the health effects of mobile phones have been commissioned by the Department in the last six months. Research into health effects of mobile phones forms part of the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project to which the Department has been contributing £20,000
  405W
  per year for the last four years. The organising committee for this project draws on expertise from around the world including the United Kingdom. The independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, set up at the instigation of my right hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Ms Jowell), the former Minister for Public Health, published its findings in May. The recommendations in this report are being taken up in the development of a comprehensive programme of research costing several millions of pounds jointly funded by Government and industry.

  Committee Membership
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the(a) Committee on Safety of Medicines, (b) Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and (c) Medicines Control Agency, indicating which members have registered links with pharmaceutical companies. [124753]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]The current list of members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, including interests held in the pharmaceutical industry, was placed in the Library on 9 May. Interests of the members of all Medicines Act Advisory Bodies are published annually in the "Medicines Act 1968 Advisory Bodies—Annual Reports", copies of which are available in the Library. The 1999 report is due to be published in July this year.

  Members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, as at 1 April 2000, who have declared interests in pharmaceutical companies are as follows:
  Professor Lewis D. Ritchie: Single Company PEPS with Glaxo Wellcome and Zeneca; some industry support to his team for clinical trials work;
  Dr. Barbara Bannister: Educational sponsorship by SmithKline Beecham to attend CISTM 6th Conference in June 1999; holds portfolio of shares (managed by asset management company) which includes Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham; some clinical trial work for new drugs;
  Dr. David Goldblatt: Occasional member of expert panels for SmithKline Beecham, Wyeth and Pasteur Merieux; research grants to support his team from Wyeth, SKB, Nava and Pasteur Merieux;
  Professor Roy Anderson: Directorships of Wellcome Trust, Decode, IBHSC; share holdings in Glaxo, Zeneca and SmithKline Beecham;
  Dr. Karl Nicholson: Has acted as 'consultant' for Glaxo;
  Professor Keith Cartwright: industry part-funding of his team to evaluate candidate meningococcal vaccines.

  The Medicines Control Agency is an executive arm of the Department of Health. There are currently over 500 staff, none of whom have registered links with pharmaceutical companies.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the greater Portsmouth area are using the New Deal for Disabled People; and if he will make a statement. [124553]
  406W
  Mr. Bayley
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  Under the first tranche of innovative schemes set up through the New Deal for Disabled People, the greater Portsmouth area fell within the catchment area of the Gateway Partnership. This scheme was funded from October 1998 to January 2000 in order to improve the employability of disabled people within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Gateway Partnership accepted 356 people into the scheme and 49 people started work.

  Under the second tranche of innovative schemes, greater Portsmouth falls within the catchment area of the Prince's Trust, which assists disabled people to set up their own businesses within Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Surrey. By the end of April 2000 the Prince's Trust had accepted 68 people onto the scheme and 12 people had started up self-employment.

  Benefits Agency (Complaints)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints there were against the Benefits Agency in 1999–2000; what was the cost of handling these complaints; how many of these complaints are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [124543]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Benefits Agency 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. Mike Hancock, dated 9 June 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Alexis Cleveland to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many complaints there were against the Benefits Agency in 1999/2000; what was the cost of handling these complaints and how many of these complaints are still outstanding. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
  Complaints are received centrally through the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration [PCA], from Ministers and MPs acting on behalf of their constituents, and directly by our operational business units from members of the public, customer representatives and local MPs.
  For the period between 1st April 1999 and 31st March 2000, the Benefits Agency [BA] received 99 statements of complaint from the Parliamentary Ombudsman's office. The BA met all deadlines set by the Ombudsman's office. The question of outstanding Ombudsman complaints is a matter for his office and falls outside BA jurisdiction.
  BA Parliamentary Correspondence Unit received a total of 6155 letters of complaint. At the end of March 2000, there were 454 in total outstanding.
  There were 77,646 complaints received directly by our operational business units for the same period. At the end of March 2000, there were 18096 in total outstanding.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefit Offices
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a benefits office. [124669]
  407W
  Angela Eagle
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Charlie MacKinnon to Caroline Flint, dated 9 June 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Alexis Cleveland to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the definition of a reasonable distance when determining access to a benefits office. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) does not have a definition of a reasonable distance from benefits offices, as we provide access to our benefits and services in various ways which are designed to take account of customers' needs and circumstances. The BA Customer Charter gives details of how customers can get access to benefits, information and services. These include contact by telephone, correspondence, and calling at a benefits office or being visited at home by a visiting officer.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the population lives(a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from a benefit office in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas. [124521]

  Angela Eagle
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Caroline Flint, dated 8 June 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what percentage of the population lives (a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from a benefit office in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas.
  Unfortunately, neither operational business units nor Analytical Services Division hold the type of data required in order to provide this information.
  I am sorry that I have not been able to be more helpful in this instance.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will make a determination on the appeal for Disability Living Allowance by Rachel Scully, of Birkenhead. [124509]

  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 my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Charlie MacKinnon to Mr. Frank Field, dated 9 June 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Alexis Cleveland to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question about when he will make a determination on the appeal for Disability Living Allowance by Rachel Scully, of Birkenhead. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
  Rachel's casepapers were forwarded to The Appeals Service (TAS) on 22 May for their continued action. TAS has sent form TAS1 to Mrs. Scully. The form gives Mrs. Scully notes about the appeal and asks her to complete a questionnaire requesting information on how she wishes to proceed with the appeal. Once returned to them Rachel's case will be treated as urgent at all stages and Mrs. Scully will be informed of her hearing date within 6 weeks of TAS receiving the form.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Pensions (Payment Methods)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the total annual cost of administering weekly payments in cash for state pensions, including payments to the Post Office and other third parties; [124780]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the total annual cost of making payments of pensions to pensioners by ACT; [124781]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who failed to switch to ACT because of the change from weekly to monthly payment. [124782]

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

  Information on total annual costs of administering payments for State Pensions, including payments to the Post Office and other third parties is collated but not split by method of payment of frequency of payment. The latest total annual cost of administering Retirement Pension for 1998/99 was £314 million.

