Written Answers of 5 May 2000

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the use his Department, its agencies and public bodies will make of the powers relating to the authorised obtaining of communications data in Part I, Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill once the Bill is enacted. [119511]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 509W.

  Learning and Skills Council
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the(a) estimated (i) capital and (ii) revenue cost of establishing and (b) projected staffing establishment of each local arm of the Learning and Skills Council in England for each of the next three years. [119254]

  Mr. Wicks
  (a) Estimates of the capital and revenue costs of establishing each local Council are not available as these will depend on the outcome of individual negotiations in each area to secure premises and to establish teams of staff. We estimate the total transitional costs of moving to the new arrangements to be some £60 million to £65 million over the next two years (2000–02). Overall, we estimate that the new arrangements will from 2001–02 produce savings in administration of at least £50 million per year compared with the current position.

  (b) Projections of the staff numbers in each local Council for each of the next three years are not available since these matters will be determined by the Learning and Skills Council itself when it comes into being. However, for planning purposes we estimate that local Councils will on average have 80–90 staff.

  Sixth Forms (Funding)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much each local education authority has spent per sixth form pupil in each of the last five years. [120256]

  Mr. Wicks
  Although local education authorities produce budget and outturn statements for their expenditure on schools, information is not recorded in the form requested.

  Standards Fund (Further Education)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the total amount of Standards Fund expenditure allocated to further education in each year since June 1997–98 in England and Wales; [120597]

  (2) if he will list the allocation of Standards Fund expenditure to further education by recipient in each year since 1997–98 for England and Wales; [120598]

  Mr. Wicks
  The FE Standards Fund in England was introduced in April 1999. £35 million was allocated for 1999–2000; £98 million is earmarked for 2000–01 and £160 million for 2001–02.

  The data requested are as follows for 1999–2000:

  £

  FE Colleges

  31,639,796

  Other developmental expenditure (governor/principal training)

  440,682

  Basic Skills Quality Programme

  350,000

  Further Education National Training Organisation

  500,000

  Further Education Development Agency

  1,750,000

  Standards Fund Evaluation

  300,000

  A breakdown of the allocations provided to individual colleges has been placed in the Library.

  The Standards Fund expenditure allocated to further education in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Further and Higher Education
  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 lecturers in further and higher education. [121069]

  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 a sensible way forward under the improved circumstances we have created.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which Careers Service contractors hold(a) a Charter Mark, (b) an Investors in People award and (c) an International Standards Organisation registration. [120779]
  219W
  Mr. Wicks
  The Careers Service accreditations are as follows:

  Charter Mark

  Calderdale and Kirklees Careers

  Career Connections

  Career Decisions

  Career Link

  Careers Partnership

  Cheshire Guidance

  Cornwall and Devon Careers

  Cumbria Careers

  East Lancashire Careers

  Essex Careers and Business Partnership

  Guidance Enterprises (Wakefield)

  Guidance Enterprises (York and North Yorkshire)

  Lifetime Careers Bolton, Bury and Rochdale

  Lifetime Careers Stockport and High Peak

  Lifetime Careers Wiltshire

  Oldham Careers

  Quality Careers

  St. Helens Career Services

  Somerset Careers

  Wigan Careers

  Investors in People

  3S Strategies

  Calderdale and Kirklees Careers

  Cambridgeshire Careers

  CareerLink

  Career Path (Northamptonshire)

  Careers Bradford

  Careers and Education Business Partnership

  Central Careers

  CfBT Bedfordshire

  CfBT West London

  Cheshire Guidance Partnership

  City of Sunderland Careers

  Cornwall and Devon Careers

  County Durham Careers

  Derbyshire Careers

  Dorset Careers

  Enterprise Careers

  Essex Careers and Business Partnership

  Futures Careers Guidance

  Future Steps

  Guidance Enterprises (York and North Yorkshire)

  Guidance Enterprises (Wakefield)

  GuideLink Careers

  Hereford and Worcester Careers

  Hertfordshire Careers

  Humberside Partnership

  Learning Partnership West (Avon)

  Learning Partnership West (Gloucestershire)

  Leeds Careers

  Leicestershire Careers

  Lifetime Careers Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham

  220W

  Lifetime Careers Bolton, Bury and Rochdale

  Lifetime Careers Brent and Harrow

  Lifetime Careers Wiltshire

  Lincolnshire Careers

  London South Bank Careers

  Norfolk Careers

  Northumberland Guidance Company

  Oldham Careers

  Prospects Careers (Black Country)

  Prospects Careers (North London)

  Prospects Careers (South London)

  Quality Careers

  Search

  Sheffield Careers

  Shropshire Careers

  Somerset Careers

  Suffolk Careers

  Surrey Careers

  Sussex Careers

  Tyneside Careers Partnership

  VT Southern Careers

  VT West Sussex Careers

  Warwickshire careers

  Wigan Careers

  International Standards Organisation

  3S Strategies

  Calderdale and Kirklees Careers

  Capital Careers

  Careers Partnership

  Cheshire Guidance

  City of Sunderland Careers

  Essex Careers and Business Partnership

  Future Steps

  Guidance Enterprises (York and North Yorkshire)

  Hertfordshire Careers

  Wigan Careers.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the remaining provisions of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [121312]

  Ms Hodge
  We have decided that the final stage of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act should come into force on 1 October 2004. From that date, in addition to their current duties, service providers will have to take reasonable steps to remove, alter or provide a reasonable means of avoiding physical features which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service.

  I asked the National Disability Council to review the existing Code of Practice to take account of this final stage of the duties on service providers. A revised version of the Code and a Practical Guide for service providers were handed over to the Disability Rights Commission when it began operating on 25 April. Public consultation on the revised Code of Practice and Guide, and

  221W
  the Government's proposals for a small number of Regulations under the Act, starts on 8 May and will last for three months.

  The Commission will consider the views expressed in the consultation before preparing final versions of the Code and Guide.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Harmon v. House of Commons Corporate Officer
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report by Sir Thomas Legg and Mr. Peter Bosworth on the case of Harmon v. House of Commons Corporate Officer. [120780]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe) on 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 502W, in which I said that the action is still sub judice. The Commission has decided not to release the report at present.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the lowest operational attitude at which the C130J aircraft is cleared to fly in the RAF. [120410]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]While the C 130J is being introduced into service and development of its full tactical capability continues, the lowest operational altitude for which it is cleared is 2000 ft, except for take-off, visual circuits, instrument approaches and landings. Clearance for low level operation will follow when trials work is complete.

HEALTH

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the use his Department, its agencies and public bodies will make of the powers relating to the authorised obtaining of communications data in Part I, Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill once the Bill is enacted. [119518]

  Ms Stuart
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Home Secretary on 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 509W.

  Deafblind People
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include standards relevant to the provision of domiciliary services to deafblind people, including communicator-guide and intervenor services, in the domiciliary care standards under development by his Department. [120414]
  222W
  Mr. Hutton
  We are currently considering the needs of all those receiving domiciliary services with a view to publishing a consultation document later this year. The standards will be the minimum core standards required for registration with the National Care Standards Commission. However, providers should be able to demonstrate that appropriate personal care is delivered to the required standards.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to consult deafblind users of domiciliary care services, including communicator-guide and intervenor services, in relation to the setting of domiciliary care standards. [120415]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are currently considering the needs of all those receiving domiciliary care services with a view to publishing a consultation document later this year. A core steering group and a wider reference group have developed the draft national minimum standards and a User Forum was held in January 2000.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include standards relevant to deaf blind people in the care standards for residential services for adults. [120416]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are planning to include standards relevant to deaf blind people in the national standards for care homes for adults with disabilities and special needs. Relevant interests have been consulted. The standards are being drafted and will be published for consultation later this year.

  Social Services
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) spending per head on social services was in each of the last three years and (b) standard spending assessment per head for social services was in each of the last three years and is for 2000–01, in (i) Devon and (ii) England. [120828]

  Mr. Hutton
  The available information is given in the table.

  £

  Gross expenditure on personal social services per head of population1

  Standard spending assessment3 for personal social services per head of population1

  Devon2

  England

  Devon2

  England

  1996–97

  191

  189

  131

  141

  1997–98

  206

  203

  142

  150

  1998–99

  210

  219

  141

  158

  1999–2000

  —

  —

  147

  167

  2000–01

  —

  —

  155

  176

  1 Mid year population estimates with 1998 mid year estimate used also for 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

  2 On 1 April 1998 Plymouth and Torbay became separate unitary authorities; expenditure in these areas is included in the Devon expenditure and SSAs for 1996–97 and 1997–98 but excluded from the Devon expenditure and SSAs for 1998–99 onwards.

