Written Answers of 29 March 2000

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost is of farm-scale trials of GM herbicide tolerant crops; what is the contribution from public funds; and what is the Government's policy with respect to funding such trials. [116689]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Farm-Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops are being organised by the Government, in conjunction with the industry body SCIMAC. SCIMAC are providing the required number of fields of GM crops and equivalent non-GM crops (the crops involved are forage maize, beet, spring and autumn sown oil seed rape). The Government are funding an independent research consortium to carry out ecological studies. The cost of the ecological studies is currently £4.4 million over the period March 1999 to December 2003.

  It is usually the responsibility of the organisation applying for consent to place GM crops on the market to provide evidence of environmental impact. This is likely to include the results of studies carried out to support that evidence. In the case of the GM herbicide tolerant crops involved in the Farm-Scale Evaluations programme, the Government and industry agreed that additional research on the environmental impact of growing and managing the crops was required before general cultivation could be contemplated. It was agreed that these studies would be jointly funded as described above. It is anticipated that, in future, applicants will include such evidence in their dossiers when making applications.

  The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment sub-group on Wider Biodiversity Issues, announced in February 1999, is working on guidance and criteria for carrying out such assessments in the future.

  Number Plates
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for new regulations relating to number plates. [117295]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department has recently concluded public consultation on proposals for new regulations relating to the display of vehicle number plates. Details of the Department's response in the light of the comments made will be placed in the Library of the House tomorrow.

  Two Metre Rule
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the environmental impact on(a) historic hedges and (b) wildlife of the implementation of the two metre rule for subsidies. [115542]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  This Department has held discussions with all the principal farming organisations and statutory environmental bodies on the issues mentioned by the hon. Member as well as with the European Commission.

  Last week my right hon. Friend the Minister reached agreement with the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Franz Fischler, that the United Kingdom should, for this year, apply the same criteria as were used in 1999 and earlier years for determining the acceptability of hedges and other field margins included in claims based on whole Ordnance Survey field areas under the Integrated Administration and Control System. For 2001 and subsequent years, MAFF will work with the Commission in order to clarify what types of margins are acceptable for inclusion in aid claims and identify ways of safeguarding environmentally valuable hedges so that we can reach a permanent resolution of this issue.

  Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tonnes of methyl tertiary butyl ether were imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [116246]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have been asked to reply.

  Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is not separately identified within the system for classifying products imported into the UK used by HM Customs and Excise. As such it is not possible to provide the information requested. However, we estimate that the average MTBE content in petrol in the UK is less than one per cent.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Killyleagh Sewage Works
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of his plans to pump foul sewage from Crossgar to Killyleagh; what percentage of the capacity of Killyleagh Sewage Works is available; what percentage of Killyleagh Sewage Works would still be available if the sewage were pumped from Crossgar into Killyleagh Sewage Works; what representations he has received concerning the plans to pump sewage from Crossgar to Killyleagh; what consultation there has been with the residents and elected representatives of Killyleagh; and if he will make a statement. [116088]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Water Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
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  Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 28 March 2000:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State a Parliamentary Question about Killyleagh Sewage Works. I have been asked to respond as Chief Executive of Water Service with operational responsibility for the provision of water and sewerage services.
  An appraisal of the options for improving wastewater treatment facilities at Crossgar concluded that the most cost-effective option was to pump wastewater from Crossgar to Killyleagh for treatment. The estimated cost of this is almost £1.6 million. The scheme will also help to improve the water quality in the River Quoile system.
  In undertaking the appraisal study, account was taken of projected residential and industrial expansion to the year 2021 on the basis of figures provided by the Department of the Environment's Planning Service. These figures allow for an additional 350 houses at Crossgar and 335 houses at Killyleagh. Following the closure of local industry, the wastewater treatment works in Killyleagh is currently operating at approximately 32% of its design capacity. After the transfer of the wastewater from Crossgar, and taking into account the projected increases up to 2021, the Killyleagh works will operate at approximately 71% of its design capacity leaving considerable surplus capacity for additional residential and industrial expansion.
  No significant development work is required at the Killyleagh Works. Indeed, the key changes envisaged are mainly of an operational nature. In these circumstances the residents of the Killyleagh area were not directly consulted about the project. However, Down District Council was consulted and we received a small number of written representations, about various aspects of the project, from public representatives including the constituency Member of Parliament, Mr. E. McGrady. Our proposals were fully explained to these public representatives.

  Childhood Funds
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if an application for a nursery unit at Kircubbin Integrated Primary School would be eligible for financial support from the childhood funds; and if he will make a statement. [116087]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No. The deadline for commitment of funds under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation was 31 December 1999, and no new project could be approved at this stage.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at which locations nursery units have been provided with financial support from the childhood funds; how many of these units are associated with the Council of Catholic Maintained Schools; how many children of(a) Catholics and (b) Protestant background attend each of the units associated with the CCMS; and if he will make a statement on the impact of the EU package for peace and reconciliation on provision of cross-community nursery units. [116086]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Capital funds under the EU Childhood Fund were distributed on the basis of applications received and considered in the first place by the relevant Area Early Years Committee (AEYC), which made recommendations to the Department of Education. The Department considered and approved applications on the basis of whether the proposed provision: was sited where it would have maximum educational impact, in targeting area of greatest social/educational need; would create access for as many children as possible; and represented good value for money, taking account of viability considerations in particular.
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  The deadline for commitment of funds under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation was 31 December 1999.

  Nursery units have been provided or offered funding at the following locations under each tranche of the EU Childhood Fund:

  Tranche 1

  Ashlea Primary School, Londonderry

  Barrack Street Boys' Primary School, Strabane

  Bushmills Primary School

  College Farm Nursery School, Armagh

  Enniskillen Nursery School

  Glendermott Primary School, Londonderry

  Harpur's Hill Primary School, Coleraine

  Kilcooley Primary School, Bangor

  Old Warren Primary School, Lisburn

  St. James' Primary School, Whiteabbey

  St. John's Primary School, Carnlough

  St. Joseph's Primary School, Newry

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Castlederg

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Crossmaglen

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Cullyhanna

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Dungannon (one unit in the school, one unit in Ballysaggart estate)

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Newry

  St. Ronan's Primary School, Lisnaskea

  West Winds Primary School, Newtownards

  Tranche 2

  Holy Family Primary School, Magherafelt

  Kircubbin Community Nursery

  Limavady Nursery School

  Magherafelt Nursery School

  Newcastle Primary School

  North Lurgan Nursery School

  Portavogie Primary School

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Loughguile

  St. Peter's Primary School, Ardboe

  Tranche 3

  Annalong Primary School

  Bally ward/Drumadonnell

  Clonoe Nursery School

  Cookstown Nursery School (additional room)

  Edwards Primary School, Castlederg

  Killowen Primary School, Lisburn

  Longtower Primary School, Londonderry

  McKinney Primary School, Dundrod

  St. Laurence's Primary School, Fintona

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Rasharkin.

  Twenty-one of the projects are associated with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

  In October 1999, the religious backgrounds of children attending each of the Tranche 1 nursery units associated with CCMS were as follows:
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  School name

  Roman Catholic

  Protestant

  Other

  Total

  Barrack Street Boys' Primary School, Strabane

  52

  0

  0

  52

  College Farm Nursery School, Armagh

  51

  1

  0

  52

  Glendermott Primary School

  25

  0

  1

  26

  St. James' Primary School, Whiteabbey

  25

  46

  2

  73

  St. John's Primary School, Carnlough

  31

  1

  0

  32

  St. Joseph's Convent Primary School, Newry

  78

  0

  0

  78

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Castlederg

  51

  0

  0

  51

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Crossmaglen

  52

  0

  0

  52

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Cullyhanna

  26

  0

  0

  26

  St. Patrick's School, Dungannon

  72

  0

  1

  73

  St. Patrick's Primary School, Newry

  73

  0

  0

  73

  St. Ronan's Primary School, Lisnaskea

  50

  0

  0

  50

  The nine projects under Tranches 2 and 3 which are associated with CCMS have not yet opened.

  The EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation has facilitated the provision of several new cross-community nursery units and has provided a very welcome 14 per cent. increase in the availability of pre-school education across Northern Ireland generally. Many nursery units of all management types have an established pattern of cross-community attendance, and all funded pre-school education provision is and will continue to be open to children from all sections of the community.

  Early-day Motions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place a copy of his letter concerning an early-day motion tabled by the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes) and others in the Library; and on how many occasions since May 1997 he or his predecessor has entered into correspondence about an EDM. [100175]

  Mr. Ingram
  A copy of my letter of 9 March 2000 to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes) has been placed in the Library. It is not appropriate to comment on correspondence between Ministers and hon. Friends.

HEALTH

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which health authority(a) more than 10 per cent. and (b) less than one per cent. of patients have been waiting for in-patient treatment for more than one year. [116068]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is given in the table.

  Waiting list at 31 January 2000

  Health authority

  Percentage waiting 12 months or more

  North Essex

  10.90

  Gloucestershire

  0.90

  Bradford

  0.90

  Solihull

  0.80

  Doncaster

  0.40

  Sunderland

  0.10

  Dorset

  0.04

  NHS Volunteers
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to implement the NHS Executive Working Party report entitled, "Making a Difference: Strengthening Volunteering in the NHS". [116443]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service Executive has taken, and continues to take, action on the recom-mendations of the "Making a Difference: Strengthening Volunteering in the NHS" report. A response to the recommendations aimed specifically at the NHS Executive is summarised in Health Service Circular 1999–023, copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS Scientific Staff
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review pay and grading of scientific staff in the NHS. [116441]

  Mr. Denham
  On 15 February 1999, the Department published proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system in "Agenda for Change". Initial discussions with NHS trade unions on pay modernisation resulted in a Joint Framework of Principles and Agreed Statement on the Way Forward which was published on 8 October 1999. Negotiations continue, aiming for a pay system which pays fairly for work done, with career progression based on responsibility, competence and satisfactory performance.

  The National Advisory Group for Scientists and Technicians is collaborating with the professions to develop a human resource strategy that will underpin the career development of scientists in the NHS.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many board members he appoints to each non- departmental public body. [116337]

  Mr. Denham
  Full lists of the non-departmental public bodies to which my right hon. Friend makes appointments are published in "Public Bodies 1999" (ISBN 0 11 430159 X) and in the "Department of Health Public Appointments Annual Report 1999", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Severalls Hospital, Colchester
  Bob Russel
  l: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the sale of Severalls Hospital, Colchester. [116469]
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  Mr. Denham
  Severalls Hospital land adjoins part of a larger developable site owned by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, Colchester Borough Council, Essex Rivers Healthcare National Health Service Trust and North East Essex Mental Health National Health Service Trust.

  In partnership with the trusts, the National Health Service Executive and National Health Service Estates are working to review the disposal strategy to maximise the income from the land sale to help meet the current and future healthcare need.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made concerning the establishment of the Food Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement. [117044]

  Ms Stuart
  The provisions establishing the Food Standards Agency under the Food Standards Act 1999 are due to come into force on 1 April. The Food Standards Agency will act as a non-ministerial Department, which will be accountable to Parliament through Health Ministers. As of 1 April, I will have day-to-day responsibility for parliamentary business relating to food safety and standards matters, including questions from Members. I will also be responsible for dealing with relevant correspondence from Members of this House. Details of the Food Standards Agency's role and organisation will be placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Arson
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the report of the Scoping Study in relation to arson prevention in England and Wales. [117116]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am pleased to announce today that the Government have accepted all of the main recommendations of the Scoping Study.

  We have pledged quite clearly our determination and commitment to providing safer communities. The police and fire services have a vital role to play in helping to maintain a safer society, not just by reducing crime and the fear of crime, but also by reducing the number of deliberate fires and associated deaths and casualties.

  The report of the Arson Scoping Study was published last May and set out a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the growing problem of deliberate fires. The report was welcomed as an enormous opportunity for the Government and the police and fire services to reduce the pain and suffering caused by deliberately set fires.

  When the report was published we made it clear that we wanted to hear the views of chief officers, local authorities, the insurers and all those involved in the administration of justice, all of whom have a crucial role to play in translating the recommendations into action. I am pleased to say that the response to the Scoping Study has provided a strong mandate to carry forward all of its key recommendations and for a refocusing of efforts to prevent arson.
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  I am writing to those same organisations today to explain how we intend to take the recommendations forward. In particular, I want to see the efforts of Government, police and fire authorities, the insurers and other local agencies integrated and co-ordinated as the Scoping Study recommended so that the whole effort achieves more than the sum of its parts. We shall be taking steps to put these arrangements in place shortly. I also accept, with the strong endorsement of the police and fire services and the insurers, the recommendation to create a new Government-led Arson Control Forum to take forward the arson prevention strategy.

  Arson prevention must become a core activity of the police and fire services and we must work in partnership with other agencies and with business to eliminate deliberately set fires. The success of this approach will mean a safer society for us all.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what priorities will be set for placing juvenile offenders when the Detention and Training Order comes into operation. [117117]

  Mr. Straw
  The Detention and Training Order (DTO) will come into force on 1 April 2000. It will become the main custodial sentence for juvenile offenders aged 12 and under 18, replacing detention in a young offender institution for under-18s and the secure training order. Detention under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 will remain available for the minority of young offenders aged 10 and under 18 who commit grave crimes.

  Subject to parliamentary agreement to an Order laid on 27 March, for under-18s sentenced to custody under the DTO or section 53, and those remanded to Prison Service custody or direct to local authority secure accommodation, new, more co-ordinated arrangements for the juvenile secure estate will start operation in April. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales will commission and purchase places from the Prison Service, the Secure Training Centre (STC) contractors and Local Authority Secure Units (LASUs). This will give it considerable influence over the management of custodial placements for under-18s, and enable more appropriate and cost-effective use of facilities. The Board has drawn up commissioning and placement strategies to support its proposed new role and a copy of these has been placed in the Library.

  Initially, there will be 13 Prison Service establishments holding under-18s, three STCs and 200 to 300 places the Youth Justice Board expects to purchase from LASUs, through current negotiations (LASUs have 480 places in total, but have to keep enough free for local authority placements for welfare purposes or for those placed in secure accommodation following a remand to ordinary local authority care). So altogether, there will initially be some 3,200 places for youth justice purposes.

  Of these places, 2,800 will be provided by the Prison Service. There is £51 million being invested in a substantial capital development programme throughout the juvenile estate, plus improvements in education, training and work designed to prevent re-offending and drawing on "what works" evidence-based research. This

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  will, over time, make its establishments better equipped to deliver the acceptable and positive environment required to meet the needs of those held within them. However, the Government and the Youth Justice Board believe that further steps should none the less be taken to protect the most vulnerable under-18s. Within its total budget for secure placements in 2000–01, the Board will push this process as far as it can during the coming year, particularly in respect of the 100 girls under 18 serving custodial sentences.

  Beyond this, what the Youth Justice Board can do to move them elsewhere, and how quickly, depends on the numbers remanded and sentenced to custody by the courts and the physical and financial resources available to cater for them. If the numbers decline, the new powers will provide further opportunities to place more of these vulnerable young people in LASUs and STCs. In all placement decisions, the focus will be on matching the needs of individual young people to the available accommodation, based on the evidence of "what works", not least in reducing crime. The Board will monitor establishments' performance—within the Prison Service, LASUs and STCs—against service specifications to ensure regimes are of an appropriate standard and that the well-being of the young people is being properly addressed.