  Frequency of payment is a big issue for many pensioners and anecdotal evidence suggests that the non-availability of weekly payment by ACT is a potential issue, which may prevent some customers switching from order book to ACT. Unfortunately, information upon which a numerical estimate of the number of these pensioners could be based is not available. This is obviously an issue we are giving consideration to.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the National Insurance Recording system stores the date of birth of individuals linked with their National Insurance number. [125308]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes, the National Insurance Recording System stores an individual's date of birth, which is linked with the National Insurance Number.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate, for each local authority, the total amount saved in benefit expenditure in the most recent year arising from anti-fraud initiatives; if he will express this figure as a percentage of the total expenditure on social security benefits administered by each local authority; and if he will provide an aggregate estimate for Great Britain. [125309]

  Mr. Rooker
  The most effective way of combating benefit fraud is to stop it happening in the first place. That is why, for example, we are taking steps to improve the way local authorities deal with new claims for Housing Benefit (the "Verification Framework") which has been allowed to occur and which is to reduce the scope for fraud and error at the outset. It is therefore not possible to quantify the total amount saved by all the anti-fraud initiatives we are taking to drive fraud out of the system.

  The weekly benefit savings scheme provides a measure of that part of Social Security benefit fraud (including Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit and Income Support) based on what local authorities have

  409W
  subsequently detected. A weekly benefit saving is the amount of benefit fraudulently in payment multiplied by 32, the average time in weeks that benefit would have been likely to continue in payment if the fraud had gone undetected. A table providing the information requested expressed in terms of weekly benefit savings has been placed in the Library. The data in the table are for 1998–99, the latest year for which comprehensive information is available.

  We have recently announced changes to the weekly benefit savings scheme. The changes mean that authorities which uncover more fraud and prosecute fraudsters can expect to receive greater financial reward than before. We will also give additional reward to those authorities which operate the Verification Framework.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Crisis Management
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of her Department's budget has been allocated to(a) crisis management and (b) crisis prevention in the current financial year; what the figures were five years ago; and if she will make a statement. [113063]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We have allocated £61 million for centrally funded conflict and humanitarian assistance in 2000–01. This compares with expenditure of £57 million in the same area in 1997–98 (the earliest year in which comparable figures are available). Chapter 6 of the Departmental Report 2000, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, provides information on the Government's policy and performance in this area.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the application of Tanzania for debt relief. [118038]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Although it is one of the world's poorest countries, over recent years Tanzania has made important progress in introducing structural reforms and stabilising its economy. Despite limited resources, with help from its international partners including Britain, Tanzania, to its credit, has met most of its very substantial external debt obligations. It has now begun to repay domestic debt arrears and is refocusing its budget on poverty reduction. As a result, the Boards of the World bank and the IMF agreed last week to support a comprehensive debt reduction package under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. This be worth about US$3 billion over 20 years from all creditors and will be used by the Government of Tanzania for additional public expenditures on poverty reduction measures. Pending achievement of a number of conditions, including preparation of a comprehensive poverty Reduction Strategy taking account of the views of civil society, interim relief from the IMF and the IDA will begin this month.

  Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 410W
  8 February 2000, Official Report, columns 89–90W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124827]

  Mr. Foulkes
  None of the secondees were appointed for 12 months or less.

  Albania
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the weapons for development project in the Gramsh region of Albania; and if she will make a statement. [125014]

  Mr. Foulkes
  A total of 5,812 arms and 137 tonnes of ammunition have been collected in Gramsh District, Albania. Nine of the 12 projects identified by the local community for development have been completed; the remaining three are in progress.

  The success of the pilot project in Gramsh has led to the formation of the Albanian Government's Weapons Collection Commission and the replication of the project by UNDP in two further districts, Elbasan and Diber, to which we have contributed an additional £600,000.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the withdrawal of her Department's emergency and conflict funds for Kosovo. [125000]

  Mr. Foulkes
  As Kosovo enters a new phase, with the bulk of the UK's programme of immediate humanitarian support completed, so our focus, along with the rest of the international community, has switched to longer term reconstruction and development. This year we have already committed £29 million in bilateral support for reconstruction; as part of this we are developing a technical assistance programme of £5 million to support institution and capacity building. In addition, we shall contribute around £39 million as our share of the EC's programme.

  We will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation and will respond accordingly should a new emergency arise. We have committed an additional £8 million for humanitarian mine action this financial year and continue to support the work of the international relief agencies.

  European Community Humanitarian Office
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to improve the performance of ECHO. [121096]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Two major independent evaluations of EU humanitarian aid were carried out in 1998 and 1999. These evaluations gave a positive overall assessment of ECHO's performance, but identified a number of areas for improvement. Last October the Commission produced a Communication in response to the evaluations, which set out an Action Plan to tackle the weaknesses. We broadly support the Commission's proposals, and are engaged in ensuring the Plan is implemented effectively.
  411W
  As part of this process, the Development Council has approved a resolution which will guide and encourage the Commission's actions.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much each heavily indebted poor country has spent on arms exported from the UK in each of the last three years. [118333]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to Part III of the Government's 1997 and 1998 Annual Reports on Strategic Arms Control. Part III lists numbers and values of UK exports of military equipment by country where this information is available. Information on exports of military equipment during 1999 will be included in the 1999 Annual Report which will be published in due course. The hon. Member should also refer to the accompanying text and explanatory note to the table in Part III which details the sources of the information used and the extent of the coverage of that information.

  China
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects currently funded by her Department in China. [124561]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The UK is working with the Government of China to build up a new poverty-focused programme, targeting the inland provinces where the majority of the poor are located. My Department is providing support to health and education; economic reform; and the environment. The programme is expected to increase from £20 million in 2001–01 to £25 million in 2001–02.