  3 Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) are not comparable with actual expenditure. SSAs represent the unhypothecated resources provided to local authorities for social services. They include any expenditure funded from charges or from Department of Health grants or other grants.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter dated 2 December 1999 from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed about access to specialist alcohol services in the North-East. [121065]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend replied to the right hon. Member on 4 May.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Service
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the report of the inquiry into the machinery for determining firefighters' conditions of service. [121340]

  Mr. Straw
  I announced in the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Kali Mountford), on 12 April 2000,Official Report, column 226W, that I had received professor Burchill's recommendations and was consulting upon them. 1 very much welcomes his proposals for improving the working of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades and the positive reaction there has been to them. I have now arranged for the report of the inquiry to be published today as a Command Paper and for copies to be placed in the Library. I am asking for further comments from interested parties on the detail of the report and its recommendations to reach me by the end of this month.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the Criminal Records Bureau Corporate and Business Plans. [121341]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have today published the Criminal Records Bureau Corporate and Business plans for 2000–05, and copies have been placed in the Library.

  UK Passport Agency
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the UK Passport Agency's Corporate and Business Plans. [121342]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today published the United Kingdom Passport Agency's Corporate and Business Plans and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Demonstrations
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to ban demonstrations by individuals and organisations with records of violent conduct, destruction of property and vandalism; and if he will make a statement. [121000]

  Mr. Straw
  Under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, a chief officer of police may apply to the district council for an order prohibiting marches or processions which he reasonably believes may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community. Such an order requires my consent. In London, the Commissioners of Police may 224W
  apply direct to me as Home Secretary for such consent. The chief officer may also attach conditions to such marches and to public assemblies. There is no power to prohibit peaceful public assemblies.

  Section 14A of the 1986 Act similarly enables a chief officer to apply for and order prohibiting trespassory assemblies within a specified area, if he reasonably believes that such an assembly may result in serious disruption to the life of the community or in significant damage to land or buildings of historical, architectural, archaeological or scientific importance. This power applies only to areas to which the public has no right of access or only to a limited right of access.

  Such bans do not apply to specified individuals or groups, but in considering applications I will give due weight to the police assessment of the potential for disorder or disruption to the community, including any available information on the groups likely to be involved.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects the famine relief funded by her Department to be distributed in Ethiopia. [118816]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Since January, we have committed over 24,000 metro tonnes (MT) of food aid to be provided through the ICRC and international non-governmental organisations. Most of this has been distributed or is in the process of being distributed. The distribution of the remaining 5,400MT is expected to start at the beginning of June.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her EU and UN counterparts concerning the use of the Lokichokio World Food Programme airfield in Northern Kenya for providing assistance to Ethiopia. [120767]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]The World Food Programme have no plans at present to use Lokichokio airfield. If a large scale air operation is needed WFP would consider Lokichokio among a number of options. Its use would depend on its cost effectiveness.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the long-term development aid projects her Department supports in Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement. [120768]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]Our bilateral development programme is currently running at about £4 million to £5 million a year. We are supporting the following activities:

  Police Training

  Public Expenditure Review/Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.

  Governance Fund

  Technical Co-operation Training Programme

  Ethiopian Roads Authority Contract Capacity Building

  EU Food Security/Employment Generation Schemes Expert

  DFID Food Security Field Manager

  Support to the Ethiopian Food Security Reserve

  225W

  Review of the Ethiopian Food Security Reserve

  Community Water Development Project—Phase II (Save the Children Fund)

  Review of Rehabilitation Programme (Overseas Development Institute)

  Prevention and Independent Monitoring of Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides

  DPPC Food Aid Targeting Guidelines Preparation (Save the Children Fund)

  Rapid Appraisal of Pastoral Emergency Response Interventions

  DFID Small Grants Scheme.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department has contributed to the UN appeal for Ethiopia launched in January; and on what dates her Department provided the funds. [120765]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]Both the UN Appeal and the Government of Ethiopia Appeal in January 2000 identify priorities for assistance. The £7.3 million we have committed since January 2000 is targeted on these priorities.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the amount of food aid necessary to replenish Ethiopia's food reserves; and how much food aid was pledged by the EU to Ethiopia's food reserves in(a) 1998,(b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [120763]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]We understand that the physical stock in the Reserve currently stands at 90,000 metric tonnes (MT) of food. The United States, World Food Programme and the EU expect to provide a further 200,000MT by the end of July. The EU have pledged 110,000MT for the Food Reserve, which will be delivered by July 2001. The EU repaid 89,267MT to the Food Reserve in 1998 and 61,293MT in 1999.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts concerning the provision of food aid to replenish Ethiopia's reserve stocks. [120757]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]Our officials have been in close contact with EU officials to monitor the replenishment of Ethiopia's reserve stock. At January 2000 the EU owed 84,000 metric tonnes (MT). They have since repaid 16,000MT and are confident that they will be able to repay the total amount by the end of July this year.

  Zimbabwe
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which long-term development aid projects her Department supports in Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. [120766]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]DFID is currently supporting the following long-term projects in Zimbabwe:

  Women's Civic Education (£0.987 million: 1999–2002)

  Empowerment of Farm Worker Communities (£1.6 million: 1999–2002)

  Wills and Inheritance Laws (£0.86 million: 2000–03)

  Bikita Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (£2.725 million: 1995–2001)

  226W

  Lupane Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (£3.54 million: 1996–2002)

  Rural Water Point Upgrading/Rehabilitation (£0.873 million: 1998–2001)

  Small Dams Rehabilitation (£1.96 million: 1997–2001)

  Agricultural Services and Management (£5.75 million: 1999–2002)

  Assistance to Department of Veterinary Services (£0.9 million: 1998–2001)

  Credit for the Informal Sector (£1.3 million: 1995–2002)

  Takura Investments (£0.426 million: 1996–2001)

  Agribusiness Entrepreneur Network and Training (£0.492 million: 1997–2001)

  Assistance to Developing Enterprises Project Team (£1.4 million: 1997–2001)

  Bulilima-Mangwe Water Supply and Environmental Rehab. (£0.311 million: 1998–2001)

  Community Based Maintenance of Water Points in Binga (£0.243 million: 1998–2001)

  Social Marketing of Condoms (£2.8 million: 1996–2001)

  Sexual Health Project (£9.2 million: 1994–2000)

  Privatisation Agency Support (£2.2 million: 1998–2001)

  Zimbabwe Police Organisational Development (£6.438 million: 1997–2002)

  Rural District Council Capacity Building (£10.6 million: 1996–2001)

  Civil Society Land Resettlement Challenge Fund (£5 million: 2000–04).

  We have suspended the following project:
  Land Rovers for Zimbabwe Republic Police (£8.41 million: 1998–2001).

  We are keeping the Zimbabwe programme activities under constant review to ensure that projects can remain effective in current circumstances.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish details of trade and aid projects her Department has approved for Zimbabwe between(a) June 1997 and December 1997, (b) January 1998 and December 1998 and (c) January 1999 and April 2000; and if she will make a statement. [120758]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]The Aid and Trade Provision was closed to new applications when this Government took office in May 1997. Only one outstanding project has been approved for Zimbabwe since May 1997, and no others are under consideration. This project, initiated by the previous administration but approved in September 1998, was for the supply of 1,500 Land Rover Defenders to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. It was suspended in April 2000 since the conditions of the grant are not currently being met by the Zimbabwe Government.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Motorways
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of motorway route miles in England are unlit; what plans he has to increase the provision of motorway lighting; and if he will make a statement. [120080]
  227W
  Mr. Hill
  Approximately 70 per cent. of the motorway network in England is unlit.

  Lighting is provided in high accident areas. The decision on whether to provide lighting is based on an assessment carried out in accordance with the DETR "New Approach to Appraisal". This covers an economic assessment of the capital, maintenance and energy costs against the potential savings as a result of the reduction in night time personal injury accidents; and an assessment of environmental impacts.

  Apart from this, there is no programme to extend road lighting to unlit sections of motorway. The situation is kept under review.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have been killed in road accidents on motorway hard shoulders in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [120078]

  Mr. Hill
  The data requested are given in the table.

  Casualties killed on entering or leaving a hard shoulder of motorway: Great Britain 1994–98

  On lay-by/hard shoulder

  Entering lay-by/hard shoulder

  Leaving lay-by/hard shoulder

  All hard shoulder

  1994

  8

  0

  3

  11

  1995

  8

  3

  0

  11

  1996

  7

  3

  0

  10

  1997

  4

  0

  1

  5

  1998

  13

  3

  1

  17

  Health and Safety Executive
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the ratio of field inspectors to policy inspectors in the Health and Safety Executive. [120388]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]HSE has no "policy inspectors" as such. The ration of field inspectors to inspectors employed in non-field posts in the Health and Safety Executive is around 7:1.

