Written Answers of 16 March 2000

PRIME MINISTER

  Welfare Reform
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Prime Minister what further progress the Government have made in their welfare reform programme; and if he will make a statement. [115348]

  The Prime Minister
  Welfare reform is central to this government's agenda of modernisation, and to our goals of tackling poverty and social exclusion. Today I am announcing plans for the next stage of welfare reform which will radically change the way the Government provides support for people of working age. The aim is to accelerate the move from a welfare system that primarily provide passive support to one that provides active support to help people become more independent, based on work for those who can and security for those who cannot.

  During 2001 a brand new, modern agency will be established with a clear focus on work. This will draw together the Employment Service and the parts of the Benefits Agency which support people of working age. It will deliver a single, integrated service to benefit claimants of working age and to employers. The agency will continue and develop the partnership approach to working with local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors which the Government have adopted in implementing their welfare to work policies.

  Already the New Deal has helped around 260,000 people back into work. The national minimum wage and tax credits are helping work pay. And the ONE pilots are showing how, working together, the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service can provide a radically improved service to clients and employers alike. The new agency will have a new culture, and will be firmly focused on helping people to become independent. It will help further to embed a culture of rights and responsibilities within the welfare system. Personal advisers will steer clients towards work or training, help them claim the benefits they need, and provide additional support tailored to their needs. Help will be directed to those that need it, while fraud will be squeezed out of the system.

  The agency will provide a proactive and responsive service to employers—helping people to find jobs and helping employers to fill their vacancies with the right people.

  The agency will also help and support working age people who are out of the labour market for whatever reason. A single agency will provide a better and more responsive benefits service to all people of working age, tailored to individual needs and asking the question "what can we do to help you become independent".
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  The agency will provide a single point of contact for all working age people to access the following benefits: Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Widows' Benefit, Industrial Injury Disablement Benefits and Invalid Care Allowance. The administration of the Social Fund is under review.

  The new agency will be in the front line of the drive to modernise government. It will have the technology to provide the most up-to-date service to more than 10 million customers each year. Job vacancies, information about services and benefits and availability of child care will all be on hand at the press of a button. Located in high streets and town centres across the country this new service will represent the face of 21st century government. Over time the new agency will produce efficiency savings compared with the current arrangements.

  Design and development of the new agency will be carried out jointly by the Secretaries of State for Education and Employment and for Social Security. I am asking them to establish the agency as soon as possible in 2001 so that, alongside the new service for pensioners announced yesterday, it can start to deliver our vision of a modern welfare state and contribute to reducing poverty and expanding opportunity.

  Local Elections
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been given to civil servants on the conduct of Government business during the forthcoming elections to the Greater London Authority and to local councils on 4 May. [115349]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have issued guidance to civil servants on the principles which they should observe in relation to the conduct of Government business in the period before the forthcoming elections.

  The guidance stresses that civil servants should conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code and is based on the need to maintain political impartiality of the Civil Service and the need to ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes.

  The guidance will come into force on 13 April.

  Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Libraries of the House, and are also available from the Vote Office.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the annual number of convicted offenders who would receive a shorter custodial sentence than at present if the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill became law; how many offenders convicted of each type of offence would receive shorter sentences; what estimate he has made of the average reduction in the length of sentence(a) received and (b) served; and if he will make a statement. [112532]
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  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 2 March 2000]: It is estimated that 5,400 convicted offenders would receive shorter custodial sentences because their cases would be dealt with in the magistrates courts. This covers all categories of either-way offences. It is also assumed that the average reduction in the length of sentence (a) received would be 4.6 months and (b) served would be 2.3 months.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to the Metropolitan police of the presence of Senator Augusto Pinochet in Surrey for 17 months; what discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of Surrey relating to such costs incurred by his force; and what payments have been made by his Department to each force in reimbursement of those costs. [113559]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information as regards the estimated cost to the Metropolitan police of the presence of Senator Augusto Pinochet in the United Kingdom cannot be provided for security reasons.

  In relation to the costs incurred by Surrey Constabulary, the Chief Constable asked for additional financial assistance in January. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary approved a special payment in the financial years 1998–99 of £200,000 for Surrey police. There was no commitment to provide any further assistance.

  No special payment was provided to the Metropolitan police for their involvement with the policing of Senator Pinochet.

  Beggars
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal with beggars and squeegee merchants on the streets of Croydon. [114259]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that there have been a number of operations during the past year in the Croydon area to address these problems and that his officers will continue to respond appropriately to any complaints.

  The Commissioner has also advised me that he proposes next month to launch a drive to reduce street crime. Under the new initiative, specialist task forces will be introduced to assist boroughs with particular problems. Aggressive begging, which is intimidatory and often uses force, will be part of the focus of this initiative.

  Crime and Disorder Act 1998
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what response he has had to his letter to local authorities and chief constables asking for comment on the operation of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 with respect to(a) child curfews and (b) anti-social behaviour orders; [114532]

  (2) how many child curfews have been agreed using powers given by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; [114531]
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  (3) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the child curfew powers; and if he will make a statement. [114533]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No applications have been received from local authorities to establish child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote on 15 October 1999 to local authority chief executives and chief officers of police about the provisions in the 1998 Act to tackle problems caused by unruly and anti-social behaviour.

  Responses have been received from a number of local authorities and police forces and from professional and staff associations. They are being studied with a view in the operation of the Crime and Disorder Act provisions. An action group has also been established, involving local authority representatives and others, to consider issues relating to the use of anti-social behaviour orders. Regional seminars arranged by the group are currently being held and provide an opportunity to share good practice.

  Kerb Crawlers
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on re-offending of the kerb crawlers re-education programme in West Yorkshire; [114563]

  (2) if he will introduce a nationwide kerb crawlers re-education programme. [114562]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office have not been involved in the Kerb Crawlers Rehabilitation Programme in West Yorkshire. We have, however, received a copy of the evaluation of the programme carried out by West Yorkshire Police.

  We hope to discuss the programme with interested parties to see what lessons can be learned but we have no current plans to introduce such a programme nationwide.

  Harmondsworth Detention Centre
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action has been taken against staff at Harmondsworth Detention Centre as a result of incidents involving injuries to detainees over the period 1 March 1999 and 29 February 2000. [114432]

  Mrs. Roche
  No disciplinary action has been taken against staff at Harmondsworth Detention Centre between 1 March 1999 and 29 February 2000, as a result of any incidents involving injuries to detainees.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the staffing structure of the Harmondsworth Detention Centre, including the ratio of staff on duty to detainees. [114433]

  Mrs. Roche
  The staffing structure and ratio of staff to detainees employed by the contractor at Harmondsworth is commercially sensitive information and it would not be appropriate to publish it.

  The contractor was appointed after a competitive tendering exercise and one of the factors taken into account during the evaluation was the proposal for staff coverage.

  City Status
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria, including those related to population, for a town to be eligible to receive city status; and if he will make a statement. [114711]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  City status is an honour conferred by the Sovereign by Letters Patent. Population size is among the matters taken into account in submitting advice to Her Majesty, there are no specific eligibility criteria.

  Baboons
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long the journey time was on each occasion wild-caught baboons were imported into the UK in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999; and if he will make a statement; [114106]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to end the importation of wild-caught baboons for research; and if he will make a statement; [114107]

  (3) when approval was last given for baboons to be imported into the UK; and if he will make a statement; [114104]

  (4) when an inspector from his Department last visited Mr. Richard Mann's wildlife trading premises near Nairobi, Kenya; and if he will make a statement; [114108]

  (5) how many wild-caught baboons from Kenya have been imported into the UK for research during (a) 1998 and (b) 1999; and if he will make a statement. [114105]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 14 March]: All but a small number of primates used in scientific procedures in the United Kingdom are captive-bred and not taken from the wild. Under measures introduced in 1996, authority to use wild-caught primates will be given only if the applicant can establish exceptional and specific justification. Such cases are very rare. We must also be satisfied that the applicant has made (and continues to make) appropriate efforts to find suitable captive-bred primates. All applications to use wild-caught primates are referred to the Animal Procedures Committee for its advice.

  The last authorisation was given in 1998 for up to 40 wild-caught baboons to be imported into the United Kingdom for use in scientific research into aspects of xenotransplantation. The first part of this consignment—28 animals—arrived from Kenya in May 1999. No more have been imported since then and none were imported in 1998.

  The work with these baboons is to improve transplant procedures. Xenotransplantation includes the transplantation of organs such as hearts and kidneys between different animal species and from animals into humans. Organ transplantation is a hugely successful medical procedure—one that has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people across the world. The critical shortage of human donor organs has led scientists to investigate xenotransplantation as an alternative potential source of organs. This is policy on which the Department of Health leads. Baboons are used in heart xenotransplantation procedures because of the need to use primates of suitable body weight to sustain the size of the heart. They are extremely difficult to breed in captivity.
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  Captive-bred animals are therefore available on the world market only in very limited numbers, and United Kingdom researchers have been unable to become "preferred clients" of the captive-bred sources.

  The total journey time for the May 1999 consignment was 34 hours from placing the animals in transport crates at the supplier's premises in Kenya to their receipt at the designated establishment in the United Kingdom. All of the animals arrived in good condition.

  The Inspectorate last visited Richard Mann's premises in Kenya in November 1995. This visit revealed that standards were not satisfactory and the Secretary of State was advised that approval of this establishment would be withheld unless and until substantial improvements were made to the accommodation and care offered to wild-caught baboons destined for supply to the United Kingdom.

  By February 1997 documentary evidence confirmed that the necessary improvements had been made and the establishments "approved status" was restored. Animals destined for the United Kingdom are group-housed in large, modern outdoor enclosures. The Home Office is aware that the "sub-standard" areas remain in use for animals for supply to non-United Kingdom customers. We cannot regulate premises in Kenya used to accommodate animals that will never be shipped to the United Kingdom. Confirmation has been obtained that all animals destined for shipment to the United Kingdom have been held in the improved accommodation.

  Crown Dependencies (Financial Regulation)
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation by the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man of the Edwards report on Financial Regulation in the Crown Dependencies. [115188]

  Mr. Straw
  Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have produced reports setting out the steps that they have taken and are continuing to take to give effect to the conclusions of the Edwards Report. I have today placed copies of the Islands' reports in the Library.

  I am encouraged by the positive and constructive way in which the authorities in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have responded to the challenge of the Edwards Report. Although the Report placed them in the top division of offshore centres, the authorities in all three jurisdictions have been implementing programmes of further improvement in their systems of financial regulation which had begun even before the publication of the Report in November 1998. These programmes are still being taken forward; the islands recognise that the process of improving financial regulation must be a continuing one that works for the benefits of their economies and will strengthen the integrity of offshore financial centres.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals against refusal to grant asylum are waiting to be heard; and how many of them were lodged in the last six months and in each preceding six month period. [114682]
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  Mrs. Roche
  At the end of February 2000, a total of 5,615 asylum appeals were outstanding at the Immigration Appellate Authority. This figure includes 3,580 Adjudicator appeals, 310 applications for leave to appeal to the Tribunal and 1,725 appeals to the Tribunal.

  Information on the number of appeals against asylum decisions on a quarterly basis, in 1998 and 1997, is given in Table 8.1 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, 1998", a copy of which is available in the Library. Information covering earlier years can be found in previous editions of the Statistical Bulletin.

  It is planned that quarterly figures for the calendar year 1999 will be included in the next Asylum Bulletin which is due to be published in June of this year.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the criteria for detention of asylum seekers at Oakington Reception Centre. [115345]

  Mrs. Roche
  Oakington Reception Centre will strengthen our ability to deal quickly with asylum applications, many of which prove to be unfounded. In addition to the existing detention criteria, applicants will be detained at Oakington where it appears that their application can be decided quickly, including those which may be certified as manifestly unfounded. Oakington will consider applications from adults and families with children, for whom separate accommodation is being provided, but not from unaccompanied minors. Detention will initially be for a period of about seven days to enable applicants to be interviewed and an initial decision to be made. Legal advice will be available on site.

  If the claim cannot be decided in that period, the applicant will be granted temporary admission or, if necessary in line with existing criteria, moved to another place of detention. If the claim is refused, a decision about further detention will similarly be made in accordance with existing criteria. Thus, detention in this latter category of cases will normally be to effect removal or where it has become apparent that the person will fail to keep in contact with the Immigration Service.

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support arrangements exist for asylum seekers to submit material in support of their claim for asylum. [115346]

  Mrs. Roche
  The White paper 'Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum' published in July 1998, standardised the period allowed for asylum seekers to submit further material after a substantive interview at five days. We have decided that some adjustment to this policy is needed to deliver faster asylum decisions, while at the same time ensuring that asylum seekers have a proper opportunity to establish their claim.

  In the case of applications considered at Oakington Reception Centre, we are arranging for the Refugee Legal Centre and Immigration Advisory Service to provide legal advice on-site. It has been agreed with those organisations that the consideration process should operate so that such advice may be provided both before and after the substantive interview. Other than in very exceptional circumstances, the substantive interview will take place
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  on the third day at the centre and so there will normally be two more days after the interview in which to submit additional representations. The five day period for submission of supporting material will in these cases therefore commence as soon as the asylum application has been made, rather than from the date of the substantive interview.

  We have also decided that the five day period for submission of further supporting evidence will not apply to asylum claims where no substantive interview is conducted at the time the claim is made. In those cases, applicants are issued a Statement of Evidence form which they are required to submit to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate within 14 days. We think this gives applicants a reasonable period to set out their claim, and time to seek legal representation if they wish. Where an application is not granted on the basis of the evidence in the Statement of Evidence form, applicants are interviewed and in these cases a decision will be made immediately after this substantive interview.

  The five day standard period for applicants to submit further material after substantive interview, as set out in the White Paper, will continue to apply in all other cases.

  Discretion will be exercised to permit an extension of the applicable period for the making of post interview representations where exceptional circumstances require—for example, where possible torture victims are identified.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the policy of considering applications for permission to work by asylum seekers who have been in the UK for six months or more; and if he will make a statement. [114566]

  Mrs. Roche
  As we announced in the information document "Asylum Seekers Support", which we published in March last year, we intend to end, with effect from 3 April 2000, that element of the employment concession whereby asylum seekers who are appealing against the refusal of asylum are, on application, granted permission to work. However, we have no plans at present to withdraw the remainder of the employment concession whereby asylum seekers who have not received a first determination of their case within six months are, on application, given permission to work. We will, however, be keeping this under review, particularly with regard to whether, in the light of progress in processing all asylum claims within an average of six months, such a concession can continue to be justified.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Prison Service areas are to be reorganised so as to improve alignment of criminal justice boundaries. [115347]

  Mr. Boateng
  The response to a consultation document issued in December 1999 was overwhelmingly supportive of Prison Service proposals to continue its predominantly geographic structure but to re-align its boundaries so that they match those of police areas and planned probation areas, the English regions and Wales. From April 2000, 12 area managers will manage establishments grouped by police areas within the boundaries of the nine English regions. Three regions—the South-East, the North-West
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  and the East Midlands—will have two area managers each. There will be a further, thirteenth, manager for Wales. Two functional managers will continue to manage the higher security estate and the women's estate.

  These arrangements will improve alignment of criminal justice boundaries around the nine Government Offices for the Regions and Wales and provide the Prison Service with a platform for further joint working regionally and locally with other agencies. The move to a criminal justice focus on the 42 police areas is accelerating. The Crown Prosecution Service is organised on that basis already. Crown Courts Circuits are being organised on the basis of groups of police areas, and 42 criminal justice strategy committees and trial issues groups are being established this year. Forty-two magistrates courts' committees and probation areas are planned from April 2001.

  Essex Constabulary
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers and constables there were in the Chelmsford Division of the Essex Constabulary(a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) at the latest available date; and what reports he has received from the Chief Constable about the number of (i) officers and (ii) constables there will be in that division in the next three years. [114784]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested has been provided by the Chief Constable of Essex and is set out in the table. I have not received any reports on the Chief Constable's future plans for the policing of Chelmsford. Ministers have no direct control over police numbers. Under legislation passed by the previous Government in 1994 it is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in their force within the resources that are available. It will also be for the Chief Constable to consider how he wishes to deploy the 103 police recruits that have been allocated to the Essex police under the Crime Fighting Fund over the next three years.

  Chelmsford Division

  Year

  Total number of officers

  Constables

  1 May 1997

  207.5

  162.5

  1 March 2000

  195.5

  153

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton will receive a reply to his letter of 27 January regarding Mrs. Janet Kirkwood, a constituent. [114970]

  Mrs. Roche
  I apologise to the hon. Member for the fact that he has not yet received a reply to his letter of 27 January. I shall write shortly with a substantive response to the queries his constituent has raised.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich relating to Mr. Gugaueshau and the loss of passports by the Passport Office. [115031]

  Mrs. Roche
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 16 March. I am sorry for the delay.

  Official Secrets Act
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of current legislation relating to official secrets with the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement. [114975]

  Mr. Straw
  Reviewing legislation in the light of the Convention is a continuous process. I am aware that the issue of the compatibility of section 1(1) of the Official Secrets Act 1989 with the European Convention on Human Rights has recently been before the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords in the case of Blake v. Attorney-General and judgment is awaited.

  Immigration Detainees (Health Needs)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of Dr. Geraint Thomas into the health needs of immigration detainees. [114450]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have no objection in principle to the publication of this report. However, we will need to consult with Dr. Thomas. I will provide a substantive reply after we have consulted with him.

  Metropolitan Police Officers (Suspension from Duty)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women officers of the Metropolitan police were under suspension from duty for alleged misconduct on 1 February. [114993]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that 98 men and four women officers were under suspension from duty on 1 February 2000.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost, including salary, was of the suspension of each Metropolitan police officer suspended in the past 10 years, the period of each officer's suspension, and the date of determination of each case, indicating in each case the results of suspension broken down into(a) reinstatement, (b) retirement, (c) dismissal and (d) successful criminal prosecution. [114952]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long(a) Detective Inspector John Redgrave and (b) Detective Constable Charman of the Metropolitan police have been suspended from duty and for what reasons; when he expects their futures to be determined; and if he will make a statement. [114969]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that Detective Inspector Redgrave was suspended on 6 February 1997 and Detective Constable Charman on 4 February 1997. The inquiries into the allegations that led to their suspension are ongoing and it would not be appropriate for him to comment further at this stage.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's representations made at the recent conference in Sweden on drug trafficking in Kosovo. [114927]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My Department has not been invited to participate in any recent conferences in Sweden to discuss drug trafficking in Kosovo and has not made any representations.