  A full list of activities, together with our Country Strategy Paper, will be placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Playgroups
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much his Department has spent in each year since 1997 on the provision of playgroups; how many playgroups have been established; and how many children have used them. [122603]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]The Department will provide £40 million of funding for three-year-old nursery education in the voluntary sector (pre-schools and playgroups) during the financial year 2000–01 and this is estimated to provide 33,000 places. This compares with estimated funding of £16 million during the financial year 1999–2000, or the provision of 17,000 places. Playgroups will also benefit from child care grants and the Working Families Tax credit.

  In addition, we have announced funding of £500,000 for a further scheme to assist pre-schools and playgroups facing financial difficulties, to give them a further breathing space as policy initiatives work through to individual groups, and £250,000 for projects to help pre-schools and playgroups, develop, in partnership with others, as the early education and care places expand.
  412W
  Information on the number of new playgroups which have been established since 1997 is not collected. Annual information on playgroups and other Day Care facilities is published in the Statistical Volume "Children's Day Care Facilities (as at 31 March)" which is available from the Library. The Department plans to publish provisional national estimates about playgroups (as at 31 March 2000) in a Statistical First release in July.

  Around £357 million of Nursery Education Grant has been made available to fund early years places for four-year-olds in the private, voluntary and independent sectors since 1997.

  Furthermore, the Department has provided over £8 million to the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA) since 1997 to support its training infrastructure and to help improve the quality and marketing of groups. This includes a grant under Section 64 of the Health and Public Services Act 1968 towards PLA core funding.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans for the disposition of assets held by TECs in cases where it is unclear whether all or part of their acquisition costs was derived from public funds. [123977]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]We intend to seek to reach agreement with each TEC on the disposition of all assets, irrespective of how they were funded. Our aim in discussions with TECs will be to ensure that assets continue to benefit local communities and that public resources are safeguarded. We envisage there will be a range of different solutions to reflect different local circumstances.

  Further Education
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of further education colleges were able to give the full recommended Association of Colleges pay award for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [124175]

  Mr. Wicks
  This information is not held by the Department. The Association of Colleges (AoC) conducted a survey of colleges about the pay awards for 1998–99 and found that (based on a 66 per cent. response rate) 77 per cent. of colleges were able to offer their staff the AoC recommended pay award or above.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the funds which are available to local authorities on application, indicating those for which the Torbay Unitary Authority has successfully applied in each of the last two years. [124196]
  413W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table sets out the grants available to Torbay local authorities and its schools through bidding or application.

  Grants subject to application or bidding (Relating to schools)

  £

  Allocation

  1999–2000

  Advanced Skills Teachers (AST): National Programme

  65,000

  National Numeracy Strategy—Key Stage 3

  1.2232,500

  Summer Numeracy Schools

  1.30

  Family Numeracy

  1.40

  National Grid for Learning

  262,500

  Education of Travellers and Displaced Persons

  0

  Protecting Local Authority Music Services

  23,000

  Expanding Local Authority Music Services

  0

  Annual Capital Guidelines

  1,555,075

  New Deal for Schools capital

  1,521,183

  VA capital grant

  44,700

  Class Size: revenue

  252,000

  Class Size: capital

  656,228

  Total

  4,412,186

  2000–01

  Advanced Skills Teachers (AST): National Programme

  73,500

  Special Educational Needs: Inclusion, EBD

  Speech and Language therapy

  50

  National Grid for Learning: Regional Broadband Consortia

  699,015

  Protecting Local Authority Music Services

  7185,000

  Expanding Local Authority Music Services

  7242,000

  Supported Early Retirement Scheme for Heads

  80

  Class Size: revenue

  452,200

  Class Size: capital

  10,000

  Annual Capital Guidelines

  1,658,849

  New Deal for Schools capital

  1,580,178

  VA capital Grant

  558,000

  Total

  4,858,742

  1Some grants subjected to bidding in 1999–2000 were allocated by formula in 2000–01.

  22000–01 formula allocation of £159,479

  32000–01 formula allocation of £33,000

  42000–01 formula allocation of £30,800

  5Allocated £97,043 by formula under SEN grant 18a

  6Allocated £365,229 in addition by formula

  7Total of joint bid with Devon and Plymouth

  8Offered £86,680 but declined to accept

  Note:

  Many additional grants to those above were al located on a formulaic basis and so dit not require bids

  Adult and Further Education Courses
  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged over 50 years were enrolled in adult education courses and further education courses during the 1998–99 academic year in(a) England, (b) the North-East Region of England and (c) Bishop Auckland; and what proportion of the relevant population aged over 50 years this represents in each case. [124208]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]It is not possible to provide information for Bishop Auckland as adult education data are not collected centrally at district level and data on further education students are not yet available for 1998–99. Data on the number of people aged 414W
  over 50 years enrolled in LEA maintained adult education provision are not available. The available data for further education students are shown in the table:

  Students in FE sector colleges and external institutions in England, 1998–991

  Students aged 50 and over2 (Thousand)

  Percentage of population

  North-East Region

  27.5

  3.2

  England

  585.7

  3.7

  1Estimated from 1998–99 provisional whole year data for FEFC-funded and non-FEFC-funded students in FE sector colleges and FEFC-funded students in external institutions.

  2Age as at 31 August 1998

  Education Maintenance Allowance
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of additional young people who stayed on at school or college in the pilot areas for the education maintenance allowances. [124376]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]We are encouraged by the early findings from the 15 EMA pilot areas, which is why we have decided to extend the pilot to an extra 40 areas from this September. Statistical evidence gathered suggests that participation in the EMA pilot areas has increased by over five percentage points, compared with an increase of three percentage points in the control areas selected, and two percentage points nationally. We do not have information about the actual numbers involved, because the number of young people in each pilot area cohort varies from year to year.

  We are undertaking a detailed evaluation exercise which will, in time, give more detailed information about the impact of the EMA on post-16 participation and achievement.

  Instructors
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 606W, on instructors, where information on basic qualifications or subject taught is held. [124767]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]Governing bodies acting with the consent of the local authority have to assure themselves that staff employed as instructors have appropriate qualifications. Governing bodies and local authorities make their own arrangements for holding information about instructors' qualifications and experience.

