Written Answers of 18 May 2000

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Students (A-levels)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of leavers aged 16 to 18 years entered higher education following completion of A-levels from(a) sixth forms in independent schools, (b) sixth forms in maintained schools, (c) sixth form colleges and (d) other further education colleges in the last year for which figures are available. [120920]

  Mr. Wicks
  The available information, for entry to full-time higher education, is given in the table. Equivalent data for part-time admissions are not available.

  Prior educational establishments of students aged 16–18 with A-level1 qualifications accepted for entry in 1999 through UCAS to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses

  Previous establishment

  Number of acceptances

  Percentage of total

  Sixth Form Centre

  1,780

  1.5

  Independent School

  19,906

  16.6

  Sixth From College

  18,763

  15.6

  Maintained Schools

  67,819

  56.5

  Other2

  10,777

  9.0

  Not known

  924

  0.8

  Total

  119,969

  100.0

  1A-level being the highest qualification on entry

  2Includes Other FE/HE establishments

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the timetable is for the mapping of current provision of services to be undertaken by the Connexions Service as referred to in paragraph 7.20 of "Connexions: the best start in life for every young person". [122453]

  Mr. Wicks
  As part of their proposals, each pilot area has been asked to submit a timetable for completing their mapping exercise. We expect all pilots to complete an initial exercise by September 2000. In submitting proposals for the wider introduction of the Connexions Service from April 2001 we expect further mapping will have started before the end of the year.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if personal advisers will be provided for pupils in independent schools through the Connexions Service. [122702]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Connexions Service will provide access to high quality guidance and support to all 13–19 year olds, giving particular priority to those young people who are most at risk of encountering obstacles to a successful transition to adulthood.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121649]

  Mr. Wills
  The headline pay settlement was 2.5 per cent. on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 3.9 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121853]

  Ms Hodge
  The Home Office holds responsibility for the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and monitoring its operation and effectiveness, and will respond to this question on behalf of Government as a whole. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department today.Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  University Buildings
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to assess the structural integrity of university buildings constructed in the 1960s. [122696]

  Mr. Wicks
  Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies. Each university is responsible for the maintenance and repair of its own estate. No survey has been carried out to look specifically at 1960s buildings, but in 1997 the Higher Education Funding Council for England commissioned a survey to review the condition of the whole higher education estate. As a result of the survey, the Higher Education Funding Council for England introduced a "poor estates" initiative, setting aside £200 million for higher education estates funding up to 2000.

  Teachers
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teaching posts are(a) vacant and (b) filled by supply, temporary and agency teachers in (i) state primary schools and (ii) state secondary schools in (1) Barnet Local Education Authority and (2) Greater London areas; and what proportions of the total the figures represent. [122735]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the number of vacant teaching posts and the number of posts covered by teachers in occasional service in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector in Barnet local education authority and Greater London at January 2000.
  193W

  Teacher vacancies

  Teachers in occasional service

  Full-time vacant posts

  Vacancy rate

  Number of agency teachers

  Number of other occasional teachers

  All occasional teachers

  Occasional teacher rate

  Nursery/Primary

  Barnet

  30

  2.8

  30

  10

  40

  3.6

  Greater London

  520

  2.0

  1,200

  540

  1,730

  6.1

  Secondary

  Barnet

  20

  1.6

  20

  10

  30

  2.2

  Greater London

  410

  1.8

  680

  190

  870

  3.5

  Note:

  Totals may not sum to component parts because of rounding

  A qualified teacher vacancy refers to a full-time permanent appointment (or an appointment of at least one term's duration) at 20 January 2000 which was advertised but not filled. Vacancies include those filled on a temporary basis unless filled by someone with a fixed term contract of one term or more. Supply, temporary and agency teachers on a contract of at least one month cannot be separately identified from teachers in regular service.

  Teachers in occasional service collected on Form 618G provide cover for a variety of reasons e.g. vacancies, training courses and sickness absence.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the Further Education Funding Council to publish its tariff value of courses for 2000–01. [122734]

  Mr. Wicks
  The tariff document for 2000–01 is due to be published on 22 May 2000.

  Funding and Research Council
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the terms of reference for the review of the funding and research council. [122138]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  Overall responsibility for funding university infrastructure in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is with the devolved Administrations. For England, the responsibility is with the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

  In addition, my Department, together with the Wellcome Trust and the HEFCE, is responsible for the £750 million Joint Infrastructure Fund initiative, which provides for research infrastructure and equipment in UK universities. My Department is also responsible, together with the Higher Education Funding Councils and the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, for the Joint Research Equipment Initiative for university research equipment.

  Competition for funds from the JIF has been very strong. There have been many high quality applications
  194W
  and we have been able to fund only the most outstanding. Under the terms of the JIF scheme there can be no re-submission of unsuccessful applications.

  JIF was set up as a one-off fund to boost university infrastructure. The Government are giving careful consideration to the need for a follow-on programme. This includes exploration of options other than allocation based on competition through bidding.

  The 1997 Dearing Report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education drew attention to the need to invest in university research infrastructure in order to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of scientific research. Dearing's recommendations were based on the 1996 "Survey of Research Equipment in UK Universities" undertaken by the Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Unit at the University of Manchester (PREST). Dearing also drew on Segal Quince and Wicksteed's 1997 "Review of Dual Support: The Funding Gap" study of overall research funding in universities.

  I understand that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom expects to publish shortly an updated study by PREST, part funded by CVCP and HEFCE, of the present state of research equipment provision and needs in UK universities.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Robert Hamill and Gregory Girvan
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if disciplinary proceedings will be instituted against officers present at the location of the attack on 27 April 1997 in Portadown town centre on Robert Hamill and Gregory Girvan. [119709]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Independent Commission for Police Complaints are actively considering whether disciplinary proceedings will be instigated in this particular case.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many witness statements have been taken by the Royal Ulster Constabulary inquiry team investigating the murder of Robert Hamill. [119710]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been 301 witness statements taken to date.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  University Funding and Infrastructure
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the universities awarded funding for research infrastructure as part of the Joint Infrastructure Fund Competition, indicating how much funding each will receive. [121665]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF) has made 109 awards worth just under £600 million to 39 universities. The final two rounds of awards will be announced in November 2000 and March 2001.

  The successful universities are listed. The value of Round 2 and Round 3 awards are subject to negotiation with successful applicants and will be announced later this year. Round 1 figures are shown in the table.

  £ million

  Universities awarded funding1

  Value of Round 1 awards

  Aberdeen

  —

  Bangor (University of Wales)

  2.8

  Bath

  —

  Birkbeck College

  —

  Birmingham

  11.1

  Bristol

  2.0

  Cambridge

  30.4

  Cardiff

  —

  Dundee

  —

  Durham

  —

  East Anglia

  —

  Edinburgh

  6.3

  Glasgow

  2.1

  Imperial College

  11.3

  King's College, London

  —

  Lancaster

  0.6

  Leeds

  2.4

  Leicester

  —

  Liverpool

  6.1

  LSE

  6.6

  Manchester

  1.8

  Newcastle

  4.4

  Nottingham

  5.0

  Oxford

  17.9

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  24.8

  Queen's, Belfast

  0.4

  Reading

  —

  Sheffield

  —

  Southampton

  3.8

  Strathclyde

  1.2

  SUERC (Glasgow)

  3.9

  Surrey

  4.7

  Sussex

  —

  Ulster

  —

  UMIST

  —

  University College, London

  —

  Wales College of Medicine

  —

  Warwick

  1.0

  York

  —

  Total (Round 1 only)

  150.4

  1JIF Rounds 1–3

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which organisations are responsible for funding infrastructure requirements in universities; [122139]

  (2) what models are being considered for the replacement of the Joint Infrastructure Fund. [122137]

  Ms Hewitt
  Overall responsibility for funding university infrastructure in Scotland, Wales and Northern 196W
  Ireland is with the devolved administrations. For England, the responsibility is with the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

  In addition, my Department, together with the Wellcome Trust and the HEFCE, is responsible for the £750 million Joint Infrastructure Fund initiative, which provides for research infrastructure and equipment in UK universities. My Department is also responsible, together with the Higher Education Funding Councils and the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, for the Joint Research Equipment Initiative for university research equipment.

  Competition for funds from the JIF has been very strong. There have been many high quality applications and we have been able to fund only the most outstanding. Under the terms of the JIF scheme there can be no re-submission of unsuccessful applications.

  JIF was set up as a one-off fund to boost university infrastructure. The Government are giving careful consideration to the need for a follow on programme. This includes exploration of options other than allocation based on competition through bidding.

  The 1997 Dearing Report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education drew attention to the need to invest in university research infrastructure in order to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of scientific research. Dearing's recommendations were based on the 1996 "Survey of Research Equipment in UK Universities" undertaken by the Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Unit at the University of Manchester (PREST). Dearing also drew on Segal Quince and Wicksteed's 1997 "Review of Dual Support: The Funding Gap" study of overall research funding in universities.

  I understand that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom expects to publish shortly an updated study by PREST, part funded by CVCP and HEFCE, of the present state of research equipment provision and needs in UK universities.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what his policy is on funding proposals which have not been successful in gaining an allocation from the Joint Infrastructure Fund; [122165]

  (2) what provision will be made for financing research infrastructure once the funds from the Joint Infrastructure Fund have been allocated; [122164]

  (3) what analysis has been made of the volume of investment required in research infrastructure in universities to bring infrastructure in particular subject areas up to the standards of major international competitors. [122166]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to her written question 122138, Official Report, column 193W.

  Insolvency Legislation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to act on the recently published consultation document on reform of insolvency legislation. [121661]
  197W
  Dr. Howells
  The consultation document, "Bankruptcy: A Fresh Start"—which is the formulation of outline suggestions for possible changes to the law—marks the end of the first stage of the review. The consultation period ends on 30 June. A lot of detailed work will be needed before decisions are made about whether and, if so, how bankruptcy law should be changed. This will be informed by responses to the consultation.

  EU Research and Development Reports
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what categories of reports are funded under the call for proposals for indirect research and technological development actions in the framework of the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration in the field of improving the human research potential and the socioeconomic knowledge base, referred to in European Community Document (2000/c 74/08); and if he will make a statement. [121493]

  Ms Hewitt
  European Community Document 2000/c 74/08 refers to a call for proposals under the Strategic Analysis of Specific Policy Issues (STRATA) activity of the programme, Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base (IHP). The call identifier is IHP-STRATA-00-1.

  Under the call the Commission has invited proposals to produce reports on a number of specific issues relating to science and technology policies, these include:
  European science and technology policies and national and global systems;
  Articulation between research, training and development and other policies within the European institutional environment;
  Management of change in science and technology policy; and
  Collaboration in science, technology and innovation: changing needs and opportunities for policy.

  Research
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Government's research priorities and the research priorities of(a) the United States and (b) Germany. [122133]

  Ms Hewitt
  This Government's overall priorities for science and technology were set out following the Comprehensive Spending Review in "Forward Look 1999 (Cm 4363)". They are:Maintaining the excellence of UK Science—ensuring UK science is and remains world class;
  Promoting business exploitation—supporting the development and exploitation of new and existing technologies, particularly through encouraging partnerships and the flow of people between universities and business; and
  Ensuring effective use of science and technology by Government Departments—in support of their policy, regulatory. and procurement responsibilities.

  Science budget funding of HEIs' capital

  Capital element of research grants to HEIs

  1994–95

  1995–6

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  BBSRC

  8.800

  8.100

  7.720

  6.280

  7.470

  10.000

  11.000

  EPSRC

  33.296

  32.307

  33.564

  35.585

  39.336

  33.764

  49.627

  ESRC

  0.100

  0.100

  0.300

  0.600

  0.600

  0.700

  0.800

  MRC

  11.300

  9.950

  11.631

  11.700

  10.182

  8.276

  7.800

  NERC

  3.340

  6.818

  3.087

  3.897

  3.263

  3.805

  5.908

  PPARC

  3.472

  6.751

  4.363

  5.238

  5.213

  6.039

  6.175

  198W
  Details of the specific research priorities of individual departments, Research Councils and other bodies are also set out in "Forward Look", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. These priorities are being reviewed in the context of the current Spending Review.

  In the USA, the main priorities for civilian research set out in the federal budget for Financial Year 2000 are:
  All areas of Biomedical research, in particular human genomics and also plant genome research;
  Fundamental information technology research; and
  Bio-complexity—research on inter-dependencies between the elements of specific environmental systems.

  The German Federal Government research priorities set out in their 1999 science research budget include the areas of biotechnology, production engineering, marine and polar research, lasers, IT and sustainable development.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been provided by each of the research councils and the four funding councils for spending by the universities on equipment to support scientific research programmes by subject area in each year since 1994. [122135]

  Ms Hewitt
  Data in respect of the Research Councils and the Higher and Further Education Funding Council (England) are as set out.

  Details of awards so far made from the Joint Infrastructure Fund were provided in my answer to my hon. Friend's written question 121665 answered today, Official Report, column 193W.

  The funding of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

  HEFC(E)'s capital funding for research in HEIs

  Year

  Mainstream

  JREI

  JIF (£ million)

  1994–95

  62.8

  —

  17.5

  1995–96

  67.1

  —

  29.0

  1996–97

  45.4

  19.8

  37.7

  1997–98

  50.0

  25.7

  —

  1998–99

  52.3

  25.8

  —

  1999–2000

  53.9

  16.3

  —

  2000–01

  54.0

  —

  —

  1Round 1

  2Round 2

  3Round 3

  199W

  Joint research equipment initiative

  Calendar year of the award

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  BBSRC

  1.1

  1.6

  1.5

  3

  EPSRC

  3

  4.6

  5.4

  5.5

  MRC

  1.1

  1.4

  1.8

  2.1

  NERC

  0.4

  0.6

  0.7

  0.8

  PPARC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  5.6

  8.2

  9.6

  12.2

  The Research Councils also provide access for university researchers to national and international facilities.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles operated by his Department were manufactured (i) in the UK, (ii) in the EU and (iii) elsewhere. [122253]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: Other than hire cars and vehicles supplied by the Government Car and Despatch Agency, for which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office responded on 17 May 2000, Official Report, column 141W, my Department operates 19 cars, manufactured as follows:

  UK: 13

  UK or EU: 21

  EU: 2

  Elsewhere: 1

  1Due to some models being simultaneously manufactured in more than one country, it is not possible to be more specific without unjustifiable expense.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department plans to bring forward proposals for developing the future business potential of the Post Office network; and if he will make a statement. [121310]

  Mr. Byers
  Completion of the installation of the Horizon system, a modern automated IT platform, throughout the Post Office network in 2001 will provide the potential to develop a range of new business opportunities. In addition to automated network banking on an agency basis, Horizon would provide an important part of the infrastructure for a universal bank offering basic banking services accessible at post offices. We also see opportunities for post offices to develop a key role in e-commerce services and scope for a further development of their role as one-stop shops for many Government services and transactions. We are also looking at the role post offices may be able to play in fulfilling our objective of making the Internet accessible to all by 2005.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to support the development of a post office universal bank; and if he will make a statement. [121308]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government strongly support co-operation between the banks and the Post Office to develop a universal bank offering basic banking services to all. The Horizon project to equip the post office 200W
  network with a modern on-line IT platform, towards which the Government are contributing nearly £500 million, has the potential to provide an important part of the infrastructure for such a bank. A universal bank accessible through post offices would complement the agency network banking service which the Post Office already provides under arrangements with Girobank/Alliance and Leicester, LloydsTSB, Co-operative and Barclays Banks.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to bring forward detailed proposals relating to subsidies for post offices; and if he will make a statement. [121309]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competitiveness, on 11 May 2000,Official Report, column 439W.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the key buildings for which his Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122561]

  Dr. Howells
  In line with the target set in the Integrated Transport White Paper for the introduction of green transport plans for key government buildings we have completed plans for the Department's three key buildings—Atholl House, St. Mary's House and Westfield House.

  Petrol
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to facilitate a meeting between representatives of petrol retailers and petrol wholesalers to discuss a code of practice. [122361]

  Dr. Howells
  I said during the petrol retailing debate in January that I was happy to broker a meeting if the concerned parties wished to meet and were prepared to compromise where necessary. Such a meeting has not yet been requested, but I intend to take the initiative and invite relevant parties to meet. However, it is sensible to receive advice from the Director General of Fair Trading on the future of the 1966 undertakings first. I expect to receive this soon.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the climate change levy on the competitive position of the United Kingdom's horticultural industry. [120805]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is not possible to say with precision what the effect of the climate change levy will be on the competitive position of the United Kingdom's horticultural industry. This will depend, among other things, on the extent to which individual sectors and firms within the industry are exposed to international competition, the future energy

  201W
  use of the industry and the extent to which the industry takes up the various incentives offered under the levy to improve energy efficiency.

  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. With respect to the horticultural industry the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in Budget 2000 that the Government intend to introduce a package of measures to help protect its competitiveness. Subject to State Aids clearance from the European Commission this will include:
  A special package of support for horticulture allocated from the energy efficiency fund. This package will aim to improve energy efficiency across the sector and will include activities such as the provision of site specific advice for individual businesses;
  An extension to the list of investments qualifying for enhanced capital allowances to include thermal screens. This will provide a further fiscal incentive for horticultural businesses to invest in energy saving technologies, and;
  A temporary 50 per cent. discount on the levy for a period of up to five years to the horticulture sector while the energy efficiency measures targeted at the sector take effect.

DEFENCE

  Biological Warfare
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the(a) role of the 1 Field Laboratory Unit that operated a biological warfare agent detection facility during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict and (b) work of that unit in detecting biological warfare agents. [123219]

  Mr. Spellar
  The 1997 "Gulf Veterans Illnesses: A New Beginning" policy statement set out a number of commitments to help address the health concerns of Gulf Veterans. One of these commitments was to review specific incidents of suggested biological warfare exposures and the activities of 1 Field Laboratory Unit. As part of this commitment I am today publishing a paper entitled, "A Review of the Activities of the 1 Field Laboratory Unit and Suggested Biological Warfare Agency Detections During Operation Granby".

  As a result of our review of the available information we assess that UK troops were not subject to attack by or exposed to biological warfare agents during the Gulf conflict. There were alarms on some detectors, many of which were recognised to be false by the system operators at the time. On one occasion, a biological substance was detected and samples returned to the UK for testing. The tests concluded that this was not caused by a biological warfare agent. Our review re-examined this incident and concludes that the evidence suggests that the detection was caused by natural biological material.

  Defence Aviation Repair Agency
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency for 2000–01. [123220]
  202W
  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DARA for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1999 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Quantity
  To achieve 95 per cent. of the agreed programme of work weighted by value.

  Key Target 2—Cost
  To keep within the approved full operating cost budget, within a tolerance of +1 per cent. while delivering the agreed programmes of work.

  Key Target 3—Timeliness
  To meet 95 per cent. of the agreed Turn-Round-Times for fixed wing and rotary aircraft within a tolerance of +5 per cent. or five working days, whichever is the greater.

