Written Answers of 4 May 2000

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Government's special advisers and their responsibilities. [119982]

  The Prime Minister

  [holding answer 20 April 2000]I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 11 November 1999,Official Report, columns 826–28W. Since then, I have appointed Carey Oppenheim, Carl Sobhan and Chris MacShane. Dr. lain Anderson is no longer employed as a special adviser. In addition, ministerial colleagues have appointed the following special advisers: Margaret Ounsley (Chief Whip, House of Lords), Ruth Mackenzie (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), Andrew Hood (Secretary of State for Defence), David Wilson (Deputy Prime Minister), Michael Williams (Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) and Andrew McMenaman (Secretary of State for Wales).

  All special advisers are employed under terms and conditions set out in the "Model Contract for Special Advisers", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the contract sets out the duties and responsibilities of special advisers.

  House of Lords Reform
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Prime Minister if he is in a position to announce the membership of the House of Lords Appointments Commission promised in "Modernising Government: Reforming the House of Lords" (Cmnd 4183). [121113]

  The Prime Minister
  Following an open recruitment exercise conducted in accordance with the principles of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, I have decided to appoint the following people, on the recommendation of the selection panel, as the independent Chairman and members of the Interim House of Lords Appointments Commission.

  The Chairman will be Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, the Chairman of the Pearson Group and Halifax plc and a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords. The leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have been informed and are content for Lord Stevenson to be appointed as Chairman.

  The independent members, chosen from a strong field of candidates, will be Mrs. Angela Sarkis CBE, the Chief Executive of the Church Urban Fund; Dame Deirdre Hine, previously Chief Medical Officer at the Welsh Office and Chairman of the Commission for Health Improvement; and Ms Felicity Huston, Chairman of the Northern Ireland
  182W
  Consumer Committee for Electricity and Deputy Chairman of the General Consumer Council of Northern Ireland.

  In addition, the Commission will contain a member nominated by each of the three main political parties. The Labour Party member is the right hon. Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. The Conservative Party member is the right hon. Lord Hurd of Westwell CH, CBE. The Liberal Democrat member is Lord Dholakia OBE, DL.

  The seven members of the Commission will combine knowledge of the existing House of Lords with a diverse range of personal backgrounds. They will be well-qualified to take forward the process of appointing non-political peers to the House of Lords on a more open and transparent basis and to take on responsibility for vetting all nominations for peerages.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Car Worker Retraining Programmes
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding retraining programmes available to car workers made redundant at Longbridge and its suppliers. [119632]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Rover Task Force produced an interim report that was presented on 26 April to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who welcomed the proposals.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has pledged £129 million to assist the people and businesses of the west midlands and the report made a number of recommendations about short and medium-term actions that should be taken to regenerate the region. These include a number of initiatives that will tackle employee re-skilling and re-training for workers from Rover and its supplier chain who will be made redundant or whose jobs will be affected. Funding of more than £27 million has been approved to support this work, to help individuals and to aid supplier chain diversification which will include the re-training of up to 4,000 workers.

  The report also recommends three new initiatives to support employees which will:

  extend engineer secondments in the supply chain group through major vehicle companies;

  create access to an innovative on-line training system for the automotive supply sector;

  introduce a regional mechanism for the co-ordination of modern apprenticeships and new deal programme participants.

  senior Civil Servants
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what position(a) Mr. Jonathan Green and (b) Mr. Michael Atkinson (i) held in his Department on 1 January and (ii) will hold on 1 May. [120117]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Mr. Jonathan Green was Director, Energy Utilities on 1 January 2000 and was still in post on 1 May.
  183W
  Mr. Michael Atkinson was Director, Coal Unit on 1 January. On 1 May he moved to become Director, Resources, Business Competitiveness Group. His successor as Director Coal Unit will be Mr. Peter Mason.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the movements of senior civil servants from and to the division of his Department dealing with energy issues in the last six months. [120110]

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes have been made recently in the officials dealing with coal and industrial subsidy. [120207]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested is as follows:Mrs. Ann Taylor moved into the Energy Group on 21 February 2000 to replace Mr. Alan Wright as Director, Coal Health Claims Unit in Energy Policy, Technology, Analysis and Coal Directorate. Mr. Wright moved on the same date to a post in the Department's Finance and Resources Management Directorate.
  Mr. Stephen Spivey moved into the Energy Group on 14 February 2000 to fill a temporary post in the BNFL Public Private Partnership Team. He then moved to a new post in Nuclear Industries Directorate as Director, UKAEA Quinquennial Review Team, on 10 April 2000.
  Dr. Stephen Sklaroff, Director, BNFL Public Private Partnership Team resigned from the Department with effect from 15 March 2000. Mr. John Rhodes moved into the Energy Group on 20 March to replace Dr: Sklaroff.
  Mr. Mike Atkinson transferred from his post Director, Coal Unit in Energy Policy, Technology, Analysis and Coal Directorate to a new post ad Director, Resources, Business Competitiveness Group on 26 April 2000.
  Mr. Peter Mason transferred from Consumer Affairs to Energy Policy, Technology, Analysis and Coal to replace Mike Atkinson on 2 May.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who his Department's(a) Director of Energy Utilities and (b) Director of Coal Units are. [120118]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The following is the information:

  (a) Mr. Jonathan Green

  (b) Mr. Peter Mason

  BMW
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if BMW has indicated that it would consider a bid for(a) the new Mini and (b) the R30. [120076]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer to the evidence given by Professor Samann to the Trade and Industry Select Committee on 29 March 2000.

  Media Discussions
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he, his Ministers and his officials had with(a) Kevin Maguire and (b) Keith Harper of The Guardian during (i) the week beginning 10 April, (ii) Saturday 15 April and (iii) Sunday 16 April; and what subjects were discussed. [120109]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department maintains regular contact with a range of journalists.

  Post Offices
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices were closed in each year from 1992 to 1999; and how many were opened. [120797]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that historical data for the numbers of post offices opened are not available. The net numbers of post office closures are as follows:

  Year ending March

  Number

  1993

  202

  1994

  176

  1995

  175

  1996

  193

  1997

  163

  1998

  243

  1999

  233

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Out-of-school-hours Study
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to establish a new entitlement to regular out-of-school-hours study support for older primary pupils and secondary schools. [119635]

  Mr. Wills
  We know that taking part in out-of-school-hours study support improves pupil attitudes and is linked to better performance at school. Virtually all schools already provide some study support activities and around half of all pupils attend at least one activity per week. We want to extend that to all pupils, which is why we have announced our intention to provide all older primary and secondary pupils with the opportunity to take part in these activities.

  Evidence suggests that disadvantaged young people benefit most from the kind of study support opportunities that other young people may take for granted, such as learning to play a musical instrument or having the space or encouragement to do their homework. It is for these reasons that this Government have, for the first time, ring-fenced significant funding for study support, which we are targeting on young people from disadvantaged areas.

  To date, almost 2,000 schools have benefited from a share of the £240 million that is available for study support through the New Opportunities Fund. In addition to this, around 6,800 schools are expected to benefit this year from £20 million of Standards Fund money for study support, and this amount will rise to £60 million next year.

  Performance-related Pay (Teachers)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received regarding performance-related pay for teachers. [119638]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government's proposals for teachers' pay reform were initially outlined in the Green Paper, "Teachers: meeting the challenge of change"
  185W
  (Cm 4164). We have discussed our proposals extensively with all teacher unions and other key stakeholders. Following publication of the draft School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2000 on 2 May, we are continuing discussions with statutory consultees.

  New Deal
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend the scope of the New Deal for the long-term unemployed. [119641]

  Ms Jowell
  The New Deal for those aged 25 and over has already helped over 38,000 people into jobs. This year we are investing almost £100 million in strengthening the advisory process, making it more intensive and work-focused, and in extending the existing pilots. From April 2001, this New Deal will be extended to all those who have been unemployed for 18 months or more. It will provide intensive support to find work, including high quality training and work experience, building on the successful approach of New Deal for young people.

