Written Answers of 15 March 2000

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Lindane
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to control the importation of seeds treated with Lindane; what estimate he has made of the quantity of such seeds imported within the last month for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [112560]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: A ban on seed treatment uses of lindane was introduced in July 1999 following advice from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) that the level of exposure of those treating seed with lindane was above acceptable levels. However, the ACP was satisfied that seed already treated and present in the supply chain posed no concerns.

  EU seeds marketing directives, which have been implemented by seeds marketing regulations in this country, do not require nor permit controls to be placed on the importation of seeds treated with lindane. Consequently, my Department does not have the statistical information available to enable any reliable estimate to be made of the quantity of imported seeds treated with lindane.

  Pets (Travel)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that animal owners participating in the pets travel pilot scheme are not overcharged for any of the services required to clear their pets for travel; and if he will make a statement. [113741]

  Ms Quin
  The charges made by veterinary surgeons to their clients for animals participating in the pets scheme are a private matter between the client and the veterinary surgeon. However, pet owners should consider shopping around between veterinary practices. The Guidance issued to all veterinary surgeons by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) states that they must give realistic fee estimates based on treatment options. If clients feel that a veterinary surgeon has acted unprofessionally in setting fees they should contact the RCVS. Alternatively, if they feel that there may have been an infringement of trading standards legislation, they should contact the local Trading Standards Office.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has issued to pet owners to enable them to identify veterinary surgeons in France and Belgium who are able to provide the required tick and tapeworm treatment for animals under the pets travel pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement. [113740]
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  Ms Quin
  We encourage pet owners to (a) consult official lists of veterinary surgeons held by the French local authorities, or other sources of local information, (b) seek advice from their transport operators as to vets that are available. In addition, each British Consulate in France will hold a copy of the Annual Directory of Veterinary Surgeons in France. In Belgium, information on vets providing this treatment is available on the British Embassy and Belgian Ministry websites and to telephone inquirers to the Embassy and Consular Offices and the Belgian Ministry helpline. Several of the transport companies participating in the PETS pilot provide lists of veterinary surgeons in France who are able to provide treatment required under the PETS scheme. There are also several independent websites which provide details of English-speaking vets in other member states.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost per animal of(a) vaccination against rabies, (b) insertion of a microchip and (c) treatment against ticks and tapeworms in connection with the pets travel pilot scheme. [113739]

  Ms Quin
  The charges made by veterinary surgeons to their clients for animals participating in the pets scheme are a private matter between the client and the veterinary surgeon. However, an indicative cost of treatment in the UK would be as follows: £50 for an initial vaccination against rabies, £30 for insertion of a microchip and from £25 for treatment against ticks and tapeworms.

  Red Tape
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to implement Recommendation 10 of the Red Tape Working Group on the Meat Industry. [113882]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: A meeting of the Government/Industry Working Group Microbiology Sub-Group has been arranged for 5 April with a view to recommending standards which plants would have to meet to be considered for exemption from Hygiene Assessment Scores procedures.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to commence the next quinquennial review of the Meat Hygiene Service. [113883]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: The Meat Hygiene Service transfers to the Food Standards Agency on 1 April 2000; it will be for the latter to decide when to carry out a Quinquennial Review.

  Farms (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tenanted farms there are in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire; what is the percentage of these farms compared to the total farming area of (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (ii) Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [114381]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: The table provides information on farms with all their agricultural land subject to a tenancy agreement.
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  (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham

  (b) Shropshire

  Number of wholly tenanted farms

  119

  658

  Percentage of agricultural land in the area accounted for by these farms

  113.4

  115.2

  Source:

  Agricultural and Horticultural Census, 1999

  Dairy Calves
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many male dairy calves have been registered with BCMS, Workington in the three months following the end of the Calf Slaughter Scheme. [111503]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 28 February 2000]: In the three months following the end of the Calf Processing Aid Scheme in July 1999 BCMS registered 144,128 male dairy calves on the Cattle Tracing System database.

WALES

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial arrangements are being made in respect of the NHS trusts in Wales dissolved on 1 April 1999 in connection with the new NHS trusts established on that day. [115216]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Pursuant to the dissolution of 20 NHS trusts in Wales on 1 April 1999 and their reconfiguration through the establishment of 10 new trusts on that date, and the remission of the outstanding debt of each of the dissolved trusts, HM Treasury presented a minute to the House on 14 March 2000 giving particulars and circumstances of the remission proposed by the National Assembly for Wales, which it has approved in principle.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Segregation Units
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the longest period of time that(a) men and (b) women had been held in a segregation unit in a prison in England and Wales on 1 March. [113835]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested cannot be obtained from the centrally available data.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the regimes to be followed in the segregation units of prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [114250]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prison Service Performance Standards require that there is a published regime for all segregation units, which is known and observed by prisoners and staff. The published regime takes account of exercise, shower or bath, visits, education, library and telephone calls.
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  Prison Service Order 1700 is to be published in the summer of 2000 and a copy will be placed in the Library. It will provide specific guidance on the management of segregation units and the standards by which they will be measured. The Order makes it a requirement to have a published regime. Regimes for individual prisoners can be varied by governors following an assessment of the risks involved.

  Juvenile Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) boys and (b) girls under the age of 16 years were serving a custodial sentence on 1 March. [113832]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available information for persons held in Prison Service establishments is for 31 January 2000. On that date, there were 166 males and five females aged 15 years serving a custodial sentence in prisons in England and Wales. Information on the numbers held in Secure Training Centres (STCs) is available only for the current date and shows that on 9 March there were 103 sentenced 12–14 year-old males held. Information on other persons aged less than 16 years in local authority accommodation is published in a Department of Health statistical bulletin entitled "Children Accommodated in Secure Units". This information is presented on a financial year basis with the last report covering the year ending 31 March 1999.

  Information on the population of persons aged 15 years in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales is published in "Prison statistics England and Wales" (Table 3.2 of the 1998 edition, column 4430) a copy of which is in the Library.

  Gammahydroxybutyrate
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to prevent the use of gammahydroxybutyrate in night clubs and pubs. [114162]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office Drugs Prevention Advisory Service (DPAS) was established in April 1999, with a remit to promote effective drugs prevention and to support local Drug Action Teams in their role of delivering the aims of the Government's national anti-drugs strategy.

  At a national level, DPAS works with the Department of Health and others on helping to establish the best ways and means of targeting young people with sound information about the risks of substance misuse. DPAS regional teams are well placed to engage with Drug Action Teams, local authority licensing bodies and other partnerships about approaches to tackling the problem of substance misuse in clubs and pubs, including the harmonisation of enforcement activity with local and community concerns about such misuse.

  Other measures taken recently to tackle the use of drugs in clubs and similar venues include bringing into force the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Act 1997. It enables local authorities to close those clubs found to have a serious problem relating to the supply or use of controlled drugs. Home Office guidance has been issued to local authorities on the implementation of the Act. It is designed to encourage and develop partnerships between

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  the police, licensing authorities and club operators to combat the threat posed by drugs to clubs and provide a safe environment for customers.

  In November 1998, a Good Practice Guide on the Implementation of the Act was published jointly by the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Local Government Association, the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association and the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit. Its recommendations include a range of measures to be implemented by clubs to safeguard health and safety and to discourage drug users on their premises.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total change was in the number of police officers(a) in each force in England and Wales and (b) in total since March 1997; what estimate he has made of the (i) planned recruitment to, (ii) expected wastage from and (iii) change in police numbers in police forces, including transfers, including information provided in the bids for the Crime Fighting Fund and the allocation of Crime Fighting Fund money, (1) in total and (2) in each of the next three years; and what estimate he has made of the expected change in police numbers in each force and in total between March 1997 and the end of each of the first three years of the Crime Fighting Fund; and if he will make a statement. [114700]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Table A shows the total change in the number of police officers in each force in England and Wales and in total from March 1997 to September 1999.

  In respect of the figures for projected recruitment and wastage including transfers I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 21 February 2000, Official Report, columns 826–28W.

  Table B, using figures taken from forces' bids under the Crime Fighting Fund, shows the balance of forces' projected wastage against forces' projected recruitment, including inter-force transfers. On the basis of these theoretical projections, supplemented by the additional 5,000 officers allocated to forces under the Crime Fighting Fund on 9 February, at the end of the three year scheme there should be around 1,100 more officers in the police service than there were at the start of the scheme.

  Table C shows actual and projected total police numbers between March 1997 and 2003; I must stress that the latter are projections only and are subject to a range of variables. Actual recruitment levels will depend on chief officers' decisions in the light of the available resources—including the outcome of the 2000 Spending Review now under way.

  Table A: Police strength for ordinary duty in England and Wales

  Actual Strength1

  Police force

  March 1997

  September 1999

  Change

  Avon and Somerset

  2,989

  2,989

  0

  Bedfordshire

  1,094

  1,048

  -45

  Cambridgeshire

  1,302

  1,272

  -30

  Cheshire

  2,046

  2,044

  -2

  City of London

  859

  745

  -114

  Cleveland

  1,459

  1,373

  -87

  178W

  Table A: Police strength for ordinary duty in England and Wales

  Actual Strength1

  Police force

  March 1997

  September 1999

  Change

  Cumbria

  1,144

  1,903

  -51

  Derbyshire

  1,791

  1,764

  -27

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,865

  2,861

  -3

  Dorset

  1,284

  1,276

  -8

  Durham

  1,461

  1,555

  +94

  Dyfed Powys

  1,005

  1,049

  +44

  Essex

  2,961

  2,835

  -126

  Gloucestershire

  1,133

  1,098

  -35

  Greater Manchester

  6,922

  6,810

  -111

  Gwent

  1,243

  1,261

  +18

  Hampshire

  3,452

  3,411

  -41

  Hertfordshire

  1,759

  1,760

  +1

  Humberside

  2,045

  1,926

  -119

  Kent

  3,260

  3,257

  -3

  Lancashire

  3,247

  3,221

  -26

  Leicestershire

  1,949

  1,998

  +49

  Lincolnshire

  1,196

  1,111

  -86

  Merseyside

  4,230

  4,071

  -160

  Metropolitan Police

  26,677

  25,884

  -793

  Norfolk

  1,432

  1,382

  -50

  Northamptonshire

  1,177

  1,130

  -47

  Northumbria

  3,677

  3,800

  +123

  North Wales

  1,369

  1,399

  +30

  North Yorkshire

  1,338

  1,294

  -44

  Nottinghamshire

  2,323

  2,227

  -96

  South Wales

  2,976

  2,983

  +7

  South Yorkshire

  3,159

  3,165

  +6

  Staffordshire

  2,211

  2,206

  -5

  Suffolk

  1,180

  1,160

  -20

  Surrey

  1,620

  1,721

  +102

  Sussex

  3,085

  2,909

  -176

  Thames Valley

  3,695

  3,750

  +55

  Warwickshire

  926

  916

  -10

  West Mercia

  2,040

  1,979

  -61

  West Midlands

  7,113

  7,296

  +184

  West Yorkshire

  5,209

  4,873

  -336

  Wiltshire

  1,154

  1,150

  -4

  Total all forces

  125,051

  123,050

  -2,002

  1 Full-time equivalents

  Note:

  Figures exclude secondments

  Table B: Police Officer projected recruitment less projected wastage, including inter-force transfers

  Balance wastage/recruitment 1

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Avon and Somerset

  -30

  -16

  -16

  -62

  Bedfordshire

  0

  1

  -8

  -7

  Cambridgeshire

  48

  0

  0

  48

  Cheshire

  -4

  -10

  -25

  -39

  City of London

  -4

  0

  0

  -4

  Cleveland

  12

  0

  0

  12

  Cumbria

  -58

  -3

  -3

  -64

  Derbyshire

  -37

  -1

  -17

  -55

  Devon and Cornwall

  -30

  -20

  -10

  -60

  Dorset

  -8

  -1

  -1

  -10

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dyfed-Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  88

  0

  0

  88

  Gloucestershire

  57

  23

  23

  103

  Greater Manchester

  -39

  -5-

  -5-

  -49

  Gwent

  -62

  28

  0

  -34

  Hampshire

  25

  0

  0

  25

  Hertfordshire

  14

  14

  14

  42

  Humberside

  -95

  -100

  -86

  -281

  Kent

  -10

  -85

  -10

  -105

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  Table B: Police Officer projected recruitment less projected wastage, including inter-force transfers

  Balance wastage/recruitment 1

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Lancashire

  -18

  -16

  -32

  -66

  Leicestershire

  -4

  0

  0

  -4

  Lincolnshire

  4

  0

  0

  4

  Merseyside

  -110

  -120

  -130

  -360

  Metropolitan

  -693

  -939

  -585

  -2,217

  Norfolk

  -24

  -23

  -24

  -71

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  13

  10

  11

  34

  Northamptonshire

  -14

  -14

  -14

  -42

  Northumbria

  17

  3

  3

  23

  Nottinghamshire

  14

  0

  0

  14

  South Wales

  48

  18

  18

  84

  South Yorkshire

  -21

  -21

  -18

  -60

  Staffordshire

  -78

  -50

  -11

  -139

  Suffolk

  -37

  -14

  -1

  -52

  Surrey

  15

  0

  0

  15

  Sussex

  -25

  -25

  -25

  -75

  Thames Valley

  -4

  -26

  -49

  -79

  Warwickshire

  -3

  -6

  -4

  -13

  West Mercia

  -34

  -40

  0

  -74

  West Midlands

  -5

  -5

  -5

  -15

  West Yorkshire

  -85

  -105

  -93

  -283

  Wiltshire

  -9

  -17

  -13

  -39

  Total

  -1,186

  -1,565

  -1,116

  -3,867

  1 Figures supplied by forces in their bids under the crime

  Note:

  Fighting Fund including inter-force transfers but excluding CFF recruits

  Table C: Changes in police numbers: 1997–2003

  March

  Total

  Actual

  March 1997

  127,158

  March 1998

  126,814

  March 1999

  126,096

  Estimated

  March 2000

  124,800

  Projected

  March 2001

  124,500

  March 2002

  125,000

  March 2003

  125,900

  Note:

  Figures include secondments and CFF recruits

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the offices (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department and its agencies in Scotland and (b) the number of staff (y) employed and (z) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114238]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department and its agencies do not own any office space in Scotland. The rental of space and employment of staff by the Home Office in Scotland is as shown in the table. No estimate has been made of the number of staff that could be accommodated at these sites. This would depend on the nature of the work to be undertaken and would require a space planning exercise based on actual business requirements.
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  Offices in Scotland

  Address

  Number of staff employed

  Block 1, Northgate, 96 Milton Street, Glasgow

  407

  Tay House, 300 Bath Street, Glasgow

  330

  Glasgow Airport

  34

  130 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow

  19

  Aberdeen Airport

  8.3

  Argyll House, Marketgait, Dundee

  7.5

  Edinburgh Airport

  7.5

  Blythswood House, 200 West Regent Street, Glasgow

  3

  Prestwick Airport

  0

  Franborough House, Bothwell Street, Glasgow

  0

  Total

  816.3

  Young Offender Institutions
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many inmates of Feltham Young Offenders Unit and other young offenders' units in England have been assessed as mentally ill and are awaiting transfer to hospitals; [114511]

  (2) what is the average waiting time for transfer to hospitals of current inmates in young offender institutions in England who have been assessed as mentally ill; and what was the average for each of the last three years. [114512]

  Mr. Boateng
  On 31 January 2000, the latest date for which comprehensive statistics are available, four young men in establishments primarily for young offenders were reported to be awaiting transfer to hospital under sections 47 or 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983, three of whom were at Feltham. Information about average waiting times for transfer to hospital is not routinely collected centrally, though the Prison Service and the NHS are now monitoring cases where there is excessive delay.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were electronically tagged in England and Wales on 1 March. [114504]

  Mr. Boateng
  2,667 men and 254 women were electronically tagged in England and Wales as at 1 March. This includes 53 men and four women who were tagged on 1 March itself.

  Kerb Crawlers
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make kerb crawling an arrestable criminal offence. [114564]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We intend to make kerb crawling an arrestable offence as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate how many children arrived in the United Kingdom in 1999 as members of an asylum seeking family. [114251]
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  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not available. Information on principal applicants and dependants is published on an annual basis. It is planned that the figures for 1999 will be included within the next Asylum Bulletin which is due to be published in June of this year. It is not possible separately to identify dependent children without the examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have applied for permission to work, having been in the UK for six months or more; and how many of these have been granted permission, in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [114565]

  Mrs. Roche
  Statistics on the number of asylum seekers granted permission to work are not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many special constables were recruited by each of the police forces in England and Wales between 30 September 1998 and 30 September 1999; [111474]

  (2) how many special constables left each of the police forces in England and Wales between 30 September 1998 and 30 September 1999. [111472]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Pursuant to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 28 February 2000,Official Report, column 117W, a figure for the Metropolitan police was not available for inclusion in the table setting out the number of special constables recruited by each police force in England and Wales between 1 October 1998 and 30 September 1999. The Metropolitan police have confirmed that they recruited 84 special constables during the relevant period.

TREASURY

  Incomes
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the lowest possible income for a family where one partner is working for 16 hours or more a week, with one or more dependent children under(a) 16 and (b) 19 years if in full-time education. [114487]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The information requested is contained in the table:

  Minimum Income Guarantee in work

  £

  From October 1999

  From April 2000

  One child aged under 11

  144.15

  147.00

  One child aged between 11 and 15

  145.20

  147.00

  One child aged 16 or over and still in full time education

  150.25

  152.10

  Working Families Tax Credit (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families have benefited from the Working Families Tax Credit in Northern Ireland. [113225]

  Dawn Primarolo
  24,433 awards of the Working Families Tax Credit were made in Northern Ireland up to the end of January 2000.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of fraudulent claims as a result of the replacement of family credit with Working Families Tax Credit. [113297]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Reliable estimates are not yet available.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he has taken to prevent fraudulent claims for working families tax credit. [113298]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Tax Credits Act 1999, and the regulations made under that Act, provide the Inland Revenue with effective powers to make inquiries into applications. Where fraud is discovered, the Act provides for financial penalties to be charged, based on the amount fraudulently claimed. In the most serious cases, a criminal prosecution may be brought. The application form warns prospective applicants of the consequences of making a fraudulent claim.