  As to future years, we have previously announced plans for two more STCs providing approximately 80 places. The Youth Justice Board will take over development work on these in April. We will be considering in this year's Spending Review what further provision should be made for new establishments to be commissioned by the Board.

  With the improvements to the quality of the Prison Service juvenile estate, the greater flexibility available to place DTO trainees and the consolidation of commissioning and purchasing responsibilities with the Youth Justice Board, the new arrangements represent a significant opportunity to drive up standards and place young people according to their relative needs in terms of welfare and action to prevent re-offending. I am confident that the Youth Justice Board, working with the various providers, will fully seize this opportunity.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000,Official Report, column 561W, on the Home Detention Curfew Scheme, if he will provide a breakdown by offence committed of the number of prisoners released listed under (a) other homicide and attempted homicide, (b) wounding, (c) assaults, (d) drugs, (e) other violence against the person and (f) other motoring offences. [116692]

  Mr. Boateng
  A breakdown of the first five categories of original offences in question committed by prisoners released up to 14 March 2000 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, and the number convicted of each type of offence, are given in the table. A breakdown of the 1,530 offences listed as "other motoring offences" is not available centrally.
  140W

  Offence

  Number

  Other homicide/attempted

  Attempted murder

  5

  Making threats to kill

  29

  Conspire, aid, incite murder

  1

  Death by reckless driving

  115

  Total

  150

  Wounding

  Wounding (inflicting GBH)

  1,392

  Assault occasioning ABH

  819

  Assault with intent to cause GBH

  48

  Total

  2,258

  Assaults

  Assault with intent to resist arrest

  8

  Other assault

  335

  Obstruct/resist constable

  7

  Assault on police officer

  91

  Total

  441

  Drugs

  Production

  103

  Supply

  969

  Possession with intent

  1,238

  Possession

  396

  Unlawful import/export

  190

  Other drugs

  35

  Total

  2,931

  Other violence against the person

  Cause explosion, place explosive

  2

  Possess firearms with intent

  133

  Possess offensive weapon

  83

  Other violence against person

  17

  Total

  235

  Corporate Manslaughter
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include in his proposals to combat crime further provisions relating to corporate manslaughter; and if he will make a statement. [116503]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government set up an inter-departmental working group of officials to consider the recommendations made by the Law Commission in their report number 237 "Legislating the Criminal Code: Involuntary Manslaughter". One of those recommendations was that there should be a new offence of corporate killing.

  The conclusions of the inter-departmental working group were passed to Ministers in late December and we are continuing to consider how to take the matter forward. We expect to publish our conclusions for consultation shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter dated 22 February from the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West, regarding Samuel Adams. [115860]

  Mr. Straw
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 27 March.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to police officers on dealing with domestic violence; and if he will make a statement. [115915]

  Charles Clarke
  National Police Training (NPT) deliver training on domestic disputes and domestic violence during the Probationer Training Programme undergone by all recruits to the police service. This training is designed to make students aware of the legal framework within which they will operate, the role of the police service and other agencies, and the powers open to them.

  The National Operations Faculty, part of NPT, offers a three-day course at Bramshill called "Quality of Service to Women Victims of Domestic Violence". The course is open to senior police officers of the rank of Inspector and above and covers a range of issues including:

  the criminal victimisation of women;

  applying quality of service to the care of women victims;

  strategies to develop an appropriate response to domestic violence;

  current patterns of victimisation;

  role and status of women as victims;

  current legal remedies; and

  domestic violence and crime audits.

  NPT has just completed a Training Needs Analysis to establish whether additional training is needed in this area of policing. The results are expected shortly and will be taken forward by the National Operations Faculty and NPT as quickly as possible.

  Prisons (Reference Books)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirement his Department imposes concerning the availability of updated legal reference books to prison inmates in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [116333]

  Mr. Boateng
  All prison establishments in England and Wales are required to make legal reference books available to prisoners. Prison Service Headquarters issue a mandatory list of publications to be held, which is currently being updated.

  Demonstrations
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on restrictions connected with demonstrations with placards within a one mile radius of the House of Commons. [116275]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are no general restrictions connected with demonstrations with placards within a one mile radius of the House of Commons. section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 may be enforced when demonstrations may result in obstruction or disorder which may impede the free passage of Peers and Members to and from the Houses of Parliament on any day on which Parliament is sitting. Additional bye-laws apply within the Royal Parks and the Mall.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what privileges are granted to(a) convicted and (b) unconvicted remand prisoners; and if he will make it his policy that all remand prisoners should be treated for this purpose as unsentenced prisoners. [116286]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under the national policy framework for incentives and earned privileges, Prison Service establishments in England and Wales operate local schemes which allow all prisoners to earn a range of privileges through good behaviour and performance. They include enhanced access to private cash, visits, pay, in-cell television, association, and the right of prisoners to wear their own clothes.

  All unconvicted prisoners have certain minimum entitlements in view of their status. For example, they are permitted to have extra visits, letters and reading materials, to conduct business activities and to wear their own clothes. Incentive and privilege schemes for these prisoners must respect these minimum entitlements and provide further enhancements for good behaviour. We have no plans to extend unconvicted prisoners' privileges to convicted, but unsentenced, prisoners.

  Crimestoppers
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends taking to increase public confidence in, and awareness of, the Crimestoppers system of reporting suspected criminals; and if he will make a statement. [116465]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government fully recognise the valuable work that Crimestoppers does to help in the fight against crime. Ministers attend Crimestoppers Trust events to support its work as other commitments allow. At the recent London Board of Crimestoppers annual dinner, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary expressed his belief that all Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships should be aware of the potential benefits of involving Crimestoppers in their work when drawing up strategies. I intend to host a small seminar to discuss the possibilities of voluntary sector organisations such as Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch working more closely together at local level to identify ways of increasing a more co-operative approach.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested in each of the last five years as a result of information supplied to Crimestoppers; and if he will break down the categories of offence in respect of the most recent year for which figures are available. [116466]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  According to information supplied by Crimestoppers Trust, the number of people arrested and charged for each of the last five years as a result of information supplied to Crimestoppers was as follows:

  Year

  Arrested and charged

  1995

  3,355

  1996

  4,347

  1997

  4,726

  1998

  5,169

  1999

  5,300

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  These figures can be broken down into the following categories for 1999:

  Crime

  Total arrested and charged

  Murder

  38

  Attempted murder

  22

  Rape

  13

  Robbery

  202

  Assault

  181

  Burglary

  338

  Firearms

  28

  Handling stolen goods

  209

  Drugs

  2,308

  Arson

  34

  Theft

  410

  Vehicle crime

  667

  Sexual assault

  18

  Fraud

  141

  Other crimes

  691

  Total

  5,300

  The total number of people arrested and charged as a result of information supplied to Crimestoppers for the period 1 January 2000 to 29 February 2000 is given as 842.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he has met representatives of Crimestoppers. [116467]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary attended the London Board of Crimestoppers' annual dinner on 14 March and attended a lunch to promote Crimestoppers to the Asian Community in October 1998. In addition, Ministerial colleagues attended the Crimestoppers' Tenth Anniversary Ball in December 1998 and intend to visit the Crimestoppers Trust Head Offices in Putney in the next few months.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was allocated by the Government to fund Crimestoppers in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available. [116468]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No funding has been allocated by the Government to Crimestoppers in the last five financial years.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions in the last three months when powers under the Royal Prerogative were exercised on the advice of ministers. [113281]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]: I regret that this information is not held centrally.

  Asylum Seekers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 23 March 2000,Official Report,column 672W, on asylum seekers, (a) for what reasons local authorities (i) claimed more than their gross expenditure and (ii) did not claim the full amount of their gross expenditure and (b) what estimate he has made of the cost to each local authority in the (1) 1999–2000 and (2) 2000–2001 financial years of
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  providing support to asylum seekers which they are unable to claim from the Home Office under the grant rules and which has been or will be met from their own funds; and if he will make a statement. [116691]

  Mrs. Roche
  [pursuant to her reply, 23 March 2000, c. 672W]: The gross expenditure figure for East Sussex should read £279,979.

  Data are available for the 1999–2000 financial year only in relation to the period 1 April 1999 to 5 December 1999. The data for 6 December 1999 to 31 March 2000 are not yet available in full, as not all claims have been received from local authorities. For the period 1 April 1999 to 5 December 1999, those local authorities who received more than their gross expenditure (as defined in the grant report rules) did so as a result of allowable commissioning costs. The grant rules covering this period entitle local authorities to claim the costs involved in commissioning premises to be used to accommodate asylum seekers. At the discretion of the Secretary of State, payment of up to £10 per week for each person supported in such premises was available. The provision was taken up only by a small number of authorities. In some cases, local authorities could not be reimbursed the full amount of their identified gross expenditure for a number of reasons—for example, because they incurred expenditure on items which were not covered by the grant rules or had exceeded the unit costs limits set by the grant report. No estimate has been made for the whole of 1999–2000 and 2000–01 of the cost to each local authority of providing support to asylum seekers for which they are unable to claim from the Home Office under the grant rules.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason, in his Department's monthly asylum statistics published on 24 March, the number of asylum applicants(a) granted asylum or exceptional leave to remain and (b) refused, was listed as not available; on what data the figure for decisions in total was based, and for what reasons this could not be broken down by category; if monthly asylum statistics have been published previously without such a breakdown; and if he will make a statement. [116693]

  Mrs. Roche
  The figure for total asylum decisions in February was obtained from a manual count by caseworkers and is consistent with figures provided in previous months. A breakdown of decisions, by type, was not available in February due to the transition to a new computer system, the Asylum Cases Information Database (ACID). Although information on asylum decisions is satisfactorily recorded on this system for operational purposes, further quality checks are being carried out to ensure accurate statistical information is published.

  It is expected that a full breakdown of the decisions will be published in due course. A preliminary analysis has shown that the breakdown of decisions, for cases considered under normal procedures, in February was consistent with that seen in recent months with a high proportion of refusals of asylum. Monthly asylum statistics have not been published previously without such a breakdown.

  Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of
  145W
  22 March 2000, Official Report, column 559W, on release of prisoners, if he will provide a breakdown by type of offence of the additional prisoners he estimates would be released earlier than now as a result of the electronic monitoring provisions of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill. [116690]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not possible to give such a breakdown at this stage. The new powers will be carefully tested in pilot schemes before they are made available, and it would be premature to judge the possible outcomes of those pilots. However, there is no question of electronic monitoring being used to facilitate the early release of sex offenders or other high risk offenders. The availability of electronic monitoring for such offenders will not influence the Parole Board when making decisions or recommendations on release. The Secretary of State will be issuing Directions to the Parole Board to make this clear, using the powers available to him under section 32(6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  The measures in the Criminal Justice and Courts Services Bill will not change any prisoner's eligibility for release, and any discretionary release decision will continue to be subject to careful risk assessment. These proposals should provide additional protection for the public. High risk offenders—when eventually released at the end of their term in custody—could be made subject to electronic monitoring as a means of reinforcing curfew or exclusion conditions in their licences.

TREASURY

  Tax Credits
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer
  (1) what was the(a) average working families tax credit and (b) average child care tax credit payment per week for persons in (i) Inverclyde and (ii) Scotland in the past [115950]

  (2) what was the annual expenditure by Her Majesty's Government on (a) the working families tax credit and (b) the child care tax credit in (i) Inverclyde and (ii) Scotland in the past two years; [115951]

  (3) if he will estimate the number of families with children in (a) Inverclyde and (b) Scotland who are eligible for the working families tax credit; [115952]

  (4) how many persons in (a) Inverclyde and (b) Scotland are in receipt of (i) working families tax credit and (ii) the child care tax credit. [115953]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that 83,900 families in Scotland had been awarded the working families tax credit (WFTC) by the end of February 2000, of which 1,700 were in Inverclyde.

  About 8,900 of the awards in Scotland included a child care tax credit. There are too few cases in the 5 per cent. sample used for these analyses to provide a reliable estimate of the number of these in Inverclyde.

  The average value of WFTC awards made by the end of February 2000 in Scotland is estimated at £69.91 per week. For families with eligible child care costs, the average extra
  146W
  amount of WFTC arising from the child care tax credit is estimated at £28.63 per week. It is not possible to provide reliable corresponding estimates for Inverclyde.

  WFTC was introduced on 5 October 1999. It is estimated that expenditure in 1999–2000 on awards in Scotland will be about £80 million. Recalculating the awards excluding the child care tax credit would reduce this by about £5 million. It is not possible to provide corresponding estimates for Inverclyde.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer
  (1) what was the average(a) working families tax credit and (b) child care tax credit payment per week for people in Southwark in the last 12 months; [114836]

  (2) what was the annual expenditure by Government on (a) working families tax credit and (b) child care tax credit in Southwark in each of the last five years. [114837]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The working families tax credit (WFTC) was introduced in October 1999. It is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the average award, or expenditure, for Southwark. However, for the United Kingdom as a whole, the average value of WFTC awards made up to the end of February 2000 was £71.48 per week, and for London the average was £73.92 per week. For the United Kingdom as a whole, for those with eligible child care costs, the average extra amount of WFTC arising from the child care tax credit was £31.04 per week.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer
  (1) how many claims for working families tax credit have been received in each region; [110544]

  (2) what has been the average gain to working families from the working families tax credit in each region. [110545]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated number of awards of the working families tax credit made by the end of February 2000 by region are given in the table. Estimates of the average weekly gain for families in receipt of WFTC compared with Family Credit in a full year were given to my hon. Friend on 14 July 1999,Official Report,column 245W. Full year figures made on actual awards are not yet available.

  Government office region

  Number of WFTC awards made to end February 2000

  United Kingdom

  879,400

  England

  712,300

  North East

  52,300

  North West

  127,700

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  96,900

  East Midlands

  70,100

  West Midlands

  89,900

  East of England

  59,200

  London

  64,900

  South East

  80,100

  South West

  71,100

  Wales

  52,400

  Scotland

  83,900

  Northern Ireland

  30,700

  147W
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer
  (1) what estimate he has made of the impact of the working families tax credit on the income of a couple, both earning the minimum wage, and with two children under 11 years, where one parent works full-time and the other(a) full-time and (b) 16 hours per week; [106100]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the working families tax credit on the income of a couple, both earning the minimum wage, with two children under 11 years, where one parent works full-time and the other works (a) full-time and (b) 16 hours per week if the income were divided equally and the credit calculated on each half; [106101]

  (3)what estimate he has made of the impact of the working families tax credit on the income of a single parent, with two children under the age of 11 years, earning the minimum wage and working (a) full-time and (b) 16 hours per week. [106099]

  £ per week

  Couple, both working full-time

  Couple, one working full-time, one working 16 hours per week

  Lone parent working full-time

  Lone parent working 16 hours per week

  Gross earnings

  252.00

  183.60

  126.00

  57.60

  Earnings net of income tax and national insurance contributions

  231.67

  175.33

  117.73

  57.60

  Amount of working families tax credit

  25.13

  56.12

  87.80

  92.00

  The estimated expenditure on the working families tax credit for 2000–01, the first full year of the credit, is £4.7 billion. If each partner in a couple received the full amount of credits, and each had an award based on half the couple's earnings, then the expenditure would increase to over three times this figure. Lone parents would be unaffected.

  Heavily-indebted Poor Countries
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the HIPC II process at the G8 Summit in Okinawa. [116545]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer discusses progress on the HIPC initiative with G7 colleagues on a regular basis, and will do so at the G7 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on 15 April, and in the run-up to the Okinawa Summit.