  Information and Communications Technology
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that all social groups have equal opportunities for access to information and communications technology. [119643]

  Mr. Wills
  We are taking forward a range of measures to ensure that everyone can benefit from the advantages of new technologies. The ICT Learning Centres initiative will give many people living in disadvantaged communities in England the opportunity to access the Internet and ICT facilities. We have recently announced a pilot project to wire-up deprived communities to bring housing estates, tower blocks and rural areas on line. We are also introducing a scheme—"Computers within Reach"—to pilot arrangements for those who cannot afford new computers to acquire reconditioned computers. The recently published report of Policy Action Team 15 looked specifically at issues relating to the role of ICT in community renewal, including the availability of ICT to black and minority ethnic groups. We will continue to work with partners and the private sector to address the issue of closing the digital divide.

  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support has been given to teachers to ensure that they are able to utilise information and communications technology to raise standards. [119644]

  Mr. Wills

  The New Opportunities Fund is making available £230 million to support the training of serving teachers and school library staff in the maintained sector in the effective use of information and communication technology (ICT). The training is available to all teachers in maintained schools and is specifically targeted at using ICT in the classroom to support the National Curriculum. In addition, in the period up to 2002, the Department will have supported local education authorities expenditure of more than £700 million on ICT hardware, software and training for their schools.
  186W
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that people in deprived communities develop ICT skills for employability. [119625]

  Mr. Wills
  From 15 May, we will be making available 50,000 extra training opportunities in England for people claiming benefits to acquire basic computer skills with recognised first-rung qualifications. The courses will increase their chances of getting a job as well as enable those who wish to develop their ICT skills further. In addition, the Government are making £15 million available for a pilot scheme—"Computers Within Reach"—to enable those who cannot afford new computers to acquire reconditioned computers for use in the home for the purpose of improving their employment prospects, for lifelong learning, or for their children's homework. We recently announced a £10 million project to wire up disadvantaged communities, enabling people living in them to use the new information and communications technologies to access jobs, learning opportunities, Government and other services. We are also establishing around 700 ICT Learning Centres in the most deprived communities. These centres will offer access to those initial ICT skills that are increasingly essential to people's job and career prospects.

  Complaints Procedures
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to proceed with regulations requiring school governing bodies to establish a complaints system. [119645]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to do so, especially as the majority of schools have their own complaints procedures. We have to balance the advantages of setting out national minimum requirements against the disadvantages of introducing another bureaucratic burden. School staff should respond seriously to parental concerns and complaints, to avoid the need for them to go to governing bodies. And governing bodies, in their own interests, should have effective mechanisms in place for handling any parental complaints that do reach them, so that difficulties are resolved swiftly and fairly.

  Lecturers
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the pay and conditions of part-time lecturing staff in further and higher education. [119646]

  Mr. Wicks
  Pay and conditions for FE and HE staff are an important issue, although the detailed arrangements are for employers to determine. We have increased the funding for higher education by over £1 billion over the four years to 2001–02. And we have made the biggest ever investment in FE, increasing funds from £3.1 billion in 1998–99 to £3.9 billion in 2001–02. We are encouraging employers and unions to work together on sensible ways forward under the improved circumstances we have created.

  Better Regulation Task Force
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement
  187W
  on the implications of the recent report of the better regulation task force for the work of secondary school (a) teachers and (b) headmasters. [119647]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I welcome the report from the Better Regulation Task Force Review of Red Tape Affecting Head Teachers. It is a helpful contribution to the Government's campaign to raise standards in both secondary and primary schools.

  My Department is committed to do all that it can to help head teachers and classroom teachers focus on their priority task of raising standards of attainment for pupils. We have already taken steps to reduce needless bureaucracy, but we recognise there is more to be done. We will build on the work we have done and have given the £80 million in 2000–01 for small schools' administrative support.

  Headteachers (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the number of headteachers leaving the profession in Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [119648]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The leaving rate of headteachers in Gloucestershire during 1997–98 (the latest year for which figures are available) was 9.4 per cent., similar to the national rate of 9.6 per cent. Since that time the leaving rate of headteachers taking early retirement has declined, although the full figures for headteacher leavers are not yet available.

  Higher Education
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve teaching standards in higher education. [119649]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Quality Assurance Agency carries out subject reviews of provision in departments of higher education institutions. These include an assessment of the quality of teaching and the learning experience of the student. In addition, to reinforce the quality of teaching, the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education has been set up. Its purpose is to:

  enhance the status of teaching in higher education;

  maintain and improve the quality of learning and teaching in higher education;

  set standards of good professional practice that its members, and in due course all those with learning and teaching responsibilities, might follow.

  In July 2000, my noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment in the Lords will award 20 ILT National Teaching Fellowships of £50,000 each. The awards will recognise and reward individual academics who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and support for learning.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on consultation with teachers' representative organisations about changes in their pay arrangements. [119650]
  188W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Since the publication of the Green Paper, Teachers: meeting the challenge of change (Cm 4164), in December 1998, we have consulted extensively with teacher representatives about the proposed changes to teachers' pay structure. On 2 May, we published a draft of the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2000 for consultation with statutory consultees including teacher unions.

  Classroom Assistants
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his assessment is of the effect of the single status agreement on classroom assistants. [119651]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government take the view that schools and Local Education Authorities are best placed to decide on matters concerning the pay and conditions of local authority staff. The new Single Status Agreement was agreed nationally by local authority employers and staff unions under the auspices of the Local Government Management Board, but its implementation is being determined at local level.

  Disruptive Pupils
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to assist schools in dealing with disruptive pupils. [119652]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are providing more than £500 million over three years, backed up by new guidance on 'Social Inclusion: Pupil Support', to help schools tackle pupils' behavioural problems. From this September we are expanding the Excellence in Cities initiative to 21 additional local education authorities. This will include the provision of additional Learning Mentors and Learning Support Units to help schools better manage disruptive pupils.

  In addition, on 27 April my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced £28 million to establish 360 LSUs outside Excellence in Cities areas; £8 million to establish 60 pilot LSUs to serve about 200 primary schools in existing EiC areas; a new £2 million innovation fund with the voluntary sector and employers to provide innovative programmes for excluded pupils and pupils at risk of exclusion; and a new £9 million pupil allowance scheme for secondary schools in EiC areas which accept difficult pupils outside the normal admissions round.

  Early Years Child Care
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in approving the plans submitted by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships. [119653]

  Ms Hodge
  All 150 Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships for 2000–01 have now been assessed: 147 have been given full approval; one conditional approval; and three deferred approval.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Sure Start programme. [119654]
  189W
  Yvette Cooper
  I have been asked to reply.

  Of the 60 Sure Start trailblazer programmes that were announced in January 1999, 57 have now received approval and are starting to help young children and their families. The remaining three will follow shortly. In November 1999 we launched the second wave of Sure Start by inviting a further 69 areas to start work to develop local programmes. All of these are now working on drawing up their final plans. This brings the number of Sure Start programmes so far announced to 129.