  The Inland Revenue use risk assessment procedures to target their inquiries on the applications most likely to be fraudulent, and where the largest amounts are at stake.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the annual household income for the purposes of calculating working families tax credit includes child benefit to which the family is entitled. [114486]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: No, child benefit is wholly disregarded in calculating entitlement to the working families tax credit.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the £200 a week minimum income received by families on working families tax credit includes child benefit. [114485]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Yes, it includes child benefit and working families tax credit as well as earnings net of tax and National Insurance.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he will issue to the Inland Revenue to ensure that working families tax credit is(a) paid in full and on time and (b) takes account of the amount owed when an employee claiming working families tax credit leaves their job. [114481]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: From April, when tax credits start to be paid by employers through the payroll, the Inland Revenue will continue to assess awards. They will tell employers exactly when they have to start paying tax credit, when to stop, and how much to pay per calendar day (the daily rate) in each pay period during which they are responsible for paying tax

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  credit. The start notification sent to the employer includes a table showing 1–31 multiples of the daily rate to take account of different pay periods.

  If an employee leaves his/her job before the end of the tax credit award, the employer will have to stop paying tax credit and issue the employee with a Certificate of Payments, showing the date up to which tax credit has been paid. The employee will send this to the Inland Revenue's Tax Credit Office, who will resume direct payments of tax credit to the employee.

  Full guidance has been issued to both Inland Revenue staff and employers on these arrangements, which will ensure that employees receive the correct amount of tax credit throughout their 26-week award.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional amount per week that would be received by a family entitled to working families tax credit, for(a) one, (b) two and (c) three children, when the family's annual income is £10,400 and (i) there are no child care costs and (ii) the parental contribution to child care costs per week is (1) £10, (2) £20, (3) £30, (4) £40 and (5) £45. [114478]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: For such families with £10,400 gross income, and for 1999–2000, the value of the Working Families Tax Credit exceeds that of Family Credit by following amounts per week:

  £

  Total child care costs per week

  None

  £10

  £20

  £30

  £40

  £45

  1 child

  25.34

  27.44

  29.54

  31.64

  33.74

  34.79

  2 children

  30.04

  32.14

  34.24

  36.34

  38.44

  39.49

  3 children

  34.74

  36.84

  38.94

  41.04

  43.14

  44.19

  Note:

  Figures based on a full-time worker with all children under 11 using eligible child care

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if small businesses will be reimbursed promptly in respect of payments made by them as a result of handling working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [114479]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Employers will be able to set tax credits paid to their employees against the PAYE income tax and National Insurance contributions and student loan deductions which they are due to pay to the Inland Revenue. Employers who think that they will have to pay out more in tax credits than they will deduct in PAYE income tax and National Insurance contributions and student loan deductions will be able to apply to the Inland Revenue for additional advance funding. They can apply up to six months in advance and do not have to wait until they have actually paid the tax credit.

  Payment of WFTC through the pay packet is central to demonstrating the rewards of work and making work pay for families on low incomes. The Inland Revenue has been providing an extensive range of direct practical help and support for employers, including a dedicated telephone helpline for employers and a range of literature and face to face workshops which are particularly aimed at small businesses. Every employer received a copy of the Inland Revenue's "Employer's Guide To Tax Credits".

  EU Taxation Policy Group
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the remit of the European Union's Taxation Policy Group. [114226]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Taxation Policy Group was established following the Dublin European Council in December 1996 which noted the ECOFIN Council conclusions of November 1996. These conclusions welcomed a proposal for a group made up of member states and the Commission as set out in "Taxation in the European Union—Report on the Development of Tax Systems" of October 1996 (Com(96)546).

  The Taxation Policy Group has no power to take decisions. EU tax decisions are a matter for member states, acting by unanimity, within the Council.

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what position was taken by Her Majesty's Government on(a) improving the VAT system in the internal market and (b) company taxation in the European Community, at the meeting of the European Union's Taxation Policy Group on 2 March. [114228]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The UK position at the meeting was wholly consistent with our public statements.

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the agendas and minutes of the meetings of the EU Taxation Policy Group which have taken place to date. [114227]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: It has not normally been the Commission's practice to issue minutes. I will ensure that the agendas of Taxation Policy Group meetings are placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who attends meetings of the European Union's Taxation Policy Group on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. [114225]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: I am the Government's lead representative on the Taxation Policy Group. If I am unable to attend, senior officials may attend on my behalf.

  National Insurance Recording System
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department plans to seek compensation from Andersen Consulting as a result of the delays to the new National Insurance Recording System. [115218]

  Dawn Primarolo
  My conclusion is that it would not be sensible or cost effective to seek further compensation from Andersen Consulting beyond the agreed amount of £4.1 million which was paid for delays in 1997 and 1998. This also involved Andersen Consulting in additional, unrecoverable development costs of £20 million.

  In reaching this decision I have taken into account not just the contractual and legal position, but also the further investment made by Andersen Consulting beyond the development costs of some £7 million, at no cost to the Government, to ensure that the system is fully functional. Beyond this, I am satisfied that taking action against Andersen Consulting would prejudice the partnership

  185W
  relationship now established between it and the Inland Revenue. This is essential to the delivery of future changes to the system in support of the Governments National Insurance and Pensions and Welfare Reform proposals.

  Wealth Statistics
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total wealth of the richest(a) 1 per cent., (b) 5 per cent., (c) 10 per cent. and (d) 50 per cent. of the United Kingdom population; and in each case what proportion of the United Kingdom total this represents. [113894]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The figures are shown in the table:

  Distribution of marketable wealth 1996 1

  Wealth £ billion

  Percentage

  Top 1 per cent. of adult population

  400

  19

  Top 5 per cent. of adult population

  800

  39

  Top 10 per cent. of adult population

  1,100

  52

  Top 50 per cent. of adult population

  1,950

  93

  Entire adult population

  2,100

  100

  1 Provisional

  Tax Allowances
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the full year cost from April 2000 of transferring an unused personal tax allowance from a married person to their earning spouse where(a) there are no children and (b) where that person's youngest child is (i) aged under five, (ii) under 11 and (iii) under 16 years at the beginning of the tax year. [113478]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated costs for 2000–01 of allowing a married person to transfer an unused personal tax allowance to their earning spouse are given in the table.

  Family type

  £ million

  (a) Married couples with dependant children

  600

  Married couples whose youngest child is:

  (b)(i) under the age of 5

  850

  (b)(ii) under the age of 11

  1,200

  (b)(iii) under the age of 16

  1,350

  E-commerce
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the erosion of revenue from VAT as a result of the increase in e-commerce. [114568]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Although accurate figures are not available, the VAT currently at risk is not considered to be significant. However, we will continue to monitor this area closely.

  IR35
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increased cost to United Kingdom businesses resulting from the introduction of IR35. [114500]
  186W
  Dawn Primarolo
  Such estimates were made for the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill in the "Regulatory Impact Assessment for National Insurance Service Provision Through Intermediaries", which was published in October 1999.

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated tax receipts flowing from the introduction of IR35 are for the next financial year. [114503]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the expected revenue consequences from the proposed measure to stop avoidance of tax and National Insurance Contributions using personal service companies were included in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR) which was published on Budget Day in March 1999.

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the possible loss of revenue resulting from people leaving the United Kingdom following the introduction of IR35. [114499]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information on our assumptions about the effects of the introduction of IR35 was included in the Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill which was published in October 1999.

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cost of the legislation introducing IR35; [114502]

  (2) what the administrative cost of IR35 will be in each of the next three financial years. [114501]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This information is provided on pages 15 and 16 of the Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill published in October 1999.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will report on progress in the introduction of the NIRS 2; and if he will make a statement. [114696]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The majority of the NIRS2 system facilities are working well and we are now seeing considerable improvements. The Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office is using the system to reduce backlogs and improve service to the customer.

  Remaining key elements will be in place in April 2000—this will mean that the Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office can reduce backlogs of pension work which in turn will help the Benefits Agency clear benefits work.

  Churches
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to implement the European directive allowing a reduced rate of VAT on specified labour-intensive work relating to churches. [114336]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The new EC Directive on reduced rate experiments for labour-intensive services is aimed at private dwellings, not churches.

  Basic State Pension
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2000,Official Report, column 502W, on the basic state pension, what would be the real increase in the yield of national insurance contributions between 1999–2000 and 2010–11 if the total yield rose in line with average earnings. [114198]

  Dawn Primarolo
  If total national insurance contributions receipts for Great Britain in 1999–2000 were increased in line with average earnings each year until 2010–11, then this figure would be some £11.7 billion higher than the 1999–2000 figure in real terms1.

  This estimate was provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
  1 Using GDP at market prices as a deflator.

  Employment Statistics
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were(a) employed and (b) unemployed in the former area of South Humberside in each year since 1981. [113902]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Pullinger to Shona McIsaac, dated March 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question on employed and unemployed people in the former area of South Humberside since 1981. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the government's main source of labour market data on individuals. Data on levels of employment and unemployment are available from the LFS Annual Local Area Database. These data are available back to 1994.
  In addition, information on levels of employment can be obtained from the Annual Employment Survey (AES) for 1995 to 1997 and the Census of Employment from 1981, although this survey was not carried out every year. Information on levels of unemployment can be obtained from the claimant count (the number of people receiving unemployment-related benefits), from June 1983 onwards on a monthly basis.
  Information on the sub-region requested, the former area of South Humberside, is no longer available as this area is based on pre-1974 geographies. Information for the AES and claimant count by geographical areas is available from the Nomis database in the House of Commons Library and an approximate South Humberside region can be constructed using appropriate sub-regional geographical areas, or combinations of them.

  Exports
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the fall in seasonally adjusted volume of goods exports excluding oil and erratics since August 1999; and if he will make a statement. [113890]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
  188W
  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 March 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question on export volumes. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
  The information may be found in table 3 of the monthly first release, UK Trade, published on 23 February 2000, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Tobin Tax
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to discuss proposals for a Tobin tax, at the forthcoming IMF spring meetings in Washington. [114355]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: None. The Government believe the idea of a tax on currency speculation is, in principle, interesting, but has a number of practical drawbacks. In particular, it would be almost impossible to achieve a global coverage, and there would be huge scope for avoidance.

  Over the past two years the Government have worked with our G7 partners on measures designed to strengthen the international financial system and establish better mechanisms for crisis prevention and resolution. Much of the groundwork was laid during the UK presidency of the G7 with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in the chair.

  Capital Controls
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the conclusion of the recent IMF report on the value of capital controls. [114714]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The IMF report of 18 November 1999 helpfully advances interactional discussion on capital controls. The report makes clear that capital controls are no substitute for sound macroeconomic policies, and that strong prudential policies play an important role in orderly and successful capital account liberalisation.

  The Government believe that open capital markets can bring huge economic benefits, and support efforts to encourage orderly, progressive capital account liberalisation. The Government recognise that large short-term capital movements can be destabilising, and believe that the benefits of liberalisation are best enjoyed in countries which have embarked upon properly sequenced economic reform. Sound macroeconomic policy, open and credible institutions and procedures and a healthy financial sector are essential pre-conditions for orderly capital account liberalisation.

  At the Cologne Economic Summit, the UK Government and our G7 partners urged the IMF to continue its work on the appropriate pace and sequencing of capital market liberalisation, and to explore other issues related to the Fund's role in facilitating an orderly approach to liberalisation.

  Currency Transaction Tax
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will commission a study into the feasibility of introducing a tax on currency transactions; [114712]
  189W
  (2) if he will support the proposal to be put forward by Canada at the United Nations Special Session in Geneva for a further study into the feasibility of a currency transaction tax. [114713]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have no plans to commission a study into the feasibility of introducing a tax on currency transactions, and will consider any proposals from others for a study on their individual merits.

  The Government believe the idea of a tax on currency speculation is, in principle, interesting, but has a number of practical drawbacks. In particular, it would be almost impossible to achieve global coverage, and there would be huge scope for avoidance.

  Pension Payment Tax Relief
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield, in each of years 2002–03 and 2003–04 as a result of the abolition from 6 April 2001 of the ability to carry forward entitlement to pension payment tax relief for up to six years. [114762]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The proposal to remove the carry forward facility is intended to simplify pension administration not to raise revenue. It is part of a package of measures designed to increase pension take up. We do not expect the removal of carry forward to save tax relief.

  Charities
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanism will replace tax credits in giving financial support to charities; and if he will make a statement. [114335]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The reform of corporation tax announced in 1997 will generate greater prosperity for businesses and those who invest in them. The withdrawal of payable tax credits on charities' dividend income did not come into effect until April 1999 and charities will receive generous compensation on a tapering basis in order to adjust, at a cost to the Exchequer of around £1.1 billion, for a further five years. The "Getting Britain Giving" package of measures which is being introduced in April, is estimated by the charity sector to be worth some £350 million a year to charities.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [113968]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: The Treasury press office does not use couriers to distribute press releases. Press releases are distributed by the Central Office of Information (COI) through fax and electronic means. However, before the financial year 1999–2000, couriers were used to deliver releases to COI, who would then use their various delivery methods. The costs for the period from 2 May 1997, until the Treasury abandoned this practice in the financial year 1999–2000 and decided to rely on electronic means, are as follows:
  190W
  1997/98—229 press releases at £40 per distribution totalling £9,160 (from 2 May till the end of the financial year);

  1998/99—269 press releases at £50 per distribution which totalled £13,450.

  Couriers would now be used only in exceptional circumstances and do not form a regular press office cost.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113994]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: The Treasury distributes its new releases by fax and electronic means through the Central Office of Information (COI). The COI issues releases to organisations held on mailing lists that have developed over time. Distribution will vary according to the subject concerned. Since there are over 2,000 organisations on the lists, it is not possible to re-organise them into national, regional, local newspapers and media bodies without incurring disproportionately high costs.

  Cancer Statistics
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list by income decile in the UK the number of cancer deaths for each type of cancer for each year from 1992; and if he will make a statement; [114172]

  (2) if he will list the number and type of cancers in people (a) in the UK as a whole, (b) on low incomes and (c) who are unemployed for the last available year; and if he will make a statement. [114175]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answers 13 March 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 15 March 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary questions about cancers in people on low incomes and by income decile. I am replying in Dr Holt's absence.
  Information on income is not requested when a death is registered or a cancer registration is made and so this information is not centrally available.
  Employment status is not available to all of the regional cancer registries and it is consequently not possible to present the number of new cases of cancer by type for persons unemployed at the time of cancer registration.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 2000,
  191W
  Official Report, column 109W, on the nuclear industry, if he will list (a) the installation concerned, (b) the name of the company and (c) the date the reactor shutdown began and the duration of it along with the reasons for the shutdown. [113350]

  Load factors and unplanned shutdowns at magnox and advance gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations during 1999

  Nuclear plant/reactor

  Station load factor Percentage

  Start date

  Days

  Primary cause of shutdown

  BNFL—magnox

  Bradwell

  R1

  31

  13 February 1999

  3

  Nuclear plant

  21 April 1999

  254

  Nuclear plant

  R2

  7 February 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  25 April 1999

  91

  Precautionary measure

  2 August 1999

  2

  Nuclear plant

  18 August 1999

  135

  Nuclear plant

  Calderhall

  R1

  76

  23 June 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  5 November 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  R2

  5 November 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  R3

  8 October 1999

  2

  Nuclear plant

  R4

  9 March 1999

  3

  Nuclear plant

  Chapelcross

  R1

  81

  None

  R2

  14 September 1999

  6

  Nuclear plant

  Dungeness A

  R1

  89

  None

  R2

  11 February 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  20 July 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  2 November 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  Hinkley A

  R1

  32

  10 March 1999

  6

  Nuclear plant

  16 April 1999

  259

  Conventional plant

  R2

  7 February 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  16 April 1999

  161

  Conventional plant

  3 December 1999

  28

  Nuclear plant

  Oldbury

  R1

  87

  12 April 1999

  2

  Nuclear plant

  28 July 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  15 September 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  18 October 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  R2

  20 August 1999

  26

  Nuclear plant

  7 October 1999

  8

  Conventional plant

  Sizewell A

  R1

  67

  27 January 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  R2

  12 June 1999

  10

  Conventional plant

  29 August 1999

  7

  Nuclear plant

  Wylfa

  R1

  83

  None

  R2

  14 December 1999

  4

  Nuclear plant

  British Energy—AGR

  Dungeness B

  R21

  37

  13 January 1999

  4

  Nuclear plant

  3 August 1999

  5

  Nuclear plant

  5 September 1999

  118

  Conventional plant

  R22

  12 February 1999

  17

  Conventional plant

  17 March 1999

  4

  Conventional plant

  28 August 1999

  7

  Conventional plant

  26 September 1999

  0

  Nuclear plant

  20 November 1999

  42

  Conventional plant

  192W
  Mrs. Liddell
  The information is contained in the table. All shutdowns are publicly reported in the power station fortnightly newsletter, which is circulated to the local media and members of the sites' Local Community Liaison Committee.
  193W

  Load factors and unplanned shutdowns at magnox and advance gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations during 1999

  Nuclear plant/reactor

  Station load factor Percentage

  Start date

  Days

  Primary cause of shutdown

  Hartlepool

  R1

  88

  21 May 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  19 June 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  R2

  3 February 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  31 March 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  18 July 1999

  9

  Nuclear plant

  19 July 1999

  0

  Nuclear plant

  Heysham 1

  R1

  80

  27 December 1998

  3

  Conventional plant

  6 November 1999

  1

  Nuclear plant

  R2

  16 January 1999

  4

  Conventional plant

  16 May 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  22 May 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  23 May 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  2 July 1999

  13

  Conventional plant

  3 August 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  Heysham 2

  R7

  65

  20 October 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  9 December 1999

  23

  Conventional plant

  R8

  27 December 1998

  3

  Conventional plant

  9 June 1999

  17

  Conventional plant

  16 July 1999

  140

  Conventional plant

  5 November 1999

  0

  Conventional plant

  Hinkley Pt.B

  R3

  76

  27 May 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  18 June 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  28 June 1999

  6

  Conventional plant

  4 July 1999

  7

  Nuclear plant

  12 July 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  17 July 1999

  11

  Conventional plant

  16 October 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  10 November 1999

  9

  Conventional plant

  25 November 1999

  16

  Conventional plant

  14 December 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  R4

  2 October 1999

  0.2

  Conventional plant

  HunterstonB

  R3

  86

  27 December 1998

  6

  Conventional plant

  5 March 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  30 July 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  22 October 1999

  3

  Nuclear plant

  R4

  27 December 1998

  9

  Conventional plant

  11 March 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  12 August 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  9 November 1999

  14

  Nuclear plant

  17 December 1999

  0.5

  Conventional plant

  Torness

  R1

  93.5

  None

  R2

  7 November 1999

  7

  Conventional plant

  Notes:

  1. Station load factors: percentage of maximum possible output for each site (if operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). The figures include both planned and unplanned outages.

