Written Answers of 23 May 2000

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Involuntary Manslaughter
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the law relating to involuntary manslaughter, and in particular corporate manslaughter; and if he will make a statement. [123518]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today issued a consultation document containing the Government's proposals on how the law on involuntary manslaughter might be reformed. The paper accepts and builds on the Law Commission's proposals contained in their report number 237, "Legislating the Criminal Code: Involuntary Manslaughter".

  Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library.

  This is an important document dealing with a complex area of the law, but one which most commentators accept is in need of reform. The Government are deeply indebted to the Law Commission, not only for the detailed consideration they gave to this subject in their report number 237, but for their continuing help by participating in the inter-departmental working group we set up to consider their proposals.

  The consultation document concentrates on those areas of the Law Commission's proposals which are more contentious or where, for the reasons set out in the document, we have taken a different view from the Law Commission. In a number of areas we have not come to any conclusion but are seeking comments on possible options.

  We wish to clarify and rationalise the existing law relating to individual involuntary homicide and we agree with the Law Commission that the law relating to corporate liability for involuntary manslaughter is in need of radical reform. Our proposals in this respect raise important and difficult issues of policy, principle and practice.

  I would urge all those who are concerned about the reform of the law on involuntary manslaughter to read this paper and respond to it.

  Criminal Justice System Business Plan
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the criminal justice system business plan. [123711]

  Mr. Straw
  My right hon. and noble Friends the Attorney-General, Lord Williams of Mostyn QC, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, and I will today be publishing jointly a Business Plan for the criminal justice system in England and Wales 2000–01.
  396W
  The Plan describes the aims, objectives and performance targets that the Government expect the criminal justice system as a whole to work to deliver

  Copies of the Plan have been placed in the Library.

  Immigration and Asylum (Financial Bonds)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the results of the consultation process on the design of a pilot study for financial bonds for visitors under sections 16 and 17 of the Immigration and Asylum Act. [123712]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have today placed in the Library a detailed analysis of responses to our recent consultation paper on bonds for visitors, together with an analysis of responses to this proposal in the 1998 White Paper on Immigration and Asylum. I am grateful to all those who responded to our consultation document. We have taken full account of their views, and of the many other representations made to us, in considering how the pilot study should run.

  The pilot study on financial bonds will begin in October at two posts overseas, Manila and Casablanca. It will run for six months, followed by a further six months to monitor departure from the United Kingdom, and a further brief period for analysis of the results.

  The scheme is intended to enable more people to visit the United Kingdom by providing an additional facility to prospective visitors in borderline cases where their intention to return is in doubt. It will enable a British Citizen or overseas national settled in the United Kingdom who is a family member to provide a financial bond, in the form of a cash payment in advance, as an additional guarantee that the visitor will leave the United Kingdom at the end of their stay. The scheme will be open only to those seeking to visit close family members in the United Kingdom. The amount of the bond will be set at £3,000. The bond will be returned when the visitor leaves the United Kingdom.

  We shall monitor the scheme closely to ensure that it operates fairly, effectively and swiftly. We shall make available our analysis of the operation of the pilot study when it is complete.

  Further details about how the scheme will operate will be provided nearer the time.

  Pet Cloning
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines exist in respect of the use of DNA from pets for future cloning purposes; and if he will make a statement. [122920]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The cloning of a pet animal would not be a permissible purpose under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which the Home Office operates. There are, therefore, no guidelines for the use of DNA from companion animals for cloning purposes.

  Prisoner Education
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many teaching staff have been employed in prisons and other custodial institutions in each of the last five years. [123496]
  397W
  Mr. Boateng
  Prison education is contracted out. The Prison Service purchases and measures education in terms of teaching hours rather than numbers of teaching staff. The number of teaching hours purchased in each of the last five years is given in the table.

  Financial year

  Teaching hours bought

  1995–96

  1,245,580

  1996–97

  1,169,717

  1997–98

  1,117,241

  1998–99

  1,213,562

  1999–2000

  1,354,165

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the procedure is for prisoners receiving educational publications from relatives. [123492]

  Mr. Boateng
  Educational publications for prisoners, such as books or periodicals, can either be left at reception, brought in on visits or sent in by post. These would be checked by prison staff before being passed on to the prisoner.

  The governor of each establishment has the discretion to restrict the handing or sending in of any item of property. If the governor of an establishment restricts the handing or sending in of property which prisoners may normally have in their possession, facilities will be made available for prisoners to purchase these items either through the prison shop or through approved mail order arrangements by using their private cash and/or earnings.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what educational facilities are available in the Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution. [123493]

  Mr. Boateng
  The education department at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution is run by Amersham and Wycombe College, which is expected to deliver 16,000 hours of education classes in the current financial year. Prisoners who are employed on a full-time basis have access to two hours education per week, and those in part-time employment for approximately 12 and a half hours per week. A wide range of courses is available and prisoners' individual needs are identified as part of their sentence plan.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners undertake distance-learning courses at their own expense. [123498]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at 3 April 2000, a total of 383 prisoners in England and Wales were registered on Open University distance-learning courses. Of these, 139 have not previously studied with the Open University.

  A range of other distance-learning courses are available in prison, including GCSE, A level and vocational courses.

  The majority of prisoners undertaking distance-learning courses pay for their courses through mixed funding arrangements, including self funding and charitable funding. Information on the number of prisoners who undertake distance-learning courses entirely at their own cost is not held centrally.
  398W
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on educational facilities in prisons and other custodial institutions in each of the last five years. [123495]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information is not available centrally on funds spent at individual prison establishments specifically on the provision of educational facilities over the last five years.

  However, funds from the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) have been made available to prison establishments to spend mainly on enhancing basic and key skills through, for example, extending education contracts, improvements to prisoners' basic pay to encourage them to participate in basic education, training Prison Service staff as basic skill support tutors and developing imaginative integrated basic skills tuition. Some of this money will also be invested in enhancing educational facilities. The table gives a breakdown of these funds provided to each prison establishment over the three year period covered by the CSR.

  Comprehensive Spending Review allocations to prison establishments

  £

  Area

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Central

  Aylesbury

  102,000

  42,000

  42,000

  Bedford

  93,478

  82,347

  84,810

  Bullingdon

  149,992

  127,555

  154,066

  Grendon

  27,000

  27,000

  27,000

  Gartree

  10,006

  10,257

  10,513

  Reading

  215,829

  202,262

  207,312

  Woodhill

  101,180

  960,82

  97,965

  Area total

  699,485

  587,503

  623,666

  Kent

  Aldington

  24,702

  0

  0

  Canterbury

  57,954

  58,970

  60,137

  Cookham Wood

  16,420

  16,913

  17,470

  Dover

  334,959

  300,000

  300,000

  East Sutton Park

  5,352

  8,736

  8,964

  Elmley

  133,483

  119,536

  122,848

  Maidstone

  70,143

  68,461

  68,834

  Rochester

  49,681

  45,786

  46,930

  Standford Hill

  26,844

  25,490

  26,127

  Swaleside

  33,392

  28,392

  28,392

  Area total

  752,930

  672,284

  679,702

  Mercia

  Birmingham

  168,028

  120,506

  120,506

  Brinsford

  103,410

  103,410

  103,410

  Drake Hall

  181,020

  141,020

  141,020

  Featherstone

  233,680

  233,680

  233,680

  Shrewsbury

  53,130

  53,130

  53,130

  Stafford

  274,797

  274,797

  274,797

  Area total

  1,014,065

  926,543

  926,543

  South Coast

  Camp Hill

  26,955

  28,900

  28,900

  Dorchester

  51,000

  51,700

  52,500

  Erlestoke

  32,364

  26,351

  27,010

  Guy's Marsh

  282,780

  195,353

  199,949

  Parkhurst

  84,734

  87,262

  843,49

  Portland

  25,000

  25,625

  26,266

  The Verne

  56,888

  51,955

  56,404

  Winchester

  50,452

  42,488

  43,551

  Area total

  610,173

  509,634

  518,929

  399W

  Comprehensive Spending Review allocations to prison establishments

  £

  Area

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  East Midlands

  Ashwell

  19,600

  19,600

  19,600

  Glen Parva

  431,423

  332,644

  337,348

  Leicester

  83,670

  85,386

  87,079

  Lincoln

  117,116

  138,264

  138,734

  Nottingham

  110,660

  110,660

  110,660

  Ranby

  39,254

  38,994

  39,835

  Stocken

  7,000

  1,000

  1,000

  Area total

  808,723

  726,548

  734,256

  London North

  Bullwood Hall

  47,158

  47,058

  47,058

  Chelmsford

  92,566

  94,842

  96,816

  Highpoint

  179,400

  179,400

  179,400

  Norwich

  170,855

  171,380

  172,505

  Pentonville

  291,700

  234,600

  236,000

  Area total

  781,679

  727,280

  731,779

  Mersey and Manchester

  Liverpool

  226,352

  226,352

  226,352

  Manchester

  42,414

  40,300

  41,600

  Risley

  158,060

  157,400

  160,950

  Sudbury

  18,854

  19,350

  19,900

  Area total

  445,680

  443,402

  448,802

  North West

  Garth

  21,006

  21,006

  21,006

  Haverigg

  21,040

  21,040

  21,040

  Hindley

  84,398

  84,398

  84,398

  Kirkham

  29,104

  23,139

  23,139

  Lancaster

  13,421

  13,770

  14,114

  Lancaster Farms

  13,000

  13,000

  13,000

  Preston

  69,000

  69,000

  69,000

  Thorn Cross

  63,000

  63,000

  63,000

  Wymott

  46,000

  47,138

  48,316

  Area total

  359,969

  355,491

  357,013

  High Security Prisons

  Belmarsh

  180,446

  180,446

  180,446

  Frankland

  154,643

  247,602

  248,258

  Full Sutton

  43,551

  58,306

  58,306

  Long Lartin

  29,800

  27,850

  28,700

  Wakefield

  32,720

  23,720

  24,720

  Whitemoor

  52,200

  50,500

  51,800

  Area total

  493,360

  588,424

  592,230

  London South

  Coldingley

  39,110

  38,447

  39,408

  Downview

  10,000

  10,250

  10,506

  Feltham

  438,718

  367,686

  376,878

  Highdown

  68,200

  68,950

  69,713

  Lewes

  47,600

  36,800

  37,688

  Send

  163,100

  136,949

  140,874

  Wandsworth

  106,000

  108,000

  109,575

  Wormwood Scrubs

  156,132

  156,132

  156,132

  Area total

  1,028,860

  923,214

  940,774

  North East

  Acklington

  116,000

  116,000

  116,000

  Castington

  100,000

  165,463

  165,463

  Deerbolt

  120,558

  93,044

  96,725

  Durham

  211,000

  186,000

  192,000

  Everthorpe

  30,000

  20,986

  21,360

  Holme House

  163,630

  151,906

  155,323

  Hull

  140,981

  115,131

  115,989

  Kirklevington

  6,067

  6,219

  6,373

  Low Newton

  183,000

  183,000

  183,000

  400W

  Comprehensive Spending Review allocations to prison establishments

  £

  Area

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Northallerton

  52,000

  47,000

  48,000

  The Wolds

  15,577

  15,577

  15,577

  Area total

  1,138,813

  1,100,326

  1,115,810

  Wales and West

  Bristol

  82,890

  81,550

  81,500

  Cardiff

  142,109

  142,109

  142,109

  Dartmoor

  31,300

  29,000

  28,900

  Eastwood P.

  84,920

  74,920

  74,920

  Exeter

  119,848

  119,848

  119,848

  Shepton M.