  Heads of Government will, at the G8 Summit in Okinawa, discuss progress on implementing the enhanced HIPC initiative agreed at last year's Cologne Summit.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the World bank and IMF concerning the heavily-indebted poor countries due to qualify for debt cancellation by the end of 2000. [116546]

  Percentage

  Tax year/description

  Target set

  Achieved

  1997–98

  National Insurance contribution properly recoreded for 80 per cent. of appropriate notifications from employers in respect of Class 1 contributions by 31 December 1998

  80

  62.2

  National Insurance contributions properly recorded for 98 per cent. by 31 March 1999

  98

  85.9

  148W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The amounts of working families tax credit for 1999–2000 payable to those earning the minimum wage and with two children under 11 are given in the table.

  Amount of working families tax credit

  £ per week

  Couple:

  both working full-time

  25.13

  one working full-time, one working 16 hours per week

  56.12

  Lone Parent:

  working full-time

  87.80

  working 16 hours per week

  92.00

  Figures on gross earnings, and earnings after income tax and national insurance contributions were as follows:

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor and Secretary of State for International Development wrote to the Managing Director of the IMF and the Chairman of the World bank in January. In addition, the Chancellor will be holding discussions with the World bank and IMF during the course of the Spring Meetings next month, in his capacity as chairman of International Monetary and Finance Committee. The Secretary of State for International Development, as a member of the Development Committee, will also be discussing the issue of HIPC and progress on Poverty Reduction Strategies.

  National Insurance Contributions Office
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target he has set the National Insurance Contributions Office for the prompt payment to the contracted-out money purchase pension schemes of the age-related element of NIC rebates; what proportion of payments met that target in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to date; and if he will make a statement. [115983]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]:There is no target for the payment of age related rebates to contracted-out money purchase schemes. Rebate payments depend on the successful processing of employers' end of year returns.

  The targets set for processing of employers' End of Year Returns are as follows:
  149W

  Percentage

  Tax year/description

  Target set

  Achieved

  1998–99

  National Insurance contributions properly recorded for 80 per cent. of appropriate notifications from employers in respect of Class 1 contributions by 31 December 1999 and 93 per cent. by 31 March 2000

  93

  198.53

  1 To date

  Disincorporation
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to reduce the tax burden of disincorporation; and if he will make a statement. [115240]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 17 March 2000]:The Government have no plans to change the tax rules applying to disincorporation. Given the likely complexity, and length, of legislation needed to change the tax law affecting disincorporation there would need to be a strong case for making a change. Officials have consulted with representative bodies and other interested parties, but no strong case for change has so far emerged.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the reduction in tax paid per year in cash terms, and as a percentage of total gross annual income, for each income decile group, resulting from a 1p reduction in the basic rate of income tax. [114179]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]:This Government have introduced a range of measures designed to make work pay and to increase support for families with children, including the 10p starting rate of tax, the national minimum wage and the working families tax credit. The cut in the basic rate is another of those measures.

  For taxpayers in 2000–01, the estimates for the reduction in tax paid and reduction as a percentage of total gross annual income for each income decile group resulting from a 1p reduction in the basic rate of income tax are given in the table.

  Decile

  Reduction in tax paid from 1p cut in basic rate in 2000–01 (£ million)

  Reduction as a percentage of total gross income

  Lowest

  1—

  1—

  2nd

  25

  0.12

  3rd

  70

  0.27

  4th

  125

  0.39

  5th

  180

  0.49

  6th

  250

  0.56

  7th

  330

  0.62

  8th

  420

  0.66

  9th

  580

  0.71

  Highest

  720

  0.41

  1 Negligible

  Note:

  The estimates exclude an offsetting effect from the working families tax credit because this is allocated at family level and not at individual level.

  The estimates are based on the 1997–98 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the November 1999 pre-Budget Report.
  150W
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would have been raised by one penny on the basic rate of income tax in (i) May 1997, (ii) May 1998 and (iii) May 1999; and if he will estimate the amount for May 2000. [112746]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the March 1999 Budget material the tax ready reckoner was published on a pre-Budget regime basis. This showed a figure for changing the basic rate by 1p in 1999–2000 of £1.85 billion compared with the estimate based on the current regime of £2.5 billion.

  In the 1997 edition of Inland Revenue Statistics a figure of £1.8 billion was published for the full-year effect of a change in the basic rate of 1p in 1998–99.

  In the 1996 edition of Inland Revenue Statistics a receipts figure of £1.3 billion was published for the in-year effect for changing the basic rate by 1p in 1997–98. We would expect this to be much lower than the current full-year figure of £1.65 billion, because only around 88 per cent. of the full year would be received in year.

  Tax Benefit Reference Manual
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the latest edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual. [113578]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 March 2000]:The latest edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual, for 1999–2000, was placed in the Library in July 1999.

  Single Parents
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) men and (b) women are single parents in the UK. [115917]

  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. Tom Cox, dated 20 March 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of single parents in the United Kingdom. I am replying in Dr Holt's Absence.
  Latest estimates for the period September to November 1999 show that there were 166,000 male and 1,490,000 female single parents with dependent children. The estimates are drawn from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) household databases. Lone parents are defined in the LFS as those who are non-married, which includes single (never married), widowed, divorced, or separated, and not cohabiting.

  PAYE
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the aggregate cost to the Inland Revenue of issuing notices of pay-as-you-earn coding prior to 6 April 2000 for the tax year 2000–01 for
  151W
  those aged 65 years and over which will have to be re-issued after 5 April 2000, in order to include an uplift in personal allowances as set out in section 257C TA1988. [115710]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There is no requirement to issue revised notices of PAYE codings solely to reflect any rise in the levels of personal income tax allowances announced in the Budget.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the interest on the revenue collected early from pensioners by the Exchequer through the temporary over-deduction of income tax caused by the Inland Revenue issuing pay-as-you-earn codings prior to 6 April 2000 for the tax year 2000–01 for those aged 65 years and over without taking account of section 257C TA1988. [115707]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Notices of coding issued to pensioners take full account of the requirements of sections 203 and 257C of the Income and Corporation Taxes Acts 1988.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, to prevent confusion, he will ensure that the only notice of pay-as-you-earn coding for the tax year 2000–01 pensioners receive before 6 April 2000 is based on the anticipated level of personal allowances for that year for those aged 65 years and over, increased as required by section 257C TA1988. [115708]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No. We believe that this would itself lead to confusion and, in some circumstances, could mean that people underpaid tax which had to be recovered.

  Finance Bill
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be published; and if he will make explanatory notes on the Bill's clauses available to hon. Members. [117043]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Finance Bill will be published on Friday 7 April. Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses will be placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries of both Houses that day. Members of the public will be able to obtain copies of the Explanatory Notes from the Treasury; these will also be available on the Treasury's Internet site (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

  Earnings (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of(a) men and (b) women living and working in the Greater London area who earn less than £4 per hour. [116321]

  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. Tom Cox, dated 27 March 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question on workers living and working in London earning less than £4 per hour. I am replying in Dr Holt's absence.
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the ONS's major source of labour market data on individuals. It can provide information on the earnings of employees both by their region of workplace and their
  152W
  region of residence. In autumn (September to November) 1999 the number of male employees living and working in London earning less than £4.00 per hour was 102,000. The corresponding figure for female employees was 120,000.
  The LFS is the most appropriate source of data to answer this question. It provides fuller coverage of people on low pay than the other major source of earnings data, the New Earning Survey (NES). In addition the NES can only supply earnings information for the region of workplace of employees.

  Tax Relief (Pensions)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the amount of tax relief for approved pension schemes by each category of scheme. [116322]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Available information on the breakdown of the costs of tax reliefs for approved pension schemes was published in table 7.7 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1999", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Software Provision
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to provide software to(a) self-employed persons and (b) small and medium sized businesses, to enable them to calculate money owed to Her Majesty's Government as a result of taxes (i) due from them and (ii) collected by them from their employees; and if he will make a statement. [116362]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Budget contained a number of substantial new measures to help small firms comply with their payroll obligations. They will be able to claim 100 per cent. Capital Allowances for investment in Information and Communications Technology equipment, and will be eligible for discounts for internet filing and the use of Internet payroll services. A £60 million package of measures will help them get on-line and use on-line services. And the Inland Revenue Payroll Software Standard will further encourage small employers to use software packages, Internet payroll services and payroll bureaux to calculate their payroll.

  Banking Services
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what incentives the Government will propose to encourage wider use of banking services among benefit claimants. [116366]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government wish to encourage banks to develop basic bank accounts suitable for those who are financially excluded. From 2003 to 2005 the DSS will move progressively to the use of automated credit transfers to make benefit payments into bank or building society accounts. People who wish to continue to collect their cash at post offices will continue to be able to do so, before and after the change in 2003.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many adults purchased no banking services(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) within Scotland in each of the last three years. [116367]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Various surveys indicate that the percentage of adults in the United Kingdom who have neither a current account nor a savings account is in the range 2.5 to 3.5 million. Figures supplied by the Association for Payment Clearing Services in respect of
  153W
  Great Britain and Scotland, for adults aged 18 and over without a bank, building society or National Savings account are as follows:

  Thousand

  Great Britain

  Scotland

  1997

  2,222

  271

  1998

  2,331

  286

  1999

  2,381

  312

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Arts Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many employees the Arts Council of England(a) has currently, (b) had on 1 May 1997 and (c) had on 1 May 1999. [116540]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 March 2000): The number of full-time equivalent employees of the Arts Council of England was: 240.52 in May 1997; 278.3 in May 1998; 212.7 in May 1999; and 204.5 in March 2000. The Arts Council's staff numbers rose between May 1997 and May 1998, largely because of the operation of the Lottery Arts4Everyone programme, a major lottery revenue programme run centrally by the Arts Council of England.

  Arts Boards
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the number of employees(a) currently, (b) in May 1997 and (c) in May 1999 of each of the regional arts boards.[116539]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]: I have asked the Arts Council of England, as the body responsible for the regional arts boards, to provide this information. When it is available, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Quigley Committee
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the report of the Quigley Committee. [117208]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I established a committee under the chairmanship of Sir George Quigley in December 1998, as required by section 25(4) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998, to review fee support for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the fourth year of first degree courses at Scottish institutions. The report is laid today before Parliament and placed in the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament.

  I welcome the report and congratulate Sir George and the other members of the committee on their thorough examination of all the relevant issues. The Government accept the recommendations addressed to it set out in the
  154W
  report. The Scottish Executive has accepted that it should meet the net costs of the tuition fees of students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in their fourth year in Scottish universities.

  The Government will discuss with the Executive the precise mechanism for paying those fees and the impact on student support. I expect this to come into effect for students who enter the first year of their courses in September 2001.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many board members he appoints to each non-departmental public body. [116339]

  Mr. Wills
  A full list of the non-departmental bodies to which the Secretary of State makes appointments can be found in the document "Public Bodies 1999" (ISBN 0-ll-430159-X), copies of which are available in the House Library.

  "Computers for Teachers"
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to include school librarians in the Computers for Teachers scheme; and if he will make a statement. [115591]

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to classify school librarians as teachers for the purposes of the Computers for Teachers initiative. [115810]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 22 March 2000]: The scheme, as currently constituted, is focused upon serving teachers in state maintained schools. Schools have a legal obligation to teach Information Technology, both as a curriculum subject in its own right and across all other subjects. The burden of this teaching role falls largely upon the classroom teacher.

  In order to provide teachers with the skills to discharge this responsibility, the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT Training programme was developed specifically for teachers in schools, and it aims to give serving teachers the opportunity to raise their pedagogical capability to that now required of newly qualified teachers. The purpose of the Computers for Teachers initiative is to complement that training by raising teacher competence and confidence in their personal use of ICT. Given the access which school librarians generally have to ICT within the school library, the Government have decided to give priority for the funding available under this initiative to teachers.

  Departmental Staff
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provisions are made available to (i) departmental staff and (ii) employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department, for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contract, (l) child care allowances, (m) careers' leave and (n) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [108843]
  155W
  Mr. Wills
  The following provisions are made available to departmental staff and employees of executive agencies (the Employment Service) under the control of the Secretary of State for Education and Employment:

  (a) Maternity Leave

  All employees are entitled to Statutory Maternity Leave of 18 weeks (for women with an expected week of childbirth on or after 30 April 2000. Before this date the entitlement is 14 weeks). Permanent employees are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave provided they intend to return to work after the birth, are in paid service when the maternity period begins, and agree to refund any Departmental Maternity Pay (see below) if they do not return.

  (b) Maternity Pay

  All employees are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for 18 weeks provided they fulfil the statutory requirements. Permanent employees who fulfil these requirements plus have one year's paid service are entitled to Departmental Maternity Pay (16 weeks at full pay) plus two weeks at SMP.

  (c) Paternity Leave

  Men are entitled to five days paid paternity leave which can be taken at or around the birth of the child.

  (d) Parental Leave

  Entitlement to Parental Leave follows the recently introduced regulations and parents of children born or adopted on or after 15 December 1999 are entitled to 13 weeks unpaid leave in blocks of weeks (limited to four in any year) for up to five years following birth or adoption. Parents of disabled children are entitled to the leave in days rather than weeks and up to the child's 18th birthday.

  (e) Flexible Working Hours

  Most people work flexi-time but have the option to work a set pattern of hours. Whatever pattern is worked, full-time employees are paid a salary that includes a paid lunch break. The full-time conditioned hours of work are 42 (London pay area 41) hours over a five day week, Monday to Friday (this includes a paid lunch break of one hour a day). The hours of work for people who work part-time will vary and will be agreed with their manager. The hours do not include a paid lunch break but the hourly rate is higher to compensate. Individuals have the right to use the Flexible Working Hours (FWH) scheme if one is operated within their office.

  (f) (g) Part-time Work or Job Sharing

  Part-time working or job sharing is generally open to anyone (subject to operational needs). All vacant posts are regarded as being open to people who work part-time or job share unless it is specifically stated otherwise in the vacancy notice. However, this is currently under review in the DfEE.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  The Employment Relations Act provides for individuals to apply for emergency leave to deal with events such as dependants being ill. DfEE and ES complies fully with the new and revised regulations.
  156W
  (i) Homeworking

  In DfEE homeworking is open to all staff. Managers must consider the needs of the individual applying to work from home, including the individual's welfare, the operational needs of the team and environmental issues such as health and safety. As ES is largely a front line organisation, homeworking will be relevant only to a small range of jobs within ES and operational requirements will need to be considered. For the majority of ES employees this flexibility may be considered only for small periods of ad hoc at-home working.

  (j) Term Time Contracts

  Part year appointments (of which term time is just one option) are open to all employees. Managers should try wherever possible to accommodate individuals' requirements. If however, having assessed all possible options, to do so would leave the office operationally deficient, managers have the right to refuse an application.

  (k) Annual Hours Contracts

  Annual Hours Contracts are not operated within the DfEE or Employment Service.

  (l) Child Care Allowances

  Child care subsidies are payable in certain circumstances (although child care allowances as such do not operate within DfEE or Employment Service). Where a business case supports the provision of nursery/playscheme places in a specific location a subsidy may be payable. Additional child care costs are reimbursed where staff have to work longer than their normal hours. DfEE is currently developing its child care policy and looking at ways of extending child care provision. In particular it is working towards improving equity on all four Head Office sites. User-friendly child care information is being developed to assist parents in finding the information they need on child care provision, both within and outside the Department.