  2. Reactor numbers: The numbering of reactors is a matter for the company.

  3. Conventional plant: Plant common to all types of power station, eg turbines.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 2000,Official Report column 109W, on the nuclear industry, for what percentage of time each nuclear reactor which was involved in the 78 unplanned shutdowns was in use in 1999 out of its possible maximum operating time. [113351]
  194W
  Mrs. Liddell
  The information is contained in the table. The "load factor" figures show the power stations output as a percentage of its maximum possible output if it was on line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, The figures also include planned outages for refuelling and maintenance.
  195W

  Load Factors and unplanned shutdowns at magnox and advance gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations during 1999

  Reactor

  Station load factor Percentage

  Start date

  Days

  Primary cause of shutdown

  BNFL

  magnox

  Bradwell

  R1

  31

  13 February 1999

  3

  Nuclear plant

  21 April 1999

  254

  Nuclear plant

  R2

  7 February 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  25 April 1999

  91

  Precautionary measure

  2 August 1999

  2

  Nuclear plant

  18 August 1999

  135

  Nuclear plant

  Calderhall

  R1

  76

  23 June 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  5 November 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  R2

  5 November 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  R3

  8 October 1999

  2

  Nuclear plant

  R4

  9 March 1999

  3

  Nuclear plant

  Chapelcross

  RI

  81

  0

  R2

  14 September 1999

  6

  Nuclear plant

  Dungeness A

  R1

  89

  0

  R2

  11 February 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  20 July 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  2 November 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  Hinkley A

  R1

  32

  10 March 1999

  6

  Nuclear plant

  16 April 1999

  259

  Conventional plant

  R2

  7 February 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  16 April 1999

  161

  Conventional plant

  3 December 1999

  28

  Nuclear plant

  Odbury

  R1

  87

  12 April 1999

  2

  Nuclear plant

  28 July 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  15 September 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  18 October 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  R2

  20 August 1999

  26

  Nuclear plant

  7 October 1999

  8

  Conventional plant

  Sizewell A

  R1

  67

  27 January 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  R2

  12 June 1999

  10

  Conventional plant

  29 August 1999

  7

  Nuclear plant

  Wylfa

  R1

  83

  0

  R2

  14 December 1999

  4

  Nuclear plant

  British Energy

  AGR

  DungenessB

  R21

  37

  13 January 1999

  4

  Nuclear plant

  3 August 1999

  5

  Nuclear plant

  5 September 1999

  118

  Conventional plant

  R22

  12 February 1999

  17

  Conventional plant

  17 March 1999

  4

  Conventional plant

  28 August 1999

  7

  Conventional plant

  26 September 1999

  0

  Nuclear plant

  20 November 1999

  42

  Conventional plant

  Hartlepool

  R1

  88

  21 May 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  19 June 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  R2

  3 February 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  31 March 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  18 July 1999

  9

  Nuclear plant

  19 July 1999

  0

  Nuclear plant

  Heysham 1

  R1

  80

  27 December 1998

  3

  Conventional plant

  6 November 1999

  1

  Nuclear plant

  R2

  16 January 1999

  4

  Conventional plant

  16 May 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  22 May 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  23 May 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  2 July 1999

  13

  Conventional plant

  3 August 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  196W 197W

  Load Factors and unplanned shutdowns at magnox and advance gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations during 1999

  Reactor

  Station load factor Percentage

  Start date

  Days

  Primary cause of shutdown

  Heysham 2

  R7

  65

  20 October 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  9 December 1999

  23

  Conventional plant

  R8

  27 December 1998

  3

  Conventional plant

  9 June 1999

  17

  Conventional plant

  16 July 1999

  140

  Conventional plant

  5 November 1999

  0

  Conventional plant

  Hinkley Pt.B

  R3

  76

  27 May 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  18 June 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  28 June 1999

  6

  Conventional plant

  4 July 1999

  7

  Nuclear plant

  12 July 1999

  1

  Conventional plant

  17 July 1999

  11

  Conventional plant

  16 October 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  10 November 1999

  9

  Conventional plant

  25 November 1999

  16

  Conventional plant

  14 December 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  R4

  2 October 1999

  0.2

  Conventional plant

  HunterstonB

  R3

  86

  27 December 1998

  6

  Conventional plant

  5 March 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  30 July 1999

  2

  Conventional plant

  22 October 1999

  3

  Nuclear plant

  R4

  27 December 1998

  9

  Conventional plant

  11 March 1999

  3

  Conventional plant

  12 August 1999

  5

  Conventional plant

  9 November 1999

  14

  Nuclear plant

  17 December 1999

  0.5

  Conventional plant

  Torness

  R1

  93.5

  0

  R2

  17 November 1999

  7

  Conventional plant

  Notes:

  1. Station Load Factors: per cent. of maximum possible output for each site (if operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). The figures include both planned and unplanned outages.

  2. Reactor Numbers: The numbering of reactors is a matter for the company.

  3. Conventional Plant: Plant common to all types of power station, eg turbines.

  Automatic Teller Machines
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the benefits of ensuring that cash withdrawals from automatic teller machines located in post offices are not subject to bank charges. [113905]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend considers that the imposition of charges for cash withdrawals from automatic teller machines will impact disproportionately on the socially excluded and those in rural areas. People on fixed budgets, particularly pensioners and the unemployed, should not suffer high charges to withdraw small amounts of cash. If charges are to be introduced, we will ensure that consumers know what they are before they proceed with a transaction. If the banks do not do this voluntarily, my right hon. Friend has powers under the Prices Act 1974 to compel them.

  I understand from the Post Office that commercial and contract arrangements with the proposed partners for the installation of 3,000 more cash machines at post offices have not yet been finalised. Access and charging arrangements will, in the first instance, be commercial matters for the Post Office and its partners.

  Post Office Services
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to expand banking and financial services in the national network of post offices; and if he will make a statement. [114909]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Horizon project to equip the post office network with a modern on-line IT platform, towards the capital costs of which the Government is contributing nearly £500 million, will enable the Post Office to improve its services to existing clients and to attract new clients and services. In particular, Horizon offers the potential to move into automated network banking on an agency basis enabling post offices to restore a vital service to many rural areas and smaller communities. The Post Office already has arrangements with Girobank/Alliance and Leicester, LloydsTSB and the Co-operative Bank and they are currently in discussion with other High Street banks. An agreement has recently been reached on a pilot scheme in Cornwall to offer counter services on behalf of Barclays.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is his policy to regard energy from waste schemes as renewable energy; and if he will make a statement. [114148]
  199W
  Mrs. Liddell
  Yes. Wastes produced by households, industry and commerce pose a difficult, costly and potentially environmentally damaging problem. Our draft national waste strategy provides for waste reduction, materials recycling and energy recovery. Where there is no better alternative, using waste materials to produce energy can reduce environmental problems and at the same time save fossil fuels.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the offices (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department and its agencies in Scotland and (b) the number of staff (y) employed and (z) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114239]

  Dr. Howells
  The information is:

  (a) Location1

  (b)(i) Staff

  (b)(ii) Approximate potential capacity

  DTI Headquarters

  Atholl House, Aberdeen

  65

  160

  376 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh

  2,320

  20

  Tay House, Glasgow

  51

  80

  Employment Tribunals Service

  Aberdeen

  3

  4

  13 Albert Square, Dundee

  3

  4

  52–56 Melville Street, Edinburgh

  10

  10

  Engle Building, Glasgow

  30

  36

  Total

  162

  314

  1 Excluding offices owned or rented by other Departments where DTI or its agencies are minor occupiers

  2 Number of contractors

  3 No DTI staff are employed at this location

  IT Strategy
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made with the development of the Government's information technology strategy; and if he will make a statement. [113897]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Valerie Davey) on 14 February 2000, Official Report, column 353W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Press Releases
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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 her Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113979]

  Clare Short
  We do not use couriers to distribute news releases.
  200W
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the(a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which her Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113990]

  Clare Short
  We do not keep records of all newspapers or media bodies to which press releases are sent, and it would be disproportionately expensive to seek to identify a full list. However, departmental press releases are available to the press through the News Distribution Service managed by the COI, and are also available through our internet site. More targeted distribution of press releases varies depending on the subject and content of the press release involved.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list(a) the offices (i) owned and (ii) rented by her Department and its agencies in Scotland and (b) the number of staff (y) employeed and (z) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114236]

  Clare Short
  My Department owns Abercrombie House in East Kilbride. It can accommodate 485 people, which equates to the proposed staffing levels for 2000–01. We also rent the property at 43 Fairfield Place, East Kilbride. This is an unstaffed file store.

DEFENCE

  RAF Personnel Management Agency
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the RAF Personnel Management 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. [111740]

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

  Letter from Alan Cowpe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 15 March 2000:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the RAF Personnel Management Agency's performance against its Key Targets; the Air Secretary is out of the office on duty.
  The information requested is contained in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts 1998–99, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. I enclose for your convenience, however, a copy of the relevant pages which summarise performance against the Targets. You will see that of the Agency's five Targets, four were achieved, the exception being one which was overtaken by the SDR.

  Performance Against Key Targets

  Overview
  The RAF PMA has achieved 4 out of its 5 Key Targets. Key Target 3, which required the expansion of the active strength of the Reserve Air Forces to exceed 2,900 by 31 March 1999, was in effect overtaken by the Strategic Defence Review which placed a temporary cap on the recruitment of Reserves and disbanded some reservist squadrons. Work now continues to define a new establishment for the Reserves.
  201W
  Performance

  Key Target 1a

  To fill peacetime established posts, as a ratio of the overall manning level, to the following percentages:

  Percentage

  1998–99

  91.7

  1999–2000

  91.8

  2000–01

  91.9

  2001–02

  92.0

  Performance

  92.3

  Key Target 1b
  To man War, Crisis and MOD authorised Unestablished tasks to the following percentage: 95%
  Performance—99.9%

  Key Target 2
  To ensure that 80% or more of personnel given a posting that qualifies for a domestic move receive the required notice:
  Performance—80.5%

  Key Target 3
  To meet the Air Force Board's target to increase the number of operationally employable reservists to 2900 by 31 March 1999.
  Performance—Target discontinued

  Key Target 4
  To ensure that the percentage variation between the actual average trained strength and that forecast by the Agency is no greater than: +/- 1%
  Performance—0.38%

  Key Target 5
  To deliver the 3% savings that accrue from the efficiencies planned for the Financial Year 1998–1999.
  Performance—Spend contained within reduced cash allocation.

  RAF Maintenance Group Defence
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the RAF Maintenance Group Defence 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. [111741]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: The RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency (MGDA) no longer exists and was, in large measure, absorbed into the new Defence Aviation Repair Agency on 1 April 1999. Performance against the targets was covered in the 1998–99 MGDA Annual Report, which was placed in the Library of the House. Only one target for 1998–99 was not fully achieved.

  To achieve 98 per cent. of the aero-systems and electronics maintenance task to standard and on time
  Achievement 96.6 per cent. There were minor problems with spares and delays in receiving repair information.

  The targets fully achieved were:

  To keep within the agency's allocated budget
  Achieved.

  To achieve the efficiency targets specified in the Logistics Command Management Plan
  Achieved.

  To achieve planned reductions in Service manpower totals
  Achieved.

  Service Personnel
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from(a) Paisley, South, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK are serving in Her Majesty's armed forces. [113553]

  Mr. Spellar
  Examination of available personal records of currently serving personnel1 has revealed the following information:

  Area

  Naval Service

  Army

  RAF

  (a) Paisley

  26

  2—

  370

  (b) Scotland

  2,552

  21,374

  5,769

  (c) UK

  442,902

  108,926

  51,450

  1 Naval Service data are based on current place of residence. About 29,000 Naval Personnel (some 67 per cent. of total strength) personal records include reference to current place of residence. Army and RAF details are based on nationality at birth taken from personal records of all Army and RAF personnel.

  2 Army records do not show this level of detail.

  3 RAF figures cover Paisley as a whole and not just Paisley, South.

  4 Naval Service total strength as at 1 February 2000 was 42,902, but this includes an unspecified number of Commonwealth citizens and Republic of Ireland nationals.

  Bowman VHF System
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the impact on(a) the cost to his Department and (b) the time scale for completion of the contract of ITT 's take-over from Racal of the Bowman VHF system; and if he will make a statement. [113906]

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

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 15 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about Bowman cost and timescale. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  ITT Defence has been selected by Archer Communications Systems Ltd (ACSL) as preferred supplier to provide the VHF radio as part of ACSL's preparations to bid for the main production contract later this year. Precise details of the selection process are a matter for the Prime Contractor. However, the selection was made with a view to meeting the requirement at minimum cost, minimum risk and maximum speed of programme.

  Radios
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many AN/PRC-138 125W HF radios his Department plans to acquire; and if he will make a statement. [113960]

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

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 15 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on how many AN/PRC-138 125W radios the Department plan to acquire. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA).

  203W
  The DPA has procured a total of ninety AN/PRC-138 patrol radio equipments. Of these, sixty-nine were procured with 125W amplifiers, three were procured with 150W amplifiers and eighteen were procured in their patrol (20W) configuration. The Department has no immediate plans to acquire any more AN/PRC-138 radios (in any configuration) though these equipments could be considered for future programmes if they were technically suitable and represented the best value for money.

  Transport Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Puma helicopters the(a) Antonov 124–100 and (b) C-17 can carry; [114090]

  (2) what is the range of the (a) C-17 and (b) Antonov 124–100 with full payload, without refuelling. [114092]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, dated 15 March 2000:
  I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you ask how many Puma helicopters the Antonov 124–100 and Boeing C-17 aircraft can carry and what is the range of the Boeing C-17 and Antonov 124–100 with a full payload, without refuelling. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  We have carried four Puma helicopters in the Antonov An 124–100 and on the basis of information publicly available the Boeing C-17 is capable of carrying three, although some disassembly of the helicopters is required in both cases.
  On the basis of information publicly available, the C-17 has an approximate un-refuelled range of 2400nm, at a maximum payload capability of 77 tonnes and the military limit of 2.25g, whereas the Antonov An 124–100 has an un-refuelled range of 1790nm, at a maximum payload capability of 120 tonnes and the civil limit of 2.5g.

  Relief Operation (Mozambique)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) the US C-17 and (b) the C5A Galaxy aircraft were available to support the UK relief operation in Mozambique. [114093]

  Mr. Hoon
  We concluded, from recent experience, that these aircraft would not be available in sufficient time for the UK relief operation in Mozambique.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in making the decision to use the Antonov 124–100 to carry supplies to Mozambique. [114089]

  Mr. Hoon
  No request was received to carry supplies to Mozambique. The request was for the movement of four Puma helicopters for rescue purposes. There are only three aircraft types able to carry Puma without the necessity to remove significant components from the helicopter; of these, we judged that only the Antonov An 124–100 was available within the required timeframe.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to leasing the C-17 for the Mozambique operation. [114091]
  204W
  Mr. Hoon
  It is only possible to purchase or lease the C-17 from the manufacturer or to charter from the United States Air Force. Our recent experience of such options suggested that there was insufficient time for any of them to have been exploited for the Mozambique operation.

  Military Aircraft Exercises
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military aircraft exercises in the South of Scotland Tactical Training Area in the last five years which have involved aircraft from air forces other than the RAF. [114188]

  Mr. Spellar
  None of the three Tactical Training Areas in the United Kingdom is made available for use by foreign air forces.

  HMS 'Dumbarton Castle'
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS 'Dumbarton Castle' is due to end her service with the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [114506]

  Mr. Spellar
  HMS 'Dumbarton Castle' is due to end her service with the Royal Navy in 2012.

  Future Naval Deployments
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on future naval deployments in the south-west Atlantic. [114505]

  Mr. Spellar
  We will continue to conduct regular Naval patrols in the South West Atlantic.

  Masonic Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer of 21 February 2000,Official Report, column 738W, to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on Masonic organisations, if the act of administering an oath to a Loyal Orange Lodge or allowing an oath to be administered on his Department's premises or property is considered to be among those actions that encourage or promote membership of a secretive organisation for the purposes of the Joint Service Defence Council Instruction on Membership of Organisations such as the Freemasons. [114648]

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

  Procurement
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all prime contractors and major subcontractors for the(a) CV (F), (b) Future Carrier Borne Aircraft, (c) Type 45 destroyer, (d) strategic sealift, (e) Bowman, (f) Tracer, (g) Bvraam, (h) Asraam, (i) Hercules Rolling Replacement-tranche 2 and (j) short-term strategic airlift. [113889]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  205W
  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 15 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about prime and sub-contractors for a range of projects. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

  The information requested is as follows:

  CV(F)
  Contracts for the CVF Assessment Phase were awarded in November 1999 to BAE and Thomson-CSF. BAE subsequently merged with their major sub-contractor. Marconi Electronic Systems, to form BAE SYSTEMS. Thomson-CSF's major sub-contractors include British Maritime Technology Defence Services Limited, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

  Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA)
  The current planning assumption for FCBA is the US joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The Boeing Military Aircraft Company and Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Company are the competing Prime Contractors in the current phase of the programme, which will lead to a US down-selection to one Prime Contractor in the Spring of 2001. In addition, Pratt and Whitney are developing the engine which will be provided as US Government Furnished Equipment to the selected Prime Contractor. The major UK sub contractors to the US Primes are:

  Boeing:

  BAE SYSTEMS

  Messier Dowry

  Rolls-Royce

  Flight Refuelling

  Martin Baker

  TI Industries (Dowty Division)

  Smiths Industries

  Lockheed Martin

  Rolls-Royce

  BAE SYSTEMS

  Flight Refuelling

  Meggitt Avionics

  Smiths Industries

  Pratt and Whitney

  Rolls-Royce

  Callender Aeropart

  Type 45 destroyer
  The nominated Prime Contractor for the Type 45 Destroyer is BAE SYSTEMS. Subject to satisfactory progress, both Marconi Marine (YSL) Ltd and Vosper Thornycroft will be subcontractors involved in the Demonstration and First of Class Manufacture phase. A wide range of other companies could become major sub-contractors subject to the outcome of competitive selection processes yet to be completed by the Prime Contractor.

  Strategic sealift
  There are four consortia bidding to provide the MOD's strategic sealift service under PFI arrangements. They are:

  Novomar S A

  The Maersk Company

  Andrew Weir Shipping

  The Sealion Consortium

  Subcontractor arrangements have yet to be decided.