  Key Target 4—Quality
  To achieve a customer standard index rating of 75 points or higher, made up from:

  A. To achieve 98 per cent. acknowledgement of Customer Concerns within two working days—20 points.

  B. To achieve 95 per cent. of Investigations and Response to Customer Concerns within 56 days or as agreed—40 points.

  C. To achieve a 5 per cent. reduction from the FY99–00 baseline of DARA Attributable Customer Concerns, as a percentage of quantity—15 points.

  Key Target 5—Efficiency
  Efficiency 1: The development of the appropriate basis and measurement system for reporting efficiency as a Trading Fund—such as an indexed measure of the contribution of DATA to the DLO Lean Support Initiative.
  Efficiency 2: To achieve a 15 per cent. increase in repayment work revenue from a FY99–00 outturn baseline.

  Army Base Repair Organisation
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Army Base Repair Organisation for 2000–01. [123221]

  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the ABRO for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1993 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Quantity
  To complete 95 per cent. of all Sensitive and Significant programmes within the times agreed with the customer.

  Key Target 2—Timeliness
  To complete 95 per cent. of District Load tasks within the priorities agreed with the customer.

  Key Target 3—Efficiency
  To increase manpower utilisation by 3 per cent.

  Key Target 4—Working Towards Trading Fund Status
  ABRO to proceed to shadow trading by 1 April 2001.

  Gulf (Reserve Forces)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if members of the Reserve Forces who served in the Gulf are entitled to attributable pensions benefits. [123222]
  203W
  Mr. Spellar
  Attributable benefits for Reserve Service were introduced in 1980, and the regulations are contained in the Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Non-Effective Benefits and Family Pension) Order 1999, the Army Pay Warrant 1977, and the Queen's Regulations for the Royal Air Force. It has been the practice since 1980 to award attributable benefits only where members of the Reserve Forces are medically discharged from the Reserves at an end of a period of active duty. During periods of recalled service for operations, individuals in the regular reserve forces could claim benefits only if they were medically discharged at the point of demobilisation. We have now taken legal advice, which suggests that Army reservists are, under current regulations, eligible to claim attributable benefits if they are medically discharged from the reserve at any time. Our legal advisers have also identified some anomalies in the regulations for the other Services.

  We therefore propose for the future that all members of the volunteer reserves and regular reserves should be eligible for attributable benefits if they are medically discharged from the reserve forces at any time for reasons attributable to reserve service. The existing anomalies in the regulations, under which reservists are treated differently depending on which Service they come from, will be removed. We shall re-examine claims from Gulf Reservists under the interpretation of the regulations we now believe to be correct. We shall also consider any new claims.

  Gulf War Illnesses
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the RAND Corporation report entitled, "A Review of the Scientific Literature as it Pertains to Gulf War Illnesses, volume II: Pyridostigmine Bromide". [123223]

  Mr. Spellar
  The RAND report, which is a comprehensive compilation of published literature on pyridostigmine bromide (PB) and its relationship to Gulf Veterans' Illnesses (GVI), has now been carefully reviewed and a written assessment of the report has been produced. I am placing a copy of this assessment in the Library of the House.

  The RAND report does not present any new work on pyridostigmine bromide. It concentrates on several hypotheses of how PB might be the cause of GVI and to a lesser extent discusses the effectiveness of PB. Although a number of theories have been identified they have not, in our view, been critically evaluated and there is no differentiation between the credibility and the value of the various pieces of research. The report gives no guidance as to which of the various hypotheses is worthy of further investigation or for the prioritisation of further research. The approach and methodology adopted for this review do not advance the debate on whether PB is possibly linked to illness in Gulf veterans.

  Naval Bases and Supply Agency
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 2000–01. [123225]
  204W
  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the NBSA for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in December 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Quantity and Timeliness
  To provide up to 40028 Standard Berth Unit Days on demand.

  Key Target 2—Timeliness, Quality and Cost
  Provide quality, timely and cost effective engineering support to allocated vessels to the annual level indicated in the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading Programme (FTMLP) within ± 3 per cent. of budget.

  Key Target 3—Quantity, Timeliness and Efficiency
  Non-explosive Stores: Supply 88 per cent. of available material, including fuel, within Required Delivery Dates, while achieving the agreed targets for high priority Operational Defects.

  Key Target 4—Quantity and Timeliness
  Munitions: Supply 99 per cent. of available maintained munitions within demand timescales.

  Key Target 5—Quantity
  Provide Single Living Accommodation (SLA) to 25 per cent. of entitled personnel at Director Naval Services and Conditions (DNSC) Grade 2 standards or better.

  Defence Communications Services Agency
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Communications Services Agency for 2000–01. [123224]

  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DCSA for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress made by the Agency since it formed in April 1998 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Service Assurance (Quantity)
  To achieve a mean 96 per cent. of the service performance targets in the Services Baseline Document.

  Key Target 2—Service Provisioning (Timeliness)
  To commission 90 per cent. of new requests for service on or before the dates agreed with customers.

  Key Target 3—Service Restoration (Timeliness)
  To restore 95 per cent. of interrupted services classed as operationally urgent within four hours or within other specific periods agreed with customers.

  Key Target 4—Service Support (Quality)
  To achieve a 75 per cent. average success rate in response to demands on all DCSA Operator Assistance Centres (OACs) and helpdesk facilities.

  Key Target 5—Customer Satisfaction (Quality)
  To achieve a 70 per cent. mean of customers/users who express moderate or high satisfaction with the services and support offered by the DCSA.

  Key Target 6—Efficiency
  To achieve an improvement in efficiency by reducing the average unit cost of output for current DCSA products by 5 per cent. per annum.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the foreign representations that he received in respect of the DERA part sell-off and privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [122379]

  Mr. Hoon
  Throughout the DERA PPP process there has been substantial and widespread discussion with officials from each of our international collaborative
  205W
  partners. These have involved a considerable number of British officials, with meetings taking place in the UK and overseas often in the margins of bilateral and multilateral meetings. In addition, we have received written responses as part of last year's consultation process from a number of foreign companies. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 10 January 2000, Official Report, column 85W, regarding details of the companies and our international collaborative partners.

  Representations have focused on the need to ensure that PPP does not affect our ability to:

  (a) maintain and further develop our international research programmes;

  (b) ensure that security sensitive information owned by foreign governments and passed to the UK under Government-to-Government arrangements, can continue to be adequately protected; and

  (c) ensure that foreign commercially sensitive intellectual property passed to the UK under Government-to-Government arrangements can continue to be adequately protected.

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is DERA's policy to support the(a) Business Innovation Centre at Rosyth Europarc and (b) application for European funding. [122399]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) is strongly committed, through the Defence Diversification Agency (DDA), to encouraging the widest possible exploitation of defence technology in the civil sector, in line with Government policy. The DDA is implementing this policy by establishing a national network of technology diversification managers, all rooted in DERA but located in regionally based business communities, one of which is the Rosyth Europarc, to provide a technology brokering service. It is also DERA's policy to support the Europarc Business Innovation Centre's application for European funding.

  Penalty Clauses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts entered into with private sector companies for the provision of goods or services since May 1997 where penalty clauses were triggered for non-performance; and if he will make a statement. [122017]

  Dr. Moonie
  Provision of such a list would require consideration of some 6,000 contracts and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Typhoon Aircraft
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what functional modifications will be made to the Mauser 27mm cannon to be installed in the first 55 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to be delivered to the Royal Air Force. [121755]

  Dr. Moonie
  The 27mm Mauser Cannon fitted to Eurofighter will undergo a number of internal modifications affecting the ammunition feed arrangements and muzzle blast suppressor. No additional modifications are required if the gun is carried but not used.

  Defence Diversification Council
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000,Official Report, column 566W, when he expects the Defence Diversification Council to be established; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay. [122233]

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will set up the Defence Diversification Council; and if he will make a statement. [122128]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are currently examining the implications of the DERA Public/Private Partnership proposals for the work that is now being undertaken by the Defence Diversification Agency. Once that examination has been completed, we shall announce our proposals for the future of the Agency, including the arrangements for the establishment of the Defence Diversification Council.

  Hawk Trainer
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original estimated cost of the Hawk Trainer Replacement Airframe Programme; what is the cost expected to be on completion; what is the end date for this contract; and if he will make a statement. [122374]

  Dr. Moonie
  Early estimates suggested that the cost of the programme would be of the order of £160 million. A contract for the work was awarded to BAE SYSTEMS in December 1998. Details of the contract are commercially sensitive, but the value was of the order of £120 million (VAT inclusive). The programme commenced in July 1999. The first aircraft was returned to service, ahead of schedule, in April of this year. The programme is due to be completed by January 2004.

  Suez Canal
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of servicemen who served during the Suez Canal Zone occupation from 1951 to 1954 who are still alive. [122333]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: This information is not held centrally. The work that would be required to determine whether in fact it would be possible to provide this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  AWE Llanishen
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amounts of beryllium and depleted uranium are left on site at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Llanishen Cardiff; and when he expects the site will be free from contamination. [122391]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: Although traces of beryllium and depleted uranium have been found in specific locations they are of a very low level and, being contained on the site, pose no threat to health or the environment. Precise levels of contamination are currently being collated in preparation for a contract to be let for the remediation phase of site decommissioning, and will be made public shortly. The site is expected to be free from contamination by autumn of next year.

  Tomahawk Missile
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to equip the Royal Navy with the Tactical Tomahawk missile; if this will be carried by(a) Royal Navy submarines and (b) the future Type 45 destroyer; and if he will make a statement. [122111]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: No decision has yet been taken on whether the Royal Navy should procure tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM) missiles. However, a contract has been placed, through the United States Department of Defense, to undertake a joint US/UK feasibility study to evaluate the design options for torpedo tube launch of the TACTOM missile. This enabling work will allow UK options for TACTOM procurement, if required in the future, to remain open. There are currently no plans for the type 45 destroyer to have a land attack capability.

  Casualty-receiving Ship
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to place an order for the additional primary casualty receiving ship referred to on page 25 of the Strategic Defence Review. [122112]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: A range of procurement options are being considered to meet the requirement. Initial work suggests that we should be in a position to place a contract during 2002, and the programme to achieve this date is being developed.

  BVRAAM
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make an announcement on the preferred supplier for the BVRAAM. [122145]

  Mr. Hoon
  I announced on 16 May the Government's intention to procure the METEOR missile, offered by a consortium led by Matra BAe Dynamics, as the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile for the Eurofighter aircraft. Our decision will give the RAF the most advanced air-to-air missile in the world, and will ensure that Eurofighter can combat all projected air-to-air threats well into its service life.

  Conservation Document
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the document entitled "Respecting the Environment Conservation on the Defence Estate and the Role of the MOD Conservation Office" were printed; how many were distributed; where they were distributed; and what the total cost was. [122708]

  Dr. Moonie
  40,000 copies of the MOD booklet, "Respecting the Environment" were printed. The cost of designing and printing the document was £11,548.33 which equates to 29 pence a copy. Over 30,000 copies have been or are being distributed via the Defence Tourer exhibition and the Army Presentation Team and directly to schools, colleges, libraries and interested members of the public. This process continues. Distribution costs are not separately identified.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average percentage increase in 208W
  salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121652]

  Dr. Moonie
  For staff covered by the main departmental pay system, the headline settlement added 2.7 per cent. to the paybill. Together with funds released by staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4.5 per cent. A further 0.2 per cent. represented restructuring costs associated with the move to a more efficient and flexible structure and was focused on the Department's lowest paid staff. The increase was not staged.

  Heavy Lift Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make an announcement on the preferred supplier for the short-term and long-term heavy lift aircraft. [122144]

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a decision on his Department's participation in the A400M airbus project; and if he will make a statement. [122396]

  Mr. Hoon
  I announced on 16 May the Government's intention to procure 25 A400M aircraft, to be developed and produced by Airbus Military, to meet the strategic airlift needs of our Armed Forces in the medium to long term. In the interim we will meet our short term needs through lease of four C-17 aircraft from The Boeing Company. This investment in our strategic airlift capability delivers the major enhancements promised in the Strategic Defence Review and will ensure that our Armed Forces are properly equipped with the best equipment.

  Cluster Bombs
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the(a) manufacture in the United Kingdom of, (b) use by United Kingdom armed forces of and (c) export of cluster bombs; [110169]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which British armed forces use cluster bombs. [110170]

  Mr. Spellar
  Cluster bombs held by the Royal Air Force are manufactured in the UK by Hunting Engineering Ltd. Cluster bombs are an effective weapon both against armoured targets and area targets, such as a group of soft-skinned military vehicles. UK armed forces will always use the most appropriate weapons against a given target, acting within their Rules of Engagement, taking into account weapon effectiveness and the need to minimise collateral damage. Applications for the export of cluster bombs are considered on a case-by-case basis against criteria announced by the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997 and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Sales.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Bowman Report
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his response to the
  209W
  recommendation in the Bowman report on the Crown Office List that there should be a comprehensive review of the present structure, jurisdiction, procedures, remedies and routes of appeal of tribunals. [123129]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor has welcomed Sir Jeffery Bowman's recommendation. It has been 43 years since the last thorough review of tribunals. The number of tribunals has grown greatly since then. There has also been a fundamental change in the nature of, and pressures on, their work. The Lord Chancellor has therefore decided that there should be a wide ranging, independent review of tribunals.

  Its terms of reference will be:
  To review the delivery of justice through tribunals other than ordinary courts of law, constituted under an Act of Parliament by a Minister of the Crown or for purposes of a Minister's functions; in resolving disputes, whether between citizens and the state, or between other parties, so as to ensure that:
  There are fair, timely, proportionate and effective arrangements for handling those disputes, within an effective framework for decision-making which encourages the systematic development of the area of law concerned, and which forms a coherent structure, together with the superior courts, for the delivery of administrative justice;
  The administrative and practical arrangements for supporting those decision-making procedures meet the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights for independence and impartiality;
  There are adequate arrangements for improving people's knowledge and understanding of their rights and responsibilities in relation to such disputes, and that tribunals and other bodies function in a way which makes those rights and responsibilities a reality;
  The arrangements for the funding and management of tribunals and other bodies by Government Departments are efficient, effective and economical; and pay due regard both to judicial independence, and to ministerial responsibility for the administration of public funds;
  Performance standards for tribunals are coherent, consistent, and public; and effective measures for monitoring and enforcing those standards are established; and
  Tribunals overall constitute a coherent structure for the delivery of administrative justice.
  The review may examine, insofar as it considers it necessary, administrative and regulatory bodies which also make judicial decisions as part of their functions.

  The review will be led by Sir Andrew Leggatt, supported by Dame Valerie Strachan, and a team of expert advisers. It will operate in an open, consultative way, involving and seeking views from as wide a range of interests as possible. The Lord Chancellor has asked Sir Andrew to report to him by 31 March 2001.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the key buildings for which the Lord Chancellor's Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122622]

  Mr. Lock
  In line with the target set in the Integrated Transport White Paper, green transport plans for three Headquarters buildings were completed by March 1999. Draft plans for a further 55 key buildings have been prepared and these will be introduced by July 2000.
  210W
  The key buildings are:

  Birmingham county court

  Bolton Combined court

  Bow county court

  Bradford Combined court

  Brighton county court

  Bristol county court

  Cardiff Civil Justice Centre

  Central Criminal court

  Central London Trial Centre

  Coventry Combined court

  Croydon Combined court

  Crown court at Birmingham

  Crown court at Bristol

  Crown court at Manchester

  Crown court at Southwark

  Crown court at Wood Green

  Derby Combined court

  Exeter Combined court

  Immigration Appellate Authority, Taylor House

  Immigration Appellate Authority, York and Wellington Buildings

  Inner London Sessions House

  Judge Advocate General's Office/Council On Tribunals

  Judicial Studies Board, Millbank

  Kingston upon Hull Combined court

  Law Commission

  Leeds Combined court

  Leicester Crown and county court

  Liverpool Combined court

  Maidstone Combined Court

  Manchester county court

  Milton Keynes county court

  Newcastle upon Tyne Combined court

  Northampton Bulk Issue Centre

  Northampton Combined court

  Northern Circuit Office

  Norwich Combined court

  Nottingham Combined court

  Office of the Social Security Commissioners

  Official Solicitors Office/Chichester Rents Crown court

  Oxford Combined Court Centre

  Plymouth Combined court

  Portsmouth Combined court

  Preston Combined court

  Principal Registry of the Family Division

  Reading county court

  Royal Courts of Justice

  Sheffield Combined court

  Snaresbrook Crown court

  South Eastern Circuit Offices

  Southampton Combined court

  Stoke on Trent Combined court

  Teesside Combined court

  Willesden county court

  Wolverhampton Combined court

  Worcester Combined court.

  Marriage Support
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much the Lord Chancellor's Department has spent since 1997 on(a) marriage support funding and (b) marriage counselling services; and how many people have been helped in each year. [122600]

  Jane Kennedy
  Spending by the Lord Chancellor's Department on marriage and relationship support and research for the financial years since 1997 is as follows: 1997–98: £3.4 million; 1998–99: £3.0 million; 1999–2000: £3.2 million. In line with Sir Graham Hart's recommendations in his report to the Lord Chancellor on Marriage Support Funding (published in November 1999), the allocation is being increased as follows: 2000–01: £4 million; 2001–02: £4.5 million; 2002–03: £5 million.

  This spending is currently provided to the central bodies of the main marriage and relationship support and research organisations towards expenses incurred in the development of training and support to local services, including the selection, training and supervision of counsellors, administrative costs and research. The Government do not directly fund the provision of counselling services. It is therefore not possible to calculate precisely how many people are helped in each year.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor' s Department how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121855]

  Jane Kennedy
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the written answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on behalf of the Government as a whole,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121645]

  Jane Kennedy
  This reply covers non-industrial civil servants working in the Headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department and Associated Offices, the Court Service, and the Public Trust Office.

  The average increase received by non-industrial civil servants who achieved a satisfactory or better performance was 4 per cent. The main increases were not staged, but they were paid with effect from 1 October 1999 rather than the normal settlement date of 1 August.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mike Tyson
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision on Mr. Mike Tyson's application for entry clearance. [123031]
  212W
  Mr. Straw
  I have today informed Mr. Tyson that he will be granted entry clearance for a single visit of three weeks' duration strictly for the purpose of a boxing match in Scotland on 24 June 2000.

  The decision to grant entry clearance has been taken in accordance with Rule 320(18) of the United Kingdom Immigration Rules which requires that admission will not normally be given to those with criminal convictions for relatively serious offences unless it can be justified for strong compassionate reasons, but also bearing in mind the residual discretion which I have under the Rule.

  In reaching my decision, I took note of the fact that Mr. Tyson has relevant convictions for the purposes of the application of this Rule. I also noted that there are recent allegations of an assault on an employee of a nightclub in Las Vegas, but we understand this is still under investigation. And I took into account the views expressed by the public about Mr. Tyson visiting the United Kingdom.

