Written Answers of 21 June 2000

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Corruption and Bribery
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which British companies involved in the Ilisu Dam project are involved in the trial concerning bribery and corruption in Lesotho; and if he will make a statement. [127079]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]As has already been reported in the press, Balfour Beatty, one of the companies involved in a bribery trial in Lesotho, is bidding for work on the proposed Ilisu Dam project in Turkey.

  It would be inappropriate to comment on specific allegations against British firms, which are a matter for the appropriate courts.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what formal procedures are in place in the event of companies in receipt of ECGD support(a) being charged with corruption and (b) having allegations of corruption made against them. [127082]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]ECGD's audit services would normally investigate any case, in either category, where there are grounds for believing that the Exchequer's interest might be prejudiced as a result of alleged corrupt practices.

  ECGD will shortly be introducing new procedures to the OECD Bribery Convention aimed at further deterring corrupt practices.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken concerning recent allegations of bribery and corruption on the part of British companies in Lesotho. [127080]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]The Government share international concern at all allegations of corruption. It would, however, be inappropriate to comment on specific allegations against UK firms which are a matter, in this instance, for the Lesotho courts. The Government will, if asked, co-operate fully in any way that it can.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the directors of UK companies banned from World bank contracts who are directors of companies in receipt of ECGD support; and if he will list the relevant companies. [127085]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]The World bank last updated their list of ineligible firms on 29 February 2000. ECGD has no record of having provided support to any of the firms on that list.
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  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what staff he has in post to check for corruption relating to ECGD- backed projects. [127083]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]ECGD policy makes it clear that all staff have a part to play in minimising the risks of corruption and malpractice by remaining alert to such possibilities and by developing and maintaining effective controls to reduce these risks. Additionally there is an Internal Audit Department of seven who have responsibility for investigating any suspected cases of corruption relating to ECGD backed projects.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if guidelines to prevent corruption will be included in the forthcoming recommendations for the ECGD's Mission and Status. [127084]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]The review of ECGD's Mission and Status is ongoing and I cannot comment on the outcome of the review until it is complete. It is looking at what ECGD's future role should be and, as I stressed when I announced the review last July, will consider carefully how ECGD can better help the Government to meet their wider objectives. I expect Ministers to determine necessary changes to ECGD's Mission in the next month or so. A report of the review will be published.

  Post Offices (Benefits Agency Business)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payments were made to post offices in each of the last five years for undertaking Benefits Agency business in(a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency. [124713]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that details of payments made to post offices in respect of business undertaken for the Benefits Agency are contractual matters and as such commercially confidential.

  Trade Partners UK
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the recent performance of British Trade International; and what are its(a) performance criteria and (b) annual budget. [126751]

  Mr. Caborn
  British Trade International's services for trade development and promotion are now delivered under the single brand name of Trade Partners UK. As I announced last month, British Trade International is also the umbrella body for the Invest in Britain Bureau which will work alongside Trade Partners UK.

  Trade Partners UK was launched nationally on 31 May 2000, and replaces the various promotional brands that have been used in the past. The services available to firms will be easier to access and more effective. A new electronic gateway provides internet access to all basic information on international markets and business sectors, and an electronic inquiry service. Trade Partners UK will continue to work in partnership with other Government Departments, devolved administrations and regional bodies.
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  Trade Partners UK's aim is to enhance the competitiveness of Britain's companies through overseas sales and investments. Trade development and promotion objectives have been published in both the Foreign Office's Departmental Report and the Department of Trade and Industry's Government Expenditure Plans.

  In the period 1999–2000, these objectives were achieved with, for example, a customer satisfaction rate of 89 per cent. and more businesses (especially SMEs) being encouraged to take an active and professional approach to exporting as a result of assistance provided.

  Detailed performance criteria for Trade Partners UK's future activities are in development. These will be in place by April 2001.

  British Trade International's annual budget for its Trade Partners UK activities consists of three elements. In round figures these are:
  about £67 million for programme expenditure;
  about £90 million (net of certain overheads) currently devoted to running costs (staff) in overseas posts;
  about £30 million currently devoted to running costs in the UK (the headquarters in London and the English regional operations). About £28 million of the funding is provided by DTI, the balance by the FCO.
  These figures exclude funding for the Invest in Britain Bureau.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the cost of establishing Trade Partners UK. [126753]

  Mr. Caborn
  It cost £250,000 to develop the Trade Partners UK brand. Further costs of promoting and developing customer awareness of the new brand and the services we offer are being met by redirecting marketing effort that would in any case have been spent on promoting our services.

  A3XX
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of launch aid has been provided by his Department for the Airbus A3XX; to how many sets of components the launch aid applies; and how many jobs he estimates will be created as a result of the launch aid. [127158]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 13 March 2000,Official Report, column 9W, that the Government would provide £530 million of launch investment to BAE Systems to help them develop the wings for the A3XX. We estimate this project will create 22,000 new jobs (8,000 in BAE Systems and supply companies, and 14,000 new induced employment) and safeguard a further 62,000 jobs (20,000 on current Airbus programmes and 42,000 in induced employment).

  Employment Relations Act 1999
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will use section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 to give ministers of religion the same employment rights as other employees. [126879]
  186W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are committed to carrying out full public consultation before exercising the power in section 23, which allows the Secretary of State to confer existing employment rights on categories of individuals who currently fall outside their coverage. The issue of rights for ministers of religion is one of those on which we intend to seek views in the consultation document.

  Foreign-based Commercial Staff
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many commercial staff and at what grades his Department employs in(a) Kazakhstan, (b) Uzbekistan, (c) Turkmenistan, (d) Tajikistan and (e) Kyrgystan. [R] [126433]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Commercial staff overseas are employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as part of the unified FCO/DTI British Trade International operation. Staff in British Trade International's UK operation are primarily employed by the Department of Trade and Industry. We have no representation in Tajikistan or Kyrgystan. Details of commercial staffing in the other countries are (a) Kazakhstan—the equivalent of 2.68 staff (including a DTI officer on loan), (b) Uzbekistan—the equivalent of 2.65 staff and (c) Turkmenistan—the equivalent of 1.95 staff. The staff involved in commercial work vary in grades. These totals are a reflection of the total time spent by both UK based and locally engaged staff over a year. They reflect the combined efforts of several staff at each post on commercial work.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Imports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of(a) organic foods, (b) bottled drinking water, (c) parsnips and (d) yoghurt consumed in the UK are imported. [126323]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]It is estimated that about(a) 70 per cent. of organic foods, (b) 35 per cent. of mineral water, and (d) 15 per cent. of yoghurt consumed in the UK are imported. Statistics on imports of parsnips are not separately available.

  Animal By-products
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to minimise skip lorry movements of animal products for final disposal between farms. [125167]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 June 2000]None. The transport and disposal of animal by-products are already controlled by the Animal By-Products Order 1999. The Order is enforced by local authorities.

  Confectionery Manufacturing
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact on British confectionery manufacturing of the
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  European Commission's decision to suspend the payment of refunds payable on the export of non-Annex 1 products. [124769]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 June 2000]From 8 May this year the European Commission temporarily suspended the issue of further refund certificates, required for refund payments on the export of non-Annex 1 products. Special provision has been made for small traders to ensure that they are unaffected by the suspension. This suspension reflects the Commission's concern about the value of claims made so far in the current year compared to budgetary limits.

  For the British confectionery manufacturing industry this could result in a shortfall in the current budget year of some £4.7 million from the previous year's export refund receipt of £18.5 million, if certificates remain suspended until the end of the budget year in October. The UK confectionery industry exports products worth some £300 million per year to non-EU destinations, and it is these exports that will be affected by suspension.

  Discussions with the Commission are continuing at official and at ministerial level to secure a solution that will minimise the impact for all exporting industries affected by the suspension.

  Milk
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to promote the consumption of fresh milk in schools. [125790]

  Ms Quin
  The Government have already taken action via the Intervention Board to draw the attention of schools and local education authorities to the existence of the EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme and to simplify its operations. The Intervention Board has also recently issued a questionnaire to all claimant organisations in England and Wales seeking further suggestions for improvements to the administration of the scheme.

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to assist the promotion of the sale of fresh milk. [125791]

  Ms Quin
  In response to calls from representatives of dairy farmers the Government widened the remit of the Milk Development Council (MDC) to allow it to engage in the generic promotion of milk. The MDC's first marketing campaign for fresh milk, funded jointly by producers and processors, commenced on 19 June.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the basis and source of data of the Intervention Board calculations of milk production; and what representations he has received as to their accuracy. [125775]

  Ms Quin
  The monthly, wholesale, butterfat-adjusted, milk production figures calculated by the Intervention Board are based on monthly returns submitted to the Intervention Board by all approved milk purchasers, as required by regulation 28(2) of the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1997, as amended.
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  The Intervention Board has received a number of representations over time about the accuracy of the milk production figures and, in response to such inquiries, has explained that the figures are subject to amendment and should not be regarded as definitive. It is made clear in the accompanying notes that the figures are issued only as a guide to trends in milk production and for comparison against a calculated milk quota profile. Those using the figures, particularly in reaching commercial decisions relating to milk quota or milk production, are advised to take account of the limitations, which are set out in some detail.

  Farm Diversification
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) advice and (b) financial assistance is available to farmers to help them diversify their work; and if he will make a statement. [125949]

  Mr. Morley
  We will launch a new Rural Enterprise Scheme which will include grant aid for farm diversification once we receive approval from the European Commission for the England Rural Development Plan.

  Under the Action Plan for Farming we will also produce a new booklet on farm diversification and intend to provide free advice on planning to successful applicants to the Rural Enterprise Scheme.

  Farm Animal Welfare
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to persuade his European Union partners to give a high priority during negotiations to revise WTO rules ensuring that the EU can maintain and improve its standards of farm animal welfare; and if he will make a statement. [126514]

  Ms Quin
  The conclusions of the EU Agriculture Council on 27 September 1999 and the General Affairs Council on 25 October 1999 committed the EU to taking forward the issue of farm animal welfare in the WTO negotiations. The UK has been a strong support of this commitment, which was reinforced by the Prime Minister in his Action Plan for Farming, published on 30 March 2000, and we will be seeking to take it forward in the negotiations on agriculture which have now started.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 16 June; and if he will make a statement. [127182]

  Mr. Morley
  The Fisheries Council met in Luxembourg on 16 June. I led the UK delegation, accompanied by John Home Robertson, Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs in the Scottish Executive.

  The Commission presented its mid-term review of the Multi Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP) IV, which will now go for further study. I made clear that I could not accept the cuts in the UK fleet suggested by the Commission. In particular, effort control must be retained. However, the need to bring capacity into better balance with available stocks remained, and I welcome the Commission's plans for a public consultation this autumn

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  on successor arrangements to MAGP IV. Stricter MAGP limits should be applied in member states offering construction grants for new vessels.

  The Council adopted a report on the integration of environmental concerns into the Common Fisheries Policy for submission to the European Council and agreed on new arrangements for the collection of biological and economic data on the industry. I, together with German and Belgian colleagues, succeeded in insisting that these should not be unnecessarily burdensome. We raised the issue of unregulated international fishing for haddock off Rockall and with support from a number of member states pressed the Commission to seek early action through the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission.

  I welcomed a statement from Commissioner Fischler on the need for member states to take action to reduce cetacean bycatches in EU waters. I also welcomed the Commission's report on the pilot stage of Regional Workshops, which helpfully bring together fishermen, scientists and administrators to consider improvements in the management of particular fisheries.

  Commissioner Fischler reported on the latest state of play on negotiations on a new EU-Morocco Agreement. The Council had an initial discussion on responsibility for the enforcement of Regional Fisheries Organisation responsibilities. A revised Total Allowable Catch for anchovies was agreed.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Free Votes
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make it the Government's policy that in each instance where the majority of the House is in favour of legislation and where the Government are neutral on the issue in question, it will put forward appropriate legislation, provide time for debate and permit a free vote on specific issues. [126084]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Governments are elected on the basis of their Manifestos, which will always contain a number of commitments requiring legislation. It is right that Manifesto commitments should have priority. Other legislative needs are identified by Government and examined on a case-by-case basis. Although parliamentary time is limited, there have always been occasions when the Government has found time for matters on which it is itself neutral.

