Written Answers of 28 March 2000

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Asylum Seekers (Children)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make arrangements to ensure that the children of political asylum seekers attend pre-school facilities; and what the cost of that would be to public funds. [116535]

  Jacqui Smith
  Local education authorities already have a legal duty to ensure that all eligible four-year-olds, including children of asylum seekers, are entitled to a free part-time place in any registered pre-school setting. In addition, from April 2000, all local education authorities will receive funding to provide a free early education place to the most needy three-year-old children in their area. It is up to local education authorities to set their own criteria of social need which may include providing places to children of asylum seekers.

  Local education authorities receive funding from this Department for the provision of pre-school places in the form of a nursery education grant which is £1,130 per child per year for each eligible three and four-year-old child.

  It is not possible to calculate the overall cost of pre-school education for children of asylum seekers, as separate records are not kept.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision has been made for the funding of the teachers' threshold pay rise after the first two years. [116528]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Provision for teachers' pay beyond March 2002 falls into the next spending period and will be taken into account along with other factors when deciding future funding levels for education.

  Schools Funding
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on funding for schools in respect of post-16 education reforms. [116527]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The £35 million that the Government have identified as the cost to LEAs in 2000–01 of implementing its post-16 curriculum reforms was added to Education Standard Spending (ESS) for that year. It is for local education authorities to decide how much funding to allocate through their individual schools budget to each of their schools to allow them to implement the reforms successfully. In addition, schools will receive £290 million in special grant for 2000–01. Secondary schools will receive between £30,000 and 72W
  £50,000, depending on their size. This funding will be part of their delegated budgets: those with sixth forms will therefore be able to use it if they wish to supplement funding received through their local authority's allocation formula to implement the post-16 reforms.

  Teacher Dismissals
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have been dismissed under the fast-track provisions. [116091]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Teacher dismissals are not recorded centrally. The National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers have carried out a survey of LEAs in England and Wales on the use of the new capability procedures for teachers which have now been incorporated in most schools. The survey collected responses from 116 LEAs (68 per cent.) for three school terms ending with the spring term 1999 and suggests that for all LEAs over 3,000 teachers had been subject to some form of capability review during the year, with over 600 dismissals under the new procedure. In addition, 194 teachers showed sufficient improvement and a further 439 cases are currently being processed. Work continues on monitoring and reviewing practice in schools and LEAs and the Secretary of State will be issuing further guidance for schools on staff capability after further consultation.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what actions he will take in connection with the Prime Minister's recent internet initiative to forward the interests of disabled people, with particular reference to(a) access to public buildings housing internet terminals, (b) provision of sufficient large screens for those with reading difficulties, (c) availability of computers on a personal basis for rehabilitation and employment advisers and (d) the creation of a website for disabled jobseekers. [115759]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 21 March 2000]: We are determined that people with disabilities should benefit fully from the Prime Minister's recent internet initiative, particularly in their working lives.

  Access to buildings housing internet terminals and the provision of large screen facilities intended for public use is covered by the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The new duties on providers of goods, facilities and services to the public to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people came into force in October last year.

  Many of the Department's services used by people with disabilities are provided through the Employment Service. Its services are designed to meet the needs of all its clients, including people with disabilities. We believe that wherever possible help for disabled people should be offered as part of programmes used by a wide range of clients.

  The Modernising Employment Service Programme is developing new ways in which all jobseekers can have improved access to services through information and communications technology. People with disabilities will gain from this programme. For example, the specification for the touch screen kiosk technology to be available in

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  Jobcentres across the country from autumn 2001 has taken account of the needs of clients with visual impairment. The same programme will also make sure computer workstations are available in sufficient numbers to ensure that every member of ES staff will have access whenever they need it.

  The Employment Service will continue to upgrade the information it provides on services used by jobseekers with disabilities on the Employment Service website. This includes information about the Access to Work programme and other specialist measures, as well as links to the DfEE Disability page at www.disability.gov.uk. The Employment Service plans to make improvements which will make their website even more user friendly.

  Large screen technologies and other forms of help will continue to be available under the Access to Work programme when needed for employment.

  Type of help

  Spend (£)

  Number helped

  Average cost (£)

  Special aids and equipment

  9 million

  10,000

  900

  Travel to work

  5.4 million

  4,500

  1,200

  Support workers

  4.2 million

  3,000

  1,400

  Adaptations to premises or equipment

  0.7 million

  400

  1,750

  Communicator support at interview

  66,000

  600

  110

  Miscellaneous support (not covered above)

  300,000

  550

  545

  Note:

  Some disabled people receive more than one type of support

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for further rounds of education action zones. [116082]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are currently 73 large education action zones already running or in development and another 42 small education action zones will start in Excellence in Cities areas by September. In addition, as part of the expansion of Excellence in Cities announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 23 March, there are likely to be further small education action zones established next year.

  Community Action Programme (Discrimination)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination 2000–06. [115621]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government fully support the principle of an Action Programme to complement legislative proposals under Article 13 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which TECs(a) have and (b) have not published audited accounts for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99. [116306]

  Mr. Wicks
  My Department holds copies of the audited statutory accounts for all 72 TECs in England for these years. Copies have also been placed in the House of Commons Library.
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  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will break down the numbers of people whose level of Access to Work support last year fell into the bands(a) £0 to £1,000, (b) £1,000 to £5,000, (c) £5,001 to £10,000 and (d) more than £10,000. [115519]

  Ms Hodge
  The Employment Service does not collect information on Access to Work in the form requested. Access to Work has no upper or lower limit for support and applications fall within all the bands listed, including more than £10,000.

  In 1998–99, £19.5 million was spent helping 16,000 disabled people in employment. The average cost of support was £1,200.

  The following table gives a breakdown of the spend and numbers helped through the various elements of Access to Work during 1998–99:

  Rover
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to secure continuity for apprentices at Rover. [116295]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: Through our contractual arrangements with Birmingham and Solihull Training and Enterprise Council, work is already well underway to ensure that the training programmes of apprentices at Rover continue with minimum disruption.

  As an interim measure, where necessary, apprentices will continue full time training at local Colleges of Further Education while alternative employer placements are found.

  The TEC has a wide network of training suppliers and employers in the area and is confident that alternative placements can be found quickly for all apprentices who may be affected.

  Schools Access Initiative
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make grant allocations available to debt-free local education authorities in fulfilment of his Department's obligations under the Schools Access Initiative 2000–01. [116495]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Schools Access Initiative (SAI) is part of the overall schools capital programme and so support is delivered through the usual capital mechanisms, which for local education authorities is by way of credit approvals. It is not possible to introduce a different funding arrangement for the SAI or to make an exception for an individual authority.

  Class Sizes (Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes were in Essex(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for the Mid-Essex area. [116028]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: The information is not available in the form requested. The available information on average class size in maintained primary and secondary schools for January and September is shown in the tables.

  The latest class size count was carried out in September for infant classes and found further reductions in the percentage of pupils in infant classes of over 30 in the local education authority areas of Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea. Between September 1998 and September 1999, the percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more fell from 20 per cent. to 13 per cent. in Essex, 21 per cent. to 10 per cent. in Southend-on-Sea and from 15 per cent. to 11 per cent. in Thurrock. Information for September 1998 and September 1999 was published in separate Statistical First Releases entitled "Infant Class Sizes in England" on 4 March 1999 (99/99) and 21 January (2/2000), respectively. Copies of both releases are available in the Library.

  The class size count for January 2000 is currently being undertaken and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in April.

  Average size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools in Essex, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and England: 1997–99

  Position as at January

  1999

  1998

  1997

  Essex1

  Primary

  3—

  27.6

  27.3

  Secondary

  3—

  21.7

  21.7

  Essex2

  Primary

  27.7

  3—

  3—

  Secondary

  21.6

  3—

  3—

  Southend-on-Sea2

  Primary

  28.4

  3—

  3—

  Secondary

  20.9

  3—

  3—

  Thurrock2

  Primary

  27.5

  3—

  3—

  Secondary

  23.7

  3—

  3—

  England

  Primary

  27.4

  27.7

  27.5

  Secondary

  21.9

  21.7

  21.7

  1 Before local government re-organisation in April 1998

  2 After local government re-organisation in April 1998

  3 Not applicable

  Average size of infant classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in Essex, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and England: 1998–99

  Position as at September

  1999

  1998

  Essex

  24.7

  25.2

  Southend-on-Sea

  26.1

  25.8

  Thurrock

  24.1

  24.9

  England

  24.9

  25.7

CABINET OFFICE

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on which dates Lord Levy has had meetings with(a) Ministers and (b) senior officials in her Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the purpose of the meetings; and if she will make a statement. [113500]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Records of meetings with officials are not held centrally but, to the best of my knowledge, no Minister or senior official in the Cabinet Office has met Lord Levy since 1 May 1997 in his capacity as the Prime Minister's personal envoy delivering messages in the Middle East.

  Better Government for Older People
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if the Inter-Ministerial Group for Older People has met the Advisory Group of the Better Government for Older People Programme. [115753]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Minister of State, Department of Social Security, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker), who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Group on Older People, is meeting representatives of the Programme's Older People's Advisory Group on 27 March.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since 2 May 1997 news releases were distributed by the Central Office of Information by courier to(a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media organisations; and what was the total cost of using couriers for each of the above categories. [115638]

  Mr. Stringer
  There were no occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from my Department. No cost was involved.

  Diversity Strategy and Equal Opportunities
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if an appointment has been made to the post of Senior Adviser on Diversity Strategy and Equal Opportunities. [116825]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have today announced the appointment of Mr. Museji Ahmed Takolia to the position of Senior Adviser on Diversity Strategy and Equal Opportunities. Mr. Takolia will take up this important and vital new role within Government on 10 April 2000.

  Mr. Takolia's role will be key to driving forward the Government's commitment to build a civil service which reflects the diversity of the society which it serves. His responsibility will include driving forward our efforts to increase the diversity of the civil service and to tackle the under-representation of ethnic minorities, particularly at senior levels. He will also be tasked with achieving early progress to demonstrate that faster change is possible, and to increase the level of appointments and secondments at senior levels from under-represented groups.
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  Mr. Takolia will advise us on the whole of our diversity programme across government and will have the full backing of myself and my ministerial colleagues in order to achieve his objectives.

  Family Policy
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the family policy responsibilities of each Government Department. [115748]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  The family policy responsibilities of each Government Department are as follows:

  The Home Office hosts the Family Policy Unit, set up in April 1999 to support the Ministerial Group on the Family and to co-ordinate family policy across Government. The Home Office funds ParentLine and joint-funds the National Family and Parenting Institute (with other Departments) and runs a Family Support Grant for the voluntary sector. The Home Office is also responsible for the law on marriage, and for policy on race equality, active communities, youth offending, and the criminal law on domestic violence.

  The Department of Health has responsibility for children's social and health services. The Department funds a range of voluntary organisations concerned with children's welfare, and leads on the Quality Protects programme, improving the management of children's social services. The Department also has policy responsibility for child protection, adoption and fostering, support for children in need and their families, teenage pregnancy, and the contribution of health professionals to family support.

  The Department for Education and Employment is responsible for Early Years services, the National Childcare Strategy, the new ConneXions Service for teenagers, and hosts the Sure Start Unit. The Department is also responsible for parenting and relationship education in schools, involving parents in education, policy on children with special educational needs and family support based in schools. The Department also supports families through the New Deal programme, and leads on the promotion of work-life balance for employees.

  The Lord Chancellor's Department has responsibility for family law and court proceedings, and for marriage and relationship support. The Department funds family mediation through the legal aid budget and funds the work of marriage and relationship support organisations. The Department has policy responsibility for divorce and information meeting pilots, child abduction, private law

  Possession warrants executed in the county courts of Hampshire and for England and Wales during the period 1990–99

  County court

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Aldershot and Farnham

  251

  416

  428

  316

  555

  347

  211

  183

  247

  166

  Andover

  27

  65

  61

  49

  37

  52

  80

  44

  1—

  1—

  Basingstoke

  136

  237

  193

  219

  70

  117

  98

  115

  181

  205

  Portsmouth

  622

  736

  560

  520

  454

  466

  488

  490

  842

  717

  Southampton

  122

  494

  545

  421

  401

  347

  303

  314

  234

  327

  Winchester

  32

  75

  70

  36

  68

  52

  56

  29

  37

  35

  Hampshire

  1,190

  2,023

  1,857

  1,561

  1,585

  1,381

  1,236

  1,175

  1,541

  1,450

  England and Wales

  41,779

  61,139

  62,439

  51,333

  49,222

  51,096

  48,587

  49,865

  59,701

  71,256

  1 Closed

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  Children Act applications, the division of property on divorce, the civil law on domestic violence, and the development of the new Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

  The Cabinet Office houses the Women's Unit, which has responsibility for ensuring that women's interests are mainstreamed in all government policy, including family policy. It also houses the Social Exclusion Unit, which is responsible for developing policies to tackle social exclusion, including in areas such as school exclusions and teenage pregnancy. Finally, the Modernising Public Services Group is responsible for developing more responsive public services (including extended opening hours of services where there is a demand), which will also help families and people with caring responsibilities.

  The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for parental and maternity leave rights and right to time off work for the needs of dependants.

  The Department of Social Security has policy responsibility for benefits, including Child Benefit and Income Support. The Department is also responsible for child support.