  Police Complaints
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements exist to ensure that the allocation of papers for consideration by Treasury Counsel, which have been received consequent upon a complaint having been investigated in relation to the conduct of police officers, is handled by counsel removed from any relationship either with earlier related cases, or those with police officers who are the subject of complaint; and if he will make a statement. [114966]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me the Metropolitan Police Solicitors Department forward papers to Treasury Counsel for advice. It is for the individual appointed to undertake the case to declare whether he or she would be professionally disqualified from dealing with the matter.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the results of the Metropolitan police inquiries relating to the referral by the Police Complaints Authority of the complaint by Mr. Keith Green was passed to Treasury Counsel; and if he will make a statement; [114965]

  (2) for what reason on 16 December 1997 Mr. Keith Green was taken from the hospital wing of Brixton Prison for interview by two police officers; for what reasons (a) the interview was not recorded or notes taken; (b) no solicitor was present; and (c) the Prison Doctor was not informed; and if he will make a statement. [114967]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that detailed information about Mr. Green's case is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action has been taken in relation to the joint CIB/Kent Police investigation; and if he will make a statement. [114960]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no disciplinary action has been taken in relation to this investigation.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints made over the last five years by(a) serving police officers, (b) retired police officers and (c) other members of the public against the conduct of (i) CIB and (ii) the Serious Crime Squad have been investigated by (1) current and (2) former officers of CIB or the Serious Crime Squad; and if he will make a statement. [114963]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

  Operation Nightshade
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what details of arms shipments to, and via, West Africa were revealed by Operation Nightshade; and if he will make a statement. [114957]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no such details were revealed as a result of Operation Nightshade.

  Rachel Nickell
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken to prevent retired police officers publishing criticism of the conduct and stewardship into the investigation of the murder of Rachel Nickell in 1992; and under what powers such action was taken. [114958]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no such action has been taken.

  Detective Keith Pedder
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the investigation into the complaint made by former Detective Keith Pedder will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [114955]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the inquiry is expected to be completed by May 2000.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if manuscripts and other documents belongings to former Detective Keith Pedder have been returned to him following their seizure by the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement. [114956]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the documentation forms part of any ongoing investigation and that it would not be appropriate for him to comment further at this stage.

  Mr. Roger Crooks
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates in 1993 and 1994 Roger Crooks was interviewed by the Anti-Terrorist Squad. [114953]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that officers of S013, known as the Anti-Terrorist Branch, interviewed Roger Crooks on 24 June 1994.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose in 1993 and 1994 Metropolitan police officers serving under the direction of Detective Inspector John Redgrave met Mr. Geoffrey Brennan to discuss arms sales and shipments; at which of these discussions Mr. Roger Crooks and other representatives of the prospective vendor and importer were present; and if he will make a statement. [114959]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he is unaware of any such meeting.

  Mr. Keith Green
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan police received from the Police Complaints Authority its referral of the complaint of Mr. Keith Green; for what reason it was passed for investigation to an officer due to retire; when the results of the Metropolitan Police Complaints Department inquiries into this matter were completed; what were the reasons for the length of time for the inquiries' completion; and if he will make a statement. [114964]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the Police Complaints Authority authorises the appointment of investigating officers for individual cases, based on their ability to conduct the inquiry. Detailed information about Mr. Green's case is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason(a) on 9 December 1997 Mr. Keith Green was offered accommodation in a safe house, (b) this offer was made in the absence of a solicitor, (c) no tape recording of the interview was made and (d) no caution was given; and if he will make a statement. [114961]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that no such offer was made. The purpose of the interview on 9 December was to obtain intelligence and not evidence and, therefore, did not have to be carried out in accordance with Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the Police Complaints Authority passed the complaint of Mr. Keith Green of 16 February 1999, against CIB to the Metropolitan Police Complaints Department for investigation; and if he will make a statement. [114962]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The appropriate authority for the investigation of a complaint in relation to the Metropolitan police is the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. As a matter of course, the Police Complaints Authority passes any such complaint that it receives to the Commissioner. It is for the Commissioner to decide the manner in which the complaint is to be investigated. I am advised that in this instance, the then Commissioner directed that the complaint be investigated by an independent officer attached to a Metropolitan police area different from that where the respondents were based.

  Operation Cornwall
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of Operation Cornwall. [114954]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that Operation Cornwall is ongoing.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers have been prosecuted(a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully for noncompliance with minimum wage legislation over the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [113144]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 March 2000]: There have been no criminal prosecutions under Section 31 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1999 since it came into force 11 months ago.

  This is because the Act also contains a number of provisions empowering enforcement offices to take civil action against non-paying employers and the enforcement body will always use these in the first instance. However, there will be criminal prosecutions where the enforcement body considers them necessary.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to revise the present level of the accommodation offset within the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [114974]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have no plans to change the level of the accommodation offset. The Low Pay Commission has recommended that it should be retained at its present rate and the level considered again when the national minimum wage is next reviewed. The Government have accepted this recommendation.

  Inward Investment (South Humberside)
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to attract inward investment into the former South Humberside area. [113903]

  Mr. Caborn
  Promotion of Inward Investment in the regions is undertaken by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) which were established by this Government in April 1999. My Department funds Yorkshire Forward (the Yorkshire and Humber's RDA) Inward Investment activities to the tune of £1.4 million. The Government and Yorkshire Forward are keen to attract Inward Investment to the former South Humberside area. Yorkshire Forward is actively developing a Sub-Regional Action Plan for the Humber area in conjunction with national and regional partners including the Government Office and DTI's Invest In Britain Bureau. The action plan is scheduled for completion in June 2000.

  One of Yorkshire Forward's key objectives is to attract and retain more investment. An important feature of the Humber Sub-Regional Action Plan will be the development of a Humber Trade Zone. This should help exploit the significant advantages of the estuary's deep water ports and provide the foundation for attracting new industry. In addition, the Humber Chemical Forum, with an active DTI contribution, is playing an increasingly important role in helping the development of the chemical industry along the South Bank.

  Yorkshire Forward statistics indicate that, since May 1997, there have been 11 Inward Investment projects in the former South Humberside area. These projects are expected to lead to the creation/safeguarding of around 1,000 jobs.

  GDP Statistics (West Cumbria)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the reliability of statistics on gross domestic product per capita in respect of West Cumbria. [114074]

  Mr. Caborn
  Statisticians from my Department are in regular contact with the Office for National Statistics on a range of outputs, including regional GDP. Methodology is regularly reviewed to ensure the best possible estimates.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for West Cumbria of the current review of assisted area status levels of regional assistance. [114073]

  Mr. Caborn
  During the review process, the Commission notified the Government that Cumbria was one of 19 areas that have unemployment below and GDP above the EU average. The regional aid guidelines stipulate that, if approved for Assisted Area status, such areas may not benefit from aid to enterprises of more than 10 per cent. eligible costs.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions are taking place between the Government and the European Commission on the eligibility of areas of the United Kingdom for regional selective assistance; and if he will make a statement. [114072]

  Mr. Caborn
  My officials have met officials from the Commission on a number of occasions to discuss the proposals which we submitted for new Assisted Areas. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has held discussions with Commissioner Monti. In all of our discussions, we have sought to obtain early approval of our proposals.

  Hawley Group
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement about the establishment of the Review of the Engineering Council by the Hawley Group; [114130]

  (2) what representations he has received from outside bodies concerning the Hawley Group Review of the Engineering Council; [114129]

  (3) what representations he has received from other Government departments following the first report of the Hawley Group; [114127]

  (4) what criteria he used in deciding which representative bodies of the engineering industry were included in the Working Group of the Hawley Group; [114125]

  (5) what representations he has received from other Government departments on the establishment of the Hawley Group; [114128]

  (6) if he will list the representative bodies of the engineering industry included in the Hawley Group. [114126]
  272W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: I refer to the written answer I gave on 21 December 1999, Official Report, columns 463–66W. The first stage of the review was completed at the end of January with the publication of the Hawley Group Stage I Report. My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury and the Minister with responsibility for lifelong learning, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North (Mr. Wicks) have welcomed the report and congratulated Dr. Hawley on the progress of the review. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The proposition for the review was endorsed at a meeting in November between Lord Sainsbury and a wide range of senior representatives of the engineering community. Although some of those present expressed a wish to see more industrial representation in the membership of the Group, the large majority supported Lord Sainsbury' s view that for the Group to be effective there should be a minimum number of members. It was also recognised that Dr. Hawley's experience as a leading industrialist would be highly valuable in leading the Group.

  My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury has received a small number of representations from individuals and bodies on various issues relating to the review and some of those who have responded to Dr. Hawley have copied their replies to him. He has also had discussions with his counterpart in DfEE. Other Government Departments have contributed to the review process at official level. I understand also that following the extensive first stage consultation exercise Dr. Hawley has received nearly 100 detailed responses from a range of individuals and organisations. These are providing helpful contributions towards the Group's continuing work.

  Social Enterprise
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the role of social enterprises in overcoming social exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [114635]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government recognise the important contribution role that social enterprises have to play in the nation's economy, including helping to overcome problems of social exclusion. They can be effective at developing services which the private and public sectors may be unable or unwilling to provide. Social enterprises can also be valuable in engaging local communities in economic activities that they would otherwise not have undertaken. Some estimates put the number of people employed in the not for profit sector nationally as high as 2.6 million.

  The Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team's (PAT 3) Report "Enterprise and Social Exclusion" which was published on 2 November 1999, included recommendations on the role of social enterprises in encouraging enterprise in disadvantaged groups and communities. The Small Business Service (SBS) is taking forward the Report's recommendations about support for social enterprises and about enhancing the potential of these businesses.

  The SBS' s Social Inclusion Unit is working with the British Bankers Association and Social Enterprise London to produce guidance about the sector for banks as well as

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  Business Links and other support organisations. The Unit will also be participating in a study visit to Spain in April to examine approaches to supporting social enterprises in that country.

  On 10 November 1999 I announced the establishment of a national Phoenix Fund, with a budget of £30 million over three years. The Phoenix Fund will support entrepreneurship in deprived areas and respond to issues raised in the PAT 3 Report. It will be open to social enterprises as well as other businesses. The Phoenix Fund will provide funding for:

  piloting of the Business Volunteers Mentoring Association;

  support for new and existing Community Finance Initiatives;

  a development fund for innovative ways of supporting enterprise in deprived areas.

  My Department is currently considering ways of developing the Fund for the benefit of businesses.

  Business Volunteer Mentoring Association
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much money has been paid in the current financial year to the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; and to what use it has been put; [114391]

  (2) how much money his Department has paid to the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; and to what use the funds have been put. [114388]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Business Volunteer Mentoring Association initiative is being piloted by the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies, supported by this Department. The aim is to attract 1,000 volunteers, drawn from all sections of the business community to provide mentoring support to pre and early start-up businesses.

  For this financial year, the NFEA and local partnerships have been paid £100K to cover their costs in setting up and developing the initiative on the ground.

  Telecommunications
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a Communications Bill covering telecommunications; and what the nature and timetable of the consultation process will be, following the revision of the Utilities Bill. [114473]

  Mr. Byers
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and I propose to publish a White Paper later this year setting out the Government's proposals for reform of the framework of communications legislation. This will include proposals for changing both the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Acts as a basis for legislation when parliamentary time allows. We expect to consult on proposed changes both before and after publication of the White Paper.

  Adoption
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) leave and (b) payment entitlements employers are required to give male and female employees after they have adopted a child. [114841]
  274W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999 confer a right for employees who adopt a child on or after 15 December 1999 to take parental leave from work to care for the child. The right applies to any employee who has completed one year's qualifying service with his or her employer; the amount of leave provided for is thirteen weeks' leave for each parent. This has to be taken over the first five years after the child is placed with the parents for adoption.

  Employees can take the leave in accordance with arrangements agreed with the employer through a workforce or collective agreement. If there is no agreement in place, the fallback scheme provided for in the Regulations applies. That provides for an employee to take up to four weeks' leave in a year. This leave can be taken at the time of the placement provided the notice provisions are followed.

  The leave is unpaid. We will be encouraging employers to build on the minimum standard as part of the Government's commitment to help employees achieve a better balance between their work and the rest of their lives.

  KONVER Programme
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the KONVER programme. [114781]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The KONVER Programme II Initiative is aimed to accelerate the diversification of economic activity in areas heavily dependent on the defence industry. It was operated from 1994–99 and was preceded by the KONVER I initiative which operated during 1993. The programme will not be renewed and there have been no recent ministerial discussions concerning it.

  Postal Services Commission
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the membership of the Postal Services Commission. [115479]

  Mr. Byers
  Mr. Graham Corbett is being appointed as the Chairman of the Postal Services Commission (PSC). He will start work on 1 April when the PSC takes up its functions and duties under the Postal Services Regulations 1999. It is anticipated that he will be appointed as Chairman of the statutory body of the same name that is expected to be created following the passing of the Postal Services Bill currently before Parliament.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums and Galleries Commission
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of the Museums and Galleries Commission's Conservation Register. [114467]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) will be replaced by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) on 3 April 2000. Options for the future of

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  functions currently carried out by the MGC were presented in a consultation document issued by MLAC in January this year.

  In that document, MLAC suggests that the maintenance of the MGC Conservation Register should not be carried out by MLAC. The MGC is currently exploring the options for a future alternative home for the Conservation Register where its potential as a public information resource and as an endorsement of high quality conservation practice can be further realised.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of(a) the film company Alchymie and (b) the finance company Flashpoint; and if he will make a statement. [114973]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I met directors of Flashpoint in May 1999 and attended the launch of Alchymie in October 1999.

  As Secretary of State for the Department with responsibility for film policy, I frequently have meetings with representatives of the film industry and attend industry events. Given that our policy, as set out in the 1998 report of the Film Policy Review Group, is to encourage the growth of a self-sustaining, commercial film sector, I welcome efforts by the industry to establish new initiatives, such as Alchymie, which combine the production and commercial exploitation of British films. The success of such initiatives, however, depends not on any Government involvement, but on their commercial performance in a competitive and volatile market.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the British Activity Holiday Association regarding the impact of the level of accommodation offset within the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [114972]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  We received a copy of the British Activity Holiday Association (BAHA) comments in late 1998 on the accommodation offset during consultation on the then draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. These comments were also copied to the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Number of staff and their category

  Reason for terminations

  Period of notice

  Total cost

  11 aged 60+ who are being compulsorily retired

  Museum reorganisation

  6 to 9 months

  48,529

  9 aged between 50 and 60 who are taking early retirement but on a compulsory basis

  Museum reorganisation

  6 months

  1190,470

  22 persons under 50 who are taking compulsory early severance

  Museum reorganisation

  6 months

  1,035,510

  3 others

  Performance or health grounds

  2—no notice

  Nil

  1—13 weeks

  1 Additionally these staff will be paid an annual compensation cost until they reach age 60. The total cost in the current year is £89,838. Over the next few years this annual sum will reduce as people reach age 60. The overall present value of this payment, at current money values, is estimated to be £555,343. There will also be other one-off costs estimated at £253,989 relating to pension preservation and the bringing forward of lump sums.

  Notes:

  1. All the compensating amounts shown above derive from Civil Service Pension Scheme standard terms and conditions.

  2. The above table does not include staff whose fixed-term contracts have not been renewed. These terminations do not carry a cost to the Museum.
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  More recently, I am aware that the BAHA gave written and oral evidence to the Low Pay Commission on the offset as part of the review which the Government asked the Commission to carry out to evaluate the introduction of the minimum wage.

  Nautical Archaeology
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made in promoting nautical archaeology. [114930]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently engaged in providing additional wreck marker buoys and interpretative signs at a number of sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.

  In 2000–01 we will continue to support, through the Heritage Grant Fund administered by English Heritage, two nautical archaeological projects: the activities of the Hampshire and Wight Trust and the Nautical Archaeological Society's course programme.

  Film Funding
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 736W, on film funding, how much National Lottery funding was recouped in each case where repayments have been made. [114976]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The publication of information on amounts of National Lottery funding recouped from individual films could damage the prospects of films which had not been fully exploited in all territories and media. The information could also make it possible to deduce the terms of the contract between the Lottery distributor and the other backers of the film, which are confidential.

  The total amount recouped by date by the Arts Council of England is £5,974,018.

  British Museum
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his reply of 3 March 2000, column 432W, how many British Museum staff have been dismissed over the past 12 months; at what cost; and with what period of notice, in each case. [112380]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I regret that the figures in my original answer were incorrect. The correct figures are in the table:

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what kind of protection has been afforded to the members of the Parades Commission since its establishment; and what has been the cost of providing protection to members of the Commission over the past 12 months. [113831]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is the long standing policy both of this Government and previous Governments that we do not discuss the security measures provided to individuals or groups. The cost of installing and maintaining security measures for members of the Parades Commission over the period in question was £74,004.96.

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to amend the Northern Ireland Departments' Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–2000. [115343]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Departments' Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–2000 has been increased by £94,327,000 from £4,856,247,000 to £4,950,574,000. The increase is the net effect of:

  the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £98,341,000;

  net transfers to other Government Departments of £18,134,000 as detailed;

  an increase in the provision for Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances of £8,500,000;

  increases resulting from additions to "The Giving Age" and Health of £4,293,000;

  an increase in Housing Loan Charges of £1,147,000; and

  an increase in the Capital Modernisation Fund of £180,000.

  There is also a decrease in the provision for Welfare to Work of £31,144,000.

  The net transfers to other Government Departments are made up as follows:

  net transfers to the Northern Ireland Office of £8,144,000;

  a transfer to the Inland Revenue of £6,689,000;

  transfers to the Scottish Executive of £1,788,000;

  transfers to the Department of Health of £1,098,000;

  a transfer to the Department for Education and Employment of £653,000;

  transfers to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of £257,000;

  a transfer to the Privy Council Office of £10,000;

  a transfer from the Department of Trade and Industry of £500,000; and

  a transfer from the National Assembly for Wales of £5,000.