  (m) Careers Leave

  This is not a term the DfEE or ES recognises, how ever, if my hon. Friend means leave to work in other organisations, the DfEE and ES operates loan/secondment/attachment schemes to outside organisations where there will be a possible business benefit to either organisation. If my hon. Friend means leave to pursue further education to enhance career prospects, individuals can apply for special leave to study for qualifications linked to their field of work.

  (n) Career Break

  A career break allows individuals to take an extended period of leave to cope with domestic responsibilities. This may be to care for young children, elderly or sick relatives. This allows individuals to preserve their career in the DfEE and ES and allows the organisation to retain skills and experience. Career breaks are taken as special unpaid leave and are classed as continuous employment. A career break may be allowed for a minimum of six months up to a maximum of five years. Individuals may take more than one career break or extend a career break, provided the period of absence does not exceed a total of

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  five years. Applicants must have a good attendance record and a "satisfactory" marking on their most recent annual report.

  Robert Schuman Week
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on planned United Kingdom participation in Robert Schuman Week. [115546]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the week commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Robert Schuman Declaration, the UK will be participating in "my EUROPE week", organised by the European Schoolnet, a joint initiative of 20 European Ministries of Education.

  UK participation is being organised by DfEE.

  Capital Funding
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money to date has been allocated to each higher education institution from the Joint Infrastructure Fund for capital projects; and how much remains unallocated. [116488]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF) awarded just over £150 million to 22 universities in Round 1 and £320 million to 27 universities in Round 2.

  Headline details for Round 3 will be announced on 4 April 2000. Bids to Round 4 will be considered in November 2000 and bids to Round 5 will be considered in March 2001.

  The amounts awarded to each institution in Round 1 are listed in the table. The awards for Round 2 are still subject to negotiation to ensure best price and value for money for the funds approved. Final figures for Round 2 and Round 3 will be available as soon as those negotiations have been completed.

  Institution

  Value of awards (£ million)

  Cambridge

  30.4

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  24.8

  Oxford

  17.9

  Imperial College, London

  11.3

  Birmingham

  11.1

  London School of Economics and Political Science

  6.6

  Edinburgh

  6.3

  Liverpool

  6.1

  Nottingham

  5.0

  Surrey

  4.7

  Newcastle

  4.4

  Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre

  3.9

  Southampton

  3.8

  University of Wales, Bangor

  2.8

  Leeds

  2.4

  Glasgow

  2.1

  Bristol

  2.0

  Manchester

  1.8

  Strathclyde

  1.2

  Warwick

  1.0

  Lancaster

  0.6

  Queen's University, Belfast

  0.4

  Total

  150.4

WALES

  Taskforces
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Government taskforces selecting to Wales and their members in(a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994, (d) 1995, (e) 1996, (f) 1997, (g) 1998, (h) 1999 and (i) 2000. [116325]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Office Running Costs
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost for the current financial year of running the office of the Secretary of State for Wales. [116328]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The running costs budget for the Wales Office is £2,030,000 for 1999–2000, including Lord Lieutenants' expenditure.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the prospects for the steel industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [116232]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I am extremely optimistic about the future of the Welsh steel industry, particularly in light of the substantial restructuring the UK steel industry has undergone making it among the most efficient and cleanest in the world.

  Naturally the Government keenly maintain an on-going dialogue with the steel industry.

  National Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will bring forward legislation to empower the National Assembly for Wales to amend those Acts which have effect in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [115954]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  A general power for the Assembly to amend Acts of the UK Parliament having effect in Wales would be unconstrained and inconsistent with the devolution settlement for Wales.

  There are, and will continue to be, occasions when it is appropriate to give the National Assembly a power to amend Acts of Parliament for particular purposes. Powers of this kind are included in the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Health Act 1999 and also in the Care Standards Bill, the Local Government Bill and the Transport Bill.

  Employment Statistics
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what figures he can require from local authorities about the composition of their workforces in terms of(a) standard age groups, (b) ethnic origins and (c) gender. [104014]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I do not have executive functions which would require me to seek this kind of information from local authorities. My statutory powers to obtain
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  information from local authorities were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 No. 672. Among these powers is section 141(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 which allows the Assembly to require any information held by or available to a principal council in consequence of the exercise of any of the council's statutory powers.

DEFENCE

  AWE Sites
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on what arrangements have been made to operate the Atomic Weapons Establishment sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield from 1 April. [117045]

  Mr. Spellar
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 21 February 2000,Official Report, column 1223, that we were reviewing the AWE contract to operate Aldermaston and Burghfield to ensure the pre-eminence of public health and safety. The Government have always made it clear that we would not allow the AWE Management Ltd. consortium to take over the operation of AWE unless we were convinced that safety would not be compromised.

  As part of this review each nominee for a director's post at AWE was checked for suitability and to confirm they were not connected with any of the incidents that have caused concern at Lockheed Martin's US facilities or to problems at BNFL Sellafield. The Chief of Defence Procurement also carried out a detailed scrutiny of the terms and conditions of the contract placed with AWE ML. He has confirmed that safety was treated as the highest priority.

  The Chief Executive of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) has also confirmed that he is satisfied with the ability of AWE ML to operate the sites safely and effectively. He has therefore issued new nuclear site licences. The Environment Agency (EA) has already granted new site discharge authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act to take effect from 1 April. As a condition of this the EA require AWE ML to submit a report by 30 April 2000 of any proposed changes to the existing management systems and resources and not to implement any changes without the prior consent of the EA. The NII and EA will of course continue to monitor rigorously the safety performance of the new company. Both have also agreed separately to carry out in-depth reviews of all aspects of safety at AWE and to issue public reports after three and 12 months.

  Hugh Collum, the new Chairman of BNFL, is currently preparing a report for the Department of Trade and Industry on management and organisation at Sellafield and he has assured us that there will be nothing in his review that could reasonably be read as detrimental to the safe operation of AWE. The NII has also assured the MOD that the problems experienced at Sellafield will have no application to BNFL's proposed role as a shareholder in the AWE ML consortium.
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  A strict and comprehensive safety regime already exists, monitored by MOD officials as well as the EA and NIL All three authorities carry out regular inspections and have the powers to scrutinise any paperwork, interview any individual, and visit any of the facilities at Aldermaston or Burghfield. They have the authority to close down any part or all of the facilities for whatever reason should safety be put at risk. AWE ML does not have the authority to alter significantly the existing operating procedures without first seeking the approval of the regulators.

  In view of the satisfactory outcome of these checks along with the effectiveness of the existing safety regime at AWE, we are satisfied that safety will not be compromised by the implementation of the new contract. This is also the opinion of the EA and the NIL Accordingly, we have decided that AWE ML will take over operation of the AWE sites as from 1 April 2000. However, we will continue to scrutinise closely the safety performance of the new management. We will also be looking to the new operators to preserve and, where possible, extend the policy of openness adopted by Hunting BRAE over the last seven years.

  German Army
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the benefits to the United Kingdom of the German Army joining the L15A4 projectile programme; and if he will make a statement. [113899]

  Dr. Moonie
  None. We are currently in the process of procuring the L15A3 155 mm high explosive artillery shell as part of a five year large calibre training ammunition contract which was placed with Royal Ordnance in December 1998. An assessment of possible options for a new generation of high explosive shell to replace existing L15A2 and A3 shells has not yet been undertaken. We do not therefore have an approved L15A4 projectile programme, but any future procurement of a replacement for our existing L15 shells would examine all options, including collaboration.

  Landmines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has carried out into the movement of anti-personnel landmines in flood waters. [114370]

  Mr. Spellar
  None. My Department is keeping the possible requirement for such studies under review.

  Armed Forces Personnel
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people left(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998 and (iv) 1999. [116326]

  Mr. Spellar
  The total number of people leaving the UK Regular Forces in 1996–99 is as follows:
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  Army

  Naval Service

  RAF

  1996

  15,368

  7,123

  10.542

  1997

  13,993

  5,263

  7,512

  1998

  17,074

  5,508

  4,838

  1999

  15,951

  5,889

  4,712

  The titles Army, Naval Service and RAF include Nursing Services. Naval Service includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

  These figures are taken from Tri-Service Publication 1, which is available in the Library of the House.

  University Cadetships
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the average amount of money that has been expected to have been paid back by service personnel in the last 10 years in the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF who have received university education through cadetships and have subsequently left before completion of service; how this sum of money is calculated; and if he will make a statement; [116511]

  (2) how many (a) Army, (b) RAF and (c) Navy personnel who were awarded cadetships in the last 10 years and subsequently left before completion of service were required to pay back money received for university education; how much money was expected to be paid back; how many cadets were required to pay the full amount; and if repayment was weighted against the time that they served; [116515]

  (3) how many people were recruited into the (a) RAF, (b) Army and (c) Royal Navy on cadetships and how many of them (i) had their fees paid and (ii) received a salary, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [116512]

  (4) what are the conditions relating to the award of cadetships in the (a) RAF, (b) Navy and (c) Army when students join the services, have their fees and a grant paid to them while completing university and then subsequently leave the force; what is his policy on the repayment of such funds by cadets if they leave before completion of service; and if he will make a statement; [116513]

  (5) how many (a) Army, (b) RAF and (c) Royal Navy personnel who were awarded cadetships in the last 10 years subsequently left before completion of service; [116510]

  (6) on what occasions in the last 10 years Army personnel leaving other than on health grounds were allowed to forgo repayment of money received from the Army for the cost of university education. [116559]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and copies of my letters will be placed in the Library of the House.

  South Korea (Joint Military Exercise)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British forces are involved in the proposed joint military exercise with South Korea in June 2000. [116666]
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  Mr. Spellar
  There are no plans for British forces to conduct a joint military exercise with South Korea in June 2000. However, we will be conducting a short maritime exercise with the South Koreans in late August/early September as part of the Naval Task Group Deployment to the Far East (NTG 2000).

  Territorial Army (Working Time Directive)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has issued to the Territorial Army on compliance with the Working Time Directive. [102901]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 December 1999]:I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 March 2000, Official Report, column 28W.

  Cadets (Seatbelts)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department issued instructions that Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force cadets must not travel in 4-tonne trucks or other military vehicles without seatbelts; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this ruling on(a) cadet training and (b) cadet financing. [107642]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 March 2000, Official Report, columns 25-26W.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on developments over the last three years in Incapacity Benefit, including(a) the total number of claimants by quarter, (b) the number of appeals and (c) changes in the qualification criteria. [116487]

  Mr. Bayley
  Information on numbers of claims and appeals is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables. There have been no changes to the qualification criteria for Incapacity Benefit in the last three years.

  We are committed to removing barriers to work. We have introduced the New Deal for Disabled People, funded by £195 million from the Windfall Tax, which is helping disabled people to move into, or remain in, work. From October 1998 we introduced a new rule allowing people who leave incapacity benefits for work to return to their old rate of benefit if they have to stop working and make a reclaim within a year, and we removed the 16 hours a week restriction on voluntary work. In April 1999 we raised the limit on earnings for those doing therapeutic work from £48.00 to £58.00 a week. We are also currently piloting a range of measures to help sick and disabled people to return to work and from next month those on incapacity benefits will be able to take part in Work Trials or Work Placements without losing their benefit entitlement.

  From 3 April the All Work Test for incapacity benefits will be replaced by the Personal Capability Assessment, which will focus not just on what people cannot do but also on what they are able to do despite their illness or

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  disability; this will help Personal Advisers give people the assistance they need to return to work where that is what they want to do. In the coming year we will also be mailing initiatives to ensure regular contact with people on incapacity benefits to check their circumstances, give benefits advice and offer assistance with a return to work.

  From April 2001, we will introduce further changes. The contribution conditions for Incapacity Benefit will be modernised to ensure a closer link between benefit entitlement and recent work; some account will be taken of occupational and personal pensions, to reduce duplicate provision between the State and employers or individuals; and people disabled in youth, who have never had the opportunity to work, will be able to qualify for Incapacity Benefit without having made National Insurance contributions.

  Number of claims to Incapacity Benefit in each quarter ending

  Number

  30 November 1996

  276,343

  28 February 1997

  269,062

  31 May 1997

  258,985

  31 August 1997

  255,657

  30 November 1997

  259,671

  28 February 1998

  238,514

  31 May 1998

  226,137

  31 August 1998

  232,210

  30 November 1998

  242,930

  28 February 1999

  224,952

  31 May 1999

  230,059

  31 August 1999

  230,503

  Note:

  Includes claims that are subsequently withdrawn and accident declarations (which are made in case a claim to benefit becomes necessary at a later date as a result of an industrial accident).

  Source:

  100 per cent, clerical count.

  Number of appeals

  Number

  1996

  62,303

  1997

  76,132

  1998

  79,800

  Sources:

  Data up to July 1997—100 per cent, extract from ITS computerised records

  Data from August 1997—100 per cent, download from the Generic Appeals Processing System (GAPS)

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed disability living allowance in each quarter of the last three years. [116554]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Number of claims made for disability living allowance

  Quarter ending

  Claims

  1997

  March

  124,281

  June

  132,092

  September

  121,067

  December

  110,813

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  Number of claims made for disability living allowance

  Quarter ending

  Claims

  1998

  March

  97,387

  June

  96,125

  September

  103,061

  December

  96,022

  1999

  March

  103,069

  June

  98,997

  September

  97,542

  December

  91,311

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the success rate of applications for Disability Living Allowance has been for(a) schizophrenia sufferers, (b) all categories of people suffering from mental illness and (c) all applicants for each of the most recent five years for which figures are available. [116514]

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

  Applications for disability living allowance

  Year

  All decisions

  Successful decisions

  Percentage successful

  1995

  501,247

  248,017

  49

  1996

  523,812

  246,173

  47

  1997

  486,566

  220,228

  45

  1998

  391,583

  178,802

  46

  1999

  373,645

  176,371

  47

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

  Retirement Pension
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to improve the time it takes to calculate the state retirement pension for those in their final year of work. [116363]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are no plans to improve the time it takes to calculate the state retirement pension for those in their final year of work. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 25 January 2000,Official Report, column 168W, relating to the time scales for processing claims to retirement pension.

  Radiation Exposure (Compensation)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) former service personnel and medical auxiliaries and (b) members of their families, have made appeals to the Pensions Appeals Tribunal for compensation due to exposure to radiation from British nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific since 1970; how many have been awarded compensation; how many are awaiting adjudication; and if he will make a statement. [116014]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of War Pensions is a matter for Gordon Hextall, Chief Executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
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  Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 28 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) former service personnel and medical auxiliaries and (b) members of their families, have made appeals to the Pensions Appeals Tribunal for compensation due to exposure to radiation from British nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific since 1970; how many have been awarded compensation and how many are awaiting adjudication.
  The War Pensions Agency processes claims for war disablement pensions, war widows and other dependants' pensions and associated supplementary allowances under the provisions of the War Pension Scheme.
  Details of claims relating to exposure to radiation in certain sites, including the South Pacific, are recorded on a radiation database. The earliest date of appeal recorded on the database is 1989. The database shows that from that date 57 service personnel and 31 widows have made appeals to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals. At the 22 March 2000 there have been 27 appeals allowed by the Tribunal of which 21 were former service personnel and 6 were widows. There are currently 5 appeals awaiting adjudication, 4 from former service personnel and 1 widow.
  I am sorry to tell you that information relating to appeals in respect of exposure to radiation made before 1989 is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
  If I can be of any further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many mothers he estimates will benefit from the Sure Start maternity grant in(a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster. [116079]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jeff Ennis, dated 28 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many mothers he estimates will benefit from the Sure Start Maternity Grant in (a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster.
  An estimate is not available in the format requested. It is expected that the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG) take-up will be at approximately the same level as the existing Social Fund Maternity Payment, though because Working Families Tax Credit gives qualification to more mothers than Family Credit did, there could be a small rise.
  The smallest unit for which we can supply information is at the level of the BA district. Both Barnsley and Doncaster are in the South East Yorkshire District, which also includes Goole. Such information as is available is in the attached table.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Social Fund Maternity Payments/SSMG estimate in South East Yorkshire

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  2,060

  1998–99

  2,150

  1999–20001

  1,773

  2000–012

  2,495

  1 To February 2000

  2 Estimate

  Notes:

  1. The figures do not distinguish male and female applicants.

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  2.The 1997–98 figure is the total of the figures for Barnsley (799) and the former South East Yorkshire District (1,261) which were then separate.

