Written Answers of 12 June 2000

SCOTLAND

  Forms
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the net change in each year since May 1997 in the number of forms issued by his Department which(a) charities and (b) other voluntary organisations are required to complete. [123943]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department has not issued any forms to charities or voluntary bodies since 1 July 1999, when devolution took effect. Collecting information for the period before 1 July 1999 would incur disproportionate cost.

  No-smoking Policy
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on(a) the effectiveness of his Department's no-smoking policy and (b) the proportion of his Department's offices that do not allow smoking. [125168]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department's policy operates effectively, with two smoking rooms provided in Dover House and at 1 Melville crescent, Edinburgh, and access to smoking rooms in two other buildings shared with the Scottish Executive.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Opinion Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place copies of the results of all market and opinion research carried out by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, in the Library. [123807]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]In order to help to ensure that proposed policy or public information initiatives are effective and represent best value for public money, my Department commissions various research exercises every year.

  Decisions on whether to publish the results of each research project, or place a copy in the House of Commons Library are taken on a case-by-case basis. Some research reports contain commercially confidential information.

  However, copies of the results of most quantitative research reports are available on request and my Department will compile a summary list of research projects to be placed in the Library.
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  Information on research projects commissioned by Departmental Agencies and NDPB's is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the opinion research projects undertaken on behalf of his Department in the financial year 1999–2000, broken down by(a) focus group research, (b) quantitative surveys and (c) other market research surveys; and in each case, when and where the results were published. [124631]

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the opinion research projects undertaken on behalf of his Department in the financial year 1999–2000, broken down by(a) focus group research, (b) quantitative surveys and (c) other market research surveys; and, in each case, when and where the results were published. [125460]

  Mr. Prescott
  In order to help to ensure that proposed new policy or communication initiatives are informed, effective, and represent best value for public money, my Department commissions various research exercises every year. Those falling within financial year 1999–2000, together with their costs, are listed below. These are either quantitative or qualitative (sometimes referred to as focus group research).

  Research linked to information campaigns

  Road Safety

  Road Safety campaign tracking research

  Quantitative

  Summer Drink Drive campaign research

  Qualitative

  Millennium Drink-Drive campaign research

  Qualitative

  Child Road Safety campaign tracking research

  Quantitative

  Young Highway Code campaign research

  Qualitative

  Cycle Smart campaign

  Qualitative

  Portrayal of driving in advertising

  Qualitative

  'Think' road safety campaign—development

  Qualitative

  'Think' road safety campaign—launch survey

  Quantitative

  Environment

  'Are You Doing Your Bit' campaign tracking

  Quantitative

  Communicating with local government

  Qualitative

  Communicating with local government

  Quantitative

  Water usage omnibus research

  Quantitative

  Bio-diversity awareness

  Qualitative

  Greater London Authority campaign creative research

  Qualitative

  'Are You Doing Your Bit' campaign creative research

  Qualitative

  Other research

  Effects of aircraft noise on sleep patterns

  Qualitative/Quantitative

  S. E. Manchester multi-modal study

  Qualitative

  Hastings multi-modal study

  Qualitative

  Cambridge to Huntingdon multi-modal study

  Qualitative

  British Social Attitudes Survey (transport)

  Quantitative

  British Social Attitudes Survey (housing)

  Quantitative

  Social housing tenants attitudes and reactions to rent levels and rent differentials

  Quantitative

  Large Scale Voluntary Transfers—the role of the independent adviser

  Quantitative

  Views on LSVT process post-transfer

  Quantitative

  ONS omnibus survey—house price expectations

  Quantitative

  ONS omnibus survey—single regeneration budget monitoring

  Qualitative

  Drinking water quality—public perceptions in 2000

  Qualitative/Quantitative

  Citizens' attitudes towards local government

  Qualitative/Quantitative

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  Research linked to information campaigns

  Attitudes of business towards local government

  Qualitative/Quantitative

  Revenue grant distribution system: Research on local government perspectives

  Qualitative/Quantitative

  Improving DVO Agency services

  Qualitative/Quantitative

  Transport Interchange Phase 2

  Qualitative

  Customers Experiences of Planning Appeals

  Qualitative

  The decision on whether to publish the results is taken on a case-by-case basis. Some research reports contain commercially confidential information. However, copies of most quantitative research reports are available on request, and my Department will compile a list of research projects to be placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department spent on opinion research in the financial year
  1999–2000. [124632]

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department spent on opinion research in the financial year 1999–2000. [125475]

  Mr. Prescott
  In order to help to ensure that proposed new policy or communication initiatives are informed, effective, and represent best value for public money, my Department commissions various research exercises every year. Those falling within financial year 1999–2000, together with their costs, are as follows:

  Research linked to information campaigns

  Research

  £

  Road Safety

  Road Safety campaign monthly tracking research

  Quantitative

  154,818

  Summer Drink Drive campaign research

  Qualitative

  10,763

  Millennium Drink-Drive campaign research

  Qualitative

  17,466

  Child Road Safety campaign tracking research

  Quantitative

  6,286

  Young Highway Code campaign research

  Qualitative

  17,907

  Cycle Smart campaign

  Qualitative

  25,250

  Portrayal of driving in advertising

  Qualitative

  28,012

  'Think' road safety-development/launch survey

  Qualitative

  19,135

  Qualitative

  Environment

  'Are You Doing Your Bit' campaign tracking

  Quantitative

  274,421

  Communicating with local government

  Qual/quant

  70,500

  Water usage omnibus research

  Quantitative

  7,631

  Biodiversity awareness

  Qualitative

  9,984

  Quality mark scheme research

  Qualitative

  36,155

  GLA campaign creative research

  Qualitative

  43,096

  'Are You Doing Your Bit' creative research

  Qualitative

  52,664

  GLA communication materials research

  Qualitative

  34,685

  Other research

  Effects of aircraft noise on sleep patterns

  Qual/quan

  140,000

  S. E. Manchester multi-modal study

  Qualitative

  12,000

  Hastings multi-modal study

  Qualitative

  9,000

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  Research linked to information campaigns

  Research

  £

  Cambridge to Huntingdon multi-modal study

  Qualitative

  4,000

  British Social Attitudes Survey (transport)

  Quantitative

  28,000

  British Social Attitudes Survey (housing)

  Quantitative

  44,500

  Social housing tenants attitudes and reactions to rent levels and rent differentials

  Quantitative

  100,000

  Large Scale Voluntary Transfers—the role of the independent adviser

  Quantitative

  62,210

  Views on LSVT process post-transfer

  Quantitative

  81,050

  ONS omnibus survey—house price expectations

  Quantitative

  6,075

  ONS omnibus survey—single regeneration budget monitoring

  Qualitative

  57,600

  Drinking water quality—public perceptions in 2000

  Qual/quan

  43,727

  Improving DVO Agency services

  Qual/quan

  62,380

  Citizens' attitudes towards local government

  Qual/quan

  180,546

  Attitudes of business towards local government

  Qual/quan

  76,400

  Revenue grant distribution system: research on

  Local government perspectives

  Qual/quan

  95,635

  Customers' experiences of planning appeals

  Qualitative

  11,000

  Transport Interchange Phase 2

  Qualitative

  30,000

  Connex South Central
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the management of Connex South Central rail company on the reduced service level from Wandsworth Common Station to Victoria; and if he will make a statement. [124698]

  Mr. Hill
  I have had no discussions with the train operator about this matter, but the Franchising Director is monitoring the situation. He has agreed an emergency timetable with Connex as a rest-day working ban by drivers has meant that the original timetable could not be met. While this is a far from ideal situation, the Franchising Director agreed that it is in passengers' interests to have information on which services will run and which are cancelled. Connex are currently recruiting more drivers and services will be re-introduced as they complete their training.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the reasons for the elimination of South West Trains from the competition process for the Connex South Central franchise. [125605]

  Mr. Hill
  The shortlisted counterparties for a replacement South Central franchise were selected following the Franchising Director's evaluation of their initial proposals against the criteria given to him by the Deputy Prime Minister in his Instructions and Guidance of September 1999. In summary these are: commitment to secure better performance and customer services; the
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  extent to which extra or earlier investment can be secured; the extent to which passengers will be given a greater voice in the level and standard of services; and value for money to the taxpayer. The Franchising Director has outlined in further detail the criteria for evaluating bids in his Outline Guide to Franchise Replacement of 25 May.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what directions he has given to the Environment Agency about increasing the proportion of its staff recruited from ethnic minorities; and how many board members of the agency are from ethnic minorities. [124795]

  Mr. Meacher
  No direction has been given to the Environment Agency, by the DETR, about increasing the proportion of its staff recruited from ethnic minorities. However, the Environment Agency does have its own Diversity Policy and statement and it is widening its links with ethnic organisations.

  None of the current Environment Agency board members are from an ethnic minority background. However, the DETR is taking rigorous action as part of its current equal opportunities plan for public appointments, to appoint more people from this group to the boards of public bodies as a whole. Currently 5.8 per cent. of all appointments are filled by people from ethnic minorities against the Department's present end-2000 target of 6 per cent..

  MOT Tests
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the accuracy of measures of a vehicle's emissions as part of the MOT test; and if he will make a statement. [124942]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department intends to commence further research later this year on the effectiveness of catalyst testing and to determine whether the diesel smoke test may need to be changed to enable better testing of low-smoke emission diesels. The projects are due to be completed in phases and we will be reviewing emerging findings as they progress. Additionally, the Vehicle Inspectorate has undertaken a comprehensive programme of re-training for MOT testers to ensure that they are able to carry out testing more consistently and to the standard required.

  Stone Lodge Leisure Complex
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision on the planning application for the Stone Lodge Leisure Complex in Dartford. [124935]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To progress with the Stone Lodge application it was necessary to seek further representations from the parties on the question of need for the proposed facilities. We have now analysed these responses and we will be informing all the parties of the outcome very soon.

  Local Government Act 1988 (Reliefs)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities granted relief under the Local Government Act 1988 in each year since 1990–91. [125070]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Every billing authority in each year specified granted at least one of the reliefs under the Local Government Act 1988.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the amount of hardship relief granted under the Local Government Act 1988 in England in each year since 1990–91. [125069]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information requested on the amount of hardship relief granted under the Local Government Act 1988 in each year since 1990–91, is shown in the table.

  £

  Year

  Amount

  1990–91

  23,941

  1991–92

  139,908

  1992–93

  758,026

  1993–94

  1,438,306

  1994–95

  1,734,622

  1995–96

  2,041,549

  1996–97

  1,972,004

  1997–98

  2,238,775

  1998–991

  1,848,208

  1 The figure for 1998–99 is still subject to audit approval

  Note:

  Figures for 1999–2000 are not yet available

  Road Accidents (A40)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 May 2000,Official Report, column 323W, on road accidents, how many fatalities due to road accidents there have been on the A40 over the last three years (a) in total and (b) between Witney and Oxford. [124420]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]The following numbers of fatalities occurred on the total length of the A40 in the last three years for which national records are available: 27 in 1996, 28 in 1997 and 25 in 1998. On the single carriageway section of the A40, between the Wolvercote roundabout in Oxford and the eastern end of the Witney bypass at Hill Farm, there were two in 1996, three in 1997 and none in 1998.

  Byker Heat Station, Newcastle
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes have been made in the authorisation of releases from the Byker Heat Station, Newcastle over the years of its operation; and at whose request the changes were made. [125138]

  Mr. Meacher
  The following changes have been made in the authorisation of releases:Variation AJ3042: Changes made 15 July 1993 by HMIP.
  Condition 1.1.2—Added wood chip as a permitted fuel.
  Condition 5.1.10—Specified the composition of wood chip fuel.

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  Variation AJ6955: Changes made 27 September 1993 by HMIP.
  Variation at request of operator.
  New conditions relating to the visibility of the plume were added.
  Variation AN2927: Changes made by HMIP 31 December 1995.
  Variation at request of operator.
  Condition 5.1.10—specified that spent ash and lime shall only be discharged via skips.

  In addition a number of changes have been made to the requirements to report releases.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the unquantified toxic releases to air in the 1995 incident at the Byker Heat Station posed a risk to health; what area may have been affected by this release; and if(a) the regulator required and (b) the operator undertook an investigation as to the possible health effects to workers at the site and nearby residents. [125140]

  Mr. Meacher
  There is no evidence to suggest that the incident in 1995 posed a risk to health. Analysis of the incident in question suggested that a lower mass probably was released than in an equivalent period of normal operation. However, a precise estimation of distribution effects would be impracticable.

  The Agency did not require the operator to conduct an investigation into possible health effects and is not aware of such an investigation being conducted by the operator.

  Strategic Planning (London)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has reached following the consultation exercise on the detailed arrangements for strategic planning in London; and if he will make a statement. [125732]

  Mr. Hill
  The Mayor of London will assume responsibility for strategic planning matters in the capital on 3 July 2000. The main elements and principles of the new planning arrangements are incorporated in the Greater London Authority Act 1999. In January the Government issued, for consultation, a draft circular and statutory instruments setting out detailed aspects of the new arrangements. A copy of the consultation responses has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament and is also available for inspection at the Government Office for London.

  Following careful consideration of the responses received, we have decided that no significant changes are needed to the detailed arrangements, but some revisions have been made, mainly to provide additional clarification of the Governments proposals.

  I am pleased to announce that the Town and Country Planning (London Spatial Development Strategy) Regulations 2000 and the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2000 have been laid in both Houses of Parliament. Both the Regulations and the Order will come into force on 3 July.

  I am also pleased to announce the publication of the Government Office for London Circular 1/2000 "Strategic Planning in London".
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  The Town and Country Planning (London Spatial Development Strategy) Regulations 2000
  These Regulations set out the minimum supplementary statutory procedures that the Mayor will have to follow when preparing the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). They cover aspects such as the form and content of the SDS, consultation and publicity procedures, the availability of documents and the examination in public.
  A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Government Office for London and a copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.
  The Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2000
  This Order details the statutory procedures for notifying the Mayor of planning applications of potential strategic importance, and the associated power to direct refusal of planning permission. A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Government Office for London and a copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.
  Government Office for London Circular 1/2000—Strategic Planning in London
  The circular explains and gives guidance to the Mayor and others on the operation of the new arrangements set out in the Act and the two statutory instruments. The circular provides guidance on the purpose, scope and format of the Spatial Development Strategy. It explains the procedures for its production and advises on the implications for boroughs and others. It also gives guidance on the Mayor's role in planning applications and in representing London's planning interests.

  Transport for London
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the procedures set out by the Nolan Committee in respect of public appointments have been observed with regard to the appointment of the Director of Transport for London; and if he will make a statement. [125455]

  Mr. Hill
  Mr. Anthony Mayer was appointed as a Transitional Chief Executive of Transport for London in February this year. This was not an appointment to a public body within the ambit of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments but an appointment as an employee of the Secretary of State under the provisions of Section 407 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. Nevertheless, the recruitment followed a search and selection process involving the use of head hunters and an independent element. This is a temporary appointment. The recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive will be a matter for Transport for London.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham for answer on 17 March on the cost to public funds of publicly owned property maintained for his private use. [125685]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I replied to the hon. Member on Friday 9 June 2000,Official Report, column 4192W.

  Dorneywood
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what has been the cost of official entertainment at Dorneywood to his Department's budget in each year since May 1997; [125679]
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  (2) if he will list the occasions on which Dorneywood has been used for official purposes since 1 May 1997, listing the guests who attended on each occasion; [125678]

  (3) how many staff paid out of his Department's budget have been employed at Dorneywood since May 1997. [125684]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Under the terms of the endowment providing for its use by successive Governments since the 1950s, Dorneywood is maintained at no cost to the taxpayer. The same arrangement applies now as under previous administrations: no staff from any Government Department are employed at Dorneywood, and Government Ministers pay their own personal expenses on items such as food and drink when visiting Dorneywood privately.

  When Ministers from my Department use Dorneywood for official Government business, expenses are paid by the Department. Since May 1997, Dorneywood has been used for meetings with a range of Ministers and officials on a number of occasions. The approximate total cost to the Department for each year since May 1997 was as follows:

  Year

  £

  May 1997-March 1998

  3,000

  April 1998-March 1999

  2,000

  April 1999-March 2000

  1,300

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Treaty of Nice
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bilateral discussions with other EU members are planned prior to the meeting to agree the Treaty of Nice in December. [124792]

  Mr. Vaz
  We are in constant contact with our European partners. On the IGC in particular, there has been regular contact at official and Ministerial level since the beginning of this year. Foreign and Europe Ministers discuss the IGC collectively at monthly meetings of the General Affairs Council. This will continue until the Nice European Council in December.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Sierra Leone citizens have had their fares paid to Britain by his Department since the entry of the Parachute Regiment into Sierra Leone; how many of these cases relate to asylum applications; what the circumstances were of the others; and how many were arranged on the initiative of the United Kingdom High Commission. [124836]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]All British and Sierra Leonean passport holders evacuated from Sierra Leone undertook to repay the costs of their RAF flights from Freetown to Dakar. Consular staff in Dakar provided financial assistance to enable 55 Sierra Leonean nationals, all of whom either had close family in the UK 440W
  or held resident status, to return to the UK. They all signed undertakings to repay the costs. As far as we know none of these has applied for asylum.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what medical advice his Department is giving to UK visitors to Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [125192]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]Our travel advice gives advice on safety and security to British nationals travelling overseas. Unless there are specific concerns, travel advice does not cover medical issues. Callers requesting medical advice are referred to their GPs or the Department of Health.

  At present we advise against all travel to Sierra Leone.

  Kosovo (MOD Police)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason his Department's police officers were disembarked from their aircraft on the tarmac at Stansted on 4 June, instead of flying to Kosovo; when the detachment will now fly to Pristina; and if he will make a statement. [124936]

  Mr. Hain
  It is usually the responsibility of the United Nations to finance and arrange the transport for civilian police officers deploying to Kosovo. On this occasion, the UN requested that the UK make the travel arrangements.

  The FCO therefore arranged to charter a plane for 4 June to transport the 56 Ministry of Defence police officers to Kosovo. However, delays in baggage handling and a minor technical fault resulted in the plane's revised estimated arrival time in Pristina being after 17:00 hours, the time at which Pristina airport closes.

  The police officers' departure was therefore re-arranged for 6 June (no aircraft were available on 5 June) on a different plane. I can confirm that the officers did indeed reach Kosovo on that day.

  No-smoking Policy
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the effectiveness of his Department's no-smoking policy and (b) the proportion of his Department's offices that do not allow smoking. [125154]

  Mr. Hain
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Smoking Policy restricts smoking to designated smoking rooms and single occupancy offices. It is therefore effective in protecting all staff from the responsibility of passive smoking.

  Fewer than 5 per cent. of offices are single occupancy.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to ratify the Rome Treaty to establish the International Criminal Court. [125395]
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  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 3 May 2000,Official Report, column 122W.

  EU Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's response to the questions in the document CONFER 4743/00, prepared by the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the member states for the intergovernmental conference; [124864]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's response to the options for determining the method for fixing the allocation of seats in the European Parliament, as set out in document CONFER 4740/00, prepared by the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the member states for the intergovernmental conference; [124866]

  (3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's response to the suggested approach to the extension of co-decision procedures, set out in document CONFER 4740/00, prepared by the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the member states for the intergovernmental conference; [124865]

  (4) in which areas the UK delegation has objected in principle to specific points in relation to the list of Articles suggested for an extension of qualified majority voting in Annex I of paper CONFER 4757/00, prepared for the intergovernmental conference; [124867]

  (5) if he will place in the Library a copy of the UK delegation's response to the questions asked in the document CONFER 4728/00, prepared by the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the member states for the intergovernmental conference. [124869]

  Mr. Vaz
  Discussion at the level of the Preparatory Group and at Ministerial level has been based on conference papers produced by the Presidency. These papers do not require a formal response from member states' Governments, but form a basis for discussion. The Government's approach to the issues raised in these discussions is set out in the White Paper "IGC: Reform for Enlargement".

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's response to the options for(a) the Economic and Social Committee and (b) the Committee of the Regions, set out in document CONFER 4741/00, prepared by the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the member states for the intergovernmental conference. [124868]

  Mr. Vaz
  Conference papers are produced by the Presidency for discussion at both Preparatory Group and ministerial levels. They do not require a formal response from member states' Governments. Discussion so far has focused mainly on the size and composition of the Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the 442W
  Regions. For reasons of cost and effectiveness, the Government would not like to see either the Economic and Social Committee or the Committee of the Regions grow much above their present size after enlargement, although we shall ensure that the UK continues to be fairly represented on both Committees.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce legislation to extend similar protection to the value of pensions paid by the Zimbabwean Government to British subjects recruited from Britain for appointments in the Public Service of Southern Rhodesia before November 1965 who now live outside Zimbabwe, as that given under the Overseas Pensions Act 1973 to HMOCS officers. [124260]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have no current plans to introduce legislation to expand the pension protection arrangements under the Overseas Pensions Act 1973 to former employees of the Southern Rhodesia public service.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  European Community Humanitarian Office
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if contributions to ECHO are voluntary for members of the European Union; and if she will change her contribution to ECHO based on its past performance. [121098]

  Clare Short
  No. ECHO is funded, as are other EC external programmes, from the EC budget, to which member state contributions are mandatory. The UK contribution, under a formula agreed in 1992, will be 17.95 per cent. this year.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide accounts regarding the distribution of United Kingdom public money to Zimbabwe in the 1980s and 1990s to fund the acquisition of white-owned farms; and if she will set out the number of such farms acquired, the approximate acreage of each farm, the cost of acquiring each farm, to whom ownership of each farm was subsequently transferred, and how much of the original acreage acquired remains in productive operation. [120933]

  Clare Short
  A grant of £20 million was agreed with the Government of Zimbabwe in 1981. This funded 42 resettlement projects for the benefit of refugees and landless people following the Independence war. British funds were used for land demarcation and fencing, provision of water and sanitation, construction of schools, clinics and other buildings, and also for crop packs and training. The Grant was largely disbursed by 1989; however it was eventually closed in 1996 with £3 million unspent. Over a similar period, the counterpart funds to
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  £27 million in programme aid were used by the Government of Zimbabwe to fund their share of the programme.

  An ODA evaluation in 1988 found that the majority of families settled had benefited considerably through the provision of increased opportunities for income generation and the availability of services such as health and education. The programme had also been successful from the national economic perspective, having an economic rate of return of approximately 21 per cent. The Zimbabwean Comptroller and Auditor General carried out a value for money study of the programme in 1993. Despite identifying a number of shortcomings, the study concluded that the exercise was well planned in accordance with clear policies and procedures. It had benefited mainly the landless rural poor, most of whose standard of living had significantly improved.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much money has been given to the Government of Zimbabwe under the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme, since May 1997; [124335]

  (2) how many Zimbabwean families have benefited from land acquired using Her Majesty's Government funds since 1997; [124337]

  (3) how many farms the Zimbabwean Government have acquired using funds provided by Her Majesty's Government since May 1997. [124336]

  Clare Short
  In 1996 a land resettlement grant signed in 1981 was closed with £3 million undisbursed because the Government of Zimbabwe had not produced suitable plans to spend it. We have not disbursed funds for land acquisition and resettlement since. We have made clear that land reform and resettlement should be an important part of a poverty reduction programme in Zimbabwe, and supported the principles to govern a future land reform programme agreed at the Donors Conference in 1998. These include poverty reduction, transparency and the rule of law. The Government of Zimbabwe have not implemented the 1998 principles. We made £5 million available to support land resettlement initiatives led by civil society and the private sector.