  The Inland Revenue is responsible for tax policy, including the development of the new integrated Child Credit, the Working Families Tax Credit and Childcare Tax Credit.

  The Office for National Statistics is responsible for the civil registration service, including the registration of births, marriages and deaths.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has responsibility for housing policy, including guidance to Local Authorities, and overall responsibility for regeneration policy.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  House Repossessions (Hampshire)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many house repossessions there were in(a) England, (b) Hampshire and (c) each local authority area in Hampshire, for each year from 1979 to date. [116641]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the table shows the number of warrants of possession executed. The information is available from 1990 onwards and can be provided only on the basis of individual county courts and not by individual local authority.

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will announce future arrangements for the Public Trust Office. [116123]

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

DEFENCE

  Rover Class Tankers
  Mr. DuncanSmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Rover class tankers. [116451]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: We are currently considering options on how best to provide the Replenishment At Sea capability currently provided by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Rover class tankers, which are due to leave service in 2007.

  Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to fit(a) roll bars or (b) other anti-crash features to the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD; and if he will make a statement. [116030]

  Dr. Moonie
  The cab of the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD meets accepted European Safety Standards (ECE 29) set for roof crush, rear crush and front impact. There is no evidence to suggest that it is an unstable vehicle and there are no plans to fit roll bars to it. As I indicated in my earlier response on 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 648W, a modification programme to bring all MK1 vehicles up to full compliance with the Construction and Use Regulations has begun and will include the fitting of an anti-lock braking system (ABS). No other anti-crash features are planned and the vehicle is considered safe in all regards.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 649W, what assessment his Department

  Age 45+

  Age 55+

  Department/Agency

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Average age

  Core—MAFF

  2,501

  36

  772

  11

  39

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  35

  16

  8

  4

  37

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  46

  38

  19

  16

  42

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  416

  36

  143

  13

  40

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency

  209

  32

  48

  7

  38

  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

  196

  38

  69

  14

  40

  Meat Hygiene Service

  509

  34

  165

  11

  41

  Central Science Laboratory

  152

  26

  31

  5

  36

  Fisheries (Minimum Landing Sizes)
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from fishing organisations regarding the impact of the changes to minimum landing sizes for various species of fish; and what assessment he has made of the effect on fish stocks. [116093]
  80W
  has made of evidence sworn by 24684328 Lance Corporal Seers RLC at Kupres, Bosnia-Herzogovina on 14 January 1998 in respect of the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD braking system. [116031]

  Dr. Moonie
  The evidence referred to was given to a Board of Inquiry which investigated a fatal road traffic accident in Bosnia in July 1997. In respect of all the evidence considered by the Inquiry on the braking system fitted to the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD, recommendations were made to review the driver training procedures for the vehicle, and to introduce an additional check in regard to the pawl lever on the Jacob's Brake—the engine brake system which is complementary to the service braking system. The recommendations have been acted upon.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 649W, for what reason the two Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD vehicles were returned to BVD Ashchurch for repair by 6 Transport Squadron during Operation Lodestar in August 1996. [116032]

  Dr. Moonie
  Departmental records show that, in total, three Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD vehicles were returned to the UK for repair in 1996. All three vehicles were returned between January and July 1996 for repair following road traffic accidents while operating in Bosnia. It has not been possible to identify any Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD vehicles being returned to the Base Vehicle Depot (BVD) Ashchurch in August 1996.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Staff Age Profiles
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture,
  Fisheries and Food if he will state(a) the number and
  percentage of staff in his Department who are over the
  age of (i) 45 years and (ii) 55 years and (b) the average
  age of his staff. [115409]

  Mr. Morley
  At the end of 1999 the numbers and percentage of staff aged over 45 years and 55 years and the average age of staff in my Department and its Agencies was as follows:

  Mr. Morley
  Under the revised EU Technical Conservation Regulation which came into effect on 1 January this year, Minimum Landing Sizes for brill, dab, witch, flounder, turbot and lemon sole were ended. Some fishermen's organisations have asked for their restoration. We are currently considering this with the industry in the UK Fisheries Conservation Group.
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  I have made clear that, if the industry so wishes, I would be prepared to reinstate some or all of these Minimum Landing Sizes on a national basis and seek to persuade the EU to restore them.

  It is too early to assess the impact of the changes in the EU rules.

  Waste Incineration Directive
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the potential impact of the Waste Incineration Directive upon farmers; and if he will make a statement. [116248]

  Mr. Morley
  I have received representations about the implications for farmers of this Directive, for which the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has lead responsibility, from the National Farmers Union, the Countryside Alliance and the National Pig Association.

  Harbour Grants
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what harbour grants were granted for each of the last five years broken down by amount and location; when harbour grants were discontinued; and how many schemes were pending at that juncture. [116108]

  Mr. Morley
  The table shows awards of national harbour grant made in England over the last five financial years.

  The Harbour Grant Scheme was closed to new applications in England on 21 May 1999. At the time the scheme closed, there were 10 projects which had been formally approved, plus a further 22 projects where applications had been submitted. All these projects are being considered for payment of grant.

  National Harbour Grant Scheme

  Amount of grant awarded by year and location1

  Location

  £

  1994–95

  Appledore

  50,000

  Bridlington

  7,900

  Broadstairs

  5,340

  Newlyn

  20,000

  Polperro

  1,550

  Queenborough

  18,000

  Ramsgate

  84,500

  West Mersea

  7,900

  Total for year

  195,190

  1995–96

  Appledore

  2,250

  Cadgwith Cove

  8,300

  Hull

  108,800

  Looe

  28,530

  Mevagissey

  2,300

  Newlyn

  5,500

  North Shields

  172,800

  Scarborough

  256,700

  Scarborough

  22,400

  Scarborough

  49,300

  Wells

  19,500

  Total for year

  676,380

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  National Harbour Grant Scheme

  Amount of grant awarded by year and location1

  Location

  £

  1996–97

  Flamborough

  2,760

  Mevagissey

  9,400

  Mudeford

  2,850

  Padstow

  22,600

  Ramsgate

  4,500

  Sennen Cove

  5,500

  Total for year

  47,610

  1997–98

  Cadgwith Cove

  14,100

  Hartlepool

  470,500

  Illfracombe

  10,150

  Mevagissey

  96,750

  North Shields

  43,000

  Polperro

  35,000

  Rye

  14,000

  Scarborough

  77,000

  Seahouses

  14,600

  Total for year

  755,100

  1998–99

  Amble

  373,000

  Bridlington

  2,250

  Grimsby

  169,200

  Polperro

  2,300

  Sunderland

  122,100

  Total for year

  668,850

  1 Actual payments were not necessarily made in the same year as the award

  Bass Trawling
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the results of the recent consultation on bass trawling regulations in respect of(a) the number, (b) the percentage of respondents (i) agreeing and (ii) disagreeing with the proposed regulations (c) the number and (d) the percentage of respondents in favour of (i) partial and (ii) complete closure of the offshore fishery for bass. [115774]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: There were a total of 174 responses to the consultation carried out last autumn about possible restrictions on landing bass from UK commercial vessels. Only 13 respondents (7.5 per cent.) were opposed to the proposals made. A total of 53 respondents (30.5 per cent.) wished to go further than the proposals and called for a complete closure of the fishery. The number of responses calling for a partial closure was not recorded.

  Farmers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make assistance for early retirement available to farmers under the provisions of the Rural Development Regulation (EC No. 1750/1999). [116222]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: Neither the England Rural Development Plan nor the Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan include an early retirement scheme for farmers under the provisions of the Rural Development Regulation (EC No 1257/1999). These plans are subject to the approval of the European

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  Commission and to mid-term reviews. Decisions on which measures to use were taken in the light of extensive consultation and an economic appraisal.

  Implementation of the Rural Development Regulation in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations.

  Agricultural Land Values
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent trends in the value of agricultural land. [115949]

  Ms Quin
  The most comprehensive information on the sales of agricultural land is collected by the Valuation Office Agency and is analysed and published by MAFF. The table shows the average price of all agricultural land sold in England from 1993 to 1998.

  Average sale

  Price £/ha

  1993

  3,791

  1994

  4,229

  1995

  4,788

  1996

  6,058

  19971

  6,456

  19981

  6,185

  1 Provisional data

  Initial information for sales in the first two quarters of 1999 indicate a slight increase in price compared with the same period in the previous year.

  Similar data for Wales are published by the National Assembly for Wales.

  Food Standards Agency
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about his Department's future relations with consumers' organisations following the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.[116826]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Ministry already has well-developed relations with consumers and their representative organisations which we intend to build on, following separation of the Food Standards Agency on 1 April.

  The consumer interest in food safety will become the principal responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. The Ministry's aim already states clearly the central role which consumer benefit plays in our work. This will not change, but the Ministry's first Objective will be amended (the word "food" in the former Objective will be replaced by the words "farm produce") to become:
  To protect public health in relation to farm produce and to animal diseases transmissible to humans.

  The Ministry will retain all its other objectives unchanged as set out in the Departmental Report.

  I want to strengthen the Ministry's links with consumer organisations. I have given my noble Friend Baroness Hayman specific responsibility for MAFF's relationship with consumers. She and I intend to meet representatives of the main consumer organisations as soon as possible after the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.
  84W
  Our goal is to ensure that consumer concerns are fully reflected in decision making across the Ministry's responsibilities.

  We will also be looking to change existing arrangements, which no longer serve to deliver real benefits to consumers. The Consumer's Committee for Great Britain was established under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958. Despite its name, the Committee's statutory responsibilities relate only to the interests of consumers in the operation of marketing schemes made under the Act. As a result of changes over the years, only one such scheme now remains, covering wool, and this scheme does not have any direct impact on consumers. We are considering, along with the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly, whether the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 should be amended. In the meantime, I intend to leave the Committee in abeyance and not re-appoint members.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Passports
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce the number of passports lost by his Department when returning them to their owners; and if he will introduce guidance to ensure they are returned using a registered delivery postal service. [115331]

  Mrs. Roche
  We believe that the most important factor in reducing the numbers of lost passports is the rapid turnaround of casework and the elimination of backlogs. Over 70 per cent. of all after entry casework is now completed within two weeks and we expect the backlog to be eliminated by the summer. In addition, we are examining our processes with a view to improving the security of passports. We are also examining the costs that would be associated with returning passports by recorded delivery.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated number of illegal immigrants who entered the United Kingdom by hiding in motor vehicles during 1999.[115596]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information is recorded centrally on the numbers of persons issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine entrants. This information is collated by the date of issue of notice of illegal entry and does not contain details of the date of entry to the United Kingdom. We have no estimate of the number of persons entering clandestinely whose illegal entry has not yet come to light or of those who claim to have entered illegally, but where a notice of illegal entry has not yet been served. For these reasons, I am unable to provide the information requested.

  Provisional information indicates that around 16,500 persons were issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine illegal entrants during 1999.

  Budget Expenditure
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of the £100 million
  85W
  for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) will be spent on DNA technology; if this funding is in addition to the £34 million for the DNA database announced in Home Office Press Release 299/99; how the money will be spent; and if he will make a statement; [116256]

  (2) what proportion of the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) will be spent on accelerating recruitment under the Crime Fighting Fund; by how much recruitment will be accelerated; whether this funding is in addition to the funding for 5,000 additional recruits announced in Home Office Press Release 304/99; if this funding means that more than 5,000 recruits will be recruited over the next three years using money from the Crime Fighting Fund; and if he will make a statement; [116258]

  (3) if he will list the capital modernisation projects that have been approved for criminal justice agencies, referred to in Paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346); [116260]

  (4) how the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) is to be spent; and if he will make a statement; [116255]

  (5) what proportion of the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) will be spent on police radios; whether this funding is in addition to the £50 million of central funding announced for the Public Safety Radio Communications Project in Home Office Press Release 3033/99; and if he will make a statement.[116257]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answers 24 March 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the replies I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 27 March 2000, Official Report, columns 1-3W.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme to date were convicted of each category of drug offence. [116661]

  Mr. Boateng
  Of those prisoners released up to 14 March 2000 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, 2,931 were convicted of drugs related offences. The numbers of prisoners convicted of each type of drugs offence are shown in the table.

  Number

  Production

  103

  Supply

  969

  Possession with intent

  1,238

  Possession

  396

  Unlawful import/export

  190

  Other drugs

  35

  Total drugs

  2,931

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme have subsequently been(a) charged with and (b) convicted of further offences after completing the scheme; how many such
  86W
  offenders were charged with or convicted of an offence similar in character to the one for which they were originally convicted prior to their release through the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [116533]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information about offences committed by offenders who have completed a period on the Home Detention Curfew scheme is not held centrally.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those prisons which he has assessed as being free from the use of illegal drugs. [115944]

  Mr. Boateng
  Figures from the random mandatory drug testing programme provide the best available measure of the levels of drug misuse across establishments, and over time. The table lists the establishments which have consistently produced rates of positive random drug tests of less than 5 per cent, during the last two years:

  Prisons producing rates of positive random drug tests of less than 5 per cent, during the last two years

  Establishments:

  Albany

  Blantyre House

  Down view

  East Sutton Park

  Haslar

  Parkhurst

  Rochester

  Wakefield

  Werrington

  Whatton

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been identified as heroin users as a result of random drug testing in each of the last five years. [115947]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table shows the number of samples which have tested positive for opiates under the random mandatory drug testing programme in each of the last four years during which the programme has been running nationally.