  Information on subjects taught is held by schools.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to provide financial incentives to encourage more people to enter teacher training courses in further education colleges. [124691]
  415W
  Mr. Wicks
  From September 2000, all students undertaking a pre-service Postgraduate Certificate of Education (Further Education) course in England, will receive a £6,000 a year training salary—equivalent to £150 a week during term time.

  The payments, in common with those being paid to trainee Primary school teachers, will be trialled for one year.

  School Security
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the total amount spent by schools on security measures in 1999(a) by constituency and (b) by local education authority; [123134]

  (2) how much the Government have awarded to local education authorities in each year since 1995 for schools to (a) implement security reviews and (b) undertake measures to make their premises more secure. [123167]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [pursuant to her reply, 23 May 2000, c. 438W]A column of figures was omitted. The correct response is as follows: My Department does not collect information in the level of detail requested. Expenditure by each local education authority in England supported by the Government's Standards Fund grant for school security, which is allocated directly to authorities, is shown in Table 1 for 1998–99, the latest year for which outturn information is available, along with the total sums available to authorities for 1999–2000.

  Specific grants for school security measures have been made available since 1997–98, following a recommendation from the Government's Working Group on School Security. To date, £94 million has been made available to support a variety of security measures in schools in England, to help make a safer environment for pupils and staff. A breakdown, by year, of this total funding is given in Table 2.

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18) and total sums available to LEAs from Standards Fund 1999–2000 (Grant 23)

  £

  Standards Fund Grant for School Security

  LEA

  1998–99 (Grant 18) Expenditure

  1999–2000 (Grant 23) Total sums available

  Barking

  57,343

  67,912

  Barnet

  98,917

  123,974

  Barnsley

  93,812

  99,074

  Bath & NE Somerset

  71,095

  76,584

  Bedfordshire

  165,727

  193,365

  Bexley

  83,066

  95,562

  Birmingham

  435,551

  475,503

  Blackburn with Darwen

  72,095

  76,108

  Blackpool

  46,787

  49,173

  Bolton

  117,263

  129,117

  Bournemouth

  37,421

  49,310

  Bracknell Forest

  38,056

  41,410

  Bradford

  229,894

  251,207

  Brent

  62,517

  80,000

  Brighton & Hove

  78,242

  79,814

  Bromley

  61,553

  110,681

  Buckinghamshire

  202,143

  226,150

  416W

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18) and total sums available to LEAs from Standards Fund 1999–2000 (Grant 23)

  £

  Standards Fund Grant for School Security

  LEA

  1998–99 (Grant 18) Expenditure

  1999– (Grant 23) Total sums available

  Bury

  80,342

  83,511

  Calderdale

  66,480

  99,723

  Cambridgeshire

  177,651

  226,796

  Camden

  56,116

  61,965

  Cheshire

  307,766

  320,162

  City of Bristol

  156,075

  158,701

  City of London

  744

  755

  Cornwall

  228,506

  233,369

  Coventry

  128,675

  130,077

  Croydon

  106,039

  128,568

  Cumbria

  227,760

  276,406

  Darlington

  46,026

  47,626

  Derby

  88,046

  105,260

  Derbyshire

  323,655

  362,117

  Devon

  279,442

  308,352

  Doncaster

  139,240

  140,176

  Dorset

  148,057

  161,791

  Dudley

  112,803

  126,021

  Durham

  258,120

  262,142

  Ealing

  82,388

  102,194

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  140,287

  145,797

  East Sussex

  177,407

  183,179

  Enfield

  92,180

  107,485

  Essex

  355,976

  558,626

  Gateshead

  88,131

  87,888

  Gloucestershire

  195,656

  268,237

  Greenwich

  85,883

  97,492

  Hackney

  70,910

  71,246

  Halton

  63,538

  65,073

  Hammersmith

  47,113

  50,545

  Hampshire

  461,947

  509,493

  Haringey

  82,116

  88,696

  Harrow

  71,166

  73,399

  Hartlepool

  41,836

  42,866

  Havering

  86,857

  95,774

  Herefordshire

  80,697

  83,373

  Hertfordshire

  431,656

  502,675

  Hillingdon

  58,193

  95,811

  Hounslow

  84,224

  88,858

  Isle of Wight

  56,920

  59,923

  Isle of Scilly

  2,591

  2,682

  Islington

  69,775

  69,828

  Kensington & Chelsea

  28,176

  32,248

  Kent

  440,642

  586,813

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  110,399

  111,794

  Kingston upon Thames

  43,291

  52,693

  Kirklees

  178,478

  183,892

  Knowsley

  77,815

  79,939

  Lambeth

  66,129

  83,868

  Lancashire

  542,965

  571,343

  Leeds

  287,359

  305,986

  Leicester

  118,430

  125,615

  Leicestershire

  245,821

  268,426

  Lewisham

  88,982

  91,684

  Lincolnshire

  239,202

  315,208

  Liverpool

  211,743

  225,448

  Luton

  73,582

  86,632

  Manchester

  197,201

  201,822

  Medway Towns

  97,664

  116,004

  Merton

  55,860

  62,951

  Middlesbrough

  66,065

  65,821

  Milton Keynes

  79,153

  96,887

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  109,499

  113,144

  417W

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18) and total sums available to LEAs from Standards Fund 1999–2000 (Grant 23)

