Written Answers of 8 May 2000

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Congo (Zimbabwean Forces)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the deployment of Zimbabwean forces in protecting mining interests in the Congo; and who owns those interests. [120868]

  Mr. Hain
  We have seen reports that the Zimbabwean Defence Forces are deployed in areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which contain the main diamond fields and reserves of copper and cobalt. We understand that exploitation of diamonds is principally carried out by the Societe Miniere de Bakwanga (MIBA), and production of copper and cobalt by GECAMINES. Both of these companies are substantially DRC state-owned, but there are reports that they have entered into joint venture with various partners. There are also reports that the Zimbabwean Defence Force has set up a company called OSLEG Private Limited, which includes capital provided by private investors, to exploit DRC's mineral reserves.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 3 May 2000,Official Report, columns 149–50, if he will list the dates of his meetings with the previous Secretary-General of the Commonwealth to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe. [121202]

  Mr. Hain
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I spoke to the previous Commonwealth Secretary General following the onset of the recent wave of illegal farm occupations in Zimbabwe.

  Iran
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he has had with the Iranian Foreign Minister regarding the timing of his visit to Iran; and if he raised the issue of legal proceedings concerning members of the Jewish community in Shiraz in the course of that communication. [121213]

  Mr. Hain
  The Iranian authorities are well aware of our concerns about the trial of 13 members of the Jewish community on espionage charges in Shiraz. The Foreign Secretary made these clear to Dr. Kharrazi personally when he visited London in January. We and our EU partners have raised our concerns on many occasions, most recently in the form of a demarche by the EU Presidency in Tehran on 29 April. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Foreign Secretary's visit to Tehran has 258W
  been postponed from 8/9 May to 4/5 July. The Foreign Secretary spoke briefly to Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi on 29 April in order to postpone this visit.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 April 2000,Official Report, columns 396–97W, what assessment he has made of recent developments in the legal proceedings concerning members of the Jewish community in Shiraz, Iran, with particular reference to the case of Hamid Tefilin; what representations have been made to the Government of Iran about the decision to hold the trial in camera and about the proceedings in general; what steps have been taken by the Government to monitor the trial; and if he will make a statement. [121141]

  Mr. Hain
  We and our EU partners have raised our concerns about the detention and trial of a number of Iranians including 13 members of the Iranian Jewish community in Shiraz on espionage charges with the Iranian authorities on a number of occasions, most recently in the form of a demarche by the EU Presidency in Tehran on 29 April.

  Our Embassy in Tehran is working closely with our EU partners and other like-minded embassies to ensure that events in Shiraz are monitored closely. We are aware of reports emanating from Hamid Tefilin's defence counsel that Mr. Tefilin has confessed to being trained to spy for Israel, but that he has not carried out any espionage activity. We shall continue to monitor events closely.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian authorities over the banning of newspapers and magazines. [121136]

  Mr. Hain
  We and our EU partners have been following closely events in Iran. We note that the editors of the newspapers and magazines that have been banned are avoiding public comment and urging their supporters to follow suit in an effort to maintain calm.

  Sanctions (Serbia and Iraq)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations at the UN to allow sanctions against(a) Serbia and (b) Iraq to be lifted on goods relating to bona fide scientific and technological work essential to food testing and civil manufacturing industry. [121079]

  Mr. Hain
  UN Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) imposed an embargo on the supply of arms and related material to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and a ban on arming and training for terrorist activities there. There are no other UN sanctions measures in force in relation to Serbia.

  Under the current terms of the "Oil-for-Food" programme, established by Security Council resolution 986, Iraq can sell unlimited quantities of oil to buy a wide range of humanitarian goods, including the kind of equipment mentioned in the question. Iraq is expected to raise $10 billion this year from oil sales. Each contract is checked to ensure that the goods will be used for their stated purpose.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to "IGC: Reform for Enlargement, Cm 4595", what study has been made by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) the European Union of the political consequences of admission to the European Union of parts of former Yugoslavia; by whom it was made; and if its conclusions have been published. [121061]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government's (and European Union's) overall objective is the fullest possible integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the political and economic mainstream of Europe. No formal study has been made of the political consequences of admission to the European Union of parts of the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to "IGC: Reform for Enlargement, Cm 4595", in relation to the adoption of the Acquis of the Community, what permanent or temporary derogations are planned to be made to any applicant state in respect of(a) the Common Fisheries Policy, (b) the Common Agricultural Policy and (c) participation in the Cohesion Fund. [121077]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is too early in the accession negotiations to predict the extent of any derogations.

  Negotiations on Fisheries have started with six applicant countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia). The EU Common Positions agreed for these negotiations make clear that all new member states will be expected to apply the Common Fisheries Policy in full.

  Negotiations have also started on Regional Policy with these countries. But their participation in the Cohesion Funds will not be determined until later in the negotiations.

  We expect negotiations on Agriculture with these countries to begin in June this year.

  Iraqi Oil Sanction Breaches
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 May 2000,Official Report, column 67W, on Iraqi oil, if he has asked the (a) Council of Ministers and (b) European Commission to put pressure on Turkey to bring the trade in Iraqi oil across its borders into the UN humanitarian programme; what was the volume of oil in metric tonnes sold through the UN programme in (i) 1999 and (ii) 2000 to date; and what was the estimated value in (1) 1999 and (2) 2000 to date of Iraqi oil sold (x) through the UN programme and (y) in breach of sanctions. [121054]

  Mr. Hain
  We have discussed measures to cut down on oil smuggling including through Turkey with the other members of the Security Council which includes two fellow members of the European Union.
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  The estimated value of illegal oil exports in 1999 was $250 million and in 2000 to date $170 million. As I pointed out in my answer of 2 May, the UK is making every effort to reduce this illegal trade,.

  UN statistics for the volume of oil sold under the "oil for food" arrangements are provided for each six month phase and in barrels. For phase V (26 November 1998 to 25 May 1999) the volume of oil sold was 360.8 million barrels worth $3.95 billion. For phase VI (25 May 1999 to 11 December 1999) the volume of oil sold was 389.6 million barrels worth $7.4 billion. Under the present phase (phase VII) the volume of oil sold up to 28 April was 244.7 million barrels worth $5.79 billion. Phase VII ends on 7 June.

TREASURY

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the net financial impact, in the first financial year of its operation, of the climate change levy on(a) the automotive industry, (b) the farming industry, (c) the shipbuilding industry and (d) manufacturing industry in the West Midlands. [120992]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 5 May 2000]The Climate Change Levy package as a whole is expected to be revenue neutral for the private sector. Its introduction will entail no net financial gain for the public finances. The levy package as a whole is also expected to be broadly neutral between the manufacturing and the service sectors.

  The Government have sought to design the climate change levy in a way that maximises its environmental effectiveness while protecting the competitiveness of UK firms. It is not possible to say with precision what the effects of the climate change levy on individual sectors or firms will be, since this will depend, among other things, on each sector's future energy use, employment trends, and take up of the various incentives to improve energy efficiency.

  New Deal
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on the New Deal since 1997. [120997]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 5 May 2000]Information on the estimated allocation of the Windfall Tax receipts between different programmes, including the New Deal, is set out in Table 4.1 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report, 2000.

  Annex Bii of the Department for Education and Employment and the Office for Standards in Education Departmental Report 2000 provides information on expenditure on New Deal programmes within their Departmental Spending Limit.

  Figure 10a of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Departmental Report 2000 provides information on expenditure on the New Deal for Communities within their Departmental Expenditure Limit.

  National Savings Bonds
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency of the administration relating to bonds by National Savings; and if he will make a statement. [120218]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]National Savings (NS) takes great care to ensure the systems it uses to deliver its products are efficient and effective. This is essential if NS are to continue to operate successfully in the increasingly competitive retail savings sector. Ministers set annual targets for NS to measure, report on and improve the efficiency of its product administration systems. To achieve these targets NS uses a framework of performance measures, standards and reporting procedures constantly to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of its product administration systems, including those relating to bonds. This ensures they are subject to continuous improvement and that they remain competitive.

  Family Statistics
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the median duration of(a) a marriage and (b) a cohabiting union in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980 and (iii) 1999. [120677]

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

  Letter from Alan Goldsmith to Mr. Gerald Howarth, dated 8 May 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent Question on the median duration of (a) a marriage and (b) a cohabiting union in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980 and (iii) 1999. I am replying in the Director's absence.

  The only available estimates for marriages ending in divorce or death are as follows:

  Estimated1 median duration of marriages solemnised in England and Wales in:

  Years

  1979–80

  37

  1987

  27

  1993–94

  24

  1 Life table estimates derived from marriage and mortality registration records

  Estimates of the median duration of cohabiting unions are calculated using a different method based on the separation of the couple or the death of one of the partners. The following estimates are the only ones available.

  Estimated1 median durations of cohabiting first unions in Great Britain which started in:

  Years

  1970–79

  3

  1980–84

  4

  1985–89

  3

  1 Omnibus Survey (a sample survey)

  2 Which ended other than in marriage

  Censuses
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people were prosecuted for failure to complete the 1991 census; [121056]

  (2) when the 2001 census will be (a) dispatched and (b) due for return. [121055]

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

  Letter from Alan Goldsmith to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 8 May 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent questions on the number of people prosecuted for failure to complete a 1991 Census return and when the 2001 Census form will be despatched and due for return. I am replying in the Director's absence.
  The total number of people in England and Wales who were prosecuted for failure to complete a 1991 Census return was 354.
  Enumerators will deliver 2001 Census forms of return, and reply-paid envelopes as necessary in advance of census day, which is 29 April 2001. The Census forms should be returned on the day after census day or as soon as possible thereafter. Follow-up enquiries will be undertaken if a form has not been received by 8 May 2001.
  The Census Regulations, which provide for the detailed arrangements for the conduct of the census, are shortly to be laid before Parliament.

  Holocaust Victims (Compensation)
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the tax treatment of moneys paid out by UK banks under the British Bankers Association Restore UK initiative in respect of bank accounts opened by Holocaust victims, frozen during World War II under the Trading With the Enemy Act and subsequently held as dormant accounts. [121457]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government very much support the British Bankers Association "Restore UK" initiative.

  It is right that people who were Holocaust victims, or their beneficiaries, who have moneys restored to them under this scheme, should receive not only the original capital but some form of compensation.

  I am glad to announce that no tax will be payable on any moneys paid out by the banks under this initiative to Holocaust victims or their beneficiaries. This exemption will cover income tax liability on any compensation payments as well as any death duties in respect of the capital held in the accounts.

DEFENCE

  Army Criminal Legal Aid Authority
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on delays in the payment of bills due under the Army Criminal Legal Aid Authority. [120136]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]The Army Criminal Legal Aid Authority (ACLAA) was set up in 1996 to administer the provision of legal aid for individuals facing court-martial or other defined legal processes. The role of ACLAA is to receive applications
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  for legal aid, define the individual contribution required, make an offer of legal aid on that basis, negotiate acceptance with the employing unit and individual, instruct legal representatives, and finally to review and settle bills for work done.

  In December last year the Officer in Charge became ill which led to some reordering of work while his situation clarified. Sadly it has become clear that it will not be possible for him to return to ACLAA. In addition another experienced member of staff also became ill in January, and has not been able to return either.

  While new staff were being recruited it was necessary to give priority to the allocation of legal aid to individuals to ensure that the legal process was not disrupted or delayed. Regrettably this meant that ACLAA was not able to assess and clear bills until the arrival of additional staff. Over the last month ACLAA staff have been working hard to deal with the backlog of bills that were awaiting payment and many have now been settled.

  Any delay in payment is regrettable. However, ACLAA is currently being expanded and strengthened which should ensure that similar delays, caused by unforeseen circumstances, do not recur.

  Service Personnel (Divorce)
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the divorce rates for serving military personnel in(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force for the last 12 month period for which figures are available. [120408]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: Due to the manner in which each Service records data on changes in marital status, it is not possible to provide information in the precise manner requested. Notwithstanding, the rates for 1998–99 by Service are as follows:

  Number/percentage

  Army divorce rates 1998–99

  Married strength at 1 April

  57,744

  Divorced (Decree Absolute and Annulments)

  1,135

  Proportion of married personnel Divorced

  2.0%

  Royal Navy-Widow, Divorce and Separation Rates 1998–99

  Married Strength at 1 April

  22,417

  Widowed, Divorced or Separated

  850

  Proportion of married personnel

  Widowed, Divorced or Separated

  3.8%

  Royal Air Force-Divorce and Separation Rates 1998–99

  Married Strength at 1 April

  22,417

  Divorced

  10

  Separated

  1,172

  Proportion of married personnel

  Divorced or Separated

  3.4%

  Note:

  The Royal Navy figures include widows/widowers

  Figures provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the married population between the ages of 20 and 34, which is broadly comparable with the average age of married Service personnel, indicate an annual divorce rate of approximately 3 per cent. The figures above show that the divorce rates in the Services on a comparable age
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  group basis are no worse than those for society as a whole, especially as the RN and RAF figures include separation as well as divorce.

  Eurocorps and EUROFOR
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops from(a) the UK and (b) other EU countries are committed to (i) Eurocorps and (ii) EUROFOR. [120820]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 May 2000]The UK has no troops committed to either the 5-nation (France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain) EUROCORPS or the 4-nation (France, Italy, Portugal and Spain) EUROFOR as a matter of course, though we have one Liaison Officer attached to HQ EUROCORPS.

  Numbers of troops contributed to the forces in question by other countries are a matter for the countries concerned.

  British Beef
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy regarding the supply of British beef for consumption by members of Her Majesty's armed forces. [121073]

  Dr. Moonie
  The supply of food for the armed forces has been contracted out to "3663" and we require them to seek the best price in the open market, consistent with meeting our quality standard. I am as keen, however, on seeing our servicemen and women eating British products as I am for our contractor to secure best value for money. In the case of British beef, since autumn of 1998 we have been supplying 100 per cent. British beef to our armed forces personnel based in the United Kingdom. Supplies for armed forces personnel based overseas are currently sourced from a number of countries.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of oral and written complaints made by members of the public were fully investigated by inspectors of health and safety in field offices of the Field Operations Division in fiscal year 1999–2000. [118410]

  Mr. Meacher
  The information requested can not be produced at this time, because full year data on inspectors' work for the year ended 31 March 2000 are not yet available. However, data on the number of complaints followed-up by staff in HSE's Field Operations Directorate for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99 are set out in the table. The table also shows, for information, the number of complaints investigated as a percentage of those received.
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  Complaints followed-up by HSE's Field Operations Directorate by route of complaint

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Telephone

  18,020

  18,686

  Letter

  2,655

  3,042

  Oral (other)

  322

  276

  Complaints followed up a of complaints received is a percentage

  72.6

  76.7

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average number of businesses dealt with by band 3 inspectors in the Health and Safety Executive in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [120390]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Band 3 inspectors are used in the majority of sectors for which HSE has enforcement responsibility. Inspector contacts with businesses can vary considerably, depending on the sector and circumstances. Inspectors may contact the same business more than once during the course of the year, or may contact several operating sites owned by the same business. Also, a contact could involve an in depth audit, taking several days, or a short visit or meeting.

  In total, HSE staff made 183,000 regulatory contacts with dutyholders and businesses in 1998–99, the last year for which figures are available. Of these, about 8,000 were made by administrative staff in HSE's Field Operations Directorate (FOD), and 33,000 by FOD inspectors other than Band 3 inspectors. A proportion of the rest may have involved inspectors other than Band 3 inspectors, but these could be disaggregated from the date only at disproportionate cost.