  3.Goole was not included until 1998–99. It was formerly a part of the East Yorkshire district. Separate figures are not available.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in(a) the Torbay constituency and (b) Torbay Unitary Authority are in receipt of the minimum income guarantee. [116447]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency to answer. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 28 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many pensioners in (a) the Torbay constituency and (b) Torbay Unitary Authority are in receipt of the minimum income guarantee.
  The minimum income guarantee relates to Income Support (IS) pensioners aged 60 and over.
  The information is displayed in the table attached.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Income Support pensioners aged 60 and over, by parliamentary constituency/local authority—November 1999

  Thousand

  Area

  Pensioners aged 60 and over

  Torbay parliamentary constituency

  4.9

  Torbay Unitary Authority

  6.0

  Notes:

  1. Sample size 5 per cent, therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where either the claimant and/or their partner are aged 60 years or over.

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands.

  Source:

  Income Support quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1999.

  Benefits Agency Staff
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many visiting officers there are in each Benefits Agency in Scotland; [116558]

  (2) what was the cost of travel and subsistence for officers based in Edinburgh visiting clients throughout the rest of Scotland for each of the last three years; how many visits were involved and to what destinations. [116521]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Welsh, dated 28 March 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking for the cost of travel and subsistence for officers based in Edinburgh visiting clients throughout the rest of Scotland for each of the last three years; how many visits were involved and to what destinations. Also, how many visiting officers there are in each Benefits Agency (BA) office in Scotland.
  The BA does not hold data on the cost of travel and subsistence by geographical location. Most visiting officers are based in District Offices and do not make visits outside their home areas. Officers based in Edinburgh who visit customers outside the Edinburgh area

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  provide the Benefits Agency's Out of Hours Service (OOHS) and the Benefit raud Investigation Service (BFIS). Their travel and subsistence costs cannot be broken down for visiting officers as they are aggregated across the Agency. Figures would include travel for other official duties such as training courses and meetings.
  The Disability Carer Benefits Directorate (DCBD) has calculated travel and subsistence costs of *8976.24, for the period from April 1999 to date, for their officers in Edinburgh visiting customers throughout Scotland.
  The BA does not hold information centrally on the number of visits and destinations. These figures could only be obtained at disproportionate cost by manually counting entries in visiting officer's diaries.

  The number of visiting officers based in Scotland is as follows:

  Number

  Benefits Agency District Officers

  352

  DCBD (Disability Benefits Centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow)

  13

  Benefit Fraud Investigation Service

  275

  Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service (Organised Fraud)

  16

  I hope this is helpful.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Dialogue on Europe
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost to public funds of the launch of the European Commission's Dialogue on Europe. [114136]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]:I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 March 2000, Official Report,column 53W.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 20 and 21 March; and if he will make a statement. [115957]

  Mr. Vaz
  The General Affairs Council in Brussels on 20-21 March adopted the "A" points listed in document no. 6962/00 and noted resolutions, decisions and opinions of the European Parliament in its sessions of 2-3 February, 14-18 February and 1-2 March listed in documents nos. 5614/00, 6130/00 and 6490/00. Copies of these documents will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  1. MEPs' Statute

  The Presidency updated the GAC on its discussions with the European Parliament over a Statute for Members of the European Parliament.

  2. Economic situation in Bulgaria and Romania

  In line with a decision of the Helsinki European Council in December 1999, Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen reported to the GAC on economic developments in Bulgaria and Romania.

  3. Mozambique

  The GAC agreed that the member states and the European Community would continue actively to participate in the rehabilitation efforts in Mozambique and looked forward to making a positive contribution to the Donor Conference on 26-27 April in Rome.
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  4. EU-Africa Summit

  The Presidency briefed partners on preparations for the Africa-Europe Summit (Cairo, 3-4 April).

  5. Conflict in Africa

  The GAC considered a discussion paper by the Council Secretariat Policy Planning and Early Warning Unit on the crisis in the Great Lakes region. They agreed to discuss it further at the April GAC if possible.

  6. Freelance Interpreters

  The GAC agreed that freelance interpreters should be taxed on the same basis as other employees of the EU institutions.

  7. Council Formations

  The GAC discussed Presidency proposals to reduce the number of Council formations to 16.

  8. Lisbon European Council

  The GAC discussed arrangements for the European Council on 23-24 March.

  9. Inter-governmental Conference

  The GAC held an exchange of views, focusing on vote re-weighting and the size and structure of the Commission after enlargement. Discussion will continue in the IGC Preparatory Group. The Presidency will report to the Feira European Council in June.

  10. Defence/ESDP

  The GAC discussed a draft Presidency report to the Lisbon European Council on follow-up to the Helsinki European Council report on strengthening the common European security and defence policy, including annexes on: elaboration of the head-line goal on military capabilities agreed at Helsinki; military bodies in the European Union; and the possible establishment of a committee for civilian crisis management.

  11. UN Human Rights Commission—China

  The GAC expressed its concern at the human rights situation in China and agreed to review the EU/China human rights dialogue to make it more focused and result-orientated. The GAC agreed to continue regularly to review its policy on human rights in China.

  12. Russia

  The GAC reiterated its deep concern over Russian actions in Chechnya, in particular continued reports of gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. It deplored the lack of Russian action to meet the EU's specific demands at the EU/Russia Summit on 3 March in Lisbon aimed at improving the international relief effort in Chechnya. The GAC called on Russia quickly to accede to the ICRC's request for free access to detainees in Chechnya. The GAC welcomed the Russian invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to visit Chechnya in April. It also welcomed Russia's invitation to the OSCE to monitor the presidential elections on 26 March and expressed the hope that the elections would further contribute to the development of democratic and economic reforms in Russia.

  13. Mexico

  The GAC gave political agreement for the formal adoption of the EU/Mexico Free Trade Agreement in the margins of the European Council in Lisbon.
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  14. Western Balkans

  Kosovo

  The GAC adopted conclusions deploring the security situation in Mitrovica and Presevo. It condemned extremism from both sides and reminded political leaders in Kosovo that they would be held accountable for any further spread of violence. It called for Kosovo Serb participation in the Joint Interim Administration structures and for the proper preparation of elections. It recalled the massive resources allocated by the EU for assistance to Kosovo.

  Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)

  Following the recent extension of the visa ban list, the Council adopted a Regulation suspending the flight ban for six months, agreed to adopt revised financial sanctions before the end of the month. It condemned the harassment of the independent media and urged FRY democratic forces to intensify their efforts to build a unified front. It expressed its readiness to assist Montenegro and to consider the extension of the Kosovo reconstruction agency to Montenegro.

  Danube

  The GAC stressed the urgency of resolving the obstacles to freedom of navigation.

  Bosnia

  The GAC welcomed the road-map for Bosnia to help pave the way towards a feasibility study on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. It stressed that the rate of progress will depend on the actions of the Bosnian authorities to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the SAA process.

  Stability Pact

  The GAC invited the Commission to present urgently a detailed proposal for the EU's contribution to the Stability Pact Regional Financing Conference at the end of March and stressed that EU support must be matched by credible and consistent reforms by the countries of the region.

  European Community Monitoring Mission

  The GAC underlined its wish for a restructured, flexible and streamlined European Community Monitoring Mission to support the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

  15. East Timor

  Ireland briefed partners on the Taoiseach's visit to East Timor on 9 March.

  Information and Intelligence Sharing
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from US authorities concerning information and intelligence sharing between the United States and Britain. [116353]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]: Any correspondence of this nature is covered by Exemption 1c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. It is long-standing practice of successive Governments that such information is not released.

  Tartan Day Reception
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if invitations have 170W
  been sent to representatives of the Scottish National Party to attend the Tartan Day Reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington; who was responsible for drawing up the guest list; and what role the British ambassador had in monitoring and approving the guest list; [116576]

  (2) if he will list the hon. Members and Members of the Scottish Parliament who have been invited to attend the Tartan Day Reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington; on what date each invitation was sent out; and if he will make a statement; [116584]

  (3) if he will order a report from the British Ambassador in Washington on the preparations for Tartan Day in the USA and his discussions with the organising committee regarding the inclusion of Scottish National Party representatives in the organised events; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [116583]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]: The Ambassador and the Embassy have made clear from the outset that invitations will be sent to all visiting Members of the Scottish Parliament. They have been working with the Tartan Day Committee in the US to organise the reception and to draw up the guest list, which was seen and cleared by the Ambassador. The Ambassador has been in touch with the First Minister, Donald Dewar, and with the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Sir David Steel.

  The Embassy has been told that George Reid MSP and Patricia Fergusson MSP, two Deputy Presiding Officers, will be coming to Washington to represent the Scottish Parliament, and that John Swinney MSP and Fiona McLeod MSP will also be attending. All these were immediately sent invitations to the reception. If other Members of the Scottish Parliament are visiting Washington for Tartan Day they might like to get in touch with the Embassy, either direct, through the office of the Presiding Officer, or through the Tartan Day Committee. The Embassy will be delighted to include them in the reception.

  In view of the above, a report will not be requested from the Ambassador in Washington on the preparations for Tartan Day.

  British Overseas Territories
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 2000,Official Report, column 288W, on British overseas territories, when his Department expects to finish the review of whether to impose an order in council to ensure that the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos islands change their existing legislation on homosexual acts. [116556]

  Mr. Battle
  There is no set date for the completion of the review. Discussions are currently in progress with the relevant territory governments. We are pursuing these with all due expedition.

  Indonesia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indonesian Government concerning the situation in West Papua. [116549]
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  Mr. Battle
  We have made no recent representations on Irian Jaya. However, we closely monitor developments in West Papua. Our Ambassador to Indonesia and a visiting member of our South East Asia Department are visiting West Papua this week, where they will hold meetings with a wide range of contacts, including NGO representatives.

  Zimbabwe
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning the situation of white farmers. [116551]

  Mr. Hain
  I spoke to the Zimbabwean Vice President on 6 March and wrote to the Foreign Minister on 7 March. My right hon. Friend the International Development Secretary wrote to the Vice-President on 15 March. The High Commission at Harare is in close touch with the Commercial Farmers' Union. The Government of Zimbabwe are in no doubt of our concern at the farm invasions.

  UN Rapid Reaction Force
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for the establishment of a United Nations rapid reaction force the Government will put forward at the Millennium Assembly and Summit in September. [116553]

  Mr. Hain
  We are keen to improve the UN's rapid reaction capability to enable it to respond more effectively to emerging crises. We are encouraging the UN Secretary-General to address this issue in his report on UN Peace Operations, due for publication this summer. We hope that rapid reaction will also be a subject for high-level discussion at the Millennium Summit, in the context of a wider discussion of peace, security and disarmament issues.

  Tokyo Embassy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will appoint a member of a non-Governmental organisation as the Atomic Energy Counsellor at the British Embassy in Tokyo. [116274]

  Mr. Hain
  There are no plans to make such an appointment at this time.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 29 March. [116300]

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

  Rosemary Nelson
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received calling for an independent 172W
  judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson on 15 March 1999; and if he will make a statement. [115280]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 21 March 2000]: Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have received a number of representations, including some from Mr. Paul Nelson and the Magee family and a number of Human Rights organisations.

  The Government have not ruled out an independent judicial inquiry. However we have made it clear that we will not consider an inquiry while the criminal investigation is ongoing and there remains the possibility of bringing the perpetrators to justice.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Two Metre Rul
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has held with(a) farming organisations and (b) environmental organisations over the impact on (i) historic hedges and (ii) wildlife of the implementation of the two metre rule. [115543]

  Ms Quin
  This Department has held discussions with all the principal farming organisations and statutory environmental bodies on the issues mentioned by the hon. Member as well as with the European Commission.

  Last week my right hon. Friend the Minister reached agreement with the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Franz Fischler, that the United Kingdom should, for this year, apply the same criteria as were used in 1999 and earlier years for determining the acceptability of hedges and other field margins included in claims based on whole Ordnance Survey field areas under the Integrated Administration and Control System. For 2001 and subsequent years, MAFF will work with the Commission in order to clarify what types of margins are acceptable for inclusion in aid claims and identify ways of safeguarding environmentally valuable hedges so that we can reach a permanent resolution of this issue.

  Rendering
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many companies offering(a) rendering followed by incineration and (b) direct incineration, that were awarded a contract under the over-30-months scheme have not had contracts renewed; and if he will make a statement. [114826]

  Ms Quin
  The Intervention board (IB) has let a large number of contracts for services connected with the operation of the OTMS. In line with good procurement practice, IB has a rolling programme for reviewing and, if necessary, re-tendering these contracts which may involve changes to the service required or its delivery. IB reserves the right to terminate contracts if contractors fail to meet their obligations.

  Since 1996, when the scheme began, 13 companies have been contracted to render OTMS material. Five of these companies are currently contracted for this service, contracts having been let following a competitive tender

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  in 1997. Each of the five companies is burning OTMS tallow produced on-site to fuel their rendering process. One of the contracts also covers the incineration of the OTMS meat and bone meal (MBM) in an incinerator that is under construction and due to start operation in late summer 2000.

  IB awarded six contracts for direct incineration of carcase material following a competitive tender in 1996. One contract was terminated, but the remaining five companies are currently fulfilling their contracts to incinerate OTMS carcase material. One of these contracts was extended for a further period of 12 months during 1999.

  Inshore Fishing
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will support the lifting of the ban on the Fleetwood inshore fishing fleet from fishing in their traditional waters in zone VIIa; if he will act to curtail the activities of Belgian and Irish beam trawlers catching cod in the same zone; and if he will compensate the Fleetwood inshore fleet for the time they have been laid-up under the ban under Article 16 of the Structures Regulation. [116094]

  Mr. Morley
  The priority at present in the Irish Sea (zone VIIa) is to protect cod spawning given the serious state of cod stocks in this area. With this in mind the European Commission decided in February to close the area to most demersal fishing from 14 February until 1 May 2000. Shrimp and nephrops fisheries (in designated areas), however, remain open. I announced on 10 March that a voluntary agreement had been reached between the UK, Belgium and Ireland to withdraw flatfish beam trawlers from the closed area until 1 May. This has been welcomed by the industry.

  In conjunction with the Fleetwood Fish Producers' Organisation, CEFAS is conducting trials in the inshore fishery to see what proportion of cod is likely to be taken. Results from these trials will enable us to decide what inshore fisheries could remain open without jeopardising the recovery of cod stocks in the event of closures in future years.

