Written Answers of 30 March 2000

CABINET OFFICE

  Modernising Government
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what changes she intends to make to the Modernising Government Action Plan targets for delivery of Government services electronically. [117046]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  In October 1997, the Prime Minister announced that within five years a member of the public would be able to carry out a quarter of dealings with Government electronically through their telephone, television, or computer. Further, in March 1999, in our Modernising Government White Paper we proposed that all Government services should be available online by 2008.

  We have been making good progress. Already, we offer online tax returns and online advice in areas such as health, overseas travel and consumer protection. Businesses can make online returns to Companies House, and soon they will be able to make VAT returns online. Next week the Small Business Service will launch a website offering small and medium businesses tailored advice based on their size, location, and sector.

  But we want to increase the pace of change in Government so that we can offer our businesses and citizens more efficient and effective services. I am pleased to announce that the Prime Minister has today decided to bring forward the date by which all Government services should be available online from 2008 to 2005. Also, in line with the outcome agreed at the Lisbon summit, Government Departments will be expected to prioritise their proposals for offering all services online by 2005 so as to ensure online access to main basic public services by 2003.

  We are also introducing an improved monitoring regime. Progress towards the target will no longer be based on the number of individual transactions with Departments. Instead we will monitor progress on the basis of the number of services that we deliver online. The monitoring regime for UK based services will as far as possible be aligned with public service agreements and service delivery agreements.

  Business Regulation
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will estimate the total administrative cost imposed on businesses as a result of regulation since May 1997. [R] [115689]

  Mr. Stringer
  The information required is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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  All regulatory proposals likely to impact on business are subject to Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). RIAs are published and placed in the Libraries of the House. In addition a series of Command Papers list RIAs for each six month period, the most recent being Cm 4664.

  RIAs contain a wide range of information on the costs and benefits of each proposal.

  Taskforces
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if an agreed definition of taskforces has been identified since the publication of the sixth report of the Neill Committee (Cm 4557-1). [116640]

  Mr. Stringer
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), on 9 December 1999,Official Report, column 634W. We are considering carefully the recommendations made in the sixth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and will respond in due course.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Disability Rights Taskforce
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Government will respond to the final report of the disability rights taskforce. [117387]

  Ms Hodge
  The final report of the Disability Rights Taskforce, "From Exclusion to Inclusion", was published on 13 December 1999. The Government has already announced that they intend to legislate to address the Taskforce's recommendations on education, introducing significant new civil rights for disabled children and students in school, further, higher and adult education. We issued a public consultation paper on the measures to be included in the legislation on 17 March 2000.

  Further to the response to the education recommendations, the Government have issued today an interim response to the Taskforce's report, which is available on the Government's Disability website at www.disability.gov.uk or from the DDA Help line on 0345 622 633. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries. The interim response covers a range of the Taskforce's recommendations in the areas of local government, health and social services, housing and the environment and participation in public life.

  The Taskforce made a number of recommendations that require changes to the Disability Discrimination Act and the Government are still considering these. A final response to the report will be made in due course.

  Teachers' Pension Scheme
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the outcome of the latest valuation of the teachers' pension scheme. [117306]

  Mr. Wicks
  I have today laid formally before both Houses; the Report and Supplementary Report of the Government Actuary on the Teachers' Pension Scheme
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  for the period 1991–96. As a result of the Supplementary Report, the rate of contribution payable by employers will be increased by 0.95 per cent. from 1 April 2002.

  In the Government Actuary's initial report on the valuation of the scheme he recommended that the employer contribution rate should be increased from April 2000 to remove the balance of liability over the next 40 years as required under the pension regulations. The Government Actuary was subsequently asked to advise on the consequences of an alternative approach, which would enable the increase in the employer contribution rate to come into effect in 2002, but with the deficit still being removed within 40 years from 2000. We have decided to adopt the alternative approach with the result that some £90 million will be available in each of the next two years for the direct benefit of schools. Teachers can be assured that this approach does not in any way affect the security of the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the level of benefits payable to its members.

  Education Spending
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amounts are projected to be spent from public funds in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland and (e) Northern Ireland (i) in cash terms and (ii) as a proportion of GDP for financial years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 on education; and if he will make a statement. [116645]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Next year, the proportion of GDP spent on UK education and training will be around 5.0 per cent., not including education and training supported under the New Deal.

  UK education spending will increase from £41.1 billion in 1999–2000 to £45.8 billion in 2000–01, using the narrower definition of education in "Budget 2000", and, subject to spending review decisions to be announced in the summer, £48.0 billion in 2001–02.

  The Manifesto commitment was to increase the share of national income spent on education. We shall meet that commitment: spending will be higher as a proportion of GDP by 2001–02 than it was in 1996–97, and over 16 per cent. higher in real terms.

  Details of spending in England will be published shortly in the DfEE Departmental Report. Spending in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the National Assembly, Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office.

  Internet Access
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what impact there has been on(a) the timetable for and (b) the cost of providing internet access to schools as a result of delays caused by the Competition Commission's review of the proposed acquisition by NTL of Cable and Wireless Communications' cable interests. [116960]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government do not anticipate any delays in the programme for connecting all schools to the internet by 2002. The cost of providing Internet access for schools is subject to a number of factors, including 206W
  the availability of relevant services and competition in the market. It is not yet clear what effect, if any, the proposed merger will have on the cost of such services.

  Permanent Exclusion
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the permanent exclusion rate(a) per 1,000 pupils, (b) per 1,000 white pupils and (c) per 1,000 black pupils in each local education authority in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [116075]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is available in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library. Information on permanent exclusions for the academic year 1998–99 is currently being collected and national estimates are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in May.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by unit of delivery(a) how many people joined the full-time education and employment option of the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds between January 1998 and the end of September 1999 and (b) how many people were on this option at the end of each month between January 1998 and the end of September 1999. [113677]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 9 March 2000]There are four separate New Deal options—full-time education and training, employment, voluntary sector and environment task force. There is no full-time education and employment option.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors he took into account in setting recruitment targets for 1999–2000 for recruitment into initial teacher training for secondary school teachers of(a) mathematics, (b) science, (c) languages and (d) technology. [112978]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Targets for recruitment to initial teacher training use teacher supply models which take into consideration: future demand for teachers; projected flows of teachers into and out of the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sectors, split by age and gender.

  Further details of assumptions used in the Teacher Supply Models can be found in 'Teacher Supply and Demand Modelling: A technical description', published in July 1998, copies of which are available in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Chemical Protection Programme
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish information about the United Kingdom's chemical protection programme. [117307]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UK's chemical protection programme is designed to protect against the use of chemical weapons. Such a programme is permitted by the Chemical Weapons Convention, with which the United Kingdom is fully compliant. Under the terms of the
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  Convention, we are required to provide information annually to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In accordance with the Government's commitment to openness, I am placing in the House of Commons Library a copy of the summary which has been provided to the Organisation outlining the UK's chemical protection programme for 1999.

  Infantry Units
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proposals he has for moving infantry units to the north of Scotland; [l16781]

  (2) what plans he has to assess proposals for the closure of the Aldershot infantry base; [116784]

  (3) when Major General Anthony Palmer's report on location changes for Army units will be (a) published and (b) evaluated by Ministers. [116782]

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Aldershot military garrison. [l16783]

  Mr. Spellar
  An internal discussion document entitled, "The Strategic Development of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency" has been prepared by the Chief Executive of the Agency. The document does not address the location of trained units of the Field Army but rather outlines a possible future strategy for the Agency and covers training establishments only. The report constitutes internal discussion and advice and will not be published under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  The work is at a very early stage and recommendations will not be made to Ministers until detailed staffing at an official level has taken place.

  Naval Vessels
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to acquire Primary Casualty Receiving ships. [116452]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]Our current requirement for a Primary Casualty Receiving ship capability was identified in the Strategic Defence Review and is based on the provision of two ships at different states of readiness each capable of carrying a 200 bed hospital. We hope to place a contract for this in 2002 with the ships being available from 2005.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the upgrading of afloat medical support facilities. [116450]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]The three vessels whose medical support facilities are to be upgraded are the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Argus, Fort George and Fort Victoria. The design work necessary to upgrade the facilities is well advanced and the procurement of equipment has commenced. We plan to carry out the installation work on Argus and Fort George in 2001 and on Fort Victoria in 2002, during scheduled maintenance periods.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the expected in-service date is for the Royal Navy survey ships which will replace HMS Beagle and HMS Bulldog; [116454]
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  (2) when he will withdraw from service (a) HMS Roebuck, (b) HMS Hecla and (c) HMS Herald; [116455]

  (3) what plans he has to procure new survey ships for the Royal Navy. [l16456]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]The existing Royal Navy Hydrographic Survey Squadron includes HMS Herald, HMS Bulldog, HMS Beagle, and HMS Roebuck (HMS Hecla was taken out of service in December 1996). The first three of these vessels are planned to leave service between mid 2001 and early 2002 with HMS Roebuck being maintained into 2003.

  To meet our future requirements, we plan to replace these ships with new, more capable, multi-role survey vessels, backed by a long-term in-service support contract. These new vessels will provide both hydrographic and oceanographic military surveying data, as well as a combat survey and mine warfare support capability. Balance of investment considerations, including the number of vessels to be acquired, are ongoing, as are contractual negotiations with the preferred bidder, Vosper Thornycroft. We plan to place a contract in the next few months, with new vessels entering service from 2002.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of each Type 45 destroyer. [116449]

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

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Iain Duncan Smith, dated 30 March 2000 I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost of the Type 45 destroyer. This matter falls to me to answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The total programme cost for the twelve currently planned Type 45 warships including their missiles is approximately £6Bn. This includes approximately £1.2Bn for the development, design and build of the first of class ship and £lBn for the development and initial production of the Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS). The balance contains funding for further missile procurement and allows for the incremental acquisition of the combat system. As a result, the platform design will incorporate significant growth margins. The actual cost per individual ship is thus difficult to assess but the average is expected to be within a target cost of about £270M excluding missiles.

  Ro-ro Ferries
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what civilian use he envisages for the new roll-on, roll-off ferries on order for his Department. [116132]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 30 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking whether civilian use is envisaged for the roll on roll off ships that will be provided to meet the MOD's strategic sealift requirements. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

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  MOD is currently proposing to meet its strategic sealift requirement through Private Finance Initiative arrangements, with the objective of maximising value for money and affordability. Rather than procuring ships ourselves we plan, instead, to procure sealift capability in the form of a service. This will comprise a number of vessels (with crews) at differing readiness periods designed to meet our needs, including those of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. This approach will afford the ship-owner the opportunity to use the vessels for commercial trading when they are not required by MOD. The extent of such commercial use of any underused capacity will depend upon the service provider. Selection of a preferred bidder will be made in late Spring.

  Alternative Landing Ships
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will place a contract for the Alternative Landing Ships Logistic Programme; and at which shipyard the work will be carried out. [116458]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Iain Duncan Smith, dated 30 March 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Alternative Landing Ships Logistic (ALSL) Programme. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  An Invitation to Tender (ITT) has been prepared by the ALSL Integrated Project Team and on current plans will be issued to 5 UK Shipyards in late Spring 2000. Contract placement would occur in late 2000 on completion of tender assessment and final negotiations.
  The contract will be awarded to the shipyard that offers the highest confidence that they will provide the best whole life value for money.

  United States National Missile Defense Strategy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals have been made by the United States Department of Defense to use the communications bases at Menwith Hill and Fylingdales as part of the planned United States National Missile Defense Strategy. [116271]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have received no formal request to this effect, nor would we expect any until after a US decision on whether or not to proceed towards deployment of such a system.

WALES

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116771]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department uses and controls only one building, which has six workplace car parking spaces available.

  Additionally, my Department has offices in the National Assembly building in Cardiff, where we share the car parking facilities, although no specific car parking spaces are reserved for my Department's use.

  Websites
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the expenditure incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on(a) the setting up and (b) the operation of websites, indicating the cases in which the expenditure has been above that budgeted; and if he will list for each website (i) the topics which have been covered, (ii) the current average number of hits per month and (iii) the estimated expenditure on each website for each of the next three years. [115843]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department has one website which contains information about the purpose and structure of my office, together with all our press notices. It was built "in house" at no extra cost to the Welsh Office, our predecessor Department. It is operated on our behalf by NISS (National Information Systems and Services) based at Bath University. Their charges—now and in the future—are a matter of commercial confidentiality but are well within the expenditure budgeted for them. At the present time we are averaging 4,000 (mainly document) hits per month.

  New Deal (Over-50s)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the expenditure on the New Deal for those aged over 50 years in 1999–2000; and what is his estimate for 2000–01. [115077]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  New Deal 50 plus was introduced in nine selected areas in October 1999. Forecast expenditure for 1999–2000 is £1.7 million. The New Deal for 50 plus will be available nationally from 3 April 2000 with estimated expenditure for 2000–01 set at £16.1 million from the Windfall Tax and a further £102 million set aside within this Department's Annually Managed Expenditure to cover Employment Credits.

  New Deal (Over-25s)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made for the New Deal expenditure for over 25-year-olds in 1998–99 and 1999–2000; and if he will estimate the expenditure for 2000–01. [115076]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has spent or allocated the following sums to the New Deal for people aged 25 years and over:

  £ million

  1998–991

  26

  1999–20002

  90

  2000–013

  130

  1 Outturn

  2 Estimated outturn

  3 Provisional allocation

  In addition New Deal for 25 plus clients have access to the Work Based Learning for Adults programme which has an annual budget of £328 million.

  New Deal (Under-25s)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the spending on the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in each year since 1997–98; and what estimate he has made of expenditure in 2000–01. [115075]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has spent or allocated the following sums to the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in each year since 1997–98:

  £ million

  1997–981

  36

  1998–991

  254

  1999–20002

  345

  2000–013

  470

  1 Outturn figures

  2 Estimated outturn

  3 Provisional allocation

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress towards implementing the change to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District to make them coterminous with the boundaries of the London boroughs. [117309]

  Mr. Straw
  The change to the boundaries takes effect on 1 April, as planned. The responsibility for policing those parts of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey which are currently within the Metropolitan Police District will pass from the Metropolitan Police to the respective county forces.

  Essex Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Surrey Police, their Police Authorities, and the Metropolitan Police have prepared for the changeover in a thorough and professional manner. A great deal of detailed work has been put in since I announced the change in June 1998. I commend them for their close co-operation, and I am confident that there will be a smooth transfer of responsibilities. People in the transferring areas need have no concerns about disruption to their local policing service.

  The funding for the three county Police Authorities will be increased from April to reflect their enlarged areas. In addition, we are making special payments out of the police grant totalling £10 million to go towards costs arising out of the transfer.

  I am confident that the benefits of the boundaries change will soon show through. I decided to change the boundaries for three main reasons.

  First, it makes it easier for the criminal justice agencies in the area to work together in the fight to reduce crime. Local councils and other agencies will no longer have to work with two different police forces when discharging their responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act
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  1998. This is an important step towards aligning boundaries in the criminal justice system, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness.

  Secondly, the change supports democratic accountability. It gives local people a say, through their county Police Authority, in the way their area is policed. People in the transferring areas will not have a vote in the forthcoming election for London's Assembly members, who will be in the majority on the new Metropolitan Police Authority. It is right that these areas be policed by county forces whose Police Authorities, with councillor members in the majority, already provide local democratic accountability.

  Thirdly, the change allows the Metropolitan Police to focus its efforts on the huge task of policing the nation's capital.

  The Metropolitan Police have policed the transferring areas since the time of Sir Robert Peel. I would like to pay tribute to the efforts of all the officers and civil staff of the Metropolitan Police who have worked in these areas over the years. They deserve the Government's thanks, and the thanks of the local communities.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan Police Commissioner's Policing and Performance Plan for 2000–01 will be published. [117310]

  Mr. Straw
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he will be publishing details of his Policing and Performance Plan for 2000–01 on the Metropolitan police website http://www.met.police.uk on Friday 31 March.

  Advertisements have also been placed in the London press summarising key performance data and targets set out in the Plan.

  Some of the performance data for 1999–2000 are provisional. Audited data will be included in a hard copy version of the Plan to be published in June.

  The Policing and Performance Plan combines the requirements of an annual Policing Plan, an annual Efficiency Plan and, for the first time, an annual Best Value Performance Plan.

  The Plan sets out the Metropolitan police's two key priorities for 2000–01: reducing crime and disorder and diversity. The Plan sets out the Metropolitan police's crime reduction targets—a two per cent, reduction in burglary, stopping the increasing level of street crime and an eight per cent. reduction in vehicle crime—together with key activities for delivery. It also contains a suite of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) with a summary of the Metropolitan police's performance against those BVPIs for which historical data is available and targets for future performance. The Plan also sets out a five-year plan of Best Value reviews. The areas selected for review in the coming year are; investigating and detecting crime; combating bureaucracy and managing information; and consultation.