  In total, approximately 500 Band 3 inspector staff years spent by HSE Operating Directorates and Divisions in 1998–99 on inspection, investigation and enforcement activity which would have generated the vast majority of regulatory contacts.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the New En-route Centre at Swanwick will be fully operational. [120786]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Swanwick Centre is scheduled to come into operation by spring 2002.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many overseas consultancy projects have been undertaken by National Air Traffic Services in the last three years; and where these projects were undertaken. [120789]

  Mr. Mullin
  In the past three years, NATS has undertaken a total of 30 consultancy projects. Projects were undertaken in, or on behalf of, the following countries: Abu Dhabi, Antigua, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Eire, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Switzerland, and the UK. In addition, NATS has participated in a number of consortiums on behalf of the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol).
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  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many aircraft movements there were at UK airfields without air traffic control services in the last 12 months. [120788]

  Mr. Mullin
  There are 142 airports licensed by the CAA. Eighty-eight do not have air traffic control services but published data on aircraft movements are available only for 11 of these. For these 11 airports, there were 100,000 movements, both commercial and non-commercial. There were a total of 3.5 million aircraft movements at all UK airports for which data are available.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average length of time taken to train an air traffic controller; how many are in training; and how many controllers are required to staff the airfields and centres under NATS control. [120784]

  Mr. Mullin
  Area Control (AC) Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) receive 78 weeks training at the College of Air Traffic Control at Hurn followed by between 12 and 24 months on the job training before achieving validation. Airports ATCOs receive 52 weeks training at the College also followed by between 12 and 24 months on the job training before achieving validation. NATS has a total of 255 controllers currently in training (132 AC and 123 Airports—including part valid controllers). 436 controllers are required to staff the airfields under NATS control and 1,010 to staff the centres.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the suppliers of distress and diversion air traffic control to UK aircraft and aircraft using UK airspace. [120783]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Distress and Diversion (D&D) Air Traffic Control Service in the UK is provided to civil or military aircraft in distress or emergency in UK airspace. This service is supplied by RAF Air Traffic Control personnel located at the London Area and Terminal Control Centre (LATCC) and Scottish Area Control Centre (ScATCC).

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many air traffic controllers are needed to bring Heathrow up to full complement; and how many controllers are being trained at Swanwick. [120785]

  Mr. Mullin
  The total operational requirement for the Heathrow Visual Control Room and Thames Radar/SVFR is 61. There are currently 58 validated controllers. Two trainees are expected to validate within the next six to eight weeks together with one experienced ATCO undergoing retraining who is expected to regain validation within the same period. In addition, there are seven operationally valid Watch Managers at Heathrow.

  The New En-Route Centre at Swanwick is scheduled to come into operation by spring 2002. Operational Conversion Training will begin in January 2001 to meet this requirement. A total of 380 Area Control ATCOs will undergo Operational Conversion Training prior to the operational date.
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  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those UK airports where(a) there is no air traffic control and (b) only (i) an air ground and (ii) flight information service is provided. [120787]

  Mr. Mullin
  The table lists UK airports where there is no air traffic control. Those with an Air/Ground service are indicated by A/G and those with a Flight Information Service, by FISO.

  UK Airports

  Andrewsfield

  FISO

  Barra

  FISO

  Bembridge

  FISO

  Beverley

  A/G

  Blackbushe

  FISO

  Bodmin

  A/G

  Bourn

  A/G

  Brough

  A/G

  Caernarfon

  A/G

  Campbeltown

  FISO

  Chalgrove

  A/G

  Chichester Goodwood

  FISO

  Clacton-on-Sea

  A/G

  Compton Abbas

  A/G

  Cumbernauld

  FISO

  Denham

  FISO

  Derby

  A/G

  Dunkeswell

  A/G

  Duxford

  FISO

  Eaglescott

  A/G

  Earls Colne

  A/G

  Eday

  A/G

  Elmsett

  A/G

  Elstree

  FISO

  Enniskillen St. Angelo

  FISO

  Fair Isle

  A/G

  Fairoaks

  FISO

  Fenland

  FISO

  Fife

  A/G

  Fowlmere

  A/G

  Full Sutton

  A/G

  Glasgow Helipad SECC

  A/G

  Halfpenny Green

  FISO

  Haverfordwest

  A/G

  Hucknall

  A/G

  Inverness

  FISO

  Islay Port Ellen

  FISO

  Lashenden Headcorn

  A/G

  Leicester

  A/G

  Little Gransden

  A/G

  Lydd

  FISO

  Manchester Barton

  FISO

  Netherthorpe

  A/G

  Newtownards

  A/G

  North Ronaldsay

  A/G

  Northampton Sywell

  FISO

  Nottingham

  A/G

  Old Buckenham

  A/G

  Old Sarum

  A/G

  Oxford Kidlington

  FISO

  Panshanger

  A/G

  Papa Westray

  A/G

  Penzance Heliport

  A/G

  Perth

  A/G

  Perranporth

  A/G

  Peterborough/Conington

  A/G

  Redhill

  FISO

  Rendcomb

  A/G

  Retford Gamston

  A/G

  Rochester

  FISO

  Sanday

  A/G

  Sandown Isle of Wight

  A/G

  Sandtoft

  A/G

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  UK Airports

  Seething

  A/G

  Sheffield City

  A/G

  Sherburn-in-Elmet

  A/G

  Shipdham

  FISO

  Shobdon

  FISO

  Sibson Peterborough

  A/G

  Silverstone Heliport

  A/G

  Sleap

  A/G

  Stapleford

  FISO

  Stronsay

  A/G

  Sturgate

  A/G

  Tatenhill

  A/G

  Thruxton

  A/G

  Tingwall

  A/G

  Tiree

  FISO

  Tresco Heliport

  A/G

  Truro

  A/G

  Turweston

  A/G

  Unst

  FISO

  Wellesbourne Mountford

  FISO

  Welshpool

  A/G

  Westray

  A/G

  Whalsey

  A/G

  White Waltham

  FISO

  Wickenby

  A/G

  Social Services (Devon)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what increase was allocated by his Department for social service provision in Devon County Council's standard spending assessment for 2000–01. [120090]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]The personal social services standard spending assessment for 2000–01 for Devon County Council increased by £5,326,769, or 5.2 per cent., compared with the previous year.

  PFI Projects
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with PFI projects in local government: and if he will list those projects endorsed so far. [120844]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A total of 126 projects across the country have been endorsed from 86 local authorities. Of these, 38 have reached contract signature and another 88 are rapidly progressing towards that stage. These projects are already bringing real improvements to the quality of life in local communities. A full list of the schemes endorsed is as follows. The list is updated regularly and is available on the DETR website http://www.local.detr.gov.uk/pfi.

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Depot and Vehicle Services

  Islington—signed

  Lambeth—signed

  Information Communication

  Chelmsford: "Chelmsford Direct"

  Information Technology

  Croydon: "Delivering Customer Focus"

  Daventry

  Derby—signed

  Harrow—signed

  Kent—signed

  Norwich: "Connect" electronic network

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  Housing

  Camden: HRA Pathfinder, modernisation of tower blocks

  Derby: social housing

  Islington: HRA Pathfinder, refurbishment and modernisation of mainly Victorian street properties

  Leeds: HRA Pathfinder, Swarcliffe Estate

  Manchester: HRA Pathfinder, Plymouth Grove/Stockport Road Estate

  Manchester: energy services—signed

  Newham: HRA Pathfinder, Canning Town

  North East Derbyshire: HRA Pathfinder, South East Coalfield Area

  North East Derbyshire: social housing—signed

  Reading: HRA Pathfinder, North Whitley

  Sandwell: HRA Pathfinder, Wednesbury South

  Tower Hamlets: energy services—signed

  Leisure

  Sefton: Crosby leisure centre

  Uttlesford: "Sports and Leisure Facilities" two new sports and leisure centres

  Property

  Bournemouth: library

  Brighton: library

  Copeland: office rationalisation

  Hackney: technology learning centre—signed

  Norfolk: salt barns—signed

  North Wiltshire: property rationalisation—signed

  Redcar and Cleveland: office accommodation

  Sheffield: "Heart of the City" offices—signed

  Shrewsbury and Atcham: office rationalisation

  Trafford: Sale new civic centre office accommodation

  Transport and Street Lighting

  Brent: street lighting—signed

  Doncaster: bus station—signed

  Essex: A130 road—signed

  Nottinghamshire: Nottingham Express Transit light rail scheme—signed

  Staffordshire: street lighting

  Walsall: street lighting

  Waste Management

  East London Waste Authority

  East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Waste Partnership

  Hereford, Worcester—signed

  Isle of Wight—signed

  Kirklees—signed

  South Gloucestershire

  Surrey—signed

  Department for Education and Employment

  Individual schools

  Brent: relocation of Jews Free School

  Dorset: Colfox School replacement secondary school—signed

  Enfield: new secondary school—signed

  Essex: new secondary school

  Hillingdon: new secondary school—signed

  Kingston upon Hull: Victoria Dock, new primary school—signed

  Kent: Swanscombe

  Lambeth: replacement secondary school as part of Project Vauxhall

  Leeds: Cardinal Heenan, replacement secondary school—signed

  Lancashire: Fleetwood High School, replacement/refurbishment

  Liverpool: Speke/Garston Partnership

  Manchester: Temple, replacement primary school

  Portsmouth: new secondary school—signed

  Redbridge: Barley Mow School, new school

  Tower Hamlets: Mulberry School, replacement secondary school

  Walsall: replacement of St. Thomas Moore secondary school

  Waltham Forest: new secondary school

  Westminster: Pimlico School, replacement secondary school

  270W
  Grouped schools

  Birmingham: replacement of 10 schools

  Brent: 32 schools

  Cornwall: 36 schools joint venture

  East Riding: six schools

  East Sussex: five schools

  Haringey: 10 secondary schools

  Kirklees: 20 schools

  Leeds: seven schools

  Liverpool: 32 schools

  Newham: two new primary schools and one new secondary school

  North Yorkshire: four primary schools

  Nottinghamshire: group of six schools

  Richmond: expansion and refurbishment of two primary schools and three new primary schools

  Sandwell: five primary schools

  Sheffield: six schools

  Southampton: expansion, refurbishment and replacement of three secondary schools

  Staffordshire: two schools

  Stoke on Trent: 126 schools

  Tameside: schools rationalisation

  Torbay: two schools

  Tower Hamlets: 47 schools

  Wiltshire: three schools

  Wirral: nine schools

  Other

  Dudley: 104 schools Information and Communication

  Technology—signed

  Lewisham: 90 schools catering—signed

  Department of Health

  Residential Homes

  Enfield: building and running of three new resource centres

  Greenwich: elderly persons' centres

  Harrow—signed

  Northampton: four new specialist centres for older people who are frail or with mental health needs

  Richmond

  Surrey—signed

  Westminster—signed

  Other

  Dudley: multi-use facility

  Harrow: four community resource centres and four houses for people with learning disabilities and mental ill health

  Portsmouth: two day centres for people with learning difficulties Staffordshire: new children's home

  Home Office

  Police HQs

  Cheshire: relocation of HQ and training centre

  Derbyshire: Divisional HQ in Derby—signed

  Norfolk: Force HQ

  Thames Valley: Force HQ—signed

  Police stations

  Cumbria: Workington

  Derbyshire: Ilkeston—signed

  Dorset: Dorchester

  Other Police Schemes

  Cleveland/Durham: firearms range

  Greater Manchester Police: improve efficiency of operational policing

  Metropolitan Police: "3Ci": a new Command, Control, Communications and Information Service

  Northumbria: stables—signed

  Nottinghamshire: area traffic facility

  Sussex: new custody suites

  Wiltshire: helicopters—signed

  271W
  Fire Service

  Avon, Somerset and Gloucester: fire training facility

  Cornwall: fire stations

  Greater Manchester: Stretford, fire headquarters—signed

  Lancashire: fire stations

  London: fire vehicles and equipment

  North Yorkshire: fire training facilities

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Magistrates Courts

  Avon and Somerset

  Bedfordshire

  Derbyshire

  Hereford, Worcester

  Humberside

  Manchester

  Road User Charging
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set national guidelines for road user charge exemptions and concessionary discounts. [121277]

  Mr. Hill
  We will consider issuing guidance to local authorities on road user charging exemptions and concessions in due course, to supplement those set through regulations.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make regulations listing the classes of vehicles which will(a) receive discounts and (b) be exempt from road charging schemes. [121278]

  Mr. Hill
  Yes.

  Rent Service Agency
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the operation of the Rent Service Agency in the last 12 months. [121204]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have received several representations regarding the Rent Service Agency and how rent officers perform their independent statutory functions in connection with housing benefit and registration of fair rents.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statutory powers are available to him in respect of the operation of the Rent Service Agency. [121205]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Rent Act 1977 (as amended) grants the Secretary of State power to appoint, remunerate and provide administrative support for rent officers carrying out their statutory functions. A framework document (which is deposited in the Library of the House) authorises the Chief Executive to carry out these powers.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions on rent controls he has had with the Chief Executive of the Rent Service Agency in the last 12 months. [121208]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have regular discussions with the Chief Executive of the Rent Service Agency at official 272W
  and ministerial level about how rent officers perform their independent statutory functions in connection with housing benefit and registration of fair rents.

  Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Minister in his Department is taking lead responsibility for the proposals contained in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. [121206]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rents) Order 1999 was signed by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on the basis of a collective decision by Government.

  Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what external legal advice he has sought in respect of the use of his powers under section 31 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. [121207]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Treasury Solicitors Department has sought the best advice through the usual channels.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings have been held at the Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee since its establishment; who attended them; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement. [120419]

  Mr. Meacher
  Since the formation of the Trades Unions Sustainable Development Advisory Committee in July 1998 there have been six meetings. I have co-chaired them with John Edmonds, General Secretary of the GMB Union. They have been attended by representatives of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, the Engineers' and Managers' Association, GMB, the Graphical Paper and Media Union, the Institute of Professionals, Managers and Specialists, the Manufacturing Science Finance Union, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, the Transport and General Workers' Union, the Trades Union Congress, the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians, UNISON and the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. The Committee has discussed a wide range of sustainable development issues, including climate change, the employment effects of environmental policies, environmental issues in the workplace and workplace training on energy efficiency.

  Montreal Protocol
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the extent of the United Kingdom's compliance to date with the terms of the Montreal Protocol; and when he expects full compliance to be achieved. [120421]

  Mr. Meacher
  The United Kingdom meets its substantive obligations under the Montreal Protocol (1987) through EC Regulation. The European Community
  273W
  and the UK have ratified the Protocol as well as its London (1990) and Copenhagen (1992) Amendments. In addition, they are bound by the adjustments to the Protocol adopted in London (1990), Copenhagen (1992), Vienna (1995) and Montreal (1997). The means by which the Community gives effect internally to all these obligation is EC Regulation 3093/94. Once a further EC Regulation, which is still under negotiation, enters into force later this year the Community and the UK will also be able to ratify the Montreal Amendment (1997).

  Volatile Organic Compounds
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety guidance is issued in respect of the storage or use of volatile organic compounds(a) in and (b) near NHS premises; and if he will make a statement. [120426]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Executive has issued no specific safety guidance on the storage or use of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in and near NHS premises.

  The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires all employers to assess the risks to people's health and safety from the undertaking, which would include the storage or use of substances such as VOCs, and to take steps to minimise the risk.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance(a) his Department and (b) NHS Estates gives to health service bodies tendering for refrigeration equipment. [120418]

  Mr. Meacher
  The model framework for greening Government operations—which Government departments have been encouraged to adopt or adapt to meet their special circumstances—promotes environmentally preferable refrigerants having a zero or low potential for ozone depletion or global warming. I cannot answer for NHS Estates as responsibility here rests with the Secretary of State for Health. However, it is DETR's policy not to buy refrigerants containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and to avoid hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances where there are suitable alternatives. Our policy is also to favour technologies and refrigerants with little or no potential to contribute to global warming where they are safe, cost effective and practicable. Advice on environmentally preferable refrigerants is given in DETR's "Green Guide for Buyers"

  Refrigeration

  Air conditioning

  Aerosols

  Metered dose inhalers

  Other applications

  HFCs

  7,685

  3,766

  1,020

  121

  23 (foam)

  HCFCs

  13,500

  4,000

  0

  0

  Not known

  Ammonia

  Not known

  Not known

  0

  0

  Not known

  Hydrocarbons

  Not known

  Not known

  Not known

  0

  Not known

  CFCs

  6,150

  2,050

  0

  2,483

  Not known

  Note:

  Figures shown in metric tonnes
  274W
  and other guidance which can be found on DETR's website. There are however circumstances—especially with retrofits—where currently available environmentally preferable technologies and refrigerants are not safe or are excessively costly. We are continuing to put pressure on our suppliers to develop more cost effective, safer and greener products.