  There are a number of conservation closures in place. The Government do not believe it is appropriate to compensate fishermen for a decline in stocks or for conservation measures designed to improve stocks and hence fishing opportunities in the future; there is no history of this under preceding Governments. Those fishermen who are unable to work in the nephrops and shrimp fisheries or in other fisheries outside the closed area may be entitled to claim Job Seeker's Allowance and other benefits.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the(a) amount and (b) value of beef imported from the Argentine to the UK in 1999. [116211]

  Ms Quin
  The volume and value of imports of beef and beef products from the Argentine during 1999, as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics, are shown in the table.
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  Product

  Tonnes

  £ million

  Meat and offal preparations1

  7,719

  10.9

  Carcase meat

  2,058

  6.4

  Offal

  305

  0.6

  Total

  10,082

  17.9

  1 Primarily corned beef

  BSE
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the EU countries that have detected BSE in their cattle. [116247]

  Ms Quin
  BSE has been reported in home-bred cattle in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal. In addition, cases of BSE have been reported in cattle imported into Germany and Italy, but these countries have reported no cases in native cattle.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the results of the BSE inquiry conducted by Lord Justice Phillips. [116461]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]: The BSE Inquiry requested a six-month extension beyond the deadline of 31 March 2000 to complete their task. The Government have agreed this extension and the report will be published shortly after receipt by Ministers.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions exist on use of land and the movement of livestock as a result of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident; and if he will estimate the cost to United Kingdom farmers of the restrictions introduced because of radioactive pollution from Chernobyl. [116269]

  Ms Quin
  There have never been restrictions on the use of land in the UK as a result of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. However, restrictions on the movement, sale and slaughter of sheep were placed in certain areas of the UK. These restrictions have been progressively lifted from affected holdings so only approximately 430 of the holdings originally under restrictions are still under controls. This represents a decrease of around 95 per cent. Although the Chernobyl incident has undoubtedly affected the husbandry practices within the affected areas, the Government and devolved Administrations operate the Mark and Release Sheep Compensation Scheme to reimburse farmers for any market losses incurred.

  Milk
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the unit levels of export refunds in(a) euros and (b) sterling for (i) skimmed milk powder, (ii) whole milk powder, (iii) butter and (iv) condensed milk for each of the last 12 months. [116135]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: The information in the form requested could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Hop Growers
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the
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  terms of special temporary measures for hop growers and (a) identify the reference date from which areas should not increase and (b) specify if that date refers to areas planted or areas harvested; [116136]

  (2) for what reason some hop growers received lower payments under special temporary measures for 1999 than those for which they applied. [116137]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: The aim of the special temporary measures for hops is to allow producer groups and individual growers to adjust their production to market requirements during the period 1998–2002 by receiving aid on areas temporarily rested or permanently grubbed-up, provided certain requirements are met.

  Under current arrangements, the reference date from which the total area should not increase is the area harvested in 1997. Payments to hop growers were made on this basis by the Intervention Board Executive Agency, which administers the scheme in the UK. In some cases, payments were reduced because growers did not comply with these arrangements. The arrangements have been questioned by some hop growers and we are presently reviewing the matter.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Third-world Debt
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on current third-world debt. [115431]

  Clare Short
  Debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative has been agreed for the first three countries, with Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania being assessed next. Under the new framework, countries are required to develop poverty reduction strategies to qualify for debt relief. We are concerned that progress in finalising enhanced debt relief is slower than was originally agreed.

  Conservation Projects
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of UK-sponsored conservation projects upon indigenous and nomadic people in Africa. [115437]

  Clare Short
  We have recently completed a substantial evaluation of British-funded project support for environmental improvement in five countries including Kenya and Tanzania. The study found that nearly two thirds of these projects achieved their objectives successfully but that they had a limited impact on the livelihoods of local people. Our current environmental policy places much greater focus on the need to improve the livelihoods of the poor to achieve sustainable development.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she had 176W
  concerning the funding of post-conflict initiatives in Kosovo when she last met her colleagues from other member states of the European Union. [115438]

  Clare Short
  The UK has provided more than £100 million in humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance to Kosovo. The European Union has pledged 865 million euro over the last two years—of which the UK share is £112 million. I am frequently in contact with my EU colleagues on this and other issues.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on continuing support from her Department for projects in Kosovo. [115439]

  Clare Short
  The UK has provided more than £100 million in humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance to Kosovo. The European Union has pledged 865 million euro over the last two years—of which the UK's share is £112 million. I am frequently in contact with my EU colleagues on this and other issues.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she next intends to visit Kosovo to discuss aid for reconstruction. [115446]

  Clare Short
  I have no present plans to re-visit Kosovo. We are working closely with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and other international agencies to support reconstruction.

  Mozambique
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on relief operations in Mozambique. [115440]

  Clare Short
  The search and rescue phase is over. Relief operations continue to progress as access improves under the co-ordination of the Government of Mozambique with support from the United Nations. The priority remains to stabilise the conditions of the flood-affected population by providing sufficient shelter, food, water, sanitation and healthcare both in accommodation centres and also to those returning to their homes.

  We have allocated a total of £20 million for humanitarian assistance to those affected by the floods. This money is being channelled both to ensure the effective continuation of relief efforts, but also to start immediate work on establishing emergency physical access through repairs to roads and bridges, rehabilitating health and education services and also to help re-establish the livelihoods of the affected population.

  We are assessing the need for additional longer-term support. We expect to concentrate on feeder roads, seeds and small livestock restocking and on strengthening planning in health and education. We already have plans to spend around £70 million over the next two years. This can be increased if necessary. We will attend the proposed donor conference on reconstruction in Rome at the end of April.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's plans for longer-term reconstruction and development in Mozambique. [115443]
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  Clare Short
  We have already committed £70 million to our development programme in Mozambique over the next two years. We are currently assessing how our plans should be modified to help Mozambique recover from the recent crisis.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department plans to give to Sri Lanka in 2000–01. [115441]

  Clare Short
  Our development assistance programme for Sri Lanka focuses on three areas—providing relief and rehabilitation for those affected by conflict in the North and East; improving the quality of education (particularly at primary level); and exploring how we might help promote reconciliation.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the present British aid projects in place in Sri Lanka; and what is the value of those projects. [114253]

  Clare Short
  We published a Country Strategy Paper for our development assistance to Sri Lanka last year. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. Our programme in Sri Lanka focuses on three issues important for poverty reduction: improving the quality of education, particularly at primary level; providing relief and rehabilitation for those affected by conflict; and promoting intercommunal reconciliation.

  We expect to spend around £6.3 million this financial year. The major elements will be on education (£1.5 million), helping those affected by conflict (£3.5 million), and the final expenditure on some environmental projects approved under the previous Administration (£0.5 million).

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance is being given to the Government of Sri Lanka; and if she will make a statement. [115454]

  Clare Short
  Our bilateral development assistance programme to Sri Lanka will be around £6.3 million in the current financial year (1999–2000); next year we expect to spend around £6 million.

  We published a Country Strategy Paper for our development assistance to Sri Lanka last year. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. Our programme in Sri Lanka focuses on three areas—improving the quality of education, particularly at primary level; providing relief and rehabilitation for those affected by conflict; and promoting intercommunal reconciliation. Not all of the programme works directly through the Government of Sri Lanka; a significant proportion is channelled through international organisations and NGOs (including UNICEF, UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children Fund).

  Volunteers
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's support for the work of British volunteers. [115442]
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  Clare Short
  We support five British volunteer programmes: Voluntary Service Overseas, International Co-operation for Development, Skillshare Africa, International Service and British Executive Service Overseas. In 1999–2000, we provided over £28 million to support over 2,700 volunteers working world-wide.

  Disaster Relief
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will set up permanent arrangements for disaster relief operations. [115444]

  Clare Short
  Such arrangements and mechanisms already exist internationally through the United Nations and within the UK under the co-ordination of the Department for International Development.

  Primary Education (Africa)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are being taken by her Department to improve(a) access to and (b) the quality of, primary education in Africa. [115445]

  Clare Short
  We are committed to the International Development Targets of achieving universal primary education by 2015 and gender equality in primary and secondary schooling by 2005. In our bilateral programmes in Africa, substantial resources are allocated to education for the achievement of these targets. And in my meetings with representatives of African governments, I take every opportunity to discuss their commitment to, and progress in, achieving these targets.

  We believe four things need to be done if these targets are to be met and there is to be significant improvement in access to, and the quality of, primary education in Africa. First, we need a real and sustained commitment by African governments to securing universal primary education. We need to work with those governments committed to reform, and help them put in place the structural changes necessary to deliver quality primary education for all their children.

  Second, we need to address the issue of resourcing for education. There is a clear need to increase the level of resources that African governments commit to primary and basic education. Too often, the needs of the primary sector are not funded because the university sector has more vocal and politically influential constituents. In Africa, the public subsidy for a university student is 20 per cent, of a primary school pupil. And investing in primary and basic education should be a vital priority area for development assistance.

  Third, we need to shift from a projects-based approach to a sector-wide approach which gives appropriate priority to basic and primary education. And we need to pull together the work of all the different development donors around a focused, agreed strategy drawn up by the government of the country concerned. This means encouraging and supporting a sound macro-economic framework which ensures a sustainable flow of resources for primary education. And it means help with reforms to ministries of education, to systems of management and teacher training, book production, and tax reform.
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  The fourth thing we need to do if we are to achieve universal primary education by 2015 is to link education policy with the wider development strategy of the country, including policies on health, sanitation, livelihoods and rural transport. African governments and donors need to address the serious obstacles that often exist to enrolment, as well as the causes of drop out from school. This is particularly vital in the case of girls, who often face barriers of prejudice and discrimination, as well as economic disadvantage.

  These are our priorities for Africa. This is also the agenda that we will be taking to the World Education Forum in Dakar next month. This meeting provides an important opportunity for African government, development agencies and non-governmental organisations—from North and South—to recommit themselves to a quality primary education system for all Africans.

  AIDS (Africa)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact on children in Africa of the spread of AIDS. [115447]

  Clare Short
  AIDS is now the biggest killer in Africa. A first major impact on children in Africa is that there are now 10.4 million African children who will have lost their mothers or both parents to AIDS. This is 90 per cent. of the global total of AIDS orphans. Many of these orphans are infected with the disease from birth or from breast feeding, reversing the gains made in child survival rates over the last 30 years. DFID is working in collaboration with NGO partners in many countries in Africa to reach AIDS orphans with the care and support they need. We are a significant contributor to UNICEF who have extensive programmes with orphans throughout Africa (£10.5 million contributed in 1998).

  A second major impact of the disease is on young people. About half of all new HIV infections world-wide occur in young people aged 15-24, with girls being particularly at risk to the disease. We need to reach children and young people early on and enable them to make preventative choices. DFID is funding a number of multi-media projects such as the BBC Great Lakes Lifeline service, and a children's radio service for the Great Lakes region, Angola and Mozambique. These services seek to reach young people and children with the right health and sex education information and messages.

  Finally, the impact of HIV/AIDS on the education system is staggering. In the worst affected countries, more than 30 per cent, of teachers are infected with HIV, and many more students and teachers are not able to attend school because they are needed at home to care for sick relatives. Girls are particularly affected, often being the first family members to be pulled out of education to help in the home. DFID is working with a number of Governments in sub-Saharan Africa to assess and plan for the impact of the pandemic on their education systems, and to develop effective HIV/AIDS education programmes for schools. DFID is also working with NGO partners to provide support to girls and boys whose involvement in education is threatened by HIV/AIDS.

  Mongolia
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving to Mongolia. [115448]

  Clare Short
  Most UK aid to Mongolia is channelled through multilateral agencies, in particular the European Commission, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The UK contributes around £5.7 million through these agencies and this figure is set to rise slightly over the next two to three years.

  We also support UK non-governmental Organisations' work in Mongolia, focusing on activities which benefit the poorest. Our bilateral development assistance totalled £470,000 in 1998–99 and a similar figure is expected for the current year.

  In response to the recent severe weather crisis, we are contributing to the purchase of essential relief supplies in Mongolia. To date, the UK Government have contributed around £50,300 to the relief effort.

  Madagascar
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking in Madagascar; and if she will make a statement. [115449]

  Clare Short
  Cyclones Eline and Gloria and the ensuing floods have caused damage directly affecting some 500,000 people in Madagascar. However, the number of people requiring immediate assistance is about 45,000. We have contributed some £600,000 for immediate relief including food, clean water, health services and the necessary logistics to ensure delivery of items to isolated communities. This funding has been channelled through UNICEF and the World Food Programme.

  We continue to monitor the situation closely through our Embassy in Madagascar and operational partners in the field. We stand ready to respond further to assessed needs.

  EU Tobacco Subsidies
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will propose to the Council of Ministers the transfer of the budgetary allocation for subsidies to European Union tobacco growers to international development projects outside the EU. [115450]

  Clare Short
  The Government strongly disapprove of subsidies to EU tobacco growers under the Common Agricultural Policy and would like to see an end to the tobacco regime on the grounds of health and cost. We believe that the Community should progressively disengage from support for tobacco production and will continue to press for further reform of the regime.

  At the Berlin European Council of March 1999, EU heads of government agreed the overall ceiling and division of the Community's spending for the period 2000–06. Transferring funds from the Agriculture budget to the External Action budget would mean breaking this agreement on overall budget discipline.
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  Rather than increasing the EC's development budget, my Department is working with the EU to improve the effectiveness of its programmes, and focus them more on the poorest countries.

  Debt Relief
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries have agreed to adopt(a) poverty relief and (b) education programmes to qualify for debt relief and further aid. [115451]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 1 March 2000,Official Report, column 295W.

  Dakar Education Summit
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the World Education Forum at Dakar. [115452]

  Clare Short
  The World Education Forum in Dakar from 26-28 April provides an important opportunity for governments, development agencies and non-governmental organisations—from North and South—to recommit themselves to Education for All (including the achievement of universal primary education by 2015, and gender equality in primary and secondary education by 2005). We have seven major priorities for this Forum.

  First, we believe there must be collective re-affirmation of the Education for All (EFA) goals, allied to focused strategies for their achievement, and particularly the attainment of the international development targets for education. We know that where there is strong political commitment allied to well-defined and well-managed education strategies, dramatic progress can be made, even in some of the poorest countries.

  Second, developing country governments need to give priority to basic education. In many countries, this will require greater efficiency of spending within the education sector and greater focus on basic education; it may also require an increased share of national income to education. But even with the improved mobilisation of resources within country there will be the need for additional funding from development agencies. The Dakar Framework for Action should also make clear the willingness of funding agencies to allocate significant additional resources to support the achievement of Education for All, where governments have developed well-focused education strategies. No government seriously committed to basic education within a sustainable development framework should be thwarted in the achievement of this goal by lack of resources.

  Third, basic education should be firmly set within an overall, sustainable education sector framework. Funding agencies should shift from individual projects to broader support for a government-led education sector strategy which is coherent and able to exploit linkages with wider poverty elimination and development efforts.

  Fourth, on gender, we must move beyond the language of awareness to the language of action. We have learned that where gender is mainstreamed through government development policy there is progress. Where it is
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  "projectised" the gains are local and slow. The Framework for Action should set out these lessons and their implications for effective gender equity strategies.

  Fifth, sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia should be accorded international priority. These regions are where the challenge to meet Education for All goals is greatest; they are also where efforts are greatly impeded by poverty, HIV/AIDS and by conflict.

  Sixth, we need better monitoring of progress towards goals and targets. This requires investment in the development of national capacity allied to efficient international monitoring systems. The potential of UNESCO's Institute of Statistics will be important in this field.

  Seventh, Dakar should look seriously at whether the existing inter-agency EFA structure will be adequate to its purpose in the future. Dakar should agree on principles for follow-up and monitoring which better engage national governments, civil society, bilateral and multilateral agencies and highlight Education for All as a development priority in all relevant international and regional fora, including the G8 and relevant high level meetings of the United Nations.