PRIME MINISTER

  Public Question-time Meetings
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Prime Minister on what dates, and at which venues, he held question-time meetings with members of the public in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000 to date. [122984]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 May 2000]I answer questions from members of the public all the time.

  Queen Mother's Birthday
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will designate the Queen Mother's birthday in August as a public holiday; and if he will make a statement. [124752]
  444W
  The Prime Minister
  The Government receive a variety of suggestions for additional bank holidays to celebrate special occasions. However, it was felt that another additional bank holiday, following so soon after the Millennium bank holiday, would be inappropriate. This followed consultation with the Royal Household who were content with the decision.

  Post Office
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will publish the Performance and Innovation Unit report on the Post Office. [125314]

  The Prime Minister
  Shortly.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will accelerate the programme for modernising the information technology of the Crown Prosecution Service to match the introduction of the new police IT for managing casework. [124913]

  The Solicitor-General
  I am pleased to report that all CPS offices, including those in Staffordshire, will benefit from a significant investment in IT in 2000–01.

  The CPS was awarded £12 million from the Government's Capital Modernisation Fund in July 1999 and this money, together with existing CPS resources, will fund the Connect 42 project. Connect 42 will provide lawyers and caseworkers with access to modern PCs across the 42 CPS Areas for the first time. It will also enable the CPS to have secure electronic mail connections with its partners in the Criminal Justice System, including the police.

  A pilot of Connect 42 has been running in Sussex since March 2000. The national roll-out timetable is demanding and is scheduled to start in August 2000 and to be completed in July 2001, in advance of the new police casework system in most Areas. I understand that the detailed timetable for the new police casework system is being developed. The intention is to implement the system in police forces by the end of 2002.

  Connect 42 will be followed by step 2 of the Modernisation Programme, the Compass project, which is procuring a Managed Service through a PFI contract. This will use the IT infrastructure of Connect 42, and complement it with a case management system designed to meet the needs of front line CPS staff. It will provide the ability to work with electronic case files and allow information to be exchanged much more easily with other organisations in the criminal justice system through speedier electronic communications between computer systems.
  445W
  The CPS plans to advertise its requirement for the Compass project in the Official Journal of the European Communities in the 3rd quarter of 2000. Following procurement and development in 2001 and 2002, implementation of the system is planned for 2003. The CPS does not think that it is possible to accelerate this demanding timetable.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General what was the funding of the Crown Prosecution Service(a) in real terms and (b) as a proportion of GDP for each year of its existence. [124910]

  The Solicitor-General
  The funding of the Crown Prosecution Service in real terms and as a proportion of GDP for each year of its existence is listed as follows:

  £000

  Year

  Total expenditure in real terms

  Proportion of GDP (Percentage)

  1986–87

  124,124

  0.019

  1987–88

  212,691

  0.031

  1988–89

  233,487

  0.033

  1989–90

  255,755

  0.035

  1990–91

  274,902

  0.038

  1991–92

  294,325

  0.041

  1992–93

  321,371

  0.045

  1993–94

  344,510

  0.047

  1994–95

  350,410

  0.045

  1995–96

  345,281

  0.044

  1996–97

  339,536

  0.042

  1997–98

  331,139

  0.039

  1998–99

  328,347

  0.038

  1999–2000

  323,408

  0.035

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Target

  Target

  Outcome

  Target

  Outcome

  Target

  Outcome1

  To achieve annual efficiency savings

  2.5%

  Achieved

  2.5%

  Achieved

  3.0%

  Achieved

  To recover the full operating costs for the Agency's chargeable services

  100%

  Achieved

  100%

  Achieved

  100%

  Achieved

  To achieve x% level of customer satisfaction in advisory services

  90%

  Achieved

  95–100%

  Achieved

  >95%

  95% Achieved

  To achieve x% reduction in average unit cost per chargeable hour (litigation)

  2.5%

  Achieved

  2.5%

  Achieved

  2.5%

  Achieved

  To achieve x% reduction in the average unit cost per case (Bona Vacantia)

  2.5%

  Achieved

  2.5%

  Not achieved

  2.5%

  Not achieved2

  To achieve a minimum average number of chargeable hours per full-time caseholder per year (litigation) of x

  1,100

  Achieved

  1,150

  Achieved

  1,150

  Achieved

  To achieve instructions in at least x new litigation cases

  8,000

  Achieved

  Discontinued

  Discontinued

  To achieve 20% improvement on 1998–99 level of income recovery from clients within 30 days of their receipt of a validated invoice

  —

  —

  75%

  Achieved

  90%

  Not achieved

  To increase the proportion of undisputed supplier invoices paid in accordance with terms or 30 days

  —

  —

  95%

  Achieved

  100%

  Not achieved

  1 The information in this column is provisional, pending the preparation of the final accounts for 1999–2000.

  2 Since the Key Performance Target for Bona Vacantia Division was introduced it has become apparent that the methodology used to assess the number of cases is statistically biased towards non-achievement as it makes no allowance for the differing complexity of individual cases. The target will remain as set for 1999–2000 but the baseline against which performance is judged will be assessed and, if necessary, adjusted to recognise the differing complexity of cases.

  Note:

  Further information on performance against these targets can be found in the Executive Agencies 1999 Report (Cmnd 4658).
  446W
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General by what formula the funding of the Crown Prosecution Service nationally is distributed to the area offices. [124911]

  The Solicitor-General
  Decisions on how much of the CPS's resources should be allocated to individual CPS Areas are for the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Executive. They are informed by a number of analyses, including activity based costing (ABC), estimated payroll costs of staff not included in ABC analyses, accommodation costs, indicators of the type and nature of Areas, specific local factors, and the involvement of individual Areas in new initiatives.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the budget of the Staffordshire CPS. [124912]

  The Solicitor-General
  Decisions on how much of the CPS's resources should be allocated to individual CPS Areas are for the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Executive. The allocation of the CPS's budget to the 42 CPS Areas is informed by a detailed analysis of the costs of the prosecution process and caseload. This analysis is used to inform decisions on the budget for CPS Staffordshire and for all other CPS Areas.

  Performance Indicators
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on how each of the agencies and non-departmental bodies relating to his Department performed against their key performance indicators in(a) the last year and (b) the previous two years. [125332]

  The Solicitor-General
  A summary of performance for work in England and Wales is set out in the tables.
  447W

  Government Property Lawyers

  Target

  1997–98

  1998–991

  1999–2000

  To recover the full operating costs of the Agency

  Achieved

  —

  —

  To receive at least 4,350 new instructions from its clients

  Not achieved

  —

  —

  To achieve 95 completions per case holder

  Not achieved

  —

  —

  To maintain and improve the quality of service, in particular by keeping the proportion of cases completed satisfactorily (that is, without requiring rectification by reason of any fault of the Agency) on or before the target dated at or above 99.5%

  Achieved

  —

  —

  Over the three-year period, 1996–97 to 1998–99—To achieve a reduction in operating costs of an average of 2.5% per year in real terms taking 1996–97 as the base year

  Not achieved

  —

  —

  1 The Government Property Lawyers Agency was the subject of a Quinquennial Review from November 1997 to November 1998 and no formal targets were set for 1998–99 pending its outcome. The eventual outcome was that the Agency should close by 30 September 1999 and as a result no further key performance indicators were set.

  Percentage

  1999–2000

  1998–99

  1997–98

  Target

  Outcome

  Target

  Outcome

  Target

  Outcome

  Advance information

  83

  86.6

  80

  82.3

  80

  77.3

  Committal papers

  60

  62.7

  60

  51.9

  60

  50.6

  Briefs to Counsel

  80

  71.1

  80

  67.8

  80

  66.3

  Witness Expenses

  100

  97.5

  100

  95

  100

  93

  Complaints

  87

  88.3

  85

  87.7

  85

  86.7

  Note:

  Further information on performance against targets can be found in the Crown Prosecution Service's Annual Reports 1998–99 (House of Commons Paper 675), and 1997–98 (House of Commons Paper 839).

DEFENCE

  Non-deployable Estate
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the terms of reference for the review of the non-deployable estate; when he expects it to be complete; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [121940]

  Mr. Spellar
  As part of the continuing effort to maximise value for money from the Defence Budget, the Army is currently engaged in an internal review of non-deployable posts. The review is due to be completed in the autumn. There are no formal terms of reference for the review, which is being undertaken by the Army chain of command. The aim is to carry out an audit of military posts in the non-deployable Army, in order to inform judgments on the requirement for and priorities for the deployment of military manpower. There are no plans to publish the outcome of the review.448W
  Serious Fraud Office
  The Serious Fraud Office's key performance indicators were published on 17 December 1998 as part of the Law Officer's Department's Public Service Agreement. They are:

  (i) caseload;

  (ii) time from accepting a case to completing investigations; and

  (iii) length of the prosecution stage between transfer/committal and verdict.

  The targets set were:

  (i) to increase caseload from 73 cases per yeat in 1998–99 to 77 cases per year within resources provided;

  (ii) to reduce average time from accepting a case and completing investigations from 18 months in 1998–99 to 17.5 months;

  (iii) to reduce the average length of the prosecution stage between transfer/committal and verdict from 16.5 months in 1998–99 to 16 months.

  Outturn data which show that the Office has met its key targets are set out in the following table. Figures for the year 1997–98 are included to enable comparison.

  Financial year

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Caseload

  78

  73

  85

  Investigation (months)

  19.3

  18.0

  15.3

  Prosecution (months)

  —

  16.5

  14.4

  Crown Prosecution Service
  The CPS timelines performance targets for which comparable data are available are as follows:

  Special Investigations Branch
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 January 2000,Official Report, column 67W, on the Royal Irish Regiment (a) for what reasons the report of the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police has not been made and (b) how many of the sub-sections of the Question he is in a position to respond to. [123885]

  Mr. Spellar
  The investigation by Special Investigations Branch, Royal Military Police is now complete and I can confirm the following information.

  There have been four Parliamentary Questions on this matter including this one and two Parliamentary Inquiries. The photograph was taken on Monday 12 July at Drumadd Barracks, Armagh and shows 59 Officers and soldiers from F Company the 8th Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment (8 R IRISH). The photoshoot was supervised by a Major who took some of the photographs before joining the Company for further photographs, which were

  449W
  taken by a Warrant Officer. The flag was produced by a soldier of the Company who had just come off duty. A commercial photographic service establishment in Belfast developed the film and approximately 40 copies were made and given to members within F Company. No disciplinary action is to be taken against the officer but formal administrative action procedures have been initiated.

  Photographs can be taken in all sorts of circumstances which can subsequently be misinterpreted. F Company was deployed on 12 July along with other Army units precisely in order to prevent sectarian violence and it is wrong to label a whole Regiment, or the individuals in the photograph, as bigoted. We expect the highest standards of conduct from all soldiers, and in particular that they should be aware of community sensitivities in Northern Ireland. During 1999 the Royal Irish Regiment collected over £133,000 for cross-community charities. 8 R IRISH also won the prestigious Wilkinson's Sword of Peace for its cross-community work in Armagh. These are examples of their cross-community activities and are not indicative of a biased Regiment.

  Staff Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2000,Official Report, columns 109–10W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124829]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]My Department had nine inward secondments of 12 months or less from the following companies:BMT Defence Systems
  Vickers
  Vosper Thorneycroft
  BAe
  Gardiner and Theobald
  Simmons and Simmons
  Defence Acquisition Group (x2)
  PA Consulting Group

  Slovenia
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the extent is of joint working with Slovenia on military matters; how many UK personnel work in Slovenia on training and related matters; and if he will make a statement. [124884]

  Mr. Spellar
  Slovenia is one of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe included in the Ministry of Defence's Outreach Programme of bilateral assistance. My officials hold annual Defence Staff Talks with their Slovenian counterparts and from these discussions a programme of bilateral assistance is constructed. The main area of assistance is in English language training, but we also conduct seminars on various Defence related subjects, discussions on codification and standardisation, and arms control training. There are also VIP and working level short visits to UK by Slovenian Ministry of Defence officials and members of their Armed Forces, including 450W
  attendance on TA summer camps, and reciprocal visits by UK Ministry of Defence officials and members of UK Armed Forces.

  At present there are no MOD UK personnel working in Slovenia, however the UK Defence Attaché to Slovenia, who is currently cross-accredited to Austria and resident in Vienna, is moving to Slovenia on 13 June 2000. Additionally, an MOD civil servant is due to take up post as Adviser on Defence Policy and Planning in the Slovenian Ministry of Defence in September 2000.

  Latvia
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the extent of joint working with Latvia is on military matters; how many UK personnel work in Latvia on training and related matters; and if he will make a statement. [124887]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UK has an extensive programme of defence assistance to Latvia as part of the MOD's "Outreach" initiative to promote stability and security in central and eastern Europe. The UK's programme of assistance to Latvia is underpinned by English language training, defence management training and military training which is provided both in-country and in the UK. We also assist Latvia through our contribution to the joint Baltic projects: the Baltic Security Assistance forum; the Baltic Peacekeeping Battalion; the Baltic Naval Squadron; the Baltic Defence College; and the Baltic Air Surveillance Network. Another substantial area of co-operation is the deployment of a 10 strong Latvian contingent with BRITFOR in Kosovo.

  Currently we have six personnel working permanently in Latvia on training and related matters, with a civil servant seconded to the Latvian Defence Ministry to advise on programming and budgeting systems and five Royal Marines working with the Baltic Peacekeeping Battalion Training Team. However, Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) provide most of the military training, visiting Latvia for between two weeks to three months each summer; this year the STTTs will involve approximately 15 personnel. In addition to those involved directly in training, the Defence Attaché in Riga, assisted by an Assistant Defence Attaché, liaises with the Latvian Defence Ministry to ascertain their training and assistance requirements for each year.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been so far of UK involvement in Sierra Leone; if any of that cost will be claimed from the United Nations; and if he will make a statement. [124886]

  Mr. Hoon
  The additional costs of Operation Palliser, the evacuation deployment to Sierra Leone which commenced on 5 May, are still being established, but it is estimated that they will amount to some £8 million. As Operation Palliser is not a United Nations operation, we do not expect to claim any of those costs from the United Nations.

  Missile Defence Systems
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Exocet missile launcher has
  451W
  been removed from HMS Sheffield; what plans there are to replace it; and what similar work has been undertaken on other ships of this class. [125083]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]The Exocet missile launcher has been removed from the batch 2 Type 22 Frigate HMS Sheffield because the variant of the missile used by the RN is now obsolete and no longer in Naval service. There are no plans to replace the launcher. HMS Sheffield remains armed with a potent mixture of weapons and sensors including Seawolf Anti-Air Missiles, Stingray Anti-Submarine Torpedoes and a helicopter able to carry the Sea Skua Anti-ship missile. There are no plans to remove the launchers from the remaining batch 2 vessels in this class as, given their relatively short remaining life, it would not be economic to do so. The latest Batch (3) Type 22 Frigates carry the Harpoon anti-ship missile system.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the programme of work that is being undertaken by his Department in relation to ballistic missile defence. [125009]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]Following the policy on ballistic missile defence set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence is undertaking a three-year programme of studies known as the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme. This programme is monitoring developments in the risks posed by ballistic missiles and in the technology to counter them. It is due to be completed next summer. The terms of reference for the programme were announced on 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 203W. In addition, we are contributing to NATO preparations for studies into the feasibility of theatre ballistic missile defence. We expect these studies to start next year.

  Project Aquatrine
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department will issue invitations to submit outline proposals for Project Aquatrine; and if he will make a statement. [125317]

  Dr. Moonie
  In accordance with the timetable announced at the Project Aquatrine bidders conference in March this year, I expect that invitations to submit outline proposals for the initial package of the project will be issued very shortly.

  Rudloe Manor
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations other than price will affect the sale of Rudloe Manor. [125392]

  Dr. Moonie
  When selling surplus property the Ministry of Defence follows Government Accounting procedures seeking to achieve the full market value. This is usually best determined by offering the property for 452W
  sale on the open market with a specific date for the submission of bids. In selecting a preferred purchaser for Rudloe Manor, my Department also paid regard to the proposed uses, the ability of bidders to finance the purchase and their timescales for completing the sale.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account he will take of the potential for job creation in his decision on the purchaser of Rudloe Manor. [125393]

  Dr. Moonie
  Rudloe Manor has been offered for sale with reference to the policy for the site, identified in the North Wiltshire District Council Local Plan and the modifications to the Draft Local Plan which the Council has agreed. It is for the Local Planning Authority properly to consider the issue of job creation, as part of any future planning application for the site.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tenders there were for the purchase of Rudloe Manor; and how many of them were within the original specification. [125394]

  Dr. Moonie
  Sixteen bids were received, all of which complied with the original specification.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reach a conclusion about the sale of Rudloe Manor; and if he will make a statement on the sale. [125391]

  Dr. Moonie
  A purchaser has now been identified for Rudloe Manor and the terms of sale have been agreed, subject to contract. Considerable interest was shown in the property and all unsuccessful bidders have now been notified.

  Asbestosis
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the level of compensation paid to civilian dockyard workers for work-related asbestosis contracted while working(a) on Royal Navy vessels and (b) in Royal Naval dockyards. [124934]

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

  RAF St. Mawgan
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel stationed at RAF St. Mawgan have been subjected to(a) combat survival and rescue training and (b) conduct after capture courses; how many personnel have refused to participate in this training; and what sanctions have been employed to ensure participation. [125200]

  Mr. Spellar
  Conduct After Capture (CAC) training is an integral element of the current Aircrew Combat Survival Course (ACSC) held at the RAF School of Combat Survival and Rescue at RAF St. Mawgan. Attendance on the course is a mandatory training requirement for all RAF personnel engaged on operational duties that may make them prone to capture or interrogation. Since September 1992, 1,029 students have
  453W
  entered training on the ACSC at RAF St. Mawgan. Of these, five withdrew voluntarily from the practical CAC phase of the training but one returned at a later date to complete the training.

  All students on the (CAC) training phase of the course must give their written consent to undergo the training. Prior to participation, all students are made aware of what they will encounter during the training, and they remain at liberty to withdraw from the training at any time, either before participation or during it. Individuals who choose not to undergo the training, or who do not complete the course, will be moved to duties where they would not be prone to capture or interrogation.

  Medals
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer given on 22 May 2000,Official Report, column 313W, on medals, in relation to each clasp listed, what was (a) the scale of the deployment, (b) the number of people wounded and (c) the number of people killed; if troops were deployed in active service; and if the area was designated an operational zone. [125556]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not held centrally. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Employment (Alyn and Deeside)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed by his Department in the constituency of Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [125558]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are 1,859 people employed by the Ministry of Defence in the constituency of Alyn and Deeside.

  UK Imports of frozen beef by country

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Country

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Irish

  Republic2

  17.4

  1.9

  6.7

  0.9

  10.8

  1.3

  10.5

  1.2

  16.6

  1.8

  Brazil

  2.9

  0.3

  3.3

  0.4

  3.0

  0.3

  4.6

  0.5

  10.4

  1.1

  France

  17.9

  2.0

  8.3

  1.1

  4.0

  0.5

  1.5

  0.2

  4.5

  0.5

  Netherlands

  3.8

  0.4

  2.2

  0.3

  1.8

  0.2

  1.3

  0.1

  3.0

  0.3

  Uruguay

  9.3

  1.0

  7.1

  1.0

  13.3

  1.6

  6.8

  0.8

  2.5

  0.3

  Botswana

  3.3

  0.4

  3.3

  0.5

  2.1

  0.2

  1.9

  0.2

  1.6

  0.2

  Spain

  1.9

  0.2

  0.8

  0.1

  1.1

  0.1

  0.4

  0.0

  1.3

  0.1

  Argentina

  6.6

  0.7

  6.5

  0.9

  7.4

  0.9

  1.2

  0.1

  1.0

  0.1

  Germany

  2.1

  0.2

  3.1

  0.4

  6.8

  0.8

  0.8

  0.1

  0.9

  0.1

  Namibia

  1.8

  0.2

  1.0

  0.1

  1.7

  0.2

  0.8

  0.1

  0.8

  0.1

  New Zealand

  3.3

  0.4

  4.8

  0.7

  5.5

  0.6

  5.3

  0.6

  0.6

  0.1

  Belgium-Luxem.

  1.2

  0.1

  0.7

  0.1

  1.8

  0.2

  0.2

  0.0

  0.5

  0.1

  Italy

  0.5

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  0.3

  0.0

  0.4

  0.0

  0.4

  0.0

  Zimbabwe

  3.9

  0.4

  0.2

  0.0

  0.3

  0.0

  0.3

  0.0

  0.3

  0.0

  Australia

  2.6

  0.3

  4.2

  0.6

  3.1

  0.4

  3.1

  0.3

  0.2

  0.0

  Denmark

  0.7

  0.1

  0.7

  0.1

  0.3

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  D Notices
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many D Notices have been published with regard to the responsibilities of his Department in the last six months(a) relating to Northern Ireland and (b) relating to other matters. [124692]

  Mr. Spellar
  No DA Notices have been published specifically with regard to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence in the last six months. There are standing DA Notices which apply to all Departments, where matters of National Security are concerned, and these contain advice to editors and others which can be applied to any appropriate circumstances. From 1993 there were six such standing notices, until 24 May 2000 when, after revision of the Notices by the independent Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee, a new set of five standing DA Notices was promulgated. Details have been passed to the House of Commons Library, and can be found also on the internet at www.dnotice.org.uk.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Frozen Beef Imports
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much frozen beef was imported to the UK by country of origin, in each of the last five years; and in each case what was the percentage of total UK consumption. [124623]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]The following table shows the volume of frozen beef imported into the United Kingdom, as recorded by the Overseas Trade Statistics from 1995 to 1999. The import figures have been converted to carcase weight equivalent for comparison with consumption figures. The imports are shown by country of despatch which is not necessarily the country of origin.
  455W

  UK Imports of frozen beef by country

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Country

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  Imports of frozen beef ThT CWE

  Imports as a percentage of beef available for human consumption

  South Africa

  —

  —

  2.2

  0.3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  U.S.A.

  1.1

  0.1

  1.6

  0.2

  0.1

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  —

  —

  Other

  2.0

  0.2

  1.7

  0.2

  0.2

  0.0

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  Total

  82.2

  9.1

  58.6

  8.0

  63.6

  7.4

  39.5

  4.6

  44.7

  4.8

  Total beef available for human consumption

  902.9

  732.4

  856.6

  858.2

  936.0

  1 Provisional

  2 Republic of Ireland data supplied by Irish C.S.O.

  Notes:

  ThT—Thousand tonnes.

  CWE—Carcase weight equivalent.

  1. Prepared by: Statistics (Commodities and Food) Division, Economics and Statistics Group, MAFF.

  2. 1999 and 2000 data are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Source:

  H.M. Customs and Excise.

  Farmers (Reskilling)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funds the Government have made available for retraining and reskilling farmers and agricultural workers in each of the past 10 years through the Agricultural Training Board and Lantra. [123464]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 May 2000]Payments made by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food to the Agricultural Training Board, ATB-Landbase and Lantra are as follows:

  Year

  £

  Payments to the Agricultural Training Board

  1990–91

  10,349

  1991–92

  7,303

  1992–93

  6,700

  1993–94

  9,755

  Payments to ATB-Landbase

  1994–95

  4,156

  1995–96

  2,471

  1996–97

  1,611

  1997–98

  11,508

  Payments to Lantra

  1998–99

  11,333

  1999–2000

  1797

  2000–013

  1,22,328

  1 Includes payments under the Government's Sector Challenge Scheme

  2 Includes payments under the Agriculture Development Scheme

  3 Budgeted

  Payments to the Agricultural Training Board included costs associated with the restructuring of the Board prior to privatization in 1994. The payments to ATB-Landbase were for the provision of Industry Training Organisation services and the payments to Lantra were for the delivery of National Training Organisation services.
  456W
  The figures given in the table do not include funding provided by other Government Departments including Department for Education and Employment and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the devolved administrations and the European Commission.