  The net increase in the Northern Ireland Departments' Departmental Expenditure Limit is a charge on the Departmental Expenditure Limit Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Forensic Science Agency
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key targets are set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1999–2000; what 278W
  forward plans have been prepared by the Agency; and what arrangements have been made for the publication of this year's plans. [115344]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following key targets are set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1999–2000.

  Quality of Service
  To turnaround 85 per cent. of those cases in which a file is required to be submitted to the DPP within 85 days of notification or final submissions whichever is later for cases received from 1 April 1999.

  Quality of Science
  Maintain UKAS accreditation for those scientific processes identified by the Ministerial Advisory Board.
  Achieve supplier status for the National DNA database by 31 December 1999.

  Service Provision
  To have obtained the agreement of the User Board that the Agency is effectively meeting the needs of the RUC as defined in the Service Level Agreement for the year ending 31 March 2000.

  Financial Performance
  To recover from Customers the full cash costs of the services to them.
  To reduce by 2 per cent. the Unit Cost of the Agency.

  Achievement against these key targets will be recorded in the Agency's Annual Report for 1999–2000 which will be published in July 2000.

  The Agency has published a summary of its Corporate Plan 1999–2002 and Annual Business Plan 1999–2000 which explains its business and organisation, describes its key targets for 1999–2000 and sets out the assumptions about workloads and resources which support its planned activities. Publication has been held back pending the resolution of technical issues concerning the Agency's cost recovery key target. Copies of the summary plans have been placed in the Library. Copies will be available to the public from the Agency.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Universal Primary Education
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response she has made to Oxfam's campaign for universal primary education; and if she will make a statement. [114190]

  Clare Short
  I welcome the focus that Oxfam—and The Guardian "Read the World" campaign—have placed on raising awareness of the plight of the 125 million children who are not in school. Educational opportunity for all, especially at the primary level, is both a fundamental human right and a precondition for progress in development and the reduction of poverty. Our White Paper on International Development, published in 1997, committed us to seek to mobilise the international community to meet the international development targets which include universal primary education by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary education by 2005. In our bilateral programmes substantial resources are allocated to education for the achievement of these targets.
  279W
  Four things need to be done if these targets are to be met. First, we need a real and sustained commitment by the Governments of developing countries to securing universal primary education. Secondly, we need to address the issue of resourcing for education. There is a clear need to increase the level of resources that developing country Governments commit to primary and basic education. And development agencies should allocate significant additional resources where Governments have developed well-focused education strategies. Thirdly, we need to shift from a projects-based approach to a sector-wide approach to basic and primary education, and we need to pull together the work of all the different development donors around a focused, agreed strategy drawn up by the Government of the country concerned.

  The fourth thing we need to do is link education policy with the wider development strategy of the country, including policies on health, sanitation, livelihoods and rural transport.

  This is the agenda that I will be taking to the World Education Forum in Dakar next month, which I will attend on behalf of the British Government. The Dakar meeting provides an important opportunity for Governments, development agencies and nongovernmental organisations—from North and South—to recommit themselves to Education for All (including the achievement of universal primary education by 2015, and gender equality in primary and secondary education by 2005).

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  McKenzie Friends
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Solicitor-General what recent discussions he has had regarding McKenzie Friends with other Government Departments. [113402]

  The Solicitor-General
  As hon. Members may know, a McKenzie Friend is someone who attends a court hearing with a litigant in person. The friend can assist that litigant in person in conducting their case but is not formally representing them and is not entitled to address the court on their behalf. The use of McKenzie Friends is part of the operation of the Court Service and therefore primarily the concern of the Lord Chancellor's Department. I personally have not had any recent discussions with other Government Departments on this subject.

  Justice System (Reform)
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the progress of joint working by the CPS, police and courts to reduce the average time taken between suspects being charged to being convicted or found not guilty. [113407]

  The Solicitor-General
  The CPS is continuing to work closely with the police and courts to improve performance. Measures include: advance disclosure in every early hearing case; a reduction in the number of adjournments after first hearings; more lawyer time spent on preparing for trials through the deployment of designated caseworkers to deal with straightforward guilty 280W
  pleas; a reduction in duplication and delay by co-locating CPS lawyers in police criminal justice file preparation units.

  Government Legal Service
  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of lawyers in the Government Legal Service are women. [113400]

  The Solicitor-General
  The proportion of women lawyers in the Government Legal Service is around 49 per cent.

DEFENCE

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Naval Recruiting and Training 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. [111760]

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

  Letter from John Chadwick to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 1 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence, concerning Key Targets of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Agency.
  I am pleased to report that the NRTA achieved 6 of the 8 Key Targets set against it in 1998–99. Details of the outcomes, the principal factors affecting them, and measures taken to improve performance further in the current financial year, are at Annex A.

  FY98–99 NRTA Key Targets

  Targets Achieved

  KT2—To obtain a Customer Satisfaction Rating of a least 90%.
  94% of feedback forms received from employers of ex-NRTA trainees indicated that the training received had satisfactorily fitted the trainee for his or her subsequent employment.
  The principal factor behind this achievement is the fact that the RN Systems Approach to Training produces training courses which focus accurately on the skills and knowledge required by the trainee to be effective in his or her operational role.
  The target was raised to 95% for 99–00. At Min(AF)'s office's request, it is now described as "Fitness for Purpose" rather than "Customer Satisfaction".

  KT3—To maintain success rates of 95% in Career Training and 97% in examined Pre joining Training.
  Achieved with success rates of 97% and 99% respectively.
  The principal factors are the generally strong motivation of the trainees to succeed in their RN careers, and the fact that, wherever appropriate, training is delivered by uniformed staff who have themselves carried out, at sea, the tasks towards which the training is directed.
  To seek further improvement in these success rates would not be cost-effective as some residual failure due to trainee attitude or aptitude is inevitable. Nonetheless, the target remains key as a drop in the success rate is likely to be the first indicator of any loss in training quality.
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  KT5—To retain tasked capacity while operating NRTA within its 1998–99 cash allocation of £233M, a reduction of £7M (3%) from 1997–98 figures.
  Assessment of achievement against this target is complicated by in-year adjustments to the programme and the cash allocation and in-year requirements for additional savings. After adjustment for these factors, the final outturn was 0.6% over the final allocation of £238M, within the Department's ± 1% tolerance.
  It remains the Agency's intention to replace this target with a more focused measurement of efficiency in due course.

  KT6—To break even over the year in respect of the partnering arrangement with Flagship Training Ltd.
  The final figure showed a net benefit of £2.3M.
  The break-even target anticipated significant startup costs and contingencies linked with the transfer of the first tranche of Service Provision activities, which were expected to cancel out the gains from Income Generation. In the event, these costs did not arise and the target was achieved quite easily.
  In the light of the increasing momentum of this Public Private Partnering arrangement, a very challenging target of £8.1M net benefit was set for 99–00.

  KT7—To review the NRTA's Corporate Information Systems Strategy and produce a supporting Action Plan for its implementation, by 31 March 1999.
  The March Agency Management Board meeting endorsed the conclusions, recommendations and action plan produced by the review of the Corporate Information Systems Strategy. The review aligned the Information Systems strategy to the business needs of the Agency, encompassing the changes brought about by the transfer of the management of Administration Information Systems to Flagship and aligning it with the Information Systems strategies of the wider naval and MOD community.
  No follow-on target was set for 99–00.

  KT8—To include satisfactory dummy auditable accounts in the Agency Annual Report for Financial Year 97–98, in preparation for meeting the Treasury Accounts Direction by including fully audited accounts for FY 98–99 in the following year's Report.
  Achieved on publication of the Report.
  The Treasury Accounts Direction was not received in respect of FY 98–99. Min(AF)'s Office directed that this target should not be rolled forward for 99–00.

  98–99 Targets not Achieved

  KT1—To deliver personnel to the trained strength (or to other training organisations) within 10% variance from the tasked requirement.
  The final variance figure was –12%.
  Although this target was narrowly missed performance against it was again improved compared with outcomes of –16% in 97–98, and –26% in 96–97.
  The principal factors contributing to the outcome were the high requirement against which the variance is calculated, which has increased fourfold since 1994, a difficult recruiting climate, and the wastage of personnel from training pipelines which are running at full capacity.
  In 99–00, recruiting performance has improved substantially, including the particularly difficult area of Engineer Officers where a number of initiatives are showing signs of success. However, the length of some of the training pipelines means that this improvement will not be fully reflected in the 99–00 delivery figures.
  Wastage remains a difficult area. Failures during training are being reduced by backclassing and remedial training with many trainees achieving the required standards. However, although allowed for when setting the recruiting targets, other forms of wastage (medical, administrative and voluntary) are unpredictable.
  The target has been tightened to 5% for 99–00.
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  KT4—To increase the strength of the RNR to at least 3100.
  The strength of the RNR on 31 March 1999 was 2,962, up from 2,862 on 31 March 1998.
  The principal factor in this shortfall was a downturn in recruiting following the good results in the previous year, which probably resulted in an over-optimistic target. In 98–99 an initiative to improve RNR recruiting was agreed whereby new satellite training units would be set up in areas previously without an RNR presence. To date, 2 are in operation (Dundee and Oxford) and further sites are being investigated.
  The target for 99–00 has been redefined to measure the more critical indicator of the variance of the RNR Trained Strength from the Total Requirement.

  Serle's House, Winchester
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the sale of Serle's House, Winchester; [113961]

  (2) what plans he has to protect the Garden of Remembrance at Serle's House, Winchester, in the event of the sale of Serle's House; [113901]

  (3) if he will review his plans for the sale of Serle's House, Winchester to take account of its use as a dedicated garden of remembrance; [114169]

  (4) if he will offer the purchase of Serle's House, Winchester to Hampshire County Council at a price below the market level in order to protect the museum and garden; and if he will make a statement. [114191]

  Dr. Moonie
  The decision to sell Serle's House was taken following a review which examined a number of sites upon which MOD has Museums and Regimental Headquarters in Winchester. It was concluded that all the Museums and Regimental Headquarters should be co-located in the Upper Barracks. The MOD is well aware of Serle's House status as a Grade II listed property and of its associated memorial garden and will consider disposal options that best preserve its future. Defence Estates, who are responsible for managing this disposal, are consulting with the Trustees of the Regimental Museum over the level of access required and intend to impose a restrictive covenant on the purchaser which would ensure the retention and upkeep of the memorial garden and continued access to it.

  Serle's House has already attracted interest from a number of potential purchasers including Hampshire County Council. In taking forward its disposal, Defence Estates will expose the property to the open market, while seeking to ensure that the historic building and its memorial garden are protected.

  Reservists
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to protect reservists in the armed forces from dismissal by their civilian employers; and if he will make a statement. [114916]

  Mr. Spellar
  Reservists are afforded protection under the terms of the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985, which is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry. This Act makes dismissal between notification of call-out and actual mobilisation a criminal offence. After demobilisation, the Act requires the employer to reinstate the reservist on
  283W
  application, or to offer him or her the most favourable alternative work available. The Act provides for a Reinstatement Committee to consider applications for reinstatement which are rejected by employers, and to make orders for reinstatement or the payment of compensation, or both. Over 5,000 reservists have been called out for service since NATO operations commenced in the former Yugoslavia. We are aware of only one application to a Reinstatement Committee in that time. It is our policy to seek the employer's agreement before any reservist is mobilised.

  The National Employers' Liaison Committee (NELC) works hard to win and retain the support of employers for the Reserve Forces. NELC can also act in an advisory capacity where difficulties related to Reserve liability arise in the employer/employee relationship. Over 6,000 companies, employing around 70 per cent. of the nation's workforce, have now affirmed their support. These companies have recognised that they get a good deal from employing reservists. Reserve service teaches skills that can be used in the civilian workplace, such as teamwork, leadership, and the ability to take sound decisions quickly.

  The Reserve Forces Act 1996 and subsequent legislation introduced new safeguards for employers. The Act enables employers to apply for their employees to be exempted from call-out or for that call-out to be deferred. The Reserve Forces (Call-out and Recall) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/309), enable employers to claim financial assistance to cover the costs associated with the loss of a member of staff who is mobilised for reserve service, and for any necessary retraining for that individual on his or her return to the workplace.

  Live Firing Exercises
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for(a) the suspension and (b) the termination of live firing exercises for the Royal Navy; for what reasons he has made these plans; what plans his Department has to review live firing exercises for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [114545]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no plans to suspend or terminate live firing exercises for the Royal Navy, although the balance between simulation and live firing is kept under review to ensure an appropriate and cost-effective mix.

  Spacie Report
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of Major-General (Retired) Spacie's report "Welfare in the Army" in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [114914]

  Mr. Spellar
  Major-General (Retired) Spacie was commissioned to examine the area of Welfare provision across the Army and to help formulate a conceptual framework for that provision. This work will inform the Army's personnel management policies. There are currently no plans to publish the report externally.

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Naval
  284W
  Aircraft Repair Organisation 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. [111762]

  Dr. Moonie
  Pursuant to the reply I gave on 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 708W, the Naval Repair Aircraft Organisation (NARO) was subsumed by the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) with effect from 1 April 1999. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of DARA to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from Steve Hill to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 16 March 2000:
  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation—1998–99 Performance
  1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the performance of the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO) as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA). As you may know, the DARA subsumed the NARO with effect from 1 April 1999.
  2. The NARO's Annual Report for 1998–99 was placed in the House of Commons Library and gives full details of the Agency's performance. The NARO had five performance targets in the year 1998–99. These are listed, along with a description of the actual performance, below:
  a. Cost—Target: To achieve a full operating cost of £117.5M by 1 April 1999, assuming Constant Output.

  Performance: Target achieved
  b. Quantity—Target: To achieve 98% of the scheduled quantity of MoD sales orders in year and thereby achieve the Master Schedule.

  Performance: Target achieved
  c. Timeliness—Target: To achieve 93% of the delivery dates agreed with the MoD customer
  Performance: 73% achieved. Factors affecting this outcome included the Agency's lack of control over external input dependencies and difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.
  d. Customer Satisfaction—Target: To achieve no more than 56 customer complaints.

  Performance: Target achieved
  e. Volume—Target: To utilise 100% of the available capacity by ensuring existing, and when required, additional customers furnish the programmes of work against which resources have been allocated.
  Performance: 95% achieved. Factors affecting this outcome included delays in the migration from legacy systems to the new NARO Business System (NBS) and a shortfall in the timely arisings of repairable assets.
  As I mentioned, the NARO no longer exists. However, I can assure you that the DARA is working very hard to deliver the most flexible and cost effective support to the front line.

WALES

  Central Government Expenditure
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the actual total contribution from central funds to the cost of local authority expenditure in Wales in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and what his estimate is of the contribution in 2000–01; [111616]

  (2) what is the percentage contribution of central Government funding towards local authority expenditure in Wales in (a) 1997–98, (b)1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and if he will estimate the percentage in 2000–01. [111614]
  285W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The contribution from central Government towards the funding of local authority expenditure (county/county borough councils and police authorities) for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is as shown. Figures for 2000–01 will be available from the National Assembly for Wales from 1 April 2000.

  Central Government support (£ million)1

  Percentage of local authority expenditure2

  1997–98

  3,078

  85.8

  1998–99

  3,176

  84.7

  1999–2000

  3,276

  84.2

  1 Central Government support includes revenue support grant, share of non-domestic rates, council tax reduction scheme grant and specific grants

  2 Local authority expenditure is the total revenue expenditure excluding interest receipts (and includes specific grants)

CABINET OFFICE

  GM Technology
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent meetings the Government have held with representatives of the US Government on the subject of genetically modified technology. [113390]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Government have met representatives of the US Government on a number of occasions in order to discuss genetically modified technology as well as other issues. This forms part of the Government's ongoing dialogue with the US Government. The UK's commitment to a science-based approach to biotechnology which protects public health and the environment is made clear in all such discussions.

  IT Projects
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Government will respond to the Public Accounts Committee report entitled "Improving the Delivery of Government: IT Projects"; and if she will make a statement. [115507]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government's formal response to the report was laid before the House today, as Command Paper 4656.

  Earlier this year we announced a range of recommendations to drive up performance with major IT projects. The recommendations are already tackling many of the issues raised in the report.

  These recommendations were set out in detail in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) of 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 739W. They include measures to address the role of Ministers in IT projects and to improve our management of IT suppliers.

  These recommendations are the first of a series to implement best practice across Government and to ensure that the pillars that support successful IT projects are in place in the future.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  GCHQ
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of costs of the construction of the new GCHQ building and contents at Cheltenham are being met from non-UK Government sources. [114110]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The cost of GCHQ's new accommodation falls to the UK Government. However, the provision of the new building will be met under a private finance initiative which means that the finance for the construction costs will be raised by the private sector.

  Kashmir
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Kashmir. [114702]

  Mr. Hain
  We are deeply concerned by the situation in Kashmir, including violent clashes across the line of control and denial of human rights, and we regularly raise this with the Indian and Pakistani authorities. In January the Foreign Secretary raised Kashmir with his Indian counterpart during talks in London. We have also condemned in the strongest terms externally sponsored terrorism. We hope that India and Pakistan will return to bilateral dialogue to find a solution to this and the other issues that divide them.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the evidence of HC 541-i, 3 November 1999 to the Defence and other Committees, what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom's European Union partners about an arms embargo on Pakistan. [114730]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 24 January 2000,Official Report, column 36W.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the main families in Kosovo dealing in heroin; [114923]

  (2) how many persons have been apprehended in Kosovo for trafficking in heroin since police from NATO countries arrived; [114925]

  Mr. Battle
  We have no information about the number of persons apprehended in Kosovo for trafficking in heroin since police from NATO countries arrived. The UN have asked us to help set up a Criminal Intelligence Unit in Kosovo to provide information which can be used by law enforcement agencies to attack organised criminal activity, including drug trafficking.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, announced on 15 March that the UK would contribute 20 police and Customs officers to this Central Intelligence Unit.
  287W
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many international policemen were promised by NATO countries for service in Kosovo; and how many have arrived. [114924]

  Mr. Hain
  As of 1 March, figures provided by the United Nations Secretariat show that NATO member states have pledged 1,617 civilian police officers (49 per cent. of the total number pledged) to the United Nations International Police force in Kosovo. Of these, 1,184 have been deployed (50 per cent. of the total number deployed).