  These are the priorities which the Government will be pursuing at Dakar.

  Horn of Africa
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the likely effects of crop failures in the Horn of Africa. [115453]

  Clare Short
  Crop failure is a regular occurrence in the Horn of Africa and communities have developed strategies for dealing with its effects. These include diversification of agricultural production systems and other socio-economic strategies, such as migration. Extreme hardship through crop failure is usually the result of conflict or poor crop management.

  Harvests were poor in 1999 in some parts of the Horn of Africa. It is too early to say if 2000 is likely to see serious crop failure in Ethiopia and Somalia but the UN estimates emergency food needs for 2000 will be as follows:

  Ethiopia (Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission)— 900,000 metric tonnes for 8.1 million people

  Eritrea (United Nations Country Team)—25,000 metric tonnes for 211,750 people

  Somalia (United Nations Appeal)—25,000 metric tonnes for 400,000 people.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards constructing an airport on the Island of St. Helena. [115455]

  Clare Short
  I have agreed that my Department will finance a comparative study of air and sea access costs in order to identify the most cost-efficient permanent solution to the island's international passenger and cargo transportation needs. Terms of Reference for the study are
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  currently being prepared and will be agreed with the St. Helena Government. Consultants are expected to start work in the middle of the year.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy regarding bilateral aid to Southern Africa. [115456]

  Clare Short
  Our policy for bilateral assistance to Southern Africa is set out in our Country Strategy Papers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Throughout Southern Africa we are working with the international community in support of national and regional programmes to achieve the international development targets, through public sector reform, better education and health, HIV/AIDS prevention and promoting economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.

  Cuba
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with representatives of the United States Government regarding medical services in Cuba. [115457]

  Clare Short
  I have not held discussions with the United States Government regarding medical services in Cuba. The United Kingdom Government are committed to providing medical care and equipment through the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO). The EC is the largest aid donor to Cuba and provided US$15.2 million in official development assistance (ODA) in 1998. In 1997, (the latest figures available) the UK share of the EC's £12.39 million aid programme to Cuba was £1.85 million.

  Small Arms (Africa)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects her Department supports which tackle the problems of small arms trafficking in sub-saharan Africa. [115458]

  Clare Short
  Working through sub-regional organisations and institutions, we support a number of projects aimed at reducing the proliferation of small arms in Africa including through controlling trafficking.

  DFID has provided some £300,000 through UNDP for the implementation of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Moratorium on the importation, exportation and manufacture of light weapons.

  This year, we funded the conference on "Tackling Small Arms Proliferation in Eastern Africa and the Greater Horn" which led to an outline Action Plan for the sub-region which will tackle the subject of arms trafficking. This contributed to the March 2000 Nairobi Declaration which maps out a sub-regional approach to the proliferation of small arms.

  In 1998, DFID funded the seminar that produced the EU/Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) sub-regional action programme on small arms which was
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  endorsed by EU/SADC Ministers in Vienna. DFID has provided funding to take this action programme forward, including holding a conference in South Africa in May 1999 with all key stakeholders to define practical measures. We have also supported the participation of representatives of the sub-region at the UN Firearms Protocol negotiations.

  Indonesia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which environmental projects her Department supports in Indonesia. [116541]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The importance of environmental protection and sustainable management in Indonesia cannot be denied. They are essential if poverty is to be eliminated.

  Illegal logging, land clearing and forest fires, habitat loss and haze are among the problems focusing the environment and which ultimately affect poor people's livelihoods. These issues pose a very significant threat to the environment as deforestation continues at an alarming rate.

  We intend to help tackle these problems but as part of a collective effort with the international community to facilitate Indonesian solutions to Indonesian problems. The result should be a programme that helps Indonesia to manage forests more equitably and sustainably, giving poor people a greater share of the benefits.

  Drug Enforcement
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has made to the UNDCP concerning the programme scope. [116548]

  Clare Short
  My Department continues to contribute to the Government's dialogue with United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) on the scope of their programme. DFID officials were involved in the Government's preparations for the meetings in March of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs which oversees the work of UNDCP, and of the Major Donors to UNDCP.

  Drug Eradication Programmes
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has held with the World bank concerning its policy towards drug eradication programmes in poor countries. [116547]

  Clare Short
  My Department scrutinises World bank Country Assistance Strategy Papers to ensure that illicit drugs are properly covered in countries where they are an issue. Discussion on illicit drugs takes place with the bank at official level where appropriate.

  Forest Fires (Sumatra)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations her Department has received concerning forest fires in Sumatra; and if she will make a statement. [116542]

  Clare Short
  No formal representations have been made to my Department regarding the forest fires in Sumatra. Rapid deforestation over the past two decades
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  has led to a situation where forest fires and smoke pollution from illegal land clearing has become an annual problem during the mid-year dry season. The fires have started unusually early this year, although most recent reports suggest that the rains have again quelled the fires in both Sumatra and Kalimantan.

  A number of donors are supporting efforts to combat forest fires directly. My Department is keen to work with others to address the underlying causes. We are helping design a programme that will promote more equitable and sustainable management of Indonesia's forests and give poor people a greater share of the benefits.

  Seychelles
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance her Department has provided to the Government of the Seychelles; and if she will make a statement. [116552]

  Clare Short
  Britain's bilateral assistance to the Seychelles since 1996–97 was as follows:

  £

  1996–97

  406,000

  1997–98

  328,000

  1998–99

  216,000

  Uruguay Round
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to support calls from developing countries to extend the deadline for compliance with the Uruguay Round agreements. [116111]

  Clare Short
  The UK, with our EU partners, recognises the difficulties faced by some developing countries in implementing WTO Agreements. We are ready to look sympathetically at requests for deadline extensions on a case-by-case basis, and agree that there should be no action to enforce implementation for the duration of negotiations on a new trade Round. Consultations are currently under way in Geneva on this and other implementation issues and I hope that a formally agreed position will emerge soon.

  In the meantime, our £16 million programme of trade-related technical assistance is helping developing countries participate in the multilateral trading system more effectively. (Details have been placed in the House of Commons Library). This programme provides assistance with implementation of Uruguay Round Agreements.

  Education Aid
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of United Kingdom aid to developing countries is for basic education. [115791]
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  Clare Short
  In 1998 about 5 per cent. of the UK's bilateral official development assistance, which is £800 million, was spent on basic education.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the future of her Department's aid programme in Zimbabwe. [115434]

  Clare Short
  Our programmes in Zimbabwe are focused on assisting the poor—who are suffering most from the current crises. We have made clear since 1997 that we strongly support the case for land reform in Zimbabwe and have been willing to support reforms that are transparent, lawful and focused on providing land for poor Zimbabweans. I have recently approved a £5 million programme to support a land reform initiative that respects these principles which are being organised by civil society and the private sector.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Mergers
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has undertaken into the effect on employment of mergers. [115517]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department of Trade and Industry has not undertaken any research specifically on the employment effects of mergers. However, last year the Invest in Britain Bureau commissioned a study on the effects of acquisition of UK manufacturing companies by foreign investors. This included some analysis of the effects of foreign acquisition on employment. This report is available from the IBB.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many mergers between UK companies have taken place in each of the last five years; how many of these mergers have been referred to him; and in how many of these mergers he has intervened. [115518]

  Dr. Howells
  The annexe gives details of merger cases in the last five years.

  Annexe—Merger Statistics 1995–99

  1. Table 1 details the number of mergers that there have been between UK companies in the last five years.

  Table 1: Mergers between UK companies

  Number

  1995

  505

  1996

  584

  1997

  504

  1998

  635

  1999

  492

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  2. Strictly comparable figures are not readily available, but the number of merger cases (which includes mergers between foreign and UK companies) in the last five years on which the Director

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  General of Fair Trading (DGFT) has submitted advice to the Secretary of State on whether to refer them to the Competition Commission is given in Table 2.

  Table 2: Mergers cases on which DGFT advised the Secretary of
  State

  Number

  1995

  203

  1996

  198

  1997

  186

  1998

  222

  1999

  220

  3. Table 3: gives information on the Secretary of State's decisions in the light of the DGFT's advice. He could refer the merger to the MMC/Competition Commission (CC); ask the DGFT to seek undertakings in lieu of reference; or clear the merger without a reference.

  Table 3: Secretary of State's decisions on advice from the DGFT

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Referred to the MMC/CC

  9

  13

  10

  8

  10

  Undertakings in lieu

  2

  4

  1

  3

  4

  4. Table 4: gives information on the Secretary of State's decisions in the light of the MMC/CC report. In all newspaper cases, and for other cases where the MMC/CC has found that the merger may be expected to operate against the public interest, the Secretary of State can allow the merger to proceed with no conditions; allow it to proceed under certain conditions; or prohibit it. In non-newspaper cases where the MMC/CC has found that the merger may be expected not to operate against the public interest, the Secretary of State can take no action on the merger.

  Table 4: Decisions on mergers referred to the MMC/CC in each year

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Mergers referred

  11

  14

  11

  9

  18

  Cleared

  5

  4

  4

  1

  7

  Prohibited

  3

  6

  2

  4

  0

  Conditions

  3

  4

  2

  3

  3

  Set aside

  0

  0

  3

  1

  4

  Not yet published

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Notes:

  1. The number of mergers referred includes newspaper cases on which the DGFT does not give advice. This accounts for the discrepancy between the first rows of tables 3 and 4.

  2. Although this table details decisions in the year in which the reference took place, the decision on a merger which has been referred is often taken in a year other than that in which the reference took place.

  Blue Arrow
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what other DTI investigations into Blue Arrow have been(a) undertaken or (b) commissioned by his Department other than that which led to the report published on 24 September 1992.[114471]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: It is my Department's well established practice not to comment on whether or not confidential investigations have been or are being carried out.

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) to whom the inspectors' report on Blue Arrow was distributed prior to its publication in September 1992; [114468]
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  (2) which (a) companies and (b) individuals who had access to the inspectors' report on Blue Arrow prior to its publication in September 1992 made representations as to its contents; [114469]

  (3) if amendments to the draft inspectors' report on Blue Arrow report were made following representations by interested parties prior to its publication. [114470]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 16 March 2000]: It is standard practice to offer the parties involved, which would include the company, those criticised and other principal figures, access to an inspectors' signed report prior to its publication. This is in accordance with section 437(3) of the Companies Act 1985. The practice, which was followed prior to publication of the Blue Arrow report, is a confidential process. Representations were received about the content of the report and its publication but no amendments were made to it prior to publication. The report published was that signed by the inspectors on 4 June 1991.

  Phoenix Fund
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been received for payments from the Phoenix Fund for the current financial year; how many have been successful; and how much money has been distributed. [114389]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: The only application for payment this year has been in respect of the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association, details of which were set out in the answer on 16 March 2000, Official Report, column 273W.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued to applicants to the Phoenix Fund, pursuant to his News Release of 10 November 1999; and if he will make a statement. [114390]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: In line with the timetable set out in the report of the Policy Action Team 3 (on Enterprise and Social Exclusion), guidance will be published next month. I shall ensure that a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Astra
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he was requested to hand over file bundles 120, 121,140 and 141 in the Astra case to the JDS tribunal in the case of Gerald James; and what factors underlay his decisions in respect of those file bundles. [115411]

  Dr. Howells
  No requests for disclosure of information were received from the JDS tribunal in the case of Gerald James.

  Pakistan (Exports)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the(a)standard and (b)open individual export licences for export to Pakistan that have been granted since 12 October 1999, showing in each case the Military List rating; and how many applications for each category of licence are awaiting a decision. [116124]
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  Dr. Howells
  For the period 12 October 1999 to 14 January 2000, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 25 January 2000,Official Report, column 202W.

  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 15 January 2000 and 17 March 2000, no Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and no Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Pakistan of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List.

  As at 17 March 2000, decisions had not yet been taken on 85 applications for a SIEL and 15 applications for an OIEL to export such goods to Pakistan.

  Individual licence applications pending as at 17 March 2000 covering the export to Pakistan of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of pending applications for SIELs covering goods with this rating

  Number of pending applications for OIELs covering goods with this rating.

  ML1

  5

  0

  ML2

  2

  0

  ML3

  4

  0

  ML4

  5

  0

  ML5

  1

  0

  ML6

  5

  2

  ML9

  10

  4

  ML10

  32

  7

  ML11

  2

  0

  ML13

  1

  4

  ML14

  1

  1

  ML16

  4

  1

  ML17

  2

  1

  ML18

  11

  0

  ML21

  0

  1

  ML22

  1

  4

  PL5001

  0

  1

  PL5017

  3

  1

  End-use

  1

  0

  This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307-08W.

  In addition, Pakistan is a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will amend his regional aid map proposals to bring them into line with EU rules. [115839]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 March 2000]:Discussions with the Commission on a new regional aid map are continuing. The new regional aid map must be approved by the Commission.
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  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if regional aid can be paid prior to the regional aid map being approved. [115961]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) on 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 465W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how large a reduction in the number of people covered by the regional aid map the United Kingdom is required to make. [116595]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 31 March 1999, Official Report, columns 804-05W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Alchemy has applied for regional selective assistance for the Longbridge site. [116218]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: No.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much regional aid money will be available in the financial year 2000–01 for(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) the UK. [116216]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: The figures for England will be set out in the DTI's Expenditure Plans, Command Document 4611, which we expect to publish on 11 April. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House. Expenditure in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much regional aid he plans to spend in the budget year 2000–01 in(a) the North-East, (b) Devon, (c) Cornwall and (d) the West Midlands. [115963]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]: Details of regional aid will be set out in the DTI's Expenditure Plans, Command Document 4611, which we expect to publish on 11 April. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to meet the EU Commissioner to discuss the regional aid map. [115837]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 March 2000]: Commissioner Monti and I have regular contact on a range of issues including the regional aid map. I last met him on 2 March 2000 when we discussed the regional aid map.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is able to make regional aid available to Alchemy to invest at Longbridge on the same basis as was proposed for BMW. [115838]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 March 2000]: The area in which Longbridge is located will qualify for Regional Selective Assistance.

  Rover Dealerships
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the number of jobs which are dependent on Rover dealerships. [115962]
  191W
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]: Almost 12,000 people are employed in Rover's 300 franchised dealerships in the UK.

  Arachnoiditis
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will commission research into the causes and treatment of arachnoiditis; and if he will make a statement. [116107]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government fund health and medical research mainly through the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Department of Health.

  The MRC has a broad remit which covers all areas of research relating to human health. Although the MRC do not fund research specifically into the treatment of arachnoiditis, the MRC are funding research on one of the causes of arachnoiditis, meningitis. In 1998–99 the MRC spent about £525,000 on research of direct relevance to the cause and treatment of meningitis.

  Ice-cream Market
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will implement the findings of the Competition Commission to ensure that consumers obtain the benefits of effective competition in the impulse ice-cream market for the coming season. [115955]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend announced on 28 January his proposals for remedying the adverse findings of the Competition Commission report.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the undertakings by Birds Eye Walls will come into effect in relation to the impulse ice-cream market. [115956]

  Dr. Howells
  Undertakings on interim remedies given on the 16 February came into effect immediately. The Director General of Fair Trading is negotiating further undertakings concerning outlet and freezer exclusivity and retrospective discounts. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State asked the Director General of Fair Trading to seek to obtain undertakings by 31 March. The date at which they would come into effect, together with the terms themselves, are subject to negotiation.