  Agricultural Wages
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the results of the consultation on the future of the agricultural wages boards. [125170]

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's consultation on the future of the agricultural wages boards. [125398]

  Ms Quin
  The consultation period closed on 31 March and some 250 comments have been received. Independent research was also commissioned to complement the consultation exercise and the results are due later this month. We will announce the outcome of the review as soon as possible when we have considered all the responses and issues raised.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the present proportion of farm costs which are represented by labour costs. [125196]

  Ms Quin
  In 1998–99, labour costs are estimated to have represented an average of 16.2 per cent. of the total farm costs of full-time farm business in England. These labour costs include an imputed estimate of the wholly or mainly unpaid labour carried out on the farm, principally by farmers, spouses and other family workers. Estimates for 1999–2000 will be published early in 2001.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on rates of pay in the horticulture industry. [125355]
  457W
  Ms Quin
  Minimum rates of pay for the horticulture industry are set by the Agricultural Wages Board, which is an independent body. The most recent Agricultural Wages Order came into force on 1 June 2000.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the role played by Agricultural Wages Board rates of pay in the rural economy. [125197]

  Ms Quin
  As part of the quinquennial review of the Agricultural Wages Board, announced in December 1999, independent research is being undertaken to evaluate the impact of the provisions in the Agricultural Wages Order. The results will be made available when the outcome of the review is published.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of Agricultural Wages Board rates of pay on rural pay levels generally. [125199]

  Ms Quin
  We have made no special assessment of the effect of the Agricultural Wages Board on rural rates of pay in general. Over the years some rural employers have based the pay for non-agricultural workers on the rates set by the Agricultural Wages Board.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the final draft of the second report of the Independent Scientific Group on cattle TB will be published. [125172]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]The report was published on 7 February this year and copies were placed in the Library of the House, as set out in the reply, 7 February 2000,Official Report, column 80W.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many and what proportion of badgers trapped and killed in the TB trial in Wiltshire, in May, were lactating females; and if he will make a statement. [125258]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]Of the badgers trapped and killed in the recent trial operations in Wiltshire, 35 (5.8 per cent.) were lactating females.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what resources have been allocated(a) within the public sector and (b) as grants to private sector research for the development of a prophylactic bovine TB treatment. [125175]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]We are spending about £1.4 million a year on developing a vaccine against bovine TB. Research at the Veterinary Laboratory Agency accounts for approximately 70 per cent. of this expenditure; work at the Institute of Animal Health, Compton, accounts for the rest. This research also draws on significant amounts of work being undertaken in related fields internationally.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what risk analysis has been carried out on(a) the provision of a prophylactic bovine TB treatment and (b) the proposals advanced by the Krebs/Bourne Study. [125177]
  458W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]Risk assessments on TB vaccines will be carried out as part of the normal regulatory process if and when suitable candidate vaccines have been developed. Proposals which emerge from the epidemiological investigation into TB in cattle being undertaken by Professor Bourne's Independent Scientific Group will be assessed against a range of factors including the impact on public health, on animal health and welfare, on the environment and on the economy.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the intended timescale for making publicly available information arising from an audit assessing the effectiveness of the surveying and social group delineation of badger culling. [125257]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]We intend to publish the report, together with the Government's response, as soon as possible after the final report is received from the independent auditor. On current expectations, this will he during the summer.

  Fisheries Multi-annual Guidance Programme
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reduction in British fishing effort has been achieved so far in MAGP IV; and what reduction he hopes to gain by the end of that programme. [124453]

  Mr. Morley
  Between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 1999 the capacity of the UK fleet was reduced by 3.2 per cent. in tonnage and 7.7 per cent. in engine power.

  Between 1997 and 1999 the effort of those segments of the fleet for which there are MAGP effort objectives (that is, pelagic, beam trawl, demersal, seines, nephrops and distant water vessels), has been reduced by 5.7 per cent. (tonnage effort) and by 8.5 per cent. (power effort).

  The UK has achieved its intermediate effort objectives and is on course in most segments to achieve its full capacity and effort objectives under the programme. However, capacity of the pelagic segment is currently some way outside its MAGP IV objective.

TREASURY

  Top-rate Taxpayers
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many top rate income tax payers(a) there were in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98, (iii) 1998–99 and (iv) 1999–2000 and (b) he expects there to be in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02. [120351]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Latest published estimates for the number of higher rate income taxpayers are in table 2.1 of Inland Revenue Statistics (IRS). The latest version of table 2.1 consistent with the March 2000 Budget is available on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/table2–1.htm.

  Estimates for 2000–01 will be published in the 2000 edition of IRS, which will be available around October 2000.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the expenditure on the Working Families Tax Credit was(a) for each month since October 1999 and (b) for the period April to October 1999, (i) in total, (ii) minus the projected expenditure on Family Credit, (iii) minus the savings on Council Tax Benefit and (iv) minus the savings on Housing Benefit; [122392]

  (2) pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) 15 May 2000, Official Report, column 47W, what is the average amount by which other benefits have been reduced for families with incomes of less than £12,000 as a result of the Working Families Tax Credit. [122988]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answers 16 and 19 May 2000]Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) were introduced on 5 October 1999. Total expenditure on these tax credits in 1999–2000 is estimated at £0.9 billion, but reliable estimates for each month are not available.

  Given the difference in income rules in relation to maintenance, and the fact that it is not possible to isolate behavioural effects (such as the number of families who may have entered work or increased their hours because WFTC provides a more generous work incentive than Family Credit), it is not possible to determine how much would have been spent on FC in 1999–2000 had WFTC not been introduced.

  The receipt of Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) cannot be determined from information processed for applications for WFTC. The receipt of WFTC by families in receipt of HB and CTB, and hence the saving in HB and CTB for these families, can be determined from the information processed for claims for those benefits. However, for some families the award of WFTC, together with other income available, will mean that there is no entitlement to HB or CTB. The general level of saving on HB and CTB for these families can only be estimated using household survey data on families receiving WFTC. Such data will become available, in sufficient sample numbers to yield reliable estimates, at some time from the second half of 2001.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out for each financial year between April 1999 and April 2002 the gross actual and planned expenditure on(a) the working families tax credit and (b) the working families tax credit minus the savings on housing benefit and council tax benefit attributable to the working families tax credit. [123780]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]The total expenditure on Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) in 1999–00, and the Budget projections of expenditure on these credits for 2000–01 and 2001–02, are shown at Table C12 of the March 2000 Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR).

  No estimate for 1999–00 of the saving on Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) is yet available, for the reason given in a separate answer I am today giving my right hon. Friend. I understand from the
  460W
  Department of Social Security that the projections of expenditure on HB and CTB in the FSBR were net of the following savings attributable to WFTC.

  £ million

  2000–01

  100

  2001–02

  115

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of recipients of the child care tax credit in WFTC who do not use eligible child care. [124937]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The child care tax credit in Working Families' Tax Credit can only be claimed by people who pay for eligible child care.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the child care tax credit will relate to the reformed employment tax credit and integrated child credit. [124938]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The child care tax credit is an integral part of the Working Families' Tax Credit, and provides help with child care costs for parents who are working. It will continue to provide help with child care costs for working parents in the new generation of tax credits. The precise position of the child care tax credit within the new tax credits depends on detailed design of the new generation of credits, on which decisions have not yet been made.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are in receipt of the child care tax credit in the Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit in each(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority. [124986]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that about 103,000 families benefited from the child care tax credit among the 1.03 million families with awards of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) made to the end of March in the United Kingdom.

  There are too few cases in the 5 per cent. sample used for the analysis of WFTC awards to provide reliable estimates for each parliamentary constituency or local authority. However, estimates of the total number of WFTC awards made to the end of March in each parliamentary constituency are in tables which have been deposited in the Library following my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden) on 17 April 2000, Official Report, column 370W.

  Diesel Fuel
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average retail price per litre of diesel fuel two weeks(a) before his 1999 Budget and (b) after his 2000 Budget; and in each case how much of the price was attributable to (i) fuel duty and (ii) VAT. [125195]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]The retail price and duty rate for diesel fuel in February 1999 are published in Tables 9.14 and 9.16 in the Department of Trade and Industry publication "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1999".
  461W
  The average retail price for a litre of diesel fuel in April 2000 was 81.07p. The duty rate is 48.82p per litre.

  The rate of VAT for diesel fuel is 17.5 per cent..

  VAT (Youth Organisations)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in favour of the restoration of zero rating for value added tax on(a) new scout hall buildings, (b) scout hall extensions and (c) other community youth organisations; when the decision was taken that VAT should be levied; if he will rescind that decision; and if he will make a statement. [R] [125073]

  Dawn Primarolo
  When VAT was introduced the construction and extension of any building was zero-rated. In 1984 the relief for extensions was withdrawn. Following infraction proceedings by the European Commission, the relief for constructing new buildings became restricted to only certain types of building in 1989. New buildings used by charities for non-business purposes or as village halls can still be zero-rated. Agreements with our European partners mean that we cannot re-introduce any zero rates that we have given up.

  In common with all charities Scout and other youth halls will benefit from the zero rate where the conditions for relief are met. Treasury Ministers have received a number of representations on this matter on behalf of the Scout Association.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Luxembourg on 5 June; and if he will make a statement. [125123]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer attended the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers.

  ECOFIN approved the text of the Broad Economic Guidelines for submission to the Feira European Council, with slight amendment.

  There was a discussion of the Code of Conduct group and the proposed Savings Directive. It was agreed that ECOFIN would meet ahead of the Feira European Council for a further discussion.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 3 April on behalf of his constituent, Mrs. Hall. [125399]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I replied to the right hon. Gentleman on 5 June.

  Government Borrowing
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Government's borrowing plans. [125981]
  462W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In light of recent developments which have increased cash receipts this financial year by £19.5 billion more than the Budget forecast, the Government are making the following changes to the Debt Management Office's gilt remit for 2000–01.

  Quantity of Gilt Sales

  The DMO will aim for gilt sales of £10 billion in 2000-01, a reduction of £2.2 billion on previous plans. There will be no further reductions in gilt sales this financial year.

  Amount and Maturity Mix of Conventional Gilt Issuance

  DMO will hold two further conventional auctions in the long (15 years and over) maturity area. DMO should aim for total conventional gilt sales of £6.5 billion for 2000–01.

  Exercise of contingency measures in the Debt Management Report

  HM Treasury will accommodate £5.9 billion of the receipts by pre-financing £3.9 billion of foreign currency debt due to mature in 2001–02 and £2.0 billion of foreign currency debt due to mature in 2002–03. This differs from the £5.7 billion figure in the Debt Management Report due to the fall in sterling against the dollar since the Budget.

  The planned Treasury Bill stock will also be reduced by £0.7 billion to £8 billion.

  Buy-backs of debt

  The buy-back programme may be increased later in the year to a maximum of £5 billion. This will be decided at the time of the Pre-Budget Report.

  Net short term debt

  The remaining proceeds (£10.7 billion before any increase in buy-backs) will be used to reduce net short term debt (the Ways and Means balance, Treasury Bills less short term assets). Given that £10 billion of the proceeds are not expected until later in the year, decisions on the composition of the reduction in net short term debt will also be made at the time of the Pre-Budget Report, also taking into account any revision to the forecast Central Government Net Cash Requirement.

  The reduction in net debt will be unwound in 2001–02 and 2002–03, reducing gilt sales during this period.

  Gilt auction calendar

  Date

  Type

  2000

  Wednesday 26 July

  Index-linked

  Wednesday 25 October1

  Index-linked

  Late November/early December1

  Conventional

  2001

  Wednesday 24 January

  Index-linked

  Wednesday 28 March1

  Coventional

  1 Exact dates subject to confirmation following the Chancellor's decision on the Budgetary timetable.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Welsh and Scottish Universities
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives for collaboration between business and universities are to be offered to Welsh and Scottish universities. [121664]

  Ms Hewitt
  In addition to support from the devolved Administrations, Scotland and Wales also benefit from the LINK programme that supports collaborative R&D projects involving HEIs and business, and from the TCS Programme which supports high quality graduates working in companies, normally for two years, on technology transfer projects central to the needs of participating companies. In addition, institutions in both Scotland and Wales are eligible to participate in Science Enterprise Challenge and University Challenge.

  The Government intend to publish a Science and Innovation White Paper following the Spending Review 2000. Among other things, it will consider how we can further promote university-industry collaboration, and how we might better encourage our scientists, engineers and business people to take full advantage of the UK's expertise in science and technology, to create wealth and improve the quality of our lives.

  Assisted Areas Map (Angus)
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he will take to offset the losses to Angus if the revised assisted area boundaries proposals are introduced. [123576]

  Mr. Caborn
  None. Local economic development is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what analysis he has made of the impact on the local economy of the loss of assisted area status to the four Angus wards. [123577]

  Mr. Caborn
  The needs of all areas including Angus were considered in drawing the revised assisted area proposals.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the four Angus wards were included on the original assisted area map submitted in July 1999; and what economic factors have changed in the meantime to form the basis for their exclusion from the revised map. [123579]

  Mr. Caborn
  The exclusion of the four Angus wards from the revised assisted areas proposals did not reflect a change in the needs of those wards but rather was a consequence of changes made to meet the European Commission's concerns about our July proposals.

  ECGD
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the total sum of(a) premiums received by the Export Credits Guarantee Department and (b) claims paid out by the ECGD for each of the last 10 years in respect of defence exports; [124659]
  464W
  (2) what was the net cast outflow from the Export Credits Guarantee Department attributable to defence exports, broken down by (a) cost of interest rate support, (b) claims paid, (c) interest paid and (d) operating expenses, for each of the last 10 years. [124661]

  Mr. Caborn
  The following table details Claims Paid and Premium Earned in request of Defence related business in each of the last ten Financial Years. The cost of Interest Rate supported has been estimated on the proportion of ECGD credit business constituted by defence related business. For completeness the table also includes details of recoveries of claims on defence related business.

  £ million

  Year

  Premium Earned

  Claims Paid

  Estimate of Interest Rate support

  Recoveries received

  1990–91

  16

  79

  81

  3

  1991–92

  11

  79

  2

  24

  1992–93

  44

  94

  26

  21

  1993–94

  38

  83

  -7

  9

  1994–95

  16

  92

  -1

  17

  1995–96

  23

  90

  2

  28

  1996–97

  8

  50

  1

  2

  1997–98

  12

  39

  4

  3

  1998–99

  18

  31

  3

  6

  1999–2000

  27

  152

  1

  9

  Total

  213

  789

  112

  122

  As for the further information my hon. Friend requests, I am afraid ECGD does not hold its records on a basis which would enable it to provide the level of details he has requested. It would involve disproportionate cost to produce it.

  Postal Services
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations Her Majesty's Government made at the Lisbon Council concerning liberalisation of postal markets; [125563]

  (2) if it is his policy to support the timescale for liberalisation of postal markets proposed by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement; [125599]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effect the liberalisation of postal markets, agreed at the Lisbon Council, will have on the Universal Service Obligation. [125597]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government strongly supported the Lisbon agreement on the need to speed up liberalisation in areas such postal services. That is why we have made it a priority for the new postal regulator, the Postal Services Commission, to come forward with proposals for liberalisation in the context of maintaining the universal service. That is also why we have supported a process of phased liberalisation of the postal services market in Europe. The European Commission has now agreed and will shortly publish a new proposal proposing a framework for the scope and timing of the next phase of postal liberalisation. There can now be a substantive discussion, between the member states and the Commission, about the issues the proposal raises. In the
  465W
  UK, we have a commitment to consult with the Postal Services Commission and with other interested parties in reaching a view. Our key objective in considering this issue is to promote the interest of consumers and to ensure the maintenance of the universal service. We should oppose measures which put at risk the universal service.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is his policy to support a levy on postal service licence holders to create a fund to support the universal service obligation. [125596]

  Mr. Byers
  No.

  Synchrotron
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Technology Authority has made to the(a) Minister for Science and (b) the Office of Science and Technology on the siting of the synchrotron project. [124808]

  Ms Hewitt
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has made no representations on the issue of the siting of the new synchrotron project to either the Minister for Science or the Office of Science and Technology.

  Research Council Spending
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Research Council money was spent in each region in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down in each case between(a) universities and (b) other organisations. [124809]

  Ms Hewitt
  Details of the Research Councils' gross spend by region for the three years 1996–97 to 1998–99, analysed between universities and other organisations, mainly their institutes, is shown in the table.

  Research Council spend by region

  £000

  Universities

  Other

  1996–97

  England

  585,475

  417,469

  Scotland

  88,874

  51,229

  Wales

  18,238

  5,245

  Northern Ireland

  6,881

  326

  1997–98

  England

  630,296

  397,230

  Scotland

  88,200

  45,888

  Wales

  21,739

  6,998

  Northern Ireland

  6,204

  350

  1998–99

  England

  627,752

  407,179

  Scotland

  86,730

  46,673

  Wales

  22,243

  5,022

  Northern Ireland

  5,982

  515

  Notes:

  1. Figures are Councils' gross expenditure, financed from the Science Budget grant-in-aid and other sources.

  2. 'Universities' includes both research grants and postgraduate studentships.

  3. 'Other' is largely Research Council institutes.

  4. Overseas expenditure, international subscriptions and central headquarters expenditure are excluded.

  Science Base
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the recent initiatives that have been introduced to expand the North West science base, indicating how they relate to the development and expansion of the regional economy. [124810]

  Mr. Caborn
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Ms Southworth) on 9 June 2000,Official Report, column 388W.

  Razzaq v. Pala
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision in the case of Razzaq v. Pala on his plans to establish a rescue culture for companies. [125762]

  Mr. Byers
  The decision in that case is a matter for some concern and I therefore propose to undertake an urgent consultation on the issues raised by that decision against the possibility of their being addressed in the context of the current proposed legislation on insolvency.

  A consultation paper has been issued asking whether or not landlords should continue to be able to effect peaceable re-entry (without the leave of the count) while a company or an individual is the subject of a statutory moratorium in the context of an insolvency procedure. I have placed copies of that document in the Libraries of the House.

  Opinion Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of the results of all market and opinion research carried out by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997. [123815]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]This information is not held centrally and cannot be provided except at disproportionate costs.

  The Department's Executive Agencies and non-departmental public bodies have been asked to respond separately. Copies of the letters have been placed in the Library.

  Regeneration
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 2000,Official Report, column 645W, on regeneration, where in his Department's annual report the information requested is given. [124410]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Chapter 4 of the Department's Annual expenditure Plans provides details of regional economic development expenditure. Such expenditure contributes to regional and local regeneration.

  Call Centres
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on the level of service to residential telephone subscribers of the operation of call centres. [124813]
  467W
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]The Department has not made an assessment of the quality or level of services provided by the very large number of call centres in the UK.

  This is a matter for individual call centres businesses.

  The call centre industry is a relatively new one. The Trade Association for this industry—the Call Centres Association—is working now with its members to establish standards of service and operation.

  Employment Agencies
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans that the new regulations on employment agencies and businesses will come into force. [R] [125182]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]I expect the revised regulations to come in to force later this year or at the beginning of 2001, subject to Parliamentary approval.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many complaints were made by end-users about the imposition of temporary to permanent fees by recruitment agencies in 1999; [R] [125183]

  (2) how many temporary workers suffered detriment because of the imposition of temporary to permanent fees by recruitment agencies in 1999. [R] [125184]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]Temporary to permanent fees, provided they are notified by bureaux to hirers before they enter into a contract, are not at present regulated and my Department does not therefore maintain any systematic record of the complaints it receives about their imposition. Representations about the adverse effects of transfer fees were received from end-users, agencies, various trade associations and others during the course of the consultation last year. My Department has reason to believe that a substantial number of hirers, who have not negotiated satisfactory terms with bureaux, are deterred from offering permanent work to temporary workers because of the inclusion of transfer fee clauses in bureaux' terms of business.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment his Department has made of the impact on recruitment companies which place non-specialist manual workers in temporary contracts of the proposed four-week quarantine period included in his Department's current proposals for regulating temporary to permanent fees; and if he will make a statement; [125188]

  (2) for what reasons his Department has proposed to limit the proposed quarantine period for the regulation of temporary to permanent fees on recruitment companies to four weeks; and if he will make a statement; [125187]

  (3) what assessment his Department has made of the impact on recruitment companies placing information technology contractors in temporary contracts of the
  468W
  proposed four-week quarantine period included in his Department's current proposals for regulating temporary to permanent fees; and if he will make a statement; [125186]

  (4) what assessment his Department has made of the case for regulations to ensure that recruitment agencies can protect themselves from end-users, or other agencies, poaching from their contractor base; and if he will make a statement. [125185]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]Our proposal to limit the period of quarantine that bureaux may impose, to a maximum of four weeks, seeks to protect the interests of those using bureaux, to secure the proper conduct of bureaux and to promote labour market flexibility. I do not have power under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 in relation to the conduct of hirers. Bureaux will be able to protect their interests by a variety of means, such as by settling satisfactory transfer terms with hirers or by offering attractive employment terms to workers. In sectors such as IT, bureaux will continue to be able to arrange fixed length contracts with hirers and workers so that they have certainty over the period during which they may recoup costs. Bureaux supplying non-specialist manual workers will continue to be able to negotiate terms that suit them and their clients such as, for example, by providing that no transfer fee is payable once a minimum number of weeks' hire have elapsed.

HEALTH

  Disabled People
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on extending the advocacy system for disabled people to the disabled in hospital; and if he will make a statement. [121725]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are not aware of any recent representations on extending the advocacy system for disabled people to the disabled in hospital.

  Models of advocacy have been explored as part of the development of a New National Health Service Charter. This work, including the advocacy role in the NHS, is now being considered as part of the work of the Modernisation (Patient Empowerment) Action Team. The modernisation action teams will produce a National Plan for the NHS in July.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure equal access to the NHS census for disabled people through alternative formats. [125121]

  Mr. Hutton
  In the week leading up to National Health Service census day on 31 May 2000, 12 million consultation leaflets were made available at supermarkets, high street chemists and other NHS facilities. It was also published on the worldwide web. For those who may have had difficulty reading the text or completing the form in these formats, the leaflet was also made available on tape with the facility to either record responses on that tape or by dictating over the telephone.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason Mr. Yogaratnam was withdrawn from day-to-day duties in the Mead Webber plant by the Meat Hygiene Service; and what were the specific grounds for suspending him from his current post in the Meat Hygiene Service. [122050]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that Mr. Yogaratnam was released from his official veterinary surgeon (OVS) duties in the Mead Webber plant by the Meat Hygiene Service to enable him to spend more time working as a principal official veterinary surgeon (POVS) overseeing contract OVS performance in other licensed premises in the area.

  Mr. Yogaratnam is suspended pending an investigation into his performance as OVS and POVS at the Mead Webber plant.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to whom Official Veterinary Surgeon contracts have been awarded by the Meat Hygiene Service in respect of the Merthyr Tydfil abattoir. [122045]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that there is currently no licensed abattoir operating at Merthyr Tydfil. An abattoir is however currently under construction there. This has yet to be licensed.

  The contract to provide official veterinary surgeon duties to the premises has yet to be put out to competitive tender by the Meat Hygiene Service.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions are given to official veterinary surgeons regarding the calculation of HAS scores; and what steps the Meat Hygiene Service takes to ensure the instructions are followed. [122041]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]Chapter 2 of the Meat Hygiene Service Operations Manual provides Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs) with very detailed advice on carrying out a hygiene assessment system (HAS) evaluation and calculating the overall HAS score.

