Written Answers of 13 March 2000

CABINET OFFICE

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list those Regulatory Impact Assessments published during the latest six month period. [114551]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government are committed to ensuring that regulations are necessary, give effective protection, balance cost and risk, are fair and command public confidence. In accordance with this, we require Departments to produce and publish Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) for all regulatory proposals likely to have an impact on business.

  I have presented to Parliament today a Command Paper listing 78 RIAs published between 1 July and 31 December 1999. Copies of those listed have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Please note that this Command Paper entitled "Regulatory Impact Assessments" has replaced the previous series entitled "Compliance Cost Assessment". This is the twelfth such Command Paper.

  Rat Infestations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the total expenditure for each of the past three years for treating and controlling rat infestations in buildings and land occupied by Government Departments. [113045]

  Mr. Stringer
  Individual Government Departments are responsible for managing and maintaining the land and property they occupy. The information requested is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The approximate costs (exclusive of value added tax) incurred by the Cabinet Office on pest control in each of the past three financial years in the buildings in which it is the main or sole occupier (including No. 10 Downing Street and the premises occupied by the Cabinet Office agencies) are set out in the table. The specific costs of treating and controlling rat infestations are not recorded separately.

  Year

  £

  1997–98

  13,600

  1998–99

  14,350

  1999–2000 (to date)

  14,050

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to increase the accountability to Parliament of(a) non-departmental public bodies and (b) task forces. [113305]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  None. NDPBs are accountable direct to Parliament through their sponsoring Department. Task Forces, not classified as NDPBs, are accountable to Ministers who in turn are accountable to Parliament.

  Global Cultural Diversity Congress
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement about the involvement of the Central Office of Information with the Global Cultural Diversity Congress and Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. [112736]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Central Office of Information (COI) was commissioned by Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd., to provide technical and management support for the Global Cultural Diversity Congress.

  In addition, at the request of the Chairman of the CRE, a member of COI staff was appointed as an unpaid director of Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. to provide events and technical service expertise and knowledge.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what is the nature of the co-operation between the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy; in what ways the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator co-operates with the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy; and what agreements the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has signed with the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy. [113088]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The UK and US Governments maintain a wide-ranging dialogue on drugs issues. There are regular exchanges of information and expertise on all aspects of anti-drugs work. The relationship is excellent.

  General Barry McCaffrey, the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy visited the UK from 24–26 October 1999 for discussions with Ministers—including myself—and officials. During this visit the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator Keith Hellawell met General McCaffrey and held discussions on drug control policies and initiatives. UK and US officials also held bilateral meetings to discuss a number of drug related topics at this time. The following areas were covered:

  drug prevention/research programmes;

  drug treatment programmes;

  drugs and criminal offenders;

  drug-related science and technology applications;

  trends in drug availability and drug markets;

  performance measures in national strategies;

  doping in sports.

  At the end of this visit, the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a Joint

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  Communiqué noting satisfaction with their discussions and pledging continued co-operation between the two countries on drugs policy.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff have been dismissed from the Civil Service in each of the last five years; and what proportion of the total staff in post this represented in each year. [113608]

  Mr. Stringer
  The numbers of staff dismissed from the non-industrial Civil Service over the last five years and the proportions of total staff are as follows. The figures cover dismissals and discharges on inefficiency or disciplinary grounds.

  Year of staff

  Number of staff dismissed/discharged

  Proportion (percentage)

  1994–95

  880

  0.2

  1995–96

  750

  0.2

  1996–97

  870

  0.2

  1997–98

  650

  0.1

  1998–99

  594

  0.1

PRIME MINISTER

  World Education Forum
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister what objectives Her Majesty's Government will seek to attain at the World Education Forum in Dakar in April. [114210]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Mr. Williams) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 1 March 2000,Official Report, columns 296–97W.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  News Releases
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000 what was(a) the number of occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from his Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113976]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: During the period an external courier was used twice daily, excluding weekends, at a cost of £54,113.07.

  Decommissioning Commission
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for each year since it was established up to the latest available date what has been(a) the total cost and (b) the cost to United Kingdom funds of the International Commission under General de Chastelain; and under what main headings the sums were paid. [102157]
  4W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Independent International Decommissioning Commission is jointly funded by the British and Irish Governments. The total costs associated with the Commission from September 1997 to December 1999 are as set out.

  (a) Total costs—1R£3,153,332.65

  (b) Total costs to United Kingdom government—£1,339,571.43

  The costs are divided into three main headings.

  IR£

  Salaries/subsistence

  1,009,310.09

  Travel/accommodation

  1,570,881.70

  Other1

  573,150.86

  1 Other includes set up costs for the Commission offices as well as on-going running expenses.

  It was not possible to give precise costs on an annual basis since the two Governments work to different annual accounting periods.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for the financial year 1998–99(a) the number and (b) the total value of contracts let by his Department with external consultants and advisers that (i) were put out to competitive tender, (ii) were not put out to competitive tender and (iii) were let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109268]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 February 2000]: The figures requested are as follows:

  (i) Put out to competitive tender

  (a) 520

  (b) £9,523,828.15

  Individuals/organisations

  Admiral

  Advanced Learning Systems

  AMT SYBEX

  Anderson Spratt Group Holdings

  Ase Ltd.

  BDP

  BIC Systems Ltd.

  Britannia

  Capita Management Consultants Ltd.

  Carr Communications

  Centre for Research in HE

  Change Management Consultancy

  Colin Stutt Consulting

  Community Evaluation (NI)

  Community Technical Aid

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Deirdre Fitzpatrick Association

  Deloitte & Touche

  DIBB Lupton and Alsop

  Donald McGrigor

  Dr. Tony Hughes

  DTZ Pieda

  5W

  EPEC

  Ernst and Young

  FE Development Agency

  FPM Consultancy

  FPM McCormick

  FSL Computer Systems Ltd.

  GPA

  Grant Thornton

  Helm Corporation

  Hillen & Jenkinson

  ICL

  ICL (CFM)

  ICL Multivendor Computing

  ICL Outsourcing Ltd.

  IMI(NI) Ltd.

  James Maguire Associates

  Johnlaird Public Relations Ltd.

  Juran Institute

  KPMG

  London Economics

  M. B. McGrady & Co

  Manchester University

  Matt Dryman

  Mentor Enterprise Development Ltd.

  Microsoft Ltd.

  Mike Brogden (QUB)

  Mitchell Holmes

  Moran Management Development

  Mr. L. Worral

  Northern Bank Factors Ltd.

  OCTA

  Parity Solutions

  Peks (Glass)

  Peritas

  Price Waterhouse

  PriceWaterhouseCoopers

  Psychometric Research and Development

  Real Statistics

  Research & Evaluation Services

  Roy McCune Association

  RPS Cairns

  Saville & Holdsworth

  SGS Yarley

  The Learning Centre

  Trutz Hasse

  Ulster Marketing Surveys Ltd.

  University of Manchester

  Venture International

  Wansboroughs

  (ii) Not put out to competitive tender

  (a) 241

  (b) £1,909,749.77

  Individuals/organizations

  Advanced Learning Systems

  Ann Barlow

  B. Jenkins

  Bird & Bird

  Cambridge Policy Consultants

  6W

  CCTA

  CFM ICL and CEICA

  CHKS Ltd.

  Claire Archbald

  Colin Stutt Consultancy

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Costello Associates

  Coutts

  D. Shiels

  David Lock Associates

  David Raynor Services

  Deloitte Touche

  DFK Consulting

  Digital Archiving Services

  DMS Consultancy

  Donaldsons Chartered Surveyors

  Dr. S. Covey

  East Antrim Institute

  Elite Training Services

  Environmental Resources Management

  Ethne Harkness

  Farming & Rural Conservation Agency

  First Consultants Group

  Forestry Commission

  Gilpin Black

  Gordon Dawson

  HCS Ltd.

  Helm Corporation

  Hillen and Jenkinson

  Hughes Associates

  Ian Brown FCA

  ICL Outsourcing

  IFF Research Ltd.

  Irvine McKay

  John Boyle

  Karen Mcllwrath

  Kiang

  Knapp & Kendall

  KPMG

  Liz Comerton

  Manpower plc

  Matrix Business Service

  Mike Ratcliffe (Pensions) Ltd.

  MMC Consulting

  NCC Service Ltd.

  Neil Lambe

  NI Quality Centre

  Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre

  Open Learning Centre

  Ordnance Survey NI

  Peter Bennett

  PriceWaterhouseCoopers

  Professor D. Conliffe

  Professor Paul Connolly

  Professor Seamus Dunn

  Professor Vani Borooah

  Project Planning International

  QAS Systems

  7W

  Research & Evaluation Services

  RMB Consulting

  Robert Kennedy

  S. Dolan

  Simon Bridge Associates

  Simon Wallace

  The Cabling Partnership

  The Further Education Development Agency

  University of Ulster

  Valerie Kelly (ICL)

  Venture International

  Western Health Board

  York University

  (iii) Non-commercial

  (a) 7

  (b) £42,345.65

  Individuals/organizations

  Central Office of Information

  Helm Corporation

  Mr. T. Gourley

  Realizations International

  Transport Research Lab

  Wallace Walker

  Wellington Group

  Murder Rates
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out on a comparable basis the number of murders recorded in Northern Ireland in each of the past 30 years. [110564]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the number of murders recorded in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1998 (the latest full year available), divided since 1988 into murders attributable to the security situation and other murders.

  Offences of murder recorded 1969–98

  Number of murders

  Year

  Security situation

  Others

  Total

  1969

  —

  —

  5

  1970

  —

  —

  14

  1971

  —

  —

  123

  1972

  —

  —

  376

  1973

  —

  —

  200

  1974

  —

  —

  205

  1975

  —

  —

  238

  1976

  —

  —

  280

  1977

  —

  —

  116

  1978

  —

  —

  82

  1979

  —

  —

  128

  1980

  —

  —

  85

  1981

  —

  —

  95

  1982

  —

  —

  99

  1983

  —

  —

  86

  1984

  —

  —

  63

  1985

  —

  —

  59

  1986

  —

  —

  85

  1987

  —

  —

  100

  1988

  84

  27

  111

  1989

  57

  10

  67

  1990

  65

  6

  71

  1991

  89

  25

  114

  1992

  81

  27

  108

  1993

  82

  19

  101

  8W

  Offences of murder recorded 1969–98

  Number of murders

  Year

  Security situation

  Others

  Total

  1994

  61

  21

  82

  1995

  8

  14

  22

  1996

  14

  21

  35

  1997

  20

  20

  40

  1998

  54

  26

  80

  Note:

  The 1969–87 figures include both security related murders and crime.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Credit Guarantees (Bulgaria)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is towards extending export credit guarantees to Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement. [113641]

  Mr. Caborn
  ECGD cover for Bulgaria was withdrawn in 1990 following a default on their external debt obligations. ECGD are currently conducting a review of cover policy in the light of recent improvements in Bulgaria's economic position. ECGD expect to announce the outcome of this review in the next few weeks.

  Anglo-Indian Trade
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts he is taking to promote increased trade between Britain and the Indian subcontinent; and if he will make a statement. [113654]

  Mr. Caborn
  This region is important to the United Kingdom, in both trade and investment terms. British Trade International is conducting an enhanced trade promotion campaign for India, reflecting the market potential and the high priority we attach to increasing trade. During a visit to India in January, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State re-launched the Indo-British Partnership, the vehicle for developing our bilateral trade cooperation. He announced a new scheme—the Global Enterprise Initiative, designed to encourage 200 new business partnerships over the next two years. He also set a target for a 20 per cent. increase in bilateral trade, currently worth over £4 billion.

  We also devote resource to facilitate UK trade with the other countries of the region, notably Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

  International Price Comparisons
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 683W, for what reason the first paragraph of his news release dated 11 February stated that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry today published the Government's first ever international prices survey. [114261]
  9W
  Mr. Byers
  The DTI News Release was issued to the media on 11 February embargoed not for use until Sunday 13 February
  the day of publication of the International Price Comparison report.

  Airbus
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Government support for United Kingdom involvement in Airbus. [114709]

  Mr. Byers
  I am pleased to announce that the Government have just entered into a partnership with BAe Systems to secure UK participation in the Airbus A3XX project, to design and build the wings for the world's largest passenger jet. The Government will invest £530 million in the programme, with BAe Systems investing over £1 billion in design and development alone. The Government investment will be repaid by BAe Systems paying levies on aircraft sales.

  The major investment in the UK's leading manufacturing industry will create 22,000 long term new jobs in the UK, 8,000 in BAe Systems and supply companies, and 14,000 new induced employment. It will safeguard a further 62,000 jobs, 20,000 on current Airbus programmes and 42,000 in induced employment. It will confirm the UK as a global centre of excellence in an important area of high technology engineering. It is a practical demonstration of the commitment of the Government, BAe Systems and the UK aerospace industry to Airbus, which has developed over the last 30 years into a highly successful European industrial collaboration. Airbus secured over half the orders for large passenger aircraft in 1999, and the A3XX will enable them to build on this firm base.

  Pakistan (Exports)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what open individual export licences for export to Pakistan are being processed; and how long each application has taken. [112769]

  Dr. Howells
  Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through DTI's Export Control Organisation. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the DTI to other government departments with an interest as determined by those departments in line with their policy responsibilities. These include FCO, MOD and DflD.

  As of 3 March, a decision had not yet been taken on 30 applications for an Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) to export to consignees or end-users in Pakistan of goods listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 19994 (commonly known as the Military List), or other goods; 28 of these applications were received before 12 October 1999, the date of the coup in Pakistan.

  Policy on arms sales to Pakistan was set out in a note from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Joint Inquiry on the Government's Annual Reports for 1997 and 1998 on Strategic Export Controls which was published in the Inquiry's report (HC225, page 74). The
  10W
  note stated there has been no change to the Government's policy of considering export licence applications for Pakistan on a case by case basis against the national criteria and those in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, and in the light of the statement made on 10 July 1998, Official Report, columns 687–88W, by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) following the Pakistani and Indian Nuclear tests.

  Applications for export licences can take some time to process, especially if the situation in the country concerned is fluid. The coup in Pakistan created many uncertainties, and, in the circumstances, it is right for the Government to take the time necessary to assess the new regime's behaviour and intentions before deciding on outstanding export licence applications.

  Flower Imports
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the value of flowers imported into the United Kingdom from EU countries for each year since 1990. [113895]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information is given in the table.

  UK imports of bulbs, tubers etc., and cut flowers from EU countries

  £000

  Bulbs, tubers etc.

  Cut flowers and buds

  Total

  1990

  28,206

  128,404

  156,610

  1991

  30,948

  123,621

  154,569

  1992

  33,018

  126,567

  159,585

  1993

  29,424

  131,061

  160,485

  1994

  31,221

  148,927

  180,148

  1995

  35,703

  165,034

  200,737

  1996

  35,490

  191,513

  227,003

  1997

  35,335

  225,000

  260,335

  1998

  38,918

  257,941

  296,859

  1999

  31,215

  261,754

  292,969

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise.

  Synchrotron
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a decision on the location of the synchrotron. [110002]

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the location of the DIAMOND project. [105262]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: The Government have announced today that the synchrotron will be located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Didcot, Oxford.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Television Programmes (Home Recording)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the proposed EU copyright directive in respect of its effect on the legality of home recording of television programmes. [112558]
  11W
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: I have been asked to reply.

  While the draft Directive would allow member states to provide exceptions to copyright permitting private copying of protected material on audio or audiovisual recording media, an amendment proposed by the European Parliament, and taken up by the European Commission in their amended proposal, would require that right owners receive "fair compensation" in exchange for such exceptions. However, as we have always stressed in discussions with the Commission and other member states, we do not consider that a levy or other form of payment would be justified in relation to the UK's limited exception in this area which allows home recording of broadcasts to enable viewing or listening at a more convenient time ("time-shifting"). Although there have been encouraging signs of flexibility from the Commission and others on the precise meaning of "fair compensation", we are still concerned that the overall approach to exceptions in the Directive is too prescriptive, and we are continuing to press strongly for further improvements in this area. We also recognise the potential conflict between exceptions to rights and the use of technical protection measures by right owners, and we are seeking a balanced solution to this issue which would allow users' reasonable "time-shifting" expectations to continue to be met.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the loss of playing fields and recreational grounds since May 1997. [110836]

  Kate Hoey
  The Government are delivering on the manifesto pledge to protect playing fields that schools and communities need because too many have been lost in recent years and grassroots sport has suffered as a result.

  Local authorities are required to consult Sport England on all planning applications affecting sports pitches and playing fields. Since it has taken on this role, there has been a significant increase in the number of local authorities consulting Sport England, which is largely due to greater awareness of their obligation. Applications are assessed by Sport England against its published playing fields policy founded on a presumption against loss unless there are exceptional circumstances.

  Figures show that Sport England receive around 60 applications a month and are objecting to about one third of these. The majority of those approved either contribute to better overall sporting provision, do not affect sports pitches or are proven to be surplus to school and community requirements.

  In addition, the Town and Country Planning (Playing Fields) (England) Direction 1998 was issued on 15 December 1998 and requires planning authorities to refer to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions planning applications on playing fields which they are minded to approve but where Sport England has objected.

  New legislation has also been introduced to require all state schools to seek approval from the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for the sale of playing fields, and to consult the local community and other user
  12W
  groups. Since these measures were put in place, the number of school playing field disposals has dropped from some 40 a month to only three. Approval is given only where funds raised are ploughed back into sport and education, and where remaining playing fields fully meet the needs of the school and community both now and in the future. Around a half of approved disposals that affect school sports pitches have been at closed or closing schools, and some 70 per cent. of the remainder which have been approved will lead to new, improved sports facilities.

  Further measures to help communities increase playing fields and green spaces have been launched through the Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities initiative, launched in January this year by the New Opportunities Fund. This will, by 2002, commit a total of £125 million of projects designed to help urban and rural communities throughout the UK, create new, or enhance existing, areas of open space. This will include as a priority the creation of new playing fields and recreational areas, with an emphasis on the needs of areas of multiple deprivation.

  My Department is working closely with the Central Council for Physical Recreation and National Playing Fields Association, as well as the DfEE and DETR, in monitoring and evaluating the measures we have put in place, and will consider whether any further action is necessary.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will answer the questions from the right hon. Member for Birkenhead on the Millennium Dome tabled on 15 January (ref. 104655) and 26 January (ref. 108039).[110343]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 15 February 2000]: I refer my right hon. Friend to the replies I gave on 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 800W and on 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 350W.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made in establishing a Viewers' Panel on the change from analogue to digital broadcasts. [112559]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: My Department is currently in the process of considering the composition and terms of reference for the Viewers' Panel. I would expect the Panel to reflect the interests of viewers from across the UK and to provide advice on the extent of progress towards digital television from the viewer's point of view. I expect the Viewers' Panel to make its first report next autumn.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of his Department's electricity is generated from renewable sources; and what target his Department has for meeting its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010. [113053]
  13W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Department obtains its electricity from the host REC, London Electricity. The latest figures from London Electricity (1998) indicated that 98 per cent. of its supply comes from predominantly fossil fuel generating sources via the National Grid and 2 per cent. is purchased from local generators. These are mainly local combined heat and power schemes.

  As the Department is too small to justify its own generating capacity, any future increase in the percentage of power obtained from renewable sources will rely on London Electricity or an alternative REC changing the make up of its own supply.

  Football Grounds (Athletics)
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those London football clubs with which his Department or Sport England has discussed ground sharing with athletics; and if he will make a statement. [113776]

  Kate Hoey
  My Department has had no discussions with London football clubs about ground sharing with athletics.

  Athletics Venues
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if DLA Ellerbe Beckett have been engaged by his Department in an advisory role on architectural issues relating to possible athletics venues in London. [113775]

  Kate Hoey
  Ellerbe Beckett were asked, as a continuation of their contract with UK Sport, to undertake an assessment of the proposals for athletics at Twickenham put forward by architects acting on behalf of the Rugby Football Union.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what amendments to the Lottery Funding Agreement relating to Wembley National Stadium have been discussed by the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. with his Department in the context of the proposed £20 million payment. [113780]

  Kate Hoey
  My officials have discussed with Sport England some of the issues in relation to their role as a Lottery distributer, and have confirmed that it seems wholly reasonable to consider, with legal advice, amendments to particular LFA conditions which are requested by the parties to the original agreement. However, any proposed amendments to the Lottery Funding Agreement (LFA) are matters for Wembley National Stadium Ltd., the Football Association and Sport England to consider.

  Trafalgar Square (Pedestrianisation)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the plans for the partial pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square on the Square's potential to attract tourists and Londoners. [113643]
  14W
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The partial pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square is included in Phase 1 of the wider "World Squares for All" master plan. Public consultation on the master plan, for which the new Mayor for London will take over lead responsibility later this year, has shown widespread public support. Further extensive public consultation is currently under way on the detailed proposals for Phase 1, which aim to improve access for pedestrians and provide greater enjoyment of Trafalgar Square and adjoining areas. Londoners and visitors alike will benefit from improved accessibility of the National Gallery.

  Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with which body the Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has a contract of employment. [114349]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 16 February 2000,Official Report, column 54W.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Photo Passes
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what restrictions there are on the number of overseas staff an hon. Member can have photo passes for; when these restrictions were imposed; and what plans his Committee has to review them. [114204]

  Mrs. Roe
  The Administration Committee endorses the recommendations of the House of Commons (Services) Committee in its Report "Access to the Precincts of the House" (HC(1987–88)580), approved by the House on 30 January 1989, and which my Committee has no immediate plans to review. The Services Committee recommended that no hon. Member should be entitled to Palace of Westminster photo passes for more than three individual members of their personal staff. The number of passes issued to temporary research assistants from overseas is limited to 150 in any one calendar year, and to 50 at any one time.