  OSPAR Conference (Copenhagen)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consult with hon. Members on the United Kingdom strategy for the June 2000 OSPAR Conference in Copenhagen, prior to finalising the UK submission. [120711]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have regularly set out in a written parliamentary answer the main lines which the United Kingdom delegation will take at the annual meetings of the OSPAR Commission for the protection of the marine environment of the North East Atlantic. I intend to continue this practice for the next annual meeting in June in Copenhagen. If any hon. Members have any points that they would wish the Government to take into account in this context, I shall be glad if they will let me know, so that I can consider them. I would be happy to receive a delegation of MPs to discuss this.

  East Coast Main Line
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct the Franchising Director to take particular account when granting the franchise for the East Coast main line, of companies which propose to increase the number of direct train services between Hull and London. [120646]

  Mr. Hill
  The Instructions and Guidance the Deputy Prime Minister gave the Franchising Director in September last year set out six criteria for him to take into consideration when assessing bids for new franchises. They are: the commitment of existing franchise operators to performance, customer services, innovation, investment and efficiency; the extent to which extra or earlier investment can be obtained; the extent to which better performance can be secured; the extent to which integrated transport measures can be achieved; the extent to which passengers will be given a greater voice in the level and standard of services and; affordability and value for money to the tax payer. The Franchising Director announced on 14 March the shortlisted bidders for the East Coast Main Line franchise. I understand that he is having separate discussions about improved services to Hull.

  North Wales Main Line
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions further to his answer of 18 April,Official Report, column 456W, on the North Wales Main Line, if he will place a copy of the study produced by Virgin Trains in March 1999 in the Library. [120730]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]: The study was in fact produced in March 1998. I am unable to place a copy in the Library as it remains commercially confidential.

  Groundwater Charges
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the amount that British farmers have paid in groundwater charges in each of the years since the charge was introduced; and what his forecast is of the figures for the current year and each of the next three years. [120563]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]During the transitional period of the Groundwater Regulations 1998, from 1 January to 31 March 1999, the Environment Agency received over 12,000 applications from farmers in England and Wales for groundwater authorisations representing a total of around £1 million. From 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 the Agency received a further 131 applications amounting to total charges of around £12,000. Around £870,000 has been paid by farmers to the Agency as annual "maintenance" charges in respect of authorisations. This will be reimbursed following the announcement, in March, of the Government's Agriculture Strategy. The total charges payable for the current and subsequent years will depend on the number of applications made by farmers for authorisations, though the Agency's current estimates would indicate total charges to farmers for new applications of up to £300,000 for 2000–01. The administration of the Regulations in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.
  229W

  Car-free Sundays
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to encourage cities to introduce car-free Sundays. [120842]

  Mr. Hill
  None.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter dated 14 December 1999 from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, regarding the proposals to introduce cabinet-style committees in the National Park Authority. [121064]

  Mr. Meacher
  I replied to the right hon. Member on 4 May.

  FV Gaul
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the reports he commissioned into(a) the efforts previously made by the Department to locate the wreck of the FV Gaul and (b) the results of the examination of graves found in Northern Russia will be published. [121343]

  Mr. Prescott
  Both of the reports by Roger Clarke, formerly Director of Shipping and Ports in my Department, are published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Roger Clarke's report on the Department's previous efforts to locate the wreck of the Gaul identifies lapses of corporate memory both in my Department and in the Ministry of Defence, in the latter instance following the destruction of files. We deeply regret these mistakes, and any distress they may have caused, particularly to the families of those lost with the Gaul.

  Roger Clarke makes a number of recommendations on these and other matters regarding the location and examination of marine casualties. We intend to act on all his recommendations, and our responses to each of them have also been placed in the Library.

  His second report deals with the investigation of a number of graves in Northern Russia which may have contained the remains of victims of the Gaul. DNA samples were taken but no match has been found. Roger Clarke's report details the way this onerous investigation was undertaken. Details which identify those who provided DNA samples have been deleted from the published report.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  World Class Performance
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set targets for the world class performance sportsmen and women for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and publish them before 1 September. [121042]

  Kate Hoey
  It is not for Ministers to set such targets. We have asked UK Sport for information and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Library.
  230W
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many athletes who gained world class performance status in 1999 achieved personal best performances at the World Athletics Championships in 1999; [121040]

  (2) how much money has been spent on the world class performance programme by Sport England and the UK Sports Council (a) since it was introduced and (b) per sport; [121041]

  (3) which sportsmen and women have qualified for world class performance status for 1999 and 2000; and which of them have since achieved a new best performance where that can be measured. [121039]

  Kate Hoey
  We have contacted UK Sport to request the information required, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Library.

TREASURY

  VAT
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in the north-west(a) registered and (b) deregistered for VAT in each year since 1992. [119847]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of businesses in the north-west which registered and deregistered for VAT since 1992 is as follows:

  Calendar year

  Registrations

  Deregistrations

  1992

  17,326

  21,370

  1993

  16,412

  20,752

  1994

  15,174

  18,600

  1995

  18,699

  17,154

  1996

  18,269

  14,196

  1997

  20,455

  15,308

  1998

  20,510

  14,130

  1999

  20,094

  12,818

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will desegregate by income decile the number of families receiving(a) 0 to 10 per cent., (b) 11 to 20 per cent., (c) 21 to 30 per cent., (d) 31 to 40 per cent., (e) 41 to 50 per cent., (f) 51 to 60 per cent. and (g) 61 to 70 per cent. of child care costs through the Working Families Tax Credit. [120608]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]Insufficient data on income are provided by applicants for the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) to allocate them between decile groups of income as conventionally defined for such analyses. Also, household survey data available for analysis do not yet cover families receiving the tax credits, and sample numbers may in any case be too small for reliable estimates to be made in the detail requested.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if in(a) the initial determination and (b) each subsequent determination of a working families tax credit claim the (i) number and (ii) age of children is checked against child benefit records. [120054]
  231W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 April 2000]The number and ages of children from child benefit records can be checked by officers assessing any application for WFTC, and this is normally done if child benefit information is omitted from the WFTC application form, or if conflicting information has been supplied by the WFTC applicant.

  Treasury Building
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the refurbishment of the Treasury building. [121311]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Ministerial approval of plans for the refurbishment of the Treasury building under the private finance initiative was announced by the former Chief Secretary on 27 July 1999,Official Report, columns 400–01. Under the terms of the project agreement signed last year, the Treasury's private sector partner, Exchequer Partnership plc (EP), is responsible for a number of risks, including obtaining town planning and listed building consents and securing the funding to finance the works. Both conditions have now been satisfied and the deal has therefore reached financial close. Work is planned to start on site on 17 July (the date of granting vacant possession of the Park end of the building) with completion in August 2002.

  The contract, which is for 37 years and one month from vacant possession, provides for the Treasury to pay an annual payment (the Unitary Payment) to EP in return for fully serviced accommodation to performance standards specified in advance. The Unitary Payment has been fixed in real terms at £14.037 million in March 1999 prices and will be up rated annually in line with the retail prices index.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Rover
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the progress made by the Rover Task Force. [121344]

  Mr. Byers
  The Rover Task Force has published its interim report, which is available in the Libraries of the House and the Vote Office. A final report is expected to be published by the end of June.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government have sought EU approval for paying rescue aid to a bidder for Rover. [120826]

  Mr. Byers
  No requests for aid has been received in respect of a bid for Rover.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Regional Selective Assistance originally proposed for BMW/Rover will be available for new projects in the West Midlands to replace Longbridge employment. [120855]

  Mr. Byers
  When I set up the Rover Task Force on 17 March, I announced that a Government contribution of £129 million, which was originally offered to BMW in 232W
  the form of Regional Selective Assistance, will now be available to support other, good quality projects in the region.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the level of financial backing possessed by the Tower bid for Rover; [120854]

  (2) what recent estimate he has made of the extent of job losses (a) under the Alchemy bid, (b) under the Tower bid and (c) in the event of closure of the Rover plant at Longbridge. [120853]

  Mr. Byers
  The details of any successful bid for Rover, and hence the effects on employment, will not be known until agreement is finally reached with BMW.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is towards the(a) Alchemy and (b) Towers consortium bids for Longbridge. [120827]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government have consistently stated that we want to see the best possible deal for Rover workers, suppliers and dealers.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assurances the Government have received from BMW about(a) the future of the Rover plant at Cowley and (b) the timing of the sale or closure of the Longbridge plant. [120825]

  Mr. Byers
  The future of Longbridge is the subject of commercial negotiations at the moment. BMW has stated that the future of its operations at Cowley are secure.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of money needed from(a) all sources and (b) public funds to continue Rover production at Longbridge; [120857]

  (2) what rescue aid the Government are prepared to offer for Rover. [120858]

  Mr. Byers
  Commercial negotiations are still continuing over the future of Rover Group, including future production at Longbridge. No request for Government financial support has been received from any party to the negotiations.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Towers Consortium has(a) applied for regional selective assistance or other Department's grants or (b) indicated to his Department that it will be applying. [120549]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]No application for Government grants or aid, or indication of a forthcoming application, has been received from the Towers Consortium.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) meetings and (b) conversations he has had with (i) the principals and (ii) other representatives of (1) Alchemy Partners, (2) the Towers Consortium and (3) BMW since 31 March. [120092]

  Mr. Byers
  A number of meetings and conversations have taken place.
  233W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the regional selective assistance offered to BMW/Rover was intended to cover revenue losses. [120821]

  Mr. Byers
  No.