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with fire safety experts about the implications of installing(a) hydrocarbon and (b) ammonia-based refrigeration as part of air conditioning systems in public places; and if he will make a statement. [120420]

  Mr. Meacher
  It is the responsibility of any person or company installing hydrocarbon or ammonia-based air conditioning equipment in a public place to ensure that all fire and safety issues are properly addressed. Such installations should follow the guidance set out in British Standard (BS 4434): "Specification for safety and environmental aspects in the design, construction and installation of refrigerating appliances and systems (1995)". The Health and Safety Executive were on the technical committee that drafted BS 443.

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the storage and use of(a) hydrocarbons, (b) HFCs and (c) ammonia in (i) refrigeration and (ii) air conditioning systems used by health service bodies. [120423]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Management of Heath and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require all employers, including health service bodies, to carry out an assessment of risks to people's health and safety form the undertaking, including the effects of hazardous substances. This would include an assessment of the risks from hydrocarbons, HFCs and ammonia used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the quantity of(a) HFC, (b) HCFC, (c) ammonia, (d) hydrocarbons and (e) CFCs in use in the UK in (i) refrigeration, (ii) air conditioning, (iii) aerosols, (iv) metered dose inhalers and (v) other applications. [R] [120429]

  Mr. Meacher
  The most recent estimates available are given in the table. Data on the use of ammonia and hydrocarbons in the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors are not available; however, their use is relatively minor. In addition, the majority of aerosols manufactured in the UK are filled with hydrocarbons, but data on the amounts used are not available.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Unclaimed Benefits
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total value by benefit of unclaimed benefits for the latest 12 months for which figures are available. [119851]

  Angela Eagle
  The latest estimates were published in a Departmental press release dated 24 September 1999. I have placed a copy in the Library.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also recently launched a substantial national take-up campaign for the Minimum Income Guarantee. The campaign will include;
  a national TV advertising campaign;
  writing to over two million pensioners whom Departmental records suggest are most likely to be entitled to the minimum income guarantee; and
  a new free telephone claim service for people to claim without having to leave their homes.

  State Pension
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the net cost after taxation of an increase in the basic State Pension of(a) £5 per week at age 75 and (b) £10 per week at age 80 years. [120548]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Estimate of the net cost after taxation of an increase in the basic State Pension of £5 per week at age 75 and £10 per week at age 80 years

  £ billion

  £5 increase at 75–79, £10 increase at 80

  Gross cost

  1.7

  Net cost after income-related benefits offset

  1.15

  Net cost after income-related benefits offset and taxation

  1

  Notes:

  1. All costs are in £ billion, rounded to the nearest £50 million, and are for 2000–01.

  2. Other benefits, whose rates are linked to the basic State Pension, are not included.

  3. Gross costs estimated by the Government Actuary's Department.

  4. Income-related benefits offsets estimated by Analytical Services Division, Department of Social Security.

  5. Income tax receipts estimated by the Inland Revenue.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in receipt of(a) income-related benefits, (b) National Insurance-related benefits and (c) in total receive income from an occupational pension. [120360]
  276W
  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Pensioner benefit units in receipt of occupational pension income Great Britain, 1997–98

  Occupational pension income recipients also in receipt of:

  Pensioner benefit units in receipt

  Income related benefits

  910,000

  National Insurance related benefits

  4,060,000

  All with occupational pension income

  4,090,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000 benefit units, although they are not necessarily accurate to that degree.

  2. Pensioner benefit units are defined as single (non-cohabiting) people over State pension age (men 65 and over, women 60 and over) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is over State pension age.

  3. Income-related benefits include Income Support, Family Credit, Housing Benefit. Council Tax Benefit and Social Fund Grants.

  4. National Insurance-related benefits include State Retirement Pension, Widows' Benefits and Incapacity Benefit.

  5. Estimates of benefit income are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income, and are therefore subject to misreporting. For example, some respondents may not be able to differentiate between State Retirement Pension and Income Support since both benefits are received in a single payment.

  6. Estimates of the number of pensioner benefit units in receipt of occupational pension are based on survey respondents' own assessment and may be subject to under-reporting.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1997–98

  Parental Leave
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed Income Support during parental leave in the last 12 months. [120350]

  Mr. Bayley
  The new Income Support rules on parental leave came into effect on 5 January 2000. Early indications from a number of offices are that only a handful of claims have been received so far.

  Benefit Payments
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people chose to have child benefit and pensions paid by automatic transfer into bank accounts in each year since 1992. [120803]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Number of customers in receipt of child benefit and pensions1 choosing payment into a bank account since 1992.

  Year2

  Number of child benefit customers choosing ACT

  Number of retirement pension and widows pension customers choosing ACT3

  1992

  1,505,425

  2,392,292

  1993

  1,594,600

  3,043,118

  1994

  1,741,875

  3,315,930

  1995

  1,880,650

  3,543,713

  1996

  2,063,150

  3,854,419

  1997

  2,241,275

  4,014,874

  277W

  Number of customers in receipt of child benefit and pensions1 choosing payment into a bank account since 1992.

  Year2

  Number of child benefit customers choosing ACT

  Number of retirement pension and widows pension customers choosing ACT3

  1998

  2,436,900

  4,272,662

  1999

  2,620,075

  4,554,997

  1 "Pensions" has been interpreted as referring to retirement (RP) and widows (WP) pension, for which details are only available as a combined number.

  2 Date as at November of each year.

  3 These figures exclude pensioners who are entitled to Income Support and receive a combined payment, and include customers resident overseas.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, for each of the main social security benefits, how many people in each of the last 12 months have contacted his Department and its agencies requesting that their benefit payment be switched to a post office from payment into a bank account. [120987]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department does not routinely collate the information requested.

  However, as the overall trend on all benefits is an increase in payment into a bank account, it is unlikely that a significant number of customers are changing from payment into a bank account to payment at the post office.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 7 March to the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency regarding a constituent (Ref. E24618). [121260]

  Angela Eagle
  A reply was issued to my hon. Friend on 4 May 2000.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for North Thanet dated 11 April concerning non-payment of widows' payment to Mrs. Corrina Smith and similar cases. [121110]

  Angela Eagle
  A reply was issued today.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the distribution of Child Benefit expenditure according to(a) the gross income bands, (b) the equivalised gross income bands and (c) the equivalised net income bands of recipient families using (i) each band of £5,000 up to £40,000 and (ii) over £40,000. [121104]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Expenditure on Child Benefit by band of income and the number of children in each income band

  Gross income

  Equivalised gross income

  Equivalised net income

  Less than £5,000

  £90 million (0.2 million)

  £200 million (0.4 million)

  £290 million (0.5 million)

  278W

  Expenditure on Child Benefit by band of income and the number of children in each income band

  Gross income

  Equivalised gross income

  Equivalised net income

  £5-£10,000

  £970 million (1.6 million)

  £1,930 million (3.4 million)

  £2,530 million (4.4 million)

  £10-£15,000

  £1,260 million (2.1 million)

  £1,550 million (2.7 million)

  £2,070 million (3.6 million)

  £15-£20,000

  £960 million (1.7 million)

  £1,230 million (2.2 million)

  £1,130 million (2.0 million)

  £20-£25,000

  £850 million (1.5 million)

  £830 million (1.5 million)

  £570 million (1.0 million)

  £25-£30,000

  £770 million (1.4 million)

  £520 million (0.9 million)

  £290 million (0.5 million)

  £3O-£35,000

  £590 million (1.0 million)

  £340 million (0.6 million)

  £120 million (0.2 million)

  £35-£40,000

  £470 million (0.9 million)

  £200 million (0.4 million)

  £70 million (0.1 million)

  £40,000 and above

  £1,250 million (2.3 million)

  £410 million (0.7 million)

  £140 million (0.3 million)

  Notes

  1. Information is taken from Households Below Average income (HBAI) 1997–98 based on the Family Resources Survey 1997–98.

  2. All figures are in April 1999 prices.

  3. The expenditure of Child Benefit has been estimated using benefit receipt on HBAI. Therefore the expenditure in this table will not exactly match published expenditure figures.

  4. The figures in parentheses are the number of children in each band of income.

  5. Estimates of expenditure are rounded to the nearest £100 million. Numbers of children are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of appeals against decisions to refuse Disability Living Allowance were successful in(a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) England in the last year for which figures are available. [120931]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Figures for each of the appeals service regional offices

  Total

  In appellants favour

  Percentage

  Great Britain

  51,827

  25,234

  48.7

  Birmingham

  5,442

  2,398

  44.1

  Cardiff

  6,886

  3,438

  49.9

  Glasgow

  8,402

  4,072

  48.5

  Leeds

  4,458

  2,312

  51.9

  Liverpool

  6,759

  2,991

  44.3

  Nottingham

  7,235

  3,644

  50.4

  Newcastle

  3,965

  1,901

  47.9

  Salford

  3,914

  1,688

  43.1

  Sutton

  4,766

  2,790

  58.5

  Notes:

  1. The figures relate to all Disability Living Allowance (DLA) appeals heard between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999.

  2. We are unable to identify the reason for the appeals against DLA decisions. The figures will include appeals for other reasons as well as refusal of benefits.

  Source:

  100 per cent. download from the Appeals Service database computer system.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many pensioners would
  279W
  benefit financially and what the average benefit would be from reducing the tariff income from capital from the present rate to £1 per week for every £500 over £6,000 for people aged over 60 years. [121274]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  The estimated number of pensioners benefiting and the average gain as a result of a reduction to the tariff income of £1 a week for every £500 over £6,000

  Total gainers (000)

  Average gain (£1s per week)

  Income Support (IS)

  60

  4.55

  Housing Benefit (HB)

  80

  3.70

  Council Tax Benefit (CTB)

  160

  1.25

  Notes:

  1. Cases have been rounded to the nearest 5,000 for each benefit, and prices to the nearest 5 pence.

  2. This costing is carried out following the extension of the capital limits to £6,000 and £12,000 for Income Support, and £6,000 and £16,000 for Housing Benefit, and has been adjusted to caseload forecasts for 2001–02.

  3. It is not possible to provide a total number of gainers overall, as there is considerable overlap. Gainers on HB and/or CTB may float on to IS, while gainers on HB may also gain CTB.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of reducing the tariff income from capital from the present rate to £1 per week for every £500 over £6,000 for people aged over 60 years. [121275]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  The estimated cost of reducing the tariff income to £1 a week for every £500 over £6,000 in 2001–02

  £ million

  Benefit

  Total cost

  Income Support

  15

  Housing Benefit

  15

  Council Tax Benefit

  10

  Total

  40

  Notes:

  1. This question has been answered using the Policy Simulation Model (PSM) for Income Related benefits, based on 1997–98 Family Resources Survey data.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £5 million and uprated to 2000–01 prices and benefit levels.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Tritium
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Tritium has been produced at the Chapelcross nuclear facility in each month since April 1995; and what percentage of the Tritium produced by this facility has been traded to Governments and agencies outside the United Kingdom. [120750]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Welsh) on 3 April 2000, Official Report, column 303W, and my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 3 May 2000, Official Report, columns 118–19W.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the 1998 Annual report on Strategic Exports does not include information about physical exports of strategic goods from the UK to the Channel Islands. [120204]

  Dr. Howells
  Details of the value of UK exports and of the number of weapons including small arms was taken from information collected by HM Customs and Excise for trade statistics purposes. For these, the Channel Islands are regarded as part of the UK and thus movements between the UK and the Channel Islands are not recorded.

  However, the 1997 and 1998 Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls listed by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued and refused in each equipment category and gave details of the military equipment for which licences had been granted. They also set out the value of defence exports to each country. Entries were included for the Channel Islands.

  Energy Production
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of Scottish energy production is from(a) nuclear power, (b) coal, (c) oil and (d) renewable sources. [120747]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The most recently available figures for the indigenous production of primary fuels in Scotland are for 1998. Data are, however, not available without disproportionate cost for oil (or gas) production from Scotland or Scottish waters, so it is not possible to calculate the shares of nuclear power, coal or renewables.

  Million tonnes of oil equivalent Scotland

  Nuclear

  4.8

  Coal

  5.2

  Oil

  1.2—

  Renewables

  3 0.7–0.9

  1 Not available

  2 The Department's annual report "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library of the House, contains details of the location and production of oil and gas from all fields on the UK Continental Shelf.

  3 Renewable energy production statistics are collected on a UK wide basis only. The figure for Scotland is an estimate mainly based on generating capacities at 31 December 1998.

  Source:

  British Energy, The Coal Authority, DTI estimates.

  Competitiveness Development Fund
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the allocation from the Competitiveness Development Fund to the West Midlands Region; and if he will list schemes supported by the fund in the North Staffordshire sub-region. [120396]

  Mr. Caborn
  The DTI's Competitiveness Development Fund (CDF) is available to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to spend on priorities they identify for increasing competitiveness in their regions. The CDF allocation to Advantage West Midlands (the
  281W
  RDA for the West Midlands Region) for this Financial Year (2000–01) is £440,000, which represents an increase in funding of over 75 per cent. compared to the previous financial year.

  Advantage West Midlands used its CDF allocation of £250,000 for the last financial year (1999–2000) to support a wide range of projects that were designed to have a region-wide effect: none were specifically limited to North Staffordshire. These projects included work on promoting enterprise and innovation, encouraging best practice and developing supply chains.

  Sellafield
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from(a) Members of Parliament, (b) representatives from other parliaments and assemblies and (c) Ministers from other Governments, in respect of the dangers posed by the operation of Sellafield, in each month since January 1999; and what response he has made. [120712]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a number of representations by correspondence, Parliamentary Question or in person in relation to the safety of operations at Sellafield. Each has been carefully considered and appropriate responses, addressing the issues raised, have been provided. The table lists the representations made since January 1999. In the case of Parliamentary Questions, the responses were of course published in Hansard.

  (a) Members of Parliament

  (c) Ministers from other Governments

  January 1999

  0

  0

  February 1999

  2

  0

  March 1999

  0

  0

  April 1999

  0

  0

  May 1999

  0

  1

  June 1999

  0

  0

  July 1999

  1

  0

  August 1999

  1

  0

  September 1999

  1

  0

  October 1999

  1

  0

  November 1999

  2

  0

  December 1999

  0

  0

  January 2000

  1

  0

  February 2000

  2

  2

  March 2000

  5

  1

  April 2000

  0

  0

  Note:

  There have been no representations from public representatives from the Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly (b).

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessments have been undertaken by(a) his Department and (b) the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate/Health and Safety Executive of the (i) accident risk and (ii) accident consequences of the operation of Sellafield since May 1997. [120713]

  Mrs. Liddell
  It is for the licensee of a nuclear site—BNFL in the case of Sellafield—to assess both the accident risk and potential accident consequences of its operations as part of a comprehensive safety case for each operation. This information must be updated with changing circumstances. As required under the terms of 282W
  the Sellafield site licence conditions these safety cases are presented to the Site Nuclear Safety Committee, which includes independent members.

  The role of HSE is to analyse these safety cases in detail to verify that they are sound. Regular on-site inspections by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) seek to confirm that the limits and conditions contained in the safety cases are complied with in the plant at all times. HSE/NII publishes information about its assessments of particular plant from time to time; a recent example is its report "The storage of liquid high level waste at BNFL, Sellafield", which deals with the B215 complex which includes the highly active liquor tanks.

  The Department of Trade and Industry has no role in this independent regulatory process.

  Motor Industry (State Aid)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 17 April 2000,Official Report, column 323W, concerning state aid to the motor industry, where the EU publishes information about rules and criteria for these purposes. [120741]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Under Article 87(1) of the Treaty of Rome (as amended by Amsterdam), the Commission may develop 'appropriate measures' for State aid by issuing frameworks or codes. These frameworks describe the practice the Commission intends to follow when examining aid proposals, and generally set limits on the intensity of assistance which may be paid within the State aid rules.

  The framework are published in the Official Journal, and are available in full on the Commission's website at www.europa.eu.int/comm/dg04/lawaid.htm.

  The Official Journal reference for the Motor Vehicle framework is: OJ C279, 15.9.1997.p1.

  Employment and Tribunal Claims
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 2000,Official Report, columns 273–76W, concerning employment and tribunal claims, if he will make it his policy to produce separate statistics for Wales, England and Scotland; and if he will provide the figures requested on that basis. [121045]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) records information on tribunal applications, for statistical purposes, by the office where they are handled rather than by the place where the action arose. ETS offices may, for operational and judicial reasons, handle cases arising in England or Wales and it is not therefore possible to provide figures in the form requested. Tribunals operate within the same policy framework across Great Britain and I have no plans to change the current policy on provision of such figures.