  Head Teachers' Pay
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received on head teachers' pay. [R][119629]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are engaged in a regular dialogue with representatives of employers and headteachers. The pay arrangements are based on recommendations made by the independent School Teachers' Review Body. We are committed to consulting all key stakeholders before any changes are made. The Government propose to make up to £70 million available over the two years 2000–01 and 2000–02 to support performance-pay awards for heads, as well as for deputies and Advanced Skills Teachers.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on class sizes in primary schools since May 1997. [119639]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The size of primary classes has gone down in each of the past two years after rising steadily throughout the previous 10 years. In January

  The number of free places provided for four-year-olds in the private, voluntary and independent sectors, by term, from autumn 1998 to spring 2000 (by LEA area)

  LEA number

  LEA name

  Autumn 1998

  Spring 1999

  Summer 1999

  Autumn 1999

  Spring 2000

  201

  City of London

  9

  5

  11

  3

  4

  202

  Camden

  520

  539

  578

  531

  522

  203

  Greenwich

  373

  301

  324

  337

  300

  204

  Hackney

  468

  471

  522

  546

  489

  205

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  212

  242

  285

  214

  221

  206

  Islington

  175

  209

  280

  203

  192

  207

  Kensington and Chelsea

  167

  173

  148

  120

  142

  208

  Lambeth

  447

  457

  580

  747

  836

  209

  Lewisham

  297

  249

  311

  320

  268

  210

  Southwark

  379

  355

  438

  370

  386

  211

  Tower Hamlets

  63

  66

  84

  64

  65

  212

  Wandsworth

  802

  910

  936

  786

  830

  213

  Westminster

  350

  353

  372

  358

  356

  301

  Barking and Dagenham

  13

  19

  30

  6

  28

  302

  Barnet

  361

  639

  820

  303

  592

  303

  Bexley

  367

  245

  348

  315

  263

  304

  Brent

  190

  263

  342

  207

  274

  305

  Bromley

  1,604

  1,192

  1,866

  1,683

  1,196

  306

  Croydon

  586

  689

  927

  552

  663

  307

  Ealing

  338

  411

  505

  0

  403

  308

  Enfield

  203

  507

  736

  185

  505

  309

  Haringey

  56

  116

  161

  53

  164

  310

  Harrow

  285

  246

  371

  305

  268

  311

  Havering

  96

  499

  763

  92

  460

  312

  Hillingdon

  378

  330

  377

  357

  323

  313

  Hounslow

  53

  85

  113

  50

  98

  190W
  1998, the average size of primary classes was 27.7. In January 1999, the figure was 27.5, and in January 2000 it was 27.1. The figure in January 1988 was 25.4.

  Age Discrimination
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps have been taken to publicise the Code on age diversity and to combat age discrimination in employment. [119640]

  Ms Hodge
  The Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment is at the heart of our campaign to tackle age discrimination. The Code was developed with the help of key partners, who are promoting it to their members.

  Initial advertising concentrated on personnel professionals and managers. The campaign I launched in February to promote the Code to a wider audience uses billboard posters, national and regional press and commercial radio. Further activities and events will continue until the end of the year.

  Early Years Education
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places are provided by private sector providers in each local education authority as part of their agreed Early Years Childcare and Education Development Partnerships to provide all four-year-olds with an early years education place. [119196]

  Ms Hodge

  [holding answer 14 April 2000]The following table shows the overall numbers of places for four-year-olds in the private, voluntary and independent sectors by local education authority area from autumn 1998 to spring 2000. Figures are not collected separately on private sector places.

  The figures show variations between the school terms reflecting the differing admission arrangements to maintained schools operating in each local education authority area.
  191W

  The number of free places provided for four-year-olds in the private, voluntary and independent sectors, by term, from autumn 1998 to spring 2000 (by LEA area)

  LEA number

  LEA name

  Autumn 1998

  Spring 1999

  Summer 1999

  Autumn 1999

  Spring 2000

  314

  Kingston Upon Thames

  106

  206

  249

  137

  262

  315

  Merton

  183

  217

  232

  205

  242

  316

  Newham

  54

  33

  46

  77

  64

  317

  Redbridge

  503

  496

  593

  444

  463

  318

  Richmond Upon Thames

  348

  520

  693

  386

  564

  319

  Sutton

  283

  389

  322

  244

  375

  320

  Waltham Forest

  157

  164

  183

  201

  208

  330

  Birmingham

  409

  910

  1,259

  423

  1.005

  331

  Coventry

  109

  359

  514

  98

  361

  332

  Dudley

  277

  252

  419

  341

  258

  333

  Sandwell

  3

  45

  70

  9

  52

  334

  Solihull

  77

  144

  193

  90

  147

  335

  Walsall

  43

  62

  72

  55

  39

  336

  Wolverhampton

  81

  92

  130

  126

  103

  340

  Knowsley

  1

  19

  42

  0

  31

  341

  Liverpool

  194

  397

  600

  164

  436

  342

  St. Helens

  49

  162

  215

  57

  149

  343

  Sefton

  169

  335

  481

  155

  295

  344

  Wirral

  133

  565

  850

  227

  650

  350

  Bolton

  68

  239

  347

  77

  250

  351

  Bury

  98

  319

  457

  98

  287

  352

  Manchester

  147

  177

  200

  120

  157

  353

  Oldham

  59

  195

  285

  72

  255

  354

  Rochdale

  38

  165

  259

  26

  203

  355

  Salford

  202

  255

  270

  199

  226

  356

  Stockport

  233

  460

  618

  257

  433

  357

  Tameside

  10

  104

  173

  22

  153

  358

  Trafford

  226

  235

  417

  211

  367

  359

  Wigan

  14

  294

  539

  5

  322

  370

  Barnsley

  87

  117

  124

  123

  181

  371

  Doncaster

  54

  89

  111

  61

  104

  372

  Rotherham

  168

  185

  161

  170

  212

  373

  Sheffield

  644

  707

  852

  750

  786

  380

  Bradford

  95

  285

  424

  87

  324

  381

  Calderdale

  66

  175

  248

  58

  174

  382

  Kirklees

  139

  269

  445

  178

  323

  383

  Leeds

  300

  527

  701

  306

  520

  384

  Wakefield

  192

  216

  245

  194

  229

  390

  Gateshead

  78

  169

  240

  52

  206

  391

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  209

  278

  334

  197

  236

  392

  North Tyneside

  42

  48

  61

  31

  63

  393

  South Tyneside

  0

  15

  23

  0

  10

  394

  Sunderland

  58

  96

  131

  53

  103

  420

  Isles of Scilly

  11

  6

  10

  0

  4

  800

  Bath and North East Somerset

  114

  487

  758

  158

  455

  8O1

  Bristol, City of

  205

  522

  736

  220

  548

  802

  North Somerset

  97

  553

  868

  62

  507

  803

  South Gloucestershire

  69

  687

  1,171

  67

  686

  805

  Hartlepool

  10

  15

  24

  14

  0

  806

  Middlesbrough

  14

  16

  37

  25

  54

  807

  Redcar and Cleveland

  6

  11

  15

  3

  6

  808

  Stockton on Tees

  87

  61

  69

  85

  78

  810

  Kingston Upon Hull

  67

  190

  256

  56

  207

  811

  East Riding of Yorks

  308

  652

  900

  332

  691

  812

  North East Lincolnshire

  48

  173

  299

  48

  172

  813

  North Lincolnshire

  45

  145

  240

  38

  38

  815

  North Yorkshire

  438

  1,131

  1,772

  418

  1,109

  816

  York, City of

  224

  293

  428

  215

  338

  820

  Bedfordshire

  472

  774

  951

  518

  792

  821

  Luton

  146

  182

  209

  125

  206

  825

  Buckinghamshire

  1,300

  1,521

  1,759

  1,277

  1,583

  826

  Milton Keynes

  538

  606

  582

  579

  616

  830

  Derbyshire

  980

  1,043

  1,564

  988

  1,095

  831

  Derby, City of

  273

  277

  401

  295

  269

  835

  Dorset

  283

  1,155

  1,817

  255

  1,189

  836

  Poole

  92

  400

  612

  67

  397

  837

  Bournemouth

  147

  432

  662

  146

  444

  840

  Durham

  50

  210

  320

  48

  233

  841

  Darlington

  108

  98

  145

  95

  105

  845

  East Sussex

  352

  1,452

  2,292

  402

  1,448

  846

  Brighton and Hove

  262

  609

  884

  261

  675

  850

  Hampshire

  940

  4,222

  6,719

  919

  4,305

  192W 193W

  The number of free places provided for four-year-olds in the private, voluntary and independent sectors, by term, from autumn 1998 to spring 2000 (by LEA area)

