Written Answers of 17 March 2000

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Land Development
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give local authorities more control over land development. [112614]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Under our modernising planning initiative, local planning authorities, acting through regional planning bodies, are now responsible for preparing draft regional planning guidance. Local planning authorities have always been responsible for development plans and, in the first instance, for determining planning applications. We are committed to the plan-led system under which it is the local authority's development plan which provides the framework for decisions on the control of land development.

  Local Authority Airports
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legal advice he has received in the last year on proposals to change the powers of local authorities in respect of airports they own. [114573]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local authorities are currently required to exercise their control over public airport companies in such a way that the companies do not engage in activities in which the local authorities themselves have no power to engage. Manchester Airport asked my right hon. Friend to remove this limitation by means of a provision in the Local Government Bill under which he could make regulations extending the powers of airport companies and their subsidiaries in relation to specified types of activity. We consider that the clause which Manchester Airport wished my right hon. Friend to add to the Bill for this purpose would have been outside its scope.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of extending the powers of local authorities in respect of airports they own. [114574]

  Mr. Mullin
  We largely agree with Manchester Airport's own assessment of the potential benefits of wider powers for local authority airport companies.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential use that local authorities might make in respect of airports they own of the new obligation on local authorities to promote economic and social well-being. [114575]
  340W
  Mr. Mullin
  Part I of the Local Government Bill gives local authorities broad new powers to do anything that contributes to the economic and social well-being of their areas. Subject to the terms of their Memoranda and Articles of Association these powers will also apply to local authority airport companies.

  Pensions (Compensation)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that the money paid to(a) Bus Employees Pension Trustees Ltd. to settle the action of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and (b) the National Bus Pension Fund Trust on 1 August 1999 is actually paid to pensioners. [114721]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]: Responsibility for distribution of the settlement sum to pensioners rests entirely with the trustees of the two funds who are independent of the Government. We have however made clear to the trustees that we are very concerned about the time it is taking to resolve this matter. I met them in February to discuss progress and emphasised the need to take matters forward as swiftly as possible.

  I was pleased to be able to say on 7 February 2000, Official Report, columns 17–18W, in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton), that the trustees intend to make initial payments to some 8,000 older pensioners in March and April and are urgently investigating the feasibility of making initial payments to other pensioners.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes received home improvement grants in each of the years 1970–76. [114770]

  Mr. Mullin
  This information can be found in Table X.28, page 119, Chapter 10, Part III of the 1977 Housing Policy Green Paper (Cmnd. 6851). A copy of this Green Paper should be available in the House of Commons Library.

  Privacy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what guidance he has given to planning authorities about the protection of privacy for neighbours; [114921]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce measures to improve protection of privacy for neighbours. [114920]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: Under our plan-led system of development control, decisions on planning applications have to be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. We advise in our Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 "General Policy and Principles" that good neighbourliness and fairness are among the yardsticks against which development proposals can be measured and that, for example, it might be material to consider the question of 'overlooking' or

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  loss of privacy experienced by a particular resident. It is for local planning authorities to determine what considerations are material to any particular case.

  Planning conditions may also be used to protect privacy. The Department's Circular 11/95 suggests, for example, that a local planning authority may wish in appropriate circumstances to attach to a planning permission a condition preventing the use of the roof area of an extension to a dwellinghouse as a balcony, roof garden or similar amenity area without further permission from the authority. We are not proposing planning to introduce any further specific planning measures to improve the protection of privacy for neighbours, although we will continue to keep the matter under review.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional resources have been allocated within his Department to oversee the regulation of the water industry. [115012]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: Departmental resources for overseeing the regulation of the water industry have been kept broadly constant in real terms since the election. The Department's Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulates drinking water quality on behalf of the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales. DWI expenditure in 1998–99 was £2.1 million, and is expected to be £2.2 million in 1999–2000, compared with £1.8 million in 1997–98.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what timetable he has agreed in respect of the 31 January announcement on consultation about the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and access to taxis. [115082]

  Mr. Hill
  We are reviewing the policy options and will consult with the taxi trade, disability organisations and local authorities on the final proposals, including the timetable for implementation in due course. An announcement with further details will be issued when the timing is clear.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will call for a report from London Underground on the continuing failings of the signalling system on the Jubilee Line, with particular reference to delays on the southbound line on the morning of Tuesday 14 March; and by what date this line is expected to be working efficiently and punctually. [115127]

  Mr. Hill
  I note my right hon. Friend's request for a report. This is an operational matter for London Underground Ltd., who have informed me that they are doing all they can to identify and resolve recurring faults. This work has already started to pay off in terms of improved train reliability. Indeed, work is currently in hand, in particular on signalling, which should improve performance significantly over the next few months.
  342W
  I understand that on the morning of 14 March services were suspended for 25 minutes at the request of the Metropolitan police while they investigated a suspect vehicle parked outside Westminster station. There was no signal failure.

  Ministerial Conduct
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraphs 113 and 126 of the Ministerial Code, what steps he took to avoid conflicts of interest in respect of the renting of a flat from the RMT and other financial arrangements with the RMT. [115211]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has been a tenant since 1970 of a flat owned by the RMT. Like about 200,000 other pre-1989 private sector tenancies, it is a regulated tenancy under the Rent Acts and is subject to 'fair rent' control. My right hon. Friend has written to the Parliamentary Commissioner explaining to her the reasons why he sees no need to declare the tenancy in the Register of Members' Interests, but for the avoidance of doubt, he has asked for her advice on the issue.

  Gatwick Express
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is an exemption order for the Class 460 trains to be introduced into service by Gatwick Express in respect of provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [115700]

  Mr. Hill
  As my predecessor explained in her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 167W, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.

  We have received an application from Gatwick Express relating to the new Class 460 trains they wish to introduce into service. The exemptions, have been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. An exemption Order relating to the exemption of these trains has been laid in Parliament today. Copies are available from the Library.

  The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Photo Passes
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee, pursuant to her answer of 13 March 2000,Official Report, column 14W, on photo passes, how many passes were held by temporary research assistants from overseas on 1 January. [115121]
  343W
  Mrs. Roe
  Up to 50 passes at any one time are issued each spring, summer and autumn term to temporary research assistants from overseas, who are sponsored by an institution of higher education.

DEFENCE

  HQ 2 Division
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the additional annual travelling and subsistence costs to the 2 Division will be consequent upon the relocation of the headquarters to Edinburgh; [108667]

  (2) what the staffing costs will be of the 2 Division following relocation of its headquarters to Edinburgh. [108666]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The staffing costs of the new HQ 2 Division are expected to be of the order of £8 million per annum. The travel and subsistence costs of HQ 2 Division consequent on its relocation to Edinburgh have not been identified separately. The move will save in the region of £4 million per annum in HQ costs compared with HQs in both Edinburgh and York.

  Gulf War Illnesses
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel, in each of the armed services, who served in the Gulf War have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder; how many have been treated successfully; how many have left the services on grounds of ill health; and if he will make a statement. [113959]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not keep a central record of all medical diagnoses and subsequent treatment for currently serving personnel. Responsibility for the health of ex-Service personnel, if resident in the UK, lies with the NHS, which similarly does not keep a central record of all diagnoses and treatment. Neither does the NHS routinely communicate diagnostic or treatment information to the MOD. No arrangements are in place to monitor the health of ex-Service personnel living overseas. Therefore, the total number of British Service personnel who took part in the 1990–91 Gulf conflict who have been diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their Service and their subsequent treatment is not known.

  However, the MOD holds information on those Gulf Veterans who were referred by their Service Medical Officer or GP for assessment at the MOD's Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme (MAP). Since its establishment in October 1993, MAP had seen a total of 2,934 patients (up to 31 January 2000). Of these, 245 personnel (nine Royal Navy/Royal Marines, 213 Army, and 23 RAF) had a recorded diagnosis of PTSD confirmed by a consultant psychiatrist.

  As at 31 January 2000, of the 53,462 Service personnel who deployed to the Gulf, 846 personnel (189 Royal Navy/Royal Marines, 554 Army and 103 RAF) had been
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  medically discharged. Of these, 37 (10 Royal Navy/Royal Marines, 24 Army and three RAF) had been medically discharged following a diagnosis of PTSD. Of the 37 cases, nine (two Royal Navy/Royal Marines and seven Army) are included in the figure of 245 who had been to MAP.

  Mines
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the reason for the withdrawal from service of(a) the L27 off-route mine and (b) the Mk 7 anti-tank mine; and if he will make a statement. [114362]

  Mr. Spellar
  (a) The L27 Anti-Tank Mine was withdrawn from service in 1997 because it was obsolete and no longer required for service use.

  (b) Two variants of Mk 7 Anti-Tank Mine were withdrawn from service over 10 years ago as they were obsolete and no longer required for service use. Two other variants remain in service.

  Army Personnel Statistics
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of Army personnel (i) deployed to and (ii) stationed in(a) Kosovo, (b) Bosnia and (c) Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [114256]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: The information requested is given in the table:

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Former Yugoslavia

  3,315

  10,489

  —

  —

  —

  Kosovo

  —

  —

  0

  0

  4,235

  Bosnia

  —

  —

  5,468

  5,129

  4,136

  Northern Ireland

  15,608

  15,308

  15,022

  14,483

  13,517

  Notes:

  1. The figures given are at or around 1 April.

  2. Information held prior to 1997 only records deployments to the Former Yugoslavia.

  3. From 1997 onwards the figures for Kosovo and Bosnia are defined as the UK Land contributions to KFOR and SFOR respectively.

  4. The figures for Former Yugoslavia and Bosnia include UK personnel serving in multinational units, such as HQ SFOR.

  5. In addition to the personnel shown in the final column, there are a number of Territorial Army units based in Northern Ireland.

  Military Establishments
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military establishments within(a) Devon and (b) the Torbay constituency, indicating in each case the complement; what plans he has to change the (i) number and (ii) manning of such establishments; and if he will make a statement. [114553]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence (MOD) manned establishments within(a) the county of Devon and (b) Torbay constituency are listed in the table. The personnel complement at each establishment is also given. The data reflect the status of the establishments in question as of 1 October 1999, which is the most recent date for which data are centrally held.