  Hon. Members are permitted to have one temporary overseas student only working for them at a time to ensure that as many hon. Members as possible are able to take advantage of this opportunity. This does not affect the right of hon. Members to employ foreign nationals as secretaries, or as research assistants, on a longer term basis.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Urban Regeneration (Rogers Report)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the recommendations contained in the report on urban regeneration by Lord Rogers (1) have been implemented by the Government; [114410]

  (2) he will have implemented by the end of 2000. [114411]
  15W
  Ms Armstrong
  The Urban Task Force report "Towards an Urban Renaissance" made more than 100 forward-thinking recommendations about how to revitalise our towns and cities. It formed an excellent contribution to the debate on how to reverse the social, physical and economic decline that many of our urban areas have faced in recent decades.

  The Government are looking at the report's recommendations in detail as we prepare for the forthcoming White Paper on Urban policy. But we, and others, have already acted on many of its proposals. We are keen to maintain the momentum created by the report and believe that we should all be working hard to create an urban renaissance now.

  It is important to remember that the recommendations of the Task Force are not for DETR or for Government alone. Many recommendations were directed at local authorities, other public sector organisations and service providers. For its part the Government have already:
  set up three pilot Urban Regeneration Companies in Liverpool, East Manchester and Sheffield. These will co-ordinate the regeneration of run-down urban neighbourhoods within a wider local strategy developed by the local authority and its partners, listening to local people's needs and ensuring local priorities are met:
  set up nine pilot home zones—traffic schemes in residential areas which will give residents more control over traffic movements and ensure that the needs of people, rather than traffic, come first;
  published revised PPG12 which advocates simpler and more effective development plans. This helps to fulfil the Urban Task Force's recommendation to streamline the planning process;
  piloted eight Private Finance Initiatives for Housing Revenue Account pathfinders, helping fulfil the need to attract private investment in local communities;
  taken steps to put Local Transport Plans on a statutory footing ensuring that local authorities take an integrated and strategic approach to planning transport provision in their area;
  revised planning guidance for transport to promote civilised towns and cities where the needs of people are given priority.
  Last week the Government also published "Revised planning policy guidance on Housing (PPG3)". This introduces a new sustainable approach to planning for housing which addresses a large number of Lord Rogers' recommendations including promoting better designed places and giving priority to recycling previously developed sites and empty properties.

  A great deal of work is still being carried out on the full range of Lord Rogers' proposals and the Government's approach to the many issues he raised will be set out in the White Paper. It is not, therefore, possible to say at this time how many of the recommendations will have been addressed by the end of this year.

  Fair Rents
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average weekly difference between rent officer determinations of registered fair rents during the period that the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 was in force(a) before the cap was applied and (b) after the cap had been applied (i) in England and (ii) by region. [1133381
  16W
  Mr. Mullin
  Provisional figures for England are given in the table.

  Average weekly amount by which the rent officer determination of 'uncapped' fair rent exceeded the 'capped' rent during the period May to December 1999

  Amount by which uncapped fair rent exceeded capped rent

  (£) per week

  Number of cases

  London

  Barking

  5.46

  27

  Barnet

  8.35

  638

  Bexley

  3.40

  226

  Brent

  8.69

  810

  Bromley

  6.17

  335

  City of London

  2.01

  62

  Camden

  25.49

  866

  Croydon

  3.00

  105

  Ealing

  8.16

  614

  Enfield

  2.83

  240

  Greenwich

  4.10

  360

  Hackney

  4.73

  688

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3.75

  831

  Haringey

  7.77

  845

  Harrow

  2.75

  187

  Havering

  3.93

  154

  Uxbridge/Hillingdon

  4.03

  266

  Hounslow

  7.05

  367

  Islington

  5.70

  714

  Kensington and Chelsea

  13.17

  669

  Lambeth

  11.64

  950

  Lewisham

  3.99

  629

  Merton

  4.93

  318

  Newham

  5.51

  797

  Redbridge

  2.01

  197

  Richmond

  6.41

  429

  Southwark

  2.12

  414

  Sutton

  1.56

  105

  Tower Hamlets

  8.44

  439

  Waltham

  7.45

  721

  Wandsworth

  5.52

  1,314

  Westminster

  7.74

  536

  London

  7.56

  15,853

  English counties

  Avon

  5.78

  578

  Bedfordshire

  2.77

  212

  Berkshire

  4.96

  407

  Buckinghamshire

  5.53

  207

  Cambridgeshire

  10.27

  400

  Cheshire

  4.58

  543

  Cleveland

  1.63

  81

  Cornwall

  7.29

  13

  Cumbria

  2.25

  91

  Derbyshire

  2.59

  120

  Devon

  3.83

  179

  Dorset

  4.08

  226

  Durham

  3.71

  75

  East Sussex

  5.83

  169

  Essex

  5.59

  378

  Gloucestershire

  10.50

  308

  Greater Manchester

  3.06

  1,570

  Hampshire

  6.65

  724

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  2.97

  204

  Hertfordshire

  6.28

  568

  Humberside

  3.34

  273

  Isle of Wight

  7.62

  13

  Kent

  4.35

  618

  Lancashire

  2.12

  271

  Leicestershire

  2.28

  485

  Lincolnshire

  2.12

  107

  Merseyside

  4,35

  2,434

  Norfolk

  6.26

  522

  Northumberland

  1.79

  143

  Northamptonshire

  4.28

  212

  North Yorkshire

  3.37

  376

  Nottingham

  3.00

  246

  Oxfordshire

  13.32

  193

  17W

  Average weekly amount by which the rent officer determination of 'uncapped' fair rent exceeded the 'capped' rent during the period May to December 1999

  Amount by which uncapped fair rent exceeded capped rent

  (£) per week

  Number of cases

  Shrewsbury

  3.89

  30

  Somerset

  7.34

  93

  South Yorkshire

  1.85

  256

  Staffordshire

  4.32

  100

  Suffolk

  2.97

  243

  Surrey

  5.00

  534

  Tyne and Wear

  2.49

  850

  Warwickshire

  3.41

  533

  West Midlands

  2.38

  532

  West Sussex

  3.90

  441

  West Yorkshire

  2.23

  964

  Wiltshire

  5.87

  289

  English regions

  London

  7.56

  15,853

  North East

  2.42

  1,149

  North West and Merseyside

  3.80

  4,909

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2.57

  1,869

  East Midlands

  2.81

  1,170

  West Midlands

  3.03

  1,399

  Eastern

  6.19

  2,323

  South East

  5.66

  3,306

  South West

  6.32

  1,686

  England

  5.86

  33,664

  Note:

  That the unavailability of data from February to April 1999 is because of processing problems directly associated with the introduction of the Order. These problems continued to affect some rent officer areas after April 1999. Consequently the number of cases for each region may be an under-estimate of the total number of fair rent cases determined by the rent officer in that region during the period May to December.

  Source:

  Provisional rent officer determinations for May-December 1999

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants during the period that the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 was in force in(a) England and (b) by regions where (i) the rent was capped under the Order and (ii) the rent was not capped under the Order. [113337]

  Mr. Mullin
  Provisional figures for England are given in the table.

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants during May-December 1999 where the rent was (i) capped and (ii) not capped under the Order

  Rent capped

  Rent not capped

  £ per week

  Number of cases

  £ per week

  Number of cases

  London

  Barking

  53.56

  27

  60.77

  4

  Barnet

  79.12

  638

  78.45

  88

  Bexley

  58.74

  226

  63.75

  28

  Brent

  61.62

  810

  59.84

  60

  Bromley

  71.73

  335

  85.23

  27

  City of London

  67.47

  62

  n/a

  0

  Camden

  77.67

  866

  104.11

  80

  Croydon

  77.36

  105

  80.86

  155

  Ealing

  64.60

  614

  76.86

  134

  Enfield

  60.59

  240

  61.54

  110

  Greenwich

  67.66

  360

  79.02

  7

  Hackney

  58.62

  688

  65.47

  70

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  68.23

  831

  77.30

  52

  18W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants during May-December 1999 where the rent was (i) capped and (ii) not capped under the Order

  Rent capped

  Rent not capped

  £ per week

  Number of cases

  £ per week

  Number of cases

  Haringey

  65.63

  845

  72.49

  70

  Harrow

  70.46

  187

  75.43

  37

  Havering

  63.23

  154

  80.77

  6

  Uxbridge/Hillingdon

  67.21

  266

  74.95

  27

  Hounslow

  74.65

  367

  81.20

  14

  Islington

  66.30

  714

  84.55

  57

  Kensington and Chelsea

  71.06

  669

  141.61

  239

  Lambeth

  59.59

  950

  58.94

  101

  Lewisham

  53.72

  629

  56.61

  75

  Merton

  80.08

  318

  80.79

  34

  Newham

  56.30

  797

  51.24

  43

  Redbridge

  50.06

  197

  57.27

  66

  Richmond

  75.42

  429

  84.94

  23

  Southwark

  60.81

  414

  66.91

  123

  Sutton

  63.34

  105

  67.62

  73

  Tower Hamlets

  67.21

  439

  43.00

  10

  Waltham

  50.53

  721

  52.84

  121

  Wandsworth

  76.32

  1,314

  88.85

  37

  Westminster

  77.02

  536

  127.78

  82

  London

  66.56

  15,853

  81.21

  2,053

  English counties

  Avon

  66.22

  578

  71.75

  80

  Bedfordshire

  54.81

  212

  54.98

  65

  Berkshire

  72.64

  407

  82.70

  82

  Buckinghamshire

  57.20

  207

  61.47

  29

  Cambridgeshire

  52.59

  400

  54.68

  80

  Cheshire

  37.10

  543

  50.37

  87

  Cleveland

  53.52

  81

  44.78

  133

  Cornwall

  48.57

  13

  60.04

  168

  Cumbria

  40.19

  91

  40.65

  136

  Derbyshire

  43.16

  120

  44.85

  424

  Devon

  60.83

  179

  64.36

  260

  Dorset

  64.01

  226

  64.89

  379

  Durham

  46.53

  75

  43.80

  111

  East Sussex

  72.09

  169

  75.62

  386

  Essex

  61.69

  378

  60.18

  631

  Gloucestershire

  57.94

  308

  76.51

  80

  Greater Manchester

  42.81

  1,570

  40.79

  432

  Hampshire

  64.88

  724

  71.32

  360

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  51.36

  204

  51.59

  167

  Hertfordshire

  76.10

  568

  73.36

  181

  Humberside

  47.46

  273

  44.73

  357

  Isle of Wight

  50.83

  13

  58.19

  63

  Kent

  71.22

  618

  68.22

  557

  Lancashire

  45.50

  271

  46.99

  115

  Leicestershire

  47.93

  485

  51.73

  292

  Lincolnshire

  45.44

  107

  45.15

  159

  Merseyside

  44.60

  2,434

  46.52

  754

  Norfolk

  49.71

  522

  52.86

  227

  Northumberland

  46.01

  143

  43.35

  163

  Northamptonshire

  53.52

  212

  50.59

  58

  North Yorkshire

  53.81

  376

  56.45

  161

  Nottingham

  48.82

  246

  52.64

  546

  Oxfordshire

  74.28

  193

  86.69

  55

  Shropshire

  50.49

  30

  50.65

  59

  Somerset

  56.66

  93

  61.99

  80

  South Yorkshire

  40.65

  256

  38.94

  628

  Staffordshire

  41.72

  100

  43.11

  391

  Suffolk

  49.59

  243

  51.15

  200

  Surrey

  83.38

  534

  96.17

  72

  Tyne and Wear

  43.22

  850

  39.55

  255

  Warwickshire

  49.70

  533

  51.25

  76

  West Midlands

  46.09

  532

  49.13

  1,073

  West Sussex

  69.40

  441

  80.17

  191

  West Yorkshire

  42.82

  964

  47.16

  663

  Wiltshire

  64.64

  289

  72.70

  46

  English regions

  London

  66.56

  15,853

  81.21

  2,053

  North East

  44.51

  1,149

  42.25

  662

  North West and Merseyside

  43.17

  4,909

  44.63

  1,524

  19W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants during May-December 1999 where the rent was (i) capped and (ii) not capped under the Order

  Rent capped

  Rent not capped

  £ per week

  Number of cases

  £ per week

  Number of cases

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  45.41

  1,869

  44.66

  1,809

  East Midlands

  48.41

  1,170

  49.34

  1,479

  West Midlands

  48.02

  1,399

  48.17

  1,766

  Eastern

  59.06

  2,323

  58.83

  1,384

  South East

  70.99

  3,306

  73.59

  1,795

  South West

  62.91

  1,686

  65.49

  1,093

  England

  59.55

  33,664

  57.99

  13,565

  Note:

  The unavailability of data from February to April 1999 is because of processing problems directly associated with the introduction of the Order. These problems continued to affect some rent officer areas after April 1999. Consequently the number of cases for each region may be an under-estimate of the total number of fair rent cases determined by the rent officer in that region during the period May to December.

  Source:

  Provisional rent officer determinations for May-December 1999.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants(a) in England and (b) by each region in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97, (iv) 1997–98 and (v) 1998–99. [113336]

  Mr. Mullin
  The available figures for England are given in the table.

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994–95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  London

  Barking and Dagenham

  £

  41.40

  43.36

  47.47

  51.79

  54.11

  Number of cases

  8

  69

  102

  102

  93

  Barnet

  £

  55.64

  59.97

  71.74

  73.52

  81.49

  Number of cases

  797

  472

  326

  758

  613

  Bexley

  £

  32.99

  54.23

  54.90

  54.43

  61.03

  Number of cases

  411

  1,321

  959

  298

  261

  Brent

  £

  40.09

  42.71

  49.39

  54.96

  61.54

  Number of cases

  871

  460

  337

  718

  470

  Bromley

  £

  49.52

  53.59

  57.49

  63.52

  69.44

  Number of cases

  656

  702

  592

  635

  523

  City

  £

  —

  60.58

  134.62

  —

  —

  Number of cases

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  20W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994–95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Camden

  £

  64.88

  76.11

  82.48

  89.57

  101.58

  Number of cases

  1,252

  941

  624

  897

  768

  Croydon

  £

  54.86

  62.72

  66.98

  72.82

  74.73

  Number of cases

  847

  895

  699

  712

  558

  Ealing

  £

  53.19

  54.03

  60.85

  65.78

  74.07

  Number of cases

  1,028

  734

  521

  788

  572

  Enfield

  £

  43.34

  47.57

  50.21

  53.93

  58.76

  Number of cases

  831

  548

  683

  515

  582

  Greenwich

  £

  46.42

  56.12

  56.96

  61.01

  66.63

  Number of cases

  407

  1,571

  577

  500

  218

  Hackney

  £

  42.34

  49.63

  50.85

  56.45

  59.34

  Number of cases

  640

  474

  529

  491

  362

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  £

  54.87

  57.57

  63.96

  69.70

  79.93

  Number of cases

  1,202

  1,207

  991

  953

  799

  Haringey

  £

  48.03

  55.23

  57.12

  63.09

  69.07

  Number of cases

  673

  806

  520

  514

  565

  Harrow

  £

  48.16

  52.05

  60.90

  64.05

  77.69

  Number of cases

  451

  623

  364

  496

  180

  Havering

  £

  53.61

  46.97

  50.33

  57.15

  59.53

  Number of cases

  230

  259

  260

  317

  239

  Hillingdon

  £

  47.66

  53.28

  58.06

  65.39

  66.92

  Number of cases

  658

  543

  437

  494

  554

  Hounslow

  £

  49.67

  54.44

  60.28

  66.22

  73.06

  Number of cases

  319

  437

  388

  284

  273

  Islington

  £

  47.46

  54.16

  59.06

  65.10

  70.90

  Number of cases

  491

  104

  325

  268

  340

  Kensington and Chelsea

  £

  74.40

  93.64

  91.31

  97.77

  120.60

  Number of cases

  1,234

  796

  1,116

  715

  702

  Kingston

  £

  52.49

  58.55

  64.66

  —

  —

  Number of cases

  411

  494

  254

  —

  —

  21W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994– 95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Lambeth

  £

  46.92

  49.13

  54.76

  57.58

  64.09

  Number of cases

  1,192

  887

  1,036

  862

  819

  Lewisham

  £

  40.04

  47.97

  48.61

  51.13

  56.84

  Number of cases

  1,051

  628

  447

  639

  588

  Merton

  £

  51.10

  60.13

  65.16

  69.65

  75.81

  Number of cases

  564

  529

  293

  468

  424

  Newham

  £

  32.19

  34.68

  39.74

  41.76

  46.98

  Number of cases

  900

  926

  774

  741

  625

  Redbridge

  £

  38.92

  40.89

  44.32

  46.41

  50.36

  Number of cases

  418

  437

  464

  319

  323

  Richmond on Thames

  £

  57.34

  63.47

  70.55

  75.36

  84.35

  Number of cases

  659

  899

  731

  1,112

  774

  Southwark

  £

  49.30

  47.16

  51.89

  55.13

  58.63

  Number of cases

  997

  923

  660

  786

  614

  Sutton

  £

  45.43

  51.00

  55.02

  61.16

  63.54

  Number of cases

  305

  380

  267

  310

  213

  Tower Hamlets

  £

  41.96

  45.70

  47.31

  49.76

  55.90

  Number of cases

  210

  178

  259

  111

  244

  Waltham Forest

  £

  34.90

  36.11

  39.96

  42.90

  46.62

  Number of cases

  1,145

  1,355

  1,173

  1,155

  973

  Wands worth

  £

  54.01

  55.60

  64.49

  68.51

  77.56

  Number of cases

  1,517

  1,314

  1,120

  1,257

  902

  Westminster

  £

  90.50

  92.72

  106.69

  109.09

  112.32

  Number of cases

  2,068

  2,260

  1,820

  1,740

  1,683

  London

  £

  53.06

  57.96

  63.38

  67.75

  74.87

  Number of cases

  24,443

  24,174

  19,649

  19,955

  16,854

  English counties

  Avon

  £

  47.37

  53.80

  56.92

  61.74

  65.46

  Number of cases

  730

  736

  549

  568

  542

  22W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994– 95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Bedfordshire

  £

  37.08

  36.44

  46.22

  46.94

  51.99

  Number of cases

  586

  351

  326

  351

  158

  Berkshire

  £

  51.19

  58.24

  63.83

  70.31

  74.77

  Number of cases

  801

  970

  611

  689

  485

  Buckinghamshire

  £

  40.54

  46.90

  50.79

  55.33

  63.18

  Number of cases

  455

  586

  351

  515

  317

  Cambridgeshire

  £

  41.80

  41.32

  47.02

  48.06

  61.42

  Number of cases

  599

  522

  510

  338

  339

  Cheshire

  £

  25.25

  27.45

  32.48

  36.02

  42.40

  Number of cases

  871

  1,184

  805

  959

  661

  Cleveland

  £

  31.80

  35.54

  38.99

  39.78

  42.00

  Number of cases

  444

  370

  249

  545

  189

  Cornwall

  £

  53.83

  55.71

  56.75

  58.83

  59.89

  Number of cases

  554

  466

  439

  326

  338

  Cumbria

  £

  32.13

  30.85

  33.18

  36.74

  38.44

  Number of cases

  540

  673

  526

  573

  452

  Derbyshire

  £

  34.79

  35.06

  39.24

  40.73

  43.71

  Number of cases

  2,063

  1,888

  1,481

  1,474

  1,1900

  Devon

  £

  48.00

  50.95

  54.58

  56.67

  59.94

  Number of cases

  1,348

  874

  773

  945

  688

  Dorset

  £

  46.65

  50.89

  54.01

  59.13

  63.14

  Number of cases

  1,398

  1,060

  1,212

  966

  819

  Durham

  £

  31.49

  32.79

  35.97

  38.61

  42.62

  Number of cases

  183

  347

  338

  276

  265

  71.56

  East Sussex

  £

  58.42

  63.59

  65.58

  69.79

  Number of cases

  2,205

  2,126

  1,636

  1,694

  1,251

  Essex

  £

  45.00

  48.49

  53.25

  55.66

  59.37

  Number of cases

  2,207

  2,028

  1,812

  1,708

  1,579

  Gloucestershire

  £

  46.37

  49.26

  54.59

  58.10

  62.26

  Number of cases

  534

  458

  389

  454

  354

  23W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994–95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Greater Manchester

  £

  29.19

  29.95

  34.73

  36.22

  39.48

  Number of cases

  3,444

  3,338

  2,340

  2,534

  2,067

  Hampshire

  £

  49.25

  53.24

  59.26

  62.21

  65.73

  Number of cases

  2,164

  1,717

  878

  1,629

  1,672

  Hereford and Worcester

  £

  39.30

  40.10

  44.21

  47.14

  49.52

  Number of cases

  780

  515

  416

  616

  539

  Hertfordshire

  £

  49.05

  59.71

  60.84

  67.16

  70.67

  Number of cases

  1,402

  1,060

  1,076

  863

  793

  Humberside

  £

  34.71

  37.22

  39.10

  41.29

  42.85

  Number of cases

  1,862

  1,737

  1,217

  1,336

  964

  Isle of Wight

  £

  43.60

  47.77

  49.86

  55.56

  54.61

  Number of cases

  211

  62

  61

  135

  95

  Kent

  £

  53.04

  57.24

  60.75

  64.18

  68.12

  Number of cases

  3,074

  2,506

  2,490

  2,306

  1,942

  Lancashire

  £

  32.25

  33.96

  37.37

  40.61

  42.94

  Number of cases

  965

  840

  664

  632

  536

  Leicestershire

  £

  36.56

  39.94

  42.96

  45.72

  47.51

  Number of cases

  1,569

  1,227

  1,210

  1,002

  973

  Lincolnshire

  £

  33.85

  36.67

  38.31

  41.58

  42.16

  Number of cases

  581

  512

  432

  467

  403

  Merseyside

  £

  25.76

  26.42

  33.90

  38.35

  42.56

  Number of cases

  5,239

  4,477

  3,962

  3,060

  2,916

  Norfolk

  £

  39.82

  41.94

  44.18

  47.46

  49.68

  Number of cases

  1,223

  1,168

  957

  1,057

  877

  Northumberland

  £

  31.19

  32.77

  37.76

  38.93

  42.84

  Number of cases

  530

  552

  370

  592

  384

  Northampton

  £

  37.11

  40.40

  43.04

  45.54

  50.02

  Number of cases

  440

  301

  350

  264

  281

  North Yorkshire

  41.49

  42.07

  46.96

  50.84

  53.53

  Number of cases

  1,056

  946

  860

  824

  754

  24W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994–95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Nottinghamshire