  LEA number

  LEA name

  Autumn 1998

  Spring 1999

  Summer 1999

  Autumn 1999

  Spring 2000

  851

  Portsmouth

  130

  500

  802

  92

  508

  852

  Southampton

  83

  500

  819

  86

  514

  855

  Leicestershire

  1,597

  2,233

  2,562

  1,815

  2,452

  856

  Leicester, City of

  211

  284

  324

  223

  337

  857

  Rutland

  28

  94

  152

  20

  83

  860

  Staffordshire

  243

  554

  805

  237

  551

  861

  Stoke on Trent

  31

  69

  81

  45

  79

  865

  Wiltshire

  872

  1,720

  2,642

  965

  1,631

  866

  Swindon

  166

  569

  933

  120

  497

  867

  Bracknell Forest

  505

  506

  480

  523

  556

  868

  Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  630

  637

  769

  711

  748

  869

  West Berkshire

  431

  480

  481

  449

  439

  870

  Reading

  404

  460

  450

  505

  470

  871

  Slough

  173

  183

  183

  158

  152

  872

  Wokingham

  853

  877

  797

  854

  880

  873

  Cambridgeshire

  170

  1,384

  2,205

  219

  1,403

  874

  Peterborough

  28

  562

  886

  19

  497

  875

  Cheshire

  452

  1,825

  2,722

  381

  1,695

  876

  Halton

  5

  204

  348

  2

  211

  877

  Warrington

  14

  296

  597

  4

  342

  878

  Devon

  2,632

  1,959

  2,930

  2,726

  2,033

  879

  Plymouth

  1,122

  679

  1,094

  992

  580

  880

  Torbay

  333

  242

  399

  379

  244

  881

  Essex

  4,198

  4,742

  5,793

  4,104

  4,720

  882

  Southend-on-Sea

  516

  519

  692

  354

  524

  883

  Thurrock

  239

  198

  337

  224

  267

  884

  Herefordshire

  332

  430

  641

  266

  457

  885

  Worcestershire

  743

  1,618

  2,244

  743

  1,447

  886

  Kent

  3,595

  4,613

  7,290

  3,282

  4,600

  887

  Medway Towns (R&G)

  450

  801

  1,323

  1,109

  790

  888

  Lancashire

  321

  2,202

  3,562

  305

  2,333

  889

  Blackburn with Darwen

  50

  214

  253

  54

  179

  890

  Blackpool

  66

  369

  546

  75

  387

  891

  Nottinghamshire

  1,211

  1,268

  1,226

  1,212

  1,317

  892

  Nottingham, City of

  364

  382

  355

  380

  All

  893

  Shropshire

  1,165

  1,171

  1,007

  1,137

  1,169

  894

  Telford and Wrekin

  445

  432

  393

  446

  472

  908

  Cornwall

  306

  773

  1,137

  310

  825

  909

  Cumbria

  105

  468

  732

  88

  573

  916

  Gloucestershire

  393

  1,846

  3,019

  406

  1,950

  919

  Hertfordshire

  1,487

  1,662

  1,724

  1,517

  1,619

  921

  Isle of Wight

  45

  446

  707

  50

  466

  925

  Lincolnshire

  252

  1,137

  1,725

  239

  1,117

  926

  Norfolk

  1,445

  1,725

  2,758

  1,474

  1,693

  928

  Northamptonshire

  259

  1,409

  2,207

  290

  1,367

  929

  Northumberland

  36

  172

  258

  30

  160

  931

  Oxfordshire

  2,493

  2,534

  2,351

  2,388

  2,605

  933

  Somerset

  211

  1,440

  2,487

  250

  1,565

  935

  Suffolk

  1,031

  1,483

  1,754

  1,034

  1,400

  936

  Surrey

  2,195

  4,080

  5,515

  2,185

  4,064

  937

  Warwickshire

  387

  1,442

  2,103

  395

  1,366

  938

  West Sussex

  1,371

  2,630

  3,770

  1,349

  2,615

  Total

  59,708

  97,503

  134,926

  60,430

  99,290

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have found work through the new deal for the disabled since its inception. [119633]

  Ms Hodge
  We have been piloting the New Deal for Disabled People since autumn 1998. Our experience shows that for many people on incapacity benefits the journey back to work will be lengthy. I am pleased therefore to be able to say that to the end of March this year some 2,755 people had found employment.

  Financial Literacy
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve levels of financial literacy. [119623]

  Jacqui Smith
  Financial capability is part of the new national guidelines for Personal, Social and Health Education which were issued to schools last year and come into effect this autumn. From the start of the school year 2002, secondary school pupils will also learn about the rights and responsibilities of consumers, employees and employers as part of Citizenship in the
  195W
  National Curriculum. This will be complemented by the work of the Adult Financial Literacy Advisory Group, set up to identify good ideas and existing best practice to give adults the skills and confidence to handle their finances.

  National Disability Council
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the National Disability Council will report on its recent activities. [121250]

  Ms Hodge
  I am pleased to announce that the National Disability Council's report for 1999–2000 has been laid before Parliament today. The report, copies of which are available in the Library, describes the work of the Council in its final full year of operation. A letter from the Council's Chairman, David Grayson, reporting on activities between 6 April and 24 April has also been laid today. It is also available in the Library.

  The work of the Council was subsumed by the Disability Rights Commission when it began operating on 25 April. This report and letter are, therefore, the final reports on the Council's activities. Accordingly, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work and commitment that Mr. Grayson and the Council's members brought to their work. They have made a positive impact and helped improve the lives of disabled people. I am particularly grateful to them for the way in which the Council helped pave the way for the Commission. Because of their good efforts the Commission inherited an exceptionally good base from which to begin its work.

  Number of sixth forms approved

  Local education authority

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Berkshire (pre 1 April 1998)

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Birmingham

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Bradford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Buckinghamshire (pre 1 April 1997

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Calderdale

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire (pre 1 April 1998)

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Derby City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Derbyshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  —

  —

  2

  2

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Devon

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Dorset (pre 1 April 1997)

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  Dudley

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ealing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  East Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Essex (pre 1 April 1998)

  3

  —

  1

  3

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Gateshead

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Hampshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  —

  —

  3

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Havering

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent (pre 1 April 19981

  1

  —

  1

  —

  25

  6

  —

  —

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  —

  1

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire (pre 1 April 1996)

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire (pre 1 April 1998)

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the prospectus and specification for the Connexions Service. [121261]

  Mr. Wicks
  I am pleased to announce that the prospectus and specification for the Connexions Service has been published today. Copies are being placed in the Library and will be sent to a wide range of organisations this week including members of the Learning and Skills Committee.

  Learning Accounts
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress on establishing the national framework for learning accounts. [121279]

  Mr. Wicks
  Implementation of the national framework is progressing to timetable. Individuals can currently open accounts under local arrangements with Training and Enterprise Councils. From mid-June they will be able to open them through the national framework and use their accounts for learning from September, benefiting from the full range of incentives available to learning account holders. I am pleased to announce that the Department has issued a letter of intent to Capita Group to start the development of these services under the national framework.

  School Sixth Forms
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools' sixth forms have been(a) closed and (b) opened in each LEA in each of the years 1992–93 to 1999–2000. [119691]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of sixth forms for each local education authority that have been approved to open or close since 1992 is given in the tables:
  197W

  Number of sixth forms approved

  Local education authority

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Rochdale

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sandwell

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  2

  —

  3

  —

  1

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Sutton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Tameside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Trafford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Waltham Forest

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wolverhampton

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 A number of these sixth forms had been operating prior to the publication of proposals

  Sixth forms approved to close

  Year

  Name of LEA

  Number of sixth forms

  1998

  Wakefield

  1

  1999

  Leicester City

  2

  1999

  Liverpool

  1

  1999

  North Somerset

  1

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120321]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department requests a birth certificate from the following persons:

  employees—where there is any doubt about their age, in circumstances where they are being considered for voluntary or compulsory early release or normal age retirement as prescribed by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme and the Civil Service Compensation Scheme;

  those applying for employment—as reliable evidence of age, nationality and, with other documents, their identity;

  others—include those eligible children of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme who die in service; where positive proof of their lineage is required so they can be paid pension entitlements.

  Although the Department does not as a rule request birth certificates from current contractors or those applying for contracts, there have been circumstances, where there is a doubt on age, where a birth certificate has been requested to establish whether their employees are within legal age limits for employment.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average amount received by(a) former grant-maintained primary schools and (b) former grant-maintained secondary schools as a result of cash protection in 1999–2000 expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) on a per pupil basis. [120257]
  198W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table provides the information requested:

  £

  Average amount per school1

  Average amount per pupil

  Primary schools

  16,900

  60

  Secondary schools

  39,800

  41

  1 To nearest £100

  These figures have been estimated on the basis of information supplied to the Department by local education authorities.