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  Establishment

  Town

  Personnel

  (a)

  Royal Marine Bickleigh, 42 Commando Royal Marine

  Plymouth

  532

  Royal Marine Commando Training Centre, Lympstone

  Exmouth

  748

  Royal Marine Barracks Chivenor, Commando Logistics and 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers

  Chivenor

  805

  Royal Marine Inslow, Amphibious Trials and Training Unit

  Bideford

  69

  Royal Marine Barracks Turnchapel, 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines

  Turnchapel

  101

  Royal Marine Barracks Stonehouse, Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade

  Plymouth

  526

  Royal Marine Citadel, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

  Plymouth

  548

  Britannia Royal Naval College

  Dartmouth

  233

  HM Naval Base Devonport

  Plymouth

  2,440

  HM Naval Base Devonport1

  Plymouth

  3,869

  HMS Cambridge

  Wembury, Plymouth

  193

  HMS Vivid

  Plymouth

  8

  HMS Drake, HM Naval Base

  Plymouth

  227

  RAF Chivenor

  Barnstaple

  54

  Dartmoor Training Areas and Oakhampton Training Camp

  Oakhampton

  32

  Fremlington Training Camp

  Barnstaple

  18

  Naval Bases and Supply Agency

  Exeter

  83

  Naval Bases and Supply Agency

  Ernestettle

  152

  Army Base Repair Organisation, Contract Repair Office

  Coypool, Marshmills

  2

  Defence Estates, Plymouth and South West Office

  Plymouth

  24

  Wyvern Barracks

  Exeter

  32

  Territorial Army Centre

  Millbay, Plymouth

  3

  Territorial Army Centre

  Derriford, Plymouth

  14

  Territorial Army Centre

  Paignton

  4

  Armed Forces Careers Office

  Exeter

  4

  Armed Forces Careers Office

  Plymouth

  30

  Army Careers Information Centre

  Exeter

  9

  Army Careers Information Office

  Barnstaple

  2

  Army Careers Information Office

  Torquay

  1

  Careers Information Office

  Exeter

  7

  Careers Information Office

  Plymouth

  11

  (b)

  Army Careers Information Office

  Torquay

  1

  Territorial Army Centre

  Paignton

  4

  1 Personnel on ships based at Devonport

  (i) There are currently no plans to change the number of establishments in Torbay constituency and the county of Devon.

  (ii) Current plans to change the manning of establishments in Torbay constituency and the county of Devon are set out as follows:
  The transfer of 13 Service posts and 36 civilian posts at naval establishments in Plymouth and Dartmouth to Flagship Training Ltd., as part of the continuing implementation of the Partnership Arrangement between the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency and Flagship. If agreed this will come into effect on 1 April 2000. This is subject to consultation.
  A study and investment appraisal are currently being carried out into the future of HMS Cambridge. As a result, changes in the status or manning of the establishment may be recommended.

  RN Vessels
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the long-term service plans for use of(a) HMS Sheffield, (b) HMS Coventry and (c) HMS Cardiff. [114768]

  Mr. Spellar
  HM ships Coventry, Sheffield and Cardiff will remain Fleet assets until replaced by new ships entering service. On current plans, HMS Coventry will be replaced by HMS St. Albans at the end of 2001. In due course HMS Sheffield will be replaced by the Future 346W
  Surface Combatant and HMS Cardiff by the first Type 45. Until replaced, they will be subject to a normal programme of operational tasking and upkeep.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the refit of HMS Nottingham is proceeding on time and within budget; when she will start post-refit trials; what is the date for her to return to active service; and if he will make a statement. [114802]

  Mr. Spellar
  The refit of HMS Nottingham is currently proceeding to programme and is within budget. Post-refit trials are planned to commence in the autumn and HMS Nottingham is expected to return to operational service early next year.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the mid and long-term service plans for the three Royal Navy aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement. [114797]

  Mr. Spellar
  The three aircraft carriers, HMS Invincible, Illustrious and Ark Royal undertake a rolling programme of operations and maintenance, to ensure that two ships are normally available for tasking. All three vessels are planned to remain in service for at least the next decade. Under current plans, Invincible will be the first to pay off, after which Illustrious and Ark Royal will provide the capability until the next two new aircraft carriers enter service.
  347W
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of the refit is for the HMS Lancaster; if it will be completed to time and cost; if she will be able to carry the Merlin helicopter; and if he will make a statement. [114763]

  Mr. Spellar
  Expenditure to date on HMS Lancaster's refit is about £10.5 million. There are some outstanding minor costs which are subject to negotiation with the refit contractor. It is expected that the final cost will be within the original budget. The refit contract was completed earlier than originally planned, and HMS Lancaster will shortly return to operational service. She is now capable of carrying the Merlin helicopter.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where HMS Norfolk will have her next refit; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [114771]

  Mr. Spellar
  HMS Norfolk's next refit is planned to start in 2005 and to form part of MOD's competitive shipwork programme. Both the venue and the cost of the refit will therefore depend on the outcome of the planned competition.

  Bloody Sunday
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the soldiers on duty in Londonderry on 30 January 1972 suffered a bullet wound to his foot. [114901]

  Mr. Spellar
  While on duty in Londonderry on 30 January 1972, a soldier suffered a bullet would to his foot as a result of the accidental discharge of his weapon. He has made a statement to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, but his identity cannot be revealed under the Tribunal's ruling on anonymity.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of housing benefit paid by each local authority in respect of local authority rented housing in the years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will indicate the average number of recipients for each authority. [113843]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the Library.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 806W, if he will list the local authorities that did not volunteer to participate in (a) the Area Benefit Review of Housing Benefit and (b) the last Housing Benefit Review. [115210]

  Angela Eagle
  In the summer of 1997 all local authorities in Great Britain were invited to volunteer to participate in the second National Housing Benefit Review for which a representative sample of authorities was needed.
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  In the spring of 1999 the Department invited all local authorities in Great Britain to participate in a project to incorporate Housing Benefit paid with Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) into the Benefits Agency's Area Benefit Review programme.

  In seeking volunteers for both exercises, the Department made clear to local authorities the level of commitment required. In the case of the national review, this involved diverting anti-fraud resources from mainstream anti-fraud activity for a period of approximately two months. In the case of the area benefit review, a continuing requirement to divert benefit processing resources from mainstream activity and to meet tight deadlines was involved. It was left to local authorities whether they would be able to make this commitment without jeopardising anti-fraud work or service delivery.

  The list of local authorities who did not volunteer to participate in the second National Housing Benefit Review or the Area Benefit Review project has been placed in the Library.

  Fraud Officer (North Essex)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Benefits Agency Fraud officer for North Essex will be contactable by e-mail; and if he will make a statement. [114978]

  Mr. Rooker
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Bernard Jenkin, dated 16 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the Benefits Agency Fraud officer for North Sussex will be contactable by e-mail; and if he will make a statement. We understand that there was an error in the question and that it should have read North Essex not Sussex.
  Until recently we did not have in place a secure gateway from our internal e-mail system to the Internet to allow safe communication with those outside our system. This is now in place and instructions have just been issued to staff for its use. Over the coming months the e-mail addresses of BA District and other offices will be published on the DSS Web site. A timetable has not yet been finalised. A number of constraints remain to be resolved in terms of confirming identify and ensuring security before restricted or personal information can be sent by e-mail but these are being addressed.
  We have not yet, however, put in place the structures within offices to deal with a high volumes of enquiries but an arrangement can be made for specific cases and I understand that this option has been made available to you by the Fraud Sector manager. I hope this is helpful.

  IR35
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the impact on the social security budget of the introduction of IR35. [114498]

  Mr. Rooker
  The introduction of IR35 is estimated to yield an additional £220 million per year in National Insurance contributions in a full year. Although the increased contributions are likely to lead to higher future National Insurance benefit expenditure, it is not possible to quantify this increase.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2000,Official Report, column 53W, (a) what types of fraud the new scans of national insurance numbers will identify that previous scans have not been able to, (b) what estimate he has made of how many fraudulent numbers there will be for each type of anticipated fraud and (c) how many numbers on the Departmental Central Index will be scanned using the new technique. [115204]

  Mr. Rooker
  The scans of National Insurance numbers are designed primarily to identify anomalies and duplicate records, rather than specific areas of fraud.

  It is not possible to estimate how many cases of fraud will be identified by scans, or the type of fraud involved.

  Each scan involves checking the whole of the Departmental Central Index database, some 81 million accounts.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will bring forward proposals to provide compensation to those in receipt of a state pension in Scotland for the recent increases in water charges; and if he will make a statement. [114679]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: No. Social Security benefits are paid at a set UK rate. Account is taken of a wide range of goods and services, including water charges across the UK.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Sure Start
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent progress has been made on the Sure Start projects introduced to date. [113174]

  Yvette Cooper
  I have been asked to reply.

  Of the 60 Sure Start trailblazer programmes that were announced in January 1999, 53 have now received approval and are now starting to help young children and their families. The remaining seven will follow shortly. In November 1999, we launched the second wave of Sure Start by inviting a further 69 areas to start work to develop local programmes. All of these are now working on drawing up outline plans. This brings the number of Sure Start programmes so far announced to 129.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of poor children will be covered by the Sure Start programme when the roll-out is complete. [113783]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: I have been asked to reply.

  Sure Start are committed to establishing 250 local Sure Start programmes in areas of disadvantage by March 2002. On the basis of the 60 Sure Start trailblazers now in place, it is estimated that when fully rolled-out the programme will cover 18 per cent. of children under four in England living in households in receipt of income-based benefits.

  "Computers Within Reach"
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the qualifying conditions will be for retired people to acquire computers under the computers within reach scheme for the purposes of lifelong learning. [114115]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government are making £15 million available for a scheme, "Computers Within Reach", to evaluate arrangements for those who cannot afford new computers to acquire reconditioned computers for use in the home for the purpose of improving their employment prospects, for lifelong learning or for their children's homework. Eligible recipients for computer packages under this scheme are expected to be those in receipt of a range of benefits including Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance, and may include those for whom state pensions are the main source of income.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000 what was(a) the number of occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from his Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113969]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: Prior to April 1998, the DfEE distributed hard copies of press notices via the Central Office of Information delivery service. After April 1998, all press releases have been distributed electronically via the News Distribution Service managed by the Central Office of Information. Couriers are not used purely to distribute press releases. It is however impossible to separate the times when couriers were used as the only practical means of sending out sensitive material which may have had press releases attached.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113995]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: Due to the sheer numbers of media who will have received DfEE press releases, it is not possible to provide a list. Press releases are available to all the media via the News Distribution Service, managed by the Central Office of Information, and the internet. Targeted distribution will rely on the subject and content of the specific press release.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress is being made towards a national roll out of the New Deal for Disabled People. [114688]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: We expect to make an announcement very shortly.