  Telecommunications Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 2 May; and if he will make a statement. [120991]
  283W
  Ms Hewitt
  There was an orientation debate on the review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. During the debate all member states supported the general approach of the Commission on regulation of access to infrastructures in order to promote competition. A number, including the UK, welcomed the Commission's proposal that regulation should be on a co-regulatory basis with business where possible. Regarding the new institutional structure, member states welcomed the Commission's intention to build on the existing structure, but define the roles of any new bodies. On the scope of universal service, most member states, including the UK, supported the Commission's proposal to retain the existing scope of universal service, but to keep this under review.

  The Commission presented its Communication on the World Radiocommunication Conference 2000 and the Council adopted Conclusions giving broad support to the Communication.

  The Commission also presented a number of recent or forthcoming Communications concerning: the results of its consultation on creation of the EU internet top level domain; organisation and management of the internet; unbundled access to the local loop; and gave an update on the forthcoming postal services liberalisation Directive. The Council also noted Presidency reports on the outcome of the Conference on Digital Terrestrial Television, and the Ministerial Conference on Knowledge and the Information Society held in Lisbon on 17–18 February and 10–11 April 2000 respectively.

  A3XX Project
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assumptions were made in his Department's appraisal of the A3XX project about the likely demand for these aircraft from airlines flying into and out of UK airports, with specific reference to Heathrow. [121027]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In appraising the A3XX project the Department undertook a full market study of the aircraft's prospects. Details of this report are commercially confidential, but a key market rationale of the A3XX is to carry large numbers of passengers from hub to hub. We would therefore expect Heathrow to be one of the airports where the A3XX would operate. The A3XX has been designed to meet the most stringent environment and noise standards.

  Assisted Areas Map
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will re-include the Farnworth and Kearsley wards in the assisted status map as it affects the Bolton metropolitan borough. [120846]

  Mr. Caborn
  The consultation period on the amended proposals for the new Assisted Areas ended on 2 May. The Government are considering carefully the representations received, including those relating to Bolton, and will be discussing the representations received with the European Commission. The new Assisted Areas are subject to approval by the Commission.
  284W
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information about wards included in and excluded from the assisted areas map was given to representatives of the media by(a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department before Monday 10 April. [121049]

  Mr. Caborn
  No advance information about wards included in or excluded from the revised assisted areas map was distributed to the media before Monday 10 April.

  Zenith Milk
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Zenith Milk will be permitted to process milk. [120807]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 5 May 2000]: The Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) has advised that Milk Link, Axis and Zenith, the three successors to Milk Marque, have been operating independent arrangements for the marketing and selling of their members' milk this winter.

  Following that advice, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 2 May that, on the basis that the assurances given last year of independent operation will continue to be observed, he can see no reason why Milk Link, Axis, and Zenith should not establish or extend their processing activities if they choose to do so.

  The assurances given were that all policy making and selling of milk would be carried out independently by each of the successors with no joint ventures between the new businesses in marketing or processing milk, with no common directors and no shareholdings by any one of the new businesses in either of the others. Milk Marque also stated that they would not supply to the successor bodies, after 31 March 2001, central services which could not be split prior to the reorganisation which took place last year.

  Should the new businesses choose to extend their processing activities through acquisition they will of course be subject to the merger provisions under competition law in the same way as any other company. In addition, Milk Link, Axis and Zenith must, like all undertakings, operate their businesses in accordance with both domestic and European competition law.

  Second Class Post
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy on the future of the second class post. [121267]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government have no proposals to abolish second class mail. The Post Office tell me that no such proposals have been submitted to the Post Office Board, nor are any expected.

  Ilisu Dam
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 2000,Official Report, column 273W, which British banks are included in the lending syndicate for the Ilisu Dam project. [121019]
  285W
  Mr. Caborn
  The lending syndicate for the Ilisu Dam project has not yet been formed, and is unlikely to be formed until after the export credit agencies have made their decisions regarding support for the project.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with BP Amoco concerning its investment with Talisman Energy and the China National Petroleum Corporation operating in Sudan. [120269]

  Mr. Caborn
  [pursuant to his reply, on 2 May 2000, c. 29W]: I would like to point out that BP Amoco has no operations or investment in Sudan. Furthermore, BP Amoco's business and ethical policies preclude such involvement.

WALES

  Corus
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent meetings he has had with Corns; and if he will make a statement. [120930]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have had meetings with the Chief Executive of Corns and visited the Corns Steelworks at Shotton.

  The Government recognise that Corns is one of the most efficient steel producers.

  The Government fully understand the importance of a successful manufacturing sector; steel is making a vital contribution to the economy and employment.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pig Farming (Aid)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the EU Commission in setting up a regulatory fund to aid pig farmers. [119704]

  Ms Quin
  The European Commission has come forward with a proposal to introduce a European Regulatory Fund for pig producers. An initial statement about the proposal was made by the European Commission at the Agriculture Council on 17 April. As presented, it does not provide for funding from the EU Budget; rather it is proposed to be a voluntary fund, financed by pig producers themselves.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Chester Amphitheatre
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what arrangements have been made to allow archaeological research to be undertaken at the Amphitheatre, Chester, before construction commences on a new court building on any part of that site. [121272]
  286W
  Jane Kennedy
  The site is owned by a developer, David McLean Developments Ltd., with whom the Court Service has entered into an agreement to lease. Following demolition of the British Telecommunications building which occupied the same footprint as the new building, David McLean Developments Ltd. funded an intensive series of archaeological excavations in consultation with the City Archaeologist and English Heritage. These excavations impacted upon the design of the building and as a result it has been possible to avoid disturbing the remains of the amphitheatre beneath. In fact, the foundations of the new building have been carefully designed to avoid any remains and to preserve them in situ, for posterity.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if a binding contract has been signed for the construction of a new court building on any part of the Amphitheatre site in Chester. [121271]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Court Service signed a legally binding contract with the Developer, David McLean Developments Ltd., on 20 December 1999 whereby the Court Service is legally bound to occupy the building within 21 days of the completion of its construction. The Court Service were aware of the location of the site and of its archaeological significance, but all appropriate approvals in relation to both planning and preservation had been obtained by the developers.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Railways
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the independent review of Northern Ireland railways, which was published on Tuesday 28 March; and if he will make a statement. [119563]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government welcome the publication of the strategic safety review of Northern Ireland Railways. The extensive recommendations cover all aspects of the operation of the system and the Government are considering, with Translink, how best to target developments. A high level task force has been created to report as soon as possible on the options for the future of the railways in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government will adopt to improve the railway service in Northern Ireland. [119562]

  Mr. Ingram
  A task force has been established that will identify, within the wider strategic context of the future development of transportation in Northern Ireland, a range of options for the future of the railway network. It will look at the costs, benefits and affordability of these options. The task force is expected to present its assessment by the summer. The future level of funding for the railway system in Northern Ireland will be considered as part of the 2000 Spending Review.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors led to the decision to
  287W
  increase the remuneration for the Chairman of the Parades Commission, commencing with the February appointment of a new person to that post. [119831]

  Mr. Ingram
  The decision was based on the need to secure as wide a pool of candidates as possible for the post.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations were made during his Department's review of the Parades Commission against changing more than half of the commissioners from the previous Commission when appointing the new Commission; and what such representations were made in the six months prior to the commissioners' appointment. [119842]

  Mr. Ingram
  The composition of the Parades Commission was outside the terms of reference of the review, and no representations were received along the lines indicated.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the full membership of the Parades Commission has met since the new members were appointed in February. [119841]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since the appointment of the new members to the Parades Commission, the Chairman and six members have met on three occasions and a further 11 meetings have been attended by a quorum of at least three members.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days the Chairman of the Parades Commission has spent in Northern Ireland since his appointment in February. [119832]

  Mr. Ingram
  Between the 17 February and the 27 April 2000, the Chairman of the Parades Commission has visited Northern Ireland on 11 occasions, for a total of 20 days and 11 nights.

  Royal Victoria Hospital
  Mr. Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 6 April 2000,Official Report, column 568W, on the Royal Victoria Hospital, how much of the Royal Group of Hospital HSS Trust's funding was spent on the new railings and perimeter wall of the hospital. [119783]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is estimated that approximately £87,000 of Trust capital funding will be used for this part of the project. The remainder of the Trust's contribution will be provided from charitable funds and a public appeal.

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120315]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Government Departments and their respective Agencies may ask individuals to provide their birth 288W
  certificate in a range of circumstances. An individual's birth certificate may be used for one or more of the following reasons:

  proof of identity

  proof of eligibility under the Civil Service nationality rules

  proof of age.

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will establish an Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland. [120754]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are no plans at present to establish an Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland. The Environment and Heritage Service, a Next Steps Executive Agency within the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, was set up on 1 April 1996 to assume operational responsibility for environmental issues. At devolution, the Northern Ireland Assembly decided to place environment and heritage responsibilities in the new Department of the Environment. I would expect any re-examination of the way in which such matters are handled to be considered by the devolved administration.

  Sellafield
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in relation to plutonium pollution arising from processing activities at the Sellafield Mixed Oxide Plant, in respect of the hazards posed to(a) people, (b) flora and (c) fauna in Northern Ireland. [120708]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Lord Dubs, then Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland, and his officials were kept informed by Ministerial colleagues in Whitehall regarding the commissioning and full operation of the Mixed Oxide Plant (MOX Plant), including projected environmental impact on the people, flora and fauna. In particular, during early 1997 and 1998 the Environment Agency held three consultation exercises regarding the commissioning and operation of the MOX plant and the variations to Certificates of Authorisation to dispose of gaseous and liquid wastes from the Sellafield site.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish a study into the environmental effects of the operation of Sellafield on the(a) flora, (b) fauna and (c) fisheries of Northern Ireland. [120709]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its acting chief executive, Mr. J. R. Lamont.

  I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J. R. Lamont to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 3 May 2000:
  As Acting Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), I am responsible for operational aspects of protection of the environment on behalf of the Department of the Environment. I am responding to the Parliamentary Question you put down on 26 April asking for a study into the environmental effects of the operation of Sellafield on the flora, fauna and fisheries of Northern Ireland.

  289W
  In Northern Ireland, a comprehensive monitoring programme which is operated by EHS's Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate, has been in place since the early 1970s. The programme is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that any changes in discharges from the Sellafield Plant are carefully assessed.
  Discharges into the Irish Sea from the Sellafield Plant are authorised by the Environment Agency. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS), formerly the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has been sampling and analysing seawater, fish, shellfish, seaweed and sediments in the Irish Sea since the early 1950s. In Northern Ireland, our Inspectorate arranges for samples of seaweed, sediments, fish. nephrops, mussels and winkles to be collected quarterly and forwarded to the CEFAS Research laboratory at Lowestoft. The seaweeds are collected in the Ards Peninsula area and at Portrush and the marine life samples are obtained as far as possible from commercial landings, at Kilkeel and Portavogie. Sediments samples are collected from Northern Ireland's 5 marine loughs.
  The Northern Ireland results are published annually in a report entitled "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment" issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and also in the Northern Ireland Abstract of Statistics. The levels of radioactivity measured indicate that they are of negligible radiological significance.
  In addition to this programme, the Inspectorate monitors with gamma dose rate in air over intertidal sediments in each district council area which has a coastline. The results indicate minimal radioactivity deposition and are consistent with normal background levels.
  We have also undertaken a number of collaborative studies with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and University College Dublin since 1990. A copy of the joint report on Carlingford Lough is available in the Library of the House of Commons.
  I can report that on average, people in Northern Ireland receive 2500 microsieverts of radiation a year from all natural and artificial sources; 50 per cent. is due to exposure to radon in the home. 12 per cent. from medical exposure and nuclear discharges accounts for less than 0.1 per cent.
  In view of the comprehensive information already available from the monitoring programme there are no plans to establish a separate study at this time. I can assure you, however, that the Department will continue with the monitoring programme in view of local concerns.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Church Repairs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions he has held with the Financial Secretary on reducing VAT on church repairs. [119907]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Following my Adjournment Debate last November, the Church has kept in close touch with the Government. The hon. Lady will be aware that Ministers have confirmed that there is no general relief from VAT on repair costs for churches and the Government's current agreement with their European partners means that new zero rates cannot be introduced. While there is no provision for a reduced rate of VAT under Annex H to the Sixth Directive, it applies only to social housing and not churches.

  The Church will continue to press its case for a more equitable tax position in this field.

  Investments
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what are his estimates of the Church's return on investments for the next three years. [119909]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners' policy is to be fully invested in asset classes which experience shows should yield the most satisfactory returns over the long term. Their forecasts are accordingly directed towards the longer timescale.

  Clergy
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the terms and conditions of employment of the clergy. [119910]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Terms and conditions vary slightly from diocese to diocese, but should include a stipend (based on a national stipend benchmark of £16,420) free accommodation (or a housing allowance) and the full reimbursement of all working expenses. Clergy are not employed, but are office holders.

  Church Running Costs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what contribution the commissioners have made towards the running costs of the Church of England in 1999. [119911]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  In 1999 the Commissioners contributed £156.1 million in support for the Church's ministry, including an element targeted specifically towards parish ministry in those dioceses most in need of financial help. The total meets some 20 per cent. of the Church's overall running costs of approximately £760 million in 1999.

  The larger share of the Church's running costs is provided by parishioners. This includes the major new commitment taken on by parishes in the shape of funding clergy pensions earned after 1998.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Pre-school Education
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places have been available in local authority-run playgroups in each of the past seven years for each local authority; and if he will make a statement. [117271]

  Ms Hodge
  Virtually all playgroups are in the voluntary sector with only a few run by local education authorities. Information about places in local authority-run playgroups is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The Department has collected information on playgroup places in England only since 1998. Prior to 1998, information on playgroups was collected by the Department of Health and their national figures have also been shown in the table for completeness.
  291W
  My Department plans to publish provisional national information about places in local authority-run playgroups (as at 31 March 2000) in July.

  New Deal for Schools
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each grant made to schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham under the New Deal for Schools programme; and if he will make a statement. [120369]

  Jacqui Smith
  The following table shows the allocations made to schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham under the New Deal for Schools programme, which formed part of the total allocation of £5,677,761 made to Shropshire Local Education Authority.

  Table of New Deal for Schools allocations—Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency

  £

  NDS 1 1997–98

  NDS 2 1998–99

  NDS 3 1999–2000

  NDS 4 2000–01

  Unable to identify individual schools for NDS 1 as the allocation was made for an LEA wide ICT strategy package at 16 secondary and 23 primary schools. Total allocation to Shropshire LEA was £185,0001

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wilfred Owen County Primary School—Replacement of classroom

  —

  37,950

  —

  —

  Shrewsbury Severndale Special School—Replacement of classrooms

  —

  89,980

  —

  —

  Shrewsbury Harlescott County Junior School—Re-covering to roof of demountable classroom

  —

  7,632

  —

  —

  Woodfield County Infant School—Re-covering to roof of demountable classroom

  —

  1,906

  —

  —

  Belvedere School—Renewal of roof coverings to demountable classrooms

  —

  3,816

  —

  —

  Meole Brace School—Renewal of roof coverings to demountable classrooms

  —

  1,908

  —

  —

  Meole Brace School—Replace leaking roof

  —

  —

  66,000

  —

  Unable to identify individual schools in a package to improve inadprecautions—Total allocation £517,200 in NDS 31

  —

  —

  —

  —

  292W

  Table of New Deal for Schools allocations—Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency

  £

  NDS 1 1997–98

  NDS 2 1998–99

  NDS 3 1999–2000

  NDS 4 2000–01

  Unable to identify individual schools in a package to identify asbestos—Total allocation £317,002 in NDS31

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Condover CE Primary School—Replacement of HORSA building

  —

  —

  —

  265,299

  Holy Cross CE Junior School—Replacement of temporary classroom

  —

  —

  —

  38,700

  Shrewsbury Radbrooke Primary School—Replacement of hard play area

  —

  —

  —

  32,943

  Severndale School—Replace heating systems

  —

  —

  —

  65,789

  Bomere Heath CE Primary School—Improvement to IT/GP areas in seven schools. Total package allocation £180,093 in NDS 41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wilfred Owen School—Roof repairs in four schools. Total package allocation £216,889 in NDS 41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Springfield Infants School—Roof repairs in three schools. Total package allocation £184,694 in NDS 4'

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Springfield Infants School—Refenestration to SCOLA buildings in two schools. Total package allocation £143,106 in NDS 41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Information on the allocations made to those schools in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency is held by Shropshire LEA

  Class Sizes (Infants)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many infant classes had over 30 pupils in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 in the City of Worcester. [120594]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on key stage one class sizes collected in January for the Parliamentary constituency of Worcester is shown in the following table.