  Extensive training is provided to all OVSs by the MHS to promote consistency.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the status is of the HAS score recorded in Mead Webber's day book for 19 April. [122062]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that an independent investigation is to be carried out as soon as possible into the actions of the Meat Hygiene Service at Mead Webber's plant at Eardisley. This will include scrutiny of the records including comments made in the plant day book.

  It would be inappropriate to comment further until this investigation has been completed. However, the hon. Member will be informed of its outcome.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibilities Mr. Ivor Pumfrey of the Meat Hygiene Service has had in respect of(a) Mr. Yogaratnam and (b) the operation of the Mead Webber plant; and when he assumed those duties. [122053]
  470W
  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that Mr. Ivor Pumfrey is the Meat Hygiene Service Regional Director (Wales). He is Mr. Yogaratnam's line manager and the Mead Webber plant is one of the plants in Mr. Pumfrey's area of responsibility. As such Mr. Pumfrey is responsible through MHS official veterinary surgeons and inspection teams, for ensuring that meat that is health marked is fit for human consumption, and that animal welfare is fully protected.

  Mr. Pumfrey commenced employment with the MHS on 1 November 1994.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Meat Hygiene Service's policy is on giving explanations of HAS scores. [122061]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that full guidance notes for undertaking Hygiene Assessment System scores are included in Chapter 2, Volume I of the Meat Hygiene Service Operations Manual, copies of which are available to plant management.

  MHS official veterinary surgeons (OVSs) undertake Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) scores every month for full throughput premises and every quarter for low throughput premises. The OVS responsible for the premises is available to discuss the plant HAS score with plant management. Principal official veterinary surgeons (POVSs) who oversee the work and performance of plant OVSs are also available to discuss plant HAS scores with plant management. If plant management remain unhappy with the OVSs assessment of the HAS score he/she can appeal, and an independent POVS will review the HAS score and consider the concerns expressed by plant management.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which officials of the Meat Hygiene Service Mr. Pumfrey informed on the day of or the day after the decision to close the Mead Webber plant of that decision. [122069]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]The Food Standards Agency has advised me that the management of Mead Webber informed Mr. Ivor Pumfrey, the Meat Hygiene Service Regional Director (Wales), of their intention to close the Mead Webber plant at 8am on 20 April 2000. This was confirmed by facsimile later that morning.

  Mr. Pumfrey informed the following MHS officials on the day that Mead Webber Ltd. informed him of their intention to close the plant:
  Mr. J. McNeill (MHS Chief Executive)
  Mr. P. Soul (MHS Director of Operations)
  Ms M. Redmond (MHS Director of Human Resources)
  Mr. D. Simmons (MHS Area Resource Manager)
  Mr. L. Wood (MHS Principal OVS)
  Mr. Yogaratnam (MHS POVS and OVS at the Mead Webber plant)

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if it remains the Meat Hygiene Service's policy that Official Veterinary Surgeons, in consultation as necessary with their POVs, should determine whether it is acceptable for MHS staff to undertake minor trimming or rectification at their plants; [122058]
  471W
  (2) if minor trimming by meat inspectors is permitted by the Meat Hygiene Service as long as it does not interfere with their official duties. [122059]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]The Meat Hygiene Service policy on carcase contamination and trimming is detailed in the MHS Operations Manual, chapter 6 page 4. It states:Carcases and offal presented for inspection with evidence of visible contamination must be appropriately trimmed to your satisfaction before application of the health mark. Trimming of contamination is normally a task for premises staff working under your direction. However, you may trim minor contamination provided it does not interfere with the inspection routine. Where this cannot be done on the dressing line the affected carcase or offal must be detained for more detailed attention.

  If in doubt a plant Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) may discuss what level of trimming should be permitted by MHS meat inspectors with the Principal Official Veterinary Surgeon (POVS) responsible for the plant.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what time and on what day the decision was taken by the Meat Hygiene Service to suspend Mr. Yogarathnam. [122063]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]The decision was taken on Monday 26 April 2000. Mr. Yogarathnam was informed at approximately 12.40 pm the same day.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account the Meat Hygiene Service takes when undertaking checks on abattoirs of their need for repair and maintenance; and to what extent Meat Hygiene Service officials discount repair and maintenance defects when calculating HAS scores. [122044]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that during routine monitoring of the hygiene of production, the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) ensures that the structure of the premises complies with the requirements laid down in the relevant legislation. Should the occupier fail to maintain the premises in a satisfactory state the MHS will take appropriate enforcement action.

  The Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) scores are intended to evaluate the risk to meat arising from various factors. One section of HAS relates to the risk to meat from the structure and maintenance of the premises.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on relations between Mead Webber and Meat Hygiene Service staff up to 10 April. [122052]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]An independent investigation is to be carried out as soon as possible into the actions of the Meat Hygiene Service at Mead Webber's plant at Eardisley. This will include scrutiny of the working relations between Mead Webber and Meat Hygiene Service staff.

  It would be inappropriate to comment further until this investigation has been completed. However, the hon. Member will receive a copy of the findings as soon as the investigation is completed.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Mr. Richard Turner was appointed by Official Veterinary Surgeon to the Mead Webber plant. [122047]
  472W
  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the St. David's Farm and Equine Veterinary Practice, of which Mr. Richard Turner is a partner, was awarded the contract to supply an official veterinary surgeon to the Mead Webber plant on 10 April 2000.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the evidence and results of the inquiry into Mead Webber's closure by the Meat Hygiene Service will be published immediately on the internet. [122066]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I understand from the Food Standards Agency that it intends to publish the findings of the independent investigation of Mead Webber Ltd.'s complaints against the
  Meat Hygiene Service and that these will be made available on the internet. It is expected that the investigation will be reliant on the voluntary co-operation of the parties concerned, who will need to agree what evidence is published.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Mr. Yogaratnam's position in the Meat Hygiene Service was at the time he was appointed Official Veterinary Surgeon to the Mead Webber plant; and what his duties were in respect of the plant. [122055]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that Mr. Yogaratnam was a principal official veterinary surgeon (POVS) at the time he was appointed official veterinary surgeon (OVS) to the Mead Webber plant. He was also a POVS overseeing contract OVS activities in a number of other plants in the area.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what official responsibilities Mr. Richard Turner has had in respect of plants owned or operated by the St. Merryn's Group; and what contracts the St. David's Practice has had with the Meat Hygiene Service in respect of the provision of Official Veterinary Surgeons to plants owned or operated by the St. Merryn's Group. [122048]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that Richard Turner has had no official responsibilities in respect of plants owned or operated by the St. Merryn Group.

  The St. David's Farm and Equine Practice has had no contracts with the Meat Hygiene Service for the provision of Official Veterinary Surgeons to plants owned or operated by the St. Merryn Group.

  Northwick Park Hospital
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reasons underlay the decision to sell the waste incinerator plant at Northwick Park Hospital. [123580]

  Mr. Denham
  The then Northwick Park and St. Mark's Hospitals National Health Service Trust made a decision in 1996 to pursue the sale of its waste incinerator plant. This was based upon the view that, with waste disposal forming a non-core element of the Trust's activities, it would be prudent to explore the possible benefits of a partnership with the private sector that might facilitate the integration of clinical waste disposal into a wider and more environmentally-friendly waste management strategy.

  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work of the Reference Group in respect of structural arrangements in the NHS as they affect(a) midwives, (b) nurses and (c) health visitors. [124446]

  Mr. Denham
  The Reference Group will ensure that key stakeholders (including Professional, National Health Service and Consumer interests) have an opportunity to inform the development of proposals to establish a new regulatory body for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors prior to statutory public consultation.

  "Fit for the Future?"
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the responses received to the Centre for Policy on Ageing draft document, entitled, "Fit for the Future?" [124493]

  Mr. Hutton
  We received 1,250 comments on "Fit for the Future?" during the extended consultation period. We have no plans to place these in the Library.

  However, we intend to publish a summary of the responses shortly, along with the finalised standards for care homes for older people and a timetable for implementing them. These will be placed in the Library.

  Laron Dwarfism
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatment is available on the National Health Service for

  2000–01 health authority allocation, target and distance from target

  Health authority

  Allocation £

  Target £

  Distance from target £

  Percentage

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  321,111

  348,987

  -27,876

  -7.99

  Bedfordshire

  344,490

  358,470

  -13,980

  -3.90

  East London and the City

  545,950

  566,894

  -20,945

  -3.69

  Berkshire

  484,623

  500,470

  -15,847

  -3.17

  Barnsley

  171,018

  176,397

  -5,379

  -3.05

  Wigan and Bolton

  410,052

  422,403

  -12,351

  -2.92

  Buckinghamshire

  407,599

  419,598

  -11,999

  -2.86

  Leicestershire

  570,114

  586,393

  -16,280

  -2.78

  Coventry

  221,753

  227,926

  -6,172

  -2.71

  Cambridgeshire

  442,411

  453,098

  -10,687

  -2.36

  Nottingham

  427,441

  437,686

  -10,245

  -2.34

  Oxfordshire

  364,378

  372,544

  -8,166

  -2.19

  North Nottinghamshire

  260,428

  266,191

  -5,763

  -2.16

  County Durham

  452,736

  461,460

  -8,724

  -1.89

  Wolverhampton

  175,452

  178,762

  -3,311

  -1.85

  North Staffordshire

  334,233

  340,030

  -5,796

  -1.70

  West Pennine

  325,991

  331,585

  -5,594

  -1.69

  South Derbyshire

  375,652

  381,611

  -5,958

  -1.56

  Walsall

  179,022

  181,848

  -2,826

  -1.55

  South Essex

  463,389

  470,629

  -7,240

  -1.54

  Dudley

  200,507

  203,550

  -3,044

  -1.50

  Shropshire

  270,975

  274,590

  -3,616

  -1.32

  East and North Hertfordshire

  318,662

  322,721

  -4,059

  -1.26

  Avon

  641,970

  649,321

  -7,351

  -1.13

  Tees

  404,069

  408,692

  -4,624

  -1.13

  Rotherham

  173,727

  175,697

  -1,970

  -1.12

  Croydon

  223,107

  225,624

  -2,517

  -1.12

  Bradford

  343,313

  347,166

  -3,853

  -1.11

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  277,321

  280,211

  -2,889

  -1.03

  Sunderland

  218,745

  221,000

  -2,255

  -1.02

  Sandwell

  223,644

  225,704

  -2,060

  -0.91

  474W
  Laron Dwarfism; and what assistance his Department provides to support groups for children with growth problems as a result of this condition. [124492]

  Mr. Hutton
  Children with short stature resulting from Laron Dwarfism and other rare conditions are provided diagnostic and follow up care from paediatric endocrinologists who work closely with other specialists. Each region has such a service and for exceptionally rare disorders care can be provided from a national centre. Where growth is limited, psychological and practical support is available through the National Health Service. Voluntary organisations also play a key part in supporting children with growth problems. Although my Department does not at present provide assistance to these organisations, there is provision for them to apply under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 for assistance.

  Health Authority Funding
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many health authorities are(a) closer to and (b) further from their capitation funding targets fair share than Bedfordshire; [124475]

  (2) if he will publish figures showing how each health authority ranks in relation to their capitation funding target. [124474]

  Mr. Denham
  In 2000–01, 95 health authorities are closer to, and three health authorities are further away from, their weighted capitation target than Bedfordshire Health Authority.

  Allocation, target and distance from target for each health authority in England are given in the table. A negative distance from target denotes an undertarget health authority.

  475W

  2000–01 health authority allocation, target and distance from target

  Health authority

  Allocation £

  Target £

  Distance from target £

  Percentage

  Lincolnshire

  429,691

  433,424

  -3,733

  -0.86

  St Helen's and Knowsley

  257,406

  259,579

  -2,173

  -0.84

  East Lancashire

  384,249

  387,072

  -2,822

  -0.73

  Hillingdon

  169,434

  170,397

  -963

  -0.56

  North Yorkshire

  474,576

  477,038

  -2,462

  -0.52

  West Sussex

  513,306

  515,915

  -2,609

  -0.51

  North Derbyshire

  249,371

  250,461

  -1,090

  -0.44

  Bury and Rochdale

  275,877

  276,925

  -1,049

  -0.38

  Northumberland

  214,665

  215,326

  -661

  -0.31

  Herefordshire

  108,512

  108,830

  -319

  -0.29

  Doncaster

  216,207

  216,634

  -427

  -0.20

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  402,907

  403,578

  -671

  -0.17

  South Staffordshire

  352,315

  352,822

  -508

  -0.14

  North Essex

  555,679

  556,115

  -436

  -0.08

  East Riding

  394,083

  394,242

  -159

  -0.04

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  524,548

  524,681

  -133

  -0.03

  North West Lancashire

  352,074

  352,020

  54

  0.02

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  364,591

  364,531

  60

  0.02

  Norfolk

  504,549

  504,363

  186

  0.04

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  359,457

  359,279

  178

  0.05

  Bromley

  201,306

  201,092

  214

  0.11

  Barnet

  228,234

  227,788

  447

  0.20

  North Cumbria

  217,218

  216,784

  434

  0.20

  Solihull

  133,724

  133,228

  496

  0.37

  Enfield and Haringey

  356,859

  355,395

  1,464

  0.41

  Wakefield

  231,631

  230,600

  1,031

  0.45

  Stockport

  193,464

  192,538

  926

  0.48

  North and Mid Hampshire

  320,050

  318,438

  1,612

  0.51

  West Hertfordshire

  346,924

  345,135

  1,788

  0.52

  Somerset

  318,840

  316,997

  1,843

  0.58

  Birmingham

  749,780

  745,390

  4,390

  0.59

  Worcestershire

  329,672

  327,690

  1,981

  0.60

  Leeds

  515,080

  511,966

  3,114

  0.61

  Northamptonshire

  356,996

  353,917

  3,079

  0.87

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  364,236

  361,030

  3,206

  0.89

  South Cheshire

  443,804

  439,798

  4,007

  0.91

  Suffolk

  434,142

  430.192

  3,950

  0.92

  Barking and Havering

  281,533

  278,960

  2,573

  0.92

  West Kent

  618,824

  612,850

  5,974

  0.97

  North Cheshire

  217,660

  215,460

  2,200

  1.02

  Sheffield

  398,432

  393,746

  4,686

  1.19

  North and East Devon

  328,698

  324,303

  4,395

  1.36

  South and West Devon

  419,315

  413,317

  5,998

  1.45

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  344,828

  339,322

  5,506

  1.62

  Warwickshire

  320,497

  315,320

  5,177

  1.64

  Salford and Trafford

  339,047

  333,322

  5,725

  1.72

  Liverpool

  378,330

  371,727

  6,603

  1.78

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  455,914

  447,669

  8,245

  1.84

  Dorset

  487,298

  478,263

  9,035

  1.89

  Camden and Islington

  356,225

  349,524

  6,701

  1.92

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  636,437

  624,184

  12,253

  1.96

  South Humber

  216,561

  212,381

  4,180

  1.97

  Manchester

  378,849

  371,351

  7,498

  2.02

  Wiltshire

  380,058

  372,333

  7,725

  2.07

  South Lancashire

  206,248

  201,999

  4,249

  2.10

  Brent and Harrow

  341,633

  334,582

  7,051

  2.11

  East Surrey

  267,914

  262,137

  5,777

  2.20

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  551,376

  538,304

  13,072

  2.43

  Kingston and Richmond

  237,277

  231,483

  5,795

  2.50

  West Surrey

  401,226

  391,077

  10,150

  2.60

  East Kent

  431,841

  420,809

  11,031

  2.62

  Sefton

  211,212

  205,523

  5,688

  2.77

  Gloucestershire

  364,311

  353,746

  10,564

  2.99

  Wirral

  247,545

  240,159

  7,386

  3.08

  Morecambe Bay

  224,098

  216,807

  7,291

  3.36

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  323,694

  311,792

  11,902

  3.82

  Bexley and Greenwich

  318,047

  299,950

  18,097

  6.03

  Isle of Wight

  100,622

  94,019

  6,603

  7.02

  Notes:

  1. All figures include the additional £660 million announced on 28 March 2000.

  2. Non-recurrent funding for health authorities with health action zones is excluded.

  Air Ambulance Service
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make additional funds available to support the work of the Air Ambulance Service. [125076]

  Ms Stuart
  The need for helicopter air ambulance services is a matter for local health economies.

  Staff Accommodation (South-East)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 507W, concerning accommodation for public health care staff in south-east England, what estimates the National Housing Co-ordinator for the National Health Service has made of the provision of residential accommodation required for public health care staff in (a) the south-east region and (b) Oxfordshire. [124803]

  Ms Stuart
  The National Housing Co-ordinator for the National Health Service has contacted all National Health Service trusts in the south-east region of the NHS, to identify details of accommodation needs for their personnel. When this work is complete, estimates of accommodation requirements can be made, and details are expected to be available by the end of July.

  This information will include the needs of the National Health Service personnel in Oxfordshire.

  Hip Joints
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if metal on metal resurfacing of hip joints is available on the NHS. [124487]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]This procedure is available on the National Health Service. However, it is a relatively new and unproven procedure and as such should normally be performed as part of a controlled clinical trial. The Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures (SERNIP), run by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, is the mechanism for assessing new surgical procedures. SERNIP considered there was not yet sufficient information to make a full assessment of the safety and efficacy of metal on metal resurfacing of hip joints.

  Mid Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the latest figures for the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area for(a) how many people are waiting for treatment and (b) how many have been waiting 12 months or more for treatment. [125268]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]The information is as follows:

  Total number of patients waiting and the number of patients waiting over 12 months for hospital treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust at 30 April 2000

  Month

  Total waiting

  Number waiting over 12 months

  April 2000

  9,953

  986

  Source:

  Monthly waiting list return

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will define the social reasons leading to a patient's temporary suspension from hospital inpatient waiting lists, in relation to the NHS Executive's inpatient waiting times data as published in the Green Book and the Yellow Book. [125468]

  Mr. Denham
  The social reasons for suspension referred to in the Green and Yellow Books published by the Department refer to situations where a patient is unavailable for admission because of family commitments, holidays or other reasons.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply substantively to the question (ref. 115126) on waiting lists tabled by the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham. [125708]

  Mr. Denham
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply to his earlier question as soon as possible.

  Breast Implants
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice and information his Department makes available to women considering breast implants. [125464]

  Mr. Denham
  We will shortly be publishing an information leaflet for women considering having breast implants.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent report he has received of adverse incidents relating to silicone gel implants; and what further action he has taken as a result. [125473]

  Mr. Denham
  In the 12 months prior to 31 May 2000, the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) received 19 reports of adverse incidents involving silicone gel breast implants. MDA have not identified any trends which suggest there is a problem with the performance of any particular model of silicone gel breast implant. MDA continues to record and review all reports of problems with silicone gel breast implants received via the Adverse Incident Centre. This information is regularly reviewed by the Independent Review Group.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has recently received that silicone gel breast implants are causing illness. [125463]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department has received no new evidence recently that silicone gel breast implants are causing illness. The Independent Review Group on silicone gel breast implants continues to meet twice a year to monitor emerging scientific data on this subject. In March 2000, the Group confirmed that there was no need to revise the conclusions reached in 1998.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action has been taken by his Department through the Advertising Standards Authority implant procedure, stating the possible health and safety implications of breast implants. [125470]

  Mr. Denham
  Our response to the Health Committee's Fifth Report on the regulation of private and other independent healthcare (Command 4540) made it clear that the powers given in the 1988 Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations are adequate to control
  479W
  advertising. We were however concerned to ensure that the information patients receive in the independent sector is of an acceptable standard.

  We are addressing this in two ways. We will soon be publishing a Department of Health information leaflet for women considering breast implants. In addition, the Care Standards Bill, as drafted, will allow us to introduce regulations covering standards of information given to patients in the independent sector.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if information on the Breast Implants Register is made available to recipients of implants in(a) NHS and (b) private hospitals. [125467]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Breast Implant Registry produces an annual report which is available, upon request, to recipients of breast implants, regardless of whether they received their implants in a National Health Service or a private hospital.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to make registration of breast implants compulsory. [125466]

  Mr. Denham
  We support the collection and provision of as much information as possible and the Medical Devices Agency has increased funding of the National Breast Implant Registry to improve compliance monitoring. Any legislation would however be coercive and would invalidate the individual's consent to surgery.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the European Commission's investigation into silicone breast implants. [125474]

  Mr. Denham
  It is understood that the European Commission currently plans to review breast implants taking account of the options presented in the draft report from the Scientific Technological Options Assessment Committee (STOA) of the European Parliament. The Commission intends to give a report to STOA in November 2000. It is further understood that the investigations will involve action in three areas:Reviewing the requirements for conformity assessment of implantable breast prostheses;
  Addressing the provision of information to patients for these products;
  Possible revision of the published standards for manufacturers of breast implants.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many breast implants have been registered through the National Breast Implant Registry since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the number not registered. [125469]

  Mr. Denham
  The total number of breast implants registered on the National Breast Implant Registry (NBIR) in each complete calendar year since 1997 is as follows:

  Year

  Number of implants registered

  1997

  14,800

  1998

  16,161

  1999

  18,173

  480W
  Based upon compliance studies carried out by the NBIR, it is estimated that this represents about 60–70 per cent. of the breast implants used in the United Kingdom.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how recipients of breast implants and doctors are informed of the reporting facility of the Adverse Incident Centre within the Medical Devices Agency. [125462]

  Mr. Denham
  At the beginning of each year, the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) writes to chief executives of trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts reminding them of their obligation to report adverse incidents involving medical devices, including breast implants, to the Adverse Incident Centre. MDA also encourages trusts to appoint MDA liaison officers, whose role is to co-ordinate adverse incident reporting and the dissemination of safety information about medical devices within the trust.

  As the adverse incident reporting system is focused upon healthcare professionals and medical device manufacturers, MDA does not systematically inform recipients of breast implants of the system. Information on the system is however publicly available via the MDA worldwide website.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision he has made for the financial year 2000–01 to meet the costs incurred by the East Kent Health Authority through the provision of interpreters to assist the treatment of asylum seekers and economic migrants. [125274]

  Mr. Hutton
  East Kent Health Authority's unified allocation for 2000–01 is £431.8 million, an increase of £32.9 million (8.25 per cent.)

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

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost to the National Health Service of the provision of interpreters to assist asylum seekers, for the latest period for which figures are available; how much of this money has been refunded by central Government to(a) local health authorities and (b) hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement. [125273]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the costs of interpretation services for asylum seekers is not collected centrally.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for North Thanet will receive a reply to his letter of 18 May 2000 in respect of the answer of 11 May 2000,Official Report, column 460W, on the General Osteopathic Council. [125682]

  Yvette Cooper
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply to his letter of 18 May as soon as possible.

  Surgery Statistics
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of morbidity and mortality rates
  481W
  associated with surgical intervention for similar operations between (a) 10 pm and 6 am and (b) 6 am and 10 pm. [125458]

  Mr. Denham
  This information is not collected centrally in this way. The National Confidential Enquiry into Peri-operative Deaths, known as NCEPOD, reports each year on deaths in hospital following surgery. Their 1995–96 report "Who operates when" gives information on operative practice for three periods, between the hours of 6 pm and midnight, midnight and 8 am and 8 am and 6 pm. A summary of their reports can be accessed via their website www.ncepod.org.uk.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Performance Cost Management Unit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost is of setting up a performance cost management unit from 1 April in his Department; what are the key benefits of this; what savings to the cost of operating the Department will arise; what estimate he has made of the annual cost of the unit; and if he will make a statement. [124556]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department is undergoing a fundamental review of its central and support functions in order to focus resources on delivering front line services to customers. A small Performance Management Unit (PMU) has been established within the Benefits Agency to drive out performance improvement in the Agency's 13 Area Directorates (AD) and the Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate (DCBD). The additional annual cost of this team is estimated at £100,000. There were no set up costs. In addition to the PMU, each AD and the DCBD has a Performance Improvement Action Team (PIAT) to provide support to local managers.