TREASURY

  Farmers (Compensation)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on(a) state aid for pig farmers and (b) monetary compensation to farmers for currency fluctuations; [114683]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on compensation for farmers for currency adjustments; and if he will make a statement. [114947]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  My right hon. Friends the Chancellor and the Agriculture Minister discuss many issues. All relevant issues receive continuous close attention.

  London (Migration)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his estimates for migration from London to the south-east of England over the next five years. [114428]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 17 March 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on estimates for migration from London to the South East of England over the next five years.
  Projections for migration from London to the South East of England are shown in the following table for 2001 and 2006. Projection of migration are not available for the intervening years, but are consistent with those shown.

  Projected migration from London to the Government Office for the South East Region 2001, 2006

  Thousand

  2001

  2006

  Inflow

  82.3

  82.8

  Outflow

  54.1

  54.8

  Net

  28.2

  28.0

  Athletic Events (Funding)
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about capital funding for facilities for major athletics events; and if he will make a statement. [113946]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: No recent discussions have taken place between the Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about capital funding for facilities for major athletics events. Any additional needs will be considered as part of the current spending review.

  Investing in Britain Fund
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross domestic product was spent on the Investing in Britain Fund in the financial years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000; what estimate he has made for (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [114705]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]: The Investing in Britain Fund provides for the renewal and modernisation of the UK's public sector capital stock. Figures for capital investment as a percentage of gross domestic product are shown in Table B6, Annexe 2 of the pre-Budget Report (Cm 4479). These figures will be updated in the forthcoming Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Dot.com Companies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic implications of the entry of dot.com companies into the FTSE 100. [114997]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Changes in the composition of the FTSE 100 reflect market valuations of UK companies.

  As the Prime Minister explained in a recent speech, the challenges and opportunities presented by the growth of e-commerce apply to all businesses, in all sectors of the economy. The Government recognise the importance of these developments and have set a target of making the UK the best place for e-commerce in the world by 2002.

  Financial Markets (Local Authority Access)
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to allow local authorities greater access to the financial markets. [114911]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There are currently no plans to allow local authorities greater access to the financial markets.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of ECOFIN on 13 March. [115740]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Paymaster General attended the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers.

  The Commission presented its action plan for improving financial management and procedures. The Council recommended granting discharge in respect of the 1998 financial year.

  The Stability programmes of Luxembourg, France and Portugal were agreed.

  The Presidency announced that the ECOFIN Ministers would he invited to attend the Lisbon European Council on employment, economic reform and social cohesion. ECOFIN agreed a report to the Lisbon Council which emphasised the importance of sustainable growth, macroeconomic stability and economic reform in promoting a dynamic, innovative and socially inclusive European economy.
  353W
  The Commission presented their report on the taxation of aviation fuel.

HEALTH

  Neurosurgical Consultants
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of neurosurgiacal consultants in each NHS region in each of the last 10 years. [110932]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest available information is shown in the tables.

  Neurosurgical consultants by regional health authority 1988–1995 England at 30 September each year

  Headcount

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Northern

  10

  10

  10

  0

  10

  0

  10

  10

  Yorkshire

  10

  10

  0

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  Trent

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  10

  10

  Oxford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  NW Thames

  0

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  0

  10

  NE Thames

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  SE Thames

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  0

  SW Thames

  0

  10

  10

  10

  0

  10

  10

  10

  Mersey

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  North Western

  10

  10

  10

  10

  20

  20

  10

  10

  South Western

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  Wessex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  England

  100

  90

  100

  100

  100

  100

  110

  110

  Notes:

  1.Figures rounded to nearest 10

  2. 'O' denotes five or less

  3. Regional totals may not equal England total due to rounding and staff working in more than one region

  4.The regional structure changed on 1 April 1996, when the regional health authorities were replaced by regional offices. For September 1995, data are available in either format.

  Source:

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census

  Administration Expenditure
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the change in central administration spending by his Department in each of the last two years; what is the budgeted change for this year and 2001. [106771]

  Ms Stuart
  The change in central administration spending by my Department was a reduction of 7.9 per cent. in real terms in 1997–98, from the previous year, and a further 9.9 per cent. reduction in 1998–99. The budgeted changes are a 8.7 per cent. real terms increase for 1999–2000, and a real terms reduction of 6.1 per cent. in 2001–01.

  The budgeted administration expenditure in 1999–2000 includes an amount towards the set up costs of the new Food Standards Agency. Excluding this amount, the changes in real terms are:
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  Neurosurgical consultants by regional office 1995–1998 England at 30 September each year

  Headcount

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Northern and Yorkshire

  20

  20

  20

  20

  Trent

  10

  10

  10

  10

  Anglia and Oxford

  10

  10

  10

  10

  North Thames

  20

  20

  20

  20

  South Thames

  10

  10

  10

  20

  North West

  20

  20

  20

  20

  South and West

  10

  20

  20

  20

  West Midlands

  10

  10

  10

  10

  England

  110

  120

  130

  130

  Year

  Percentage change

  1997–98

  -7.9

  1998–99

  -9.9

  1999–2000

  +3.9

  2000–01

  -1.7

  Capitation Targets
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amount by which each health authority in England is expected to be above or below its capitation target in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01, expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) as a percentage of each authority's expenditure. [112037]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]: The information requested is shown in the table.

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  1999–2000 distance from target