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons NATO expelled the 4 Unit of the Narcotics Squad of the Serb Army from Kosovo. [114922]

  Mr. Vaz
  In accordance with the Military Technical Agreement between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) all FRY forces were required to withdraw from Kosovo to locations in Serbia outside Kosovo.

  Mr. Roger Crooks
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions since 1993 his(a) Department's officials, (b) Ministry of Defence personnel and (c) Ministers met Mr. Roger Crooks to discuss (i) the security situation in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (ii) the political situation in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (iii) the supplying of arms in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (iv) the supplying of military assistance and advisers in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (v) logistical support in Sierra Leone and West Africa; and if he will make a statement. [114968]

  Mr. Hain
  Mr. Crooks, a US citizen with interests in Sierra Leone, has been known to various members of the High Commission for some time. He assisted in the evacuation of UK, US and other foreign nationals in 1997. He is refurbishing one of the main hotels in Freetown, to be used as the Headquarters of UNAMSIL. FCO and MOD personnel have had occasional contacts with him over the last few years. Discussions have focused on the general situation in Sierra Leone, not arms or military matters.

  World Education Forum
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers will be attending the World Education Forum in Dakar. [114915]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 563W.

  British Overseas Territories
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 2000,Official Report, column 221W, on British Overseas Territories, what plans his Department has to introduce an order in council to ensure that the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands change their existing legislation on homosexual acts. [114774]
  288W
  Mr. Battle
  In keeping with the new relationship based on partnership, Britain preferred that the Overseas Territories should enact the necessary human right reforms themselves. The relevant territories were forewarned that progress would be reviewed by the end of the year and if necessary the changes, including the de-criminalisation of homosexual acts by consenting adults in private, would be imposed by Orders in Council. The deadline having passed we are reviewing the situation.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what presentations he has made to British companies involved in the extraction of oil in Sudan in connection with the recommendations made in the document, "Human Security in Sudan: The report of a Canadian Assessment Mission". [114780]

  Mr. Hain
  We shall continue to offer full and frank advice to British companies which inquire about the oil industry in the Sudan. We have of course studied the Canadian report and take it into account in framing our advice to British companies.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the use of revenues received by the Government of Sudan from the exploration of oil and development projects. [114783]

  Mr. Hain
  We have pressed for oil revenues to be used for development projects and for transparency in the oil account. The Government of Sudan have made a public assurance that this will happen.

  Exports of oil began only in August 1999 and they do not yet have reports on expenditure. We will remain focused on this issue as reports become available and we shall look to the Government of Sudan to honour the assurances they have made.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 2000,Official Report, column 738W, on Sudan, what discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart concerning the recommendations made in the study, "Human Security in Sudan: The report of a Canadian Assessment Mission"; and if he will make a statement. [114773]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had the opportunity to meet his Canadian counterpart since the beginning of February. We have however studied the report that I referred to in my previous answer.

  Raul Reyes
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the European tour of Raul Reyes, the senior Colombian FARC commander. [114777]

  Mr. Battle
  In February, the Colombian Government's High Commissioner for Peace, Victor G. Ricardo, together with Raul Reyes, the FARC's leading spokesperson, visited some European capitals (none in the UK) to seek support for the peace process. The aim of the trip was also to study the economic models in a variety of countries.
  289W
  They visited Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Holy See, Spain and France. We have obtained reports of the visits from Italy, Spain and France. Sweden have undertaken to report on the visit shortly.

  In addition, we have had discussions on the visit with our EU Partners in the context of the regular EU/Latin America Working Groups (COLAT) in Brussels.

  Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning violence in the Ituri region of north-eastern Congo. [114776]

  Mr. Hain
  We are concerned at recent reports of massacres. We condemn all such incidents and have called on all parties to exercise restraint. During my meeting with President Museveni on 22 February I noted that Ugandan forces currently control the area and urged him to do all he could to stop such events. Along with our EU partners we also raised this issue with the Ugandan Government. With our UN partners we have called for an international investigation into all such events with a view to bringing all those responsible to justice.

  UN Reform
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for reform of the United Nations, Her Majesty's Government will be putting forward at the Millennium Assembly and Summit in September this year. [114779]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government, along with our EU partners, are pressing for a high-level discussion on strengthening the United Nations at the Millennium Summit. At the Millennium Assembly, we will work for further modernisation of the UN along the lines of the Secretary-General's 1997 "Track II" package of reform recommendations in order to make the UN more efficient and effective and better able to meet the needs of all its members.

  Latvia
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Latvian authorities regarding the prosecution for war crimes of a Latvian citizen who had fought against the Nazis. [114938]

  Mr. Vaz
  We are aware of the case of Vassily Kononov, which is currently the subject of an appeal at the Supreme Court of Latvia. The matter is still sub judice.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Latvian authorities regarding the non-prosecution of Nazi war criminals. [114939]

  Mr. Vaz
  We take our international obligation to bring to account those responsible for war crimes very seriously and have been in the forefront of international efforts to achieve restitution for victims of Nazi persecution. While the UK has no jurisdiction in the case, we have been assisting the Latvian authorities with their inquiries into Konrad Kalejs. A team of three Metropolitan police 290W
  officers attended a meeting in Riga on 16–17 January to discuss this case with officers from Australia, Canada and the United States. Latvian police officials have been invited to London to examine material on war crimes in Latvia held by the Metropolitan police.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost of his visit to Brazil; and how many staff will travel with him. [115019]

  Mr. Battle
  I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the visit of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is in Brazil at the request of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to build on the close relationship between the UK and Brazil established during President Cardoso's state visit to the UK in December 1997, and to expand trade and investment links with the UK's largest trading partner in Latin America.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is visiting Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro and will meet with President Cardoso, Vice President Maciel, Foreign Minister Lampreia and other Ministers, businessmen and business organisations.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose of his visit to Brazil; and if he will publish his itinerary. [115018]

  Mr. Battle
  I understand the hon. Member is referring to the visit of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is in Brazil at the request of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to build on the close relationship between the UK and Brazil established during President Cardoso's state visit to the UK in December 1997, and to expand trade and investment links with the UK's largest trading partner in Latin America.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is visiting Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro and I will meet with President Cardoso, Vice President Maciel, Foreign Minister Lampreia and other Ministers, businessmen and business organisations.

TREASURY

  Global Cultural Diversity Congress
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was informed of the cancellation of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress and the collapse of Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd., and by whom; and if he will make a statement. [112792]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 3 March 2000]: The Treasury became aware of the cancellation of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress on 21 February.

  Micro-credit
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the role of micro-credit in assisting the growth of enterprise in deprived communities; and if he will make a statement. [114636]

  Mr. Timms
  The role of micro-credit was considered at length by the Policy Action Team 3 in their report, "Enterprise and Social Exclusion". People in deprived communities often find it difficult to find capital to start or grow businesses, for several reasons:they are themselves capital poor, and lack collateral to support small firm lending;
  a more fragile local economy increases the risk to lenders of business failure;
  the high unit cost of making small firm loans makes them less profitable to lenders; and
  accessibility to lenders, where banks can appear to be unapproachable.

  While UK commercial banks are the major formal suppliers of external finance, new intermediaries such as Community Finance Initiatives (CFIs) can play a valuable role by acting as additional sources of credit in the community, including micro-credit facilities. The launch of the £30 million Phoenix Fund, which will be implemented in 2000–01, will include a challenge fund to help resource CFIs and provide loan guarantees to help co-finance commercial lending to CFIs.

  New Deal (Hospitality Industry)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been created in the hospitality industry by the New Deal; and if he will indicate the methods by which he calculated this figure. [111118]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The New Deal is not a job-creation programme; rather it is designed to help unemployed people improve their skills and compete effectively for vacancies.

  The latest figures to the end of December 1999 show that this policy is working; nationally, 185,250 young people have found jobs under the New Deal. We do not hold detailed figures for the jobs taken in the hospitality sector. However, the Employment Service is working closely with 15 companies who are members of the British Hospitality Association to address ways of enhancing the sector's image to increase the number of New Deal participants. This work includes development of a sector specific gateway that will tap into the many vacancies that will arise this year. In the last year there were some 385,000 vacancies notified in this sector.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the amount of heroin which was sent via Kosovo in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [114929]

  (2) how much heroin sourced from Kosovo has been surrendered at UK ports by HM Customs and Excise in the past 12 months; [114926]

  (3) what is his estimate of the percentage of heroin sold in the (a) UK and (b) EEC which came from smuggling through Kosovo in the last 12 months. [114928]
  292W
  Mr. Timms
  There is no evidence that any heroin detected in the United Kingdom in the last 12 months has originated from, or transited through, any area of the former Yugoslavia.

  HM Customs and Excise hold no data on heroin seizures in the EU either sourced from or transiting through Kosovo or any area of the former Yugoslavia.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state the percentage of participants in the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in(a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales who have left the gateway to unsubsidised employment; and if he will list the areas in Scotland where a smaller percentage then the (i) Great Britain and (ii) Scottish average figures have entered unsubsidised employment at the gateway stage, including the number and percentage for each of these areas. [111279]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The information requested is shown in the tables.

  New Deal (18 to 24-year-olds) gaining unsubsidised employment from the Gateway

  Percentage

  Scotland

  20

  Wales

  22

  GB

  22

  Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants (New Deal 25+) entering unsubsidized employment from the Gateway stage, than the GB average

  Unsubsidised jobs from the Gateway

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Tayside

  797

  19

  Ayrshire

  841

  19

  Dumfries and Galloway

  214

  18

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  744

  21

  Fife

  700

  20

  Glasgow

  1,376

  16

  Renfrewshire

  595

  21

  Caithness and Sutherland

  49

  19

  Western Isles

  36

  17

  Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants (New Deal 25+) entering unsubsidised employment from the Gateway stage, than the Scotland average

  Unsubsidised jobs from the Gateway

  As a percentage of New Deal starts

  Tayside

  797

  19

  Ayrshire

  841

  19

  Dumfries and Galloway

  214

  18

  Glasgow

  1,376

  16

  Caithness and Sutherland

  49

  19

  Western Isles

  36

  17

  293W
  A recent survey has shown that 57 per cent. of young people leaving the New Deal for unknown destinations had found a job.

  Sex Education
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish his proposed guidelines on the teaching of sex and relationship education in schools. [112914]

  Jacqui Smith
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is today issuing for consultation new draft sex and relationship education (SRE) guidance. The text of the guidance will today be placed on the Department's website. Copies will also be placed in the Libraries.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 2000,Official Report, column 391W, on peat compost, what percentage of the compost used in his Department's estate gardens is peat; when use of peat compost will be phased out on his Department's estates; and if he will make a statement. [114142]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: Peat compost is no longer purchased by my Department, or used in the Department's estate gardens. A small amount

  Allocations to North Tyneside 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  £

  Initiative

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  (a) Reduction of infant class sizes:

  (i) revenue

  1—

  —

  192,000

  (ii) capital

  1—

  352,000

  241,000

  (b) National grid for learning (Standards Fund)

  1—

  563,533

  669,000

  (c) Literacy programmes (Standards Fund)

  20,900

  276,073

  347,283

  (d) Numeracy programmes (Standards Fund)

  1—

  9,845

  247,910

  (e) Books for schools

  87,500

  94,781

  189,562

  (f) Truancy (Standards Fund)

  288,400

  350,607

  634,440

  (g) School security (Standards Fund)

  85,600

  85,842

  87,173

  (h) School effectiveness (Standards Fund)

  550,700

  615,917

  935,253

  (i) Excellence in cities (Standards Fund)

  1—

  1—

  1—

  (j) New Deal for Schools

  406,000

  613,000

  1,363,628

  (k) Voluntary Aided Schools Capital

  348,000

  87,000

  109,000

  (l) Energy efficiency

  1—

  —

  1—

  (m) Music programmes

  1—

  1—

  78,289

  (n) Year 6 booster classes

  1—

  50,140

  170,539

  (o) Education standard spending assessment2

  67,840,000

  74,460,000

  77,620,000

  1 Not applicable

  2 In 1997–98 £527 million was removed from Education Standard Spending at national level for the Nursery Voucher Scheme.

  Class Sizes (Taunton)
  Jackie Ballard
  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 Taunton 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. [114685]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information on average class sizes collected in January for the
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  of peat remains in some planted areas. This will dissipate with the use of organic peat substitutes which are now used at all of our sites.

  Education Funding (North Tyneside)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding was awarded to North Tyneside Local Education Authority in each year from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 in respect of(a) reduction in infant class sizes, broken down by (i) revenue and (ii) capital, (b) the national grid for learning, (c) literacy programmes, (d) numeracy programmes, (e) books for schools, (f) truancy initiatives, (g) school security, (h) standards fund, school effectiveness, (i) excellence in cities, (j) new deal for schools, (k) voluntary aided school capital grant, (l) energy efficiency, (m) music programmes, (n) year 6 booster classes and (o) education SSA. [114535]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The figures requested are shown in the table. For Standards Fund grants, the figures include both the Government's and the local education authority's contributions where appropriate. The figures shown for Education Standard Spending Assessment also include provision for the Authority's contribution to the Standards Fund.

  Parliamentary constituency of Taunton 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 5, 6 and 7-year-olds to 30 or below by September 2001. In Taunton Parliamentary constituency, the latest infant class size count carried out in September 1999 showed the average size of class to be 26.2 pupils per class.
  295W

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

  Year groups

  Position as at January

  Reception

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  Mixed

  Overall1

  1999

  Average class size

  26.2

  28.1

  28.6

  29.1

  29.5

  28.8

  28.1

  2—

  29.2

  28.9

  Pupils

  1,020

  451

  522

  571

  517

  471

  463

  2—

  4,144

  8,212

  Classes

  39

  16

  18

  19

  17

  15

  15

  2—

  142

  284

  1998

  Average class size

  25.6

  28.7

  29.6

  30.9

  31.1

  30.8

  33.1

  3—

  28.7

  28.8

  Pupils

  920

  516

  533

  433

  436

  370

  397

  3—

  4,340

  8,004

  Classes

  36

  18

  18

  14

  14

  12

  12

  3—

  151

  278

  1997

  Average class size

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  28.4

  Pupils

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7,773

  Classes

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  274

  1996

  Average class size

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  28.0

  Pupils

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7,481

  Classes

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  267

  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 Taunton: 1996–99

  Ages1

  Position as at January

  Middle classes

  Mainly under 14s

  Mainly 14 and 15

  16 or older

  Overall

  1999

  Average class size

  29.0

  26.0

  21.8

  2—

  24.3

  Pupils

  29

  3,281

  1,965

  2—

  —

  Classes

  1

  126

  90

  2—

  —

  1998

  Average class size

  22.3

  25.5

  22.9

  2—

  24.4

  Pupils

  89

  3,188

  2,018

  2—

  —

  Classes

  4

  125

  88

  2—

  —

  1997

  Average class size

  18.1

  24.2

  22.7

  2—

  23.4

  Pupils

  127

  3,071

  2,041

  2—

  —

  Classes

  7

  127

  90

  2—

  —

  1996

  Average class size

  17.8

  24.9

  22.3

  2—

  23.5

  Pupils

  142

  2,767

  1,982

  2—

  —

  Classes

  8

  111

  89

  2—

  —

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

  2 Not applicable (no classes of this type)

  Performance-related Pay
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his most recent estimate of the total cost of administering the assessment scheme in respect of performance-related pay. [114438]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Headteachers will be responsible for assessing teachers against national standards at a Performance Threshold to move to the new upper pay spine proposed by the Government. DfEE has contracted Cambridge Education Associates Limited (CEA) to manage the appointment, deployment and quality assurance of external assessors who will verify, through sampling, headteachers' assessments.
  296W
  The payment of external assessors is a matter for CEA, but it will be made on a pro rata basis dependent upon the number of applicants in each school.

  The number of external assessors to be deployed will be dependent upon the number and distribution of teachers who apply to cross the Performance Threshold. This number will not be known until summer 2000. The total cost of administering the scheme will be dependent upon the number of assessments carried out and again this will not be known until later in 2000.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) the offices (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department and its agencies in

  297W
  Scotland and (b) the number of staff (i) employed and (ii) that can be accommodated (1) in total and (2) at each site. [114241]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department has no offices in Scotland. Details of Employment Service offices in Scotland and numbers of staff employed have been placed in the Library. The Employment Service is unable to provide details of the maximum number of staff that could be accommodated at each site.

  Loans (Part-time Students)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the proposed loan for part-time students will be(a) confined to hardship cases and (b) made available to Open University students. [115000]

  Mr. Wicks
  Loans for part-time students, which are being introduced later this year, will provide financial support to students on low incomes. It is our intention to make loans available to Open University students.

HEALTH

  Public Consultation
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106299]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department is fully committed to public consultation, and a great many consultative exercises are carried out by the Department and throughout the NHS. However, I regret that the information sought is not collated centrally on a regular basis and an answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Viagra
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if people without pituitary glands qualify to receive Viagra on the NHS without referral to a consultant; and what is the basis for this approach. [111572]

  Yvette Cooper
  No. We consulted widely before introducing regulations on 1 July 1999 restricting the prescribing by general practitioners of treatments for impotence, including Viagra. No representations were made suggesting that men without pituitary glands should be included in the groups of patients for whom such treatments can be prescribed. We shall be reviewing the operation of the regulations after a year.

  Breast Cancer Screening (Greater London)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he plans to make to the breast cancer screening service in Greater London; and if he will make a statement. [111980]
  298W
  Yvette Cooper
  The national National Health Service Breast Screening Programme constantly reviews standards in all breast screening units, including those in Greater London. The NHS Executive, London Regional Office is currently reviewing breast screening services in the north of Greater London.