  121,174

  104,000

  104,000

  Swansea

  81,900

  81,900

  81,900

  Usk/Prescoed

  79,989

  69,823

  69,823

  Area total

  744,130

  703,150

  703,000

  Yorks

  Hatfield

  18,742

  18,742

  18,742

  Leeds

  180,656

  180,656

  180,656

  Lindholme

  27,789

  26,289

  26,289

  Moorland

  73,000

  73,000

  73,000

  New Hall

  167,500

  129,832

  141,383

  Wealstun

  81,500

  81,950

  82,873

  Wetherby

  211,870

  211,870

  211,870

  Area total

  761,057

  722,339

  734,813

  Education Services

  Computers

  38,800

  0

  0

  Total

  9,677,724

  8,986,138

  9,107,317

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what educational facilities are available to sex offenders in prisons held in accommodation separate from other prisoners. [123497]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not possible to identify separately the education provision for sex offenders. The Prison Service aims to provide them with similar education facilities to other prisoners. However, where sex offenders have to be segregated for their own protection pending allocation to a prison which offers suitable training facilities for them, safety considerations may limit their access to education.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what separate educational facilities are available for sex offenders in the Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution. [123494]

  Mr. Boateng
  At Aylesbury, sex offenders are fully integrated with the rest of the establishment's population and have access to the same education.

  Pilot Voting Schemes
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has drawn about the impact of pilot voting schemes in the 4 May local elections. [123483]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 15 May 2000,Official Report, column 62W.

  Prisoner Suicides
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there have been by prisoners in each of the last five years. [123491]

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

  Self-inflicted deaths in HM Prison Service establishments in England and Wales: 1995–99

  Calendar year

  Number of self-inflicted deaths

  1995

  59

  1996

  64

  1997

  68

  1998

  83

  1999

  91

  Notes:

  1. To date (19 May) there have been 35 self-inflicted deaths in prison custody in England and Wales.

  2. Totals for each year contain the numbers of all self-inflicted deaths in prison custody; not only those deaths where there has been an inquest verdict of suicide.

  3. The term employed by the Prison Service to refer to an apparent suicide is "self-inflicted death". This is broader than the term suicide and includes all those deaths where it is clear that the person has acted specifically to take his/her own life. It is not restricted to the official verdict from the Coroner's inquest where verdicts of "open" or "misadventure" may be recorded in cases where there was doubt about a person's intent to end their life.

  Force Reaction Unit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former members of the group known as the Force Reaction Unit have been interviewed by the Metropolitan police Special Branch in the past 12 months. [122761]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed me that 15 former members of the Ministry of Defence Force Research Unit have been interviewed by the Metropolitan police Special Branch during the past 12 months.

  Arrested Football Fans (Copenhagen)
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what legal action will be taken in the United Kingdom against those English football fans recently arrested in Copenhagen; [123414]

  (2) what action will be taken to prevent those English football fans recently arrested in Copenhagen from travelling to football matches overseas during Euro 2000; [123476]

  (3) how many of the English football fans recently arrested in Copenhagen have restriction orders against them prohibiting them from travelling abroad to football matches. [123475]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The 15 individuals arrested in Copenhagen were not convicted of any offence and no legal action can be taken against them in the United Kingdom. None are subject to a restriction or any other category of football banning order. Under current football legislation, the only individuals who can be prevented from travelling to Euro 2000 are the 106 hooligans currently subject to an international ban. However, the Dutch and Belgian police have extensive powers to refuse 402W
  entry to any individual or group felt to pose a risk to public order. The National Criminal Intelligence Service will provide them with details of the 15 individuals along with details of the 388 persons currently subject to domestic football bans. Police will be monitoring all England supporters at every United Kingdom exit point throughout the tournament and the information gathered will be shared with the Dutch, Belgian and French police, in addition to the United Kingdom police teams operating in all three countries.

  Crossbows
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to him to control the ownership and use of crossbows; and what plans he has to extend them. [123469]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No such powers are available to the Secretary of State.

  The Crossbows Act 1987 applies to crossbows with a draw weight of 1.4 kilogrammes or greater. It makes it an offence to sell or hire a crossbow to persons under the age of 17, and prohibits persons aged under 17 from possessing a crossbow unless supervised by someone aged 21 or over.

  In addition, the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits the possession in a public place of any offensive weapon without good reason or lawful excuse.

  There are no plans to amend this legislation at present.

  Cultural Events (Security)
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish the criteria by which police forces charge for providing security at(a) folk festivals and (b) other cultural events; [123468]

  (2) if it is his policy that police forces should have discretion as to (a) the amount of security that they provide at public and private events and (b) how much they charge for such services. [123467]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The decision whether to charge for costs of policing at local events is for the local police authority and the Chief Constable.

  Under Section 25(1) of the Police Act 1996,
  the Chief Officer of Police may provide, at the request of any person, special police services at any premises or in any locality in the police area for which the force is maintained, subject to the payment to the police authority of charges on such scales as may be determined by that authority.

  The rationale behind charging is that the taxpayer at large should not be asked to pay for services provided at private events or events which benefit only a relatively small section of the community. It is for the Chief Officer concerned to determine whether a given service would constitute a special police service. Special police services are not defined in the 1996 Act or elsewhere. I would expect them to be services which meet some or all of the following criteria:
  they are not part of the general duty of the police to keep the peace and protect life and property;
  the service to be provided is on private land; and
  the Service to be provided is for a commercially organised event.

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into United Kingdom law. [121906]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We set out our views on the general financial effects of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Human Rights Bill. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, set out the position with respect to the courts in her reply to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 10 April 2000,Official Report, column 21W.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the period between the commencement of the Home Detention Curfew scheme on 28 January 1999 and 30 April 2000 inclusive,(a) the total number of prisoners released on the scheme, (b) the number of prisoners convicted of each specific offence who were released on the scheme, broken down by offences committed, including the specific offences committed by prisoners normally classified under the categories (i) other homicide and attempted homicide, (ii) other violence against the person, (iii) drug offences, (iv) assaults and (v) other offences, (c) the average sentence (i) received and (ii) served, and the average period spent on the scheme, in respect of each specific offence, (d) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, broken down by offences committed, who (A) breached the conditions of the curfew, (B) disappeared and were recaptured, (C) disappeared and remain unlawfully at large and (D) had their licences revoked, and for what reasons, (e) the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme while on the scheme and (f) the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed a further offence while on the scheme that was similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted; and if he will make a statement. [121288]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 8 May 2000]: As of 30 April 2000, a total of 20,028 prisoners had been released on Home Detention Curfew since the scheme commenced on 28 January 1999.

  The original offences committed by prisoners released under the scheme during that period, the number of prisoners convicted of each specific offence, the average sentence received and served for those offences, and the average period spent on the scheme in respect of the

  Table 1: HDC discharges by offence type

  Months

  28 January 1999 to 30 April 2000

  Number

  Average sentence

  Average served

  Average period spent on scheme

  Total

  20,028

  14.4

  5.7

  1.5

  Manslaughter

  53

  33.9

  15.1

  1.9

  Other homicide and attempted homicide

  167

  23.0

  9.9

  1.8

  Attempted murder

  6

  28.5

  12.9

  1.9

  Making threats to kill

  34

  19.1

  8.0

  1.7

  Conspire, aid, incite murder

  1

  42.1

  19.1

  1.9

  Death by reckless driving

  126

  23.5

  10.1

  1.9

  404W
  prisoners convicted of each specific offence, are shown in table 1. The data are taken from the Prison Service's inmate information system based on the data recorded by each prison. The table provides as detailed a breakdown of offences as is possible from central records.

  As of 30 April 2000, 710 prisoners placed on the Home Detention Curfew scheme had breached the conditions of the curfew.

  Information on curfewees whose licences are revoked and who disappear before being recaptured is not held centrally. However, information is held on the number of curfewees unlawfully at large at any one time. On 30 April, there were 40 curfewees who remained unlawfully at large. This represents less than 5 per cent. of the total number of revocations. In the vast majority of cases, when a curfewee's licence is revoked, he can expect to be quickly apprehended and returned to custody. While the priority to be given to pursuing individual cases will be an operational matter for local police forces, Home Office Circular 1/1999 made clear that Home Detention Curfew recalls should be regarded as "urgent action" cases. In addition, the National Identification Service at New Scotland Yard issues "The Police Gazette" weekly to all police forces, including details of curfewees who are unlawfully at large. When curfewees are apprehended following a period unlawfully at large, they are required to serve the period of time outstanding at the point their licence was revoked.

  As of 30 April 2000, 965 curfewees had their licences revoked, using the powers available to the Secretary of State under Sections 38A(1) and 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The reasons for revocation were as follows:
  for breach of the curfew;
  because the curfewee's whereabouts could no longer be electronically monitored;
  because it was necessary to protect the public from serious harm; and
  because the curfewee had committed an offence or breached any requirement of probation supervision. (Curfewees who are charged with new offences may also be recalled on any of the preceding grounds depending on the circumstances of the case).

  Information on the specific offences committed by prisoners placed on Home Detention Curfew while on the scheme, and a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed a further offence while on the scheme that was similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted were set out in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope) on 22 May 2000, Official Report, columns 360–64W.
  405W

  Table 1: HDC discharges by offence type

  Months

  28 January 1999 to 30 April 2000

  Number

  Average sentence

  Average served

  Average period spent on scheme

  Wounding

  2,562

  15.6

  6.2

  1.6

  Wounding (inflicting GBH)

  1,556

  19.4

  8.0

  1.8

  Assault occasioning ABH

  951

  9.3

  3.3

  1.4

  Assault with intent to cause GBH

  55

  16.2

  6.7

  1.5

  Assaults

  524

  7.4

  2.5

  1.2

  Assault with intent to resist arrest

  10

  5.7

  1.8

  1.0

  Other assault

  396

  8.1

  2.8

  1.3

  Obstruct/resist constable

  8

  5.9

  2.0

  1.0

  Assault on police officer

  110

  4.7

  1.5

  0.9

  Cruelty to children

  23

  15.5

  6.4

  1.4

  Other violence against the person

  256

  15.4

  6.2

  1.5

  Cause explosion, place explosive

  2

  33.0

  15.0

  1.5

  Possess firearms with intent

  143

  18.9

  7.8

  1.7

  Possess offensive weapon

  92

  10.8

  4.0

  1.4

  Other violence against the person

  19

  9.0

  3.3

  1.3

  Buggery

  1

  6.0

  1.6

  1.4

  Indecent assault

  18

  11.5

  4.3

  1.4

  Unlawful sexual intercourse

  1

  6.0

  1.2

  1.9

  Abduction

  1

  36.0

  17.3

  1.2

  Bigamy

  11

  7.4

  2.4

  1.2

  Burglary

  1,887

  19.3

  7.4

  1.8

  Robbery

  811

  26.3

  11.4

  1.9

  Taking and driving away

  234

  9.6

  3.6

  1.2

  Other theft

  1,840

  11.3

  4.2

  1.5

  Handling stolen goods

  627

  13.6

  5.3

  1.6

  Fraud

  1,647

  13.2

  5.1

  1.6

  Forgery

  85

  11.1

  4.1

  1.4

  Drugs offences

  3,236

  20.2

  8.5

  1.7

  Production

  115

  15.8

  6.3

  1.6

  Supply

  1,079

  22.0

  9.3

  1.8

  Possession with intent

  1,366

  20.2

  8.4

  1.7

  Possession

  431

  15.7

  6.3

  1.6

  Unlawful import/export

  207

  24.5

  10.7

  1.7

  Other drugs offences

  38

  13.5

  5.1

  1.7

  Arson

  125

  22.8

  9.8

  1.8

  Criminal damage

  90

  12.2

  4.7

  1.4

  In charge or driving under the influence of drink or drugs

  692

  4.4

  1.4

  0.9

  Reckless driving

  329

  9.1

  3.2

  1.4

  Other motoring offences

  1,391

  4.6

  1.4

  0.9

  Drunkenness

  73

  5.0

  1.6

  0.9

  Blackmail

  60

  20.6

  8.6

  1.8

  Kidnapping

  30

  19.6

  8.1

  1.8

  Affray

  535

  9.4

  3.3

  1.4

  Violent disorder

  237

  13.8

  5.3

  1.7

  Perjury/libel/pervert the course of justice

  300

  9.8

  3.6

  1.3

  Threat/disorderly behaviour

  92

  8.6

  3.2

  1.2

  Breach of Court Order

  208

  9.5

  3.0

  1.9

  Other offences

  781

  11.8

  4.5

  1.4

  Offence not recorded

  1,101

  12.7

  4.8

  1.6

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of tobacco smuggling in the last 12 months; and how many of them were(a) imprisoned and (b) fined. [122903]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information held centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database combines sections 50(2)(3), 68(2) and 170(1)(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 "Fraudulent evasion of duty etc. other than drugs". However, the type of goods involved (tobacco, spirits, beers, wines, oils and guns) are not identified separately.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is in respect of experiments involving animals where the primary objective is to obtain information concerning human medical conditions which can reasonably be assumed to be self-inflicted. [122918]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Evaluating research proposals involving the use of animals is difficult and requires a delicate moral balance to be struck. Scientific developments have saved many human lives and cured many illnesses. Human medical conditions are likely to
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  derive from a variety of causes. For example, bronchitis and emphysema can be caused by a genetic predisposition, various occupational causes and passive smoking as well as smoking. It would be immoral, in our view, to deny victims of such diseases the assistance that new scientific knowledge could bring from current work.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to establish a Royal Commission into animal experimentation. [122940]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The position remains that we have not ruled out a Royal Commission, but strongly believe that resources can best be used to make immediate improvements to the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and to promote the fullest application of the 3Rs: to replace the use of animals with alternative methods, to reduce the numbers of animals used and to refine the procedures to minimise pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.