  2000–01 distance from target

  Health authority

  £000

  Percentage

  £000

  Percentage

  Avon

  -6,924

  -1.17

  -7,351

  -1.15

  Barking and Havering

  -1,934

  -0.75

  2,573

  0.94

  Barnet

  4,594

  2.25

  447

  0.20

  Barnsley

  -4,786

  -2.98

  -5,379

  -3.11

  Bedfordshire

  -12,427

  -3.82

  -13,980

  -3.98

  Berkshire

  -15,619

  -3.50

  -15,847

  -3.23

  Bexley and Greenwich

  14,573

  5.31

  18,097

  6.15

  Birmingham

  2,656

  0.39

  4,390

  0.60

  Bradford

  -5,542

  -1.77

  -3,853

  -1.13

  Brent and Harrow

  9,296

  3.09

  7,051

  2.15

  Bromley

  -498

  -0.27

  214

  0.11

  Buckinghamshire

  -9,343

  -2.48

  -11,999

  -2.92

  Bury and Rochdale

  -3,241

  -1.29

  -1,049

  -0.39

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  1,619

  0.44

  -671

  -0.17

  Cambridge and Huntingdon1

  -2,663

  -1.13

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire1

  —

  —

  -10,687

  -2.41

  Camden and Islington

  6,949

  2.22

  6,701

  1.95

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  6,454

  2.08

  5,506

  1.65

  County Durham

  -9,737

  -2.31

  -8,724

  -1.93

  Coventry

  -7,182

  -3.45

  -6,172

  -2.76

  Croydon

  -2,556

  -1.25

  -2,517

  -1.14

  Doncaster

  -276

  -0.14

  -427

  -0.20

  Dorset

  9,771

  2.24

  9,035

  1.93

  Dudley

  -1,840

  -1.00

  -3,044

  -1.52

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  -2,835

  -0.59

  -133

  -0.03

  East and North Hertfordshire

  -2,118

  -0.73

  -4,059

  -1.28

  East Kent

  7,108

  1.83

  11,031

  2.67

  East Lancashire

  -2,389

  -0.68

  -2,822

  -0.74

  East London and The City

  -24,117

  -4.69

  -20,945

  -3.77

  East Norfolk1

  3,198

  0.85

  —

  —

  East Riding

  -2,397

  -0.66

  -159

  -0.04

  East Surrey

  5,013

  2.10

  5,777

  2.25

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  10,634

  2.15

  13,072

  2.48

  Enfield and Haringey

  1,731

  0.54

  1,464

  0.42

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  -1,954

  -0.76

  -2,889

  -1.05

  Gloucestershire

  12,408

  3.85

  10,564

  3.05

  Herefordshire

  61

  0.06

  -319

  -0.30

  Hillingdon

  658

  0.43

  -963

  -0.58

  Isle of Wight

  6,326

  7.35

  6,603

  7.16

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  -27,917

  -8.88

  -27,876

  -8.14

  Kingston and Richmond

  4,593

  2.25

  5,795

  2.55

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  -3,567

  -0.62

  12,253

  2.00

  Leeds

  1,203

  0.26

  3,114

  0.62

  Leicestershire

  -13,466

  -2.54

  -16,280

  -2.83

  Lincolnshire

  2,528

  0.64

  -3,733

  -0.88

  Liverpool

  7,149

  2.09

  6,603

  1.81

  Manchester

  7,758

  2.28

  7,498

  2.06

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  9,553

  2.31

  8,245

  1.88

  Morecambe Bay

  8,671

  4.40

  7,291

  3.43

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  1,752

  0.53

  3,206

  0.91

  Norfolk1

  —

  —

  186

  0.04

  North and East Devon

  5,434

  1.84

  4,395

  1.38

  North and Mid Hampshire

  3,913

  1.36

  1,612

  0.52

  North Cheshire

  3,561

  1.80

  2,200

  1.04

  North Cumbria

  111

  0.06

  434

  0.20

  North Derbyshire

  -575

  -0.25

  -1,090

  -0.44

  North Essex

  -3,480

  -0.69

  -436

  -0.08

  North Nottinghamshire

  -2,849

  -1.19

  -5,763

  -2.21

  North Staffordshire

  -8,156

  -2.62

  --5,796

  -1.74

  North West Anglia1

  -4,748

  -1.86

  —

  —

  North West Lancashire

  -1,356

  -0.42

  54

  0.02

  North Yorkshire

  -1,736

  -0.40

  -2,462

  -0.53

  Northamptonshire

  4,847

  1.51

  3,079

  0.89

  Northumberland

  -325

  -0.17

  -661

  -0.31

  Nottingham

  -10,151

  -2.53

  -10,245

  -2.39

  Oxfordshire

  -9,569

  -2.84

  -8,166

  -2.24

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  -917

  -0.28

  60

  0.02

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  13,384

  4.72

  11,902

  3.89

  Rotherham

  -1,079

  -0.67

  -1,970

  -1.14

  Salford and Trafford

  6,440

  2.13

  5,725

  1.75

  Sandwell

  -2,795

  -1.34

  -2,060

  -0.93

  Sefton

  1,987

  1.05

  5,688

  2.82

  Sheffield

  5,419

  1.50

  4,686

  1.21

  356W

  357W

  1999–2000 distance from target

  2000–01 distance from target

  Health authority

  £000

  Percentage

  £000

  Percentage

  Shropshire

  -905

  -0.36

  -3,616

  -1.34

  Solihull

  1,598

  1.32

  496

  0.38

  Somerset

  2,866

  1.00

  1,843

  0.59

  South and West Devon

  6,989

  1.86

  5,998

  1.48

  South Cheshire

  2,168

  0.54

  4,007

  0.93

  South Derbyshire

  -7,068

  -2.03

  -5,958

  -1.59

  South Essex

  -14,809

  -3.42

  -7,240

  -1.57

  South Humber

  6,625

  3.44

  4,180

  2.01

  South Lancashire

  4,328

  2.38

  4,249

  2.14

  South Staffordshire

  2,721

  0.85

  -508

  -0.15

  Southampton and South West Hamptonshire

  312

  0.10

  178

  0.05

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  -1,013

  -0.43

  -2,173

  -0.85

  Stockport

  802

  0.46

  926

  0.49

  Suffolk

  6,452

  1.65

  3,950

  0.94

  Sunderland

  -1,530

  -0.76

  -2,255

  -1.04

  Tees

  -3,681

  -0.99

  -4,624

  -1.15

  Wakefield

  771

  0.37

  1,031

  0.46

  Walsall

  -2,093

  -1.27

  -2,826

  -1.58

  Warwickshire

  7,616

  2.66

  5,177

  1.67

  West Hertfordshire

  4,980

  1.59

  1,788

  0.53

  West Kent

  3,636

  0.65

  5.974

  0.99

  West Pennine

  -4,898

  -1.62

  -5,594

  -1.72

  West Surrey

  8,531

  2.35

  10,150

  2.65

  West Sussex

  -3,555

  -0.76

  -2,609

  -0.52

  Wigan and Bolton

  -12,069

  -3.13

  -12,351

  -2.98

  Wiltshire

  5,699

  1.68

  7,725

  2.12

  Wirral

  4,365

  2

  7,386

  3.14

  Wolverhampton

  -2,351

  -1.45

  -3,311

  -1.89

  Worcestershire

  5,228

  1.75

  1,981

  0.62

  1 On 1 April 1999 Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority, East Norfolk Health Authority and North West Anglia Health Authority merged to form Cambridgeshire Health Authority and Norfolk Health Authority

  Telecommunication Masts
  Mr, Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish the Stewart report on mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [114710]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) on 16 March 2000,Official Report, column 300W.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Bloody Sunday Inquiry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will offer immunity from prosecution under the Official Secrets Act 1989 to enable former employees of military intelligence to testify anonymously before the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. [114645]

  The Solicitor-General
  On 22 February 1999, the then Attorney-General wrote to Lord Saville of Newdigate setting out the terms of an undertaking he gave in relation to witnesses appearing before the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. The terms of the undertaking were as follows:"An undertaking in respect of any person who provides evidence to the Inquiry, that no evidence he or she may give before the Inquiry relating to the events of Sunday 30 January 1972, whether orally or by written statement, nor any written statement made preparatory to giving evidence, nor any document produced by that person to the Inquiry, will be used to the prejudice of that person in any criminal proceedings (or for the purpose of investigating or deciding whether to bring such proceedings) except proceedings where he or she is charged with having given
  358W
  false evidence in the course of this Inquiry or with having conspired with, aided, abetted, counsel procured, suborned or incited any other person to do so."

  The Attorney General concluded his letter by stating that
  "although the undertaking is cast in terms which preclude the use of evidence given by a witness as the basis for a criminal investigation into the conduct of that witness, this does not amount to any form of immunity. If the question of granting immunity to any individual were to arise, I would need to consider that on an individual case basis."

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  GM Seeds
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to add genetically modified seed to the National Seed Register; and if he will make a statement. [111779]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 13 March 2000,Official Report, column 47W.

  GMO Field Trials
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to prevent the destruction of GMO field trials. [112255]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 March 2000]: The Government deplore vandalism of GM crop trials. My Department has liaised with other Departments, the police and the industry to alert them to the risk of vandalism, so that measures can be taken to prevent it.

  Hedgerows
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received in respect of the two metre rule in relation to hedgerows and grassy banks bordering arable land eligible for crop payments. [114112]

  Ms Quin
  Representations concerning the two metre maximum width of field margins for inclusion in claims for arable area aid under the Integrated Administration and Control System have been received from the Allerton Research and Educational Trust, the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, the Country Landowners Association, the Countryside Agency, English Nature, Essex Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, the National Farmers Union, the National Trust, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Somerset Wildlife Trust, the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Tenant Farmers Association, Wildlife and Countryside Link and from a number of other organisations, private individuals and companies.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the length of hedgerows in the UK which are more than two metres wide and which border land affected by CAP arable crop payments. [114137]

  Ms Quin
  No such estimates have been made. However, information is available on the percentage of all fields inspected by MAFF in 1999 on which arable area payments were made on the basis of full Ordnance Survey areas where the field margins were found to be wider than two metres. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) on 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 798W.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will refer the issue of arable crop payments affecting hedgerows and grassy banks to the Green Ministers' Committee; [114114]

  (2) what recent discussions he has had with MAFF in respect of the impact of the two metre rule in relation to the eligibility of hedges and grassy banks for arable crop payments; and if he will make a statement. [114139]

  Ms Quin
  It is not proposed to refer the issue referred to by my hon. Friend to the Green Ministers' Committee, concerning as it does the implementation of EU legislation and advise from the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors. MAFF and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions are, however, in close touch on this issue.

  European Commission Payments
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he(a) has recently held and (b) plans to hold with the European Commission in respect of environmental integration and arable land crop payments. [114113]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister raised the environmental consequences of field margin rules for arable area payment claims at meetings with the European Commission on 1 February and 9 March. The need for 360W
  any future meetings on this subject will depend upon the outcome of current discussions between my officials and the Commission.

  Sterling
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is proposing to reduce the impact of the strong pound on British farmers. [114337]

  Ms Quin
  Over the last three years we have paid nearly £400 million in agrimonetary compensation. We plan to pay a further £88 million this year and £44 million next year in agrimonetary compensation to beef, sheep and arable farmers.

  Any additional optional agrimonetary compensation will have to be considered against other calls on public expenditure.

  Beef Subsidies
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid in subsidies to beef farmers in the United Kingdom in 1999. [114249]

  Ms Quin
  Payments by the Exchequer in support of the beef industry for the financial years 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are outlined in the table. It should be noted that not all subsidies are paid directly to farmers. Figures for 1999–2000 are estimates.

  April/March (financial years)

  £ million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Suckler Cow Premium Scheme

  339.5

  219.9

  Beef Special Premium Scheme

  294.0

  220.1

  Beef Deseasonalisation Scheme

  5.6

  3.0

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances: cattle

  70.3

  56.5

  Internal market measures

  2.0

  2.4

  Intervention purchases/sales

  -29.3

  -85.8

  Intervention storage costs

  24.2

  9.9

  Export refunds

  -1.9

  0.6

  Over Thirty Month scheme purchases

  263.8

  248.4

  Over Thirty Month Scheme slaughter, disposal costs etc.

  116.2

  127.7

  Calf Processing Aid Scheme

  51.0

  10.0

  Selective cull

  18.9

  2.2

  Other measures

  5.2

  0.5

  Total

  1,159.5

  815.4

  Red Tape
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Government's response to Recommendation 4 of his Red Tape Working Group on the Meat Industry, whether he intends unannounced visits to replace existing procedures or be additional to them. [113884]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: A system of unannounced inspections is seen as integral to the introduction of a full Hazard Analysis Critical Control and Point approach as recommended by the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group. They would therefore replace the current inspection system, but amendments to existing EU legislation are required before HACCP could be introduced. However, the Working Group recommended the earliest possible introduction of a regime of

  361W
  unannounced, thorough, targeted inspections of plants. We are currently considering the costs and benefits of adding such a system to the existing controls.

  GM Produce
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made with negotiating the voluntary agreement with industry on labelling of genetically modified produce. [113765]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: All genetically modified food sold in the UK is required by law to be labelled. In the UK these requirements apply to foods sold in restaurants as well as in retail premises. We are working within Europe to agree a definition of "GM free" in a labelling claim and to achieve a labelling regime for animal feed in relation to GM ingredients.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has commissioned on the safety for human consumption of meat from animals fed on GM crops. [113767]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: None, as there is no evidence that meat from animals fed on GM crops is in any way distinguishable from animals fed on conventional feedingstuffs.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce legislation to give effect to EC Regulations 49/2000 and 50/2000 concerning the labelling of genetically modified foods. [115741]

  Ms Quin
  The Genetically Modified and Novel Foods (Labelling) (England) Regulations 2000, which will come into force on 10 April, have today been laid before Parliament. These Regulations make provision in England for the enforcement of two new European labelling Regulations for GM foods, which will take effect automatically in all member states on 10 April, as well as consolidating all earlier GM labelling provisions.

  The first of these, EC Regulation 49/2000, amends Regulation 1139/98 on the labelling of foods containing GM soya and maize, to extend the scope of the requirements to include foods for catering establishments, and to establish a 1 per cent. de minimis threshold for the adventitious contamination of non-GM material, below which GM labelling will not be required. The second, EC Regulation 50/2000, will require for the first time, the labelling of foods and food ingredients which contain GM additives and flavourings.

  The Government are determined that consumers should be able to make informed choices about whether or not to eat genetically modified foods, and these new Regulations will strengthen further the arrangements already in place for this purpose.

  A letter is being sent today to interested parties advising them of the content of the Regulations and enclosing a copy of the text. A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Regulations has been prepared and placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Agriculture (Greater London)
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total hectarage of(a) registered and (b) non-registered land under agricultural management within Greater London. [114556]

  Ms Quin
  The total area on agricultural holdings in Greater London was 13,322 hectares at June 1999. This includes estimates for minor holdings. Information is not available on unregistered holdings.

  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) agricultural land holdings and (b) other agricultural practices there are within Greater London. [114557]

  Ms Quin
  The number of agricultural holdings in Greater London was 479 at June 1999. This includes estimates for minor holdings. Information on other agricultural practices is not available.