  Appointments Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if the Appointments Commission will make it its policy to give unsuccessful applicants for membership of the House of Lords reasons why their applications failed. [126832]

  Mrs. Beckett
  This is a matter for the Appointments Commission.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council who provides the secretariat supporting the Appointments Commission; and how many persons are employed in it. [126835]
  190W
  Mrs. Beckett
  The Appointments Commission is supported by a Secretariat who are either members of, or on loan to, the Cabinet Office. The Commission has yet to determine its final requirement for staff.

  The same staffing arrangement applies to other independent bodies such as the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if applicants for membership of the House of Lords are to receive a specification from the Appointments Commission setting out the qualities and abilities expected in successful applicants. [126836]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that it is the Commission's intention to be exceedingly open in its procedures. The issue of a person specification would be consistent with that approach.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the scheduled dates of meetings of the Appointments Commission in 2000. [126834]

  Mrs. Beckett
  This is a matter for the Commission.

  I understand, however, that the schedule of meetings has not yet been finalised.

DEFENCE

  Boeing C17
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is over the whole life of the contract for the lease of the four Boeing C17 aircraft; and if it includes maintenance for the aircraft. [125437]

  Mr. Hoon
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 21 June 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what the total cost is over the whole life of the contract for the lease for the four C17 aircraft; and if it includes maintenance for the aircraft. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The exact contract price is commercially confidential. In broad terms, however, we expect the overall cost to be in the order of £500M, which costs include maintenance of the aircraft.

  Permanent Secretary (Official Visits)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the visits outside the UK made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [127135]

  Dr. Moonie
  The MOD's Permanent Secretary has made the following visits outside the UK on official business since 1 January 1999.
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  Date

  Venue

  Purpose

  1999

  5–7 February

  Munich, Germany

  Wehrkunde security conference

  25–26 February

  Bonn, Germany

  Talks on european defence and bilateral issues

  24 March-2 April

  Pakistan and India

  UK/Pakistan Defence Cooperation Forum

  UK/Indian Defence Consultative Group

  12–13 May

  Ploce, Macedonia

  Visiting UK forces, and bilateral discussions

  3 June

  Brussels, Belgium

  Discussions at NATO Headquarters

  7–8 June

  Ankara, Turkey

  Talks on European defence and bilateral issues

  20 July

  Paris, France

  Talks on European defence and bilateral issues

  2–3 August

  Bosnia and Croatia

  Visiting UK forces

  1–2 September

  Copenhagen, Denmark

  Conference of Northern Defence Permanent Secretaries

  18–19 October

  Rome, Italy

  Talks on European defence and bilateral issues

  1–2 November

  Helsinki, Finland

  Talks on European defence and bilateral issues

  8–9 November

  Germany

  Visiting UK forces

  2000

  24–25 January

  Cyprus

  Visiting UK forces

  4–5 February

  Munich, Germany

  Wehrkunde security seminar

  15–16 March

  Berlin, Germany

  Chairing UK/German seminar

  11–12 March

  Oslo, Norway

  Talks on European defence and bilateral issues

  11–12 March

  Pristina, Kosovo

  Visiting UK forces, and other discussions

  MOD Buildings, Whitehall
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his proposals for refurbishing the MOD building in Whitehall, including the total cost of the refurbishment. [126677]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Pollard) on 17 May 2000,Official Report, columns 162–63W.

  Kosovo (Depleted Uranium)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has evaluated of health problems among service men deployed in Kosovo attributable to contact with depleted uranium. [125934]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have not received any reports evaluating or suggesting health problems among service personnel deployed in Kosovo attributable to contact with depleted uranium.

  Senegal (Chinooks)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision was taken to send Chinooks to Senegal in order to assist the deployment of troops; when the Chinooks left the United Kingdom; when they arrived in Senegal; and if he will make a statement. [126998]

  Mr. Hoon
  The decision to deploy Chinooks to Dakar in Senegal, which was designated as the Forward Mounting Base for the evacuation operation, was taken on Saturday 6 May. The Chinooks left the UK that day and flew to Dakar over the course of that weekend, arriving in the early morning of 8 May.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Hospitals
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to monitor cleanliness of hospital wards and operating theatres. [126918]
  192W
  Clare Short
  Our health programmes in developing countries work to improve the overall quality of health care provided, particularly for the poorest. Good hygiene practice and sterile operating conditions are important indicators of quality in service delivery.

  China Western Poverty Reduction Project
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to support the Qinghai component of the China Western Poverty Reduction Project. [126919]

  Clare Short
  The report by the Independent Inspection Panel into the China Western Poverty Reduction Project, and World Bank management's response to it, will be discussed at a World Bank Board meeting in early July 2000. We will be looking very carefully at the conclusions of the Inspection Panel Report, and management's response to it, in preparing our position for that board meeting.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Flaxmill, Shrewsbury
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the extent of repairs required to the Flaxmill in Shrewsbury. [125943]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I understand the building has been empty since 1987 and has a status of Grade A awarded by English Heritage. The repairs have been estimated to cost some £12.2 million.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the road traffic regulations to enable Class 3 vehicles to use bus lanes; and if he will make a statement. [126187]

  Mr. Hill
  I have no plans to amend regulations to permit Class 3 vehicles to access bus lanes.
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  The use of bus lanes by those vehicles, which are limited by Regulation to a maximum speed of 12.8 kph, would impede the flow of buses. That would clearly undermine the purpose of bus lanes which is to afford buses greater priority over other vehicles.

  There is also the question of safety. We would be extremely concerned about the safety of Class 3 users travelling in small, slow moving vehicles immediately in front of or behind some of the largest vehicles on our roads.

  Where Class 3 users consider that the road conditions are unsuitable for them to travel on the carriageway we would strongly recommend that they continue the journey on the footway where they can legally travel at up to 6.4 kph. We believe that is more appropriate than providing them with access to bus lanes.

  Rail Service (London-Liverpool)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Rail Regulator about the delays in boarding Liverpool trains at Euston Station. [126421]

  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director, not the Rail Regulator, is responsible for monitoring delays in the boarding of trains. The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the Franchising Director about delays in boarding Liverpool trains at Euston station.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the timekeeping of West Coast Main Line trains between Liverpool and Euston. [126422]

  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State has not received any representations about the timekeeping of West Coast Main Line trains between Liverpool and Euston. All trains on the West Coast Main Line have been subject to some delays due to the West Coast Main Line upgrade, but consequential amendments have been to the timetable and timekeeping has remained constant. The Franchising Director's publication 'On Track' (copies of which are available in the House Libraries) shows that 80.6 per cent. of West Coast Main Line trains arrived at their destination within 10 minutes of the advertised time in the year to 31 March 2000. This was an improvement on the 72.8 per cent. achieved in the previous year.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Rail Regulator on the timekeeping of West Coast Main Line services between Liverpool Lime Street and Euston. [126420]

  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director not the Rail Regulator is responsible for monitoring the timekeeping of trains. The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the Franchising Director about the timekeeping of West Coast Main Line services between Liverpool and Euston.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about delays in boarding Liverpool trains at Euston station. [126511]
  194W
  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State has received no representations relating specifically to delays in boarding trains to Liverpool at Euston station. Development work in connection with the West Coast Main Line upgrade has resulted in a number of platforms at Euston being closed between May and September of this year. The consequential shortage of platforms has meant that upon arrival trains unload passengers and are then cleaned and stored out of the immediate station area, returning to the departure platform shortly before departure time. This has resulted in reduced intervals between trains being available for loading and departure times but this is common to all services from Euston.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions took place at the Rail Summit about the timekeeping of West Coast Main Line services between Liverpool Lime Street and Euston. [126782]

  Mr. Hill
  Timekeeping of West Coast Main Line services between Liverpool Lime Street and Euston was not discussed at the Rail Summit.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it a condition when re-awarding the franchise for the West Coast Main Line that the level of on-board services between Liverpool Lime Street and Euston Station is improved. [126781]

  Mr. Hill
  The present franchise for the West Coast Main Line is not due to be replaced until 9 March 2012. The franchise, in common with all the other passenger rail franchises, does not contain any provisions stipulating what on-board services must be provided. It is not envisaged that there will be any such provisions in any of the replacement franchises.

  Sewage Works
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring system is in place to ensure that the precautions required by law when parties of school pupils or organised parties of adults visit water treatment or sewage works are taken. [126282]

  Mr. Meacher
  Employers in the water supply and sewage treatment industry have general duties placed upon them by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, visitors are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

  The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks arising from their undertaking to the health and safety of persons not in their employment. This includes members of the public.

  Risks to health, including biological risks, are also covered by the more specific requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999. They require the employer to carry out a risk assessment and where necessary to implement suitable measures to reduce the risk. This duty would extend to groups visiting the site.
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  The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the inspection of water treatment works and sewage works. Inspections of water treatment companies would include an assessment of their ability to manage and control risks, including, where appropriate, risks to the public.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of whether washing screens in the screen houses of sewage works with untreated effluent produces a local atmosphere containing biological agents of a hazardous nature. [126269]

  Mr. Meacher
  HSE has undertaken at least one local intervention to monitor levels of aerosols in a screen house and at visits to water treatment companies over the years has looked into the biological risks arising from the process and the way they are controlled.

  There are potentially hazardous micro-organisms in all sewage and a range of reasonably practicable precautions should be taken to control the risk.

  HSE made a number of recommendations including improved washing facilities, disposable overalls, respiratory protective equipment and improved ventilation. Although they had initially recommended the use of clean mains water or its equivalent for screen washing, they accepted that this was not reasonably practicable given the very large volumes used and the fact that a new secondary treatment works is being built and that biologically treated effluent will be available for screen washing from September 2000, with the plant being fully commissioned by the end of 2000.

  At a national level HSE works with the water industry's national trade body, Water UK, to help identify and resolve health and safety problems in the industry. Work has been carried out at national level on the microbiological risks from sewage, including those encountered at sewage treatment works. HSE produced guidance for employers and workers in 1995.

  Screens are usually washed with water which has been through the treatment process ("final effluent") which, while not of drinking-water quality, has fairly low levels of micro-organisms. However, where the treatment facilities are limited, as at Seafield, the water used will have higher levels of micro-organisms. The main risk is from ingestion/swallowing and from splashes on the skin and in the eyes. Aerosols containing micro-organisms are likely to be produced in screen houses from the general flow of sewage and also from the washing down of the screens. These aerosols can pose a risk to health from inhalation, depending on droplet size and the type and amount of micro-organisms present.

  Cycles
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of his Department's buildings display notices prohibiting the chaining of cycles to railings. [126410]

  Mr. Hill
  Only the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, displays such signs. This reflects the high security needs of the centre.

  Light and Noise Pollution
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish maps showing tranquil areas in respect of light and noise pollution. [126413]

  Mr. Hill
  In respect of noise, Birmingham City Council has recently produced an innovative noise map of the City with support from this Department. This has been published as a DETR report ("A report on the production of noise maps of the City of Birmingham"—ISBN 1–85112359–8). Copies are available in the House Library and on the DETR website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk/noisemaps/birmingham/report/index.htm).

  The question of extending this technique throughout the country both in urban areas and relatively quiet areas in the open country is actively being considered by the Government and in European fora. My hon. Friend may wish to be aware that the Council for the Protection of Rural England together with the Countryside Commission has published a "Tranquillity Map", identifying areas of England which are far enough away from visual or noise intrusion to be considered unspoilt by urban influences.

  There are no plans at this time to introduce mapping for light pollution.