  I did not consider that there were strong compassionate reasons which would justify admission in Mr. Tyson's case for the purpose of the Rule. However, I concluded that there were other exceptional circumstances which justified his entry to the country for the purpose of participating in the boxing match. My decision took account of the following factors:
  that Mr. Tyson's behaviour on his previous visit to the United Kingdom was satisfactory;
  that any risk to the public to which his criminal convictions and other allegations referred to above might be relevant, would be minimised by the circumstances of his proposed visit—ie his high media profile, the presence of his trainers and other supporting entourage, and the limited duration of his visit; and
  that a refusal to permit entry would result in a loss of economic benefit to the United Kingdom, and in particular to the areas in which engagements took place, and would not enhance the United Kingdom's standing as a venue for major sporting events.

  I also took account of the fact that Rule 320(18) currently operates in an inconsistent manner in that those in the public eye whose convictions are known are more likely to be caught by its provisions.

  Immigration Rules
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the review of paragraph 320 (18) of the Immigration Rules. [123030]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today published a consultation document which details the consideration given to this matter and the changes proposed. A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library. Comments on the document are invited by 20 June 2000 and should be addressed to:

  Susan Wale,

  European Directorate,

  Room 1212 Apollo House,

  36 Wellesley Road,

  Croydon,

  CR9 3RR.

  Prison Service
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results
  213W
  achieved by the Prison Service on each of its Key Performance Indicators in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [123128]

  KPI

  Target

  Actual

  Category A escapes

  0

  0

  Escapes from prisons and prison escorts, expressed as a proportion of average population

  0.05%

  0.059%

  Escapes from contracted escorts, expressed as a ratio per prisoners handled

  Less than 1:20,000

  1:22,251

  Assault rate (percentage of average population)

  9%

  9.9%

  Rate of positive random mandatory drug tests (MDT)

  18.5%

  14.4%

  Percentage of the population held two to a cell designed for one (Doubling)

  18%

  18.5%

  Average purposeful activity hours

  24 hours

  23.2 hours

  Total Accredited Offending Behaviour Programme completions (OBPs)

  3,600

  4,478

  Sex Offender Treatment Programmes (SOTPs)

  700

  586

  Cost per Uncrowded prisoner place

  £26,208

  £25,567

  Cost per prisoner

  £27,392

  £25,567

  Average working days lost to staff sickness

  12.5

  13.3

  Percentage of public correspondence replied with 20 working days

  95%

  93.6%

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has compiled a list of postcodes to be avoided in the dispersal of asylum seekers' programmes. [120632]

  Mrs. Roche
  Asylum seekers who are supported by the National Asylum Support Service will be dispersed to cluster areas around the country. Our intention is to ensure that the cluster areas are suitable for asylum seekers taking into account, inter alia, the views of local authorities. In some cases, local authorities may advise that particular areas may not be suitable for asylum seekers and they may identify such areas by post-code. That information would be taken into consideration in determining whether to accept any accommodation for asylum seekers if offered in that area.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of asylum seekers placed to date in bed and breakfast accommodation in Bournemouth; whom local authorities are required to notify before placing asylum seekers in such accommodation in other authority areas; and if he will make a statement. [122477]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not held centrally. There is no requirement under the voluntary interim scheme for one local authority to notify another before placing asylum seekers in accommodation in another local authority area. However, we have encouraged local authorities doing this to liaise with those authorities into whose areas asylum seekers are being sent.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the Asylum Support Agency maintains the closest possible contact with local authorities in connection with the asylum seekers dispersal policy; and if he will make a statement. [122748]

  Mrs. Roche
  We remain in consultation with the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of London Government (ALG). We consult local authority consortiums about proposed accommodation providers operating in their area, giving as much information as possible about the likely locations of the accommodation that the private sector providers are likely to offer.
  214W
  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service Key Performance Indicators (KPI) results for 1999–2000 are given in the table. Data are provisional and subject to validation by prisons.

  We notify the relevant health and education authorities that an asylum seeker (and family if applicable) have been dispersed to their area. On a weekly basis, we notify the relevant local authority consortiums.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each region in England the contracts that have been entered into between the Asylum Support Agency and providers of accommodation. [122751]

  Mrs. Roche
  As of 15 May, the Home Office had awarded contracts to the following accommodation providers:

  Ade1phi Hotels Limited, Hove, East Sussex

  Angel Group Limit, London E1

  Capital Accommodation (London) Limited, London N8

  Clearsprings (Management) Limited, Rayleigh, Essex

  Glasgow City Council (on behalf of the Scottish Regional Consortium of local authorities)

  The Landmark Liverpool Limited, London W3

  Roselodge Limited, Wembley, Middlesex

  Shallan (UK) Limited, London NW3

  South Yorkshire Housing Association Limited and Yorkshire Community Housing Association (a joint venture), Sheffield

  YMCA Glasgow.

  These providers—although not contractually limited to the areas in which they are operating at present—are currently supplying accommodation in the following cluster areas:

  Birmingham (Adelphi)

  Bradford (Angel: Clearsprings)

  Gateshead (Roselodge)

  Glasgow (Glasgow City Council; YMCA Glasgow)

  Leeds (Angel: Clearsprings)

  Liverpool (Capital: Landmark)

  Manchester (Adelphi: Capital: Clearsprings)

  Nelson (Adelphi: Clearsprings)

  Newcastle (Angel: Roselodge)

  Sheffield (Roselodge: South Yorkshire Housing Association)

  Sunderland (Roselodge).

  Other cluster areas will be brought on stream as the new support arrangements are rolled out.
  215W
  Negotiations will also be continuing with a view to concluding further contracts with other providers to ensure that sufficient accommodation continues to be available to meet projected needs. We expect to be in a position to award further contracts shortly.

  Home Detention Curfew
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners imprisoned for burglary and released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme had been convicted of a prior offence of burglary; and if he will make a statement. [122094]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by requesting information from individual establishments.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of recruitment and retention of probation officers. [122309]

  Mr. Boateng
  During 1999, there have been significant increases of four per cent. in the number of probation officers in post and of seven per cent. in the number of other probation service staff in post (whole-time equivalent in both cases). The increase in probation officers is due largely to more than doubling the number of trainee probation officers in the year.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what evidence is used by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in judging whether a claimant's own conduct caused or contributed to the incident; [122327]

  (2) what percentage of claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority are rejected on the grounds that the injured person's own conduct caused or contributed to the incident. [122326]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Authority advises that in the three years ending 31 March 2000, the proportion of cases refused under paragraph 13(d) of the compensation scheme, on grounds of conduct, as a percentage of total cases settled was around 5.4 per cent.

  The Authority further advises that in most cases, it determines whether an applicant's conduct caused or contributed to the incident in which the applicant was injured by considering the report on the incident provided to the Authority by the police and any other relevant information the applicant may have supplied. The Authority may also consider police witness statements and interview transcripts where available. Where the incident has resulted in court proceedings, the Authority may also obtain and consider information about these proceedings and their outcome.

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the review led by his Department into the law on sexual offences will be completed and a report published. [122586]
  216W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The sex offences review has completed its work and reported to Ministers. I hope that its proposals will be published for consultation shortly.

  National Family and Parenting Institute
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on establishing the National Family and Parenting Institute; what is its estimated annual budget; and if he will make a statement on the planned impact of the Institute. [122532]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: I understand that the National Family and Parenting Institute, which is an independent charity, launched in November 1999, had the assistance of a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation of £120,000. They have not published their budget for 2000–01, but they are receiving over £2 million over the next three years from central government.

  Working in partnership with other professional and voluntary family support organisations, the Institute aims to be a centre of expertise, ensuring readily accessible and reliable support for families and parents.

  Kosovan Refugees
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is being made available to Kosovan refugees returning from the United Kingdom to their home country; and if he will make a statement. [122727]

  Mrs. Roche
  The current voluntary return programme from the United Kingdom began on 26 July 1999 and will end on 25 June 2000. For humanitarian and economic reasons it was decided to give a relocation grant of 720 Deutschmarks per person (approximately £250), payable on arrival in Kosovo, to all those who chose to go back under the return programme. That grant was increased to 1,300 Deutschmarks per person (approximately £400) with effect from the flight on 5 May. Arrangements have also been made to transport larger possessions overland to Kosovo. This will enable Kosovans to take back, for example, household goods and building materials, which they have bought or been given, and which they cannot take on an aeroplane.

  In order to benefit from the grant and the overland transport of goods, Kosovans must register for return by 10 June and leave the United Kingdom on one of the organised voluntary return flights by 25 June.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is available to Kosovan refugees who have applied for asylum after the expiry of their 12 months' sanctuary in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [122730]

  Mrs. Roche
  Under the new support arrangements that we began phasing in on 3 April all new destitute asylum seekers who claim asylum in Scotland or Northern Ireland and additionally, since 17 April, all new asylum applicants in Kent will be supported by the National Asylum Support Service.

  In all other cases, support will fall to local authorities who may provide essential living needs under the provisions of the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999.
  217W
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to allow Kosovan refugees receiving medical treatment from the NHS to remain in the United Kingdom pending completion of treatment in cases where treatment is not available in Kosovo. [122728]

  Mrs. Roche
  Every request by a Kosovan to remain here longer on medical grounds will be considered carefully on its individual merits.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on ordering the return home of Kosovan refugees; how many Kosovan refugees have been required to return home against their will in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [122731]

  Mrs. Roche
  Kosovan Albanians who were evacuated to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme (HEP) between 25 April and 25 June 1999 were granted 12 months' leave to enter. As agreed with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the outset of the evacuation process, protection was afforded on a temporary basis only. It was made clear at the time and subsequently that the leave of the evacuated Kosovans would not be extended and that they would be expected to return to Kosovo as soon as it was safe to do so.

  The UNHCR judge that it is now safe for the majority of Kosovan Albanians to return to Kosovo and this has been exemplified by the one million Kosovans who have voluntarily chosen to return since July 1999.

  The Government have given every assistance to Kosovan Albanians who wish to return to Kosovo permanently by funding two voluntary assisted return programmes and giving each returning person a relocation grant. The current programme and grant will run until 25 June. If, at the end of the 12-month period, people do not choose to return voluntarily and there are no protection or other humanitarian reasons to prevent them from doing so, I regret that consideration will be given to enforcing their return. It is the Government's hope that the generosity of this country in affording protection to the Kosovan Albanians in their hour of need will not be overlooked in this way and that such action does not have to be taken.

  There have been no enforced removals to Kosovo in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from Kosovo have returned home from the United Kingdom in each of the last 12 months. [122733]

  Mrs. Roche
  The current voluntary return programme from the United Kingdom began on 26 July 1999 and will end on 25 June. The programme is open both to those Kosovans who arrived in the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme (HEP) and to independent arrivals. As of 10 May, 1,280 Kosovans who arrived in the United Kingdom under the HEP and 370 independent arrivals had returned permanently to Kosovo under the voluntary programme. The table shows the number of Kosovans returning permanently by month since the programme started.
  218W

  Month

  Humanitarian evacuation programme

  Independent arrivals

  July 1999

  148

  1

  August 1999

  460

  32

  September 1999

  303

  115

  October 1999

  79

  48

  November 1999

  60

  29

  December 1999

  28

  43

  January 2000

  16

  26

  February 2000

  4

  14

  March 2000

  35

  18

  April 2000

  57

  22

  May 2000

  90

  22

  Total

  1,280

  370

  In addition, a further 423 Kosovans benefited from the "explore and prepare" programme which operated between 2 December 1999 and 20 April. This programme enabled heads of Kosovan Albanian households, or community leaders who wished to assess the situation in Kosovo, to visit and make the necessary preparations for the permanent return of their families or communities.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121648]

  Mr. Straw
  The headline pay settlement in the core Home Office was 2 per cent. on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.0 per cent. The increases were not staged. In our agencies, staff received average performance related increases as follows:

  Percentage

  Forensic Science Service

  3.67

  Prison Service

  4

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  4.1

  None of these awards were staged.

  In the Fire Service College, pay negotiations have not been concluded and the information is therefore not yet available.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121854]

  Mr. Straw
  The annual Monitoring Report on the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information contains information regarding the operation of the Code during the calendar year, including statistics on the number of requests received under the Code. These statistics are broken down by Department. (Government
  219W
  Departments all submit returns for inclusion in the report.) The statistics relate to the calendar year: it is not possible to break these down into parliamentary sessions.

  The 1998 Monitoring Report was published in July 1999 and contains statistics for that calendar year. The total number of requests received in 1998 was 23,754, of which a total of 22,009 were granted. The breakdown of these requests into individual departments is contained in Appendix 1. Copies of the 1998 report are in the Library. I hope to be able to publish the 1999 Monitoring Report on the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information shortly.

  Demonstrations
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to ensure the protection of(a) private and (b) public property during demonstrations involving anarchist groups in (i) London and (ii) elsewhere. [122614]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Protection of property during demonstrations is an operational matter for the police service and for the owners or agencies responsible for the property.

  I understand that during the recent demonstrations in London, discussions were held between the Metropolitan Police, the Royal Parks Agency and English Heritage about the best ways to protect property of public importance.

  Hunting with Dogs
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Ministers outside his Department on the issue of hunting with dogs. [122698]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information relating to internal discussion and consultation is not disclosed under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward a Bill, one of whose aims would be to ban hunting wild mammals with hounds. [122749]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in the reply he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) on 11 November 1999,Official Report, columns 787–88W, how the Government wished to proceed on the issue of hunting with dogs. The Government will offer reasonable time, if necessary, and drafting assistance for this issue to be considered by the House of Commons through a Private Member's Bill on a free vote.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has set the Burns inquiry a deadline for reporting; and if he will make a statement. [122750]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In announcing the inquiry into hunting in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) on 11 November 1999,Official Report, columns 787–88W, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary stated that the inquiry will be asked to report by late spring this year.

  Police (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the police cells at Chorley will be brought up to Health and Safety Executive approved standard. [122172]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A £300,000 refurbishment of Chorley police station is in progress, and I understand that the police station will meet all applicable health and safety standards when it is complete.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people arrested in Chorley have been detained in police cells in(a) South Ribble and (b) Skelmersdale, in the last year for which figures are available; and of those detained, how many were arrested in Chorley. [122170]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in the last two years Greater Manchester police have assisted in operations in Chorley. [122173]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Officers from Greater Manchester and Lancashire collaborate on routine operations on a day-to-day basis in Chorley and this has proved very successful. There has been only one pre-planned organised collaboration in the area, Operation Coalition, involving both forces.

  Back-up Custody Facilities, Leyland
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at which police station the back-up custody suite to Leyland is located. [122171]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are two back-up custody facilities for Leyland: Chorley is the first and Bamber Bridge the second.

  Family Support
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much was spent in each year since 1997 on the Family Support Grant; [122597]

  (2) how much has been spent in each year on the Fathers Fund. [122598]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Family Support Grant is a new programme of funding for voluntary organisations which first became available in 1999. There is no separate Fathers Fund, but each year a theme is selected to focus on particular areas of work. In 1999, the theme was work with boys, young men and fathers. Grants first paid out in the year April 1999–2000 are available for up to three years and for 2000–2001, for up to two years. Expenditure has been as follows:1999–2000

  £1 million in total, of which £474,724 was on work with fathers;

  2000–01

  £3 million in total, including £663,645 on work with fathers.

  Police Corruption
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the overall cost of the Lancet inquiry into alleged corruption in the Cleveland police force and breakdown the costs under their main headings; and if he will make a statement. [122701]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The cost of the Lancet inquiry to the end of April this year was £2.622 million. This can be broken down as follows:

  £ million

  Cleveland officers (including salaries, overtime and travel/subsistence)

  1.271

  Officers from Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and West Yorkshire (including salaries, overtime and travel/subsistence)

  1.169

  Other costs (accommodation and office expenditure)

  0.182

  Young Offenders Institutions
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many inmates of young offenders institutions(a) committed and (b) attempted suicide in each year since 1977; [122747]

  (2) how many cases of self-harm by inmates of young offenders institutions took place in each year since 1977. [122726]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is given in the tables from the earliest year that records are available. Information about attempted suicides is not recorded separately, but is incorporated into figures on self-harm incidents.

  Incidents of self-harm at HMP young offenders institutions 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Financial year

  Incidents of self-harm

  1990–91

  312

  1991–92

  341

  1992–93

  469

  1993–94

  474

  1994–95

  717

  1995–96

  1,143

  1996–97

  793

  1997–98

  879

  1998–99

  944

  1999–20001

  n/a

  1 Not yet available

  Self-inflicted deaths at HMP young offenders institutions 1988–2000

  Calendar year

  Number of deaths

  1988

  1

  1989

  2

  1990

  2

  1991

  4

  1992

  4

  1993

  1

  1994

  1

  1995

  2

  1996

  6

  1997

  5

  222W

  Self-inflicted deaths at HMP young offenders institutions 1988–2000

  Calendar year

  Number of deaths

  1998

  5

  1999

  8

  20001

  1

  1 As at 16 May 2000

  Notes:

  1. Establishments have been categorised according to their primary role. However, it should be noted that there are a number of other prisons that hold young offenders (eg male remand centres) which are not included.

  2. Incidents do not equate to numbers of prisoners as an individual prisoner may self harm more than once.

  3. Self harm data are derived from information provided by establishments to the Prison Health Policy Unit. These data include information on all attempted suicides.

  4. Prior to 1990, data on self-harm have not been held centrally in a format which permits distinction according to type of establishment.

  5. Prior to 1988, data on suicides have not been held centrally in a format which permits distinction according to type of establishment.

  6. It should be noted that not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of(a) rape and (b) assault within young offenders institutions were reported to the authorities in each year since 1997. [122725]

  Mr. Boateng
  The figures for the numbers of assaults of a sexual nature and other assaults in young offender institutions reported to Prison Service headquarters since April 1997 are set out in the table. Separate figures for rape and buggery are not available. Such assaults are included within the figures for assaults of a sexual nature, which also include lesser sexual offences.

  Assaults in young offender institutions (YOIs)

  Year

  Assaults of a sexual nature

  Other assaults

  1997–98

  17

  1,016

  1998–99

  19

  1,501

  1999–2000

  17

  2,757

  Forensic Science Service
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce delays by the Forensic Processing Department in Chepstow in the processing of forensic information relating to recent burglaries in Devon and Cornwall. [122615]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand that the main involvement of the Forensic Science Service Chepstow Laboratory in these cases has been DNA analysis. The information was provided within 23 days. More generally, the average turn round time for all work in domestic burglary cases over the last six months was 34 days. This year, the Forensic Science Service aims to improve turn round times by the introduction of a classification system whereby cases identified by the customer as urgent or critical are dealt with ahead of standard case types. Further, over the next six months the number of staff is being increased by 15 per cent. to address the balance between demand and capacity in all case types.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Council
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the percentage increase in the number of countries in which the British Council is represented since(a) 1979 and (b) 1997, and the percentage change in real terms of the Council's grant-in-aid over the same periods. [121825]

  Mr. Hain
  The number of countries in which the British Council is represented increased by 38 per cent. between 1979 and 1997. During this period, the Council received a grant-in-aid from both the FCO and the DFID. The grant-in-aid from the FCO increased by 24 per cent. in real terms (from £83.9 million to £104.1 million) over this period; however, the overall increase was much smaller as the grant-in-aid funding from DFID declined by 56 per cent. in real terms over the same period.