  Primates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many primates have arrived in the UK via Dover port in(a) October 1999, (b) November 1999, (c) December 1999 and (d) January 2000; and of those how many were found to be (i) ill and (ii) dead. [114419]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: According to our records, 124 primates arrived in the UK via Dover port in October 1999, 60 arrived in November 1999, 44 in December 1999 and 124 in January 2000. These were inspected by a veterinary surgeon at the quarantine premises which was their destination and were found to have travelled well with no signs of ill health or disease.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  International Price Comparisons
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response the Government have made to the recent OECD report on international price comparisons. [114079]

  Dr. Howells
  OECD statistics on purchasing power parity are a regular statistical publication. No official response is made regarding such routine statistical publications by the OECD.

  Gas-powered Vehicles
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the development and promotion of liquefied petroleum gas-powered vehicles in rural areas. [113933]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Department's Foresight Vehicle programme provides funding of up to 50 per cent. for the development of innovative technologies for future vehicles. This includes developments of systems for hybrid electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles including LPG. Bi-fuelled LPG vehicles are, however, already available for purchase.
  363W
  The Department is also jointly responsible with DETR for the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force, which aims to promote the production, marketing, purchasing and use of cleaner vehicles and fuels in all areas, both rural and urban.

  A sub group of the Task Force is specifically looking at the role and cost effectiveness of alternatively fuelled vehicles and their fuels. It is drawing up recommendations to help develop the necessary infrastructure needed for these fuels, and will be reporting its conclusions to the Task Force next month.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors the Low Pay Commission takes into account when setting the accommodation offset for the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [114789]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Before making their recommendation on the level of the accommodation offset for the introduction of the national minimum wage, the Low Pay Commission undertook an extensive and wide ranging consultation exercise, which included written and oral evidence from organisations and individuals in various sectors that provide accommodation for workers. They also examined current charges in the agricultural and hotel industries and took account of the rates set in the former Wages Councils. In view of the representations received during the consultation exercise on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations, the Government asked the Commission to look again at this issue in February 1999. The Commission also considered the offset for their second report, which monitored the impact of the minimum wage since its introduction in April.

  The Government believe that workers should be paid a reasonable wage and not have to rely on benefits in kind. The accommodation offset figure is not intended to be a commercial valuation but is designed to protect workers from unreasonable accommodation charges, while recognising that these arrangements are of benefit to worker and employer.

  The Commission has recommended that the offset should be retained at its present level and considered again when the national minimum wage is next reviewed. The Government accepted this recommendation.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the accommodation offset for the national minimum wage has been calculated; and if he will make a statement. [114790]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The maximum amount which can be offset against national minimum wage pay by employers who provide accommodation is £19.95 a week. This is to be calculated at either £2.85 per day or 50p an hour, up to the maximum. The two different methods of calculation ensure that part-time workers do not lose out.

  The maximum amount reflects the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission in their first report in June 1998. The amount is not meant to reflect the commercial value of the accommodation provided. The accommodation offset was considered further in the Commission's special report on the offset produced in March 1999, which
  364W
  concluded that it was set at the right level. The most recent Commission report, published in February 2000, recommended that
  "the accommodation deductor should be retained at its present rate and its level considered again when the national minimum wage is reviewed."

  The Government accepted this recommendation.

  Refurbished Computers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is his policy to make available secondhand refurbished computers to socially excluded groups; and if he will make a statement. [114999]

  Dr. Howells
  The majority of the Department's IT equipment is owned by UNITAS (a consortium of ICL and CMG) who provide the equipment under a private finance arrangement. UNITAS are responsible for the disposal of this equipment.

  In respect of other equipment that remains the Department's property, contracts are in place for recycling that which is surplus to requirements. Under these contracts, London Computer Auctions and Recycle IT refurbish such equipment, where suitable, and sell it to schools at a low cost.

  Ice Cream Industry
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be in a position to make a statement about the outcome of the Office of Fair Trading consultation with the impulse ice cream industry regarding Walls distribution. [114794]

  Mr. Byers
  As announced in my press notice of 28 January, I have invited views from the industry to be put to the Director General by the end of the month. He will advise me by Easter on the remedy and I will make an announcement once I have considered his advice.

  Company Law Review
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that personal shareholders are represented on the consultative committee when carrying out its review into company law; and if he will make a statement. [115029]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: The company law review is designed to take into account as many views and interests as possible. It is an open and consultative exercise, and the consultative committee is an important aspect of that process. While the consultative committee already represents a very wide range of interests, I am considering whether it adequately reflects the views of personal shareholders, and will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Export Credit Guarantees
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what involvement David McLachlan had in the decision of the ECGD to support the(a) nuclear power project in Ain Shan China Phase III, (b) coal handling export terminal in Tianjin, China, (c) coal-fired power station in Manjing, Malaysia and (d) line of credit for the Korean Development Bank. [114786]
  365W
  Mr. Caborn
  In his capacity as a banking member of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, Mr. David McLachlan may be asked for his advice from time to time on cases which are being put forward for underwriting decisions. Such advice is sought only from a Council Member who has no direct business interest in the relevant transaction.

  Of the four cases mentioned, Mr. McLachlan's advice was sought only in respect of ECGD's risk analysis and recommendation regarding the Korean Development Bank. The line of credit was subsequently underwritten by ECGD.

  A3XX Super-Jumbo Project
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, following his decision to aid the A3XX Super-Jumbo project, he will publish(a) an independent investment appraisal of the project and (b) a report on his efforts to finance the project on a fully commercial basis. [115137]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department has received independent advice on the financial implications of the application from BAE SYSTEMS for launch investment for the A3XX from PricewaterhouseCoopers. The specific terms of the investment are commercially confidential. I am satisfied that the basis of the Government's participation in this risk sharing partnership is fully justified by the benefits it will secure for the UK economy, by ensuring substantial UK involvement in the design and production of this advanced aircraft. Supporting innovation and enterprise, improving productivity and developing skills is the only way forward in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st Century.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visas for settlement from family members of persons who had held exceptional leave to remain in the UK for less than four years were(a) received and (b) granted in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [114567]

  Mr. Vaz
  Entry clearance staff overseas do not routinely record for statistical purposes information on the immigration status of those sponsoring applications for settlement in the United Kingdom. The information is therefore not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  South-east Asia Department
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the responsibilities of the Defence Sales Desk Officer in the South East Asia Department. [114729]

  Mr. Battle
  FCO desk officers, including those in the South-East Asia Department, among other duties scrutinise and advise licence applications for the countries they cover against the UK national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

  Mr. Vassily Kononov
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Latvia regarding the imprisonment of Mr. Vassily Kononov; and if he will make a statement. [114793]

  Mr. Vaz
  None. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 16 March 2000,Official Report, column 289W.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford to the Minister for Trade of 13 October 1999 that was transferred to the Foreign Office on 21 October 1999 concerning the issues raised by Ms P. Jones of Chelmsford. [115209]

  Mr. Hain
  We will reply to the hon. Member's letter of 13 October 1999 to the Minister for Trade, enclosing a postcard from his constituent Ms P. Jones about the information contained in the Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, as soon as possible. We regret the delay in issuing a response, which was the result of an administrative oversight. Since publication of the Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls on 3 November 1999, we have received over 1,500 letters from MPs and members of the public on the same subject.

  Paid Secondees
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those United Kingdom embassies overseas where embassy staff include paid secondees from commercial companies; and for each secondee, if he will list the(a) seconding company and (b) whether the secondee is paid by (i) the seconding company, (ii) the embassy or (iii) another source. [114815]

  Mr. Hain
  In line with HMG's policy of increased interchange with the private sector, as part of the modernising government agenda, there are eight private sector secondees at posts overseas, in Japan, Hong Kong, Angola, Thailand and the USA. In addition, there is one secondee with a roving remit for South-East Asia.

  The secondees are bound by Diplomatic Service regulations relating to conduct and discipline, and answerable to the head of the diplomatic post at which they are serving.

  I will ask the companies concerned for their agreement to their details being provided to the hon. Member and will write to him. I will place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House. As regards payment, the most common arrangement is for the secondee to continue to be paid by his or her employer, which in turn seeks reimbursement from the FCO. However, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 March 2000, Official Report, column 44W, to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith), in which I stated that BNFL meet the full costs associated with the appointment of the Atomic Energy Counsellor in Tokyo.

  British Embassies
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British embassies the Minister for Europe has visited during his period of office. [115341]

  Mr. Vaz
  Twelve.

  Land Purchases
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions affect the purchase of(a)agricultural and (b) industrial land by (i) citizens and (ii) companies in (A) EU member states and (B) candidates for membership. [113146]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the terms of the EC Treaty, there are no restrictions affecting the purchase of agricultural and industrial land by citizens and companies in EU member states. As regards the candidate countries, there is currently a range of restrictions on the purchase by EU citizens and companies of agricultural and industrial land in the different states. Compliance with the Single Market acquis means that these restrictions should be removed on accession. The EU will respond later in the negotiation process to applicants' requests for transition periods, to allow the retention of some restrictions for a limited period after accession.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what rules govern civil servants accompanying Ministers to overseas fund-raising functions; [115206]

  (2) what rules govern civil servants accompanying Ministers to party political functions. [115208]

  Mr. Stringer
  Paragraph 60 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that Ministers should not ask civil servants to attend, still less take part in, Party Conferences or meetings of policy or subject groups of any of the parliamentary parties. It is an established principle in the public service that civil servants in their official capacity should not accept invitations to conferences convened by, or under the aegis of, party political organisations. The situation is, of course, different when Ministers require officials to be in attendance at party political events in order to enable the Minister to carry out urgent departmental business. This guidance applies to events within the United Kingdom and overseas.

PRIME MINISTER

  Task Forces
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister which of the task forces created since he came into office have had their lifetime extended beyond the original envisaged wind-up date, indicating the reason for such extensions. [113303]

  The Prime Minister
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally. A full list of Task Forces established since the General Election was placed in the 368W
  Library on 9 December 1999. The list includes details of wind-up dates, where appropriate. Task Forces which are classified as non-departmental public bodies are excluded from the list as information on them is published in the annual "Public Bodies" publication.