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his plans are for the next quinquennial review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. [117206]

  Mr. Byers
  The Modernising Government White Paper (Cm 4310, March 1999) set out the Government's commitment to delivery of high quality, responsive public services and the approach to quinquennial reviews of Executive Agencies has now been re-focused to reflect this modernisation agenda. I have set in train therefore a Review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) which will, in keeping with the new approach, consider all the organisational options for the Laboratory and ways in which to improve performance.

  The Review Steering Board is chaired by Mr. Robert Foster, Director, Innovation Policy and Standards, at the DTI. Mr. John Lee of the National Measurement
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  Laboratories Unit in the DTI is the Secretary to the Board. The Board has appointed Mr. Martin Rumbelow as Reviewer.

  The Board has adopted the following Terms of Reference for the Review:
  The Reviewer is to consider and recommend:
  first, whether Agency status remains the most suitable way of delivering the services provided by NWML, considering all the options, including abolition, continued Agency status, market testing, merger or rationalisation, privatisation and strategic contracting out, taking into account NWML's contribution to the objectives of the Department and of the Government as a whole, developments in the national and international legislative, regulatory and commercial environment in which it operates, and the views of its customers and staff; and
  second, what additional services and functions could be provided, whether fee income could be increased, whether NWML's call on DTI resources could be reduced, and how its services and functions could be provided more effectively, for example through the increased use of partnership working and better use of information and communication technology, ensuring that lessons learned and best practice are clearly identified in the Report.
  The review is to be undertaken in accordance with the latest Cabinet Office guidance. The Reviewer will report at intervals to a Steering Board. It will be the task of the Steering Board to respond flexibly to the Reviewer's proposals during the progress of the Review, each member contributing guidance and knowledge, including where appropriate the good offices of his or her parent department. The Steering Board will ensure that Ministers, the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and the staff and customers of the NWML are kept informed of the progress of the Review and will facilitate the gathering of information for the Reviewer and his or her communication with staff and customers.

  The membership of the Review Steering Board is as follows:

  Mr. Robert Foster (Chairman)—Director, Innovation Policy and Standards, DTI

  Mr. Noel Hunter—County Trading Standards Officer, Warwickshire County Council

  Mr. Dick Farman—Strategic Planning Director, Avery Berkel Group

  Mr. Harold Gay—Group Trading and Safety Legislation Manager, The Boots Company plc

  Dr. Seton Bennett—Director and Chief Executive, National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  Mr. Shelley Charik—Director, National Measurement System, DTI

  Mr. Howard Ewing—Director, Consumer Advice and Information, DTI

  Dr. Les Whalley—Deputy Director, Standards and Technical Regulations, DTI

  Mr. Clive Fleming—Assistant Director, Executive Agencies, NDPBs And Service First, DTI

  Mr. Tim Dymond—Cabinet Office

  Ms Debbie Edwards—Enterprise Team, HM Treasury.

  193W
  The Reviewer, Mr. Rumbelow is contacting interested parties he believes can provide information and advice to assist him with his work. Information and advice from other interested parties is also welcome and should be sent to the Secretary to the Board:

  Mr. John Lee

  National Measurement Laboratories Unit

  Room 351

  Department of Trade and Industry

  151 Buckingham Palace Road

  London

  SW1W 9SS

  Telephone: 020 7215 1416

  Fax: 020 7215 1350

  E-mail:john.lee@dti.gsi.gov.uk

  BNFL
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the timing of a public-private partnership for BNFL. [117205]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Recent events at BNFL have clearly been a set back for the company. It is important that BNFL now responds positively to the HSE's reports on the Sellafield site and works to achieve necessary improvements in its safety and commercial performance. This will take time. As a result, it now appears that the earliest possible date for the introduction of any PPP into BNFL could not be before the latter part of 2002. The introduction and timing of any PPP remains subject to BNFL's performance against the targets set by Government as well as the further work being undertaken by the Government and their advisers.

  EEA (Parallel Trading)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the legality of parallel trading of goods from outside the European economic area markets; and what estimate he has made of the impact on United Kingdom manufacturing if such trading is rendered lawful. [116589]

  Dr. Howells
  The judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in the Silhouette case [C-355/96] of July 1998 highlighted the extent of powers afforded by European law to trade mark owners. In particular, the Court decided that they can prevent the import into the Community of goods which they themselves have already sold in other parts of the world. This confirmed as a matter of law that the European Trade Marks Directive does allow trade mark owners to use their rights to prevent import of their goods into the Community after they have been marketed elsewhere.

  Since this judgment, the European Commission has produced a study [Trade Mark exhaustion—Study on the economic consequences of alternative regimes by National Economic Research Associates for the European Commission] on the economic affects of such rights, and the results which can be expected if trade mark owners were to be denied them. The conclusions of this study are that a move to so-called international exhaustion would create beneficial impacts on the European economy. In particular, prices in some key consumer sectors would fall
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  significantly, and competition in these sectors would increase as brand owners and retailers respond to increasingly competitive markets.

  Our own studies agree with the conclusions reached by the Commission. In particular there is likely to be a beneficial, if small, impact on the United Kingdom economy. We expect a maximum of about £400 million of additional imports would be generated by moving to international exhaustion. Total United Kingdom imports are around £220 billion, of which £180 billion are imports of goods. Additional levels of parallel imports would, therefore, be equivalent to approximately 0.2 per cent, of United Kingdom imports. Such imports are likely to arise in a limited number of sectors, principally clothing, footwear, sports and luxury goods for which there is already a strong import market. It seems likely that parallel imports would take market share from existing imports rather than domestic manufacturers.

  In the light of these studies, we are discussing trade mark rights with our European partners with a view to changing current legislation. However, in some sectors where the Single Market is not yet complete or which are subject to other special conditions, for example Pharmaceuticals, the benefits of international exhaustion are not clear, and care will be needed to ensure that unwanted results do not arise.

  Synchrotron
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which physical scientists were consulted and on what dates as part of the decision-making process for the relocation of the synchrotron. [116672]

  Mr. Byers
  A user consultation for the physical scientists was held on 22-23 January 1999 and on 14 December 1999 that addressed issues relating to the synchrotron location.

  Telewest Communications
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will invite the Office of Fair Trading to investigate Microsoft's proposed purchase of a stake in Telewest Communications. [116658]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]: The size and European dimension of this case mean that it has fallen to the consideration of the EC competition authorities under the EC Merger Regulation (ECMR).

  I understand that the European Commission announced on 22 March that it was opening a full investigation into this case and it now has four months within which to come to a final decision. Member states have a formal role in this process.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what military materials have been given approval for delivery to Zimbabwe in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [116263]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been

  195W
  interrogated. Between 1 January 1999 and 17 March 2000, 18 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and six Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Zimbabwe of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings (and OIELs may also cover a range of countries). Where this is so, the licence is included in the table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Individual Licences issued between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999 and 1 January 2000 and 17 March 2000 covering the export to Zimbabwe of goods on the Military List

  No. of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  No. of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Rating

  1999

  2000

  1999

  2000

  ML1

  1

  2

  1

  0

  ML2

  5

  0

  1

  0

  ML3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  ML4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  ML6

  1

  0

  1

  0

  ML7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML9

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML10

  0

  7

  0

  0

  ML11

  0

  0

  2

  0

  PL 5002

  0

  0

  1

  0

  PL 5018

  1

  0

  2

  0

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  Information on export licensing decisions in 1999, including details of the military equipment licensed, will be set out in the 1999 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, which will be published in due course. Similar details of the military equipment licensed in later years will be set out in the relevant Annual Reports.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307-08W.

  In addition, Zimbabwe is a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences, covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  Rome Convention
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what(a) committees and (b) working groups his Department has set up to consider the revision of the Rome Convention; and if he will list the members and meetings scheduled; [116060]

  (2) what consultation (a) he has undertaken and (b) is planned by his Department on the revision of the Rome Convention; [116062]
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  (3) if he will list the meetings his Department has held with outside bodies on the revision of the Rome Convention; what conclusions were reached; and if he will deposit these in the Library. [116065]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on 24 March 2000, Official Report, column 691W.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place with the Lord Chancellor's Department on the implications of the revision of the Rome Convention for electronic commerce; and if he will make a statement. [116063]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: The Department and the Lord Chancellor's Department have had a number of general discussions about the Rome Convention and electronic commerce. Recently these have concentrated on the timing of the review of the Convention. When the plans for the review are known the Departments will work closely together on the policy issues affecting electronic commerce, in consultation with business and other organisations.

  West Midlands Task Force
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representation will be given to Bromsgrove District Authority on the West Midlands Task Force. [116280]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Chair of the Longbridge Task Force has invited David Bryant, Chief Executive of Bromsgrove District Council to join the Development SubGroup of the Task Force.

  The Task Force will take the work of the SubGroup into account when producing its comprehensive report and supporting recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  BMW
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received concerning BMW's plans for the location of the production of the new medium saloon. [116215]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: BMW are still considering where to locate production of their new medium saloon.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in BMW dealerships and spares operations in the UK. [116221]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: Approximately 5,550 people are employed in BMW dealerships in the UK and about 1,000 more are employed in BMW's parts operations.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in Rover dealerships in the UK. [116220]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: Almost 12,000 people are employed in Rover's 300 franchised dealerships in the UK.
  197W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to BMW about the sale of the new Mini through Rover dealerships. [116214]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: Discussions with representatives of BMW continue. They include the situation faced by Rover dealerships.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial aid packages will be made available and on what timescale to assist workers who lose their jobs following the sale of Rover. [116217]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 28 March 2000, Official Report, columns 109-10W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be lost at Longbridge in the next 12 months. [116219]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 March 2000]: Neither BMW nor Alchemy Partners have given an estimate of the number of jobs which might be lost.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Independent Tribunal Service
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what criteria are applied for selecting members for Independent Tribunal Service panels. [116302]

  Mr. Lock
  Job descriptions and statements of eligibility and criteria are available for applicants for each office advertised. Copies of the eligibility and criteria for appointment guidance for posts within the Appeals Service have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what reasons have been given to former members of the Independent Tribunal Service panels in the past year as to why their services were no longer required. [116301]

  Mr. Lock
  All former panel members who satisfied the age and appropriate qualifications criteria were offered interviews. Those who accepted and were unsuccessful at interview were given only this information, but were provided with the panel's reasons for rejection on request.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what is the process for selecting members of the panels for the Independent Tribunal Service. [116303]

  Mr. Lock
  Vacancies are advertised in the national press and professional journals. Appointment is on the basis of interview and of consultation with the relevant professional community. The Lord Chancellor appoints the candidates who best demonstrate that they meet the appropriate criteria.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many persons with a trade union background were appointed or re-appointed as members of the panel for hearing appeals by the 198W
  Independent Tribunal Service for (a) Glasgow and (b) Scotland in 1999; and how many in each category held a position on such panel immediately before panel members were informed that they had to re-apply for their positions. [116555]

  Mr. Lock
  There is not, nor ever has been, a formal requirement that any panel members have a trade union background and this information is not accordingly collected. It is not therefore possible to provide a breakdown by category. An independent review of all relevant appointments could be conducted only at disproportionate cost.

  Legal Services Ombudsman
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if Ms Ann Chant has completed her review of the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman; and when it is intended to publish her report. [117207]

  Mr. Lock
  Ms Chant has completed her Review of the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman. The Department has today published her Report and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

CABINET OFFICE

  Advertising Budgets
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what is her Department's advertising budget for(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [110257]

  Mr. Stringer
  The advertising budgets for the Cabinet Office for the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1999–2000

  8,998

  2000–01

  69.5

  These figures include the advertising undertaken by executive agencies in publicising their services provided to other parts of government. The Central Office of Information undertakes advertising on behalf of other parts of government, and this expenditure is excluded from Cabinet Office figures. Of the 1999–2000 total, £8,918,000 is associated with the Millennium Bug Information Programmes.

  Civil Service (Secondment)
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people from the private sector are on secondment to the Civil Service; and in which Departments they are employed. [116357]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Modernising Government White Paper and Sir Richard Wilson's recent report to the Prime Minister on Civil Service reform made it clear that this
  199W
  Government are keen to promote the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Such opportunities can take many forms, ranging from temporary secondments, to short term attachments, to job sharing and joint training.

  Interchange returns—1998–99

  Industry and Commerce—secondments

  Industry and Commerce—attachments

  Inward only Department/agency

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Cabinet Office

  3

  5

  8

  0

  0

  0

  Charity Commission

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  COI

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  CPS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Crown Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  DCMS

  —

  —

  0

  0

  0

  0

  DETR

  14

  3

  17

  3

  1

  4

  DfEE

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  4

  DfID

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  DoH

  6

  4

  10

  0

  0

  0

  DSS

  0

  0

  0

  —

  —

  0

  DTI

  160

  23

  183

  3

  0

  3

  Employment Service

  16

  11

  27

  0

  0

  0

  FCO

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Government. Actuary's Department

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Government. Office for the Regions

  16

  3

  19

  0

  0

  0

  GCHQ

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Health and Safety Executive

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  HM C and E

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  HM Land Registry

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  HM Treasury

  16

  5

  21

  1

  0

  1

  Home Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Inland Revenue

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Intervention Board

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  LCD

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Legal Sec. to Law Officers

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  MAFF

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  MOD

  23

  2

  25

  1

  0

  1

  National Savings

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  NILO

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northern Ireland Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Offer

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Ofgas

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oflot

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Ofsted

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oft

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oftel

  3

  3

  6

  0

  0

  0

  Ofwat

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ohmcis

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Opraf

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Ordnance Survey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ORR

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Privy Council Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Public Record Office

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Registers of Scotland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Royal Mint

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Scottish Office

  7

  8

  15

  0

  1

  1

  Serious Fraud Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Treasury Solicitors Department

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  War Pensions Agency

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Welsh Office

  4

  4

  8

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  270

  75

  345

  11

  6

  17

  200W
  In the year ended 31 March 1999 there were 362 secondments and attachments from business and industry to the Civil Service. A breakdown of this figure by Department is attached. Figures from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 are due to be provided by Departments.

  Car Pool
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many motor vehicles in the Government car pool are available for use by Ministers. [116334]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to my hon. Friend.
  202W
  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated March 2000:
  The Minister of State, Cabinet Office has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive responsible for the Government Car Service to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of cars available to ministers.
  The Government Car Service (GCS) provided 85 vehicles allocated permanently to Ministers' Private Offices. In addition, GCS has a fleet of 28 "pool" cars which Ministers may use if their usual car and driver is unavailable.
  Ministers are not obliged to use GCS and Departments are free to choose other providers of these services.

  Liquor Licensing
  Liquor Licensing
  Arson Scoping Study
  Arson Scoping Study
  Juvenile Offenders: Custodial Arrangements
  Juvenile Offenders: Custodial Arrangements
  Legal Services Ombudsman Review
  Legal Services Ombudsman Review
  Malawi
  Malawi
  Health Spending
  Health Spending
  Menwith Hill: SBIRS
  Menwith Hill: SBIRS
  BMW and Rover
  BMW and Rover
  Ethnic Minorities: Treaty of Amsterdam
  Ethnic Minorities: Treaty of Amsterdam
  Millennium Volunteers
  Millennium Volunteers
  Quigley Report
  Quigley Report
  Dental Treatment: Deaths Associated with Anaesthesia
  Dental Treatment: Deaths Associated with Anaesthesia
  Prescribing Rights
  Prescribing Rights
  Scrapie
  Scrapie
  Welsh Beaches
  Welsh Beaches
  Northern Ireland and the Euro
  Northern Ireland and the Euro