  The aim is to improve significantly front line service delivery within the resources already set and allocated in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Work is also in hand to see how productivity can be improved which will potentially lead to cost reduction in the medium term.

  By the end of 2000–01, this programme is expected to demonstrate improved benefit payment accuracy, better customer service and to have contributed to the reduction of losses through fraud and error.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much was spent in(a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years on tackling benefit fraud; [124720]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the amount lost to benefit fraud in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency; [124722]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the amount lost to benefit fraud in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency as a direct result of pensions and benefits being paid via the Post Office. [124721]
  482W
  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Amount allocated in Scotland in each of the last five years to spend on investigating benefit fraud

  Year

  £ million

  1995–96

  8.35

  1996–97

  9.20

  1997–98

  19.12

  1998–99

  18.94

  1999–2000

  20.27

  Notes:

  1. Area Benefit Reviews results estimate that the level of fraud in Scotland for 1998–99 was £55 million. This figure does not include all benefits and relates only to Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

  2. We are unable to provide details of all Instruments of Payment (IOP) fraudulently encashed through post offices.

  3. The estimated level of losses associated with IOPs for 1999–2000 nationally is £106.9 million. It is not possible to provide a geographical breakdown for this figure.

  4. Information is not available for anywhere less than the whole of Scotland. It is also not possible to provide the full amount spent in tackling fraud as some aspects of fraud expenditure such as Housing Benefit and organised fraud are controlled centrally.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the level of benefit fraud in the Coventry area; and what targets have been set for the relevant anti-fraud teams. [125616]

  Mr. Rooker
  Area Benefit Reviews provide a continuous measurement of fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance in each of the Benefits Agency's 13 Area Directorates. The data collected are rolled up to provide a national picture.

  We are unable to provide estimates of levels of fraud for specific towns, cities or counties.

  Our target is to reduce by 30 per cent. benefit losses from fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance by March 2007, with at least a 10 per cent. reduction by 2002.

  The weekly benefit savings scheme gives local authorities the opportunity to earn a financial reward where they detect Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit fraud. Each local authority is set an individual threshold and can begin to earn additional payments of subsidy where they exceed this. Coventry's threshold for 2000–01 is £848,413.

  Benefit Delivery
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure services to the customers of the Benefits Agency are delivered effectively and that benefits are secure against fraud and abuse; how much this costs; how many people are being investigated for fraud; and if he will make a statement. [124544]

  Mr. Rooker
  In March of this year, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the creation of a new organisation that will radically change the way the Government provide support for people of working age. The new agency will draw together those elements of the
  483W
  Benefits Agency which support people of working age and the Employment Service. The agency will deliver a single, integrated service to benefit claimants and employers. Information on job vacancies, training, and child care will be available as well as help and support to those who, for whatever reason, are not able to work, providing a more responsive service tailored to individual needs.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has also announced the creation of a single organisation responsible for pensions, distinct from the Benefits Agency. This new organisation will be solely focused on the needs of pensioners and pensions policy.

  We are committed to improving and modernising the welfare services offered to people, and the creation of separate, client focused organisations is the next step to achieving this.

  The prevention and detection of fraud will be at the heart of he new organizational arrangement. The Government set out the strategy for tackling fraud in the White Paper "Safeguarding Social Security" presented to Parliament in March 1999.

  For the financial year 2000–01, £351,447,403 of Programme Protection Funds are being deployed within the BA to combat fraud and error. However all benefit paying processes and all the BA staff involved have a role in preventing and identifying fraud and abuse.

  On 31 March 2000, 163,138 people were recorded as currently under investigation by the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service, while between April 1999 to March 2000 there were 436 individual suspects accepted for prosecution from the Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service.

  In addition, between April 1999 and March 2000 there were in excess of 280,000 referrals for investigation identified by the datamatching computer systems; the Generalised Matching Service and the Housing Benefit Matching Scheme. This however includes cases of customer and official error as well as fraud.

  Regeneration
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 2000,Official Report, column 213W, on regeneration-related initiatives, if he will list the details requested for (a) New Deal for Disabled people, (b) New Deal for Lone Parents, (c) New Deal for the Long-term Unemployed aged 25 plus: 12 to 18 months unemployed, (d) New Deal for Long-term Unemployed aged 25 plus: 2 years plus unemployed and (e) ONE. [124412]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Details regarding sums budgeted and expended on these initiatives are set out in the tables.
  484W
  Under the New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP), we have been piloting and testing ways in which to help Disabled People in to work. Over the coming months we will develop proposals for extending the NDDP nationally. Expenditure to date is set out in the following table.

  Year

  £million

  1997–981

  50

  1998–991

  3

  1999–20002

  13

  2000–013, 4

  24

  2001–023, 4

  13

  1 Expended

  2 Expended (Provisional)

  3 Planned (Provisional)

  4 The figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are provisional and do not include funds for the national extension of NDDP.

  5 All figures rounded to nearest £1 million, actual 1997–98 expenditure £0.175 million.

  Note:

  Over £50 million has been allocated to pilot initiatives, including the pilot Personal Adviser Service, Innovative Schemes and evaluation. We are also considering what funds will be allocated for the proposed retention and rehabilitation pilots and the national extension of NDDP.

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  The New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) aims to help lone parents on Income Support move into work. The following table details the sums expended throughout the planned lifetime of this programme.

  £million

  1997–981

  20

  1998–991

  22

  1999–20001

  336

  2000–01

  4—

  2001–02

  4—

  1 Expended

  2 All figures rounded to nearest £1 million, actual 1997–98 expenditure £0.175 million.

  3 Provisional

  4 The remainder of the national budget, based on current projections, will he spent by the end of 2001–02.

  Notes:

  1. The sum of £182 million has been made available for the NDLP national programme.

  2. The cost of implementing the NDLP in eight prototype areas was £8 million, incurred between July 1997 and October 1998.

  New Deal for long-term unemployed persons aged 25 plus—12 to 18 months unemployed

  This information refers to provision for pilot schemes in 28 different local areas. Of these, 18 are targeted at people who have been unemployed for 18 months or more, with the rest targeted at those who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. The following table details the amounts budgeted or expended on these schemes.

  485W

  Year

  £million

  1998–991

  5

  1999–20001

  360

  2000–012

  50

  1 Expended

  2 Budgeted

  3 Provisional

  Notes:

  1. The majority of this funding is from windfall tax receipts. Estimates of the allocation of the windfall tax receipts between programmes are revised and published in each pre-Budget and Budget report. Since the windfall tax receipts are to be spent across lifetime of the Parliament, funds which are unspent in one year are available for spending in subsequent years.

  2. Figures supplied by the Department of Education and Employment, who are responsible for this programme.

  3. All figures rounded to nearest £1 million.

  New Deal for long-term unemployed persons aged 25 plus—two years or more unemployed

  This information refers to provision for the national New Deal 25 plus scheme, targeted on those who have been unemployed for two years or more. The following table details the amount budgeted or expended on this programme.

  Year

  £million

  1998–991

  20

  1999–20001

  350

  2000–012

  100

  2001–022

  350

  1 Expended

  2 Budgeted

  3 Provisional

  Notes:

  1. The majority of this funding is from windfall tax receipts. Estimates of the allocation of the windfall tax receipts between programmes are revised and published in each pre-Budget and Budget report. Since the windfall tax receipts are to be spent across the lifetime of the Parliament, funds which are unspent in one year are available for spending in subsequent years.

  2. Figures supplied by Department of Education and Employment, who are responsible for this programme.

  3. All figures rounded to nearest £1 million.

  ONE Service

  ONE pilots have been designed to test the effectiveness of work focused interviews for all working age clients and to develop appropriate models for the integration and improvement of welfare services. The following table details the amounts budgeted and expended in each financial year for the planned lifetime of these pilots.

  £ million

  1999–2000

  Budgeted

  33

  Expended (provisional)

  31

  2000–01

  Available

  41

  Profiled (provisional)

  36

  2001–02

  Available

  41

  Profiled (provisional)

  36

  Note:

  Figures rounded to nearest £1 million.

  Pensions
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate for each financial year since 1996–97 the extra expenditure on pensions and the amount of this year's pension if the link between pensions and earnings had been restored immediately before the year in question. [124345]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is in the table.

  Year

  Assumed rate of basic Retirement Pension (£ per week)

  Gross cost (£ billion)

  Net cost (£ billion)

  1996–97

  —

  0.7

  0.6

  1997–98

  —

  1.3

  1.1

  1998–99

  —

  1.5

  1.3

  1999–00

  —

  2.1

  1.8

  2000–01

  73.60

  3.5

  3.1

  Notes:

  1. Assumed rates of basic Retirement Pension have been uprated by the higher prices or earnings growth at each uprating from April 1995 onwards. Rates have been rounded to the nearest 5p at each uprating.

  2. Earnings growth is based on the seasonally adjusted average earnings index in the three months to July of the previous year, as originally published. Price inflation is the previous September figure.

  3. Gross costs have been estimated by the Government Actuary's Department. Costs net of income-related benefit savings have been estimated using the DSS Policy Simulation Model.

  4. Costs include benefits whose rates are linked to the rate of basic Retirement Pension.

  5. Costs are rounded to the nearest £100 million, are in £ billion and are expressed in 2000–01 prices.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the length of time taken between an application for ACT payment for pensions and the date when payment is received into the pensioner's bank account. [124779]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of benefit payments 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 Fiona Mactaggart, dated 9 June 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary question asking what estimate he has made of the length of time taken between an application for Automated Credit Transfer (ACT) payment for pensions and the date when payment is received into the pensioner's bank account.
  Customers wishing to receive payment by ACT must fill in the appropriate form of application, which includes a declaration that they have read and accept the conditions under which it is offered.
  Applications for ACT payment can be received with new claims, which are subject to a clearance target of 60 days, or as a change to an existing pensioner's method of payment. The length of time taken has therefore been gauged from the time of processing the application, which in both instances should be the same.
  Except in the case of weekly sums under £5, which are paid annually, currently customers have the option of receiving ACT payments at 4 weekly or 13 weekly intervals. Payment is received in the pensioner's bank account on the last banking day of the 4 or 13 week period.

  487W
  If there are two full weeks or more left in the current ACT period when the application is processed a payment for that period is made accordingly. Where only one week remains this is added to the payment for the first full period. The longest time a customer must wait for payment is therefore normally limited to 5 weeks or 14 weeks.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of implementing a national minimum income guarantee for pensioners; how he will ensure that pensioners are made aware of what they can claim; how much he is expecting to spend on public awareness campaigns; and if he will make a statement. [124547]

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

  One 29 May the MIG Take-up Campaign was launched to encourage pensioners who may be entitled to claim their MIG. Around £15 million will be spent over the course of the campaign which includes national TV advertising, writing to around two million pensioners whose records indicate that they may be entitled, and the introduction of a tele-claims centre with specially trained operators who can help complete the paperwork to claim the MIG.

  Since the launch was announced at the end of March, there have already been around 50,000 calls to the tele-claims centre, and 24,000 MIG claim packs have been sent to pensioners.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was spent in(a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency on increasing benefit take-up in each of the last five years. [124719]

  Mr. Bayley
  No specific allocation was made to the Benefits Agency either nationally or locally for increasing benefit take-up. However, we have recently launched a national take-up campaign for the minimum income guarantee. Around £15 million will be spent over the course of the campaign, which includes intense activity on a number of fronts. This includes television advertising, writing to around two million pensioners and a new tele-claims centre which allows pensioners to make a claim over the telephone.

  Benefit Costs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost to the Exchequer would be of providing to all households with children under(a) three years of age, (b) two years of age and (c) one year of age, a weekly benefit of (i) £25, (ii) £50, (iii) £75, and (iv) £100. [124777]
  488W
  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Annual cost for families

  £ million

  Children under age of

  Weekly payment

  One

  Two

  Three

  £25

  750

  1,590

  2,330

  £50

  1,510

  3,190

  4,650

  £75

  2,260

  4,780

  6,980

  £100

  3,020

  6,370

  9,310

  Notes:

  1. Proportions of families with children in the relevant age group have been taken from the February 2000 5 per cent. scan of the Child Benefit computer system.

  2. Based on forecast 2001–02 Child Benefit caseloads.

  3. Rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  4. If there is more than one family in a household with children in the relevant age group we are assuming that they will both receive a payment.

  5. Increases are assumed to be carried through into the income-related benefits.

  Incomes
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average weekly income is of mothers with children under three. [124776]

  Angela Eagle
  The average gross weekly individual income of mothers with children under three is £139. However, the majority of mothers live in families with a partner, and the latest estimate for the gross income of families with children under three is £517 a week.

  Notes:

  1. Figures quoted are derived from the Family Resources Survey and are therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. The individual income refers to the income accruing to women in their own right and includes earnings, income from self-employment, investments and occupational pensions/annuities, benefit income and income from miscellaneous and other sources. This estimate is from the Women's Individual Income 1996–97 dataset and is at 1996–97 survey prices.

  3. Family income has been provided because the majority of mothers live with a partner and it is generally assumed that there is a certain amount of sharing of income within families. This estimate is based on 1997–98 data and is set at April 1999 prices.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the rules under which mature students with dependent families have their student loan classed as family income; and if he will make a statement. [124787]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 26 November 1999,Official Report, column 219W.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many liability orders were sought by the Child Support Agency from courts in Scotland during the last calendar year for which figures are available; how many were(a) granted and (b) granted and subsequently registered in each relevant judicial area in Scotland; and

  489W
  what the average waiting time between submission of papers to the court and the granting of liability orders was (i) in total and (ii) in each judicial area. [125112]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Ian Davidson, dated 12 June 2000:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  You ask about the number of liability orders sought by the Agency from courts in Scotland during the last calendar year.
  The Agency's policy is to encourage compliance by non resident parents, but where this fails, to use the full range of powers given by Parliament to enforce payment of child maintenance. Where arrears do arise, the Agency will take firm and prompt enforcement action if the non resident parent does not make an acceptable offer to pay. Each case is considered on it merits and the Agency will take account of the likely effect of enforcement action on the welfare of any children involved.
  Wherever possible the Agency will use a Deduction from Earnings Order to enforce payment. This is an administrative mechanism operated on the Agency's behalf by the non resident parent's employer and does not involve the court. Where it is not appropriate the Agency will take action through the courts.
  In the last reporting year, April 1999 to March 2000, the Agency applied to the Sheriff's Court for 686 liability order, 354 of which were granted, 26 were withdrawn, dismissed or not granted and the remainder are still undergoing Court action. The information requested regarding liability orders granted and subsequently registered and average waiting time between submission of papers to the court and their action is not collected by the Agency.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Housing Benefit
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much each local authority spent in the most recent available year on Housing Benefit to tenants of Registered Social Landlords to which their housing stock has been transferred. [124878]

  Angela Eagle
  The information requested is not available. This is because the data local authorities provide on Housing Benefit spending do not enable us to distinguish between spending on tenants who live in stock that has been transferred and those who live in other stock owned by Registered Social Landlords.

  Employment Zones
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will introduce employment zones; where they will be; when the greater Portsmouth area will benefit from such a scheme; and if he will make a statement. [124551]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  Fifteen Employment Zones were introduced in April 2000 in Glasgow, Liverpool, North West Wales, Heads of the Valleys, Doncaster, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Plymouth, Brent, Haringey, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Nottingham, and Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland (one Zone). We have no plans to introduce an Employment Zone in Greater Portsmouth.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Elections
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when the Government will implement the recommendations contained in the report entitled, "Administering Elections in Northern Ireland"; [119565]

  (2) what measures he will introduce to counter abuse and reinforce the integrity of the Electoral Register; and if he will make a statement; [120703]

  (3) what further progress he has made on combating electoral malpractice since May 1998; [120707]

  (4) if he will introduce the electoral card proposal as outlined in the Second report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Session 1997–98, HC 316, on Electoral Malpractice; [120706]

  (5) what improvements to electoral procedure he has announced since May 1998; [120704]

  (6) when he will establish the team to investigate applications for absent and proxy votes that was referred to in the response from the Government to the Second report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of Session 1997–98, HC 316, on Electoral Malpractice. [120705]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The report entitled "Administering Elections in Northern Ireland" contained a number of recommendations to counter the issue of electoral abuse and it is our intention to implement as many of them as is practical.

  One of the major recommendations was the introduction of smart cards for voters. This remains our objective but further work is needed before we can be confident that a reliable, cost-effective system exists that would be resistant to abuse. However, the Government have already introduced legislation to extend the time available to the Chief Electoral Officer to scrutinise absent vote applications and has extended to Northern Ireland the provisions of the Representation of the People Act which makes provision for rolling registration and hence a more accurate electoral register. Additionally, officials are exploring the role which enhanced computerisation and increased staffing might play in assisting the Chief Electoral Officer in the scrutiny process.

  Many of the other recommendations contained in the report will require legislation by bill. We would hope to find Parliamentary time for this before the General Election, but the timing of this will depend on the time of the election.

  Sellafield
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish a study into the health effects of the operation of Sellafield on the people of Northern Ireland. [120710]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A major independent study which reported in 1989 sought to identify possible links between the incidence of Down's Syndrome and
  491W
  leukaemia and radiation in the Irish Sea. The report concluded that the data examined did not obviously implicate radioactive pollution in the Irish Sea as an underlying factor in determining the patterns in Northern Ireland of the conditions studied. To facilitate ongoing research and surveillance, the report recommended that a system of cancer registration should be established. Since the establishment of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry in 1993, there is now a complete and accurate database on cancer incidence in Northern Ireland which facilitates the monitoring of the health of the population on an ongoing basis. Analysis so far continued to support the findings of the 1989 study.

  As regards monitoring of radiation levels, currently the Environment and Heritage Service's Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate in Northern Ireland conducts routine monitoring of the impact of Sellafield discharges on the Northern Ireland coastline. In addition, independent monitoring is conducted by District Council Environmental Health Officers under the auspices of the Norther Ireland Radiation Monitoring Committee. Both sets of monitoring continue to indicate that the levels of radioactivity measured are of negligible radiological significance.

  Travellers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what(a) reason travellers are being prevented from using the St. Christopher's Park site, (b) what attempts have been made to offer them alternative accommodation, (c) for what reasons vacating travellers are prevented from returning to the official site in Newry and (d) which bodies have responsibility for looking after the housing and education needs of traveller families. [123055]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The management of the Travellers' site at St. Christopher's Park, Newry is a matter for the Newry and Mourne District Council. As far as accommodation for Travellers in concerned, as present it is a function of District Councils to provide transit and serviced sites, while housing (including group housing) is provided through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  The Department of Education and the relevant Education and Library Board have responsibility for the education of children of compulsory school age and those who remain in school past 16.

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

  Security Situation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken in the last month to reduce the security presence consistent with the level of threat; and what steps will be taken in the next 12 months. [123060]
  492W
  Mr. Ingram
  In light of the lowering of the overall threat following the recent statement by the IRA, the Chief Constable announced on 9 May that the following steps would be taken as soon as logistically possible, with work to commence within weeks:Demolition of the Cookstown base
  Vacation of Fort George Army Base and return of the land to the Londonderry Harbour Commissioners
  Demolition of the Cloghogue observation base in South Armagh; and
  Vacation of the observation posts at Broadway and Templer House in Belfast.

  He also announced that, subject to a continuing reduction in the level of threat, these steps would be followed within three months by demolition of the observation sangar overlooking the square in Crossmaglen. A further review of possible normalisation steps would be conducted in three months' time in the light of the security threat prevailing at the time and the circumstances on the ground.

  RUC
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the criminal convictions in which statements by or evidence of RUC Officers Darren James Neill and Michael Magowan was given or taken into account; how many individuals are currently serving a custodial sentence as a result of such convictions; what mechanisms he will establish to ensure that those individuals who may be eligible to have their convictions reviewed are informed of their rights; and how many individuals are so affected; [123574]

  (2) how many officers were questioned in connection with the investigation of complaints made by Mr. Bernard Griffin; what issues of fact were established during the criminal proceedings; and how many disciplinary cases are still pending; [123558]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the convictions of Darren James Neill and Michael Magowan; [123559]

  (4) what measures have been taken to ensure that there is public confidence in the ability of officers in Oldpark RUC barracks to treat all individuals and sections of the community equally; [123560]

  (5) if he will investigate reports of an alleged breakdown of discipline at Oldpark RUC barracks in February 1998. [124414]

  Mr. Ingram
  While there have been criminal proceedings in respect of complaints made by Mr. Bernard Griffin, other legal and disciplinary actions have yet to be finalised. It would therefore be inappropriate, at this time, to place any further information into the public domain.

  11-plus
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report commissioned by his Department, from Mr. Tony Gallagher of The Queen's University of Belfast, into the Transfer Procedure at 11 plus, will be(a) completed and (b) published; what were the costs of commissioning and producing this report; and if he will make a statement. [123872]
  493W
  Mr. George Howarth
  The report will be completed in July 2000. The cost of the research is £110,000. The report will be published in September 2000. Printing costs are not yet known. The report is intended to inform a widespread debate on selection and future arrangements for post-primary education in Northern Ireland to which all interested parties will be invited to contribute their views.

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

  Ambulances
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the cost of providing ambulance services for the annual 12 July celebrations. [123889]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The estimated cost of providing ambulance services for the 12th July celebrations in 1999 was £10,760. It is estimated that the cost of providing ambulance services for this year's 12th July celebrations will be of the same magnitude.

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

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what income was derived in each of the past three years by each of the district health boards from charges levied for the provision of ambulance services required for open air public events; if he will list the top 10 consumers of ambulance services and the income derived from each; and what policy considerations must be taken into account in deciding whether to charge for services provided for a particular event. [123888]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The income derived in each of the past three years in each Health Board area in Northern Ireland from charges levied for the provision of ambulance services was:

  £

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Eastern

  831

  13,567

  8,355

  Northern

  3,500

  3,762

  3,950

  Southern

  1,000

  —

  —

  Western

  1,690

  451

  2,230

  Charges are levied for open-air events organised and run by individuals or organisations, usually for profit or charity, on a one-off basis. No records are therefore maintained of regular "consumers".

  The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service will raise charges for private events, at which the public may be present, when the organisers request specific services such as supplying vehicles, staff or a treatment centre. Charges are based on aspects such as the skill mix and availability of staff, the number of vehicles required, an estimation of potential number of patient journeys and the potential usage of drugs and medical equipment.

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

  Garvaghy Road
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal gatherings, assemblies, parades and marches have taken place in the Garvaghy road area so far this year; in how many instances(a) organisers were identified by the police, (b) the gathering was dispersed by the police, (c) individuals were warned they were breaking the law and (d) arrests were made; what charges were brought against individuals; and what was the outcome of proceedings. [123890]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date there have been no illegal parades in the immediate Garvaghy road area this year. But there have been two illegal parades involving persons parading from Drumcree Church to the bridge and dispersing. The bridge is located approximately 600m from the Garvaghy road.

  In both incidents, no individuals were warned they were breaking the law, no arrests were made, and the participants dispersed quickly themselves.