  Year

  Number of samples testing positive for opiates

  1996–97

  3,096

  1997–98

  2,720

  1998–99

  2,860

  1999–20001

  1,831

  1 Year to date figure for April—December 1999

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which retailers have agreed to take part in the asylum seeker support voucher scheme administered by Sodexho Pass. [116590]

  Mrs. Roche
  A number of the large retail chains have agreed to take part in the asylum seeker support voucher scheme. A considerable number of smaller retailers have
  87W
  also agreed to take part in the scheme. As of 27 March, 4,411 retailers incorporating 10,789 outlets have been signed up to the Sodexho Voucher Scheme.

  Contractual negotiations are continuing with other retail chains and it would be inappropriate to release any of the names of the chains involved.

  Global Cultural Diversity Congress
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what adjustments he plans to make to his forecast of income and expenditure of the Commission for Racial Equality, published on page 113 of the Executive NDPBs 1999 report (Cm. 4657) to take account of the losses incurred following the collapse of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [116526]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None.

  The forecast of income and expenditure published on page 113 of the Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies 1999 Report was made by the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total cost to public funds of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [116585]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None. Until we have the report of the findings of the liquidator it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate of total costs.

  Bonds
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to visitors from which countries he intends to apply his proposed pilot scheme for bonds. [116524]

  Mrs. Roche
  No decision has been made yet on where to run the pilot scheme. However, as the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), announced on 20 March 2000,Official Report, columns 833-36, it will not operate in any of the countries in the Indian Subcontinent.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review

  Police strength in England and Wales—total strength for ordinary duty as at 30 September 1999

  All ranks1

  Police force

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total police ranks1

  Avon and Somerset

  1.0

  3.0

  23.0

  36.0

  147.6

  452.4

  2,325.7

  2,988.7

  Bedfordshire

  1.0

  2.0

  13.0

  10.0

  54.8

  141.5

  826.1

  1,048.4

  Cambridgeshire

  1.0

  2.0

  14.0

  13.0

  61.3

  203.5

  977.4

  1,272.2

  Cheshire

  1.0

  3.0

  19.0

  30.0

  98.0

  328.0

  1,564.6

  2,043.6

  City of London

  1.0

  2.0

  8.0

  12.0

  46.0

  100.8

  574.8

  744.6

  Cleveland

  1.0

  1.0

  24.0

  2.0

  60.0

  196.0

  1,088.6

  1,372.6

  Cumbria

  1.0

  2.0

  10.0

  19.0

  51.0

  170.0

  839.9

  1,092.9

  Derbyshire

  1.0

  3.0

  23.0

  28.0

  94.0

  289.0

  1,325.6

  1,763.6

  Devon and Cornwall

  1.0

  4.0

  33.0

  45.0

  133.0

  422.8

  2,222.3

  2,861.1

  Dorset

  1.0

  2.0

  17.0

  22.0

  66.0

  204.1

  964.1

  1,276.1

  88W
  the arrangements for the financial accountability of non-departmental public bodies linked to his Department. [116529]

  Mr. Straw
  I have no plans for such a review. Responsibility for reviewing the arrangements for the financial accountability of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) lies with Her Majesty's Treasury and the Cabinet Office. Each Home Office NDPB has an Accounting Officer who is responsible to the Home Office Departmental Accounting Officer, and operates in accordance with a financial memorandum agreed by the Department.

  Sex Offender Orders
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offender orders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been made. [116525]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of Sex Offender Orders made is currently not held centrally, although we are working on a system to ensure that we receive this information on a regular basis.

  We are aware of at least 20 sex offender orders having been granted.

  Immigration Applications
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current average processing time is for immigration applications requesting leave to remain indefinitely. [116580]

  Mrs. Roche
  The time taken to process an application for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom is affected by a number of factors, including the complexity of individual cases. Over 70 per cent, of all after-entry casework, which includes applications for indefinite leave to remain, is now completed within two weeks of receipt. Applications where further inquiries are needed may take considerably longer. However, streamlined procedures have been introduced throughout the Integrated Casework Directorate to speed up the consideration of all applications, and these processes are regularly reviewed.

  Police Statistics
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police officers available for ordinary duty on 30 September 1999, broken down by rank, for each police force in England and Wales. [116530]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  89W

  Police strength in England and Wales—total strength for ordinary duty as at 30 September 1999

  All ranks1

  Police force

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total police ranks1

  Durham

  1.0

  2.0

  18.0

  24.0

  77.0

  208.7

  1,224.0

  1,554.6

  Dyfed Powys

  1.0

  2.0

  15.0

  18.0

  46.0

  179.0

  787.6

  1,048.6

  Essex

  1.0

  3.0

  24.0

  46.0

  124.0

  446.4

  2,190.3

  2,834.7

  Gloucestershire

  1.0

  2.0

  10.0

  15.0

  55.0

  162.2

  852.8

  1,098.0

  Greater Manchester

  1.0

  6.0

  79.0

  89.0

  337.3

  999.6

  5,298.4

  6,810.3

  Gwent

  0.0

  0.0

  14.0

  16.0

  54.0

  200.0

  977.3

  1,261.3

  Hampshire

  1.0

  3.0

  39.4

  36.0

  164.8

  531.4

  2,635.2

  3,410.8

  Hertfordshire

  1.0

  3.0

  20.0

  23.0

  96.0

  259.3

  1,357.7

  1,760.0

  Humberside

  1.0

  2.0

  20.0

  26.0

  103.0

  279.6

  1,494.6

  1,926.2

  Kent

  1.0

  4.0

  26.0

  38.0

  142.0

  473.4

  2,572.3

  3,256.7

  Lancashire

  1.0

  3.0

  34.0

  36.0

  164.0

  519.1

  2,464.4

  3,221.4

  Leicestershire

  1.0

  3.0

  16.0

  19.0

  95.0

  271.4

  1,592.1

  1,997.5

  Lincolnshire

  1.0

  2.0

  11.0

  17.0

  65.0

  185.5

  829.3

  1,110.8

  Merseyside

  1.0

  3.0

  50.0

  55.0

  176.0

  615.8

  3,170.1

  4,070.8

  Metropolitan Police

  7.0

  29.0

  214.0

  388.6

  1,208.5

  4,050.9

  19,986.5

  25,884.5

  Norfolk

  1.0

  2.0

  17.0

  22.0

  73.0

  203.4

  1,063.2

  1,381.5

  Northamptonshire

  1.0

  2.0

  12.0

  10.0

  50.6

  174.1

  880.3

  1,130.0

  Northumbria

  1.0

  4.0

  36.0

  56.0

  183.8

  532.9

  2,986.4

  3,800.1

  North Wales

  1.0

  1.0

  16.0

  29.0

  71.0

  232.0

  1,049.0

  1,399.0

  North Yorkshire

  1.0

  1.0

  12.0

  12.0

  53.0

  215.5

  999.2

  1,293.7

  Nottinghamshire

  1.0

  3.0

  21.0

  19.6

  117.0

  328.0

  1,737.4

  2,227.0

  South Wales

  1.0

  4.0

  30.0

  36.0

  159.0

  442.0

  2,311.0

  2,983.0

  South Yorkshire

  1.0

  4.0

  38.0

  46.0

  168.0

  485.8

  2,422.2

  3,165.0

  Staffordshire

  1.0

  3.0

  21.0

  27.0

  112.0

  337.7

  1,704.3

  2,206.0

  Suffolk

  1.0

  2.0

  13.0

  15.0

  55.0

  171.4

  902.6

  1,160.0

  Surrey

  1.0

  3.0

  16.0

  19.0

  76.5

  261.8

  1,343.9

  1,721.1

  Sussex

  1.0

  4.0

  27.0

  38.0

  152.4

  466.0

  2,221.0

  2,909.3

  Thames Valley

  1.0

  3.0

  43.0

  28.0

  194.0

  565.4

  2,915.2

  3,749.5

  Warwickshire

  1.0

  1.0

  10.0

  8.0

  47.0

  124.5

  724.2

  915.7

  West Mercia

  1.0

  3.0

  18.0

  30.0

  99.0

  299.7

  1,528.7

  1,979.4

  West Midlands

  1.0

  4.0

  59.0

  46.0

  307.0

  987.4

  5,892.0

  7,296.4

  West Yorkshire

  1.0

  4.0

  45.0

  75.0

  238.0

  669.4

  3,840.6

  4,873.0

  Wiltshire

  1.0

  2.0

  14.0

  18.0

  62.0

  177.9

  875.3

  1,150.2

  Total all forces

  48.0

  141.0

  1,222.4

  1,598.2

  5,937.5

  18,564.8

  95,537.9

  123,049.7

  1 Full-time equivalents

  Note:

  In addition 2,414 officers were on secondment to NCS, NCIS and central services, making 125,464 as the total officer strength at 30 September 1999

  Rolling Electoral Register
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement the rolling electoral register under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000; if he will publish regulations relating to the rolling register in draft form; and if he will make a statement. [116657]

  Mr. Straw
  My intention is to bring regulations providing for rolling electoral registration into force with effect from 16 February 2001 (when the next electoral register will take effect). I hope that it will be possible to publish the regulations in draft form.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide funding for a research programme to find a less potentially lethal alternative to plastic baton rounds. [107812]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government have accepted Recommendation 69 of the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing, that a research programme to 90W
  find a less potentially lethal alternative to plastic baton rounds should be established. The issue is at present being actively considered and a decision on the way forward is expected in the near future.

  Police Officers (Oath)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what statutory provisions prohibit serving police officers swearing a new oath. [110957]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no statutory prohibition on police officers swearing new oaths voluntarily. However, to take a new police declaration the attestation which they have already made would have to be set aside by statute.

  Education and Library Boards (Discretionary Awards)
  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expenditure was on discretionary awards by each Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [114650]

  Mr. Ingram
  Discretionary awards expenditure by Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years was as follows.
  91W

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Total

  BELB

  1,006

  718

  558

  2,282

  WELB

  1,382

  778

  676

  2,836

  NEELB

  1,215

  930

  538

  2,683

  SELB

  1,585

  1,113

  600

  3,298

  SEELB

  1,014

  575

  280

  1,869

  Total

  6,202

  4,114

  2,652

  12,968

  1 Provisional figures

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Charter for Higher Education for Northern Ireland will be published; and if he will make a statement. [114666]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment has no plans to publish a Higher Education Charter for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Department of Education for Northern Ireland has to promote sporting provision and facilities in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement. [114653]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment has worked with the Further Education Sector to develop guidelines for colleges on a number of health related issues, including physical activities. Further, it has undertaken a mapping exercise on the provision and use of physical education and sports facilities, as part of the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Strategy Action Plan 1999–2002, and as a result has written to the colleges encouraging them to make increased use of such facilities.

  The Department has also recently nominated a representative to the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Implementation Group (NIPAIG) which will oversee the implementation of the NI Physical Activity Strategy. One of the key activities of the groups is to consider ways in which Further Education and Higher Education students' participation in fitness and sporting activities can be enhanced and how the time allocated to higher education based teacher training in Physical Education might be increased.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been made by students from Northern Ireland during the current year to UCAS and CAO/CAS; and if he will make a statement. [114659]

  Mr. Ingram
  For entry in 2000, there were 13,539 NI applicants to Higher Education courses through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and 1,242 through the Central Applications Office at their respective closing dates for applications. The closing date for applications to UCAS was 15 December 1999 and 1 February 2000 for applications to CAO. Both UCAS and CAO expect further applications after the closing date.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the breakdown is by(a) gender, (b) age and (c) religious background of student enrolments in each
  92W
  further and higher education institution in Northern Ireland for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [114676]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were made by students from Northern Ireland during each of the last three years to UCAS and CAO/CAS; and if he will make a statement. [114660]

  Mr. Ingram
  NI applicants to Higher Education courses through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and the Central Applicants Office (CAO) are as follows:

  UCAS applicants

  CAO applicants

  1998

  15,515

  1,348

  1999

  15,067

  1,437

  2000

  13,539

  1,242

  Note:

  Figures for 2000 are at the respective closing dates for applications (15 December for UCAS and 1 February for CAO) and do not include late applications.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the student dropout rates were for each further and higher education college in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [114678]

  Mr. Ingram
  This Department does not calculate drop out rates for Higher Education institutions. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has calculated projected non-completion rates for full-time students starting first degree courses in Higher Education institutions in the UK. Currently, values are available for 1996–97 only. The values for the Queen's University of Belfast are 10 per cent., and for the University of Ulster are 17 per cent. It should be noted that differences between institutions, such as subject mix or the qualifications on entry of their students make comparisons between institutions unreliable. For this reason HEFCE has produced benchmarks against which an institution's value can be compared. The benchmarks for the Queen's University of Belfast and the University of Ulster are 12 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively. The methodology used to calculate values and benchmarks is contained in the HEFCE publication "Performance indicators in higher education 1996–97, 1997–98".

  Student dropout rates for each further Education College are not available.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has commissioned or evaluated on gender differences in the participation of Protestants from a manual work background in post-school education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114658]

  Mr. Ingram
  This Department has not commissioned or evaluated any research which has looked specifically at gender differences in the participation of Protestants from a manual work background in post-school education in Northern Ireland.
  93W
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's current policy on promoting community relations programmes in post-school education in Northern Ireland. [114655]

  Mr. Ingrain
  The Department fully recognises the importance of promoting community relations programmes in post-school education.