  The Plan also sets out the means by which the Metropolitan police aims to exceed the two per cent, efficiency gains required by the Government from all police forces.
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  The Commissioner will report on performance against the Plan to me, in my capacity as the Metropolitan police's police authority, and to the Metropolitan Police Committee, until 3 July, when the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is established.

  I believe that the Commissioner's Plan will enable the MPA to make an effective start by providing a solid basis for monitoring and interrogating the Metropolitan police's performance as the foundation for the Plan the MPA will develop for 2001–02.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Prison Service's Business Plan and the Key Performance Indicators for 2000–01. [117466]

  Essex police—sickness absence for police officers and civilian support staff

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Police officer working days lost through sickness

  28,399

  34,066

  38,748

  Average days sickness per police officer

  10

  12

  13

  Civilian support staff working days lost through sickness

  16,903

  21,309

  19,232

  Average days sickness per civilian support staff

  12

  14

  13

  Scientific Procedures Committee
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirement, in terms of objectivity, is requested of members of the Scientific Procedures Committee. [116952]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Animal Procedures Committee was established by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Act requires the Secretary of State, who appoints members, to have regard to the desirability of ensuring that the interests of animal welfare are adequately represented. There is also a requirement that the committee shall have regard both to the legitimate requirements of science and industry and to the protection of animals. The key consideration in making appointments to the committee is the need to maintain a breadth of professional experience and a proper balance of views among the membership.

  In 1998, the committee adopted a Code of Conduct for Members. This requires members at all times to act in good faith and observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the conduct of the Committee's business; to declare any personal or business interest which may influence their judgment: not to participate in discussion of matters in which they have a personal or business interest; and to understand that they are appointed as individuals and not as representatives of organisations with which they have significant contacts.

  Vivisection
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in respect of their lifting their restrictions on the full publication of the Harlan report; and if he will publish the full report. [117012]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am pleased to report that the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) agreed on Monday 27 March to waive confidentiality of all
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  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service Business Plan for 2000–01, which includes the key performance indicators, has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Police Sick Leave
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the absence through sickness rate among(a) police officers and (b) civilian support staff in the Essex police for each month since 1 May 1997. [116859]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested for monthly sickness rates is not held centrally but annual sickness rates for the last three years for Essex police are given in the table.

  of the material in the report stemming from videotapes, an audio tape and diaries kept by the undercover investigator and an interview conducted with her during the course of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate's investigation. I have, therefore, today laid in the Library, copies of a fuller version of the report in which only those sections containing commercially sensitive information, or information relating to individuals and third parties remain censored. I regret that the BUAV were unable to agree to release this information earlier as I requested.

  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the author of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection report on Harlan UK is a member of the Scientific Procedures Committee. [116958]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The administration of the Animal Procedures Committee is the responsibility of the Chairman, the Reverend Professor Michael Banner. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Racism and Xenophobia
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will represent the United Kingdom at the official opening of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia on 7 and 8 April in Vienna. [116955]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The United Kingdom will be represented at the official opening of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia on 7-8 April in Vienna by either a Minister or a senior official (yet to be finalised) from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and by the Director of Constitutional and Community Policy from the Home Office.

  This Government remain committed to the work undertaken by the Centre. The event in Vienna marks the official opening of the Centre, but in fact it has been in existence for over a year now. The Centre is supported

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  financially by the European Commission; the Home Office provided £48,000 to cover the running costs of the Centre's United Kingdom Secretariat during 1999–2000.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many board members he appoints to each non-departmental public body. [116336]

  Mr. Straw
  A full list of the non-departmental public bodies to which I make appointments is published in the publication "Public Bodies 1999", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116761]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office Central London Estate, which comprises six buildings, has a total of 177 car park spaces. Figures for the rest of the Home Office estate could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. We are extending travel plans for all our key buildings in line with the commitment set out in the Transport White Paper and are reviewing the scope for reducing our car parking requirements in that context.

  Consultants
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 14 March 2000,Official Report, column 168W, concerning external consultants used by his Department since 1997, if the individual value of every consultancy contract is commercial in confidence, with particular reference to Clear Communications; and if he will indicate the reasons for commercial confidentiality in each case. [116774]

  Mr. Straw
  In line with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information issued by the Cabinet Office, my Department encourages transparency and openness in the tendering and contracting process and where possible, we will publish information on individual contract values. However, where publishing such information would prejudice the legitimate commercial interest of any person or competition between service providers or where such information has been given in confidence, it is my Department's policy to treat this information as commercial in confidence unless consent to publish has been obtained.

  It had not been possible, in the reply I gave the hon. Gentleman on 14 March 2000, Official Report, columns 168-69W, in the time available, to obtain consent from Clear Communication to disclose information on contract value. I have now obtained their consent and the information available is as follows:
  Clear Communication Contract Value £46,000

  In the time available, I have been unable to seek consent from other consultancy companies listed in my previous reply.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultancy contracts the Smith Group has entered into with his Department since May 1997. [116775]
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  Mr. Straw
  From the information available, there is no record of the Smith Group entering into any contracts with my Department since May 1997.

  Jon Riser
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will order an external inquiry into the handling of the immigration case of Jon Riser, deceased. [116733]

  Mr. Straw
  Following Mr. Riser's tragic death in the United States of America, I am making arrangements for a senior officer within the Home Office to conduct an urgent and detailed investigation into the handling of the case by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. I have asked to be provided with a full report of the findings.

  I will of course inform the hon. Member of the outcome. I should also be happy to meet the hon. Member to discuss his concerns, and am making arrangements to do so.

HEALTH

  Research and Development
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to take forward the reform of research and development in the NHS. [117075]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are today announcing a programme of modernisation to give strategic direction to the management of Research and Development in the National Health Service.

  High quality modern health care depends on high quality research-based evidence. These changes bring the management of R&D in the NHS into line with the principles set out in "The new NHS" (Cm 3807, December 1997). They provide a quality framework within which all R&D funded from NHS resources will respond to the priorities and needs of the NHS.

  The Department of Health will take the lead in expressing priorities for the national effort in health services research, on behalf of the NHS. The NHS will work with other funding bodies and the universities to deliver advances in knowledge the NHS needs for evidence-based practice and policy.

  Collaboration will replace unproductive competition. There will be no time-consuming NHS-wide bidding for NHS R&D allocations from April 2001. Instead, the Government will use a modernisation fund to encourage research partnerships and networks in areas of high priority for the NHS. We want to ensure that consumers of health services are involved at every stage in the research process. New guidance will reinforce the standards of governance and performance management required of R&D in the NHS.

  The NHS is part of the national science base. These reforms ensure the NHS and the Department of Health meet the obligations of their partnership with other research funding bodies. Within this framework, the NHS

  217W
  will target resources on providing a suitable environment for high quality research conducted within strategies that take account of its priorities and needs.

  The paper, "Research and Development for a First Class Service: R&D funding in the new NHS", sets out a new statement of policy and principles together with plans for implementation. Copies have been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Department of Health's website.

  These reforms build on a review led by Professor Michael Clarke on behalf of the Central R&D Committee for the NHS. We are today making his report available on the Department of Health's website. As well as the management and funding of R&D in the NHS, Professor Clarke's review considered NHS priorities for R&D related to cancer, the elderly, heart disease and stroke, mental health, and primary care and took account of a review of research priorities for accidental injury. We are placing these reports on the Department's website. We intend to make early progress with the R&D priorities for cancer, heart disease and stroke, and mental health.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account he takes of the expenditure by local authorities on social service functions in framing his Department's expenditure plans. [116777]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department takes full account of the current level of service provided by local government to social services recipients when considering the level of specific and special grants paid to local authorities.

  Mid-Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust has spent from 6 April 1999 to the latest date for which information is available on having NHS patients treated in the private healthcare sector. [116732]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116769]

  Ms Stuart
  There are 1,745 car parking spaces available for use by visitors and staff at premises occupied by the Department and its agencies.

  Waiting Lists (Essex)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust has spent in the latest financial year for which figures are available for the treatment of NHS patients by the private healthcare sector. [116840]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Antenatal Screening
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce antenatal screening for genetic abnormality, including biochemical screening for Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement. [116731]

  Yvette Cooper
  The United Kingdom National Screening Committee advises the Government on all aspects of screening policy. It considers the aim of all antenatal screening to be informed choice for parents. The NSC would rarely recommend the introduction of a blanket test such as a blood test for chromosomal disorders for all or most pregnant women, but rather a specific test for a known disorder. At present, individual women who have already had an affected pregnancy or have a family history of a genetic disorder should be offered specific genetic testing and counselling. We are currently considering the Committee's recommendation to offer all pregnant women second trimester serum screening for Down's Syndrome.

  Cleft Lip and Palate Patients
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans for the future treatment of cleft lip and palate patients from Buckinghamshire. [116956]

  Ms Stuart
  A final decision on the future configuration of cleft lip treatment centres is still to be taken. Any changes to services will be subject to full statutory public consultation.

  Crown Report
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will respond to the Crown report on the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines. [116905]

  Ms Stuart
  We announced our decisions on the implementation of the main recommendations of the Review on 13 March.

  Meningitis C Vaccine
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons some private practices are being denied access to the meningitis C vaccine. [107990]

  Yvette Cooper
  The campaign to immunise all children and young people under the age of 18 with the new meningococcal Group C conjugate vaccine is being undertaken by the National Health Service. Any child eligible to receive this vaccine can do so via the NHS. Any individual in the country may approach a general practitioner for NHS treatment, including immunisation if appropriate. Treatment is conditional on the GP's acceptance of the patient for NHS services.

  The meningococcal Group C conjugate vaccine is new and manufacturers held no stockpiles in advance of the launch. We have distributed every batch of vaccine as fast as it has been released. Distribution has been in line with the implementation schedule with the vaccine being targeted specifically at those groups at highest risk first.
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  The only way to guarantee a successful roll-out of the new vaccine, which is in limited supply, has been to ensure it is available through the NHS. The Department of Health has therefore bought all the vaccine available for the NHS. Once the NHS programme to immunise every child under-18 has been completed, sometime later this year, the vaccine will then be available to others outside of this group.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to ensure sufficient supplies of the meningitis C vaccine are produced. [107992]

  Yvette Cooper
  The meningococcal Group C conjugate vaccine is a brand new vaccine. The Department has calculated the amount of vaccine needed to immunise those covered by the immunisation programme and has contracted with vaccine manufacturers to ensure sufficient vaccine is available to implement the programme. The Department continues to liaise closely with manufacturers and the National Institute for Biological Standards and Controls, which tests every batch of vaccine for safety and potency, to ensure vaccine is made available to the NHS as soon as it becomes available. The Department will continue to seek to ensure adequate supply through close liaison with vaccine manufacturers. The NHS is the first healthcare system in the world to protect people with this new vaccine.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the meningitis C inoculation programme for the under-18s will be completed this year. [107993]

  Yvette Cooper
  Yes, subject to manufacturers meeting their supply contracts.

  Vaccinations
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if a non-NHS patient in the high risk categories can receive a vaccination by a GP working in the NHS. [107991]

  Yvette Cooper
  Any individual in the country may approach a general practitioner for National Health Service treatment, including immunisation if appropriate. Treatment is conditional on the GP's acceptance of the patient for NHS services.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to discover what proportion of the energy supplied to his Department by utility companies comes from renewable sources. [116270]

  Ms Stuart
  Buildings occupied by the Department and its agencies currently purchase energy from utility companies through contracts let by the buying agency.

  In future procurement of energy, where the Department of Health is the lead Department, we will require the supplier to provide information on the proportion of the energy supplied that comes from renewable sources.

  NHS Volunteers
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in giving an individual trust board member the responsibility for volunteer involvement; and how many NHS trusts have achieved this. [116444]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Executive has taken, and continues to take, a great deal of action on the recommendations of the "Making a Difference: Strengthening Volunteering in the NHS" report. NHS trusts were asked to name a volunteering 'champion' at Board level. A recent progress update showed that 76 per cent, of trusts have a member in place.

  Political Activities
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) chairmen and (b) non-executive directors of health trusts and health authorities who have made a declaration of political activity indicating the party affiliated in each case. [116973]

  Ms Stuart
  Information on candidates appointed to National Health Service boards and any political activity declared is recorded in the Department of Health Public Appointments Annual Report for 1999, a copy of which is in the Library. The 2000 report will be published in May.

  Residential Care
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his timetable is for reviewing the residential care allowance as proposed in the White Paper, "Modernising Social Services". [116750]

  Mr. Hutton
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 2 December 1999,Official Report, columns 444-45, we are examining the implications of phasing out the residential allowance and transferring the resources to councils as part of the year 2000 spending review, which will be completed this summer. We are planning to seek the views of councils, service users and their carers and families and care providers on the impact of such a change over the next few weeks. We shall publish a White Paper on long-term care later this year.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the key performance targets are for Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office executive agencies for 2000–01. [117393]

  Mr. Lock
  The following tables set out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office for 2000–01.
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  HM Land Registry—key performance indicators and targets 2000–01

  Indicator

  Target

  Financial

  Percentage return on average capital employed

  6

  Efficiency

  Cost per unit in real terms

  £25.09

  Cost per unit in cash terms1

  £30.87

  'Service First' Standards

  Speed

  Percentage of office copy and official search applications processed within two working days, and

  98

  Percentage of office copy and official search applications processed within three working days

  100

  Percentage of all registrations processed within 25 working days2

  80

  Accuracy

  Percentage of registrations processed free of any error

  98.5

  Percentage of customers responding to the Annual Survey who perceive the accuracy of registrations to be excellent or good

  Better than 902

  Delivery of Electronic Services

  Percentage of dealings (key customer interactions) capable of electronic delivery

  50

  Percentage of titles in the land register capable of electronic delivery

  96

  Percentage of title plans in the land register capable of electronic delivery

  All

  Number of scanned pages of filed documents (millions)

  11

  1 The inflation factor for the cost per unit in cash terms is derived from the GDP indices announced by HM Treasury in December 1999

  2 In 2000–01 the categories will be 'very satisfied' and 'satisfied' with the accuracy of registrations

  Notes:

  1. The financial target of £0 External Financing Limit shown in the corporate plan 1998–2003 has been removed at the request of HM Treasury.

  2. Fuller details of HMLR's targets are in its Business Plan.

  Public Record Office—key performance targets 2000–01

  Indicator

  Target

  1. Efficiency

  Unit cost of activities:

  (a) selecting and preserving the public records

  Limit increase to 3 per cent, in real terms

  (b) giving access to records

  Reduce by 26 per cent, in real terms

  Backlog of records in departments reported as being over 30 years old and awaiting review

  Reduce by 397 metres

  Management efficiency in running support services and projects

  Reduce the level of staff sick absence in 2000 by 8.2 per cent. Pay 99 per cent, of invoices within 30 days

  2. Quality of service

  The achievement of Charter Standards:

  (a) Charter Standards targets for: making newly opened records and their catalogues available to users; answering letters; delivering records to users; supplying copies of records; answering the telephone; and keeping appointments

  Achieve 98.5 per cent, against the targets

  (b) User satisfaction surveys

  Carry out four satisfaction surveys and achieve assessments of 'good' or 'excellent' from 90 per cent, of those expressing a view

  3. Effectiveness

  Performance in achieving specified milestones towards strategic objectives in the light of emerging Government policies

  (a) Facilitate the achievement by the Departments of the Modernising Government Action Plan objective for managing records electronically, by testing electronic records management systems and by providing details of those which are suitable for inclusion in GCat (the Government Catalogue) by 30 September 2000

  (b) Increase revenue by 3 per cent, against the 1999–2000 outturn

  Note

  Fuller details of the Office's targets are given in its Business Plan which is available from the Public Record Office

  Access to Justice Act 1999
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which bodies the Lord Chancellor intends to prescribe as entitled to take advantage of the costs recovery provisions contained in section 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999; what criteria he will take into account in determining status as a prescribed body; and what procedure membership 222W
  organisations should follow if they wish to be approved as prescribed bodies. [117308]

  Mr. Lock
  Section 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 comes into force on 1 April. From that date membership organisations with prescribed body status will be able to recover a sum as part of legal costs from unsuccessful opponents to reflect the provision of legal help for members and their families.
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  By virtue of the Access to Justice (Membership Organisations) Regulations 2000 which also come into force on 1 April bodies which are prescribed for the purpose of section 30 of the Act are those bodies which are for the time being approved by the Lord Chancellor.

  From 1 April the Lord Chancellor will approve all trade unions listed by the Certification Officer as at 31 March 2000 as prescribed bodies. Other membership organisations may apply to him for approval.