  206W
  Bowman
  The current BOWMAN prime contractor is Archer Communications Systems Ltd (ACSL). Potential major sub-contractors include:

  ITT Defence

  BAe SYSTEMS

  Racal

  Cogent

  Hunting Engineering

  Tracer
  The industrial consortia competing in TRACER Project Definition/Advanced Technology Demonstration (PD/ATD) Phase are:
  ?SIKA International', a joint venture company comprising BAE SYSTEMS and Lockheed Martin, with Vickers Defence System and General Dynamics Land Systems.
  The LANCER consortium, an alliance between BAE SYSTEMS (the prime contractor), Raytheon SC, United Defence Limited Partnership (UDLP) and Alvis Vehicles.

  BVRAAM
  The BVRAAM programme is in the pre-contract competition stage and therefore prime contractorship has still to be determined. Proposals have been received from:
  Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Ltd, supported by Matra BAe Dynamics, France, Alenia-Marconi Systems SpA, CASA, DASA-LFK, SAAB Dynamics and Bayern Chemie with major proposed sub contractors Royal Ordnance, Thomson Detexis and Fiarey Hydraulics Ltd who are offering METEOR, and
  Raytheon Systems Ltd, Harlow, supported by Raytheon Missile Systems, with major proposed sub-contractors Atlantic Research Company, Raytheon Systems Ltd, Glenrothes, Diehl, Alliant Technology, Thomson Thorn and Shorts, Belfast who are offering FMRAAM and ERAAM.

  ASRAAM
  Prime Contractor: Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Ltd
  Major Sub Contractors:
  Seeker: Raytheon Systems Co
  Sensor: LFK-Lenkflugkorpersysteme GmbH
  Fuze: Thomson-Thorn Missile Electronics
  Warhead: TDW-Gesellschaft fur verteidigunstechnische Wirksysteme mbH
  Motor: Royal Ordnance plc
  Acuator: Lucas Aerospace Ltd
  Container: SAAB

  Hercules Rolling Replacement Tranche 2
  The decision on the Hercules Rolling Replacement tranche 2 (HRR2) has yet to be made and therefore no prime contractors or sub-contractors have been selected for this programme. We hope to be in a position to make a decision in the early part of this year.

  Short Term Strategic Airlift (STSA)
  The decision on the Short Term Strategic Airlift (STSA) has yet to be made and therefore no prime contractors or sub-contractors have been selected for this programme. We hope to be in a position to make a decision in the early part of this year.

  Leased Sites
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military establishments within(a) Devon and (b) the Torbay constituency that are occupied leasehold, indicating the dates for the expiry of the leases. [114552]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following leased sites are in Devon.
  207W

  Site

  Expiry date

  Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth

  Lease of Fundus (seabed)—29 September 2055

  South Yard Fundus, HM Naval Base, Devonport

  Lease of Fundus (seabed)—29 September 2081

  Zeta Berth Amphibious Trials Unit, Instow

  Lease of Funds (seabed)—1 June 2003

  Facilities at Oreston for HM Naval Base, Devonport

  Lease 29 March 2893

  Careers Information Office—Fountain House, Exeter

  Lease 13 September 2004

  Pilgrim House, Defence Estates

  Lease 24 March 2002

  Point Terrace, Exmouth for CTC Lympstone

  Lease 23 June 2008

  The Camber Milbay Docks for Stonehouse Bks

  Lease 1 January 2021

  There are no leased sites in Torbay and there are 20 other minor leases covering weather monitoring and navigational aids.

  The Braunton Burrows and Woodbury common training areas are held under licence.

  Race Relations
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on the armed forces of extending to all duties of public authorities the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 in respect of(a) direct and (b) indirect discrimination. [114540]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: As the 1976 Race Relations Act applies already to the Armed Forces our assessment is that the extension of the Act to all public authorities should have minimal effect. Unlike other public authorities, such as the Police and Prison Service, the Armed Forces are not, other than in the broadest sense, engaged in delivering a public service to the community. We continue to act decisively to remove any direct or indirect discrimination on racial grounds. A great deal has been and continues to be undertaken across the Armed Forces to promote racial equality and diversity.

  HM Naval Base Clyde
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the sandbagged oil leak at HM Naval Base Clyde at Coulport has been reported to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency; and what steps are being taken to repair the leak. [114233]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency were made aware of the incident on 14 May 1999. The fuel oil ring main at Coulport has been shut down and drained to prevent any further leaks.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to monitor the safety of commercial vessels near HM Naval Base Clyde. [114242]

  Mr. Spellar
  HM Naval Base Clyde consists of the Dockyard Ports of the Gareloch, Loch Long (which includes Coulport) and the Holy Loch. All vessel movements, commercial or military, in the Dockyard Port are controlled and monitored by the Queen's Harbour Master for the Clyde Dockyard Ports thus ensuring the safety of all vessels near HM Naval Base Clyde.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the offices owned or rented by his Department and its agencies in Scotland for civilian use and (b) the number of staff (i) employed and (ii) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114234]
  208W
  Dr. Moonie
  Information about building usage and the number of staff that could be accommodated at MOD sites is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For an indication of the number of staff employed at different locations in Scotland I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 7 March 2000,Official Report, columns 650–51W.

  Land Mines (Belarus)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conference on stockpiling of land mines in Belarus. [113366]

  Mr. Spellar
  A Workshop on Humanitarian Demining and Stockpile Elimination took place in Minsk on 6–7 March 2000. It was hosted by the Belarus Support Centre for Associations and Foundations, together with the United Nations Representative Office in Minsk and the Belarussian Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the scope of the land mine problem in Belarus and develop possible solutions. Two UK military officers and representatives of 12 other countries also attended.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Packaging Waste
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that targets set under the Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations will be achieved; and if he will make a statement. [113422]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 set out measures which are designed to achieve the UK's mandatory EC Directive recovery and recycling targets which the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste requires the UK to meet in 2001. A number of amendments have been made to the Regulations which are designed to contribute further to our achievement of the targets, in particular higher interim recovery and recycling targets for 1999 and 2000 which came into force on 1 January 2000.

  I will continue to monitor progress carefully as the basis for an early decision on whether the targets for 2001 are set at the right level to achieve the Directive targets. In particular, it will be important to take account of information due shortly on the numbers of smaller businesses registering for the first time this year as a result of changes in the turnover threshold.

  Homelessness
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the total number of households(a) nationally and (b) for each London local authority in respect of which local authorities accepted a housing duty where the cause of

  Total priority need acceptances

  Number of households where the main reason for the loss of the last settled home was the ending of an assured shorthold tenancy

  1997

  1998

  1999

  1997

  1998

  1999

  England

  Barking and Dagenham

  140

  226

  215

  9

  14

  19

  Barnet

  856

  986

  1402

  166

  231

  172

  Bexley

  173

  405

  246

  69

  133

  56

  Brent

  1,300

  2771

  969

  227

  2182

  162

  Bromley

  578

  703

  809

  110

  139

  129

  Camden

  1,345

  1,571

  1,429

  84

  58

  57

  City of London

  38

  63

  60

  1

  2

  0

  Croydon

  2745

  791

  1,157

  277

  113

  193

  Ealing

  979

  1,036

  989

  211

  218

  75

  Enfield

  2551

  781

  752

  285

  105

  155

  Greenwich

  1,191

  1,406

  1,302

  133

  189

  199

  Hackney

  2532

  2396

  3184

  248

  232

  317

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  584

  590

  758

  39

  55

  65

  Haringey

  2882

  963

  1,388

  23

  3

  6

  Harrow

  618

  713

  713

  130

  125

  109

  Havering

  272

  382

  2328

  34

  38

  241

  Hillingdon

  915

  941

  772

  138

  143

  142

  Hounslow

  930

  1,013

  2567

  118

  221

  299

  Islington

  960

  2812

  1,312

  68

  276

  123

  Kensington and Chelsea

  598

  2429

  552

  73

  251

  80

  Kingston upon Thames

  374

  2310

  278

  49

  260

  22

  Lambeth

  2584

  946

  1,212

  24

  8

  16

  Lewisham

  1382

  1,038

  1,241

  139

  172

  108

  Merton

  216

  185

  251

  22

  12

  15

  Newham

  4—

  2921

  1,687

  4—

  2145

  189

  Redbridge

  287

  314

  438

  69

  69

  110

  Richmond upon Thames

  544

  621

  503

  77

  97

  62

  Southwark

  2660

  1,071

  21,209

  251

  73

  295

  Sutton

  293

  290

  410

  59

  57

  40

  Tower Hamlets

  2728

  1,010

  1,147

  225

  48

  34

  Waltham Forest

  795

  1,054

  3261

  91

  242

  380

  Wandsworth

  454

  3129

  1391

  3

  30

  314

  Westminster

  1,144

  2952

  1,199

  239

  2266

  196

  Total

  102,410

  104,490

  104,770

  13,500

  15,390

  14,170

  1 Data for two quarters only

  2 Data for three quarters only

  3 Data for one quarter only

  4 No Returns

  Note:

  England figures include estimates for non-responding authorities

  Source:

  DETR Quarterly P1E: Households dealt with under the homelessness provisions of 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts

  Council Tax (Second Homes)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate has been made of the revenue lost to local authorities through the reduced council tax on second homes. [114187]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Second homes and other dwellings which are no-one's main residence for whatever reason receive a 50 per cent. discount in council tax. Around 500,000 households in England qualify for the discount at a cost of some £164 million.
  210W
  homelessness was the termination of a private sector tenancy for (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [114096]

  Mr. Mullin
  The available information, relating to households accepted as homeless and in priority need under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts, is set out in the table:

  In general, if a local authority has a reduced tax base because it has a high proportion of dwellings subject to a discount or exemption, it will receive more grant to compensate.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113992]
  211W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: All DETR news releases are distributed to the media through the Central Office of Information (COI). The COI target all the main national and regional newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations through their electronic news distribution service. The COI also distributes news releases via fax to media organisations. News release distribution relies on the subject and content of the specific press release. All DETR news releases are available on the Internet and are also distributed via e-mail.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [113966]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: The DETR does not use couriers to distribute news releases. News releases are distributed to the media through the Central Office of Information, by fax, by e-mail and through the Press Gallery at the House of Commons.

  Tree Preservation Orders
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will bring forward proposals to amend the law to allow tree preservation orders to be designated for defined areas as well as for individual trees. [114245]

  Mr. Mullin
  The law as it stands allows local authorities to use tree preservation orders to protect areas of trees as well as individual trees. Orders may also be used to protect groups of trees and woodlands.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the immunity of Crown land from tree preservation orders. [114244]

  Mr. Mullin
  Crown immunity from the planning system as a whole, including the tree preservation order system, will be removed when a suitable legislative opportunity arises. Under the current law, it is possible for local authorities to make tree preservation orders on Crown land, subject to the agreement of the Crown. Such orders ensure that trees are protected if the land falls into private hands.

  Business Rate
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received from trade bodies requesting business rate relief to be granted to licensed public houses in rural areas. [114342]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have recently received a substantial number of representations from the licensed trade asking that the 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief for village general stores and post offices be extended to village public houses. Although they were mainly from the licensees of public houses, we have received representations from the North West Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association and the Brighton and South Downs Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
  212W
  Village public houses and other businesses in qualifying rural settlements are already eligible for rate relief of up to 100 per cent., at the discretion of the local authority.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions as of 1 April 1999, which of the executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) were required to publish annual reports, (b) were required to publish annual accounts, (c) were subject to a full audit by the National Audit Office, (d) were under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Ombudsman or other ombudsmen, (e) had their own complaints procedure, (f) were required to observe the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, (g) possessed a register of members' interests, (h) allowed the public to inspect a register of members' interests, (i) were subject to a public right to attend board meetings or committee meetings, (j) were obliged to release reports of meetings, (k) were subject to a public right to inspect agendas of meetings, (l) were subject to a public right to see minutes of meetings, (m) were required to hold public meetings, (n) (i) maintained an Internet site and (ii) were developing an Internet site and (o) had been subject to a quinquennial review within the last year, including a continuing review. [114168]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The answers for the NDPBs in DETR are as follows:

  (a) All DETR's executive NDPBs are required to publish their Annual Reports, with the exception of the General Lighthouse Authorities, but there is a statutory requirement to produce the Accounts of the General Lighthouse Fund. The Annual Reports and Accounts of the individual Lighthouse Authorities are consolidated into the General Lighthouse Fund's Report and Accounts. The Department's advisory NDPBs either produce annual reports currently or plan to start producing one this year. Such reports are proportional to the body's size and scope.

  (b) All DETR's executive NDPBs are required to publish their annual accounts.

  (c) Where an executive NDPB's external auditor is the National Audit Office, then it is subject to a full audit by that body. For DETR, those are; the Audit Commission, the Countryside Commission, English Nature, the General Lighthouse Authorities and the General Lighthouse Fund, the Health and Safety Commission, the Health and Safety Executive, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the London Regional Passengers Committee, the Local Government Commission, the eight Regional Development Agencies, and the Traffic Director for London. In some cases, the National Audit Office contract out the work to private sector auditors. The Local Government Residuary Body and the London Pensions Fund Authority are audited by the District Auditor. All DETR's other executive bodies are audited by private sector firms.

  (d) All DETR's executive NDPBs come under the remit of either the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Local Government Ombudsman, with two exceptions:

  (i) The Audit Commission appoints auditors of the accounts of local authorities and NHS bodies in England and Wales, and undertakes value for money studies. Like the National Audit Office, it does not deal directly with the public, but it does have its own complaints procedure. While it will investigate

  213W
  complaints about the conduct of an audit, an audit that is found to have been properly conducted can only be reopened by a judicial review.

  (ii) The British Board of Agrément was established under the Companies Act. It provides independent assessment and certification of construction products and systems for which there are no recognised standards. Its only dealings with the public are with the construction industry, and these are commercial and contractual by nature and subject to contract law. It will cease to be an NDPB, becoming an autonomous body, on 1 April 1999.

  Those bodies that come under the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman are the five Housing Action Trusts (Castle Vale, Liverpool, Stonebridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest) and the London Pensions Fund Authority.

  (e) All our NDPBs have their own complaints procedure.

  (f) All executive NDPBs that come under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Ombudsman are formally required to observe the Code. Those that do not come under the Parliamentary Ombudsman's remit are nevertheless expected to apply the principles of the Code.

  (g) All the Department's executive NDPBs possess Registers, with the following exceptions: the General Lighthouse Authorities whose members are not appointed by Ministers; the Health and Safety Executive as the Commission is the body which has Board members appointed to it; and the Traffic Director for London, who is a Corporation Sole and does not have a Board. The following advisory NDPBs have Registers, which are available on request: the Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Advisory Committee on Packaging, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, the Committee on Chemicals and Materials of Construction for use in Public Water Supply and Swimming Pools, the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards, the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council, the Property Advisory Group, the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (on the Internet), the Sustainable Development Education Panel, the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development, and the Water Regulations Advisory Committee. It is the Department's policy that the remaining advisory bodies should have Registers in place.

  (h) All DETR's NDPBs which possess a Register make it available for inspection on request, or will do so in future.

  (i) None

  (j) None

  (k) None of DETR's NDPBs is subject to a public right to inspect agendas of meetings. However, the following executive and advisory NDPBs publish the agendas of their Board meetings and documents for meetings: the Countryside Commission, English Nature (but not Executive and Performance meeting papers), the Environment Agency (agendas only), the Health and Safety Commission/Executive, Housing Action Trusts (Castle Vale, Liverpool, Stonebridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and the London Regional Passengers
  214W
  Committee; the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Export Action Group for Building Materials, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, the Sustainable Development Education Panel, and the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development.

  (l) None of DETR's NDPBs is subject to a public right to see minutes of meetings. However, the following executive and advisory NDPBs publish the minutes of their Board meetings on the Internet or make them available in paper form or do both: the Countryside Commission, English Nature (but not minutes of discussions on Executive and Performance meeting papers), the Environment Agency (summary only), the Health and Safety Commission/Executive, Housing Action Trusts (Castle Vale, Liverpool, Stonebridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Local Government Commission, and the London Regional Passengers Committee; the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Committee on Chemicals and Materials for Use in Public Water Supplies and Swimming Pools, the Export Action Group for Building Materials, the Royal Commission on Environment Pollution, the Sustainable Development Education Panel, and the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development.

  (m) None of DETR's NDPBs is required to hold public meetings. However, many of the Department's bodies hold at least one annual open meeting; the Commission for the New Towns, Docklands Light Railway, the Countryside Commission, English Nature, English Partnerships, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Commission/Executive, Housing Action Trusts, the Local Government Commission, the Local Government Residuary Body, the London Regional Passengers Committee, and the National Forest Company; the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, and the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development.

  (n) Most of DETR's executive NDPBs maintain an Internet website. The only exceptions are the Northern Lighthouse Board, Stonebridge and Waltham Forest Housing Action Trusts, the Housing Corporation, the London Pensions Fund Authority, the London Regional Passengers Committee and the National Forest Company. All either plan to get a website shortly or are considering getting one. Generally, information on advisory NDPBs is available on the Department's own website, but the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has its own website, and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee and the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development are planning to get their own sites.