  Select Committee Report
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recommendations made by the Trade and Industry Committee in its seventh report of 1995–96 have been(a) implemented and (b) are in the process of being implemented. [119781]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 20 April 2000]Of the 12 recommendations, those implemented comprise numbers 1, 2 and 11. Recommendation numbers 8 and 12 are in the process of being implemented.

  BNFL
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what fines British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has had to pay in each year since 1971, arising from safety and environmental breaches at Sellafield, Chapelcross, Springfields and the magnox nuclear stations. [120714]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The fines paid by BNFL for safety and environmental breaches since 1971 are as follows:

  Year/prosecution

  Fine (£)

  1978

  Fatal accident, Chapelcross

  200

  1980

  Accident to Radiographer, Sellafield

  500

  1983

  Overladen motor vehicle, Springfields

  200

  1983

  Beach discharge incident, Sellafield

  10,000

  1989

  Site transfers of fuel without functioning instrumentation package and alarm system, Sellafield

  1,000

  1990

  Accident resulting in injury to contractor, Chapenhurst

  1,500

  1990

  Discharge of trade effluent into Black Beck, Sellafield

  800

  1990

  Discharge of trade effluent into River Calder, Sellafield

  1,200

  1991

  Disposal of radioactive waste from HMS Inskip, Springfields

  7,500

  1992

  Breach of Site Licence Condition (Unauthorised Override Incident), Sellafield

  6,000

  1994

  Breach of Site Licence condition (Internal Flask Movement), Sellafield

  15,000

  1996

  Radiological contamination of contractor, Sellafield

  25,000

  1997

  Non-radiological (Pipe Bridge) incident, Sellafield

  20,000

  1997

  Caustic Soda release into Calder River, Sellafield

  32,500

  1998

  Solvent release to trade drain to River Ribble, Springfields

  20,000

  2000

  Failing to take proper care when working with asbestos—Oldbury

  5,000

  Note:

  Chapelcross and Calder Hall magnox power stations have always been owned by BNFL and all their prosecutions are included. Prosecutions for the other magnox stations are only shown after 30 January 1998 when Magnox Electric plc (originally part of CEGB) was integrated into BNFL.

  Respiratory Diseases (Compensation)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the locations of the medical assessment centres in Scotland being used for conducting(a) spirometry and (b) other tests required in connection with the payment of compensation for respiratory diseases. [120793]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Spirometry testing has been conducted at four centres in Scotland, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lochore (Fife) and Drongan (Ayr). In addition to the 4,080 spirometry assessment carried out at centres, the Department has also assessed 346 claimants in their homes.

  The centres at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lochore have now been fully adapted for the more detailed medical requirements of the main Medical Assessment Process (MAP), along with a new centre in Ayr itself. The future needs for additional MAP centres will be kept under review.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual costs were of the medical assessment centres in Scotland used to provide medical tests to compensation claimants suffering respiratory diseases in each of the last three years. [120794]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In March last year, the DTI awarded the contract to carry out the national programme of spirometry to Healthcall Services Limited. To date DTI have paid Healthcall £155,090 in fees to test claimants in Scotland.

  Enterprise Fund
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what payments have been made in 1999–2000 under the Enterprise Fund announced in the 1998 White Paper; [121007]

  (2) for what reason total provision for the Enterprise Fund given on page 198 of Cm 4611 differs from estimated outturn given on page 41. [121006]

  Mr. Byers
  The net estimated outturn for the Enterprise Fund in 1999–2000 (£48.5 million on page 41 of Cm. 4611) is consistent with the figures shown on page 198 (£57.88 million) which are gross, and from which must be deducted the figures for the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme Premium Receipts and Recoveries shown on page 199 (£9.38 million).

  Total actual payments in 1999–2000 under the Enterprise Fund, updated since the publication of the estimates in the Expenditure Plan Report, were £38.62 million (gross).

  Ford
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the output of cars at Ford's Dagenham plant in the last 12 months. [120996]

  Mr. Byers
  In 1999 the Dagenham plant produced 190,977 vehicles.
  235W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he received a grant application from Ford for its Dagenham plant. [120815]

  Mr. Byers
  No.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of potential job losses at Dagenham if Ford ceased car manufacture there; [120822]

  (2) what his policy is on proposals to take over car manufacture at Dagenham; [120994]

  (3) what discussions he has had with Ford about the ending of car making at its Dagenham plant; [120816]

  (4) what recent discussions he has had with Ford concerning competitiveness in car manufacturing in (a) Germany and (b) the UK. [120995]

  Mr. Byers
  I and my officials maintain regular and close contacts with Ford on a whole range of issues.

  Ford is currently undertaking a review on the whole of their European operations. The outcome of the review is not known and no announcements are expected until after the review has been completed. Any comment at this stage on possible implications for any of Ford's UK operations would therefore be premature and counterproductive.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has(a) to aid and (b) make grants to Dagenham in the event of car manufacture ceasing there. [120824]

  Mr. Byers
  Ford is currently undertaking a review on the whole of its European operations. The outcome of the review is not known and no announcements are expected until after the review has been completed. Any comment at this stage on possible implications for any of Ford's UK operations would therefore be premature and counterproductive.

  Motor Distribution
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he(a) has had in the last two months and (b) plans in the next three months with the EU over the block exemption of motor distribution from the competition regime. [120811]

  Mr. Byers
  My officials have discussed the issues raised by the cars block exemption with their counterparts in the Commission's Competition Directorate on several occasions in the past two months. They intend to remain in close contact with the European Commission in the coming months on this issue. I have also raised the matter personally with Commissioner Monti and will continue to do so.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to announce the changes required in motor car distribution following the Competition Commission report. [120814]

  Mr. Byers
  I announced my proposals on 10 April when I published the Competition Commission report on the supply of new cars.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under which programmes he plans to pay grant to the coal industry in the next two years. [120817]

  Mr. Byers
  As this is a new scheme, a separate programme will be established.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to discuss grants to the coal industry with the EU. [120818]

  Mr. Byers
  Discussions have already taken place and will continue.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the amount of grant that is available for the coal industry over the next two years; and what factors will determine the level of grant to be paid. [120819]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the right hon. Member to my statement to the House on 17 April 2000,Official Report, column 697.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the planned expenditure on regional selective assistance for 2000–01 given on page 62 of Cm 4611 differs from total provision given on page 201. [121002]

  Mr. Byers
  The total gross provision for regional selective assistance in 2000–01 given on page 201 of Cm 4611 (£125.25 million) includes provision for the Enterprise Grant scheme. The figures on page 62 have been separated into individual lines on the Enterprise Grant scheme (£9.0 million) and the main Regional Selective Assistance programme (£116.3 million).

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much of the difference between total provision of, and estimated outturn spending on, regional selective assistance in 1999–2000 results from the delay in agreeing a legal regional selective assistance map; [121003]

  (2) for what reason the estimated outturn spending on regional selective assistance given on page 62 of Cm 4611 differs from the total provision given on page 201. [121001]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to footnote(a) on page 62 of Cm 4611 which states that the difference resulted from a number of large projects failing to reach their trigger points for grant because of slower than expected progress.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the offers of regional selective assistance cited on page 59 of Cm 4611 have been delayed by the absence of a legal regional selective assistance map. [121005]

  Mr. Byers
  None.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent estimate he has made of the cost of returning unused plutonium MOX fuel from Japan; which Government Departments are responsible
  237W
  for making arrangements for such a return; and what storage facilities exist at (a) Sellafield and (b) other UK nuclear facilities to store such fuel. [120254]

  Mrs. Liddell
  A decision on the future of the MOX fuel in Japan remains to be agreed with the Japanese Government.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact on carbon emissions of the Restricted Consents Policy for new gas-fired electricity generation(a) for the last two years, and (b) for the next two years. [119677]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No such calculations have been made.

  Our White Paper, "Conclusions of The Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee", Cm 4071, stated that it was not possible to quantify the impact of the new energy framework on emissions. This is because the aim of the policy is not to achieve any particular outcome in terms of fuel mix in generation, but to create a level playing field so that all forms of generation can compete equally and as a temporary precautionary measure to ensure the artificial encouragement for new gas plant that has arisen from distortions to the electricity market does not artificially undermine security and diversity of supply.