  Angola
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the UN Security Council proposal to establish an International Criminal Tribunal for Angola; and what action he is taking to pursue that policy. [122227]

  Mr. Hain
  There is no UN Security Council proposal to establish an International Criminal Tribunal for Angola. We do not consider that the necessary conditions exist at present for the creation of such a tribunal.

  Iraq
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the revenue from sales of Iraqi oil was allocated by the UN for humanitarian supplies to Iraq in each of the last two years. [122511]

  Mr. Hain
  67 per cent. of Iraq's oil revenue is allocated to the UN "oil for food" humanitarian programme. With Iraq once again among the world's five largest oil producers, and since the passage of resolution 1284, able to export unlimited amounts of oil under this programme, a potential $10 billion will be available this year for the humanitarian programme.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the capacity of the Iraqi oil industry to pump the quantity of oil permitted by the UN Security Council. [122504]

  Mr. Hain
  The passage of UN SCR 1284 in December 1999 removed the ceiling on Iraq's exports under the "oil for food" programme. Together with the recent recovery in world oil prices, this has boosted Iraq's oil exports back to—if not above—their peak historical level of around $15 billion per annum, seen only briefly in 1980. Iraq's Oil Minister has also recently announced that Iraq is planning to increase further its oil exports by about 700,000 barrels per day which would put Iraq among the world's top five oil exporters. This means that an estimated $10 billion should be available for the humanitarian programme in Iraq this year.
  224W
  The Iraqi oil industry needs spare parts in order to be able to sustain this level of production. The Security Council doubled to $600 million the allocation from "oil for food" for the purchase of oil spare parts earlier this year in line with the UN Secretary-General's recommendation.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the Government's policy on delaying shipments of humanitarian supplies to Iraq by the UN Sanctions Committee; [122502]

  (2) what steps he is taking to help expedite those shipments of humanitarian supplies for Iraq that are being delayed by the UN Sanctions Committee. [122503]

  Mr. Hain
  We expedite the supply of humanitarian goods to Iraq. We take very seriously our responsibility as a member of the Sanctions Committee, and scrutinise closely all applications. The Committee plays a vital role in ensuring that Iraq does not acquire prohibited goods (such as arms and weapons of mass destruction) and that Iraq spends "oil for food" money for the benefit of the Iraqi people and not the Iraqi regime. Some contracts cannot be processed because of insufficient information: lack of end-user details, or even no description of the goods to be supplied. Others are put on hold because there are dual-use concerns or because the goods in question are not humanitarian in nature. In total, we put only a tiny percentage of "oil for foods" contracts on hold (about 1 per cent. overall).

  Under Security Council resolution 1284, which Britain piloted through the Council last year, Sanctions Committee procedures for approving humanitarian contracts have been streamlined to ensure that contracts are processed even more quickly than before. The Committee now reviews all "oil for food" contracts within two (instead of five) working days, and it has agreed lists of foodstuffs, medical, agricultural and educational goods which no longer need to be referred to the Committee but simply notified to the UN Secretariat. Working procedures for an expert group to approve oil spare parts contracts more speedily have also now been agreed.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conclusion of former UNSCOM officials that Iraq has been disarmed of its weapons of mass destruction. [122535]

  Mr. Hain
  Up until its withdrawal from Iraq in December 1998, UNSCOM consistently reported to the United Nations Security Council that serious gaps remained in Iraq's declarations on chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missiles. In March 1999, the United Nations Disarmament Panel confirmed UNSCOM's analysis. We therefore believe it is essential that Iraq allows United Nations weapons inspectors to resume their work.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of humanitarian supplies for Iraq on hold at the UN Sanctions Committee. [122501]

  Mr. Hain
  As at 31 March, 12,225 contracts under the 'Oil for Food' programme, with a value of almost $15 billion had been received by the United Nations
  225W
  Sanctions Committee. Of these, 1,180, with a value of $1.7 billion had been placed on hold. The UK placed holds on only about 1 per cent. of contracts received.

  The UK's policy is to expedite the supply of humanitarian goods to Iraq. We scrutinise all contracts to ensure that Iraq does not acquire prohibited goods (such as arms and weapons of mass destruction), and that it spends 'Oil for Food' money for the benefit of the Iraqi people and not the Iraqi regime. Some contracts are put on hold because there are dual-use concerns or because they lack crucial information, such as end-user details or even a description of the goods to be supplied. The vast majority of holds are released once further information or assurances about end-use are provided.

  Ethiopia and Eritrea
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the present hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea. [122922]

  Mr. Hain
  In its resolution 1298(2000) adopted on 17 May, the United Nations Security Council demanded that Ethiopia and Eritrea cease all military action, withdraw military forces, and reconvene proximity talks under the auspices of the Organisation of African Unity. The Security Council imposed, in relation to those two States, a mandatory arms embargo and a ban on the provision of related technical assistance or training.

  The embargo is established for twelve months. At the end of this period the Security Council will decide whether the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea have complied with its demands and, accordingly, whether to extend the embargo for a further period. The embargo will be terminated immediately if the Secretary-General reports that a peaceful definitive settlement has been concluded.

  The United Kingdom co-sponsored this resolution, which was adopted in response to the further outbreak of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Security Council has noted with concern the serious humanitarian implications of the fighting for the civilian population.

  The European Union imposed an arms embargo against Ethiopia and Eritrea on 15 March 1999 in response to a United Kingdom proposal, following the adoption on 10 February 1999 of UN Security Council resolution 1227, which urged all States to end all sales of arms and munitions to both countries.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security and safety situation in those areas of Kosovo to which refugees are returning from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [122729]

  Mr. Vaz
  Since the withdrawal of FRY forces from Kosovo, the security situation for Kosovo Albanians has dramatically improved. UNHCR have indicated that there are now no protection concerns for the great majority of Kosovo Albanians. Over 930,000 refugees have now returned. Some refugees in the UK have made 'explore and prepare' visits funded by HMG. Their final decision on where to settle is however a matter for them.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121646]

  Mr. Hain
  The headline pay settlement for Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff was 2.5 per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 3.95 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Diamond Trade
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the Diamond High Council in Antwerp. [122705]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of conflict diamonds with his Belgian counterpart in January. Officials are also in contact with the Belgian Government and the Diamond High Council on this issue. We welcome the participation of the Diamond High Council in the recent Kimberley Technical Forum on conflict diamonds which aimed to identify measures to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. The Foreign Secretary will be pressing strongly for support for such action, including the possibility of a global certification scheme for rough diamonds, at a meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in July.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent UN report on the diamond trade in Sierra Leone. [122704]

  Mr. Hain
  We are not aware of any recent UN report on the diamond trade in Sierra Leone. We are however deeply concerned about the contribution of the illicit diamond trade to the conflict in Sierra Leone. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be pressing strongly for G8 support for action on diamonds, including the possibility of a global certification scheme for rough diamonds, at a meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in July.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with De Beers diamond company; and if De Beers have indicated the changes to their internal structures which they have made to ensure compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1173. [122703]

  Mr. Hain
  I met with De Beers in January this year and emphasised the need for the diamond industry to respond with specific measures to concerns over the trade in illicit diamonds which fuel conflict. We welcome De Beers' commitment to operate in strict compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1173 (1998), including through a guarantee that they will not trade in diamonds which come from any area in Africa controlled by forces rebelling against the legitimate and internationally recognised Government of the relevant country.
  227W
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in persuading the United Nations Security Council to amend resolution 1173 to require all diamonds to carry a certificate of origin. [122706]

  Mr. Hain
  United Nations Security Council resolution 1173 (1998) deals specifically with Angola and is therefore not an appropriate means through which to pursue action to control the wider international trade in illicit diamonds. The Foreign Secretary will be pressing strongly for G8 support for action on diamonds, including the possibility of a global certification scheme for rough diamonds, at a meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in July.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UN Special Rapporteur's report on Sudan concerning the role of oil in the conflict. [122338]

  Mr. Hain
  We remain concerned about reports of human rights abuses associated with oil exploration in the Sudan. We regularly raise them and other human rights issues with the Government of Sudan including through the EU/Sudan dialogue. The EU made clear its concerns about human rights in the resolution it sponsored at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning airstrips and roads built by oil companies being used by the Government of Sudan for the purpose of bombing raids. [122341]

  Mr. Hain
  We are aware of reports suggesting that airstrips in the oil areas of Sudan may also have been used for military purposes.

  We have made clear to the Government of Sudan our concern about aerial bombing raids and have called on them to abstain from any attacks on civilian targets.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage the IMF to develop a detailed audit trail for the sale of oil reserves by countries that abuse human rights; and if he will make a statement. [115721]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the UK's Governor of the IMF and is responsible for the management of UK interests at the Fund. The IMF is an International Financial Institution set up to promote a sound world financial system and broad-based economic growth through assistance to countries experiencing unsustainable external imbalances and related economic difficulties. The IMF's remit, as set out in the Articles of Agreement, emphasises that only economic conditions shall be relevant to its decisions.

  The IMF's Executive Board has, in the last month, agreed to the adoption of a strengthened framework of measures to safeguard the use of Fund resources and to deter misreporting and misuse of Fund resources. A key part of this will be a requirement that all countries making use of Fund resources will be required to publish annual
  228W
  central bank financial statements that are independently audited in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121654]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In my Department the headline pay settlement was 3.7 per cent. of the paybill. The average performance-related increase in salaries for staff below the Senior Civil Service was also 3.7 per cent. because there were no additional funds available from staff turnover. Other benefits increased the value of the settlement to 4 per cent.

  In the Royal Parks Agency the headline pay settlement was 3.16 per cent. and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, the average performance related increase in salary and allowances was 3.74 per cent.

  The increases were not staged.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what data he has collated on National Lottery ticket sales by(a) constituency and (b) social class. [122269]

  Kate Hoey
  A table showing National Lottery ticket sales by constituency for the first five years of the Lottery's operation has been placed in the Libraries of the House. (This table is reproduced in House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/24.)

  The National Lottery Commission supports a social research programme on participation in the National Lottery. Report No. 1 of this programme, published in May 1999, contains data on participation by social class. Copies of this report have also been placed in the Libraries of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the(a) forecast cost of introducing the Income Support supplement to Child Benefit and (b) projected number of claimant families on a year by year basis. [122611]

  Angela Eagle
  There is no Income Support supplement to Child Benefit. However, the above inflation increases to Child Benefit from April 1999 and April 2000 were reflected in Income Support to ensure that the families on the lowest incomes benefit from the increases. The information contained in the table shows the estimated cost and number of claimant families.
  229W

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Number of claimant families

  1999–2000

  80

  1,230

  2000–01

  140

  1,215

  2001–02

  160

  1,200

  Notes:

  1. Figures based on Budget 2000 forecast.

  Child Benefit expenditure 1997–98 to 2001–02

  Total expenditure (£000)

  Amount of total expenditure attributable to increase since 1997 (£000)

  Total number of children (Thousand)

  Total number of children in respect of whom payment made (Thousand)

  1997–98

  7,088

  138

  12,729

  12,729

  1998–99

  7,295

  352

  12,716

  12,716

  1999–2000

  8,216

  1,371

  12,689

  12,689

  2000–01

  8,531

  1,724

  12,763

  12,763

  2001–02

  8,804

  2,017

  12,754

  12,754

  Notes:

  1. Increased expenditure includes both Retail Prices Index and discretionary uprating.

  2. Figures based on Budget 2000 forecast.

  3. Caseload figures are consistent with the Departmental Report 2000.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121862]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the written answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the key buildings for which his Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122559]

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

  Many offices submitted green transport plans covering a number of buildings in their locality which comprise the office management unit.

  Offices that submitted plans

  Leytonstone

  Romford

  Whitechapel

  Stratford

  Poplar

  Tottenham

  Walthamstow

  Norwich Mountergate

  Lowestoft

  Peterborough

  Braintree

  Harlow

  Ipswich

  Canning Town

  230W
  2. Expenditure figures rounded to nearest million.

  3. Caseload figures rounded to nearest 5,000.

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the(a) total and (b) forecast level of expenditure since 1997 on increasing Child Benefit; and in respect of how many children payments were made. [122599]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Clacton

  Stoke Newington

  Great Yarmouth

  Colchester

  Edmonton

  Hoxton

  Hackney

  Basildon

  Bury St. Edmonds

  Ilford

  Grays

  Cambridge

  Wood Green

  Barking

  Chelmsford

  Southend

  Edgware

  Paddington

  Highgate

  Ealing

  Acton

  Euston

  Glasgow Benefit Centre

  Aylesbury

  Watford

  Lewisham

  Streatham

  Brixton

  Balham Steel House

  Balham Irene House

  Peckham

  Fulham

  Aldershot

  Andover

  Basingstoke

  Southampton

  231W

  New Forest

  Fareham

  Brighton

  Hastings

  Worthing

  Bognor

  Eastbourne

  Crawley

  Hove

  Chichester

  Lewes

  IRC Worthing

  Haywards Heath

  Sittingbourne

  Tunbridge Wells

  Broadstairs

  Bromley

  Canterbury

  Chatham

  Dover

  Folkestone

  Gravesend

  Sutton

  Winchester

  Croydon

  Guildford

  Bloomsbury

  Ashford

  Thanet

  Southwark

  Bexley

  Portsmouth

  Kingston

  Isle of Wight

  Makerfield Benefit Centre

  Launceston

  Sutton in Ashfield

  Skegness

  Scunthorpe

  Grimsby

  Grantham

  Basford

  Nottingham Castlegate

  Nottingham Pearson

  Coventry Cofa Court

  Bridgend

  Llangefeni

  Porth

  Llanelli

  Aberystwyth

  Cwmbran

  Morriston

  Newport

  Aberdare

  Ammanford

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Caerphilly

  Ebbw Vale

  Tonypandy

  232W

  Neath

  Rhyl

  Blackwood

  Pontypridd

  Cardiff Heron House

  Porthmadog

  Colwyn Bay

  Pembroke

  Barry

  Wrexham

  Gwyneddigion

  Flint

  Carmarthen

  Swansea

  West Derby

  Rochdale

  Middleton

  Bury

  Oldham

  Failsworth

  Sale

  Stockport

  Hyde

  Wigan

  Leigh

  Bolton

  Burnley

  Blackburn

  Chorlton

  Openshaw

  Longsight

  Manchester Baskerville

  Manchester Wilmslow

  Manchester Cheetham

  Manchester Wythenshawe

  Wythenshawe Remote Store

  Doncaster

  Hull

  Bradford

  Mexborough

  Scarborough

  Rotherham

  Keighley

  Sheffield North-East

  Bridlington

  Halifax

  Doncaster

  Hull

  Bradford

  Dewsbury

  Goole

  Harrogate

  Scarborough

  Northallerton

  Hull

  Sheffield South-West

  York Monkgate

  Leeds Hume

  Barnsley

  Hemsworth

  233W

  Sheffield South-East

  Sheffield Bents Green

  Leeds Century House

  Leeds Park Place

  Leeds East Southern

  Wakefield Crown House

  Pontefract Enterprise

  Castleford Wheldon road

  Bede House Tyneside

  Wear View

  Bishop Auckland

  Middlesbrough

  Stockton

  Peterlee

  Darlington

  Durham

  North Shields

  Hexham

  Wouldhave House

  Blyth

  Ashington

  Newcastle St. James

  Byker

  Sexton House

  Cumbernauld

  Dumfries

  Ayr

  Glasgow Partick Benalder

  Glasgow Shettleston

  Glasgow South-West

  Elgin

  Glasgow Anniesland

  Glasgow Provan

  Greenock

  Kilmarnock

  East Kilbride

  Glasgow Bridgeton

  Irvine

  Clydebank

  Inverness

  Glasgow Laurieston

  Glasgow Springburn

  Glasgow Maryhill

  Glasgow Pitt street

  Greenock Crosshore street

  Renfrew

  Cowdenbeath

  Dunfermline

  Kirkaldy

  Leven

  Hamilton

  Bellshill

  Falkirk

  Stirling

  Motherwell

  Coatbridge

  Galashiels

  Edinburgh East

  Edinburgh City

  Peterhead

  234W

  Bathgate

  Leith

  Arbroath

  Edinburgh Argyle House

  Perth

  Dundee

  Aberdeen Greyfriars House

  Bootle DBC

  Bristol DBC

  Cop Lane

  Glasgow DBC

  Heywood DBC Store

  Leeds DBC

  Midlands DBC

  Newcastle Arden House DBC

  Preston Duchy House

  Preston Elizabeth House

  Preston Palatine House

  Preston Red Rose House

  Scholefield Mill Nelson DBC

  Sutton DBC

  Wales DBC

  Warbreck House (Blackpool)

  Wembley DBC

  Hinchley Wood

  Canon Park

  Tyne View Park (Newcastle)

  Norcoss (Blackpool)

  Quarry House (Leeds)

  Sutton Coptall House

  Bloomsbury Whittington House

  Glasgow Wellington House

  Newcastle Manorview

  Cardiff Oxford House

  Birmingham Auchinleck

  Leeds York House

  Falkirk Callender Park

  Falkirk Antonine House

  Dudley Pedmore

  Dudley Quay House

  Birkenhead Great Western

  Birkenhead St. Marks

  Sheffield Bents Green

  Sheffield Chesham

  Sheffield Premier House

  Liverpool CSAC

  Cardiff CSAC

  Basingstoke CSAC

  Glasgow CSAC

  Plymouth CSAC

  Hastings CSAC

  Peel Park

  Durham House

  Lytham St. Annes

  Ilford Park Polish Home

  235W
  Offices which did not submit plans

  Hendon

  Barnet

  St. Albans

  Wellingborough

  Bracknell

  Banbury

  Reading

  Hertford

  Stevenage

  Slough

  Oxford

  Bedford

  Hounslow

  Neasden

  Luton

  High Wycombe

  Northampton

  Trowbridge

  Plymouth

  Barnstaple

  Bristol East

  Gloucester

  St. Austell

  Swindon

  Poole

  Bournemouth

  Bath

  Weston-Super-Mare

  Plymouth

  Cheltenham

  Salisbury

  Weymouth

  Taunton

  Exeter

  Bristol

  Torbay

  Truro

  Yeovil

  Bristol

  Chippenham

  Bridgwater

  Penzance

  Willand Blackdown

  Lichfield

  Chesterfield

  Newcastle under Lyme

  Loughborough

  Leicester

  Derby

  Boston

  Worksop

  Longton

  Nottingham Station street

  Kings Lynn

  Lincoln Orchard street

  Mansfield

  Hanley

  Cannock

  Ilkeston

  236W

  Derby

  Burton on Trent

  Lincoln Viking House

  Hereford

  Smethwick

  Birmingham Poplar road

  Shrewsbury

  Birmingham high street

  Birmingham Bristol road

  Birmingham St. Margarets

  Telford

  Wolverhampton

  Birmingham Summer Row

  Birmingham Soho

  Birmingham Coventry road

  Birmingham Ravenhurst

  Walsall

  West Bromich

  Leamington Spa

  Worcester

  Dudley

  Rugby

  Birmingham Claredon House

  Nuneaton

  Birmingham Walsall road

  Halesowen

  Redditch

  St. Helens

  Lytham

  Liverpool Edgehill

  Liverpool Garston

  Ellesmere

  Widnes

  Kendall

  Northwich

  Workington

  Warrington

  Liverpool

  Crewe

  Preston

  Blackpool

  Whitehaven

  Carlisle

  Liverpool Bootle

  Barrow

  Southport

  Liverpool

  Birkenhead

  Wallasey

  Lancaster

  Skelmersdale

  Liverpool Kirkby

  Liverpool Belle Vale

  Chester

  Liverpool Toxteth

  Preston Holborn House

  Manchester Salford Quays

  Leeds Trevelyan Square

  Manchester Westpoint.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121658]

  Mr. Rooker
  The headline pay settlement for the Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies was 2.80 per cent. on the paybill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.46 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the target market is for stakeholder pensions; and what the definition of success in that market will be before the Stage 2 of the State Second Pension is introduced. [122592]

  Mr. Rooker
  Stakeholder pensions are primarily intended for moderate earners—those earning between about £10,000 and £20,000 a year—but many higher earners will also be able to take advantage of the lower charges, greater flexibility, and simpler tax regime which stakeholder pension schemes will introduce.