  Dioxin
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) of 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 539W, on dioxin, if he will make a statement about the operation of his Department's Hazardous Air Pollutants Programme in East Sussex. [126258]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The Hazardous Air Pollutants Programme has no measuring station in East Sussex.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) of 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 539W, on dioxin, what assessment his Department has made of the geographical comprehensiveness of his Department's Hazardous Air Pollutants Programme; and if he will make a statement. [126257]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The Hazardous Air Pollutants Programme has made measurements of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Stevenage, Hazelrigg in Lancashire, High Muffles in the North Yorkshire Moors and Stoke Ferry in East Anglia in various years since 1991. It is making further measurements of PAH at Ashington, Bolsover, Glasgow, Holyhead, Kinlochleven, Lisburn, Newport (Gwent), Port Talbot and Scunthorpe. The first list of sites gives a good indication of levels of hazardous air pollutants across the UK as a whole, while the second list represents sites where levels might be expected to be higher than average.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) of 24 May 2000,Official Report,

  197W
  column 539W, on dioxin, what steps he has taken to publicise the website displaying the results of programmes which monitor dioxin levels; how many hits that website has received for each of the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what is the web address. [126259]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The Department's website that contains the results of all the Department's air quality measuring programmes is widely publicised in a variety of media. The number of hits on the pages containing the dioxin measurements were 2,445 in the period 1 June 1999 to 31 May 2000, representing approximately 1,150 users. The website address is http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm, then click on National Air Quality Information Archive and then Monitoring Networks. The dioxin data are collected in the Toxic Organic Micropollutants section.

  The Food Standards Agency data are on the website http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk. This site has experienced 612 hits since 3 April 2000 on the pages giving information about dioxins in food.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which local authorities operate registration schemes for houses in multiple occupation; how many properties are on the list; and what proportion are estimated to be high risk. [127007]

  Mr. Mullin
  The latest information my Department has on such schemes, based on local authority returns made in July 1999, indicated that 81 authorities, as listed, had schemes, and had registered approximately 10,000 houses in multiple occupation in the private rented sector. A number of these schemes, notably in London boroughs, are ward-based, although the majority are authority-wide:Darlington, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Stockton-on-Tees, North Tyneside, Barnsley, Calderdale, East Riding of Yorkshire, Harrogate, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Rotherham, Scarborough, York, Derby, Kettering, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, South Kesteven, Basildon, Cambridge, Colchester, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Luton, Mid Bedfordshire, North Norfolk, Peterborough, South Norfolk, St. Albans, Tendring, Watford, Waveney, Barking and Dagenham, Bromley, Brent, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Hillingdon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lewisham, Newham, Islington, Hounslow, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Chiltern, Dover, Gravesham, Canterbury, Guildford, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Southampton, Thanet, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Mid Devon, North Somerset, Torbay, West Devon, Weymouth and Portland, Birmingham, Coventry, Redditch, Wyre Forest, Blackpool, Bury, Carlisle, Chester, Lancaster, Preston, Warrington, West Lancashire, Wirral.

  Authorities are not required to notify new schemes to my Department, but we are aware of several in the past year, including:
  Kingston-upon-Hull, Sheffield, Bexley, Harrow, Lambeth, Southwark, Eastbourne, North Warwickshire, Brighton and Hove, Doncaster, Oxford, Herefordshire.

  All the schemes are based upon my Department's 1997 model, which exempts certain lower-risk categories in the private rented sector, including houses occupied by: persons who form only two households; no more than four persons who form more than two households; no more than three persons in addition to the responsible person and any other member of their household.

  Speed Cameras
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the results of the schemes that are exploring alternative mechanisms of funding speed cameras. [126966]

  Mr. Hill
  The camera funding pilots that started in April this year in eight police force areas in England, Wales and Scotland will run for two years to assess the effectiveness of new funding arrangements. It is too soon after the start for any results to be available yet, and we expect some preliminary results after the first year.

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the Refuse Disposal Act 1978 with regard to the seven day notice period applicable to vehicles abandoned on the public highway before they can be removed by local authorities. [126568]

  Mr. Hill
  The existing regulations are intended to provide owners with safeguards against a local authority prematurely assuming a vehicle is abandoned and having it towed away for scrap. They also ensure that local authorities do not have to go to the unnecessary expense of removing and storing vehicles that may not, in the event, have been abandoned.

  We believe that the current legislation provides a good balance between the powers of local authorities to deal with abandoned vehicles and the rights of vehicle owners.

  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to maintain an official record of the number of motor vehicles abandoned every year in England and Wales. [126566]

  Mr. Hill
  There are no plans at present to maintain an official record of such cases.

  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to amend the Data Protection Act 1998 to allow details of last registered owners of abandoned motor vehicles to be passed to local authorities on request. [126565]

  Mr. Hill
  The Data Protection Act exempts certain data from its non-disclosure provisions. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency already has powers to release vehicle keeper details to local authorities to help them deal with abandoned vehicles. The Agency provides the information on request. It is also developing electronic links with authorities to speed up the process.

  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the(a) legal and (b) financial framework for dealing with abandoned motor vehicles. [126567]

  Mr. Hill
  We will review the existing arrangements as we develop proposals for implementing the proposed European End-of-Life Vehicles Directive in the UK.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the overseas trips on official business he has made since 1 January; and how many days he has spent overseas since 1 January. [126546]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]Since 1 January 2000 I have made the following overseas visits on official business:Sunday 12 to Friday 17 March:
  Brazil and United States. Meetings with President Cardoso and other Brazilian Ministers. Trade Promotion. Meetings with Carnival and Cunard shipping companies and discussions on aviation with US Secretary of Transportation.
  Friday 7 to Tuesday 11 April:
  Japan. Attend G8 Environment Ministers Conference. Meetings with Prime Minister Mori and other Japanese Ministers and with Honorary Chairman of Toyota.
  Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 April:
  United States. Meetings with Vice President Gore and other members of US Administration. Discussions with Senators on climate change. Attend United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
  Sunday 4 June:
  France. Represent UK Government at 60th Anniversary Dunkirk.
  Sunday 11 to Thursday 15 June:
  Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Meeting with President Obasanjo and other Nigerian Ministers. Trade promotion. Meeting with President Kabbah and visit to UK troops in Sierra Leone.

  All travel has been undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times(a) he, (b) the Minister for the Environment, (c) the Minister for Local Government and the Regions and (d) the Minister for Housing and Planning have come to their office in the last month (i) all or part of the way by official car and (ii) by other means. [126796]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]Ministers travel by car and by public transport on a regular basis on official visits and on journeys to their offices.

  Ministers are required under the Ministerial Code always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.

  Housing
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of below tolerable standard houses in England and Scotland; and on what criteria this is based. [126544]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The tolerable standard is a measure of minimum standard housing in Scotland and is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. It does not apply in England. Therefore there is no comparable information.

  Environment Policy
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue his Policy Appraisal and the Environmental Policy Guidance, "Sustainable Development: What it is and What You Can Do", to newly-appointed Ministers and civil servants involved in policy development. [126851]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department's document, "Policy Appraisal and the Environment: Policy Guidance", has been made widely available to other Departments since it was published in 1998. It is also now included on the Cabinet Office's website as part of the "Policy Makers Checklist" and all Departments will be adding that checklist to their own intranet sites. A number, including mine, already have. Electronic availability of this guidance is more efficient than the distribution of large numbers of paper copies.

  The guide "Sustainable Development: What it is and What You Can Do" is one of four guidance notes issued by the Green Ministers Committee. Again my Department has a stock of paper copies which other Departments can draw from while the guide is also available to them through our website or by addition to their intranets.

  Green Ministers regularly consider the procedures by which sustainable development and the environment are integrated into policy-making and act as the focal point for those procedures among their ministerial colleagues in their own Departments.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further plans he has concerning the development of the targets and policies contained in the sustainable development frameworks produced in each English region; and if he will make a statement. [126850]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The first regional sustainable development framework was launched in the West Midlands in February and the second is due to be launched in the North-West in July; both are promising documents. We expect all the regions to have completed their frameworks by the end of 2000. Frameworks are not Government documents nor are they statutory and they will set their own targets. For frameworks to have a real impact it is vital that their production, including setting priorities and establishing systems for monitoring progress, involves all stakeholders and has support across the region. That is why we have said they should be agreed by the regional chambers. Once published we expect regional decision-makers to "buy in" to the visions set out in frameworks and to act in ways that are consistent with them.

  O'Byrne Lawsuit
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take following the decision in Rv. Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs, ex parte O'Byrne. [126801]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  None.

  St. Helens Council
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out
  201W
  the cash and percentage increase in the St Helens Metropolitan Council (a) revenue support grant, (b) HRA subsidy, (c) capital grants and (d) partnership grants for (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000. [126638]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The following tables set out the cash and percentage changes in the amounts of grants made by my Department to St. Helens Metropolitan Council in each of the last three financial years.

  Cash change on previous year

  £ million

  Grant

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Revenue support grant1

  -3.757

  6.602

  3.274

  Housing revenue account subsidy2

  -1.497

  -1.062

  -0.313

  Capital grants3

  -1.326

  1.052

  0.612

  Partnership grants4

  2.450

  -0.234

  1.103

  1Data for 1999–2000 takes into account amending report figure of £4,900, adjustment in respect of 1997–98 data.

  21999–2000 Housing Revenue Subsidy is subject to change once final audited figure is received.

  3Data do not include capital grants paid to Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) in support of rail service in Merseyside.

  4Partnership grants comprise Single Regeneration Budget grant paid to the authority as the accountable body for the partnership projects, which include Southern Corridor, Parr Partnership, Newton 21 and Count Me In, and are grants to the partnerships and not specifically to the authority.

  Percentage change on previous year

  Grant

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Revenue support grant

  -5.41

  10.05

  4.53

  Housing revenue account subsidy

  -7.26

  -5.55

  -1.73

  Capital grants

  -50.86

  82.12

  26.23

  Partnership grants

  96.88

  -4.70

  23.25

  UK/US Air Services
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with US authorities regarding fifth freedoms and cabotage rights in US airspace for UK commercial carriers. [126302]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]UK/US air services talks took place between 13–15 June in London. These talks, which covered a wide range of issues, including traffic rights, will continue in Washington on 5 July.

  Rents
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to restrict rent officers raising annual rents above those applied for by landlords. [126670]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]Rent officers are required to set fair rents based on market rents less any element resulting from scarcity in accordance with the Rent Act 1977 and case law. We do not intend to require rent officers to take into account the rent applied for by the landlord. However, the House of Lords has granted the Government provisional leave to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal to quash the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order which we introduced in February 1999 to cap excessive increases in fair rents.

  Incineration
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent epidemiological research the Government have undertaken near incinerators; and what research they intend to undertake in the future. [126333]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]The Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) has carried out two Government-funded studies on cancer incidence around the older generation of more polluting incinerators ("Elliott P et al (1996). Cancer incidence near municipal solid waste incinerators in Great Britain. British Journal of Cancer, volume 73, pp 702–710", and "Elliott P et al (2000). Cancer incidence near municipal solid waste incinerators in Great Britain. Part 2: Histopathological and Case-Notes Review of Primary Liver Cancer Cases. British Journal of Cancer, volume 82, pp 1103–6.") These found a small excess of primary liver cancer in people living near to incinerators between 1974 and 1987. The Government have sought advice on these studies from the Committee on the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC).