  I announced on Monday 17 April that I would be lifting the stricter consents policy in October 2000 as soon as the new electricity trading arrangements were in place. The Government are determined to meet the UK commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels in 2008–12. The stricter consents policy and the timetable for its lifting are entirely consistent with meeting that target, and with moving towards our goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. on 1990 levels.

  Assisted Areas (North-East)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state(a) the resident unemployment and (b) the number of existing manufacturing jobs in each of the electoral wards of the North-East Region which were (i) included in and (ii) excluded from the European-aid approved map in recent changes. [120206]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information on resident unemployment counts has been placed in the Library of the House. Due to commercial confidentiality the majority of the information on manufacturing jobs is not available at individual ward level. Where such information is available, it has been incorporated within the tables on unemployment.

  Trading Losses
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of(a) the EU and (b) the United Kingdom Government towards paying grant for trading losses by manufacturing businesses. [120860]
  238W
  Mr. Byers
  Any grants paid by the EU Governments to manufacturing companies must fall within the EU State aid rules, which are detailed in Volume 2a of "Competition Law in the European Community", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  TRW/Lucas Varity Filtronics
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the grants to TRW/Lucas Varity Filtronics, mentioned on page 59 of Cm 4611, have been delayed in payment. [121004]

  Mr. Byers
  There have been no delays in making payment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Omagh Bombing (Police Investigation)
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC detectives are engaged in the investigation into the deaths of 29 people in Omagh on 15 August 1998. [114716]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of officers actively engaged in this investigation has varied at different times to meet the needs of inquiries. All appropriate resources have been made available throughout the investigation. I am advised that there are currently 20 detective officers working full-time on the inquiry team.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost to the latest available date of the RUC investigations into the Omagh Bomb. [114894]

  Mr. Ingram
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Websites
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department's policy is on(a) advertising and (b) acknowledging company sponsorship on the websites of his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies; which companies (i) have placed advertisements and (ii) are acknowledged as sponsors on those websites; how much revenue has been received for each financial year since 1997 from such advertisements and sponsorship; and if that revenue has been retained within the budget of his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [119555]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Civil Service policy on web advertising and sponsorship has not yet been published but will follow the line which has been developed by the Central Information Unit in the Cabinet Office which is as follows:Government sites are permitted to carry advertising. In designing pages, departments and agencies should ensure that advertisers' branding does not detract from the effectiveness and appearance of their own branding or that of the government as a whole. Particular attention should be given to avoid any implication of endorsement of products or services or of contradiction between government messages and those of advertisers.

  Only two Northern Ireland departmental websites carry the logos of companies. The Roads Service traffic camera site contains the logo of Peregrine Associates; and the

  239W
  Greenmount Agricultural College web page carries logos of the Northern Bank Group, Richardsons Fertilizers, Thompsons and United Dairy Farmers.

  No revenue was, or is being, received from the inclusion of these logos.

  Harland and Woolf
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have met(a) representatives of trade unions at Harland and Woolf shipyard, (b) officials of the Department of Economic Development and (c) lay members representing the trade unions at Harland and Woolf to discuss the future of the shipyard; when the last such meeting was held; and what future meetings are planned. [120497]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since October 1999 Ministers, including those in the Northern Ireland Executive, have had three main meetings with representatives of trade unions at Harland and Woolf and a series of meetings with Departmental officials to discuss matters in relation to the shipyard.

  The most recent Ministerial meeting with trade unions was on 23 March 2000. Ministers receive written briefings from officials on at least a weekly basis and meetings with officials will take place as required. Future meetings with trade unions and officials will take place as necessary.

  Investment and Finance Working Group
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the report of the Investment and Finance Cross Sector Working Group was placed on the Strategy 2010 web site; on what dates(a) the summary of that report and (b) the report of the Inward Investment sub-group were removed; and for what reason the latter document was removed. [120587]

  Mr. Ingram
  The report of the Investment and Finance Working Group. which includes an executive summary, was placed on the website in November 1999.

  The Inward Investment report was an interim discussion document produced by the Exports and Marketing Working Group. It was replaced by the Group's final report in November 1999.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ireland
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the sale price of the Ambassador's residence in Sandycove, Dublin; what was the purchase price of the house in Rathfarnham, Dublin, which is to be used as the Ambassador's residence; and if he will make a statement. [119326]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 April 2000]I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my late right hon. Friend, Derek Fatchett, the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 254W, in respect of the Glencairn estate in Dublin. It is not our policy to reveal details of price and other terms agreed in such transactions.
  240W
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly about this matter.

  Entry Clearance (Lima)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for(a) visitors' visas, (b) student entry clearance and (c) settlement have been made at the British Embassy in Lima in each of the last three years; and what proportion of each has been successful. [120744]

  Mr. Vaz
  The number of non-settlement visa applications for 1997, 1998 and 1999 were as follows:

  Year

  Received

  Issued

  Refused

  1997

  3,347

  3,257

  90

  1998

  3,839

  3,680

  159

  1999

  3,581

  3,567

  189

  These figures include the following number of student applications:

  Year

  Received

  Issued

  Refused

  Student

  1997

  235

  213

  22

  1998

  266

  219

  47

  1999

  299

  248

  48

  Settlement

  1997

  40

  39

  1

  1998

  45

  43

  2

  1999

  61

  59

  1

  The 1997 and 1998 figures are available in the Library of the House in the publications "Entry Clearance Global Statistics". The 1999 figures will be placed in the Library soon.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are employed at the British Embassy in Lima to deal with applications for entry clearance. [120743]

  Mr. Vaz
  The entry clearance section of the British Embassy in Peru is staffed by five officers of whom two are UK-based and three locally engaged. One officer is devoted full-time to entry clearance work; the remainder share entry clearance duties with other responsibilities.

  British Overseas Territory Citizenship Bill
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the British Overseas Territory Citizenship Bill in draft. [120731]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]Officials are continuing to work on the principles to be addressed in the Overseas Territories Bill, which will include the grant of British citizenship to British Dependent Territories citizens. We are considering the options for its publication. Our priority is to introduce the Bill into the House as soon as Parliamentary time becomes available.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet Hans von Sponeck to discuss the effect of sanctions on Iraq. [120861]
  241W
  Mr. Hain
  No. Our priority is to improve the humanitarian situation by getting the best out of the "oil for food" programme while we work to get Iraq to move towards the suspension and eventual lifting of sanctions. To that end we maintain a close dialogue at all levels with the UN officials presently responsible for running the "oil for food" programme. I myself discussed the humanitarian situation and the "oil for food" programme with the Head of the Office of the Iraq programme (Mr. von Sponeck's former superior), Mr. Benon Sevan, in New York on 25 April. I see no need for a dialogue with Mr. von Sponeck, who has made his views quite clear and who is no longer involved in the practical efforts to improve the humanitarian situation.

  Japan
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to Britain on 3 May. [121066]

  Mr. Battle
  The Japanese Prime Minister visited the United Kingdom as part of a tour of G8 countries. He had useful discussions with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on priorities for this year's G8 Summit in Okinawa.

  Iran
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will exert pressure on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of Iranian Jews, Baha'is and Christians. [121193]

  Mr. Hain
  We and our EU partners have regularly raised with the Iranian authorities our concerns over a number of human rights issues, including treatment of religious minorities in Iran. While concerns remain we will continue to raise these issues.

  Peru
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Peru regarding the persecution of Christians in that country; and if he will make a statement. [121008]

  Mr. Battle
  The Peruvian Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respect this. We have received no reports of religious persecution.

  India
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what trade deals he was able to facilitate on his visit to India. [120552]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have been asked to reply.

  During his visit to India in January, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry witnessed the signature of two partnership agreements with Indian companies involving two enterprising British firms, Gemini Dataloggers of Chichester and Antech International of Suffolk. These partnerships were fostered under Enterprise Initiative: India, a new British Trade International trade development scheme offering help and support to UK companies seeking business in key India
  242W
  States. He set a target of the creation of 200 such partnerships. He also supported several UK companies in their pursuit of project business, and set a target for a 20 per cent. increase in bilateral trade.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Calf Processing Aid Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the cost of extending the Calf Processing Aid scheme beyond 1 August 1999 to the latest possible date allowed under European Union rules. [120601]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The estimated cost of continuing to run the scheme until 31 December 1999 would have been about £24 million.

  Food Supplements
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the responses of European Union member states to the consultation exercise undertaken by the European Commission in connection with the forthcoming Directive on Food Supplements; and what assessment he has made of such responses in terms of their(a) consistency with and (b) opposition to United Kingdom policy and practice. [115796]

  Ms Stuart
  I have been asked to reply.

  Member states' responses to the Commission's discussion paper on dietary supplements have not been published. Our view is that consumers should be allowed the greatest possible amount of choice consistent with adequate health protection, but there is limited support for this position from other member states. Most believe that controls on supplements should be based on the premise that the dose supplied should be restricted to a level close to that needed to ensure an adequate intake of nutrients.