  In this context, the Animal Procedures Committee will be issuing a public consultation paper this summer as part of its review of the cost/benefit assessment. As part of this work, the Committee plans to produce an authoritative statement on the validity of animal experiments.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is in respect of animal experiments where the sole or primary purpose is one of commercial gain. [122916]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that, in determining whether and on what terms to grant a project licence, the Secretary of State must weigh the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the programme specified on the application.

  For the purposes of the cost/benefit assessment, the cost to the animal is considered as the adverse effects of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. The benefits must be for humans, animals or the environment and relate to the scientific and/or medical progress likely to result directly from the programme outlined in the application.

  The identification and assessment of benefit is set out in detail in the Chief Inspector's paper on the cost/benefit assessment, included in the Annual Report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1997. My policy is that the profitability of a company applying for authorities and the researchers' career prospects are not valid considerations for the purposes of the cost/benefit assessment, but that the socio-economic advantages of cheaper healthcare cannot be ruled out as possible legitimate benefits.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what criteria have been used to make appointments to the Inspectorate in respect of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; what plans he has to review these criteria; and if he will make a statement; [122305]

  (2) if he will list the names of those appointed to the Inspectorate in respect of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [122306]

  (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that those inspectors appointed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to investigate allegations against
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  licence holders have not been party to the original decision on granting that licence; and if he will make a statement; [122302]

  (4) how many establishments have been inspected by the Inspectorate appointed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 over the last three years; and with respect to each establishment of how many visits notification of the inspection was given; how many visits were unannounced; and if he will make a statement. [122304]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are approximately 300 designated establishments and the Inspectorate visits all of them. The number of visits to each establishment varies according to its size and the type of work being conducted at any particular time.

  Approximately 1,800 visits of inspection are conducted each year, two-thirds of which are without notice. Visits by appointment are usually made to conduct interviews with staff, to discuss new work proposals and ongoing work, to examine records of work, to investigate non-compliance or to view premises being considered for designation.

  When third party allegations are made against establishments or individuals, the investigation is handled by a Superintending Inspector from another region with no connection with the establishment or person, and no line management responsibility for the local inspector. The Chief Inspector quality assures these investigations and the resulting reports.

  The 1986 Act requires that Inspectors must be either medical or veterinary graduates: the former must be registered with the General Medical Council and the latter must be Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

  Candidates are expected to have additional higher professional or academic qualifications, and to have first hand experience of designing and conducting research in a clinical, academic or commercial environment. They must have a sound knowledge of medicine and surgery and be familiar with current trends and technologies used in medical and biological research.

  Members of the Inspectorate are civil servants, appointed to advise the Secretary of State whether and on what terms authorities should be granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. It is the Secretary of State who has ultimate responsibility for deciding what is licensed and the conditions which will apply. It is not normal practice to reveal widely the names of individuals where it is not in the interests of personal safety and security to do so.

  Performing Animals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the number of animals used in entertainment other than in circuses; and if he will make a statement. [122919]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Certificates of registration are sent to the Home Office by local authorities under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925. Local authorities were reminded in January of their statutory obligation to provide this information. The Home Office has so far this year received details of over 2,000 animals
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  which perform other than in circuses. Of these, 1,390 are included in two registration entries, and are used in promotional, film and television work.

  Burns Inquiry
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if any of those appointed to the Burns Inquiry secretariat have been(a) members and (b) supporters of (i) fox, deer, hare or mink hunts and (ii) other pro-field sports organisations, or have participated in hare coursing events; [123516]

  (2) if he sought to determine if those appointed to the Burns Inquiry secretariat had views on hunting with dogs prior to their being selected. [123515]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Committee of Inquiry into Hunting has been set up as a Committee which is independent of Government.

  The appointment of the Inquiry team's Secretariat, and other issues relating to the Secretariat, are matters for the Chairman of the Inquiry team, Lord Burns.

  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits have been undertaken by each member of the Burns Inquiry team in the course of the inquiry to events and functions organised by(a) anti-hunting groups and (b) pro-hunting groups. [123514]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I understand from the Secretariat to the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs that the information is as follows:

  Members of the Committee of Inquiry attended 11 events organised by, at the suggestion of, or in conjunction with, anti-hunting organisations. Attendance was as follows: Lord Burns 10; Dr. Victoria Edwards seven; Professor Sir John Marsh six; Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior one; Professor Michael Winter four.

  Members of the Committee attended 23 events organised by, at the suggestion of or in conjunction with, pro-hunting organisations. Attendance was as follows: Lord Burns 16; Dr. Victoria Edwards 12; Professor Sir John Marsh 11; Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior seven; Professor Michael Winter 12.

  Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings he has had with the Law Society over the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill. [121897]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There have been no meetings on this issue.

  Trustees
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to bring forward legislation regarding the role of trustees. [123499]

  Mr. Lock
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have no plans to bring forward such legislation. However, the Trustee Bill, presently awaiting its Committee Stage in another place, would make certain
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  provisions in relation to the powers and duties of trustees and particularly in relation to their powers of investment and related matters.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Sexual and Reproductive Health Projects
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the UK aid contributions for sexual and reproductive health projects for the years(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [123284]

  Clare Short
  My Department's bilateral contributions to sexual and reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS, in 1997–99 were:

  1997—£53.4 million

  1998—£58.4 million

  1999—£57.3 million

  In addition, the UK's core contributions to the following multilateral agencies also support action on sexual and reproductive health:

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  United Nations Population Fund

  11.5

  13

  15

  United Nations Children's Fund

  8

  10

  13

  UNAIDS

  2.3

  2.75

  3

  World Health Organisation (Reproductive Health)

  1.4

  1.4

  2

  International Planned Parenthood Federation

  5

  5.5

  5.5

  Gaza Hospital
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the new EU-funded Gaza Hospital will open; and if he will make a statement. [123294]

  Clare Short
  I am informed that Commissioning of the EU funded Gaza Hospital is now likely to start in July 2000 and be completed by the end of the year, when it is expected that the hospital will be fully operational. An interim Management Team has been recruited by EC and will gradually hand over responsibility for day-to-day operations to local counterparts. It is intended that the Management Team will remain in place until July 2001.

  Air Strip (St. Helena)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reasons a further study has been commissioned on the feasibility of an air strip on St. Helena. [123328]

  Clare Short
  A desk study undertaken in 1999 considered the regulatory and technical feasibility of operating an air service to St. Helena. It did not consider the engineering, economic, financial, environmental and social feasibility of developing appropriate facilities on the island. These issues will be investigated as part of the comparative study of air and sea access which is now being commissioned. The study will compare air with
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  future options for continuation of sea access and will identify the most cost-efficient permanent solution to St. Helena's international passenger and cargo needs.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who will have responsibility for paying the cost of the air strip feasibility study on St. Helena. [123470]

  Clare Short
  The cost of the comparative study of air and sea access will be met by my Department from within the £29 million development assistance package agreed for the 2000–01 to 2002–03 Country Policy Plan period.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the study on the feasibility of an air strip on St. Helena will be completed; and if she will ensure it is published. [123413]

  Clare Short
  The comparative study of air and sea access for St. Helena is currently being tendered. Work is expected to commence in August. The study will take about 14 weeks. As the study is being undertaken on behalf of the St. Helena Government it is they who should decide if the final report is published.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Penalty Clauses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [122022]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department has no record of any such contracts in the last three years.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the role of the members of the National Lottery Charities Board and the role played by Ministers in their appointment. [123082]

  Kate Hoey
  Members of the National Lottery Charities Board take decisions on applications for grants from charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations. They formulate policies that continually improve and develop the Board's grant-making and contribute to the strategic development of the Board in a changing environment. Members also act as the public face of the Board.

  Board members are appointed for up to five years by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Board's Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland representatives are appointed following consultation with the relevant head of the devolved Administration.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Indonesia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will provide 412W
  support for the Indonesian administration in order to reduce fighting between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia; [122853]

  (2) what representations he has made to the Indonesian Government regarding religiously motivated violence in Indonesia; [122852]

  (3) what recent reports he has received concerning religious violence in the Moluccas Islands. [122850]

  Mr. Battle
  The violence in Ambon and elsewhere in Maluku is a major concern for the Indonesian administration as well as for Britain and the international community. The new Indonesian Government aim to resolve regional conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation. We fully support that process, and have pressed upon them the need for conflict resolution work in particular communities. As part of the international effort through the United Nations Development Programme, we have already funded two conferences promoting reconciliation in Maluku, between 28 March and 3 April. We stand ready to help with further conflict prevention projects.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK expertise he will provide for training the Indonesian police force in managing conflict. [122854]

  Mr. Battle
  To explore the scope for the UK to support the Indonesian national police in its transition to a civilian accountable service, a senior British police officer will be attached to our Embassy in Jakarta from 1 June.

  Moluccas Islands
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received concerning the arrival of Jihad warriors in the Moluccas Islands. [122851]

  Mr. Battle
  We have received reports that a number of extremists from outside Maluku have travelled to the province, and are under the close scrutiny of the authorities in Maluku. We are concerned at recent reports that these extremists have threatened further violence in the province. We have urged the Indonesian Government to ensure the security forces maintain law and order and the protection of all citizens.

  Fundamental Rights Charter
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the implications for the British legal systems of the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights into the Treaty of European Union. [121896]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Cologne Conclusions state that the question of whether and if so how the Charter should be integrated into the Treaties
  will be considered only once the drafting body has presented its draft before the European Council in December.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Peter Penfold left his post as High Commissioner in Sierra Leone; and what his last day was in Sierra Leone. [123269]

  Mr. Hain
  Mr. Penfold left his post as High Commissioner, and Sierra Leone, on 29 April 2000, his tour of duty having been the normal length for such postings.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations his Department made to President Kabbah regarding accepting Foday Sankoh into the Sierra Leonean Government; [123313]

  (2) what representations were made to his Department regarding Foday Sankoh's inclusion in the Sierra Leone Government by (a) President Kabbah, (b) the Nigerian Government and (c) the United States Government; [123312]

  (3) what guidance he received on the decision to include Foday Sankoh into the Sierra Leonean Government; [123315]

  (4) what factors underlay the decision to include Foday Sankoh in the Government of Sierra Leone; [123314]

  (5) what representations were made by the Government on Foday Sankoh's inclusion in the Government of Sierra Leone. [123311]

  Mr. Hain
  Foday Sankoh has no formal post in the Sierra Leone Government. Under the Lomé Peace Agreement, he was made Chair of the Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development, with the status of Vice-President.