  Rather than setting down rigid criteria for prescription in regulations the Lord Chancellor believes that there should be a flexible approach with each application for approval treated on its merits. Therefore, in deciding whether an organisation should be approved, the Lord Chancellor will take account of any relevant representations in its application, but will be mindful, so far as it is relevant, of whether the organisation in question:

  Exists to protect, defend, represent and promote the interests of its members.

  Has a range of benefits for members.

  Offers litigation funding as one of those benefits and on a discretionary basis, at no additional charge.

  Publishes annual accounts.

  Uses monies paid by members to promote their interests and benefits.

  Covers all those deemed eligible by the organisation (not only members).

  Organisations wishing to seek the Lord Chancellor's approval as prescribed bodies for the purposes of section 30 of the Act should apply in writing to:

  Costs and Litigation Funding Branch

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  3rd Floor Selborne House

  54-60 Victoria Street

  London SW1E 6QW

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116760]

  Mr. Lock
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change his departmental expenditure limits for 1999–2000. [117304]

  Mr. Prescott
  (i) The DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £700,000 from £10,403,990,000 to £10,404,690,000 as a result of a transfer of this amount from the DETR Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit. There are 224W
  also changes between the Voted and non-Voted elements of the Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit. The changes are set out in greater detail as follows.

  (a) Provision within the non-Voted element of the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £7,413,000 from £1,697,254,000 to £1,704,667,000. This reflects a transfer of £700,000 from the DETR Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit, a transfer of £910,000 from Class III, Vote 2 (Planning, roads, local transport and vehicle safety); and £5,803,000 from Class III, Vote 6 (Transport industries).

  (b) The transfer of £700,000 from the DETR Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit to the non-Voted element of the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit is to provide other capital support to the London Borough of Haringey.

  (c) The change for Class III, Vote 2 (Planning, roads, local transport and vehicle safety) is a transfer of £910,000 to the non-Voted element of the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit for transport Supplementary Credit Approvals.

  (d) The change for Class III, Vote 6 (Transport industries) is a transfer of £5,803,000 to the non-Voted element of the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit to take account of British Rail's revised grant claim for 1999–2000.

  (ii) The DETR Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £720,000 from £34,218,737,000 to £34,219,457,000. This increase is the net effect of a take-up of end year flexibility of £1,420,000 and a transfer of £700,000 to the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit. The changes are set out in greater detail as follows.
  (a) Provision within the non-Voted element of the Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £720,000 from £371,906,000 to £372,626,000. This reflects a take-up of end year flexibility of £1,420,000 for the Local Authority Capital Challenge programme, and a transfer of £700,000 to the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit for other capital support to the London Borough of Haringey.

  The transfers will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Air Pollution Control
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide the details of the 2000–01 charging scheme for local air pollution control under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [117388]

  Mr. Hill
  Charges to cover the costs of local enforcing authorities in regulating processes which are subject to Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 were introduced in April 1991.

  With the approval of the Treasury, and following consultation with local authority associations and industry, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has made a revised scheme specifying the scale of fees and charges to take effect from 1 April 2000.

  The initial application fee will be unchanged and the annual subsistence fee will be increased by roughly 0.75 per cent. The main change is that the standard subsistence fee is increased by £6 from £790 to £796. The standard application fee remains at £1,280.
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  The scheme will be laid before both Houses and copies placed in the Libraries.

  GLA Transport Grant
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount of Greater London Authority transport grant he has determined for 2000–01. [117389]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today formally determined GLA Transport Grant at £392,700,000. £73,768,000 is to cover period before Transport for London assumes its full responsibilities on 3 July 2000. This is therefore for amounts to be spent by the relevant predecessor bodies of Transport for London, including the Secretary of State himself. The balance of £318,932,000 will be paid in instalments to the Greater London Authority for the purposes of Transport for London.

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the key targets for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2000–01. [117390]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today placed in the House Library a copy of the Agency's Business Plan which includes its key targets for 2000–01. The key targets are:to agree a new statutory safety regime for under 12 m fishing vessels by 31 October for implementation by 30 April 2001;
  to complete at least 95 per cent. of the agreed programme of vessel inspections by March 2001;
  to decide on the search and rescue response to accidents and life-threatening situations, and to initiate action if necessary, within 5 minutes of being alerted in at least 95 per cent. of cases;
  to undertake a review of the UK Search and Rescue Helicopter coverage as recommended in the National Audit Office report, "Civil Maritime Search and Rescue", and make recommendations to Ministers by December;
  following the Marine Environment High Risk Areas consultation we will prepare for Ministers a response plan by autumn 2000 proposing the most cost effective options for Emergency Towing Vessel provision;
  to evaluate and report to Ministers on the effectiveness of the National Contingency Plan for Counter Pollution by March 2001;
  to evaluate the provision of UK port waste reception facilities and report to Ministers on this by December;
  following an analysis of Headquarters and regional management costs, produce a specific programme for new efficiency measures and proposals to reduce such costs, and set targets for Agency management costs against pay and non-pay costs by July, for each of the years 2001–04;
  to analyse the first annual cycle of the time-recording Management Information System to agree, by September, specific national and regional targets for chargeable, other core and non-core activities undertaken by operational staff for 2001–04;
  to complete re-location programme by releasing properties in Liverpool, Great Yarmouth, Plymouth and Newcastle by 31 March 2001.

  London Underground
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further progress has been made with the London Underground public private partnership; and if he will make a statement. [117391]
  226W
  Mr. Hill
  London Transport awaits bids for the two deep tube infrastructure service contracts tomorrow. These will be very detailed, weighty proposals. It will take several weeks to analyse and clarify them properly. When this process is completed, the bids will be tested for best value against the public sector comparator.

  I have today placed in the Library of the House a detailed note which describes how London Transport have constructed the public sector comparator against which bids for infrastructure improvement and maintenance contracts under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) can be tested.

  The methodology on which the comparator has been built is designed to offer a fair and reliable estimate of how much it would cost London Underground itself to carry out all the work needed to upgrade and maintain the Underground network over the next 30 years, to the standard required under the PPP contracts. The comparator will show the cost for each of the three infrastructure companies separately, so that each bid can be directly assessed against its public sector alternative.

  The comparator will also explicitly establish how much it would cost to deliver the required contract outputs if London Underground were to raise the necessary finance through the issuance of public sector bonds. The bids will also be tested against this means of raising finance.

  The methodology which London Underground is using, and which is described in the note that I have placed in the Library, has been reviewed by KPMG as London Underground's independent, external auditors. KPMG were asked to consider whether the note accorded with the relevant Treasury guidance and was appropriate to the circumstances of the PPP. KPMG will also be asked to review the actual comparator and the bond-financed variant before they are used to test bids for best value.

  The actual values produced by the comparator can be released only once negotiations with bidders have been completed, so as not to expose the taxpayer's negotiating position, and thus jeopardise the chances of securing best value.

  As well as the external audit undertaken by KPMG, the design, construction and use of the comparator will be made available for scrutiny by the National Audit Office (NAO). The NAO has made clear that while it is always available to give guidance to the bodies whom it audits on areas of risk and uncertainty, and to draw attention to relevant financial experience in NAO and Public Accounts Committee reports—my Department has accordingly received such guidance—it could not go further and become involved in the decision-making process. This would inevitably lead to questions about its ability subsequently to carry out an independent examination for Parliament, once the key decisions on the PPP have been taken.

  The NAO, however, notes that as part of the decision-making process, London Transport is having its work on building and using the public sector comparator reviewed by KPMG. The NAO regards it as being in line with good practice for such comparators to receive scrutiny external to the project.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets he has set for the Highways Agency for 2000–01. [117392]

  Mr. Hill
  The key targets set for the Highways Agency are included in the Agency's business plan for 2000–01, which is being placed in the Library.

  The key targets are to:
  in order to deliver best value for money, maintain the network so that the proportion of the network requiring maintenance within the next year is held between 7 and 8 per cent;
  achieve a saving of 250,000 estimated vehicle hours from the network communications and economy local network management schemes completed in the year;
  to demonstrate progress towards achieving the 2010 targets for motorways and trunk roads set out in "Making the Network Safer: the Highways Agency's Strategic Plan for Safety" published on 1 March:
  reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on trunk roads in 2000 to 5,056 (compared with the 1994–98 average of 5,589);
  reduce the slight casualty rate in 2000 to 21.13 slight casualties per million vehicle km (compared with the 1994–98 average of 21.76);
  in each case to allow for expected year-to-year fluctuations in casualty levels, the Agency will be deemed to have met the target if the result is no more than 5 per cent. above the milestone target figure;
  achieve an average target of 85 per cent. across the four environment programme sub-indicators;
  achieve by the end of the year no less than 90 per cent. of the 24 targeted programme of improvement scheme milestones listed in Chapter 3.4 of the business plan.

  Planning Inspectorate
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Planning Inspectorate. [117394]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has today launched a review of the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate was established as an Executive Agency in April 1992 and, in line with Cabinet Office guidelines for all executive agencies, it must be reviewed at least every five years.

  The last review of the Inspectorate in 1995 confirmed its Agency status. This review which will be completed by the end of 2000 will be undertaken in two stages.

  The first will consider all the organisational options for the Inspectorate including abolition; continued agency status; contracting-out; market testing; merger or rationalisation; privatisation.

  If Agency status is confirmed, the second stage will consider how the Inspectorate's efficiency could be improved.

  The review will be undertaken jointly by DETR and the National Assembly for Wales. The Agency's customers and other interested parties will be consulted.

  Energy-from-waste Plants
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what 228W
  compensation payments are available to those living in an area where an energy-from-waste plant is to be constructed. [116779]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  None. A planning application for such a plant would be determined by a local planning authority in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicated otherwise. Such considerations could include the effects of the proposal on the locality and the views of local people. In some cases planning conditions or obligations might be appropriate to mitigate the effects of a proposed scheme.

  Social Services Expenditure
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the actual expenditure on social services for each local authority in England for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and what is the estimated expenditure for (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [116836]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  English local authorities have reported a total net current expenditure on social services of £8,454 million in 1997–98 and £9,059 million in 1998–99 and a budgeted expenditure of £9,645 million in 1999–2000. The information for 2000–01 is not yet available.

  The information by local authority has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Housing Improvement Agencies
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what organisation has been contracted to undertake the administration of grants to the housing improvement agencies; when the contract was granted and at what value; which organisations(a) sought and (b) were short-listed for the contract; and if the contract was let under the European negotiated procedure. [116888]

  Mr. Mullin
  Collective Enterprises Ltd. has been appointed the national co-ordinating body for home improvement agencies under a contract awarded on 8 March. The value of the contract is £1,576,515 (excluding VAT) over four years. Five organisations expressed interest in the contract of which two, Care and Repair England Ltd. and Collective Enterprises Ltd., were invited to tender. The contract was awarded under the EU Restricted Procedure.

  Airports
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make public the options he decides to take forward following the decision-making process outlined in the consultation paper, Appraisal Framework for Airports in the South East and Eastern Regions, to reduce the potential for blight and developmental delays. [116885]

  Mr. Mullin
  As I stated in my answer to the hon. Member on 14 March 2000,Official Report, column 116W, the options will be appraised through the process of successive sifts, and following completion of the study there will be a public consultation on the options arising from it. In advance of that consultation, it would be premature to comment on the status of any option.
  229W
  The approach adopted in this study is consistent with my Department's Code of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments. Releasing information in the earliest stages of a possible project, in advance of final options, could result in unnecessary and lengthy blight, as well as multiplying uncertainty and anxiety.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the South East and East of England Air Study will make of work done by the Runway Capacity to serve the South-East Working Group. [116887]

  Mr. Mullin
  The final terms of reference for the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study make it clear that in undertaking the study it will be necessary to take advantage, where appropriate, of the technical work done on the options examined by the Working Group. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) indicated in his announcement on 11 March 1999,Official Report, columns 360-61W, the study has started from the position that nothing is ruled in or ruled out.

  I announced publication of the final terms of reference to the House on 9 February 2000, Official Report, column 106W. Copies are available in the House Libraries.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the South East and East of England Air Services Study will include an assessment of the effects of growth of aircraft movements at airports in the South East and East of Manchester Airport. [116886]

  Mr. Mullin
  Forecasts of future aircraft movements at airports in the South East and East of England used in the assessment of options in the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) will take into account potential capacity gains at other airports including Manchester Airport.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, in announcing new housing development for the South East, an assessment was made of the effects of any increases in runway capacity at South East airports. [116889]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  No assessment has been made of the effects of airport proposals which are not covered in current permissions or development plans. The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study is examining a wide range of options to address changes in demand for air services. In doing so it will, among other impacts, assess regional planning guidance implications and urbanisation impacts, including housing, of airport development options. Following completion of the study, we shall consult on a shortlist of options. After decisions have been taken on airport development, any implications for housing provisions will be taken into account in future revisions of housing rates in the light of the monitoring and review arrangements set out in draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South East and East Anglia.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 28 March; and if he will make a statement. [117118]

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of this week's EC Council meeting of Transport Ministers. [116843]

  Mr. Hill
  The Transport Council met in Brussels on 28 March. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport represented the United Kingdom.

  The Commission gave a further report on progress of the definition phase of the Galileo satellite navigation project. Commissioner de Palacio asked for member states' support at the forthcoming World Radio Conference, to ensure that the Galileo project has the radio frequencies needed. She reported that the public private partnership had attracted expressions of interest from the private sector. My right hon. and noble Friend emphasised the need for full cost benefit analysis of the project. The Presidency asked for a written report from the Commission to the June Council.

  There was a debate on the Commission's Communication on air transport and the environment, first presented at the December 1999 Council. The Communication describes the Commission's proposed five-year work plan for policies and measures to limit or reduce noise and gaseous emissions from aircraft. Member states broadly welcomed the Commission's approach. The UK was among the member states, which emphasised that, where possible, international noise standards should be developed at the global level through the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Likewise, on the question of aviation fuel tax, my right hon. and noble Friend joined others in stressing that this was best handled at the global level. Council Conclusions were adopted, confirming the Commission plan and setting priority areas for action.

  The Commission set out recent development on the hushkits issue. The Regulation on the use of hushkitted aircraft would come into force on 4 May; it was possible that some changes could be made to the date of application to third country aircraft. Work would continue on a joint declaration, committing the EU and the US to a new standard in ICAO. My right hon. and noble Friend referred to the need for a new international standard, and stressed that the Commission should do all possible to seek a solution. The Council agreed Conclusions, endorsing the Commission's further engagement with the US.

  The Commission stated that it would be producing a list of air passengers' existing rights. This would be followed by legislative proposals. At the June Council, they would report in full on the recent consultation exercise. The Presidency, identifying the issue of a European Charter of Air Passenger Rights as a priority, encouraged the Commission to submit its Communication, including legislative proposals in time for the June Council.

  The Commission presented a working paper on establishment of a European aviation safety authority (EASA). My right hon. and noble Friend expressed disappointment that the paper did not provide a full analysis of the options of an international organisation or

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  an EU agency, as the December Council had requested. The Presidency said that the Transport Council should aim to take a decision in June on the best legal form for the EASA.

  The Presidency tabled a revised text of the draft directive on the interoperability of conventional rail systems, which had been presented by the Commission to the December Council, and which the UK broadly supports. The Presidency noted that substantial progress had been made in the Working Group. The Commission agreed that progress had been made and felt that a common position on the draft directive should be possible in June.

  The Commission presented to the Council its Communication on road safety. Key proposals for action were: further development of the European new vehicles crash testing programme (ENCAP), use of speed limiters on larger vehicles, higher levels of seatbelt and child restraint usage, safer car fronts, and targeting of accident blackspots. Legislative proposals would follow in these areas. My right hon. and noble Friend welcomed the general approach of the Communication, which fitted in well with the recently announced UK road safety strategy. The Communication also refers to the Commission's intention to bring forward a recommendation for a maximum blood alcohol level of 0.5 milligrams per millilitre. The Presidency concluded that further work should be done on the Communication, in preparation for discussion at the June Council.

  The Commission introduced new proposals on maritime safety, stressing that it was important to make progress in preventing future accidents like that involving the Erika. Action was proposed in two stages. The first stage would involve measures tightening the regulation on port state control of ship standards, improving control of classification societies, and phasing out single-hulled tankers, the last in line with the US timetable. In the short-term, oil companies would be asked to avoid voluntarily the use of tankers more than 15 years old. The second stage of the Commission's proposals involves a change in the information system for all ships, building on the new EQUASIS international database, better monitoring of sea movements of freighters, setting up a European Maritime Safety Agency, and examination of the liability and compensation aspects of oil pollution accidents. Member states supported the proposals for directives on port state control and classification societies, but, more generally, the need for the International Maritime Organisation to be involved was widely stressed. The UK was among member states, which stressed the importance of a proper prior assessment of the economic impact of a rapid phase-out of single hulled tankers. My right hon. and noble Friend also noted the UK's recent proposals to increase the ceiling for payments from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF), and suggested that wider reform should be pursued through the IMO. The Commissioner felt that global action alone was not enough and argued for her proposal on single hulls. The Presidency, however, asked for more work to be done in preparation for the June Council. They urged member states to work together to increase compensation levels in the IOPCF.
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  Under other business, the Commission reported that there had been good progress in the High Level Group set up following the presentation at the December Council of the Commission Communication on air traffic management ("A Single European Sky").