  £

  40.19

  42.80

  46.76

  48.63

  50.83

  Number of cases

  1,869

  1,623

  1,631

  1,415

  1,206

  Oxfordshire

  £

  59.02

  60.43

  68.97

  74.49

  81.70

  Number of cases

  588

  552

  524

  565

  443

  Shropshire

  £

  —

  44.99

  45.56

  46.96

  50.39

  Number of cases

  —

  49

  253

  365

  266

  Somerset

  £

  44.25

  45.60

  51.90

  53.82

  59.17

  Number of cases

  570

  340

  197

  373

  288

  South Yorkshire

  £

  30.07

  31.13

  33.10

  34.94

  37.06

  Number of cases

  2,843

  1,697

  1,982

  1,985

  1,674

  Staffordshire

  £

  31.15

  34.14

  38.83

  39.06

  41.05

  Number of cases

  1,216

  1,065

  1,040

  866

  870

  Suffolk

  £

  37.13

  39.34

  43.07

  44.58

  48.70

  Number of cases

  1,200

  1,039

  970

  877

  925

  Surrey

  £

  62.54

  67.23

  74.13

  82.34

  87.30

  Number of cases

  1,596

  1,475

  1,429

  1,083

  1,099

  Tyne and Wear

  £

  29.72

  31.08

  35.24

  37.06

  40.41

  Number of cases

  1,930

  1,762

  1,551

  1,588

  1,166

  Warwickshire

  £

  33.44

  36.73

  43.16

  45.58

  48.62

  Number of cases

  664

  423

  134

  636

  449

  West Midlands

  £

  37.04

  37.88

  42.14

  45.70

  47.23

  Number of cases

  4,716

  3,593

  2,804

  3,220

  2,587

  West Sussex

  £

  54.46

  61.94

  64.57

  70.42

  74.32

  Number of cases

  1,232

  935

  826

  757

  639

  West Yorkshire

  £

  33.56

  36.12

  38.05

  40.84

  43.16

  Number of cases

  3,354

  2,740

  2,571

  2,306

  2,018

  Wiltshire

  £

  49.40

  49.55

  54.83

  57.55

  63.25

  Number of cases

  516

  444

  452

  411

  158

  English regions

  London

  £

  53.06

  57.96

  63.38

  67.75

  74.87

  Number of cases

  24,443

  24,174

  19,649

  19,955

  16,854

  25W

  Average weekly registered fair rent paid by regulated private tenants in England, 1994–95 to 1998–99

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  North East

  £

  30.43

  32.13

  36.09

  38.07

  41.26

  Number of cases

  3,251

  3,022

  2,446

  2,990

  1,922

  North West and Merseyside

  £

  27.67

  28.54

  34.23

  37.43

  41.33

  Number of cases

  11,059

  10,512

  8,297

  7,758

  6,632

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  £

  33.62

  35.99

  37.92

  40.40

  42.66

  Number of cases

  9,115

  7,120

  6,630

  6,451

  5,410

  East Midlands

  £

  25.83

  26.91

  31.32

  31.60

  34.19

  Number of cases

  6,522

  5,551

  5,104

  4,622

  4,053

  West Midlands

  £

  35.98

  37.35

  41.80

  44.92

  46.66

  Number of cases

  7,376

  5,645

  4,647

  5,703

  4,711

  Eastern

  £

  42.69

  46.34

  50.44

  52.95

  57.25

  Number of cases

  7,217

  6,168

  5,651

  5,194

  4,671

  South East

  £

  54.25

  59.24

  64.26

  67.92

  72.11

  Number of cases

  12,326

  10,929

  8,806

  9,376

  7,943

  South West

  £

  47.75

  51.19

  54.86

  58.13

  62.05

  Number of cases

  5,650

  4,378

  4,011

  4,043

  3,187

  England

  £

  43.27

  46.98

  51.38

  54.86

  59.48

  Number of cases

  86,959

  77,499

  65,241

  66,089

  55,383

  Source:

  Rent Officer Statistics

  Landfill
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to commission research into the potential health effects of landfill sites; and if he will make a statement. [113288]

  Mr. Mullin
  Last year the Government commissioned the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) at Imperial College to carry out a national study to determine whether there is any pattern of adverse health effects around landfill sites. The results are expected later this 26W
  year. A further programme of research was announced last year. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 7 December 1999, Official Report, column 487W.

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which dates Lord Levy has had meetings with(a) Ministers and (b) senior officials in his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the purpose of the meetings; and if he will make a statement. [113501]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: None.

  Thames Gateway Regeneration Area
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (1) the size of sites designated as previously developed vacant land sites within the three relevant Government regions in the Thames Gateway Regeneration area; [114069]

  (2) the (a) size and (b) number of potential dwellings on sites designated as previously developed land which are allocated in a local plan (i) for any use and (ii) as having planning permission for housing that exist in each of the Government regions in the Thames Gateway Regeneration area; [114070]

  (3) the size of sites designated as previously developed land which (a) have redevelopment potential, but have no planning allocation or permission and (b) require some form of remediation work within the relevant Government regions in the Thames Gateway Regeneration area. [114071]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Thames Gateway area is made up of parts of a number of boroughs and districts within the London, South East and East of England Government Office regions. The information is not therefore available in either the form or detail requested. However, the table provides an extract from the Supplementary Table on the National Land Use Database website (www.nlud.org.uk). It shows, for the core districts in the existing, non-extended Thames Gateway area, total amounts of previously developed vacant land, derelict land and land occupied by vacant buildings reported by each local authority. The portions allocated for housing use in the local plan or with planning permission for housing area are also shown. Not all of this land will be available for redevelopment. The table additionally shows amounts of land currently in use with allocation for redevelopment for any use or with planning permission for housing. The figures refer to the time of the survey in 1998, and have not been adjusted for some cases where the coverage was partial (as indicated by the footnotes). The estimates are a "snapshot" for 1998 and take no account of future supply of previously developed land.
  27W

  Previously developed land that is unused or may be available for redevelopment1 by land type and Planning Authority: England 1998

  hectares

  Planning Authority2

  Area

  Previously developed vacant land of which proposed for housing

  Area

  Derelict land and buildings of which proposed for housing

  Area

  Land occupied by vacant buildings of which proposed for housing

  Area

  Land currently in use with planning allocation for any use or planning permission for housing of which proposed for housing

  Thames Gateway

  Thurrock UA

  18

  7

  206

  184

  —

  1—

  10

  10

  Barking and Dagenham

  2

  1

  19

  —

  5

  —

  7

  —

  Bexley

  10

  10

  10

  —

  3

  3

  8

  7

  Greenwich

  46

  1

  155

  53

  4

  —

  30

  14

  Havering

  40

  3—

  34

  3—

  1

  3—

  13

  1

  Newham

  95

  429

  32

  4

  9

  5

  342

  7

  Dartford

  271

  9

  76

  —

  69

  29

  297

  5

  Gravesham

  4

  7—

  8

  5

  2

  1

  3

  2

  Swale

  8

  4

  46

  41

  6

  42

  61

  59

  The Medway Towns UA

  1

  1

  77

  4

  5

  1

  996

  34

  1 Ungrossed totals as reported by the authority. Comprises previously developed vacant and derelict land: vacant buildings (excluding single dwellings except where they could be developed into 10 or more dwellings); land or buildings currently in use, which are allocated in the local plan for any developed use, have planning permission for housing or with known potential for redevelopment.

  2 Local authority, district or unitary authority.

  3 Completion is less than 85 per cent.

  4 Figures have been revised against the May 1999 Supplementary Table because of duplicate sites; amendments made by the Local Authority; data resubmitted by the Local Authority after the May 1999 Supplementary Table; changes to assumptions used by the DETR to aggregate data.

  5 Partial returns.

  6 Nil or less than half the final digit shown.

  7 Completion figures have not been provided.

  Planning Policy
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he is issuing to local planning authorities about the balance between(a) industrial and commercial development and (b) housing on brownfield sites. [114154]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Our newly published planning policy guidance for housing, PPG3, requires authorities to review their land allocations for employment and other uses to see whether they may be better used for housing.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he is issuing to local planning authorities about height restrictions on new housing build in(a) urban, (b) suburban and (c) rural areas. [114153]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Planning Policy Guidance note 3, "Housing", requires local planning authorities, when considering design and layout to have regard not just to any immediate neighbouring buildings but the townscape and landscape of the wider locality. They are expected to adopt policies which create places and spaces with the needs of people in mind, which are attractive, have their own distinctive identity but respect and enhance local character.

  The Government do not intend that PPG3's requirement to make more efficient use of land for housing should result in a return to 1960s-style high rise residential development.

  Household Waste
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to local authorities asking them to collect household waste more frequently than once a fortnight. [113686]
  28W
  Mr. Mullin
  Under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, waste collection authorities have a duty to collect household refuse. How this duty is discharged is a matter for local decision.

  Gatwick Airport
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received from BAA the results of their feasibility study into a second main runway at Gatwick; and if he will make a statement. [114346]

  Mr. Mullin
  BAA did not complete their study, which the previous Administration had asked them to undertake, of less environmentally damaging runway options, such as a close parallel runway at Gatwick. We announced on 19 January 1998,Official Report, column 37, that we had asked BAA to put this work on hold so that we could review the issue in the light of the integrated transport White Paper.

  The then Minister of Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), announced on 11 March 1999, Official Report, columns 360–61, a study of airport issues in the south-east and east of England. This study will include consideration of runway capacity.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the status of the agreement between the then Government and Crawley Borough Council which prohibits the building of a second runway at Gatwick Airport until 2019. [114345]

  Mr. Mullin
  The agreement the hon. Member refers to is between the local authority, West Sussex County Council, and the airport owners, the then British Airports
  29W
  Authority. It was agreed in August 1979, under the terms of section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1970.

  Water Industry Safety
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account Ofwat took of minimum staffing levels required in respect of safety when setting its revised price controls for the water industry; and if he will make a statement. [114131]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Director General of Water Services has a statutory duty to ensure that companies can finance the proper carrying out of their functions. These functions include obligations enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. The handling of the price review is a matter for the Director. His report "Final Determinations: Future water and sewerage charges 2000–05" includes a full account of the price review process.

  Heathland Habitats (Dorset)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 670W, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued by English Nature to its local teams in September 1999. [114321]

  Mr. Mullin
  A copy of the Guidance will be placed in the Library within the next ten days.

  Roads (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with the studies of improvements to the A453 between Kegworth and Clifton; when the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the future of road links between the M1 motorway and the city of Nottingham. [114323]

  Mr. Hill
  The current study of the A453 corridor is part of the national programme of multi-modal studies to consider movements by all modes within specific corridors. In the East Midlands, consultants have been appointed for two studies (one on the A453 and the second on the M1 corridor, including routes into Kegworth). Work began in December 1999. The conclusions of both studies will be presented to the East Midlands Regional Planning Forum next year. The Secretary of State will then consider the Planning Forum's recommendations in the light of the studies' results.

  The A453 is one of the three trunk road links between the M1 and the City of Nottingham. All fall within the remit of the studies. I cannot anticipate the study outcomes but, in accordance with the Government's integrated transport policies, they will relate to transport by all modes.

  Bristol Road, Stonehouse
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps in conjunction with the British Railways Board and the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that the land at Bristol Road, Stonehouse, is withdrawn from the next round of land sales. [112991]
  30W
  Mr. Hill
  The property at Stonehouse was included in the 60-day minimum Notice of Intention to market the site that was issued on 10 November 1999. BRB/sSRA will, in accordance with the marketing process announced by the Department in September 1999, take account of the representations made in response to that Notice when deciding how to sell the site.

  Fishing Vessels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many fishing vessels were prohibited from putting to sea following safety inspections by officials of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [112766]

  Mr. Hill
  The numbers of fishing vessels prohibited from putting to sea following safety inspections by officials of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in each of the past five years are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1994–95

  26

  1995–96

  48

  1996–97

  55

  1997–98

  46

  1998–99

  49

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the range of penalties that can be imposed on the owners of fishing vessels for(a) the failure to maintain vessels in a seaworthy condition and (b) neglect of safety equipment; and if he will make a statement. [112767]

  Mr. Hill
  Owners of fishing vessels can be prosecuted for offences under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

  The owner of a dangerously unsafe fishing vessel can be fined a maximum of £50,000 by magistrates and face an unlimited fine and/or two years in prison if convicted in the Crown court.

  The owner of a fishing vessel is also liable for the unsafe operation of the vessel and faces the same penalties.

  In addition the owner of a fishing vessel faces a maximum fine of £5,000 before magistrates and an unlimited fine in the Crown court if his vessel contravenes any of the fishing vessel construction rules which include maintaining rules on safety equipment.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many officials are employed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to carry out inspections of fishing vessels in relation to(a) their seaworthiness and (b) the adequacy and maintenance of their safety equipment; and if he will make a statement. [112768]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency currently employs 16 marine surveyors to carry out safety inspections of fishing vessels. A further 41 coastguard officers are qualified to carry out basic safety checks on the under 12 metre fleet, and a further 17 are undergoing or awaiting training.

  Public Transport Personnel (Violent Attacks)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking to combat violence against public transport personnel. [112606]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am very concerned about all work-related violence. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a range of guidance on violence at work and I have asked the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) to consider options for further action which would make a significant impact on preventing assaults, verbal threats and abuse in the workplace, particularly for higher-risk occupations.

  In relation to the public transport sector, my Department has published guidance on how bus operators can reduce the risk of violence on their bus services, including the fitting of alarms and two-way radios on vehicles. The guidance has been widely circulated and well received throughout the industry.

  The HSC's Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) held a conference on violence at work in the railway sector on 8 July 1999. As a result, RIAC are developing a national co-ordinated plan in partnership with industry to reduce assaults.

  More generally, our programme of measures to improve personal security in the public transport system—including, for example, the Secure Stations Scheme launched in 1998—emphasises the need for transport operators to improve the personal security of both staff and passengers.

  Housing Spending
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the Government's total spending on housing in each of the years(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1995–96, (d) 1996–97, (e) 1997–98 and (f) 1998–99; and what it will be in (x) 1999–2000 and (y) 2000–01. [114416]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Amount

  1993–94

  7,742.0

  1994–95

  7,166.3

  1995–96

  6,631.9

  1996–97

  5,418.5

  1997–98

  5,814.4

  1998–99

  5,577.8

  1999–2000

  5,898.3

  2000–01

  6,579.4

  Housebuilding Statistics
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the housebuilding figures announced on 7 March broken down by county. [114413]
  32W
  Mr. Raynsford
  On 20 March we will be publishing for consultation full details of proposed changes to the Regional Planning Guidance for the South-East. The consultation will include an illustrative distribution of housing provision to county level.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new(a) private houses and (b) social houses have been built in each of the years (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96, (iv) 1996–97, (v) 1997–98 and (vi) 1998–99; and how many are planned for (x) 1999–2000 and (y) 2000–01. [114394]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The number of permanent dwellings completed in England are as follows:

  Calendar year

  Private houses

  Social houses

  1993

  116,700

  31,200

  1994

  122,700

  32,000

  1995

  125,500

  31,700

  1996

  121,600

  27,600

  1997

  128,000

  21,200

  1998

  121,200

  20,200

  1999 (provisional)

  122,300

  17,600

  Information on the numbers of houses built in 1999–2000 or expected to be built in 2000–01 is not available.

  South East England Development Agency
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what environmental objectives have been set for SEEDA. [114397]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have a statutory duty to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK, where it is relevant to their areas to do so.

  The RDAs, including SEEDA, presented their regional strategies to Ministers on 26 October last year. SEEDA's strategy, "Building a World Class Region", contains a chapter on "World Class Environment". This chapter sets out SEEDA's region-wide programme for addressing environmental needs, and contains a set of strategic priorities and objectives.

  A copy of SEEDA's strategy is available in the Library of the House.

  School Places (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what undertakings he has received from the Department of Education and Employment regarding the provision of additional schools and school places over the next 15 years to cater for the increased housing requirement in West Sussex. [114407]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We will be consulting SERPLAN and others on the distribution of housing within the region, including for West Sussex, during the forthcoming consultation period. When regional planning guidance for the south-east is finalised later this year it will provide a planning framework which will assist decisions about the
  33W
  provision of supporting infrastructure, including the provision of additional schools and school places which are the responsibility of the local education authority. Where an authority can demonstrate growth in the need for school places, it may apply for capital funding.

  Housing Green Paper
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish his housing green paper. [114427]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 10 March 2000,Official Report, column 832W.

  Official Visits Abroad
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his official visits abroad since May 1997; and what is their total cost. [114383]

  Ms Armstrong
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 June 1999,Official Report, column 196W. The Government will publish similar information on ministerial visits for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 later this year.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many council house sales have been completed in each of the last 20 years. [114395]

  Mr. Mullin
  The available information is in the table.

  Number of local authority and New Town dwellings sold: England1

  Year

  Total sales

  1979–80

  55,400

  1980–81

  71,500

  1981–82

  132,100

  1982–83

  185,600

  1983–84

  126,000

  1984–85

  95,300

  1985–86

  89,500

  1986–87

  88,800

  1987–88

  116,200

  1988–89

  161,000

  1989–90

  168,500

  1990–91

  127,800

  1991–92

  70,900

  1992–93

  69,600

  1993–94

  84,200

  1994–95

  87,400

  1995–96

  79,100

  1996–97

  57,700

  1997–98

  77,800

  1998–99

  117,800

  1 Includes all sales and transfers, but excludes those from local authorities to Housing Action Trusts and from New Towns to local authorities.

  Source:

  DETR Housing Activity P1 (B) (quarterly) and Housing Investment Programme (annual) returns.
  34W
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many council houses he estimates will have been sold to tenants in the current financial year. [114396]

  Mr. Mullin
  Latest information on sales show that nearly 24,000 dwellings were sold into owner-occupation in England during the first six months of 1999–2000. It is not possible to predict accurately how many outstanding applications will be completed in the second half of the year.

  Habitation Density
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what density of habitation for housebuilding will result for each region of England from his Policy Statement in response to the Crow report on 7 March. [114405]

  Mr. Raynsford
  More than half of all new housing in England is built at less than 20 dwellings per hectare. Planning Policy Guidance note 3, "Housing", requires local authorities to avoid such developments which make inefficient use of land and encourages more efficient use of land by developing new housing at 30 to 50 dwellings net per hectare net. PPG3 applies to all planning authorities in England.

  Development Statistics
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what balance of brownfield and greenfield development he expects to take place in each of the English regions in the next 15 years as a result of his statement on 7 March. [114412]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The national target is that by 2008, 60 per cent. of additional housing should be provided on previously developed land or through conversions of existing buildings. Each region should propose, as part of its draft regional planning guidance, its own target to contribute to this national figure. Most have now done so. However, apart from in the south-east and East Anglia, these proposed targets have not yet been tested through the public examination process. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 7 March that the target for the south-east region outside of London should be 60 per cent. London already achieves over 80 per cent. of residential development on recycled land or through conversions, and we expect that to continue. Announcement on the RPG for East Anglia will be made on 20 March.

  Housebuilding (South-east)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the housebuilding requirement for the south-east of England as set out in his statement on 7 March will differ from that recommended by SERPLAN. [114404]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Allowing for housing completions between 1991 and 1996, SERPLAN proposed a "baseline provision" of 660,000, with a higher "indicative range" to be provided through the structure plan process of 696,000 to 718,000 additional dwellings in the region outside of London between 1996 and 2016. In London the provision for the same period was 462,000 to 512,000 dwellings, allowing for completions. The Government's proposal
  35W
  would be for an annual rate of provision of 43,000 dwellings outside of London and 23,000 within London. That would amount to 860,000 and 460,000 respectively for the same period. However, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in his announcement on 7 March that we do not believe in fixed 20-year housing requirements. Instead, there will be a more flexible approach with the level of housing provision for the region adjusted in the light of monitoring. Such reviews will take place at least every five years.

  Affordable Housing (South-east)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his definition is of affordable housing as applied to the south-east region. [114426]

  Mr. Raynsford
  For the purposes of planning policy, affordable housing is defined in Circular 6/98 as low cost market and subsidised housing (irrespective of tenure, ownership—whether exclusive or shared—or financial arrangements) that are available to people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market.

  Housebuilding (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new homes will need to be built in West Sussex in(a) the next 15 years and (b) over each of the next five years as a result of his housebuilding policy announcement on 7 March. [114402]

  Mr. Raynsford
  On 20 March we will be publishing, for consultation, the full details of our proposed changes to regional planning guidance for the South-East. These will include an illustrative breakdown of housing to county areas within the region to achieve the overall level of 43,000 new homes a year outside London announced on 7 March. This will include an annual rate of provision for West Sussex. We will be seeking the views of the local authorities in the region, through SERPLAN, and those of other interested parties, on that distribution.

  Housebuilding (Brownfield Sites)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tax incentives he has recommended to the Chancellor to encourage more housebuilding on brownfield sites. [114403]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In his Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor announced that the Government were considering fiscal instruments to support their policies for sustainable urban development. Decisions on taxation are a matter for the Chancellor.

  Water Supply (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the water companies about ensuring the increased provision of water supplies to West Sussex homes following his announcement on 7 March on the need for more houses. [114401]
  36W
  Mr. Mullin
  Under the supervision of the Environment Agency, each water company produced in April 1999 a water resources plan, showing how it would maintain an adequate balance between supply and demand in its area for the next 25 years. The Environment Agency published its assessment of these plans in a report to my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales in June 1999.

  Following guidance issued by the Environment Agency on 28 February 2000, each water company will review its plan annually and will report the outcome to the Environment Agency in September each year. In that way, each water company will show how it proposes to respond to any changes which may influence its water resources plan. The Environment Agency will report to Ministers its assessment of these annual reviews.