  Shootings (Weapon Serial Numbers)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the serial number of(a) the weapon used in the shooting of Private Neil Clerk in Derry on 23 April 1984, (b) the weapon used in the shooting of Martin Patten of the Royal Anglian Regiment on 21 September 1985 and (c) the weapon used in the shooting of army caterer Kurt Konig on 21 November 1985; in how many other attacks and on what dates each of these weapons are believed to have been used; and where and in whose keeping they are stored. [124326]

  Mr. Ingram
  While three persons were convicted of the murder of Private Clark, the investigations of the murders of Martin Patten and Kurt Konig remain open. To release any information in connection with them would not be appropriate, as it may prejudice any future legal proceedings.

  Oversight Commissioner
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the Chief Constable of the RUC was present, for how long; and for which interviews, for the post of the Oversight Commissioner. [125527]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Constable was not present at any of the interviews.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Disestablishment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussion the Church Commissioners have had with the Government since May 1997 about the possibility and financial implications of disestablishment. [123705]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  None.

  Redundant Churches
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners,
  495W
  if he will make a statement on the role of congregations on deciding priorities for the disposal of redundant churches. [123706]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The procedure for settling the future of redundant Church of England churches gives priority to dioceses seeking and achieving suitable alternative uses. Dioceses are also encouraged to keep informed the local parochial church councils, which are also given the opportunity to make representations for or against the proposed use.

  Hunting with Hounds
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what action the Commissioners plan to take in response to the report of the Burns Inquiry. [123707]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  I understand the results of the Burns inquiry—to which the Commissioners were not invited to give evidence—are expected to be made public shortly. Until then it is not possible to answer my hon. Friend's question, but we will look forward to seeing the report.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of the Millennium Dome after 31 December. [123681]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  On 16 May the Government announced that two proposals had been selected to advance to the final stage of the competition. These two bids were chosen from a strong field of five bids which had been invited in January to submit detailed proposals and indicative financial offers.

  The bids in the final shortlist are:
  Dome Europe, an advanced leisure, business and retail attraction, proposed by the Principal Finance Group of Nomura International plc.
  Legacy plc, a high technology industrial campus of workspace, leisure and retail uses, proposed by Robert Bourne.

  We are now working with the bidders to develop these proposals further, and will proceed to a decision in the summer on the winning proposal.

  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the financial situation of the Millennium Dome. [123693]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Stewart) on 25 May 2000,Official Report, columns 579–80W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the Millennium Dome's sponsors have paid their full agreed amount of sponsorship funding. [124479]
  496W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Under the terms of the individual sponsorship contracts, sponsors are on a rolling and varied schedule of payments. The New Millennium Experience Company are continuing to receive payments.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the grant payments made from the Millennium Commission to fund the Millennium Dome including the value of those payments, and the date on which they were agreed. [124741]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about additionality in respect of the national lottery awards for health and education projects. [123685]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government remain committed to the principle of additionality and established the NOF, after extensive public consultation, to support innovative health, education and environment projects which are additional to programmes funded from taxation. The National Lottery through the New Opportunities Fund has so far committed £1.5 billion to specific, time limited health and education initiatives.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support has been given by the National Lottery Charities Board to youth work in support of policy against social exclusion in(a) urban and (b) rural areas in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2000 to date. [123689]

  Kate Hoey
  The majority of grants awarded by the National Lottery Charities Board (NLCB) help to promote social inclusion, although they are not separately categorised. During 1998, 1999 and 2000 to date, the NLCB awarded the following grants to projects in urban and rural areas specifically targeted at young people aged 25 or under.

  Urban areas

  1998: 785 grants worth £32.8 million

  1999: 2,448 grants worth £87 million

  2000: 1,212 grants worth £22.3 million

  Rural areas

  1998: 933 grants worth £8.8 million

  1999: 1,864 grants worth £20.9 million

  2000: 780 grants worth £6.3 million

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that former coalfield areas receive an increased share of the proceeds from the national lottery. [123691]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Following the publication on 5 June of research into the impact of the National Lottery on coalfield areas, I announced a package of measures intended to ensure that coalfield and former coalfield areas receive more benefit from National Lottery money. My Department and Lottery distributors, who jointly commissioned the research, have set up an action team to
  497W
  consider the recommendations made in the report and to identify ways of actively encouraging applications from coalfields and other areas of low take up.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the average cost to organisations of making National Lottery funding applications. [124724]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has directed the independent Quality Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST), which he established last year to examine issues of standards and good practice across the range of this Department's responsibilities, to look at the costs of making applications for Lottery grants and consider how these costs could be contained without compromising the demands of proper accountability in decisions about how to spend public money. QUEST plans to publish the first phase of its report, which focuses on applications for Lottery grants of up to £100,000, shortly. The second phase, dealing with applications for grants of £100,000 plus, will be published later in the year.

  Excellence in Sport
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has for the development of excellence in sport in the Eastern region. [123686]

  Kate Hoey
  Sport England have made it clear that the Eastern Region will be an integral part of the English Institute of Sport. Discussions remain ongoing about the services and facilities that may be required to support the development of sporting excellence in the Region.

  Space for Sport and Arts
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects the first grants will be made to primary schools under the Space for Sport and Arts scheme. [123688]

  Kate Hoey
  Officials from my Department and the Department for Education and Employment are now in the process of working up further details about the scheme with members of the sports strategy implementation group and Lottery distributors and we hope to be in a position to invite applications in the autumn with the first grants being made in the early part of next year.

  Free Television Licences
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many families in the Elmet constituency will benefit from the introduction of free television licences for households with a member aged 75 years or over. [123690]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Film, Tourism and Broadcasting to my right hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 2 March 2000,Official Report, column 350W.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Department is taking to liaise with the television licensing authorities to ensure that all pensioners over the age of 75 will be fully 498W
  informed of when they become eligible for a free television licence; what efforts his Department is making to ensure that pensioners are given accurate information in respect of this; and if he will make a statement. [124545]

  Janet Anderson
  Officials at both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Social Security are in regular contact with the BBC as Licensing Authority to ensure the effective implementation of free television licences for the over-75s. The BBC is providing me with regular progress reports covering a range of issues, including publicity for the concession. Progress to date includes the establishment of a dedicated TV Licensing helpline, publication of explanatory leaflets, television trailers and the start of direct mailings to all domestic addresses on the TV Licensing database. DCMS has prepared a separate question and answer guide to the concessionary scheme.

  Football (Community Involvement)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy as regards encouraging football clubs to be involved in their local communities. [123692]

  Kate Hoey
  The Government fully support the efforts of football's governing bodies and individual clubs to become more involved in their local communities, and encourages the football authorities to continue to implement the recommendations of the Football Task Force's third report, "Investing in the Community".

  School Sport
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about sport in schools in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [123694]

  Kate Hoey
  I have received one letter recently from a school in Rotherha about the provision of a sports hall under the Private Finance Initiative. This is a matter primarily for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, whom I am consulting. I am also aware of the series of articles which have appeared in the Yorkshire Post recently about sport and PE in schools in Yorkshire. Our sports strategy—A Sporting Chance for All—recognised that in too many of our schools sport and PE have declined, and the need to find a new approach which will support teachers, parents and young people. That is why the strategy set out a five part plan aimed at raising standards of physical education and sport in all schools to match those of the best. The plan proposes:

  (i) the rebuilding of sports facilities at primary schools with £150 million of funding;

  (ii) the creation of 110 Specialist Sports Colleges to provide the lead in innovative practice and to work with partner secondary and primary schools to share good practice and raise standards;

  (iii) the provision of £240 million to encourage and support schools in a range of out of school learning opportunities including physical education and sport;

  (iv) the establishment of 600 school sports co-ordinators in areas of greatest need which will provide opportunities for young people to compete regularly for their school and take part in a wide range of sports; and

  499W

  v) that our most talented 14 to 18-year-olds have access to the coaching and support which will enable them to fulfil their potential.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the introduction of school sports co-ordinators. [123673]

  Kate Hoey
  As part of the aims of raising the standards of Physical Education and sport in schools, 600 School Sports Co-ordinators will be appointed by 2002. They will work in 150 'families' of schools. This means that 600 secondary schools and the 110 sports colleges will be linked to 3,000 primary schools. We aim to have the first tranche of 40 school sports co-ordinators in place by the autumn term 2000.

  Football (Youth and Amateur)
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to increase investment in youth and amateur football facilities. [123696]

  Kate Hoey
  I am pleased to say that the Football Foundation, a new body, which will distribute funding from the Premier League, the FA and Sport England will be launched shortly. This follows the Premier League's commitment last year to investing 5 per cent. of its next broadcasting contract for the good of the sport. It is envisaged that the majority of the Foundation's income will be used to fund initiatives designed to develop football at the grass roots.

  Museums and Galleries
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to improve pensioners' access to museums and galleries. [123697]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson),Official Report, column 499W.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to give pensioners easier access to museums and galleries. [123672]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  From 1 April free entry for the over 60s was introduced to those museums funded by my Department which currently charge for admission, including the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, the National Museum of Science and Industry, the Natural History Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

  Seaside Resorts
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to promote family-friendly holidays at traditional seaside resorts. [123687]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Later this year the English Tourism Council, which is sponsored by my Department, will be undertaking a new programme of research to examine the current provision for family holidays in England. The 500W
  research will aim to gain a better understanding of the market and to identify opportunities for growth particularly at seaside resorts.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2000,Official Report, column 100W, concerning secondments, if the secondee listed was appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124823]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 7 June 2000]The secondee listed in my response of 28 February 2000,Official Report, column 100W was appointed for a period of more than 12 months.

  King Edward VII Convalescent Home
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average bed occupancy rate was at King Edward VII Convalescent Home at Osborne(a) in each of the five years between 1989 and 1993 and (b) in 1999, broken down between (i) residents and (ii) convalescents. [125131]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Figures are not available for 1989 and 1990. The information for the other years requested is as follows:

  Percentage

  Year

  Residents1

  Convalescents2

  1991

  100

  85

  1992

  99

  58

  1993

  100

  63

  1999

  57

  64

  1 Average occupancy per year.

  2 Average occupancy per week.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many beds have been available for(a) residents and (b) convalescents (i) in each of the five years from 1989 to 1993 and (ii) in 1999 at King Edward VII Convalescent Home at Osborne [125132]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Figures are not available for 1989 and 1990. The information for the other years requested is as follows:

  Year

  Residents1

  Convalescents

  1991

  15

  5

  1992

  20

  23

  1993

  21

  19

  1999

  302

  1 Any unfulfilled residents beds were offered to convalescents whenever there was demand.

  2 Registered beds reduced from 40 to 30 in 1998 with no distinction between residents and convalescents.

  Missing Works of Art
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport if he will list those works of art and other artefacts from national collections that have gone missing, been stolen or are otherwise unaccounted for in the period from 1990 to date. [125547]
  501W
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have contacted the National Museums and Galleries sponsored by DCMS to request information for a reply to my hon. Friend's question. I will write to him as soon as this is available, placing copies of my letter in the Library.

  National Lottery (Computer Failures)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000,Official Report, column 96W, if he will ask the National Lottery Commission to consult with him before the best course of action in respect of unidentified income is determined by Camelot; and what estimate he has received from Camelot of the number of unidentified prize winners to whom the full amount has not been paid. [125672]

  Kate Hoey
  This is properly a matter for the National Lottery Commission as the relevant regulatory body and I do not intend to ask it to consult me before reaching its decision. I understand that Camelot estimate that 78,187 players were underpaid by a matter of pounds and 34,897 were overpaid. The total amount underpaid in prizes was £85,974 and the total amount overpaid was £94,380.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000,Official Report, column 96W, what representations he has received from (a) Camelot and (b) others in respect of the responsibility for the computer defect. [125686]

  Kate Hoey
  The only representation received by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was from an ex-GTECH employee. Since then he has been kept informed of developments by the National Lottery Commission.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000,Official Report, column 96W; if, when he was informed of the defect in the National Lottery computer, he was told when the defect was identified and by whom; if he was informed of estimates Camelot had made of how long the defect affected its operation before it was corrected; and if he has been informed as to when the National Lottery Commission will complete its investigations. [125673]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was informed when the defect was identified and by whom, and was also informed of how long the defect had affected operations.

  The defect was first drawn to the National Lottery Commission's attention in a letter from an ex-GTECH employee on 29 February 2000. The defect affected operations from the start of the Lottery until it was corrected 27 July 1998.

  The Commission intend to complete its investigations as soon as possible.

  Commonwealth Games 2002
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance he has given to development of the site in Manchester and services for the Commonwealth Games in 2002. [123678]

  Kate Hoey
  Manchester has received approximately £73 million of Government assistance for their earlier Olympic bids and £115 million is currently available from 502W
  the Lottery Sports Fund for capital projects for the Commonwealth Games within Manchester; with up to a further £6 million for the redevelopment of Bisley in Surrey for the shooting events.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office is co-ordinating the Government's interests in the Games and chairs a Games Task Force ensuring a joint departmental approach to supporting the Games across Government.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police and Immigration Services (Interpreters)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the level of fees payable to interpreters per hour by(a) the Immigration Service and (b) the Metropolitan Police in respect of (i) illegal entry matters and (ii) criminal matters; and if traveling time is also reimbursed. [123900]

  Mrs. Roche
  The level of fees payable to interpreters by the Immigration Service and the Metropolitan Police are set out in tables. Neither Service distinguishes between illegal entry and criminal matters.

  Metropolitan police service interpreting rates

  Hours

  Day 0800–200

  Night/Saturday 2000–0900

  Sunday/Bank Holiday 24 Hours>

  0.50

  14.50

  21.75

  29.00

  1.00

  29.00

  43.50

  58.00

  2.00

  58.00

  87.00

  116.00

  3.00

  87.00

  130.50

  174.00

  4.00

  116.00

  174.00

  232.00

  5.00

  145.00

  217.50

  290.00

  6.00

  174.00

  261.00

  348.00

  7.00

  203.00

  304.50

  406.00

  8.00

  232.00

  304.50

  406.00

  9.00

  261.00

  391.50

  522.00

  10.00

  290.00

  435.00

  580.00

  Minimum1

  87.00

  135.50

  174.00

  1 This includes payment for travelling time, where the total time (i.e. travelling and attendance) is three hours or less.

  Notes:

  1.These rates are only intended as a guide for period of less than an hour, proportionate rates are paid.

  2.Standard Class travelling expenses are reimbursed at cost. Mileage expenses are reimbursed at a rate of 35.7 pence per mile.

  Immigration service interpreting rates

  £

  Interpreters who are also members of staff

  Interpreters who are not members of staff

  Mondays to Fridays1

  Per hour

  Minimum

  Per hour

  Minimum

  0800–1800

  6.55

  22.95

  9.85

  34.50

  1800–2300

  8.20

  28.70

  12.30

  43.05

  2300–0800

  9.85

  34.50

  14.75

  51.65

  Sundays and Bank Holidays

  13.10

  45.85

  19.65

  68.80

  1Except Bank Holidays

  503W

  Mileage rates for interpreters

  Engine size

  Rate per mile

  Up to 1500

  35.7p

  1600 to 2000

  42p

  Over 2000

  46p

  Note:

  1. These payments also apply to travelling time

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics relating to the responsibilities of his Department are collated by parliamentary constituency, indicating the dates covered in each case. [123847]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 25 May 2000]Statistics of candidates' election expenses at United Kingdom Parliamentary General Elections and certain other associated details relating to postal voting and rejected ballot papers have been collected and published, listed by United Kingdom parliamentary constituency, in the form of a House of Commons paper. The series covers every General Election since 1883, with the exception of that of December 1918.

  Figures on the votes cast, postal and proxy voting and rejected ballot papers in the 1999 European Parliamentary Election will be published on a parliamentary constituency basis. This information will be contained in a Home Office statistical paper to be published later this year.

  No other Home Office statistics are collected on a parliamentary constituency basis.

  Departmental Policies
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [124541]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]As part of the wider drive to modernise Government, the Home Office and its agencies are working to ensure that its various services fully meet the needs of the public. Supporting families is a key priority for the Home Office. When providing services we bear the needs of families in mind.Services for families: 1999–2002
  £7 million provided through the Family Support Grant for work carried out by voluntary organisations to support parenting and family life.
  £1 million funding given to ParentLine Plus to establish a freephone national helpline service capable of taking up to 500,000 calls a year. The helpline has extended its opening hours to 9.00 am to 9.00 pm Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.00 pm Saturday and 10.00 am to 3.00 pm Sunday to be available when parents most need the service.
  £666,000 (part of cross Government funding of £2 million) was given to help establish the National Family and Parenting Institute. In its first year, the Institute is mapping services available to families and will report on gaps by December 2000.
  Probation Service
  The Home Office, through Probation services, also currently supports the work of Family Court Welfare Service. Where marriages or relationships have broken down the Service works with all courts dealing with family matters to ensure protection
  504W
  of children, provide relevant information to the court and work towards enabling parents to co-operate as separated parents. Much of this work is undertaken in partnership with the voluntary sector, funded through partnership grants from probation services. Partnership expenditure on Family Court Welfare related projects amounts to approximately £1 million per annum. This includes funding for out of court dispute resolution and contact centres.
  The service will be transferred to the Lord Chancellor's Department from April 2001 under the new arrangements for a Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS).
  Through direct grant to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO), the Home Office supports the Resettlement Information and Advice Service. The service deals with resettlement inquiries from serving prisoners, ex-offenders, their families and from organisations working with them.
  Immigration service
  Agencies such as the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) are key service providers for the Home Office. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for providing support to destitute asylum seekers. Customers, including families, might be required to attend their offices at Voyager House, Croydon, for a short assessment of eligibility. There are no special facilities for children because, in NASS's view, the duration of the assessment interview does not warrant them. If, however, a family appeals against refusal to give support, there are play facilities at the appeal hearing centre at Christopher Wren House, Croydon.
  Grants are given by NASS to the voluntary sector to deliver Reception Service and One-Stop Services for asylum seekers. For 2000–01 these have been apportioned as follows:

  Services

  £

  Refugee Council

  6,895,619

  Refugee Arrivals Project

  1,913,351

  Migrant helpline

  2,102,975

  Refugee Action

  2,024,216

  Welsh Refugee Council

  537,864

  Scottish Refugee Council

  561,222

  Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO)

  41,216

  In addition, NASS will be grant-funding each organisation to provide emergency accommodation to asylum seekers pending their application for support. The annual indicative costs are estimated to be in the region of £7.2 million. This amount will of course be dependent on the numbers of asylum seekers who apply for emergency accommodation.
  IND Headquarters is currently dispersed in buildings around Croydon while Lunar House is being totally refurbished. The Public Caller Unit at the Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD) is at present housed in the Whitgift Centre. It offers vending machines and telephones but regrettably there is no space for a play area. There will be a large play area in the "new" Lunar House which is due to open next summer. As an interim measure, the ICD is currently collecting toys for children of parents attending for interview.
  At Oakington Reception Centre there are family facilities which include an indoor play area, a crèche with qualified nursery nurses and a collection of books and games for older children. At Tinsley House Detention Centre near Gatwick Airport a family suite is under construction. This will have a play area and computer games for older children.
  The Home Secretary makes grants in aid under section 23 of the Immigration Act 1971 to the Refugee Legal Centre and the Immigration Advisory Service to provide services of advice, assistance, and representation to those who have rights of appeal under the 1971 Act. In 1999–2000 the total amount of grants paid was £6.7 million. In 2000–01, the Home Office is also paying a grant in aid to the Northern Ireland Law Centre.
  505W
  Prison Service
  The Prison Service fully recognises the needs of prisoners' families, particularly with regard to the need for support; maintaining regular contact with imprisoned family members; and the opportunity to contribute to regimes and rehabilitation programmes. Much of this is achieved through working in partnership with prisoners' families support groups, listening to people's concerns. The Prison Service co-ordinates the Family Ties Consultative Group which includes a number of these groups and is tasked with assisting the development of policy and good practice.
  Further support is provided by way of funding to the umbrella organisation, the Federation of Prisoners' Families Support Groups, as well as to CLINKS which is working with the Service to develop the relationship between the voluntary sector and prisons. An increasing number of establishments also provide facilities for visiting families such as visitors' centres and play areas in visits rooms. The latter has been supported by funding for the lead organisation in this area, Kids Visiting In Prisons (KIDS VIP).
  Youth Justice Board
  The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is a Non-departmental Public Body of the Home Office that has been in operation since September 1998. One of its functions is to advise the Government on standards for service delivery in the youth justice system.
  Reinforcing the responsibilities of parents is one of the Youth Justice Board's key aims and objectives.
  Projects are delivered by youth offending teams in partnership with a wide range of specialist organisations such as ParentLine, Coram Family and Barnardos.
  Some of the projects the Youth Justice Board have sponsored include:
  an 18 month project in Liverpool to extend support for parents involved or at risk of being involved in the youth justice system. The project will focus on support provided to families with persistent young offenders and those involved in Final Warnings; and
  an 18 month project in Liverpool to help the Youth Offending Teams and other practitioners understand the impact family breakdown and change can have on young people and the functioning of their families. Project findings will be delivered to Youth Offending Teams and other practitioners.
  Services to promote racial equality
  The Home Office has recently launched a new race equality grants programme, "Connecting Communities", to help marginalised minority ethnic communities at grass roots level. The grants aim to empower communities, enabling them to have greater access to and influence over policy makers and service providers. £12 million will be made available through the programme over three years.
  The programme aims to:
  help people in marginalised communities gain new skills and combat disaffection and disengagement within communities;
  work on joint initiatives with other faith and community groups to build strong community networks;
  provide opportunities for young people to participate in seminars, mentoring and job shadowing opportunities with Home Office services, for example, the police and fire service; celebrate minority ethnic achievements to counteract racist and negative stereotyping.

  Football (Offences and Disorder)
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been required to surrender their passports in connection with football events in the last five years. [124377]

  Mr. Straw
  There are currently 100 people subject to international football bans, all of whom are required to report to a police station throughout the period of Euro 2000. The Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999,506W
  which came into force in September 1999, includes provision for the court to require an individual to surrender their passport for designated periods as a condition of their banning order. The courts have imposed nine such conditions to date.

  The Dutch and Belgian authorities have extensive powers to refuse entry to any England supporter who poses a threat to public order, including those subject to domestic bans. Acting on information provided by the National Criminal Intelligence Service, police will be monitoring all England supporters at every United Kingdom exit point throughout the tournament and sharing the intelligence gathered with the Dutch, Belgian and French authorities and the English police team operating in all these countries.

  Local Authority Grants
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [124194]

  Mrs. Roche
  Local authorities can claim the costs of accommodating and supporting asylum seekers plus an element of administrative costs. Prior to 1 April 1999, all grants were administered by the Department of Health. That Department retains responsibility for the payment of a special grant for the support of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

  From 1 April 1999 to 5 December 1999, costs to local authorities for adult asylum seekers were covered in a special grant report. From 6 December 1999 until 31 March 2000, these costs were covered by grant paid under the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999.

  In addition, the costs incurred by local authorities in supporting Kosovan evacuees, who arrived as part of the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme, is being reimbursed under the terms of Special Grant Report (No. 49).

  The Torbay Unitary Authority has not applied for any grants from the National Asylum Support Service or under the terms of the Kosovo Special Grant Report.

  On 31 May 2000, we announced the introduction of a new race equality support grants programme—Connecting Communities—which will address racial disadvantage by helping marginalised minority ethnic communities at grass roots level. There are four support programme areas—Community Networks, Opportunity Schemes, Towards More Representative Services, and Positive Images.