  Manchester Metrolink
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) under what headings of expenditure the aid to be provided for the Manchester Metrolink will be spent; [116864]

  (2) what proportion of the aid to be provided for the Manchester Metrolink will be given as (a) grant and (b) credit approval. [116863]

  Mr. Hill
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 22 March 2000,Official Report, column 549W, the final details of the funding package are still to be determined. However, it will include both grant and credit approvals. Public support will be towards the capital costs of the project which would typically include construction costs, rolling stock, utility diversion and land purchase.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what EU measures he supports to reduce noise from civil aircraft. [116846]

  Mr. Mullin
  The UK broadly supports the Commission's proposals in the recent communication on Air Transport and the environment, particularly the need to work through the International Civil Aviation Organisation for new standards. We shall consider the proposals as they come forward on their merits. My hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill) will report the conclusions of the transport council today.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he will adopt to reduce the noise of civil aircraft over the Stour Valley in Essex and Suffolk. [116845]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local concerns about an increase in over flight, following the introduction of a second stack for Stansted, have been addressed as far as possible, given the competing demands for airspace and the general build up of air traffic in the South East. We shall continue to press for international agreement on higher noise certification standards and the phasing out of noisier aircraft. This will benefit people there and elsewhere.

  European Aviation Safety Authority
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to support the establishment of EASA as an international rather than an EU body; and if the rules of EASA are intended to have direct effect and direct applicability in the law of the member states. [116867]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government are committed to taking action with their Community partners on setting up a new aviation safety body which will raise aviation safety standards across Europe in an effective and efficient way.
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  In June 1998, during the UK Presidency, the Council mandated the Commission to develop, on behalf of the European Community and the member states, a treaty for a new international organisation to be known as the European Aviation Safety Authority, involving both EU and non-EU member states, as well as the Community itself. The mandate required the Commission first to submit a draft outline text of the founding treaty to a Special Committee of member states representatives.

  The draft treaty agreed by the Special Committee assumes that the most effective way of achieving uniformly applied, high safety standards was to provide that all EASA rules should be directly applicable in Contracting Parties' law. The draft also provides for extensive judicial control mechanisms. Member states and the Commission have been unable to agree this draft treaty in its entirety and the Commission has suggested an alternative option, based on a community agency. The Council on 28 March agreed that further analysis should be undertaken of the best legal form for EASA.

  Air Cargo
  Mr. Jenki
  n: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what encouragement he gives to research into ways of reducing the hazards associated with the transport of air cargo. [116849]

  Mr. Mullin
  Certain types of cargo are known to present specific hazards when transported by air and these are categorised as dangerous goods. The carriage of dangerous goods by air is governed by the Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 which implement the requirements of Annex 18 to the Chicago Convention. This requires that all dangerous goods transported by air must be carried in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The Technical Instructions themselves are based upon the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

  The Technical Instructions are reviewed regularly by an ICAO panel of experts on dangerous goods. The Department funds a dangerous goods specialist from the Civil Aviation Authority to participate in the panel, which she currently chairs. The ICAO panel does not consider that any research is necessary.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regulations governing the use of frozen carbon dioxide for packaging for chilled and frozen goods transported by air. [116848]

  Mr. Mullin
  n: In accordance with Annex 18 to the Chicago Convention the transport of all dangerous goods by air in the UK is governed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The Technical Instructions are regularly reviewed by an ICAO
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  panel (which includes a UK member) and revised biennially. The hazards from frozen carbon dioxide are well known and the ICAO panel considers that the present requirements for its carriage are adequate.

  Galileo Project
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it remains his policy to oppose the EU Galileo project; and if he will make a statement. [116844]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government have not opposed the EU Galileo project. They have adopted a prudent approach to the project as they consider that key issues such as cost, funding (including arrangements for a public-private partnership), user benefits, security and management arrangements need to be properly evaluated. Such views are shared by other EU member states. Hence, the Transport Council, at its meeting in June 1999, adopted a Resolution that invited the European Commission to proceed only with the Definition Phase of Galileo in conjunction with member states and the European Space Agency. This phase has begun and includes detailed work on the issues of concern to the UK and other EU states. Based on the results of this work and negotiations with the US and the Russian Federation, the Commission is required, by the end of this year, to put forward proposals to the Council on the best way to proceed with the project either independently or in co-operation with international partners.

  Regional Planning Guidance
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the assumed scale of net regional population migration underlying the projected level of household formation proposed for the current round of draft regional planning guidance(a) in each of the eight English regions and (b) for the spatial development plan for London. [116653]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 30 March 2000 As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the assumed scale of net regional population migration, underlying the projected level of household formation proposed for the current round of draft regional planning guidance.
  You requested information for each of the eight English regions and for the spatial development plan for London. The 1996-based household projections are one factor taken into account in arriving at the level of housing and households provision in regional planning guidance and spatial development plans.
  The latest household projections are consistent with the 1996-based subnational population projections at regional level. The attached table provides the assumed levels of migration in the subnational population projections for each government office region. Projections of migration are shown for five different years in the projection period and those for the intervening years are consistent with these figures.
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  Subnational population projections: assumed net annual migration for projected years

  Thousand

  Mid year ending

  Government office region

  2001

  2006

  2011

  2016

  2021

  North East

  -3.2

  -2.6

  -1.8

  -1.1

  -0.1

  North West

  -8.0

  -7.8

  -6.8

  -5.0

  -3.6

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  1.6

  1.5

  1.3

  1.4

  2.2

  East Midlands

  13.1

  12.5

  12.0

  12.0

  12.0

  West Midlands

  -2.9

  -2.3

  -1.7

  -0.9

  0.0

  East

  19.8

  19.6

  19.4

  19.6

  19.7

  London

  -18.2

  -17.4

  -17.9

  -21.8

  -26.4

  Sough East

  34.2

  32.7

  31.2

  30.6

  30.5

  South West

  29.5

  29.7

  30.1

  30.9

  31.6

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Advisory Committee on Works of Art
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement about the membership of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art. [116746]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  Madam Speaker has appointed the hon. Member for West Ham (Mr. Banks) in place of the hon. Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Cranston) as a Member of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art.

  Research Assistants
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many hon. Members currently have passes for temporary research assistants from overseas. [l16957]

  Mrs. Roe
  Forty-seven.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Employment Regulations
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received from businesses on the introduction of employment regulations. [115672]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I receive many representations from business on a variety of employment issues.

  Regulation
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to relieve small businesses of regulatory burdens. [115673]

  Ms Hewitt
  One of the primary functions of the Small Business Service will be to ensure that the "Think Small First" philosophy is applied across Whitehall. The Small Business Service will also encourage Government Departments to make information on regulations more comprehensible and accessible, including through an SBS gateway.

  Textile and Clothing Industry
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's initial response is to the consultation document, "A National Strategy for the UK Textile and Clothing Industry". [115674]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government welcome the production of the consultation document "National Strategy for the UK Textile and Clothing Industry". We shall make a detailed response to the report, including the recommendations, when the final document is produced later in the spring.

  Employment Agencies
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the regulation of employment agencies. [115675]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Our review of the agency conduct regulations, following last year's consultation, is progressing well. The new regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly. We will streamline and clarify the existing regulations while ensuring workers' and hirers' interests are properly protected.

  Cybersquatting
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with interested parties relating to cybersquatting. [l15676]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department of Trade and Industry has been working for some time both in the UK and in international fora to develop consistent and workable procedures for resolving domain name disputes.

  The law applies online just as much as it does offline so, where the UK courts have jurisdiction, owners of trade marks and other well known names can pursue legal remedies against cyber squatters who infringe their rights under UK law.

  Post Office
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Post Office will help tackle financial exclusion. [115677]

  Mr. Byers
  The Horizon project to computerise the whole of the post office network will provide an automated IT platform from which basis the Post Office can substantially extend its arrangements to act with banks and building societies on an agency basis. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his recent Budget statement that he has asked the banks to work with the Post Office to offer a universal banking service available at post offices. Development of these measures has the potential to provide banking facilities to the substantial number of people currently financially excluded.

  Milk Industry
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on competition in the milk industry. [115678]
  237W
  Mr. Byers
  I welcomed the voluntary decision by the members of Milk Marque to break up into three independent successors. All sectors of the UK dairy industry will benefit from a more competitive structure.

  I have asked the Director General of Fair Trading to advise me by Easter whether the market is now operating competitively. I will make an announcement once I have considered his advice.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to review the level of the national minimum wage. [115680]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We are asking the Low Pay Commission, in its new remit, to continue to monitor the minimum wage and advise on a range of issues including whether there is a case for a further increase in the minimum wage rates and, if so, by how much. The Commission has been asked to report again by July 2001, and the Government will implement any rate changes in October of that year.

  Meanwhile, in the light of the Low Pay Commission's positive findings in its second report, which we published on 15 February, we have already announced increases in the minimum wage rates later this year. The youth rate increases to £3.20 on 1 June 2000 and the main rate increases to £3.70 on 1 October 2000.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account is taken of an employer's provision of board and lodging when calculating the minimum wage payable. [115693]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The only benefit in kind which counts towards national minimum wage pay is accommodation. The maximum amount which can be offset against national minimum wage pay by employers who provide accommodation is £19.95 per week.

  The provision of other benefits such as meals is not taken into account when calculating whether the national minimum wage has been paid. This approach follows recommendations by the Low Pay Commission in its first and second reports and its special report into the accommodation offset.

  Sub-post Offices
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the role of sub-post offices in supplying electronic services to local communities. [115681]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are fully committed to a nationwide network of post offices and are contributing nearly £500 million towards the cost of equipping the network with a modern, automated IT platform. The system will be installed at some 18,000 post offices throughout the country by spring 2001, to enable the Post Office to improve services and take advantage of new business opportunities. Creation of an extensive automated infrastructure will facilitate the use of the Post Office network as a delivery channel for electronic Government services.
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  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the Performance and Innovation Unit report on the sub-Post Office network; and if he will make a statement. [115769]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 March 2000]As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister indicated in his answer to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) on 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 267W, the Performance and Innovation Unit's report on the Post Office network is expected to be completed this spring.

  EU Membership
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the benefits to British manufacturing of membership of the European Union. [115682]

  Mrs. Liddell
  For British business, the greatest of all benefits of our membership of the EU is being part of the European single market. This gives all UK manufacturers access to the largest single market in the world—a market of nearly 380 million consumers.

  Almost 60 per cent. of the UK's trade, worth nearly £120 billion a year, is with the EU. In addition we attract a huge amount of inward investment as a gateway to the single market, for countries outside the EU.

  Internet Access
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to overcome difficulties in improving access by rural communities to the internet; and if he will make a statement. [115683]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Prime Minister recently announced the Government's goal of universal internet access by 2005. People in rural areas can already get such access via a PC and a telephone line. The Government are also making sure that there are public internet access points widely spread across the country, including in rural areas.

  Pirate Radio Stations
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to curb the activities of pirate radio stations. [115685]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department's Radio communications Agency is constantly active against pirates. Last year it conducted a record 1,414 operations against pirates across the UK and successfully prosecuted 47 people.

  Competition
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the competitiveness of UK industry in relation to its major European rivals. [115686]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Competitiveness depends on a wide range of factors as discussed in the Government's Competitiveness White Paper. Following on from the White Paper, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry published, in December 1999, a set of indicators which provided a systematic assessment of the UK's competitiveness against the world's leading economies, including its major European rivals.
  239W
  The overall message from the Indicators is that the UK is beginning to succeed as a knowledge driven economy, but in many areas has some way to go to match the standards of the best.

  Communications Regulation Reform
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward the publication of the White Paper on communications regulation reform; and if he will make a statement on its proposed contents. [R] [115687]

  Ms Hewitt
  The White Paper is a priority for both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Culture Media and Sport. It will cover areas such as the economic regulation of broadcasting and telecommunications, content regulation, media ownership and the role of public service broadcasting. It will be published as soon as possible before the end of the year.

  Small Business Service
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the recent consultation exercise conducted with businesses by the Small Business Service. [115688]

  Ms Hewitt
  We published and laid in the House on 17 January the results of the very extensive consultation carried out last year, together with the Government's response. We had 700 replies, from a complete cross-section of all those with an interest.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the working time directive. [115690]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government commissioned an interim report of research on the implementation of the Working Time Regulations. A copy of the report is available from the Library of the House.

  Electricity
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to encourage micro-cogeneration of electricity within the UK. [115694]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor announced his intention in the Pre-Budget Report of trebling support for energy efficiency measures under the climate change levy to around £150 million for 2001–02. This has been confirmed in the Budget.

  Final decisions on use of the £50 million "energy efficiency" fund will be made in the 2000 spending review. The overall aim will be to encourage take-up of low-carbon technologies, including renewables, with an expanded programme of support.

  The Budget has also confirmed, subject to obtaining EU State Aids clearance, that a system of 100 per cent, first year capital allowances will be introduced for certain eligible technologies—to include "good quality" CHP—from April 2001.
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  Micro-CHP giving energy saving benefits to consumers could also be eligible for Utilities' programmes to meet Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance Obligations.

  The draft Strategy for CHP to 2010 is due to be published soon by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment. It will invite comments on how we can achieve our CHP objectives, including developing the market for micro-CHP.

  Consumer Protection
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to protect consumers in relation to schemes run by trade associations. [115695]

  Dr. Howells
  When seeking to buy products or services many consumers will be influenced by logos or membership of trade associations. Consumers need to know that these provide effective redress and are properly enforced. The Government propose to change the law to give the Director General of Fair Trading a power to give a seal of approval to effective codes. This will enable the consumer to choose a supplier with confidence, knowing that if something does go wrong, redress is available.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on inward investment to the North West of England. [115696]

  Mr. Caborn
  Since May 1997 my Department has made 672 offers of Regional Selective Assistance in the North West of England, including 51 offers to overseas companies, creating or safeguarding nearly 33,000. Major inward investment successes have included MBNA in Chester and New Balance Athletic Shoes in Cumbria.

  Business Burdens
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives his Department is taking in conjunction with other Departments to reduce the burdens on business. [115697]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Small Business Service is working closely with other Government Departments to reduce burdens on business. For example it is working closely with the Inland Revenue's business support teams to make it easier for employers to establish and operate their payroll operations; and it is working with the HSE to help implement the Health and Safety Commission's strategy for small firms.

  BMW (Land Rover)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the position regarding BMW's ownership of Land Rover in Solihull; and if he will make a statement. [115698]

  Mr. Byers
  I understand that Ford has reached a memorandum of understanding with BMW to acquire Land Rover. The transaction is subject to BMW and Ford achieving a definitive agreement, due diligence and regulatory approvals. If successful the acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.

  Aerospace Projects
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the five aerospace projects on which his Department has disbursed the most launch aid in the last 20 years, indicating the sums involved in each case. [115699]

  Mr. Byers:
  In the last 20 years, the five largest launch investment commitments which the Government have made are:

  To BAE SYSTEMS for the Airbus A3XX in March 2000, £530 million

  To British Aerospace for the Airbus A340-500/600 in February 1998, £123 million

  To Rolls-Royce for the Trent aero engine in November 1997, £200 million

  To British Aerospace for the Airbus A330/340 in December 1988, £447.1 million

  To British Aerospace for the Airbus A320 in March 1985, £249.3 million.

  Enterprise
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the growth of enterprise in areas of high unemployment. [115691]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government recognise the need to encourage the growth of enterprise in disadvantaged areas such as those with high unemployment.

  One of the Policy Action Teams set up by the Social Exclusion Unit was asked to look at the role of 'Enterprise and Social Exclusion'. It reported in November 1999.

  The report made several recommendations for the Government's new Small Business Service (SBS). A key role for the SBS will be to identify those people who face specific barriers to entrepreneurship, for example some ethnic minorities and those in disadvantaged communities and to ensure that business support is tailored to meet their needs.

  At the local level there will be a new network of SBS franchises which will replace the Business Links network. The Government's SBS franchise bidding guidance has set out a clear message to the potential franchisees to demonstrate how they will deliver their services to those in deprived communities and other under-represented groups.

  The SBS has established a new social inclusion team to take these issues forward and in all aspects of this work, the SBS will build on the excellent work that is already going on at the local level. It will identify good practice and ensure that it is shared widely.

  Another area of assistance is Enterprise Grants. These are available to SMEs in the 'Assisted Areas' and in additional areas of identified special need, including local authorities with high unemployment or low employment rates.