  Medical Services (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what undertakings he has received from the Department of Health regarding the provision of additional hospital and other medical services over the next 15 years to cater for the increased housing requirement in West Sussex. [114408]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We will be consulting SERPLAN and others on the distribution of housing within the region, including for West Sussex, during the forthcoming consultation period. When regional planning guidance for the South East is finalised later this year it will provide a planning framework which will assist decisions about the provision of supporting infrastructure, including additional hospital and other medical services.

  Housing Demand (South-east)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has given to local authorities when drawing up their own five year local plans as to the effect of the Government's five-year reviews of housing demand in the South East of England. [114398]

  Mr. Raynsford
  When finalised later this year regional planning guidance will set the overall level of housing provision for the region and provide a distribution to constituent structure plan and unitary development plan authorities. This will be expressed as an annual rate to be applied throughout the plan period. At a local plan level PPG3, published on 7 March, advises that sufficient sites should be shown on the proposals map to accommodate at least the first five years (or the first two phases) of housing development proposed in the plan. If the rate of provision at the regional level changes as a result of the monitoring and review process, local authorities will need to consider whether consequential adjustments have to be made through reviews of development plans.

  Crow Report
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to investigate the leaks regarding the Government's response to the Crow report to which he referred in his announcement in the House on 7 March. [114409]
  37W
  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department is conducting an investigation into the leak of information in the normal way.

  Single Person Occupancy
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he intends to put in place to discourage single person occupancy of new households over the next 20 years. [114406]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The latest household projections for England for the period 1996–2021 indicate that 71 per cent. of new households are likely to be formed by single persons. Planning Policy Guidance note 3 therefore advises local authorities to adopt policies which take full account of changes in housing needs in their areas and which will widen the range of housing opportunities to allow these to be met. It is not for the Government to encourage or discourage any particular size of household.

  Gas-powered Vehicles
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the development of liquefied petroleum gas-powered vehicles in rural areas. [113932]

  Mr. Hill
  We are committed to developing a sustainable market for alternatively fuelled vehicles, which can offer benefits in terms of emissions of local air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Liquefied petroleum gas powered vehicles offer most benefits when they are used in urban areas, particularly when used by commercial operators instead of diesel. Of course the climate change benefits that LPG vehicles can bring are as welcome in the countryside as they are in our towns and cities. However, our priority for LPG vehicles is to encourage their use in urban areas, for instance, through the use of fiscal measures and the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme. We also want to see the development of a publicly accessible LPG refuelling infrastructure in these areas.

  We do recognise that a properly strategic refuelling infrastructure that operators can rely on will require LPG refuelling stations in some rural areas, particularly near major trunk roads, so the infrastructure has national coverage. This will enable the climate change benefits gas-powered vehicles can bring to be further realised.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the level of capital investment by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. in each year for which figures are available from 1 April 1996. [114005]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Moore) on 2 March 2000,Official Report, columns 333–34W.

  Countryside and Rights of Way Bill
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include measures to modernise the rights of way network in the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill; and if he will make a statement. [112568]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Countryside and Rights of Way Bill which was introduced on 3 March includes several measures to improve the rights of way network. I have also announced that the Government will bring forward additional rights of way measures during the Bill's passage.

DEFENCE

  KFOR
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of KFOR deployed in Kosovo. [114258]

  Mr. Spellar
  The strength of KFOR deployed in Kosovo on 9 March is 39,096.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of KFOR; and which countries are contributing forces to the operation, indicating how many men each contributes. [114257]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 9 March 2000 the strength of KFOR was 44,939. This figure includes 5,843 personnel based in FYROM, Greece and Albania. The number of men and women contributed to KFOR, by nation, are as listed.

  Number

  NATO Nations

  Belgium

  1,146

  Canada

  1,382

  Czech Republic

  180

  Denmark

  752

  France

  4,860

  Germany

  5,685

  Greece

  1,186

  Hungary

  307

  Iceland

  2

  Italy

  5,970

  Luxembourg

  2

  The Netherlands

  1,615

  Norway

  1,261

  Poland

  756

  Portugal

  341

  Spain

  1,226

  Turkey

  1,088

  United Kingdom

  3,368

  United States

  6,065

  Non NATO Nations

  Argentina

  111

  Austria

  470

  Azerbaijan

  34

  Bulgaria

  39

  Estonia

  10

  Finland

  812

  Georgia

  34

  Ireland

  99

  Jordan

  104

  Latvia

  10

  Lithuania

  30

  Morocco

  347

  39W

  Number

  Russia

  3,141

  Slovakia

  39

  Slovenia

  6

  Sweden

  826

  Switzerland

  133

  Ukraine

  240

  United Arab Emirates

  1,262

  Training Parachute Jumps
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of training parachute jumps undertaken by Army personnel in each of the past five years. [114255]

  Mr. Spellar
  The total number of recorded parachute training jumps undertaken by Army personnel in the last five years is set out in the table.

  Year

  Number of descents

  1995

  32,639

  1996

  29,558

  1997

  27,389

  1998

  27,385

  1999

  29,221

  Total

  146,192

  Catterick Garrison
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the new garages, workshops and hard standing for main battle tanks at Catterick Garrison. [113750]

  Mr. Spellar
  The cost of garages, workshops and hardstanding for the main battle tanks at Catterick Garrison, known as Megiddo Lines, was £13.7 million.

  Helicopter Support Authority
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future location of the defence helicopter support organisation. [113756]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no plans to move the Defence Helicopter Support Authority from its current location at Yeovilton. The DHSA will become part of the Equipment Support (Air) Business Unit from 1 April 2000 within the Defence Logistics Organisation.

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Organisation
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111765]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
  40W
  Letter from Terence S. Lord to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 13 March 2000:
  I am writing in response to your request to the Secretary of State for Defence for information with regard to AFPAA targets which were not achieved for 1998–1999 and the action taken to improve target achievement performance for 1999–2000. As Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Personnel Agency (AFPAA), I have been asked to reply.
  The information requested is contained in the AFPAA Annual Report (HC631) under the section entitled 'Performance against Key Targets 1998–1999', a copy of which is in the Library of the House. For ease of reference, a copy of the aforementioned section of the Annual Report is attached.
  You will note that the Agency achieved all its key/milestone targets (in most cases exceeding 1998–1999 performance targets and achieving those set for 1999–2000), except the formulation of a plan to validate the completeness and accuracy of military records of service and subsequently to introduce sample validation, which was only partially achieved. The validation of personnel records is a necessary precursor to the introduction of the new pay system for the Armed Forces, which is now due for delivery by 1 April 2001, and the creation of a tri-Service Corporate Personnel Database (CPD).
  While plans were formulated and detailed discussions were held with the Agency's customers (the Service Principal Personnel Officers), the sampling methods necessary to enable the checks to be carried out were not completed to original targets. The proliferation of single-Service legacy systems (those inherited on the formation of the Agency) rendered the validation task and the introduction of appropriate sampling methods far more complex than had been originally forecast. Consequently, this work has been carried forward into the current Financial Year.
  As you might imagine, this is a high priority for AFPAA at the moment and plans are being addressed with both our customers and our private partner, Electronic Data Systems (Defence) Limited, with the intention of completing the initial data cleansing later this year, and thereafter introducing a programme of rolling data validation.
  I hope that this information is useful to you.

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111749]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from G. G. Holton to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 13 March 2000:
  In response to Parliamentary Question 1156K. The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre achieved 4 out of its 5 key targets during financial year 1998–1999. On the attached we have highlighted each key target, indicating if the key target was met or not and provided a short summary for each.
  The DISC did not achieve key target 4. Although the endorsed training programme was delivered the Agency did overspend during the course of the financial year. We have explained the main reasons for this and have attributed the fact to problems that were experienced in setting up the Departments largest tri-service training agency. We have now put in place a rigorous financial monitoring system to ensure that our resource management is more closely scrutinised.

  41W
  Finally, we would like to draw your attention to the recently published Agency Annual Report and Accounts for 1998–99, which sets out a summary of our achievements and future challenges that lie ahead for the Agency, a copy of which is attached. Further copies have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Defence Codification Agency
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Defence Codification Agency for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111732]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Codification Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from K. A. Bradshaw to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 13 March 2000:
  1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about achievement of Defence Codification Agency (DCA) key targets as the matter falls within my area of responsibility.
  I have numbered the replies to match your questions.
  a. (1) Achieved: Attain a 10% reduction in Agency running costs (achieved 15.3%), reduction in unit cost of codification to under £51 (achieved £41.40), attain a 5% reduction of post codification challenges (achieved 5%). There were no significant factors affecting the target achievement.
  (2) Not achieved: Meet timescales for UK codification as agreed in SLAs/CSAs (target 85% achieved 80%), meet timescales for International Codification requests (target 95% achieved 92%), new items codified using source data (target 75% achieved 73%). The implementation shortfall of the revised Codification IT system (ISIS2) contributed significantly to these targets not being achieved.
  On 1 April 1999, the Defence Codification Agency ceased to exist and was subsumed with the Logistic Support Services Agency. The ISIS2 database has now been fully implemented and performance shortfalls have been eliminated.
  2. The above information has been extracted from the Defence Codification Agency Annual Report and Accounts 1999, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library reference HC720.

  Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111754]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from B. J. Cash to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 13 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about those targets of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency which were and were not achieved in 1998/99, factors affecting these outcomes and actions taken to improve performance in 1999/2000. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the British Forces Post Office, as the Defence Postal and Courtier Services Agency is now named.
  42W
  The Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency was set four Key targets, all of which it achieved.

  a. To achieve a 2% improvement in the range of postal and courier services provided.

  b. To achieve independent assessment of DPCSA using the British Quality Foundation (BQF) Business Excellence Model (BEM) by 31 Mar 99, to enable subsequent measurement of business improvements.

  c. To exceed an average 95.85% satisfaction of Customers' postal and courier requirements.

  d. To exceed an average 3% improvement in unit cost per output.

  Factors affecting the outcomes were:

  a. DPCSA launched an initiative to stock part of the Royal Mail Post Shop range at all Forces Post Offices world-wide, to enable customers to have access to, amongst other products, packaging materials approved by the Post Office.

  b. DPCSA devoted considerable resources to BEM assessment, and focused on putting forward an entry into the United Kingdom National Quality Award.

  c. The Agency exceeded its postal and courier Quality of Service requirements against a background of a major Operational deployment to Kosovo. Despite the difficulties endemic in Operational support, and the deployment of Agency personnel to the Theatre, careful management of the postal network and the employment of civilian casual staff ensured that the target was met.

  d. Despite the increased mail volumes generated by the Kosovo deployment, the Agency's overall costs did not increase in real terms, which led to a reduction in the unit costs of output.

  Although all targets were achieved in 1998/99, BFPO has more stringent Quality of Service targets for 1999/2000, and is required to deliver a further 3% reduction in the unit cost of output. All parts of the Agency are under scrutiny to improve efficiency, and Quality of Service is monitored by me on a weekly basis, to ensure that BFPO is on target to meet its targets.
  Fuller details of the Agency's achievements last year can be found in the annual report for 1998/99, which is held in the library of the House.

  Floods (Mozambique)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters his Department has offered for use in Mozambique to the Department for International Development; what financial charge he has made in respect of this offer to the Department for International Development; and what other offers of assistance his Department has made to the Department for International Development. [113460]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 8 March 2000, Official Report, column 710W and my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 8 March 2000, Official Report, column 710W with regard to how many helicopters my Department has offered and the financial charge to the Department for International Development.

  MOD officials discussed with their colleagues in the Department for International Development the additional option of deploying a small number of Royal Marines and their equipment to Mozambique. Since large numbers of boats and boat handlers were already due to arrive in Mozambique, the Department for International Development did not pursue this offer.

  SSBN Force
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future size of the SSBN force. [113908]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have nothing to add to the position set out in the Strategic Defence Review (Supporting Essay Five, paragraph 6).

  Kosovo
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library all procurement assessment details and requests carried out by MOD staff in relation to Kosovo. [104834]

  Mr. Hoon
  Details of some of the equipment procured for use in Kosovo are classified and I am withholding information on them under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I will, however, place in the Library a list of unclassified equipment procured for use in Kosovo.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Carter Center, Atlanta
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) projects carried out in each year since 1992 and (b) work in progress under part or full funding by his Department by the Carter Center, Atlanta, United States of America.
  [112749]

  Mr. Battle
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not in fact funded any projects carried out by the Carter Center, Atlanta, but the Carter Center is DFID's key partner in global efforts to eradicate guinea worm.

  India (Bonded Labour)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Indian Government's response to the concerns the Minister of State raised on the issue of bonded labour during his visit in November. [113588]

  Mr. Hain
  We continue to raise the issue of bonded labour with the Indian Government and the Indian Human Rights Commission, both nationally and at state level.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received (1) on the release of bonded labourers from the villages of Kili-Nahal-Singh-Wala and Buraj Mehma in Punjab State, India; and what prosecutions were initiated against landlords in respect of bonded labourers; [113590]

  (2) regarding the attempted abduction of bonded labourers from the human rights organisation, Volunteers for Social Justice, on 7 February; and what reports he has received on the action that has been taken by the Indian authorities to bring to justice the instigators of this attack and ensure the safety of human rights workers at Volunteers for Social Justice. [113589]
  44W
  Mr. Hain
  We are aware of these cases. Our High Commission in New Delhi has written about them to the Chair of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission and has also raised them with the Indian National Human Rights Commission.

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department's officials gave to the police regarding the Chinese state visit. [113743]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 28 October 1999,Official Report, column 993W, and to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 28 October 1999, Official Report, columns 993–94W.

  Millenium Civil Society Forum
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the plans of the United Nations Millennium Summit and General Assembly to make use of the report to be produced by the Millennium Civil Society Forum in May. [114087]

  Mr. Hain
  A formal decision has still to be taken on the linkage between the Millenium Civil Society Forum and the Millenium Summit and Assembly. The Forum's report should be a valuable input to the Summit and Assembly. With our European Union partners, the Government are pressing for the fullest possible Millenium Forum representation at these events.

  Atomic Energy Counsellor (Japan)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the nature of the contractual appointment of a BNFL employee as the atomic energy counsellor in the British Embassy in Japan; what payment is made annually by BNFL in respect of this appointment; and when the arrangements with BNFL covering this embassy post were agreed. [114084]

  Mr. Hain
  The appointment of a BNFL employee on secondment to the post of Atomic Energy Counsellor at the British Embassy in Tokyo is in line with the usual contractual arrangements for such secondments. These are that he functions as a fully integrated member of the Embassy, works solely to objectives set by the Government, is bound by Diplomatic Service Regulations relating to conduct and discipline, and is answerable to the Ambassador and ultimately my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

  There is no payment to the FCO in respect of this appointment, but BNFL does meet the costs associated with it. These are around £500,000 annually. This arrangement has been in place for 33 years and was last reviewed with BNFL upon the appointment of the present incumbent in 1997.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what examination of prison
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  conditions and the length of detention without trial has been undertaken by United Kingdom officials in Pakistan. [113820]

  Mr. Hain
  We are concerned that detainees can be held without charge for up to 90 days. We are raising this with the Pakistani authorities and are considering a further demarche together with our EU colleagues.

  Official examinations of prisons are prohibited by the Pakistani authorities. We take up complaints about prison conditions, for example by British prisoners, with the Pakistani authorities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts United Kingdom representatives have had with human rights and civil liberties groups in Pakistan since the military take over; and if he will make a statement. [113814]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in reply to him on 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 141W.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by his Department to encourage India and Pakistan to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [113813]

  Mr. Hain
  Having the G8 and EU Presidency, the UK played a leading role in co-ordinating the international response to the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests. We continue to take every opportunity to urge both countries to take all the steps set out in United Nations Security Council resolution 1172, including acceding to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as Non-Nuclear-Weapon States.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review the relations between the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. [114176]

  Mr. Hain
  We have recalled our High Commissioner for consultations.

  James Mawdsley
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the imprisonment of James Mawdsley in Burma; and what representations he has made to the Burmese Government. [114379]

  Mr. Hain
  British Embassy officials have visited James six times. The last visit took place on 9 February. James has told us that he is well. Our Ambassador in Rangoon regularly raises James's case with the Burmese authorities, most recently with the Deputy Foreign Minister on 1 March. Baroness Scotland, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, also called in the Burmese Ambassador to express our concerns about the case in September 1999.
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  In particular, we have protested about:

  the failure of the Burmese authorities to inform us of his arrest;

  the delay over consular access;

  the denial of legal representation;

  the length of the sentence;

  mistreatment in prison;

  lack of access to reading and writing material;

  length of recreation time;

  delay in getting the trial transcript;

  delays in receiving food parcels, letters and books.

  We will continue to do everything we can to help James. We are in frequent contact with his family.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest assessment of the situation of James Mawdsley, imprisoned in Burma. [114006]

  Mr. Hain
  British Embassy officials have visited James six times. The most recent visit took place on 9 February. James has told us that he is well. We have raised with the Burmese authorities complaints he has had about his treatment.

  We do not comment on the legal aspects of charges levelled against British nationals overseas. We do all we can to ensure they have access to legal representation and receive a fair trial.

  China
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the results were of the recent EU and People's Republic of China human rights dialogue with regard to Tibet; and if he will make a statement. [114260]

  Mr. Battle
  The last round of the EU/China Human Rights dialogue took place in Lisbon on 25 February. The Presidency called on the Chinese Government to enter into a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on the future of Tibet, and raised the case of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama; restrictions on freedom of religious expression; and the preservation of the Tibetan cultural identity. They also called for better access to Tibet for non-governmental organisations and journalists. The EU/China discussions did not, however, lead to concrete results: specifically, the Chinese gave no commitment on a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, nor on access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima whose parents, they stated, did not want to expose him to media attention.

  EU Ministers will review the human rights dialogue and the situation in China, including Tibet, at the General Affairs Council on 21 March. At our most recent round of bilateral talks on human rights, it was agreed that the All Party Group could visit Tibet.

  Iraq
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approach was made to him by the makers of the ITV television programme shown on Monday 6 March on Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [114170]
  47W
  Mr. Robin Cook
  John Pilger asked me to appear in the programme. My officials offered him a ministerial interview to be broadcast at the end of the programme to respond to the points raised. He refused.

  During the programme itself, Pilger claimed this meant I was seeking editorial control. On the contrary, I was not prepared to allow him to edit my right of reply.

  The TV companies are required to provide balanced coverage. It is normal practice for programmes to provide a right of reply when broadcasting criticisms of government policy. Though I am unsurprised, I regret that Pilger and Carlton TV were not prepared to do so.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest policy of Her Majesty's Government towards sanctions on Iraq. [114171]

  Mr. Hain
  The UN Security Council resolutions provide the framework for the Government's policy on Iraq and sanctions. Our position has always been that sanctions can be lifted only when Iraq complies with its obligations under those resolutions, including disarmament. The latest resolution, SCR 1284, which the UK was key in driving through the Security Council, sets out a clear path towards the lifting of sanctions, by allowing for their suspension while the disarmament programme is underway. I urge Saddam Hussein to accept it.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farmed Sea Bass
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the labelling of farmed sea bass. [113079]

  Mr. Morley
  The Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 generally require that labelling should not falsely describe a food or be likely to mislead as to its nature, substance or quality. These provisions are to be supplemented by new European rules, which come into force on 1 January 2002. These will specifically require an indication of the production method (caught at sea or in inland waters or farmed) to be given for all fish offered for sale to the final consumer. They will also have to indicate the agreed sales name for the species and, in the case of sea fish, the catch area.

  Genetically Modified Seeds
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what genetically modified seeds he plans to add to the National Seed List; and if he will make a statement. [111967]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: Applications for the addition of plant varieties to the National List are considered against the requirements of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) which implement EC directives. These regulations require that varieties must be distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and, for agricultural species, have a value for cultivation and use (VCU) in the UK. Before genetically modified plant varieties may be proposed for addition to the National List, Ministers also require that a
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  marketing consent has been promulgated under Directive 90/220/EEC on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms, and, where appropriate, authorisation has been given under the Novel Foods Regulation, No. 258/97/EEC.

  Ministers are currently considering making a proposed decision about the addition to the National List of a genetically modified forage maize variety (CHARDON LL). The variety in question has completed the normal two years of National List tests and trials, and the trait involved has a marketing consent under Directive 90/220/EEC and an authorisation under the Novel Foods Regulation No. 258/97/EEC. As required under the National List regulations, once a proposed decision has been made by Ministers, it will be published in the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette together with the procedure for making representations against such a proposed decision.

  However, the Government's recent agreement with SCIMAC (representing the seeds, farming and biotechnology industries in the UK), precludes the general commercialisation of GM maize until 2003 at the earliest, subject to the results of the UK farm-scale evaluation programme.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions ministers in his Department have held meetings with ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 17 June 1999, indicating the dates and locations, the ministers involved, and the names of the Irish ministers and officials at each meeting. [113089]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  There have been no formal meetings between MAFF Ministers and Irish Ministers since 17 June 1999. Informal contacts have taken place in the margins of EU Agriculture Councils, on 19 July, 15 November, 14 December 1999 and 24 January 2000, and Fisheries Councils on 26 October, 22 November and 16 December 1999.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by coastal area the number of(a) dolphins, (b) whales and (c) basking sharks caught by coastal drift nets within six miles of the UK coast for each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [113274]

  Mr. Morley
  This information is not available. Inshore drift nets are not considered to represent a significant threat to these species.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  War Pensions
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in receipt of war and war widows' pensions in(a) Bolton, North-East parliamentary constituency and (b) Bolton. [111579]
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  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of war pensions is a matter for the Chief Executive of the War Pensions Agency, Mr. Gordon Hextall. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. David Crausby, dated 8 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people are in receipt of war and war widows' pensions in (a) Bolton North East parliamentary constituency and (b) Bolton.
  I am sorry to advise you that this precise information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The war pensions computer system does not separate details of war pensioners into Parliamentary constituencies or local authority areas.
  However, the computer system does provide statistics showing the numbers of war disablement pensioners and war widows resident in Welfare Office regions. Pensioners and widows living in Bolton fall within the Preston welfare region, which also covers Blackburn, Preston, part of Wigan and some parts of Greater Manchester.
  The statistics held for the area that includes Bolton are:

  War disablement pensioners—6953

  War widows—858

  If I can be of further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Funeral Expenses
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken between receipt of invoice and payment of funeral expenses by the Social Fund. [113634]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Chris Pond, dated 10 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent question asking about the average length of time taken between receipt of invoice and payment of funeral expenses by the Social Fund.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) does not record the date of receipt of funeral invoices in connection with claims for funeral payments, as an invoice or bill is not required in every case. For example, applications made in advance of the funeral may be determined using a "contract" between the customer and the Funeral Director.
  We do however collect information about length of time taken from the date the application is received in the office to the date a decision is issued. This data does not distinguish between decisions making a full award, a partial award or a refusal. The Performance Indicator for Funeral Payments is that 90% of applications should be determined within 35 days. For the period April 1999-February 2000 BA received 62,557 Funeral Payment applications. 60,411 (96.57%) of these applications were determined within 35 days.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of increasing the amount allowable for funeral expenses under the Social Fund to(a) £800 and (b) £1,000. [113632]

  Angela Eagle
  The Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme aims to cover the reasonable cost of a simple, dignified funeral. Therefore, under current legislation, where an eligible person is deemed to have good reason for taking responsibility for funeral expenses, the scheme allows for the fees levied by the burial authorities and crematoria (in so far as it is necessary to incur them), specified travel expenses and up to £600 for any other 50W
  funeral expenses. If this £600 for other funeral expenses were to be increased to £800 or £1,000, it is estimated that the net programme expenditure would increase by £7.4 million and £12.8 million respectively.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of applications to the Social Fund for funeral expenses are refused(a) in whole and (b) in part. [113633]

  Angela Eagle
  Statistics compiled so far for 1999—2000 indicate that of the total number of claims made to the Social Fund for Funeral Payments, 37 per cent. are wholly refused and 56 per cent. result in a partial award.