  (o) From 1 May 1997 to 1 April 1999, the following NDPBs have been subject to a Financial Management and Policy Review: the British Board of Agrément, the Local Government Commission, the UK Ecolabelling Board, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, and the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards. Ministers agreed that neither the British Board of Agrément nor the UK Ecolabelling Board should continue as executive NDPBs. Reviews of the Audit Commission, the Local Government Commission, the Darwin Advisory Committee and the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution are under way at present.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the offices (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department and its agencies in Scotland and (b) the number of staff (i) employed and (ii) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114240]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information is given in the table, based on the local property managers' response to the question:

  Office and Location

  Number of staff employed

  Number of staff that can be accommodated

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  Marine House, Aberdeen

  56

  84

  Glasgow M. O., Glasgow

  16

  16

  Leith M. O., Edinburgh

  4

  10

  Navy Buildings, Greenock

  30

  30

  Total

  106

  140

  DVLA

  Aberdeen

  10

  11

  Dundee

  11

  14

  Edinburgh

  29

  29

  Glasgow

  45

  53

  Inverness

  6

  7

  Total

  101

  114

  DSA

  Haymarket House, Edinburgh

  18

  23

  Boydstone Road, Glasgow

  4

  7

  DTC, Glasgow Road, Edinburgh

  1

  1

  DTC, Balgownie Road, Aberdeen

  2

  2

  Total

  25

  33

  DETR (C)

  Mulberry House, Edinburgh

  0

  10

  Total

  0

  10

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  Grayfield House, Edinburgh

  5

  5

  HGVTS—Livingston

  25

  25

  Bishopbriggs HGVTS—Glasgow

  30

  30

  Kilmarnock HGVTS—Kilmarnock

  20

  20

  East Fortune HGVTS—East Fortune

  2

  2

  Charlesford HGVTS—Charlesford

  2

  2

  Kirkcaldy HGVTS—Kirkcaldy

  3

  3

  Lochgilphoad HGVTS—Lochgilphoad

  2

  2

  Perth HGVTS—Perth

  20

  20

  Montrose HGVTS—Montrose

  2

  2

  Fort William HGVTS—Fort William

  2

  2

  Aberdeen HGVTS—Aberdeen

  20

  20

  Keith HGVTS—Keith

  2

  2

  Inverness HGVTS—Inverness

  20

  20

  Lairg HGVTS—Lairg

  2

  2

  Wick HGVTS—Wick

  2

  2

  Kirkwall HGVTS—Kirkwall

  2

  2

  Lerwick HGVTS—Lerwick

  2

  2

  Stornoway HGVTS—Stornoway

  2

  2

  Portree HGVTS—Portree

  2

  2

  Total

  167

  167

  Traffic Area Network

  Argyle House, Edinburgh

  42

  42

  Total

  42

  42

  Overall totals

  441

  506

  Planning Inspectorate Agency
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he proposes to set the Planning Inspectorate Agency for 2000–01. [115215]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Planning Inspectorate has a key role to play in continuing to improve the efficiency and certainty with which the planning system delivers quality services to business and other users. To this end, I have set demanding key performance targets for the Planning Inspectorate for 2000–01. These include tougher targets for handling planning appeals and for providing Inspectors for local plan inquiries. I am also making the Inspectorate's performance in handling plan inquiries the theme for their customer satisfaction survey, with a clear requirement to act upon the results.

  The tougher appeals targets which I am setting the Inspectorate to improve the service they deliver to customers makes it even more imperative that all parties to the appeals process play their part by co-operating with the Inspectorate in meeting deadlines and agreeing dates offered for inquiries.

  The targets for 2000–01 are as follows:

  Timeliness

  (a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined within 17 weeks;

  (b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined within 23 weeks;

  (c) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined within 33 weeks;

  (d) to provide an Inspector for local plan inquiries in at least 90 per cent. of cases on the date requested by the local authority, provided that the objection period has ended and at least six months' notice has been given; and

  (e) to deliver 90 per cent. of Inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

  Efficiency
  To generate a 3 per cent. improvement in the use of running costs compared to 1999–2000.

  Quality
  To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of all the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99 per cent. of its casework free from justified complaint.

  Information and Guidance
  To survey customer satisfaction with the Inspectorate's performance in handling development plan inquiries and to act upon the results.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Indirect Discrimination
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact on(a) his Department, (b) local education authorities and (c) schools of the extension to all duties of public authorities of the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 in respect of indirect discrimination. [114708]
  217W
  Ms Hodge
  The Race Relations Act 1976 has always applied to local education authorities and schools in respect of direct and indirect discrimination, so an extension is not necessary. The Department for Education and Employment itself has established systems that take account of the need to avoid any indirect discrimination on race grounds throughout all its functions.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals in the 500 schools with the(a) highest and (b) lowest proportion of pupils achieving five grade A*-C passes at GCSE in the last year for which figures are available. [114667]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The proportions of pupils "known to be eligible for free school meals" averaged over the 500 maintained, mainstream secondary schools with the highest, and lowest, percentages of 15-year-old pupils achieving five or more GCSE/GNVQ grades A*-C in 1999 were 5 and 37 per cent., respectively.

  Average size of classes taught by one teacher by year group in maintained primary schools in the Parliamentary constituency of Yeovil: 1996–99

  Year groups

  Position as at January

  Reception

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  Mixed

  Overall1

  1999

  Average class size

  25.8

  28.1

  28.6

  29.1

  29.5

  28.8

  28.1

  2—

  28.1

  27.8

  Pupils

  1,085

  478

  658

  640

  649

  518

  561

  2—

  2,806

  7,455

  Classes

  42

  17

  23

  22

  22

  18

  20

  3—

  100

  268

  1998

  Average class size

  27.1

  28.2

  28.1

  29.0

  28.9

  29.6

  26.4

  3—

  26.8

  27.6

  Pupils

  1,058

  479

  674

  697

  693

  621

  476

  3—

  2,729

  7,467

  Classes

  39

  17

  24

  24

  24

  21

  18

  3—

  102

  271

  1997

  Average class size

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  27.0

  Pupils

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7,409

  Classes

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  274

  1996

  Average class size

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  27.0

  Pupils

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7,159

  Classes

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  265

  1 Includes all year groups and nursery classes

  2 Not applicable (no classes of this type)

  3 Not available

  Average size of classes taught by one teacher by age band in maintained secondary schools in the Parliamentary constituency of Yeovil: 1996–99

  Ages 1

  Position as at January

  Middle classes

  Mainly under 14s

  Mainly 14 and 15

  16 or older

  Overall

  1999

  Average class size

  30.7

  26.7

  22.2

  8.4

  24.1

  Pupils

  736

  2,885

  2,088

  135

  Classes

  24

  108

  94

  16

  1998

  Average class size

  30.3

  25.6

  23.1

  9.3

  24.2

  Pupils

  698

  2,868

  2,011

  130

  Classes

  23

  112

  87

  14

  1997

  Average class size

  27.4

  25.4

  22.5

  9.4

  23.2

  Pupils

  795

  2,793

  2,043

  198

  Classes

  29

  110

  91

  21

  Class Sizes (Yeovil)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the average class sizes for(a) five, (b) six, (c) seven, (d) eight, (e) nine, (f) 10, (g) 11, (h) 12, (i) 13, (j) 14, (k) 15, (l) 16 and (m) 17 year olds for schools within the Yeovil constituency for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98, (iv) 1998–99 and (v) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [114181]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The available information on average class sizes collected in January for the Parliamentary constituency of Yeovil is shown in the tables. The class size count for January 2000 is currently being undertaken and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in April.

  The Government are well on course to deliver their pledge to limit infant classes for five, six and seven year-olds to 30 or below by September 2001. In Yeovil Parliamentary constituency, the latest infant class size count carried out in September 1999 showed the average size of class to be 26.1 pupils per class.
  219W

  Average size of classes taught by one teacher by age band in maintained secondary schools in the Parliamentary constituency of Yeovil: 1996–99

  Ages 1

  Position as at January

  Middle classes

  Mainly under 14s

  Mainly 14 and 15

  16 or older

  Overall

  1996

  Average class size

  29.3

  25.4

  23.2

  9.98

  23.9

  Pupils

  820

  2,739

  2,109

  179

  Classes

  28

  108

  91

  18

  1 Ages as the start of the academic year (August 31)

  Language Schools
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how much funding was given by his Department to supplementary language schools in England and Wales in each year since 1992 and 1993; [113655]

  (2) what monitoring of the quality of supplementary language schools is undertaken by his Department. [113678]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: Supplementary language schools are independent community-based educational initiatives in England and are not directly funded by the DfEE. These schools fall outside of the immediate responsibility of this Department for monitoring and quality control.

  The DfEE will be setting up a Supplementary School Support Service by tender later this year. The primary responsibility for this service will be to develop the capacity for supplementary schools to improve the educational achievement of minority ethnic pupils in National Curriculum subject areas.

  The Study Support Team of the Schools Plus Division, Schools Directorate of the DfEE has assisted with some funding towards a publication called "A Directory of Supplementary and Mother-tongue Classes 1999–2000".

  I refer my hon. Friend to the Welsh Assembly for the element of his question relating to Wales.

  Voluntary Aided Schools
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action is being taken to ensure VAT does not have to be levied on basic capital approval borrowing by voluntary aided schools. [113448]

  Jacqui Smith
  The responsibility for premises work at voluntary aided schools is shared between school governing bodies and their local education authorities. The Department provides grant support at up to 85 per cent. for school governing bodies to help them meet the costs arising from their responsibilities for approved building work, including VAT. The Department does not provide basic capital approval borrowing direct to voluntary aided schools, although these schools can apply to the Department for loans to meet their share of the cost of premises work, including VAT.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the capital requirements of voluntary aided Anglican schools. [113447]

  Jacqui Smith
  Local education authorities apply to the Department each year for capital funding for voluntary aided schools as part of the Annual Capital Guidelines 220W
  process. The applications include proposals for funding premises work at Anglican voluntary aided schools. They are prioritised locally by authorities, and are then assessed by the Department against the funding criteria and to ensure that the proposals represent value for money.

  For 2000–01, £158 million has been allocated for capital and repair work at voluntary aided schools, including almost £26 million to be devolved direct to schools under Formula Capital arrangements. The total funding represents an increase of some 15 per cent. compared with 1999–2000, even after allowing for the 306 former grant maintained schools which joined the voluntary aided sector on 1 September 1999.

  Tuition Charges
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish in tabular form mandatory tuition charges and contributions falling on students for(a) English students studying in England, (b) English students studying in Scotland and (c) Scottish students studying in England; and what is the net present cost of such charges on a standardised basis. [112122]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 28 February 2000]: The table sets out the maximum tuition fee payable in 1999–2000 through public or private contributions in respect of home and other EU domiciled higher education students at publicly funded institutions across the United Kingdom. Only those students falling under the new funding arrangements (introduced in 1998) are required to make a private contribution.

  Maximum tuition fees in academic year 1999–2000

  £

  Full-time undergraduate and PGCE courses

  1,025

  Sandwich year-out and part-time courses of initial teacher training

  510

  The amount of fee payable through private contributions depends on the students' residual family income. Up to £17,370 no contributions are expected, thereafter contributions increase on a sliding scale from £45, and at residual income of £27,800 the maximum fee is payable.

PRIME MINISTER

  Mineworkers' Pension Scheme
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals the Government have for the division of the surplus in the mineworkers' pension scheme. [113256]
  221W
  The Prime Minister
  Under the agreement made between the Government and the coal pension scheme trustees in 1994, the Government guarantee inflation linked pensions and receive 50 per cent. of any declared surplus in exchange. Already the Government have covered earlier deficits and additional contributions of £400 million. The Government have received no representations from trustees for changing the division of surplus but the DTI are exploring with the trustees the scope for building upon the success achieved to date in terms of benefits for pensions.

  Official Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 15 March. [114182]

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

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, (1) with which Israeli political figures Lord Levy has held talks on behalf of the Prime Minister or in pursuit of British interests in the Middle East; [112511]

  (2) on what occasions during Lord Levy's visits to Israel, Lord Levy has conducted business on behalf of the Prime Minister. [112510]

  The Prime Minister
  Lord Levy has frequent contact with leading Israelis, including Prime Minister Barak and other politicians. Lord Levy last saw Prime Minister Barak on 5 February. From time to time, he has passed on oral messages from me.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, on Lord Levy, if the development of bilateral relationships includes discussion in respect of possible defence contracts. [112930]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: Lord Levy has not discussed prospective defence contracts.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, on Lord Levy, if the discussions in furtherance of the Prime Minister's support for the Peace Process, held by Lord Levy when visiting Israel in a private capacity, were held at the specific request of the Prime Minister. [112931]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: Lord Levy conveys oral messages on my behalf from time to time. He therefore liaises closely with me and the Foreign Secretary.

  Euro
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he has(a) given and (b) intends to give to civil servants on their involvement with organisations campaigning for and against the single currency. [113613]
  222W
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: Guidance to civil servants on contacts, in an official capacity, with outside interest groups is set out in "Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists". Guidance to civil servants on their private activities, including their involvement, in a private capacity, in political activities is set out in the "Civil Service Code" and the "Civil Service Management Code". Copies of these documents are available from the Library.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will acquire a copy of John Pilger' s film on Iraq, broadcast on 6 March, for the library of No. 10 Downing street. [114586]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: No.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Law Enforcement
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to propose measures(a) in and (b) outside the intergovernmental conference to improve enforcement of EU law. [113609]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have long advocated a strong and efficient European Court of Justice, and support the inclusion of ECJ reform in the discussions at this IGC. The ECJ itself has put forward ideas to improve its efficiency and reduce delays. Some do not require Treaty change and are already being discussed in the Council. But some will require Treaty change, for example, a move to qualified majority voting for deciding on the Court's rules of procedure. A 'Friends of the Presidency' group has been set up at the IGC to look at these and other proposals.

  China
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage further parliamentary exchanges with China. [114159]

  Mr. Battle
  We support and encourage parliamentary exchanges with China as part of our overall strategy of engaging China on a wide range of issues and in a variety of fora.

  In particular we welcome the forthcoming visit to China by my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) and fellow members of the All-Party China Group. We also welcome the proposed visit of the All-Party Tibet Group to Tibet.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the non-Iraqi recipients of money paid from the UN escrow account for the Oil for Food Programme in 1999, broken down by the amount each received and the purpose for each payment. [114367]
  223W
  Mr. Hain
  Under the current terms of the Oil for Food programme the revenues raised in each six month period are divided: 54 per cent. for food, medicine and humanitarian supplies in the centre and south, 13 per cent. for food, medicine and humanitarian supplies in the three northern governorates, 30 per cent. to the UN Compensation Fund, 2.2 per cent. for the UN's costs in administering the programme, 0.8 per cent. for the administrative costs of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC). For the 54 per cent. account, the Government of Iraq enters into contracts with suppliers of its choosing.

  The United Nations website at http://www.un.org/Departments/oip.html provides a detailed breakdown of applications made under the Oil for Food programme over the last year.

  Overseas Staff
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total amount of private sector payments made to Her Majesty's Government for staff working(a) in and (b) in conjunction with British embassies in each of the last three years. [114314]

  Mr. Hain
  No payments or fees have been made by private sector companies to Her Majesty's Government in respect of staff serving at British diplomatic missions.

  In a few cases, however, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes recoveries from companies in respect of actual expenditure incurred on their behalf by posts on, for example, accommodation, utilities, telecommunications, postage and local support staff costs.

  Total recoveries for the last three years were:

  £

  1997–98

  276,072

  1998–99

  299,328

  1999–2000

  274,090

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which companies make payments to Her Majesty's Government in relation to staff connected to British embassies. [114313]

  Mr. Hain
  UK companies do not make payments for such secondments but in a few cases the Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes recoveries in respect of certain items of administrative expenditure.

  Since 1979, the FCO has arranged 56 secondments to British diplomatic missions overseas from 40 private sector companies. In line with HMG's policy of increased interchange with the private sector as part of the Modernising Government agenda, there are at present eight private sector secondees at posts overseas, with a further 14 secondments having been completed over the last year. These include substantive secondments of up to four years, and short-term attachments of three to six months under the Short Term Business Attachment Scheme.
  224W
  In all cases, the secondees are bound by Diplomatic Service Regulations relating to conduct and discipline, and are answerable to the head of the diplomatic post at which they are serving.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used for issuing diplomatic credentials to private sector employees seconded to work in British embassies. [114312]

  Mr. Hain
  All diplomatic staff working in British Missions overseas, whether they are public servants or seconded from the private sector, are accorded diplomatic status if it is required to enable them to carry out their official duties, in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the personnel seconded or released by private sector companies to work in British embassies who are currently accorded diplomatic status. [114311]

  Mr. Hain
  There are at present eight private sector secondees at British diplomatic missions overseas who hold diplomatic passports. Four are on substantive secondments of up to four years, and the others are on short-term attachments of 3–6 months under the Short Term Business Attachment Scheme. All secondees are bound by Diplomatic Service Regulations relating to conduct and discipline, and are answerable to the head of the diplomatic post at which they are serving.

  It would not be appropriate to list individual secondees by name.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the private companies who pay Her Majesty's Government a fee for the placement of an employee in a trade support position in a British diplomatic post; if he will list each occurrence of such an arrangement, including payments made; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on such business-to-Government agreements at diplomatic posts. [114155]

  Mr. Hain
  Private sector companies do not pay fees to HMG for the placement of their employees in British diplomatic missions overseas. HMG's policy is to increase interchange between the private sector and all British Government Departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Secondment programmes have been running since 1979 and present activity is an important part of the Modernising Government agenda. The programmes represent a valuable two-way sharing of expertise between the public and private sectors.

  Tokyo Embassy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will terminate the secondment of the BNFL employee working as atomic energy counsellor in the British Embassy in Tokyo. [114196]

  Mr. Hain
  No.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Security
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland. [113220]

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland. [113222]

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland. [113232]

  Mr. Ingram
  There remains a continuing potent and dangerous threat from dissident paramilitaries. There has also been a recent increase in the so-called punishment beatings which we unreservedly condemn. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State continues to keep the security situation under close review.

  Prisoner Releases
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of terrorist prisoners who have been released early under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [113223]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date there have been 319 prisoners released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. This is drawn from information current at 7 March 2000.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current peace negotiations in Northern Ireland. [113224]

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of political talks in relation to the peace process in Northern Ireland. [113226]

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent political developments in Northern Ireland in relation to the peace process. [113236]

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made towards peace in Northern Ireland. [113237]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply I gave today,Official Report, column 281, to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) and the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant).

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for re-establishing the devolved administration in Northern Ireland. [113228]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I met the Irish Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland in a series of meetings last week and these consultations will continue in the U.S.226W
  over St. Patrick's Day. These consultations are aimed at bringing the process back on track so that the institutions can be restored to normal operation as soon as possible.

  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Irish Government about the way forward for peace in Northern Ireland. [113230]

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the circumstances in which he will restore powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. [113231]

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for reviving the Northern Ireland Assembly and other institutions established under the Belfast agreement. [113241]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I met representatives of the Irish Government last week during consultations with the political parties in Northern Ireland. From those discussions we agreed that the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement remains the best way forward to achieve stability, peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

  Tourism
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps he has taken to encourage tourism to Northern Ireland. [113227]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Tourist Board in conjunction with the tourism industry has recently launched a spring marketing campaign in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland offering good value short break holidays. This will help to build on the excellent results for 1999 when 1.64 million visitors came to Northern Ireland, contributing £255 million to the economy.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met General John de Chastelain to discuss progress on decommissioning. [113229]

  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met General John de Chastelain to discuss progress on decommissioning. [113240]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met General de Chastelain on 14 February.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the decommissioning of illegally-held weapons and explosives. [113235]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) on 2 March 2000,Official Report, columns 404–05W.