  Local authorities will be eligible to bid for funding under the new support programmes, which are expected to start in October 2000.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements his Department has made for identifying suitable accommodation for asylum seekers under the Government's dispersal policy. [125116]
  507W
  Mrs. Roche
  Accommodation providers are responsible for identifying suitable accommodation. They are bound by contract to provide accommodation to certain specifications. These specifications were drawn up with other organisations, including the Refugee Council. The National Asylum Support Service check all proposed addresses for suitability of location for asylum seekers and access to Post Offices and the retail network.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the result of consultations with(a) the North West Consortium and (b) Liverpool City Council prior to the decision to award contracts to place asylum seekers in The Landmark and The Inn on the Park in Everton, Liverpool; and when these consultations took place. [125114]

  Mrs. Roche
  Officials in the National Asylum Support Service wrote to the North West Consortium, including Liverpool City Council, on 9 February seeking comments on proposed providers. No comments were received.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made to monitor contracts entered into in respect of the Government's dispersal policy for asylum seekers. [125115]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has established dedicated contract managers to oversee all accommodation contracts. In addition, a dedicated contract management team oversees the contract with Sodexho. NASS also has a network of regional managers monitoring support provision for asylum seekers.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bed spaces are contracted for by the Home Office in its asylum seeker allocation and dispersal schemes in each district of the counties of(a) Tyne and Wear, (b) Northumberland, (c) Durham and (d) Cleveland; through which bodies these bedspaces have been contracted; and if he will estimate the (i) average annual unit cost per bedspace and (ii) total annual cost of these bedspaces. [125141]

  Mrs. Roche
  The number of bed spaces contracted are as follows: Tyne and Wear 485; Northumberland 0; Durham 0; and, Cleveland 50. The accommodation contracts in these areas are with private sector providers Roselodge, Angel and Adelphi. To avoid prejudicing negotiations currently taking place with potential further accommodation providers, I am unable to provide information on unit costs as this is commercially sensitive.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts have been entered into with(a) local authorities, (b) the private sector and (c) the voluntary sector in relation to the Government's scheme for the dispersal of asylum seekers. [125118]

  Mrs. Roche
  Contracts have been entered into with one local authority, one housing association, one YMCA and seven with the private sector.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been received by public funds in the last five years in fines levied upon foreign lorry drivers apprehended for importing asylum seekers into the United Kingdom. [125271]
  508W
  Mrs. Roche
  Since the coming into force of the civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, a total of £12,000 in penalties has been paid by foreign lorry drivers or their employers. In addition, a further £105,829 has been paid by foreign lorry drivers or their employers to secure the release of vehicles which had been detained pending payment of the penalty. These provisions of the Act came into force only on 3 April this year, so no sum actually fell to be paid until 4 June 2000.

  Statistical information relating to the sums of money imposed in fines on those convicted in the courts for the offence of facilitation of illegal entry does not record separately the amounts paid by foreign lorry drivers

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to police budgets, for the latest year for which figures are available, of the provision of interpreters to assist asylum seekers and economic migrants; how much of this money has been refunded by central Government to local police authorities; and if he will make a statement. [125276]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not centrally collected. The Home Office does not refund the cost of interpreters to police authorities. The cost of using interpreters is a matter for Chief Officers of police and as part of their operational activities the cost would be met from within force budgets.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made for the financial year 2000–01 to meet the costs incurred by Kent Police through the provision of interpreters to assist asylum seekers and economic migrants. [125272]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No specific provision has been made in the allocation of Government funding to Kent Police Authority for the cost of using interpreters. The arrangements for the employment of interpreters are a matter for the Chief Constable.

  The funding allocation for the Kent Police Authority in 2000–01 has recognised the costs to the local police of asylum seekers and other policing demands that arise from Dover being the main route between the United Kingdom and Europe. Government supported funding for Kent Police Authority increased by 4.4 per cent. or £8 million, and around 20 per cent. of this extra funding was in consequence of the growing pressures from illegal immigration and other "Gateway to Europe" policing demands on the Kent Constabulary.

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take following the criticism made in the judgment of Mr. Justice Burton on the actions taken by police during the visit of the President of China; and if he will make a statement. [124890]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand that the judgment in this case, while noting that there remained some disagreement between the parties on matters of fact, supported the declarations granted by the Metropolitan Police and considered the matter settled.

  It is for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to determine in the light of this case what changes should be made to policing arrangements for future events.

  Hereford (City Status)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has had about the future status of the city of Hereford; and if he will make a statement. [125129]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Hereford Town Council has applied for the honour of city status to be restored to Hereford, which lost its previous status as a city when the new Parish of Hereford came into existence on 1 April 2000. It is for Her Majesty The Queen, acting on the advice of Ministers, to decide whether city status should be restored. The application is under consideration.

  Firefighters
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of front-line firefighters do not hold a current first aid qualification; and what plans the Government have to increase the number who do hold such a qualification. [125002]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]Information about the number of firefighters with first aid qualifications is not held by the Home Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The Home Office issued advice to Fire Authorities in 1993 recommending that all firefighters be trained to either 'Trained First Aider' or 'Emergency First Aider' standards. Also, there is an expectation that all firefighters are competent in casualty handling and first aid by virtue of their role.

  Fire Authorities are required to comply with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

  Local Elections
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to promote postal ballots in local elections. [125389]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Representation of the People Act 2000 contains provisions, which will shortly be brought into force, which will allow for postal votes on demand.

  Seven local authorities ran pilot schemes involving all postal ballots at the recent local elections and we are looking forward to receiving the evaluation reports of those schemes.

  We hope that more local authorities will apply to run such schemes at future local elections.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the practice of increasing the number of voting days in local elections. [125388]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Fifteen local authorities ran pilot schemes involving voting on more than one day at the recent local elections and we are looking forward to receiving the evaluation reports of those schemes.

  We hope that more local authorities will apply to run such schemes at future local elections.

  Alcohol Licences (River Boats)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason(a) trains and aeroplane will be exempt and (b) river boats will not be exempt, from obtaining a premises licence under the proposals for the amendment of licensing laws. [125447]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Paragraphs 2 to 7 of Appendix 3 to "Time For Reform" sets out the thinking behind the proposals that boats selling alcohol should require a premises licence but that trains and aeroplane should not. We shall consider comments on these paragraphs when preparing legislation.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about resources available to the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue prosecutions; and if he will make a statement. [125321]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]I am not aware of having received very recent representations from outside Government, though I have received representations in the past from the First Division Association and from staff of the Crown Prosecution Service and others about the organisation's resources. Expenditure plans for the criminal justice system as a whole in resource terms for 2000–01, including the Crown Prosecution Service, were set out in the Criminal Justice System Business Plan published on 23 May 2000.

  Passport Agency Computer System
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what software language is used in the National Passport Centre Computerisation; and if it is programmed as a totally integrated relational database. [125542]

  Mrs. Roche
  The new United Kingdom Passport Agency Computer system, ("PASS") is an integrated relational database solution using the industry-standard ORACLE Relational DataBase Management System (RDBMS). The programming language and database tools used include Oracle Forms, Sequel (SQL), Visual Basic and "C".

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on breath testing and blood sampling of individuals involved in serious road traffic accidents. [124694]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, the police have the power to breath test any motorist who has been involved in a car crash. We support the Association of Chief Police Officers' policy that breath tests should be carried out at all crashes which the police attend. Those motorists who fail that screening test are then normally required to take an evidential breath test at the police station. Failure of that test provides the evidence for prosecution. In certain situations detailed in the Act, a blood sample may be taken by the police in place of an evidential breath sample and it is required where the motorist is suspected of driving when unfit through drugs.

  Immigration Services Commissioner
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the Immigration Services Commissioner. [124768]

  Mrs. Roche
  The role and responsibilities of the Immigration Services Commissioner are set out in Part V of, and in Part I of Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 to, the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The Act prohibits any person or organisation from providing immigration advice or services unless that person or organisation is registered with the Immigration Services Commissioner, authorised to practise by a designated professional body, or is exempt under the terms of the scheme.

  The Immigration Services Commissioner will publish the criteria for registration, will receive applications for registration and will determine whether individuals and organisations are competent and otherwise fit to provide immigration advice and services. The Commissioner will also consider cases for exemption. Exemption is likely to be sought by organisations from the voluntary, health and education sectors and the Commissioner will ensure that these organisations meet satisfactory standards.

  The Commissioner will establish a complaints scheme and may investigate and determine complaints made against immigration advisers, including members of the designated professional bodies. Remedies available to the Commissioner on finding a complaint proven include powers to require a registered person to re-apply for registration without delay, to withdraw an exemption or to refer a disciplinary charge to the Immigration Services Tribunal. The power to discipline members of a designated professional body remains with the relevant professional body, but the Commissioner has power to refer his findings to the relevant professional body and to impose a timetable for that body to consider the complaint and, where appropriate, to take disciplinary action.

  The Commissioner also has a duty to promote good practice by those who provide immigration advice or services.

  The Government believe that the activities of the Commissioner, together with other initiatives such as the establishment of the Community Legal Service, will provide a comprehensive and coherent strategy for rooting out unscrupulous and incompetent immigration advisers and service providers, while supporting those providing a quality service. In this way standards in the immigration advice sector will be improved. The Commissioner is in the process of consulting widely within the advice sector in order to formulate the rules and standards, which will govern the regulatory scheme.

  Extradition
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 May 2000,Official Report, column 76W, on extradition, (a) what is his policy on requests for consent certificates, when the requesting state has withheld information (i) which would have enabled them to have included further offences in the initial extradition request and (ii) which was relevant to the original offences and (b) what effect the Northern Ireland peace process has had on his practice in relation to extradition requests. [125557]
  512W
  Mr. Straw
  Each case is decided on its own merits weighing up all relevant considerations and excluding irrelevant ones. I am not aware of any cases in which the requesting state has asked for the rule of specialty to be waived, and has withheld information relating to either the original, or further offences. The Northern Ireland peace process has not had any effect on my handling of extradition requests.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants sought to join the Metropolitan police force in each month since January 1999; how many were accepted for training; and what the rate of take-up was for each course at Hendon since May 1997. [125270]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is set out in the tables. The selection process is a rolling programme and therefore those who have applied since January 2000 are unlikely to have completed all selection elements. The percentage take-up rates of places offered is based on those individuals who were offered employment and accepted.

  Applications and candidates accepted for training for each month since January 1999

  Applications received

  Candidates accepted for training

  1999

  January

  476

  146

  February

  652

  162

  March

  571

  181

  April

  580

  151

  May

  523

  No intake

  June

  554

  87

  July

  326

  99

  August

  268

  119

  September

  405

  109

  October

  735

  92

  November

  566

  101

  December

  459

  No intake

  2000

  January

  413

  104

  February

  443

  61

  March

  382

  65

  April

  297

  100

  May

  307

  102

  Rate of take-up since May 1997

  Month

  Percentage take-up/places offered

  1997

  May

  99

  June

  100

  July

  99

  August

  98

  September

  98

  October

  No intake

  November

  99

  December

  94

  1998

  January

  98

  February

  93

  513W

  Rate of take-up since May 1997

  Month

  Percentage take-up/places offered

  March

  No intake

  April

  No intake

  May

  96

  June

  99

  July

  97

  August

  97

  September

  99

  October

  100

  November

  98

  December

  No intake

  1999

  January

  99

  February

  100

  March

  100

  April

  98

  May

  No intake

  June

  93

  July

  100

  August

  99

  September

  98

  October

  97

  November

  97

  December

  No intake

  2000

  January

  97

  February

  97

  March

  97

  April

  100

  May

  98

  Prison Service
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on prisoners' wages in each of the last two years. [125339]

  Mr. Boateng
  Expenditure on prisoners' earnings in England and Wales was £20.270 million in 1998–99 and £21.210 million in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women received into prison(a) under sentence and (b) on remand who had children under the age of 18 months were given a place in a mother and baby unit in each of the last five years. [125340]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are 64 places in total available in mother and baby units at four prisons. On 5 June 2000, there were 54 mothers and their babies in the units.

  Centrally available data only give figures for the past 19 months. The information is given in the table.

  Numbers of mothers admitted to prison Mother and Baby Units for the period 2 November 1998–31 May 2000

  Number

  Remands

  22

  Sentenced

  184

  Total

  206

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prison service 514W
  staff is registered disabled; how many (a) applicants for jobs and (b) employees in the Prison Service are registered disabled; and if he will make a statement. [125335]

  Mr. Boateng
  Most recruitment undertaken in the Prison Service is for unified grades (prison officers, governors) who are currently exempt from the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  From the statistics gathered for the quarter October—December 1999, of those who applied for jobs, a total of 13 declared a disability and one person with a disability was appointed.

  Out of 43,683 staff in post on 31 March 2000, a total of 139 were identified as disabled.

  The Prison Service will be undertaking a staff disability survey towards the end of this year which should allow a more accurate database to be established. This, in turn, will inform decisions on the level of resources required to assist staff to carry out their duties.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many disabled people visited prisons in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [125336]

  Mr. Boateng
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to repeat the 1991 National Prison Survey in 2001; and if he will make a statement. [125333]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are no plans to repeat the 1991 National Prison Survey in 2001. A survey of prisoners is being carried out this year for the Home Office to investigate factors related to criminality. This covers much of the same information.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours per week on average remand prisoners spent out of cell in each local prison in England and Wales in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [125334]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service does not monitor time out of cell for remand prisoners separately. The average time out of cell on weekdays and weekends for all prisoners in local prisons in England and Wales for the year 1999–00 are given in the table.

  1999–2000 Average time out of cell

  Prison

  Weekdays

  Weekends

  Altcourse

  13.0

  13.0

  Bedford

  9.3

  7.5

  Belmarsh

  8.8

  7.6

  Birmingham

  6.8

  5.1

  Blakenhurst

  11.5

  10.3

  Bristol

  10.4

  8.8

  Brixton

  8.8

  6.8

  Bullingdon

  9.5

  8.0

  Canterbury

  8.8

  7.5

  Cardiff

  8.8

  5.9

  Chelmsford

  7.8

  7.8

  Doncaster

  10.3

  10.3

  Dorchester

  7.9

  6.8

  Durham

  7.5

  5.1

  Elmley

  8.1

  7.4

  515W

  1999–2000 Average time our of cell

  Prison

  Weekdays

  Weekends

  Exeter

  6.2

  5.2

  Gloucester

  9.3

  6.5

  Highdown

  7.8

  5.1

  Holme House

  9.5

  7.3

  Hull

  10.0

  7.7

  Leeds

  8.3

  7.3

  Leicester

  10.9

  9.5

  Lewes

  9.3

  6.3

  Lincoln

  10.5

  9.0

  Liverpool

  6.7

  4.1

  Manchester

  8.3

  7.0

  Norwich

  8.1

  7.8

  Nottingham

  9.6

  7.1

  Parc

  9.2

  10.5

  Pentonville

  9.0

  7.0

  Preston

  6.3

  5.0

  Rochester

  9.2

  9.8

  Shrewsbury

  9.9

  9.9

  Swansea

  8.7

  8.0

  Wandsworth

  8.0

  7.0

  Winchester

  7.2

  6.5

  Wolds

  11.5

  11.7

  Woodhill

  10.2

  8.5

  Wormwood Scrubs

  7.9

  4.8

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce privacy screening in shared prison cells fitted with integral sanitation. [125338]

  Mr. Boateng
  A significant proportion of shared prison cells with integral sanitation already have privacy screening. This work has been carried out by establishments under local management.

  The Prison Service is currently evaluating options to standardise the type of privacy screen and to extend the installation to all shared cells with integral sanitation. A decision has not yet been taken as to when this work might be carried out.

  Criminal Justice
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list those measures on just processes and outcomes which his Department is monitoring as described on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01; [125621]

  (2) if he will list those measures on just processes and outcomes which his Department is monitoring, as referred to on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01. [125619]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  On just processes, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Home Office and the Law Officers Department are jointly monitoring the number of cases that are dismissed because the magistrates find that there is no case to answer, and non-jury acquittals in the Crown Court.

  For just outcomes, the three Departments are monitoring the number of successful appeals against sentence; the number of successful appeals by the prosecution on the basis that the original sentence is unduly lenient; and the number of criminal cases in which there is a successful appeal to the Divisional Court by way of case stated or judicial review.
  516W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department measures the satisfaction of jurors with their treatment by the criminal justice system; and if he will place in the Library details of the opinion research on jurors mentioned on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01. [125625]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is to conduct an annual survey of jurors to measure their satisfaction with their treatment by the criminal justice system. We are placing in the Library the results of the survey conducted to inform the new measure and target for juror satisfaction.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his definition of a public disorder incident as referred to on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01. [125617]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Business Plan follows the definition of disorder used by the police service, i.e. a breach of the peace of which the police are aware, which may require police intervention or action in partnership with others. Racist or homophobic incidents and incidents involving or arising out of disturbances in public places, licensed premises or private property, drunkenness, domestic incidents, marches and demonstrations, civil disputes, neighbour disputes, public or sports events, hunt sabotage, and other unlisted types of disorder or nuisance will all count towards the total.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a decision not to prosecute or to discontinue a prosecution will count as a disposal for the purposes of meeting the Government's objective of reducing the time taken from arrest to disposal, as set out on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01. [125623]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The timeliness measure for the time taken from arrest to sentence or other disposal for all offenders is currently collected from charge. It excludes cases where there is a decision not to prosecute before the first listing at a magistrates court. Cases discontinued at or after first listing at a magistrates court are counted as disposals in the calculation of the measure; cases that are discontinued at the Crown court also count as disposals except where the indictment is left to lie on file as a result of a prosecution application before the first main hearing.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public disorder incidents, as defined in his list of performance measures on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01, were recorded per 1,000 of the population in each of the last 10 years; what the baseline figure is against which his reduction target will be measured; and when he expects that target to be achieved. [125615]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not available in the form required for the last 10 years. The baseline will be that recorded during 2000–01 and the target will be for achievement by 31 March 2002.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the principal cities whose robbery figures will be taken into account in measuring the performance of the criminal justice system under its
  517W
  business plan 2000–01; and what is the baseline figure for robbery against which his reduction target will be measured. [125612]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The following police authorities have set targets under Best Value for reduction of robbery:

  Police authority

  Percentage

  Greater Manchester

  10

  Merseyside

  15

  Metropolitan police

  15

  West Midlands

  34

  West Yorkshire

  22

  Police authorities have used the baseline year of 1999–2000. The full figures for 1999–2000 will be published on 18 July.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the baseline levels of vehicle crime and domestic burglary are against which he has set the performance targets listed on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01. [125613]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Based on the 1998–99 recorded crime figures, the baseline levels used are as follows:

  Number of offences

  Vehicle crime1

  1,077,732

  Domestic burglary

  473,352

  1 Theft of and from vehicles

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the ingredients of the basket of measures on the rights of defendants mentioned on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01; and if he will give details of the performance targets in each case. [125626]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The measures on the rights of the defendants contained in the basket are listed on page 5 of the Business Plan.

  Work is continuing on targets for the underlying measures to be in place by 31 March 2001.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his baseline figure is for public confidence in the criminal justice system against which he will measure his target, described on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01; and if he will place in the Library details of how he measures public confidence. [125627]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The public confidence measure is going to be based on questions in the British Crime Survey. The baseline figure will come from the British Crime Survey 2000. The results will become available for analysis this summer. When available, details of the calculations will be placed in the Library.
  518W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his latest estimate is of the overall cost of the criminal justice system per person(a) proceeded against, (b) found guilty or admitting guilt and (c) found not guilty [125628]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the overall cost of the criminal justice system per person is not yet available. Information on the average costs of court proceedings in 1997–98 (including disposals, but excluding police investigation, for which no unit costs were available), was published in 1999, in Home Office Research Findings 103, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the economic cost of crime in each of the last 10 years; what is the baseline against which the reduction target set out on page 4 of the Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2000–01 will be measured; and if he will make a statement on the methodology used in calculating the economic cost of crime. [125618]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the economic cost of crime in each of the last 10 years is not available. A baseline is to be established to enable a target to be set by 31 March 2001 and research will be published in the next few months setting out the data available and the work proposed to improve data.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has replaced the measure of reducing the long-term rate of growth of crime which he proposed in the 1999 Criminal Justice System Business Plan. [125622]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We decided that the challenging and specific crime reduction targets which we have set would provide a better focus for the work of the police, crime and disorder reduction partnerships and the criminal justice system.

  Euro 2000
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made in respect of those travelling to the Euro 2000 Football Championship. [123695]

  Mr. Straw
  In December 1999, I established a Euro 2000 Co-ordination in Group, involving government agencies, the police and the Football Association. The aim was to ensure that comprehensive and complementary measures were put in place for minimising the risk of disorder involving England supporters during the tournament. The measures taken are outlined in the Home Office report of the Co-ordinating Group's work, a copy of which was placed in the Library on 7 June.

  Global Cultural Diversity Congress
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report from the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality on the collapse of Global Cultural Diversity Congress Ltd. [125614]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The report was submitted to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 7 June 2000.

  Home Detention Curfew
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic group of those prisoners who were(a) eligible for release on home detention curfew in the last year and (b) released on home detention curfew in the last year. [125337]

  Mr. Boateng
  A breakdown by ethnic group prisoners who were eligible for release on home detention curfew and of those who were actually released on the scheme, and the release rate for each group during the period from 1 June 1999 to 31 May 2000 is shown in the table.

  HDC eligibility/release figures and release rates by ethnic group between June 1999 and May 2000

  Eligible

  Released

  Release rate

  Total

  55,175

  16,108

  29%

  White

  48,260

  13,563

  28%

  Black

  4,122

  1,277

  31%

  South Asian

  1,405

  719

  51%

  Chinese and other

  1,388

  549

  40%

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Damages
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many responses he has received to his consultation document CP3/00 on the discount rate for levels of damages; how many were from(a) hon. Members, (b) the general public, (c) the legal profession and judges and (d) the insurance industry; in each case, how many favoured (i) a rate of return of 2 per cent., (ii) a rate of return of 3 per cent. and (iii) a rate of return of 4 per cent. or more; and when he plans to publish his proposals in response to the consultation. [124846]

  Mr. Lock
  The deadline for responses to the Lord Chancellor's damages consultation paper was 31 May. Eighty responses have been received and are being analysed. Two responses have been received from academics, one from a member of Parliament, 44 from the legal profession, 13 from the insurance industry, 11 from financial specialists and nine others. The remaining information requested by my hon. Friend will be made available to him when the analysis is complete. The Lord Chancellor expects to announce his conclusions in the early Autumn.

  Reserved Judgments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in respect of reserved judgments in the High Court for each of the last three years,(a) what was the longest period of time between conclusion of submissions and delivery of judgment, (b) what was the average period and (c) in how many cases judgment was reserved for over one month; what guidance he issues on the length of the period between the conclusion of submissions and the delivery of judgment in the High Court; what plans he has to introduce systems to ensure the prompt delivery of judgment; how much has
  520W
  been paid, earmarked, or is estimated as likely to be paid in compensation due to delayed judgments; and if he will make a statement. [124880]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Court Service has kept no information centrally in respect of reserved judgments over the past three years. The information could not be collected except at disproportionate cost to taxpayers.

  The Lord Chancellor does not give guidance on the length of the period between the conclusion of submissions and the delivery of judgment in the High Court. He has, however, agreed with the senior judiciary that in future they will make known to him any reserved judgment which is outstanding after three months, providing an explanation of the delay and the measures which will be taken in order to ensure delivery of the judgment.