  Provisional national estimates of key stage one class sizes for January 2000 were recently published in a Statistical First Release 'Class sizes in maintained schools in England: January 2000 (15/2000)' on 12 April 2000. Class size information broken down by local education authority area is also available from the House of Commons Library.
  293W
  National figures for Infant class sizes in September 1999 were published in Statistical First Release 'Infant class sizes in England (2/2000)' on 21 January 2000.

  Number of key stage 1 classes taught by one teacher with more than 30 pupils in maintained primary schools in the Parliamentary constituency of Worcester: 1997–2000

  Position as at January

  Number of key stage 1 classes with more than 30 pupils

  All classes

  Percentage

  20001

  12

  112

  10.7

  1999

  13

  116

  11.2

  1998

  28

  111

  25.2

  1997

  21

  112

  18.8

  1 Provisional

  National Anthem
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the teaching of the National Anthem in state schools. [121020]

  Jacqui Smith
  There are opportunities to teach about the National Anthem in the curriculum, which schools may take up if they wish.

  Key Stages 2 and 3
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will request that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority cease the practice of selling Key Stages 2 and 3 past papers to BBC Educational. [121093]

  Jacqui Smith
  No. The QCA has a contract with BBC Educational allowing them to publish past Key Stages 2 and 3 test papers together with a guide book for parents. The test papers are reproduced for the previous year in order to help parents understand the nature of the test which their children are taking. The approach is consistent with two general policies of making the tests available for general use and encouraging parents to help their children prepare for the tests.

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the training of end of Key Stage 2 test markers. [121092]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has responsibility for the development, administration and marking of the National Curriculum tests, on behalf of the Secretary of State, and takes considerable care in the development and marking arrangements for all the tests. This was reflected in the findings of the Rose Review, an independent cross-party panel set up last year to consider the test development and assessment arrangements at Key Stage 2. As part of the quality control of marking, each external marking agency evaluates the training programme for each year and makes recommendations for change or improvement. In addition the QCA seeks the views of a sample of markers on all aspects of the process, including training. Such feedback is put into the continuous programme of improvement conducted year-on-year.
  294W
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment whether he expects teachers to check the marking of end of Key Stage 2 test papers on their return from the external marking agency. [121090]

  Jacqui Smith
  Teachers are not expected to check the marking of test papers on their return from the external marking agency. However, teachers may wish to use the tests as a means of providing feedback to pupils on their performance and, in order to do this, they would have to review the pupils' marks against the markscheme. It is for schools to decide whether and how to use the tests in reviewing pupils performance. Teachers may also have doubts about the final level awarded to any pupil. If they decide to request a formal review of the marking in the test, they would need to refer to the markscheme in order to identify errors and provide a reason for a review.

  Anti-drugs Policy
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the directors of London education authorities on developing the Government's anti-drugs policy in schools within their authority areas. [121121]

  Jacqui Smith
  The main vehicle for anti-drugs education is the Personal, Social and Health Education Framework which was issued in November 1999. This was developed after extensive national consultation, and the views of Local Education Authorities were taken on board as part of that process.

  Jobcentre, Chelmsford
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many vacancies were notified to the Chelmsford jobcentre in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available. [120347]

  Ms Jowell
  The number of vacancies notified to the Chelmsford Jobcentre during the months April 1999 to March 2000 were as follows.

  Number

  1999

  April

  627

  May

  718

  June

  636

  July

  711

  August

  897

  September

  608

  October

  1,104

  November

  559

  December

  545

  2000

  January

  322

  February

  529

  March

  563

  Jobseeker's Agreement
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what procedure is followed in cases where a jobseeker and an employment office cannot reach agreement on the details of a jobseeker's agreement; and if he will make a statement. [120081]
  295W
  Ms Jowell
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mark Neale to Mr. Lembit Opik, dated 8 May 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about the procedure that is followed where a jobseeker and an employment officer cannot reach agreement on the details of a Jobseeker's Agreement. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Employment Service. I am replying in his absence.
  Jobseeker's Allowance regulations set out the conditions for the receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). These include a requirement that a jobseeker must have a Jobseeker's Agreement which both the jobseeker and the employment officer have signed. The contents of the Agreement are negotiated between the Jobseeker and the employment officer at the initial interview when a claim for JSA is made.
  If the adviser and Jobseeker cannot agree the Jobseeker's Agreement, the case is referred to an independent Sector Decision Maker for consideration.
  The Sector Decision Maker can determine the contents of a Jobseeker's Agreement and issue a direction that the jobseeker should comply with. The direction will state what the contents of the Jobseeker's Agreement should be and enable the jobseeker to satisfy the availability and actively seeking employment conditions. If the Jobseeker's Agreement is not signed by the jobseeker following the Decision Maker's determination, the Jobseeker's Agreement will not be valid and Jobseeker's Allowance will not be paid.
  I hope this is helpful.

PRIME MINISTER

  "Wiring it Up"
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Prime Minister from what date conclusion No. 1 of the Performance and Innovation Unit report, "Wiring it Up", took effect for Cabinet Minsters; and what steps were taken to draw this to their attention. [114387]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]: Conclusion number one of the Performance and Innovation Unit's report, "Wiring it Up", took effect from the date of its publication on 13 January 2000. I am, of course, in regular touch with Cabinet Ministers about their responsibilities. In addition, in explaining their work to new Cabinet Ministers I will take account of conclusion number one.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from councillors in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in respect of Sellafield since 1 April. [120251]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received one representation from a councillor in the Republic of Ireland in respect of Sellafield since 1 April.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 April 2000,Official Report, column 200W, on the use by NATO of depleted uranium
  296W
  against Yugoslavia, what steps he will recommend that NATO takes to monitor (a) Serbian civilians, (b) ethnic Albanian civilians, (c) the environment of Western Kosovo and (d) the environment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the effects of the use of depleted uranium. [119503]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: As my earlier answer noted, NATO is co-operating with the United Nations in the on-going work of the UN Environment Programme into the environmental consequences of the Kosovo conflict. The United Kingdom has contributed over £50,000 to this work. We will study carefully the conclusions reached by the UNEP Balkans Task Force.

  London Mayor
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what contacts he has had with the Mayor-elect of London; and if he will make a statement. [120934]

  The Prime Minister
  I spoke to the Mayor by telephone during the course of the weekend. I will have further conversations and meetings with him as appropriate.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Hilary Senn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that the value of toys and groceries given by charities to those seeking asylum should be deducted from benefits paid to such persons. [119919]

  Mrs. Roche
  In determining whether an applicant for support is eligible for support and if so what the appropriate level of support should be, the National Asylum Support Service will take into account substantial and continuing support to meet accommodation or other essential living needs being provided by charities (or any other body or person) to the asylum seeker. The Service will normally disregard one off or very small donations of groceries or other support.

  Donations of toys whether from charities or any other source will not be taken into account.

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120317]

  Mr. Straw
  Birth certificates are one of the documents requested as proof of identity and age for recruitment and pension purposes. They are also normally required for the issue of passports and for applications to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of marriage to a British Citizen. My Department does not normally require existing employees or contractors to provide birth certificates.

  Crime Fighting Fund
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of police he intends should be recruited nationally in 2000–01 as a result of the crime fighting fund; and what the cost will be of this recruitment. [120486]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 6 April 2000,Official Report, columns 595–96W. I hope to make the promised announcement shortly.

  Drugs Misuse
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will consider the Police Foundation's report. [120375]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is an independent body and, therefore, I cannot speculate on its consideration of the Police Foundation report into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. I can confirm however that copies of the report will be sent to members of the Council for information ahead of its next meeting on 25 May.

  Juvenile Secure Estate
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what methods of physical control and restraint will be used in the new juvenile secure estate; if different methods will be used according to the age of the child; and how the use of control and restraint will monitored. [120590]

  Mr. Boateng
  The methods of physical control and restraint currently in use in the juvenile secure estate vary according to the type of accommodation in which a young person is held.

  Local authority secure units use a variety of control and restraint methods in line with Department of Health guidance. Secure training centres use physical control in care methods which are approved by the Home Secretary. Prison Service Young Offender Institutions follow control and restraint methods which may be used to resolve incidents involving violent prisoners of all ages and of both sexes.

  The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is responsible for monitoring regime standards and performance across all forms of juvenile secure accommodation. The Board intends to conduct a review of methods of physical control and restraint in juvenile secure accommodation with a view to identifying and promoting good practice.

  Prisoners (Home Life Background)
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people there were in prison in(a) 1970, (b) 1980 and (c) 1999, broken down by those who were children of (i) intact families and (ii) broken families. [120662]
  298W
  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not centrally recorded. However, a survey undertaken by the Office for National Statistics, "The National Prison Survey 1991" by Tricia Dodd and Paul Hunter (available through The Stationery Office), of persons held in prisons in England and Wales at the beginning of 1991 found that, of those inmates interviewed (around 3,800), 62 per cent. had lived with both parents for most of their childhood. Comparable information for other years is not available.

  Young Offenders (Home Life Background)
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many adolescent murderers in(a) 1980 and (b) 1999 grew up living apart from at least one parent; and what percentage of adolescent murderers this represented. [120669]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  There were, however, 84 persons aged between 10 and 20 convicted of homicide in England and Wales in 1980 (including 40 convicted of murder) and 70 in 1998, the latest year for which figures are available (including 31 convicted of murder).

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of young people on supervision orders came from broken homes in(a) 1980 and (b) 1999. [120670]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested is not held centrally. 18,300 supervision orders were made in 1980. 12,400 were made in 1998, the most recent year for which figures are readily available.

  Family Research Funding
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last three years, recipients of funds provided by his Department for research into the family, indicating the amount paid to each recipient. [120657]

  Mr. Straw
  In the two years prior to 1999, the Home Office provided no funding for research into the family. Since April 1999, my Department has provided funds for voluntary organisations under the Family Support Grant. In 1999–2000, over 30 voluntary organisations shared £1 million to develop support for parents and families.

  The purpose of these grants is to develop and disseminate good practice in family support. They are not, in the majority of cases, made to directly fund research. However, several of the projects which were funded last year contained an information gathering and analysis component:

  The National Family and Parenting Institute was awarded a total Government grant of £636,000 in 1999–2000. The Home Office provided £200,000 of the total funding, of which £38,800 was spent on research.

  The Family Policy Studies Centre received £43,213 to improve the delivery of their information products and services to existing users in the family support field, and

  299W
  to extend access to new users. It received a further £3,000 in March 2000 to contribute to the costs of an analysis of data from the Fourth National Study of Ethnic Minorities. The Race Equality Unit is a national organisation which helps to develop better social care services for black and minority ethnic communities. It received funding of £46,483 to develop a parenting programme and materials for ethnic minority parents, which included research.

  Gingerbread, a national organisation offering support to lone parents, received £10,000 to conduct research into the needs of lone fathers for practical, emotional and social support.

  The National Youth Agency (NYA) and Youthnet were both awarded funds to facilitate the 'Listen Up' dialogue between Government and young people, in order that young people's views inform future policy and service delivery for young people. The organisations spent £26,305 on the research element of this project.

  The marriage charity One Plus One received joint funding from the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department to develop a marriage information booklet for couples planning to marry. This included £8,658.50 of Home Office funding spent on research.

  Secure Training Centres
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been re-admitted to each of the secure training centres(a) for breach of the order and (b) under a new sentence. [120623]

  Mr. Boateng
  The secure training order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 was implemented on 1 March 1998 and was replaced by the detention and training order under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 on 1 April 2000. The custodial part of the secure training order could be served in a secure training centre or a local authority secure unit if no secure training centre place was available.

  389 offenders were sentenced to a secure training order. 46 of them were returned to custody by the courts for the breach of supervision requirements following release and 31 were later sentenced to a secure training order for a further offence. A breakdown of this information for each secure training centre is not currently available and I will write to the right hon. Member when it has been prepared.

  Leave to Remain Indefinitely
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the recommended time scale for applications for leave to remain indefinitely to be processed by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; [120738]

  (2) what the average processing time is for immigration applications for leave to remain indefinitely. [120737]

  Mrs. Roche
  There was a reorganisation of caseworking practices in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at the beginning of 1999, and an analysis of decisions taken subsequently has not yet been undertaken. But over 70 per cent. of new applications are decided within a week under fast track procedures. The remainder 300W
  of new applications will normally be decided within six weeks. There is no recommended time limit for deciding these applications.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used in bio-medical research in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; what restrictions he applies on their use; and if he will make a statement. [120395]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Animals are used only in scientific procedures where fully justified, for example in medical research to prevent disease or reduce illnesses for people or other animals; also, where there are no valid alternatives and where the benefits outweigh the costs to the animals involved.

  The commentary in the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 1998" records the number of procedures or experiments conducted each year since 1946. These figures cover all scientific procedures involving the use of protected animals and do not separately identify those relating to biomedical research. The figures for the years requested are:

  Year

  Million

  1970

  5.7

  1980

  4.3

  1990

  3.2

  1998

  2.6

  Although there have been a few years when small rises were recorded, including 1998, there has been a steady decrease in the number of procedures performed since 1970. This reflects advances in science that have allowed the replacement of animals in scientific procedures, the reduction of the numbers of animals used per procedure and the refinement of those procedures. This Government's decisions to end some categories of animal use, such as cosmetic testing, have also made a contribution. More recently, there has also been a downward trend in the use of conventional animals, offset by an increase in the use of genetically modified animals. These trends also reflect recent scientific advances.

  Figures for 1999 are due to be published in July.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce a scale of charges for checks on the criminal records of volunteers working with children. [120746]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  When the Criminal Records Bureau comes into operation, it will be expected to recover its costs through charges for the certificates that it will issue, on application, to individuals. Until the Bureau's operating costs have been determined, it will not be possible to fix the charges, but the cost has previously been estimated at between £5 to £10, depending on the type of certificate requested. There are no plans to have a separate scale of charges for volunteers working with children.