  The COC has advised that it is not possible to conclude that this small increase in primary liver cancer is due to emissions of pollutants from incinerators, as it is not possible to rule out completely that it may be related to socio-economic factors. It has also advised that any potential risk of cancer due to living near municipal incinerators (for periods in excess of 10 years) was exceedingly low and probably not measurable by the most modern epidemiological techniques. The COC has recommended that, at the present time, there is no need for any further epidemiological investigations of this subject. The COC's statement can be found on the Department of Health's website at www.doh.gov.uk/munipwst.htm.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's estimate is of the cost per year of continuous emissions monitoring at incinerators. [126805]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]It is not possible to estimate with precision the cost of continuous emissions monitoring for incinerators, as this will be site-specific, varying according to the nature and circumstances of the plant, and with the manufacturer and supplier of equipment used. The Environment Agency has estimated, however, that the installed cost for continuous monitoring equipment to meet the requirements of the forthcoming waste incineration Directive would be £50–60k per plant. Annual operating costs, including calibration, are estimated to be in the range £12–18k per plant.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Government have made of continuous emissions monitoring at incinerators in Belgium. [126806]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]The Government have made no assessment of continuous monitoring at incinerators in Belgium.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green), of 13 June 2000,Official Report, column 543W, on

  203W
  consultees, for what reason (a) Friends of the Earth and (b) Greenpeace were not consulted over the EU waste incineration Directive. [127000]

  Mr. Hill
  Friends of the Earth were included among those to whom copies of the draft Directive and copies of our consultant's cost-benefit analyses were sent for comment. Comments on the proposal were also invited from the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection. Greenpeace were not known to have such an active interest in incineration and related issues (for example, Greenpeace did not respond to the consultation on our waste strategy consultation document A Way With Waste, nor to the earlier consultation on Less Waste More Value).

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the Government's waste strategy on the need for additional waste incinerators. [126812]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government's waste strategy is principally directed at reducing waste and, where waste is produced, at increasing recycling and composting in order to maximise the value recovered from waste and to meet the requirements of the landfill Directive.

  The need for additional incinerators will depend on the success of the strategy in achieving waste reduction, and increasing recycling and composting.

  Modelling of possible mixes of waste management options is included in the Regulatory Impact Assessment in the Waste Strategy 2000 (Part Two). The mix of facilities will be a matter for local authorities.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has concerning the location of future incinerators. [126813]

  Mr. Mullin
  The location of facilities is a matter for local authorities. Suitable sites for new incineration plant will be determined by local planning authorities, in line with the decisions of regional planning bodies. Planning policy guidance on waste management in England is set out in "Planning Policy Guidance Note 10: Planning and waste management".

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 June 2000,Official Report, column 635W, for what reasons the section of the Jubilee line between Charing Cross and Green Park was not retained as a separate branch. [126999]

  Mr. Hill
  LUL consider that while it is sensible to retain the Green Park—Charing Cross spur for occasional special purposes (e.g. reversing empty trains), it would not be feasible to use it for passenger services. Up to 24 trains per hour serve the Jubilee Line. Dividing these to serve both the extension to Stratford and the spur to Charing Cross would result in an unacceptably sparse service for both routes, significantly reducing the attractiveness of operations on the extended line while providing only a limited service to Charing Cross. In addition, running services in this way would be more complex operationally and could have an adverse impact on reliability.

  Diabetic Drivers
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of the driving licensing regime for insulin users. [126582]

  Mr. Hill
  The following progress has been made:

  (i) The Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes has been asked to reconsider their view on what constitutes "very exceptional cases". They have also been asked to compile relevant research data.

  (ii) Inquiries have been made with other EU member states about arrangements for the licensing of insulin treated diabetics.

  (iii) Preliminary inquiries have been made with the European Commission about the interpretation of Directive 91/439/EEC. Follow up arrangements are in hand.

  (iv) Work has begun on developing the specification for two research projects to be initiated in this financial year. Tendering is expected to take place in early Autumn.

  Radioactive Discharges
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish a draft of the UK strategy for radioactive discharges. [127623]

  Mr. Meacher
  A draft of the strategy is being published for consultation today and copies are being placed in the Library.

  The strategy demonstrates how the UK is going to achieve substantial and progressive reductions in radioactive discharges in the period to 2020, in order to fulfil the obligation entered into at the 1998 meeting of the OSPAR Commission.

  Comments on the draft are invited. After taking accounts of the comments we receive, the Government intend to publish a final version of the strategy towards the end of the year. The Government will shortly publish a draft of guidance they intend to issue to the Environment Agency on the setting of radioactive discharge authorisations. The intention is that the guidance, when it is formally issued with the final version of the strategy, will ensure that discharge authorisations are consistent with the strategy.

  The Government are determined to continue the downward pressure of radioactive discharges. This draft strategy marks a further step towards meeting our OSPAR commitments. We owe it to the future generations to get it right.

WALES

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for the aerospace industry in Wales. [126280]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I acknowledge the significant contribution that a strong aerospace industry has made to the economic life of Wales in recent years, particularly the British Aerospace Systems Airbus facility at Broughton. I hope the Government's announcement of £530 million for the A3XX project will consolidate and enhance this position.

  Industrial Development
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning requirements in Deeside for land for industrial development; and if he will make a statement. [126520]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of topics including the availability of land for industrial development.

  Through its strategic sites programme, the Welsh Development Agency seeks to identify and bring forward sites for development across the whole of Wales. The Agency has reviewed the need for additional land in North Wales, jointly with the North Wales Economic Forum, and concluded that new strategic sites are required to allow for future industrial development.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what statistics about the New Deal he collects on the participation of, and outcomes for,(a) ethnic minorities, (b) men, (c) women and (d) the disabled by (i) unit of delivery and (ii) parliamentary constituency. [126811]

  Ms Jowell
  Information is collected separately for men and women, people with disabilities and those from ethnic minority groups, on their participation through the New Deal and outcomes from the programme. However, some of the outcome information is limited by what participants are prepared to tell us.

  Unit of Delivery tables are placed monthly in the House of Commons Library and give key information by the client's characteristics. Parliamentary constituency tables are placed in the House of Commons Library quarterly. These are intended as summary documents and information is not shown separately by the client's characteristics.

  School Repairs
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by local education authority, for the latest date for which figures are available, the total value of the estimates that schools have made of the sums needed for the repair of school buildings. [126847]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department does not have these data. However, local education authorities are currently preparing Asset Management Plans covering all the maintained schools in their areas.

  ICT Access
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to increase access to ICT in deprived communities. [126114]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]We are taking forward a range of measures so that everyone can benefit from the advantages of new technologies. We are providing £252 million to fund the ICT Learning Centres 206W
  initiative which will give people living in disadvantaged communities in England the opportunity to access the internet and ICT facilities. There will be around 700 Learning Centres which are targeted within the 2,000 most deprived local authority wards and rural areas with significant transport and deprivation problems. They will support disadvantaged client groups with low or no ICT skills.

  We are also introducing a £10 million pilot project which will "wire-up" deprived communities around England. The project will provide a window into the future, assessing how home access to the internet and e-mail can transform lives in the most disadvantaged communities.

  In addition, the Government are making £15 million available for a pilot scheme—"Computers Within Reach"—to enable those who cannot afford new computers to acquire reconditioned computers for use in the home for the purpose of improving their employment prospects, for lifelong learning, or for their children's homework.

  The recently published report of Policy Action Team 15 looked specifically at issues relating to the role of ICT in community renewal. We will continue to work with partners and the private sector to address the issue of closing the digital divide.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people suffering from dyslexia are currently receiving(a) full-time and (b) part-time support worker time under the Access to Work Scheme. [126579]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 20 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 Mr. James Paice, dated 21 June 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many people with dyslexia are currently receiving (a) full time or (b) part time support worker time under the Access to Work programme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  I am afraid we do not collect the specific information you have asked for. However, we do collect information on the total number of disabled people needing the help of a support worker, and the total amount spent in providing this support. In 1999–2000 Access to Work helped 4,133 disabled people needing support workers in their jobs at a cost of £5.6 million. Independent research conducted for the ES and published in 1998 indicated that around 3% of people receiving Access to Work help had a specific learning disability, a category which includes people with dyslexia.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

  School Exclusions (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were excluded from schools in Coventry in the years 1995 to 2000; and what alternatives to exclusion his Department is developing. [126113]
  207W
  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]The available information on exclusions in maintained schools in Coventry local education authority area is shown in the table.

  Exclusions data were collected in the January 2000 Annual Schools Census for the 1998–99 academic year and were published in the Department's Statistical First Release SFR20/2000 "Permanent Exclusions from Schools and Exclusion Appeals, England 1998–99 (provisional)" on 10 May 2000.

  We are providing more than £500 million over three years, backed up by new guidance on 'Social Inclusion: Pupil Support', to help tackle behaviour problems in classrooms. This includes increasing the number of on-site Learning Support Units to more than 1,000 within two years to help schools better manage disruptive pupils. The 'Social Inclusion: Pupil Support' (Circular 10–99) also recommended multi-agency Pastoral Support Programmes (PSPs) for pupils at serious risk of permanent exclusion. The Department has provided funding for PSPs.

  We announced at the NASUWT Conference (27 April) that there would be a new £2 million innovation fund with the voluntary sector and employers to provide innovative programmes for excluded pupils and those at risk of exclusion. In addition, there would be a new £9 million pupil allowance scheme for secondary schools in Excellence in Cities areas which accept difficult pupils outside the normal admissions round.

  Number of pupils who were permanently excluded from maintained primary and secondary schools and special schools1 in Coventry local education authority area and England for academic years 1994–95 to 1998–992

  1998–992

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1995–96

  1994–953

  Coventry LEA

  Primary

  5

  20

  9

  16

  4—

  Secondary

  105

  101

  94

  69

  4—

  Special

  4

  1

  4

  1

  4—

  Total

  114

  122

  107

  86

  4—

  England

  Primary

  1,343

  1,5391

  1,573

  1,608

  1,365

  Secondary

  8,622

  10,187

  10,463

  10,344

  9,197

  Special

  439

  572

  632

  524

  522

  Total

  10,404

  12,298

  12,668

  12,476

  11,084

  1Includes maintained and non-maintained Special schools.

  2Provisional

  3The number of permanent exclusions was estimated to take account of a small number of schools that did not provide any information on their permanent exclusions.

  4Not available

  Postgraduate Teacher Training
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications were received for courses of postgraduate initial teacher training commencing in September; and how many had been received at the same stage last year, broken down into those applying for secondary teaching in(a) maths, (b) foreign languages, (c) science and (d) technology. [126317]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Latest available figures for applications for postgraduate initial teacher training courses in England and Wales for secondary teaching in 208W
  maths, modern foreign languages, science and technology, together with comparative figures for the previous year are given in the table.

  3 June 2000

  5 June 1999

  Mathematics

  950

  1,085

  Science

  2,167

  2,324

  Modem Languages

  1,757

  1,673

  Technology

  871

  928

  Note:

  The figures are for applications as entered on the GTTR computer system.

  Source:

  Graduate Teacher Training Register (GTTR)

  The Government announced on 30 March that training salaries would be introduced for postgraduate trainees starting initial teacher training courses from September 2000. Since that date, latest available figures show 1,119 (32 per cent.) more applications have been input onto the Graduate Teacher Training Registry computer system than for the equivalent period last year.

  The number of trainees recruited onto mathematics postgraduate initial teacher training courses declined between 1994–95 and 1998–99. There was a similar decline in the number of trainees recruited onto science postgraduate initial teacher training courses between 1996–97 and 1998–99. Last year, with the introduction of "golden hellos", recruitment to mathematics and science was up on the previous year.

  In recognition of the fierce competition for good graduates in mathematics, science, modern foreign languages, information technology and design and technology, as well as £6,000 training salaries, new style "golden hello" incentives of £4,000 were announced for postgraduate trainees in these subjects who pass their induction year and go on to take up a relevant teaching post. Since the announcement, available figures for all these subjects together show an increase of 379 or 22 per cent.

  Class Sizes (East Sussex)
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average primary school class size in East Sussex was for each year since 1979. [126640]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The requested information is shown in the table.

  In East Sussex, the number of pupils in key stage 1 classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher was 1,240 compared with 6,439 a year earlier, which represented an 80 per cent. reduction in the number of such pupils. The Government are well on target to deliver their pledge to limit the size of infant classes to 30 pupils. During the same time period, the average size of classes in maintained primary schools for the unitary authorities of East Sussex and Brighton also fell. This was the first year for some time that average primary class sizes in either the new or old authorities of East Sussex had fallen, after class sizes had shown a steady increase since 1987.