  The Department is setting up a working group together with representatives from the further education sector and the National Union of Students/Unions of Students in Ireland (NUS/USI), to consider how cultural diversity can best be recognised and promoted.

  The Northern Ireland Universities have affirmed their commitment to promoting a pluralist environment which celebrates diversity across their campuses. They are working closely with the Student Unions in support of their programme for promoting community relations among students.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the PAFT analysis carried out by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland regarding recent changes to student financial support arrangements. [114664]

  Mr. Ingram
  The PAFT analysis of the student support arrangements introduced from the 1998–99 academic year recognised that the changes would have beneficial effects for some groups of students, but might also have the potential to act as a disincentive for others entering higher education. It concluded that, in general terms, the policy of maintaining parity in student support matters with England and Wales has been, over the long term, to the advantage of Northern Ireland students and that, in value for money terms, it represented an effective use of resources.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expenditure was on promoting community relations work in each further and higher education college in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [114677]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Department does not hold these details.

  £

  Academic year

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Allocation

  Expenditure

  Allocation

  Expenditure

  Allocation

  Expenditure

  Armagh

  7,618

  7,720

  16,033

  15,931

  14,046

  1—

  BIFHE

  94,612

  94,503

  180,076

  104,220

  302,739

  1—

  Castlereagh

  7.612

  7,612

  14,779

  14,779

  28,047

  1—

  Causeway

  10,927

  10,927

  33,913

  19,040

  42,923

  1—

  East Antrim

  19,763

  21,097

  38,048

  28,500

  54,998

  1—

  East Down

  14,188

  14,196

  28,945

  26,196

  42,735

  1—

  East Tyrone

  17,830

  18,370

  30,704

  26,071

  36,986

  1—

  Fermanagh

  12,990

  12,920

  38,410

  34,927

  51,878

  1—

  Limavady

  3,236

  3,236

  32,293

  32,293

  37,541

  1—

  Lisburn

  8,958

  8,958

  14,231

  14,230

  30,371

  1—

  94W
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the(a) number of and (b) expenditure on postgraduate awards in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement, [114652]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of, and expenditure on, postgraduate awards in each of the last three years are as follows:

  Financial year

  Number of awards

  Expenditure (£000)

  1997–98

  575

  4,565

  1998–99

  536

  4,253

  1999–2000

  434

  3,903

  These figures exclude a small number of postgraduate awards made by the Education and Library Boards under the Department of Higher and Further Education Discretionary Awards arrangements. The collation of such information would involve disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to make UCAS collect data relating to the religious background of applicants from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114654]

  Mr. Ingram
  My Department has written to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) asking it to include a question about community background on UCAS application forms completed by Northern Ireland-domiciled students. The request is under consideration and a conclusion may not be reached for some months. Pending the outcome I should say there is no question of my Department forcing UCAS to include a question on community background. Such a question would in any event be subject to voluntary response by the student applicant.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the cost of restoring maintenance grants for students in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114662]

  Mr. Ingram
  If maintenance grants for Northern Ireland-domiciled students were to be restored, the costs could be in the region of £40 million in a full year.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the access fund allocation and take-up rate was for each institution of further and higher education in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [114657]

  Mr. Ingram
  Access Funds allocation and take-up rates for the last three years are:
  95W

  £

  Academic year

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Allocation

  Expenditure

  Allocation

  Expenditure

  Allocation

  Expenditure

  Newry

  44,212

  43,480

  53,168

  48,444

  70,229

  1—

  NIHCC

  3,265

  2,771

  47,071

  29,381

  44,815

  1—

  North Down

  33,202

  33,202

  68,075

  60,639

  89,571

  1—

  North East

  40,522

  42,997

  67,303

  54,521

  74,053

  1—

  North West

  31,142

  33,235

  102,440

  95,961

  118,265

  1—

  Omagh

  12,595

  12,595

  18,902

  18,902

  28,507

  1—

  Upper Bann

  28,264

  26,066

  32,920

  26,015

  60,296

  1—

  Total

  390,936

  393,885

  817,311

  650,050

  1,128,000

  1—

  1 Expenditure details not yet available

  Note:

  Funding has been substantially increased over this period and is evidence of Government's commitment to implementing their Lifelong Learning Policy

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the cost of abolishing the system of student tuition fees in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114661]

  Mr. Ingram
  If the contribution towards the cost of tuition fees was to be abolished, the cost would be in the region of £15.5 million in a full year.

  Enrolments at NI higher education institutions 1996–97 to 1998–99

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  The Queen's University of Belfast

  11,763

  6,794

  18,557

  13,750

  6,712

  20,462

  13,575

  7,446

  21,021

  University of Ulster

  13,131

  5,698

  18,829

  13,617

  6,541

  20,158

  13,464

  6,015

  19,479

  St. Mary's University College

  601

  19

  620

  590

  22

  612

  609

  29

  638

  Stranmillis University College

  594

  65

  659

  578

  70

  648

  668

  282

  950

  Total

  25,989

  12,576

  38,665

  28,535

  13,345

  41,880

  28,316

  13,772

  42,088

  Enrolments on vocational courses at NI further education colleges/institutes, by mode of attendance, 1996–97 to 1998–99

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  College/Institute

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Armagh

  1,287

  605

  1,892

  1,374

  591

  1,965

  1,295

  613

  1,908

  BIFHE

  4,680

  17,462

  22,142

  4,407

  17,456

  21,863

  4,030

  18,336

  22,366

  Castlereagh

  777

  2,552

  3,329

  851

  2,463

  3,314

  767

  2,487

  3,254

  Causeway

  1,211

  2,143

  3,354

  1,065

  1,958

  3,023

  1,070

  1,834

  2,904

  East Antrim

  1,127

  3,763

  4,890

  1,152

  3,923

  5,075

  1,069

  3,769

  4,838

  East Down

  1,227

  2,879

  4,106

  1,227

  2,523

  3,750

  1,154

  2,722

  3,876

  East Tyrone

  863

  1,817

  2,680

  868

  1,978

  2,849

  828

  1,879

  2,707

  Fermanagh

  1,076

  1,790

  2,866

  1,060

  2,060

  3,120

  948

  2,318

  3,266

  Limavady

  839

  1,046

  1,885

  821

  1,116

  1,937

  934

  1,374

  2,308

  Lisburn

  1,103

  2,562

  3,665

  1,108

  2,333

  3,441

  1,097

  2,417

  3,514

  North Down and Ards

  1,878

  4,183

  6,061

  1,973

  4,409

  6,382

  2,049

  4,580

  6,629

  North East

  2,098

  4,227

  6,325

  2,181

  3,790

  5,971

  2,107

  3,915

  6,022

  Newry and Kilkeel

  1,858

  3,241

  5,099

  1,820

  3,682

  5,502

  1,774

  3,831

  5,605

  NIHCC

  378

  162

  540

  422

  226

  648

  395

  158

  553

  North West

  2,496

  5,442

  7,938

  2,474

  6,247

  8,721

  2,358

  6,212

  8,570

  Omagh

  918

  1,822

  2,740

  917

  1,977

  2,894

  778

  1,715

  2,493

  Upper Bann

  1,217

  4,373

  5,590

  1,248

  3,969

  5,217

  1,201

  4,286

  5,487

  Total

  25,033

  60,069

  85,102

  24,968

  60,701

  85,669

  23,854

  62,446

  86,300

  Note:

  Figures represent snapshots of enrolments at 1 November each academic year

  Prisoners (Parole)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial grant was made available to prisoners who were subject to release under the early release scheme when they were granted parole over Christmas and the New Year. [115378]
  96W
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many student enrolments there were on a full-time and part-time basis for each further and higher education establishment in Northern Ireland over the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [114675]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is contained in the tables.

  Mr. Ingram
  Each prisoner was paid a home leave allowance of £3 per day for every day he was on home leave. He also received a £1 subsistence allowance irrespective of the number of days out on home leave.

  All prisoners granted Christmas Home Leave received the same financial allowances.

  Cross-border Implementation Bodies
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the remuneration and expenses due to board members of the cross-border implementation bodies continue to be paid since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 11 February; and which members of the boards of the cross-border implementation bodies have declined to accept (i) remuneration and (ii) expenses since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 11 February. [115336]

  Mr. Mandelson
  None of the members of the boards of the North/South Implementation Bodies has yet been paid any of the remuneration due to them since the bodies were established on 2 December 1999.

  Since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, only members of the Board of the North/South Language Body have received reimbursement of expenses. These were in respect of a meeting that took place prior to suspension.

  No members of the Boards have declined to accept remuneration or expenses since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  RUC (Compensation Claims)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 March 2000,Official Report, column 124W, on RUC (Compensation Claims), what procedures are in operation recording expenses arising from compensation claims against the RUC; and for how long such records have been kept. [115799]

  Mr. Ingram
  From April 1998, following the introduction of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act, details of compensation claims against the Royal Ulster Constabulary are maintained under new claims; claims disposed of; damages paid; Plaintiff's solicitors costs; Crown Solicitors costs and Crown Solicitors outlay.

  It is not possible to quantify other costs/expenses associated with compensation claims as work is carried out by many different branches within the RUC as a part of their overall responsibilities.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reason the decision was taken to discontinue funding awards for students from Northern Ireland to undertake courses at residential institutions for adult education in Great Britain from the beginning of the 1999–2000 academic year; and if he will make a statement. [115911]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Comprehensive Spending Review, which set public expenditure priorities for Government Departments in 1999–2000 and beyond, provided additional funding in education to develop Government policy of Lifelong Learning in a number of directions such as:

  Increasing places in further and higher education;

  establishing the University for Industry and Individual Learning Accounts in Northern Ireland, and

  putting in place actions to address significant problems of adult literacy and numeracy.

  98W
  Inevitably, however, reductions had to be made in a number of student support programmes to allow priorities to be clearly targeted and, as a consequence, some difficult decisions had to be made. Underpinning these decisions was the objective of concentrating available resources on those students awards which support domestic provision and which have the most economic relevance to Northern Ireland, such as research studentships.

  In light of this it was decided not to continue to fund the very small number of awards usually made available to Northern Ireland students wishing to undertake courses at residential institutions for adult education in Great Britain from 1999–2000 academic year.

  Nevertheless, support has been sustained for adult education access courses to higher education in Northern Ireland, both through continuing bursaries available at Magee College, University of Ulster and, more importantly, through funding of higher education access courses provided by the Further Education and Higher Education Colleges in conjunction with the local universities. These provide a very important domestic route to higher education for mature students in Northern Ireland who would otherwise be unable to enter higher education through conventional academic channels.

  Camperdown Garden Village
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings are proposed in Planning Application No. X/2000/0001/0 for a residential development known as Camperdown Garden Village; what proposals there are for a foul sewage system for this development; how many new primary school places will be required for this development; what proposals there are to improve the existing road system at the site; and if he will make a statement. [116085]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. H. S. Mckay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from H. S. McKay to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 28 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the proposed residential development known as Camperdown Garden Village.
  A planning application received in December 1999 indicated a total of 2500 dwellings at the site.
  There is no suitable foul sewage system to serve the proposed development and if permitted substantial infrastructure will be needed.
  If the development were to be approved, additional education provision for about 665 children of primary school age would be required. A site for a new primary school is indicated on the sketch scheme submitted with the application.
  Vehicular access to the site is via four junctions from existing roads; two are on the Comber Road and two are on the Ballyrainey Road, which is improved and re-aligned. The dedicated bus lane in the old railway line is served by a park and ride facility. The E-Way study, commissioned by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Co. examines alternative public transport options for re-using the old railway line to Comber.
  The application is currently under consideration and comments are awaited in relation to the application and the environmental statement. Following the receipt and consideration of these comments a decision will be taken on how best to progress the application.
  I do hope you find this helpful.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the EU flight ban against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was suspended. [116741]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer to the written answer given by the Minister for Europe to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) on 14 March 2000,Official Report, column 142W. The EC Regulation required to give effect to Common Position 2000/176/CFSP suspending the flight ban against the FRY was adopted by the Council of the European Union on 20 March 2000. EC Regulation 607/2000 came into force on 22 March and, in addition to suspending EC Regulation 2151/1999 imposing the flight ban until 28 August 2000, permits, in relation to the suspension of the flight ban, specific exemptions from Regulation 1294/1999 concerning a freeze of funds and a ban on investment, and from Regulation 2111/1999 prohibiting the sale and supply of petroleum products to certain parts of the FRY.

  Council of the European Union
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for April together with the major European Union events for the next six months. [116742]

  Mr. Vaz
  The answer is as follows:

  Monthly forecast of EU business: April 2000
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  April

  3-4

  Cairo

  EU-Africa Summit

  4

  Brussels

  Intergovernmental Conference (Preparatory Group)

  7-8

  Lisbon

  ECOFIN Council (Informal)

  10-11

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  11

  Luxembourg

  EU/Turkey Association Council

  10-14

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  13

  Luxembourg

  Consumer Affairs Council

  15-16

  Oporto

  Environment Council (Informal)

  17-18

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  May

  2

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  3-4

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  5-7

  San Miguel, Azores

  Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers

  8

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  8

  Lisbon

  EU/New Zealand Ministerial

  11

  Brussels

  Health Council

  15-16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  15-16

  Oporto

  WEU Council

  15-19

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  16

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  18

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  18

  Brussels

  Development Council

  22-23

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  100W
  April:

  3-4 April—Cairo EU—Africa Summit

  Socio-economic Issues

  Prospects for Regional Integration

  Integrating Africa into the world economy, including trade, investment, transfer of technology and debt.