  Representatives of Nigeria, the US and Britain were among those present as observers during the negotiations in Lomé between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to(a) the US Administration and (b) his European counterparts regarding the freezing of bank accounts of leading members of the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone and their families. [123320]

  Mr. Hain
  UN sanctions are already designed to target the Revolutionary United Front. UN Security Council resolution 1171 (1998) imposes a travel ban on leading members of the former military junta and of the Revolutionary United Front. It also imposes an embargo on the supply of arms and related material to Sierra Leone other than to the Government of Sierra Leone (with certain exemptions). We have not discussed the option of freezing the bank accounts of leading members of the Revolutionary United Front and their families with the US Administration or with European counterparts. However, the UK will ensure that the Security Council keeps the impact and effectiveness of sanctions under review and will make proposals for modification of the sanctions regime as we consider appropriate.
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  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of illegal arms shipments going through Burkina Faso to the Sierra Leone rebels. [123317]

  Mr. Hain
  Her Majesty's Government are aware of allegations that arms flown from Ukraine to Burkina Faso in March 1999 were subsequently forwarded via Liberia to the rebels in Sierra Leone. We raised our concerns regarding this matter with the Burkinabe authorities and the UN Sanctions Committee at the time. The Chairman of the UN Sanctions Committee also raised these allegations with the Governments concerned.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the Commonwealth has played in finding a peaceful solution to the latest crisis in Sierra Leone. [123316]

  Mr. Hain
  The Commonwealth remains an active supporter of the Government of Sierra Leone's efforts to secure lasting peace. Meeting on 2 May, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group condemned the killings and detention of UNAMSIL peacekeepers; expressed its determination to stand by the people of Sierra Leone; and reiterated its readiness to assist the reconstruction of Sierra leone and the consolidation of its democracy.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has received from the US Administration on the situation in Sierra Leone; [123323]

  (2) what recent representations he has made to the US Administration on the situation in Sierra Leone. [123322]

  Mr. Hain
  We remain in close touch with the US Administration over the situation in Sierra Leone, particularly over the need for practical help to enable UNAMSIL to build itself up over the next few weeks. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary most recently discussed this with the US Secretary of State on 20 May. We welcome the US announcement of $20 million to support peacekeeping in Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors influenced the decision to offer amnesty to all the Sierra Leone Revolutionary United Front's members, as part of the Lomé peace accord. [123319]

  Mr. Hain
  Granting an amnesty for crimes committed before the signature of the Lomé Peace Agreement on 7 July 1999 was one of the many hard decisions taken by the Government of Sierra Leone in their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was first informed about the worsening situation in Sierra Leone after January. [123318]

  Mr. Hain
  We have kept the situation in Sierra Leone under careful and constant review. The present crisis began when the Revolutionary United Front attacked UN peacekeepers at a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration camp in Makeni on 1 May. Reports of this attack were received early the following day.

  The security situation deteriorated rapidly thereafter.

  Mr. Roger Crooks
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2000,Official Report, column 284W, concerning officials who met Mr. Roger Crooks, which official they have been unable to contact; and what the reason is for the delay. [123386]

  Mr. Hain
  We had been unable to contact the relevant official, due to his absence on annual leave. He has now confirmed that he has not met Mr. Crooks.

  Lomé Agreement
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the Government played in negotiating the Lomé agreement of 7 July 1999. [123321]

  Mr. Hain
  The Lomé Peace Agreement was negotiated between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States. Representatives from the international community, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Organisation of African Unity, and the United States, as well as Britain, attended the negotiations.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Lomé peace accord. [123310]

  Mr. Hain
  The Lomé Peace Agreement was signed on 7 July 1999. It provides for a permanent end to hostilities in Sierra Leone; disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of all former combatants; democratic elections; the creation of effective and democratically accountable armed forces; and an international peacekeeping force to supervise the peace process.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Western Sahara. [123648]

  Mr. Hain
  With the support of the UN Security Council, James Baker, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on the Western Sahara recently visited several north African countries to assess the prospects for resolving the long-standing dispute over the Western Sahara.

  Following these visits, Mr. Baker invited the two main parties—Morocco and the Polisario Front—and the two front-line states—Algeria and Mauritania—to meet in order to consider the options for moving discussions forward. The UN asked the British Government if we could provide a venue for 14 May. We agreed, and the UN accepted our offer of Lancaster House.

  We welcome the willingness of the two parties to engage. We hope they will respect the spirit and aims of Mr. Baker's mission and work with him to secure an early, durable and agreed resolution of this dispute.

  The 14 May talks were private and conducted throughout by Mr. Baker and his United Nations team. The UK's role was limited in this instance to logistical
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  support. But I hope it sends a clear signal of our continuing willingness to support UN efforts to resolve conflicts in the African continent.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the health of the Serbs held by KFOR in Kosovo who are on hunger strike. [121578]

  Mr. Vaz
  There are around 40 Kosovo Serbs on hunger strike in Mitrovica. We understand that they are being held in UNMIK detention facilities guarded by KFOR troops. Four of the 40 have been hospitalised. In three of the four cases, this was principally due to poor general health rather than the effects of the hunger strike.

  Joannou and Paraskevaides Group
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his Department's trade promotion initiatives in the last three years have involved the Joannou and Paraskevaides Construction Group. [123140]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: A representative from the Joannou and Paraskevaides Construction Group (J + P) attended and spoke at a promotional event in the UK in November 1998 to publicise export opportunities presented by the 2004 Olympics in Athens. J + P were also present at a follow-up event in Athens a year later.

  There is no other record of the Joannou and Paraskevaides Construction Group having been involved in FCO (and since may 1999 in British Trade International) trade promotion initiatives in the last three years.

TREASURY

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of(a) recipients of Working Families Tax Credit and (b) partners of the recipients of Working Families Tax Credit who earn within (i) 5 per cent. and (ii) 10 per cent. of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [123069]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 771W.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the key buildings for which his Department(a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122623]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]: The Treasury submitted green transport plans in March 1999 covering the two buildings it occupies.

  Euro
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the capital contribution which Britain would have to make to the European Central Bank on joining the euro. [123043]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As set out in Article 29 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, each national central bank of participating member states contributes to the ECB's capital according to a weighting, based on their relative population and national income.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total conversion costs for business of switching from the pound to the euro. [123044]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The level of costs would depend on the approach adopted by individual companies.

  Cross-departmental Reviews
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place the terms of reference of the 13 cross-departmental reviews announced on 21 December 1999 in the Library; and if he will make a statement on their progress. [122785]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The terms of reference of the 13 cross-departmental reviews announced on 21 December 1999 have been placed in the Library, along with the terms of reference of the two cross-departmental reviews announced since December. The 15 reviews are making excellent progress. The 2000 Spending Review will report in due course.

  Occupational Review
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce tax relief for pensioners in receipt of low levels of occupational pensions which are subject to tax. [122095]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Only four out of 10 pensioners have any income tax to pay. People aged 65 or more receive a higher level of income tax personal allowance: for example, someone aged between 65 and 74 has a personal allowance of £5,790 in 2000–01, in contrast with the allowance for people under 65 of £4,385. The age-related personal allowances were increased by substantially more than statutory indexation in 1999–2000 and have risen in line with indexation this year. They are gradually withdrawn in cases where income exceeds £17,000 a year.

  Endowment Mis-selling
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to require banks and insurance companies to compensate mortgage borrowers who have been the victims of endowment mis-selling. [123250]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: Where mortgage borrowers have been mis-sold an endowment, the regulators have powers to take disciplinary action which can result in firms being directed to make compensation. Mis-selling may arise from unsuitable advice, ie recommending that a borrower plans to repay a mortgage with a product which is either
  418W
  unsuitable for the purpose or unsuitable for the borrower's circumstances. The Government intend that the FSA will have comparable powers under the Financial Services and Markets Bill when enacted.

  Recently many endowment providers have contacted their customers to tell them that their endowments may not yield enough to repay associated mortgages. This does not necessarily arise from mis-selling and reflects the reduction in inflation in response to the Government's policy to deliver a stable macroeconomic environment conducive to long term economic growth. When inflation falls, investment returns also reduce so that the cash proceeds of an endowment may be lower than initially expected, eg insufficient to repay an associated mortgage.

  Changeover Plan
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department plans to spend on the national changeover plan(a) in total, (b) in Wales and (c) in Ceredigion in this financial year; and if he will make a statement. [123454]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Information on changeover planning is contained in the second Outline National Changeover Plan, published on 9 March.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the proceeds have been from the landfill tax in each of the last five financial years; how much of this has gone to(a) the Exchequer and (b) community projects; and what figures are estimated for the current year. [123481]

  Mr. Timms
  Total landfill tax receipts net of credits claimed in respect of contributions to environmental bodies, for each financial year since the introduction of the tax on 1 October 1996, are as follows.

  £

  Year

  Total receipts

  1996–97

  112.8

  1997–98

  360.7

  1998–99

  333.1

  1999–20001

  439

  1 Provisional

  The revenue raised from landfill tax is general Government revenue not earmarked for particular purposes. However, funding is available through the Landfill Tax Environmental Bodies Credit Scheme to support projects which achieve lasting community and environmental benefits and advance more sustainable waste management practices. Under the scheme, landfill site operators who are registered for landfill tax may claim tax credits to the value of 90 per cent. of any contribution they make to an approved environmental body, subject to an overall cap of 20 per cent. of their annual tax liability, in each 'contribution year'. Total credits claimed in respect of contributions to the scheme, for each financial year since the introduction of the tax are as follows.
  419W

  £

  Year

  Total credits

  1996–97

  0.1

  1997–98

  67.0

  1998–99

  68.8

  1999–20001

  89

  1 Provisional

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the independent environmental trusts which have benefited the proceeds of the landfill tax in each of the last five years in each local authority area in England and Wales. [123482]

  Mr. Timms
  Information about which environmental bodies have received contributions under the Landfill Tax Environmental Bodies Credit Scheme is a matter for the Regulator for the scheme, ENTRUST. I have therefore asked them to provide such data as they hold and will place a copy of their response in the Library.

  Road Fuel Tax
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been raised from(a) tax and (b) VAT on road fuels in each of the last five financial years. [123479]

  Mr. Timms
  The amount of excise duty raised on road fuels for the last five years is published in Table K2 of "HM Customs and Excise Annual Report 1998–1999". The estimated amount of VAT raised on road fuels can be calculated from the amount of household expenditure on petrol and derv. This is shown in Table 6.1 of "Consumer Trends", published by the Office for National Statistics.

  EU Contributions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of the fall in the value of the euro on the cost of the UK's contributions to the EU; and if he will make a statement. [123272]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In the long term the UK's gross contributions, in sterling and before abatement, remain largely unaffected by exchange rate movements.

  Sub-post Offices
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list documents and publications produced by the Treasury, Bank of England and associated public bodies that are available at sub-post offices. [121629]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by the Minister for Competitiveness on 15 May 2000,Official Report, column 23W.

  Premium Bond Prizes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number and value of unclaimed premium bond prizes for the last 12 months for which figures are available. [122328]
  420W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The number and value of unclaimed Premium Bond prizes each month form May 1999 to April 2000 is as follows:

  Month

  Number

  Value (£)

  May 1999

  2,476

  157,200

  June 1999

  2,484

  156,600

  July 1999

  2,474

  158,000

  August 1999

  2,571

  167,400

  September 1999

  2,502

  160,850

  October 1999

  2,478

  174,850

  November 1999

  2,495

  171,700

  December 1999

  2,560

  181,270

  January 2000

  2,508

  173,900

  February 2000

  2,608

  181,450

  March 2000

  2,594

  193,900

  April 2000

  2,648

  194,850

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the Northern Ireland Structural Funds Plan 2000–06 will be allocated to nature conservation projects; how much of this will be allocated to(a) projects relating to the Draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy and (b) the protection and restoration of Northern Ireland's Natura 2000 network; and if he will make a statement. [122097]

  Mr. Ingram
  Negotiations on the Northern Ireland Structural Funds 2000–06 and the Community Support Framework are ongoing with the European Commission and allocations to specific areas of spend will not be known until Programme Complements have been determined by the yet-to-be-appointed Monitoring Committees. The information requested is therefore not available.