  In addition, the Phoenix Fund was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in November 1999 to take forward specific activities in deprived areas. The fund will have a budget of £30 million over three years. The Fund will support
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  entrepreneurship in deprived areas and will respond to issues raised in the PAT 3 report. It will provide funding for:

  piloting of the new Business Volunteers Mentor Association;

  support for new and existing community finance initiatives;

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

  The Department is currently considering ways of developing the fund for the benefit of business.

  State Aid
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000,Official Report, column 613W, on state aid to industry, what formal investigation procedures concerning the United Kingdom have been initiated by the Commission since May 1997 other than that relating to the Rover/BMW plant in Birmingham; and if he will place the information supplied to the Commission by (a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) other parties in each such case in the Library. [116835]

  Mr. Byers
  Other than the proposed aid for Rover/BMW plant in Birmingham, the Commission has initiated two formal investigation procedures into aid concerning the United Kingdom since May 1997. The cases were as follows: Pig Welfare Slaughter Compensation Scheme (C76/98) in Northern Ireland and the English Partnership/Investment Programme (N31/95).

  I will arrange for the information requested to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small businesses are based in North East England; and what percentage this represents of the UK total. [117215]

  Ms Hewitt
  The total number of small and medium enterprises in the North East is 39,600 and this represents 3 per cent, of the equivalent figure for the UK.

  Part-time Workers Directive
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress in consultation about the part-time workers directive. [115684]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are currently considering the responses to the consultation on part-time work. We will announce the outcome and lay the regulations on part-time work as soon as possible.

  Gas Directive
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to implement Article 23 of the Gas Directive (98/30/EC) in respect of access to upstream pipeline networks. [117465]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have today issued a consultation document outlining proposals to implement those aspects of the Gas Directive which apply to upstream pipeline networks.
  243W
  The consultation document outlines proposals to amend the Pipelines Act 1962 and the Petroleum Act 1998 in order to give effect to Article 23 of the Gas Directive by placing a duty on upstream pipeline owners to consider applications for access to their pipelines against certain criteria and placing certain new duties and powers on the Secretary of State to settle disputes between pipeline owners and applicants for access.

  As many upstream pipelines carry a complex mix of hydrocarbons from which gas and oil may be extracted at a processing facility, the consultation document proposes applying the provisions of Article 23 of the Directive to certain upstream pipelines which carry either gas or oil or both. It proposes a definition of "upstream pipeline network" which would include offshore and onshore pipelines of any length carrying gas or oil from an oil or gas production field to processing terminals in the United Kingdom or carrying gas to terminals in another country. The definition would also include pipelines carrying gas directly from a production field to a power station or industrial plant.

  The consultation document seeks views on all of these proposals and, in particular, on how the interconnecting pipeline between the United Kingdom and Belgium should be regarded for the purposes of the Directive.

  The proposals clarify certain aspects of the Pipelines Act 1962 and the Petroleum Act 1998, in particular the Secretary of State's role as the dispute settlement authority, and reflect current practice in the offshore industry under the Offshore Infrastructure Code of Practice. The material impact on business is expected to be negligible.

  Comments on the consultation document have been requested by 30 May 2000.

  A copy of that document has been placed in the Library of the House. The document is also available on the Department's website (www.og.dti.uk).

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. Maginnis) of 29 February 2000,Official Report, column 200W, on Parliamentary Questions, what expense was incurred in answering questions from the hon. Member for Hull, North (a) concerning the circumstances surrounding and subsequent inquiries into the deaths of (i) Patrick Finucane, (ii) Rosemary Nelson and (iii) Robert Hamill and (b) concerning (1) the RUC's response to the Patten report and (2) the Police Federation's response to the Patten report. [113435]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period 1 June 1999 to 31 January 2000, my hon. Friend tabled a total of 25 Parliamentary Questions on these issues. A rough calculation of the cost of answering these questions has been estimated at £8,500.

  Mrs. Rosemary Nelson
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC detectives are engaged in the investigation into the death of Rosemary Nelson. [114717]

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC(a) detectives and (b) other officers are working (i) full-time and (ii) part-time, on the investigation into the death of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson. [114935]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of officers involved in this investigation has varied at different times to accommodate the needs of the necessary inquiries. However, I can advise that, for example, on 14 March there were a total of 68 officers attached to the inquiry, 22 of whom were RUC officers.

  Probation Board
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Probation Board for Northern Ireland's Corporate Plan for 1999 to 2002. [117395]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Probation Board for Northern Ireland's Corporate Plan was published on 28 March 2000. Copies of the plan have been placed in the Library.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to monitor the number of households in fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. [116678]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Department of Social Development is in the process of developing a scheme of assistance to address fuel poverty in Northern Ireland, similar to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in England. As part of this, monitoring procedures will be produced to determine the effectiveness of the energy efficiency measures installed in the homes of the fuel poor.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116772]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are approximately 7,300 car park spaces attached to office buildings owned or leased by Office Accommodation Branch.

PRIME MINISTER

  Prime Ministerial Appointments
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) non-departmental public bodies and (b) Task Forces for which he holds sole responsibility for making appointments. [113286]

  The Prime Minister
  I am required by legislation to make a number of appointments to non-departmental public bodies. However, this is usually done in consultation with, and on the advice of, appropriate departmental Ministers.
  245W
  In addition, I am consulted on a number of appointments made by departmental Ministers and I advise The Queen on appointments made under the Royal Prerogative.

  Appointments to Task Forces are made by the relevant departmental Minister. I have sole responsibility for the following appointments to non-departmental public bodies:

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments

  Committee on Standards in Public Life

  Senior Salaries Review Body.

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what authority he has given Lord Levy in his capacity as his personal envoy to meet and deal with senior civil servants in the UK. [113507]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]Access to civil servants is determined by the Secretary of State of the Department in question.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he made to the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about Lord Levy's role as the Prime Minister's personal envoy. [113365]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 8 March 2000]My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have of course discussed the outcome of the meetings Lord Levy has held.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister when he asked Lord Levy to become his personal envoy to the Middle East. [113567]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 8 March 2000]I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, which senior officials and which Ministers Lord Levy met during each of his visits. [113930]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]Lord Levy has met a range of senior figures during his visits, including President Assad of Syria, King Abdullah of Jordan, the Sultan of Oman, the Amir of Qatar, the Amir of Bahrain, Prime Minister Al-Hoss of Lebanon, Prime Minister Barak of Israel, Foreign Minister Moussa and Presidential Adviser Al-Baz of Egypt, President Ben Ali of Tunisia and King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, on which occasions Lord Levy has stayed in British Government accommodation while carrying out official business on behalf of the Prime Minister during his visits to Israel and the Middle East. [113928]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 March 2000]In connection with his work on my behalf, Lord Levy has stayed in the Ambassador's residence in Syria, Jordan, Oman and Qatar, and (since my answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W) in Tunisia and Morocco. He has stayed at the Ambassador's residence in Israel once, when accompanying my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary as part of my right hon. Friend's delegation.
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  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister what restrictions there are on persons conducting party political business while acting as the Prime Minister's personal envoy on business overseas. [114592]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]Lord Levy conducts no Labour Party political business in the Middle East or North Africa on his visits as my personal envoy.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister if Lord Levy has conducted business on his behalf while on personal visits to Middle Eastern states other than Israel. [114681]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]No. Since April 1999 Lord Levy has conducted business on my behalf in the Middle East only during the visits referred to in my answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, and during his recent visit to Tunisia and Morocco.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister what account he took of the business interests of Lord Levy in deciding whether to appoint Lord Levy as his personal envoy. [114591]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]Lord Levy has no business interests in the Middle East or North Africa.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations or inquiries he has received from Israeli authorities about Lord Levy's role as his personal envoy or otherwise acting on his behalf. [114694]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]None.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the distinction between visits conducted by Lord Levy(a) travelling as the Prime Minister's personal envoy and (b) travelling in his personal capacity while also having discussions on the Prime Minister's behalf. [114690]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]Lord Levy has been described as my personal envoy when the main purpose of his travel was to pass messages on my behalf. Only his visits to Israel, which have been primarily for private and family reasons, have been described as travel in his personal capacity.

  Lindisfarne Gospels
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had about the displaying of the Lindisfarne Gospels in(a) Durham, (b) Newcastle and (c) Holy Island; and if he will make a statement. [115941]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]I very much welcome the work done by the British Library and Northumberland county council to enable the display of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East. Although primarily a matter for the two parties involved, I have taken a keen interest in this partnership and am pleased that they have reached an agreement which will allow the people of the North East to see the Gospels when they are loaned to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle later this year. Thanks to the British Library, the North East will also have a permanent digital copy of the Gospels using the Library's award winning "Turning the Pages" technology.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister when NATO will commence a review of its nuclear weapons policy. [116505]

  The Prime Minister
  At the Washington Summit in April 1999, the Alliance approved a revised Strategic Concept which set out NATO's political and military policy, including nuclear policy. All aspects of this policy are kept under regular review.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister how he has responded to the request from the United Nations Messenger of Peace, Michael Douglas, that he take the lead in promoting a new round of multilateral negotiations on nuclear weapons non-proliferation and disarmament. [116506]

  The Prime Minister
  When they met on 21 March, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs emphasised to Mr. Douglas our commitment to advancing the goal of nuclear disarmament and to reaching a successful outcome to the forthcoming Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a special representative to promote non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. [116504]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so. We are unequivocally committed to nuclear non-proliferation, and to the goal of nuclear disarmament. This can be best achieved through the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), who has responsibility for non-proliferation issues, will represent the United Kingdom at the Review Conference of the Non-proliferation Treaty in New York from 24 April to 19 May.

  Genetics
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent discussions with President Clinton on the subject of the human genome project; [115656]

  (2) what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the United States on patent law with regard to genetic sequencing. [115659]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]On 14 March President Clinton and I agreed a joint statement on access to information produced by researchers into human genetics. Our statement recognised that research into human genetics offers enormous potential for new ways of understanding, treating and curing disease. It goes on to say:To realise the full promise of this research, raw fundamental data on the human genome, including the human genome, including the DNA sequence and its variations, should be made freely available to scientists everywhere. Unencumbered access to this information will promote discoveries that will reduce the burden
  248W
  of disease, improve health around the world, and enhance the quality of life for all humankind. Intellectual property protection for gene-based inventions will also play an important role in stimulating the development of important new health care products.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what proposals he has to seek to amend the law relating to patents with regard to genetic sequencing;[115657]

  (2) what recent discussions he has had with (a) other European Union Governments and (b) the European Commission on reform of patent law with regard to genetic sequencing. [115658]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]: A European Directive on legal protection of biotechnological inventions which establishes rules for patents relating to gene sequences, has been adopted with the support of the United Kingdom and passed into European law in July 1998. It is due to be implemented in all member states including the United Kingdom by 30 July 2000. Implementation of the Directive will require amendment of the Patents Act 1977. An Order under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to make the required changes is being prepared. Comprehensive discussions with the European Commission and all Governments of our European Union partners over several years culminated and are reflected in the adoption of this Directive. No further discussions have taken place since the adoption of this Directive.

  Lisbon Summit
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister what the breakdown was of the cost of Cabinet Ministers' flights to the European summit in Lisbon. [116569]

  The Prime Minister
  A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas, and information on spend by all Ministers on travel overseas for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many meetings Cabinet Ministers attended in their official capacity during the European summit in Lisbon; [116652]

  (2) if he will publish the itineraries of the Cabinet Ministers attending the European Union summit in Lisbon. [116568]

  The Prime Minister
  Together with my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I attended a special meeting of the European Council from 22 to 24 March in Lisbon. The main purpose of the meeting was to agree measures to bring about comprehensive economic reform within the European Union. I refer the hon. Member to the Oral Statement I made on the outcome of the Council on 27 March 2000,Official Report, columns 21-23.

  In addition, my right hon. Friends and I held meetings with EU counterparts and others during which a broad range of issues were discussed.

SCOTLAND

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 29 February 2000,Official Report, column 260W, on Assisted Areas, if he will place in the Library the representations he has received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise about the Assisted Areas map proposals. [115782]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 21 March 2000]Following the consultation on the Assisted Areas map carried out in 1998, all replies to that consultation were made available for inspection in the library of the Department of Trade and Industry, including the response from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I am arranging for copies of this response to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116770]

  Dr. Reid
  There are six car parking spaces available at buildings used and controlled by my Department.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Prime Minister's Summit
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Prime Minister's summit on the Government's strategy for agriculture. [117545]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have placed in Libraries of both Houses a paper outlining the Government's strategy for agriculture as discussed at the Prime Minister's summit today.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number and value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109455]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]From records held centrally, since May 1997, the Ministry has let 11 contracts to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. The total value of these contracts is £345,265 excluding VAT.

  BSE
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if traces of agents thought to be sources of BSE have been found in meat imported into the United Kingdom since 1996. [115092]

  Ms Quin
  No test has been validated for the purpose of detecting the BSE agent in meat.

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to reduce the backlog in payments due under the over-30-months scheme. [116012]

  Ms Quin
  Compensation payments under the over-30-months slaughter scheme (OTMS) are usually made within the Intervention Board's published target of 21 days. However, in the run-up to the extended Millennium break demand for the scheme reached the highest level since 1996, typically 20-25 per cent, above forecasts. This unexpected surge led to some payments being made outside target.

  I am pleased to report, however, that since the end of February all payments have been made within the target.

  Farmers (Bankruptcies)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bankruptcies there have been among farmers in England in each of the last 10 years. [115948]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]Data on bankruptcies are available only for England and Wales combined as set out in the table.

  Number of bankruptcies in the agricultural and horticultural sector: England and Wales 1989–99

  Year

  Bankruptcies of self-employed individuals

  Company1 insolvencies

  Total

  1989

  142

  78

  220

  1990

  198

  111

  309

  1991

  266

  135

  401

  1992

  313

  191

  504

  1993

  277

  157

  434

  1994

  231

  166

  397

  1995

  218

  99

  317

  1996

  168

  89

  257

  1997

  155

  51

  206

  1998

  157

  65

  222

  1999

  2149

  252

  2201

  1
  Including partnerships

  2
  Not including data for the fourth quarter

  Source

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Regional Service Centres
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the operating costs are of each of his Department's regional service centres; what refurbishment costs have been incurred at each centre in each of the last three years; and on what terms each of the buildings accommodating the regional service centre are secured, indicating which are(a) freehold and (b) leasehold. [115920]

  Ms Quin
  The data requested are set out in the table. This shows the latest forecast operating costs for the 1999–2000 financial year for each RSC; the expenditure on refurbishments (excluding normal maintenance) for the years from 1997–98 to 1999–2000; and the terms of occupancy at each site.
  251W

  Operating and refurbishment costs of regional service centres

  £000

  Refurbishment costs

  RSC

  Operating costs 1

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Terms Freehold/leasehold

  Bristol

  3,590

  105

  232

  0

  Ground lease

  Cambridge

  4,497

  173

  80

  0

  Freehold

  Carlisle

  4,262

  0

  33

  0

  Freehold

  Crewe2

  4,056

  0

  0

  0

  Freehold

  Exeter

  5,143

  0

  0

  0

  Leased

  Northallerton3

  6,016

  0

  0

  0

  Leased

  Nottingham

  4,349

  424

  0

  0

  Leased

  Reading

  4,023

  13

  0

  340

  Freehold

  Worcester

  3,583

  104

  0

  170

  Freehold

  1Pay, non-pay running costs and decentralised capital costs

  2Newly built office acquired in 1998

  3Newly built office completed in 1999

  Milk
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries from which(a) raw milk and (b) UHT milk was imported into the United Kingdom in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, and (iii) 1999, indicating the quantities in each case. [116573]

  Ms Quin
  Total imports of raw (ie untreated) milk are shown in the table. The vast majority of imports of raw milk into the United Kingdom are from the Republic of Ireland. Between 1997 and 1999 small quantities were also imported from Austria, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands.

  Raw (ie untreated) milk imported into the UK

  Million litres

  Total imports

  1997

  128.2

  1998

  128.7

  1999

  112.7

  Source

  IBEA, DARD

  It is not possible to separately identify trade in UHT milk from trade in other types of liquid drinking milk (eg fresh pasteurised milk). The following table shows total imports of all liquid drinking milk (in packages not exceeding two litres), by main country of origin.

  Drinking milk imported into the UK, in packages not exceeding two litres

  Million Litres

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Belgium and Luxembourg

  14.2

  10.4

  6.7

  France

  19.7

  20.3

  13.2

  Germany

  20.6

  20.4

  10.2

  Ireland

  6.8

  4.2

  5.7

  Others

  0.3

  0.0

  0.1

  Total imports

  61.6

  55.4

  36.0

  Note:

  Due to rounding the totals may differ from the sum of the individual figures

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics

  Forest of Bowland
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the 252W
  Special Area Project for Forest of Bowland; what plans he has to introduce schemes to address the needs of areas in England that contain sites of international importance for wildlife; and if he will make a statement. [116319]

  Mr. Morley
  The Forest of Bowland was one of two areas selected in 1999 for a two-year, experimental project to test an integrated approach to environmental and rural economy issues in the uplands. A review of the project (and the experiment in the other areas—Bodmin Moor in Cornwall) will be carried out after an economic evaluation has taken place next year.