  Benefit Entitlement (Over-60s)
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he plans to make benefit entitlement for those aged over 60 years dependent on their willingness to take up employment. [120912]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Performance and Innovation Unit report, "Winning the Generation Game", published last month made 75 recommendations about improving people's opportunity to contribute to society in their later working years. This included a recommendation that the over-60s exemption from JSA be removed as pension ages are equalised between 2010 and 2020. However, the Government have no plans before then to introduce forms of conditionality for older workers which would move beyond the requirement to attend for interview and advice on employment prospects and benefit from the generous programme of measures we have introduced to make work pay for the over-50s. Consideration of how the recommendations will be implemented will be taken in due course and will seek to build on the clear philosophy and policy already set out by the Government.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Rural Households
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he plans to provide assistance to householders in rural areas of Northern Ireland who do not have access to mains water and sewerage connections. [121114]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I can announce that from today the reasonable cost limit for connection of an existing property to mains water supplies will be increased from
  199W
  £2,900 to £5,000. The reasonable cost limit for connection to the public sewers will also be increased from £2,300 to £4,000. This will enable nearly a third of all homes at present without running water—an estimated 6,000 in total—to link with the mains water and sewerage systems for the first time.

  Technical constraints mean it will still be impossible to connect some remote homes to mains supplies. These homes will continue to rely on private water supplies, some of which may not be entirely satisfactory. I have therefore instructed my officials to explore whether it would be possible to provide some form of assistance to help people who live in these remote dwellings to improve the quality of their private supplies.

  The maximum cost allowances available for the connection of new properties to mains water and sewerage services are currently under review. Revised charging guidelines for the provision of water and sewerage infrastructure to new properties will be introduced on 1 January 2001.

  In the interim, the current maximum cost allowances of £2,900 for connection to mains water supplies, and £2,300 for connection to public sewerage services will continue to be applied to all properties.

  Prison Service
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Prison Service intends to publish its 2000 to 2003 Corporate and Business Plan; and what performance targets have been set for 2000 to 2001. [121115]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 2000–03 was published today. The following key performance targets have been set for 2000–01:

  1. To ensure 100 per cent. security for prisoners in high and top risk categories.

  2. To ensure at least 99.5 per cent. security for prisoners in medium and low risk categories.

  3. To ensure that the number of assaults by prisoners on staff is less than the 1999–2000 level of 9.4 per 100 prisoners.

  4. To ensure that the number of assaults by prisoners on prisoners is less than the 1999–2000 level of 9.5 per 100 prisoners.

  5. To achieve an 80 per cent. utilisation of available places in education, and training and employment workshops.

  6. To ensure that an average of at least 50 per cent. of the eligible prison population is working to a sentence plan.

  7. To evaluate the system of booked visits and, if appropriate, introduce to a second establishment by March 2001.

  8. To achieve an average of at least five days development and training per member of staff.

  9. To ensure that the average cost per prisoner place does not exceed the range £76,000-£81,000.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by 200W
  (a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120319]

  Mr. Hain
  A birth certificate or similar documentary evidence may be required for one or more of the following reasons:

  Proof of identity

  Proof of eligibility under the Civil Service nationality rules

  Proof of age

  Kosovo
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the supply of demining equipment for use by BACTEC International in Kosovo. [121192]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have approved the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of 18 sets of protective body armour and helmets for use by BACTEC International Ltd., an organisation engaged in humanitarian demining activities in Kosovo on behalf of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK).

  These goods are on the Military List. UN Security Council resolution UNSCR 1160 (1998) imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that in UNSCR 1244 (1999), which provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for use by the international civil and security presence in Kosovo. We have notified the UN Sanctions Committee of this export and they have raised no objection. The export of the equipment required for demining purposes is not prohibited by the EU arms embargo.

  Echelon Surveillance System
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on debate within the EU on the Echelon surveillance system. [120774]

  Mr. Vaz
  Policy on the interception of communications is a matter for member states. There are, however, some areas which may impinge on surveillance and interception related matters, such as data protection, in which the EU has a legitimate interest. It is the long-standing policy of the British Government, as of many other governments, not to comment on alleged interception activity.

  International Criminal Court
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Governments other than that of the United States concerning the recent US proposal to provide a Supplemental Document and a Rule to Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. [120762]

  Mr. Hain
  We have received no such representations.

DEFENCE

  Richard Hudson
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to protect the rights of Mr. Richard Hudson, arrested for a driving offence in Macedonia in August 1999. [118359]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 11 April 2000,Official Report, column 112W, by the Minster of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain).

  Training Ammunition
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supplies of training ammunition held by Challenger II tanks in Bosnia and Kosovo. [120790]

  Mr. Spellar
  Challenger II has only recently been introduced to Kosovo and is being introduced to Bosnia shortly. The supplies of training ammunition held by units for use by main battle tanks in Bosnia and Kosovo are entirely adequate for their needs. The facilities and opportunities for training in Bosnia are good, but the operational environment in Kosovo does not currently afford such good opportunities.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that small incinerators, used for the cremation of pets at pet cemeteries, will not become illegal when the EU Waste Incineration Directive is implemented; and if he will make a statement. [120720]

  Mr. Hill
  The proposed Waste Incineration Directive is now in the last stages of negotiations. It will not, however, affect existing incinerators for five years, and we are looking at implementation options which will minimise the burden on small animal incinerators, including pet crematoria, while ensuring that there are appropriate environmental safeguards.

  RMT Union
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has had with the leader of the RMT Union in the last 12 months; [120721]

  (2) how many meetings with officials of the RMT Union he has had in the last 12 months; [120722]

  (3) how many RMT receptions and events he has attended in the last 12 months. [120724]

  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 16 March 2000,Official Report, columns 335–36W.

  Aircraft Airworthiness Directives
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which categories of aircraft are covered by Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness directives issued via the Authority. [120759]

  Mr. Mullin
  The purpose of airworthiness directives is to specify actions which are necessary to ensure the continuing airworthiness of particular aircraft. An airworthiness directive will normally apply to a specific type of aircraft.

  Airworthiness directives will normally be issued by the State which is responsible for the design of an aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority requires all aircraft on the UK register to comply with airworthiness directives issued by the State of Design. In addition, the CAA may issue airworthiness directives relating to any UK registered aircraft if they believe it necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey Department and Executive Agency in 2000–01. [121081]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey in 2000–01:

  1. To achieve a revenue target of £82.3 million (excluding the National Interest Mapping Service Agreement).

  2. To achieve a return on sales of not less than 5 per cent. (excluding the National Interest Mapping Service Agreement).

  3. To ensure that, by 31 March 2001, at least 99.5 per cent. of existing major detail is surveyed and available to customers.

  4. To despatch 92 per cent. of small scale product ordered within three working days.

  5. OS will achieve efficiency savings across activities associated with collecting and maintaining the data held within the National Topographic Database, producing and distributing products/services to customers and all other associated support activities. The long-term target is to achieve an efficiency gain of 6 per cent. over the period April 2000 to March 2004. The target for 2000–01 is 1.5 per cent.

  6. OS recognises the importance of developing its website at www.ordnancesurvey.gov.uk to become the focus for electronic interaction with its customers and public. We intend that by improving the electronic services available for public and specialist users we will increase the number of visits to the Ordnance Survey website, compared with the last half of 1999–2000 by at least 100 per cent. by 31 March 2001.

  These targets, some of which are being increased, are closely associated with the key Corporate Aims of Ordnance Survey and demonstrate the Agency's continuing commitment to customers and to improved value for money for all its stakeholders.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers entered Britain on the Eurostar service in each of the last 36 months. [119989]
  203W
  Mrs. Roche
  Over the last 36 months there have been a total of 9,180 port asylum applications at Waterloo, and 165 at Ashford in Kent, which is also served by Eurostar. A month by month breakdown is provided in the table.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest five. An asterisk means less than two.