  Individual Ministers are responsible for agreeing the programme of work of the Task Forces for which they are responsible.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tickets for the Millennium Experience had been sold in each region of the UK on the latest date for which figures are available. [107184]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: Dome tickets can be purchased through National Lottery outlets, travel operators, the New Millennium Experience Company's website and a call centre as well as at the dome. It should be borne in mind, however, that when people purchase dome tickets, particularly those bought at the dome itself but also those purchased through the other outlets, their location at the time is not always an indication of their place of residence. For example, 7.9 per cent. of tickets were bought on the door and are counted in the proportions as having been bought in England. Of the total sales as at 7 March, 97.2 per cent. were purchased in or from addresses in England, 1.3 per cent. in Wales, 1.1 per cent in Scotland and 0.4 per cent. in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on(a) the pay rates offered to and (b) the payment schedule for production crews of the Millennium Dome. [110073]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company considers the information requested to be confidential and that its release would both harm the company's relationship and negotiating position with the individuals in question and impair the company's ability to operate in a commercial and professional manner.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the terms and conditions of standard contracts with the operators of the catering outlets that operate in and around the Millennium Dome at Greenwich. [110505]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company considers the information requested to be confidential and that its release would both harm the company's relationship and negotiating position with the individuals in question and impair the company's ability to operate in a commercial and professional manner.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many contracts were awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company to(a) advertisers and (b) designers; and what is the total cost to the NMEC of those contracts to date. [110913]
  369W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: M & C Saatchi were appointed by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) in August 1997 to develop an integrated communications campaign, including creative development, media planning and sales promotion in support of the Millennium Experience and its associated National Programme. Their appointment followed a competitive process, through OJEC. As stated in the OJEC advertisement, the estimated total value of the contract is up to £16 million. NMEC has contracted no other advertisers.

  Design contracts for exhibit zones, entered into by NMEC, were also subject to OJEC procedures in August 1997. The total value of these contracts is about £17.1 million (excluding VAT), subject to normal resolution procedures.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the contracts awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company to(a) advertisers and (b) designers were granted after a process of competitive tendering; and how many of those contracts were still in place on 31 January 2000. [110914]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: All contracts awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company to advertisers and designers were granted after a process of competitive tendering. The advertising contract with M & C Saatchi is still in place. The designers have completed their services under the agreements. The contracts are still in place in the sense that NMEC either owns the products of their services or is licensed to use them.

  Sport and Tourism
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to promote the importance of sport in association with tourism; and if he will make a statement. [112640]

  Janet Anderson
  On 11 January this year, my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and I launched the British Tourist Authority's Action Plan for Sports Tourism. The strategy aims to position sports as an integral part of the British tourism product and to maximise the potential of sport for inbound tourism to Britain. It includes proposals to establish a Sports Tourism Forum with partners (eg UK Sport) to identify opportunities, formulate strategy and implement a joint sports tourism action plan and to mount an international promotional campaign.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the benefits of granting partially sighted people a reduced television licence fee. [113268]

  Janet Anderson
  The independent review panel on the future funding of the BBC considered the question but recommended only that registered blind people should be entitled to a 50 per cent. reduction in the licence fee. We have no plans to make any further assessment.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many formal bids were received in relation to the construction contract for Wembley National Stadium. [114116]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]: Wembley National Stadium Ltd. (WNSL) has responsibility for the development and operation of the new National Stadium at Wembley and have advised that following a formal pre-qualification process between July and October 1999, five contractors were invited to submit a detailed first stage bid. WNSL held four interviews following, which one party withdrew. An updated pack of project information was issued to each of the three remaining contractors which invited revised proposals by January 2000. Following further assessment and negotiation, WNSL agreed on 6 March 2000 that Bovis/Multiplex JV should act as the Preferred Contractor for a 20-week period.

  The construction contract will be awarded to Bovis/Multiplex JV only if at the end of the 20-week period terms have been agreed which are satisfactory to WNSL and its funders. In addition, Citex, the Project Monitor appointed by Sport England, have had full sight of all supporting paperwork and bid documents throughout this process.

  Sport in Schools
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the organisations with which he has discussed the provision of sport in schools during the past year. [114442]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have held meetings with a number of organisations to discuss sport in schools. Since my appointment to this Department, I have met the National Council of Sport; the Youth Sport Trust; The Youth Charter for Sport; the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education; the Physical Education Association UK: the Independent Schools Council; the HM Chief Inspector of Schools; the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; and a large number of sports governing bodies including the CCPR. I have also had discussions with Ministers at the Department for Education and Employment.

  National Lottery
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications for National Lottery grants have been submitted to date by organisations in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency; of these, how many were successful; and what was the total amount of such grants. [112933]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: There have been 81 successful applications from organisations in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency and the total value of the successful grant applications is £3,034,889. 169 applications for National Lottery grants have been received to date. These figures are based on information provided to use by the Lottery Distributing Bodies. The total number of applications excludes figures from the Millennium Commission which does not hold the information in the form requested.

  Athletics Stadium
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library a copy of transcripts of(a) media statements and (b) interviews which he gave on or subsequent to 2 March concerning Wembley National Stadium and venues for major athletics events. [113938]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]: Copies of the only relevant transcript in the possession of the Department, dealing with an interview given to BBC Radio 5 Live on 2 March, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies of departmental press notices are placed in both Libraries as a matter of course. They are also available to hon. Members online either on POLIS or at the Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of(a) men and (b) women serving a prison sentence in England and Wales on 1 March for the non-payment of fines; and if he will make a statement. [114493]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available information is for 31 January 2000 when there were 86 male and three female fine defaulters in prison in England and Wales.

  Prisons (Drugs Tests)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the current urine test in Her Majesty's prisons for determining a prisoner's drug use. [114448]

  Mr. Boateng
  Mandatory drug testing (MDT) is contracted to an independent laboratory, Medscreen. The analytical process if highly accurate, fully meets industry

  Average time taken for police forces to complete an inquiry made under child protection guidance (Home Office Circular 47/1993) (A) where internal (i.e. force) inquiries are made, and (B) where inquiries outside the force are made, by Police Force Area 1996–99

  Number of days

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Avon and Somerset

  4–10

  10–15

  5–10

  30

  8

  1–14

  Bedfordshire

  13

  18

  6

  21

  13

  32

  Cambridgeshire

  1–2

  5+

  2–3

  14

  14

  28

  Cheshire

  3.67

  8.87

  4

  9

  2–3

  6–7

  City of London

  1

  7–21

  1

  21–28

  1

  90

  Cleveland

  10–21

  10–21

  210

  210

  61–7

  61–14

  Cumbria

  5

  14

  7

  16

  5

  25

  Derbyshire

  2

  14

  7

  21

  2

  20

  Devon and Cornwall

  5

  10

  35

  56

  20

  82

  Dorset

  1–2

  3–28

  1–2

  3–28

  5–7

  7–28

  Durham

  1–2

  7–40

  4

  7–28

  7

  14

  Dyfed-Powys

  5

  21

  6

  13

  8

  13–14

  Essex

  6

  25

  11

  21–27

  10

  28

  Gloucestershire

  8

  27.5

  5

  21

  5

  23

  Greater Manchester

  21

  28

  47–63

  47–63

  28

  28–42

  Gwent

  2

  2

  5

  30

  2–13

  30

  Hampshire

  3

  5

  2

  11

  2

  13

  Hertfordshire

  3.4

  22

  44

  419

  43

  416

  Humberside

  3

  3

  3

  10

  3

  3

  Kent

  2

  5

  3

  7

  5

  7

  Lancashire

  2

  16

  2

  16

  8

  18

  Leicestershire

  2

  4

  4–5

  0

  2

  30

  372W
  standards and is subject to a rigorous quality assurance programme. Voluntary drug testing is conducted by prisons staff using less sophisticated methods, to provide an indication of drug misuse. Unlike MDT, disciplinary measures do not routinely result from positive voluntary tests.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for voluntary urine testing in Her Majesty's prisons. [114449]

  Mr. Boateng
  Voluntary drug testing will be made available to all prisoners who request it and who are assessed as suitable, by April 2001.]

  Licensing Act 1964
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning section 182 of the Licensing Act 1964. [114727]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In the last year, we have received a number of representations about the operation of section 182 from individuals and organisations representing musicians and the entertainment industry. Proposals for reform and modernisation of alcohol and public entertainment licensing will be set out in the White Paper which we expect to publish soon.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the last three years for which figures are available, what was the average time taken to process a criminal record check under child protection arrangements(a) per police force area and (b) in total; and if he will make a statement. [114734]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The table shows information in relation to checks conducted by police forces in England and Wales under the terms of Home Office Circular 47/1993. Arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for the respective Secretaries of State.
  373W

  Average time taken for police forces to complete an inquiry made under child protection guidance (Home Office Circular 47/1993) (A) where internal (i.e. force) inquiries are made, and (B) where inquiries outside the force are made, by Police Force Area 1996–99

  Number of days

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Lincolnshire

  1

  8

  1

  8

  2

  9

  Merseyside

  184

  194

  3

  1–21

  4

  14–21

  Metropolitan

  28

  33

  12.6

  17.9

  15

  20

  Norfolk

  4

  n/a

  28–42

  42–56

  2–3

  14–21

  Northamptonshire

  12

  25

  14

  26

  17

  33

  Northumbria

  4

  7

  4

  11

  5–6

  14–35

  North Wales

  28

  42–56

  7–28

  14–28+

  1–60

  1–60

  North Yorkshire

  2

  7

  2

  7

  2

  10

  Nottinghamshire

  10

  15

  10

  30

  10

  25

  South Wales

  20

  30

  9

  16

  48

  60

  South Yorkshire

  7–10

  14–28

  7–10

  14–28

  7–10

  14–28

  Staffordshire

  1–5

  n/a

  1–5

  30

  1–3

  30

  Suffolk

  5

  15

  4

  12

  14

  26

  Surrey

  1

  2–30

  1

  2–21

  1

  2–42

  Sussex

  4

  21

  4

  21

  5

  21

  Thames Valley

  14

  14

  547

  547

  35

  37

  Warwickshire

  8

  3–21

  9

  3–21

  9–12

  1–21

  West Mercia

  7

  28

  5

  14+

  5

  5–35

  West Midlands

  3

  28

  2

  28

  4

  35

  West Yorkshire

  4–30

  14–30

  23.25

  25.4

  20

  23

  Wiltshire

  3–4

  7–10

  5–7

  10–4

  5–7

  10.14

  1 Problem with computer system.

  2 Figures relate to 91 per cent, of checks processed for this period (Cleveland does not record the time taken to process each request).