  Political Issues

  Human rights, democratic principles and institutions, good governance and rule of law, including empowering the civil society, terrorism, migration issues and xenophobia.

  Peace building, conflict prevention, management and resolution, including refugees and illegal arms trafficking.

  Development Issues

  Challenges to sustainable development in Africa, including poverty eradication, investment in human resources, education, health and environment

  4 April—Brussels Intergovernmental Conference (Preparatory Group)

  No agenda available

  7-8 April—ECOFIN Council (Informal)

  No formal agenda

  10-11 April—Luxembourg General Affairs Council

  No agenda yet available

  11 April—Luxembourg EU/Turkey Association Council

  Agenda not yet finalised

  10-14 April—Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary

  No agenda yet available

  13 April—Luxembourg Consumer Affairs Council

  No agenda yet available

  14-16 April—Oporto Environment Council (Informal)

  No formal agenda

  17-18 April—Luxembourg Agriculture Council

  No agenda yet available

  European calendar: April—September 2000
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
  101W

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  May

  25

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  25-26

  Lisbon

  EuroMed Foreign Ministers Meeting (Informal)

  28-30

  Evora

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  29-30

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  30

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  June

  5

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN Council

  6

  Luxembourg

  Social Affairs Council

  7

  Fiji

  ACP/EU Ministerial

  8

  Fiji

  Signing of post Lome convention

  8

  Luxembourg

  Education Council

  13-14

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  13-16

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  15

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  16

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  19-20

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  19-20

  Sta. Maria de Feira

  European Council

  21-23

  Cyprus

  3rd Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the Ministers of Industry

  22-23

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  26-27

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  28

  Lisbon

  EU/India Summit

  July

  3-7

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  6-7

  Lille

  Culture Council

  7-8

  Paris

  Social Affairs Council (Informal)

  10-11

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  15-16

  Paris

  Environment Council (Informal)

  17

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  17-18

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  24

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  27

  Bangkok

  ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial

  28-29

  Bangkok

  ASEAN Post Ministerial

  28-29

  Arles

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  August

  There are no Councils scheduled for this month

  September

  1-2

  Evian

  Gymnich

  3-5

  Biarritz

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  6

  New York

  EU/Ukraine Summit

  9-10

  Paris (tbc)

  ECOFIN Council (Informal)

  18

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  18-19

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  25-26

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  28

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  28

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  28-29

  Marseilles

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  European Institutions
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the running costs in the last year for which figures are available of(a) the North Atlantic Assembly, (b) the WEU Parliamentary Assembly and (c) the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; and what was the United Kingdom's contribution in each case. [116650]

  Mr. Vaz
  These are the figures for 1999 budgets and estimated costs for 2000:

  Organisation/Year

  Total cost Year (£)

  UK contribution (£)

  UK cost share (%)

  NATO

  1999

  1,764,634.91

  316,233.42

  18.32

  2000

  1,796,860.00

  294,519.84

  17.25

  102W

  Organisation/Year

  Total cost Year (£)

  UK contribution (£)

  UK cost share (%)

  WEU

  1999

  3,825,724.23

  650,375.21

  16.75

  2000

  3,409,062.90

  579,540.69

  16.75

  OSCE

  1999

  934,289

  84,086

  9

  2000

  No formal estimates available

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the UK delegations to(a) the North Atlantic Assembly, (b) the WEU Parliamentary Assembly and (c) the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in the last year for which figures are available. [116651]
  103W
  Mr. Vaz
  Authorities for the House of Commons and House of Lords are responsible for the financing of delegates' attendance at the Assemblies. Costs are borne on the votes of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has received from(a) the US authorities, (b) the EU authorities and (c) NATO member states, concerning the internal US Defense Department report into the leaking of NATO military information during the Kosovo conflict; [116349]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the United States Defense Department report into alleged espionage at NATO during the Kosovo conflict; and if he will make a statement on it; [116351]

  (3) when his Department was first informed of the US report into alleged espionage at NATO during the Kosovo conflict; [116350]

  (4) what representations he has made to NATO countries about the US internal report on alleged espionage at NATO during the Kosovo conflict. [116352]

  Mr. Vaz
  NATO and Pentagon spokesmen have made it clear they have no evidence of Serbian espionage at NATO during the Kosovo conflict. In the light of initial media reports, there were contacts with US and NATO officials to establish whether there was any substance to the allegations. But there were no representations made to, or received from, EU partners or NATO Allies.

  Tartan Day Reception
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the British Ambassador in Washington concerning invitations to Scottish politicians to attend the Tartan Day Reception in the UK Ambassador's residence in Washington. [116574]

  Mr. Battle
  The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the British Ambassador concerning invitations to the Tartan Day Receptions in Washington.

  Ambassadors (Political Impartiality and Discipline)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) rules relating to political impartiality and (b) disciplinary procedures apply to ambassadors. [116575]

  Mr. Hain
  All members of the Diplomatic Service, regardless of grade or position, are subject to the Diplomatic Service Code of Ethics and to Diplomatic Service Regulations, which include Regulations on required standards of conduct. The Code of Ethics requires officers to maintain political impartiality at all times. Any member of staff found to have contravened Diplomatic Service Regulations is subject to the disciplinary procedures set out in the Regulations.

PRIME MINISTER

  Health Spending
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement on 22 March 2000,Official Report, columns 981-84, what is the proportion of national income that is estimated will be spent on health by the end of 2003–04. [116869]

  The Prime Minister
  As announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 21 March, provision has been made available for the UK which will allow the average real-terms increase for the UK health service over the next four years to be 6.1 per cent. So health service spending will rise from last year's £45.1 billion, and this year's £49.3 billion, to: next year, £54.2 billion; the year after, £58.6 billion; then £63.5 billion; and then from April 2003, £68.7 billion.

  As a result, on current forecasts, UK health spending as a proportion of GDP will increase to around 7.6 per cent. by 2003–04. It is expected that spending within the private health care sector will remain at around 1 per cent. of GDP and the overall rise to 7.6 per cent. is almost solely accounted for by the real terms increase in NHS spending.

  The 8 per cent. EU average, as calculated by the OECD, is based on total health care spending. It is therefore directly comparable to the 7.6 per cent. figure.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Taxis
  Miss Mclntosh
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee will establish a booking system for taxis to be available to hon. Members after late-night sittings. [116041]

  Mrs. Roe
  I do not consider such a system to be necessary, as there are adequate facilities available already. In addition to the taxi light and bell at the Members' Entrance in New Palace Yard, there is an auto-dial telephone programmed with two numbers to the Millbank taxi rank. Hon. Members have absolute priority at all times in summoning taxis at the Members' Entrance, and prior booking arrangements with taxi firms should remain the responsibility of individual hon. Members.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the basis for the reference in his Department's news release no. 49/2000 of 2 March to a 20 ft high, 10 acre concrete platform at the new Wembley National Stadium. [115228]

  Kate Hoey
  The reference to the 20 ft high proposed platform was based on fact. The reference to a size of 10 acres was an unfortunate error, picked up from descriptions given at earlier meetings; the reference should have been to a size of about 5 acres. The proposed
  105W
  platform remains poor value for money and an inappropriate solution to the need for an international athletics facility.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  BNFL
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2000,Official Report, columns 51-52W, on the visit of British nuclear officials to Japan, for what reason details of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate report on irregularities and safety of MOX production at Sellafield were released to the Japanese authorities prior to their official release in the United Kingdom; and which bodies in Japan received the NII reports and under what conditions of confidentiality. [114141]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Health and Safety Executive's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations visited the Japanese nuclear regulator, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), on 7 February 2000 when he made a detailed presentation of his findings into the falsification of pellet diameter quality assurance data in the MOX Demonstration Facility at Sellafield. He also handed over to MITI a pre-publication copy of the report prepared by HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), "An investigation of pellet diameter data in the MOX demonstration facility at the BNFL Sellafield site and the effect of this on the safety of MOX fuel in use". He did this as part of the on-going dialogue between HSE/NII and MITI, as the relevant safety regulators, in view of the importance to Japan of the issues in the report and to allow the Japanese authorities sufficient time to prepare for any inquiries they might receive. The Japanese authorities agreed to make no public comment about the report or HM Chief Inspector's discussions with them before its publication.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd. as verification agents of British Nuclear Fuels environmental, health and safety policies and practices at Sellafield. [114823]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]: Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) Ltd. is a commercial organisation accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for the certification of quality and environmental management systems (ISO 9000 and 14000). They are contracted by BNFL for this purpose. BNFL's decision to use LRQA is a matter for BNFL.

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the normal period of service for a non-executive director of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. [115994]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: The length of service of non-executive directors of BNFL varies according to the needs of the company. Subject to this, a non-executive director can normally expect to be appointed for a period of up to three years and, assuming satisfactory performance, can expect a re-appointment for a second term of a similar duration. Further
  106W
  re-appointments are sometimes made, taking account of the Code and Guidance of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  Electricity Industry (Safety)
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account Ofgen took of the minimum staffing levels required in respect of safety when setting its revised price controls for the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement. [l14132]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Safety is of paramount importance in the electricity distribution industry and an issue which transcends price controls. Companies have statutory obligations, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as well as the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, which is the responsibility of the Engineering Inspectorate in my Department. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, in proposing price controls, takes account of these obligations, and companies, in accepting the price controls, accept their obligations to operate safe networks with the revenues provided.

  British Investments (Azerbaijan)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the value of British investments in Azerbaijan in(a) oil and gas extraction, (b) oil and gas transport, (c) oil and gas support services, (d) hotels and leisure, (e) banking, (f) service industries, (g) manufacturing, (h) retail sales, (i) telecommunications, (j) construction and (k) agriculture. [115558]

  Mr. Caborn
  The exact figures are not available but our Embassy in Baku have estimated that the total amount of UK investment in Baku is around $1 billion. This represents money actually spent by UK companies like BP Amoco in the country on design or engineering work to date. The breakdown is as follows:

  $

  (a) oil and gas extraction

  755 million

  (b) oil and gas transport

  210 million

  (c) oil and gas support services

  25 million

  (d) hotels and leisure

  1 million

  (e) banking

  2 million

  (f) service industries

  2 million

  (g) manufacturing

  0

  (h) retail sales

  500 thousand

  (i) telecommunications

  2 million

  (j) construction

  2 million

  (k) agriculture

  500 thousand

  Total

  1 billion

  Internal Market Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on 16 March; and if he will make a statement. [115548]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Brussels on 16 March.
  107W
  There was an open debate on the Commission's outline proposals for an EU Food Authority, guided by a series of Presidency questions on the separation of risk assessment and risk management, the relationship between the EU Authority and national bodies, the scope of the Authority's responsibilities and access to the Authority. Other Councils will also be considering the Commission's White Paper and there will be a report to the European Council in June. The Commission will take account of the Council's views in formulating its detailed proposals which will be issued in September.

  There was discussion of the Cardiff Economic Reform Process and of the preparations for the Lisbon Special Summit. The Council agreed Conclusions on economic reform to be forwarded to the Lisbon Summit and there was general support for the Presidency framework for Lisbon. The Council acknowledged the significance of Lisbon as a starting point for economic reform for the new economy and discussed the need for return to be accompanied by rationalisation of the Council structure.

  The Commission introduced a review—which took full account of UK views—of the Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market (SLIM) initiative; the Council will be asked to agree Conclusions on the review at the IMC on 25 May. There was a debate on the Commission's eEurope initiative and the Presidency noted that an Action Plan will be adopted at the June European Council in Feira.

  The Council reached political agreement on amendments to the Community Customers Code and on the Jams Directive, where the exclusion of "bakery jams" is preserved and is therefore a satisfactory outcome for the UK. The Presidency reported briefly on the Copyright Directive and the Spanish asked for rapid progress on the Community Designs Regulation.

  During lunchtime discussion of the Takeovers Directive, UK and Spain reported that a solution of the issue of communications between Gibraltar competent authorities and counterparts in other member states was in sight.

  Habitats Directive
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the timing of the licensing of the White Zone. [115733]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 21 March 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to my previous answer of 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 455W. I can inform him that officials are currently working to put in place a statutory framework for applying the Habitats Directive to offshore oil and gas activities.

  Utilities Costs
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average cost of(a) 650 therms of gas and (b) 8,000 units of electricity to consumers (i) paying by direct debit and (ii) paying by means of a pre-payment meter in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [115912]
  108W
  Mrs. Liddell
  Provisional estimates of these costs for 1999 are presented in the table, as are equivalent bills for customers on standard credit terms. The majority of customers are still on standard credit terms.