  The Ministry already operates agri-environment schemes which help to address the needs of areas in England that contain sites of international importance for wildlife. We announced on 7 December 1999 that the funding for these schemes will be increased significantly. By 2007 it is expected to be double its present level.

  EU Rural Development Regulation
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make use of the provisions of the EU Rural Development Regulation allowing support of agricultural production to be conditional on the carrying out of measures to protect wildlife; and if he will make a statement. [l16320]

  Mr. Morley
  There are already measures in our livestock subsidy schemes to prevent overgrazing and environmentally damaging feeding practices and in our arable payments schemes relating to the management of set-aside land.

  Consultation last year on the European Commission's Agenda 2000 reforms revealed numerous suggestions of additional environmental conditions which might be attached to agricultural support payments. These need to be considered very carefully with regard to whether they would be easily understood, their ease of enforcement, the environmental benefits and the cost to farmers. Further work is being done on this. If possible measures are identified, a further round of consultation on detailed proposals would be needed before introducing them.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of(a) organic farms, (b) farms currently in the process of converting into organic farms and (c) farms that have applied for the

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  organic farming scheme, in (i) England, (ii) Hampshire, (iii) each local authority in Hampshire and (iv) each constituency in Hampshire [116478]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 March 2000]Information is currently available only for England. The number of applications to the Organic Farming Scheme that passed the initial validity checks is currently 1,185. A small number of these were either withdrawn or were not accepted onto the Scheme. As at November 1999 in England there were 34,534 hectares of land converted to organic farming and 94,144 hectares in conversion.

  Spanish Fishermen
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what EU funds have been made available to Spanish fishermen to compensate them for the loss of access to Moroccan fisheries waters. [116249]

  Mr. Morley
  According to our information, all compensation paid so far to Spanish fishermen, available from 30 November 1999 to 31 May 2000, has come from national funds made available by the Spanish Government.

  Under the new Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), which came into force on 1 January 2000, aid is available for vessel owners and fishermen whose activities are temporarily ended due to the non-renewal of a fisheries agreement. If offered, this aid would count against the allocation for Spain under the new FIFG.

  Inshore Fishing
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has received from the inshore fishermen at Hastings and Rye with regard to illegal fishing in their traditional waters by boats of over 10 m in length which hold licences for 10 m and under; [116090]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent of illegal fishing in inshore waters along the South Coast of England by boats with under 10 m licences but which are above 10 m in length; how many such boats are involved; and what action his Department is taking and planning to take. [116092]

  Mr. Morley
  Following representations from inshore fishermen and my hon. Friend for Hastings and Rye (Mr. Foster), the Ministry identified more than 20 vessels, licensed as 10 m and under vessels, whose overall length appeared to have been extended by adding structures (removable or otherwise) and which were effectively operating as over 10 m vessels.

  The owners concerned have been advised that they must reduce the overall length of their vessel to 10 m or under, or acquire over 10 m licences by 30 June 2000. If they fail to do so their fishing vessel licences will not be renewed from 1 July 2000. A number of owners have already taken appropriate action and others are planning to do so.

  Fisheries Agreement
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of fishing vessels affected by the absence of a new fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco. [116250]

  Mr. Morley
  The European Commission has estimated that 500 Community vessels operated in Moroccan waters during the period of the EC/Morocco fisheries agreement from 1 December 1995 to 30 November 1999.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by her Department. [116765]

  Clare Short
  There is a total of 356 car parking spaces available at buildings controlled by my Department, with 305 spaces in East Kilbride and 51 spaces in London.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the value of aid from(a) the EU and (b) the British Government directly paid to the Zimbabwean Government in the last 12 months. [116900]

  Clare Short
  The most recent figures available on EC aid for Zimbabwe are for 1998, when total EC official development assistance was £13.2 million. The figure for EU member programmes plus the EC was £99.7 million. We have no information on how much of this was paid direct to the Government of Zimbabwe. In 1998–99, the value of British assistance to the Zimbabwe Government is estimated at £10 million.

TREASURY

  Migrants
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanism is in place to ensure that, for the purpose of compiling the sub-national population projections, migrants to the United Kingdom are not recorded at the point of entry to the United Kingdom as well as at subsequent places of residence elsewhere in the United Kingdom within the same statistical period. [116572]

  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 Tim Holt to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 30 March 2000 As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on recording of migrants to the United Kingdom in the subnational population projections at point of entry as well as subsequent places of residence elsewhere in the United Kingdom within the same statistical period.
  The projections model takes the ONS mid-year population estimates for the base year. The population is then projected one year ahead, by ageing on the population one year and applying

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  assumptions on births, deaths, international migration to and from England and internal migration within England. This process is then repeated for each year projected.
  The model treats international and internal migrants separately. The assumptions on international migration in the sub national projections are based on recent past information using a range of survey and administrative data. International in-migrants are assigned to their final destination, not their port of entry and added to the general population in the year of their arrival. As they are then included in the general population, any subsequent moves within England are covered in the internal migration element of the model.

  Death Rates (Merseyside)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the average death rates allowing for age and sex standardisation for(a) all causes, (b) coronary heart disease, (c) stroke and (d) cancer, for each ward in the Crosby parliamentary constituency and for the City of Liverpool as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [116674]

  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 Tim Holt to Mrs. Curtis-Thomas, dated 30 March 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the average death rates for each ward in the Crosby parliamentary constituency and for the City of Liverpool as a whole.
  The attached table shows indirectly standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for all causes of death, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer, for each ward (as constituted at the time of the 1991 Census) that lies wholly in Crosby parliamentary constituency, in the years 1991–1993, based on populations from the 1991 Census. Comparable figures are also provided for Liverpool metropolitan county district (based on 1991 boundaries).
  We have provided indirectly standardised ratios rather than European standardised rates as the latter do not incorporate sex standardisation and are likely to be less accurate for small numbers of deaths by cause in each ward.
  An SMR is defined as the ratio of the observed deaths in a given population over the expected deaths in that population if it experienced the age-specific death rates of a standard population (in this case the United Kingdom). The SMR for the UK is 100. Values greater than 100 indicate higher than average mortality and values lower than 100 indicate lower than average mortality.

  Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) by ward and cause of death1—1991–93

  Wards in Crosby parliamentary constituency and Liverpool MCD

  Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR)

  Wardcode

  All causes

  Coronary heart disease

  Stroke

  Cancer

  Wards in Crosby

  Blundellsands

  CAFC

  117

  109

  134

  113

  Church

  CAFE

  140

  122

  131

  150

  Harington

  CAFJ

  92

  95

  74

  94

  Manor

  CAFN

  96

  108

  85

  106

  Ravenmeols

  CAFW

  90

  98

  87

  96

  Victoria

  CAFZ

  96

  100

  87

  113

  Liverpool metropolitan county district

  105

  103

  99

  110

  1Cause of death is based on the underlying cause, using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision

  Coronary Heart Disease: 410–414

  Stroke: 430–438

  Cancer: 140–208

  National Insurance Contributions Office
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on requiring the National Insurance Contributions Office to pay interest on the late payment of the age-related element of NIC rebates to contracted-out money purchase schemes; how much has been paid in such interest payments for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to date; and if he will make a statement. [115984]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 March 2000]The National Insurance Contributions Office applies the policy set out in the Inland Revenue's code of practice 1 when paying interest on the late payment of age-related rebates to contracted-out money purchase schemes. However, special arrangements were made for the 1997–98 tax year where payments were made at 0.5 per cent, of the rebate cumulatively for each month of delay after October 1998. The objective was to replace any State Earnings Related Pension benefits foregone at an annual rate of 6 per cent, (the prevailing gilt interest rate).

  The 0.5 per cent, payable for the 1997–98 tax year includes both personal pension and money purchase schemes and a separate breakdown for each category is not yet available.

  Compensation amounting to £40.9 million has been paid due to the late payment of age-related rebates for the 1997–98 tax year as a result of introducing the 0.5 per cent, addition. To date no compensation has been paid to contracted-out money purchase schemes for the 1998–99 tax year and as we have not yet commenced the processing of 1999–2000 employers end of year returns compensation is not yet an issue for this tax year.

  Banking Services
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Cruickshank report, Competition in United Kingdom Banking. [116368]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government welcome the report and will act on its recommendations to improve competition in banking and services to customers. On 20 March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry referred the provision of banking services to small and medium enterprises to the Competition Commission for examination under the complex monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. The Chancellor announced in the Budget on 21 March that the Government would legislate to open up access to payments systems and to oversee access charges; and that he had asked the Financial Services Authority to consider the recommendations in the Report concerning consumer information and to report to him within three months, consulting widely, on how they propose to respond. The Government will respond to the other recommendations in the report shortly.

  Genetic Testing
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the use by members of the Association of British Insurers of genetic tests
  257W
  that have not been approved by the Department of Health's Genetics and Insurance Committee for insurance purposes. [116566]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  None.

  Migration (London)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the size of annual migration into and out of London from other parts of the United Kingdom, broken down by region, in each of the last five years. [116139]

  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 Tim Holt to Mr. Crispin Blunt, dated 30 March 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the estimated migration between London and other parts of the United Kingdom for each of the last five years.
  The enclosed table presents the information that you require. The latest year for which estimates are available is 1998. The estimates of internal migration within the United Kingdom are based on the movement of NHS doctor's patients between the former Family Health Service Authorities. They should not be regarded as a perfect measure of migration as there is variation in the delay between a person moving and registering with a new doctor. Additionally some moves may not result in a re-registration: for example, individuals may migrate again before registering with a doctor. Conversely, there may be others who move and re-register several times a year.
  Moves between the individual Government Office Regions (GOR's) and the rest of the United Kingdom are published in Key Population and Vital Statistics which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Migration into and out of London from other parts of the United Kingdom broken down by region

  Thousand

  Area

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  To London from:

  North East

  4.7

  5.3

  4.9

  4.9

  5.0

  North West

  13.2

  14.0

  13.7

  13.6

  13.9

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  9.7

  10.6

  10.6

  10.3

  10.6

  East Midlands

  9.2

  10.4

  10.0

  10.1

  10.3

  West Midlands

  11.0

  11.8

  11.8

  11.5

  11.3

  East

  29.2

  30.8

  29.7

  30.6

  31.6

  South East

  54.0

  56.3

  55.6

  54.7

  57.0

  South West

  15.5

  16.7

  16.2

  16.9

  16.5

  England

  146.4

  156.0

  152.6

  152.6

  156.1

  Scotland

  7.0

  7.3

  7.8

  7.6

  8.0

  Wales

  5.4

  5.8

  5.7

  5.6

  5.6

  Northern Ireland

  1.6

  1.7

  1.9

  1.5

  1.5

  Total

  160.4

  170.7

  168.0

  167.3

  171.2

  From London to:

  North East

  3.7

  3.7

  3.7

  3.6

  3.8

  North West

  10.8

  11.1

  10.8

  10.8

  10.5

  Yorkshire and the
  Humber

  8.2

  8.5

  7.9

  8.1

  8.1

  East Midlands

  10.0

  10.2

  10.0

  10.3

  10.4

  West Midlands

  8.9

  9.8

  9.3

  9.7

  9.6

  East

  49.5

  50.3

  52.8

  56.7

  55.4

  South East

  80.6

  78.9

  84.0

  86.6

  85.4

  South West

  20.3

  20.4

  21.2

  21.8

  20.4

  England

  192.1

  193.0

  199.8

  207.6

  203.5

  Scotland

  6.8

  6.4

  6.3

  7.0

  7.1

  Wales

  5.2

  5.5

  5.2

  5.4

  5.3

  Northern Ireland

  2.2

  2.7

  2.2

  1.8

  2.0

  Total

  206.3

  207.6

  213.4

  221.7

  217.9

  258W

  Migration into and out of London from other parts of the United Kingdom broken down by region

  Thousand

  Area

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Net gain to London:

  North East

  1.0

  1.5

  1.3

  1.4

  1.2

  North West

  2.4

  2.9

  2.9

  2.8

  3.4

  Yorkshire and the Humbe

  1.4

  2.1

  2.7

  2.2

  2.5

  East Midlands

  -0.8

  0.2

  0.0

  -0.2

  -0.1

  West Midlands

  2.0

  2.0

  2.5

  1.8

  1.7

  East

  -20.3

  -19.5

  -23.1

  -26.1

  -23.8

  South East

  -26.6

  -22.6

  -28.4

  -31.9

  -28.4

  South West

  -4.8

  -3.7

  -5.0

  -4.9

  -3.9

  England

  -45.6

  -37.0

  -47.2

  -55.0

  -47.4

  Scotland

  0.1

  0.8

  1.5

  0.6

  0.9

  Wales

  0.3

  0.3

  0.6

  0.3

  0.3

  Northern Ireland

  -0.7

  -1.0

  -0.3

  -0.3

  -0.4

  Total

  -45.9

  -36.9

  -45.4

  -54.5

  -46.7

  Statistics Commission
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with plans to establish the Statistics Commission; and if he will make a statement. [117386]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Statistics Commission will be set up early in the next financial year.

  Parliamentary approval of the expenditure will be sought in the 2000–01 Main Estimate for HM Treasury, Class XVI, Vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £500,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which allocations of spending referred to in his oral statement of 21 March 2000,Official Report, columns 858–72, were from the Capital Modernisation Fund; if he will list the projects to which the allocations have been made; if he will list the amounts allocated and unallocated from the Capital Modernisation Fund for financial years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [116646]

  Mr. Andrew Smith: The Budget statement included the following allocations from the Capital Modernisation Fund:

  £million

  Total

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Addition to total CMF

  200

  200

  0

  SMEs on-line (DTI/IR)

  60.0

  55.0

  5.0

  Innovative Clusters package (DTI)

  50.0

  15.0

  35.0

  Criminal Justice Package

  184.6

  103.4

  81.2

  of which:

  Home Office1

  154.8

  88.2

  66.6

  Lord Chancellor's Department1

  23.3

  10.0

  13.3

  CPS joint police units

  5.0

  3.8

  1.3

  Integrated Business Information Systems

  1.5

  1.5

  —

  DLR extension to City airport (DETR)

  30.0

  9.6

  20.4

  Unallocated

  516.0

  2185.2

  330.8

  1Detailed announcements to be made by the Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor respectively

  2Includes under spend from 1999–2000

  Further details will be set out in the Public Expenditure Statistical analyses to be published in April.

  Social Services Funding
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the funding available for social services functions in line with planned increases on health service funding. [116778]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Funding for social services will be set as part of the Spending Review.

  Spending Review
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will announce the outcome of the second comprehensive spending review. [116675]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The 2000 Spending Review will conclude by July.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make working families tax credit a qualifying benefit for free school meals. [116702]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The provision of free school meals in England and Wales is a matter for the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, and in Northern Ireland it is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In Scotland, free school meals are a devolved issue for the Scottish Executive.

  The child tax credit elements of a Working Families Tax Credit award were built on the child credit rates in family credit, which WFTC replaced from October last year. The child credit rates in family credit included, from the outset, an additional weekly cash sum, provided to replace the value of entitlement to free school meals. These rates have been uprated annually in line with the Rossi index.

  Customs Officers (UK Airports)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs officers(a) are employed at each UK airport and (b) have been employed at each UK airport in each of the last five years. [116717]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is policy not to make public details of the deployment of Customs anti-smuggling officers at each individual UK airport.

  Customs (Drugs Seizures)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug seizures have taken place in 1999–2000 and in the previous three years at airports in the UK; and if he will list them by airport. [116719]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs made 1,369 drug seizures at UK airports in 1996; 1,259 in 1997; and 1,412 in 1998. Figures for 1999 have yet to be validated.

  It is policy not to make public details of Customs drug seizures at each individual UK airport.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug seizures have taken place in the year 1999–2000 and in the previous three years at ports in the UK; and if he will list them by port. [116716]
  260W
  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs made 798 drug seizures at UK sea ports in 1996; 791 in 1997; and 673 in 1998. Figures for 1999 have yet to be validated.