  There has been no claim for compensation due to delayed judgments within the Supreme Court Group. However, the Lord Chancellor's Department expects to receive claims for compensation in respect of one case from the Supreme Court Group and one High Court case on Circuit. The amount of any compensation that may be paid for these two cases is unknown at present and no funds have been earmarked for this purpose.

  Tribunal System
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the terms of reference of the inquiry by Sir Andrew Leggatt into the tribunal system. [124879]

  Mr. Lock
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave to the hon. Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Mr. Fitzpatrick) on 18 May 2000,Official Report, columns 206–07W.

  Magistrates Courts (Wales)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates courts closed in Wales in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [125559]

  Jane Kennedy
  Three Magistrates courts closed in Wales in 1995; three in 1996; five in 1997; one in 1998; and none in 1999. Earlier data are not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The Government's policy is that the administration of magistrates courts is best decided locally. It is for each Magistrates Courts Committee to decide how best to deploy its resources, in order to carry out its statutory responsibility to provide an efficient and effective service to court users. Decisions concerning the location and number of magistrates courts in their area are for the relevant Courts Committee to determine.

  Performance Indicators
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on how each of the agencies and non-departmental bodies relating to his Department performed against their key performance indicators in(a) the last year and (b) the previous two years. [125331]
  521W
  Mr. Lock
  A summary of the performance in 1998–1999 and 1997–98 for those agencies and executive NDPBs for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible is shown in the table. A more detailed explanation of their achievements can be found in the respective published Annual Reports. Finalised performance figures for last year will be published in the Annual Reports for 1999–2000 which will shortly be laid before Parliament.

  Summary of performance against key performance indicators

  Target achieved or not achieved

  1998–99

  1997–98

  Agency/Key performance indicator

  Court Service

  The average percentage of Charter standards achieved

  1n/a

  Achieved

  The quality of service provided to Court users

  Achieved

  1n/a

  The percentage of administrative work in the civil courts dealt with within target time

  Achieved

  Achieved

  The percentage of defendants in the Crown Court whose trial begins within the waiting time target

  1n/a

  Achieved

  The percentage of Crown Court cases that commence within target

  Not Achieved

  1n/a

  The unit cost of an item of originating process in the Crown Court

  Achieved

  Achieved

  The unit cost of an item of originating process in the civil courts

  Not Achieved

  Not Achieved

  The percentage of the cost of the civil courts recovered through fees

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Public Trust Office

  To bring to account x per cent. of receipts and payment transactions within turnaround targets

  Achieved

  Achieved

  To pay on special rate accounts an annual rate at or above the average of the agreed comparator; and to pay at least 75 per cent. of that rate on basic rate accounts

  Achieved

  Achieved

  That x per cent. of all funds which have a Dedicated Investment Portfolio will have a formal investment review

  Achieved

  1n/a

  On an annual basis, to ensure 85 per cent. of measured funds perform in line or better than their model based stock market indices

  2n/a

  Not Achieved

  On a three year rolling basis, to ensure that 80 per cent. of all measured funds perform in line or better than their model based on stock market indices

  2n/a

  Not Achieved

  To achieve 98 per cent. of Charter Standards

  Not Achieved

  Not Achieved

  The unit per cost to be £x

  Not Achieved

  Achieved

  The recovery of full costs

  Achieved

  Achieved

  522W

  Summary of performance against key performance indicators

  Target achieved or not achieved

  1998–99

  1997–98

  Key performance indicator

  Public Record Office

  Reduction in unit cost of selecting and preserving the public records per metre

  Achieved

  1n/a

  Reduction in unit cost of giving access to records per information transaction

  Achieved

  1n/a

  To reduce the backlog of records in departments reported as being over 30 years old and awaiting review

  Achieved

  Achieved

  To increase the proportion of records stored to the preservation and environmental standards recommended by BS 5454

  Achieved

  Achieved

  To reduce the running costs of the Office's support services as a proportion of overall running costs

  Achieved

  Achieved

  To meet Charter Standard targets for answering letters, delivering documents to users and reprographic services

  Achieved

  1n/a

  In user satisfaction surveys: to achieve assessments of 'excellent' on 56 per cent. of survey forms returned

  Achieved

  1n/a

  Performance in achieving specific milestone targets

  To carry out the agency review of the Office and to implement its agreed recommendations to the required timetable

  1n/a

  Achieved

  To increase revenue by 13 per cent. against the 1996–97 target

  1n/a

  Achieved

  To extend the Office's opening hours by 29 per cent.

  1n/a

  Achieved

  To implement the recommendations of the Scoping Study of records management in government to the timetable established

  Achieved

  1n/a

  To increase revenue by 3.3 per cent. against the 1997–98 target

  Achieved

  1n/a

  To produce a new edition of the PRO Guide

  Achieved

  1n/a

  HM Land Registry

  Percentage return on average capital employed

  Achieved

  Achieved

  External Financing Limit

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Cost per unit in real terms

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Cost per unit in cash terms

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Percentage of office copy and official search applications processed within two working days and

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Percentage of office copies and official search applications processed within three working days

  Achieved

  1n/a

  Time taken to process all pre-completion applications

  2n/a

  Achieved

  Percentage of all registrations processed within 25 working days

  Not Achieved

  Achieved

  Percentage of registrations processed free of any error

  Achieved

  Achieved

  523W

  Summary of performance against key performance indicators

  Target achieved or not achieved

  1998–99

  1997–98

  Percentage of customers responding to the Annual Survey who perceive the accuracy of registrations to be excellent or good

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Percentage of computerised titles in the land register

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Percentage of computerised title plans in the land register

  Not Achieved

  Achieved

  Number of scanned pages of filed documents (millions)

  Achieved

  Achieved

  Bring into force provisions of the Land Registration Act 1997 introducing new 'triggers' for compulsory first registration

  1n/a

  Not Achieved

  Implementation of concessionary fees under the Land Registration Act 1997

  Achieved

  1n/a

  Number of Direct Access account holders at the end of the year

  Not Achieved

  Achieved

  Implementation and evaluation of the National Land Information System Pilot

  Achieved

  1n/a

  Executive NDPBs/Commentary on performance in 1997–98 and 1998–993

  Legal Aid Board4

  The Board has 17 operational performance targets. In 1997–98 it met or exceeded 15 of its targets. In 1998–99, the Board's performance fell slightly and only 10 targets were met or exceeded. This drop in performance was expected as work in each of the Board's area offices was disrupted during the phased implementation of the Board's new computer strategy, the Corporate Information System (CIS). Prior to implementation, each area office was meeting or exceeding the targets. Following the successful implementation of CIS, performance recovered and stabilised. New and more challenging targets for some types of work were set for 1999–2000.

  1 Target not applicable to this year

  2 Not applicable as target discontinued

  3 Only active executive NDPBs are listed. Advisory NDPBs are not set Key Performance Indicators in the same way

  4 The Legal Services Commission replaced the Legal Aid Board on 1 April 2000

WALES

  New Deal (Over-50s)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the New Deal for the over 50s; and if he will make a statement. [125562]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet the First Secretary on a weekly basis to discuss a variety of issues including the New Deal for over 50s, which is a UK Government scheme. The national roll-out of the New Deal for over 50s was launched on 3 April this year at Merthyr College by the Prime Minister, although a pilot has been in operation in Flintshire and Wrexham since October 1999. Early indicators suggest that the programme will benefit 524W
  Wales and the 50-plus jobseeking community. The Employment Service will be releasing statistical information on New Deal 50 plus in September.

  Airbus A3XX
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the application for £25 million RSA grant from the Wales Assembly to the Airbus A3XX project; and if he will make a statement. [125600]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet the First Secretary on a regular weekly basis and we discuss a wide range of issues including the Airbus A3XX project. I understand the Company has submitted a new application with a new cast for £25 million RSA. This is entirely a matter for the Assembly and I know that it will give the application full consideration and make a decision based on sound economic analysis and a set of fixed criteria.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning the application by Airbus UK for £503 million repayable launch investment for the A3XX project; and if he will make a statement. [125601]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular discussions with my Whitehall colleagues and we discuss a wide range of issues including the A3XX project. I was pleased to learn of the £530 million Launch Investment decision. It is good news for the UK and the plant at Broughton.

  Assisted Areas Map
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the assisted area status map as it concerns the constituency of Alyn and Deeside and the county of Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [125603]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Assisted Areas map is a matter for the UK Government, but I have, of course, discussed the designation of Welsh areas with the First Secretary. I have also met with a delegation from Flintshire county council to hear their concern first hand.

  The Government are still in discussion with the European Commission and are pressing for early approval of the Assisted Areas map. Within the framework set by the European Commission, all concerned have tried to include, so far as possible revised proposals reflecting local and national priorities. The Government will make an announcement when the map is approved.

  Shotton Steelworks
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning the future of the Shotton Steelworks and the impact of the strength of sterling; and if he will make a statement. [125602]
  525W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I am in close contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding all aspects of the steel industry. I have also met representatives from the Corns Group plc and from the ISTC and discussed a range of issues with both.

  The Government understand the difficulties that the current fall in the euro is causing for British industry. In a wider international context, it is clear that the problem is one of Euro weakness rather than sterling strength. Recently the pound depreciated to a six-year low against the dollar.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Staff Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in(a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123427]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 24 May 2000]Secondments and attachments are part of the Government's approach to interchange which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: voluntary, public and private. Interchange is a key component of the Government's agenda for Civil Service reform.

  Secondments from DfEE to other organisations generally last between three months and three years. The number of secondments from the DfEE to private sector companies, beginning in the years since May 1997, were:

  Grade

  Dates of secondment

  Private sector company

  May 1997 to April 1998: 4

  SEO

  12 January 1998–31 August 2000

  The Football Association

  HEO

  2 February 1998–24 June 1998

  The Football Association

  HEO

  14 April 1998–31 March 2000

  New Millennium Experience

  HEO

  16 March 1998–15 March 1999

  Birks Sinclair and Associates Ltd.

  May 1998 to April 1999: 16

  SCS(5)

  1 January 1999–31 July 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  Grade 6

  1 February 1999–1 November 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  Grade 7

  10 November 1998–9 November 2001

  Capita RAS

  Grade 7

  23 October 1998–1 November 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  Grade 7

  1 April 1999–31 October 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  Grade 7

  10 December 1998–31 January 2000

  Glaxo Wellcome

  Grade 7

  24 February 1999–27 August 1999

  UFI Ltd.

  SEO

  1 April 1999–31 March 2002

  UFI Ltd.

  SEO

  29 March 1999–1 September 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  SEO

  1 February 1999–31 January 2002

  UFI Ltd.

  SEO

  12 April 1999–11 April 2001

  UFI Ltd.

  HEO

  1 April 1999–1 October 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  HEO

  6 April 1999–31 March 2001

  UFI Ltd.

  IO

  18 May 1998–17 May 1999

  Bell Pottinger Good Relations Co. Ltd.

  HEO

  1 April 1999–1 October 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  EO

  22 February 1999–21 August 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  526W

  Grade

  Dates of secondment

  Private sector company

  May 1999 to April 2000 5

  SCS(5)

  1 September 1999–31 December 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  SCS(3)

  1 September 1999–26 June 1999

  UFI Ltd.

  HEO

  14 June 1999–12 June 2001

  UFI ltd.

  HEO

  1 July 1999–30 June 2002

  UFI Ltd.

  HEO

  4 May 1999–31 December 2000

  UFI Ltd.

  Notes:

  SCS—Senior Civil Service (formerly Civil Service grade 3 and 5)

  SEO—Senior Executive Officer

  HEO—Higher Executive Officer

  IO—Information Officer

  EO—Executive Officer

  New Deal
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the New Deal on employment in(a) Lancashire, (b) the North-West Region and (c) Burnley. [123556]

  Ms Jowell
  3,971 young people in Lancashire had found work through the New Deal by the end of March 2000. The equivalent figures for the North-West and Burnley are 30,921 and 260 respectively.

  It is likely to prove difficult to assess the impact of New Deal on specific localities. Independent evaluation at national level has, however, shown that New Deal helps people leave unemployment more quickly and has increased employment, and reduced unemployment, by more than would otherwise have happened. It has also suggested that the programme will be close to self-financing.

  With the help of New Deal, long-term youth unemployment has been virtually eliminated. Since April 1998 the number of 18–24 year olds claiming JSA for more than a year has fallen from 400 to 50 in Lancashire, from 6,700 to 800 in the North-West and from 12 to two in Burnley.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he is taking to alert school leavers to the availability of New Deal options. [123878]

  Ms Jowell
  General information about New Deal and the options is available to school leavers through the Careers Service. There are, however, no plans to promote options in any detail to this group as we hope that they will move into work before they become eligible to join New Deal through the help and advice offered either by the Careers Service or by the Employment Service.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has(a) carried out and (b) commissioned into the reasons for which people leave the unemployment register while remaining unemployed instead of entering the New Deal Gateway. [123880]

  Ms Jowell
  Young people leave Jobseeker's Allowance at all stages of their unemployment duration and not just at the point of joining New Deal. Information on the reasons for leaving Jobseeker's Allowance by duration of unemployment is published monthly by the Office for National Statistics in Labour Market Trends.
  527W
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what help is given to prisoners on leaving prison to enter the New Deal Gateway; and if this help is monitored; [123879]

  (2) if discharged remand prisoners, are given help to enter the New Deal Gateway. [123881]

  Ms Jowell
  Unemployed offenders and discharged remand prisoners have equal access to employment, training and education and are able to count the period of detention towards the qualifying period for Employment Service programmes. They may enter New Deal from the first day after being released.

  Separate management information is not collected on the number of offenders who enter ES programmes, so monitoring of progress overall cannot be undertaken nationally. However, the progress of individuals may be monitored locally by the Employment Service and Probation Service as part of working in partnership with each other.

  To help with the transition from custody to employment, the Employment Service have developed a National Framework Document that assists agencies to establish and develop local agreements. The National Framework has been developed in close working partnership with the Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Benefits Agency and the TEC National Council. Local agreements ensure that offenders are aware of employment, training and education opportunities open to them and their responsibility to find work.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in each month since April 1997 were unemployed for over six months but were excluded from the claimant count because they were undertaking a New Deal Option, broken down into those aged(a) 18 to 24 and (b) under 18 or over 24 years. [125179]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]Since the national roll out of New Deal in January 1998, 163,800 young people have started New Deal options. The claimant count includes only those persons claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. People undertaking a New Deal option are not in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance and are therefore, by definition, not included in the count.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people who have completed the New Deal once have(a) re-entered the gateway to New Deal for a second time and (b) gone onto a second New Deal option. [125180]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 9 June 2000]In the period ending March 2000, 34,870 young people had re-entered the New Deal Gateway. Of these, 10,170 had started a New Deal option.

  Specialist School Status
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications for specialist school status have been received for the current bidding round(a) nationally and (b) in the Eastern Region. [124891]
  528W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  In the March 2000 Technology and Language College competition, 77 applications were received, of which nine were from schools located in the Eastern region. In the June 2000 Arts and Sports competition, 113 applications have been received, including 23 from the Eastern region.

  Jobcentres
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a jobcentre; [124667]

  (2) what percentage of the population lives (a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from a job centre in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas. [124671]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Caroline Flint, dated 12 June 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the distances people live from a Jobcentre and the definition of a reasonable distance when determining access to a Jobcentre. These are issues which fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  I am afraid that we do not collect information about the distances at which jobseekers, or the population more generally, live from their nearest Jobcentre. However, with over 1000 Jobcentres nationwide, very many people will live within 3 miles of the one nearest to them.
  As to the definition of a "reasonable distance", it may be helpful to explain that jobseekers are normally required by regulations made under the Jobseeker's Act 1995 to attend a Jobcentre in person each fortnight in order to confirm that they are available and actively seeking work and that their circumstances have remained unchanged. Where, however, a jobseeker lives more than one hour, by public transport (in either direction), from their nearest Jobcentre; or if their attendance would result in an absence from home of more than four hours; or if they have a mental or physical disability which restricts their mobility, then they will be offered the opportunity to have their claims dealt with by post.
  In addition Jobcentre Managers may also exercise discretion in offering this facility to other jobseekers, even if their journey is possible within the time limits set out above, in circumstances where it would be unreasonable to expect a jobseeker to attend; for example, where they would have to use a form of transport which they could not be expected to use on a fortnightly basis, such as an Intercity train, a ferry or a plane.

  National Childcare Strategy
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places under the National Childcare Strategy Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership have been provided in the Colchester constituency; what plans he has to extend the scheme in the Colchester constituency; and if he will make a statement. [125074]
  529W
  Ms Hodge
  Essex Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership reported that there were 20 new out of school child care places created in the Colchester constituency during 1999–2000. The Partnership also reported that 215 new childminder places were created in the Colchester borough during 1999–2000. Childminder places are not broken down to constituency level.

  The Essex Early Years Development and Childcare Plan includes plans to create a total of 2,650 new child care places across the county in 2000–01. The Plan sets out arrangements for involving Area Partnerships which cover district and borough council areas in Essex in planning places at a local level. (The North East Essex Area Partnership covers Colchester and Tendring).

  Teaching Assistants
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to expand the availability of training places for classroom teaching assistants in(a) Staffordshire and (b) England. [125146]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are making available to local education authorities in England £350 million over three years to recruit and train an additional 20,000 teaching assistants by 2002. In addition, we are providing Standards Funds to support the training of more experienced teaching assistants, so that they may develop their skills and further their careers. Staffordshire has received £2.109 million for this purpose in 2000–01.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what instructions and guidance have been issued to jobcentres in connection with the admissibility of job advertisements referring to the application, enthusiasm or capacity of potential applicants, in connection with their obligation to comply with disability and other equal opportunities legislation. [125400]

  Ms Jowell
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 12 June 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the instructions and guidance given to Jobcentres in the administration of job advertisements, in connection with their obligation to comply with disability and other equal opportunities legislation. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Guidance to Jobcentre staff instructs them that job advertisements should avoid language that might unfairly discriminate against groups of unemployed jobseekers.
  However, all Jobcentres have now been reminded that terms such as "hard working", "enthusiastic", and "reliable" are normal descriptions, which can be freely used in vacancy advertisements. We have also asked Jobcentre staff to apply common sense and accept an employer's wording, unless it would be clearly inappropriate to do so.
  530W
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many limited jobseeker's agreements for disabled people and people suffering long-term illness were in force in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date. [125402]

  Ms Jowell
  Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations allow people with physical and mental health problems to restrict their availability in any way providing the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their condition. Jobseekers agree any restrictions with advisers when they draw up their Jobseeker's Agreement when they first claim Jobseeker's Allowance. By detecting health problems at an early stage we can help jobseekers who may be entitled to alternative benefits; identify circumstances which may affect their attendance and offer any help or special arrangements that are needed.

  We do not hold information about how many jobseekers there are who place restrictions for the reasons about which the hon. Gentleman asks. Statistics are available on the number of claims referred to and decisions made by the adjudication authorities, now decision makers, where there is a doubt on availability because an unreasonable restriction has been identified.

  The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that since the introduction of Jobseeker's Allowance in October 1996, the number of decisions given by the adjudicating authorities on questions of restricted availability has reduced considerably. In the year from April 1995 to March 1996, 27,851 claims were disallowed because of restrictions placed on claimant's availability. In the year to April 1997 only 17,243 disallowances were recorded. The figures for 1997–98, were 14,273; for 1998–99, were 8,627; and for year ending April 2000, were 7,906. These reductions reflect not only the fall in numbers of unemployed but the way in which Jobseeker's Allowance is underpinned by an individually tailored Jobseeker's Agreement for each client taking into account their personal circumstances.

  This information, together with statistics on the other adjudication officer and decision makers decisions and disallowance rates, is contained in a published document entitled "Analysis of Adjudication Officers Decisions". This provides information on all main entitlement questions arising on claims. The latest information relates to the quarter ending March 2000.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on developments in reaching a common European Union approach towards improvement of the condition of disabled people as regards access to(a) employment, (b) services and (c) premises, indicating where appropriate the policy of the UK Government and the balance between common Community policy and subsidiarity of national decision-making. [124948]

  Ms Hodge
  Article 13 of the European Community Treaty empowers the European Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission, and after consulting the European Parliament, to take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on disability. On 25 November 1999 the European
  531W
  Commission published a proposal under Article 13 for a framework directive dealing with discrimination in employment and training on grounds which included disability. The UK welcomes proposals under Article 13 to improve the condition of disabled people in the European Union. The framework directive on employment and training, which is currently being negotiated, will set out the broad principles to be achieved, but will leave implementation to individual member states. The UK Government are seeking to secure certain changes to the drafting of the proposed directive to meet the approach and framework developed on disability discrimination in the United Kingdom. The Commission has not put forward any legislative proposals relating to the provision of services or access to premises for people with disabilities.

  School Sixth Forms
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) each local authority with more than three 11 to 18 years schools whose sixth forms contain 50 pupils or fewer and (b) each local authority with more than four 11 to 18 years schools whose sixth forms contain 100 pupils or fewer. [124693]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The requested information follows.

  Final figures on maintained secondary schools with sixth forms will be published in the Annual Statistical Volume "Statistics of Education: Schools in England (2000 edition)" in September.
  Local education authority areas in England with four or more maintained secondary schools who have sixth forms of 50 pupils or fewer1
  position as at January 2000 (provisional)

  Birmingham

  Bristol, City of

  Gloucestershire

  Hertfordshire

  Hillingdon

  Kent

  Leeds

  Lincolnshire

  Liverpool

  Nottinghamshire

  1 Derived from returns made by schools (Annual Schools' Census January 2000)
  532W
  Local education authority areas in England with five or more maintained secondary schools who have sixth forms of 100 pupils or fewer1

  Position as at January 2000 (provisional)

  Bexley

  Birmingham

  Bristol, City of

  Buckinghamshire

  Cheshire

  Coventry

  Cumbria

  Derby

  Durham

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Haringey

  Hertfordshire

  Hillingdon

  Kent

  Kingston upon Thames

  Leeds

  Lincolnshire

  Liverpool

  Norfolk

  Northamptonshire

  Nottinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Southend-on-Sea

  Staffordshire

  Surrey

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  1 Derived from returns made by schools (Annual Schools' Census January 2000)

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in each year since May 1997. [125687]

  Mr. Wills
  Department for Education and Employment expenditure on advertising since May 1997 is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1997–98

  9,992,350

  1998–99

  15,673,258

  1999–2000

  11,900,968

  Agricultural Buildings and Council Tax
  Agricultural Buildings and Council Tax
  Council of the European Union: Rules of Procedure
  Council of the European Union: Rules of Procedure
  Goods Vehicles: Penaltiies
  Goods Vehicles: Penaltiies
  Goods Vehicles: Notifications to Health and Safety Executive
  Goods Vehicles: Notifications to Health and Safety Executive
  Midwives: Use of Green Warning Beacon
  Midwives: Use of Green Warning Beacon
  European Structural Funds: Private Sector Involvement
  European Structural Funds: Private Sector Involvement
  Wind Power: Research
  Wind Power: Research
  Northern Ireland: Transport Spending
  Northern Ireland: Transport Spending
  Prostitutes' Cards in Phone Boxes
  Prostitutes' Cards in Phone Boxes
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
  HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
  Remembrance Sunday: Cenotaph Ceremony
  Remembrance Sunday: Cenotaph Ceremony
  Gaza EU Hospital
  Gaza EU Hospital
  Human Rights Policy
  Human Rights Policy
  Sierra Leone: Child Soldiers
  Sierra Leone: Child Soldiers
  Council of Europe Ministerial Meetings: UK Representation
  Council of Europe Ministerial Meetings: UK Representation
  Joint Entry Clearance Unit
  Joint Entry Clearance Unit