  The Pensions Green Paper explains that we expect the new State Second Pension to become a flat-rate scheme for those on lower earnings when stakeholder pension schemes have established themselves as low-cost, value-for-money, funded second pensions.

  Fraud
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been convicted of benefit fraud in the UK during the last 12 months. [122075]

  Mr. Rooker
  The number of people convicted of benefit fraud in the 12 months from April 1999 to March 2000 was 9,752. In the same period the Benefits Agency issued 5,594 cautions and 4,702 administrative penalties (Total 20,048).

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the scale of benefit fraud attributable to disability benefits and on action being taken to combat it. [121686]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]: Latest figures show that 6.5 per cent. of claims to Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) and 1.5 per cent. of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) cases showed fraud.

  Within the two main disability benefits—Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance—securing the gateway to the benefits and dealing with some claimants' failure to report changed circumstances are crucial to cutting the level of overpayment due to fraud and error. We are seeking better sources of evidence to substantiate claims. We are also ensuring that claimants know more about the purpose of these benefits and understand their responsibilities for reporting change. We shall achieve this by making direct contact with the claimant at the start of the claim and by checking at regular intervals to ensure that entitlement remains correct.

  Pensions
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of pensioners who will receive basic State Pension increases(a) above and (b) below 70p a week when the next uprating of pensions takes effect. [121504]

  Mr. Rooker
  For a pensioner to receive an increase of greater than/less than 70p in 2001–02, based on the projected rate of inflation of September 2000, they would have to be receiving a basic State Pension of greater than/less than approximately £21 per week in 2000–01. This is 31 per cent. of the full Category A rate of basic pension.

  The information is in the table.

  Estimates for 2001–02

  Thousand

  Above 70p

  Below 70p

  Total

  Great Britain

  10,020

  130

  10,150

  Overseas (non-frozen)

  240

  140

  380

  Total

  10,250

  270

  10,520

  Notes:

  1. Estimates based on an assumed uprating in April 2001 of 3.4 per cent.

  2. Figures rounded to the nearest 10,000 and may not sum as a result.

  3. Estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary Department.

  4. Figures do not include an estimated 480,000 frozen rate overseas cases who will not receive an increase in their basic State Pension.

HEALTH

  AIDS-HIV
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much life expectancy is reduced from first diagnosis on average for those suffering from AIDS and HIV. [120673]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  For those whose deaths have been reported, the average age at HIV diagnosis and AIDS diagnosis, and the average interval between diagnosis and death (ie survival) are shown in the table.

  Years

  Average age at diagnosis

  Average interval between diagnosis and death

  For men

  HIV

  35.6

  4.1

  AIDS

  38.3

  1.4

  For women

  HIV

  29.9

  3.4

  AIDS

  32.1

  1.2

  Note:

  Any patient whose date of death is not known has been excluded.

  Source:

  United Kingdom data to the end of March 2000 from the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Public Health Laboratory Service.
  239W
  The HIV/AIDS figures in the table do not include the contribution to survival by those diagnosed but still living and thus represent the worst-case scenario. Factors affecting survival after an HIV or AIDS diagnosis include: (i) the level of immune depletion at the time of diagnosis; (ii) the age of the patient and (iii) the availability of treatments effective in delaying disease progression.

  People living with HIV and AIDS are currently benefiting from combination drug treatments that became available in the mid-1990s. These treatments are now prolonging life and have been associated with a reduction in the number of HIV-related deaths to about one-third of their previous level.

  Folic Acid
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies he will consult concerning the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy in relation to folic acid and the prevention of disease; and what issues the consultation will cover. [120986]

  Yvette Cooper
  This will be a public consultation. The consultation document will be placed in the Library, available on the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency websites (www.doh.gov.uk and www.foodstandards.gov.uk respectively), and circulated to a wide range of public health, consumer and industry interests. The consultation will cover the full range of issues relating to the fortification of flour with folic acid.

  Osteoporosis
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision has been made available on the National Health Service for the percutaneous vertebroplasty operation to treat osteoporosis; and if he will make a statement. [121083]

  Yvette Cooper
  The percutaneous vertebroplasty operation to treat osteoporosis is an expensive and relatively new procedure, the clinical effectiveness of which remains unproven. All new technologies such as this need to be fully evaluated before they can be generally recommended.

  In-vitro Fertilisation
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the survey of IVF provision throughout the country undertaken by his Department. [121482]

  Yvette Cooper
  We hope to publish the results of the survey of in-vitro fertilisation provision shortly.

  Skin Cancer
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions her Department is taking to educate the public regarding the dangers of skin cancer. [121521]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are taking a number of measures to educate the public regarding the dangers of skin cancer:
  240W
  We are producing this summer a range of new posters and a fact sheet on sun protection which is available from Health Promotion England Customer Services, Marston Book Service, P.O. Box 269, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 4YN.

  We will continue the Sun Know How website currently at: http://www.hea.org.uk/campaigns/sun-know-how/index.html while sun awareness information for schoolchildren is available on the Wired for Health website: www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk

  This summer, we are continuing to fund the Meteorological Office to provide information about the Solar UV Index in forecasts tailored specifically for television and radio weather presenters.

  Ultraviolet radiation can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer. Sunlight is the main source of ultraviolet radiation. The Chief Medical Officer's advice is:
  Babies of all skin colours should be kept out of direct sunlight.
  White skinned people (especially those whose skin burns easily) need to take great care when out in the sun. Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer—cover up, use a sunscreen of factor 15 or more and avoid the midday sun during the summer months.
  Brown skinned people have a much lower risk of sunburn in the UK but still need to take care if the sun is very strong. Cover up, seek shade and use a high factor sunscreen in hot climates.
  Black skinned people are unlikely to burn and have a very low risk of skin cancer, but too much sun can cause wrinkles and premature aging for people of all skin colours.
  Everybody can suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration, so if the sun is hot drink plenty of water and moisturise dry skin.
  Look out for moles that change shape or colour; become bigger, itchy or inflamed; that weep or bleed. These may be symptoms of skin cancer and should be checked.

  Prostate-related Illnesses
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to continue and develop further research into prostate-related illnesses. [121471]

  Yvette Cooper
  Government funding for research is provided through a number of routes. The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which we support research on the causes and treatment of disease. The MRC receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Department funds research to support policy development in health and social care, and to support effective practice in the National Health Service. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the MRC and charities that takes place in the NHS.

  Since 1997 we have committed over £800,000 to new research projects on prostate cancer, through the Medical Research Council and through the Department of Health. The Department recently announced £1 million additional new funding for urgent research studies into prostate cancer as a mark of its concern over this disease.

  Following the seminar last year at No.10 a "Cancer Research Funders' Forum" has been established to help improve the co-ordination of cancer research in the United Kingdom. It is being run by the MRC and includes Departmental representatives and the major cancer research charities. At the Department's request, the Forum considered the issue of prostate cancer at its first meeting

  241W
  on 10 January. It agreed to set up an expert group on prostate cancer, which will identify gaps in current research and suggest ways of filling them. The expert group met for the first time on 25 February, and expects to report within months.

  We have recently appointed a National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, who will spearhead our concerted drive on cancer. He will work in partnership with doctors, nurses, general practitioners, other health professionals and the voluntary sector to improve prevention and modernise cancer services to help ensure equitable access to high quality cancer care. This will include a close interest in the development and progression of research.

  In addition the Department is spending approximately £550,000 on research into benign prostatic hyperplasia.

  Asthma
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the health risks of asthma sufferers drinking soya milk. [121760]

  Yvette Cooper
  It is recognised that foods such as soya can combine with other factors such as throat and chest infections, allergies to dust mites, pollens, pets, irritants such as cigarette smoke etc. to provoke or exacerbate asthmatic attacks. However, food is seldom the only factor. For those individuals who are not allergic to soya, we are not aware of any particular risks to asthma suffers of drinking soya milk.

  GP Item of Service System
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he had made of the benefits of adopting the system of item of service for general practitioners. [122073]

  Mr. Denham
  Item of service payments to general practitioners are one of the components of the national general medical services contract. The contract is under continual review to ensure it encourages delivery of the best service to patients.

  Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average cost of a single hospital admission in(a) Bromley Health Authority and (b) North Cumbria in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [122366]

  Mr. Denham
  The average cost of a single hospital admission within Bromley Health Authority was £1,154, compared with £1,269 for North Cumbria Health Authority.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is for the current public consultation regarding the(a) future and (b) reform of the NHS. [122140]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]: The overall cost of the public consultation will depend upon the nature of the public response, but we are meeting the costs from existing resources following reprioritisation within the Department.
  242W
  All staff who are working on the National Plan have either been seconded from the National Health Service or Government. The cost of producing 1,000,000 leaflets for staff is around £55,000 and of producing 12,000,000 leaflets for the public is around £200,000. Other public involvement activity, which includes the public fora and focus groups, will cost around £85,000.

  The consultation will help shape the National Plan which will underpin the way in which the additional resources for the NHS over the next four years of £4.2 billion in 2000–01, £3.7 billion in 2001–02, £4.1 billion in 2002–03 and £4.4 billion in 2003–04 will be used for the modernisation of the NHS.

  National Alcohol Strategy
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the national alcohol strategy. [122390]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: The Department plans to launch a consultation paper about a National Strategy to Tackle Alcohol Misuse in England later this year. After a sufficient period for comment the strategy will be published.

  Female Circumcision
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to health authorities concerning the operation of the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. [122493]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: "Working Together to Safeguard Children" was issued to health authorities jointly by the Department of Health, the Home Office and the Department for Education and Employment in December 1999. It is also addressed to those who work in the education services, the police, social services, the probation service, and others working in contact with children. Reference to female genital mutilation highlights the importance of focusing on preventive strategies where practising populations are known to live.

  Websites
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2000,Official Report, column 518W, on websites, if he will list the sites under his responsibility, for which a company provides a technical service, free of charge, towards creating the site, and on which the company is mentioned; and if he will (a) list the company and (b) estimate the market value of this publicity for the company in each case. [122746]

  Ms Stuart
  No company providing a website technical service free of charge is mentioned on the Department's websites.

  For National Health Service websites, the NHS 50th site was sponsored by British Telecom, and the NHS Direct Online website currently does not advertise the site development company. Both websites are accessible to all via the internet, including the NHS. The NHS Direct Online was visited by 1.5 million people on its first day of operation. Any market value of publicity for companies

  243W
  mentioned on these, or the numerous other NHS websites, is not held centrally, and could not be collected except at a disproportionate cost.

  TB Vaccination
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on TB vaccination for young people at school. [118774]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 3 May 2000,Official Report, column 166W.

  Breast Cancer
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the availability of qualified and experienced radiographers to undertake breast cancer screening. [120083]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are currently considering with the professional bodies the capacity and workforce of the breast screening programme, in view of the growing numbers of women eligible for breast screening as those born in the post-war years reach the age of 50.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121653]

  Ms Stuart
  The headline pay settlement was 2.3 per cent. on the total pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related pay increases averaging 4 per cent. The increase was not staged.

  Chemotherapy
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of cancer patients have received chemotherapy as part of their treatment for each of the last five years. [122695]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not currently available. However, Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, and the Cancer Services Analysis Team are about to undertake a national survey of chemotherapy services. This survey will include data on the number of patients receiving chemotherapy and the volume of drugs used. The survey will be undertaken during the next six months and the results will be available by the end of the year.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representation of pharmacists there is on the NHS Modernisation Action Team. [122118]
  244W
  Ms Stuart
  Professor Alison Blenkinsopp of the Department of Medicine Management at Keele University is a member of the Patient Care (Empowerment) Modernisation Action Team.

  Pharmacy Strategy
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Government's pharmacy strategy. [122117]

  Ms Stuart
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 4 April 2000,Official Report, column 394W.

  Health Visitors
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on the provision of health visitors in each year since 1997; and if he will estimate how many children were seen in this period. [122558]

  Yvette Cooper
  The amount of expenditure on the provision of health visitors is not separable from amounts spent in other areas of the community health services. Estimates of the number of children aged under 16 seen by health visitors are contained in the table:

  Number of children aged under 16 seen by health visitors

  Thousand

  Year

  Number

  1996–97

  2,411

  1997–98

  2,358

  1998–99

  2,309

  Source:

  Department of Health return KC55 Statistics Division 2B

  Over 90 per cent. of children seen by health visitors are aged 4 years or under.

  Technicians
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has (1) to introduce national schemes to promote the training and recruitment of prosthetic and orthotic technicians; [122340]

  (2) to restore apprenticeship schemes in the NHS for prosthetic and orthotic technicians. [122342]

  Mr. Denham
  The training and recruitment of prosthetic and orthotic technicians are the responsibility of local National Health Service employers.

  The recently published "Review of Workforce Planning" acknowledges that there are a number of staff groups playing important roles in service delivery who currently sit outside mainstream workforce planning and funding arrangements. The review states that it is important that their training and development needs are properly identified and considered.

  A National Advisory Group has begun work to determine the current profile of the orthotist and prosthetist workforce and education arrangements. The analysis will include consideration of the number, training and role of orthotic and prosthetic technicians.

  Death Statistics
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths were recorded in the(a) Bromley and (b) North Cumbria Health Authority area in each month for the last five years. [122367]

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

  Numbers of deaths by month of occurrence 1994–98, Bromley and North Cumbria Health Authorities

  Bromley

  North Cumbria

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  January

  300

  319

  316

  402

  284

  455

  397

  433

  435

  326

  February

  235

  243

  276

  241

  226

  332

  308

  357

  318

  297

  March

  267

  302

  274

  235

  261

  295

  350

  312

  286

  377

  April

  247

  229

  226

  217

  279

  295

  285

  317

  291

  352

  May

  228

  250

  250

  212

  232

  306

  338

  288

  299

  291

  June

  247

  229

  223

  236

  245

  291

  287

  276

  321

  285

  July

  244

  253

  221

  206

  252

  290

  254

  300

  242

  299

  August

  232

  234

  235

  229

  213

  280

  267

  265

  241

  318

  September

  253

  236

  204

  229

  212

  273

  290

  279

  294

  276

  October

  258

  252

  224

  253

  242

  308

  326

  278

  298

  315

  November

  264

  260

  258

  246

  259

  304

  339

  279

  309

  301

  December

  276

  368

  352

  262

  319

  389

  400

  372

  363

  369

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in her Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121657]

  Clare Short
  The headline pay settlement was 2.5 per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the key buildings for which her Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122618]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Department for International Development has UK offices in London and East Kilbride. In line with the target set in the Integrated Transport White Paper the Green Transport Plan for the Department's London offices (94 Victoria Street, plus annexes at 20 Victoria Street and at Glen House) was completed and published before the end of March 2000. The Green Transport Plan for the East Kilbride office was completed before the end of March, but printing problems slightly delayed its publication until April 2000.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the value of(a) food aid and (b) other aid which her Department has provided
  246W
  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 18 May 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of recorded deaths in Bromley and North Cumbria Health Authority for the last five years. I have been asked to reply in the Director's absence.
  The table below gives the number of deaths that occurred in Bromley and North Cumbria Health Authorities each month, for the last five years. The 1999 Health Authority boundaries have been used to give consistent areas over the last five years.

  to Ethiopia during the last month; how much she expects to provide during each of the next three months; and if she will a Statement [120214]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Since January 2000 we have committed over £9.0 million of bilateral food and non-food relief for Ethiopia. Food aid so far promised this year totals over 32,000 metric tonnes (MT), of which over half has been distributed or is in the process of being distributed. In addition, we contribute about 17 per cent. of the cost of EC food aid, estimated to be some 432,000 MT in 2000. 46,665 MT of EU food has already arrived in Djibouti. Non-food inputs often form part of the food aid package and have included the provision of seeds, water tankering and capacity building.

  Departmental Contracts
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department makes of the human rights records of companies applying for her Department's contracts. [122146]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We are currently working with various bodies on ethical aspects of procurement activity. In awarding contracts, we operate within the Government's procurement policy based on value for money.

SCOTLAND

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121851]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Index of Local Deprivation
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what weighting the geographical access to services domain has been given in the compilation of the new Index of Local Deprivation. [121576]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The consultation paper on the methodology released in December 1999 proposed that the geographical access to services domain be given a weight of 10 per cent. in the compilation of the overall index. The final weightings of the domains will be announced when the new index is published.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he plans to publish the new Index of Local Deprivation; and if he will make a statement. [121573]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Index of Local Deprivation review is on-going. The new index will be published within the next few months.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities who have risen over 10 places in the latest Index of Local Deprivation and are now in the top 65 places. [121574]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The review of the Index of Local Deprivation is on-going. The new index will be published once it is finalised and agreed. A consultation exercise on the methodology of the new index, which included a draft index, closed in January. This draft index showed illustrative rankings of all local authorities in England if the proposals contained in the methodology document were to be adopted. The rankings in the draft index may change as a result of further data checking, further testing of the index and the outcome of the consultation.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of those regeneration funds allocated in England and Wales on the basis of the Index of Local Deprivation were allocated to London Boroughs in 1999–2000; and if he will estimate what percentage would have been allocated to London boroughs if the new Index had been used as the key determinant of the allocation of those resources. [121575]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A number of factors determine the allocation of budgets for regeneration programmes including the total amount of resources available, national priorities and the relative needs of each region. One measure used to determine the needs of each region is the Index of Local Deprivation, which is used to inform the allocation of the Single Regeneration Budget and the New Deal for Communities.