  Consideration is being given to including in the Structural Funds Plan measures for environmental enhancement which could embrace projects to benefit both biodiversity and Northern Ireland's Natura 2000 network.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total sums spent in each financial year, up to 30 April in the current year, on the Saville Inquiry into the events in Londonderry on 30 January 1972, broken down into(a) salaries of staff, (b) travel and subsistence, (c) accommodation, (d) hearing and witness costs, (e) fees to solicitors representing those killed and others, (f) fees to barristers representing those killed and others, (g) IT and communications and (h) miscellaneous, including general office expenditure. [121359]

  Mr. Ingram
  Expenditure on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry is summarised in the table, broken down into the subheadings requested. Figures are currently available only up to the end of the financial year (31 March 2000) and not the end of April as requested. The figures for moneys paid to solicitors and barristers cannot readily be
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  provided separately, nor can the payments for their professional services be readily separated from other expenses. However, these amounts have been split

  £

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total

  Salaries

  5,479

  581,605

  900,061

  1,487,145

  Travel and Subsistence

  10,436

  155,892

  182,768

  349,096

  Accommodation

  101,955

  526,568

  851,165

  1,479,688

  Hearing and Witness Costs

  0

  268,532

  613,969

  882,501

  Payments to lawyers representing families of the dead and wounded

  0

  432,319

  2,429,490

  2,861,809

  Payments to other lawyers, including Counsel to the Inquiry

  0

  3,555,268

  5,852,692

  9,407,960

  IT and communications

  0

  1,078,586

  1,511,023

  2,589,609

  Miscellaneous, including general office expenditure

  2,505

  45,238

  239,591

  287,334

  Grand total

  120,375

  6,644,008

  12,580,759

  19,345,142

  Civil Servants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [121655]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The headline pay settlement for 1999–2000 in the Northern Ireland Office was 2.5 per cent. on the pay bill and, with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 3.62 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent measures he has taken to support the shipbuilding industry in Belfast. [122772]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following the recent announcement by Harland and Wolff of a conditional order for up to six Roll on/Roll off passenger vessels, the Company and the Government remain in close contact on a number of detailed matters arising from that business. The Government will continue to assist Harland and Wolff in whatever way they can to safeguard employment and skills at the Belfast shipyard and to help it seek out profitable new work there. Ministers and Departments in Northern Ireland have, in recent weeks, had a series of meetings with the company, trades unions and others to discuss current shipbuilding issues and the way ahead for the shipyard. That important work will continue.

  Housing Debt
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total is of housing debt owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. [123016]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive's outstanding loan debt at 31 March 2000 is £1,654,277,867 (£1.654 billion).

  DVLNI
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland in 2000–01. [123784]
  422W
  between payments to lawyers representing the families and payments to other lawyers, including Counsel to the Inquiry.

  Mr. George Howarth
  For 2000ߝ01, the following key performance targets have been set for the Agency:Output:
  1. To dispatch 96 per cent. of registration books for new vehicles in 16 working days from receipt.
  2. To dispatch 96 per cent. of refunds of vehicle excise duty in 10 working days from receipt.
  3. To dispatch 96 per cent. of vehicle excise licences in five working days from receipt of postal application.
  4. To dispatch 96 per cent. of duplicate vehicle registration books in six working days from receipt of applications.
  5. To dispatch 93 per cent. of all driving licences in nine working days from receipt of applications.
  6. To dispatch substantive replies to 98 per cent. of written inquiries for information from the drivers and vehicles registers in three working days from receipt.
  Waiting Times at Local Vehicle Licensing Offices:
  7. To limit maximum waiting time at Local Vehicle Licensing Offices so that 96 per cent. of customers are attended to within 22 minutes during peak periods (the first eight and the last two working days of each month) and within 10 minutes at other periods.
  Financial:
  8. To meet an overall efficiency gain of 2.5 per cent.
  9. To reduce the unit cost per vehicle excise enforcement case by 0.5 per cent. in real terms compared to 1999–2000.
  Quality:
  10. To limit the error rate (errors on any item sent out by the Agency) to a maximum of 0.5 per cent. of total Agency output.

HEALTH

  Penalty Clauses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [122016]

  Ms Stuart
  National Health Service bodies with contracts for goods or services with private sector companies where penalty clauses have been triggered for failure to perform to time or to standard were:
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  NHS body

  Nature of contract

  Trent region

  East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Radio control system

  Nottingham Health Authority

  Headquarters building

  Rotherham General Hospitals NHS Trust

  Catering

  Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham; University Hospital NHS Trust

  Laundry

  University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

  Laundry

  South-West region

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  Patient administration IT system

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  Laundry

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  Radiology services

  West Dorset General Hospitals NHS

  Estate maintenance

  Exeter Community Hospitals NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  South Devon Health Care NHS Trust

  Laundry

  East Somerset NHS Trust

  Security

  East Somerset NHS Trust

  Orthotic services

  Poole Hospitals NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  Northern and Yorkshire region

  Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Payroll services

  Wakefield and Pontefract Community Health NHS Trust

  Information services

  South Durham Health Care NHS Trust

  Combined heat and power

  Leeds Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  Community units for the elderly

  Leeds Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  Community and mental health information system

  South-East region

  Oxfordshire Mental Health NHS Trust

  Mental health reprovision

  East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust

  Patient administration IT system

  East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust

  IT finance system

  Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust

  Energy management

  Sussex Weald and Downs NHS Trust

  IM and T service and support

  Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) agreement for minor works

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  Catering

  Portsmouth Healthcare NHS Trust

  Estates maintenance

  Portsmouth Healthcare NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust

  Ambulance vehicle construction

  Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust

  Specialist computer software

  Kent Ambulance NHS Trust

  IT

  Eastern region

  Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust

  Supplies

  North Essex Mental Health NHS Trust

  Catering

  West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust

  Clinical waste incineration; energy maintenance

  Papworth Hospital NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust

  Cleaning

  East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority

  Nursing homes; therapeutic care

  Basildon and Thurrock NHS Trust

  Laundry

  London region

  Bromley Hospital NHS Trust

  Domestic services

  Camden and Islington Community Health NHS Trust

  Cleaning; laundry; sterile supplies; patient transport; dairy supplies; taxi services

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health NHS Trust

  Security

  Forest Healthcare NHS Trust

  Domestic services

  Guys and St. Thomas NHS Trust

  Security

  Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

  Computer maintenance

  Havering Hospitals NHS Trust

  Energy management system

  Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

  Security

  Newham Healthcare NHS Trust

  Patient taxi service

  North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  Computer maintenance; CCTV services

  Riverside Community Health NHS Trust

  Equipment maintenance

  Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

  Boiler room maintenance; patient transport; fire precautions

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust

  Agency nursing

  North-West region

  Bay Community NHS Trust

  FM services

  Alder Hey NHS Trust

  Pharmacy

  West Midlands region1

  1No known private sector contracts where penalty clauses have been triggered

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  Neurology Services
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consultations he has had with(a) medical (b) patient and (c) other organisations as part of the review of the funding of specialised neurology services; [122579]

  (2) what representations he has received from (a) medical, (b) patient and (c) other organisations as part of the review into the funding of specialised neurology services. [122580]

  Mr. Denham
  We are currently considering how best to undertake an independent review of the evidence for the use of neurostimulator implants in the treatment of severe Parkinson's Disease and we are not in a position at the moment to undertake consultations. Once we have established the best mechanism for taking this work forward we will then consult with the relevant bodies.

  Since February 2000 we have responded to 35 representations in the form of ministerial correspondence regarding specialised neurology treatments. These representations are categorised as follows:

  (a) Medical: 6

  (b) Patients: 1

  (c) Other organisations: 25 (generally the Parkinson's Disease Society and its local branches)

  (d) Hon. Members' constituents: 3 (whether clinician or patient is unknown)

  In addition, we have responded to three pieces of ministerial correspondence about the use of out of area treatments to fund specialised treatments in general.

  Officials regularly meet with representatives from a range of the relevant voluntary and patient organisations.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing service agreements for neurosurgery and specialist neurology in the Eastern region. [122578]

  Mr. Denham
  The Eastern Region Specialised Services Commissioning Group is reviewing the arrangements for specialised neurosciences in the light of the two recent national reports on standards and models of care.

  In the meantime, health authorities in the Eastern region have no plans to change existing commissioning arrangements.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the commercial companies which have paid staff on secondment to his Department and (b) the projects on which each secondee is working. [122909]

  Ms Stuart
  Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more people out. Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: voluntary, education, health, public and private.

  Central records are held on five secondments from the private sector.
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  Company

  Project

  British Airways

  Organisational Development

  Deloitte and Touche

  Private Finance Initiative

  Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd.

  Private Finance Initiative

  Herbert Smith

  Private Finance Initiative

  Macfarlanes

  Private Finance Initiative

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Department of Health employees are on secondment to commercial companies; and if he will list the companies concerned. [122907]

  Ms Stuart
  Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more people out. Secondments and attachments are part of the interchange initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the civil service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: voluntary, education, health, public and private.

  Central records are held on two secondments to the private sector:

  Company: Sema Group

  Company: Federal Mogul.

  Human Vaccines (BSE)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what year the first vaccine was used on humans which may have utilised bovine material from BSE-infected cows in the early stage of manufacture. [122973]

  Yvette Cooper
  This information is not available because the precise date of the emergence of BSE in cattle is not known and it is also not known if bovine material for use in the manufacture of vaccines was taken from BSE-infected cattle.

  Waiting Lists (Mid Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each month from March 1997 until the latest available period the total number of people(a) waiting for hospital treatment and (b) waiting more than 12 months for hospital treatment in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area. [122797]

  Mr. Denham
  The total number of patients waiting and the number of patients waiting over 12 months for hospital treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust for each month from March 1997 until March 2000 (the latest available information) is shown in the table.

  Year/month

  Total number of Patients waiting

  Number of patients waiting over 12 months

  1996–97

  March

  8,391

  104

  1997–98

  June

  8,690

  311

  September

  8,967

  441

  December

  10,542

  601

  March

  11,360

  849

  427W

  Year/month

  Total number of patients waiting

  Number of patients waiting over 12 months

  1998–99

  June

  11,834

  1,176

  July

  11,804

  1,123

  August

  11,791

  1,063

  September

  11,615

  1,155

  October

  11,382

  1,180

  November

  11,347

  1,194

  December

  11,359

  1,184

  January

  11,172

  1,224

  February

  10,475

  1,123

  March

  9,967

  1,093

  1999–2000

  April

  9,961

  1,101

  May

  9,980

  1,058

  June

  9,824

  1,083

  July

  9,488

  1,061

  August

  9,465

  991

  September

  9,395

  963

  October

  9,372

  1,024

  November

  9,483

  1,042

  December

  9,851

  1,060

  January

  10,233

  1,118

  February

  10,416

  1,060

  March

  9,865

  1,062

  Source:

  KH07 quarterly waiting times returns, monthly monitoring returns

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each quarter since March 1997 until the latest available quarter the total number of people waiting(a) 13 weeks or more and (b) over 26 weeks for an outpatient's appointment at the Mid Essex Hospital Trust. [122796]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is as follows:

  Number of patients waiting over 13 weeks and over 26 weeks for a first outpatient appointment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust for each quarter since March 1997

  Year

  Quarter

  Not seen 13 to 25

  Not seen 26 plus

  Total not seen 13 plus

  1996–97

  4

  481

  74

  555

  1997–98

  1

  678

  99

  777

  1997–98

  2

  972

  122

  1,094

  1997–98

  3

  874

  130

  1,004

  1997–98

  4

  1,083

  234

  1,317

  1998–99

  1

  1,348

  256

  1,604

  1998–99

  2

  1,596

  341

  1,937

  1998–99

  3

  1,848

  440

  2,288

  1998–99

  4

  1,847

  575

  2,422

  1999–2000

  1

  2,660

  624

  3,284

  1999–2000

  2

  2,876

  1,299

  4,175

  1999–2000

  3

  2,644

  1,055

  3,699

  1999–2000

  4

  1,979

  945

  2,924

  Source:

  QM08 quarterly waiting times returns

  Income Support and Residential Allowance
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations were sent copies of the consultation paper of 14 April on preserved rights income support and residential allowance. [123473]
  428W
  Mr. Hutton
  A copy of the consultation paper was sent to each council in England and to the organisations listed. The consultation period closes on 31 May. The Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland are considering their own arrangements for consultation. We shall publish proposals for the future funding of long-term care in a White Paper later this year.
  Organisations consulted:

  Royal National Institute for the Deaf

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  SENSE

  SCOPE

  RADAR

  British Council of Disabled People

  Disablement Income Group

  Leonard Cheshire

  Association for Residential Care

  National Development Team

  British Institute of Learning Disabilities

  The National Autistic Society

  MENCAP

  Change

  People First

  Values Into Action

  Rescare

  Foundation for people with learning disabilities

  Community Care Development Centre

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship

  Mental Health Foundation

  Richmond Fellowship

  Manic Depression Fellowship

  MIND

  Centre for Mental Health Services Development

  Association for Residential Mental Care

  Turning Point

  Mental After-Care Association

  Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

  Stonham Housing Group

  Abbeyfield Society

  Anchor Housing Association

  Care Sector Committee

  Independent Healthcare Association

  National Care Homes Association

  Registered Nursing Homes Association

  United Kingdom Home Care Association

  United Kingdom Care Council

  Care Forum

  Voluntary Organisations Disability Group

  Council of Nursing Homes Associations

  Help the Aged

  Age Concern

  Local Government Association

  Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS)

  ADSS—Mental Health Group

  Association of London Government

  Carers National Association

  Princess Royal Trust for Carers

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  Cross Roads

  The King's Fund

  Alzheimers Disease Society

  Disability Rights Commission

  National Centre for Independent Living

  The Independent Living Centre

  Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

  Dioxins
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research has been undertaken or evaluated by his Department to establish the health risks to the public posed by dioxins in the environment; [123510]

  (2) if links have been established between dioxins and cancer in humans; [123511]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the incidence of illnesses in the United Kingdom linked to dioxins (a) currently and (b) in 1995.[123480]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department and the Food Standards Agency seek advice on the health implications of dioxins from the independent expert advisory Committees on the Toxicity and on the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. The Committee on Toxicity has evaluated the scientific data on dioxins on a number of occasions, most recently in 1995. The evaluation can be found in the 1995 Annual Report of the Committee which is available in the Library. The Committee on Carcinogenicity concluded in 1998 that it would be prudent to consider one specific dioxin, 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, as a "probable weak human carcinogen". The Committee's statement can be found on the Department's Internet site www.doh.gov.uk/coc.htm, and in the 1998 Annual Report.

  The Food Standards Agency funds research on dioxin in food and staff in the Agency actively contribute to the work of the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food Task Force on Dioxins. The Medical Research Council, which is the main agency through which Government supports research on the causes and treatment of disease, also funds research on dioxin as part of a programme on genetic susceptibility and resistance to xenobiotics.

  No specific assessment has been made of the incidence of illnesses in the United Kingdom linked to dioxins.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for renewal of driving licences accompanied by Form D4 medical reports were received by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [122825]
  430W
  Mr. Hill
  The number of applications received by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in 1997, 1998 and 1999 for renewal of driving licences accompanied by a D4 medical report form, was as follows:

  1997: 147,677

  1998: 140,128

  1999: 58,591

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many days during(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 has the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency experienced exceptional heavy workloads giving rise to delays in issuing renewal driving licences where applications for renewal were accompanied by Form D4 medical reports. [122824]

  Mr. Hill
  Information about the number of days during 1997, 1998 and 1999 that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency experienced delays in issuing renewal driving licences accompanied by a D4 medical report is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, this type of transaction is given high priority at all times.

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for renewal of driving licences accompanied by Form D4 medical reports were received by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in(a) April, (b) May, (c) June, (d) July , (e) August and (f) September 1999. [122829]

  Mr. Hill
  The number of applications processed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in April, May June, July, August and September 1999 for renewal of driving licences accompanied by a D4 medical report form was as follows:

  Month

  Applications

  April

  5,865

  May

  4,994

  June

  5,364

  July

  4,763

  August

  4,331

  September

  4,914

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average period of time that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency took to issue renewal driving licences when the application for renewal was accompanied by a Form D4 medical report in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [122826]

  Mr. Hill
  The average time taken by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in 1997, 1998 and 1999 to renew driving licenses accompanied by a D4 medical report form is published in the Agency's Corporate and Business Plans and was as follows:

  Working days

  Target

  Actual

  1997

  10

  8

  1998

  9

  8

  1999

  9

  8

  Housing
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase housing investment over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [123009]

  Mr. Mullin
  When this Government came to power they inherited spending plans under which capital investment in housing was set to fall from £1.54 billion in 1997–98 to £1.37 billion by 1999–2000. We took early action to reverse this decline through our Capital Receipts Initiative and the Comprehensive Spending Review. As a result, we are making available nearly £5 billion extra over the life of this Parliament. In 2001–02, capital investment in housing will be over £3 billion—double the level we inherited in 1997–98. Our current Spending Review will determine investment levels in future years and decisions will be announced in the summer.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the link between investment in housing and directly and indirectly related employment creation. [123010]

  Mr. Mullin
  There are a number of important links between housing and employment, many of which are set out in our Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all". Housing investment supports employment in the construction industry, while the provision of decent homes enhances people's educational attainment and employment opportunities. The Government are investing nearly £5 billion extra in housing over the life of this Parliament.

  Policies for housing and employment are being integrated through regional planning guidance which takes account of Regional Development Agencies' economic strategies and regional housing statements.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the priorities for housing in this year's comprehensive spending review. [123008]

  Mr. Mullin
  Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home, so promoting social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. Our priorities are set out in the Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all"—widely recognised as the most comprehensive review of housing for over 20 years.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to develop action zones in areas where the market has failed to provide sufficient housing in order to promote the development of additional housing. [123011]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government are not aware of any areas where the market is failing to provide a sufficient amount of housing but we are aware of examples where housing is not necessarily of the right quality or design, and where it does not meet the most urgent needs of the community. That is why we have put in place the range of policies set out in revised Planning Policy Guidance for housing—PPG3—and our Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all". Our policies encourage more sustainable patterns of development, improvements in quality and design, better use of existing housing, and the provision of more affordable housing.
  432W
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of additional affordable homes required in each of the next five years; and how many are currently provided for under the Housing Corporation Programme and the local authority social housing grant. [123012]

  Mr. Mullin
  We do not make national estimates of housing need, since these are unable to adequately reflect the diversity of needs and priorities at the local level. The Housing Corporation forecast that the Approved Development Programme will provide around 18,000 homes for rent, and 4,000 homes for sale on a low cost basis in 2000–01. The Housing Corporation also forecast around 11,000 completions in 2000–01 through Local Authority Social Housing Grant.

  Marine Surveyors
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department will ensure that practising marine surveyors are professionally qualified and covered by professional indemnity insurance. [123006]

  Mr. Hill
  Marine surveyors are required to hold professional qualifications before they can apply to join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA—an executive Agency of my Department). Their training needs are reviewed on an annual basis as part of the MCA's performance appraisal and development system to ensure they remain up to date and qualified for the jobs they are required to undertake.

  Servants of the Crown are not covered by professional indemnity insurance. The Crown is its own insurer and does not effect insurance.

  Landfill Sites, Devon
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department plans to take concerning the lack of a waste strategy plan for landfill sites in Devon after 2007. [123077]

  Mr. Meacher
  Devon county council is preparing a Waste Local Plan for Devon to cover the period up to 2011 (the Plan will not include the administrative areas of Plymouth City council, Torbay council and Dartmoor National Park Authority as they will be covered by the emerging Local Plans of those authorities).

  In October 1998, the county council consulted interested parties about the draft Waste Local Plan which contained policies for waste disposal by landfill. In their response to the consultation, the Government Office for the South-West commented that:
  The Plan does not convey a clear sense of the spatial strategy, or of the preferred mix of waste management methods, and there are no specific development proposals or land allocations, or clear locational guidance. Government policy advises that local plans need both to set out the authority's policies for the control of development and to make proposals for the development of land and to allocate land for specific purposes. It is important to confront these issues, because the Plan indicates that important choices will need to be implemented well within the plan period to 2011. The Plan should therefore make those choices and propose the key developments necessary to implement them.
  433W
  The Plan will be deposited for public consultation in the autumn; if a public local inquiry is necessary it is likely to take place in the autumn of 2001, and the Plan is expected to be adopted in the summer of 2003. The county council will review the Plan every five years in order to take account of evolving technology, any revised planning policies and new legislation.

  Gas Safety
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average time taken to report on incidents involving(a) gas explosions and (b) fires in the last 12 months for which statistics are available. [123042]

  Mr. Meacher
  On the assumption that the question refers to the average time taken by HSE inspectors to report on such incidents following investigation, the answer is that data are not maintained that would provide an average time for the completion of a report. The time taken depends on the nature of the incident and the complexity of the investigation; one recent example has taken five months while another was completed in 48 hours.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned into ways of improving gas safety. [123040]

  Mr. Meacher
  HSE is making a contribution towards the costs of the following research projects carried out by British Gas Technology (BGT) under the auspices of the Joint Industry Programme:

  (i) compartment ventilation

  (ii) vitiation modelling

  (iii) open flue interaction

  (iv) reliability of CO alarms

  (v) information dissemination

  (vi) emergency response

  (vii) incident data.

  Research has been commissioned separately by HSE on:

  (i) the reliability of CO detectors (BGT)

  (ii) incident data (BGT)

  (iii) test methods for room-sealed appliance seals (BGT)

  (iv) flue performance (at BRE).

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures exist to ensure that lessons learnt from inquiries into gas explosions are circulated to local authorities, housing associations, and those involved in gas installations. [123038]

  Mr. Meacher
  It is normal practice to publish public inquiry reports, for example those which covered gas explosions at Ronan Point and Putney. These and other serious accident investigations inform the development of regulatory controls governing gas installation and use, and related guidance for duty holders.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding his Department has allocated in the current year for research into gas safety. [123041]
  434W
  Mr. Meacher
  For the financial year 2000–01, £307,000 has been allocated by HSE for gas safety research.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when was the last time his Department issued guidelines to local authorities, housing associations and house builders on safety relating to gas installations. [123039]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Commission approved on 12 October 1998 a Code of Practice giving practical guidance on complying with the provisions of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Guidelines were issued to local authority enforcement officers on the enforcement of the Regulations in assigned premises in November 1999.

  In addition, the Building Regulations make requirements for the safe accommodation of combustion installations in buildings. Approved Document J, which supports the legal requirements, gives technical guidance on some ways of achieving compliance when installing gas combustion systems; this would include following the recommendations in certain British Standards. Approved Document J was last amended in 1989, and the current edition came into effect on 1 April 1990.

  Common Land
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reasons underlay the decision not to include the New Forest in the reports commissioned by his Department entitled "Greater Protection and Better Management of Common Land and Good Practice Guide on Managing the use of Common Land". [123256]

  Mr. Mullin
  These two reports were not aimed at any specific commons, but were intended to cover issues and problems arising on the majority of common land throughout England and Wales.

  The publications will be less relevant to those commons which benefit from their own legislation, and particularly those such as the New Forest which are exempted from registration under the Commons Registration Act 1965. It will be a matter for consideration how far, if at all, any new legislation should apply to those commons, and we will naturally listen to views in this respect. The advice contained in the Good Practice Guide may be applied in the New Forest, provided it is consistent with local legislation. Similarly, those who administer that legislation may pursue legislative changes consistent with those proposed in the consultation paper Greater Protection and Better Management of Common Land in England and Wales.

  Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the recommended limit is of methyl tertiary butyl ether (ug/L) in drinking water, and what monitoring the Drinking Water Inspectorate has made of drinking water supplies to detect methyl tertiary butyl ether. [123445]

  Mr. Mullin
  There is no standard for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in drinking water. MTBE is detected in drinking water by its odour/taste at concentrations
  435W
  much lower than concentrations that would be a risk to health. Because MTBE has the potential to contaminate groundwater sources used for drinking water supply, the Drinking Water Inspectorate has checked the monitoring for MTBE carried out by water companies. Apart from one site specific incident in 1990 which resulted in the water company treating water to remove MTBE, this monitoring has not revealed a problem. The water companies are aware of the potential problems and remain vigilant. The Inspectorate is liaising with the Environment Agency on MTBE.

  Chinese Herbal Medicines
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he takes to ensure Chinese herbal medicines on sale do not contain ingredients derived from endangered species. [122921]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates and sometimes bans trade in endangered species including plants, is strictly implemented in the UK under both European and National legislation. Medicines derived from species listed on Appendix II or III of the Convention need an import permit issued by my Department before they can enter the country. Permits will not normally be issued for products containing the most endangered species listed on the Convention's Appendix I. Any products that are derived from, or even claim to be derived from, wild taken Appendix I specimens will not normally be allowed on sale in the UK.