  It is policy not to make public details of Customs drug seizures at each individual UK port.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the penalty regime for the climate change levy with the European Convention on Human Rights. [116582]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]In accordance with section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will publish a statement about the compatibility of the provisions of the Finance Bill, including those relating to the climate change levy, when the Bill is published.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116758]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of workplace car parking spaces available at the two buildings used and controlled by the Treasury is shown in the table:

  Building

  Number of spaces

  Allocated to other Departments

  Parliament Street

  (GOGGS)

  9—Cabinet Office

  London SW1P 3AG

  42

  3—Cabinet War Rooms

  Allington Towers,

  19 Allington Street,

  London SW1E 5EB

  11

  Nil

  In March 1999 we introduced a Green Transport Plan covering both buildings. These plans are in line with the commitment set out in the Transport White Paper and we have reviewed the scope for reducing our car parking requirements in that context.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the landfill tax provisions in so far as they relate to making available funds to local communities for energy from waste plants. [116780]

  Mr. Timms
  Operators of landfill sites who are registered for landfill tax may claim for tax credits for contributions that they make to support environmental projects. These may include research for the purpose of encouraging the use of more sustainable waste management. Landfill site operators may choose to support research into energy from waste as part of such projects.
  261W
  Further information regarding the scheme can be obtained from the regulatory body, ENTRUST Ltd., at the following address:

  ENTRUST

  Acre House

  2 Town Square

  Sale

  Cheshire

  M33 7WZ

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  NESTA Fellowship Awards
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if NESTA fellowship awards will be regarded as prizes for tax purposes. [116538]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]NESTA's fellowships are not regarded as prizes for tax purposes. Fellows will receive individually tailored personal development programmes, which will be designed to make the most of their potential. As each of these programmes will vary according to individuals' needs, the tax implications of the awards will also differ from case to case. NESTA is exploring the tax position of its programmes with the Inland Revenue with a view to ensuring that its Fellows and other grant recipients can receive the maximum benefit from their awards.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the preferred commercial operator of the proposed visitor centre at Stonehenge has been chosen; and if he will make a statement. [116486]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 28 March 2000]No decision has yet been made. English Heritage is still in confidential commercial negotiations with short listed bidders. The outcome of these negotiations will be announced as soon as possible.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which dates Lord Levy in his capacity as the Prime Minister's special envoy has had meetings with(a) ministers and (b) senior officials in his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the purpose of the meetings; and if he will make a statement. [113498]

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates when he held discussions with Lord Levy about his role as the Prime Minister's personal envoy; and if he will make available minutes of those meetings. [113566]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]Lord Levy liaises regularly with the Foreign Secretary, Ministers and a limited number of officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Foreign Secretary most recently spoke to Lord Levy on 16 March. I spoke to him on 21 March.
  262W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Lord Levy reports directly to him on his activities as the Prime Minister's personal envoy; what mechanism exists to ensure information gathered by Lord Levy while acting as personal envoy to the Prime Minister is communicated to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [113506]

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he held discussions with Lord Levy about Lord Levy's visits to the Middle East dated(a) 9 to 10 April 1999, visit to Syria, (b) 5 to 7 June 1999, visit to Jordan, (c) 7 to 10 June 1999, visit to Syria, (d) 8 October 1999, visit to Egypt, (e) 9 to 11 October 1999, visit to Oman, (f) 11 and 12 October 1999, visit to Qatar, (g) 12 to 14 October 1999, visit to Bahrain, (h) 29 November to 1 December 1999, visit to Syria, (i) 2 and 3 February, visit to Syria, (j) 3 February, visit to Lebanon and (k.) 3 February, visit to Egypt. [113877]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 7 March 2000]Lord Levy's visits are reported to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, in person by Lord Levy and by telegram from the Ambassador in the country concerned.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, what practical support was given by his Department to Lord Levy during his visits to Middle Eastern states, apart from Israel, on official business as the Prime Minister's personal envoy. [114680]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 March 2000,Official Report, columns 245-6W. In addition, Lord Levy has been briefed by Ambassadors. Embassies have assisted in arranging programmes, and have provided accompanied transport by road. Lord Levy has been accompanied by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official from London on some of his trips.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 852W, what practical support was given by his Department to Lord Levy during his visits to Israel (a) on official business as the Prime Minister's personal envoy and (b) on private visits during which Lord Levy conducted business on behalf of the Prime Minister. [114693]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 15 March 2000]Practical support has been determined on a case-by-case basis, and has included briefing Lord Levy and providing accompanied transport by road when he is working on the Prime Minister's behalf.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with Lord Levy to discuss the Middle East peace process. [115222]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 30 March 2000,Official Report, column 261W.

  Iraq
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the most recent year for which figures are available, how many applications were made to the UN Sanctions Committee under(a) the Oil for Food programme and (b) other humanitarian programmes; how many of these applications were (i) approved and (ii) refused; how many are outstanding; and what was the average length of time taken to consider each application. [116311]

  Mr. Hain
  Between December 1999 and 6 March 2000, 2,443 applications were submitted to the UN Iraq Sanctions Committee under the Oil for Food programme. None of these applications was refused. The Committee raised no objection to 1,883 of these applications. Additional information was requested on 560 applications.

  Detailed information on all Oil for Food applications submitted over the last year can be found on the UN website at http://www.un.org/Depts/oip.html.

  During the period 1 August 1998 to 20 November 1999 over 6,000 applications were received for humanitarian goods outside the Oil for Food programme. Of these 2,654 were approved, 427 were placed on hold for further information, and 2,823 were refused since the Committee considered them inconsistent with the relevant resolutions on Iraq. Some applications were withdrawn or nullified. A key factor here is the potential for dual use.

  Medical supplies and food applications are circulated under a no objections procedure within two business days; applications for other humanitarian supplies within seven business days. Under the terms of United Nations Security Council resolution 1284, it has been agreed that a wide range of humanitarian items will no longer require Sanctions Committee approval. These items include foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, medical equipment and educational items. These items require notification to the UN's Office of the Iraq Programme.

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of each application refused by the UN-Iraq Sanctions Committee under(a) the Oil for Food programme and (b) other humanitarian programmes in the last year for which the information is available. [116309]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 30 March 2000,Official Report, column 263W.

  Detailed figures on all applications to the United Nations Oil for Food programme, giving the number of applications and the status of the applications, can be found on the United Nations website at: http://www.un. org/Departments/oip.html

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedures the UN Iraq Sanctions Committee use in reaching decisions on applications under(a) the Oil for Food Programme and (b) other humanitarian programmes. [116310]

  Mr. Hain
  The UN Iraq Sanctions Committee established by United Nations Security Council resolution 661, comprising all members of the UN Security Council, reaches decisions on applications under the Oil for Food programme or under other humanitarian programmes by consensus in accordance with the relevant resolutions on 264W
  Iraq. A significant number of applications, for essential civilian needs, medical supplies and foodstuffs are circulated under a no objection procedure. Medicines are generally exempt from Committee approval.

  Under the terms of United Nations Security Council resolution 1284, it has been agreed that an even wider range of humanitarian items will no longer require Sanctions Committee approval. These items include foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, medical equipment and educational items. These items require notification to the UN's Office of the Iraq Programme.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), of 24 March 2000,Official Report, column 1290 on Iraq, if it is part of Yuli Vorontsov's brief to make inquiries about missing Iraqi nationals in Kuwait. [116870]

  Mr. Hain
  Mr. Vorontsov's brief is set out in paragraphs 13-14 of Security Council resolution 1284. He has been appointed as a high-level coordinator to pursue Iraq's obligations since the Gulf War and to return stolen Kuwaiti property, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), of 24 March 2000,Official Report, column 1292, to which brutality in relation to the Shia, the Minister was referring other than that which took place in 1991 in the Kerbala area. [116872]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the regular reports from the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iraq, particularly that of February 1999, which record the systematic assassinations, attacks and threats carried out against the Shiite leadership since 1991. The November 1999 Amnesty International report on Iraq also documents the assassinations of prominent Shia clerics over the previous 18 months. These documents are available on the UN website (www.un.org).

  Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), of 24 March 2000, Official Report, column 1292 on Iraq, in what ways the Shia population of Iraq is protected by UK forces. [116874]

  Mr. Hain
  UK and US aircraft patrolling the southern No Fly Zone serve to protect the population, primarily Shia, from attacks by the Iraqi air force.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), of 24 March 2000,Official Report, column 1292 on Iraq, from which countries of origin Saddam Hussein is smuggling materials for chemical and biological weapons. [116873]

  Mr. Hain
  As the record makes clear, I was describing the hypothetical situation if we were, inadvisedly, to lift sanctions prematurely.
  265W
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), of 24 March 2000,Official Report, column 1293 on Iraq, what assessment he has made of the threat to the Kirkuk oil field arising from the shortage of oil industry spare parts. [116936]

  Mr. Hain
  We have noted the comments on the Kirkuk oil field in the UN's latest report on Iraq's oil industry.

  The Security Council is expected to adopt a new resolution on 31 March which will implement the Secretary-General's recommendation for an additional allocation of $600 million from oil for food revenue for the purchase of oil spare parts.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of farmers in Zimbabwe; and if he will place the minutes of that meeting in the Library. [116494]

  Mr. Hain
  The High Commission in Harare is in regular touch with the Commercial Farmers' Union. They have not sought a meeting in London.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many farmers in Zimbabwe are British passport holders. [116493]

  Mr. Hain
  We have no precise figures of how many Zimbabwe farmers hold British passports. British passport holders are not obliged to register their presence with the High Commission in Harare.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Commonwealth Secretary General calling on him to suspend Zimbabwe from the high-level group formed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. [116893]

  Mr. Hain
  No.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has made to the Zimbabwean Government to allow election observers to attend the forthcoming general election. [116899]

  Mr. Hain
  None this far.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to President Mugabe concerning the(a) postponement of the general election and (b) invasion of farms. [116969]

  Mr. Hain
  We have not made representations to President Mugabe about the postponement of the elections. On farm invasions, I spoke to the Vice-President on 6 March and wrote to the Foreign Minister on 7 March. My right hon. Friend, the Development Secretary, wrote to the Vice-President on 15 March.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for the emergency evacuation of British passport holders from Zimbabwe. [116891]
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  Mr. Hain
  We have a Civil Contingency Plan for Zimbabwe, as we do for many other countries. The Contingency Plan is designed to help the British community in a crisis, and in a worst case scenario, to provide for their evacuation. The Contingency Plan comes into effect if there is a breakdown in law and order leading to a significant risk to the safety of British nationals. We do not believe this is the case in Zimbabwe and our travel advice reflects that view. Our travel advice, and the safety of British nationals, is kept under constant review.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials have been sent to Zimbabwe in the last 12 months to enhance the consular operation there. [116896]

  Mr. Hain
  Four.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Zimbabwean nationals are currently in possession of(a) a UK work permit and (b) a holiday working visa. [116898]

  Mr. Vaz
  A total of 526 work permits were approved by the Overseas Labour Service for Zimbabwean nationals in 1998 and 905 in 1999.

  Our High Commission in Harare issued 389 working holiday-maker visas in 1998 and 303 in 1999. However, since visa statistics are not collected on the basis of the nationality of applicants, these figures may include applications made in Harare by non-Zimbabwean nationals. Figures for the number of Zimbabweans applying for working holiday-maker visas at entry clearance posts worldwide are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met(a) civil and (b) human rights organisations to discuss Zimbabwe; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings. [116894]

  Mr. Hain
  We are in close and regular touch with civil and human rights organisations in Zimbabwe through our High Commission in Harare.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many residents of Zimbabwe are eligible for British passports; and how many British passport holders there are in Zimbabwe. [116892]

  Mr. Hain
  We cannot provide exact figures because British nationals are not obliged to register with the High Commission in Harare. Our High Commission currently has 6,700 British nationals and some 5,000 dual British/Zimbabwe nationals registered. Actual numbers will be higher.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK visa applications have been received in the last 12 months from Zimbabwean nationals. [116897]

  Mr. Vaz
  Zimbabweans do not normally require visas before travelling to the United Kingdom though some in certain categories may do so. However, statistics on visa applications received worldwide are not collected on the basis of the nationality of applicants. We do not therefore have figures for the number of Zimbabweans applying at entry clearance posts worldwide. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Chechnya
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Russian counterparts concerning the exchange between the UK and Russia of anti-terrorist information, with particular reference to Chechnya. [116563]

  Mr. Battle
  The Foreign Secretary discussed counter terrorism and Chechnya when he met the Russian Foreign Minister and the then Acting President Putin in February this year. It was agreed that the UK and Russia should continue to work together in combating terrorism.

  Bangladesh
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the impact of the Public Safety Act (Special Powers) introduced by the Government of Bangladesh on 30 January. [116671]

  Mr. Hain
  There are reports of some arrests under the Public Safety Act. Our High Commissioner has raised our concerns about the Act with Bangladeshi Ministers. We continue to monitor the situation.

  Moldova
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government are doing to ensure that the commitments agreed at the OSCE Istanbul Summit concerning Russian withdrawal from the Transdniestrian region of Moldova are met. [117385]

  Mr. Vaz
  Her Majesty's Government fully support the OSCE Istanbul Declaration on Moldova, which called for complete withdrawal of Russian troops, armaments and ammunition from Moldovan territory by the end of 2002. Her Majesty's Government regularly emphasise the need to comply with this agreement in our discussions with the Russians, Moldovans and Ukrainians (the latter as guarantors of the peace). The Declaration agreed to consider the establishment of a voluntary fund for international assistance to facilitate the withdrawal. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contributed £100,000 to this fund from its ASSIST budget.

  An international Needs Assessment Mission to explore the removal and destruction of the ammunition and armaments is negotiating for access to Transdniestria. The UK is planning to contribute military experts to this Mission.

  Iran
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the death sentences passed on three Iranian Baha'is and a sentence of 10 years prison imposed on a fourth in the city of Mashad and the impact this will have on the Anglo-Iranian dialogue on human rights. [117221]

  Mr. Hain
  We remain concerned at reports of the death sentences passed on Mr. Najafabadi, Mr. Moghaddam and Mr. Khulusi in Mashad on 3 February. The picture has been somewhat confused by the recent statement by Mr. Sadeqi, spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary, that no such sentences had been passed. The Portuguese Presidency, on behalf of EU partners, presented a268W
  demarche to the Iranian authorities expressing our concern and seeking clarification as to the current status of these three gentlemen on 17 February. This was followed up with a further demarche in Tehran on 19 February. We took similar bilateral action with the Iranian Ambassador on 21 February. I raised this issue with Deputy Foreign Minister Sarmadi on 6 March.

  Iran is aware of our serious concern about the Baha'is. Persecution of individuals on religious grounds is totally unacceptable.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government will give to the resolution condemning Iran at the Commission on Human Rights in relation to the death sentences passed on three members of the Baha'i community in Iran on 3 February. [117220]

  Mr. Hain
  We, in conjunction with our EU partners, have drafted and will table the resolution to which the hon. Gentleman refers. We hope that the resolution will accurately reflect the human rights situation in Iran, both the improvements and the outstanding concerns such as the plight of the Baha'i community, as did the EU-sponsored resolution on human rights in Iran adopted at the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December.

  Mercenaries
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will bring forward proposals in the UN for the drafting of a UN Convention on banning the use of mercenary soldiers. [116890]

  Mr. Hain
  The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to bring forward proposals in the UN on this subject. The Government are committed to issuing a Green Paper on mercenary activity by November 2000. We will consider the way ahead in the light of the public response to that Green Paper.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116759]

  Mr. Battle: My Department has a total of 1,018 car parking spaces—88 in London and 930 at Hanslope Park, near Milton Keynes.

  EU Legislation
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements exist for regulatory impact assessments to be made for prospective items of European Union legislation. [116317]

  Mr. Stringer
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government take the same approach to prospective European legislation as to our own national proposals. We assess and scrutinise proposals in line with the requirements set out in our "Better Regulation Guide and Guide to Better European Regulation", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. Government Departments carry out regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) for prospective European legislation where this imposes additional costs or savings, or has an impact on

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  business, charities, or voluntary bodies. Subject to the expectations set out in the "Guide to Better European Regulation", an RIA must accompany any Explanatory Memorandum (EM) on prospective European legislation submitted to Parliament for its consideration.

  The European Commission has its own internal rules for evaluating prospective European legislation to take account of costs and benefits, called the fiche d'impact or business impact assessment. It is applied only to a limited range of legislative proposals.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what are the estimated total savings to date for each month during which the non-redirection of benefit post scheme has been running; and how many local authorities have been running the scheme during each of those months; [114001]

  Month

  Number of LAs using the service 1

  Number of LAs that are in their second or subsequent calendar month of using the service2

  Estimated number of fraudulent cases identified2

  Estimated savings (£000)3

  1999

  February

  3

  1

  1

  1

  March

  16

  3

  2

  3

  April

  31

  16

  11

  18

  May

  76

  31

  22

  35

  June

  101

  76

  53

  85

  July

  104

  101

  71

  113

  August

  112

  104

  73

  116

  September

  169

  112

  78

  125

  October 4

  194

  169

  118

  189

  November4

  211

  194

  136

  217

  December

  213

  211

  148

  236

  2000

  January

  248

  213

  149

  239

  February

  256

  248

  174

  278

  1 Data are provided by Royal Mail HQ based on information supplied by Delivery Offices.

  2 Assumes that LAs identify an average of 0.7 fraudulent case per month in all months other than the first month that they use the service when it is assumed that no fraudulent cases are identified(based on data collected in a telephone survey of LAs).