  £

  Standards Fund Grant for School Security

  LEA

  1998–99 (Grant 18) Expenditure

  1999–2000 (Grant 23) Total sums available

  Newham

  92,374

  106,079

  Norfolk

  322,723

  372,730

  North East Lincolnshire

  78,961

  79,773

  North Lincolnshire

  76,228

  76,848

  North Somerset

  75,587

  77,297

  North Tyneside

  85,842

  87,173

  North Yorkshire

  294,636

  305,113

  Northamptonshire

  273,550

  311,142

  Northumberland

  168,630

  173,105

  Nottingham City

  119,138

  121,676

  Nottinghamshire

  325,454

  351,473

  Oldham

  116,562

  117,350

  Oxfordshire

  260,896

  264,799

  Peterborough

  62,385

  78,364

  Plymouth

  105,454

  110,892

  Poole

  38,216

  48,751

  Portsmouth

  64,781

  71,600

  Reading

  34,941

  51,867

  Redbridge

  85,193

  90,502

  Redcar and Cleveland

  69,194

  69,759

  Richmond upon Thames

  50,854

  51,769

  Rochdale

  90,501

  101,311

  Rotherham

  129,465

  130,858

  Rutland

  11,529

  17,059

  Salford

  111,851

  111,682

  Sandwell

  132,632

  141,349

  Sefton

  126,222

  127,603

  Sheffield

  184,912

  197,903

  Shropshire

  128,600

  135,149

  Slough

  36,063

  50,438

  Solihull

  91,229

  93,443

  Somerset

  217,409

  226,794

  South Gloucestershire

  109,027

  110,917

  South Tyneside

  74,491

  74,916

  Southampton

  81,228

  88,369

  Southend-on-Sea

  37,734

  63,508

  Table 2: Total amount made available by Government to local education authorities (LEAs) each year since 1995 to undertake school security measures

  £ million

  Year

  Grant

  Government grant

  LEA contribution

  Total amount

  1997–98

  New Deal for Schools

  6

  —

  6

  1998–98

  Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST)—Grant rate 60 per cent.

  12

  8

  20

  1998–99

  Standards Fund (Grant 18)—Grant rate 75 per cent.

  15

  5

  20

  1999–2000

  Standards Fund (Grant 23)—Grant rate 75 per cent.

  16.5

  5.5

  22

  2000–01

  Standards Fund (Grant 26)—Grant rate 75 per cent.

  16.5

  5.5

  22

  Notes:

  1. GEST and the Standards Fund grants for school security had grant rates. This means Government provide the set grant rate and local education authorities are required to contribute the remainder in order to take up the grant.

  2. In 1997–98 and 1998–99, an additional £2 million per year was made available to schools in the grant-maintained sector via the Funding Agency for Schools.

  3. The Standards Fund school security grant is allocated to local education authorities by formula and can be used on a variety of physical measures and on security related training for staff and governors. Local education authorities are required to devolve at least 70 per cent. of their grant allocation to schools, while being allowed to retain a maximum of 30 per cent. of their allocation to co-ordinate a training programme for staff and governors.
  418W

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18) and total sums available to LEAs from Standards Fund 1999–2000 (Grant 23)

  £

  Standards Fund Grant for School Security

  LEA

  1998–99 (Grant 18) Expenditure

  1999–2000 (Grant 23) Total sums available

  Southwark

  79,363

  95,123

  St. Helens

  79,938

  80,850

  Staffordshire

  371,280

  389,198

  Stockport

  124,564

  126,183

  Stockton-on-Tees

  78,558

  86,720

  Stoke-on-Trent

  112,479

  115,898

  Suffolk

  297,308

  303,128

  Sunderland

  132,781

  133,440

  Surrey

  328,518

  388,752

  Sutton

  48,845

  68,812

  Swindon

  60,578

  83,889

  Tameside

  98,379

  103,915

  Telford & Wrekin

  65,972

  76,335

  Thurrock

  45,912

  59,109

  Torbay

  43,939

  48,315

  Tower Hamlets

  98,230

  102,641

  Trafford

  81,304

  98,062

  Wakefield

  149,619

  151,567

  Walsall

  114,389

  133,751

  Waltham Forest

  82,633

  91,383

  Wandsworth

  57,346

  79,192

  Warrington

  88,164

  89,094

  Warwickshire

  207,700

  230,165

  West Berkshire

  62,404

  73,506

  West Sussex

  283,477

  291,736

  Westminster

  49,379

  50,324

  Wigan

  128,984

  141,052

  Wiltshire

  163,458

  212,012

  Windsor & Maidenhead

  53,829

  57,565

  Wirral

  137,247

  145,166

  Wokingham

  33,422

  66,198

  Wolverhampton

  113,821

  119,013

  Worcestershire

  229,936

  247,714

  York

  71,192

  72,251

  Total

  19,708,368

  21,989,240

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Ministerial Conduct
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the cost to public funds of the publicly-owned property maintained for his private use. [115124]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 17 March 2000]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 5 June 2000,Official Report, columns 50–51W.

  GM Trial Sites
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the GM trial sites at Kempley, Gloucestershire and Preston Wynne, Herefordshire on organic farms in Herefordshire within a six mile radius; and if he will make a statement. [122040]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]Of the particular sites mentioned in the question, fodder beet is being grown near to Preston Wynne. The beet will be carefully managed to prevent it flowering, so no pollen will be produced. The oilseed rape, being grown near Kemply, can only cross-pollinate with sexually compatible crops of the same species flowering at the same time. The separation distances reduce the chances of cross-pollination to less than 1 per cent. Also, organic farms do not tend to grow organic oilseed rape.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been conducted by his Department into ways to recover pollen dispersed from field trials of GM plants; and what data his Department has obtained in respect of such research conducted abroad. [124793]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department has not conducted any such research and has no data on any such research conducted elsewhere. We would not expect it to be possible to recover pollen dispersal from field trials of GM plants.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statements have been made by the Government about the minimum number of genetically modified crop trials required to fulfil the objectives of the current crop trial programme. [122996]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]In carrying out the Farm Scale Evaluations, the Government are advised by an independent research consortium and Scientific Steering Committee, who oversee the conduct of the trials. The design of the Evaluations is that over a three-year period we should seek a total of 60 to 75 sets of data for each crop.

  At present, the Scientific Steering Committee have advised that 20 to 30 fields annually should be sought for beet, in a roughly equal proportion of fodder to sugar beet.
  420W
  This is because the Evaluations would be investigating a potentially broader range of management practices for beet than for the of her crops.