  Departmental Plant Buying
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list his Department's expenditure on plants in its(a) Richmond House, (b) Wellington House and (c) Skipton House buildings for each of the last two financial years. [112943]

  Yvette Cooper
  The cost of the provision and maintenance of internal and external plants is included as part of the overall contract cost for the provision of cleaning services to the Department's central London buildings. It is not budgeted for separately. However, our best estimate is an annual cost to the Department of about £4,000 for Wellington House and £2,000 for Skipton House.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure his Department has incurred on the renewal or replacement since 1 January of plants at Wellington House. [112944]

  Yvette Cooper
  The cost of the renewal and replacement of internal and external plants forms an integral part of a lease maintenance agreement which is included in an overall contract to provide cleaning services to the Department's central London buildings. The costs of the provision and maintenance of plants are not identified separately. However, our best estimate for the cost of plant provision, maintenance and replacement since 1 January is £700.

  Pilot Schemes
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pilot schemes with end dates his Department has created in each of the last three years; what the end dates were; and if the pilot schemes have been rolled out by their end dates. [112803]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department regularly instigates a large number of pilot projects across a wide range of policy areas to assess their feasibility for possible national application, generally on a three year basis. The main areas covered in the last three years, with the number of projects involved, are:

  Personal Medical Services
  Phase 1—with effect from April 1998: 85
  Phase 2—with effect from October 1999: 106

  General Practitioner Commissioning Groups
  with effect from April 1998 for one year only: 39

  Walk-in Centres
  with effect from March 2000: 07; to be followed by December by a further 29

  NHS Direct
  Phase 1—with effect from March 1998: 3
  Phase 2—with effect from January 1999: 10 new schemes
  Phase 3—with effect from November 1999: 04 new schemes
  Phase 4—with effect from October 2000: 5 new schemes to follow
  299W
  National Booked Admission
  Phase 1—with effect from November 1998: 24
  Phase 2—with effect from September 1999: 60
  9 Cancer networks—with effect from September 1999: covering 43 projects

  Personal Dental Services
  Phase 1—with effect from October 1998: 15
  Phase 2—with effect from October 1999: 23.

  In addition a small number of more focused studies into more discrete, but limited, topics are also proceeding.

  Details of the end dates and roll-out dates of each individual scheme could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, particularly as there is no universally agreed definition of a pilot scheme in this context. However, if the hon. Member would like specific information on any individual scheme and would let me have appropriate details, I will ensure that this information is provided.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current average starting pay for(a) hospital cleaners, (b) hospital porters and (c) trainee medical laboratory science officers in the NHS. [113195]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2000]: It is not possible to identify separately the average starting pay for hospital porters or cleaners on national terms and conditions. It is a matter for individual employers to determine the appropriate pay scales for each occupational group within the ancillary pay structure, based upon the grading definitions contained within the Ancillary Staffs Handbook.

  The current pay scale for Trainee Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers (MLSOs) is:

  Pay scale

  £

  00

  7,476

  01

  7,726

  02

  7,988

  03

  8,260

  04

  8,544

  05

  8,839

  06

  9,146

  07

  9,463

  08

  9,796

  Pay is negotiated in the Professional and Technical Staffs B Whitley Council. The NHS Management Side has offered to improve the pay of Trainee MLSOs. If accepted this offer would produce a new pay scale for Trainee MLSOs, effective from 1 April 1999, of:

  Pay scale

  £

  00

  9,420

  01

  9,747

  02

  10,090

  03

  10,443

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is currently owed to NHS trusts by(a) health care insurers and (b) independent providers for the care of private patients in the NHS; and for how long these debts have been outstanding. [113640]

  Ms Stuart
  Information on the amount of money currently owed to National Health Service trusts by healthcare insurers and independent providers cannot be separately identified.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to publish the findings of the investigations of the National Radiological Protection Board; [113866]

  (2) what plans he has to fund further research into the health effects of emissions from mobile telecommunications masts. [113865]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Radiological Protection Board was asked last year to set up an independent expert group on mobile phones. The group, chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS FRSE, is currently considering the possible health effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters and is conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing research. The group is expected to finalise its report in April for publication in May. Detailed research plans are currently being developed and will take into account the expert group's report.

  Methadone
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are involved in methadone treatment programmes in England and Wales. [113964]

  Yvette Cooper
  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 the treatment given.

  Patient Referrals
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on how many occasions since April 1999 general practitioners have exercised their legal right to refer patients to a hospital other than that selected by their primary care group(a) in England and (b) in primary care groups in Hitchen or Harpenden; [113851]

  (2) what plans he has to alter the legal right of general practitioners to refer patients to the NHS hospital of their choice; and what legislative change would be required to remove that right; [113856]

  (3) if information is collected about the number of patients asking to be referred to a hospital other than that selected by their primary care group; and if he will give the outcome of such requests; [113853]

  (4) if he proposes to inform (a) general practitioners and (b) patients of the legal right of general practitioners to refer their patients to a hospital other than those selected by their primary care group. [113859]
  301W
  Mr. Denham
  Information about individual general practitioners' referral of patients to specific hospitals or the number of patients asking to be referred to a hospital, other than the one selected by the primary care group, is not collected.

  Primary care groups do not alter the general practitioner's ability to refer patients for health care services that they consider appropriate and it is for the individual general practitioner to assess their patients' health needs.

  We have no plans to alter any legislation that would alter general practitioners ability to refer patients for appropriate health care services. Changes could be made only by amending the terms and conditions of services of general practitioners within the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992.

  Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department takes to monitor the way coroners and pathologists(a) handle issues of contact between grieving relatives and deceased victims of CJD and (b) implement relevant Government guidelines; [114317]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made as to whether new variant CJD can be contracted by means other than ingestion; [114315]

  (3) what guidelines his Department has issued to coroners and pathologists concerning superficial contact between (a) grieving relatives and (b) bodies of deceased victims of CJD. [114316]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department gets feedback from patient groups. The Human Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Foundation, a voluntary organisation run by families of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) patients and funded by the Department, brought to our attention that some families had been caused unnecessary distress by inappropriate restrictions placed on them regarding funeral arrangements.

  The Department has recently reminded coroners, pathologists and others of the extant guidance from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) (published in April 1998) in relation to contact with those who have died from CJD.

  The guidance states that there is no need for special precautions to be taken for either burial or cremation (where the risk is described as likely to be negligible), and that superficial contact, such as touching the face, need not be discouraged. The reminder was sent to:

  Pathologists

  The Coroners Association

  Consultants in Communicable Disease Control

  Local Authorities

  Funeral Directors' professional associations

  Morticians.

  SEAC's view is that the most likely explanation of vCJD cases to date is exposure to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). However, we do not know the route of infection.
  302W
  The ACDP/SEAC guidance states that available epidemiological evidence suggests that normal social or routine clinical contact with a CJD patient does not represent a risk to healthcare workers, relatives and the community. The National Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit continues to gather and analyse data on dietary, occupational and medical history on vCJD cases to identify any common risk factors. So far none have emerged.

  Gammahydroxybutyrate
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health problems caused by the misuse of gammahydroxybutyrate. [114160]

  Ms Stuart
  We are aware that gammahydroxybutyrate can present acute health problems for some misusers. The effects are exacerbated when mixed with alcohol or other drugs and can include collapse, coma and death. Information on the dangers of gammahydroxybutyrate is included in many of the resources produced by the Health Education Authority on behalf of the Department as part of a campaign to educate 11 to 25-year-olds and parents about substance misuse.

  The Government look to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for advice on whether a substance should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. ACMD last considered gammahydroxybutyrate in May 1998 and concluded that misuse did not present a sufficient social problem to be controlled under this Act.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the side effects from gammahydroxybutyrate misuse in the last five years. [114247]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department has not commissioned any research into gammahydroxybutyrate but are aware that side effects and acute health problems including collapse, coma and death can arise from misuse. The Department has access to the research findings of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs which last considered gammahydroxybutyrate in May 1998. ACMD looked at a range of evidence including data from the National Poisons Information Service, publications in scientific journals and press reports.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given on the prosecution of illicit manufacturers of gammahydroxybutyrate. [114161]

  Ms Stuart
  Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a medicinal product and is controlled under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc.) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines Act 1968. The manufacture and supply of GHB without a licence is a criminal offence under the legislation and where there is sufficient evidence the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) will prosecute.

  Briefings on GHB have been given by the MCA to:

  Heads of Police Force Intelligence Bureaux

  Trading Standards Officers

  Environmental Health Officers.

  303W
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the use of the internet as a vehicle for the purchase of gammahydroxybutyrate. [114163]

  Ms Stuart
  Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a medicinal product and is controlled under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc.) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines Act 1968. The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) investigates all referrals of breaches of medicines legislation.

  In 1999 discussions were held with law enforcement bodies that deal with pharmaceutical crime including the use of the Internet in the United States of America and European Union member states. The result was the information of an International security forum on pharmaceutical Intelligence service, Interpol and the Forum.

  A special Inquiry Unit has been established by the MCA to investigate alleged breaches of medicines regulations on the internet.

  Public Health
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many residents he estimates were suffering from(a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) AIDS/HIV infections in the NHS London region in the current financial year, and in each of the last 10 financial years; [113810]

  (2) how many people were being treated by the NHS for (a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) AIDS/HIV, in the London Region in (i) the current financial year and (ii) each of the last 10 financial years; [113811]

  (3) how much has been allocated by the NHS to care for and treat (a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) AIDS/HIV in the NHS London region for (i) the next financial year, (ii) the current financial year and (iii) each of the last 10 financial years. [113812]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: We are unable to provide an estimate as data from Genito Urinary Medicine clinics, where most sexually transmitted diseases are treated, do not include residence information.

  Diagnosed HIV infected people resident in London form 60 per cent. of the total country-wide and, assuming this applies to the undiagnosed fraction as well, would result in 17,500 London residents who are HIV infected, about one third of whom have not yet had their infection diagnosed.

  Using data from the annual survey of prevalent HIV infection and the unlinked anonymous surveys the following estimates have been produced from 1995 onwards. Approximately one third of these infections will be undiagnosed. These figures are based on annual surveys.

  Number

  At end of:

  1998

  17,500

  1997

  16,000

  1996

  15,500

  Source:

  PHLS (earlier data are not available and data by financial year are not available)
  304W
  As statistical returns from genitourinary medicine clinics provide information on new diagnoses rather than the number of individuals treated we are unable to answer this specific question. However, readily available data on diagnoses are as follows and provide an indication of patient numbers but individuals may have more than one infection. Data for 1999 are not available yet.

  Diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases in the NHS London Region

  Calendar year

  Number of STD diagnoses (excluding HIV/AIDS)

  1995

  143,207

  1996

  143,654

  1997

  154,305

  1998

  157,324

  Source:

  PHLS

  There are no current HIV prevalence data collected regionally or nationally for financial years. The Annual Survey of Prevalent HIV infections that are diagnosed will be able to give data for 1999 calendar year but this will not be available until later in the summer of 2000.

  This annual prevalence survey of HIV infected people receiving care began to collect data nationally in 1995 and the estimated figures for London adjusted for under reporting give the following totals.

  HIV infected people treated calendar year in London

  Number

  1995

  10,600

  1996

  10,600

  1997

  11,500

  1998

  13,000

  Separate allocations are not made for sexually transmitted diseases. The HIV/AIDS treatment and care allocation to London health authorities for 1996–97 to 1999–2000 is as shown. Prior to 1996–97 allocations were made to regional health authorities and information on London HAs is not held centrally. Allocations for 2000–01 have not yet been determined.

  £ million

  Allocations to London HAs

  1996–97

  134.8

  1997–98

  144.4

  1998–99

  163.6

  1999–2000

  164.3

  The movement between years reflects adjustments to the baseline allocations in year as well as the annual cash increase.

  Broomfield Hospital
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will order the three closed wards at Broomfield Hospital to be reopened until he has reached a decision on the appeal against closure being brought by the Mid Essex community health councils. [114212]
  305W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Consultation has been carried out on these proposals, and as yet, no appeal has been received from Mid Essex Community Health Council regarding the beds at Broomfield Hospital. The community health council's appeal will be considered in line with due process, if and when it is received.

  Natal Intensive Care Unit
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what annual number of obstetric deliveries is deemed to be the threshold for a trust to be able to support a natal intensive care unit. [114571]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are no specific thresholds. Health authorities are required to commission health care services to serve the needs of their resident populations according to local demand and circumstances.

  Overseas Doctors
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test for overseas doctors. [114447]

  Ms Stuart
  The administration of the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test, including both content and standards required to pass, are entirely a matter for the General Medical Council to determine.

  Cancer Deaths
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for reducing cancer deaths among people living in poverty in the UK. [114174]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: The "Saving Lives—Our Healthier Nation" White Paper has a central aim to improve the health of the worst off in society and narrow the health gap. It set a target to reduce death rates from cancer by 20 per cent. in those under 75 by 2010. This will involve dealing with the broader determinants of health (eg poverty, social exclusion etc.), addressing risk factors (eg by providing smoking cessation clinics in Health Action Zones), encouraging early detection and uptake of screening (especially in deprived groups and ethnic minorities), and by ensuring equity of access to high quality cancer treatment across the country as part of our national strategy to improve cancer services.

  Schoolchildren (Weight Bearing)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the health risks of schoolchildren carrying excessive weight in unsuitable school bags. [114382]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Weight bearing exercise is an important contributor to health. However, carrying excessive and unbalanced weights has the potential to contribute to musculo-skeletal injury. The risk is likely to be increased in the young, those with pre-existing skeletal problems and those who are overweight.
  306W
  Through the National Healthy Schools Standards we are asking schools to consider all the factors that impact on the health of the school community. Safety is one of the specific themes of the standard and this includes the need for regular risk assessments by an identified Health and Safety representative.

  Pathology
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on Agency staff in Pathology in each NHS region in the last year for which figures are available. [114746]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not centrally available.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the membership of the boards of Primary Care Groups broken down by(a) ethnic origin and (b) gender. [114747]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]: Primary Care Group board members were asked to complete equal opportunities forms when they became accepted to a PCG board. This is not a mandatory requirement but where volunteered the information is in the table.

  Primary Care Group boards

  Number of board members

  Ethnicity

  Unspecified

  Male

  Female

  Unspecified

  1,535

  722

  428

  Other

  2

  56

  14

  White

  53

  1,378

  958

  Pakistani

  —

  23

  2

  Indian

  3

  174

  28

  Chinese

  —

  9

  4

  Black Caribbean

  —

  7

  11

  Black African

  —

  14

  7

  Bangladeshi

  1

  31

  4

  Total

  1,594

  2,414

  1,456

  Overall total

  5,464

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses, midwives and health visitors have received discretionary increments in the last three financial years, broken down by gender and ethnic origin. [114749]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]: Responsibility for payment of discretionary points to nurses, midwives and health visitors is for local NHS employers. The information requested is not available centrally.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of people waiting for hospital treatment in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area; and how many have waited 12 months or more. [114724]
  307W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]: The information requested is given in the table.

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

  Month

  Total waiting

  Number waiting over 12 months

  January 2000

  10,233

  1,118

  Source:

  Monthly waiting list return

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 18 January concerning an MRI scanner, ref: POH(3) 5608/38. [114808]

  Yvette Cooper
  I will let my hon. Friend have a reply to his letter as soon as possible.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent estimate he has made of the savings for consumers from the Agenda 2000 reform of the common agriculture policy. [113378]

  Ms Quin
  The Agenda 2000 reforms should result in savings of around £1 billion a year for UK consumers when all the changes have worked through. This will equate to a saving of around £65 per year for the average family of four.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the overall benefit to the UK economy of the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP. [113382]

  Ms Quin
  Once fully implemented the economic benefit to the UK is estimated to be worth around £0.5 billion per year.

  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the savings to consumers that will arise from the Agenda 2000 reform of the common agricultural policy over the next three years. [113385]

  Ms Quin
  If price reductions are passed to retail, UK consumers will save around £250 million in 2001, £450 million in 2002 and £600 million in 2003 as a result of the Agenda 2000 reform.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission to discuss the Commission's licensing responsibilities. [113380]

  Mr. Morley
  I often meet the Forestry Commission's Chairman and other senior staff to discuss current forestry issues and the Commission's responsibilities.

  Animal Welfare Standards
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that farmers receive prices for animal products which reward better welfare standards. [113381]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Government have always maintained that UK welfare standards offer the domestic livestock industry, particularly the pig industry, a strong marketing advantage. That is one reason why the Government have agreed to fund half of the £4.6 million welfare linked pork promotion campaign developed by the Meat and Livestock Commission.

  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has made to the European Commission concerning animal welfare standards in the agriculture sectors of member states. [113391]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend the Minister wrote to Commissioner Byrne on 9 February pressing him to take action to ensure proper enforcement across the EU of the rules on welfare in transit and at slaughter.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been achieved since May 1997 in improving conditions for live animals exported from the UK and transported around the continent. [113383]

  Mr. Morley
  We introduced the overdue EU rules on animal welfare in transit immediately after coming into office, and tighter pre-export inspection procedures for livestock in May 1999. We ensure the rules are enforced strictly while live export consignments are on our territory: we have pressed the Commission to ensure the same standards throughout the EU, and welcome the review they are now carrying out.

  Antibiotics (Animal Feed)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the use of antibiotics in animal feed. [113384]

  Ms Quin
  Certain antibiotic feed additives authorised by the EU may be used as growth promoters in animals. They may be used only if they satisfy stringent statutory criteria including a requirement that, at the level permitted, they do not adversely affect human or animal health or the environment.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is his policy that genetically modified crops should not be exploited for commercial purposes. [113386]

  Ms Quin
  Our policy is that UK industry should not be denied access to GM technology, provided that valid concerns are addressed. The GM industry has agreed that no GM crops will be grown on a commercial basis before the farm scale evaluation programme has been completed.
  309W
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he has drawn from the recent OECD conference on genetically modified crops. [113392]

  Ms Quin
  The OECD conference held last week in Edinburgh was extremely useful in bringing together scientific experts, policy regulators and other parties interested in GM crops and food from around the world. The conference allowed a balanced debate, scrutinising the safety assessment systems for GM foods and considering whether and how GM foods and crops could serve the needs of society. It is too early to draw any firm conclusions but we await the chairman's final report with interest.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedure he will follow when licensing genetically modified crop varieties. [113395]

  Ms Quin
  Genetically modified crops are not licensed. Releases of Genetically Modified Organisms are regulated by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and secondary legislation made under it. The National Listing of plant varieties (which could include genetically modified varieties) is regulated by the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982. The relevant procedures are set out in the legislation.