  East Sussex local education authority area has been allocated £4 million of funding so far to support their efforts in reducing infant class sizes. This funding comprises some £1.1 million of capital funding and £2.8 million of revenue funding.
  209W

  Size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in the local education authority areas of East Sussex and Brighton 1979 to 2000

  Position as at January

  Key stage 1

  Key stage 2

  Overall primary1

  Average class size

  Pupils in classes of more than 30 pupils

  Average class size

  Average class size

  East Sussex2

  Brighton2

  East Sussex3

  East Sussex2

  Brighton2

  East Sussex3

  East Sussex2

  Brighton2

  East Sussex3

  East Sussex2

  Brighton2

  East Sussex3

  20004

  26.1

  27.3

  —5

  1,240

  2,262

  —5

  30.2

  29.3

  —5

  28.2

  28.2

  —5

  1999

  27.5

  28.0

  —5

  6,439

  2,811

  —5

  29.9

  29.2

  —5

  28.7

  28.5

  —5

  1998

  27.3

  28.5

  —5

  6,433

  3,422

  —5

  29.4

  28.9

  —5

  28.3

  28.6

  —5

  1997

  —5

  —5

  27.9

  —5

  —5

  10,130

  —5

  —5

  28.9

  —5

  —5

  28.2

  1996

  —5

  —5

  27.4

  —5

  —5

  8,927

  —5

  —5

  28.2

  —5

  —5

  27.7

  1995

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  27.5

  1994

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  27.4

  1993

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  27.1

  1992

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  26.9

  1991

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  26.6

  1990

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  26.0

  1989

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.9

  1988

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.8

  1987

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.5

  1986

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  26.3

  1985

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.8

  1984

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  24.6

  1983

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  24.5

  1982

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  24.9

  1981

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.3

  1980

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.2

  1979

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  —6

  —5

  —5

  25.9

  1Includes nursery classes and mixed key stage classes

  2After local government reorganisation

  3Before local government reorganisation

  4Provisional

  5Not applicable

  6Not available (information not collected by specific key stages)

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the special educational needs and disability in education Bill will be introduced in Parliament. [127380]

  Mr. Blunkett
  We are totally committed to taking forward the education recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force (DRTF) and will legislate when parliamentary time allows, alongside our proposals to change the special educational needs framework. Our commitment to legislate on SEN was made in the Queen' Speech and remains in place. However, it has now become clear that it will not be possible to introduce a Bill this parliamentary Session.

  The DRTF recommendations—crucial to our plans—were not available until December and required full consultation. Our consultation exercise on how to take forward the education recommendations of the report has revealed strong support for the broad thrust of our proposals, but there are some detailed issues which have required further consultation.

  In view of the inevitable delay, and, without the option of carryover, we have decided to publish a draft Bill in this parliamentary Session, giving the opportunity for comment and feedback before introduction of the Bill.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incomes
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average income in(a) cash, (b) real terms and (c) as a percentage of average earnings in (i) 1979, (ii) 1984, (iii) 1989, (iv) 1994 and (v) each year from 1994 to 2000 for (A) the UK and (B) Scotland of (1) pensioners, (2) pensioners aged over 75 years, (3) students, (4) single parents, (5) the bottom decile, (6) the top decile and (7) the disabled; and if he will make a statement. [126770]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Information on average (mean and median) income of pensioner couples, single pensioners and single parents, and median incomes of the top and bottom deciles are published in the annual publication Households Below Average Income. The latest published edition, which relates to 1997–98, also contained analyses showing the position in the income distribution of pensioners by age, and students. Copies of this volume are in the Library.

  Benefit Recipients
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Yeovil constituency and (b) South Somerset have been in receipt of (i) Income

  211W
  Support, (ii) Disability Living Allowance, (iii) Incapacity Benefit, (iv) Unemployment Benefit, and (v) Housing Benefit in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [126580]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Paddy Ashdown, dated 20 June 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) South Somerset have been in receipt of (i) income support, (ii) disability living allowance, (iii) incapacity benefit, (iv) unemployment benefit, and (v) housing benefit in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
  The data is not available in the requested format, however the information that is available is supplied in the attached tables.
  I hope this is helpful.

  (i) Income Support

  Year

  Yeovil PC

  South Somerset LA

  August 1998

  5,000

  —

  August 1999

  5,000

  —

  February 2000

  4,900

  —

  February 1993

  —

  9,9000

  February 1994

  —

  10,200

  February 1995

  —

  10,000

  February 1996

  —

  9,800

  February 1997

  —

  6,900

  February 1998

  —

  6,700

  February 1999

  —

  6,700

  February 2000

  —

  6,900

  Notes:

  1. Claimant figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent., therefore subject to sampling error.

  3.Figures for parliamentary constituency are not available prior to August 1998.

  4. Figures for South Somerset are not readily available prior to February 1993.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 1994 to February 2000.

  (ii) Disability Living Allowance—recipients of Disability Living Allowance

  Year

  Yeovil PC

  South Somerset LA

  May 1993

  1,600

  1,900

  May 1994

  1,700

  2,200

  May 1995

  1,700

  2,300

  May 1996

  2,000

  2,700

  May 1997

  2,200

  3,000

  May 1998

  2,313

  3,311

  May 1999

  2,447

  3,494

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to 31 May.

  2. Figures based on a 5 per cent. data for years up to 1997 and on 100 per cent. data for years 1998 and 1999.

  2. Figures prior to 1993 not available. Disability Living Allowance was introduced in April 1992.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre
  212W

  (iii) Incapacity Benefit—Incapacity Benefit recipients in the South Somerset area for May 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999

  South Somerset

  31 May 1996

  2,600

  31 May 1997

  2,700

  31 May 1998

  2,600

  31 May 1999

  2,500

  30 November 1999

  2,700

  Notes:

  1. These figures are taken from a 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system, and exclude a small number of cases held clerically. All the May figures for South Somerset are subject to a rating factor to account for missing postcodes. The figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Figures for parliamentary constituency are not available. Figures for South Somerset are not readily available prior to May 1996.

  3. Incapacity Benefit replaced Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit in April 1995.

  Unemployment Benefit

  No figures are available for Unemployment Benefit by either Parliamentary Constituency or Local Authority however figures for Jobseekers Allowance are provided in the table below.

  Unemployment benefit ceased on 6th October 1996 and Jobseekers Allowance began from 7th October 1996

  (iv)Jobseeker's Allowance

  Year

  Yeovil PC

  South Somerset LA

  August 1998

  1,300

  —

  August 1999

  1,000

  —

  August 2000

  1,000

  —

  August 1997

  —

  2,100

  February 1998

  —

  1,600

  February 1999

  —

  1,600

  February 2000

  —

  1,500

  Notes:

  1. Claimant figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Sample size 5 per cent., therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. Jobseeker's Allowance replaced Income Support for the unemployed in October 1996.

  3. Figures are for all claimants including those with nil benefit.

  Source:

  Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, August 1997 to February 2000

  (v) Housing Benefit-Housing Benefit recipients in South Somerset: May 1990 to May 1997

  Number of people in receipt of Housing Benefit

  May 1990

  8,470

  May 1991

  9,380

  May 1992

  8,770

  May 1993

  8,400

  May 1994

  7,810

  May 1995

  8,940

  May 1996

  9,030

  May 1997

  8,930

  May 1998

  8,530

  May 1999

  8,170

  Notes:

  1. Information refers to the number of benefit units.

  2. The figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  The number of people in receipt of Housing Benefit for the years from 1990 to 1999 in the Yeovil constituency is unavailable, as the data are not collected at this level.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, quarterly 100 per cent. case load stock-counts, taken on the last working day in May 1990 to May 1997 and on the second Thursday of May 1998 and May 1999.

  Pension Schemes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people lost pension entitlements because their company pension schemes were underfunded and were wound up in each year since 1990. [126412]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Pension Schemes Registry indicates that since April 1997, the first date at which reliable information is available, a total of about 22,500 occupational pension schemes have been recorded as having wound up. However, no information is available as to how many of these schemes are salary-related schemes that were underfunded on wind-up.

  Home Responsibility Protection
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if time spent as a foster parent qualifies for state retirement pension under the rules of home responsibility protection. [126913]

  Mr. Rooker
  Foster parents do not receive Child Benefit in respect of foster children who are deemed to be in the care of the local authority. Consequently, foster parents are not currently eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection in respect of their foster caring role.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions he deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000. [127101]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have answered 1,815 parliamentary questions between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000. Papers were deposited in the Library in response to 40 parliamentary questions.

TREASURY

  Council Tax Exemptions
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidelines to universities and local authorities on the issuing of exemption certificates for council tax eligibility for intercalating students; and if he will make a statement. [124696]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 15 June 2000]I have been asked to reply.

  Those undertaking a period of intercalation, who remain enrolled at the educational establishment, may continue to qualify as students for council tax purposes. Guidance was issued to this effect to all local authorities on 29 April 1996. We have no evidence to suggest there is a need to issue further guidance at this time. However, we continue to keep the operation of council tax under review and will issue further guidance should the need arise.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions he deposited papers 214W
  in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000. [127104]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in replying to parliamentary questions Treasury Ministers often place documents in the Library of the House for the information of Members.

  Vocational Training
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to specify the vocational training courses that will qualify for tax relief. [126809]

  Mr. Timms
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to the new Individual Learning Account framework being introduced shortly by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers. Clause 57 of the Finance Bill provides that employees will not be taxable on any financial contribution which their employers may make towards the cost of an eligible learning course for which a Government grant may be payable. The range of training which can qualify will be a matter for the Department for Education and Employment and devolved administrations, but I can confirm that it will be a very wide range.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the saving to the Exchequer that will result from the removal of tax relief for vocational training costs from students. [126808]

  Mr. Timms
  As the Chancellor made clear in his 1999 Budget statement, the savings from the removal of Vocational Training Relief (VTR), as set out in Table A2.1 of the FSBR 2000—will help pay for the Government grants and discounts that can be claimed under the coming Individual Learning Account scheme. The Government are making available £150 million in grants and discounts up to April 2002. In addition we are introducing in the Finance Bill a tax exemption for employees on employer contributions towards these learning accounts; the estimated Exchequer cost of this exemption is £10 million in a full year.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to publicise the working families tax credit in Northern Ireland. [125496]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 9 February 2000,Official Report, column 215W.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many lone parents are benefiting from the working families tax credit. [126866]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of families in receipt of working families tax credit at the end of April 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,053,000. Of these, it is estimated that 542,000 were headed by lone parents.
  215W
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is spent annually on the working families tax credit; and how much would be spent if the national minimum wage were raised to five pounds per hour. [125111]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Table C12 in the March 2000 Financial Statement and Budget Report shows estimated and projected expenditure on the working families tax credit (WFTC) and the disabled person's tax credit (DPTC).

  It is not possible to estimate accurately the potential impact of raising the minimum wage on the labour market. No reliable estimate of its effect on WFTC expenditure can therefore be provided.

  Single Market
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax measures are needed to complete the EU single market. [126404]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government assess all EU tax proposals on their merits, including whether they assist the effective functioning of the single market.

  Customs and Excise (Liverpool)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the location and operation of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in Liverpool. [126437]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is for the Chairman and the Management Committee of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to determine where best to place Customs operations in order to discharge its various responsibilities. I understand that there are no major changes currently planned in the location of Customs and Excise in Liverpool, but changing demands and work patterns mean that the management would be failing in its responsibilities if it did not keep the position constantly under review.

  Sea Tax Rebates
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on sea tax rebates. [124198]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I assume that the right hon. Member is referring to the Tonnage Tax. The Government's proposals on tonnage tax are set out in schedule 22 of this year's Finance Bill.

  Pesticides Tax
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) representations the Treasury has received and (b) meetings he has held on the proposed pesticides tax with (i) the British Agrochemicals Association, (ii) UKASTA, (iii) NOAH, (iv) the National Farmers' Union, (v) the Country Landowners' Association and (vi) agrochemical companies, giving the name of each company, including the dates and duration of the meetings. [126900]

  Mr. Timms
  Ministers and officials have had numerous meetings with representatives of the agrochemicals industry, agriculture and environmental non-Government organisations, and received a number of representations on 216W
  a possible pesticides tax and on a voluntary package of measures to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides use.