  3 Assumes that the saving from identifying a fraudulent case is £1,600 (based on data supplied by a sample of LAs).

  4 Data supplied by Royal Mail listed some LAs as using the scheme but gave no date. These LAs are assumed to have started between October and November 1999.

  Mail (Non-redirection)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate what proportion of the savings from the non-redirection of mail accrue from claims made by(a) landlords, (b) private tenants and (c) local authority or housing association tenants. [114672]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 14 March 2000]While estimates can be made of the average and total savings to date for local authorities from the non-redirection of benefit post scheme, the level of data available is insufficient to assess what proportion accrues from different types of tenancies.
  270W
  (2) what the average savings per local authority per week have been to date from the non-redirection of benefit post scheme. [114002]

  Angela Eagle
  e [holding answer 10 March 2000]The figures given are based on a series of estimates and assumptions set out in the notes to the table. They do not include the deterrent effect of the Royal Mail "do not redirect" scheme.

  The table shows the number of local authorities (LAs) using the Royal Mail "do not redirect" service in each month since it became available in February 1999. It also shows the estimated number of frauds identified and total savings achieved on the assumption that each fraud case saved an average of £1,600.

  On the basis of these estimates and assumptions the average weekly benefit savings achieved by each LA using this service would be around £250, which equates to £13,000 per authority per year. This means that on current information, were all local authorities to use this service, we would expect it to realise total savings of around £5.3 million per year.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the benefits of lone parents will in future be administered by the new agency dealing with people of working age. [115850]

  Angela Eagle
  The new organisation will administer benefits including Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support for people of working age, Incapacity Benefit, Widow's Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Invalid Care Allowance and industrial injury disablement benefits. This will therefore include benefits for lone parents of working age. It will also administer the New Deal for Lone Parents, and other employment-focused programmes.

  Pensions (Self-employed)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to announce his conclusions on pensions for the self-employed. [115909]

  Mr. Rooker
  In our Green Paper, "A new contract for welfare: PARTNERSHIP IN PENSIONS", we invited views on the proposal to bring self-employed people into the State Second Pension. The results of that exercise were inconclusive.

  We also asked the independent Pension Provision Group for their views. We are now considering their report, which we intend to publish shortly.

  Child Care Disregard
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households currently in receipt of the child care tax credit component of the working families tax credit will gain from the amendment of housing benefit regulations introducing a disregard of the child care component; what will be the average gain; and what is the total cost. [116076]

  Angela Eagle
  We made changes in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to take account of the introduction of the working families tax credit in October 1999. These changes included an increase in the amount deducted from earnings for child care costs. The effect of this change is minimal.

  This summer, subject to parliamentary approval and consultation with the Social Security Advisory Committee and the Local Authority Associations, we will be introducing a further amendment in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to increase the help available for child care. This amendment will allow child care costs to be deducted from working families tax credit or disabled persons tax credit in addition to earnings where those earnings are less than their eligible child care costs.

  Estimate of the number of gainers, average gain and the total cost of the effect of proposed changes to Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit summer 2000

  £

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  Total

  Cost (£ million per annum)

  1

  1

  2

  Gainers

  1,000

  1,000

  n/a

  Average gain (£ per week)

  18

  16

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. Based on data taken from 1998 HBMIS datasets.

  2. Costs are quoted in millions and are rounded to the nearest million.

  3. Gainers are rounded to the nearest 1,000. Gainers cannot be added together because some people will benefit in both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  4. Average gains are rounded to the nearest pound.

  Widowers
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men have been widowed and left with children under 16 years of age in each year since 1995. [116670]
  272W
  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Number of existing widowers with children who are aged under 16 in Great Britain

  Number

  Spring 1995

  15,000

  Spring
  1996

  15,000

  Spring
  1997

  15,000

  Spring
  1998

  20,000

  Spring
  1999

  20,000

  Note:

  Estimates rounded to nearest 5,000

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey

  Widowers' Benefits
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many ex gratia payments have been made by his Department in respect of benefits for widowers in each of the last five years. [116881]

  Angela Eagle
  One widower has been paid ex gratia payments of widows' benefits in the current year. No other such payments have been made in the last five years.

  Workplace Parking
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116766]

  Mr. Bayley
  There is a total of 29,960 car parking spaces at 492 buildings used and controlled by the Department. These buildings are where either the Department is the sole occupier or buildings where the Department is the major occupier and other Government Departments or private tenants share the premises.

  We are preparing Green Transport Plans for our key buildings in line with the commitment set out in the Transport White Paper and are reviewing the scope for reducing our car parking requirements in that context.

  Websites
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the expenditure incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on(a) the setting up and (b) the operation of websites, indicating the cases in which the expenditure has been above that budgeted; and if he will list for each website (i) the topics which have been covered, (ii) the current average number of hits per month and (iii) the estimated expenditure on each website for each of the next three years. [115842]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department and its agencies use the internet as one of a variety of methods to communicate with the public. The DSS website is updated regularly and includes separate webpages for the individual agencies and others. The website covers numerous topics and contains over 3,000 pages providing a range of information on benefits, complaints procedures and corporate documentation such as press releases, Ministerial speeches and Agency business plans.
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  The Departmental website is currently under development and is due to be relaunched shortly to take account of the Department's priorities in delivering services to its identified client groups. £245,000 has been allocated from the Departmental publicity budgets for this relaunch to ensure the DSS website meets Government website standards and addresses the criticisms voiced in the NAO report. Ongoing departmental costs at this stage are not yet finalised but are likely to change to reflect the need to improve content and service provision.

  The information that is available on costing and visits to the website are shown in the tables. To provide further breakdowns of the figures and costing would incur disproportionate costs.

  Topics

  BA site

  Benefit Information, Local office details, reports and leaflets, Press Releases, Customer Charter, Complaint Procedures, Pension Forecasting Information, Feedback section

  CSA site

  Child Support Maintenance leaflets, CSA publications, frequently asked questions and answers and CSA contact details

  HQ site

  General DSS information, DSS Facts and Figures, DSS reports and publications, speeches, press releases, the Decision Makers Guide, statistical information from ASD

  ITSA site

  ITSA publications, ITSA fact sheets and the history of ITSA

  WPA site

  Background to the scheme, War Pension Welfare Service, types of claim, how to make a claim, supplementary allowances, war widows entitlement, treatment and allowance, your rights to appeal and contacting WPA

  Appeals Service Agency
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Appeals Service Agency will be introduced; and if he will make a statement. [117573]

  Angela Eagle
  The Appeals Service agency will be established with effect from Monday 3 April 2000. This new executive agency will be responsible for administration of appeals, and its Chief Executive will be accountable to Parliament for performance. Appeal tribunals will remain independent of the Department with the President, who remains head of the tribunal Non Departmental Public Body, and panel members being appointed by the Lord Chancellor. The new structure will bring greater accountability, but will also retain and support the independence and impartiality of tribunals.

  In the past year, following the introduction of the new decision making and appeals arrangements, the Appeals Service under its Chief Executive designate has achieved both substantial reductions in the backlog of older cases and reduced waiting times for appeals to be heard. Full agency status, and the fact that the Chief Executive will be accountable to Parliament for the agency's performance for the first time, will provide the scope to consolidate these gains and wherever possible improve upon them over the coming year.

  A Framework Document for the agency will set out its aims and objectives, together with lines of accountability and details of planning, reporting, personnel and finance arrangements. A Service First statement will set out the standards of service appellants can expect from the agency. A Business Plan has also been published, together with Secretary of State targets for the forthcoming year. Copies of these documents are being placed in the Library.
  274W

  £000

  Approximate costs

  Initial start up costs (including staff and resources for the launch of the service)

  430

  Annual cost for service and maintenance

  80

  Costs for annual licence

  50

  Note

  These costs are only available for the Department as a whole and are borne by the Information Technology Services Agency who undertake a corporate role with respect to DSS Internet service provision.

  Statistics

  Average hits (departmental)

  2,510,316

  Estimated average user sessions (departmental)

  636,967

  Performance Targets
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what performance targets he has set his Department's agencies for 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [117574]

  Mr. Darling
  The targets I have set the Child Support Agency (CSA), War Pensions Agency (WPA) and The Appeals Service (TAS) for 2000–01 are as given. The targets reflect our determination to reform the welfare state and to modernise the Social Security system to encourage work for those who can and provide security for those who cannot. They underpin the Departmental Aim and Objectives set out in our Public Service Agreement.

  Further information on CSA, WPA and TAS plans for 2000–01 is contained in their individual business plans, which have been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The targets I have set for the Benefits Agency and publication of its Business Plan will be announced in due course.

  Targets for 2000–01 are:
  CSA Secretary of State Targets 2000–2001

  Outstanding Work
  The Agency will reduce its outstanding work to a prescribed level in all key business processes by 31 March 2001. The reduction in outstanding work to be achieved is based on a prescribed level of work equivalent to (x) weeks of intake and is different for each business process:

  Pre Maintenance Assessment (18 weeks)

  Revisions, Super cessions and Case Checks (6.2 weeks)

  Account Advice (4 weeks)

  Interim Maintenance Assessment (49 weeks)

  275W

  Account Maintenance (1.4 weeks)

  Debt Management (12 weeks)

  Enforcement (30 weeks)

  Case Compliance
  To collect child maintenance and arrears from 71 per cent, of non resident parents with maintenance liability due to be paid through the Agency's collection service.

  Cash Compliance
  To collect 68 per cent, of child maintenance and arrears due for payment through the Agency's collection service.

  Accuracy
  The cash value of all assessments checked in the year to be correct to the nearest penny in at least 78 per cent, of cases.

  Complaints
  To reduce the number of complaints received compared with current caseload to less than 0.15 per cent.

  Customer Service Standards
  The Agency will demonstrate improvement across the range of the Customer Service Standards.

  Secretary of State Milestone Targets

  The Change Agenda—Child Support Reform

  (a) establish Process Learning Centres by 30 April 2000

  (b) complete the introduction of customer account statements for clients by 30 June 2000

  (c) establish a Model Office by 31 December 2000

  (d) commence data cleansing by 31 January 2001

  Debt Reduction
  To reduce the outstanding level of debt owing from full maintenance assessments at 31 March 2000 by 25 per cent, by 31 March 2001.

  Staffing

  (a) by March 2001, work with others in the Department to develop, pilot and evaluate new ways of measuring staff perception of the organisation to improve satisfaction and motivation; and

  (b) contribute to the reduction in public sector sickness by reducing absences by 10 per cent, from 1998 Public Service Agreement baseline levels by 31 December 2000.

  Investors in People
  Individual Business Units will maintain Investors in People accreditation during 2000–01 and the Agency will achieve Investors in People accreditation by 31 March 2001.

  Fraud/Security Measures
  To develop and implement shadow measures for fraud/security by 1 July 2000; and for these measures to be reported on for the remainder of the year to inform the development of targets for 2001–02.

  Customer Service Standards:

  Payments
  98 per cent, of payments made to the Parent with Care (or their bank or building society) to be made within 10 working days of receipt from the Non Resident Parent.

  Customer Account Statements
  When requested, we aim to issue the majority of customer account statements within 40 working days.

  Office Interview
  98 per cent, of clients to be seen within 10 minutes of the time of a pre-booked office appointment.

  Client Help lines and the National Enquiry Line
  80 per cent, of telephone calls to Client Help lines and the National Enquiry Line to be answered first time.
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  Correspondence
  65 per cent, of letters to be answered within 10 working days of receipt.

  Customer Satisfaction
  95 per cent, of customers surveyed on quality call backs (following contact with the National Enquiry Line/Client Help lines and Face-to-Face) to be at least satisfied with the service received.

  Complaints
  To resolve the majority of customer complaints within 20 working days of receipt.

  The Appeals Service Agency Targets 2000–01

  Active Customer Focused Service Delivery

  1. By March 2001, the average waiting time for an appeal to be heard will be no more than 14 weeks from time of receipt within the Appeals Service.

  2. By March 2001, no more than 10 per cent, of cases will have been outstanding for more than 26 weeks.

  3. To publish a Service First Statement, put in place arrangements to collect information on performance against the new measures, and meet the published standards.

  4. To put in place monitoring systems to allow a Secretary of State target for customer satisfaction to be set in April 2001.

  5. To reduce instances of avoidable adjournments by 25 per cent.

  Investing in People

  6. To lead and manage people effectively through specified measures and contribute to the reduction in public sector sickness absence levels by reducing absences by 10 per cent, from 1998 Public Service Agreement baseline levels by 31 December 2000.

  7. By 31 March 2001, work with others in the Department to develop, pilot and evaluate new ways of measuring staff perception of the organisation to improve satisfaction and motivation.

  War Pensions Agency Targets 2000–01

  Putting Service First
  1. To deliver a quality service to war pensioners and war widows by achieving the standards published in the War Pensions Agency's Service First Charter.

  Working in Partnership
  2.By 31 March 2001, to implement those recommendations of the 1999 War Pensions Agency Prior Options Review which relate to the objectives of the War Pensioners' Welfare Service and the partnership opportunities associated with the management of the Ilford Park Polish Home to the standards and timetable agreed with the Department.

  Modernisation and Managing Change
  3. To work with the Lord Chancellor's Department, Ministry of Defence and the voluntary sector/ex-service organisations to implement the recommendations of the War Pensions Agency's 1999 Decision Making and Appeals Study to the standards and timetable agreed with the Department.

  Valuing our People
  4. To lead and manage people effectively through specified measures and contribute to the reduction in public sickness absence levels by reducing absences by 17 per cent, from 1998 Public Service Agreement baseline levels by 31 December 2000.

  Efficiency
  5.To generate efficiencies during 2000–01 to absorb the effect of pay and price pressures; and introduce additional cost saving measures that will enable the War Pensions Agency to operate within its running cost allocation.

  Armed Forces' Rifles
  Armed Forces' Rifles
  Mozambique Emergency: Charges for Helicopter Use
  Mozambique Emergency: Charges for Helicopter Use
  TA Financial Systems Administrators
  TA Financial Systems Administrators
  Kosovo: Railway System
  Kosovo: Railway System
  Chechnya: Assistance
  Chechnya: Assistance
  Civil Actions: Statistics
  Civil Actions: Statistics
  Access to Justice Act, Section 30: Costs Recovery
  Access to Justice Act, Section 30: Costs Recovery
  HM Land Registry and Public Record Office: Key Performance Targets
  HM Land Registry and Public Record Office: Key Performance Targets
  Reconviction Rates
  Reconviction Rates
  Prison Service: Business Plan and Key Performance Indicators
  Prison Service: Business Plan and Key Performance Indicators
  Metropolitan Police Boundary Changes
  Metropolitan Police Boundary Changes
  Metropolitan Police: Policing and Performance Plan
  Metropolitan Police: Policing and Performance Plan
  Life Peerages
  Life Peerages
  Education Action Zones
  Education Action Zones
  Post-16 Curriculum Reforms: Funding
  Post-16 Curriculum Reforms: Funding
  Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme
  Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme
  Food Standards Agency and MAFF's Role
  Food Standards Agency and MAFF's Role
  Agriculture: Government Strategy
  Agriculture: Government Strategy
  Diazinon-based Sheep Dips
  Diazinon-based Sheep Dips
  Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
  Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
  Agriculture and the Euro
  Agriculture and the Euro
  Cattle Brain Tissue Analysis
  Cattle Brain Tissue Analysis
  Vehicle Number Plates
  Vehicle Number Plates
  Food Standards Agency
  Food Standards Agency
  NHS Research and Development
  NHS Research and Development
  Poinding and Warrant Sale, Scotland: Tax Effects of Abolition
  Poinding and Warrant Sale, Scotland: Tax Effects of Abolition
  Greenwich Park: Car Parking Charges
  Greenwich Park: Car Parking Charges
  Girls Under 16: Pregnancies
  Girls Under 16: Pregnancies
  Wales: Additional Education Funding
  Wales: Additional Education Funding
  Wales: NHS Expenditure
  Wales: NHS Expenditure
  Wales: Task Forces and Review Groups
  Wales: Task Forces and Review Groups
  Wales: NHS Trust Members
  Wales: NHS Trust Members
  Nursing and Care Home Residents: Diabetes—Screening
  Nursing and Care Home Residents: Diabetes—Screening
  Northern Ireland: Pregnancies in 11 to 16 year-old Girls
  Northern Ireland: Pregnancies in 11 to 16 year-old Girls
  Northern Ireland: Bus and Rail Transport Studies
  Northern Ireland: Bus and Rail Transport Studies