  The CITES Convention is actively enforced by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the Police who work together with my Department, other government departments and certain non-governmental organisations on the Government's Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime. My Department produces general guidance on the Convention and has recently launched a dedicated website on CITES. We have also worked with the enforcement agencies to produce specialist material including leaflets, posters and videos aimed directly at Britain's Chinese speaking community. We are currently working on new guidance, to be produced in English and Chinese, for practitioners and retailers of traditional Chinese medicines and have signalled our intention to work with Middlesex University on new scientific research into the use of alternatives to replace endangered species contained in traditional medicines.

  Plywood Timber
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the Government's plywood timber procurement originated in(a) Indonesia and (b) the Brazilian Amazon in the last three years. [123160]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information requested is not held centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  St. John's Wood Station
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he was consulted or informed in advance by London 436W
  Underground about its plans to place restrictions for several hours per day on use of St. John's Wood Underground Station during the test match at Lords and on 10 June; if he will call for a report from London Underground on the cost of (a) additional staff at that station during this period and (b) buses used to provide alternative transport; what action has been taken in respect of the London Underground employees responsible for this situation; and if he will ensure that closures of this nature are not repeated. [123455]

  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State was informed in advance about the proposed restrictions at St. John's Wood. These are operational matters for London Underground and the Secretary of State does not propose to call for any further report. While we regret the inconvenience caused by the restrictions we recognise that London Underground must make decisions about station closures which give the highest regard to passenger safety.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's criteria are for the siting of new incinerators. [123500]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The building of new incinerators will normally require the grant of planning permission from the waste planning authority under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and an authorisation from the Environment Agency under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Government guidance on the planning considerations which should be taken into account in the siting of new incinerators is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note 10 "Planning and Waste Management".

  Longbridge Rover Plant
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with the West Midlands Development Agency on the future of the Longbridge Rover plant. [123477]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Discussions on the future of the Longbridge Rover plant have been undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. My right hon. Friend established a Task Force to assess the impact of Rover restructuring on the West Midlands economy. He appointed Alex Stephenson, the Chairman of Advantage West Midlands, as Chairman of the Task Force, and received an interim report in April. My right hon. Friend met with the Task Force on two occasions, and is due to meet with them before they submit their final report in June. The Government Office for the West Midlands is involved in working with the Task Force, and helping to co-ordinate effort across a number of Government Departments.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what part was played by West Midlands RDA in connection with the recent negotiations over the Longbridge Rover plant. [123478]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Negotiations for the sale of the Rover Group were a matter for the owners, BMW, and prospective bidders. The West Midlands RDA, Advantage West Midlands, was not involved in those negotiations.
  437W
  However, Advantage West Midlands supported the Rover Task Force established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Representatives of AWM, on behalf of the Task Force, were involved in discussions with BMW and the bidders about their proposals, in order to understand the likely impact on the regional economy.

  "Environmental Snapshot for the East of England"
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) for what reason figure 19 on page 13 of the Environment Agency's document, "Environmental Snapshot for the East of England", does not include landfill sites in Basildon and Thurrock; and if he will make a statement; [123385]

  (2) what the cost was of the production of the Environment Agency's document, "Environmental Snapshot for the East of England"; and who its author was; [123271]

  (3) for what reason figure 1 on page 2 of the Environment Agency's document, "Environmental Snapshot for the East of England", does not include the Unitary Borough of Thurrock. [123270]

  Mr. Mullin
  The omission of the Unitary Borough of Thurrock and the landfill sites in Basildon and Thurrock was an oversight, due to an editorial error. This has already been brought to the attention of the Environment Agency by local government and the Agency will amend the snapshot when it publishes the second edition in September 2000.

  The cost of production of the "Environmental Snapshot for the East of England" was £4,470. The report was produced by Robert Runcie, Regional Director of the Environment Agency (Anglian Region).

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions this year a mixture of landings and take-offs on the same runway has been allowed at Heathrow Airport because of congestion. [123259]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Tactically Enhanced Arrival Measures (TEAM) procedure at Heathrow involves the use of the departure runway to increase arrival rates and reduce holding delays. The procedure is approved only when it can be accommodated within the Heathrow Departure air traffic controllers' workload.

  For environmental reasons, controllers are required to record the occasions on which the TEAM procedure is implemented. During the period 1 January to 18 May the TEAM procedure was implemented on the westerly runways at Heathrow on 53 occasions.

  In accordance with local environmental restrictions, when the easterly runways are in use, arriving aircraft are permitted to use either of the parallel runways, Runway 09 Right or Runway 09 Left, at any time without restriction during the majority of the operating day. For environmental reasons, Runway 09R is normally used for all departures.
  438W
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed Terminal 5 on the number of air traffic movements at Heathrow Airport. [123260]

  Mr. Mullin
  This matter was explored fully at the public inquiry into BAA's planning application for a fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport and because of the Secretary of State's quasi-judicial role in the planning system, it would not be appropriate to comment on the application or its implications until the inspector's report has been received and carefully considered.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire, dated 16 March 2000, regarding Mr. D. Williams of Kirk Ireton. [123306]

  Mr. Mullin
  This letter was sent for advice in March. Due to a clerical error the advice was delayed. However, I have now sent the hon. Member a full reply.

  North Wales Main Line
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will verify the accuracy of Virgin Trains' commercial study of the electrification of the North Wales mainline by using external consultants. [123458]

  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director did use external consultants to satisfy himself of the validity of the Virgin study.

  Local Authority Housing
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of the new financial framework for local authority housing. [123709]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced on 22 June 1999,Official Report, column 337W, that the Government intended to proceed with their proposals for the introduction of a new financial framework for local authority housing. Our Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All" repeated that commitment. The new financial framework will place authorities' accounts on a more businesslike footing and encourage more efficient investment in the stock. Together with Best Value, it will help ensure that local authority housing assets are managed in a way which will ensure that the resources which have been and will continue to be invested in them provide good-quality homes which reflect tenants' wishes and needs.

  Our intention remains to introduce the new financial framework from 1 April 2001 with the exception of removing rent rebates from the HRA where primary legislation is needed. We are providing resources through HRA subsidy to help authorities with initial costs. Over recent months we have undertaken consultation on a number of detailed aspects of the new system and my officials have continued to work closely with local government and others. Significant progress has been

  439W
  made and my officials are today writing to local authorities with detailed material on various aspects of the change. The material is also being made available in the Library of the House and will shortly be available on the Department's website.

  We have consulted on four particular topics since my right hon. Friend's announcement of 22 June. On stock valuation, we are today publishing the final version of the guidance. There was general support for the approach proposed based on the identification and valuation of beacon properties. The final version of the guidance reflects a number of detailed comments made in response to consultation. It will help authorities in preparing the valuations which will be necessary for the new-style accounts.

  On business planning, there has been a general welcome for the concept. We will be publishing final guidance taking account of comments made in response to consultation in June; authorities will be expected to produce initial business plans by 31 October.

  On the methodology for calculating the Major Repairs Allowance, we have carefully considered the comments made and are sending authorities a detailed list of our responses. We have made some adjustments to the assumptions underpinning the calculations as a result of the consultation process. The Major Repairs Allowance will be part of HRA subsidy from April 2001, and will form part of our normal consultation on subsidy later this year. All this material, and the guidance on shadow accounts which the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy expect to be issuing in June, will help authorities prepare for the new regime.

  On removal of rent rebates from the HRA, there was general support for the principle involved. The majority of respondents agreed that it was right to regard local authority housing as a national programme and that assumed surpluses in authorities' housing accounts should be retained within housing and redistributed through a pooling mechanism. Some authorities in negative subsidy have expressed particular concerns about the impact of the new system, and the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin), announced on 4 April 2000, Official Report, column 810, that we would introduce transitional arrangements for authorities in negative subsidy from 2001. We will be consulting on the details of the transitional measures.

  I am grateful for the positive and helpful contribution that local authorities have made to the development of these important proposals. I hope that they will approach their implementation in the same way.

  Councils (Beacon Status)
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will invite councils to apply for beacon status. [123785]

  Ms Armstrong
  We will publish tomorrow an Application Brochure, inviting councils to apply for beacon status by 25 July. Copies of the brochure will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Security
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the total amount spent by schools on security measures in 1999(a) by constituency and (b) by local education authority; [123134]

  (2) how much the Government have awarded to local education authorities in each year since 1995 for schools to (a) implement security reviews and (b) undertake measures to make their premises more secure. [123167]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department does not collect information in the level of detail requested. Expenditure by each local education authority in England supported by the Government's Standards Fund grant for school security, which is allocated directly to authorities, is shown in Table 1 for 1998–99, the latest year for which outturn information is available, along with the total sums available to authorities for 1999–2000.

  Specific grants for school security measures have been made available since 1997–98, following a recommendation from the Government's Working Group on School Security. To date, £94 million has been made available to support a variety of security measures in schools in England, to help make a safer environment for pupils and staff. A breakdown, by year, of this total funding is given in Table 2.

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18): School Security

  £

  LEA

  Expenditure

  Barking

  57,343

  Barnet

  98,917

  Barnsley

  93,812

  Bath and NE Somerset

  71,095

  Bedfordshire

  165,727

  Bexley

  83,066

  Birmingham

  435,551

  Blackburn with Darwen

  72,095

  Blackpool

  46,787

  Bolton

  117,263

  Bournemouth

  37,421

  Bracknell Forest

  38,056

  Bradford

  229,894

  Brent

  62,517

  Brighton and Hove

  78,242

  Bromley

  61,553

  Buckinghamshire

  202,143

  Bury

  80,342

  Calderdale

  66,480

  Cambridgeshire

  177,651

  Camden

  56,116

  Cheshire

  307,766

  City of Bristol

  156,075

  City of London

  744

  Cornwall

  228,506

  Coventry

  128,675

  Croydon

  106,039

  Cumbria

  227,760

  Darlington

  46,026

  441W

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18): School Security

  £

  LEA

  Expenditure

  Derby

  88,046

  Derbyshire

  323,655

  Devon

  279,442

  Doncaster

  139,240

  Dorset

  148,057

  Dudley

  112,803

  Durham

  258,120

  Ealing

  82,388

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  140,287

  East Sussex

  177,407

  Enfield

  92,180

  Essex

  355,976

  Gateshead

  88,131

  Gloucestershire

  195,656

  Greenwich

  85,883

  Hackney

  70,910

  Halton

  63,538

  Hammersmith

  47,113

  Hampshire

  461,947

  Haringey

  82,116

  Harrow

  71,166

  Hartlepool

  41,836

  Havering

  86,857

  Herefordshire

  80,697

  Hertfordshire

  431,656

  Hillingdon

  58,193

  Hounslow

  84,224

  Isle of Wight

  56,920

  Isles of Scilly

  2,591

  Islington

  69,775

  Kensington and Chelsea

  28,176

  Kent

  440,642

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  110,399

  Kingston upon Thames

  43,291

  Kirklees

  178,478

  Knowsley

  77,815

  Lambeth

  66,129

  Lancashire

  542,965

  Leeds

  287,359

  Leicester

  118,430

  Leicestershire

  245,821

  Lewisham

  88,982

  Lincolnshire

  239,202

  Liverpool

  211,743

  Luton

  73,582

  Manchester

  197,201

  Medway Towns

  97,664

  Merton

  55,860

  Middlesbrough

  66,065

  Milton Keynes

  79,153

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  109,499

  Newham

  92,374

  Norfolk

  322,723

  North East Lincolnshire

  78,961

  North Lincolnshire

  76,228

  North Somerset

  75,587

  North Tyneside

  85,842

  North Yorkshire

  294,636

  Northamptonshire

  273,550

  Northumberland

  168,630

  Nottingham City

  119,138

  Nottinghamshire

  325,454

  442W

  Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18): School Security

  £

  LEA

  Expenditure

  Oldham

  116,562

  Oxfordshire

  260,896

  Peterborough

  62,385

  Plymouth

  105,454

  Poole

  38,216

  Portsmouth

  64,781

  Reading

  34,941

  Redbridge

  85,193

  Redcar and Cleveland

  69,194

  Richmond upon Thames

  50,854

  Rochdale

  90,501

  Rotherham

  129,465

  Rutland

  11,529

  Salford

  111,851

  Sandwell

  132,632

  Sefton

  126,222

  Sheffield

  184,912

  Shropshire

  128,600

  Slough

  36,063

  Solihull

  91,229

  Somerset

  217,409

  South Gloucestershire

  109,027

  South Tyneside

  74,491

  Southampton

  81,228

  Southend-on-Sea

  37,734

  Southwark

  79,363

  St. Helens

  79,938

  Staffordshire

  371,280

  Stockport

  124,564

  Stockton-on-Tees

  78,558

  Stoke-on-Trent

  112,479

  Suffolk

  297,308

  Sunderland

  132,781

  Surrey

  328,518

  Sutton

  48,845

  Swindon

  60,578

  Tameside

  98,379

  Telford and Wrekin

  65,972

  Thurrock

  45,912

  Torbay

  43,939

  Tower Hamlets

  98,230

  Trafford

  81,304

  Wakefield

  149,619

  Walsall

  114,389

  Waltham Forest

  82,633

  Wandsworth

  57,346

  Warrington

  88,164

  Warwickshire

  207,700

  West Berkshire

  62,404

  West Sussex

  283,477

  Westminster

  49,379

  Wigan

  128,984

  Wiltshire

  163,458

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  53,829

  Wirral

  137,247

  Wokingham

  33,422

  Wolverhampton

  113,821

  Worcestershire

  229,936

  York

  71,192

  Total

  19,708,368

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  Table 2: Total amount made available by Government to local education authorities (LEAs) each year since 1995 to undertake school security measures

  £ million

  Government grant

  LEA contribution

  Total amount

  1997–98

  New Deal for Schools

  6

  —

  6

  1997–98

  Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST)—Grant rate 60 per cent.