  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to provide information to the public concerning the safety of genetically modified foods. [113396]

  Ms Quin
  The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) is responsible for assessing the safety of genetically modified foods in the UK. The ACNFP already publishes agendas, reports and minutes of its meetings, committee papers and detailed assessment reports on individual GM food applications as well as an Annual Report. In addition the Committee has held a number of open meetings on issues such as postmarket surveillance.

  Those seeking novel food approvals have been encouraged for many years to deposit data supporting their applications in the British Library. All new applications will however be made available electronically on the ACNFP website from now on and public comments invited, which the ACNFP can then take into account in reaching its preliminary conclusions. These conclusions will be made available for comment in turn before they are forwarded to the European Commission. The UK is encouraging other European member states to follow a similar approach.

  General information about the safety of genetically modified foods is also contained on the Government GM website at www.gm-info.gov.uk. This has been widely publicised.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restriction is placed on feeding chickens with unprocessed GM maize containing antibiotic-resistant marker genes in(a) the UK and (b) the EU. [113762]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: There are no restrictions on feeding GM maize to chickens, provided that the maize concerned has received a
  310W
  marketing consent under Council Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms in the environment.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls are in place to prevent varieties of GM crops not approved for sale for planting in the EU being imported into the UK as animal feed. [113763]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Under Council Directive 90–220, on the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms into the Environment, no viable GM material can either be grown or imported into the EU without a marketing consent.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has commissioned into the implications for safety or welfare of animals of being fed on GM crops. [113768]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Research to date has concentrated on the effects of processing on animal feed materials and the ability of DNA to survive processing and passage through an animal's gut. No incidental ill-effects have been detected in animals, nor have any been reported in countries where GM crops have been grown and fed to animals for a number of years.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made on the proposed European Novel Feeds Regulation to ensure the labelling of GM animal feed. [113766]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: We have been pressing the Commission for some time to bring forward its proposed Novel Feeds Regulation which will contain labelling rules. Commissioner Byrne has given an undertaking to do this as soon as possible, and we expect a formal proposal to be submitted to Council later this year.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will be taken on placing Avantis GM maize seeds on the national seed list. [114352]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Ministers are presently considering whether or not to propose a GM forage maize variety (CHARDON LL) for addition to the National List. When this decision is taken it will be published in the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette, and persons affected by the proposed decision may then make representations and/or be heard by a person appointed by Ministers for that purpose.

  Beef Farming
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the economic prospects for the beef farming sector in the next twelve months. [113388]

  Ms Quin
  Assessment of the economic prospects for the beef farming sector is an ongoing exercise and the profitability of the sector is monitored by officials on a regular basis.

  Exchange Rate
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the value of the pound on the UK's agricultural sector. [113389]

  Ms Quin
  There is no doubt that the strength of sterling has contributed toward the present depressed state of farm incomes. Oversupply and weak prices in world commodity markets have also been important factors.

  Bee Diseases
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 20W, on bee diseases, what progress he has made in containing bee diseases, with special reference to the area next to the Scottish border. [113393]

  Ms Quin
  Measures to control bee diseases in areas close to the Scottish border are no different from elsewhere in England. The incidence of foulbrood in the border counties is low, with only one case in 1999. An advisory programme is in place to help beekeepers minimise the impact of varroosis.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the farming unions to discuss the current levels of income in each sector of agriculture; and if he will make a statement. [113394]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend, the Minister's most recent meeting with the President of the NFU was on 22 February. My right hon. Friend and other MAFF Ministers are in frequent contact with the farming unions to discuss farming issues.

  £ million

  MAFF objective

  Total cost

  Administration cost

  Percentage

  To protect public health in relation to food and animal diseases transmissible to humans

  275.3

  226

  82.1

  To sustain and enhance the rural and marine environments and public enjoyment of the amenities they provide and to promote forestry

  101.3

  39.9

  39.4

  To secure a more economically rational CAP which gives a better deal to consumers and taxpayers and pays due regard to the needs of the environment

  72.6

  2.7

  3.7

  To assist the development of efficient markets in which internationally competitive food, fish and agricultural industries can thrive

  215.1

  93.3

  43.4

  To enhance economic opportunity and social development in rural and coastal communities in a manner consistent with public enjoyment of the amenities which they offer

  9.8

  2.8

  28.6

  To administer payments under the CAP fairly and in full accordance with EU requirements

  11,690.6

  70.5

  42.

  To conserve fish stocks for future generations and secure a sustainable future for the sea fishing industry

  37.1

  20.2

  54.4

  To ensure that farmed animals and fish are protected by high welfare standards and do not suffer unnecessary pain or distress

  15.8

  8

  50.6

  To reduce risk to people and the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion

  73.6

  5.1

  6.9

  To safeguard the continuing availability to the consumer of adequate supplies of wholesome, varied and reasonably priced food and drink

  3.5

  1.5

  42.9

  1 Includes receipts from the EU

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received supporting the setting of targets to increase the level of conversions to organic farming. [113397]

  Mr. Morley
  I have received about 60 letters in support of the setting of targets. I have met my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) and the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), with representatives of "Sustain", to discuss the Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill.

  Pork
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assistance the Government have provided to the Meat and Livestock Commission for the promotion of pork. [113379]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have agreed to fund half of a £4.6 million welfare linked pork promotion campaign developed by the Meat and Livestock Commission.

  Funding Schemes
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the funding schemes administered by his Department, indicating the total funds of each scheme and the administration costs of each scheme as a percentage of the total funds. [112495]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 March 2000]: Information relating administration costs to expenditure by scheme is not available from existing cash-based systems. However, using information drawn from the 1998–99 Shadow Resource Accounts for the Department, the total cost of departmental objectives and the percentage that relates to administration costs are as follows:

  Pig Farmers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid in subsidies to pig farmers in the UK for the year 1999. [113082]

  Ms Quin
  The CAP pigmeat regime contains no provision for paying subsidies direct to pig farmers. However, the European Commission spent over £200 million in 1999 supporting the pigmeat market, by the use of export refunds and aids to private storage.

  Lindane
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received regarding use of Lindane since the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides in York on 24 February; and when he expects a decision to be announced. [113616]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: At its meeting on 24 February the Advisory Committee on Pesticides considered an evaluation of scientific data concerning the exposure to lindane of members of the public using lindane products in their gardens for controlling garden pests. The Committee concluded that these pose no unacceptable risk and have recommended that approvals for this particular use should continue. The Committee also suggested a number of steps that might be taken to improve the packaging of such products to minimise any potential risks in their usage. The Committee's recommendations are currently being considered by Ministers who will announce their conclusions shortly.

  Farm Subsidies (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire received subsidy payments in each £10,000 band up to £100,000 in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [114687]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The figures for Shrewsbury and Atcham could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The figures for 1998 subsidy payments (UK and EU contributions) in Shropshire are as follows:

  Number

  Up to £10,000

  1,990

  £10,001–£20,000

  443

  £20,001–£30,000

  248

  £30,001–£40,000

  115

  £40,001–£50,000

  46

  £50,001–£60,000

  29

  £60,001–£70,000

  24

  £70,001–£80,000

  12

  £80,001–£90,000

  7

  £90,001–£100,000

  5

  Agri-environmental Schemes
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent on agri-environmental schemes in the financial year to date; and how much was spent in 1996–97. [113376]
  314W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  Payments to farmers under agri-environmental schemes in England were £44.4 million in the 1996–97 financial year and are expected to be £87.4 million in 1999–2000. This is an increase of 97 per cent. over the three year period. Our target this year for the Countryside Stewardship Scheme is to enter into around 3,000 new agreements compared to around 1,300 in 1999.

  "Agriculture in the United Kingdom"
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the latest volume of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" to be published. [115480]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1999" was published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Flood Defence
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his response to the Flood Defence Emergency Response Project, established by the Environment Agency. [115481]

  Mr. Morley
  The Flood Defence Emergency Response (FDER) Project was established by the Environment Agency as part of its response to the Easter 1998 floods. Membership of the Project Team comprised representatives of the Environment Agency, the Local Government Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities, represented by British Waterways.

  The Project's general remit was to review existing local arrangements for responding to and exercising major flooding emergencies; to make recommendations for improvement; and to define the roles of the organisations involved.

  I have seen the FDER Project Report and the Project team is to be congratulated on its positive contribution in helping to bring about improvements to the arrangements for flood emergency response. It is important that its recommendations are implemented at local level by the organisations involved in emergency response. I am not, however, persuaded that it is appropriate to establish a standing National Joint Strategic Flood Group in the terms described.

  Bovine TB
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to bring further areas into the badger culling trial recommended by Professor Krebs to address questions about the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle. [115516]

  Ms Quin
  The next two sets of badger culling trial areas have now been identified. One will be located in Staffordshire/Derbyshire, and the other in Devon/ Somerset. These are the seventh and eighth areas to be enrolled in the trial, and we expect to announce the remaining areas later this year. The Government are committed to a wide-ranging research and control strategy
  315W
  to find a science-based solution to TB in cattle. The badger culling trial is an important element of that strategy.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will report on the progress of the reform of the Public Trust Office; and if he will make a statement. [114698]

  Jane Kennedy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 132W.

  Starrs Case
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress the Government are making in considering the implications of the Starrs case in Scotland for the judicial system in England and Wales. [113405]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor announced on 29 November that he was considering the implications which the judgment in Scotland may have for the part-time judiciary in England and Wales. He is considering all part-time appointments, their terms and conditions and tenure with a view to considering whether any changes need to be made. That review is being undertaken with all deliberate speed and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

  Cheshire Magistrates Courts Committee
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the membership of the County Committee for Cheshire indicating the home towns of the members and the bench on which they sit, and if he will list the county and magistrates' courts that the Committee is considering for closure. [115030]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are five members on the Cheshire Magistrates Courts Committee. Miss Baines and Mr. Darby, who sit on the Ellesmere Port & Neston Bench, reside in Neston; Mr. Fletcher, who sits on the Chester Bench, resides in Chester; Mrs. Mackenzie, who sits on the South Cheshire Bench, resides in Holmes Chapel; and Mr. Robinson, who sits on the Macclesfield Bench, resides in Altrincham.

  Decisions on the future of magistrates courts are for the Cheshire Magistrates Courts Committee to determine, after consultation with the paying authority.

  At present, no formal determination has been made by the Cheshire Magistrates Courts Committee to close any of its magistrates courts. However, the Committee recently consulted on proposals for the closure of the Park Green Court in Macclesfield and the Patten Hall Court in Warrington. The closing date for representations was 29 February 2000. The Committee proposes to make a final decision at its meeting scheduled for 17 March.
  316W
  Proposals for the closure of a county court are not the responsibility of the Magistrates Courts Committee. They are dealt with by the Court Service.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency (Scotland)
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) inquiries and (b) requests for assistance about constituency problems have been received from members of the Scottish Parliament by the Benefits Agency Scottish Parliamentary Relations Unit since it was established; and if he will list the numbers according to (a) constituency and (b) originating MSP. [113648]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested as correspondence between Members of the Scottish Parliament and this Department is treated as confidential. Such information as is available is as follows.

  The Benefits Agency, Scottish Parliamentary Relations Unit (SPRU) deals with correspondence received by the Chief Executive and Departmental Ministers. Since it was established in October 1999 SPRU has dealt with seven inquiries and five requests for assistance with customers' problems from MSPs. In addition 31 pieces of correspondence have been received from MPs who are also MSPs.

  Staff Posts (Risk Assessments)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the main results of the risk assessment of staff posts conducted by his Department last year; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [113782]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: The risk assessment concluded that there are no additional posts that can be regarded as especially sensitive and that the most effective way of managing the risk of internal security breaches is through robust management controls and checks. Such controls are constantly reviewed and were recently strengthened. We are actively considering the introduction of criminal record checks for new recruits.

  A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measure he will use to assess progress towards the achievement of the Government's objective of eliminating child poverty. [114203]

  Mr. Bayley
  On 21 September 1999, we published the document "Opportunity for All" which sets out our strategy for tackling the causes of poverty and social exclusion. The report includes a range of indicators against which we can monitor our progress in tackling these causes and overcoming the problems of people living in poverty.

  Further details on all the indicators in the "Opportunity for All" report have been placed in the Library.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many private renting tenants were in receipt of Housing Benefit in(a) Greater London and (b) Enfield for each year since 1990; what was the average Housing Benefit paid in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [114637]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  February

  Total private renting tenants

  Average Housing Benefit (£ per week)

  Greater London

  1993

  279,000

  52.90

  1994

  325,000

  60.30

  1995

  351,000

  66.60

  1996

  365,000

  70.00

  1997

  353,000

  72.40

  1998

  335,000

  73.70

  1999

  318,000

  75.30

  Enfield

  1993

  6,010

  53.00

  1994

  7,080

  60.70

  1995

  7,480

  68.90

  1996

  8,530

  75.10

  1997

  9,360

  78.20

  1998

  8,920

  79.40

  1999

  8,620

  79.70

  Notes:

  1. The figures supplied are for February of each financial year.

  2. The figures for caseload have been rounded to the nearest thousand for Great Britain and to the nearest 10 for the Local Authority,

  3. The figures for average Housing Benefit have been rounded to the nearest 10 pence.

  4. Data for any authority that did not supply information will have been estimated.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload inquiries taken in February of each year since 1993.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made on the standardisation of Housing Benefit administration and delivery by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [114697]

  Angela Eagle
  We aim to transform the delivery of Housing Benefit so that local authorities provide a faster, more accurate service which is more secure against fraud, and which provides value for money and takes account of the views and needs of residents and taxpayers.

  We are using the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate to help drive up standards of administration through its programme of inspections, working in partnership with local authorities to identify both areas for improvement and good practices. In February 1999 the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate published a good practice guide that was sent to all local authorities which was followed by a programmed series of seminars for local authority managers. An updated version of the good practice guide will be published later this year.
  318W
  In appropriate cases my right hon. Friend will be prepared to exercise powers under section 139D of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to direct an authority to attain improved standards of administration following a report from the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate.

  In addition, we are setting Best Value performance indicators from next month, which target key areas such as speed of delivery, accuracy and security. Local authorities will be required to set and meet challenging targets against these indicators and demonstrate that they are achieving continuous improvements in the standards of service they provide.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to improve the uptake of Disability Living Allowance. [114726]

  Mr. Bayley
  The number of people receiving Disability Living Allowance and total expenditure on this benefit are continuing to increase. However, around 40 per cent. of claims are unsuccessful, because the claimant does not satisfy the qualifying conditions. Against this background, our priorities are to look at ways of improving the information we provide about these benefits and to make it easier for people to supply us with the details we need to decide entitlement. We are also trying to develop clearer and more secure gateways, so that it is easier for people to know whether they may be entitled. These initiatives have involved extensive and continuing discussions with disabled people and their representatives, and with disability experts.

  Widows' SERPS
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will make a decision on the future of widows' SERPS. [114971]

  Mr. Rooker
  As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced on 15 March, if a person dies before 6 October 2002, their spouse can continue to inherit a maximum of 100 per cent. of their SERPS entitlement. The spouse of a person dying on or after that date will be able to inherit a maximum of 50 per cent. An Inherited SERPS Scheme will be established for people who may have relied on misleading information about SERPS inheritance provisions and who would otherwise have acted differently.

  Leaflet Costs
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost to his Department of re-printing the leaflet, "You have a Choice", on the payment of benefits and pensions through post offices; and if he will make a statement. [114183]

  Mr. Rooker
  This was a joint DSS and Post Office exercise. The cost of re-printing the leaflet was split between the Post Office and the Department. Our contribution was £10,000.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Light Dues
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on light dues. [115342]

  Mr. Hill
  I am pleased to announce that there will be no changes to the light dues for 2000–01. Current rates were set in 1997, when charges were reduced by an average of 4.6 per cent., following four years of stability. The ability to maintain light dues at current levels is an indication of the General Lighthouse Authorities' continuing efforts to achieve greater efficiency.

  Housing Transfers
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the 2000–01 housing transfers programme. [115220]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am today announcing the names of the 22 local authorities which will be able to proceed, on a voluntary basis and subject to the approval of their tenants, with proposals to carry out 23 transfers of all or part of their housing stock to Registered Social Landlords in 2000–01. The programme will involve over 160,000 dwellings in large scale voluntary transfers, generating capital receipts of over £940 million.

  Transfers can offer benefits for tenants. The new landlord must plan for proper maintenance and future repairs. Increased investment means that any backlog of repairs can be carried out more quickly than if the properties had remained in local authority ownership. Rent increases are normally limited by a guarantee that rents will not rise by more than 1 per cent. above inflation for the first five years.

  But housing transfers are voluntary and may only take place if tenants are in favour. The consent of the Secretary of State is also required before a transfer can proceed and will not be granted if it appears that a majority of tenants do not wish the transfer to proceed.

  The 2000–01 programme reflects the Government's commitment to support a continuing programme of transfers as a means of generating private finance to repair and improve the condition of social housing.

  Sunderland City Council and Birmingham City Council have applied for a place on this year's programme but I have given them more time to develop their transfer proposals.