  The Scientific Steering Committee met on 8 February and set minima of 12 to 15 sites for oilseed rape and maize and around 20 sites for beet, for the programme to begin. They confirmed at their meeting on 10 March that sufficient sites had been identified to ensure that a properly balanced scientific assessment could be made. I announced this year's programme on 17 March and there are currently 49 sites.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to use the provisions of the Biosafety Protocol to restrict imports of crop seeds in order to reduce the risk of contamination with GM seeds. [124152]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The import of GM seeds is already covered by EU legislation. The Cartagena Protocol (Biosafety Protocol) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is not yet in force, and to become so, requires ratification by 50 signatories. The UK signed the Protocol at the earliest opportunity at the 5th Conference of the Parties to the Convention, and by the end of the Conference, a total of 67 countries plus the European Commission had signed. Allowing for the time taken for ratification through national parliaments, the Protocol is unlikely to come into force within less than two years.

  We expect that the EU legislation will be extended as necessary to incorporate the requirements of the Protocol. We and other member states are already looking at ways of reducing risks of contamination with GM seeds using Community legislation.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if any of the current licensed GM crop trials taking place in the UK include procedures to test claims of sterility in the GM varieties concerned. [24159]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Several of the current consents for deliberate release are for GM oilseed rape hybrid systems comprising a male sterile line and a fertility restorer line which, when grown together, form a hybrid seed. It is the hybrid line which would form the seed stock for trials and for commercial production. The GM oilseed rape being grown in the farm scale evaluations is a fertile hybrid formed from crossing the male sterile line Ms8 and fertility restorer line Rf3.

  Construction Industry (Certification Schemes)
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (l) what representations he has received on the rationalisation of certification schemes for the construction industry; [124704]

  (2) which construction industry certification schemes his Department is evaluating; [124703]

  (3) what plans he has to rationalise the certification schemes for the construction industry. [124705]
  421W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department is evaluating two pilots of a proposed quality mark s theme for builders and other contractors working in the domestic sector, which have recently started in Birmingham and Somerset. We will use the experience of the pilots to develop a national scheme and to decide how to roll out the scheme nationally.

  During the development of the quality mark, representations were made to avoid duplication with Constructionline, which is the Government's list of approved contractors and consultants for public sector as well as professional private sector clients for non-domestic works. This is why Constructionline is also providing the central services for the quality mark pilots. Further rationalisation would need to take into account the different requirements between domestic and non-domestic sectors and the different levels of expertise and requirements of the clients in the two sectors.

  Departmental Policies
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what ways his Department and executive agencies deliver services to meet the needs of the public as consumers, with particular reference to families. [124531]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Mainly through its executive agencies, my Department provides a range of services direct to the public including services to vehicle owners, drivers and operators and those appealing against planning decisions. We seek to ensure these services are responsive to the needs of the consumer, for example by carrying out customer surveys, by publishing the standards of service that users can expect to receive and, in some cases, by extending opening hours to suit customer preferences. We are also gradually extending electronic availability of services to enable users to access them when they wish.

  Although none of our services is targeted specifically at families, we seek to ensure that those with families can access them conveniently.

  Holyhead
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what volume of(a) freight and (b) passenger traffic passed through the port of Holyhead in each of the last 10 years. [124725]

  Mr. Hill
  Information on freight and passengers passing through the port of Holyhead is as follows:

  Port traffic at Holyhead—1990 to 1999

  Thousand

  Year

  Freight (Tonnes)

  Passengers

  1990

  1,247

  1,622

  1991

  908

  1,744

  1992

  919

  1,783

  1993

  1,017

  2,111

  1994

  1,052

  2,125

  1995

  2,307

  2,125

  1996

  2,541

  2,489

  422W

  Port traffic at Holyhead—1990 to 1999

  Thousand

  Year

  Freight (Tonnes)

  Passengers

  1997

  2,951

  12,457

  1998

  3,407

  1.22,776

  1999

  3,4402

  —

  1Because of changes in procedures for recording passenger data, the 1997 and 1998 passenger figures do not include cruise passengers. Holyhead, however does not have regular cruise passenger calls so this is unlikely to have had an impact on the figures presented.

  2Provisional

  Source:

  DETR

  Rail Track Safety Company
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2000,Official Report, column 88W, on the Railtrack Safety Company, what the timetable will be for the consultation by the rail regulators on the creation of a safety company; and how passengers will be consulted before decisions are taken. [124774]

  Mr. Hill
  The Health and Safety Commission published a consultative document on 19 May seeking views on proposed changes to the safety regime for the railway industry. The deadline for comments is 24 July 2000. The Office of the Rail Regulator will issue shortly a separate consultative document about changes to Railtrack's Licence.

  Heathrow (Runway Capacity)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assurances have been given to the Government by(a) BAA, (b) British Airways and (c) British Midland in the five years prior to the recent submission by British Airways to his Department concerning a third runway that they would not seek additional runway capacity at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [124845]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]Over the last five years, none of the organisations mentioned by my hon. Friend have given assurances to the Government directly that they would not seek additional runway capacity at Heathrow.

  During the public inquiry into BAA's planning application for a fifth terminal at Heathrow, BAA and British Airways made reference to additional runway capacity at Heathrow in their evidence.

  BAA stated that
  it believes that this is a matter entirely for Government, although it is the company's view that the local communities around Heathrow should be given assurances in respect of another runway. BAA would urge the Government to rule out any additional runway at Heathrow, and BAA would support a recommendation by the inquiry Inspector in his report to the Secretary of State that the Government should rule it out. Indeed, BAA invites the Inspector to make such a recommendation.
  423W
  British Airways, as part of their closing submission to the public inquiry, did not advocate a third runway at Heathrow because the proposed fifth terminal did not require it. They stated that
  an additional runway at Heathrow could have the potential to be of national importance, and, in BA's submission, it would therefore be wrong to prejudge the issues involved in the absence of a comprehensive understanding of all the material circumstances prevailing at that time, including Government policy, environmental impacts and the aviation and economic cases for such a development.

  British Midland have made no specific reference to additional runway capacity at Heathrow.