  Independent Tribunal Service
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he issues guidelines to Chairmen of Independent Tribunal Service hearings; what is the recommended time for them to provide appellants with written explanations for decisions; what is the average time currently taken; and if he will make a statement. [113733]

  Angela Eagle
  We do not issue guidelines to Chairmen of the Appeals Service (formerly the Independent Tribunal Service) tribunals. The President of appeal tribunals, Judge Michael Harris, is responsible for the functions of appeal tribunals. We cannot intervene in the matters for which the President is responsible.

  Judge Harris is working to develop standards for all areas of interlocutory work, including provision of written explanations for decisions and he will write to the hon. Member when these are in place.

  The average time for an appellant to receive a written explanation for the decision of a tribunal is 5.3 weeks. The average time for the Chairman to provide the written reasons is 4.0 weeks. This is calculated from the date that the Chairman received the appellant's request to the date that the reasons were passed to the administrative clerk.

  Source:
  100 per cent. download from the Appeals Service Generic Appeals Processing System. The figures are based on requests for reasons received between 1 August 1998 and 31 July 1999.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the administration of the Benefits Agency Independent Tribunal Service in the last year for which figures are available. [113474]

  Angela Eagle
  The Independent Tribunal Service was not part of the Benefits Agency.

  The cost of the administration of the Independent Tribunal Service (now the Appeals Service) for the 1998–99 financial year was £55.890 million.

  Housing Benefit (Verification Framework)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if a recent letter from the police regarding investigation of a burglary at a property is acceptable proof of identification to comply with the housing benefit verification framework. [113774]
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  Angela Eagle
  The relevance or weight given to any piece of evidence in support of a claim is a matter for the local authority concerned. The Verification Framework requires local authorities to look at the whole picture presented by a claimant when establishing identity. It would not be appropriate for this Department to direct local authorities as to the weight they should give to a particular piece of evidence, which may or may not be relevant depending on the wider circumstances of the case.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend the definition of hostels for the purposes of implementation of the housing benefit verification framework to other organisations providing accommodation for the vulnerable and socially excluded. [113650]

  Angela Eagle
  The definition of hostel that exists ensures that most bona fide direct access, short stay accommodation for the homeless is covered. The special rules for hostels are designed to ensure that this type of accommodation is available to the socially excluded. For all other types of accommodation the Verification Framework is sufficiently flexible to allow genuine claimants to satisfy its requirements and receive their benefit entitlement. In very exceptional documented cases the local authority can decide to make payment even when the Verification Framework standard has not been met.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has published a list of acceptable proofs of identification to comply with the housing benefit verification framework. [113773]

  Angela Eagle
  The Verification Framework initially contained a prescriptive list of documents that could be accepted as evidence of identity; each claimant was required to provide two of the documents on that list. It soon became apparent that this was not the best way to establish identity in many cases. Such rules particularly disadvantaged the vulnerable and socially excluded.

  Revised guidance was issued to all local authorities in July 1999. This guidance stresses the importance of looking at the whole picture presented by a claimant and their circumstances. It allows local authorities to build a picture to support a person's claim using different sources of evidence. The new guidance deliberately does not contain a prescriptive list of acceptable documentary evidence.

  The Verification Framework does provide guidance as to the level of confidence that can be applied to various commonly submitted documents relating to ID.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he gives landlords about what they should do if a potential tenant is unable to produce any forms of identification acceptable to local authority housing benefit officers to comply with the verification framework. [113772]

  Angela Eagle
  The verification framework sets standards for local authorities to follow in establishing entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not give guidance to landlords on identity requirements as decisions on letting property are distinct from decisions on benefit entitlement. Where a person is unsure whether
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  or not they might get Housing Benefit, it is advisable for them to make inquiries of their local authority before entering into an agreement to pay rent.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he gives local authorities on telling potential tenants what are accepted proofs of identification to comply with the housing benefit verification framework. [113771]

  Angela Eagle
  The verification framework requires local authorities to make it clear on their claim forms what documentary evidence the claimant will need to supply. However, when establishing identity there is no specific list of documents which claimants must supply. Indeed, to have such a list would cause problems for those claimants who are most vulnerable, as they are least likely to have specific documents.

  The framework requires local authorities to look at each case on its merits when examining supporting evidence. Where a claimant has little or no documentary evidence of identity, the local authority should give consideration as to why that is when considering how to progress the case.

  Income Support
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he proposes to encourage the take-up of income support unclaimed by those already in receipt of the state pension but entitled to additional benefit. [113176]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are committed to taking action to find more effective ways of encouraging eligible pensioners to claim their benefit entitlement. We will shortly be announcing our plans to encourage pensioners to take up their entitlement to the minimum income guarantee.

  Hospital Downrating
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what, in the latest financial year for which figures are available, were the total savings accruing from hospital downrating. [113074]

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

  Estimated savings from hospital down rating, by benefit, 1998–99

  £ million

  Benefit

  Estimated savings

  Retirement pension

  55

  Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance

  45

  Disability living allowance (mobility component)

  5

  Notes:

  1. Savings estimates are based on samples of administrative data. It is assumed that the weeks of each sample are typical of the financial year as a whole. Figures are rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  2. Estimates for income-related benefits (Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) not available. In November 1999 there were an estimated 1,000 Income Support claimants who had been in hospital for between 4 and 52 weeks, and 2,000 claimants who had been in hospital for over 52 weeks.

  3. Disability Living Allowance mobility savings arise from transitionally protected Higher Rate Mobility cases.
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  4. Disability Living Allowance (other than transitionally protected cases), Attendance Allowance and Invalid Care Allowance estimates are not included as these benefits generally cease after four weeks or less in hospital.

  Fraud
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking in respect of those area directorates where fraud in income support and jobseeker's allowance increased in the last area benefit review; and if he will make a statement. [114003]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: The Benefits Agency's Area Directorates have plans in place which help them to direct their resources effectively to areas of greatest risk. The plans are regularly reviewed to see how effective areas are in paying benefits accurately and securely and appropriate adjustments are made. We are paying close attention to those areas where levels of fraud and error have risen.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department began the programme to check the veracity of national insurance numbers; when the programme is expected to end; how many numbers(a) have so far been checked and (b) remain to be checked; and how many of the numbers so far checked have been identified as bogus. [113630]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: A programme to check the correctness of accounts held on the Departmental Central Index (DCI) was set up on 6 November 1995 and is currently expected to run until March 2001. Since the start of the programme all accounts held on DCI have been continually scanned.

  By May 1999 of the 81 million National Insurance accounts currently held on the Departments computer index about 1 million (1.23 per cent.) had certain types of anomalies (e.g. incorrect address format, two accounts showing the same identity details etc). These were further checked and about 750,000 (0.93 per cent.) were found to be inaccurate.

  These can be broken down into 645,000 (0.8 per cent.) which were identified as duplicate cases caused by faulty information or inputting error and have since been deleted and approximately 100,000 cases which have been investigated and corrected.

  Of the total in only 11 cases has it been established that the account was deliberately created in order to establish a false identity and fraudulently gain access to benefits. We are currently re-running the initial scans and designing new scans to identify any further "at risk" accounts on the index.

  Child Support
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in 2002–03 of introducing a £10 child maintenance disregard for 54W
  (a) parents with care on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and (b) parents with care on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance where maintenance has been assessed under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill. [1143721

  Angela Eagle
  The reformed child support scheme, including the introduction of a £10 maintenance premium (or disregard) in Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, will come into effect for new cases by April 2002. Existing cases will be moved across at a later date, once the new arrangements are seen to be working well. On this basis, the net costs of the child maintenance premium, taking account of offsetting savings from the abolition of the Child Maintenance Bonus, will be around £20 million in 2002–03. If all existing cases were to qualify for the premium from April 2002, the additional net first year costs would be around £65 million.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many non-resident parents will pay more maintenance under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill for each of the weekly income bands(a) £0 to £99, (b) £100 to £149, (c) £150 to £199, (d) £200 to £249, (e) £250 to £299 and (f) £300 to £400. [114373]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table. Changes in assessment for existing cases will be phased in.

  Non-resident parents in work who would have a higher maintenance assessment under the reformed child support scheme.

  Net weekly income

  Caseloads

  £0 to £99

  20,000

  £100 to £149

  50,000

  £150 to £199

  60,000

  £200 to £249

  35,000

  £250 to £299

  15,000

  £300 to £400

  10,000

  Notes:

  1. New scheme maintenance modelled on August 1998 5 per cent. scan of Child Support Computer System.

  2. Caseloads calibrated to forecast 'A' day levels (April 2002).

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

HEALTH

  Breast Implants
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often and when the Independent Review Group meets to consider published scientific information relating to breast implants and health issues; and if he will list its membership. [110097]

  Mr. Denham
  The Independent Review Group continues to meet twice a year to review any new evidence on possible health risks associated with silicone gel breast implants or the issues relating to pre-operative patient information.
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  The current members of the Independent Review Group are as follows:
  Professor R. D. Sturrock—The McLeod Arthritis Research Campaign Professor of Rheumatology, University of Glasgow (Chairman)
  Professor J. R. Batchelor—Emeritus Professor of Immunology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine on the Campus of Hammersmith Hospital
  Dr. J. Evans—Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Derriford Hospital Mrs. V. Harpwood—Senior Lecturer, Cardiff Law School, University of Cardiff
  Professor D. R. London—Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Birmingham; Registrar of the Royal College of Physicians
  Mr. T. Milward—Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Leicester Royal Infirmary
  Ms C. Rayner—Patients Association
  Professor A. J. Silman—Arthritis Research Campaign Professor of Rheumatic Disease Epidemiology, University of Manchester Medical School
  Professor J. P. Sloane—Professor of Pathology, University of Liverpool
  Dr. J. Evans was suspended from the IRG pending an investigation by Derriford Hospital NHS Trust. She was suspended in order to maintain public confidence in the group and its work pending the results of the investigation.

  Otahara Syndrome
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Otahara Syndrome (Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy) are known in the United Kingdom; whether there is a specialist unit for its treatment; and what(a) support groups and (b) charities have been formed to assist sufferers and their families. [110065]

  Mr. Hutton
  Epilepsy is the commonest chronic neurological disorder affecting between 400,000 and 420,000 people—one in 200 of the United Kingdom population and including 100,000 children.

  There is no epidemiological information available on the number of children with Otahara Syndrome and we are not aware of any specialist units for the treatment of this condition. Treatment is usually via the prescription of anticonvulsants.

  It is for health authorities and primary care groups to plan and arrange the services available to people in their care. However, complex epilepsy is included in the comprehensive list of specialised services in the Health Service Commissioning in the New National Health Service. This means that regional offices will need to give special consideration to commissioning services for people with complex epilepsy.

  We are not aware of any support groups or charities formed specifically to assist people with Otahara Syndrome and their families. However, support and advice is available from the members of the Joint Epilepsy Council such as the British Epilepsy Association and The National Society for Epilepsy.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current situation in respect of recruiting and retaining pharmacists in the NHS. [112446]
  56W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 March 2000]: We are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of pharmacists. The potential impact on the pharmacy work force of the move to a four-year pharmacy degree, against a background of growing demand for pharmacists, was recognised early on. The in-take of pharmacy students has increased each year in the last six years, with 20 per cent. more new students in 1998 as compared with 1993. In addition there was special recognition for hospital pharmacists in the 1999 pay round.

  The Government are also modernising services and modernising employment practice in the National Health Service: developing more supportive, flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development; tackling violence and racism in the workplace; involving staff in the way services are delivered and in the changes and developments that affect their working lives.

  In addition, we are developing the interactive service "NHS Careers" which will cover pharmacists in due course.

  Pay Review Body
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the percentage increase in the NHS pay bill as a result of implementing the Pay Review Body report on nursing, midwives and health visitors. [112447]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 March 2000]: To implement the recent recommendations on pay made by the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine will increase the pay bill of the NHS by 1.5 per cent.

  Long-term Care
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the West Sussex Health Authority area receive long-term round the clock nursing care at home funded by the NHS. [112474]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are currently two patients in West Sussex receiving 24-hour nursing care at home funded by the health authority. Individual patients are assessed and a decision made by the West Sussex Health Authority's Commissioning for Individual Packages (CIP) Panel. The systems for managing the commission of individual packages of care are open to internal and external audit.

  Beta Interferon
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the secondary waiting list for multiple sclerosis sufferers in need of beta interferon; and if he will make a statement. [113348]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department receives a high volume of correspondence on multiple sclerosis and beta interferon, some of which mentions waiting for assessment by a neurologist.

  Information on waiting times for patients with multiple sclerosis is not collected but, nationally, the average waiting time of patients seen for a first outpatient

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  appointment in neurology following general practitioner was 10.6 weeks (or 74 days) during October to December 1999–2000 (the latest data available).

  Shropshire Health Authority
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the adequacy of Shropshire Health Authority's allocation for 1999–2000, with reference to population growth. [113345]

  Mr. Denham
  The 1999–2000 allocation for Shropshire Health Authority is £247.65 million. This represents a cash increase of £15.15 million or 6.51 per cent. This is above the national average increase of 6.50 per cent. for health authorities without health action zones.

  In addition, the 2000–01 allocation for Shropshire Health Authority is £265.68 million. This represents a cash increase of £17.13 million or 6.89 per cent. This is above the national average increase of 6.69 per cent. for health authorities without health action zones.

  For 1999–2000 Shropshire Health Authority's resident population increased by 0.80 per cent. compared to the national average of 0.48 per cent.

  The objective of resource allocation is to distribute funds fairly based on the relative healthcare needs of populations. In doing so, account is taken of the latest available data, including changes to populations.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS dentistry in Hereford; and if he will make a statement. [113481]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are aware that there is a problem of access to National Health Service dentistry in Herefordshire and have taken positive steps to address this problem. Four Investing in Dentistry grants have been approved totalling £100,000, guaranteeing promises of a further 8,000 NHS patient registrations. A proposal for a "phone and go" dental access centre in Herefordshire is currently being considered by the NHS Executive. If successful the dental access centre should be operational by the end of the year.

  Medical and Dental Regulation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to transfer responsibility for the regulation of the medical and dental professions from the Privy Council to Parliament. [113427]

  Mr. Denham
  The responsibility for setting the regulatory framework lies with Parliament. This has been discharged through the passing of the Medical Act 1983 and the Dentist Act 1983 and subsequent primary and secondary legislation.

  Parliament already has sufficient powers to call the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Dental Council to account before the Health Select Committee which met on the 2 March 2000 to consider the role of the GMC.
  58W
  We are discussing with the regulatory bodies the need to modernise the arrangements for accountability. It is important that these arrangements are fit for the purpose and retain the confidence of the public, the professions, Government and Parliament.

  Medical Laboratory Science Officers
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it costs on average to train a person as a medical laboratory science officer. [113193]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: Given the multiple training routes for the pre-registration and post-registration training and the variable duration of study, it is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for the average cost of training a person as a medical laboratory scientific officer.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the salary level for each grade of medical laboratory science officer in the NHS; and how many employees there are on each pay level. [113201]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: National terms and conditions of service for medical laboratory scientific officers provide five grade pay scales.

  The current minimum and maximum of each grade pay scale is:

  £

  Grade

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Effective 1 December 1998:

  Trainee MLSO

  7,476

  9,796

  MLSO1

  11,812

  17,486

  MLSO2

  16,169

  23,931

  MLSO3

  22,127

  27,998

  MLSO4

  25,885

  (32,753)

  The estimated number of MLSOs by grade, directly employed by the NHS in England, rounded to the nearest 1,000, is:

  Grade

  Trainee MLSO

  1,000

  MLSO1

  6,000

  MLSO2

  3,000

  MLSO3

  2,000

  MLSO4

  1—

  Note:

  1 Less than 500; greater than zero

  Improvement to pay, backdated to 1 April 1999, remains available.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many tests were performed by NHS medical laboratory science officers; and what was the ratio of tests per worker in each of the last 10 years. [113198]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: It is recognised that the workload in pathology laboratories is increasing but detailed information on the number of tests done by particular staff groups is not held centrally.
  59W
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what qualifications and training are required for a medical laboratory science officer grade 1; and what requirements exist for such staff to retrain on an annual basis. [113196]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: Medical Laboratory Science Officer is are graduates. They are state registered through the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. To become state registered they need to possess an accredited first degree and to have undergone approved vocational training. The length of vocational training required depends on the entry degree and the ability of the individual.

  Some MLSOs undertake programmes of continuing professional development that are approved by the Institute of Biomedical Science. These are not mandatory and there is no definite requirement, as yet, for staff to retrain on an annual basis.

  NHS Pay
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average starting pay for(a) clinical psychologists, (b) clinical scientists, (c) speech and language therapists and (d) health advisers on sexually transmitted diseases working in the NHS. [113202]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: The pay of clinical psychologists, clinical scientists and speech and language therapists is negotiated in the Scientific and Professional Staffs Whitley Council. The Council's agreement provides for staff to be appointed to any point on the appropriate grade pay scale. The pay scales are:

  Clinical psychologists

  Clinical psychologist grade A

  £14,949 minimum to £34,065 maximum—effective from 1 December 1998.

  Clinical scientists

  Clinical scientist grade B

  £18,734 minimum to £35,087 maximum—effective from 1 April 1999.

  Speech and language therapists

  Speech and language therapist grade 1

  £14,237 minimum to £14,806 maximum—effective from 1 April 1999

  There are no nationally agreed pay scales for health advisers on sexually transmitted diseases working in the NHS. We do not collect information about their starting pay centrally.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of staff morale in the professions working in the NHS who are not covered by the NHS pay review body. [113197]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: As part of the national Human Resource strategy "Working Together—Securing a quality workforce for the NHS" we have asked National Health Service trusts to carry out a staff attitude survey by April 2000.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the professions within the NHS that are not covered by the NHS Pay Review Body. [113204]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: National Health Service staff groups not covered by the remit of the pay review bodies are Administrative and
  60W
  Clerical, Ancillary, Ambulance (staff and officers), Maintenance, Professional and Technical (B), and Scientific and Professional.

  Rothbury Community Hospital, Northumberland
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects work to start on the building of the new Rothbury community hospital, Northumberland. [113796]

  Mr. Denham
  No start date can be given for the scheme at present as it is dependent on the outcome of ongoing Private Finance Initiative negotiations.

  Patients' Rights
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make lay representatives available within hospitals to give guidance to patients on their rights. [113611]

  Mr. Denham
  Greg Dyke's report, "The New NHS Charter: A Different Approach", recommended that most large hospital trusts should have a patient representative. In response to this recommendation the Department is currently investigating possible models for patient representation in the National Health Service.

  Patient Referral
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if patients have the right to be referred to more than one consultant to obtain a second or further opinion. [113858]

  Mr. Denham
  It is accepted professional practice among doctors that patients have the right to a second opinion. This is enshrined in guidance the General Medical Council has issued which includes the need for doctors to respect the rights of patients to a second opinion.

  Ethical Investment Policy
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when regulations on ethical investment policy for hospital trusts and health authorities will be likely to come into force; and if they will restrict investment in companies connected with the arms trade; [114219]

  (2) if he will list those hospital trusts and health authorities which invest pension funds and donations in companies known to have connections with the arms trade. [114218]

  Mr. Denham
  Health authorities do not invest Exchequer funds in companies. National Health Service trusts can invest surplus funds only in institutions approved by the NHS Executive, and from 1 April 2000 will be able to invest only in the Office of the Paymaster General.

  NHS trusts and health authorities do not hold pension funds. Contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme are paid to the Exchequer, which meets the cost of scheme benefits as required.

  Charitably-donated funds are administered by trustees, who are responsible for investment decisions concerning these funds. Trustees operate within charity legislation, and Health Ministers properly have no powers to influence trustees' decisions.

  Drug Addicts
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish estimates of the number of known or registered drug addicts per 100,000 people in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States of America and (c) the Netherlands. [114221]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Based on the number of drug misusers reported to Regional Drugs Misuse Databases as presenting to services for treatment in England during the six month period ending 31 March 1999, there were 58 problem drug misusers per 100,000 people in England. Figures for the United States of America and the Netherlands are not available centrally, but information may be available from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which is based in Portugal.