  The Food Standards Agency has recently circulated a preliminary draft text of the Directive on Food Supplements to interested parties for information. A formal consultation and parliamentary scrutiny will be initiated when a formal proposal has been adopted by the Commission.

  Rural Developments Plan
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the explanatory booklet, pursuant to his Oral statement of 7 December 1999,Official Report, column 706, concerning the England Rural Development Plan has been published. [120639]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Yes.

  Council Tax (Uninhabitable Properties)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to farmers of the decision that uninhabitable properties will be liable for council tax. [120576]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  My Department is not in a position to estimate the cost to farmers of the decision to place a 12 month limit on the exemption from council tax where
  243W
  unoccupied dwellings need major repair works to render them habitable or are undergoing structural alteration. Local authorities are responsible for administering the council tax and only they could identify the owners of such homes in their areas.

  Landbased Sector
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the level of funding provided by

  Funding £000

  Type of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  MAFF Contract

  1,021

  455

  356

  300

  300

  300

  1—

  Sector Challenge

  487

  884

  441

  128

  0

  0

  0

  Agriculture Development Scheme (Benchmarking)

  0

  0

  0

  100

  0

  0

  0

  Action Plan for Farming Package

  0

  0

  0

  1,8002

  0

  0

  0

  Total Aid

  1,508

  1,339

  797

  2,328

  300

  300

  0

  1 The current MAFF contract runs until 31 March 2003. No decisions have been taken on an extension beyond that date.

  2 Includes £600,000 from the support announced for hill farmers.

  Lantra also receives funding from other Government Departments including the Department for Education and Employment, and from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the devolved administrations and the European Commission.

  Krebs Trials
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the delay in the implementation of the Krebs trials has resulted in a reduction in projected Government expenditure on the trials. [120602]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  No. The expenditure will be incurred over a longer period.

  Dairy Sector
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the agrimonetary compensation in the dairy sector will be paid to the lessee where quota is leased. [120600]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Yes.

  Waste Directives
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to British farmers of implementing(a) the Nitrates Directive and (b) the Waste Framework Directive. [120561]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Regulatory Appraisal, published when the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 were laid before Parliament, gave an estimated total annual cost of £4.4 million and an estimated total capital cost of £7.5 million for implementing the Action Programme measures in the existing 68 zones in England and Wales.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has lead responsibility for the Waste Framework Directive.

  Agricultural Development Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the level of funding from the 244W
  the Government for the National Training Organisation for the Landbased Sector in each of the last three years, the current year and each of the next three years. [120568]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  MAFF Funding for Lantra, the National Training Organisation for the landbased sector is as follows:

  Government Agricultural Development Scheme and its successor schemes in each of the last three years, the current year and in each of the next three years. [120564]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  MAFF Funding for Lantra, the National Training Organisation for the landbased sector is as follows:

  Funding £000

  Type of funding

  Year

  MAFF contract

  Sector challenge

  Agriculture development scheme1

  Action plan for farming package

  Total aid

  1997–98

  1,021

  487

  0

  0

  1,508

  1998–99

  455

  884

  0

  0

  1,339

  1999–2000

  356

  441

  0

  0

  797

  2000–01

  300

  128

  100

  21,800

  2,328

  2001–02

  300

  0

  0

  0

  300

  2002–03

  300

  0

  0

  0

  300

  2003–04

  3—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 (Benchmarking)

  2 Includes £600,000 from the support announced for hill farmers.

  3 The current MAFF contract runs until 31 March 2003. No decisions have bene taken on an extension beyond that date.

  Lantra also receives funding from other Government Departments including the Department for Education and Employment, and from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the devolved administrations and the European Commission.

  BSE
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the level of UK Government expenditure on BSE eradication measures in each of the last three years, the current year and the next three years. [120570]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The main measure in place in the UK to eradicate BSE is the ban on the feeding of mammalian meat and bone meal to farmed ruminants. This is enforced by a survey of feed mills and other premises which hold animal feed, and testing of the samples for the presence of mammalian protein. The cost of the tests carried out since the survey began in August
  245W
  1996 amounts to some £4 million. The cost of the collection and submission of the samples to the laboratory could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  The cost of compensation for the slaughter of BSE suspects, and the transport and disposal of their carcases and other associated costs are shown in the table.

  £

  BSE Compensation

  Transport and disposal and other costs

  1997–98

  3,084,159

  1,427,787

  1998–99

  1,964,095

  1,461,743

  1999–20001

  1,264,153

  21,850,000

  1 Estimate

  2 This item incudes some expenditure on scrapie which cannot be separated from BSE expenditure.

  The cost of compensation and disposal in the current and future years will depend on market prices and the numbers of BSE suspects reported.

  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received expressing concern about the way in which the cull of BSE-offspring cattle is being conducted. [119754]

  Ms Quin
  During the operation of the cull, 8,241 offspring have been slaughtered with a further 178 awaiting slaughter. We have received 120 letters on the cull. The majority of these have expressed concern over the level of compensation offered, while a small number have queried the basis of the cull.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on making available material from beef carcases for the purpose of research into BSE. [120700]

  Ms Quin
  The Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) holds an archive of material from BSE-infected cattle. Scientists may apply directly to the TSE Office at VLA to request samples of these tissues for use in research. Applications are approved by the TSE Research and Surveillance Unit in MAFF on the basis of the supplies available and the merit of the research. Scientists also need to show that they have the containment facilities available to perform the research and any necessary Home Office or import licences. Where sufficient supplies exist, reasonable requests will be granted and the tissues will be released once funding for the research is secured.

  Farm Waste Grant Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the budget allocated to the Farm Waste Grant Scheme was taken up in each year of its operation; and what his policy is on the use of underspend. [120571]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Since the Farm Waste Grant Scheme came into operation in April 1996, the proportion of the budget taken up each year has been:

  Percentage

  1996–97

  2

  1997–98

  13

  1998–99

  17

  1999–2000

  8

  246W
  Surplus funds are reallocated to other areas of expenditure in the Department according to priorities.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the level of funding for the Farm Waste Grant Scheme in each of the last three years, the current year and each of the next three years. [120562]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The level of funding available for the Farm Waste Grant Scheme in each of the years concerned is as follows:

  £ million

  1997–98

  0.8

  1998–99

  0.8

  1999–2000

  0.8

  2000–01

  0.8

  2001–02

  4.5

  2002–03

  4.5

  2003–04

  4.5

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the level of regional development agencies' spending on agricultural programmes is in(a) the current financial year and (b) the next financial year. [120574]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Nil.

  Stress (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the level of Government funding for voluntary bodies dealing with stress among people living in rural areas was in each of the last three years and in the current year; and what plans he has to increase this level of support in the next year. [120578]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Department of Health has provided funding totalling £90,000 for the Rural Stress Information Network (RSIN) and a further £118,860 for a 'Rural Minds' project between 1997–98 and this year. An official from my Department has been seconded to the RSIN for the last two years.

  We will extend the RSIN secondment for at least a further year. In addition, we will provide £0.5 million this year to support organisations which help alleviate rural stress.

  European Centre for Organic Fruit and Nursery Stock
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much funding for the European Centre for Organic Fruit and Nursery Stock is paid for out of his Department's research and development budget; [120581]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the role of the European Centre for Organic Fruit and Nursery Stock; [120579]

  (3) if he will publish the budget for the European Centre for Organic Fruit and Nursery Stock for each of the next three years. [120580]
  247W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  I announced the creation of the Centre on 30 March this year following a successful bid by Horticulture Research International to the Capital Modernisation Fund.

  The European Centre for Organic Fruit and Nursery Stock to be set up by HRI will be a unique centre of excellence whose primary aim will be the development of a deeper scientific basis for organics and to disseminate that knowledge effectively across the organic sector, from growers through to consumers. The Centre will offer a wide range of economic, educational, environmental and efficiency benefits and will contribute further to the Government's support for the horticulture sector.

  The CMF grant totals £2.261 million for 2000–01 and 2001–02. It is being provided from central funds. HRI will be establishing budgets in due course.

  R&D Budget
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the budget for his Department's research and development in each of(a) the last three and (b) the next three years. [120582]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The R&D budgets for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 were £140.5 million, £139.8 million and £139.3 million respectively. Our planned spend in 2000–01 and 2001–02 is £118 million and £120.9 million, reflecting the transfer of some £21 million to the Food Standards Agency, on 1 April 2000, to cover R&D on food science matters now within their responsibilities. These figures include a proportion of the Department's grant aid to Kew, research initiated by the Department's Economics Division, and the costs of administering the research budget. The budget for 2002–03 is subject to the Government's current spending review.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much funding for knowledge transfer is provided from his Department's research budgets in each of the last three years; and how much will be provided in the current year and each of the next three years. [120569]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  There are no separate budgets. However, knowledge transfer is an integral part of the role played by R&D carried out by MAFF both to inform and underpin policy-making and the Department's regulatory responsibilities; and to assist the farming, food and fisheries industries in accordance with MAFF's aim and objectives.