  Prison Industries
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the annual expenditure and (b) the annual income of prison industries in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. [120686]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Expenditure and income of prison industries 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  £ million

  Income

  Expenditure

  Own consumption

  Commercial

  1999–2000

  26.685

  42.495

  10.456

  1998–99

  28.889

  39.200

  8.172

  1997–98

  28.442

  36.358

  7.732

  1996–97

  27.080

  44.736

  6.718

  1995–96

  24.680

  45.103

  5.642

  1994–95

  25.609

  42.926

  4.587

  1993–94

  27.287

  39.350

  4.685

  Number of prisoners in work—inside and outside workshops

  Category

  Agricultural Business

  Gardens amenity

  Kitchen

  Non PES workshops

  Other occupations

  Other prison cleaning and orderly work

  PES workshops

  Prison maintenance work

  Wing cleaning work

  Albany

  B

  4

  36

  18

  16

  —

  21

  112

  4

  60

  Blundeston

  B

  —

  10

  12

  —

  9

  14

  70

  6

  51

  Dartmoor

  B

  4

  9

  25

  6

  —

  5

  165

  6

  85

  Forest Bank

  B

  —

  4

  28

  26

  2

  107

  0

  0

  24

  Garth

  B

  8

  7

  37

  —

  —

  24

  167

  7

  40

  Gartree

  B

  —

  13

  10

  56

  10

  —

  59

  8

  41

  Grendon

  B

  17

  18

  34

  —

  14

  54

  —

  7

  64

  Kingston

  B

  —

  10

  11

  —

  6

  9

  34

  3

  20

  Lowdham Grange

  B

  —

  8

  14

  178

  —

  7

  —

  14

  85

  Maidstone

  B

  —

  4

  13

  —

  4

  9

  181

  10

  94

  Parkhurst

  B

  —

  12

  6

  12

  4

  18

  109

  5

  53

  Swaleside

  B

  —

  3

  13

  —

  133

  20

  35

  8

  146

  Acklington

  C

  15

  13

  26

  13

  7

  29

  195

  7

  92

  Ashwell

  C

  —

  19

  18

  —

  21

  —

  175

  17

  67

  Blantyre House

  C

  —

  2

  12

  —

  —

  9

  5

  1

  8

  Buckley Hall

  C

  —

  16

  28

  —

  5

  14

  110

  7

  53

  Camp Hill

  C

  4

  0

  11

  —

  —

  29

  65

  19

  37

  Channings Wood

  C

  16

  14

  17

  9

  9

  25

  138

  12

  68

  Coldingley

  C

  —

  —

  —

  —

  162

  —

  —

  215

  —

  Downview

  C

  —

  26

  11

  11

  12

  26

  16

  13

  29

  Erlestoke

  C

  14

  12

  15

  21

  —

  20

  13

  8

  57

  Everthorpe

  C

  25

  7

  20

  —

  6

  8

  131

  9

  31

  Featherstone

  C

  7

  8

  9

  —

  —

  31

  250

  6

  44

  Haverigg

  C

  24

  17

  10

  —

  20

  12

  203

  —

  25

  Highpoint

  C

  —

  37

  31

  33

  15

  27

  78

  9

  117

  Kirklevington

  C

  —

  5

  9

  —

  10

  2

  —

  1

  10

  Lancaster

  C

  —

  0

  —

  —

  12

  12

  20

  0

  15

  Lindholme

  C

  50

  29

  16

  38

  35

  —

  24

  11

  60

  Littlehey

  C

  —

  14

  20

  —

  46

  14

  156

  7

  45

  Moorland

  C

  —

  15

  25

  —

  24

  —

  90

  6

  63

  Mount

  C

  —

  19

  43

  89

  7

  14

  —

  7

  83

  Ran by

  C

  18

  25

  —

  196

  —

  224

  5

  92

  Risley

  C

  —

  18

  20

  9

  18

  16

  110

  19

  129

  Shepton Mallet

  C

  —

  —

  8

  8

  5

  4

  18

  8

  17

  Stafford

  C

  —

  4

  12

  —

  —

  26

  210

  10

  56

  Stocken

  C

  5

  1

  23

  —

  5

  22

  106

  0

  52

  302W

  Expenditure and income of prison industries 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  £ million

  Expenditure

  Own consumption

  Income Commercial

  1992–93

  23.170

  37.246

  4.982

  1991–92

  20.205

  34.465

  5.289

  1990–91

  18.668

  34.032

  5.499

  Notes:

  1. All data cover both industries and farms.

  2. Expenditure data include variable costs and exclude fixed costs.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the number of prisoners employed in workshops, (b) the number of prisoners employed outside workshops and (c) the number of prisoners without work, in each adult male training prison in England and Wales, on the most recent date for which figures are available. [120692]

  Mr. Boateng
  Numbers of prisoners employed in workshops and outside workshops are given in the table. Records are not kept centrally of the number of prisoners without work.
  303W

  Number of prisoners in work—inside and outside workshops

  Category

  Agricultural Business

  Gardens amenity

  Kitchen

  Non PES workshops

  Other occupations

  Other prison cleaning and orderly work

  PES workshops

  Prison maintenance work

  Wing cleaning work

  Usk

  C

  17

  8

  20

  36

  16

  16

  —

  22

  223

  Verne

  C

  —

  24

  47

  —

  8

  —

  119

  37

  62

  Wayland

  C

  20

  12

  26

  —

  14

  21

  53

  2

  90

  Weal stun

  C

  28

  57

  45

  19

  17

  —

  169

  13

  32

  Weare

  C

  —

  0

  19

  —

  7

  31

  —

  20

  62

  Wellingborough

  C

  2

  5

  20

  —

  11

  27

  44

  0

  45

  Whatton

  C

  12

  12

  18

  24

  4

  14

  19

  10

  17

  Wymott

  C

  16

  26

  3

  21

  21

  —

  305

  8

  121

  Ford

  D

  57

  8

  21

  —

  33

  31

  55

  13

  14

  Hewell Grange

  D

  31

  11

  15

  —

  39

  74

  —

  9

  11

  Hollesley Bay

  D

  40

  2

  9

  —

  41

  11

  —

  13

  26

  Kirkham

  D

  26

  131

  31

  9

  43

  —

  180

  17

  19

  Latchmere House

  D

  —

  3

  6

  —

  9

  17

  16

  3

  —

  Leyhill

  D

  84

  10

  11

  —

  15

  35

  83

  11

  15

  Morton Hall

  D

  18

  9

  18

  19

  4

  14

  —

  7

  14

  North Sea Camp

  D

  51

  —

  14

  —

  13

  22

  —

  19

  18

  Standford Hill

  D

  65

  16

  9

  —

  6

  46

  23

  13

  29

  Sudbury

  D

  36

  23

  26

  —

  87

  14

  86

  30

  17

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total value of contracts between Prison Service industries and external customers in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [120691]

  Mr. Boateng
  The majority of Prison Service sales contracts are with the Ministry of Defence and other Government Departments and are formulated on a framework basis. As such, the value of the contract may not have a direct relationship to actual sales. The figures given in the table are for actual sales and, therefore, provide a more accurate representation of commercial work undertaken. The figures include sales from agribusiness as well as industries.

  Volume of sales by Prison Service industries and agribusiness to external customers

  £ million

  1999–2000

  10.456

  1998–99

  8.172

  1997–98

  7.732

  1996–97

  6.718

  1995–96

  5.642

  1994–95

  4.587

  1993–94

  4.685

  1992–93

  4.982

  1991–92

  5.289

  1990–91

  5.499

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the annual turnover of prison industries and farms in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [120687]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is given in the table. For the years 1990–91 to 1995–96, the value of amenity costings have been excluded to bring the data 304W
  in line with successive years, when these costings were discontinued following the agribusiness review undertaken by the Prison Service in January 1997.

  Annual turnover of prison industries and farms 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  £ million

  Turnover

  1999–2000

  52.951

  1998–99

  47.372

  1997–98

  44.090

  1996–97

  51.454

  1995–96

  50.745

  1994–95

  47.513

  1993–94

  44.035

  1992–93

  42.228

  1991–92

  39.754

  1990–91

  39.531

  Prison Workshops
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on each of the pilot prisons involved in the first tranche of the Workshop Expansion Scheme, with special reference to(a) the number of work places available, (b) hours of work, (c) prisoner wages and (d) the annual turnover of the workshops. [120684]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information on the number of work places available, hours of work and annual turnover of workshops is given in the table.

  The data apply to industries only and excludes agribusiness. It has been extracted from locally-supplied workshop control and hours reports.
  305W
  Information on prisoner wages is unavailable, as this is not recorded centrally.

  Workshop expansion scheme

  Establishments

  Work places

  Hours

  Annual turnover (£000)

  1997–1998

  Albany1

  112

  25

  704

  Ashwell2

  202

  25

  1,300

  Camp Hill

  92

  25

  471

  Channings Wood3

  164

  25

  681

  Featherstone4

  187

  25

  2,700

  Kirkham5

  170

  25

  1,940

  Littlehey

  170

  25

  554

  Wymott

  180

  25

  1,700

  Total

  1,277

  25

  10,050

  1998–1999

  Albany1

  153

  23.3

  881

  Ashwell2

  280

  25

  855

  Camp Hill

  109

  20

  667

  Channings Wood3

  163

  23.25

  979

  Featherstone4

  265

  27

  3,400

  Kirkham5

  251

  29

  1,920

  Littlehey

  250

  27.3

  192

  Wymott

  268

  27.3

  2,300

  Total

  1,739

  25.27

  11,194

  1999–2000

  Albany1

  132

  20.27

  487

  Ashwell2

  332

  26.55

  752

  Camp Hill

  107

  21.29

  1,500

  Channings Wood3

  155

  22.37

  863

  Featherstone4

  254

  26.17

  2300

  Kirkham5

  220

  29.15

  1,300

  Littlehey

  222

  14.03

  239

  Wymott

  374

  23.14

  2,000

  Total

  1,796

  22.87125

  9,441

  1 Establishment now has five fewer instructors than at the start of the project. (Additional drug treatment programmes)

  2 Product changes with reduced sales values

  3 Drug treatment programmes affected the work place numbers

  4 Sales values dramatically reduce due to product change

  5 Establishment roll reduced by 250 places

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of the working week for those prisoners employed in workshops in each adult male training prison in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the average wage in each establishment. [120690]

  Mr. Boateng
  Data on the average length of the working week are given in the table. Records are not kept centrally on the average wage in each establishment.

  Average length of the working week

  Prison name

  Average hours

  Albany

  19

  Blundeston

  20

  Dartmoor

  21

  Garth

  19

  Gartree

  22

  Kingston

  25

  Maidstone

  25

  Parkhurst

  25

  306W

  Average length of the working week

  Prison name

  Average hours

  Swaleside

  23

  Acklington

  26

  Ashwell

  26

  Blantyre House

  35

  Buckley Hall

  36

  Camp Hill

  22

  Channings Wood

  18

  Coldingley

  25

  Downview

  16

  Erlestoke

  19

  Everthorpe

  26

  Featherstone

  19

  Haverigg

  26

  Highpoint

  13

  Lancaster

  18

  Lindholme

  17

  Littlehey

  21

  Moorland

  20

  Mount

  24

  Ranby

  22

  Risley

  27

  Shepton Mallet

  27

  Stafford

  21

  Stocken

  29

  Verne

  30

  Wealstun

  20

  Wellingborough

  20

  Whatton

  23

  Wymott

  31

  Ford

  27

  Kirkham

  30

  Latchmere House

  61

  Leyhill

  21

  Standford Hill

  23

  Sudbury

  25

  Note:

  Figures not available for privately operated prisons

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were employed on average in prison workshops in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [120685]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Average numbers of prisoners employed in prison workshops 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Number

  1999–2000

  8,571

  1998–99

  9,699

  1997–98

  7,615

  1996–97

  7,601

  1995–96

  8,844

  1994–95

  8,851

  1993–94

  8,680

  1992–93

  8,552

  1991–92

  9,308

  1990–91

  7.286

  Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring the Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996 into force; and if he will make a statement. [120688]
  307W
  Mr. Boateng
  I am determined that as many prisoners as possible should make a contribution to their keep. Officials will be reporting shortly on the outcome of work they have been doing on the extent to which the Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996 can contribute to this objective and I will then consider the options.

  Prisons (Resource Employment Places)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of resource employment places in prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, broken down by type of activity. [120693]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prior to 1994 accounts were submitted centrally covering industries' and farms' output but following devolution of funding to establishment level this has not been a requirement. Therefore, from 1995–96 the figures have been extracted from data supplied as part of the Prison Service accounts. The available information is given in the table.

  Resource employment places in prisons in England and Wales 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Year

  Industries

  1999–20001

  210,989

  1998–991

  211,966

  1997–981

  229,173

  1996–971

  29,173

  1995–96

  Tailoring/Shirts

  2,184

  Textiles

  2,429

  Others

  210

  Footwear/Leather

  221

  Printing

  243

  Weaving

  352

  Engineering

  810

  Woodwork

  795

  Laundry

  1,060

  Contract Services

  1,732

  Total

  10,036

  1994–95

  Tailoring/Shirts

  2,176

  Textiles

  2,381

  Others

  210

  Footwear/Leather

  221

  Printing

  243

  Weaving

  352

  Engineering

  810

  Woodwork

  795

  Laundry

  1,203

  Contract Services

  1,732

  Total

  10,123

  1993–94

  Tailoring/Shirts

  2,330

  Textiles

  2,256

  Others

  190

  Footwear/Leather

  261

  Printing

  286

  Weaving

  313

  Engineering

  780

  Woodwork

  763

  Laundry

  1,053

  Contract Services

  1,792

  Total

  10,024

  308W

  Resource employment places in prisons in England and Wales 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Year

  Industries

  1992–93

  Tailoring/Shirts

  2,257

  Textiles

  2,426

  Others

  210

  Footwear/Leather

  266

  Printing

  286

  Weaving

  334

  Engineering

  780

  Woodwork

  758

  Laundry

  1,082

  Contract Services

  1,779

  Total

  10,178

  1991–92

  Tailoring/Shirts

  2,296

  Textiles

  2,798

  Others

  196

  Footwear/Leather

  261

  Printing

  320

  Weaving

  352

  Engineering

  740

  Woodwork

  764

  Laundry

  1,104

  Contract Services

  2,132

  Total

  10,963

  1990–91

  Tailoring/Shirts

  2,401

  Textiles

  2,708

  Others

  226

  Footwear/Leather

  261

  Printing

  320

  Weaving

  439

  Engineering

  740

  Woodwork

  879

  Laundry

  1,017

  Contract Services

  2,107

  Total

  11,098

  1 Breakdown by activity not available

  2 Centrally available figures may not be wholly accurate

  Resource employment places in prisons in England and Wales 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Totals1

  Farms and gardens

  1999–2000

  2 2,784

  1998–99

  2 2,949

  1997–98

  2 3,508

  1996–97

  2 3,508

  1995–96

  3,474

  1994–95

  3,474

  1993–94

  3,474

  1992–93

  3,474

  1991–92

  3.657

  1990–91

  3.551

  1 Breakdown by activity not available

  2 Centrally available figures may not be wholly accurate

  Prisons (NVQs)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many NVQs were completed in Prison Service establishments in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [120683]
  309W
  Mr. Boateng
  The figures given are for complete National Vocational Qualifications, not units.

  National Vocational Qualifications completed in prison establishments 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  Number

  1999–2000

  4,109

  1998–99

  5,462

  1997–98

  4,680

  1996–97

  1—

  1995–96

  1—

  1 No records available

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the costs to each police authority in England and Wales consequent upon the closure of magistrates courts within their area from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1999. [R] [121029]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information on which such establishments could be based is not held locally.

  Internet
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the costs of intercepting internet traffic by the Government's new computer centre, GTAC; and how these costs will be distributed between internet service providers and the Government. [121022]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government have allocated £25 million to establish the Government Technical Assistance Centre. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 6 April 2000,Official Report, column 596W.

  Separately, Clause 12 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill establishes a power to require communication service providers to maintain a reasonable intercept capability. The particular nature of the requirements will be spelt out in detail in subordinate legislation subject to affirmative resolution. The requirements are likely to change as technology develops.

  The Government are currently considering a detailed independent report on how interception might be achieved on the internet and how much it might cost. Existing policy on the allocation of cost is set out in that report which can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/oicd/ripbill.htm.

  Richard Lewis (Pardon)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant a pardon to Richard Lewis, also known as Dic Penderyn; and what representations he has received on this issue. [121127]

  Mr. Straw
  I have no plans to grant a posthumous Free Pardon for Richard Lewis. I have not recently received any representations in support of a pardon, but I would, of course, be prepared to look at this case should such representations be received.

  Illegal Entrants
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many clandestine illegal entrants have been discovered in vehicles arriving at United Kingdom ports in each month for the last 12 months for which figures are available. [121289]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information is recorded centrally on the numbers of persons issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine entrants. Figures for April 1999 to March 2000 are given in the table. This information is collated by the date of issue of notice of illegal entry and does not contain details of the date of entry to the United Kingdom. The central record does not differentiate between those persons detected in vehicles at ports of entry and those persons whose clandestine entry came to light at a later stage.

  Persons issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine entrants, by month, April 1999 to March 20001

  Number of persons

  1999

  April

  750

  May

  1,110

  June

  960

  July

  1,330

  August

  2,055

  September

  2,150

  October

  2,240

  November

  1,850

  December

  1,885

  2000

  January

  2,085

  February

  2,225

  March

  2,330

  1 All data are provisional and rounded to 5

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the stowaways he witnessed being discovered at Dover on Wednesday 26 April(a) have claimed asylum and (b) remain in the UK. [121286]

  Mr. Straw
  Of the nine individuals whose discovery I witnessed on 26 April, six are known to have claimed asylum and are still in the country. Information concerning the three others is not yet available to me but I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as it is.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the incidence of crimes of violence in(a) Gwent, (b) other Welsh Police Authority areas and (c) English Police Authority areas. [120935]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest recorded crime figures published for the period October 1998 to September 1999 show the total of all violent crime, which includes violence against the person, robbery and sexual offences, to be:

  Area

  Offences per 100,000 population

  (a) Gwent

  2,151

  (b) All Other police areas in Wales

  962

  (c) Police areas in England

  1,159

  311W
  Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, local authorities and the police working in partnership are required to develop local strategies for reducing crime and disorder. For the partnerships in Gwent, the key priorities and targets in their local strategies include tackling: drugs and alcohol misuse; anti-social behaviour, including neighbourhood disorder; youth disaffection and offending by young people; and violent and hate crime.