  RN Patrol Vessels
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the future of the Royal Navy Northern Ireland patrol vessels. [113233]
  227W
  Mr. Ingram
  I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the future of Royal Navy Northern Ireland patrol vessels, but would expect to be to be consulted about their future should the need arise.

  New Deal
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the impact of the new deal on unemployment levels in Northern Ireland. [113234]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since New Deal was introduced in April 1998, unemployment has fallen by 54.2 per cent. in the target group for the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds, and 45.2 per cent. in the New Deal 25+ target group. The corresponding fall in non-target group unemployment was 2.1 per cent. An evaluation of New Deal in Northern Ireland is under way.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implementation of the New Deal programme in Northern Ireland. [113239]

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implementation of the New Deal programme in Northern Ireland. [113244]

  Mr. Ingram
  All the New Deal initiatives are being successfully implemented in Northern Ireland. In particular the New Deal for 18–24 year olds and the New Deal for 25+ pilot, which applies throughout Northern Ireland, have had a major impact on unemployment with decreases of 54 per cent. and 45 per cent. respectively in the eligible groups claiming Jobseeker's Allowance since April 1998.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have benefited from the national minimum wage. [113238]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no definitive estimate of the number of people directly affected by the National Minimum Wage legislation. However, the latest official estimates relating to the period March-May 1999 indicate that 6.8 per cent. of Northern Ireland employees were earning less than the Minimum Wage. This compares with 10.1 per cent. in the same period one year earlier, representing a reduction over the period of 3.3 percentage points.

  Victim Support
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many families have received help from the Government programmes of victim support during the past 12 months. [113242]

  Mr. Ingram
  In terms of initiatives for victims of the troubles, figures for the number of families that have received help are not collected centrally. Many families are helped through the Government's funding of victim support groups and other Government initiatives designed to alleviate the suffering of those most affected by the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

  Patten Report
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to introduce legislation to implement the Patten report on policing. [113243]

  Mr. Ingram
  Legislation will be introduced in Parliament before Easter.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress made on policing reform since the publication of the Patten report. [113221]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's announcement of decisions on Patten on 19 January work has been ongoing to introduce a Police Bill before Easter. We are also preparing an implementation plan and are engaged in discussions on severance and in the search of an Oversight Commissioner.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been lodged to date by serving RUC officers against a serving police officer whose name has been supplied to him. [112038]

  Mr. Ingram
  Four complaints have been lodged.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will discuss with the Chief Constable the appointment of an experienced senior officer from a police force other than the Royal Ulster Constabulary to investigate complaints made against a serving police officer whose name has been supplied to him. [112039]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. The matter is one of internal investigation and an Assistant Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary was appointed on 7 March to investigate the allegations.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) RUC working hours have been allocated to and (b) RUC officers have been employed in the protection of members of the Parades Commission over the past 12 months. [113830]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information necessary to answer this question is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to promote energy efficiency in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [113680]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: Government actively promote energy efficiency in the public, domestic and industrial/commercial sectors. An Inter-Departmental Committee on Energy Efficiency co-ordinates energy efficiency measures throughout the public sector. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, as the Home Energy Conservation Authority for Northern Ireland, promotes energy efficiency in the domestic sector, delivers the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme and provides a range of energy efficiency services for vulnerable groups. The Industrial Research and

  229W
  Technology Unit promotes energy efficiency in industry and commerce through free advisory visits to companies; seminars and workshops; and technical and financial support for energy efficiency measures.

  Biomass Energy
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to promote energy from biomass sources; and if he will make a statement. [113683]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: Short-rotation coppice (SRC) biomass has the potential to make a positive and significant contribution to the generation of electricity from renewable sources and to meet international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland. Grants to encourage planting of short rotation coppice are available under the Woodland Grant Scheme. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has undertaken extensive research on the agronomic aspects of growing SRC in Northern Ireland and has developed systems for combined heat and power plants based upon biomass from short rotation coppice willow. Two experimental biomass schemes, including the first commercial biomass fuelled combined heat and power plant in the UK, near Londonderry, were assisted under the Energy Demonstration Scheme and the INTERREG II Programme respectively. Both projects were subsequently awarded 15 year contracts by Northern Ireland Electricity plc under its Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation.

  Social Enterprises
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to offer financial assistance and support to social enterprises in Northern Ireland. [113681]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: Social enterprises in Northern Ireland fall under the remit of DETI, which through the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU), the small business agency for Northern Ireland, assists community businesses and co-operatives directly via the Community Business Start Up Scheme and indirectly via the Northern Ireland Co-operative Development Agency (NICDA).

  The Community Business Start Up Programme, which has been in operation for nine years now, is an important means of addressing inequality and promoting economic development in disadvantaged areas.

  Since its relaunch in 1996, the Programme has committed £1.5 million to support the establishment of 104 community businesses throughout Northern Ireland, creating employment opportunities for 182 people. Each business remains on the programme for two years from start-up with survival rates of 65–70 per cent. All businesses assisted under the programme are located in areas of social need or have direct benefit to the regeneration of such areas by the involvement of local communities in businesses, earning profits for local reapplication.

  NICDA, also known as the Social Economy Agency, has provided development support and training to groups and local communities all over Northern Ireland seeking to establish social economy initiatives since 1985. NICDA
  230W
  has received funding from LEDU since 1994 for the delivery of a number of community-based projects in fulfilment of LEDU's objectives, including funding for the delivery of the Community Business Start Up Programme.

  More recently, LEDU has assisted NICDA by purchasing a number of the programmes from their Social Economy Enterprise Programme, in particular those which add value to its Community Business Start Up Programme by stimulating increased Enterprise Awareness. Some of these programmes seek to develop marketing and other commercial skills within the Social Economy Sector.

  Offshore Wind Power
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to promote onshore to offshore wind energy in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [113684]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Department of Public Enterprise, Dublin, have jointly commissioned a study into the potential for off-shore wind energy around the island of Ireland. The study report is expected shortly and, in the light of its recommendations, consideration will be given to how best to develop the potential of this renewable technology.

  Integrated Education
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) Protestants and (b) Roman Catholics are enrolled at each of the integrated primary schools and at each of the integrated secondary schools in Northern Ireland. [113687]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The figures requested are:

  Integrated primary schools

  School name

  Roman Catholic

  Protestant

  Forge Integrated Primary School

  105

  102

  Hazelwood Integrated Primary School

  184

  119

  Cranmore Integrated Primary School

  58

  53

  Enniskillen Integrated Primary School

  105

  69

  Omagh Integrated Primary School

  90

  53

  Oakgrove Integrated Primary School

  195

  147

  Carhill Integrated Primary School

  17

  29

  Rathenraw Integrated Primary School

  62

  33

  Mill Strand Integrated Primary School

  72

  70

  Braidside Integrated Primary School

  84

  115

  Corran Integrated Primary School

  61

  33

  Acorn Integrated Primary School

  59

  106

  Spires Integrated Primary School

  30

  18

  Hilden Integrated Primary School

  9

  37

  Kircubbin Integrated Primary School

  22

  48

  Portaferry Integrated Primary School

  33

  24

  Bangor Central Integrated Primary School

  22

  216

  Annsborough Integrated Primary School

  41

  4

  All Children's Integrated Primary School

  115

  70

  Loughview Integrated Primary School

  68

  62

  Cedar Integrated Primary School

  59

  48

  Oakwood Integrated Primary School

  58

  39

  Kilbroney Integrated Primary School

  35

  23

  Bridge Integrated Primary School

  189

  162

  Portadown Integrated Primary School

  87

  65

  Windmill Integrated Primary School

  78

  66

  Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary School

  91

  55

  231W

  Integrated secondary schools

  School name

  Roman Catholic

  Protestant

  Hazelwood College

  364

  249

  Malone Integrated College

  193

  162

  Oakgrove Integrated College

  498

  241

  Erne Integrated College

  226

  116

  Drumragh College

  341

  169

  Slemish Integrated College

  139

  183

  North Coast Integrated College

  83

  178

  Priory College

  25

  301

  Fort Hill College

  48

  650

  Down Academy

  34

  211

  Lagan College

  336

  419

  Shimna Integrated College

  243

  149

  Strangford Integrated College

  75

  131

  Brownlow College

  114

  215

  New Bridge Integrated College

  248

  117

  Armagh/South Tyrone Integrated College

  232

  141

  Note:

  Some pupils in these schools may be classified as neither Protestant nor Roman Catholic

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Victim and Witness Support
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many(a) Crown courts and (b) magistrates courts there are (i) formal arrangements for (1) victim support and (2) witness support and (ii) separate waiting areas for prosecution and defence witnesses; and in each case what proportion of the totals these figures represent. [114339]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are "witness support" services, run by Victim Support, in all Crown court centres. In February 1999 the Home Secretary announced that additional money had been provided to enable Victim Support to extend its witness services into the magistrates courts. The target is for all magistrates courts (around 420) to have a witness service by 31 March 2002. Interim targets of 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. have been set for 31 March 2000 and 2001 respectively. It is expected that these targets will be met.

  Separate waiting areas for prosecution and defence witnesses are provided in all new court buildings and where refurbishment takes place. Where it is not possible to provide separate rooms, special arrangements can be made through the court or witness service. Forty Crown court centres have separate waiting areas for prosecution and defence witnesses out of a total of 93 Crown court centres, including satellites. The information for magistrates courts is not readily available.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department as of 1 April 1999, which of the executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) were required to publish annual reports, (b) were required to publish annual accounts, (c) were subject to a full audit by the National Audit Office, (d) were under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Ombudsman or other ombudsmen, (e) had their own complaints procedure, (f) were required to observe the Code of Practice on Access to Government
  232W
  Information, (g) possessed a register of Members' interests, (h) allowed the public to inspect a register of Members' interests, (i) were subject to a public right to attend board meetings or committee meetings, (j) were obliged to release reports of meetings, (k) were subject to a public right to inspect agendas of meetings, (l) were subject to a public right to see minutes of meetings, (m) were required to hold public meetings, (n) (i) maintained an internet site (ii) were developing an internet site and (o) had been subject to a quinquennial review within the last year, including a continuing review. [114167]

  Jane Kennedy
  My officials are providing a detailed response to my hon. Friend's points to be submitted to the Public Administration Committee by the end of the month. I shall place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Lord Chancellors
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many former Lord Chancellors have continued to sit as judges after they ceased to be Lord Chancellor; and if he will list the number of cases tried by them in each of the last 20 years. [112814]

  Mr. Lock
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: Since 1980, four former Lord Chancellors have sat judicially after leaving office:

  Lord Elwyn-Jones

  Lord Hailsham of St. Marylebone

  Lord Havers

  Lord Mackay of Clashfern.

  The appeals heard are listed in the table.

  Number of appeals heard by former Lord Chancellors 1980–2000

  Year

  Number of appeals heard

  1980

  1

  1981

  5

  1982

  8

  1983

  8

  1984

  9

  1985

  7

  1986

  2

  1987

  4

  1988

  8

  1989

  1

  1990

  0

  1991

  0

  1992

  0

  1993

  0

  1994

  0

  1995

  0

  1996

  0

  1997

  5

  1998

  1

  1999

  6

  2000

  14

  1 To date

  Magistrates Courts (Safe Cells)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if it is his policy that all magistrates courts shall have safe cells installed; and if he will make a statement. [113732]
  233W
  Jane Kennedy
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Custody areas in magistrates courts are not used for holding individuals overnight. They do not reflect, therefore, the design requirements of HM Prison Service's improved standard cell or "safe cell".

HEALTH

  Generic Drugs
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the Government's response to the Health Committee's First report of Session 1999–2000 on the Cost and Availability of Generic Drugs to the National Health Service (HC105). [115217]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government's response to the Health Committee's Report on the Cost and Availability of Generic Drugs to the National Health Service is published today and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the quality of care in the community for people with learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [110799]

  Mr. Hutton
  Work is currently under way on developing a new national learning disability strategy. The strategy will look at a wide range of issues, including services for people with learning disabilities living in the community.

  The National Health Service and local authorities have been asked to prepare Joint Investment Plans (JIPs) for people with learning disabilities from April 2001. The JIPs will provide a practical means for implementing the learning disability strategy and an excellent opportunity for the NHS and local authorities to consider how the flexibilities in the Health Act 1999 can best be used to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities. Promoting independence and social inclusion are key themes of JIPs.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drugs have been evaluated by NICE; and how many are being evaluated. [111423]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence's first work programme was announced on 4 November last year and includes 13 appraisals of drugs or groups of drugs. NICE has so far completed the fast track appraisal of the flu drug zanamivir (Relenza), and the remainder are currently being evaluated.

  Contraceptive Drugs
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of emergency contraceptive drugs in each of the years 1990 to 1997. [113166]

  Yvette Cooper
  The available information is shown in the tables.
  234W
  Table 1 shows the number of prescriptions and the net ingredient cost of emergency contraceptive drug (Schering PC4) dispensed in the community in England.

  Table 2 shows the number of prescriptions and net ingredient cost of hormonal emergency contraceptives prescribed at Family Planning Clinics in England.

  Table 1: Number of prescriptions and the net ingredient cost of emergency contraceptive drugs, (Schering PC4), prescribed in the community 1990 to 1997—England

  Year

  Number (000s)

  Net ingredient cost (£000)

  1990

  189.6

  274.5

  1991

  232.8

  337.5

  1992

  272.2

  391.8

  1993

  313.3

  450.8

  1994

  363.8

  520.8

  1995

  475.4

  678.5

  1996

  565.6

  900.2

  1997

  552.8

  897.7

  Notes:

  1. The prescription information was obtained from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system. Please note that the data in 1990 are not strictly consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1990 are based on fees and on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures for 1991 onwards are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospital, Family Planning Clinics, or on private prescriptions.

  2. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  Table 2: Occasions on which hormonal emergency contraceptives prescribed by Family Planning Clinics and the net ingredient cost, 1990 to 1997—England

  Hormonal emergency contraceptive

  Year

  Number (000s)

  Assumed net ingredient cost1 (£000)

  1990

  45.5

  63.7

  1991

  63.0

  88.2

  1992

  76.7

  107.4

  1993

  92.2

  129.1

  1994

  112.1

  156.9

  1995

  157.6

  220.6

  1996

  193.7

  271.2

  1997

  205.1

  287.1

  1 Costs are calculated using the assumption that the cost of hormonal emergency contraceptives used in Family Planning Clinics is the same as that for Schering PC4 prescribed in the community.

  Source:

  KT31

  Department of Health Statistics division SD2B

  Psychiatric Secure Beds
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (1) analysis he has made of the shortage of secure beds in psychiatric hospitals broken down by(a) region and (b) trust; what plans he has to meet the shortfall; and if he will make a statement; [113592]

  (2) what have been the locations of the secure places in the mental health service provided in the last six months; what plans he has to increase the number in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [113564]
  235W
  Mr. Hutton
  As the consultation document on the findings of the National Bed Enquiry shows, there is a significant shortage of medium secure provision across the country.

  The immediate priority is to use the additional investment through the National Health Service modernisation fund to enable the development of balanced mental health systems. In this first year, NHS Modernisation Fund investment has been targeted where the need is greatest. This has resulted in plans for significant numbers of extra secure beds.

  During 1999–2000, £14.5 million of the Fund was allocated to improve overall secure capacity by increasing the number of medium and low secure places, and intensive care beds in mental health services. By April 2001 the intention is to have an extra 250 NHS secure places in addition to the 221 places funded in 1999–2000, exceeding the target set out in Mental Health National Service Framework of 300 extra places by April 2002.

  I will write to the hon. Member giving details of the exact locations of where these places have been provided in the last six months.

  Patient Referrals
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what rights general practitioners have to refer patients to hospitals other than those with service agreements with their primary care group on non-medical grounds; [113860]

  (2) what arrangements have been made to remunerate hospitals for treating patients referred to them by general practitioners exercising their legal right to select a hospital with no service agreement with their local primary care group; [113855]

  (3) what measures exist to discourage general practitioners from referring patients to hospitals other than those with service agreements with their primary care group; [113861]

  (4) in what circumstances a patient may receive out of area treatment. [113857]

  Mr. Denham
  Long-term service agreements should reflect the views of all local general practitioners and their community health colleagues in primary care groups (PCGs). These arrangements do not impinge on the clinical responsibility of GPs and consultants to make appropriate referrals.

  PCGs do not alter the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 which state
  general practitioners may arrange for the referral of patients, as appropriate, for the provision of services.

  The arrangements for out of area treatment (OATs) are set out in HSC 1999/117 "The New NHS: Guidance on Out of Area Treatment". Copies are available in the Library. The OAT arrangements are used where pre-arranged service agreements are impractical. They are primarily for emergency situations, but also for cases where a patient's personal circumstances, such as the need to recuperate with a faraway relative, require referral outside the normal arrangements.
  236W
  There is no formal prior approval mechanism for referrals under the OAT arrangements. Local accountability arrangements should be in place to govern the way PCGs, primary care trusts and GPs refer patients in general. These may also include agreed protocols about referrals to highly specialised services and the way that the OAT arrangements are utilised.

  Under the OAT arrangements, each NHS trust has a main commissioner. The main commissioner is funded for OATs through a non-recurrent adjustment to allocations as part of the overall process for setting cash limits for the financial year. NHS trusts are funded by their main commissioners.

  Out-of-area Treatments
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-of-area treatments there have been since April 1999(a) in England, (b) in West Hertfordshire Health Authority, (c) in East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority, (d) of patients resident in West Hertfordshire Health Authority area in other areas and (e) of patients resident in East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority area in other areas. [113852]

  Mr. Denham
  The monitoring of out-of-area treatments and other referrals is a matter for local management. This information is not collected centrally.

  Drug Treatment Programmes
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he plans to take to reduce the average waiting time for drug treatment programmes. [113955]

  Mr. Denham
  We have made available an additional £70.5 million over three years for health authorities and local authorities to expand treatment services for drug misusers. This is intended to support a step change in services, whereby waiting times will be cut and equity of access achieved. We have this week launched a campaign to recruit an additional 300 drugs counsellors for the health service, prison service, probation service, police, voluntary sector and local authorities.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on waiting lists for methadone maintenance or withdrawal programmes; and what is the average waiting time for treatment. [113957]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. Information is available from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases on the number of users presenting to services for treatment and the drugs misused. Reliable information is not available centrally on waiting times for treatment. Revised clinical guidelines for the treatment of drug misusers were issued last year which recommend that methadone maintenance treatment should form an important part of drug misuse services. Substantial additional resources are being allocated to health authorities and local authorities to expand treatment services and thus cut waiting times and achieve equity of access to treatment services.