  IPPC Charges
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the cost of the proposed level of IPPC charges to farmers in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each of the other member states of the European Union. [120583]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  As part of the Government's Action Plan for Farming it was confirmed that, subject to agreement with the industry on a system of general binding rules, the Environment Agency's interim and longer-term charge for an IPPC permit in England and Wales should be less than half the £12,000-£18,000 originally proposed. IPPC charges in Scotland are devolved and are therefore a matter for Scottish Ministers. Arrangements for Northern Ireland are still being considered. Our inquiries indicate 248W
  that many other member states will be passing on costs for IPPC to intensive livestock installations, although some have yet to decide how to implement IPPC and what charges will be made. The Environment Agency is currently undertaking a fuller study of the position which will inform the development of a longer-term charging scheme in England and Wales.

  Hill Farm Support Payments
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to hill farmers of complying with the new conditions being attached to hill farm support payments. [120558]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The only new condition we propose attaching to less favoured area support payments is compliance with certain standards of Good Farming Practice. Responsible farmers should not incur any additional costs.

  Diversification
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much the free consultancy service to be made available to farmers seeking approval from the planning authorities for a diversification project under the England Rural Development Plan will cost; and how it will be funded. [120560]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The details of this service are still being developed together with those of the Rural Enterprise Scheme.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how planning advice for existing diversification schemes is(a) provided to farmers and (b) funded. [120572]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  There are no farm diversification schemes currently open to applicants.

  Pig Farmers
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial aid the Government have provided for pig farmers in each of the last three years. [120599]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The CAP pigmeat regime contains no provision for paying subsidies direct to pig farmers. However, in addition to the restructuring scheme announced as part of the Action Plan for Farming, the Government have helped and are continuing to help the pig industry in many ways. For example:Pig industry projects benefited significantly from the Agriculture Development Scheme 1999, being awarded over 35 per cent. of the total grants made.
  £3 million of marketing/promotional money was earmarked exclusively for the pig sector. Discussions with the industry have resulted in the Government agreeing to part fund a £4.6 million industry led welfare linked promotion campaign.
  The interpretation of the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 in respect of origin marking has been tightened up. New guidelines have been issued to Trading Standard Authorities and to the industry.
  A "verification officer" has been appointed; part of whose remit is to work with industry bodies to identify cases where product is being sold at retail or catering level which misleads the consumer into believing it contains pork of British origin when in fact it is imported. The verification officer's role also includes checking progress on the commitment given some time ago by major

  249W
  retailers that all their own label fresh pork and certain processed products such as bacon would come from stall and tether and MBM free production systems.
  The date for implementing IPPC for established pig farms has been put back to 2007.

  Hill Livestock Compensation Allowance
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans the Government have to reduce funding for hill livestock compensation allowance payments and its successor schemes after 2000–01. [120557]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The funding for the new Hill Farm Allowance Scheme will be determined in the context of the current Spending Review.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place a copy of the specification for the BRIGHT research project, carried out by NIAB and funded by his Department, together with any interim results in the Library. [120718]

  Ms Quin
  BRIGHT is a LINK project in the MAFF-sponsored Sustainable Arable Production through Precision Input Optimisation (SAPPIO) Programme. It is being conducted by a consortium of industry and academic partners grant aided by UK Government Departments. This consortium is responsible for publicity and has publicised the scientific approaches, objectives and progress of the research. The publicity programme includes articles in the MAFF-produced Agri-LINK Newsletter. The research is being conducted by the Institute for Arable Crops Research, the National Institute for Agricultural Botany, and the Scottish Agricultural College.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been undertaken by the Pesticides Safety Directorate into the impact of herbicides on genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops; and if he will publish the results. [120344]

  Ms Quin
  The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) co-ordinates a research programme which supports the risk assessments carried out during the approval process and investigates ways of minimising pesticide use. This includes work on human health and environmental consequences of herbicide use.

  The Government also support a number of projects on GMHT crops. In particular, the BRIGHT project, part funded by industry, includes work on the impact of herbicides on GMHT crops. This project started in April 1999 and is due to last for four years. The results will be published.

  Companies have to provide detailed scientific safety data before the Government will consider approving the use of a given herbicide on a given GMHT crop.

  Fishing (European Structural Funds)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what ways the fishing industry can be assisted by means of Objective 2 grants with(a) land-based infrastructure, improvement and renovation schemes, (b) vessel equipment, (c) fish processing and marketing and (d) other support. [119429]
  250W
  Mr. Morley
  Objective 2 plans, which include funding under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), have yet to be finalised and agreed with the European Commission. ERDF funding could cover fishing port infrastructure.

  Funding under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) would be available across the country and is not dependent on Objective 2 status. Plans for FIFG funding have yet to be finalised and agreed with the European Commission. Under the FIFG regulation, this could cover projects under (a), (b) and (c).

  Other support, such as funding for training fishermen, could be available from the European Social Fund, both within and outside Objective 2 areas.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) rules and Agriculture, Fisheries and (b) guidance he has set applicants for Objective 1 funds. [119342]

  Mr. Morley
  The European Commission has yet to agree the Single Programming Document for the Cornwall and Scilly Isles Objective 1 area, including the proposed priorities and measures funded through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance. Rules and guidance for applicants will be finalised following Commission approval and consistent with the relevant European regulations.

  Irish Sea Cod Recovery Programme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which United Kingdom fisherman's associations and other bodies are involved in the Irish Sea Cod Recovery Programme; which other maritime states are represented; and if he will make a statement. [118692]

  Mr. Morley
  The Fisheries Departments in the UK have been in close consultation with the UK fishing industry and other interests both directly and through the Irish Sea Panel of the Fisheries Conservation Group about the development of the Irish Sea Cod Recovery Programme. The organisations consulted include:

  National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations

  Scottish Fishermen's Federation

  Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers' Organisation

  Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation

  United Kingdom Association of Fish Producers' Organisations

  Fleetwood Fish Producers' Organisation

  Fleetwood Fish Forum

  Associated British Ports

  Sea Fish Industry Authority

  Association of Sea Fisheries Committees

  Cumbria Sea Fisheries Committee

  North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee

  Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of the Isle of Man

  Fleetwood and Barrow in Furness Inshore Fishermen.

  Representatives of the UK fishing industry, together with officials and scientists from the Fisheries Departments have attended two regional consultative meetings with the Commission in Brussels. The other countries which have cod quota in the Irish Sea—Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland—have also been involved in the development of the Recovery Plan.
  251W
  I welcome this close involvement of fishermen in the preparation of regional measures for stock conservation and recovery.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation he proposes to offer to British and Irish beamers to stop fishing in the Irish Sea. [119237]

  Mr. Morley
  None. UK beamers volunteered to stay out of the area of the Irish Sea which was closed to protect spawning cod. I am grateful to them for the responsible lead they took in furthering an important conservation objective and to the Irish Government, with whom we co-operate closely on many fisheries issues of common interest, for agreeing to keep their beam trawlers out of the closed area between 13 March and 1 May.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the climate change levy on the fish-processing sector; what compliance costs the sector will face; what assistance will be offered to this sector; and what derogations are(a) in place and (b) under negotiation. [120245]

  Ms Quin
  The impact of the climate change levy on a sector or an individual firm will depend upon future energy use, employment trends and take up of the incentives to improve energy efficiency.

  Compliance costs relating to the administration of the scheme will fall mainly on the energy suppliers. More information is contained in the Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared by Customs and Excise.

  As the fish processing industry falls within the scope of the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive, it can participate in the energy agreement to receive an 80 per cent. levy discount if agreed energy efficiency targets are met, which is being negotiated with the Food and Drink Federation.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the climate change levy on each sector of the agriculture industry. [120278]

  Ms Quin
  The Government have sought to design the climate change levy in a way that maximises its environmental effectiveness while taking account of the competitiveness of UK firms. The impact of the climate change levy on individual sectors of the agricultural industry will depend, among other things, on each sector's future energy use, employment trends and take-up of the various incentives offered under the levy to improve energy efficiency. Further, reductions in the rate of levy are available to the energy-intensive sectors of pigs and poultry in return for reaching agreed energy targets and, subject to approval under state aid rules, a 50 per cent. reduction to horticulture.

  Veterinary Inspectors
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to monitor whether local veterinary inspectors in other EU member states who inspect live farm animals prior to export are 252W
  adhering to the revised procedures for sheep and pigs destined for fattening, production and slaughter which came into effect on 31 May 1999. [119132]

  Mr. Morley
  The procedures which the Government introduced on 31 May were a national measure to ensure that the inspections of these animals prior to their export are carried out to the highest possible standards. They were not introduced in other EU member states, who set their own standards.