  Sick Prisoners
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will recommend that remission of sentences granted to sick prisoners because of their illnesses be reviewed when the prisoner has recovered. [120928]

  Mr. Boateng
  Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 allows for release from prison on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances. Remission of sentence was abolished with the introduction of the 1991 Act.

  Decisions to release prisoners under section 36 of the 1991 Act are rare. Release is granted only where strict criteria are met and where it is considered that release will not place the safety of the public at risk.

  Where a prisoner's exceptional circumstances warrant release on compassionate grounds, he or she must comply with the conditions contained in their release licence. If he or she fails to comply with those conditions, or if his or her behaviour after release indicates that there is reason to revise the original risk assessment, the licence can be revoked and the individual returned to custody. Current policy is that improvement in an individual's medical circumstances are not, on their own, sufficient reason to revoke a licence. There are no plans to change this policy.

  Home Detention Curfew
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe), of 2 May 2000,Official Report, column 75W, on the home detention curfew scheme, what offences were committed by the prisoners released before the requisite period; and what was the (a) sentence received, (b) requisite period and (c) sentence served in each case. [121074]

  Mr. Boateng
  My reply to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe), of 2 May 2000,Official Report, columns 74–75W, indicated that 12 prisoners had been released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme before the end of the requisite period. Further inquiries have revealed that in one case the prisoner was in fact released on the correct date. The available information, therefore, shows that since the Home Detention Curfew scheme commenced in January 1999, a total of 11 prisoners have been released early.

  The original offences committed by the prisoners released on Home Detention Curfew before the requisite period, the sentence received, the requisite period and the sentence served in 10 of the 11 cases, are shown in the table. The table also shows additional days awarded (ADAs) as a result of a prisoner breaching the prison
  312W
  disciplinary code. As explained in my reply of 2 May, in a number of cases the early releases were due to the prison's failure to take into account the additional days awarded. A further prisoner, sentenced to two years and six months in respect of an offence of wounding (inflicting grievous bodily harm), was released on Home Detention Curfew before the end of the requisite period of 398 days due to an error in the original sentence calculation. The prisoner was returned to custody after 15 days. He was subsequently released at his automatic conditional release date, his second Home Detention Curfew application having been refused. He served a total of 442 days.

  Original offence

  Sentence received

  Requisite period

  Sentence served

  Robbery (assault with intent)

  3 years 6 months (1,277 days)

  580 days + 10

  588 days

  Importation of drugs

  2 years 6 months (912 days)

  397 days + 10 ADAs

  397 days

  Escaping unlawful custody

  2 years (731 days)

  307 days + 5 ADAs

  307 days

  Possession of drugs with intent

  2 years

  307 days

  305 days

  Possession of drugs with intent

  2 years intent

  307 days + 42 ADAs

  321 days

  Robbery, assault with intent

  1 year 9 months (639 days)

  261 days

  259 days

  Theft

  1 year 6 months (547 days)

  215 days + 14 ADAs

  223 days

  Theft

  1 year (366 days)

  124 days + 1 ADA

  121 days

  Unlawful sexual intercourse

  6 months (184 days)

  46 days

  35 days

  Motoring offences

  4 months (120 days)

  30 days + 7 ADAs

  33 days

  European Football Championship Matches
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure the safety of British football fans travelling to European Football Championship matches. [119875]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are doing everything possible to help the host countries provide a safe and secure environment for all football fans attending the European Championships in Holland and Belgium in June. We established a Euro 2000 Co-ordinating Group in October to ensure that Government, police and other United Kingdom preparations are comprehensive and complementary. There has been considerable liaison and consultation with the Dutch and Belgian authorities who are responsible for the management and security of supporters attending the tournament. This high level of co-operation will continue up to and throughout the tournament.

  Police Helicopters (South Wales)
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many criminals were caught as
  313W
  a direct result of the use of police helicopters by the South Wales Police in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; and how much stolen property was recovered as a direct result of the use of helicopters; [120835]

  (2) how much it cost to operate the police helicopter tracker car recovery system used by the South Wales Police in the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000 broken down by the cost of (i) hire of helicopters, (ii) cost of staff and (iii) other costs. [120864]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In 1999–2000, the helicopter used jointly by South Wales Police and Gwent Constabulary was responsible for over 200 arrests and the recovery of £200,000 worth of stolen property. Information relating to previous years and to the use of the tracker recovery system is not immediately available and I will write to my hon. Friend once the details have been collected.

  Disorder (Central London)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statues and buildings were vandalised during the disorder in central London on 1 May; what lasting damage was done; how many people have been(a) arrested for and (b) charged with damaging the statues and buildings; and if he will make a statement. [121044]

  Mr. Straw
  The statues in Parliament Square, for which the Royal Parks Agency have responsibility, were defaced to varying degrees. Remedial work on these is currently being undertaken by specialist contractors and much of the superficial graffiti have already been removed. Seven statues and monuments, including the Cenotaph, for which English Heritage has responsibility, were also vandalised. English Heritage advise me that no lasting damage was done to any of their monuments. The graffiti on the Cenotaph were removed in time for the wreath laying ceremony at lunchtime last Thursday by the Danish Resistance Movement.

  The Metropolitan police advise me that damage was also caused to 19 buildings in and around the vicinity of Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and the Strand. Serious damage was caused to McDonald's in Whitehall. I understand that a total of 13 people have been arrested so far for criminal damage, of whom four have been charged.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans were drawn up in respect of the protection of(a) the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square and (b) the Cenotaph prior to the disorder of 1 May; for what reasons, and on whose authority, it was decided not to protect them; how many persons have been (i) arrested and (ii) charged with vandalising the statue and the Cenotaph; what steps the police are taking to arrest other such persons; and if he will make a statement. [121075]

  Mr. Straw
  I understand that both the Royal Parks Agency who have responsibility for the statues in Parliament Square and English Heritage who have responsibility for seven other statues and monuments, including the Cenotaph, damaged during the May Day disturbances, considered whether the statues and monuments should have been boarded up before the 314W
  demonstration but decided not to do so. I understand that one factor which was taken into account by the Agency and English Heritage was a concern to avoid the hoarding being used as weapons in the event of violence.

  Figures for arrests and charges for criminal damage to individual statues and monuments is not available. The Metropolitan police advise me that 13 people have been arrested for criminal damage and that four of these have so far been charged. Police investigations into the disturbances are continuing.

CABINET OFFICE

  Duchy Benevolent Fund
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much has been paid from the Duchy Benevolent Fund to organisations and individuals in each year since 1995. [119850]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Grants made by the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund for the past five years are as follows:

  £

  1995–96

  251,637

  1996–97

  316,425

  1997–98

  277,014

  1998–99

  290,957

  1999–2000

  1
  310,800

  1 Unaudited

  Lists of grants made from the Fund for the last five years would run to several hundred items.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many press officers are employed in the Cabinet Office; and how many were employed in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [119977]

  Mr. Stringer
  The average number of press officers in post in the Cabinet Office Press Office in 1996–97 was seven; 1997–98 was 10.2; 1998–99 was 12.3 and in 1999–2000 was 16.7.

  In addition, a dedicated press office was set up in March 1999, to co-ordinate Government media activity on the Year 2000 Millennium Bug problem. The Unit was set up by the President of the Council. The total number of full-time press officers employed over the year was five.

  Civil Service Code
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she proposes to give statutory backing to the Civil Service Code. [120025]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government have given a commitment, in principle, to give statutory backing to the Civil Service Code. The Government have a heavy forward legislative programme and will take this legislation forward as and when a suitable opportunity arises.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the(a) number and (b) cost of foreign visits undertaken by special advisers within her Department since May 1997. [119932]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99, I refer the hon. Member to the answer to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) on 17 May 1999,Official Report, column 242W. For 1999–2000, Special Advisers accompanied me or my predecessor overseas on five occasions at a cost of £2,022. This includes one visit at no cost to public funds. In addition, the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and his deputy travelled overseas on six occasions at a cost of £3,935. This includes two visits at no cost to public funds.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  FA Cup Final
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans Ministers in his Department have to attend the Football Association cup final. [119885]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have both received invitations to attend the FA Cup Final. My right hon. Friend is planning to go to the match, but I shall be at another sporting engagement.

  World Cup Final
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the progress made in implementing the Broadcasting Act 1996 with reference to television coverage of the 2002 and 2006 football world cup finals tournaments. [119886]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The World Cup finals tournament is a listed event under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996. Under the terms of that Act and of the Independent Television's Code on Listed Events, live television coverage of the World Cup finals tournament must be offered on fair and reasonable terms to BBC 1, BBC 2, Channel 3 (ITV) or Channel 4.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has held with local authorities regarding the proposed new Wembley stadium. [119888]

  Kate Hoey
  Neither I nor my right hon. Friend can or should intervene in any of the planning discussions which have recently been taking place between WNSL and Brent. The Wembley Task Force (including Nigel Mobbs, Brent etc. and DCMS officials) has been very active in promoting the wider regeneration of the area, and we are keeping in close touch with their work.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if(a) he and (b) members of the Wembley Maintenance Committee have discussed with Brent Council a section 106 agreement for transport
  316W
  infrastructure investment in connection with the granting of planning consent for the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium; and if he will make a statement [119121]

  Kate Hoey
  Planning issues including section 106 agreements are solely a matter for the London Borough of Brent. Therefore, neither Ministers nor officials from the Department have discussed section 106 agreements for transport infrastructure with the London Borough of Brent. Similarly, this is not an issue which the Wembley Monitoring Committee has discussed with the London Seaside Towns Borough of Brent though individual members of the Committee, such as Wembley National Stadium Ltd., have had such discussions in the course of their normal business. The Wembley Task Force has discussed a range of transport and other infrastructure issues relating to the wider Wembley regeneration area but this has not included negotiation of section 106 agreements which are a matter for the London Borough of Brent and relevant developers.

  Seaside Towns
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the allocation of national lottery funds to seaside towns. [119889]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The National Lottery funds numerous projects which bring widespread benefits to seaside towns. Research jointly commissioned by my Department and the Lottery distributors into Lottery funding in the coalfields and other areas does however suggest that resort and retirement towns have made relatively fewer applications and have received less per capita than the national average. A second phase of the research, to be published shortly, will seek to identify the reasons for the low level of Lottery funding in certain areas and recommend ways of redressing the balance. I have directed distributors to ensure that there is the widest possible access in all parts of the country to Lottery funding and that funding contributes to reducing social and economic deprivation.

  Creative Industries
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to support new businesses in the creative industries sector. [119890]

  Janet Anderson
  Through the work of the Creative Industries Task Force, we are tackling a number of generic issues of importance to creative businesses, including the problem of accessing seed and start up capital. We are also addressing these issues at a sectoral level, for example through the work of the Music Industry Forum and the Film Finance Forum. My Department works closely with the Department of Trade and Industry and HM Treasury in taking this work forward.

  Professional Football
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of the Football Association and the Football League to discuss the state of professional football in England. [119892]
  317W
  Kate Hoey
  With my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, I met the Chief Executive of the Football Association and the chairman of the Football League on 16 March to discuss a range of football issues. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State subsequently met the Chief Executive of the Football Association on 6 April.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he next plans to review the guidelines for the allocation of money to good causes by the national lottery. [119893]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The guidelines for applicants for National Lottery funds are a matter for the National Lottery distributing bodies within the framework of the directions I have given them. My Department is working with the Lottery distributing bodies to ensure that their application systems are as user-friendly as possible.

  Space for Sport and Arts Scheme
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the first grants will be made to primary schools under the Space for Sport and Arts scheme. [119894]

  Kate Hoey
  My officials are now in the process of working up further details about the scheme with the Department for Education and Employment and Lottery distributors and we hope to be in a position to invite applications in the autumn.

  Sports (Eastern Region)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support he plans to give for sports development in the Eastern region. [119895]

  Kate Hoey
  A great deal of support is already being given to sports development in the Eastern Region through the Lottery Sports Fund and other programmes operated or funded by Sport England.

  Film Industry
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what benefits the new Film Council will bring to the British film industry. [119896]

  Janet Anderson
  The Film Council brings together in one body the previous mechanisms for Government film support. It has the remit and resources to deliver, for the first time, a comprehensive strategy for the development of a sustainable film industry.

  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of his recent measures to support the film industry. [119891]

  Janet Anderson
  Over the past three years, we have put in place a more effective framework of support for film and have forged a much closer working relationship with the film industry. The Film Policy Review led to a range of positive developments, including the creation of the Skills Investment Fund and the British Film Office in Los Angeles, and culminated in the launch of the Film 318W
  Council, which last week announced the first phase of a comprehensive strategy for the development of the film industry.

  Football Clubs
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage football clubs to give supporters a greater say in the running of their clubs. [119897]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Supporters Trusts initiative last October. The resulting body—Supporters Direct—has been operational in shadow form since 27 January. Supporters Direct is designed to offer advice and funding to groups of supporters wishing to invest responsibly in Premiership and Football League clubs.

  Free Television Licences
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many families in Luton, North will benefit from the introduction of free television licences for households with a member aged 75 or over. [119898]

  Janet Anderson
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones), of 2 March 2000,Official Report, column 350W.

  Digital TV (Wales)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on digital television broadcasting in Wales. [119899]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government will ensure that all viewers in Wales who presently receive analogue television will be able to receive the main free-to-air channels digitally, before the analogue transmissions are fully switched to digital. Digital television has extended choice to Welsh viewers by enabling S4C and Channel 4 to be broadcast as separate digital services in Wales.

  School Sports
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his plans are for increasing the number of sports taught at or by schools. [119900]

  Kate Hoey
  The National Curriculum requires schools to offer the opportunity to participate in games, athletics, dance, gymnastics, outdoor and adventure activity and swimming. Within these broad areas it is for schools to determine which sports to pursue. The Government would encourage schools to offer as broad a range of sporting activity as possible, but recognise that this can sometimes be difficult. That is why we are working with Sport England and the Youth Sports Trust on a scheme to establish up to 600 schools sport co-ordinators, who will work in families of schools to encourage better links and sharing of facilities. This will mean that pupils will benefit from a wider range of activities than if their school were operating in isolation.

  Analogue Television
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his latest estimate is of the date for the switch-over from the analogue TV signal. [119901]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  We have estimated 2006–10 for switch-over.

  Scientists
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to encourage young scientists to apply to NESTA for financial support. [119887]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  NESTA exists to support creative and talented individuals of all ages. Anyone with exciting and new ideas for products and industrial processes can apply for support under NESTA's Invention and Innovation programme, which came on line last December and will shortly be making its first awards. Exceptionally talented individuals, including promising young scientists identified by NESTA appointed nominators, may be supported under NESTA's Fellowship programme. Finally NESTA's Education Programme is intended to support schemes aimed at popularising science, technology and the arts, particularly among the young.

HEALTH

  Cancer Services
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of(a) Irinotecan and (b) Oxaliplatin; and if he will make a statement; [118961]

  (2) what steps he has taken to mark National Bowel Cancer Awareness Week; [118962]

  (3) if he will list those health authorities which fund all eligible bowel cancer patients with (a) Irinotecan and (b) Oxaliplatin in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [118964]

  Yvette Cooper
  On the 2 May, the Minister of State for Health announced that the National Institute of Clinical Excellence will be asked to consider a range of cancer drugs for appraisal of their clinical and cost effectiveness. These will include irinotecan, oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for colorectal cancer.

  Detailed spending information on cancer services, including drugs, is not currently held centrally.

  I attended the launch of the National Bowel Cancer Week on 10 April. In addition, we have made available £10 million each year since 1998 to improve access to diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. From July 2000, all patients suspected of having colorectal cancer will be guaranteed an outpatient appointment within 14 days of their general practitioner marking an urgent referral.

  Female Genital Mutilation
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to promote health education among groups affected by the practice of female genital mutilation. [119190]

  Yvette Cooper
  Education is central to eradicating the brutal practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). We fund a range of educational projects in Britain. This year we have awarded the London Black Women's Health Action Project a section 64 project grant of £25,000 for 1999–2000 for their training and resource project. This project aims to educate and raise awareness of FGM among healthcare providers, facilitate training of trainers programmes and seminars, and to produce and disseminate educational materials.