  Clinical Indicators
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish(a) mortality rates and (b) frequency of performing medical procedures for (i) individual consultants and (ii) hospitals. [113850]
  237W
  Mr. Denham
  In 1999 the Department published six Clinical Indicators, which included headline indicator sets of mortality and hospital readmission rates by National Health Service trust. This information allowed NHS organisations to explore their position relative to other similar organisations and to take action to review variations in performance. A similar set of clinical indicators are due to be published in June 2000.

  Section 64 Grants
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce his decision on the awarding of section 64 grants for the coming financial years. [113841]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope) on 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 117W.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the percentage allocation of section 64 grants to charities which specialise in long-term medical conditions. [113842]

  Mr. Hutton
  Around 20 per cent. of the section 64 budget for 1999–2000 was allocated to voluntary bodies that provide various forms of support for people with disabilities and medical conditions. The allocation of section 64 funds across the voluntary sector is kept under review in light of the Department's priorities.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government plans to implement the report from the Royal Commission on long-term care for the elderly chaired by Sir Stewart Sunderland. [114740]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Rev. Martin Smyth) on 1 March 2000,Official Report, column 321W.

  Waiting Lists (Somerset)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of people waiting for outpatient appointments at the(a) East Somerset Health Trust and (b) Taunton and Somerset Health Trust on 1 February for each of the years (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98, (iv) 1998–99 and (v) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [114180]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Department does not collect information on the total number of people waiting for outpatient appointments on any given day. Because of the high turnover of outpatient waiting lists (75 per cent. of patients are seen within 13 weeks) it would not be a useful indicator to have the total number of waiting at the last day of the quarter.

  Race Relations (Amendment) Bill
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on(a) his Department, (b) health authorities, (c) NHS trusts and (d) NHS primary care groups of the extension to all duties of public authorities of the provisions on indirect discrimination contained in the Race Relations Act 1976. [114539]
  238W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Department is currently working with lawyers to assess the impact of the extension to all duties of public authorities of the provisions on indirect discrimination contained in the Race Relations Act 1976. This includes implications for the Department, health authorities and National Health Service trusts and primary care groups.

  Circumcision
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has offered to health authorities on the priority which they should give to non-medical circumcision. [114538]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: We issue guidance on national priorities for treatment. For all other services local health authorities and primary care groups are responsible for identifying local need and commissioning services in response to that need.

  Beggars (Children)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to deal with the problem of children being used for the purposes of begging; and if he will make a statement. [114723]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are very concerned about the exploitation of children, and are committed to ensuring that all children are safeguarded and protected from harm. The police can act to prevent children being used for begging under Section 4 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Local authorities have a statutory duty under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to make inquiries where they have reasonable cause for concern that a child may need protection.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of residential care as a placement option for looked-after children; and if he will make a statement. [114722]

  Mr. Hutton
  Residential child care remains a valued placement option for some children who are looked after by local authorities. About 6,300 children were living in children's homes at 31 March 1999. This figure is much the same as the previous year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to eliminate the backlog of payments of minimum income guarantee to pensioners in Norfolk. [113829]

  Mr. Rooker
  I understand that although my hon. Friend refers to Minimum Income Guarantee, for which there are no backlogs, the question should have referred to delays in payments arising because of NIRS2.

  In Benefits Agency offices in Norwich and King's Lynn there are a total of 1,064 pension cases which were affected by the delayed implementation of NIRS2 that are still to be reviewed. Not all these cases, however, will result in the current rate of benefit being revised.
  239W
  Where awards of pension cannot be immediately calculated using information from NIRS2 a clerical calculation is made. This arrangement will continue until all cases can be calculated using NIRS2. Extra staff have been made available for this.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the offices (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department and its agencies in Scotland and (b) the number of staff (y) employed and (z) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114235]

  Angela Eagle
  This Department no longer owns nor rents any offices. Since the PRIME contract began in April 1998, the Department has purchased serviced office accommodation from our private sector partners, Trillium plc.

  A list of the buildings in Scotland where Trillium provides serviced office accommodation to the Department, as the major occupier, is given in the table.

  Property

  Occupier

  Number of staff

  Square metres/head

  Total Business Square Metres (BSM)

  Benefits Agency

  Cumbernauld Fleming House

  AD 12

  109

  20.40

  2,224

  Dumfries Irish Street

  AD 12

  107

  12.70

  1,359

  Campbeltown Hall Street

  AD 12

  19

  21.76

  413

  Glasgow Minerva Street

  AD 12

  0

  0.00

  910

  Largs Brisbane Road

  AD 12

  5

  19.84

  99

  Ayr Wallacetoun House

  AD 12

  209

  12.48

  2,608

  Stranraer Ashwood Drive

  AD 12

  43

  15.82

  680

  Stornaway Castle Street

  AD 12

  40

  16.90

  676

  Wick Girnigoe Street

  AD 12

  51

  14.97

  763

  48 Princes Street, Ardrossan

  AD 12

  0

  0.00

  75

  Glasgow Benalder Street

  AD 12

  81

  16.72

  1,354

  Fort William Tweeddale

  AD 12

  29

  17.59

  510

  Glasgow Shettleston Road

  AD 12

  160

  14.61

  2,337

  Glasgow Coustonholm Road

  AD 12

  216

  14.91

  3,220

  Kirkintilloch Townhead

  AD 12

  2

  38.40

  77

  Paisley Lonend

  AD 12

  256

  11.81

  3,023

  Traill House Olrig Street, Thurso

  AD 12

  1

  105

  105

  Girvan Montgomerie Street

  AD 12

  0

  0.00

  72

  Glasgow Nitshill Road

  AD 12

  0

  0.00

  476

  Johnstone William Street

  AD 12

  5

  33.50

  168

  Cumnock Glaisnock Street

  AD 12

  7

  22.57

  158

  Glasgow West Regent House

  AD 12

  222

  12.57

  2,790

  Dingwall Castle Street

  AD 12

  0

  0.00

  73

  Elgin Trinity Road

  AD 12

  60

  20.41

  1,225

  Glasgow Herschell Street

  AD 12

  153

  15.21

  2,327

  Glasgow Stepps Road

  AD 12

  98

  26.06

  2,554

  Greenock Dalrymple Street

  AD 12

  187

  13.93

  2,606

  Kilmarnock Woodstock Street

  AD 12

  102

  17.88

  1,823

  Glasgow Paisley Road West (1479)

  AD 12

  122

  6.97

  850

  Oban Mathieson House

  AD 12

  21

  33.34

  700

  East Kilbride Murray House

  AD 12

  123

  13.78

  1,695

  Glasgow Muslin Street

  AD 12

  130

  17.40

  2,262

  Glasgow Mitchell Arcade

  AD 12

  16

  22.22

  355

  Irvine Bank Street

  AD 12

  188

  11.27

  2,120

  Clydebank Radnor House

  AD 12

  176

  13.90

  2,446

  Inverness Church Street

  AD 12

  157

  12.48

  1,960

  Glasgow Laurieston House

  AD 12

  227

  16.49

  3,744

  Benbecula Druim Na H'Airde

  AD 12

  1

  43.00

  43

  Glasgow Atlas Road

  AD 12

  199

  16.68

  3,319

  Port Glasgow Scarlow Street

  AD 12

  30

  53.77

  1,613

  Glasgow Maryhill Road

  AD 12

  103

  21.67

  2,232

  Alexandria Mitchell Way

  AD 12

  2

  53.65

  107

  Alloa Bank Street

  AD 13

  2

  36.73

  73

  Coatbridge South Circular Road

  AD 13

  12

  160.51

  1,926

  Airdrie Graham Street

  AD 13

  12

  43.63

  524

  240W
  The table gives details of the total number of staff employed and a breakdown, by business unit, of the number of staff at each site.

  Information about the numbers of staff that could feasibly be accommodated within the space currently occupied is not held centrally but details of the total business square metres available to each business unit is provided in the table. An average square metre allocation per member of staff is also given. This is a "notional" figure, however, and takes no account of the purpose for which the accommodation is maintained nor of less populated areas such as public caller areas and reception areas.

  Trillium are contractually obliged to help business units to plan the effective and efficient management of their own accommodation and are actively working with the Department to achieve a greater degree of sophistication in our space utilisation plans. The ultimate aim is to maximise the benefit of the accommodation for all users, while maintaining an effective service to the customer.
  241W

  Property

  Occupier

  Number of staff

  Square metres/head

  Total Business Square Metres (BSM)

  Aberdeen Greyfriars House

  AD 13

  222

  15.24

  3,384

  Bathgate Whitburn Road

  AD 13

  252

  11.25

  2,834

  Wishaw Alexander Street

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  695

  Shotts Dyfrig Street

  AD 13

  2

  169.00

  338

  Peterhead Government Buildings

  AD 13

  54

  19.96

  1,078

  Falkirk Heron House

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  2,185

  Leven Walton House

  AD 13

  52

  28.85

  1,500

  Falkirk Heron House (PAU)

  AD 13

  119

  1.34

  159

  Edinburgh Murrayburn House

  AD 13

  8

  59.38

  475

  Hamilton Douglas Street

  AD 13

  140

  13.64

  1,909

  Blairgowrie Leslie Street

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  71

  Edinburgh Argyle House

  AD 13

  206

  51.53

  10,615

  Cowdenbeath Factory Road

  AD 13

  58

  16.54

  959

  Units 9 and 10 Block 4 Blantyre Industrial Estate, DIRC

  AD 13

  17

  55.24

  939

  Motherwell Fleminton House

  AD 13

  137

  19.78

  2,709

  Glenrothes North House

  AD 13

  5

  30.40

  152

  Bellshill Bowling Green St. (New Bldg.)

  AD 13

  10

  155.50

  1,555

  Montrose Murray Street

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  91

  Dalkeith Eskdaill Street

  AD 13

  12

  10.99

  132

  Coatbridge Unit 2

  AD 13

  103

  4.86

  501

  Larkhall Union Street

  AD 13

  3

  39.33

  118

  Wishaw Main Street

  AD 13

  4

  81.50

  326

  Dunfermline Merchiston House

  AD 13

  72

  17.10

  1,231

  Kirkcaldy Victoria Road

  AD 13

  120

  22.61

  2,713

  Perth Mill Street

  AD 13

  83

  20.49

  1,700

  Edinburgh Haymarket House

  AD 13

  11

  32.28

  355

  Galashiels Market Street

  AD 13

  79

  14.06

  1,111

  Stirling St. Ninian's Road

  AD 13

  126

  16.68

  2,102

  Forfar Castle Street

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  73

  Dundee Magdalene Yard Road

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  293

  Arbroath Grant Road

  AD 13

  73

  18.69

  1,364

  Edinburgh High Street—Portobello

  AD 13

  124

  15.87

  1,967

  Lerwick Charlotte House

  AD 13

  18

  28.78

  518

  Dundee Lindsay House

  AD 13

  238

  13.52

  3,219

  Edinburgh Leith Lyndean House

  AD 13

  106

  23.78

  2,521

  St. Andrews South Street

  AD 13

  0

  0.00

  88

  Glasgow Northgate

  AD 2

  767

  11.63

  8,924

  Glasgow Pentagon Centre

  AD 2

  36

  47.75

  1,719

  Glasgow Corunna House (29)

  DCBD

  175

  16.67

  2,917

  Glasgow Corunna House (39)

  DCBD

  63

  41.03

  2,585

  Child Support Agency

  Aberdeen Greyfiars House

  CSA

  5

  20.05

  100

  Bathgate Whitburn Road

  CSA

  0

  0.00

  91

  Campbeltown Hall Street

  CSA

  1

  26.18

  26

  Clydebank Radnor House

  CSA

  3

  14.25

  43

  Cowdenbeath Factory Road

  CSA

  6

  13.17

  79

  Cumbernauld Fleming House

  CSA

  1

  43.07

  43

  Dumfries Irish Street

  CSA

  2

  49.56

  99

  Dundee Lindsay House

  CSA

  9

  17.05

  153

  Edinburgh Argyle House

  CSA

  37

  13.78

  510

  Edinburgh High Street—Portobello

  CSA

  0

  0.00

  12

  Elgin Trinity Road

  CSA

  2

  20.12

  40

  Falkirk Antonine House

  CSA

  141

  21.29

  3,001

  Falkirk Callendar Park

  CSA

  798

  9.46

  7,552

  Falkirk Heron House

  CSA

  8

  11.53

  92

  Galashiels Market Street

  CSA

  1

  28.39

  28

  Glasgow Muslin Street

  CSA

  5

  11.12

  56

  Glasgow Paisley Road West (1479)

  CSA

  61

  12.08

  737

  Glasgow West Regent House

  CSA

  12

  9.04

  109

  Greenock Dalrymple Street

  CSA

  10

  24.81

  248

  Hamilton Douglas Street

  CSA

  11

  18.34

  202

  Inverness Church Street

  CSA

  11

  5.27

  58

  Irvine Bank Street

  CSA

  14

  17.76

  249

  Oban Mathieson House

  CSA

  1

  11.87

  12

  Paisley Lonend

  CSA

  4

  23.37

  93

  Perth Mill Street

  CSA

  11

  16.22

  178

  Peterhead Government Buildings

  CSA

  3

  31.23

  94

  Stirling St. Ninian's Road

  CSA

  10

  8.96

  90

  Stranraer Ashwood Drive

  CSA

  1

  14.32

  14

  Wick Girnigoe Street

  CSA

  5

  21.03

  105

  242W 243W

  Property

  Occupier

  Number of staff

  Square metres/head

  Total Business Square Metres (BSM)

  War Pensions Agency

  Aberdeen Greyfriars House

  WPA

  2

  21.55

  43.09

  Dundee Lindsay House

  WPA

  0

  0.00

  26.11

  Edinburgh Argyle House

  WPA

  7

  20.46

  143.23

  Glasgow West Regent House

  WPA

  9

  17.51

  157.55

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Buchanan House Livingstone

  EDS1

  10

  0.00

  15,080

  Livingstone Firth Road Store

  EDS1

  10

  0.00

  1,923

  Headquarters

  Edinburgh Argyle House

  HQ

  34

  16.12

  548

  Appeals Service

  Wellington House Glasgow

  AS

  141

  14.62

  2,060.74

  Total

  8,543

  —

  171,823

  AD 12—West of Scotland Area Directorate

  AD 13—East of Scotland Area Directorate

  AD 2—Chilterns Area Directorate

  DCBD—Disability and Carers Benefits Directorate

  Note:

  No DSS staff—occupied by service provider, EDS staff

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums, Galleries and Archives Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council co-operates with local authorities and with their representative bodies. [114466]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: One of the key strategic objectives of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) as set out in their consultation document of January 2000 is

  Consortium/Members

  East of England Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Graham Creelman

  Managing Director, Anglia TV

  Amanda Arrowsmith

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  Peter Battrick

  East of England Environment Forum

  Jonathan Bowman

  Chair, East of England Tourist Board

  John Burgess

  Chair, of Sport England (East)

  Julian Campbell

  Regional Screen Commissioner

  Jeremy Clover

  Suffolk County Council

  Lorna Davies

  Chair, COVER (Home Office sponsored voluntary sector network)

  Barry George

  Regional Library Service

  Irene Macdonald

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council

  Anthony Rowlands

  St. Albans City and District Council

  Jacqualine Russell

  East of England Development Agency

  Wendy Silby

  Cambridgeshire County Council

  Hazel Simmons

  Luton Borough Council

  Elizabeth Stazicker

  Chair, Regional Archives Council

  Stuart Timperley

  Chair, Eastern Arts

  Marion Williams

  Area Museums Council

  East Midlands Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Venu Dhupa

  Executive Director, Nottingham Playhouse

  Sandra Barnes

  South Northamptonshire District Council

  Heather Broughton

  Head of Museums and Arts, Leicestershire County Council

  Ted Cassidy

  Deputy Chairman, East Midlands Development Agency

  Ian Croft

  Lincolnshire County Council

  Devon Daly

  BBC Radio Nottingham

  John Dickie

  Northampton Borough Council

  Tim Garfield

  Regional Director, Sport England (East Midlands)

  HRH Duke of Gloucester

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  David Johnson

  Year of the Artist

  David Lathrope

  Assistant Director, Libraries, Archives and Information, Nottinghamshire County Council

  Alan McAinish

  Chief Executive, Castle Ashby, Northampton

  Ian McLennan

  Nottingham City Council

  Ned Newitt

  Leicester City Council

  Christine Rose

  Chesterfield Borough Council

  Rachel Watson

  County Archivist, Northamptonshire County Records Office

  Janet Wootton

  Independent Television Commission (Midlands)

  Culture North East

  Chair: George Gill

  Leader of Gateshead MBC

  John Burton

  Sedgefield District Council

  Patrick Conway

  Regional Library System

  Jane Darbyshire

  Chartered Architect

  Sarah Drummond

  Head of BBC Radio Newcastle

  David Fleming

  Director, Tyne and Wear Museums

  Scott Henshall

  Fashion designer

  Deborah Hunter

  Freelance film producer

  George Loggie

  Northern Arts

  Winnie Lowes

  Northumberland County Council

  Hugh Morgan Williams

  One North East

  Bob Pendlebury

  Northumbria Tourist Board

  Liz Rees

  Chief Archivist, Tyne and Wear Archive Services

  Ione Rippeth

  Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

  246W

  to develop new links and partnerships within and outside the sector.

  I am certain that MLAC will explore the ways in which constructive relationships can be forged between the local authorities and their representative bodies and MLAC.