  The Government are currently consulting on a formal set of voluntary proposals which have been published by the British Agrochemicals Association. The Government welcome the views of all interested parties on these proposals and their effectiveness in tackling the environmental impacts of pesticide use.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Wormwood Scrubs Prison
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons will publish his report into his follow-up inspection of Her Majesty's Prison Wormwood Scrubs of 7 to 17 February. [127381]

  Mr. Straw
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' report of his unannounced inspection is being published today. Copies have been made available in the Library and the Vote Office.

  I made a statement to the House on 28 June 1999, Official Report, columns 21–33, on the report of an unannounced full inspection of Wormwood Scrubs prison that had taken place in March 1999. That report made deeply disturbing reading. Sir David's inspection had taken place against the background of criminal investigations into allegations that a number of members of staff at Wormwood Scrubs had assaulted prisoners. Sir David and his team of inspectors had found the overall treatment of prisoners was profoundly unsatisfactory.

  In my statement last year, I said that I had made it absolutely clear to the Director General of the Prison Service that change must be delivered at Wormwood Scrubs. I expected a robust action plan to be put in place quickly, and I expected the majority of Sir David's recommendations to be accepted and implemented. I reported that I had asked Sir David Ramsbotham to carry out a further inspection in six months' time and that I would report the result to the House.

  The Chief Inspector returned to Wormwood Scrubs between 7 and 17 February this year, and his report of that inspection is published today. He found Wormwood Scrubs much improved from his previous visit. Change had taken place, and life for prisoners had improved. Prisoners felt safer, and their relationships with staff were better. Health care was radically improved, education had been expanded and, together with employment, could attract most prisoners into purposeful activity.

  The extent of the changes required, including substantial cultural change, inevitably takes time. Nevertheless, the chief inspector found that a promising start had been made and real improvements had already been delivered. The report makes 99 recommendations for further improvement, but encouragingly identifies 12 examples of good practice.

  I should like to pay tribute to all those who have contributed to this change. Senior managers at Prison Service headquarters have given the establishment both leadership and support. The Governor and his management

  217W
  team have tackled the problems at Wormwood Scrubs with determination and commitment, and their legitimate authority has been restored. It also gives me great pleasure to commend the staff of Wormwood Scrubs for what has been achieved. This time last year, there were serious concerns as to whether or not the Prison Officers' Association would co-operate fully with what needed to be done. Sir David notes the determination of the vast majority of staff in the prison to see Wormwood Scrubs restored to a place of excellence, known for the high quality of the treatment of and conditions for its prisoners.

  Staff at Wormwood Scrubs still face a difficult time. A number of staff are still suspended from duty in connection with the investigations into the allegations of assault. I understand that the first criminal trials are likely to start in the next few weeks, and this will bring further unwelcome attention on everyone connected with the establishment. Nevertheless, today's report shows how much has already been achieved in the face of these sorts of difficulties, and with Sir David Ramsbotham I am optimistic that the programme of improvement will be continued and completed at Wormwood Scrubs. I am still keeping the option of market-testing open, but believe that this report shows the kind of rapid progress I had hoped for.

  Correspondence
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Greenock and Inverclyde will receive a substantive answer to his letter of 17 May concerning the visit of Mr. Mike Tyson. [126306]

  Mr. Straw
  The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) wrote on 16 June in response to my hon. Friend's letter.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent Her Majesty's Government's policy on removals to Zimbabwe of failed asylum seekers has changed in response to the civil unrest and political repression in that country. [125125]

  Mrs. Roche
  We see no reason at present to change our arrangements for the removal of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. No one has been or will be removed to Zimbabwe unless we are satisfied that they can return without risk. Each case is considered on its individual merits and circumstances. Developments in Zimbabwe are being carefully monitored.

  Prison Service Expenditure
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the change was in planned expenditure on(a) the Prison Service, (b) policing and (c) probation (i) in total and (ii) in real terms in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [126556]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The following tables set out the total expenditure (revenue and capital) on the prison service, policing and probation for the 10 financial years 1991–92 to 2000–01. The figures for the financial years 1991–92 to 1998–99 represent expenditure outturn. The figures for 1999–2000 are estimated outturn while the figures for 2000–01 reflect 218W
  expenditure plans. The tables also show the change in expenditure from one financial year to the next in both cash and real terms.

  Prison Service

  Total net expenditure

  Percentage change over previous financial year

  Financial year

  (£ million)

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  1991–92

  1,462

  —

  —

  1992–93

  1,470

  0.56

  –2.67

  1993–94

  1,509

  2.62

  0.00

  1994–95

  1,598

  5.91

  4.41

  1995–96

  1,667

  4.32

  1.39

  1996–971

  1,609

  –3.50

  –6.49

  1997–98

  1,734

  8.10

  4.85

  1998–99

  1,812

  4.18

  1.17

  1999–2000 (estimated)

  1,846

  1.88

  –0.61

  2000–01 (plans)2

  1,780

  –3.58

  –5.72

  1Expenditure on capital reduced following completion of major capital works programmes in 1995–96

  2Reduction in planned expenditure reflects transfer of provision of £118.2 million (from the Prison Service to the Youth Justice Board) in respect of the secure juvenile estate

  Police

  Total net expenditure1

  Percentage change over previous financial year

  Financial year

  (£ million)

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  1991–92

  5,405

  —

  —

  1992–93

  5,897

  9.10

  5.61

  1993–94

  6,225

  5.56

  2.82

  1994–95

  6,490

  4.26

  2.79

  1995–96

  6,735

  3.78

  0.87

  1996–971

  6,986

  3.73

  0.49

  1997–98

  7,243

  3.68

  0.86

  1998–99

  7,450

  2.86

  –0.41

  1999–2000 (estimated)

  7,859

  5.49

  2.92

  2000–01 (plans)2

  8,100

  3.07

  0.80

  1Total expenditure includes revenue and capital expenditure by police authorities and expenditure on policing incurred directly by the Home Office

  2Excludes Capital Modernisation Fund moneys announced in the Budget as this is in respect of a range of projects and the funding can and will be spread over an number of years. The detailed profile of this expenditure is still being established

  Probation

  Total net expenditure1

  Percentage change over previous financial year

  Financial year

  (£ million)

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  1991–92

  335

  —

  —

  1992–93

  365

  9.00

  5.46

  1993–94

  393

  7.67

  4.89

  1994–95

  406

  3.31

  1.85

  1995–96

  416

  2.46

  –0.41

  1996–97

  468

  12.50

  8.99

  1997–98

  481

  2.78

  –0.01

  1998–99

  475

  –1.25

  –4.39

  1999–2000 (estimated)

  491

  3.37

  0.85

  2000–01 (plans)

  524

  6.68

  4.37

  1Total expenditure figures do not include capital expenditure on probation/bail hostels nor direct Home Office central expenditure

  WWII Unexploded Bombs
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a national register of unexploded bombs from the Second World War, available for public inspection; and if he will make a statement. [126952]
  219W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  During the Second World War local authorities were responsible for maintaining records of the locations of unexploded ordnance. Although some local authorities destroyed the details they held, some information is still available through the Public Record Office.

  In 1997 the Home Office collated details of information from a variety of sources including emergency services, local authorities and the military. It had been intended to publish the information, but this was not pursued when it became evident that there were unexplained contradictions in the data and it could not be relied upon as either accurate or comprehensive. Because of this it would not be sensible to establish a national register as proposed.

  We do, however, search the information if asked by individuals, local authorities or building contractors.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Security Situation
  Mr. Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Belfast, North. [125483]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period 1 January to 13 June this year one death, 36 shootings and two bombings were recorded by the Royal Ulster Constabulary's D Division which takes in North Belfast and includes Antrim and Carrickfergus. There were 54 casualties (31 shootings and 23 assaults) as a result of paramilitary style attacks.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made on creating a more normal security environment. [125490]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. McWalter),Official Report, column 329.

  Decommissioning
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on decommissioning in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [125484]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government continue to meet representatives of all the political parties to discuss all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. The Decommissioning Commission continues its discussions with representatives of the various groups. All sides must honour all the commitments they have made.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of when the decommissioning section of the Belfast agreement will be implemented. [125485]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is more important to get the process under way than to set a deadline for its end. We now have a firm commitment from the IRA to put arms beyond use, and a process of confidence-building measures with independent verification.
  220W
  This is only the start. But it is better to start than to worry so much about when it will finish, lest you never start.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards the surrender and destruction of terrorist weapons in Northern Ireland. [125491]

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards decommissioning of terrorist weapons. [125501]

  Mr. Ingram
  Now for the first time, the IRA have put in place a commitment to put their arms completely and verifiably beyond use, and have volunteered a confidence-building measure, to demonstrate that their arms remain silent and secure. We expect Mr. Ramaphosa

  and

  Mr. Ahtisaari to begin their work soon.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegally held weapons have been inspected. [125498]

  Mr. Ingram
  The inspection of illegally-held weaponry is a matter for the independent inspectors and IICD.

  Police Ombudsman
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the police ombudsman to discuss complaints. [125486]

  Mr. Ingram
  The ombudsman has not met directly with the Secretary of State to discuss complaints.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the IRA and Sinn Fein concerning the use of violence against Northern Ireland citizens. [125487]

  Mr. Ingram
  Ministers meet regularly with representatives of all the political parties in Northern Ireland where a range of issues including paramilitary assaults are discussed. We have consistently called upon those with influence over the paramilitary groups to call a complete cessation to these barbaric acts.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent of(a) punishment beatings and (b) other terrorist activities by Republican paramilitaries since 22 May. [125488]

  Mr. Ingram
  From 22 May to 11 June this year there were two deaths, two bombings and 12 shooting incidents. In addition there were seven casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks (three by Loyalists and four by Republicans).

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment beatings have taken place in the last month. [125500]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the month of May the number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks were 14 shootings (nine by Loyalists and five by Republicans) and 14 assaults (six by Loyalists and eight by Republicans).

  Job Creation
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been created in the last six months in Northern Ireland. [125489]

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been created in the last six months in Northern Ireland. [125502]

  Mr. Mandelson
  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.

  Civic Forum
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a civic forum is to be established in Northern Ireland. [125492]

  Mr. Mandelson
  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.

  Military Structures and Installations
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the dismantling of military and related structures and installations. [125493]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government have received one recent written representation concerning the dismantling of military structures, which are the operational responsibility of the Chief Constable. All decisions with regard to normalisation of security are taken by the Chief Constable in the light of the current threat level.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the range of schemes available to deal with young offenders. [125494]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Criminal Justice Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 was introduced in January 1999 and brought in a new juvenile justice centre order of between six months and two years, half of which is spent in custody and half under close supervision in the community. The community element of the sentence is delivered by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.

  A range of programmes for young people, both in custody and in the community have been developed. Programmes such as cognitive behaviour training to tackle offending and the associated causes and problems such as drugs and alcohol misuse, car crime, aggressive behaviour and sex offending, have been developed on a multi-agency basis.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process. [125495]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The last few weeks have seen significant progress in the peace progress. On 27 May I signed an order restoring devolution to Northern Ireland with effect from midnight on 29 May. Northern Ireland 222W
  now has a second opportunity for locally accountable government to take responsibility for building stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.

  Election Fraud and Malpractice
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking, with what time scale, to prevent fraud and malpractice in elections in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [125497]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government have already introduced legislation to extend the time available to the Chief Electoral Officer to scrutinise absent vote applications, one of the main areas where it is thought that abuse of the system takes place. The provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000 which makes provision for rolling registration will also be extended to Northern Ireland and hence will make the electoral register more accurate. The staffing and other resources of the Chief Electoral Officer are also kept under constant review to ensure they meet changing needs and circumstances. In addition, the Government intend to bring forward other measures which will require legislation by Bill. As already confirmed elsewhere, we hope to find parliamentary time for this before the General Election but the timing will of course depend on the timing of that election.