  Month

  Number of port asylum applications at Waterloo

  Number of port asylum applicants at Ashford

  1997

  April

  170

  5

  May

  160

  *

  June

  180

  5

  July

  280

  5

  August

  425

  *

  September

  160

  *

  October

  150

  5

  November

  120

  *

  December

  200

  *

  1998

  January

  215

  5

  February

  210

  5

  March

  220

  5

  April

  215

  5

  May

  185

  *

  June

  335

  5

  July

  250

  5

  August

  340

  *

  September

  200

  5

  October

  200

  *

  November

  225

  5

  December

  285

  5

  1999

  January

  245

  5

  February

  270

  *

  March

  265

  *

  April

  285

  5

  May

  445

  15

  June

  600

  20

  July

  520

  10

  August

  215

  10

  September

  175

  5

  October

  190

  *

  November

  160

  5

  December

  270

  10

  2000

  January

  225

  5

  February

  285

  5

  March

  305

  5

  Total

  9,180

  165

  Offences punished and punishments given in prison—April 1999 to March 2000: HMP Everthorpe

  Confined to cell/room

  Forfeiture of privileges

  Stoppage or reduction of earnings

  Caution

  Other

  Additional days awarded

  All punishments

  All offences

  All offences

  93

  10

  64

  28

  8

  675

  878

  786

  Violence

  6

  0

  3

  1

  1

  26

  37

  28

  Assault on an officer

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  3

  Assault on an inmate

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  9

  7

  Assault on any other person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Detains any person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Fights with any person

  3

  0

  3

  0

  0

  17

  23

  17

  Escape/absconds

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Escapes from prison or legal custody

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Attempted escape

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  204W
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have entered the UK through the port of Immingham since May 1997; and what were their countries of origin. [119407]

  Mrs. Roche
  Since May 1997 there have been no asylum applications lodged by passengers arriving at Immingham. However, the breakdown of those who entered the port of Immingham illegally and subsequently sought asylum is shown in the table.

  1997

  1998

  1999

  20001

  Total

  Afghanistan

  —

  —

  46

  24

  70

  Bhutan

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  China

  —

  —

  15

  18

  33

  Ethiopia

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  India

  —

  —

  1

  2

  3

  Iran

  —

  —

  4

  1

  5

  Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

  8

  11

  112

  19

  150

  Nepal

  —

  —

  1

  3

  4

  Pakistan

  —

  —

  4

  —

  4

  Romania

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Sri Lanka

  —

  13

  47

  19

  79

  Turkey

  —

  —

  11

  24

  35

  Total

  8

  24

  243

  112

  387

  1 To 16 April

  Homosexual Malaysian Nationals (Deportation)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on deporting Malaysian nationals who are known by the Malaysian authorities to be homosexual. [120749]

  Mrs. Roche
  Any application by a Malaysian national to enter or remain in the United Kingdom is considered on its individual merits, taking account of the Immigration Rules including the terms of any concessions, information and advice about conditions in Malaysia, and an assessment of any potential risk to the individual.

  Prison Adjudications
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences and punishments imposed at adjudications in HM Prisons Ashwell, Camp Hill and Everthorpe from March 1999 to March 2000 or the latest 12 month period available. [120624]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is given in the tables.
  205W

  Offences punished and punishments given in prison—April 1999 to March 2000: HMP Everthorpe

  Confined to cell/room

  Forfeiture of privileges

  Stoppage or reduction of earnings

  Caution

  Other

  Additional days awarded

  All punishments

  All offences

  Disobedient/disrespect

  51

  6

  37

  20

  5

  204

  323

  273

  Is disrespectful

  2

  0

  0

  2

  0

  5

  9

  8

  Threats/abusive words or behaviour

  10

  4

  7

  4

  3

  50

  78

  62

  Fails/refuses to work

  4

  0

  13

  3

  1

  30

  51

  44

  Disobeys any lawful order subtotal

  32

  1

  14

  8

  1

  97

  153

  130

  Refusal to provide a sample for drug testing

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  17

  18

  18

  Falsifying a drug test sample

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Any other lawful disorder

  31

  1

  14

  8

  1

  80

  135

  112

  Disobeys any rule or regulation

  3

  1

  3

  3

  0

  22

  32

  29

  Good order and discipline offences

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wilful damage

  6

  0

  6

  2

  1

  22

  37

  31

  Sets fire to prison or property

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  3

  Destroys/damages prison or property

  5

  0

  6

  2

  1

  20

  34

  28

  Unauthorised transactions

  25

  4

  6

  3

  1

  360

  399

  384

  Of which drug offences

  13

  3

  0

  1

  1

  273

  291

  285

  Unauthorised use of controlled drug

  13

  3

  0

  1

  1

  270

  288

  282

  Possession of unauthorised drug

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sells/delivers drugs to person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Receives drugs during visit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  3

  3

  3

  Of which other

  12

  1

  6

  2

  0

  87

  108

  99

  (a) possesses an unauthorised article

  9

  1

  6

  2

  0

  75

  93

  86

  (b) possesses greater quantity than authorised

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Sells/delivers unauthorised article

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  8

  6

  Sells/delivers articles allowed only for own use

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  5

  5

  Knowingly consumes alcohol

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other offences

  5

  0

  12

  2

  0

  62

  81

  69

  Denies access to any part of the prison to an officer

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  3

  Endangers the health or personal safety of others

  2

  0

  7

  2

  0

  40

  51

  46

  Intentionally obstructs an officer in executing his duty

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  3

  Fails to comply with any temporary release condition

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  8

  7

  Takes any article belonging to another person or to a prison

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  4

  6

  4

  Absent from where required/present at unauthorised place

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  5

  8

  6

  Offences punished and punishments given in prison—April 1999 to March 2000: HMP Camp Hill

  Confined to cell/room

  Forfeiture of privileges

  Stoppage or reduction of earnings

  Caution

  Other

  Additional days awarded

  All punishments

  All offences

  All offences

  132

  139

  232

  21

  41

  354

  919

  593

  Violence Total

  23

  22

  17

  3

  11

  41

  117

  64

  Assault on an officer

  4

  5

  1

  0

  0

  8

  18

  8

  Assault on an inmate

  4

  4

  4

  0

  2

  4

  18

  7

  Assault on any other person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Detains any person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Fights with any person

  15

  13

  12

  3

  9

  29

  81

  49

  Escape/absconds Total

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  5

  2

  Escapes from prison or legal custody

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  5

  2

  Attempted escape

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Disobedient/disrespect Total

  74

  73

  133

  14

  20

  103

  417

  247

  Is disrespectful

  4

  4

  3

  0

  2

  1

  14

  4

  Threats/abusive words or behaviour

  26

  30

  28

  1

  8

  26

  119

  56

  Fails/refuses to work

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Disobeys any lawful order subtotal

  33

  33

  66

  11

  10

  66

  219

  133

  Refusal to provide a sample for drug testing

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  3

  Falsifying a drug test sample

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Any other lawful disorder

  33

  33

  66

  11

  10

  63

  216

  130

  Disobeys any rule or regulation

  11

  6

  34

  2

  0

  10

  63

  52

  Good order and discipline offences

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  206W 207W

  Offences punished and punishments given in prison—April 1999 to March 2000: HMP Camp Hill

  Confined to cell/room

  Forfeiture of privileges

  Stoppage or reduction of earnings

  Caution

  Other

  Additional days awarded

  All punishments

  All offences

  Wilful damage Total

  2

  3

  9

  2

  1

  9

  26

  15

  Sets fire to prison or property

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  Destroys/damages prison or property

  2

  3

  8

  2

  1

  8

  24

  14

  Unauthorised transactions Total

  20

  25

  34

  2

  2

  187

  270

  217

  Of which drug offences

  11

  15

  10

  0

  2

  159

  197

  163

  Unauthorised use of controlled drug

  9

  13

  9

  0

  2

  125

  158

  126

  Possession of unauthorised drug

  2

  2

  1

  0

  0

  32

  37

  35

  Sells/delivers drugs to person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Receives drugs during visit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Of which other