  Welsh Highland Railway
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in the reopening of the Welsh Highland Railway in Gwynedd. [125071]

  Mr. Hill
  This is a matter for the Ffestiniog Railway Company, which as owners of the Welsh Highland Railway are responsible for its reconstruction. However, I understand that the company plan to complete the line as far as Waunfawr shortly and open it to passengers by August this year. The next section as far as Rhyd Ddu, at the foot of Snowdon, is to be built during 2001. The company then hopes to complete the reconstruction of the rest of the line through to Porthmadog by 2005.

  Penalty Clauses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 2000,Official Report, column 135W, on penalty clauses, if he will list the payments made by contractors in respect of each of the 17 contracts. [125363]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is not possible within the terms of the contracts to provide specific details of each individual payment.

  Terminal 5, Heathrow
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the report of the public inquiry into the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport to be published. [124486]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]The public inquiry closed on 17 March 1999 and the Inspector has said that he expects to take up to two years to produce his report. While the Secretary of State recognises the need to bring this matter to an early conclusion, he will need to give the Inspector's report full consideration before its issue.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent information he has given the Inspector at the public inquiry into the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport concerning revised projected passenger and flight numbers for the next 10 years at Heathrow. [124489]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]None.

  A30 (Noise)
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the noise tests on the A30 Honiton to Exeter have been completed; and when he expects to announce the results of the tests. [125173]

  Mr. Hill
  The Highways Agency has been working closely with the RTA30 Campaign Group and I am pleased to say that the site work on the noise monitoring has been completed.

  Analysis work is under way and is expected to be completed this month, after which we will make an announcement.

  Airline Route Applications
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when in the last 12 months the Civil Aviation Authority delivered decisions on route applications; and if he will state in each case(a) the route concerned, (b) the competing airlines, (c) the CAA's de vision, (d) his decision on whether to accept the CAA's decision and (e) on those occasions when the CAA decision was rejected by him, to which airline he awarded the route. [125193]

  Mr. Mullin
  The following four route licence applications have been determined by the CAA during the last 12 months:

  Decision 1/99 of 12 October 1999; UK-South Africa (apportionment of scarce bilateral capacity); British Airways and Virgin Atlantic; the CAA decided in favour of Virgin Atlantic; British Airways did not appeal.

  Decision 2/99 of 25 November 1999; London Stansted-Geneva/Zurich; EasyJet and Go; the CAA decided in favour of Go; EasyJet did not appeal.

  Decision 3/99 of 3 December 1999; London-Shanghai (apportionment of scarce bilateral capacity); British Airways and Virgin Atlantic; the CAA decided in favour of Virgin Atlantic; British Airways appealed to the Secretary of State who upheld the CAA's decision.

  Decision 4/99 of 23 December 1999; UK-South Africa(apportionment of scarce bilateral capacity); British Airways and Virgin Atlantic; the CAA decided in favour of Virgin Atlantic; the Secretary of State overturned the decision on appeal and directed the CAA to award the available capacity to British Airways.

  Correspondence
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Solihull dated 15 May concerning Ceramica Trust; and if he will make a statement. [125178]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have today written to the hon. Member in response to his letter.

  Transport Safety Review
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Transport Safety Review. [125715]
  425W
  Mr. Hill
  The terms of reference of the Transport Safety Review were announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) in December 1998. Consultation took place last year, and the work of the review has subsequently been taken forward under the chairmanship of this Department. Following the tragic rail crash at Ladbroke Grove on 5 October the Public Inquiry ordered by the Health and Safety Commission and chaired by Lord Cullen is considering rail safety management, culture and regulation. Because it is important that the Inquiry's work is not pre-empted in any way, we have concluded that it would be wrong to take a view on potentially fundamental changes to the organisation of transport safety before the Inquiry is complete. We will then need to consider the advice on the Inquiry report which will be submitted to us by the Health and Safety Commission.

  A report of the outcome of the consultation and the analysis undertaken by the Transport Safety Review has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The report is also being made available to the Ladbroke Grove Inquiry.

  Mobility Centres
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what help the Government are giving to mobility centres which provide support and advice to disabled and older people on driving and personal mobility; and if he will make a statement. [125758]

  Mr. Hill
  We are aware of the enormously valuable contribution of these centres in enabling disabled and older people to obtain impartial professional advice on driving and vehicle choice as well as on a wide range of other aspects of personal mobility.

  In recognition of this work, my Department and the Department of Health have jointly agreed to contribute over £1 million to 11 English members of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Funding will be for an initial period of three years subject to annual review.

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government will respond to the Biodiversity in the European Union reports by the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities. [125864]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Select Committee's reports provide a comprehensive review of the Government's actions to protect biodiversity both nationally and within Europe. Such reports merit a thorough response. This has now been completed and I have today placed a copy (Cmnd 4712) in the Library. It demonstrates how the Government's current initiatives address the Committee's concerns.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Civil Service
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants,426W
  excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121659]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]Since 1996 MAFF has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements. For the last pay round, the core MAFF settlement included the Pesticides Safety Directorate and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

  In 1999 the headline pay settlement was 2.0 per cent. on the paybill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff received performance-related increases with an average cost of 3.92 per cent. The increases were not staged. Information on the 2000 pay settlement is not yet available because negotiations are still ongoing.

  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is also responsible for other Executive Agencies with their own negotiating remits. I have asked Chief Executives to respond direct with information on their pay settlements.

  Letter from Peter W. Greig-Smith to Dr. David Clark, dated June 2000:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question regarding the average percentage increase in salaries for 1999–2000. I am replying on behalf of the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
  In 1999 the headline pay settlement for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture was 2.95%. This included 0.5% as the cost on the pay bill of restructuring the pay and grading system. Together with additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.05%. The increases were not staged.
  There was a separate settlement for the officers of the Research Vessels with a headline pay settlement of 2.45% on the pay bill, which did not include a restructuring element, and performance related pay increases averaging 4.05%. The increases were not staged.