  The indicative allocations of resources to regions for all rounds of SRB have been based on the following formula: 50 per cent. according to the regions' share of 1993 population in areas with above average deprivation (based on the 1991 Index of Local Conditions score for each Local Authority district); and 50 per cent. based on the district level deprivation score, for areas with above average deprivation. The SRB is a competitive programme and the
  248W
  final distribution of resources in each year is dependent upon the quality of bids received for new schemes, together with the pattern of commitments from earlier SRB rounds. A national target, introduced under Round 5 of the SRB in 1998, is for 80 per cent. of new money to be allocated in the most deprived areas which, for this purpose, are taken to be the local authority district areas included in the top 50 on one or more of the four measures of deprivation in the 1998 Index of Local Deprivation. The indicative SRB regional allocation for London represented 27 per cent. of total SRB resources for 1999–2000 in England.

  Thirty nine areas have been identified in England in two rounds of the New Deal for Communities programme, of which ten are based in London Boroughs. 26 per cent. of NDC funding, under the first round of the programme, was allocated to London Boroughs in 1999–2000.

  The Review of the Index of Local Deprivation is still on-going. The new Index will be published once it is finalised and agreed. A consultation exercise on the methodology of the new Index, which included a draft index, closed in January. This draft index showed illustrative rankings of all local authorities in England if the proposals contained in the methodology paper were adopted. The figures contained in the draft index may change as a result of further data checking, further testing of the index and the result of the consultation.

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of partnerships that have come together for the delivery of the Connexions Service. [122455]

  Mr. Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  "The Connexions Service: prospectus and specification" which was published on 4 May, invites partners to come together in the 47 Learning and Skills Council areas to develop outline Partnership Proposals which should be submitted by 9 June.

  Fibreglass Insulation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2000,Official Report, column 168W, concerning the carcinogenicity of fibre glass products, what advice his Department gives to local authorities about the safest materials that should be used for house insulation; and if he will make a statement. [121967]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department encourages home insulation but has made no recommendation to local authorities concerning the safest material that should be used for house insulation.

  The Department issued advice to local authorities on man made mineral fibres (including fibre glass) used as house insulation last year through the publication "Asbestos and man made mineral fibres in buildings, practical guidance". The publication is also available on the DETR website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk/asbestos/guide//index.htm).
  249W
  This guidance updates and replaces the advice on man made mineral fibres and loft insulation issued to local authorities in England and Wales in 1987 by the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office.

  Telecommunications Sites and Masts
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications in England and Wales to install telecommunications masts of more than 15 metres in height were(a) granted and (b) refused in 1999. [122232]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government do not collect this information.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to enforce the sharing of mobile phone base station sites; and if he will make a statement. [122461]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government's policy is firmly to encourage mast and site sharing where that is appropriate. Conditions attached to the use of powers granted to individual mobile operators by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and incorporated in their operating licences, include a requirement to investigate mast sharing before seeking to put up any new mast.

  DETR Circular 4/99, "Planning for Telecommunications" makes clear our expectation that developers should provide evidence to local planning authorities that they have carefully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast, regardless of size. An authority may be justified in refusing prior approval or planning permission if it considers the evidence regarding the consideration of such alternative sites is not satisfactory.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the planning regulations for mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [122474]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In their response to the report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, issued on 11 May 2000, the Government said that they were minded to introduce a requirement for full planning permission for all new telecommunications masts, but would need to consult widely before doing so, including on the purpose and precise scope of any new arrangements. We shall issue a consultation paper on this and related guidance as soon as practicable.

  Sustainable Development Commission
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Sustainable Development Commission will hold its first meeting; and if he will make a statement. [122462]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Sustainable Development Commission, which will replace the UK Round Table and British Government Panel on Sustainable Development, is expected to begin work in the summer. The DETR is currently in the process of completing appointments to the Commission and hopes to make an announcement on the Chairmanship of the Commission in June. The date of the first meeting will need to be agreed with the Chair, possibly in July. It will be for the Commission to decide the frequency and timing of its meetings from that point, along with its other working arrangements.

  Leasehold Residential Property
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many leasehold residential properties there are in each electoral ward in Cleethorpes constituency. [122351]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Survey of English Housing provides estimates of the number of leasehold dwellings in England. The Survey of English Housing cannot produce estimates for parliamentary constituencies.

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statutory provisions govern the rights of family members to purchase the freehold of a leasehold residential property they have inherited. [122352]

  Mr. Mullin
  Section 7 of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 allows certain family members who were resident in a leasehold house at the time of the deceased's death to satisfy the residence test even where they would not normally do so. They must still have resided in the premises for at least three years in the last ten and meet the other conditions that normally apply. We are considering whether to extend these provisions as part of our leasehold reform package.

  For flats, only half the group buying the freehold (enfranchising) need to satisfy the residence test (we propose to abolish the residence test as it applies to collective enfranchisement). Subsection 6(3)(b) of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 allows the residence test to be satisfied even where the tenant's previous occupation of the flat was not by right of the lease. Therefore, an individual who inherits a long lease on a flat should be able to participate in enfranchisement in the usual way. Subsection 14(5) deals with the possibility that a participating tenant might die during the enfranchisement process. Section 16 makes provision in the event of the death of the nominee purchaser.

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines his Department has issued on setting a price for the purchase of the freehold of leasehold residential properties. [122350]

  Mr. Mullin
  There is no set formula for deciding on the price of a freehold. The Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (as amended) sets out the basic principles to be used when deciding how much should be paid for the freehold of a house. The Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 makes similar provision for flats.

  Guidance on this point is included in our booklets "Leasehold flats: your right to buy the freehold of your building or renew your lease" and "Leasehold houses: your right to buy the freehold of your house or renew your lease". Both are available free of charge from DETR Free Literature, PO Box 236, Wetherby, LS23 7NB. This guidance is for information only—it has no legal authority.

  A14
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list all casualties and accidents on the A 14 involving heavy goods vehicles in the last 10 years. [122484]
  251W
  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: The data from 1995 to 1998 are given in the tables. The A14 has been in its present form only since 19 July 1994, when the A45 between Felixstowe and the M11 at Cambridge and the A604 between the M11 and the A6 at Kettering became the A14 and a new length of Road between the A6 and the M1 was opened. Previous data for the A14 are not comparable.

  Road accidents involving HGVs: 1995–98

  Accident severity

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1995

  7

  30

  66

  103

  1996

  4

  25

  76

  105

  1997

  5

  28

  78

  111

  1998

  4

  17

  92

  113

  Casualties in road accidents involving HGVs: 1995–98

  Casualty severity

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1995

  10

  40

  81

  131

  1996

  7

  38

  94

  139

  1997

  8

  41

  91

  140

  1998

  6

  26

  112

  144

  Radioactive Waste Disposal
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he monitors the disposal of radioactive waste; what steps he takes to ensure that such waste is not used in household products; and if he will make a statement. [122335]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: The European Directive 96/29/Euratom lays down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation. The Directive makes the disposal, recycling or reuse of radioactive substances subject to prior authorisation. It also permits member states to set levels of radioactivity at which materials for disposal, recycling and reuse may be released from this requirement for prior authorisation providing that strict radiological criteria are met. This concept is known as clearance, with clearance levels setting a threshold at or below which the levels of radioactivity are small and pose a negligible radiological risk irrespective of the fate of that material. The Radioactive Substances Act (RSA 93), which implements the relevant provisions of the Directive, is administered in England and Wales by the Environment Agency.

  In support of these regulatory functions, the Environment Agency commissions independent monitoring of radioactive waste disposals and their impact on the environment. Details of the monitoring programme are published annually in a report entitled "Radioactivity in the Environment: A summary and radiological assessment of the Environment Agency's monitoring programmes". Copies of the latest report, for 1997, can be found in the Library.

  Transatlantic Open Skies
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he 252W
  will make a statement concerning the progress of the current negotiations on the Transatlantic Open Skies proposal. [122681]

  Mr. Mullin
  Following earlier meetings between my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and the US Secretary of Transportation, formal talks between the UK and the US on bilateral aviation issues resume on 13 June. The Government will continue to press for the liberalisation of air services between our two countries, in order to secure additional benefits for consumers, for the UK aviation industry and for the wider UK economy.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121644]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The headline pay settlement was 2.4 per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4.0 per cent. The increases, payable from 1 August 1999, were not staged.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121858]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the key buildings for which his Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122610]

  Mr. Hill
  In line with the target set in the Integrated Transport White Paper for the introduction of green transport plans for key Government buildings by March 2000, we completed 50 plans covering all of DETR's key buildings:DETR (C)

  Great Minster House, London

  Eland House, London

  Ashdown House, London

  Seymour House (now Hempstead House), Hemel Hempstead

  Driving Standards Agency

  Stanley House, Nottingham

  Westgate House, Newcastle

  Haymarket House, Edinburgh

  Cumberland House, Birmingham

  Caradog House, Cardiff

  Charles House, Kensington

  Cardington

  253W
  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  Longview Road, Swansea

  Trafford House, Manchester

  Buckingham House, Preston

  Eastgate House, Leeds

  Edward House, Birmingham

  Sidcup House, Sidcup

  Parkway House, Chelmsford

  Connect House, Wimbledon

  Federated House, Dorking

  City House, Leeds

  Jefferson House, Leeds

  5 Broadway, Birmingham

  Heron House, Bedford

  St. Christopher House, London

  Tollgate House, Bristol

  Sunley Tower, Manchester

  Albion House, Bedford

  Falcon Road, Exeter

  Charter Court, Hemel Hempstead

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  Spring Place, Southampton

  Marine House, Aberdeen

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  Units 1, 2 and 3 Eastgate Office Centre, Bristol

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  Berkley House, Bristol

  Welcombe House, Swansea

  Planning Inspectorate

  Tollgate House, Bristol

  QEII Conference Centre

  QEII CC, London

  Government Office for London

  Riverwalk House, London

  GO South West

  4th and 5th Floors, The Pithay, Bristol

  Mast House, Plymouth

  GO South East

  Bridge House, Guildford

  GO North West

  Sunley Tower, Manchester

  Washington House, Manchester

  Cunard Building, Liverpool

  GO Yorkshire and Humberside

  City House, Leeds

  25 Queen Street, Leeds

  GO Eastern

  Heron House, Bedford

  Vision Park, Cambridge

  Building A, Westbrook Centre, Cambridge

  Traffic Area Network (TANU)

  Hillcrest House, Leeds.

  In addition, since March 2000, we have completed a plan for the Rent Service Agency's Clifton House (it became an Executive Agency with effect from 1 October 1999).

  Mobile Homes
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take in respect of the recommendation from the Park Homes Working Party regarding residential mobile home sites; and what is the timetable for such action. [122616]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department aims to publish the recommendations of the Park Homes Working Party by early July this year, with a deadline of 31 October for any comments interested individuals and bodies may wish to make. I will announce our conclusions in due course after that date.

  HGVs
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a night-time ban on the movement of all heavy goods vehicles in residential areas. [122337]

  Mr. Hill
  Responsibility for traffic management on local roads, including the question of whether or not to introduce a night-time ban on lorries in residential areas, is entirely a matter for the local traffic authority for the area concerned.

  Bushmeat (Uganda)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the trade in bushmeat in Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [122339]

  Mr. Mullin
  While the Government have received no specific representations on the situation in Uganda, illegal trade in bushmeat is a growing problem in many African countries, particularly in west and central Africa. I am very pleased that a United Kingdom paper on this issue, tabled by my Department for discussion at last month's Conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), was given unanimous support. The result is the formation of a new international working group under the auspices of CITES, involving the key African countries concerned, donors such as the United Kingdom and United States, and relevant non-governmental organisations. As the issue goes beyond the strict international trade remit of CITES, the UK and Convention Secretariat are actively seeking the full participation of other international bodies such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Tropical Timber Organisation. My Department has already made £50,000 available in the current financial year to support this initiative. I hope others will soon follow.

  London Underground
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what London Transport has spent to date on consultancy costs for the London Underground public-private partnership. [123029]

  Mr. Hill
  I understand from London Transport that their expenditure on external consultants from 20 March 1998 (the date the Government announced the PPP) to 31 March 2000, for work on the PPP and restructuring London Underground, was £60.3 million.

TREASURY

  Research and Development
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the introduction of the new tax credit for companies investing in research and development. [121381]

  Mr. Timms
  The new R&D tax credit was introduced in April. It will benefit 4,500 companies and support almost £1 billion of R&D per year. The enhanced relief will reduce those companies' costs for carrying out R&D by between 24 and 30 per cent., reflecting the importance the Government attach to helping small businesses succeed by reaping the benefits of our new enterprise economy.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his measures to help companies with research and development. [121386]

  Mr. Timms
  Our new research and development tax credit, introduced on 1 April, has been warmly welcomed since its announcement a year ago. We received representations emphasising the importance of incentives for R&D in small and medium firms, and so that is where the credit is being targeted. We have also decided, responding to representations, that the credit should be available as well to companies not yet trading. The changes we have made in response to representations have increased by 1,000 the number of firms expected to benefit from the tax credit.

  Charity Taxation
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on charity taxation. [121382]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposals in his Budget to increase giving to charity in Britain. [121395]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government are keen to encourage more people to give more to charity. A package of new taxation reliefs aimed at encouraging millions more individuals and companies to give every year to charities—"Getting Britain Giving"—is included in the current Finance Bill.

  The reliefs go further than the Government's proposals in the review of Charity Taxation consultation document published a year ago and further than those announced by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget report in November. At every stage we have listened to the views of charities, those who represent them and donors. We now have a generous package of measures which we estimate will be worth £400 million a year to charities. It has been warmly received in all quarters.

  National Changeover Plan
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the cost of the National Changeover Plan. [121384]
  256W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The second Outline National Changeover Plan was published in March. It showed that by the end of February 2000, the public sector as a whole had spent around £6.3 million on planning for the possibility of the UK joining the single currency, mainly in the DSS and the revenue Departments.

  Without preparation, the UK would not have a practical option to join the single currency. The Government are committed to giving the British people a genuine choice.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress with the National Changeover Plan. [121396]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Progress on national changeover planning was reported in the Government's second Outline National Changeover Plan which was published on 9 March. Copies of the Plan are available in the Library. We are now working with our partners in the business, public and voluntary sectors to take forward the next steps set out in the Plan.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the cost of the National Changeover Plan. [121409]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government work with a wide range of organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors on changeover planning. A list of the private and voluntary sector organisations involved in Working Groups is given on page 57 of the second Outline National Changeover Plan, published on 9 March.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of raising the national insurance upper earnings limit. [121385]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Given the substantial increases in the starting point for paying employees' National Insurance contributions this year and next, raising the upper earnings limit helps to maintain a fair base for such contributions.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women were paying reduced rate national insurance contributions in(a) 1988 and (b) 1990. [121389]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Around 1,060,000 and 785,000 women respectively paid National Insurance contributions at the married womens' reduced rate in 1988 and 1990.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of the value of sterling against the euro on UK manufacturing. [121387]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Exporters in general are coping surprisingly well with the weakness of the euro. In the three months to February, goods exports volumes to EU countries were up more than 6 per cent on a year earlier.

  Somerset House
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future occupancy of Somerset House by the Inland Revenue. [121388]
  257W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government will continue to keep the occupancy of Somerset House under review. For the time being, the Inland Revenue's occupancy provides the Somerset House trust with a substantial guaranteed source of income, which is needed for restoring and developing the site.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the tax changes since May 1997 on the competitiveness of British industry. [121390]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Details of the Budget measures can be found in the relevant tables of the July 1997, March 1998, 1999 and 2000 Red Book. Our corporation tax rate is the lowest ever and lowest among major industrialised countries. The combination of this rate and other Budget measures have enhanced the UK tax system, providing an improved environment for UK business to compete.

  Currency Speculation
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received recently concerning the taxation of international currency speculation. [121391]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This House had the opportunity to discuss the taxation of international currency transactions on 18 April, in the adjournment debate tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe). My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury set out the Government's view on that occasion.

  In addition, the Treasury has received several letters from hon. Members, who raised the issue on behalf of their constituents, and several letters directly from members of the public.

  Reserves
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next plans to meet the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss the value of the nation's foreign currency and precious metal reserves. [121392]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor meets the Governor of the Bank of England on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the current value of the Bank of England reserves. [121405]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Part 1 of the Treasury Press Notice, issued on the third working day of each month, provides details of UK foreign currency assets and liabilities. The latest figures were published on 4 May showing net reserves of $13,643 million (£8,764 million) at the end of April 2000. A more detailed breakdown is provided in the template published monthly on the Bank of England's website.

  Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he intends to use the(a) Budget surplus of 2000–01, (b) income from mobile phone licence sales and (c) Exchequer reserves. [121393]
  258W
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Budget plans were set out in Budget 2000 (HC 346). Proceeds from mobile phone licence sales will be used to reduce public sector net debt. Reserves are used in line with the provisions of the Exchequer Equalisation Account Act 1979.

  Mobile Phone Licences
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received proposing the division of moneys raised from the sale of the third generation mobile phone licences between the devolved administrations and central Government; and if he will make a statement. [121394]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Chancellor has received two representations.

  Small Businesses
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for a tax reduction for small businesses investing in computers or e-commerce developments. [121397]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are introducing in the Finance Bill 100 per cent. first year capital allowances for investment by small businesses in information and communications technology between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2003. These businesses will be able to write off immediately against their taxable profits the full cost of computers, software including websites, and next generation internet-enabled mobile phones. This measure will encourage small businesses to get on line and will help make the UK the best environment in the world for e-commerce by 2002.

  Advertising
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of expenditure on advertising on behalf of his Department since 1997. [121398]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The total cost of advertising by HM Treasury from April 1997 to March 2000 has been approximately £6.5 million.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of his Department's policies on the levels of employment and unemployment in London. [121399]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In London, as in the rest of the UK, we have created a sound and credible platform of economic stability that will help us attain our objective of high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the election, employment in London has risen by 150,000 and unemployment has fallen by 73,000.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the steel industry about the value of sterling. [121400]
  259W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government regularly meet with representatives from the steel industry. The Government understand the concerns of the manufacturing industry more generally about the value of the pound.

  New Deal
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the level of funding for the New Deal. [R] [121401]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal is being funded, for this Parliament, by the revenue received from the Windfall Tax on the excess profits of the privatised utilities. Information on the estimated allocation of the Windfall Tax receipts between different programmes is set out in Table 4.1 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report of Budget 2000. Plans for future funding are being discussed in the current Spending Review.

  Business Tax Reliefs
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responses he has received from business to his plans to introduce tax reliefs for large companies that invest in growing firms to generate new jobs. [121402]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government's proposals for a Corporate Venturing Scheme which provides tax incentives for corporate investment in small higher risk trading companies were subject to two rounds of consultation. Feedback from individual businesses and representative bodies endorsed our view that corporate venturing can offer real benefits to the companies concerned and the UK economy as a whole, commented on the form and detail of the scheme, and welcomed the changes made both in the pre-Budget Report and the Budget, which reflect comments made during consultation.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to increase the financial benefits of work for disabled people and their families. [121403]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government have set aside £195 million from the receipts of the Windfall Tax specifically to assist people with disabilities. The New Deal for disabled people has been testing a range of approaches—personal advisers, innovative schemes and benefit changes—to find out what helps people return to work. To date, over 2,500 people have been helped into work by the New Deal pilots. The Government are currently developing plans for extending the New Deal for disabled people nationwide and introducing rehabilitation and retention pilots to test different ways to help disabled people move into, and remain in, work.