  Provisional estimates of 1999 annual electricity and gas bills for domestic consumers1

  £

  Payment method

  Gas (650 therms)

  Electricity (8,000 kWh)

  Standard quarterly credit

  320

  594

  Direct Debit

  281

  574

  Pre-payment meter

  336

  608

  1 Average UK bills, including VAT

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 15 March 2000,Official Report, column 190W, on the nuclear industry, if he will provide a technical description of the reasons which led to each of the shutdowns listed. [115914]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All of the shutdowns are briefly described in each power station's fortnightly newsletters, which are in the public domain.

  North Yorkshire Power Line
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate alternative methods of providing electricity other than the proposed Lackenby-Picton transmission line; and if he will make a statement. [116238]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The decision on the North Yorkshire power line was made in March 1998. Development consents were granted for this line in 1998 following exhaustive public inquiries and there is no machinery for now reviewing those consents.

  Government Offices, Eastcote
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future plans for the Government offices at Eastcote. [116739]

  Mr. Byers
  This site is currently owned by my Department (DTI), but shared with the MoD. DTI use has now come to an end, leaving the site under-utilised. It is my Department's intention, therefore, to make a free transfer of the Eastcote site to MoD ownership, as that department is best placed to explore the possibility of re-locating existing units to other sites. Depending on the outcome, this could lead to the site being released for alternative civilian use. This work will form part of MoD's ongoing review of its estate in Greater London, which has the objective of concentrating Defence activities on a smaller number of core sites.

  Bilateral Concordat (Wales)
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the bilateral concordat between his Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. [116740]
  109W
  Mr. Byers
  The First Secretary and I have today agreed the text of the Concordat between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, and the text will be available on the Department of Trade and Industry website.

  Rover
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what actions the Government have taken in relation to the decision by BMW to sell part of the Rover Group; and if he will make a statement. [116868]

  Mr. Byers
  BMW's recent decision to divest itself of elements of the Rover Group was a commercial one. The Government are determined to help the people, communities and businesses respond to BMW's decision.

  On Thursday 23 March I met the Chairman of BMW AG, Professor Milberg, and his senior management, impressing upon them the need for BMW's continuing involvement. After a useful and constructive discussion, BMW has agreed to look at ways to try to maximise job retention and at how the company might work with the recently established Task Force to promote the regeneration of Longbridge and the other sites affected.

  During my visit to the region on 17 March I announced the establishment of a Task Force, headed by Alex Stephenson, Chairman of Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency. The Task Force membership includes people from key organisations concerned with regenerating the economy of the affected parts of the West Midlands. I asked it to report to me within six weeks.

  The Task Force will:

  Assess the impact of any reduction in activity at Longbridge on the people, businesses and communities of the region;

  Advise on the public and private resources needed to help deal with the consequences, and

  Draw up proposals for action by local partners and by central government.

  I announced that £129 million of government funding would be available to support projects in the region aimed at dealing with the consequences of BMW's decision.

  The Employment Service is setting up a Rapid Response Unit at Longbridge to help deal with any redundancies. This will involve establishing a job shop to give advance notice about job vacancies, careers advice and benefits, a fast-track claims process for employees who were made redundant, and access through the local TEC to training to meet the needs of the employees.

  The Task Force has also made contact with the 98 leading suppliers to Rover and expects to have an analysis of their situation later this week. In addition it is contacting the remaining suppliers, including second and third tier suppliers. A hotline for handling queries from suppliers and from individual employees affected is also being established.

  The Task Force has also held preliminary discussions with BMW about the future of the Longbridge site and will be holding further discussions with BMW, Alchemy and Ford about future intentions so far as employment is concerned, about the site and development issues.
  110W
  The Government have also raised with BMW a range of other issues including their plans in relation to other sites and plants and the concerns of the network of dealers.

SCOTLAND

  Shipbuilding (Clyde)
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's support for shipbuilding on the Clyde. [115197]

  Dr. Reid
  This Government fully recognise the importance of shipbuilding industry generally, and the Clyde shipbuilding industry in particular. We will continue to do everything we can to support the industry.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 29 February 2000,Official Report, column 260W, on assisted areas, what are the problems of population sparsity affecting the Inverness travel-to-work area. [115781]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 21 March 2000]: Extremely low population density leads to additional costs in the provision of goods and services. There is a lack of economies of scale and, in combination with peripherality, this makes for structural economic weaknesses. The whole of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area was thus proposed for inclusion in the new Assisted Areas map.

  Websites
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the expenditure incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on(a) the setting up and (b) the operation of websites, indicating the cases in which the expenditure has been above that budgeted; and if he will list for each website (i) the topics which have been covered, (ii) the current average number of hits per months and (iii) the estimated expenditure on each website for each of the next three years. [115802]

  Dr. Reid
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Set up costs: £2,700

  (b) Operating costs to date: £1,300

  (c) Topics covered in the Scotland Office website (www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk):

  Welcome message from the Secretary of State

  Scotland Office news releases

  Profiles of the Ministers

  Transcripts of speeches

  What the Scotland Office does

  Advocate General for Scotland (currently under construction)

  Contact addresses and phone numbers

  Selected links to other sites (mainly Government)

  (d) The website was launched in November 1999. The number of hits has risen from 14,775 in November to 83,857 in February 2000. The number of page requests per month over the same period has risen from 2,407 to 8,883. The number of unique visitors to the site is not currently measured.

  111W

  (e) Annual expenditure on the website over the next three years is currently estimated at £2,000 per year but the design and content of the site will be kept under review

  Insolvency
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice is given by the Accountant in Bankruptcy in Scotland to insolvency practitioners in personal sequestrations with regard to the vesting of(a) personal pensions, (b) retirement annuity contracts and (c) occupational pension schemes. [116230]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: The Accountant in Bankruptcy provides written guidance in the form of "The Accountant in Bankruptcy's Notes for the Guidance of Interim and Permanent Trustees". Section 6.18 of this guidance covers the treatment of pensions.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housebuilding (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2000,Official Report, column 402W, on housebuilding (ref. 114782) and his proposed changes to Regional Planning Guidance for the South East and East of England on 27 March, if he will assess the impact of his statement on housebuilding on 7 March 2000, Official Report, columns 863-7, on the Chelmsford local authority area, indicating the number of houses to be built in Chelmsford over the next (a) five years and (b) 16 years. [116029]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16 March 2000,Official Report, column 330W and to the pursuant answer of 20 March 2000, Official Report, column 402W. Full details of our proposed changes to the draft RPG for the South East were published on 27 March. These included an illustrative breakdown of housing within the region to county level, including an annual rate of provision for Essex. It will be for the Essex County Structure Plan to determine the level of housebuilding to be included in the Chelmsford Local Plan area.

  Hedges
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has received to the consultation paper on controlling nuisance hedges in residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [116382]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 21 March 2000,Official Report, column 471W.

  Foreign Commercial Vehicles
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a road tax or vignette on foreign commercial vehicles entering the United Kingdom. [116536]
  112W
  Mr. Hill
  Any vignette scheme, or any form of levy, would have to apply to domestic vehicles as well as foreign. To discriminate against foreign vehicles would be illegal under Community law. The Transport Bill contains enabling powers for local authorities to introduce charging schemes on their roads, but there are no plans at present to introduce widespread charging on the trunk road network.

  Electronic Vote Counting (London Elections)
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if electronic counting of votes will be used at the forthcoming election of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly on 4 May. [116695]

  Mr. Hill
  The Greater London Returning Officer has informed me that following a successful trial on 22 February 2000, he intends to use electronic counting equipment to count the votes cast in the first election of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly on 4 May. He is satisfied that the system can deliver a speedy and accurate result and at the same time safeguard the probity and secrecy of the ballot.

  Wild Birds Directive
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites so far classified or identified for classification as special protection areas under the EC Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) in the UK. [116738]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, in co-operation with the statutory nature conservation agencies, have been conducting a major review of the UK list of Special Protection Areas following the agreement and subsequent publication of SPA selection guidelines in July 1999. Ministers will be consulting interested parties about those sites which are not already classified as SPAs. The new list has today been placed in the Library.

TREASURY

  Climate Change Levy
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of Article 52 of the EC Treaty on the provisions for persons to notify the Commissioners when they are liable to be registered for the climate change levy. [116581]

  Mr. Timms
  I am satisfied that the provisions for climate change levy which will appear in the Finance Bill will be compatible with all our obligations under the EC Treaty.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the climate change levy will be levied upon(a) actual and (b) estimated energy supply in a period; and what provisions are to be made for overpayment on the basis of estimated bills; [l16586]

  (2) what factors may be taken into account in determining culpability for the late submission of climate change levy returns; and if he will introduce an element of culpability to the penalty regime; [116587]
  113W
  (3) if he will make a statement on the definition of (a) taxable commodity under schedule 1 paragraph A3(1)(b) of the climate change levy legislation and (b) utility, contained in the legislation to ensure that suppliers liable to climate change levy are easily identifiable. [116591]

  Mr. Timms
  HM Customs and Excise have undertaken an extensive consultation exercise on the draft climate change levy legislation published on 26 November 1999. The results of this consultation are being taken into account in the proposed legislation. This will be contained in the Finance Bill to be published shortly.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will confer on Her Majesty's Customs and Excise discretion to reduce penalties for late submission of climate change levy returns; and if he will review the interest rate on the penalty for small businesses. [116588]

  Timms
  As a result of the consultation exercise undertaken on the draft climate change levy legislation by HM Customs and Excise, I will be proposing changes to the penalty system for late submission of climate change levy returns. I have no plans to review the interest rate on the penalty for small businesses.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his reasons for exempting Northern Ireland from the climate change levy. [116578]

  Mr. Timms
  I have announced that we shall be exploring with the European Commission the scope for allowing a temporary exemption from climate change levy for natural gas in Northern Ireland for a period of up to five years. This reflects the very different nature of the energy market in Northern Ireland and the fact that gas is only as yet available in a limited area. A temporary exemption will facilitate the development of the infrastructure and make gas available to a greater number of potential customers.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the climate change levy will be charged on supplies of energy(a) from Northern Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom and (b) from other parts of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland. [116579]

  Mr. Timms
  Climate change levy is only charged on supplies to final consumers. If the proposed exemption from climate change levy for natural gas in Northern Ireland is approved by the European Commission, climate change levy will be charged on all sales of products within the scope of the levy where the customer is located in the United Kingdom, except for sales of natural gas where the customer is located in Northern Ireland. The location of the supplier is not relevant.

  Scottish Power plc
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about Her Majesty's Treasury's holding of debt in Scottish Power plc. [116743]
  114W
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  On 24 March 2000 HM Treasury sold back to Scottish Power the £142 million (nominal) bond it had held since the privatisation of the company in 1991. Proceeds from the buyback were £148,469,927.55.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recipients of the working families tax credit have a child less than one-year-old. [115247]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 March 2000]: About 92,000 working families' tax credit awards made to the end of February 2000 were to families with children aged less than one year.

  Road Fuel Duty
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the levels of duty on unleaded petrol and lead replacement petrol. [116119]

  Mr. Timms
  In October 1999 the duty rate for higher octane unleaded petrol was cut from over 5 pence per litre to 2 pence per litre above the rate for unleaded. This was to facilitate the introduction of lead replacement petrol (LRP) which is treated as higher octane unleaded petrol for duty purposes. Following increases in road fuel duties announced in the Budget the rate of duty on higher octane unleaded petrol is now 2.07 pence per litre above that on unleaded petrol.

  Although LRP does not contain lead, it will generally be used by cars that formerly used leaded petrol. This part of the car population tends to be older, less fuel efficient than newer cars and, consequently, to have poorer emissions performance. The twin aims therefore are to have a duty rate that is not as high as that on leaded petrol—indeed is less than the former rate on higher octane unleaded—but at the same time to leave in place a measure that encourages replacement of less fuel efficient cars.

  Over-the-counter Drug Deaths
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the total number of deaths caused by(a) paracetamol/co-proxamol, (b) dothiepin, (c) aspirin, (d) ibuprofen and (e) benylin in each of the last five years. [115945]

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 28 March 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question asking for the latest assessment of the total number of annual deaths caused by (a) paracetamol/co-proxamol (b) dothiepin (c) aspirin (d) ibuprofen (e) benylin. I am replying in Dr Holt's absence.
  The latest figures of drug related deaths caused by the substances listed above are provided for England and Wales in 1997. The information is supplied using the ONS database of deaths where the underlying cause of death was drug-related as described in Health Statistics Quarterly, Number 5. The table shows the number of deaths where the substances were mentioned on the death certificate. No deaths were recorded as being attributed to benylin.
  115W

  Drug related deaths1 for specific substances in England and Wales, 1997

  Number

  Paracetamol/Co-proxamol2

  562

  Dothiepin

  235

  Aspirin

  51

  Ibuprofen

  2

  1 Deaths with underlying codes 292, 304, 305.2-305.9, E850-E858, E950.0-E950.5, E962.0 and E980.0-E980.5, using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, where the named substance was mentioned on the death certificate.

  2 Includes deaths where paracetamol or any compounds containing paracetamol, such as co-proxamol are mentioned in the death certificate.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Abolition of Feudal Tenure (Scotland) Bill
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of compensation payments by those on benefits under the Abolition of Feudal Tenure (Scotland) Bill; if he will take steps to take into account such payments in the calculation of benefit entitlement; and if he will make a statement. [116520]

  Mr. Bayley
  Departmental officials are in contact with the Scottish Executive about the full impact of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure (Scotland) Bill and will be examining the implications for benefit recipients.