  9

  10

  24

  2

  0

  28

  73

  54

  (a) possesses an unauthorised article

  9

  10

  24

  2

  0

  25

  70

  51

  (b) possesses greater quantity than authorised

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sells/delivers unauthorised article

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Sells/delivers articles allowed only for own use

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Knowingly consumes alcohol

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Other offences Total

  12

  15

  38

  0

  7

  12

  84

  48

  Denies access to any part of the prison to an officer

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Endangers the health or personal safety of others

  3

  2

  4

  0

  2

  0

  11

  5

  Intentionally obstructs an officer in executing his duty

  0

  1

  4

  0

  1

  2

  8

  4

  Fails to comply with any temporary release condition

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Takes any article belonging to another person or to a prison

  1

  2

  4

  0

  0

  3

  10

  8

  Absent from where required/present at unauthorised place

  8

  10

  26

  0

  4

  7

  55

  31

  Offences punished and punishments given in prison—April 1999 to March 2000: HMP Ashwell

  Confined to cell/room

  Forfeiture of privileges

  Stoppage of earnings

  Caution

  Other

  Additional days awarded

  All punishments

  All offences

  All offences

  2

  6

  324

  58

  2

  552

  944

  832

  Violence

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  15

  21

  17

  Assault on an officer

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  6

  6

  Assault on an inmate

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  5

  5

  Assault on any other person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Detains any person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Fights with any person

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  4

  10

  6

  Escape/absconds

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Escapes from prison or legal custody

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Attempted escape

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Disobedient/disrespect

  1

  2

  138

  30

  2

  137

  310

  263

  Is disrespectful

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  Threats/abusive words or behaviour

  0

  0

  26

  6

  1

  25

  58

  49

  Fails/refuses to work

  0

  0

  17

  2

  0

  12

  31

  23

  Disobeys any lawful order subtotal

  0

  0

  36

  3

  0

  55

  94

  79

  Refusal to provide a sample for drug testing

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Falsifying a drug test sample

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Any other lawful disorder

  0

  0

  36

  3

  0

  52

  91

  76

  Disobeys any rule or regulation

  1

  2

  58

  19

  1

  43

  124

  110

  Good order and discipline offences

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Wilful damage

  0

  0

  5

  0

  0

  4

  9

  5

  Sets fire to prison or property

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Destroys/damages prison or property

  0

  0

  5

  0

  0

  4

  9

  5

  Unauthorised transactions

  0

  2

  55

  12

  0

  274

  343

  323

  Of which drug offences

  0

  0

  4

  1

  0

  188

  193

  187

  Unauthorised use of controlled drug

  0

  0

  4

  1

  0

  176

  181

  175

  Possession of unauthorised drug

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  11

  11

  Sells/delivers drugs to person

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Receives drugs during visit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Of which other

  0

  2

  51

  11

  0

  86

  150

  136

  (a) possesses an unauthorised article

  0

  2

  49

  11

  0

  82

  144

  131

  208W 209W

  Offences punished and punishments given in prison—April 1999 to March 2000: HMP Ashwell

  Confined to cell/room

  Forfeiture of privileges

  Stoppage of earnings

  Caution

  Other

  Additional days awarded

  All punishments

  All offences

  (b) possesses greater quantity than authorised

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  3

  2

  Sells/delivers unauthorised article

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Sells/delivers articles allowed only for own use

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Knowingly consumes alcohol

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other offences

  1

  2

  120

  16

  0

  122

  261

  224

  Denies access to any part of the prison to an officer

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Endangers the health or personal safety of others

  1

  0

  12

  2

  0

  23

  38

  33

  Intentionally obstructs an officer in executing his duty

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Fails to comply with any temporary release condition

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Takes any article belonging to another person or to a prison

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  5

  6

  6

  Absent from where required/present at unauthorised place

  0

  2

  107

  14

  0

  90

  213

  181

  Samar Alami
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Samar Alami was returned to HM Prison Durham from HM Prison Holloway before she had been able to use all her accumulated visiting time; why this return was made without(a) warning and (b) explanation; and if he will make a statement. [120678]

  Mr. Boateng
  Samar Alami was returned to Durham prison two days early, before she had completed her accumulated visits, as a result of an administrative error. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused. Ms Alami will be credited with her unused visits and will receive an apology.

  Schengen Information System
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 April 2000,Official Report, column 236W, concerning the Schengen information system, which treaty, article or protocol provides the EU treaty base for the system. [120742]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Schengen Information System has not been allocated any specific legal base, and is accordingly deemed to be based on Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, in accordance with Article 2(1), fourth sub-paragraph, of the Schengen Protocol (Protocol No. 2 annexed to the European Communities Treaty and the Treaty on European Union).

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute a review of his decision that General Pinochet was unfit to stand trial in this country following subsequent medical evidence; and if he will make a statement. [120546]

  Mr. Straw
  I am not aware of any subsequent medical evidence which would call my decision in this case into question.

  Prisoners (Average Wages)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average wage for prisoners who were(a) unemployed, (b) on the basic level of regime, (c) on the standard level of regime and (d) on the enhanced level of regime, in the latest year for which figures are available. [120689]

  Mr. Boateng
  Above prescribed minimum rates, levels of prisoner pay are set at governor's discretion and will vary depending upon the type of work offered and the regime in place. At present, establishments do not provide headquarters with the information required to answer this question. The multi-faceted nature of regimes in the Prison Service estate means that the collation of these statistics would entail expense beyond acceptable levels.

  Vivisection
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the operation of the confidentiality agreement between his Department and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in relation to offences committed under the Protection of Animals Act 1911. [117710]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien

  [pursuant to his reply, 6 April 2000, c. 601–02W]The word 'enforcing' was inadvertently substituted for the word 'entering' in the final paragraph. The final paragraph should read:Although in evidence in the consultation on Freedom of Information, they made representations that the Home Office should have a presumption against entering such an agreement, the BUAV requested such an agreement in connection with this case.

CABINET OFFICE

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office in how many cases the recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration were not implemented by the relevant Government Departments in each of the last five years. [120346]
  211W
  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government normally accept, and implement, the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations in full. I am not aware of any cases over the past five years where a recommendation made by the Ombudsman has not been implemented by the Department concerned.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Social Housing (Digital TV)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will hold meetings with the local government associations and the Housing Corporation to ensure that communal aerials in social housing are upgraded to enable the tenants to purchase and use digital television and receive an adequate digital signal. [118965]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government recognise the difficulties which those who rely on shared aerial systems may face in receiving digital transmissions. The ITC, the BBC and the digital broadcasters all provide free advice about the technical solutions available and a number of local authorities have already agreed technical solutions with the digital broadcasters. However, I am arranging to meet representatives of the LGA and the Housing Corporation to draw their attention to this issue, and I will write to my hon. Friend to let him know the outcome of that meeting.

  Parliamentary Question
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will reply to the question tabled on 7 March by the hon. Member for Westbury concerning the capacity of a venue suitable for staging the World Athletics Championships (ref. 114146). [119044]

  Kate Hoey

  [holding answer 14 April 2000]I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 2 May 2000,Official Report, column 16W.

HEALTH

  Depression (Teenagers)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise awareness of general practitioners of best practice in treating teenagers affected by depression. [119668]

  Mr. Hutton
  This year £5 million from the National Health Service Modernisation Fund has been allocated to health authorities in order to improve child and adolescent mental health provision at the primary care level.

  In addition to maintaining awareness of mental health developments through extensive vocational training and professional development throughout their careers, general practitioners are closely involved in the mental health priorities set out in "Our Healthier Nation", National Priorities Guidance, and the National Service Framework on Mental Health which together underline our commitment to mental health and the role of GPs in its treatment.

  Private Management Contracts
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private management contracts have been awarded within the NHS since May 1997; and if he will list the value of the contracts by NHS region. [118862]

  Mr. Denham

  [holding answer 20 April 2000]The information requested is shown in the table. It relates to schemes approved since May 1997 under the private finance initiative which have reached financial close with capital values over £1 million.