  3 Force does not request checks from other forces.

  4 Force only records time taken from date form is input onto record log system to date reply sent. It does not refer to time taken from date the form was received.

  5 Figures only relate to 1 June 1997–31 March 1998. Thames Valley installed a new computer system which went live on 1 June 1997 and records details more efficiently.

  6 Figures relate to (a) 75 per cent, and (b) 30 per cent, of checks processed for this period (Cleveland does not record the time taken to process each request).

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal record checks were carried out under child protection arrangements in each month in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [114735]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information is set out in the following table, which shows numbers of checks carried out by police forces in England and Wales under the terms of Home Office Circular 47/93. Arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective Secretaries of State.

  Criminal record checks carried out on behalf of local authorities, statutory health bodies, schools and further education establishments (Home Office Circular 47/93), by Police Force Area 1996–99

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Avon and Somerset

  24,487

  28,698

  27,580

  Bedfordshire

  7,745

  8,536

  9,128

  Cambridgeshire

  7,283

  9,765

  15,498

  Cheshire

  16,697

  13,374

  15,411

  City of London

  692

  802

  574

  Cleveland

  6,710

  7,709

  10,452

  Cumbria

  4,736

  6,781

  6,813

  Derbyshire

  9,331

  9,831

  10,268

  Devon and Cornwall

  21,188

  24,638

  22,736

  Dorset

  22,479

  24,792

  30,231

  Durham

  12,999

  15,339

  17,456

  Dyfed-Powys

  11,135

  12,675

  10,275

  Essex

  15,946

  15,748

  16,764

  Gloucestershire

  6,229

  6,373

  11,591

  Greater Manchester

  37,244

  36,061

  32,766

  Gwent

  4,707

  7,501

  7,025

  Hampshire

  29,935

  34,564

  36,612

  Hertfordshire

  10,433

  7,982

  8,543

  Humberside

  13,454

  14,915

  16,917

  374W

  Criminal record checks carried out on behalf of local authorities, statutory health bodies, schools and further education establishments (Home Office Circular 47/93), by Police Force Area 1996–99

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Kent

  17,603

  18,953

  22,705

  Lancashire

  20,041

  21,801

  21,751

  Leicestershire

  7,543

  7,893

  20,210

  Lincolnshire

  7,180

  8,064

  12,205

  Merseyside

  15,482

  18,203

  16,170

  Metropolitan

  75,804

  91,146

  92,608

  Norfolk

  9,444

  9,058

  n/a

  Northamptonshire

  7,864

  8,504

  8,802

  Northumbria

  18,601

  22,029

  23,614

  North Wales

  11,955

  12,259

  12,893

  North Yorkshire

  7,628

  9,024

  10,053

  Nottinghamshire

  9,939

  10,132

  13,123

  South Wales

  11,411

  15,082

  15,247

  South Yorkshire

  10,460

  12,169

  12,631

  Staffordshire

  8,311

  9,297

  12,407

  Suffolk

  5,249

  5,279

  6,115

  Surrey

  11,302

  12,361

  12,711

  Sussex

  15,483

  18,204

  19,974

  Thames Valley

  137,487

  21,422

  31,079

  Warwickshire

  5,599

  6,747

  6,943

  West Mercia

  18,239

  22,066

  25,631

  West Midlands

  37,152

  40,320

  38,023

  West Yorkshire

  16,163

  18,229

  18,591

  Wiltshire

  7,666

  8,439

  9,389

  Total

  657,036

  712,765

  769,515

  1Figures only relate to I June 1997 to 31 March 1998. Thames Valley installed a new computer system which went live on 1 June 1997 and records details more efficiently—previous records only kept on paper and not as reliable.

  Note:

  n/a = Figures are not available. Norfolk have ceased collecting these statistics.
  375W
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning delays in the issuing of criminal records checks on individuals under child protection arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [114733]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have received several letters and telephone calls over the past year concerning delays in obtaining criminal record checks. Under arrangements agreed with the Home Office, police forces in England and Wales aim to reply to employers and other agencies within 10 days, unless inquiries need to be made of other forces in which case the aim is to reply within three weeks. However, these targets are subject to the allocation of resources within each police force which is the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

  Arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for the respective Secretaries of State.

  City Status
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions exist for a city to have its title and status removed. [114882]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Apart from those cities that enjoy city status by ancient prescriptive usage, city status is an honour conferred by the Sovereign by Letters Patent. As it is a matter for the Royal Prerogative, the Sovereign can strip a city of its status, but this has never been done. Any city acknowledged by ancient prescriptive usage would be expected to have had that status confirmed by local government legislation during the last 100–150 years. It is possible, however, under local government reorganisation legislation, for a new local authority to lose the city status previously enjoyed by part of that authority.

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the review of policing arrangements for the state visit of the President of China will be published. [115544]

  Mr. Straw
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis will publish the report later today and I will place a copy in the Library.

  Global Cultural Diversity Congress
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 818W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, what were the issues that led to his decision that substantial public funds could not be justified to support the Global Cultural Diversity Congress which he became aware of after 7 February. [115054]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The issues that related to my and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's decisions were value for money and whether it was appropriate to inject public funds into a private company in serious difficulties.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 817W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, what undertaking that additional funding would be provided to Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. by his Department was
  376W
  given by his Department before the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February; and if he will make a statement. [115056]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I do not accept that an undertaking was made that additional funding would be provided.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2000,Official Report, column 288W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, (a) for what reasons he will not place the accountants' report into Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. in the Library and (b) what was the cost to public funds of the accountants' report into Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd.; and if he will make a statement. [115058]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The accountant's report was requested to inform consideration by Ministers of the policy issues and never intended for publication.

  The final invoice was £31,824.72.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 818W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, from what source he understood the additional funding for the Global Cultural Diversity Congress which was to be discussed at the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February would be provided; and if he will make a statement. [115065]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I understand the potential sources discussed were from the Commission for Racial Equality and Government funds.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 818W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress (a) when Mr. Gurbux Singh will take up his duties as Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality; (b) if the discussions with Mr. Gurbux Singh on the timetable for the review which was announced on 22 February have been completed; and (c) if the review will commence before Mr. Gurbux Singh formally takes up his duties as the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement. [115055]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Mr. Singh officially takes up his position as Chairman in mid May 2000.

  The discussions with Mr. Gurbux Singh on the timetable for the review which was announced on 22 February have not been completed.

  The review will commence before Mr. Gurbux Singh formally takes up his duties as the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) of 6 March 2000,Official Report, column 548W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, if the full text of the review conducted by Mr. Gurbux Singh will be placed in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [115057]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are assured that the review by Mr. Gurbux Singh will be thorough. He shall review the events that led to the cancellation of the Global Cultural
  377W
  Diversity Congress, including possible implications for the corporate governance of the Commission for Racial Equality and to make recommendations.

  The text of the review will be placed in the Library.

  Jury Trial
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will estimate(a) the cost to public funds and (b) the amount of Crown court time taken up if (i) 25 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent., (iii) 75 per cent. and (iv) 100 per cent. of defendants electing Crown court trial but refused it by the magistrates under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill appealed to the Crown court against the magistrates' decision, assuming that an oral hearing was granted in (1) 25 per cent., (2) 50 per cent., (3) 75 per cent. and (4) 100 per cent. of appeals for each proportion of appeals in (i) to (iv); [115212]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000, Official Report, column 820W, on jury trial, what research he has undertaken into the likelihood of a defendant appealing against magistrates' decision as to mode of trial under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill; if he will place a copy of the research in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [115061]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No research has been conducted on this issue. It is assumed that the magistrates will decide to try about 13,940 cases. There is no cost to public funds but the implications of appeals on the estimated savings from the Bill are contained in the table.

  Appeal rate

  Oral hearing rate

  25 per cent.

  50 per cent.

  75 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  25 per cent.

  £ million savings

  128

  122

  116

  110

  Number of hours

  799

  1,597

  2,396

  3,196

  50 per cent.

  £ million savings

  126

  119

  112

  104

  Number of hours

  1,017

  2,035

  3,051

  4,066

  75 per cent.

  £ million savings

  125

  116

  107

  99

  Number of hours

  1,235

  2,470

  3,703

  4,066

  100 per cent.

  Number of hours

  1,454

  2,904

  4,358

  5,808

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 820W, on jury trial, what discussions he has had with (a) resident judges, (b) other circuit judges and (c) the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the requirement for resident judges and their nominated deputies to hear appeals from magistrates' decisions as to mode of trial within 48 hours, under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill; what was the nature of those discussions; what representations he has received; and if he will make a statement; [115062]

  (2) what research he has undertaken into the feasibility of resident judges hearing appeals against magistrates' decisions as to mode of trial within 48 hours under the
  378W
  provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill; if he will place a copy of the research in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [115064]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The proposal that appeals on mode of trial should be subject to a speedy procedure with determination within 48 hours was discussed with the Senior Judiciary and the Crown Prosecution Service. No research has been undertaken on this matter and no representations have been received.

  Political Parties (Donations)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the annual cost of a scheme to promote tax relief for donations of £500 or less to political parties; and if he will place in the Library the results of research which he has undertaken into the cost of such a scheme. [115122]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The cost of a scheme would depend on the number and size of donations (up to a £500 limit) in respect of which qualifying political parties claimed relief. The Government's White Paper on the Funding of Political Parties in the United Kingdom, published in July 1999, estimated the loss of revenue at upwards of £4 million or £5 million a year. This estimate was based on an assumption that the three main parties would claim relief on an average donation of £20 from each of their members.

  Safe Cells
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many safe cells will be installed in prisons in the next financial year. [112590]

  Mr. Boateng
  [pursuant to his reply, 13 March 2000, c. 76W]: Rye Hill prison is scheduled to open in January 2001 and will provide 576 cells all of which incorporate the key elements of the Prison Service's new improved standard cell or "safe" cell.

  Two new prisons, Ashfield and Forest Bank, opened in this financial year providing 1,088 improved standard cells.

  All new prisons are required to provide cells which reflect the design requirements of the Prison Service's new improved standard cell or "safe cell".

  Home Detention Curfew
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the prisoners released to date under the Home Detention Curfew scheme have(a) breached the conditions of the curfew, (b) disappeared, (c) had their curfew revoked and (d) re-offended whilst on the scheme; what offences were committed by those who re-offended whilst on the scheme; what was the (i) average and (ii) maximum sentence received by a prisoner for an offence committed whilst on the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [112728]

  Mr. Boateng
  [pursuant to his reply, 3 March 2000, c. 448–49W]: I am now in a position to provide further information regarding the breach and revocation of Home Detention Curfew licences. In addition, my

  379W
  previous reply included a number of inaccurate figures, arising from administrative errors. These figures have now been corrected.