  In October last year, the Government introduced the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) to replace Disability Working Allowance (DWA). The new tax credit, which is intended to help people with an illness or disability to return to, or take up, work by topping up income, was more generous than DWA and changes since October have improved it further. This April, the under-11 child tax credit in the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) was increased by £1.10 a week over and above indexation, and from June this year, the under-16 child tax credit in DPTC will be further increased by £4.35 a
  260W
  week. And from October 2000, a new Fast Track gateway to the Disabled Person's Tax Credit will be introduced to help people who become sick and disabled while working, remain in work.

  The numbers on DPTC have increased when compared with the Disability Working Allowance (DWA). At the end of March 2000, there were 21,800 awards of DPTC, compared with 18,500 awards of DWA at the end of July 1999. The average award of DPTC at the end of March 2000 was £70 a week compared to an average £60.50 a week under DWA.

  Employment (Eastern Region)
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of his Department's policies on the levels of employment in the Eastern region since May 1997. [121404]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In the Eastern Region, as in the rest of the UK, we have created a sound and credible platform of economic stability that will help us attain our objective of high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the election, employment in the East has risen by 126,000 and unemployment has fallen by 53,000.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from business on his decision to cut capital gains tax for long-term investments. [121406]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Following the 1999 pre-Budget Report, we consulted widely on our proposals to improve Capital Gains Tax business assets taper relief. The respondents to the consultation supported the direction in which we were leading. The views of business on this year's Budget proposals to use taper reform to boost productivity and increase the provision of risk capital have been overwhelmingly positive.

  Save-as-you-earn Scheme
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the save as you earn scheme following the start of the new all-employee shareholding scheme on 6 April. [121407]

  Mr. Timms
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget Statement that 1.7 million people now in the 'Save As You Earn' scheme will continue to enjoy its benefits.

  Give-as-you-earn Scheme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of the give-as-you-earn scheme in each year since its implementation. [121408]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 11 November 1999,Official Report, columns 779–80W. The cost of the Payroll Giving scheme since it was introduced in 1986 has been published annually in Inland Revenue Statistics. The total cost of the scheme up to April 1999 was £44 million.

  Commemorative Coins
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to issue new commemorative coins in 2001. [123247]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recommendation that in 2001:a crown piece should be issued to mark the centenary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the end of the Victorian era; and
  a special design should be adopted for the reverse of the two-pound coin to commemorate the centenary of Marconi's first long distance wireless transmission from Cornwall to Newfoundland.

  Collector versions of the two coins will be available from the beginning of the year and the coins will also be available, later in the year, at face value from most banks and post offices.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average net income(a) before Working Families Tax Credit but with receipt of other benefits, (b) with the addition of Working Families Tax Credit before tapering of other benefits and (c) with the addition of Working Families Tax Credit following the tapering of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for (i) all recipients of the Working Families Tax Credit and (ii) families earning between (1) £4,000 and £6,000 per year, (2) £6,000 and £8,000 per year, (3) £8,000 and £10,000 per year and (4) £10,000 and £12,000 per year. [122393]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: Insufficient data on income are provided by applicants for the Working Families Tax Credit to determine their net incomes including the various benefits mentioned. Also, household survey data available for analysis do not yet cover families receiving the tax credits, and sample numbers may in any case be too small for reliable estimates to be made in the detail requested.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the(a) number and (b) percentage of claimants of Working Families Tax Credit who also claim (i) Housing Benefit, (ii) Council Tax Benefit and (iii) both Housing and Council Tax Benefit. [122518]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The receipt of Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) cannot be determined from the information processed for applications for the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC). The receipt of WFTC can however be determined from the information processed for claims for HB and CTB, and I understand from the Department of Social Security that estimates of the numbers requested will be available towards the end of the year. Household survey data available for analysis do not yet cover families receiving WFTC.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what statistics he collates on the operation of the Working Families Tax Credit; [122516]

  (2) when figures on the first six months of operation of the Working Families Tax Credit will be published. [122515]
  262W
  Dawn Primarolo
  Statistics on Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) awards are published each quarter. The first tables were published on 11 April, in respect of awards current at the end of November 1999.

  Up to the end of March 2000 there had been 1,030,200 awards made of the WFTC. The number of telephone calls handled by the WFTC helpline and the response line in each month to April 2000 was given in a reply to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 10 May 2000, Official Report, columns 423–24W. WFTC will be covered in the operational statistics shown in the Inland Revenue Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2000, which is due to be published in the autumn.

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total financial value of(a) applications and (b) successful applications made by each Government Department to the Capital Modernisation Fund in each year of its operation. [121422]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Allocations from the Capital Modernisation Fund by Department and year are listed in table 1.9 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2000–01 (Cm 4601). In line with the practice of successive Governments, applications for funding within Government are not published.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121647]

  Mr. Timms
  The headline pay settlement for HM Treasury was 2.5 per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.7 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants over the age of 60 years employed by the Contributions Agency have been required to retire following its transfer from the Benefits Agency to the Inland Revenue; and at which centres they were based. [121322]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Prior to the transfer of the staff and functions of the former Contributions Agency (CA) to the Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999, the CA operated a normal retirement age of 60 for all staff. As part of the transitional arrangements on moving over to this policy, extensions of service had been agreed for some staff, up to a maximum retention date of 31 July 1999.

  As part of the terms and conditions package negotiated with the relevant trade unions and accepted by CA staff by way of ballot, the Revenue undertook to honour any extensions of service agreed by 31 March 1999. Thus, post transfer, any individual who had been granted an extension by that date was retained by the Revenue until the expiry of that period.
  263W
  As was the case for CA, the Revenue also operated a normal retirement age of 60. The agreed terms of the negotiated package provided that, after transfer, former CA staff would be retired in line with the Revenue retirement age policy, subject to the commitment on extensions of service granted prior to 31 March 1999.

  Since the transfer on 1 April 1999, the following numbers of former CA staff have been required to retire.

  Location

  Normal retirement at age 60

  Retirements over age 60

  Total number of retirees

  BMSD

  1

  0

  1

  IR East

  2

  7

  9

  IR London

  3

  18

  21

  IR North West

  1

  4

  5

  IR Scotland

  0

  1

  1

  IR South West

  2

  4

  6

  IR South East

  1

  2

  3

  IR South Yorkshire

  0

  1

  1

  IR Wales and Midlands

  1

  2

  3

  LBO

  1

  0

  1

  NICO (Newcastle upon Tyne)

  17

  51

  68

  IR North

  1

  1

  2

  Totals

  30

  91

  121

  Marginal deduction rate (per cent.)

  Illustrative examples

  40 to less than 50

  Basic rate taxpayer on Council Tax Benefit taper

  50 to less than 60

  Non-taxpayer on WFTC taper

  60 to less than 70

  Basic rate taxpayer on WFTC taper

  70 to less than 80

  Basic rate taxpayer on Council Tax Benefit and WFTC tapers

  80 to less than 90

  Basic rate taxpayer on Housing Benefit and WFTC tapers

  90 to less than 100

  Basic rate taxpayer on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and WFTC tapers

  Government Payment Targets
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government policy is on the timing of payments of their contractors and suppliers; what length of time between delivery or invoice and payment is proposed in Government guidelines; and what action is taken to monitor whether targets are met. [122522]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The timing of payments is set out in guidance to Departments and requires payment to be made promptly to contractors and suppliers in accordance with agreed terms of contract. Where no contract exists, payments should be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.

  The payment performance of Government Departments is monitored annually and reported to Parliament by the Department of Trade and Industry before the summer recess.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121857]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  Tax Rates
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 April 2000,Official Report, column 500W, on tax rates, if he will provide illustrative examples of cases where taxes and benefits can interact to produce a marginal deduction rate of (a) 40 per cent. and above, (b) 50 per cent. and above, (c) 60 per cent. and above, (d) 70 per cent. and above, (e) 80 per cent. and above and (f) 90 per cent. and above. [120381]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A marginal deduction rate (MDR) measures how much of an additional pound of earnings is paid in taxes or in reduced benefit or tax credit entitlement. The table gives some examples of the combinations of income tax and National Insurance for those on income-related benefits or WFTC that give rise to marginal deduction rates of 40 per cent. or more. All the examples assume that National Insurance is payable, at the contracted-in rate.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policies for promoting manufacturing business. [121375]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Manufacturing industry makes a vital contribution to the economy. We are helping its competitiveness by creating the right economic climate of stability, low inflation, and sound public finances and through policies which help firms to innovate, develop the skills of their workforce and grow.

  Taxation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the amounts (i) in current prices, (ii) in constant 1999–2000 prices and (iii) as percentages of personal income, taken by(a) income taxes, (b) national insurance contributions, (c) value-added tax, (d) other central Government indirect taxes, (e) the aggregate of (a) to (d), (f) average council tax payments and (g) the aggregate of (a) to (d) and (f) for (1) a single person,(2) a married couple without children, both working and (3) a married couple with two children, husband in work, wife not working, in each case at 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 per cent. of average earnings for the financial year 1999–2000, taking account of changes announced in his Budget Statement and previously announced changes and for each of the years (w) 1996–97, (x) 1997–98, (y) 1998–99 and (z) 1999–2000. [116508]

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what average level of income he estimates a single-earner couple will receive(a) gross and (b) net in

  265W
  (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02; if he will set out the method used in making this calculation; and if he will make a statement. [118850]

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what taxes he includes in his calculation of the tax burden on the average family. [121009]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 April and 5 May 2000]: The available information, which shows income tax (including child benefit and working families tax credit from its first full year of implementation) and national insurance contributions, at multiples of median full-time earnings of all employees is given in the table. The figures are shown in (a) current prices and (b) as percentages of income, for (i) the years 1996–97 to 2001–02 where the figures take account of all changes announced in Budgets to date. Estimating the impact of indirect taxes is imprecise as spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. The level of council tax payments will also vary depending on where families live.

  The figures use median all-employee earnings. However, the data are available only since 1983. Looking over a longer time period, using male mean earnings, the series shows that as a result of personal tax and benefit measures in the last three Budgets the tax burden on a family with two children on 100 per cent. of average earnings will fall by 2001 to the lowest level since 1972.

  Percentage

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  Single:

  1996–97

  £per week

  Gross Income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  16.58

  35.06

  53.53

  90.49

  135.94

  NICs

  10.52

  18.22

  25.92

  40.62

  40.62

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.8

  15.2

  17.4

  19.6

  22.1

  NICs

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  8.8

  6.6

  Tax + NICs

  17.6

  23.1

  25.8

  28.4

  28.7

  1997–98

  £per week

  Gross Income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  16.63

  35.07

  53.51

  90.40

  137.78

  NICs

  11.08

  19.09

  27.11

  41.54

  41.54

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.4

  14.6

  16.7

  18.8

  21.5

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.6

  6.5

  Tax + NICs

  17.3

  22.5

  25.1

  27.4

  28.0

  1998–99

  £per week

  Gross Income

  166.35

  249.53

  332.70

  499.05

  665.40

  Income Tax

  17.22

  36.36

  55.49

  93.75

  142.81

  NICs

  11.52

  19.83

  28.15

  43.38

  43.38

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.4

  14.6

  16.7

  18.8

  21.5

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.7

  6.5

  Tax + NICs

  17.3

  22.5

  25.1

  27.5

  28.0

  1999–2000

  £per week

  Gross Income

  174.83

  262.25

  349.67

  524.50

  699.34

  Income Tax

  17.29

  37.39

  57.50

  97.71

  151.10

  NICs

  10.88

  19.63

  28.37

  43.40

  43.40

  266W

  Percentage

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  9.9

  14.3

  16.4

  18.6

  21.6

  NICs

  6.2

  7.5

  8.1

  8.3

  6.2

  Tax + NICs

  16.1

  21.7

  24.6

  26.9

  27.8

  2000–01

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  182.88

  274.31

  365.75

  548.63

  731.50

  Income Tax

  18.17

  38.29

  58.41

  98.64

  157.06

  NICs

  10.69

  19.83

  28.98

  45.90

  45.90

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  9.9

  14.0

  16.0

  18.0

  21.5

  NICs

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  8.4

  6.3

  Tax + NICs

  15.8

  21.2

  23.9

  26.3

  27.7

  2001–02

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  191.11

  286.66

  382.21

  573.32

  764.42

  Income Tax

  19.21

  40.23

  61.25

  103.30

  165.47

  NICs

  10.41

  19.97

  29.52

  48.63

  48.80

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.1

  14.0

  16.0

  18.0

  21.6

  NICs

  5.4

  7.0

  7.7

  8.5

  6.4

  Tax + NICs

  15.5

  21.0

  23.7

  26.5

  28.0

  Married with two Children:

  1996–97

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  11.41

  29.89

  48.37

  85.33

  130.78

  NICs

  10.52

  18.22

  25.92

  40.62

  40.62

  CB

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.4

  12.9

  15.7

  18.5

  21.2

  NICs

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  8.8

  6.6

  Net tax + NICs—CB

  1.5

  12.3

  17.8

  23.0

  24.6

  1997–98

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  11.35

  29.79

  48.23

  85.12

  132.50

  NICs

  11.08

  19.09

  27.11

  41.54

  41.54

  CB

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.1

  12.4

  15.0

  17.7

  20.7

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.6

  6.5

  Net tax + NICs—CB

  1.5

  12.0

  17.2

  22.2

  24.0

  1998–99

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  166.35

  249.53

  332.70

  499.05

  665.40

  Income Tax

  11.74

  30.87

  50.00

  88.27

  137.33

  NICs

  11.52

  19.83

  28.15

  43.38

  43.38

  CB

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.1

  12.4

  15.0

  17.7

  20.6

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.7

  6.5

  Net tax + NICs—CB

  1.5

  12.0

  17.3

  22.2

  24.0

  1999–2000

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  174.83

  262.25

  349.67

  524.50

  699.34

  Income Tax

  13.50

  33.61

  53.71

  93.92

  147.31

  NICs

  10.88

  19.63

  28.37

  43.40

  43.40

  CB

  24.00

  24.00

  24.00

  24.00

  24.00

  267W

  Percentage

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.7

  12.8

  15.4

  17.9

  21.1

  NICs

  6.2

  7.5

  8.1

  8.3

  6.2

  Net tax + NICs—CB

  0.2

  11.1

  16.6

  21.6

  23.8

  2000–01

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  182.88

  274.31

  365.75

  548.63

  731.50

  Income Tax

  18.17

  38.29

  58.41

  98.64

  157.06

  NICs

  10.69

  19.83

  28.98

  45.90

  45.90

  CB

  25.00

  25.00

  25.00

  25.00

  25.00

  WFTC

  81.19

  46.99

  12.79

  —

  —

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  -34.5

  -3.2

  12.5

  18.0

  21.5

  NICs

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  8.4

  6.3

  Net tax + NICs—CB

  -42.3

  -5.1

  13.6

  21.8

  24.3

  2001–02

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  191.11

  286.66

  382.21

  573.32

  764.42

  Income Tax

  10.71

  31.73

  52.75

  94.80

  164.42

  NICs

  10.41

  19.97

  29.52

  48.63

  48.80

  CB

  25.85

  25.85

  25.85

  25.85

  25.85

  WFTC

  74.90

  39.16

  3.43

  0.00

  0.00

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  -33.6

  -2.6

  12.9

  16.5

  21.5

  NICs

  5.4

  7.0

  7.7

  8.5

  6.4

  Net tax + NICs—CB

  -41.7

  -4.6

  13.9

  20.5

  24.5

  Married two earners (0 Children):

  1996–97

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  0.00

  12.07

  28.96

  64.95

  101.90

  NICs

  5.64

  13.34

  21.04

  36.43

  51.83

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  5.2

  9.4

  14.1

  16.5

  NICs

  3.7

  5.8

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  Tax + NICs

  3.7

  11.0

  16.2

  21.9

  25.0

  1997–98

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  0.00

  11.72

  28.83

  64.86

  101.74

  NICs

  6.12

  14.13

  22.15

  38.19

  54.23

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.9

  9.0

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  3.8

  5.9

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  Tax + NICs

  3.8

  10.7

  15.9

  21.4

  24.3

  1998–99

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  166.35

  249.53

  332.70

  499.05

  665.40

  Income Tax

  0.00

  12.16

  29.88

  67.23

  105.49

  NICs

  6.40

  14.71

  23.03

  39.67

  56.30

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.9

  9.0

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  3.8

  5.9

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  Tax + NICs

  3.8

  10.8

  15.9

  21.4

  24.3

  1999–2000

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  174.83

  262.25

  349.67

  524.50

  699.34

  Income Tax

  0.00

  11.63

  30.79

  71.00

  111.21

  NICs

  4.28

  13.03

  21.77

  39.25

  56.73

  268W

  Percentage

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.4

  8.8

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  2.4

  5.0

  6.2

  7.5

  8.1

  Tax + NICs

  2.4

  9.4

  15.0

  21.0

  24.0

  2000–01

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  182.88

  274.31

  365.75

  548.63

  731.50

  Income Tax

  2.54

  16.69

  36.35

  76.58

  116.81

  NICs

  3.37

  12.23

  21.38

  39.66

  57.95

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  1.4

  6.1

  9.9

  14.0

  16.0

  NICs

  1.8

  4.5

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  Tax + NICs

  3.2

  10.5

  15.8

  21.2

  23.9

  2001–02

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  191.11

  286.66

  382.21

  573.32

  764.42

  Income Tax

  2.75

  17.75

  38.42

  80.46

  122.51

  NICs

  2.77

  11.27

  20.82

  39.93

  59.04

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  1.4

  6.2

  10.1

  14.0

  16.0

  NICs

  1.4

  3.9

  5.4

  7.0

  7.7

  Tax + NICs

  2.9

  10.1

  15.5

  21.0

  23.7

  Notes:

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the basis that the household receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay Class 1 national national insurance contributions at the contracted-in rate.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the median gross weekly earnings of all full-time employees on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. (Median earnings are more representative of the population as a whole than mean male full-time earnings.)

  3. A family with two children is assumed to have both children aged under 11.

  4. In line with the convention in the Tax Benefit Reference Manual, Child Benefit is treated as negative income tax.

  5. Working Families Tax Credit is included from its first full year of implementation in 2000–01

  6. For the two earner family it is assumed earnings are split 60 per cent.:40 per cent.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in work are(a) women aged between 50 and 60 years, (b) men aged between 50 and 60 years, (c) women aged between 60 and 65 years, (d) men aged between 60 and 65 years, (e) women aged over 65 years and (f) men aged over 65 years; and what percentage are in full-time employment in each category. [122370]

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Douglas Alexander, dated 18 May 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question on people in employment aged over 50. I am replying in the Director's absence.
  The table attached shows non-seasonally adjusted estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which is the main source of labour market data on individuals. It gives the number of men and women in work by age group and the percentage that are in full-time employment in each category in the winter (December to February) quarter of 1999/2000.