  Region

  Number of schemes reached financial close

  Capital value (£ million)

  Northern and Yorkshire

  12

  416.54

  Trent

  7

  29.25

  Eastern

  2

  167.90

  London

  9

  405.40

  South East

  9

  182.24

  South West

  6

  117.81

  West Midlands

  5

  181.10

  North West

  5

  89.20

  Total

  55

  1,589.44

  Health Records
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision exists for NHS patients to dispute factual inaccuracies in their health records. [120745]

  Ms Stuart
  Under the Data Protection Act 1998 patients have a right to know what is in their health records. If a patient believes that information recorded about them is inaccurate they have a legal right under the Act to request that the inaccurate information is amended or deleted.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 744W, on genetically modified crops, if he will list the antibiotics to which marker genes used in the production of genetically modified animal feed convey resistance and the medical uses of those antibiotics. [120723]

  Ms Stuart
  The antibiotic resistance marker genes in question are among those detailed in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 744W, to which she refers. Not all of these marker genes have been used in products capable of use for animal feed. Those which have are listed in the table:

  Gene

  Antibiotic

  Kan (nptII or neo)

  Amnioglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin and neomycin

  Strep/spec (or aad)

  Streptomycin and spectinomycin

  Amp (or bla)

  Narrow spectrum lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin

  The medical use of these antibiotics is as given in the previous reply.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Regeneration-related Initiative
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list for each(a) area-based and (b) other regeneration-related initiative for which his Department is responsible (i) the amount budgeted and (ii) the total expended in each financial year for the planned lifetime of each initiative; [119791]

  (2) if he will list the number and value of (a) bids for and (b) grants made in each of the last three financial years for which figures are available, for each (i) area-based and (ii) other regeneration-related initiative for which his Department is responsible. [119799]

  Mr. Rooker

  [holding answer 20 April 2000]This Department is not directly responsible for funding regeneration-related initiatives. However, the Department provides substantial support for people living in deprived areas through the benefits system and the range of improvements to the welfare systems since 1997.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners had an income less than £10 above the minimum income guarantee in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and what is his estimate for 2001–02. [119943]

  Mr. Bayley

  [holding answer 20 April 2000]Estimates for the years 1999–2000 and 2001–02 are not available. This is because the Departments modelling system cannot make future projections, and producing like for like figures for previous years would involve disproportionate costs due to modelling and data changes between years.

  In 2000–01 an estimated 515,000 pensioners have an income of up to £10 above the minimum income guarantee level.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are in 2000–01 prices and benefit levels.

  2. Cases have been rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  3. The figure has been calculated using the Pensioner Income Series Data based on the 1997–98 FRS and the Policy Simulation Model (PSM) for Income Related benefits, based on 1997–98 Family Resources Survey data.

  4. The Department's Policy Simulation Model is built to represent the baseline situation in mid-2000–01 and is then used to assess the effect of changing policy against that base case. Consequently estimates are only available for the part of the question that relates to this time period.

  Carers' Benefits
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to raise carers' benefits taking into account the increase in the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [120391]

  Mr. Bayley
  Invalid Care Allowance is an income maintenance benefit which is paid to help protect the carer from the financial effects of being unable to work full-time. It is not intended to be a carer's wage nor a payment for the services of caring. Its rate, therefore, is not linked to, or dependent on, the National Minimum Wage.
  214W
  However, we are committed to keeping financial support for carers under review and we are continuing to do this, in the context of follow-up work to the National Carers' Strategy, and our response to the Royal Commission on Long Term Care.

TREASURY

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120311]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Each of the Chancellor's Departments and agencies (HM Treasury, HM Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, National Savings, Office for National Statistics, Royal Mint, Government Actuary, Debt Management Office and Valuation Office Agency) requires, as part of the basic check on new employees, some evidence of identity; age (for pensions purposes); and of the right to work in the UK. Such evidence depends upon whether or not the applicant is a UK or EC national but might be provided from a combination of different documents including a full British passport, P45, valid British driving licence, birth certificate, proof of residence at a given address, etc, or (where relevant) a full EC or other national passport; an identity card issued by an EC country; or other proof of immigration status and/or the right to work. Most Departments also require contractors to make checks similar to the basic check on their employees.

  Birth certificates, as evidence of identity, are not required to be furnished by other persons.

  Annuities
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the results of the review by the Inland Revenue of the income drawdown arrangements for annuities; and if he will make a statement. [120201]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Changes to simplify the administration of income drawdown where purchase of an annuity from a personal pension scheme has been deferred were announced in a press release issued on 7 April 2000 by the Department of Social Security and the Inland Revenue. These changes reflect representations made during the recent Inland Revenue review and will be implemented in the current Finance Bill along with amendments to secondary legislation.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the privatisations since 1979 together with the number and percentage of shares allocated to the employees at the date of privatisation and the number and percentage of shares so held(a) one year after privatisation and (b) three years after privatisation. [120618]
  215W
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government have not collected information on the number and percentage of shares held by employees in privatised companies either at the time of privatisation or since then. Such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Voicemail
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what was the total cost of the installation of voicemail in(a) Norman Shaw North and (b) other parliamentary buildings; what performance targets have been set for the operation of the system; and how many performance targets have been missed and on how many occasions in the last 12 months. [119853]

  Mr. Allan
  The Information Committee endorsed the House-wide introduction of the CCTA/Global Crossing Voice Mail service at its meeting of 10 May 1999. The cost of the service in 1999–2000 was around £92,000. The costs cannot be broken down by building as the system is a function of the central parliamentary switchboard which does not require the installation of local equipment.

  The day to day performance of the system and associated targets are operational matters for the Head of Telecommunications. I have therefore asked him to respond directly to the hon. Member on the performance of the system against target.

  Susan Hamilton Secretarial Agency
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee in respect of the Susan Hamilton Secretarial Agency, what rent is paid for 216W
  the accommodation it occupies in the House; what the terms of the tenancy are; when the (a) rent and (b) tenancy is next subject to review; if it will be subject to tender; and what the ratio is of Members of the House of (i) Lords to (ii) Commons who use it. [119854]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Gambia
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will review the Government's aid to the Government of The Gambia following the recent deaths of demonstrators in pro-democracy marches. [120302]

  Clare Short
  We remain deeply concerned at the death and injury of students in the demonstrations on 10 and 11 April. The UK made immediate representations to the Government of The Gambia protesting at the handling of the demonstrations. A Coroners Inquest is already sitting and a full Commission of Inquiry is being set up to establish responsibility for the events. We continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the Government of The Gambia to ensure the inquiry is independently led, transparent, and free from political interference.

  Since the resumption of our development programme in The Gambia in 1998, we have committed over £4 million to projects through government and civil society, aimed at improved governance, social inclusion, education management and capacity building for community based organisations. We are keeping the programme under constant review in the light of the Government's policies for the reduction of poverty, and respect for human rights.

  UNHCR: Audit Certificates
  UNHCR: Audit Certificates
  Belfast-Lame Railway
  Belfast-Lame Railway
  Ulsterbus Fleet
  Ulsterbus Fleet
  Kenneth Noye
  Kenneth Noye
  Bestiality
  Bestiality
  State Schools and Freedom of Information Legislation
  State Schools and Freedom of Information Legislation
  Committee on Standards in Public Life and Freedom of Information Legislation
  Committee on Standards in Public Life and Freedom of Information Legislation
  Visa Correspondence Unit: Back log
  Visa Correspondence Unit: Back log
  Iraq: Demining Equipment Export Licence
  Iraq: Demining Equipment Export Licence
  Macau: Strategic Export Control
  Macau: Strategic Export Control
  Vaccines and Injectable Medicines: Bovine Material
  Vaccines and Injectable Medicines: Bovine Material
  Gulf War Veterans: Questionnaires to GPs
  Gulf War Veterans: Questionnaires to GPs
  Grammar School Ballots and Petitions: Expenditure
  Grammar School Ballots and Petitions: Expenditure
  Tourism Forum Meeting, 18 April
  Tourism Forum Meeting, 18 April
  National Debt
  National Debt
  Mortgage Lending
  Mortgage Lending
  Money Supply
  Money Supply