  As at 29 February 2000, 17,792 prisoners had been placed on the Home Detention Curfew scheme. At this date, there had been 625 breaches of curfew. Unauthorised absences from the place of curfew during the curfew period, tampering with the equipment and violence directed at the monitoring contractors' staff count as violations. There are different levels of violations. The most serious violations, or an accumulation of less serious violations, constitute a breach of the curfew.

  Those subject to Home Detention Curfew may be recalled to prison if:
  there is a breach of the curfew;
  their whereabouts can no longer be electronically monitored; it is necessary to protect the public from serious harm; and
  they commit an offence or breach any requirement of probation supervision.

  As at 29 February 2000, 832 of those placed on Home Detention Curfew have had their licences revoked by the Secretary of State, as opposed to the figure of 862 published in my earlier reply. As previously indicated, breaches of non-curfew related conditions by curfewees whose original offences were committed prior to 1 January 1999 are dealt with by the courts. Information on these cases is not held centrally.

  As my previous reply made clear, the vast majority of those curfewees whose licences are revoked by the Secretary of State are quickly arrested and returned to custody. Fifty were unlawfully at large on 29 February 2000. While the priority to be given to pursuing individual cases will be an operational matter for local police forces, Home Office Circular 1/1999 made clear that Home Detention Curfew recalls should be regarded as "urgent action" cases. In addition, the National Identification Service at New Scotland Yard issues "The Police Gazette" weekly to all police forces, including details of curfewees who are unlawfully at large. The Prison Service regularly monitors police progress in apprehending those curfewees who are unlawfully at large. When curfewees are apprehended following a period unlawfully at large, they are required to serve the full period of time outstanding at the point their licence was revoked.

  As of 29 February, the Prison Service had received notification of 182 curfewees who had been charged with an offence committed while subject to the Home Detention Curfew scheme, rather than the figure of 194 given in my previous reply.

  A revised breakdown of the offences with which the curfewees were charged is shown in the table. This breakdown has been prepared from information supplied by police forces and drawn from the police national computer. As previously indicated, further analysis of re-offending by those subject to Home Detention Curfew, including the procedures for notification of further charges to the Prison Service by the police, is currently under way as part of a long-term evaluation of the scheme.

  The purpose of Home Detention Curfew is to help prisoners bridge the transition from custody to the community through the structure and discipline imposed
  380W
  by the curfew. The scheme only applies to short-term prisoners and no prisoner can be granted Home Detention Curfew without first passing a risk assessment. Overall, the Home Detention Curfew scheme has an impressive success rate of 95 per cent. of curfewees completing their period of curfew licence. However, as I made clear in my previous reply, we are not complacent about any re-offending on curfew and the scheme is strictly enforced.

  Offence type

  Number

  Burglary, theft and stealing from shops (including taking without consent/taking and driving away)

  65

  Assault

  31

  Driving and traffic offences

  16

  Drug offences

  15

  Breach of the peace (including drunk and disorderly)

  14

  Handling stolen goods/deception

  10

  Criminal damage

  10

  Threatening behaviour

  8

  Possession of an offensive weapon

  3

  Breach of court injunction or restraining order

  3

  Rape

  2

  Harassment

  1

  Going equipped

  1

  False imprisonment

  Arson

  1

  Indecent exposure

  1

  Total

  182

  Note:

  Where a curfewee was charged with more than one offence, they appear in the table next to the most serious offence. The table excludes those where, following initial notification, the Prison Service was informed that the charges had been withdrawn.

  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
  [pursuant to the reply, 16 March 2000, c. 268W]: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that officers of S013, known as the Anti-Terrorist Branch, interviewed Roger Crooks on 21 June 1994.

  Press Office
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 821W and the answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) of 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 385W, if he will publish the total number of persons employed in the Home Office Press Office broken down by grade, for (a) (i) 1 May 1997, (ii) 1 January 1998, (iii) 1 January 1999 and (iv) 1 January 2000; and (b) as an average for the year ending 1 March over (i) 1996–97; (ii) 1997–98; (iii) 1998–99 and (iv) 1999–2000. [115059]

  Mr. Straw
  As I said in my reply to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 2 March 2000,Official Report, column 385W, records of staff numbers are, of necessity,

  381W
  a snapshot of a particular month and cannot take fully into account staff arrivals and departures which are happening on a working basis.

  The total number of persons employed in the Home Office Press Office, broken down by grade for the dates in question, were:
  1 May 1997: three Senior Information Officers, 10 Information Officers (two part-time), one Assistant Information Officer, a Higher Executive Officer on secondment, one Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and two Administrative Assistants;
  January 1998: three Senior Information Officers, 11 Information Officers (two part-time), one Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and two Administrative Assistants;
  January 1999: two Senior Information Officers, eight Information Officers (two part-time), three Assistant Information Officers, one Higher Executive Officer on secondment, one Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and two Administrative Assistants; and
  January 2000: three Senior Information Officers, six Information Officers, three Assistant Information Officers, one Higher Executive Officer, one Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and two Administrative Assistants.

  For all these periods, the Home Office Press Office was managed by an Assistant Director at either Grade 7 or temporary Grade 6 level.

  At virtually no time since May 1997 has the full staff complement been reached. There have been a considerable number of vacancies at various grades at any one time. Attachments and secondees, some at no cost to the Department and some for less than six weeks' duration, make the calculation of average staff levels almost meaningless.

  In addition at various times through this period, Chief Immigration Officers were on six month attachment to the Home Office Press Office. It should also be noted that the grades referred to are substantive grades and that at various times press officers may have been on temporary promotion to a higher grade.

  The staff details supplied to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report in July 1998 are averages for the years in question and an average for the year to 1 March for the years 1996–97 and 1997–98 would vary very little.

  It would not be possible to obtain the averages for 1998–99 and for 1999–2000 without disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to employ members of the Home Office Press Office on special adviser terms; which of his special advisers are authorised to speak to the press on his behalf; if they are required to consult the Home Office Press Office before doing so; if a record is kept; and if he will make a statement. [115036]

  Mr. Straw
  There are no plans to employ members of the Home Office Press Office on special adviser terms. Of two special advisers at the Home Office, appointed by the Home Secretary under terms and conditions set out in the model contract for special advisers, one (Ed Owen) supports Ministers in the presentational aspects of policy and in doing so has regular direct contact with the media and liaises with the Home Office Press Office.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the persons employed as special advisers in his Department since 2 May 1997, indicating their salary bands, in each financial year. [115063]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested is as follows:

  Name

  Period of employment

  Pay band 1998–99

  Pay band 1999–2000

  Lord Warner

  May 1997 to October 1998

  —

  —

  Ed Owen

  May 1997 to date

  A

  B

  Justin Russell

  October 1998 to date

  B

  B

  Lord Warner stepped down as my Senior Special Adviser prior to the introduction of pay bands. Prior to that salaries paid to special advisers fell within pay ranges which were, in 1997–98, £24,349–£73,484. From 1 April 1998 to 1 December 1998, the pay range was £24,836-£74,957, and after 1 December 1998, £26,000–£76,050.

  In addition, a special adviser, Ruth Allan, was employed between 1 September 1997 and 30 September 1998 to work with the Youth Justice Task Force. Her salary was also within the pay ranges mentioned above.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Courts (Closures)
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many courts have(a) been due for closure and (b) closed in each of the last four years; and what estimate he has made of the costs saved by each closure. [114732]

  Jane Kennedy
  The number of magistrates courts assessed by local Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) as due for closure is: 1996–20, 1997–24, 1998–25, 1999–8. The number of courts closed is: 1996–20, 1997–22, 1998–24, 1999–8. The Government's policy is that magistrates courts are best managed locally by MCCs, and that decisions and costings concerning the number of magistrates courts in its area are for the MCC to determine. The cost saving achieved by the closures is not collected centrally.

  The Chief Executive of the Court Service has supplied the following information.

  Since 1 March 1996 to date, public consultation on the question of closure has been authorised in respect of 37 county courts, of which 25 have been closed or amalgamated.

  The number of county courts closed in each of the last four years since 1 March 1996 is: 1996–7, 1997–8, 1998–6, 1999–2. Two county courts have been closed to date since 1 January 2000.
  383W
  The financial savings to the Court Service are chiefly in terms of rent and accommodation charges, running costs such as telephone, postage, and maintenance of buildings. Figures on all the savings accruing from county court closures since 1996 are not kept centrally by the Court Service. However, a broad conservative estimate of accommodation charges saved and general running costs would indicate a minimum saving of around £3,000,000 over the four year period since March 1996. During the period there were no Crown court closures, actual or contemplated.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the civil legal aid fund of increases in court fees in each of the last four years. [114731]

  Mr. Lock
  Court fee increases in November 1996 were estimated to cost the legal aid fund some £14 million. No estimate was made of the small increase in fees in 1997 and there were no increases in 1998.
  384W
  We estimated that the overall effect of increases in some and decreases in other court fees, in April 1999, would provide savings to legal aid of around £6 million per annum.

  Damages Act 1996
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor has to use his powers under Section 1 of the Damages Act 1996. [115239]

  Mr. Lock
  The Act allows the Lord Chancellor to set a rate by which lump sum awards for damages are discounted to offset the advantage to the claimant of receiving his money all at once. In Wells v. Wells [1999] 1 A.C. 345 the House of Lords ruled that the rate should be based on the return available from Index Linked Government Securities (ILGS) because the claimant must be assumed to pursue risk-averse investments. The Lord Chancellor has today issued a consultation paper seeking comments on how the discount rate should be set and reviewed. In the light of responses he will decide whether, and if so how, to exercise the power under section 1 of the Act.

  Defamation Proceedings: Financial Assistance to Crown Servants
  Defamation Proceedings: Financial Assistance to Crown Servants
  Data Protection: Personal Privacy
  Data Protection: Personal Privacy
  Interception of Communications
  Interception of Communications
  GM Foods: Labelling
  GM Foods: Labelling
  BSE: EU-approved Tests
  BSE: EU-approved Tests
  Programme-making: Ethnic Minority Involvement
  Programme-making: Ethnic Minority Involvement
  Regional Tourist Boards
  Regional Tourist Boards