  Four of the authorities on the 2000–01 programme—Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Calderdale Metropolitan Council, Coventry City Council and Walsall Metropolitan Council—expect to have housing debt remaining in their Housing Revenue Account (HRA) after their stock is transferred. This is because the capital receipt will not be sufficient to clear all of the debt in their HRA. Under the new arrangements, announced on 16 December 1999, the Government are prepared to use a one-off payment to assist those authorities repay their overhanging debt. A guidance note setting out the detailed arrangements has been issued to all local authorities and a copy is available on the DETR website.
  320W
  The authorities who have successfully gained a place on the programme, together with the intended recipient RSL, are as follows:

  (a) a disposal by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council of not more than 606 dwelling-houses to a new subsidiary of Chantry Housing Association;

  (b) a disposal by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council of not more than 10,126 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (c) a disposal by Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council of not more than 13,494 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (d) a disposal by Chester City Council of not more than 7,100 dwelling-houses to Chester and District Housing Trust;

  (e) a disposal by Chichester District Council of not more than 5,510 dwelling-houses to Chichester District Community Housing;

  (f) a disposal by Coventry City Council of not more than 22,104 dwelling-houses jointly to Whitefriars Homes North and Whitefriars Homes South;

  (g) a disposal by East Northamptonshire District Council of not more than 3,540 dwelling-houses to East Northamptonshire Housing;

  (h) a disposal by East Staffordshire Borough Council of not more than 6,015 dwelling-houses to Trent and Dove Housing;

  (i) a disposal by Fylde Borough Council of not more than 1,964 dwelling-houses to New Fylde Housing;

  (j) a disposal by Horsham District Council of not more than 4,807 dwelling-houses to Saxon Weald Homes Ltd.;

  (k) disposals by Manchester City Council of not more than 468 dwelling-houses on the Knutsford estate to Manchester Methodist Housing Association, and not more than 669 dwelling-houses on the Handforth estate to a registered social landlord;

  (l) a disposal by Mendip District Council of not more than 4,799 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (m) a disposal by the London Borough of Richmond of not more than 8,780 dwelling-houses to Richmond Housing Partnership;

  (n) a disposal by South Bedfordshire District Council of not more than 6,282 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (o) a disposal by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council of not more than 3,274 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (p) a disposal by Torbay Council of not more than 3,127 dwelling-houses to Riviera Housing Trust Ltd.;

  (q) five disposals by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council of not more than 28,785 dwelling-houses to five registered social landlords which are part of Walsall Housing Group;

  (r) a disposal by Waverley Borough Council of not more than 5,715 dwelling-house to a registered social landlord;

  (s) a disposal by West Lancashire District Council of not more than 8,530 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (t) a disposal by West Oxfordshire District Council of not more than 3,884 dwelling-houses to a registered social landlord;

  (u) a disposal by West Wiltshire District Council of not more than 3,438 dwelling-houses to West Wiltshire Housing Society;

  (v) a disposal by Wycombe District Council of not more than 7,659 dwelling-houses to Wycombe 2000 Housing.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many aquifers in England have been polluted to the extent that the water was unfit for human consumption in each year since 1995. [112816]
  321W
  Mr. Mullin
  The Environment Agency does not have evidence that pollution events have led to any major aquifer becoming unsuitable for the supply of water for human consumption since 1995. Water from aquifers is, however, treated by water companies before being put into public supply using disinfection and such other processes as are necessary to comply with the standards for drinking water quality.

  London Underground Escalators
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the arrangements are for assisting(a) disabled and (b) elderly passengers when London Underground escalators are taken out of service. [113078]

  Mr. Hill
  These are operational matters for the London Underground who have informed me that regular announcements are being made at the affected stations and there is a comprehensive poster campaign to keep customers informed. London Transport's Unit for Disabled Passengers provides a comprehensive advice and information service for disabled people and is providing guidance on other routes to specified destinations. In addition Customer Care Assistants are trained to help people who need orientation or special assistance.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many of the schemes to protect sites of special scientific interest from the impact of(a) abstraction and (b) sewage effluent allowed for in Ofwat's final determination of water prices are due for completion in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03, (c) 2003–04, (d) 2004–05 and (e) 2005–06; [114152]

  (2) how many schemes have been allowed for in Ofwat's final determination on water and sewerage charges to protect sites of special scientific interest from (a) abstraction and (b) sewage effluent. [114151]

  Mr. Mullin
  Price limits set by the Director General of Water Services include provision for the financing of 53 schemes to protect SSSIs in England and Wales from over-abstraction and 104 schemes aimed wholly or partially at protecting SSSIs from the effects of sewage effluent. The phasing of these schemes in relation to others being carried out as part of the total programme of environmental investment is still under discussion. The Environment Agency will publish the final programme, with completion dates for individual schemes, shortly. I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman receives a copy of the final programme.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to regard energy from waste schemes as renewable energy; and if he will make a statement. [114149]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competitiveness on 15 March 2000,Official Report, columns 198–99W.

  London Underground
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those stations and length of line which are currently the responsibility of London Underground Limited which under his PPP proposals would become the responsibility of(a) London Underground's proposed supervisory subsidiary companies and (b) the PPP contracting companies and their sub-contractors; and if he will make a statement. [114192]

  Mr. Hill
  London Underground Limited will retain responsibility for the operation of services and for safety at all those stations and on all those lines for which it is currently responsible. Under the PPP proposals an infrastructure company will enter into a long term service contract with London Underground for the provision of infrastructure services—primarily, maintenance and renewal—for each of three groupings of lines:

  (i) "sub-surface", comprising the Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines;

  (ii) "BCV", comprising the Bakerloo, Central, Victoria and Waterloo and City lines; and

  (iii) "JNP", comprising the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

  In each case, the contractor will be responsible for the maintenance, and where appropriate enhancement and renewal, of the infrastructure that London Underground uses to deliver its passenger services, including rolling stock, track, signalling, stations and other civil structures such as tunnels and bridges.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the latest date by which decisions will be taken about the two deep-level tube PPP contracts; and what residual powers the Mayor of London will have on this matter once the contracts have been allocated. [114193]

  Mr. Hill
  Bids for the two deep tube infrastructure contracts are due to be returned at the end of this month. No timetable has been set for the completion of contract negotiations. The Mayor will be responsible from July for a range of transport services in London excluding the London Underground, and will take over full responsibility for the Underground after the PPP is established.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the evidence which underlay his conclusion in respect of the value for money provided by(a) the PPP for the London Underground and (b) the letting of separate contracts for the same work by London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [114194]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government are confident that the PPP for London Underground will deliver better value for money than a wholly public sector option. We shall approve the contracts only if the private sector bids demonstrate best value when compared with a rigorously constructed public sector comparator benchmark.

  The comparator will be published once the PPP negotiations are complete. To publish the results any earlier would expose the taxpayer's negotiating position, and so jeopardise our chances of getting best value.
  323W
  To let a series of separate contracts could be expected to create serious scale diseconomies when compared with the PPP approach.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was his Department's role in the authorisation of London Underground Ltd.'s expenditure, between 20 March 1998 and 13 November 1999, on consultancy work in respect of the PPP and restructuring of London Underground; what estimate he has made of the final cost of the consultancy for this purpose; and if he will list(a) the consultants concerned, and the amount paid to each, and (b) summarise the work each of them has been asked to do. [114197]

  Mr. Hill
  London Transport's expenditure on external consultants for the public-private partnership for the London Underground is regularly monitored by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. London Transport will not know the overall requirements or costs for external advice until the PPP transactions have been completed, but the Government are working with LT to ensure that we receive the best advice while minimising the overall costs of implementing the PPP.

  The main consultants employed by London Transport, and the areas on which they provide professional advice, are:

  PriceWaterhouseCoopers (financial)

  Freshfields (legal)

  Ove Arup and Partners (engineering)

  Arthur Andersen (operations entity design)

  PA Consulting (infrastructure entities design and financial modelling)

  Hornagold and Hills (project management)

  Insignia Richard Ellis (property)

  Marsh (insurance)

  Bacon & Woodrow (pensions).

  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not possible to give a figure for the value of individual contracts, though we will continue to publish updated aggregate figures periodically in line with the commitment given by the then Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson) on 13 January last year.

  Vehicle Operating Licences
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision there is(a) for prescribing in which newspapers public notices of applications for vehicle operating licences must be posted, and (b) of stipulating whether these should be (i) local and (ii) regional newspapers. [114319]

  Mr. Hill
  The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 requires a goods vehicle operator to arrange for notice of his application for an operator's license to be published in one or more local newspapers circulating in the locality.

  If a Traffic Commissioner believes that the application has not been correctly advertised in this way he may refuse the application.
  324W
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the regulations and processes involved in granting vehicle operating licences for premises to bring them within the process for determining planning applications. [114320]

  Mr. Hill
  We have no immediate plans to amend legislation. Local authority planning powers are entirely separate from those of Traffic Commissioners. The two systems are designed to complement each other.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the process of posting public notices of applications for vehicle operating licences in a newspaper circulating in the place where the premises to be licensed are situated. [114318]

  Mr. Hill
  The practice of advertising applications for goods vehicle operator licences in local newspapers has been considered in past reviews of the operators licensing systems, but no changes were made. In 1996, a pilot project was carried out whereby staff at two Traffic Area Offices placed the advertisements in newspapers, rather than the operator. There was found to be no significant increase in the number of representations received during the trial period. We keep the process under review but have no immediate plans to change it.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to afford the landscape in areas of outstanding natural beauty the same degree of protection as that which applies in the national parks. [114340]

  Mr. Meacher
  Current planning policy provides Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) with a high degree of protection similar to that applicable in National Parks. Planning Policy Guidance (PPG 7: The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development) requires policies and development control decisions affecting AONBs to favour conservation of the natural beauty of the landscape. The environmental effects of new proposals will be a major consideration, although it will also be appropriate to have regard to the economic and social well-being of the areas. It would normally be inconsistent with the aims of designation to permit the siting of major industrial or commercial development in these areas and only proven national interest and lack of alternative sites can justify an exception. Applications for mineral workings or new roads must also be subject to the most rigorous examination.

  We expect to make an announcement soon about measures to conserve and enhance designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list in rank order the 20 local authorities with the highest percentage of their area's housing falling in Band A of the council tax, indicating in each case the percentage of the total housing stock that is(a) unfit and (b) vacant. [114341]
  325W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The table lists in rank order the 20 authorities with the highest percentage of dwellings in Band A, showing in each case the percentage of the total housing stock for that area that is unfit and vacant.

  The 20 local authorities with the highest percentage of dwellings in Band A

  Percentage of housing stock1

  Local authority

  Percentage falling in Band A

  (a) Unfit

  (b) Vacant

  Easington

  83.7

  14.3

  5.3

  Kingston upon Hull

  73.7

  3.7

  6.2

  Wansbeck

  73.3

  9.2

  5.3

  Derwentside

  73.1

  4.1

  4.5

  Sedgefield

  71.1

  2.8

  2.4

  Manchester

  70.1

  7.0

  5.7

  Nottingham City

  68.0

  6.0

  2.4

  South Tyneside

  67.9

  2.8

  3.5

  Wear Valley

  67.7

  15.5

  16.7

  Sunderland

  67.6

  6.9

  3.5

  Liverpool

  67.6

  113.7

  8.1

  Gateshead

  66.3

  5.8

  3.0

  Bolsover

  65.8

  7.7

  5.4

  Barnsley

  65.3

  6.2

  4.2

  Pendle

  64.8

  14.5

  5.5

  Burnley

  64.5

  23.0

  9.9

  Stoke on Trent

  64.3

  117.7

  4.1

  Hartlepool

  64.0

  6.2

  3.7

  Blyth Valley

  63.8

  11.8

  2.6

  Leicester

  63.6

  112.6

  15.2

  1 Figures for unfit and vacant housing of the Other Public Sector stock, which includes housing owned by Government Agencies, Regional, Health, Police and Fire authorities, were unavailable for these authorities from the 1999 HIP returns. This sector covers a very small percentage of the overall total housing stock.

  Source:

  DETR annual Housing Investment Programme (HIP) (Operational Information) returns) 1999

  Planning
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 7 March 2000,Official Report, columns 863–65, on planning, what assessment he has made of the predicted need for new houses in Suffolk by (a) 2005 and (b) 2020. [114343]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Secretary of State will shortly announce his response to the recommendations of the Panel, which conducted a public examination into draft regional planning guidance for East Anglia. There will be full public consultation before the final guidance is issued.

  Car Mileage
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require information about car mileage to be notified to the DVLA when the car is sold; and if he will make a statement. [114495]

  Mr. Hill
  DVLA already has a voluntary mileage recording scheme in place and there are plans to extend this once equipment becomes available. A mandatory mileage declaration scheme will be introduced as soon as the necessary primary legislation is in place.

  Lifejackets
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the safety tests carried out by classification societies related to lifejackets; and on what date the approval was rescinded. [114529]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regularly monitors the performance of the Classification Societies which carry out test and approval for lifejackets and other equipment. The MSA certificate of type approval for the lifejackets carried by the Sleipner, issued by Bureau Veritas, was withdrawn on 24 January 2000.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the result of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency investigation into the safety of lifejackets following the loss of the Sleipner ferry. [114528]

  Mr. Hill
  Following the loss of the Sleipner, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) worked in close liaison with the Norwegian and Italian authorities to test the lifejackets used on board the vessel at the time of the accident.

  MCA contracted the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology in Aberdeen to carry out comprehensive tests of the performance of the lifejacket. These tests were witnessed by the manufacturers, the Classification Societies Bureau Veritas and RINa, as well as the MCA. The tests demonstrated that the lifejacket was unable to meet the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements.

  As a result of the tests, Bureau Veritas withdrew the approval of the lifejacket. MCA issued a Press Release drawing attention to UK ship owners that this lifejacket should be replaced on all UK ships.

  Safe Manning Certificates
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions for breaches of safe manning certificates have taken place in the last 12 months. [114526]

  Mr. Hill
  There have been no prosecutions in the United Kingdom for breaches of regulations relating to Safe Manning documents in the last 12 months and there are no such prosecutions currently pending.

  Voyage Data Recorders
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to ensure that all UK vessels carry voyage data recorders. [114524]

  Mr. Hill
  The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is actively considering international regulations for the carriage of Voyage Data Recorders (VDR), which will next be discussed at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in May 2000. At the European level, Council Directive 1999/35/EC, which was adopted on 29 April 1999, provides for the fitting of voyage data recorders to roll-on/roll-off ferries and high-speed passenger craft. Implementation is to be no later than 30 months after the publication of IEC standard No. 61996 or by 1 January
  327W
  2001, whichever of these dates comes later. UK legislation will apply the international requirements to UK vessels.

  Inspection of Vessels
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many random inspections of vessels in UK ports have taken place in the last 12 months, and how many prosecutions resulted from these inspections. [114527]

  Mr. Hill
  5,303 inspections of vessels by officers of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency took place in the United Kingdom in the period 1 March 1999 to 29 February 2000.

  Three prosecutions resulted from these inspections.

  Road Hauliers (Incentive Payments)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to eliminate risks posed by the practice of payment by incentive by road hauliers. [114519]

  Mr. Hill
  All road hauliers, freight operators and drivers must abide by the road traffic regulations on, for example, the fitting and use of speed limiters and drivers' hours. Within the context of these and other regulations governing the way in which the industry is operated, payment schemes are a matter for industry itself. The Vehicle Inspectorate collates intelligence on vehicle operators and, where there is a suggestion that the payment of incentives is encouraging malpractice, they will investigate.

  Multi-agency Stops
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many multi-agency stops were carried out by his Department with other agencies in the last 12 months; where they took place; and how many multi-agency stops were carried out in 1997–98. [114534]

  Mr. Hill
  The police organised seven national, co-ordinated multi-agency enforcement exercises in 1999–2000, which were supported by Vehicle Inspectorate and other enforcement agencies. Each exercise consisted of checks on vehicles carried out at between 70 and 100 sites throughout Great Britain, including Motorway Service Areas, Weighbridge Sites, Goods Vehicle Test Stations and other roadside locations.

  Seven similar exercises were organised by the police in 1998–99; an additional check was also arranged to inspect vehicles travelling to and from ports serving the Irish Sea. Six exercises were organised in 1997–98.

  Unseaworthy Vessels
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions of companies owning unseaworthy vessels took place in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [114523]

  Mr. Hill
  There have been no prosecutions of companies owning unseaworthy vessel in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000
  328W
  However the owner and operator, as individuals, were convicted in 1999 of unsafe operation of a ship of the Belize registered ROYAL 1.

  Shipping Safety Regulations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will take steps to introduce higher penalties for the evasion of safety regulations on(a) United Kingdom ships and (b) foreign ships using United Kingdom ports; [114522]

  (2) if he will take steps to introduce higher penalties for the evasion of safety regulations on (a) UK ships and (b) foreign ships using UK ports. [114701]

  Mr. Hill
  It is Government policy to follow up all significant breaches of the safety aspects of Merchant Shipping legislation to determine the appropriate action in particular cases, up to and including prosecution. There is no evidence that the available sanctions, which include detention of ships, fines and, in one recent case, imprisonment, are inappropriate.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will direct London Underground to conduct an inquiry into continuing delays on the Jubilee Line, the operation and use of doors on the westbound platform at Westminster station, the operation of doors on the eastbound platform at Westminster station on the evening of 7 March and the delay to a southbound train at Baker Street station on the morning of 8 March. [114324]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: I note my right hon. Friend's request for an inquiry. However, problems are not unusual when bedding in a new railway, and LUL have informed me that they are doing all they can to identify and resolve recurring faults.

  The incidents referred to are operational matters for London Underground Ltd. Platform edge doors are new technology for London Underground and, despite driver training, there were some initial problems, not only at Westminster, with operating procedures. This situation has improved as drivers have become more expert at handling the new equipment. There are however occasional faults. I understand that on 7 March the doors on the eastbound train failed to close at Westminster station. The train was taken out of passenger service and replaced. The initial delay was 18 minutes and the whole of the Jubilee Line was delayed as a consequence. A number of trains were cancelled as a result of the delay. New software to eliminate faults is currently under test.

  I am advised that on 8 March southbound delays resulted from traction current problems between Baker Street and Finchley Road.

  Tenant Participation Compact
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of local authorities which will not be in a position to introduce a tenant participation compact by 1 April; what action is being taken to ensure that authorities enter into a compact at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement. [114699]
  329W
  Mr. Mullin
  Research commissioned by my Department between April and September 1999 showed that, one year ahead of implementing best value and tenant participation compacts, 10 per cent. of authorities were proactive in preparing for implementation, 70 per cent. were planning for implementation but not at an advanced stage, and the remaining 20 per cent. were reluctant to implement. We expect preparations to have progressed since then and will be looking at whether local authorities have introduced compacts through this year's annual Housing Investment Programme (HIP) process.