  Fruit and Vegetables
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice his Department is giving the public on the peeling and topping of carrots before they are consumed; what is the reason for that advice; and what are the methods used to communicate the advice; [114418]

  (2) what advice his Department is giving the public on peeling apples before they are consumed; and what is the reason for that advice and the methods used to communicate the advice; [114348]

  Minister

  Country

  Date

  Purpose

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Netherlands/ Luxembourg

  3–6 June 1997

  Visit to European Union Health Council

  Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State (Commons)

  Belgium

  4–5 June 1997

  Visit to European Parliament

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Austria

  16–18 June 1997

  Attendance at Council of Europe XVth Conference of Family Ministers and other engagements

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Belgium

  23–25 October 1997

  Attendance at Young People's Conference on Sexual Health

  Minister of State for Public Health

  France

  24 November 1997

  Meeting with French Health Minister

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Belgium

  3–4 December 1997

  European Union Health Council Meeting

  Secretary of State

  Denmark

  26 February-1 March 1998

  Visit to World Health Organisation and other engagements

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords)

  USA

  4–7 March 1998

  Attendance at External Advisory Panel for Health, Nutrition and Population

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Belgium

  8–10 March 1998

  European Union Health Council meeting

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Belgium

  24–26 March 1998

  European Union Health Council meeting

  Secretary of State

  Belgium

  22 April 1998

  Visit to European Parliament to address Health Committee

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Belgium

  22 April 1998

  Visit to European Parliament to address Health Committee

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Luxembourg

  29–30 April 1998

  Meeting of the European Union Health Council

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords)

  France

  11 May 1998

  Meeting of the Club of Three sub group

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Switzerland

  12–13 May 1998

  Attendance at World Health Assembly

  Secretary of State

  Germany

  3–4 June 1998

  Attendance at Social Services Conference

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Sweden

  16–17 June 1998

  Attendance at presentation of the FINSAM Project and other engagements

  Secretary of State

  France

  22–23 June 1998

  Representing HM Government at England vs Romania World Cup match

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Australia

  9–20 July 1998

  Fact finding mission on mental health issues

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Sweden

  23-–5 September 1998

  Keynote speech at 50th anniversary Swedish social services conference

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Germany

  3–5 October 1998

  British Council seminar

  Secretary of State

  South Africa

  3–18 October 1998

  Combined official visit to South Africa to support Department for International Development projects and pursue bilateral health relations

  Secretary of State

  USA

  21–23 October 1998

  Attendance at International Symposium on Health and other engagements

  62W
  (3) which fruits and vegetables apart from apples and carrots his Department is advising the public to peel before consuming; what is the reason for that advice; and what are the methods used to communicate the advice. [114347]

  Ms Stuart
  Studies recommended by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides have found variable levels of pesticide residues in some fruit and vegetables. In response to these findings, the following advice from the Deputy Chief Medical Officer was issued in Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) News Release 83/97 and in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Food Safety Information Bulletin for December 1998:"washing fruit and vegetables before consumption is always a sensible precaution to ensure it is clean. Peeling is a matter of consumer choice, but is a sensible additional precaution when preparing fruit and vegetables for small children"
  This precautionary advice remains relevant and is used by Government Departments in responding to inquiries about pesticide residues in food.

  Overseas Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the overseas ministerial visits that have taken place since May 1997, indicating the purpose of each visit. [112770]

  Ms Stuart
  Between May 1997 and March 2000 Department of Health Ministers have made 36 overseas visits in an official capacity as listed. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.
  63W

  Minister

  Country

  Date

  Purpose

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Belgium

  12 November 1998

  Meeting of European Union Health Council

  Secretary of State

  Barbados

  15–18 November 1998

  Attendance at Commonwealth Health Ministers Conference

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  Japan

  25–29 November 1998

  British Healthcare industry export promotion

  Minister of State for Public Health

  France

  14–16 January 1999

  Meeting with French Ministers for Health and Women and attendance at Franco-British Colloque events

  Secretary of State

  Denmark

  9–11 April 1999

  Meeting with senior officials from the European Office of the World Health Organisation

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords)

  Italy

  26–27 May 1999

  Conference on emergency services and reanimation

  Minister of State for Public Health

  Luxembourg

  7–8 June 1999

  European Union Health Council Meeting

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  France

  17 June 1999

  European Social Services Conference

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords)

  Malaysia

  5–9 October 1999

  British Healthcare industry export promotion

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

  Turkey

  10–11 October 1999

  Conference on Diabetes Care and Research in Europe

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Commons)

  USA

  10–12 October 1999

  International Initiative seminar on Building Strong Communications to Support Families

  Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Health

  Finland

  12–13 October 1999

  Representing United Kingdom at European Union Presidency meeting

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

  Belgium

  17–18 November 1999

  European Union Health Council Meeting

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 31 January regarding a constituent Ref. POH(6)5608/39. [114351]

  Ms Stuart
  My noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath announced on 9 February that insulin pen needles would be available on general practitioner prescription from I March, and a reply will be sent to my hon. Friend very shortly.

  Controlled Drug Stocks
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to seek an amendment of the law to permit hospital operating department practitioners lawfully to possess a stock of such controlled drugs as they may lawfully administer. [113558]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no plans to amend the misuse of drugs legislation to authorise operating department practitioners (ODPs) to possess a stock of controlled drugs.

  The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 authorise certain health professionals to order, supply, possess or prescribe controlled drugs in the practice of their professions. They include doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and midwives, all of whom are subject to statutory regulation. ODPs—which are not a statutorily regulated profession—are not authorised to supply or possess controlled drugs. The 1985 Regulations also authorise any person other than a doctor to administer to a patient, in accordance with the directions of a doctor, any drug specified in schedule 2, 3 or 4 of the regulations.

  Where a doctor, nurse or midwife supplies or possesses a controlled drug other than in the practice of their professions, the regulatory bodies are able to investigate and take appropriate action. Statutory regulatory bodies can also, if necessary, remove individuals from the professional register. This helps to ensure that health professionals employed within the NHS or private health care sector do not represent a risk to patients, colleagues or themselves.
  64W
  We do not consider that the 1985 Regulations should be amended to authorise ODPs to supply and possess controlled drugs unless that group becomes subject to statutory regulation.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  University Funding
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage increase in spending on universities he has provided for in the forthcoming financial year; and if he will make a statement. [113887]

  Mr. Wicks
  In the 2000–01 financial year, the Government have made an extra £253 million available to the higher education sector. This is a 4.9 per cent. increase in cash terms. Over the period 1998–99 to 2001–02, funding for the higher education sector will increase by 11 per cent. in real terms.

  Class Sizes
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children in(a) secondary, (b) junior and (c) nursery schools are in classes of over 30; and what the totals were in each of the previous five years. [113888]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information on class sizes in maintained primary and secondary schools in England for January and September is shown in the following table. The latest class size count was carried out in September 1999 for infant classes and found a further reduction in the numbers of infant pupils in classes of over 30. Information about classes in maintained nursery schools is not collected by the Department.

  Provisional national estimates of class sizes in maintained primary and secondary schools in England for January 2000 are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in April.

  65W

  Numbers of pupils in classes with 31 or more pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England: 1995–1999

  1 Teacher

  Primary schools1 2 or more teachers

  Total

  1 Teacher

  Secondary schools1 2 or more teachers

  Total

  Position as at January:

  1999

  1,277,250

  119,249

  1,396,499

  312,974

  36,114

  349,088

  1998

  1,410,762

  122,979

  1,533,741

  282,633

  33,156

  315,789

  1997

  1,344,231

  121,559

  1,465,790

  245,420

  38,749

  284,169

  1996

  1,260,551

  128,581

  1,389,132

  234,536

  48,640

  283,176

  1995

  1,155,715

  129,885

  1,285,600

  201,210

  57,435

  258,645

  1 Includes middle schools

  Numbers of pupils in infant classes with 31 or more pupils in maintained primary schools in England: 1998–99

  Number

  Position as at September

  1999

  165,557

  1998

  346,288

  New Deal
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state the number and percentage of participants in the New Deal for 25 years and over in(a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales who have returned to (i) Jobseeker's areas in Scotland where a larger percentage then the (A) Great Britain and (B) Scottish average figure have moved on to one of the categories in (i) to (iii) including the number and percentage in each area and for each category. [111281]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The information requested is as follows:

  (i) Percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ returning to Jobseeker's Allowance

  Percentage

  Scotland

  32

  Wales

  28

  Great Britain

  29

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to JSA, than the Scotland average

  Left New Deal for JSA

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Tayside

  707

  36

  Ayrshire

  952

  38

  Borders

  68

  30

  Dumfries and Galloway

  311

  36

  Dumbarton

  466

  37

  Fife

  493

  37

  Grampian

  253

  38

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  82

  32

  Renfrewshire

  519

  34

  West Lothian

  79

  30

  Caithness and Sutherland

  116

  31

  Inverness and Nairn

  97

  33

  Orkney

  34

  35

  66W

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to JSA, than the Scotland average

  Left New Deal for JSA

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Tayside

  707

  36

  Ayrshire

  952

  38

  Dumfries and Galloway

  311

  36

  Dumbarton

  466

  37

  Fife

  493

  37

  Grampian

  253

  38

  Renfrewshire

  519

  34

  Inverness and Nairn

  97

  33

  Orkney

  34

  35

  (ii) Percentage of New Deal 25+ participants who leave and claim other benefits

  Percentage

  Scotland

  8

  Wales

  8

  Great Britain

  7

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to other benefits, than the GB average

  Left New Deal for other benefits

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Tayside

  158

  8

  Dumbarton

  108

  9

  Forth Valley

  31

  15

  Grampian

  61

  9

  Lanarkshire

  174

  10

  Renfrewshire

  129

  8

  Argyll and The Islands

  39

  9

  Caithness and Sutherland

  28

  8

  Inverness and Nairn

  28

  9

  Lochaber

  9

  13

  Western Isles

  9

  16

  Orkney

  9

  9

  Ross and Cromarty

  18

  9

  Shetland

  5

  12

  Skye and Lochalsh

  12

  11

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to other benefits, than the Scotland average

  Left New Deal for other benefits

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Dumbarton

  108

  9

  Forth Valley

  31

  15

  Grampian

  61

  9

  Lanarkshire

  174

  10

  67W

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to other benefits, than the Scotland average

  Left New Deal for other benefits

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Argyll and The Islands

  39

  9

  Inverness and Nairn

  28

  9

  Lochaber

  9

  13

  Western Isles

  9

  16

  Orkney

  9

  9

  Ross and Cromarty

  18

  9

  Shetland

  5

  12

  Skye and Lochalsh

  12

  11

  (iii) Percentage of New Deal participants who leave for unsubsidised jobs

  Percentage

  Scotland

  10

  Wales

  13

  Great Britain

  13

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to unsubsidised jobs, than the GB average

  Left New Deal for unsubsidised jobs

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Forth Valley

  42

  20

  West Lothian

  36

  14

  Inverness and Nairn

  40

  14

  Western Isles

  8

  14

  Orkney

  15

  15

  Ross and Cromarty

  34

  18

  Shetland

  7

  17

  Skye and Lochalsh

  16

  15

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants in the New Deal 25+ who have returned to other benefits, than the Scotland average

  Left New Deal for unsubsidised jobs

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  239

  13

  Forth Valley

  42

  20

  Grampian

  70

  11

  Lanarkshire

  194

  11

  West Lothian

  36

  14

  Argyll and The Islands

  53

  12

  Caithness and Sutherland

  42

  11

  Inverness and Nairn

  40

  14

  Western Isles

  8

  14

  Orkney

  15

  15

  Ross and Cromarty

  34

  18

  Shetland

  7

  17

  Skye and Lochalsh

  16

  15

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state the percentage of participants in the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds in(a) Great Britain (b) Scotland and (c) Wales
  68W
  who have received (i) subsidised employment and (ii) education and training through the New Deal; and if he will list the areas in Scotland where a smaller percentage than the (1) Great Britain and (2) Scottish average figures have these options, including the number and percentage of participants for each of these areas. [111278]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The information requested is shown in the tables. For subsidised employment and education and training we have used the numbers for the Employment and Full Time Education and Training Options respectively.

  Employment option:

  Percentage of New Deal starts who join the Employment option

  Percentage

  Scotland

  9

  Wales

  11

  Great Britain

  7

  Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants in the New Deal (18–24 year olds) who have received subsidized Employment than the Great Britain average

  Employment option starts

  Percentage of New Deal starts joining the Employment option

  Glasgow

  508

  6

  Grampian

  88

  5

  Renfrewshire

  145

  5

  Lochaber

  5

  6

  Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants in the New Deal (18–24 year olds) who have received subsidized Employment than the Scotland average

  Employment option starts

  Percentage of New Deal starts joining the Employment option

  Dumbarton

  128

  7

  Fife

  269

  8

  Forth Valley

  198

  8

  Glasgow

  508

  6

  Grampian

  88

  5

  Renfrewshire

  145

  5

  West Lothian

  78

  7

  Caithness and Sutherland

  18

  7

  Lochaber

  5

  6

  FTET option:

  Percentage of New Deal starts who join the FTET option

  Perception

  Scotland

  15

  Wales

  14

  Great Britain

  16

  69W

  Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants in the New Deal (18–24 year olds) who have received education and training through the New Deal than the Great Britain average

  FTET option starts

  Percentage of New Deal starts joining the FTET option

  Tayside

  591

  14

  Ayrshire

  511

  12

  Borders

  89

  13

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  429

  12

  Grampian

  203

  12

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  47

  10

  Lanarkshire

  942

  15

  Renfrewshire

  371

  13

  West Lothian

  127

  12

  Argyll and The Islands

  37

  8

  Inverness and Nairn

  59

  15

  Lochaber

  6

  7

  Orkney

  6

  9

  Shetland

  8

  13

  Skye and Lochalsh

  7

  8

  6,760

  15

  Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants in the New Deal (18–24 year olds) who have received education and training through the New Deal than the Great Britain average

  FTET option starts

  Percentage of New Deal starts joining the FTET option

  Tayside

  591

  14

  Ayrshire

  511

  12

  Borders

  89

  13

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  429

  12

  Grampian

  203

  12

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  47

  10

  Renfrewshire

  371

  13

  West Lothian

  127

  12

  Argyll and The Islands

  37

  8

  Lochaber

  6

  7

  Orkney

  6

  9

  Shetland

  8

  13

  Skye and Lochalsh

  7

  8

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state the percentage of participants in the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in(a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales who have gone through to the follow-through stage of the New Deal; and if he will list the areas in Scotland where a larger percentage than the (i) Great Britain and (ii) Scottish average figures have gone on to the follow-through stage. [111277]
  70W
  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The information requested is as follows:

  Percentage of New Deal participants who join Follow-Through

  Percentage

  Scotland

  20

  Wales

  20

  Great Britain

  17

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants (18 to 24-year-olds) who have gone through to the follow-through stage of the New Deal, than the GB average

  Tayside

  Ayrshire

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Dumbarton

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Glasgow

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  Lanarkshire

  Renfrewshire

  West Lothian

  Caithness and Sutherland

  Inverness and Nairn

  Western Isles

  Ross and Cromarty

  Scottish Units of Delivery with a larger percentage of participants (18 to 24-year-olds) who have gone through to the follow-through stage of the New Deal, than Scotland Average

  Tayside

  Ayrshire

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact of the New Deal scheme in reducing youth unemployment in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire. [111069]

  Ms Jowell
  To the end of December 1999, 155 young people in Shrewsbury and Atcham and 1,037 in Shropshire had found jobs through the New Deal. Over the year to the end of January 2000, the numbers of young people who had been unemployed for six months or more fell by 59 per cent. in Shrewsbury and Atcham and 33 per cent. in Shropshire. This confirms that the New Deal is equipping young people with the skills and attributes that they need to compete successfully in the labour market. Indeed 146 young people in Shrewsbury and Atcham and 592 people in Shropshire have benefited from training and work experience opportunities on the other options.

  Statemented Children
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes have been made to the consent arrangements in respect of placing individual children with a statement in non-approved independent schools since the publication of the Green Paper, entitled "Excellence for all Children: Meeting Special Education Needs". [113916]
  71W
  Jacqui Smith
  My Department will shortly consult on proposals for the placement of children with statements of special educational needs in independent schools. Earlier consultation had been intended, but we wished to ensure that our proposals for this sector would reflect relevant recommendations arising from the recently published report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the abuse of children in care in North Wales.

  Our intention will be to ensure that children are placed only in schools that can both meet their educational needs and safeguard their welfare.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the standard spending assessment in(a) cash and (b) real terms for primary and secondary pupils for (i) England and (ii) Northumberland county council for each year from 1990 to 2000; and what is his estimate for 2000–01. [114140]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.

  Standard Spending Assessment

  £

  Year/Cash figures

  Northumberland

  England

  1990–91

  Per primary pupil

  1,435

  1,539

  Per secondary pupil

  2,036

  2,176

  1991–92

  Per primary pupil

  1,641

  1,766

  Per secondary pupil

  2,377

  2,549

  1992–93

  Per primary pupil

  1,743

  1,873

  Per secondary pupil

  2,544

  2,724

  1993–94

  Per primary pupil

  1,784

  1,921

  Per secondary pupil

  2,587

  2,775

  1994–95

  Per primary pupil

  1,838

  1,968

  Per secondary pupil

  2,566

  2,741

  1995–96

  Per primary pupil

  1,825

  1,981

  Per secondary pupil

  2,421

  2,630

  1996–97

  Per primary pupil

  1,935

  2,053

  Per secondary pupil

  2,582

  2,728

  1997–98

  Per primary pupil

  2,016

  2,130

  Per secondary pupil

  2,638

  2,782

  1998–99

  Per primary pupil

  2,120

  2,248

  Per secondary pupil

  2,765

  2,918

  1999–2000

  Per primary pupil

  2,240

  2,372

  Per secondary pupil

  2,877

  3,031

  2000–01

  Per primary pupil

  2,332

  2,474

  Per secondary pupil

  3,014

  3,175

  72W

  Real Terms using 1998–99 prices

  £

  Year

  Northumberland

  England

  1990–91

  Per primary pupil

  1,848

  1,982

  Per secondary pupil

  2,622

  2,803

  1991–92

  Per primary pupil

  1,991

  2,142

  Per secondary pupil

  2,883

  3,091

  1992–93

  Per primary pupil

  2,046

  2,199

  Per secondary pupil

  2,987

  3,198

  1993–94

  Per primary pupil

  2,041

  2,197

  Per secondary pupil

  2,958

  3,174

  1994–95

  Per primary pupil

  2,072

  2,219

  Per secondary pupil

  2,894

  3,091

  1995–96

  Per primary pupil

  2,000

  2,171

  Per secondary pupil

  2,654

  2,882

  1996–97

  Per primary pupil

  2,055

  2,180

  Per secondary pupil

  2,741

  2,896

  1997–98

  Per primary pupil

  2,082

  2,199

  Per secondary pupil

  2,724

  2,873

  1998–99

  Per primary pupil

  2,120

  2,248

  Per secondary pupil

  2,765

  2,918

  1999–2000

  Per primary pupil

  2,190

  2,320

  Per secondary pupil

  2,814

  2,964

  2000–01

  Per primary pupil

  2,225

  2,360

  Per secondary pupil

  2,875

  3,030

  Notes:

  1. The figures were calculated using the Treasury GDP deflators published 22 December 1999.

  2. 1998–99 has been used as the base year for calculations.

  School Places (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many extra pupils he expects to enter West Sussex schools over the next 15 years. [114393]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not collected by my Department. The latest projections from individual local education authorities, submitted as part of their annual returns on surplus places, relate to 2002–03 for primary pupil numbers and 2005–06 for secondary pupil numbers.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the likely impact of additional housebuilding in West Sussex on provision of school places over the next 15 years. [114392]
  73W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  It is for local education authorities to plan and keep under review the supply of school places in the light of proposed housing development, so as to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet demand. Regional planning guidance for the South-East will be finalised later this year and this will assist West Sussex Local Education Authority in its planning decisions. Where an LEA can demonstrate growth in need for school places it may apply to the Department for capital funding.

  Ofsted
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued on the appointment of Ofsted inspectors; how many Ofsted inspectors have been appointed in total; and how many of these are members of an ethnic minority. [114164]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not issued any guidance on the appointment of inspectors. The other parts of the question were answered by Chris Woodhead in a written reply to the hon. Member on 28 February 2000. Copies of the letter are in the Libraries.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the individuals employed or used by Ofsted to undertake inspections of schools, other educational establishments and education authorities, indicating with what private consultancies each is associated. [113659]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This is a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools and I have therefore asked Chris Woodhead to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Child Care Costs
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the average weekly cost of full-time child care provision for a child aged(a) zero to two and (b) two to five (i) in a nursery place and (ii) with a registered childminder; and what variations exist between average child care costs in each setting in each region in England and Wales. [110548]

  Ms Hodge
  The Department does not have information on child care payments in the detailed form requested.

  DfEE Research Report No. 176 "Parents' Demand for Childcare" includes analysis of weekly household child care payments. For households with pre-school children only, the average (mean) weekly child care payment among those who paid some money for child care was £68. Fourteen per cent. of these households had weekly child care payments over £100.

  This analysis covers a range of households, many of which will be using small amounts of paid child care, and includes non-working households. It also covers a range of child care types.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North on 14 February (ref. 110548) relating to child care provision. [113925]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply above.

  PE and Sport
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to ensure that students on teacher training courses acquire the skills to teach PE and sport to a high standard; and if he will make a statement. [113657]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We recognise the need to ensure that initial teacher training (ITT) equips trainees with the confidence and skills they need to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum in all the foundation subjects, including PE. We are addressing issues in relation to PE and sport through our wider reforms to improve the quality and flexibility of ITT provision. The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) is also addressing training in PE and sport as part of its review of the ITT Curriculum and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Standards.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to ensure Ofsted monitors the quality, range and overall level of provision for PE and sport provided by primary and secondary schools. [113658]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The requirements for the inspection of schools are a matter for HM Chief Inspector. I have therefore asked Chris Woodhead to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  School Exclusions
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were excluded from school(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the school population for each of the past 10 years. [113278]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: The number of permanent exclusions from maintained schools (except Special Schools) submitting returns under the voluntary National Exclusions Reporting System which covered the period from April 1990 to April 1992 was 2,910 in year one and 3,833 in year two.