  Regional Cultural Consortiums
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the membership of each regional cultural consortium. [114451]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Membership of some Consortiums is not yet complete. Current membership is as follows:
  247W

  Consortium/Members

  Don Robson

  Chair, Northern Sport

  Jacqui Taylor

  Director, The Image Group (advertising agency)

  Sue Underwood

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  James Wright

  Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University

  North West Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Felicity Goodey

  Broadcaster

  Liz Bruen

  North West Arts Board

  Paul Catcheside

  Chair, North West Library System

  John Commons

  Manchester City Council

  Colin Doyle

  North West and Cumbria Tourist Boards

  Jim Gristenthwaite

  Chair, Regional Archives Council

  Lloyd Grossman

  North West Heritage Regional Commissioner

  Guy Harkin

  Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Pam Hayward

  Chair, North West Museums Service

  Stephen Matthews

  Cumbria County Council

  Graham Morgan

  Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

  David Newton

  Chair, North West Sport

  Peter Pimbley

  Wyre Borough Council

  Kath Reade

  Regional Development Agency

  Kath Robinson

  Manchester City Council

  Brenda Smith

  Managing Director, Granada TV

  South East Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Sir David Watson

  Director, University of Brighton

  Mary Baldwin

  Aylesbury Vale District Council

  Fred Bullock

  Regional Library System

  Richard Childs

  Chief Archivist, West Sussex

  David Dolman

  Sport England

  Freddie Emery-Wallis

  Hampshire County Council

  Cheryl Hall

  Kent County Council

  Jon Hartley

  Reading Borough Council

  Heather Hawker

  Surrey County Council

  Mary McAnally

  Regional Development Agency (Managing Director, Meridian TV)

  Kirsty McLeod

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  Stephen Phillips

  Regional Arts Board

  Robert Taylor

  South Eastern Museums Service

  Roger Thomas

  Regional Tourist Board

  South West Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Adrian Vinken

  Chief Executive, Theatre Royal (Plymouth) Ltd.

  Paul Brough

  City Archivist, Plymouth and West Devon Record Office

  Robin Bush

  Somerset County Council

  Sue Clifford

  Director, Common Ground Environment and Countryside

  Caroline Dudley

  Chair, South West Museums Council

  Pauline Dyer

  Head of Libraries and Heritage, Wiltshire County Council

  Lady Elizabeth Gass

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  Edward Gillespie

  Managing Director, Cheltenham Racecourse

  Alan Livingstone

  Principal, Falmouth College for Art; Chair, South West Arts

  Andrew May

  Bristol City Council

  Jeremy Payne

  Managing Director, HTV West

  Stella Pirie

  Director, Regional Development Agency; Chair, Endeavour International

  Pat Roberts

  Bristol City Council; Vice Chair, Westcountry Tourist Board

  Norman Thompson

  Restormel District Council

  Viv Vines

  Chair, South West Sports

  West Midlands Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Baroness Christine Crawley

  Member of the House of Lords

  Derrick Anderson

  Chief Executive, Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Jeff Carpenter

  West Midlands Regional Museums Council

  Stephen Clee

  Worcester City and District Council

  Maureen Compton

  Stafford Borough Council

  John Craven

  BBC Birmingham (rural issues)

  Philip Davis

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  Elizabeth Edmondson

  Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council

  John Fletcher

  Coventry City Council

  Mike Freeman

  Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

  Mary Heaney

  West Midlands Regional Library System

  Jean Holder

  Stratford-on-Avon District Council

  Peter Jenkinson

  New Walsall Art Gallery

  Christine King

  Advantage West Midlands

  William Lawrence

  Heart of England Tourist Board

  Sarah Montgomery

  General Manager, Warwick Castle

  David Moorcroft

  Chief Executive, UK Athletics

  248W 249W

  Consortium/Members

  Nina Nannar

  BBC Midlands Today

  Rod Natkiel

  Regional Arts Board

  Carl Rice

  Birmingham City Council

  Gwyn Roberts

  West Midlands Sports Board

  Richard Slawson

  Associated Architects

  Ian Squires

  Managing Director, Central Region Carlton Broadcasting

  Roger Vaughan

  Chair of Regional Archives Council

  Clare Venables

  Royal Shakespeare Company Education Officer

  Yorkshire and the Humber Cultural Consortium

  Chair: Chris Heinitz

  Chair of Local Government Association Cultural Services Executive

  David Ashton

  Regional Assembly for Yorkshire and Humberside

  Rita Britton

  Pollyanna Ltd.

  Tina Davy

  Leeds City Council

  David Gemmell

  Regional Tourist Board

  Richard Gregory

  Managing Director, Yorkshire Television

  Sue Knowles

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  Reg Littleboy

  Association of Yorks and Humber Library Services

  Pat Marsh

  Harrogate Borough Council

  Richard Morris

  English Heritage Regional Commissioner

  Christopher Price

  Regional Arts Board

  Peter Price

  Sport England

  Mike Pye

  Area Museums Council

  Novlette Rennie

  National Sports Development Co-ordinator for Sporting Equals

  Liz Rymer

  Yorkshire Screen Commission

  Alan Smith

  North Lincolnshire Council

  Margaret Talbot

  Leeds Metropolitan University

  Margaret Turner

  Regional Archives Council

  Phil Wood

  Manager, Humberside Creative Town Initiative

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the objectives of the regional cultural consortiums and make a statement on progress to date in meeting these objectives. [114452]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The aims of the eight Regional Cultural Consortiums are to:

  (i) Represent and champion the whole spectrum of cultural and creative interests in each region, including tourism and sport;

  (ii) forge links across this spectrum, encouraging a cross-cutting approach and creating a common vision expressed in a cultural strategy for the region; and

  (iii) assist in improving the delivery of cultural services.

  The Consortiums have made an excellent start towards meeting these aims. Their diverse membership, recruited from across the range of cultural, creative and local government bodies in each region will enable them to represent and bring together effectively all their sectors and all the consortiums are currently working towards producing regional cultural strategies.

  Athletics Stadium
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the proposal for a national athletics stadium was first discussed by his Department with(a) UK Athletics and (b) Sport England. [113944]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The concept of a national athletics stadium emerged in discussions with UK Athletics, the British Olympic Association and Sport England about non-Wembley options for staging athletics events shortly after the announcement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 1 December 1999, Official Report, columns 305–13.
  250W
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received since 3 March from Sport England on the subject of a possible venue for the 2005 World Athletics Championships. [113943]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Sport England have submitted an analysis of the cost and design issues related to the brief for a venue for the 2005 World Athletics Championships proposed by UK Athletics along with an evaluation of potential sites against criteria discussed and agreed between my Department, the Government Office for London, UK Sport, UK Athletics, the 2005 Bid Team and the BOA.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial and other support he proposes to give to support bids for venues for major athletics events in England. [113935]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: My Department offers, and will continue to offer, full support to the work being taken forward by Sport England, UK Sport, UK Athletics and the British Olympic Association to establish a venue for major athletics events in England. The Government's decision not to proceed with the Wembley athletics option, combined with the extra £20 million which the Football Association proposes is returned, will create a real opportunity for athletics to develop a permanent legacy for future generations of UK athletes and one which will not rule out a future Olympic bid.

  National Stadium Monitoring Committee
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if representatives of English Partnerships were members of the National Stadium Monitoring Committee; and if he will make a statement. [113936]
  251W
  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Representatives of English Partnerships did not attend the first meeting of the Committee on 17 February. Following informal discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Chief Executive of English Partnerships in February 1999 about the concept of establishing a Task Force to co-ordinate the regeneration around the stadium, representatives of English Partnerships were invited to attend subsequent meetings held on 20 May 1999 and 15 July 1999.

  National Sports Museum
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had since May 1997 about the establishment of a national sports museum. [113736]

  Kate Hoey
  The Secretary of State and the previous Minister for Sport had two discussions about a proposal for a Museum of British Sport on London's South Bank, and one on a proposal for a National Museum of Sport near the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received since May 1997 from individuals and organisations requesting that a national sports museum be established. [113735]

  Kate Hoey
  My Department has received three representations: One for a museum of British Sport on London's South Bank, one for a National Museum of Sport near the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent and one for a Museum of Sport and a new sporting arena in Coventry.

  Sports Links (Schools)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to encourage links between schools and local sports clubs; and if he will make a statement. [113656]

  Kate Hoey
  The Government are committed to encouraging links between schools and sport clubs that have quality junior sections.

  A role of the new School Sports Co-ordinators will be to promote links between schools and clubs. Sports Colleges, supported by the Youth Sport Trust, are beginning to develop excellent models of good practice of links between primary schools, secondary schools and sports clubs.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library the financial accounts of the Millennium Experience as at the end of January. [R] [113116]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 1 April—31 December 1999 are due to be published by 30 June. The full year of operation will be covered in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 1 January
  252W
  2000 to 31 December 2000 which will be published in 2001. I will arrange for copies to be placed in the House Libraries.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the creditors of the New Millennium Experience Company whose bills are disputed; when such bills were invoiced; and the amount in dispute in each case. [114118]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 March 2000, Official Report, column 838W.

  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are the terms and conditions of contract of new(a) directors and (b) officers appointed to the New Millennium Experience Company since 1 January; and if he will provide details of all financial payments and benefits to be provided in each case. [110475]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: I refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 90W. No other directors have been appointed since 1 January. NMEC will continue to publish details of Directors' remuneration and benefits in its Annual Report and Financial Statements.

  Free Television Licences
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his proposals for the rescinding of free TV licences in households where the sole person aged 75 years or over dies; what period of time will be given after such a death before members of the household are informed of the rescinding of the free licence; who will be responsible for informing the household of the decision to rescind; and what consideration he has given to introducing a grace period in such cases. [112852]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: The Government have made no such proposals. A free television licence issued to a person aged 75 or over will not be rescinded but will remain in force until it expires, even if that person dies and there is no other person of qualifying age within that household.

  Millennium Dome
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many accounts and what value of accounts are(a) outstanding and (b) under dispute between suppliers to the Millennium Dome and the management company. [113896]

  Janet Anderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 10 March 2000,Official Report, column 838W.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with zone sponsors in the Dome about access by the public. [111376]

  Janet Anderson
  I have had no recent discussions with any sponsors of the Millennium Experience exhibit zones about access by the public.

  Government Policy
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the statements in paragraph 27 of his Department's memorandum to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of December 1998 (HC124-II, Session 1998–99, page 169) represent the Government's current policy. [113779]

  Kate Hoey
  The statement in paragraph 27 of my Department's memorandum to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry into Staging Major Events remains Government policy. We recognise that a flexible approach is needed to ensure that governing bodies are able to put forward a bid which maximises Britain's chances of securing the event in question.

  Subtitling
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the new targets are for subtitling on(a) BBC and (b) other digital television services. [114246]

  Janet Anderson
  The provision of subtitling on BBC services is a matter for the BBC Governors and their policy is at least to match the targets set for any other broadcaster. The BBC has recently increased its targets for its new digital channels to 50 per cent. of subtitling within five years and 100 per cent. within 10 years. For other digital television services, the Broadcasting Act 1996 requires digital terrestrial broadcasters to provide subtitles on at least 50 per cent. of their services within 10 years of the start of the service. We will be beginning a review of this target in early summer.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110728]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The gardens owned by or in the care of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are managed and tended by more than one body. The steps taken to phase out the use of peat compost by each of those bodies are as follows:

  (i) Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the unoccupied Historic Royal Palaces, no longer uses peat to condition soil for planting. However, it does use a moss peat based compost for growing plants in its nursery at Hampton Court Palace. It has carried out trials of non-peat based products but has found them unsatisfactory in terms of both performance and cost. HRP will continue to try alternatives to peat based products in the nursery, and should something be found that performs well and is affordable, it will continue to use it.

  (ii) The Royal Household, which manages the occupied Royal Palaces, has been using peat-free compost since August 1999 and will continue to do so.

  (iii) The Royal Parks Agency, which manages the eight Royal Parks, avoids using peat compost in the Royal Parks unless there is no effective, horticultural alternative to doing so.

  (iv) English Heritage, which manages properties in the care of the Secretary of State, seeks to avoid the use of peat wherever possible, and encourages its gardening staff to use peat alternatives.

  Sport in Schools
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when he last met representatives of the Central Council for Physical Recreation to discuss sport in schools; [114441]

  (2) when he last met representatives of the National Playing Fields Association to discuss sport in schools; [114440]

  (3) when he last met representatives of the Local Government Association to discuss sport in schools. [114439]

  Kate Hoey
  I meet all of these organisations regularly to discuss a number of issues relating to sport including sport in schools. I met the Local Government Association most recently on 8 March, the National Playing Fields Association on 15 February and attended the Central Council for Physical Recreation conference on 8 December 1999.

  Multiplex Digital Radio
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it is his policy that multiplex digital radio should extend diversity and choice within the radio broadcasting spectrum. [114476]

  Janet Anderson
  Government policy is to ensure plurality and diversity of national and local digital radio services, which cater for the tastes and interests of a broad cross section of the UK population, subject to constraints on spectrum available for new services. Digital radio is at an early stage of development and present spectrum allocations enable only one national multiplex for BBC services and one national commercial multiplex operated by Digital One. The Radio Authority is continuing to advertise one local digital multiplex licence a month during 2000.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the restrictions that apply to applications for digital multiplex broadcast licences extend to the provision of programme streams within the multiplex. [114475]

  Janet Anderson
  The Broadcasting Act 1990 (as amended by the Broadcasting Act 1996) disqualifies certain persons from holding licences to provide digital programme services or digital sound programme services. However, it may be possible for persons disqualified under the religious ownership rules to provide programmes for a licensee, subject to compliance with the appropriate Independent Television Commission and Radio Authority Codes.

CABINET OFFICE

  Regional Policy
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations the Performance and Innovation Unit has received in relation to its recommendation that a new unit be set up to co-ordinate the Government's approach to the regions. [113159]
  255W
  Mr. Stringer
  The PIU consulted extensively and received representations from a wide range of interests in the course of its study on the role of central Government at regional and local level. The PIU' s report was endorsed by Ministers and published on 16 February; and views on its conclusions are still being received.

  Press Office
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the(a) Civil Service grade and (b) areas of responsibility of each of the staff employed in the Cabinet Office Press Office. [114751]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Cabinet Office Press Office is arranged as follows:Senior Civil Servant—Director of Information
  One Band A—Head of News and Deputy Director of Information
  One Band A and one Band 2—Minister for the Cabinet Office, Duchy of Lancaster, Security and Intelligence Matters, Social Exclusion policies
  Two Band B2s—Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Better Government for Older People, Central IT Unit, Performance and Innovation Unit and Public Service Delivery
  Two Band B2s—The Government's policy on the misuse of drugs and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and his Deputy
  Three Band B2s—Parliamentary Secretary—Cabinet Office (Graham Stringer), Regulatory Impact Unit, Civil Service Issues, Charter Mark and Centre for Policy and Management Studies
  One Band A and two Band B2s—Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification and Co-ordination of the Government's policy
  One Band A and two Band B2s—Leader of the House of Lords, Women's Issues and Modernisation of the House of Lords. Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer) including his responsibilities for the Millennium Dome and Active Communities
  One Band A and one Band B2—Leader of the House of Commons, Parliamentary Secretary—Privy Council Office (Paddy Tipping), Commissioner for Public Appointments, Ministers' and MPs' pay, Ministerial Code, Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA), Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) and Honours
  Two Band B2s—Publication and Publicity
  One Band B2—Forward Planning and Finance.

  In addition the following staff are employed to support the above press offices: One B2, three B1s, three C2s and one C1.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the budget for running the Cabinet Office Press Office in each of the last 10 financial years. [114752]
  256W
  Mr. Stringer
  The actual cost for running the Cabinet Office Press Office, including all staff costs, running costs and capital spend, has been:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  585,110

  1996–97

  1,562,000

  1997–98

  1,322,560

  1998–99

  1,640,480

  1999–2000

  11,918,000

  1 Allocated Budget

  Note:

  Figures for previous years are not available

  The figures have been rising steadily due to the increased range of Cabinet Office responsibilities.

  Since 1996–97 the Cabinet Office Press Office has administered a regional network of press officers to carry out work on behalf of central Government.

  GM Communications Unit
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the role of the GM Communications Unit. [114753]

  Mr. Stringer
  The GM Communications Unit is staffed by civil servants. They work strictly in accordance with the principles set out in the Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service.

  The unit co-ordinates and liaises with the key Government Departments which have policy interests on GM issues. They also act as a first port of call for journalists. By setting up the communications unit the Government have positively responded to a key recommendation from the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology, that the Government provide leadership in the GM debate.

  More recently (7 March 2000) the Agriculture Select Committee published a report calling for confusion over GM issues to be replaced by rational debate and education. The unit aims to help meet that challenge.

  The unit's role is to communicate Government policy. It is stated Government policy to raise public understanding of the facts about GM issues.

  Regional Initiatives
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which of her Department's regional initiatives will come under the remit of the new unit to co-ordinate the Government's approach to the regions. [113154]

  Mr. Stringer
  The PIU report "Reaching Out: The Role of Central Government at Regional and Local Level" sets out the intended key functions of the co-ordinating unit—these are listed on page 115 of the report, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Welsh National Assembly: "The Point" Viewing Figures
  Welsh National Assembly: "The Point" Viewing Figures
  Bute House, Edinburgh
  Bute House, Edinburgh
  Mergers: Disclosure of Advice
  Mergers: Disclosure of Advice
  Territorial Employment Pacts and Ethnic Minority Targets
  Territorial Employment Pacts and Ethnic Minority Targets
  Hinkley Point "A" Nuclear Power Station
  Hinkley Point "A" Nuclear Power Station
  Nuclear Waste Storage
  Nuclear Waste Storage
  EC Treaties: Breaches by Member States
  EC Treaties: Breaches by Member States
  Kosovo: Mobile Telephone Contract
  Kosovo: Mobile Telephone Contract
  Mitrovica: Disturbances
  Mitrovica: Disturbances
  Chechnya: Human Rights Abuses
  Chechnya: Human Rights Abuses
  Kosovo: Destruction of Religious Buildings
  Kosovo: Destruction of Religious Buildings
  Mrs Diana Mawdsley
  Mrs Diana Mawdsley
  Mr James Mawdsley
  Mr James Mawdsley
  Yugoslavia: EU Sanctions Regime
  Yugoslavia: EU Sanctions Regime
  Asylum Seeking Children: Kent County Council Costs
  Asylum Seeking Children: Kent County Council Costs
  NHS Trusts: Transfer of Assets
  NHS Trusts: Transfer of Assets
  NHS Dental Service
  NHS Dental Service
  Water Fluoridation: Review
  Water Fluoridation: Review
  NHS Wheelchair Provision
  NHS Wheelchair Provision
  Podiatric Surgery
  Podiatric Surgery
  Chiropodists and Podiatrists: Prescribing Rights
  Chiropodists and Podiatrists: Prescribing Rights
  Carers' Needs Assessment
  Carers' Needs Assessment
  NHS Bed Occupancy
  NHS Bed Occupancy
  Business Sponsorship and the Inland Revenue
  Business Sponsorship and the Inland Revenue
  Orissa: Cyclone Relief
  Orissa: Cyclone Relief