  The Department also provides financial support to FORWARD, the leading voluntary organisation on this issue, through the section 64 grants scheme. This support includes core grant funding of £25,000 for 1999–2000 to 2001–02, to help meet the organisation's running costs. Over the last few years, the Department has provided funds totalling nearly 280,000 for projects developed by FORWARD in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the Department for International Development has committed over £200,000 for two projects in which FORWARD are involved in Nigeria and The Gambia.

  The sexual health strategy currently being developed will be looking at health promotion needs including those of particular cultural groups.

  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 is enforced. [119188]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 makes it an offence to carry out the procedures known as female circumcision. It also makes it an offence for anyone to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of these procedures by any other person on her own body.

  There have been no prosecutions under the Act since it came into force. The lack of prosecutions for this offence is only because of the small number of complaints made to the police and the difficulty of obtaining evidence where a complaint is made. Encouraging the education of professionals and practising communities is a more effective tool for eradicating female genital mutilation.

  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he has taken to prevent young girls being taken out of the country for the purpose of female genital mutilation. [119189]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 makes the procedure of female genital mutilation (FGM) illegal. As well as this Act, legal protection for girls is also provided by the Children Act 1989. If a local authority has reason to believe that a child is likely to suffer significant harm, it is obliged to make such inquiries as it considers necessary to enable it to decide whether it should take any action to safeguard or promote the child's welfare. Under the Act, a Prohibited Steps Order can be made to prevent parents carrying out
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  a particular act without the consent of the Court (eg removing the child from the United Kingdom so that mutilation can be carried out abroad).

  Further protection is offered under the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. This Act makes it an offence for a person to conspire to commit an offence outside the United Kingdom, provided the substantive offence constitutes an offence both under the law in the UK and under the law in the country in which the act is committed. Therefore if parents take their daughters abroad to have them mutilated this would be an offence if FGM is also an offence in the country to which they are travelling.

  Genetic Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Code of Practice covers his Department's data matching activities; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [119525]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department does not have a Code of Practice governing data matching activities. However, where patients may be identified from the data held, the Department adheres to the good practice principles developed by the Caldicott Committee. A copy of the Caldicott Report, published in December 1997, is in the Library.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to authorise a renewal of the programme of tuberculosis vaccinations within secondary schools. [120402]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 10 February 2000,Official Report, column 261W.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recent trend in the incidence of tuberculosis in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [120371]

  Yvette Cooper
  The United Kingdom has an excellent record of tuberculosis (TB) control and we are determined this should remain the case.

  The incidence of TB is monitored by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). Official notifications of TB gradually fell to an all time low of 5,086 in England and Wales in 1987 from about 50,000 cases a year in the 1950s and 9,000 cases at the beginning of the 1980s. Since the early 1990s, there have been overall small year on year increases in total notified cases which are continuing. Provisional notifications for 1998 were just over 6,000. While some of this increase may be due to better ascertainment of cases, it has occurred against the backdrop of a worldwide resurgence of this disease that will, inevitably, continue to have some impact on TB in the UK through travel and immigration.

  The results of the latest in a series of five-yearly detailed surveys of TB in England and Wales undertaken by the PHLS on behalf of the Department are reported in the Communicable Disease Report Vol. 9, No. 51 (17 December 1999), copies of which are available in the Library.
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  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) human tuberculosis (mycobacterium tuberculosis), and (b) bovine tuberculosis (mycobacterium bovis), were confirmed in humans in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999; and if he will make a statement. [120771]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]: A total of 5,859 cases of tuberculosis were notified in England and Wales in 1997, 6,087 in 1998 and 6,144 in 1999. 3,232 cases were confirmed by culture in 1997 and 3,506 in 1998. Final totals for culture confirmed cases for 1999 are not yet available.

  Of the culture confirmed cases, 32 were due to Mycobacterium bovis in 1997, and 29 in 1998. To date, 16 cases due to Mycobacterium bovis have been reported for 1999.

  There is no evidence at present that the increase in bovine tuberculosis in cattle has led to an increase in bovine tuberculosis in the local human population.

  The number of isolates of M. bovis from human cases of bovine tuberculosis in England and Wales has varied from 22 to 37 per year between 1993 and 1998 with no trend to increase or decrease. The numbers of human cases of M. bovis arising in those regions of England and Wales with the greatest increase in bovine tuberculosis in cattle (South West, Wales and West Midlands) have remained low and have also varied from year to year with no increasing or decreasing trend.

  In response to the Krebs Committee report on tuberculosis in cattle and badgers, the Department undertook to continue to monitor the public health impact of M. bovis infection carefully. Measures have been taken to enhance surveillance, particularly in those areas most affected by infection in cattle, and to look at geographical and occupational variations in incidence. Department of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials hold regular meetings to keep matters under review with special regard to the potential for M. bovis to infect humans through the United Kingdom food chain and other zoonotic routes.
  (Data from the Public Health Laboratory Service. Source: NOIDS database and Mycobnet database as at 3 May 2000 (database kept live)).

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department routinely records the occupation of people identified as being infected with Bovine TB; and if he will make a statement. [120770]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 4 May 2000]: Information on the occupation of individuals notified with tuberculosis in England and Wales is sought on the standard notification form. This information is used locally.

  Reports of M. bovis infections are collated by the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre as part of a scheme called the United Kingdom Mycobacterial Resistance Network (Mycobnet). On receipt of a report of M. bovis infection, a questionnaire is sent to the local Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) inquiring, among other things, about whether the individual had an agricultural occupation (including working on a farm) or other animal contact.

  Student Nurses
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the incidence of financial hardship among student nurses; and if he will make a statement; [120412]

  (2) what representations he has received about the proposal to award employee status to student nurses; and if he will make a statement; [120406]

  (3) what recent representations he has received regarding financial support for student nurses; and if he will make a statement. [120407]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: Information gathered by the National Health Service Executive's Regional Offices during 1999 reported a total of 105 payments to degree level students (less than 1 per cent. of the student population) from the NHS Hardship Fund. This year's review of student support arrangements will include examination of the provision made for those unfortunate enough to suffer hardship during their training and will encompass both degree and diploma students.

  We are aware of the support among student nurses regarding the proposal to award them employee status. Indeed, this issue was discussed at a recent meeting with the Head of UNISON Health Group. However, the move away from students' status as employees accompanied improvements in nurse education, which moved training from the health service to higher education, and gave students supernumerary status thereby strengthening their educational experience. These changes were, and still are, supported by the Royal College of Nursing.

  We want to ensure that as many nurses as possible complete their training and go on to work in the NHS, and we recognise the need, therefore, to provide student nurses with the support they need throughout their course. That is why the NHS Bursary Scheme continues to provide more generous support than that available to other students in higher education, and why bursary rates are being increased again by the rate of inflation from September—the third successive annual increase.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the (i) executive agencies, (ii) non-departmental public bodies and (iii) local public spending bodies within his Department's remit, (b) the contractors employed by his Department and (c) the NHS bodies whose work (1) has been transferred since 1992 and (2) is planned to be transferred in the next 12 months (y) to and (z) from the Northern Region. [121051]

  Ms Stuart
  (a) (i) The Department sponsors the following executive agencies:

  Medical Devices Agency

  Medicines Control Agency

  NHS Estates Agency

  NHS Pensions Agency

  NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

  (a) (ii) The Department sponsors the following non-Departmental public bodies (NDPBs):
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  Executive NDPBs

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work

  Commission for Health Improvement

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

  Medical Practices Committee

  National Biological Standards Board

  National Radiological Protection Board

  Public Health Laboratory Service Board

  Advisory NDPBs

  Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee

  Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products

  Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances

  Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens

  Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards

  Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing

  Advisory Committee on Hepatitis

  Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs

  Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Foods

  Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy

  British Pharmacopoeia Commission

  Committee for Monitoring the Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship

  Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy

  Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment

  Committee on Medical effects of Air Pollutants

  Committee on the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment

  Committee on the Safety of Medicines

  Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment

  Dental Rates Study Group

  Expert Advisory Group on AIDS

  Gene Therapy Advisory Committee

  Genetics and Insurance Committee

  Human Genetics Commission

  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

  Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee

  Medicines Commission

  National Centre for Continuing Professional Education of Dentists

  Pharmacists' Review Panel

  Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine

  Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration Standing Dental Advisory Committee

  Standing Medical Advisory Committee

  Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee

  Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee

  Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education

  UK Advisory Panel for Health Care Workers Infected with Bloodborne Viruses

  United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority

  Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority

  Wider Health Working Group

  Tribunals

  Mental Health Review Tribunal

  National Health Service Tribunal

  Protection of Children Act Tribunal

  Registered Homes Tribunal

  (a) (iii) Local public spending bodies within the Department's remit:

  There are currently 99 Health Authorities, 364 NHS Trusts, and 17 Primary Care Trusts operational in England.
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  (b) The contractors employed by the Department:

  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  (c) NHS bodies:

  On 1 April 1996 the Northern and Yorkshire Regional Health Authority became the Northern and Yorkshire Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive, Department of Health. At the same time its offices were relocated from Newcastle and Harrogate to a single site in Durham City.

  Community Midwives
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the pay and conditions of community midwives. [121068]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 5 May 2000]: The Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine (NPRB) make recommendations on pay for community midwives employed on national terms and conditions. For the second year running, the Government have accepted in full the pay increases recommended by The Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine—an across the board increase of 3.4 per cent. for 2000–01, and for the second year running these increases will be paid in full without staging.

  The Government's proposals for modernising the NHS pay system "Agenda for Change" were published last year. For nurses, midwives and health visitors this will mean a new career structure to replace outdated clinical grades, better career progression, fairer rewards for team working, developing new skills and taking on extended roles. The proposals are currently under negotiation with the unions and professional organisations.

  Antidepressants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce deaths resulting from(a) Dothiepin and (b) other antidepressants. [120929]

  Ms Stuart
  The majority of deaths recorded in association with antidepressants are as a result of suicide. We take the issue of suicide very seriously. The development of strategies to reduce suicide and improve the mental well-being of the general population are a major part of our programme outlined in the White Paper—"Saving Lives: our Healthier Nation"—and in the National Service Framework for mental health.

  Advice is given to health professionals in British National Formulary which advises that patients treated for depression should be assessed frequently for suicidal tendencies and that limited quantities of antidepressant drugs should be prescribed at any one time to reduce the risk of overdosage. The Summaries of Product Characteristics for antidepressants warn that patients at risk of suicide should be monitored closely. As with all medicines, the safety of antidepressants is continually monitored by the Medicines Control Agency and the independent expert advisory body, the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  NHS Trusts (London)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the board members of each NHS trust in the London NHS region with responsibility for(a) corporate governance and (b) maintaining a register of interests for (i) all senior staff and (ii) consultants. [121203]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not collected by the Department. However, it is commonly the board secretary who has responsibility for these issues.

  Metered-dose Inhalers
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of migrating all recipient patients from metered dose inhalers to alternative pharmaceutical delivery systems. [120424]

  Ms Stuart
  No estimate has been made because such costs cannot be readily quantified.

  Operating Theatres (Chemicals)
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussion he has had with safety experts and clinicians concerning the use of(a) ammonia and (b) hydrocarbons in hospital theatres. [120425]

  Ms Stuart
  The use of ammonia and hydrocarbons in hospitals is a matter for individual hospital trusts in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive. All hospitals are required to undertake risk assessments under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations. This covers assessment of all potentially dangerous chemicals, including ammonia and hydrocarbons, in all hospital areas, including theatres.

  Nurses
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the cost was of the television advertising campaign which described the average nurse as earning over £20,000 per year; [121128]

  (2) what the average income is of a nurse, excluding allowances; [121129]

  (3) what representations he has received regarding the television advertising campaign which described the average nurse as earning over £20,000 per year; [121130]

  (4) who authorised the television advertisement stating that the average nurse earns over £20,000 per year; [121131]

  (5) how his Department estimated the average income of a nurse for inclusion in the recent television advertising campaign; and if he will make a statement; [121132]

  (6) if he will make a statement about the future of the television advertising campaign to recruit nurses. [121133]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State authorised the recent nurse recruitment campaign
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  which cost £4.2 million and was launched on 28 February, and included television advertising. The campaign will run for three years. The current campaign follows on from the success of last year's recruitment campaign. Over 45,000 people have inquired about a career in the National Health Service, or returning to the NHS, as a result of it.

  Recruitment campaigns including local campaigns, are not a one-off exercise and we expect them to become a regular feature of what the NHS does. We will continue to review the success of television advertising and other ongoing activity to recruit and retain staff.

  The original television advertisement stated "The average full-time qualified nurse earns over £20,000 per annum". This figure was drawn from the Department of Health annual earnings surveys, which show that from April 1999 gross average annual earnings for qualified nurses working full-time in the NHS were around £20,700.
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  This figure includes allowances paid for working unsocial hours, but excludes earnings from overtime, earnings for the more senior clinical H and I grades, and nurses in management posts. The average basic salary for all full-time qualified nursing staff, after implementation of the April 2000 pay award is £19,500. Unsocial hours payments bring average earnings for full-time qualified nurses to over £20,000.

  Fewer than 20 people have made representations about the advertising campaign. We also received representations from the ITC about the television advertisement. Departmental officials met with the ITC. The ITC accepted our statement was factually correct. To reflect the increase in nurses' pay arising from the 2000–01 pay settlement the wording was changed. This wording was agreed with the ITC. The agreed working was: "From April (2000) average annual earnings for full-time qualified nurses are over £21,000, including allowances".

  European Parliament: Visit to Lisbon Conference by Socialist Members
  European Parliament: Visit to Lisbon Conference by Socialist Members
  EU Legislation
  EU Legislation
  Kosovo: Demining
  Kosovo: Demining
  Montenegro
  Montenegro
  Balkan Stabilisation: Discussions with Russia
  Balkan Stabilisation: Discussions with Russia
  UK-Ukraine Trade
  UK-Ukraine Trade
  International Criminal Court: Ratification of Rome Statute
  International Criminal Court: Ratification of Rome Statute
  Saudi Arabia: Non-Muslim Religious Rights
  Saudi Arabia: Non-Muslim Religious Rights
  EU: Bilateral Relationship with Austria and Other Countries
  EU: Bilateral Relationship with Austria and Other Countries
  European Economic Area: UK Membership
  European Economic Area: UK Membership
  Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
  Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
  Passport Agency: Corporate and Business Plans
  Passport Agency: Corporate and Business Plans
  Criminal Records Bureau: Corporate and Business Plans
  Criminal Records Bureau: Corporate and Business Plans
  Firefighters' Conditions of Service
  Firefighters' Conditions of Service
  Treasury Building Refurbishment
  Treasury Building Refurbishment
  United Kingdom Act of Union: Bicentenary
  United Kingdom Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Hotel and Catering Employees: Accommodation Offset
  Hotel and Catering Employees: Accommodation Offset
  Postage Stamp Themes
  Postage Stamp Themes
  New-variant CJD Tonsil and Appendix Surveys
  New-variant CJD Tonsil and Appendix Surveys
  BSE: French Ban on Pithing
  BSE: French Ban on Pithing
  Consultant Merit Awards
  Consultant Merit Awards
  Human Rights Act: Welfare of Children in Care
  Human Rights Act: Welfare of Children in Care
  Milk Banks
  Milk Banks
  Food Origin Labelling
  Food Origin Labelling
  Farm Attractions: Standards of Practice
  Farm Attractions: Standards of Practice
  Zoos Forum
  Zoos Forum
  SEAC: Safety of Gelatin and Tallow
  SEAC: Safety of Gelatin and Tallow
  TSE Researchers Meeting
  TSE Researchers Meeting
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency: Targets
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency: Targets
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Targets
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Targets
  PLAN
  PLAN
  Pesticide Safety Directorate: Targets
  Pesticide Safety Directorate: Targets
  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency: Targets
  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency: Targets
  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Targets
  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Targets
  Central Science Laboratory: Targets
  Central Science Laboratory: Targets
  Unidroit Convention
  Unidroit Convention
  Welsh Assembly: Draft Protocol on Primary Legislation
  Welsh Assembly: Draft Protocol on Primary Legislation