  IT Services
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for the strategic management of information technology services within his Department; and if he will make a statement. [116744]

  Angela Eagle
  Following a review carried out in 1999, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State approved a recommendation to transfer responsibility for the strategic management of the Department's information technology (IT) services from the Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) to within the Department's HQ. This change will help maximise our ability to get the most out of our IT suppliers and facilitate the continued development of the Department's corporate IT strategy.

  This development has been endorsed by colleagues in the Treasury and Cabinet Office and means that the ITSA will cease to be an Executive Agency from 1 April.

  Asylum Seekers (Social Security Payments)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make payment of social security to political asylum seekers with children of school age conditional upon their children attending the appropriate school. [116534]

  Mr. Bayley
  No.

  Poverty (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the total number of 116W
  people living below the poverty line in (a) the Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency and (b) the City of Leeds in each year since 1990. [112044]

  Mr. Bayley
  Poverty and social exclusion are complex multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of people's lives—their income, health, housing, the quality of their environment and their opportunities to work and learn. There is no single measure which captures the complex problems which need to be overcome.

  We are determined to tackle the problems that condemn many individuals and communities to poverty. That is why we set out our strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion in our first annual report "Opportunity for All" (Cm 4445). The report includes a range of indicators that capture the many aspects of poverty and social exclusion.

  We are unable to present low income statistics for Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency and the City of Leeds because they are not statistically robust for areas smaller than geographical regions. However, information for the whole of Yorkshire and Humberside Government office region is shown in the table.

  Number of individuals below 60 per cent. median income in Yorkshire and Humberside, including the self-employed

  Million

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  1994–95

  1.1

  1.4

  1995–96

  1.0

  1.1

  1996–97

  1.1

  1.2

  1997–98

  1.0

  1.2

  Note:

  Some of the fluctuation in numbers between years may be due to sample variability

  Source:

  Households Below Average Income

  Some indicators of poverty and social exclusion are available at the local authority level. For example, the following table shows the number of beneficiaries receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

  Number of beneficiaries on Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based) for the City of Leeds and Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency

  Thousand

  Period

  Yorkshire and Humberside GOR

  Leeds local authority district

  Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency

  August

  1993

  894

  n/a

  n/a

  1994

  896

  124

  n/a

  1995

  901

  118

  n/a

  1996

  869

  122

  n/a

  1997

  805

  108

  30

  1998

  769

  101

  23

  1999

  763

  98

  23

  n/a = Not available

  Notes:

  1. Beneficiaries are claimants, their partner, and any dependent child or young person aged 0 to 19.

  2. Information by GOR is not available prior to 1993. However there were 747 thousand Income Support beneficiaries in May 1991, and 812 thousand beneficiaries in May 1992 in the Yorkshire and Humberside Government Standard Statistical region.

  3. Information by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to August 1997.

  117W

  4. Information on beneficiaries is not available for local authority districts prior to 1993.

  5. Local authority areas are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS 1995–99 Version 1/Version 2 postcode directories.

  6. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  7. Numbers are based on a 1 per cent, sample up to 1994 and a 5 per cent, sample thereafter. Numbers are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  8. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance replaced Income Support for the unemployed from October 1996.

  9. Income Support (IS) figures quoted prior to October 1996, include unemployed IS claimants.

  Improving educational attainment is an intrinsic part of our strategy for tackling the causes of poverty and social exclusion. In 1997 in Leeds, 63 per cent. of students in English and 63 per cent. in Maths achieved Level 4 and above in Key Stage 2. By 1999 this had improved to 72 per cent. in English and 71 per cent. in Maths.

  The health of our children is also an important indicator of levels of poverty and social exclusion. In the City of Leeds in 1997–98, the rate at which children (aged under 16) were admitted to hospital as a result of an unintentional injury resulting in a hospital stay of more than three days was 1.0 per thousand (to the nearest 0.5 per thousand). This has fallen from 1.5 per thousand in 1995–96.

  Further information on the indicators we will use to monitor its progress in tackling poverty and social exclusion, including definitions and baseline data, has been placed in the Library on 21 September to accompany "Opportunity for All".

  Income-related Benefits
  Mr. Dennis Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the children's rates in the various income-related benefits (in addition to normal indexation) by(a) £5 per week in October 2000 and (b) a further £5 per week in April 2001. [115492]

  Mr. Bayley
  The cost of introducing these increases in Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for children under 16, and those aged between 16-19 who remain in full-time non-advanced education, would be approximately £400 million in 2000–01 and £1.5 billion in 2001–02 (figures rounded to nearest £50 million).

  These costs do not include the costs of any equivalent increases in working families tax credit but do include the impact that increases to working families tax credit would have on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  Fraud
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he will take to rectify the performance of local authorities where such performance is judged unsatisfactory by benefits fraud inspectors. [116115]

  Angela Eagle
  Following publication of a Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report, the local authority is invited to 118W
  consider and respond to the report and to submit any proposals for improving its performance and remedying any failings that are identified.

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has powers under section 139D of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to direct an Authority as to the standards it is to attain and the time within which they are to be attained. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 6 March 2000, Official Report, columns 755-56, councils have been warned that where investigation by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate identifies persistent failings, he will use those powers to direct them to improve their performance.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what means he will use to ensure that the information collected by local authorities to meet the reporting requirements of the housing benefit best value performance indicators for 2000–01 is(a) verifiable and (b) accurate. [116114]

  Angela Eagle
  Best value performance indicators will from this April be the main yardstick against which local authorities' performance is judged. Authorities are required to set out each year in published best value performance plans details of past performance against the indicators and challenging targets for future improved performance. These plans and the performance information they contain are subject to statutory audit.

  Auditors are responsible for ensuring that authorities have adequate systems in place for producing accurate performance data. In addition, the Department has made arrangements for performance data to be reported periodically by authorities as part of the normal provision of Housing Benefit management information. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently announced his intention to use his statutory powers to compel authorities to provide this information. Guidance on the Housing Benefit indicators and revised statistical forms were issued by the Department to all authorities last December.

  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate will also test the robustness of local authority performance data both as part of its on-going cycle of inspections of Housing Benefit administration, and in its role as a best value inspectorate.

  Winter Fuel Payments (West Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men there are in the West Chelmsford parliamentary constituency aged between 60 and 64 years; and when they will receive the £100 winter fuel payments for last winter. [116299]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department does not hold data to enable us to determine the number of men aged between 60 and 64 years in the West Chelmsford constituency.

  Arrangements regarding payments to those newly eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will be announced shortly.

HEALTH

  Cardiac Services
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on cardiac services in England. [115161]

  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the national service framework for coronary heart disease. [115162]

  Yvette Cooper
  On 6 March my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. This framework is a radical and far-reaching blueprint to transform prevention, diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease and will help save 200,000 lives by 2010.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of cardio-thoracic services in the north-west of England. [l15165]

  Yvette Cooper
  Cardiothoracic services in the north-west of England will be improved in line with the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease and the Strategy for the Development of Invasive and Tertiary Cardiac Services in the North-West Region (Dargie Report), published in April 1999.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on acute waiting lists during the past winter. [115163]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service has done this winter what it should always do—it has prioritised emergencies. There are always more pressures on the NHS from emergency admissions in the winter months. The waiting list figures for December and January reflect the fact that the NHS as planned did give priority to emergency cases.

  The waiting list is currently 39,000 below the level inherited. We remain on track to achieve our manifesto commitment to reduce waiting lists by 100,000 from the level inherited.

  Adoption
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to improve adoption procedures. [115166]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that he is to conduct a review of adoption with ministerial colleagues. The review will consider how best to develop a modern adoption system which puts the interests of the child first and provides a sensitive and efficient service, building on the Government's Quality Protects programme for transforming children's services.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many additional intensive care beds have been made available in NHS hospitals since 1 January. [115168]
  120W
  Ms Stuart
  More than 100 additional critical care beds were available this winter, and more will be opened next winter, following the current thorough review of critical care services.

  Treatment Variations
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to tackle wide variations in treatment in different parts of the country. [115169]

  Yvette Cooper
  Tackling unacceptable variations in performance and treatment is one of the key challenges we have set the National Health Service. We have already established new mechanisms; we are setting standards across the NHS through the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the National Service Framework programme; ensuring delivery of these locally through clinical governance, and monitoring delivery through the performance assessment framework, the Commission for Health Improvement and a programme of national patient surveys. Over the next few months we will work with key professionals and frontline staff to see how we can improve NHS performance and productivity so that we make the best use of the record increases in NHS funding announced in the Budget.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments are being modernised; and if he will make a statement on progress to date. [115172]

  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments are being modernised; and if he will make a statement on progress to date. [115182]

  Ms Stuart
  The £115 million capital investment in accident and emergency services is enabling 244 improvement schemes to be carried out in 182 hospital trusts in England. Good progress is being made: almost all the schemes are already under way and 90 (37 per cent.) have now been completed. 194 schemes (80 per cent.) are scheduled for completion by July 2000.

  Consultant Neurologists
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the number of consultant neurologists. [115173]

  Mr. Denham
  We review the requirements for consultants in neurology annually. There are around 150 specialists in training and we expect most of these to become available for consultant posts between 2003 and 2004. This will be 90 more than are needed to replace consultants expected to retire.

  Family Friendly Working Practices
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to extend family friendly working practices in the NHS. [115174]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1999 the Government launched the Improving Working Lives campaign. Each region has appointed a Champion to lead a multi disciplinary task force to develop family friendly policies and identify and
  121W
  share good practice. They will pay particular attention to trusts with high levels of vacancies. A kitemarking system will be set up, so that National Health Service organisations that perform well can be recognised.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made in introducing family friendly working practices in the NHS. [115184]

  Mr. Denham
  We have launched a £1 million Improving Working Lives campaign in the National Health Service. A similar budget has been agreed for 2000–01. Each region has set up a multi-disciplinary task force to share good practices. The task forces will support implementation of the Working Lives Standard and concentrate on those trusts with the most vacancies. In September 1999 Ministers launched a consultation exercise to develop a set of standards on good employment practices against which employers and their staff can measure themselves. Responses indicate general support from local NHS organisations, individuals and staff-side representatives. The re-drafted standards are currently out for consultation.

  Last year's national recruitment campaign attracted over 5,000 former nurses back to the NHS, and 60 per cent. of those returning have taken up part-time posts, proving that NHS employers are becoming more flexible and family friendly.

  Elderly People
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extra capitation given to health authorities in respect of the elderly. [115175]

  Mr. Hutton
  The current allocations formula recognises that the elderly make more use of health services than the rest of the population. Health authorities with a relatively elderly population have their weighted capitation targets increased accordingly.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra funding has been made available to the NHS since May 1997. [115176]

  Mr. Denham
  National Health Service net expenditure in 1996–97 was £32.9 billion. In 2000–01 NHS expenditure will be £44.2 billion, a real terms increase of 20.5 per cent. on 1996–97. By 2003–04 NHS expenditure will reach £56.4 billion, a real terms increase of 42.7 per cent. on 1996–97.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the United Kingdom's gross domestic product was devoted to health care(a) in 1996–97 and (b) in 2000–01; and what was the European average for those years. [115183]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1996–97, United Kingdom Gross National Health Service expenditure was 5.7 per cent. of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

  Based on the latest forecasts of GDP and planned NHS expenditure figures, for 2000–01, UK gross NHS expenditure is forecast to be 6.1 per cent. of GDP.
  122W
  The Department does not collect information on health care expenditure in other European countries. It is collected by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and can be obtained from the 1999 OECD health database.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. [115177]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has made a good start to its work. NICE has produced a fast-track appraisal of the anti-flu drug Relenza and an appraisal on wisdom teeth. NICE'S work programme was announced in November 1999 and has an agreed schedule of further appraisals, guidelines and GP referral protocols.

  NHS Hospitals (Hygiene)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise standards of cleanliness and hygiene in NHS hospitals. [115178]

  Mr. Denham
  Trust chief executives are responsible for standards of cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals. All acute trusts have the assistance of the infection control team. The controls assurance framework published on 22 November 1999 has a section relating to infection control, including specific reference to cleanliness. The Infection Control Nurses Association and the Association of Domestic Managers have published "Standards for Environmental Cleanliness in Hospitals", which NHS Estates is sending to all NHS trusts.

  Primary Care Trusts
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the first primary care trusts to become operational. [115179]

  Mr. Denham
  Seventeen primary care trusts will become operational on 1 April 2000. They will deliver more integrated primary and community services, ensuring better access for patients, therefore providing a stronger role for community services in the National Health Service.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of(a) the cost of setting up primary care trusts and (b) the cost of their annual operation. [115181]

  Mr. Denham
  Each health authority where there is a proposal to establish a primary care trust (PCT) receives a contribution from central funds of £25,000 towards the costs of preparing the proposal for local consultation and of the consultation itself. If the proposal is approved by the Secretary of State, a further central contribution is made towards the preparatory costs of the PCT. This contribution comprises £100,000 for a commissioning only PCT or £175,000 for a PCT which will also provide services. In addition, local health systems are expected to contribute to the costs of establishing and developing a new PCT.
  123W
  Seventeen PCTs have been approved to begin operating from 1 April at a total central cost of £3.325 million. Information is not, however, held centrally on the total cost of establishing each PCT.