  269W
  People aged 16 or over are classed in employment by the LFS if they have done at least one hour of paid work (as an employee or self-employed) in the week prior to their LFS interview or if they have a job that they are temporarily away from. People who do unpaid work in a family business and people on Government-supported training and employment programmes are also included according to the International Labour Organisation convention.

  Persons in employment by age group and whether working full-time, United Kingdom, Winter (December–February) 1999–2000

  Thousand and percentage1

  Age

  In employment

  50–59

  60–64

  65+

  Men

  2,731

  644

  283

  Of which:

  Total in full-time employment

  2,512

  526

  88

  Percentage in full-time employment2

  92

  82

  31

  Women

  2,297

  370

  179

  Of which:

  Total in full-time employment

  1,201

  116

  22

  Percentage in full-time employment2

  52

  31

  12

  All persons

  5,028

  1,014

  461

  Of which:

  Total in full-time employment2

  3,712

  642

  110

  Percentage in full-time employment

  74

  63

  24

  1Not seasonally adjusted

  2People in full-time employment as a percentage of all in employment in the relevant age band.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics

  Subcontractors
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reports have been made on subcontractors registering C154 certificates; and if he will make a statement. [122707]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None. In terms of checks on eligibility, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 17 April 2000,Official Report, columns 370–71W.

  Compliance Costs
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise have progressed with their research on compliance costs to business of major taxes and duties; for which taxes and duties the review has been completed; if he will place the completed research in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [122517]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise have embarked on a four year programme of research on business compliance costs. The joint programme starts in 2000–01 with separate research projects on the costs to business of dealing with VAT and Corporation Tax of non-financial companies.

  The results of this research will enable the Revenue Departments to look for ways of making improvements in those areas. They will shortly be inviting expressions of interest in tendering for projects within the programme.

  As the joint programme has just begun, no research has yet been completed.

  VAT
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Treasury has made of the VAT revenue per annum from 2001 on(a) tampons, (b) menstrual towels, (c) panty liners, (d) light use continence pads and (e) heavy use continence pads. [122102]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 15 May 2000]: As a result of the 2000 Budget, from January 2001 the Government are cutting VAT on all women's sanitary protection products from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent.—the lowest level allowed. The VAT revenue per annum from 2001 on (a) tampons, (b) menstrual towels and (c) panty liners is estimated to be £5 million, £5 million, and negligible, respectively. Light use continence pads and heavy use continence pads are already zero-rated when supplied to incontinent people. Data on standard-rated sales of continence products are not directly available.

WALES

  Green Transport
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the key buildings for which his Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122560]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales Office is fully committed to measures such as the "greening" of official ministerial cars. Because the Department is principally located in central London, no members of staff routinely drive to work, instead relying on public transport. However, my Department is extremely small and controls only a single building which houses fewer than 50 staff. We have not therefore submitted a green transport plan.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121656]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Wales Office staff are seconded from the National Assembly for Wales and their last pay settlement was the same as that received by Assembly staff. The headline pay settlement applicable from August 1999 was 2.5 per cent. on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.2 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121860]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  My Department has received no such applications during this session.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Veterinary Medicines
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the application of EU Directive 81/851/EEC to the traceability of veterinary medicines in the United Kingdom. [105197]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: I apologise for the long delay in responding, the result of an administrative error.

  Council Directive 81/851/EEC as amended contains provisions to assist traceability of veterinary medicinal products by way of requirements on marketing authorisation holders, wholesalers and retailers to keep detailed records of purchases and sales. Regulations to implement the requirements of the Directive in relation to retail sales by pharmacies and veterinary practices were laid before Parliament on 10 January and entered into force on 1 February.

  Greyhounds
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries(a) from which greyhounds were imported to and (b) to which greyhounds were exported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years and the number of greyhounds imported and exported in each case from each of those countries in each of those years. [120584]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: Figures on the import of dogs into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not held by my Department.

  Imports

  Details of the breed of commercially traded dogs imported into the UK from other member states in accordance with Article 4A of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (as amended) are not held centrally.

  Capital modernisation fund

  Application

  (a) Purpose

  (b) Intended recipients

  (c) Financial value (£000)

  (d) Outcome

  Round 1

  National Flood Warning Project

  To deliver improvements in quality and effectiveness to the flood warning service in England and Wales through public and private sector partnerships

  MAFF and Environment Agency

  5,000

  Unsuccessful

  Pilot Public Private Partnership Project for coast protection work at Scarborough

  Setting-up costs of a pilot project to encourage local authorities with responsibility for coast protection to utilise long-term strategic plans in considering alternative methods of procurement

  Scarborough borough council and MAFF

  2,000

  Unsuccessful

  Electronic Data Interchange for Seed Certification

  To enable efficiency and cost savings by minimising manual data entry from statutory seed certification forms, provide a speedier service to industry and gain experience in EDI application for similar services

  MAFF

  50

  Unsuccessful

  Establish managed telephone services to support delivery of schemes under Common Agricultural Policy

  Seedcorn funding for installation of computerised call-handling system at MAFF Regional Service Centres on a pilot basis to improve level of customer service

  MAFF

  50

  Unsuccessful

  Fishing Capacity Rationalisation

  To achieve a better balance between fishing capacity and available fishing opportunities by encouraging fishing industry to develop its own plans for restructuring

  MAFF

  5,000

  Unsuccessful

  272W
  However, the number of greyhounds imported into England and entering quarantine from outside the British Isles during 1997, 1998 and 1999 and details of the countries they were imported from are as follows:

  Country

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Australia

  2

  2

  1

  Cyprus

  0

  0

  2

  Germany

  1

  0

  0

  Israel

  0

  1

  0

  Italy

  0

  0

  1

  Spain

  0

  0

  54

  USA

  6

  3

  1

  Information on the number of greyhounds imported into England during the preceding two years could be provided only at disproportionate cost, as it is not computerised.

  Exports
  Annual figures for dog exports prior to 1997 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, as they are not computerised.

  Figures held on the export of dogs from the United Kingdom since 1997 are not sub-categorised by breed and it is therefore not possible to state how many were greyhounds.

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the applications made to date by his Department to the Capital Modernisation Fund giving the(a) purpose of the application, (b) intended recipients, (c) financial value and (d) outcome of each application. [120636]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: The information requested by the hon. Member is as set out:
  273W

  Capital modernisation fund

  Application

  (a) Purpose

  (b) Intended recipients

  (c) Financial value (£000)

  (d) Outcome

  Redevelopment of Central Veterinary Laboratory at Weybridge

  To update facilities

  MAFF

  up to 70,000

  Unsuccessful

  Cattle Imports
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries from which live cattle were imported to the United Kingdom in each of the last five years and the number of live cattle imported from each of those countries in each of those years. [120567]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: The number of live cattle imported into the United Kingdom for the period 1995–99 is shown in the following table.

  Country

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Austria

  0

  59

  30

  0

  0

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  53

  33

  162

  0

  73

  Canada

  87

  71

  239

  161

  1,730

  Denmark

  99

  35

  282

  177

  468

  France

  491

  247

  2,232

  469

  216

  Germany

  122

  113

  764

  98

  195

  Hungary

  0

  0

  0

  8

  0

  Ireland

  22,086

  12,698

  7,942

  7,315

  23,959

  Isle of Man

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Italy

  0

  0

  17

  16

  4

  Jersey

  0

  19

  0

  0

  0

  Netherlands

  1,627

  2,704

  12,308

  1,956

  1,082

  New Zealand

  0

  0

  34

  0

  0

  Romania

  0

  0

  59

  294

  0

  Source:

  Great Britain figures were obtained from the Ministry's computer system which issues export health certificates. Department of Agriculture Northern Ireland figures were obtained from their Veterinary Division. The figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the costs incurred by farmers as a result of the recent changes in the regional distribution of over-thirty-months scheme abattoir contracts. [120559]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: The award of 20 contracts for over-thirty-months scheme (OTMS) abattoir services in the UK followed a competitive tender and looked to ensure that sufficient slaughtering capacity was available having regard to the main production areas. Where abattoirs have changed, some individual farmer's costs have increased a little because their abattoir is now further away; but others have decreased.

  Electronic Communications
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the savings to be gained as a result of the electronic provision of his Ministry's forms. [120566]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: Savings resulting from the electronic provision of forms will arise both in relation to the time of those farmers who
  274W
  choose to use electronic interactive forms and in administrative time in the Department. Projects are under way to assess the technology. The pilot for electronic submission of IACS forms in Anglia Region has already had a successful start.

  Consultation Exercises
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for each formal consultation exercise solely or jointly undertaken by his Department since May 1997, what was the period allowed for submissions by the parties consulted. [121432]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Information on the response periods for individual consultation exercises is not collected centrally and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  BSE
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government's official scientific advisers are satisfied that the procedures routinely used in the production of gelatine in France are sufficient to destroy any trace of BSE infectivity in this product. [121416]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, the Government's independent scientific advisory body on BSE, has concluded that gelatine is safe for use in food given the large reduction in theoretical infectivity in the production of gelatine from raw material from which Specified Risk Materials (SRM) are excluded. In the case of France, there are controls on SRM removal both in relation to home production and to imports of raw materials for gelatine production.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has(a) consulted and (b) been consulted by the French Minister of Agriculture over the possibility of other ways of BSE transmission. [121414]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Extensive discussions took place between myself, the French Minister of Agriculture and the Commission at official and ministerial level about BSE-related issues. There has been a very full exchange of scientific opinion underpinning public decision making on this issue.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which budget the unbudgeted expenditure on the BSE inquiry has been funded. [121424]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 18 April 2000]: All costs of the BSE inquiry are met from within the existing budget of my Department and the budgets of the Department of Health, the Scottish Executive Rural and Agriculture Department, the National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
  275W
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what instances he would seek a review of the BSE risk status of an EU member state. [121415]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: The EU Scientific Steering Committee is nearing completion of its assessment of geographic BSE and risk in the EU and some third countries.

  Regional Service Centres
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish estimates of the value of his Department's Regional Service Centres if they were sold for development. [121436]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Were any of the Regional Service Centres to be sold, this information would be commercially sensitive. Not all of the Regional Service Centres could be sold for redevelopment because some are leasehold, some are used by other Government Departments as well as ourselves, and in some cases the local planning authority might not agree to redevelopment of sites.

  Organic Food Production
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has collected about the national standards that apply in each EU member state regarding the duration of the conversion period required for land used to grow organic crops. [121430]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 requires land used to grow organic crops to be subject to a conversion period not less than two years, or three years in the case of land used to grow perennial crops other than grass. However, the regulation permits these conversion periods to be reduced in the light of previous use of the land immediately prior to conversion. It does not specify a minimum conversion period.

  As we understand the current position, six member states, including the UK, require a minimum conversion period of 12 months. The other member states permit conversion periods shorter than 12 months in exceptional cases. However, the Commission is reviewing the position with the aim of achieving a greater degree of consistency of practice between the member states.

  Aid Package
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the components of the aid package announced on 30 March are intended to replace services discontinued as a result of the restructuring of his Department. [121428]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: None.

  Armed Services (Purchase of Supplies)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he and his Ministers or officials have had with the Ministry of Defence to discuss the purchasing of supplies for the armed services; and if those meetings were used to encourage the purchase of British agricultural produce by the Ministry of Defence. [121431]
  276W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Ministers and officials regularly have meetings with the MOD to discuss how the proportion of UK sourced food for the armed forces can be increased.

  Sheep Passports
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the introduction of sheep passports. [121417]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: There are currently no plans to introduce sheep passports.

  Regional Office Closures
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the net effect on his Department's budget of the planned closure of his Department's regional offices. [121427]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: No decisions have been taken on the future of the Ministry's Regional Service Centres (RSCs) following the recent review of CAP scheme administration.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the items in his Department's budget on which planned expenditure was reduced by over £250,000 in financial year 1999–2000 and in each of the previous three financial years. [121426]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: The information requested by the hon. Member can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Pig Farmer Demonstration
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the presence of the demonstration by pig farmers in Parliament Square. [121438]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: I have received a number of representations about the current state of the pig industry, some of which made reference to the demonstrations by pig farmers in Parliament Square.

  Agri-environment Schemes
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimates he has made of the effect on Government expenditure of changes in the level of payments under each of the agri-environment schemes to fall this year and the next as a result of his Department's reassessments of income forgone by participating farmers; and what the figures are; [121419]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the effect on the grants received by farmers under each of the agri-environment schemes of his Department's re-assessments of income forgone by participating farmers; [121418]

  (3) what research his Department has undertaken into the effect of reductions of payments made under agri-environment schemes, with particular reference to the South Downs Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme; and what study he has made of the impact of these reductions on the take-up of such schemes; [121437]
  277W
  (4) if reductions in specific payments under the South Downs environmentally sensitive area scheme are made at the discretion of his Department. [121420]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: Rates of payment to farmers participating in the Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship Schemes are governed by EU Council Regulation 1257/1999 and Commission Regulation 1750/1999. These provisions require payment rates to be calculated on the basis of income forgone, additional costs incurred, and an incentive not exceeding 20 per cent. of the income forgone. Following the review of payment rates in 11 ESAs in 1999, it is estimated the overall effect on grants to participating farmers in those ESAs would be a reduction of 1 to 2 per cent. Of the eight rates available in the South Downs ESA two were increased, two were reduced and the remainder were unchanged. It is estimated the overall effect will be a reduction of 5 per cent. compared with payments to farmers in that ESA in 1999.

  I announced to the House on 7 December 1999 that Government expenditure on agri-environment schemes would increase to more than double the current level during the seven years of the England Rural Development Plan.

  Salvage Meat
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the decision not to give the Food Standards Agency responsibility for the investigation into TB and salvage meat sold by his Department into the human food chain. [121440]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 9 May 2000]: No such decision has been made. It would be for the Food Standards Agency to decide whether any assessment of risks to food safety should be carried out.

  European Fisheries Regulations
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation the European Commission have had with Her Majesty's Government on consolidation of the European regulations relating to fisheries; what steps the Government have taken to consult user and operator interests in respect of the Commission's intentions; what steps he will be taking to ensure that in such consolidation no disadvantage will accrue to United Kingdom fishing interests; and what timetable is envisaged for publication of a draft revised regulation. [121632]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no current proposals before the Council of Ministers to consolidate European Fisheries legislation.

  In 1999 all provisions relating to Total Allowable Catches and Quotas in 2000 were, for the first time, brought together in a single regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No. 2742/1999). The industry was fully consulted on those proposals.

  Currency Fluctuation (Compensation)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has 278W
  received requesting monetary compensation to farmers as a result of the change in values of the pound and euro. [121765]

  Ms Quin
  We have received a number of representations requesting agrimonetary compensation to farmers.

CABINET OFFICE

  Penalty Clauses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the contracts entered into with private sector companies for the provision of goods or services since May 1997 where penalty clauses were triggered for non-performance; and if she will make a statement. [122010]

  Mr. Stringer
  Since May 1997 a penalty clause has been triggered on one Cabinet Office contract, as follows:

  Supplier: The Stationery Office Ltd.

  Description: Provision of Printing Services

  Reason for penalty: Late Delivery.

  The Central Office of Information has had a number of instances where service credits were obtained from suppliers in respect of unsatisfactory performance or for breach of their contractual obligations. These instances are not recorded separately and the cost of extracting the information would involve incurring disproportionate costs.

  Computer Viruses
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office at what precise time her Department became aware of the computer virus known as the Love Bug. [122590]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Cabinet Office became aware of this computer virus at 10:19am on Thursday 4 May 2000.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many applications for information she received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121852]

  Mr. Stringer
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department,Official Report, columns 216–17W.

  Deregulation Unit
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what system is used by the Deregulation Unit for monitoring the regulatory burden on the voluntary and charitable sectors. [122818]

  Mr. Stringer
  Since August 1998 this Government have insisted that Regulatory Impact Assessments are carried out whenever regulations are likely to have an impact on business, charities or the voluntary sector. Lists of Regulatory Impact Assessments that affect businesses, charities or the voluntary sector are recorded in twice
  279W
  yearly Command Papers which are placed in the Libraries of the House. There is no distinction made between Regulatory Impact Assessments for business and those that are purely concerned with charities and the voluntary sector.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the key buildings for which her Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122619]

  Mr. Stringer
  In line with the target set in the Integrated Transport White Paper for the introduction of green transport plans for Government buildings, by 31 March 2000 we had completed a plan which covered all of the buildings occupied or owned by the Cabinet Office and its agencies, as follows:

  Cabinet Office
  Downing street, 70 Whitehall, Great Smith street, Admiralty House, 36 Whitehall, Government Offices Great George street, 53 Parliament street, 10 Great George street, 4 Matthew Parker street, Hepburn House, Queen Anne's Chambers, Ashley House (all central London), Grosvenor House (Basingstoke), Sovereign House (Norwich), St. Clement's House (Norwich).

  Agencies
  Civil Service College (Sunningdale and 11 Belgrave road, London), GCDA (Ponton road, London), CCTA (Rosebery Court, Norwich), TBA (Royal Liver Building, Liverpool), PACE (Trevelyan House, London; 28 Thistle street, Edinburgh;
  280W
  Lawnswood Park, Leeds; West Point, Manchester; 38 George road, Birmingham; Beaufort Court, Bristol; Steel House, London), plus the Col (Hercules House, London).

  On 1 April 2000, CCTA, TBA and PACE transferred to the Office of Government Commerce, and the Civil Service College was fully integrated into the Centre for Management and Policy Studies within the Cabinet Office.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of Government task forces since May 1997. [121383]

  Mr. Stringer
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 9 December 1999,Official Report, column 634W.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in her Department for 1999–2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [121650]

  Mr. Stringer
  The headline pay settlement (excluding Agencies) was 2.5 per cent. on the paybill, together with the additional funds from staff turnover and staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 3.6 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Pakistan, India and Kashmir: UK-funded NGO work
  Pakistan, India and Kashmir: UK-funded NGO work
  The Lord Lieutenancy
  The Lord Lieutenancy
  Rural Social Exclusion: Ministerial Network
  Rural Social Exclusion: Ministerial Network
  "Lovebug" Computer Virus
  "Lovebug" Computer Virus
  Tribunals: Review
  Tribunals: Review
  ECOFIN Exchange Rate Discussions
  ECOFIN Exchange Rate Discussions
  Poor Countries: Debt Relief
  Poor Countries: Debt Relief
  Gold Reserves: Sale
  Gold Reserves: Sale
  Aldershot Garrison
  Aldershot Garrison
  General Social Care Council
  General Social Care Council
  Food Origin Labelling
  Food Origin Labelling
  Young Asylum-seekers: Faster Decision-making
  Young Asylum-seekers: Faster Decision-making
  State Pension: Investment Equivalent
  State Pension: Investment Equivalent
  Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Kashmir
  Kashmir
  Nuclear Disarmament
  Nuclear Disarmament
  Over Thirty Months Scheme: Weight Limit
  Over Thirty Months Scheme: Weight Limit
  Non-attendance at School: Parental Fines
  Non-attendance at School: Parental Fines
  Fresh Start Schools
  Fresh Start Schools