  My Department first began collecting data on permanent exclusions from maintained schools in England in relation to the school year 1994–95 and the latest available data relate to the school year 1997–98. The available figures are shown in the table.

  Information on permanent exclusions for the academic year 1998–99 is currently being collected and national estimates are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in May.

  Number and percentage of pupils who were permanently excluded from maintained primary and secondary schools and special schools' in England: 1994–95 to 1997–98

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of school population2

  1997–98

  12,298

  0.16

  1996–97

  12,668

  0.17

  1995–96

  12,476

  0.17

  1994–953

  11,084

  0.15

  1 Includes both maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  2 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of full-time and part-time pupils of all ages.

  75W
  3 The 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 (excluding dually registered pupils in special schools) in January of the academic year.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) inquiries and (b) requests for assistance were received by (i) the Equal Opportunities Commission and (ii) the Commission for Racial Equality in each of the last two years, in respect of (1) all areas and (2) further education; and how many requests for assistance were taken up in each case. [113493]

  Ms Hodge
  In 1998, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) handled 34,857 inquiries and considered 225 requests for assistance in all areas. The EOC supported 81 of these cases. The EOC does not hold separate data on the number of inquiries and requests for assistance for Further Education cases.

  In the same year the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) dealt with approximately 7,000 inquiries and received 1,657 requests for assistance, of which 43 were from the Further Education sector (including Sixth Form Colleges). The CRE provided some form of representation in 378 cases, including six Further Education cases.

  Details of inquiries and assistance for 1999 for both equality bodies will be available later this year after the publication of their respective Annual Reports.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime (Slough)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the chief constable of the Thames Valley police about tackling crime in Slough. [112588]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have had no recent discussions with the chief constable of the Thames Valley police on this subject.

  Local Elections
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what election pilot projects for the forthcoming local elections have been approved; and if he will make a statement. [112589]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Forty-two pilot schemes have been provisionally approved by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  Of these, 16 involve early voting, eight involve all postal ballots, six involve electronic voting or counting, four involve extension of postal vote entitlement, four involve a mobile polling facility, two involve extension of hours of poll, one involves weekend voting and one involves freepost arrangements.

  Safe Cells
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many safe cells will be installed in prisons in the next financial year. [112590]
  76W
  Mr. Boateng
  All new prisons are required to provide cells which reflect the design requirements of the Prison Service's new improved standard cell or "safe cell".

  All future new prisons will similarly be required to reflect the design requirements of the Prison Service's new improved standard cell.

  Youth Offenders (Greater Manchester)
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Greater Manchester police force about known youth offenders. [112591]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Through the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales we have been discussing with the police and other agencies in Greater Manchester their involvement as one of the Board's nine pathway areas, which will act as examples of good practice in work with young offenders. The Board is investing more than £5 million over three years in Greater Manchester from its development fund for this purpose.

  Passports (Compensation)
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation has been paid to holiday makers who were unable to obtain passports during the summer of 1999; and if he will make a statement. [112592]

  Mrs. Roche
  In 1999, the Passport Agency paid around £124,000 in compensation to customers who missed holidays as a result of delays last summer in issuing their passports.

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of stop and search in the prevention and detection of crime. [112593]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We strongly support the proper use of stop and search as an essential tool in the prevention and detection of crime, as did the report of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, published in February 1999. However, it is essential that these powers are used fairly, to command the confidence of all sections of the community. We have commissioned a wide-ranging programme of research to help broaden understanding of stop and search and how it can be improved. This includes a project focusing on the value of stop and search as a tool to detect and prevent crime.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact on his policy of Article 5 of the ECHR on his policy on the detention element involved in police stop and search operations. [114377]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We believe that the police power of stop and search is compatible with the Convention, provided of course that it is exercised lawfully.

  Crime Reduction (Five-year Targets)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the final
  77W
  five-year targets for crime reduction for each police authority; and what measures he intends to take to help police authorities reach their targets. [112594]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Police authorities are required to publish their Best Value Performance Plans by 31 March each year. These will include their crime reduction targets. The Crime Reduction Strategy published on 29 November sets out in detail the Government's approach to reducing crime.

  Security Services (Parliamentary Oversight)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on parliamentary oversight of the Security Services and the Metropolitan police following the implementation of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. [112595]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Oversight of the Security Service is provided for by the Security Service Act 1989 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994.

  For the Metropolitan police, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 sets up a new, independent Police Authority that will be responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force and for holding the Metropolitan police to account.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will have a continuing responsibility for the national and international functions of the Metropolitan police. He will also continue to have responsibility for the promotion of an efficient and effective police service in England and Wales, of which the Metropolitan police is a significant part. He will be accountable to Parliament in exercising those duties.

  Domestic Violence
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to tackle domestic violence. [112596]

  Number of asylum seekers being supported by each London Borough Council authority in the week ending 18 February 2000

  Borough

  Total number of asylum seekers

  Unaccompanied minors1

  Single adults2

  Number of families3

  Number of people in families

  Barking and Dagenham

  2,540

  110

  830

  530

  1,590

  Barnet4

  1,400

  50

  260

  330

  1,090

  Bexley

  420

  80

  100

  60

  240

  Brent

  1,880

  50

  560

  430

  1,270

  Bromley4

  520

  40

  170

  90

  310

  Camden

  1,790

  80

  420

  370

  1,300

  Corporation of London4

  170

  —

  90

  20

  70

  Croydon

  920

  140

  170

  180

  610

  Baling4

  1,240

  —

  400

  250

  850

  Enfield4

  1,970

  60

  420

  550

  1,490

  Greenwich4

  1,910

  50

  860

  360

  1,000

  Hackney

  2,420

  —

  920

  480

  1,500

  Hammersmith and Fulham4

  2,340

  160

  650

  460

  1,530

  Haringey4

  5,040

  350

  1,210

  1,050

  3,480

  Harrow4

  760

  40

  160

  150

  560

  Havering

  660

  110

  290

  70

  250

  Hillingdon

  2,000

  440

  800

  230

  750

  Hounslow4

  960

  30

  230

  270

  710

  Islington4

  2,360

  220

  1,280

  460

  860

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,820

  110

  810

  280

  910

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  300

  20

  80

  60

  210

  Lambeth4

  2,940

  150

  1,040

  580

  1,750

  Lewisham

  2,450

  90

  1,000

  430

  1,370

  Merton4

  910

  —

  260

  190

  660

  Newham

  5,870

  70

  1,270

  1,350

  4,530

  78W
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government are taking to tackle domestic violence. [112597]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have:run a successful 'Break the Chain' campaign specifically against domestic violence;
  published a joint Home Office/Women's Unit document 'Living without Fear: an integrated approach to tackling violence against women';
  taken steps to improve the collection of statistics by introducing better definition of what should be counted as a domestic violence incident;
  announced a specific initiative within the Crime Reduction Programme on violence against women: the major component of this is the provision of at least £4.5 million for the funding of projects to reduce both physical and sexual domestic violence; and
  issued new guidance to the criminal justice and other agencies that deal with the survivors of domestic violence.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the additional responsibilities local authorities will have to look after asylum seekers from 1 April. [112598]

  Mrs. Roche
  Local authorities will have no additional statutory responsibilities to look after asylum seekers from 1 April.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were being housed in each of the London borough council authorities on 1 March. [113430]

  Mrs. Roche
  The latest available information is given in the table and shows the number of asylum seekers supported by each London Borough Council authority. All of those receiving support from these local authorities are also being accommodated.
  79W

  Number of asylum seekers being supported by each London Borough Council authority in the week ending 18 February 2000

  Borough

  Total number of asylum seekers

  Unaccompanied minors1

  Single adults2

  Number of families3

  Number of people in families

  Redbridge4

  2,180

  220

  730

  380

  1,230

  Richmond-upon-Thames4

  1,670

  220

  690

  220

  750

  Southwark

  3,060

  190

  1,130

  570

  1,740

  Sutton

  570

  50

  250

  90

  270

  Tower Hamlets

  750

  10

  270

  140

  470

  Waltham Forest

  2,270

  —

  1,160

  500

  1,110

  Wandsworth4

  980

  20

  200

  220

  760

  Westminster

  2,300

  140

  740

  430

  1,420

  Total

  59,350

  3,320

  19,420

  11,750

  36,610

  1 Unaccompanied children under 17

  2 A significant proportion of the single adults live in other areas of the country but the accommodation is organised by London local authority

  3 Families include cases with only dependant adults

  4 Updated figures not yet reported, figures taken from previous report

  Drugs and Crime
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the links between the commission of crime and the illegal trade in hard drugs. [112599]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Research carried out for the Home Office has clearly established the link between drugs, particularly heroin and crack/cocaine, and crime. The Drug Testing of Arrestees research programme suggests that about one third of all property crime is committed in order to buy these drugs.

  The Government are determined to break the link between drugs and crime. Initiatives in hand include piloting the Drug Treatment and Testing Order with a view to national roll-out later this year. £20 million is also being invested in a joint funding initiative with the police to speed up the development of arrest referral schemes. Proposals are also being developed to extend drug testing across the criminal justice system in order to identify drug misusing offenders, get them into treatment where appropriate and monitor their progress.

  Immigration
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of efforts to reduce the backlog of outstanding immigration cases at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [112601]

  Mrs. Roche
  New, streamlined procedures have been developed to speed up the consideration of all immigration (i.e. non-asylum) applications, and management changes introduced to maximise operational efficiency. Over 70 per cent. of new applications are now being decided under fast track procedures, most of them within a week. A dedicated team is tackling the backlog of general and settlement casework, at present concentrating on marriage cases.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made for UK nationality at the Immigration and Nationality Office in Croydon during 1999. [112580]

  Mrs. Roche
  All applications for British citizenship are dealt with by the Integrated Casework Directorate in Liverpool. The number of applications received during 1999 is estimated at 76,500.

  Police Numbers (West Mercia)
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police numbers in West Mercia. [112602]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  At the end of September 1999, the West Mercia Constabulary had 1,979 police officers. Following the passage of the Police and Magistrates' Court Act 1994, the actual number of police officers at any one time is a matter for the Chief Constable to determine within the available resources.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the allocation of additional police posts under the Crime Fighting Fund in a reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 9 February 2000, Official Report, columns 172–74W. As a result, the West Mercia Police Authority will receive sufficient funding for 89 police posts over the next three years in addition to the planned recruitment over that period.

  Political Asylum
  31. Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom. [112603]

  Mrs. Roche
  At the end of January 2000, there were 104,890 people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom whose applications remained undecided.

  Crime Fighting (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received following the recent allocation of funding to the Derbyshire Constabulary from the Crime Fighting Fund. [112604]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have received no representations about the allocation of funding to Derbyshire Constabulary from the Crime Fighting Fund.

  UK Visas
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has determined the amounts of the financial bond to be applied in the experimental pilots for UK visas. [112605]
  81W
  Mrs. Roche
  No. The amount of the bond was one of the issues on which comments were sought in the consultation paper issued last year. Responses to the consultation are currently being assessed.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in his plans for reforming the Probation Service. [112607]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government plan to create a unified service for England and Wales, which will have a national headquarters and 42 local boards. Provision for the structural changes needed to achieve this will be included in the forthcoming Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill. We expect these changes to create a service which is better able to play its part in protecting the public and reducing re-offending. The new service will concentrate on enforcing community sentences so that they command public confidence, and will use offender programmes—the What Works programmes—which have a proven record in reducing re-offending behaviour. Work on improving enforcement and implementing What Works is already well under way.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to prevent re-offending by young people awaiting trial. [112608]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is investing more than £18 million over three years from its development fund to strengthen the local provision of bail support and supervision schemes. From 1 April, local authorities, working in partnership with other agencies in youth offending teams, will be placed under a duty under section 38 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to ensure such provision is available.

  Crime Fighting (New Technology)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to ensure that new technology is properly used in the fight against crime. [112609]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We are taking a comprehensive range of measures to ensure that new technology is used more effectively to tackle crime.

  The newly formed Property Crime Reduction Action team is taking forward work with industry to encourage the comprehensive electronic tagging or "chipping" of goods. The ability to track and trace goods effectively will have far-reaching implications for commerce and crime reduction.

  Under the £153 million Closed Circuit Television Initiative, over £48 million has currently been allocated to some 280 schemes in England and Wales. All proposals are closely scrutinised to ensure Closed Circuit Television will contribute effectively to crime reduction as part of a wider local crime reduction strategy, and that the technology is used fairly and lawfully.
  82W
  We are developing proposals for the greater use of automatic number plate recognition systems by police forces.

  The Police Scientific Development Branch of the Home Office provides technical, operational and policy support and also experimental development and research for all United Kingdom Police forces and the Home Office.

  We are improving the use of Information Technology systems by the Police Service. The National Strategy for Police Information Systems (NSPIS) is a vehicle to enable better procurement and use of Information Technology. A major part of the NSPIS programme is the production of national software for police use. The Police Information Technology Organisation is developing the common data and technical architectures needed to support that software. These are being designed to ensure interworking between forces, inter-operability between systems in different forces and standard interfaces between police systems and those elsewhere within the criminal justice system.

  The Police Information Technology Organisation is also rolling out a £120 million national automated fingerprint system (NAFIS) which will be capable of supporting a database of over 54 million ten-print sets and two million crime scene marks. It will be possible to process over 5,000 ten-prints and 5,000 scene of crime marks each day and make over one million fingerprint comparisons every second. The roll out will be completed by April 2001. We are also investing an extra £34 million over the next two years to expand the DNA database.

  We are funding a project to assess the effectiveness of applying enhanced forensic science techniques to scenes of crime in identifying and successfully prosecuting those involved. That complements the expansion of the DNA database.

  The Government will legislate when parliamentary time allows to give the police bulk access, through the Police National Computer (PNC), to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's driver records. Steps are also in hand to give the police ready access through the PNC to the Motor Insurance Industry database of insured drivers (which would become operational in 2001) and to computerised MOT records (which should be available from late 2002).

  We are funding the Foresight Crime Prevention Panel which is identifying future opportunities for using advances in technology to reduce crime. It will publish a consultation document later this month. The Council of Europe is currently negotiating a cybercrime convention (most provisions are already in United Kingdom law) in which the United Kingdom is now a leading player. This is due for completion in December 2000. The United Kingdom is also working with its G8 partners in the High-tech Crime sub-group, looking at innovative and novel solutions to internet crime.

  Ballot Arrangements
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce
  83W
  legislation to regulate the procedures and modus operandi of organisations which make arrangements for ballots. [112610]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No. Organisations are responsible for their own ballot procedures.

  Rural Crime
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to combat the increase in rural crime. [112611]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Both the level of crime and the fear of crime remain lower in rural areas than in urban or inner-city areas, but this does not mean that there is room for complacency.

  The key to tackling rural crime lies in partnerships. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 provisions relating to the establishment of crime reduction partnerships, the conduct of audits and the drawing up of strategies enable specific rural concerns to be addressed with the involvement of all the interested parties, including the rural community and rural voluntary organisations. In addition, the Best Value duty, placed on police authorities from April, will involve wide local consultation and provide a framework for the review of all police activities, including how they respond to the concerns of rural communities.

  To recognise the additional demands in tackling rural crime, the police funding formula includes a sparsity element. The position of rural police forces has improved steadily since 1997; in the current financial year their budgets will increase on average by 3.6 per cent., compared with around 2.7 per cent. for the metropolitan forces. The ring-fenced Crime Fighting Fund to provide money for extra police officers on the ground will also benefit rural forces.

  Other funding provision includes a number of successful bids in the first round of Closed Circuit Television funding which cover rural areas, and rural bids will feature specifically in the second round. Targeted policing initiatives funded within the Crime Reduction Programme may also cover rural areas. The Home Office Joint Funding Initiative will match-fund the police service and other local partners in the setting up of Arrest Referral Schemes and the purchase of drug treatment. This is expected to have a significant impact on rural crime committed to support drug misuse and on fear of crime.

  A number of "Watch" schemes are of particular relevance to the countryside, including Farm, Horse, Country and Poacher Watch. There are over 500 Farm Watch schemes covering offences from theft of equipment to rustling, and the Plant Theft Action Group of the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team is developing work to improve security for farm equipment by bringing it more up to the standard that already exists for cars.

  Police Training (Hendon)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cadets have begun training at Hendon on each of the courses commencing since 1 January; and what is the capacity of each course. [112600]
  84W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner informs me that the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps was disbanded in 1993. Two police officer recruit courses have commenced at Hendon since 1 January; 103 recruits began training on 4 January and 58 on 7 February. Numbers for courses do not have to be limited, because the deployment of Hendon's resources is flexible.

  Crime Reduction Partnerships
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received about the contribution made by(a) social services departments, (b) health authorities and (c) local education authorities to meetings of crime reduction partnerships; and if he will make a statement. [114364]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires the council and police in every area to work in partnership with a wide range of other agencies, including health authorities, to develop and implement a strategy to reduce crime and disorder in the area. The Act required the first strategies to be in place by April 1999.

  The essence of these arrangements is that different agencies should work together in a single partnership and together contribute to the common goal of reducing crime and maintaining safety and good order. We have not called for reports on the contributions made by any specific services, although the Report of the Statutory Partnership Task Force last year drew attention in the course of its survey of a representative sample of 12 partnerships to particular instances of the contributions made by, for example, health and education services.

  Disclosure of Evidence Requirements
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from police forces about the effect of requirements as to the disclosure of evidence upon the efficient use of police manpower; and if he will make a statement. [114363]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Fair disclosure to an accused of unused prosecution material is an inseparable part of a fair trial. The present disclosure provisions in the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 came into effect on 1 April 1997. As part of its general responsibility to evaluate new legislation the Government have commissioned an independent research study to evaluate all aspects of the working of the disclosure provisions. This will include an examination of the resource implications for the police as well as prosecutors in carrying out their disclosure responsibilities. The research began at the end of January and will be completed by early next year.

  Prison Staff (Assaults)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many assaults on prison staff there were in each of the London prisons in 1999. [113602]

  Mr. Boateng
  Official statistics on assaults in prisons are provided by the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office. These are based on proven adjudications of assault dealt with by prison disciplinary procedures and the information is provided in the table. There is no central collation of information
  85W
  concerning cases of assaults by prisoners that were pursued through the courts. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Number of proven adjudications on offences of assault on a member of prison staff, January to December 19991

  Prison establishments in Greater London

  Number of proven offences

  Belmarsh

  86

  Brixton

  66

  Downview

  2

  Feltham

  109

  High Down

  65

  Holloway

  111

  Latchmere House

  —

  Pentonville

  128

  Wandsworth

  60

  Wormwood Scrubs

  46

  Total

  673

  1 Provisional

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986 in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [113601]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There were no prosecutions during 1999.

  Updated advice on infringements, offences and penalties will be provided in the extended Home Office Guidance on the Operation of the 1986 Act, which I plan to bring to the House shortly. Sections 22, 23 and 24 of the Act set out the offences and penalties. Infringements vary in gravity from major offences to minor technical breaches of licence and certificate conditions and a range of sanctions is available to the Secretary of State from which the measures best suited to preventing a recurrence can be selected.

  At an early stage in the investigation of a suspected breach of the controls, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate review whether a criminal offence has been committed and whether its gravity is likely to justify referral for prosecution. This depends on its origins, scale and consequences for animal suffering. Thus, deliberate infringements will be viewed more seriously than those due to negligence, ignorance, confusion or adherence to inappropriate instructions from those in authority over the alleged guilty party; repeated failures will generally be viewed more seriously than single incidents; and any unnecessary animal suffering will significantly increase the gravity of any infringement.

  PCCGs
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he is proposing for a police/community consultative group working well; and if such criteria will be agreed in consultation with PCCGs. [113645]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under section 96 of the Police Act 1996, the responsibility outside London for consulting local people on their priorities for policing and for securing their co-operation with the police in crime 86W
  prevention rests with the police authority. From 3 July 2000, the responsibility in the Metropolitan Police District for ensuring this happens will pass to the Metropolitan Police Authority. In making arrangements for public consultation, the police authority must consult the Chief Officer of police for that police area. It is for the police authority to determine what criteria it will use to assess whether and to what extent individual Police Community Consultative Groups (PCCGs) help it to fulfil its statutory responsibility. In assessing the effectiveness of all its arrangements for public consultation, including the use of PCCGs, the police authority will, from 1 April, be under the duty of securing Best Value.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a dedicated member of the Metropolitan Police Authority will be responsible for the development strategy of police/community consultative groups. [113646]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under section 96 of the Police Act 1996, as amended by paragraph 103, schedule 27 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, the statutory responsibility for consulting Londoners in the Metropolitan Police District will from 3 July 2000 fall to the Metropolitan Police Authority. This duty falls on the police authority collectively. It will be a matter for that authority as to whether its members are encouraged to specialise in particular areas of the Metropolitan Police Authority's statutory functions such as community consultation. However, under section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Metropolitan Police Authority will not be able to delegate a statutory responsibility to an individual member.

  Prisoner Suicides
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners committed suicide in cells in magistrates courts in the last year for which figures are available. [113731]

  Mr. Boateng
  There were five self-inflicted deaths in cells in magistrates courts in 1999. The two inquests held to date have concluded with verdicts of misadventure and suicide.

  Juveniles (Representation)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued to prisons and young offender units on the rights of representation for juveniles in internal disciplinary adjudications, with special reference to the Human Rights Act 1998. [113917]

  Mr. Boateng
  General guidance on access to legal representation for all prisoners is set out in the Prison Service's discipline manual, a copy of which is available in the Library. This was issued in 1995 and takes account of the European Convention on Human Rights.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the recorded number of racial incidents reported in the Metropolitan Police authority area during 1999. [113836]
  87W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has advised me that 22,105 racial incidents were reported within the Metropolitan Police District during the calendar year 1999.