  Police Service
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the police service in Northern Ireland. [125503]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Police (Northern Ireland) Bill lays the foundations for a new beginning for policing in Northern Ireland including a widely acceptable, effective and representative police service.

  British-Irish Council
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress being made on the British-Irish Council. [125504]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) and for Leeds, Central (Mr. Benn),Official Report, column 327.

  Criminal Justice
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made with the consultation phase of the review of the criminal justice system. [125505]

  Mr. Ingram
  We have received 60 written responses to the report of the review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland from members of the public. A number of seminars have been organised by the Government Department to facilitate consultation and we are aware that a number of other organisations plan to hold conferences to consider the report's recommendations before the consultation period ends on 29 September 2000.

  Downpatrick Police Station
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the removal of the security fortifications at the Police Station in Downpatrick; and if he will make a statement. [125499]

  Mr. Ingram
  The security levels which exist at Downpatrick Royal Ulster Constabulary station are currently under review and any action recommended will be taken after this review is completed.

CABINET OFFICE

  Pesticides Tax
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what(a) representations her office has received and (b) meetings she has held on the topic of the proposed pesticides tax with (i) the British Agrochemicals Association, (ii) UKASTA, (iii) NOAH, (iv) the National Farmers' Union, (v) the Country Landowners' Association and (vi) agrochemical companies, giving the name of each company, including the dates and duration of the meetings. [126899]

  Mr. Timms
  I have been asked to reply.

  Ministers and officials have had numerous meetings with representatives of the agrochemicals industry, agriculture and environmental non-governmental organisations, and received a number of representations on a possible pesticides tax and on a voluntary package of measures to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides use.

  The Government are currently consulting on a formal set of voluntary proposals which have been published by the British Agrochemicals Association. The Government welcome the views of all interested parties on these proposals and their effectiveness in tackling the environmental impacts of pesticide use.

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  AIDS Support Grant

  800,000

  770,000

  810,000

  Drugs and Alcohol Specific Grant

  61,744

  27,421

  0

  Drugs and Alcohol Special Grant1

  —

  —

  0

  Guardians Ad Litem and Reporting Officer Services2

  28,784

  —

  —

  Mental Health Grant

  942,203

  927,401

  1,159,163

  Training Support Programme

  215,091

  198,259

  196,791

  Secure Accommodation (Capital)

  0

  0

  0

  Community Care Special Transitional Grant3

  2,304,652

  2,170,586

  —

  Asylum-Seekers' Accommodation Grant4

  3,846,920

  75,306,235

  —

  Persons from Abroad Children's Grant4

  2,835,433

  3,753,040

  —

  Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children's Grant

  41,163

  879,200

  2,769,000

  Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant5

  ‑

  —

  1,754,966

  Promoting Independence: Prevention Grant5

  —

  —

  146,487

  Promoting Independence: Carers' Grant5

  —

  —

  137,108

  Children's Social Services Grant6

  —

  32,500

  755,373

  1This grant was available in 1999–2000 only

  2This grant ended in March 1998

  3This grant ended in March 1999

  4These grants were transferred to the Home Office from 1999–2000

  5These grants began in 1999–2000

  6This grant began in 1998–99

  7This is the total actually paid. However, auditors have certified that £5,074,621 was the correct amount due. The Department is recovering £231,614.

HEALTH

  Mead Webber Plant
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason a Regulation 10 (Prohibition) Notice was served ordering Mead Webber immediately to cease slaughter operations. [122065]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (as amended) oblige the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to appoint one or more official veterinary surgeons (OVSs) at every licensed fresh meat slaughterhouse in Great Britain to be responsible for the ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection and other health inspection duties.

  Following an alleged assault on an OVS by a member of Mead Webber plant management and ejection of the OVS from the premises on 21 April 2000, a notice was served on the plant occupier under regulation 10 of the regulations at 7.44pm the same day. Regulation 10(1)(b) of the regulations empowers the OVS to serve a notice on the occupier when it appears to the OVS that adequate health inspection in accordance with the regulations is being hampered. The notice was served to prevent operation of the plant in the absence of the OVS until such time as unobstructed access to the plant by the OVS was permitted by the occupier.

  Council Grants
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the specific grants made by his Department, and the amounts allocated through each grant to(a) Westminster and (b) Kensington and Chelsea boroughs for each year since 1997–98. [125422]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table lists the specific and special grants available to councils since 1997-98 and the amount of grant paid to the London Borough of Westminster.
  225W

  The table lists the specific and special grants available to Councils since 1997–98 and the amount of grant paid to the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

  £

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  AIDS Support Grant

  890,000

  760,000

  780,000

  Drugs and Alcohol Specific Grant

  68,378

  53,222

  690,0007

  Drugs and Alcohol Special Grant1

  —

  —

  60,0007

  Guardians Ad Litem and Reporting Officer Services2

  20,520

  —

  —

  Mental Health Grant

  730,177

  813,609

  937,814

  Training Support Programme

  162,939

  160,877

  171,851

  Secure Accommodation (Capital)

  0

  0

  0

  Community Care Special Transitional Grant3

  1,509,005

  1,413,818

  —

  Asylum-Seekers' Accommodation Grant4

  2,326,374

  4,603,767

  —

  Persons from Abroad Children's Grant4

  1,276,670

  1,549,540

  —

  Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children's Grant

  151,731

  646,924

  1,496,800

  Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant5

  —

  —

  1,161,961

  Promoting Independence: Prevention Grant5

  —

  —

  103,047

  Promoting Independence: Carers Grant5

  —

  —

  95,156

  Children's Social Services Grant6

  —

  32,500

  560,122

  1This grant was available in 1999–2000 only

  2This grant ended in March 1998

  3This grant ended in March 1999

  4These grants were transferred to the Home Office from 1999–2000

  5These grants began in 1999–2000

  6This grant began in 1998–99

  7This grant was paid to Kensington and Chelsea to spend on the provision of Pan London services

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which EU countries charge for meat inspection on a headage basis. [R] [126197]

  Ms Stuart
  According to information collected by British Embassies in other member states at the end of 1998, and by the Meat and Livestock Commission in May 1999, it is understood that the following countries charge for meat inspections either partly or wholly on a headage basis:

  Austria

  Belgium

  Denmark

  France

  Germany

  Italy

  Luxembourg

  Portugal

  Republic or Ireland

  Spain

  Sweden.

  Patient Rights
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what work his Department is undertaking to examine the role of patient advocates, with particular regard to supporting complainants through the NHS complaints procedure; and what plans he has to consult community health councils about their role in assisting complainants; [126244]

  (2) when he will respond to the report, "A New Life for Health", prepared by the Commission on Representing the Public Interest in the Health Service; [126245]

  (3) what plans he has to consult on a new NHS Charter. [126246]

  226W
  Ms Stuart
  The Patient Care (Empowerment) Modernisation Action Team is considering the future roles for patient advocates and community health councils in assisting complainants, together with the format and content of a new National Health Service Charter.

  Following publication of the national plan in July, the Department will begin work on implementing the recommendations of the modernisation action teams.

  NHS Patients
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 June 2000,Official Report, column 586W, on NHS patients, if he will list by clinical specialism the number of patients treated and the amounts spent by the NHS on health care in the independent sector in each of the last three years. [126994]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 20 June 2000]A breakdown by clinical specialty is not collected centrally. A breakdown of expenditure and activity by type has been placed in the Library in response to the hon. Member's question of 13 June 2000,Official Report, column 586W.

  Dentists (Reciprocal Arrangements)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reciprocal arrangements exist to enable dentists trained in the UK to practise in India and dentists trained in India to practise in the UK. [126912]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are no reciprocal arrangements. Dentists registered in the United Kingdom who wish to practise in India have to satisfy the statutory authority that their qualifications, training and experience meet its requirements. Like other dentists from abroad, Indian dentists wishing to practise here may apply to the General Dental Council (GDC) to take its statutory examination. Those dentists who wish to undertake postgraduate training in the United Kingdom in a hospital post may
  227W
  apply to the GDC for temporary registration on the basis of evidence of acceptance for employment in that post. Temporary registration is granted for periods not exceeding 12 months up to an aggregate of four years.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000 have not received substantive answers on the grounds of(a) commercial and (b) other confidentiality. [127100]

  Ms Stuart
  There have been two Parliamentary Questions that have not been fully answered on the grounds of commercial confidentiality within the dates specified.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will make a substantive reply to the question from the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead tabled on 18 April relating to Zimbabwe (ref 120086). [125671]

  Mr. Hain
  The question was answered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 19 June 2000,Official Report, columns 20–21W.

  International Investment Disputes
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to assist British companies to enforce judgments made against other Governments by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. [125037]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 12 June 2000]We cannot comment on cases which are the subject of legal proceedings at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Her Majesty's Government expects any State with whom we have a Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to take seriously its treaty obligations and, where such a State is involved in a dispute covered by that treaty, to co-operate fully with any international arbitration procedures and rulings.

  Mitrovica
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the progress made in re-establishing a joint city administration in Mitrovica; [126644]

  (2) what representations he has made to UNMIK regarding (a) establishment of local power-sharing arrangements for the Serbs in Mitrovica; and (b) reestablishing blocked trade ties between the southern and the northern parts of Mitrovica; [126645]

  (3) what recent representations he has received from Mitrovica's regional administrator regarding additional human, financial and security resources for this town; [126643]

  228W
  (4) what estimate he made of progress made by the Joint Interim Administrative Council for Mitrovica. [126646]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]Measures to improve public order and to counter extremist activities in Mitrovica have continued to be a key focus of both UNMIK and KFOR. Working with the Joint Interim Administration Council (JIAC) they have implemented a strategy to stabilise the situation and to build confidence between the communities. UNMIK police and KFOR are taking steps to enhance joint security operations. The zone of confidence in central Mitrovica has been implemented.

  Additional KFOR and UNMIK police and personnel have been deployed. Village employment and rehabilitation projects, funded by the EU, are being implemented around Mitrovica. New protected train and bus services have started allowing Serbs to commute to Mitrovica.

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the funds budgeted by the EU for 1999 has been spent on reconstruction in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [126642]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]In 1999, the EU allocated 93.17 million euros to Bosnia and Herzegovina through its Obnova Programme, which is the main mechanism for reconstruction assistance in the Western Balkans. In 1999 the total Obnova budget was 284.39 million euros and Bosnia and Herzegovina received 32.8 per cent. of the total. The Obnova Programme is funded through the Community Budget.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made in establishing the criminal justice system in Kosovo. [126603]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]Establishment of an impartial and effective judicial and penal system is a priority for the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). 400 judges, prosecutors and lay judges have been appointed and the capacity of the court system has been increased. However, as the UN Secretary-General's latest report noted, ethnic bias and the risk of intimidation continue to hamper the administration of justice. In order to strengthen the effectiveness and integrity of the justice system, the UN is recruiting international judges and prosecutors to work with their local counterparts, in particular to try war and ethnically related crimes. The UK has provided UNMIK with over 40 candidates for international prosecutors and UNMIK staff interviewed candidates in London last week. We also hope soon to be able to provide candidates for international judges and judicial support staff.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made in establishing provisional institutions for democratic self-Government in Kosovo. [126604]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]UNSCR 1244, which established the international presences in Kosovo, gave the international civil presence responsibility for development of provisional institutions for democratic and
  229W
  autonomous self-government. The UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is preparing a draft Regulation on establishment of municipal authorities in Kosovo, for discussion in the Joint Interim Administrative Structures (JIAS). UNMIK intends to hold elections for these authorities later this year.