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the use his Department, its agencies and public bodies will make of the powers relating to the authorised obtaining of communications data in Part I, Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill once the Bill is enacted. [119516]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 509W.

  Regional Service Centres
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, following the publication of his Department's annual report, with particular reference to paragraph 1.7, he will reject the findings of the recent study that recommended the closure of Regional Service Centres. [119763]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend is still considering the future of the Regional Service Centres following the recent review of CAP scheme administration, and in light of the recent reports from the Performance and Innovation Unit which recommend closer alignment of MAFF's regional policy activities, including its regional representational role and information activity, with the Government Offices for the Regions. The further development and strengthening of MAFF' s working partnership with the GOs, the Regional Development Agencies and other regional players, and the taking forward of plans for integrating MAFF's regional rural development activity with the GO structure, are identified in the Departmental Report as key challenges for 2000–01.

  Modulation (Devolved Assemblies)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how decisions made in the National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament affect his policy on modulation. [118578]

  Ms Quin
  Under the terms of EU Council Regulation 1259/99, modulation has to be applied consistently throughout a member state. It is therefore incumbent upon all parts of the United Kingdom to agree an approach to this, and that is what we are doing.

  With Government's commitment fully to match-fund farmers' contributions up to the levels set out in the England Rural Development Plan, modulation provides the means for securing substantial extra resources for Rural Development.
  253W

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the annual cost to his Department, in terms of salary payments, which would result from an increase of the minimum wage for all age groups to(a) £4, (b) £4.20 and (c) £4.50 per hour. [120246]

  Mr. Morley
  Staff in my Department and its Agencies are salaried and are not paid by the hour. However, for the purposes of this question I am able to calculate salary levels based on normal full-time working hours of 36 per week in London or 37 hours elsewhere.

  No staff in my Department are paid at salary levels less than or equivalent to £4.00 or £4.20 per hour. If the minimum wage for all staff was increased to a salary level equivalent to £4.50 per hour the annual cost to my Department would be £51,464.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many CSA inspectors are in post and operating in the Lancashire and Merseyside region. [120863]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Frank Field, dated 5 May 2000:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  At present, three members of Agency staff in the Lancashire and Merseyside regions carry out inspectoral duties, which include investigating the earnings of the self-employed and company directors and conducting interviews under caution. However the Wales and North West Business Unit plan to train an additional 25 officers to undertake inspectoral visits, of whom seven will operate in the Lancashire and Merseyside regions.
  Under current legislation child support inspectors are appointed on a case by case basis which means that they must be given a time-limited certificate of appointment for each individual case. As a result, CSA Inspectors have not, to date, been used to their best effect. This rigid and cumbersome method of appointment has prevented the Agency from building up a team of dedicated and experienced inspectors.
  However, the Agency has increased the number of locally based face to face officers to 600, a process that was completed at the end of March this year. The Agency is currently considering whether some, or all, of the face to face officers should also perform the role of child support inspectors or whether separate dedicated teams of inspectors would be more effective. Under the child support reforms it is planned to appoint permanent inspectors.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 551W, if he will list the IT procurement contracts agreed with EDS since 1 May 1997 with a value over £10,000; when each contract was agreed; when the IT provision began to be installed; and if each IT system is (a) fully operational and
  (b) in use. [120922]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my right hon. Friend.
  254W
  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Frank Field, dated 5 May 2000:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  No specific IT Procurement contracts have been awarded to EDS since 1/5/97. However, the Department's private sector partner Affinity (prime contractor EDS) was awarded an early contract in March 1999, to provide products key to the future development of modernised IT for the Department.
  In addition, to maintain progress against legislative timescales for Child Support Reforms, an interim contract for early IT pre-development and preparation work was let to Affinity 23/12/99, to deliver products which pave the way for new IT for the CSA. In both cases, neither the contracts nor their products were intended to deliver an operational IT system.
  The Department does not hold an existing contract with EDS, awarded in 1995, for the provision of some mainframe-based IT and associated services.
  A number of consultancy contracts are also held with EDS to help determine the Department's business and financial requirements relevant to the delivery of the full IT systems, under the main contracts.
  The award of all contracts has been subject to the Department's formal procurement controls to ensure fair and open competition.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the percentage change in the value of UK pension funds since May 1997. [120993]

  Mr. Rooker
  Information is not available from May 1997 as data is collected on an annual basis. The percentage increase in the value of UK pension funds between December 1996 and December 1997 (the most recent figure available), above is 17 per cent.

  Note:

  The amount of money set aside to meet pensions liabilities is a proxy for the amount of money held in pensions.

  Source:

  ONS estimates based partly on "DTI returns".

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new occupational pension schemes were set up in(a) 1979 to 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999. [121018]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Number of new occupational pension schemes which registered with the Pension Schemes Registry

  Period

  Number

  1979 to 1996

  159,054

  1997

  6,133

  1998

  4,939

  1999

  3,170

  Note:

  Pension schemes have to register with the Pension Schemes Registry when they have two or more members and have applied for, or received, tax approval from the Inland Revenue

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total costs for(a) each of the past two years, (b) the current year and (c) projected

  255W
  for each of the next two years, broken down into administrative and non-administrative costs and including the cost of the telephone helplines. [121043]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Administration and non-administration cost for the winter fuel payment scheme

  £

  Year

  Non-administration costs

  Administration costs

  1997–98

  200 million

  13.7 million

  1998–99

  200 million

  13.1 million

  1999–2000

  760 million

  14.3 million

  2000–01

  1.4 billion1

  Not yet available2

  2001–02

  1.2 billion1

  Not yet available2

  1 Includes the cost of making backdated payments as a result of changes to the eligibility rules.

  2 Projected figures are not available for these years as the process details are not yet finalised.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 551W, how many pensioners are excluded from the minimum income guarantee because of income from an occupational pension. [120921]

  Mr. Rooker
  An estimated 1,120,000 cases would qualify for the minimum income guarantee if their occupational pension were completely disregarded.

  Fraud
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Government have fulfilled their commitment in paragraph 3.18 of the White Paper, "Safeguarding Social Security", to ensure that data are correct on 1.8 million payroll items; how many anomalies(a) were found, (b) were passed to fraud investigators, (c) resulted in prosecution and (d) resulted in conviction; and of the anomalies, how many arose from cases where people were simultaneously working and claiming. [120859]

  Mr. Rooker
  During 1999–2000, 626,641 payroll records were checked. 288,924 anomalies were found, of which 251,201 were name and address changes. 6,223 cases were referred to fraud for investigation because of possible fraud. Of these, 5,943 involved suspicions that people might be claiming benefit without declaring their earnings. As of 31 March 2000, fraud has been proved in 683 of these cases and there have been 114 prosecutions leading to a conviction. We do not know how many prosecutions were unsuccessful in this area.

  The National Insurance Contributions Office has a target to check 3 million payroll records in 2000–01.

  Postgraduate Maintenance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements exist to provide income maintenance for persons who are forced to suspend a course of postgraduate education because of illness. [118911]

  Mr. Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for postgraduate awards is shared with the Arts and Humanities Research Board or one of the six Research Councils, depending on the field of study. Each Research Council is an independent body, free, within the terms of its Charter and the resources available to it, to make its own decisions about expenditure on postgraduate support.

  Support for postgraduate teacher training is generally provided by my Department under the Student Support Regulations. Maintenance support is in the form of a student loan. Support is payable for absence from a course due to illness for up to 60 days, and for longer periods at the discretion of the relevant local education authority, which will take into account financial hardship.

  The Department provides support to 50 postgraduate students at three European Institutions, the Bologna Center, the College of Europe and the European University Institute and provides continuing support for the first 60 days of illness. Thereafter each case is considered by my Department on its own merits.

  In relation to Research Council students, where a student becomes sick during their studies, arrangements vary depending on the awarding body and the nature of the course. The Economic and Social Research Council, for example, allows a student's grant to continue unaffected for the first eight weeks of sickness. The Medical Research Council continue to pay the grant at the full rate for the first 21 days of sickness and at half rate for the next 28 days and would then suspend payment.

  Separate, broadly similar arrangements apply in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the system of support for postgraduates largely follows that for undergraduates and, in the main, continues to be paid during periods of illness.

  Additional assistance for postgraduate students studying in the UK who are absent from their course due to illness may be available through the Access Funds. These allow universities and colleges to provide extra discretionary support for students in particular need; and a total of £76.4 million has been made available in England for the 1999–2000 academic year.

  Full-time students who interrupt their studies because of illness and have been incapable of work for 28 weeks may be eligible for income support. Details of benefits are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.