  NHS Direct (Cumbria)
  Mr. Martlcw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when NHS Direct will start to operate in Cumbria. [115180]

  Ms Stuart
  The White Paper 'The New NHS: Modern, and Dependable" announced the Government's commitment to NHS Direct. At present, NHS Direct covers 65 per cent. of the population. By the end of October this year, the whole of England, including Cumbria, will be covered.

  Nurse Training
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of places available for nurse training. [115185]

  Mr. Denham
  We provided increased investment to enable us to deliver 6,000 new nurse training places by 2002. This target was based upon delivering 1,000 of those new places in 1999–2000, but we are now planning to deliver around 1,600. Further investment will enable us to provide an additional 1,000 nurse and midwifery pre-registration training places in 2000–01.

  Cancer
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to increase the availability of modern equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in NHS hospitals. [115186]

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to increase the availability of modern equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in NHS hospitals. [115187]

  Yvette Cooper
  In January, the Government announced a £100 million cash injection which will pay for the most up to date equipment (computed tomography, scanners, simulators and planning computers to calculate radiotherapy doses) to diagnose and treat cancer more quickly and effectively. This £100 million cash boost for cancer is the biggest-ever single investment in cancer equipment in the history of the NHS.

  This record investment is on top of the allocation of £93 million from the National Lottery that has been allocated for cancer diagnosis and treatment equipment (breast screening equipment—mobile trailers, ultrasound and mammography machines, MRI scanners and linear accelerators) to over 200 NHS hospitals.

  Painkillers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reduce the number of deaths caused by painkillers. [115151]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have introduced tight restrictions on the pack sizes of over-the-counter painkillers, together with overdose warnings for paracetamol products. The effect of these measures is being monitored. We are 124W
  currently reviewing the need for strengthened warnings for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with other European member states.

  NHS Dentistry (Lincolnshire)
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for improving access to NHS dentistry in Lincolnshire. [115171]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Investing in Dentistry initiative offered £210,000 in grants to Lincolnshire dentists in return for promises of 16,500 patient registrations. Lincolnshire Health Authority has submitted a proposal for a dental access centre which is now being considered. If the bid succeeds the centre will be operational by the end of this year. We will publish further plans to improve access to dentistry in a dental strategy for England in due course.

  Miscarriages
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 14 February 2000,Official Report, column 387W, if he will list for the years for which they are available the estimated numbers of women diagnosed as receiving hospital care for miscarriage grossed to allow for missing, incomplete and inaccurate records; and if he will give an indication of the accuracy and completeness of this information. [113093]

  Yvette Cooper
  It is regretted that the reply of 14 February was incorrect. The information provided in the table showing the estimated numbers of women diagnosed as receiving hospital care for miscarriage for the years prior to 1997–98 was grossed to allow for missing, incomplete and inaccurate records. The difference between grossed and ungrossed figures in recent years is between 3-4 per cent. The following table contains the information requested.

  Year

  Number of miscarriages

  1989–90

  48,500

  1990–91

  50,600

  1991–92

  53,100

  1992–93

  52,400

  1993–94

  51,300

  1994–95

  48,700

  1995–96

  43,900

  1996–97

  44,500

  1997–98

  141,800

  1 Provisional

  The information in the table is obtained from the Hospital Episodes Statistics system. The data for the years prior to 1997–98 are grossed and have been adjusted to allow for missing, incomplete or inaccurate records.

  Data extracted were those with the diagnosis code OO3 (ICD-10) Spontaneous Abortion.

  Nursing Care
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government plans to take to provide compensation for nursing home patients and their relatives who have suffered financial loss and hardship due to
  125W
  the imposition of means testing by social services departments based on eligibility criteria which have been found to be unlawful. [114741]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department issued guidance in August 1999 following the Coughlan case (Health Service Guidance (1999) 180: Local Authority Circular (99)30) required health and local authorities to satisfy themselves that their criteria were lawful, taking legal advice where necessary. Where authorities subsequently revise their criteria in the light of the Coughlan judgment they should reassess clients against the revised criteria.

  Any possible claims for compensation due to the operation of unlawful eligibility criteria for nursing home care are the responsibility of the relevant health authorities and local councils.

  Mental Health—number of 24 hour staffed beds

  Region

  Health authority

  Position at March 1999

  Position at December 1999

  Increase

  London

  Barking and Havering

  0

  0

  0

  London

  Barnet

  15

  15

  0

  London

  Bexley and Greenwich

  8

  8

  0

  London

  Brent and Harrow

  32

  32

  0

  London

  Bromley

  10

  10

  0

  London

  Camden and Islington

  60

  72

  12

  London

  Croydon

  0

  0

  0

  London

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  39

  43

  4

  London

  East London and City

  106

  106

  0

  London

  Enfield and Haringey

  56

  56

  0

  London

  Hillingdon

  0

  28

  28

  London

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  13

  13

  0

  London

  Kingston and Richmond

  62

  62

  0

  London

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  138

  142

  4

  London

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  185

  185

  0

  London

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  50

  50

  0

  South East

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  Buckinghamshire

  29

  29

  0

  South East

  East Kent

  45

  45

  0

  South East

  East Surrey

  21

  21

  0

  South East

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  175

  175

  0

  South East

  Isle of Wight

  0

  8

  8

  South East

  North and Mid Hampshire

  167

  167

  0

  South East

  Northamptonshire

  10

  10

  0

  South East

  Oxfordshire

  0

  20

  20

  South East

  Portsmouth and SE Hampshire

  47

  54

  7

  South East

  Southampton and SW Hampshire

  83

  83

  0

  South East

  West Kent

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  West Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  West Sussex

  18

  18

  0

  England

  4,013

  4,301

  288

  Source:

  Common Information Core, quarterly monitoring

  Herbal Remedies
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Pharmaceutical Committee of the European Union in establishing a secure route to market for herbal remedies. [115793]

  Ms Stuart
  The European Pharmaceutical Committee on 22 March considered the interpretation of Directive 99/83/EC relating to the use of bibliographic data to demonstrate that a medicine has well established use. In the light of the Committee's discussion we are assessing how the Directive may help us to move towards our objective of achieving more effective regulatory

  Psychiatric Beds
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of 24 hour staffed beds for people with severe and enduring mental illness were used in each health authority in London and the South East since 1998–99. [115787]

  Hutton
  Information on the percentage of 24 hour beds for people with severe and enduring mental illness used in each health authority in London and the South East since 1998–99 is not held centrally.

  However the table contains data on the number of 24 hour beds in each health authority in London and the South East for the end of the financial year 1998–99 and the latest position available (December 1999).

  arrangements for herbal medicines, balancing public safety and consumer choice. We will make a statement when we have completed this assessment.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Medicines Control Agency next to meet representatives of consumer, retailer and practitioner organisations. [115800]

  Ms Stuart
  The Medicines Control Agency has frequent meetings with a wide range of interest groups. The agency held meetings with a number of organisations
  127W
  including representatives of businesses and practitioners in the natural health sector on 21 March. Further discussions with organisations representing consumers, retailers and herbal practitioners are to be held on 28 and 31 March.

  Hospital Consultants (Distinction Awards)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many distinction awards were made to hospital consultants and at what total value in the last year for which figures are available.[116113]

  Mr. Denham
  In the 1999 awards round, a total of 481 new distinction awards were granted to hospital consultants. The breakdown of levels of award and their values is shown in the table.

  Award

  Value1 (£)

  Number granted

  Total value2 (£)

  A+

  58,525

  37

  2,165,425

  A

  43,125

  142

  6,123,750

  B

  24,640

  302

  7,441,280

  Total

  481

  15,730,455

  1 As at 1 April 1999

  2 The total value of the awards granted assumes full-time employment

  Hospital Matrons
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reintroduce the post of matron in hospitals. [116356]

  PCT

  Region

  Chair

  Political Activity

  Southend

  Eastern

  Katherine Kirk

  Labour

  Southampton East

  South East

  Pauline Quan-Arrow

  None

  Epping Forest

  Eastern

  Susan Leggate

  Other

  South Manchester

  North West

  Michael Green

  Labour

  Poole Central and North

  South West

  Anne Holland

  LibDem

  Poole Bay

  South West

  Peter Harvey

  None

  Hillingdon

  London

  Sarah Pond

  None

  Mansfield

  Trent

  Tony Hughes

  Labour

  Newark and Sherwood

  Trent

  Bonnie Jones

  None

  Central Derbyshire

  Trent

  Stuart Fletcher

  None

  NE Lincolnshire

  Trent

  Valerie Waterhouse

  None

  Daventry and South Northants

  South East

  Simon Schanschieff

  None

  The Nelson

  London

  Kay Sonneborn

  None

  Fenland

  Eastern

  David Burall

  LibDem

  Peterborough North

  Eastern

  Mohammed Choudhary

  Labour

  Peterborough South

  Eastern

  Marco Cereste

  Conservative

  Tendring

  Eastern

  David Rex

  Conservative

  Transplants
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding he has allocated to allow officials of his Department to study the co-ordination of transplant availability and organ procurement in Spain; and what were the results of the study, with special reference to early awareness by authorities of potential kidney donors. [115214]

  Mr. Denham
  As a matter of course, officials at the Department are in regular and frequent communication
  128W
  Mr. Denham
  Each National Health Service trust has a nurse executive director who is a member of the trust board. Some are titled "chief nurse", and they could, if they so chose, be called "matron". They are therefore very senior people with influence in their organisation and are responsible for, among other things, quality and nursing standards.

  Some are also patient services managers and their role equates more closely to the span of responsibility of the traditional matron. The role of the matron therefore still exists in many trusts across England, albeit with a different title.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the chairmen of primary care trusts and primary care groups, indicating the political background and affiliation of each where it is known. [116648]

  Mr. Denham
  We do not collect monitoring information on the political activity or affiliation of primary care group members because primary care group appointments are not made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Primary care trust chairs are appointed by my right hon. Friend and, in accordance with guidance from the Commissioner for Public Appointments, information is collected on political activity undertaken by chairs and non-executives at the time they apply for a National Health Service appointment. The Department does not collect information on the political affiliation of those appointed to National Health Service bodies.

  Primary care trust chair details are shown in the table.

  with the head of Organisation National de Transplant, Dr. Blanca Miranda, and the lead official in the Spanish Ministry of Health, Dr. Raphael Matesantz. The Department are aware of the Spanish developments in procurement of organs for transplantation.

  In February we announced action plans for the modernisation of transplant services in England. These have taken into account lessons learned from the Spanish experience including all aspects of organ procurement.

  Medicinal Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of medicinal drugs as a percentage of NHS funding for the next five years; and what the figure was for the last five years. [115943]

  Ms Stuart
  Decisions about the amount spent on drugs over the next five years will be made locally.

  The table shows the expenditure on drugs as a percentage of National Health Service funding for each of the past five years.

  Total NHS drugs bill as a percentage of total NHS expenditure

  Year

  Percentage

  1994–95

  12.1

  1995–96

  12.7

  1996–97

  13.3

  1997–98

  13.7

  1998–99

  13.8

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 9 February on behalf of 40 of his constituents. [116532]
  130W
  Ms Stuart
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the right hon. Member on 27 March.

  Trust Deficits
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to eliminate(a) current financial deficits of NHS trusts and (b) the accumulated NHS deficit; and if he will make a statement. [116537]

  Mr. Denham
  The new resources for the National Health Service announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget will help the NHS to run balanced budgets year after. A substantial part of the accumulated deficits represent longer term liabilities such as clinical negligence costs for which funding is made available as payment falls due.

  Older Women
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote the health of older women. [115170]

  Mr. Hutton
  Modernising services for older people, including older women, is a priority for this Government. This is why we should be publishing a National Service Framework for Older People later this year. In the meantime, we have already launched an osteoporosis strategy and published an important resource pack for older women called "Enjoy your later life: Physical and Emotional Wellbeing for Older Women". These have been widely welcomed.

  Westminster Underground Station: Faulty Lift
  Westminster Underground Station: Faulty Lift
  Aircraft Noise: Local Authority Powers
  Aircraft Noise: Local Authority Powers
  Local Authority Deliberations: Public Access
  Local Authority Deliberations: Public Access
  Civil Servants: Death in Service
  Civil Servants: Death in Service
  UK Bicentenary: Union Flag Commemoration
  UK Bicentenary: Union Flag Commemoration
  Media Interviews of Government Ministers
  Media Interviews of Government Ministers
  Ministers' Letters to Members
  Ministers' Letters to Members
  Ethnic Minorities: Senior Adviser Post
  Ethnic Minorities: Senior Adviser Post
  BSE: Forecast Incidence
  BSE: Forecast Incidence
  Debt Relief to Poorest Countries
  Debt Relief to Poorest Countries
  Cinema and Theatre Seat Sizes
  Cinema and Theatre Seat Sizes
  Tourism and the Euro
  Tourism and the Euro
  DCMS Projects: Evaluation Criteria
  DCMS Projects: Evaluation Criteria
  Spoliation Advisory Panel
  Spoliation Advisory Panel
  Museums: National Lottery Applications
  Museums: National Lottery Applications
  Museums: VAT on National Lottery Grants
  Museums: VAT on National Lottery Grants
  Vehicles Used for Crime: Forfeiture
  Vehicles Used for Crime: Forfeiture
  Asylum Applicants: Dispersal Information
  Asylum Applicants: Dispersal Information