  Local authority performance on tenant participation will continue to feed into the HIP assessment process through which Government allocate housing capital resources. Under Best Value, local authority delivery of what is agreed in compacts will also be subject to scrutiny by the new Housing Inspectorate.

  Registered Social Landlords
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to encourage the rehabilitation of run-down property by registered social landlords; and if he will make a statement. [114695]

  Mr. Mullin
  Each year the Housing Corporation invites registered social landlords to bid for grants to build new properties and to rehabilitate existing ones. 25.3 per cent. of the 2000–01 programme for rent, amounting to £147.48 million, has been allocated for the rehabilitation of properties.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to allow properties that have received home improvement grants over 25 years ago to receive grants for updating those improvements; if he will make funds available to local authorities for such purposes; and if he will make a statement. [114766]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local authorities have broad discretion over how they give grants for home improvement, for which funding is made available each year by my Department. There are no restrictions on how often they give grants for any one property.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what grants are available from central Government for home improvements in owner occupier and private rented accommodation. [115013]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department provides a specific grant, Private Sector Renewal Grant, in support of local authorities to assist home owners with the renovation of their properties. From 1 April 2000 Exchequer support for private sector renewal will be through the single capital allocation for housing.

  Seat Belts
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to enforce the wearing of seat belts by motorists and their passengers. [114950]
  330W
  Mr. Hill
  Enforcement of road traffic regulations is a matter for the police. In 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, 175,334 fixed penalty notices and 14,300 written warnings were issued in seat belt cases. The magistrates courts also dealt with 8,180 cases, of which 6,411 were found guilty.

  We are concerned about the number of rear seat passengers, in particular adults, who do not wear seat belts. The latest, unpublished, biannual survey, carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on the Department's behalf in October 1999, showed that 76 per cent. of all rear seat passengers, 54 per cent. of adults, in all cars were wearing seat belts. The "Julie" rear seat belt television campaign was repeated during February.

  The Government's forward plans for seat belt fitting and wearing are set out in pages 57 and 58 of "Tomorrow's roads—safer for everyone", the Government's road safety strategy, which was launched on 1 March. Copies of the strategy are available in the Library of the House.

  The Department's leaflet "Seat Belts and Child Restraints" which provides advice on the law is widely available. Copies of the leaflet are also in the Library of the House.

  Housebuilding (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the impact his statement of 7 March 2000 on housebuilding will have on the Chelmsford Local Authority area; and, as a result of his statement, how many houses will have to be built in Chelmsford,(a) over the next five years and (b) over the next 16 years. [114782]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning gave on 13 March 2000,Official Report, column 35W. On 20 March we will be publishing the full details of our proposed changes to regional planning guidance in the South East. These will include an illustrative breakdown of housing within the region to county level, including an annual rate of provision for Essex. We will be seeking the views of the local authorities in the region, through SERPLAN, and those of other interested parties on that distribution.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many genetically modified crop trials are currently taking place in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [114424]

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the current progress of genetically modified crop trials in the United Kingdom. [113387]

  Mr. Meacher
  I will release details of this year's Farm Scale Evaluations programme tomorrow morning. This will include information about all the proposed locations of sites already notified to my Department. Details will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Dormer Windows
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend planning law in respect of the siting of dormer windows. [114919]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for a range of minor works of development to dwelling houses. This includes the insertion of dormer windows, subject to certain limits on size and except where it would alter a roof slope facing a highway. In granting permitted development rights, we have to strike a balance between giving freedoms to individual householders to improve their homes, and protecting the amenity of neighbouring properties. We are not aware of any significant problems in the exercise of permitted development rights relating to dormer windows and therefore have no plans to change these at the present time. We will, however, continue to monitor any representations received on this issue.

  Bypasses
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bypasses have been removed from the trunk road and motorway improvements programme since May 1997. [114977]

  Mr. Hill
  Our 1997–98 review of the programme resulted in the outright cancellation of two bypass proposals because of their impact on environmentally sensitive areas: the A36 Salisbury bypass and the A49 Hereford bypass. Three bypass schemes dropped before May 1997 were reinstated in our targeted programme of improvements, which includes a total of 19 schemes that will provide bypasses for local communities. A number of other bypass schemes were remitted to studies, regional planning bodies and, in the case of schemes on routes proposed for de-trunking, to local highway authorities for consideration as part of their local transport plans. Full details of all our review decisions are given in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England".

  McKinsey Report
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Commission for Integrated Transport took into account in drawing up its recent report on 44-tonne lorries for the Government, the evidence in McKinsey's report of 10 February produced for Railtrack. [114979]

  Mr. Hill
  McKinsey's study for Railtrack of potential demand for rail freight, using a sectoral analysis of existing business and opportunities, did not report until 12 March. I understand that in preparing its report the Commission for Integrated Transport was aware of McKinsey's work in progress but took the view that it did not add to the analysis of the impact of 44 tonne lorries already available from other sources. The shadow Strategic Rail Authority will have access to McKinsey's model in developing its forthcoming freight strategy.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of 332W
  his Department's press officers have access to the PA Newsfeed via their desk-top PCs; and at what cost to public funds. [114918]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions current subscription to the PA Newsfeed allows for a maximum of two simultaneous connections to the PA service. These two connections are available to all press officers via their desk-top PCs. The cost is £7,453.44 per annum.

  Opencast Mines
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for opencast mines in greenbelt areas have(a) been approved, (b) been sent to public inquiry and await determination, (c) been sent to public inquiry and are subject to further evidence having been requested by him following the issue of the minerals planning guidance and (d) have been rejected; and of these, how many in each category have had costs awarded against those opposing the application since May 1997. [114775]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  However, according to the latest statistics produced by the Planning Officers' Society, between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998, 14 applications for opencast coal mining were approved by mineral planning authorities and 13 applications were refused (including three appeal decisions refused by the Secretary of State).

  Since May 1997, two appeals have been allowed and nine appeals have been dismissed by the Secretary of State.

  At present six appeals await determination, of which five have been to public inquiry. Three of those appeals, which have been to public inquiry, are subject to consideration of further evidence requested by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Information on how many of these applications were for sites in greenbelt areas is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Costs have not been awarded against those opposing the application in any case since May 1997.

  Brownfield Development
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what distinction his Department makes between brownfield sites and usable brownfield sites when identifying the amount of developed land available for redevelopment. [115011]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Annexe C of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing gives a definition of previously developed land. This definition excludes previously developed land which has blended into the landscape; land where provision has been made for restoration to its natural state; and land which has been put to amenity use and cannot be regarded as requiring development. Using this definition of previously developed land, phase 1 of the National Land Use Database (NLUD) collected information from local authorities on previously developed vacant and derelict sites, whether or not they were available
  333W
  for redevelopment. NLUD also included vacant buildings and sites in use which were allocated for a specific use in the local plan, had planning permission for housing, or with known development potential. In order to estimate how much of the land reported was available for redevelopment, local authorities recorded for each site whether it was allocated in the local plan, the type of any planning permission and the suitability for housing.

  Liquid Petroleum Gas
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many(a) private cars, (b) commercial vehicles and (c) public transport vehicles have been converted to run on liquid petroleum gas since May 1997; [115026]

  (2) how many (a) private cars, (b) commercial vehicles and (c) public transport vehicles can run on liquid petroleum gas in the United Kingdom. [115025]

  Mr. Hill
  The table shows the number of vehicles which can run on gas (either liquid petroleum gas or compressed natural gas) in the United Kingdom, according to DVLA statistics. The latest data available are for the end of June 1999, and the number of vehicles converted to gas now is expected to have continued to increase. More recent data will be available in due course. (The nearest available data for May 1997 are for the end of 1996).

  Vehicle type

  Number of vehicles registered to run on gas as of 30 June 1999

  Increase in the number of vehicles registered to run on gas since 31 December 1996

  Cars

  12,357

  8,272

  HGVs

  68

  24

  Buses

  36

  15

  Others

  2,922

  245

  Redevelopment Funding
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a list of those areas to be designated as urban priority areas for redevelopment funding. [115017]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Urban Taskforce report—"Towards an Urban Renaissance"—published in June 1999 recommended the introduction of urban priority areas as one of a wide-ranging series of proposals for the renewal of towns and cities. The report was welcomed by the Government as an important contribution to the urban renaissance debate. Many of the recommendations have already been taken forward. Others, including those on urban priority areas and the measures that might be applied within them, are being considered as part of our preparations for the White Paper on urban policy, due to be published later this year.

  Regional Chambers
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been 334W
  the cost of each of the regional chambers in each of the years since their inception; and what is the projected cost for the next five years. [115015]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The costs of the voluntary regional chambers are entirely a matter for their members.

  Humberside Airport
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what public funding has been made available for Hull airport in the last three years. [115023]

  Mr. Mullin
  In the last three years we have issued the following amounts in supplementary credit approvals for investment at Humberside Airport:

  1997–98—£1.27 million

  1998–99—£0.42 million

  1999–2000—nil.

  Following the purchase by Manchester Airport of a majority shareholding in the company owning the airport, Humberside Airport was removed from borrowing controls in August 1999.

  Rent Controls
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has for legislation relating to the control of rents. [115021]

  Mr. Mullin
  I share the dismay and concern of many thousands of tenants that the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order has been quashed by the Court of Appeal. We have petitioned another place for leave to appeal the decision. If leave is not granted, we will give urgent consideration to the matter of legislation.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received regarding the reform of controlled rents. [115022]

  Mr. Mullin
  To date the Government have received some 30 representations from hon. and right hon. Members and some 260 representations from members of the public about the effects of the Court of Appeal's decision to quash the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff are employed in his Department; and how many were employed in each of the last four years, including the component departments which were merged into his Department after May 1997. [115020]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  On 1 January 2000, there were 16,397 staff in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, including its Agencies. These figures include 824 staff for the Rent Service, which became operational on 1 October 1999, most of whom were originally employed by Local Authorities; only 15 were transferred from another part of this Department.
  335W
  Information for previous years is available for 1 April. The following table shows employees of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in 1999 and 1998 and of the Department of Environment and the Department of Transport for 1997 and 1996.

  Date

  Staff in post

  1 April 1999

  15,516

  1 April 1998

  15,595

  1 April 1997

  15,844

  1 April 1996

  16,206

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each of the regional development projects funded by the regional development agencies to date; and what funds have been committed. [115016]

  RDA expenditure: 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  £000

  Administration

  Project funding

  Total

  1999–2000

  One North East

  9,771

  139,039

  148,810

  North West Development Agency

  12,131

  212,595

  224,726

  Yorkshire Forward

  8,036

  152,203

  160,239

  East Midlands Development Agency

  7,155

  60,193

  67,348

  Advantage West Midlands

  7,678

  114,764

  122,442

  East of England Development Agency

  4,803

  28,957

  33,760

  South East of England Development Agency

  5,486

  82,850

  88,336

  South West Development Agency

  7,488

  46,509

  53,997

  All RDAs

  62,548

  837,110

  899,658

  2000–01

  One North East

  9,899

  138,659

  148,558

  North West Development Agency

  12,628

  221,743

  234,371

  Yorkshire Forward

  8,525

  170,700

  179,225

  East Midlands Development Agency

  7,373

  70,378

  77,751

  Advantage West Midlands

  7,989

  115,406

  123,395

  East of England Development Agency

  5,038

  35,482

  40,520

  South East of England Development Agency

  6,027

  73,672

  79,699

  South West Development Agency

  7,819

  66,400

  74,219

  All RDAs

  65,298

  892,440

  957,738

  2001–02

  One North East

  9,899

  143,179

  153,078

  North West Development Agency

  12,628

  224,678

  237,306

  Yorkshire Forward

  8,525

  190,413

  198,938

  East Midlands Development Agency

  7,372

  71,335

  78,707

  Advantage West Midlands

  7,989

  123,955

  131,944

  East of England Development Agency

  5,038

  40,282

  45,320

  South East of England Development Agency

  6,027

  85,508

  91,535

  South West Development Agency

  7,819

  65,459

  73,278

  All RDAs

  65,298

  944,809

  1,010,106

  Notes:

  1. Includes figures for the Partnership Investment Programme.

  2. 1999–2000 figures are budgets at the start of the financial year

  3. 2000–01 figures are allocations, except for Competitiveness Development Fund and Inward Investment which are indicative

  4. 2001–02 figures are indicative

  Ministerial Meetings (RMT)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings he has had with officials of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union since May 1997. [115024]
  336W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  At present there are approximately 5,000 projects administered by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). Collating and publishing this information could be completed only at disproportionate cost.

  The budget for expenditure on projects by RDAs during 1999–2000—including the Partnership Investment Programme—is £837 million.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost of each of the regional development agencies in each of the years since their inception; and what is projected for future years as to(a) administration and running costs and (b) project funding costs. [115014]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Regional Development Agencies assumed their full responsibilities in April 1999. Information for 1999-2000 and the remainder of the current Comprehensive Spending Review period is shown in the table.

  Mr. Hill
  Ministers have extensive dealings with organisations in both the Public and Private Sectors as part of their official duties.

  It would be impracticable to maintain a central record of such meetings.

  Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the exemptions granted to date under the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [114813]

  Mr. Hill
  The following exemptions from the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 (RVAR), have been authorised by the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 47 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995:

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Metro T69 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 520/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Midland Metro T69 Vehicles) (Exemption No.2) Exemption Order 1999, SI 1256/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (LTS Rail Class 357 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 1448/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Anglia Railways Class 170/2 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 1931/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Central Trains Class 170/5 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 1932/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 458 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 2404/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (ScotRail Class 170/4 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 2547/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Serco Metrolink T68A Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999, SI 2932/1999;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Croydon Tramlink Class CR400 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000, SI 6/2000;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (LTS Rail Class 357 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000, SI No. 182/2000;

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (North Western Trains Class 175/0 and Class 175/1 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2000, SI 524/2000.

  Before authorising any exemptions we consult our statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). Many of the exemptions are for relatively minor non compliances and most have been time limited and we expect vehicles to eventually be modified to bring them to full compliance. All exemptions authorised to date have arisen due to the vehicles being designed before the RVAR where finalised.

  We are working closely with operators and manufacturers to ensure that all new vehicles ordered since the RVAR came into force fully comply with the Regulations. However, there is likely to be a requirement for a small number of exemptions to continue to be authorised to cover exceptional circumstances, for example, on railways where the infrastructure limits the physical size of vehicles.

  Paddington Station
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when safety modifications to the tracks outside Paddington station to eliminate cancellations of trains in the evening peak period will be completed. [114809]

  Mr. Hill
  This is a matter for Railtrack. Any changes or alterations to increase the service into Paddington have to be initiated by Railtrack and then be subject to approval by Her Majesty's Railways Inspectorate (HMRI). An exploratory meeting was held between Railtrack and HMRI on 8 March to discuss progress. However HMRI are still awaiting formal proposals from Railtrack.

  Public Transport Gender Audit
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place a copy in the Library of his Department's gender audit to assist transport planners and operators in meeting women's transport requirements. [114806]

  Mr. Hill
  The audit of women's public transport requirements was completed last year. We have continued to test the findings and will now launch "Women and Public Transport—The Checklist" on March 29, 2000 at a conference in London. A copy of this and of the research report "The Public Transport Gender Audit" will be placed in the Library.

  Home Zones
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the average costs of establishing a home zone. [114812]

  Mr. Hill
  It is not possible to make a meaningful estimate at present. Costs may vary greatly, according to the size of the designated area and the environmental and traffic calming measures employed. We have established a programme to monitor nine pilot home zones, and will have a clearer idea of the costs associated with different approaches when these schemes have been implemented.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many trains carrying radioactive materials have passed signals at danger in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [114811]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department does not hold such information.

  Cattle: Over Thirty Month Scheme
  Cattle: Over Thirty Month Scheme
  Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment with Aricept
  Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment with Aricept
  Jubilee Line Signal Failures
  Jubilee Line Signal Failures
  River Thames: Piers
  River Thames: Piers
  Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, London
  Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, London
  Fair Rents: Increases
  Fair Rents: Increases
  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Natural Disasters and Environmental Policy
  Natural Disasters and Environmental Policy
  Postage Stamp Themes
  Postage Stamp Themes
  Welfare Reform Programme
  Welfare Reform Programme
  GLA and Local Council Elections: Advice to Civil Servants
  GLA and Local Council Elections: Advice to Civil Servants
  Former Offenders: Employment Position
  Former Offenders: Employment Position
  Asylum Seekers in Kent
  Asylum Seekers in Kent
  Asylum Seekers: Detention at Oakington Reception Centre
  Asylum Seekers: Detention at Oakington Reception Centre
  Asylum Seekers: Submission of Supporting Evidence
  Asylum Seekers: Submission of Supporting Evidence
  Prison Service and Criminal Justice Boundaries
  Prison Service and Criminal Justice Boundaries
  Channel Islands and Isle of Man: Financial Regulation
  Channel Islands and Isle of Man: Financial Regulation
  Sexual Offences: Review
  Sexual Offences: Review
  Mozambique and Ecuador: Debt Remission
  Mozambique and Ecuador: Debt Remission
  Bank Branch Closures
  Bank Branch Closures
  Scottish Parliament Funding: Barnett Formula Expenditure Revision
  Scottish Parliament Funding: Barnett Formula Expenditure Revision
  Combined Heat and Power Plants: Levy Exemption
  Combined Heat and Power Plants: Levy Exemption
  European Armaments Policy
  European Armaments Policy
  Iraq: Sanctions Exemptions
  Iraq: Sanctions Exemptions
  Sudan: Chemical Weapons Allegation
  Sudan: Chemical Weapons Allegation
  Angola: Oil Revenue and Arms Purchases
  Angola: Oil Revenue and Arms Purchases
  Ministerial Appointments
  Ministerial Appointments
  Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Kosovo: Bar Human Rights Committee's Report
  Kosovo: Bar Human Rights Committee's Report
  Kosovo: Measures to Strengthen Legal System
  Kosovo: Measures to Strengthen Legal System
  Kosovo: War and Ethnic Crimes Court
  Kosovo: War and Ethnic Crimes Court
  Kosovo: Police Service
  Kosovo: Police Service