  Public Safety Radio Communications
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) of 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 541, what estimate he has made of the amount, for each police force in England and Wales and for each year of the project, to be deducted from the central police grant to be spent on the Public Safety Radio Communications Project. [109239]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: The table contains the core service charges for the Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP) for each police force in England and Wales for each year

  PSRCP core service charge

  England and Wales prices

  Thousand

  Force

  Customer price in £000

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  2006–07

  2007–08

  2008–09

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  2,959

  —

  —

  1,110

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  Bedfordshire Police

  1,101

  —

  —

  —

  413

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  Cambridgeshire Constabulary

  1,303

  —

  —

  —

  1,140

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  Cheshire Constabulary

  1,897

  —

  —

  —

  —

  711

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  City of London Police

  1,036

  —

  —

  —

  —

  389

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  Cleveland Constabulary

  1,455

  —

  —

  —

  —

  909

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  Cumbria Constabulary

  1,067

  —

  —

  —

  934

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  1,762

  —

  —

  881

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  3,032

  —

  —

  1,263

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  Dorset Police

  1,223

  —

  —

  —

  459

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  Durham Constabulary

  1,413

  —

  —

  177

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  Dyfed-Powys Police

  915

  —

  —

  —

  574

  918

  918

  918

  918

  918

  918

  Essex Police

  2,851

  —

  —

  —

  358

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  Gloucestershire Constabulary

  1,111

  —

  —

  594

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  Greater Manchester Police (GMP)

  6,601

  —

  1,100

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  Gwent Constabulary

  1,209

  —

  —

  —

  756

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  Hampshire Constabulary

  3,426

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,141

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  1,703

  —

  —

  —

  1,064

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  Humberside Police

  1,999

  —

  —

  250

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  Kent County Constabulary

  3,235

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,830

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  Lancashire Constabulary

  3,166

  —

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  1,787

  —

  —

  1,638

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  Lincolnshire Police

  1,096

  —

  —

  —

  —

  959

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  Merseyside Police

  4,214

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,634

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  Metropolitan Police Service

  30,925

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11,597

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  Norfolk Constabulary

  1,463

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,280

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  88W
  of the project. As had previously been announced, these core service costs will be funded centrally by means of deduction from total police grant provision.

  We are doing all we can to ensure that the police have adequate resources to play their key part in tackling crime and disorder and improving community safety. Over the three-year period, commencing from the 1999–2000 financial year, the police service will receive an additional £1.24 billion in central Government funding. This is a significant increase for the police at a time when the Government need to maintain firm control over public expenditure. The Public Safety Radio Communications annual service charges will be reduced by the £50 million that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has obtained from the Capital Modernisation Fund specifically for the PSRCP. Consideration of the financial pressures on forces will also be taken into account in the overall level of resources to be provided for the police service in future years as part of the year 2000 Spending Review.

  89W

  PSRCP core service charge

  England and Wales prices

  Thousand

  Force

  Customer price in £000

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  2006–07

  2007–08

  2008–09

  North Wales Police

  1,320

  —

  —

  —

  165

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  North Yorkshire Police

  1,365

  —

  —

  1,024

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  Northamptonshire Police

  1,137

  —

  —

  —

  —

  142

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  Northumbria Police

  3,697

  —

  —

  462

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  2,215

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,938

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  South Wales Constabulary

  2,889

  —

  —

  —

  1,806

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  South Yorkshire Police

  2,983

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,865

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  Staffordshire Police

  2,006

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,756

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  Suffolk Constabulary

  1,196

  —

  —

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  Surrey Police

  1,517

  —

  —

  —

  —

  948

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  Sussex Police

  2,939

  —

  —

  —

  367

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  Thames Valley Police

  3,957

  —

  —

  —

  3,462

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  923

  —

  —

  —

  —

  115

  923

  923

  923

  923

  923

  West Mercia Constabulary

  1,979

  —

  165

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  West Midlands Police

  6,721

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,520

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  West Yorkshire Police

  5,048

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,417

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  1,145

  —

  —

  —

  1,002

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  Percentage sub total

  127.000

  0.000

  4.431

  20.441

  44.587

  86.989

  126.152

  127.000

  127.000

  127.000

  127.000

  PSRCP core service charge

  England and Wales prices

  Thousand

  Force

  2009–10

  2010–11

  2011–12

  2012–13

  2013–14

  2014–15

  2015–16

  2016–17

  2017–18

  2018–19

  2019–20

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  2,959

  1,849

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire Police

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  1,101

  688

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire Constabulary

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  1,303

  163

  —

  —

  Cheshire Costabulary

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,897

  1,186

  —

  City of London Police

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  1,036

  648

  —

  Cleveland Constabulary

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  1,455

  546

  —

  Cumbria Constabulary

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  1,067

  133

  —

  —

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  1,762

  881

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  3,032

  1,789

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset Police

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  1,223

  765

  —

  —

  Durham Constabulary

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,413

  1,237

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys Police

  918

  918

  918

  918

  918

  918

  918

  918

  344

  —

  —

  Essex Police

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,861

  2,504

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire Constabulary

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  1,111

  417

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester Police (GMP)

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  6,601

  5,501

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent Constabulary

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  1,209

  453

  —

  —

  Hampshire Constabulary

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  3,426

  1,285

  —

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  1,703

  639

  —

  —

  Humberside Police

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,999

  1,749

  —

  —

  —

  Kent County Constabulary

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  3,235

  404

  Lancashire Constabulary

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  3,166

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  1,787

  149

  —

  —

  —

  90W

  91W

  PSRCP core service charge

  England and Wales prices

  Thousand

  Force

  2009–10

  2010–11

  2011–12

  2012–13

  2013–14

  2014–15

  2015–16

  2016–17

  2017–18

  2018–19

  2019–20

  Lincolnshire Police

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  1,096

  137

  —

  Merseyside Police

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  4,214

  1,580

  —

  Metropolitan Police Service

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  30,925

  19,328

  —

  Norfolk Constabulary

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  1,463

  183

  North Wales Police

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,320

  1,155

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire Police

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  1,365

  341

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire Police

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  1,137

  995

  —

  Northumbria Police

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,697

  3,235

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  2,215

  277

  —

  South Wales Constabulary

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  2,889

  1,083

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire Police

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  2,983

  1,119

  —

  Staffordshire Police

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  2,006

  251

  Suffolk Constabulary

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  1,196

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey Police

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  1,517

  569

  —

  Sussex Police

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,939

  2,572

  —

  —

  Thames Valley Police

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  3,957

  495

  —

  —

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  923

  923

  923

  923

  923

  923

  923

  923

  923

  808

  —

  West Mercia Constabulary

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,979

  1,815

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Midlands Police

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  6,721

  4,201

  —

  West Yorkshire Police

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  5,048

  631

  —

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  1,145

  143

  —

  —

  Percentage sub total

  127.000

  127.000

  127.000

  127.000

  127.000

  127.000

  122.569

  106.559

  82.433

  40.011

  0.838

  Police (Human Rights)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact on his policy of Article 3 of the European Convention on his policy concerning Human Rights on the use by police officers of handcuffs. [114376]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We believe that the use of handcuffs by the police, in accordance with the relevant provisions of domestic law and the applicable Home Office guidelines, is compatible with the convention.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact of Article 6 of the ECHR on his policy relating to actions against the police for negligence in the investigation and suppression of crime. [114378]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government's view on this matter is set out in a letter sent from the Home Office to all police forces and police authorities on 4 March 1999, a copy of which is in the Library. That letter advises that, on the basis of the interpretation of Article 6 adopted by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Osman v. United Kingdom, police forces should exercise considerable caution before applying to have claims for negligence struck out on the basis of public policy immunity.

  Metropolitan Police Service
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the recruitment intake target for and (b) the actual number of joiners to the Metropolitan
  92W
  Police Service on the intake start dates, (i) 2 May 1999, (ii) 6 June 1999, (iii) 11 July 1999, (iv) 15 August 1999, (v) 19 September 1999, (vi) 24 October 1999, (vii) 28 November 1999 and (viii) 4 January 1999; and what are the latest intake start dates for which figures are available. [114375]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is in the table, provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Intake start date

  (a) Recruitment intake target

  (b) Actual number of joiners

  (i)

  2 May 1999

  130

  145

  (ii)

  6 June 1999

  130

  86

  (iii)

  11 July 1999

  130

  90

  (iv)

  15 August 1999

  130

  110

  (v)

  19 September 1999

  130

  103

  (vi)

  24 October 1999

  130

  87

  (vii)

  28 November 1999

  130

  94

  (viii)

  4 January 2000

  130

  101

  7 February 2000

  130

  57

  Note:

  The provisional intake targets are outlined at the beginning of each financial year. This takes into account anticipated wastage and the desire to maintain officer numbers. The 1999–2000 recruitment target was 1,300 officers (i.e. 130 per intake).

  The Commissioner tells me that a final intake for 1999–2000 is planned to start on 13 March with 75 recruits.
  93W
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers left the Metropolitan Police Service in(a) the first and (b) the second year of service in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998 and (iv) 1999. [114374]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is in the table, provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  (a) Officers leaving in the first year of service

  (b) Officers leaving in the second year of service

  (i)

  1996

  45

  28

  (ii)

  1997

  50

  29

  (iii)

  1998

  128

  30

  (iv)

  1999

  152

  30

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were(a) the police establishment numbers and (b) the actual police numbers in the London Borough of Southwark, on 1 April in each year from 1980. [113823]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The practice of setting establishment numbers for police forces in England and Wales ended in 1994–95. The Commissioner of Police

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Camberwell

  80,902

  133,860

  83,907

  153,123

  73,096

  27,604

  Walworth

  347,834

  167,662

  201,727

  174,155

  177,345

  109,987

  Peckham

  225,157

  324,641

  278,532

  315,916

  264,646

  112,740

  Rotherhithe

  178,522

  409,652

  63,455

  48,877

  89,139

  28,548

  Southwark

  392,504

  248,290

  269,820

  245,814

  215,681

  57,935

  Tower Bridge

  153,141

  218,268

  76,731

  76,161

  51,713

  19,602

  East Dulwich

  144,413

  107,658

  129,629

  185,580

  156,632

  71,904

  1 Expenditure only up to November 1999

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of capital works to(a) Rotherhithe, (b) Tower Bridge, (c) Southwark, (d) Walworth, (e) Camberwell, (f) Peckham and (g) East Dulwich police stations, in each year from 1990–91 to 1999–2000. [113821]

  Police station capital expenditure 1999–91 to 1999–2000

  Year

  Camberwell

  Walworth

  Peckham

  Rotherhithe

  Southwark

  Tower Bridge

  East Dulwich

  1991–92

  —

  61,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992–93

  10,000

  2,400,000

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  1993–94

  —

  2,052,000

  —

  —

  —

  4,701

  7,147

  1994–95

  —

  6,192

  715

  3,744

  138,021

  16,625

  730

  1995–96

  1,600

  15,295

  50,005

  1,637

  29,934

  1,541

  —

  1996–97

  —

  —

  4,991

  —

  —

  —

  1,287

  1997–98

  9,325

  —

  15,274

  600

  41,489

  —

  3,582

  1998–99

  —

  61,000

  2,496

  96

  1,116,975

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  307,000

  —

  —

  —

  1,513,161

  —

  —

  94W
  of the Metropolis tells me that information about police establishment numbers at borough level is not available, nor is information about actual police numbers in the years 1980–89. Actual police numbers as at 31 December in each year from 1990 are in the table:

  Year

  Strength

  31 December 1990

  902

  31 December 1991

  886

  31 December 1992

  816.65

  31 December 1993

  849.78

  31 December 1994

  871.47

  31 December 1995

  902.86

  31 December 1996

  878.16

  31 December 1997

  860.51

  31 December 1998

  876.43

  31 December 1999

  851.8

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department what was the revenue cost of(a) Rotherhithe, (b) Tower Bridge, (c) Southwark, (d) Walworth, (e) Camberwell, (f) Peckham and (g) East Dulwich police stations in each year for the years 1990–1991 to 1999–2000. [113822]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that the information requested for the financial year 1994–95 is not held centrally. Figures for 1994–95 onwards are in the table:

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that the information requested is not available for the financial year 1990–91. Figures for 1991–92 to 1999–2000 are shown in the table.

  Press Office
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications there have been for positions on the new Home Office Press Office news team. [113824]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government Communications and Information Service Development Centre received a total of 108 applications to date.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish estimates of the quantity of illegal drugs consumed in the United Kingdom by type of drug in the last five years. [114223]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available. Some exploratory research on sizing the drugs market was carried out by the Office for National

  Number of Persons prosecuted and cautionted for illegal possession of drugs, by class of drug and police force area, England and Wales 1998

  Police force

  Prosecutions

  cautions

  Class A Total

  Prosecution

  Cautions

  Class B Total

  Prosecution

  Cautions

  Class C Total

  England

  Avon and Somerset

  652

  152

  804

  814

  880

  1,694

  23

  6

  29

  Bedfordshire

  132

  24

  156

  603

  347

  950

  8

  0

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  240

  27

  267

  580

  579

  1,159

  21

  3

  24

  Cheshire

  661

  36

  697

  1,328

  760

  2,088

  34

  4

  38

  Cleveland

  354

  64

  418

  451

  614

  1,065

  40

  7

  47

  Cumbria

  223

  100

  323

  673

  481

  1,154

  14

  2

  16

  Derbyshire

  205

  34

  239

  605

  615

  1,220

  44

  4

  48

  Devon and Cornwall

  331

  94

  425

  1,555

  1,264

  2,819

  28

  8

  36

  Dorset

  217

  1

  218

  605

  289

  894

  12

  2

  14

  Durham

  115

  3

  118

  409

  45

  454

  22

  0

  22

  Essex

  309

  66

  375

  1,167

  977

  2,144

  17

  1

  18

  Gloucestershire

  189

  77

  266

  427

  773

  1,200

  3

  2

  5

  Greater Manchester

  995

  291

  1,286

  2,485

  2,620

  5,105

  93

  4

  97

  Hampshire

  363

  28

  391

  2,080

  1,089

  3,169

  27

  2

  29

  Hertfordshire

  159

  46

  205

  654

  487

  1,141

  7

  1

  8

  Humberside

  221

  20

  241

  730

  478

  1,208

  80

  5

  85

  Kent

  230

  36

  266

  1,727

  1,168

  2,895

  28

  6

  34

  Lancashire

  742

  133

  875

  2,320

  1,618

  3,938

  71

  5

  76

  Leicestershire

  203

  9

  212

  896

  511

  1,407

  11

  0

  11

  Lincolnshire

  139

  8

  147

  796

  378

  1,174

  18

  2

  20

  Merseyside

  787

  198

  985

  2,953

  2,030

  4,983

  21

  71

  92

  Metropolitan Police1

  3,966

  1,378

  5,344

  10,506

  15,899

  26,405

  83

  48

  131

  Norfolk

  227

  11

  238

  831

  439

  1,270

  13

  0

  13

  Northamptonshire

  157

  17

  174

  418

  535

  953

  4

  0

  4

  Northumbria

  357

  92

  449

  1,990

  2,100

  4,090

  106

  22

  128

  North Yorkshire

  321

  35

  356

  810

  406

  1,216

  28

  5

  33

  Nottinghamshire

  513

  15

  528

  1,357

  564

  1,921

  34

  3

  37

  South Yorkshire

  1,079

  206

  1,285

  1,646

  730

  2,376

  53

  6

  59

  Staffordshire

  613

  8

  621

  967

  711

  1,678

  29

  4

  33

  Suffolk

  135

  45

  180

  631

  632

  1,263

  9

  8

  17

  Surrey

  108

  21

  129

  575

  655

  1,230

  10

  1

  11

  Sussex

  305

  72

  377

  967

  842

  1,809

  19

  6

  25

  Thames Valley

  569

  33

  602

  1,758

  493

  2,251

  23

  0

  23

  Warwickshire

  72

  14

  86

  307

  357

  664

  4

  0

  4

  West Mercia

  295

  114

  409

  743

  1,234

  1,977

  7

  4

  11

  West Midlands

  1,064

  202

  1,266

  3,683

  3,002

  6,685

  44

  7

  51

  West Yorkshire

  2,519

  288

  2,807

  3,618

  1,289

  4,907

  63

  4

  67

  Wiltshire

  124

  20

  144

  413

  351

  764

  2

  0

  2

  Total

  19,891

  4,018

  23,909

  55,078

  48,242

  103,320

  1,153

  253

  1,406

  Wales

  Dyfed-Powys

  252

  47

  299

  1,256

  1,025

  2,281

  61

  4

  65

  Gwent

  444

  25

  469

  817

  1,165

  1,982

  15

  6

  21

  North Wales

  229

  53

  282

  1,002

  785

  1,787

  10

  7

  17

  South Wales

  252

  42

  294

  2,355

  1,198

  3,553

  74

  6

  80

  Total

  1,177

  167

  1,344

  5,430

  4,173

  9,603

  160

  23

  183

  1 Including City of London

  Note:

  As a person may be prosecuted or cautioned for more than one class of drug, columns for different classes of drug cannot be added together to produce sub-totals or totals

  Source:

  Home Office Reserch Development and Statistics Directorate
  96W
  Statistics in 1998 as part of a broader European-wide project on estimating the contribution of illegal activities to national budgets. Further research has been commissioned by the Home Office to measure the size of the United Kingdom drugs market, to help support the Government's Drugs Strategy. This project should provide better information on drugs consumption. An initial report is due to be made to the Home Office by July.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) cautions there were for people accused of possessing drugs by (i) class of drug and (ii) police authority, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [114222]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of prosecutions made and cautions given for illegal possession of drugs in 1998 in England and Wales, by class of drug and police force area, is given in the table.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Asylum and Immigration
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent research he has commissioned into the asylum and immigration processes undertaken by his Department; what work has been done in respect of such research by outside consultants; what conclusions such research has reached; and if he will make a statement. [114205]

  Jane Kennedy
  No research on asylum and immigration procedures has been commissioned or published, and no work has been done in respect of research by outside consultants.

  Compensation Payment Defaulters
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will ensure that the courts have the right of access to names and addresses held by other Government Departments and agencies in order that those who default on compensation payments can be traced. [113729]
  98W
  Jane Kennedy
  Section 94 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 will allow the Lord Chancellor to designate by order any relevant public authority from which courts may request this information. Before such an order can be made, administrative arrangements need to be in place. The Benefits Agency is the public authority which is most likely to hold the names and addresses of defaulters so my officials have already commenced discussions with colleagues at the Department of Social Security with a view to establishing a workable and effective system as soon as possible. We will then consider which other public authorities would be most likely to be able to help.

  Magistrates Courts (Safe Cells)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many safe cells were installed in magistrates courts in the last year for which figures are available; how many will be installed in the coming financial year; and if he will make a statement. [113730]

  Jane Kennedy
  No cells to the HM Prison Service improved standard cell design were installed in magistrates courts in 1999–2000 or are planned to be installed in 2000–01.

  British Embassy, Beijing: DfID Staff
  British Embassy, Beijing: DfID Staff
  Mozambique: Helicopters for Relief Work
  Mozambique: Helicopters for Relief Work
  Sudan: Debt Cancellation
  Sudan: Debt Cancellation
  Sudan: Humanitarian Need
  Sudan: Humanitarian Need
  Sudan: Diversion of Humanitarian Aid
  Sudan: Diversion of Humanitarian Aid
  Sudan: NGO Activity
  Sudan: NGO Activity
  Ethnic Monitoring in Business
  Ethnic Monitoring in Business
  Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Grant
  Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Grant
  Portable Humanitarian Mine Detector Development
  Portable Humanitarian Mine Detector Development
  Kosovo: Postal Service
  Kosovo: Postal Service
  UNMIK: Salaries and Expenses
  UNMIK: Salaries and Expenses
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Electoral Law
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Electoral Law
  Albanian Prisoners in Serbia
  Albanian Prisoners in Serbia
  ABM Treaty: US/Russian Discussions
  ABM Treaty: US/Russian Discussions
  Burma: Genocide Charges
  Burma: Genocide Charges
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Sudan/Eritrea/Uganda Agreements
  Sudan/Eritrea/Uganda Agreements
  Gambling Review Body
  Gambling Review Body
  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Immigration Detainees
  Immigration Detainees
  Plymouth City Council: Early Voting Pilot Scheme
  Plymouth City Council: Early Voting Pilot Scheme
  Asylum Seekers: Support
  Asylum Seekers: Support
  Asylum Applications: Individual Consideration
  Asylum Applications: Individual Consideration
  Asylum Seekers: Oakington Detention Centre
  Asylum Seekers: Oakington Detention Centre
  Asylum Seekers: Dependants
  Asylum Seekers: Dependants
  Asylum Seekers: Removals and Voluntary Departures
  Asylum Seekers: Removals and Voluntary Departures
  Immigration Offenders: Tracing and Removal
  Immigration Offenders: Tracing and Removal
  Asylum Seekers: Voucher Scheme
  Asylum Seekers: Voucher Scheme
  Asylum Seekers: Statement of Legal Rights
  Asylum Seekers: Statement of Legal Rights
  New Millennium Experience Company: Advertising and Design Contract Awards
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  Child Support Reduced Benefit Directions
  Child Support Reduced Benefit Directions
  Sheep and BSE
  Sheep and BSE
  Pakistani Basmati Rice
  Pakistani Basmati Rice
  Arable Area Payments: Field Margins
  Arable Area Payments: Field Margins
  Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group: Report
  Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group: Report
  Epichlorohydrin: Stabiliser Use in Sheep Dips
  Epichlorohydrin: Stabiliser Use in Sheep Dips
  Road Building Schemes: Cost-benefit Analysis
  Road Building Schemes: Cost-benefit Analysis
  River Don
  River Don
  Hedgerows: Revised Draft Regulations
  Hedgerows: Revised Draft Regulations
  Teenage Mothers: Supported Accommodation
  Teenage Mothers: Supported Accommodation
  GM Maize: Evaluation Programme
  GM Maize: Evaluation Programme
  GM and Non-GM Crops: Distinction
  GM and Non-GM Crops: Distinction
  Magnox Fuel
  Magnox Fuel
  Life Peerages: Interim Appointments Committee
  Life Peerages: Interim Appointments Committee
  Committee on Standards in Public Life: House of Lords Investigation
  Committee on Standards in Public Life: House of Lords Investigation