  Letter from Peter W. Greig-Smith to Dr. David Clark, dated 15 May 2000:
  In 1999 the headline pay settlement for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture was 2.95%. This included o.5% as the cost on the pay bill of restructuring the pay and grading system. Together with additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.05%. The increases were not staged.
  There was a separate settlement for the officers of the Research Vessels with a headline pay settlement of 2.45% on the pay bill, which did not include a restructuring element, and performance related pay increases averaging 4.05%. The increases were not staged.

  Letter from Sarah Nason to Dr. David Clark, dated 31 May 2000:
  The Minister has asked me to respond, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, in 1999–2000 and to what extent the pay awards were staged.
  FRCA has delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements since the Agency's launch in April 1997. Payment date within the Agency is 1 August each year. The headline pay settlement for 1999/00 was 3.77% on the paybill and together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.3%. This pay settlement was linked to a major restructuring of the Agency's pay and grading system. The increases were not staged.
  427W
  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Dr. David Clark, dated May 2000:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory, to your question concerning the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants for 1999–2000 and to what extent the pay awards were staged.
  Since 1996 CSL has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements.
  CSL operates a performance related pay system which links pay awards to job performance. It is therefore not possible to provide a single average figure which is meaningful. For 1999/2000 pay increases for satisfactory performers ranged from 2.0% to 7.0% with a few exceptional performers receiving an additional accelerated pay progression of 6%. For some unsatisfactory performers, no pay increase was received.
  Pay awards were not staged, being paid in full with effect from 1 August 1999.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Dr. David Clark, dated May 2000:
  The Minister has asked me to respond to your question on the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants in 1999–2000. Unfortunately, information on the 1999–2000 pay settlement is not yet available because the negotiations have not been concluded.

  River Fishing
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has reviewed the National River Fishery Survey 1999 prepared by the National Federation of Anglers; and if he will make a statement. [124054]

  Mr. Morley
  We have not received a copy of the survey in question.

  Agency Staff
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the whole-time equivalent numbers of staff at each of the regional service centre locations, and each of the Intervention Board Agency locations, on 1 May. [123898]

  Mr. Morley
  The number of substantive staff on a full-time equivalent basis at each office location on 1 May 2000 was as follows:

  Location

  Number

  MAFF Regional Service Centres

  Anglia (Cambridge)

  217

  East Midlands (Nottingham)

  242

  Northern (Carlisle)

  233

  North East (Northallerton)

  310

  North Mercia (Crewe)

  185

  South East (Reading)

  191

  South Mercia (Worcester)

  208

  South West (Exeter)

  275

  Wessex (Bristol)

  191

  Intervention Board Executive Agency

  Reading

  935

  Newcastle

  280

  Note:

  The Reading figures include out-stationed IB staff located at Wolverhampton, Bristol, Cambridge, Harrogate, Edinburgh and Belfast.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 May 2000,Official Report, column 388W, on fisheries, if the Government intends to grant 1egal title to fishing quota transferred between fishermen. [124408]

  Mr. Morley
  Quotas are allocated to producer organisations and other groups in accordance with rules which are reviewed annually with the fishing industry. Since 1 January 1999 a system of fixed quota allocations, based on catches made during the reference period 1994 to 1996, has operated. The Fisheries Departments in the UK are currently discussing with industry representatives a number of possible modifications to the quota management rules, including arrangements for adjusting the fixed quota allocation units attached to fishing vessel licences to take account of transfers between fishermen. Any proposed changes affecting fixed quota allocations will be subject to further and full consultation with industry.

  Pork and Poultry Imports
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of pork and poultry meats imported into the United Kingdom during the last 12 months; and if he will give their country of origin. [124672]

  Ms Quin
  The table shows the volume of port and poultry meat imported into the United Kingdom, as recorded by the Overseas Trade Statistics. The imports are shown by country of despatch which is not necessarily the country of origin. The data are subject to a degree of statistical error. The overall level of errors is low, but these errors have a much greater proportional effect on countries with small values or volumes of trade. Therefore care is needed when interpreting the data.

  UK Imports of pork and poultry meat—March 1999 to February 2000

  Tonnes

  Country

  1Pork meat

  1Poultry meat

  Grand total

  Netherlands

  181,888

  110,143

  292,031

  Denmark

  194,663

  13,859

  208,522

  France

  37,693

  80,568

  118,261

  Irish Republic

  53,033

  20,436

  73,469

  Germany

  16,996

  14,974

  31,970

  Belgium

  15,378

  15,101

  30,479

  Italy

  2,342

  9,844

  12,186

  Brazil

  —

  12,144

  12,144

  Spain

  3,616

  7,969

  11,584

  Thailand

  —

  9,383

  9,383

  USA

  3,005

  —

  3,005

  Sweden

  2,642

  2

  2,644

  Poland

  1,192

  437

  1,629

  Chile

  —

  206

  206

  Hungary

  151

  1

  152

  Canada

  125

  —

  125

  Greece

  64

  —

  64

  Portugal

  0

  59

  59

  Russia

  21

  —

  21

  429W

  UK Imports of pork and poultry meat—March 1999 to February 2000

  Tonnes

  Country

  1Pork meat

  1Poultry meat

  Grand total

  Faroe Islands

  —

  18

  18

  Austria

  17

  0

  17

  Israel

  —

  9

  9

  Other

  2

  4

  6

  1Pork meat includes some pig offal, poultry meat includes some poultry offal

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise 1999 and 2000 data are provisional and subject to amendment

  Slaughter Premium Scheme
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of applications under the Slaughter Premium Scheme haw been refused on deadline criteria. [124202]
  430W
  Ms Quin
  A farmer must claim slaughter premium within two months of an animal leaving the holding, but will normally submit claims forms covering several animals at a time. Claims submitted within 25 days after the end of the two-month period are accepted but receive a reduced rate of premium. It is also a requirement that animals are slaughtered within one month of the end of the retention period.

  In England, these requirements have not yet been checked because the computer programme to do this will not be finalised and activated until later this month.

  Holne Moor
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will pay the commoners on Holne Moor, Dartmoor, who are signatories to the Environmentally Sensitive Area Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [124755]

  Mr. Morley
  The Holne Moor commoners should by now have received their ESA payments.