  The Contact Group is currently developing guidance for UNMIK on the possible structure and content of Kosovo-wide institutions for provisional self-government, taking into account the Rambouillet Accords. UNMIK's proposals for such institutions would also be for discussion in the JIAS. This is unlikely to start in earnest until after the municipal elections.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the US Government regarding the form that the provisional self-Government in Kosovo will take and its relationship to UNMIK and KFOR. [126605]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The US Government is working closely with the UK and our partners in the Contact Group in developing guidance for the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on the possible form and content of provisional institutions for self-government in Kosovo. As required by UNSCR 1244, the development of these institutions will take account of the Rambouillet Accords, of which US officials were the principal architects. Under any proposals for provisional institutions UNMIK and KFOR would retain their overall responsibilities as set out in UNSCR 1244.

  Generation Europe
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding the Generation Europe organisation has received from the(a) British Government and (b) European Union. [126596]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave Generation Europe a one-time support of £10,000 to help fund the publication in 1999 of the Generation Europe student diary, 1999–2000. Generation Europe also received funding from the Community budget in 1999–2000 totalling 217,000 euro (£137,000).

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for how long the Generation Europe organisation has received funding from his Department. [126595]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made only one allocation of funds to Generation Europe. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave Generation Europe a one-time support of £10,000 to help fund the publication in 1999 of the Generation Europe student diary, 1999–2000.

  Small Businesses (EU Legislation)
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the examples he provided, in response to the request from the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 15 June 2000,Official Report, column 1208, of improvements in legislation made to assist small businesses as a result of the Lisbon Special European Council. [127199]
  230W
  Mr. Vaz
  The right hon. Member for Horsham challenged me at 6.50pm on 15 June, to identify three improvements that the Lisbon Special European Council had introduced for business. I responded immediately that I would supply a list of 25 examples before 10 o'clock. I provided a list of no fewer than 35 examples, as follows, and it was faxed to the right hon. Member's office by 9.45 pm.

  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House of Commons in his statement on 27 March 2000, Official Report, columns 21–23, Lisbon marked a sea change in European economic thinking. It pointed Europe in a new direction, towards a new approach based on enterprise, innovation and competition. A work programme is now in hand across the entire breadth of EU economic and social policy, to deliver the improvements that Lisbon called for. The list sets out examples of how much is being done, and the Feira European Council will mark a further step in the delivery of this agenda.

  Economic Benefits for Enterprise from Lisbon

  1. Charter for small firms already agreed, to be confirmed at Feira.

  2. Clear set of principles to ensure small enterprise promoted as main driver for innovation, employment and social integration.

  3. Concrete follow-up action e.g. national bankruptcy laws to be assessed, new regulations screened to assess impact on small business.

  4. Progress to be monitored annually.

  5. Work on structural indicators in hand to promote economic reform in order to benefit enterprise and SMEs, to be endorsed at Nice.

  6. Agreement on improvements to the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, in line with the Lisbon conclusions, to be endorsed at Feira.

  7. Adoption of EU legal framework for electronic commerce reached in April 2000.

  8. E-Europe action plan agreed, to be endorsed at Feira.

  9. Focus on cheaper internet access, accelerating e-commerce and bolstering ICT skills.

  10. Generalised electronic access to main basic public services by 2003.

  11. All schools to have access to the Internet by 2001.

  12. Teachers skilled in use of Internet and multimedia resources by 2002.

  13. European diploma for basic IT skills.

  14. Fully integrated and liberalised telecommunications markets by the end of 2001.

  15. Competition in local loop to reduce substantial costs of using the Internet for business and consumers alike.

  16. Single market strategy agreed (May).

  17. Faster liberalisation of energy and transport. New targets will be established next year following a report from the Commission. Bodes well for forthcoming Gas Directive.

  18. State aids to be reduced further.

  19. EU strategy to remove barriers to services in hand, to be agreed at Nice.

  20. New EU integrated regulation and simplification initiative in hand, to be agreed by June 2001.

  21. Resolution on European Research Area agreed in June 2000. Boost to links between firms and research centres.

  22. Increased mobility of researchers.

  231W

  23. Proposal for regulation on community wide patent (June), to be agreed by 2001. To make patent protection in the EU as simple, inexpensive and comprehensive in scope as the protection granted by key competitors.

  24. Interim review of Employment Guidelines—to include recognition that policies like welfare to work and lifelong learning have a key part to play to fight social exclusion and to ensure that the benefits of the knowledge-based economy will be for all.

  25. Europe-wide database on jobs and learning opportunities, based on a UK idea.

  26. Schools and training centres to be turned into multipurpose local learning centres accessible to all.

  27. European award for firms committed to developing staff potential—a European "Investors in People".

  28. Lisbon agreed to raise employment rate from average of 61 per cent. today to as close as possible to 70 per cent. by 2010.

  29. Target to halve by 2010 the numbers of 18 to 24 year olds with only lower-secondary level education without further education and training.

  30. High Level Group on social protection which was called for by Lisbon is now established. Working to modernise and re-orient EU social policy, away from a narrow focus on employee rights towards: active welfare state, not passive dependency; new focus on employability and life long learning; ensuring that work pays and that welfare systems are sustainable. Agreement to increase investment in human resources.

  31. Political agreement on directive to counter racial discrimination.

  To promote integrated European capital market.

  32. EU action now in hand to lead to common international accounting standards.

  33. Financial Services Action Plan in hand to be implemented in full by 2005.

  34. EIB to make another billion euro available for venture capital for SMEs over the next three years. Tax policies, venture capital and EIB support for private research investments, R&D partnerships and hi-tech start-ups.

  35. Work in hand on rapid adoption of new streamlined rules in the public procurement legislative package for June 2001. Procurement on line by 2003; procurement rules modernised and simplified by 2002. The system will be more accessible to SMEs.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Belgian Government on the regulation of the diamond industry in connection with Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [126679]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have each raised the issue of conflict diamonds with the Belgian Foreign Minister, stressing the need for early international action to prevent revenue from illicit diamond trading fuelling conflict. Officials met with representatives of the Belgian Government and the Diamond High Council of Antwerp this month to discuss a draft United Nations Security Council resolution, proposed by the UK, which would ban trade in diamonds from Sierra Leone which were not certified as legitimate by the Government of Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the strength and composition of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Sierra Leone. [126681]
  232W
  Mr. Hain
  The strength of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) now exceeds 12,500. Principal troop contributors currently include Bangladesh, Ghana, Guinea, India, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia. Her Majesty's Government continue to provide direct headquarters, intelligence and logistic support to UNAMSIL.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of paramilitary activists in Sierra Leone who have voluntarily disarmed and entered into rehabilitation programmes. [126680]

  Mr. Hain
  Of the estimated total of 45,000 combatants in Sierra Leone, by the end of April, some 24,000 had entered the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme under the Lomé Peace Agreement.

  One of the key priorities now is to establish a revised programme for those combatants willing genuinely to disarm.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000,Official Report, column 93W, on the Dome sale, in what proportions the proceeds of the sale of the Dome will be split between the New Millennium Experience Company and English Partnerships. [125449]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 12 June 2000]The proportion of the proceeds that will be split between the New Millennium Experience Company and English Partnerships is still under consideration. Any such decision depends, among other issues, on the precise content of any winning bid for the Dome's legacy.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what legal technical and practical impediments exist to selling the Dome prior to 31 December. [125448]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 12 June 2000]The handover of the Dome to the preferred bidder will take place on 1 January 2001. There are no plans to bring forward the competition timetable. While there are no legal reasons why the Dome could not be sold prior to 1 January, time constraints and issues surrounding planning permission could make handover prior to 1 January difficult for either of the two final shortlisted bidders.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what bids he has received to site biotechnology industry in the Dome following its sale. [126044]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  No bids to site biotechnology industry in the Dome have been received by the Competition team. However, the final shortlisted bid by Legacy plc, which proposes a high technology industrial campus, could be capable of accommodating biotechnology industry occupiers.
  233W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) by what criteria the performance of Pierre-Yves Gerbeau will be judged for the purpose of bonus payment calculations; [125932]

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2000, Official Report, column 397W, regarding the Millennium Dome, if the target for visitor numbers which will be one of a range of measures used in any decision to award a bonus payment to the Chief Executive of the New Millennium Experience Company will be the stated target when P-Y. Gerbeau was appointed; and if he will make a statement. [126290]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 4 February 2000,Official Report, column 771W, by my hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what criteria the success of the Millennium Dome will be judged. [125933]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The 2.7 million people that have visited the Millennium Dome have already judged the project to be a success. More than 85 per cent. of visitors come away from the Dome satisfied with their day and almost 80 per cent. say they will recommend a visit to family and friends. This is a higher satisfaction rating than for any other pay-to-visit attraction in Europe.

  Lottery Grants
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr. Campbell) of 15 May 2000,Official Report, column 580W, on Lottery grants, what steps are proposed to increase the amount of Lottery money going to the constituency of Wirral South. [126955]

  Kate Hoey
  Following the publication on 5 June of a report on the impact of the National Lottery on coalfield and other areas of low take-up, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has set up an action team, involving representatives of both Government and Lottery distributors. The team will look into ways of ensuring that areas of low take-up such as Wirral South receive greater benefit from National Lottery money. Measures to be developed by the team include actively encouraging applications, reducing partnership funding requirements, making decision-making more transparent and a scheme where successful bidders teach other would-be applicants how to apply.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will publish, on a case by case basis, the amounts disbursed to date by the New Millennium Experience Company in relation to litigation; [126464]

  (2) what contingency exists in the budget of the New Millennium Experience Company to meet the cost of litigation; [126462]

  (3) what assessment he made of the value of the New Millennium Experience Company's current and contingent liabilities in relation to litigation. [126463]

  234W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]The New Millennium Experience Company considers that publication of details of issues relating to litigation runs the risk of adversely impacting on its relationships with those organisations and companies it has entered into contract with and, therefore, on its ability to operate in an effective and commercial manner.

  Hawksworth Hall
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received concerning Hawksworth Hall, near Leeds; and if he will make a statement. [126871]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]One such representation has been received by my Department and has been transferred to the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside.

  I am aware that there are proposals to redevelop Hawksworth Hall. The issues currently being considered are a planning and listed building consent application. It would not be right therefore for me to comment on the case, since to do so could prejudice the position of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in the event of the case being called in by him or becoming the subject of an appeal. However, arrangements are in place for this Department to be consulted where appropriate.

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he takes to ensure that the work of special advisers does not compromise the political neutrality of civil servants. [127095]

  The Prime Minister
  The Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code are clear that public resources must not be used for party political purposes and that the political impartiality of the Civil Service must be upheld.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set a maximum limit of two special advisers per department. [127094]

  The Prime Minister
  Under the terms of the Ministerial Code, Cabinet Ministers may each appoint up to two special advisers. Where Ministers appoint two part-time special advisers this will normally be counted as one full-time equivalent. All appointments require my approval. Departures from the rule of two special advisers per Cabinet Minister are exceptional. These decisions are taken on the merits of the individual case.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 21 June. [126581]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I will have further such meetings later today.

  Lord Hoffmann
  Lord Hoffmann
  Speed Limit Enforcement Cameras: Type Approval
  Speed Limit Enforcement Cameras: Type Approval
  Life Sentence Prisoners: Copies of Temporary Licences
  Life Sentence Prisoners: Copies of Temporary Licences
  HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs: Chief Inspector of Prisons' Report
  HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs: Chief Inspector of Prisons' Report
  Flood Control Action Plan
  Flood Control Action Plan
  Fishing Licences
  Fishing Licences
  Chinook Helicopter Accident
  Chinook Helicopter Accident
  War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme
  War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme
  Cultural Diversity Network
  Cultural Diversity Network
  Channel 5
  Channel 5
  Royal Parks Footpaths and Cycle Tracks: Use by Motor Vehicles
  Royal Parks Footpaths and Cycle Tracks: Use by Motor Vehicles
  NHS Religious Provision
  NHS Religious Provision
  Merrywood School, Bristol
  Merrywood School, Bristol
  A-level Grades A and B at Independent and Grammar Schools
  A-level Grades A and B at Independent and Grammar Schools
  Departmental Cars
  Departmental Cars
  Winter Fuel Payments: Birth Certificates
  Winter Fuel Payments: Birth Certificates