  12

  8

  20

  1998–99

  Standards Fund (Grant 18)—Grant rate 75 per cent.

  15

  5

  20

  1999–2000

  Standards Fund (Grant 23)—Grant rate 75 per cent.

  16.5

  5.5

  22

  2000–01

  Standards Fund (Grant 26)—Grant rate 75 per cent.

  16.5

  5.5

  22

  Notes:

  1. GEST and the Standards Fund grants for school security had grant rates. This means Government provide the set grant rate and local education authorities are required to contribute the remainder in order to take up the grant.

  2. In 1997–98 and 1998–99, an additional £2 million per year was available to schools in the grant-maintained sector via the Funding Agency for Schools.

  3. The Standards Fund school security grant is allocated to local education authorities by formula and can be used on a variety of physical measures and on security related training for staff and governors. Local education authorities are required to devolve at least 70 per cent. of their grant allocation to schools, while being allowed to retain a maximum of 30 per cent. of their allocation to co-ordinate a training programme for staff and governors.

  Pre-school Education
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many early childhood education places are provided for four-year-olds by maintained sector providers in each local education authority as part of their agreed Early Years Childcare and Education Development Partnerships. [122505]

  Number of pupils1 aged 42 in maintained nursery and primary schools by local education authority area in England January 2000 (provisional)

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  All pupils in nursery provision

  Other pupils aged 4 in Infant classes in primary schools

  All pupils aged 4 in nursery and primary schools

  England

  15,979

  118,396

  134,375

  349,422

  483,797

  North East

  Darlington

  184

  152

  336

  810

  1,146

  Durham

  376

  1,226

  1,602

  3,683

  5,285

  Gateshead

  15

  514

  529

  1,495

  2,024

  Hartlepool

  12

  384

  396

  838

  1,234

  Middlesbrough

  0

  613

  613

  1,244

  1,857

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  165

  694

  859

  1,914

  2,773

  North Tyneside

  50

  664

  714

  1,530

  2,244

  Northumberland

  20

  788

  808

  2,527

  3,335

  Redcar and Cleveland

  0

  537

  537

  1,118

  1,655

  South Tyneside

  117

  547

  664

  1,179

  1,843

  Stockton-on-Tees

  0

  658

  658

  1,460

  2,118

  Sunderland

  249

  778

  1,027

  2,271

  3,298

  North West and Merseyside

  3,017

  18,681

  21,698

  64,687

  86,385

  North West

  2,660

  14,942

  17,602

  53,757

  71,359

  Blackburn with Darwen

  244

  201

  445

  1,448

  1,893

  Blackpool

  0

  131

  131

  1,069

  1,200

  Bolton

  127

  680

  807

  2,169

  2,976

  Bury

  18

  457

  475

  1,393

  1,868

  Cheshire

  56

  863

  919

  5,040

  5,959

  Cumbria

  178

  922

  1,100

  3,573

  4,673

  Halton

  104

  112

  216

  1,016

  1,232

  Lancashire

  805

  1,057

  1,862

  8,743

  10,605

  Manchester

  16

  1,759

  1,775

  3,363

  5,138

  Oldham

  0

  817

  817

  2,025

  2,842

  Rochdale

  292

  376

  668

  1,779

  2,447

  444W
  Ms Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested. The latest estimates of the number of four-year-olds educated in maintained nursery and primary schools by local education authority area is shown in the following table.
  445W

  Number of pupils1 aged 42 in maintained nursery and primary schools by local education authority area in England January 2000 (provisional)

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  All pupils in nursery provision

  Other pupils aged 4 in Infant classes in primary schools

  All pupils aged 4 in nursery and primary schools

  Salford

  64

  1,057

  1,121

  1,514

  2,635

  Stockport

  229

  514

  743

  2,223

  2,966

  Tameside

  66

  671

  737

  1,828

  2,565

  Trafford

  0

  651

  651

  1,589

  2,240

  Warrington

  44

  315

  359

  1,623

  1,982

  Wigan

  60

  620

  680

  2,432

  3,112

  Merseyside

  357

  3,739

  4,096

  10,930

  15,026

  Knowsley

  0

  750

  750

  1,417

  2,167

  Liverpool

  123

  1,257

  1,380

  3,562

  4,942

  Sefton

  97

  682

  779

  2,056

  2,835

  St. Helens

  56

  450

  506

  1,440

  1,946

  Wirral

  81

  600

  681

  2,455

  3,136

  Yorkshire and The Humber

  1,692

  19,097

  20,789

  34,126

  54,915

  Barnsley

  64

  1,672

  1,736

  804

  2,540

  Bradford

  148

  1,599

  1,747

  4,342

  6,089

  Calderdale

  0

  651

  651

  1,681

  2,332

  Doncaster

  0

  1,159

  1,159

  2,422

  3,581

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  295

  641

  936

  1,828

  2,764

  Kingston-upon-Hull, City of

  153

  1,552

  1,705

  1,384

  3,089

  Kirklees

  119

  1,129

  1,248

  3,445

  4,693

  Leeds

  0

  2,277

  2,277

  5,538

  7,815

  North East Lincolnshire

  160

  747

  907

  909

  1,816

  North Lincolnshire

  0

  654

  654

  1,052

  1,706

  North Yorkshire

  100

  846

  946

  4,228

  5,174

  Rotherham

  197

  1,694

  1,891

  1,036

  2,927

  Sheffield

  281

  2,234

  2,515

  2,496

  5,011

  Wakefield

  137

  1,809

  1,946

  1,777

  3,723

  York

  38

  433

  471

  1,184

  1,655

  East Midlands

  1,133

  12,383

  13,516

  26,376

  39,892

  Derby

  235

  753

  988

  1,582

  2,570

  Derbyshire

  257

  1,727

  1,984

  5,459

  7,443

  Leicester

  21

  2,057

  2,078

  1,440

  3,518

  Leicestershire

  27

  67

  94

  3,978

  4,072

  Lincolnshire

  151

  539

  690

  5,072

  5,762

  Northamptonshire

  214

  866

  1,080

  5,193

  6,273

  Nottingham

  138

  2,308

  2,446

  739

  3,185

  Nottinghamshire

  90

  4,028

  4,118

  2,680

  6,798

  Rutland

  0

  38

  38

  233

  271

  West Midlands

  1,869

  13,062

  14,931

  42,212

  57,143

  Birmingham

  658

  2,921

  3,579

  8,930

  12,509

  Coventry

  20

  892

  912

  2,398

  3,310

  Dudley

  28

  867

  895

  2,539

  3,434

  Herefordshire

  0

  203

  203

  1,160

  1,363

  Sandwell

  0

  1,350

  1,350

  2,440

  3,790

  Shropshire

  0

  828

  828

  1,003

  1,831

  Solihull

  0

  716

  716

  1,812

  2,528

  Staffordshire

  290

  892

  1,182

  7,486

  8,668

  Stoke-on-Trent

  196

  686

  882

  1,798

  2,680

  Telford and Wrekin

  96

  801

  897

  677

  1,574

  Walsall

  182

  877

  1,059

  2,239

  3,298

  Warwickshire

  229

  512

  741

  3,810

  4,551

  Wolverhampton

  155

  807

  962

  1,944

  2,906

  Worcestershire

  15

  710

  725

  3,976

  4,701

  East of England

  1,844

  13,480

  15,324

  35,456

  50,780

  Bedfordshire

  339

  1,098

  1,437

  2,568

  4,005

  Cambridgeshire

  186

  421

  607

  4,103

  4,710

  Essex

  98

  1,848

  1,946

  8,404

  10,350

  Hertfordshire

  749

  4,201

  4,950

  6,749

  11,699

  Luton

  213

  1,292

  1,505

  983

  2,488

  Norfolk

  121

  938

  1,059

  5,737

  6,796

  Peterborough

  58

  96

  154

  1,459

  1,613

  Southend-on-Sea

  0

  317

  317

  1,164

  1,481

  Suffolk

  80

  2,806

  2,886

  3,396

  6,282

  Thurrock

  0

  463

  463

  893

  1,356

  446W 447W

  Number of pupils1 aged 42 in maintained nursery and primary schools by local education authority area in England January 2000 (provisional)

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  All pupils in nursery provision

  Other pupils aged 4 in Infant classes in primary schools

  All pupils aged 4 in nursery and primary schools

  Greater London

  2,387

  23,938

  26,325

  49,963

  76,288

  Inner London

  1,352

  8,161

  9,513

  19,646

  29,159

  Camden

  27

  350

  377

  972

  1,349

  City of London

  0

  11

  11

  12

  23

  Hackney

  43

  638

  681

  1,575

  2,256

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  179

  493

  672

  552

  1,224

  Haringey

  74

  814

  888

  1,933

  2,821

  Islington

  70

  474

  544

  1,393

  1,937

  Kensington and Chelsea

  72

  222

  294

  595

  889

  Lambeth

  117

  606

  723

  1,682

  2,405

  Lewisham

  66

  783

  849

  1,893

  2,742

  Newham

  281

  1,097

  1,378

  2,681

  4,059

  Southwark

  153

  767

  920

  2,163

  3,083

  Tower Hamlets

  163

  834

  997

  1,903

  2,900

  Wandsworth

  49

  586

  635

  1,622

  2,257

  Westminster

  58

  486

  544

  670

  1,214

  Outer London

  1,035

  15,777

  16,812

  30,317

  47,129

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  705

  705

  1,516

  2,221

  Barnet

  130

  606

  736

  2,210

  2,946

  Bexley

  0

  690

  690

  1,909

  2,599

  Brent

  53

  820

  873

  1,920

  2,793

  Bromley

  0

  117

  117

  2,362

  2,479

  Croydon

  185

  771

  956

  2,783

  3,739

  Ealing

  101

  1,052

  1,153

  2,341

  3,494

  Enfield

  0

  656

  656

  2,422

  3,078

  Greenwich

  216

  1,307

  1,523

  956

  2,479

  Harrow

  0

  495

  495

  1,567

  2,062

  Havering

  0

  286

  286

  1,809

  2,095

  Hillingdon

  31

  1,990

  2,021

  937

  2,958

  Hounslow

  0

  767

  767

  1,668

  2,435

  Kingston upon Thames

  37

  329

  366

  962

  1,328

  Merton

  0

  1,071

  1,071

  796

  1,867

  Redbridge

  0

  815

  815

  2,008

  2,823

  Richmond upon Thames

  15

  235

  250

  1,136

  1,386

  Sutton

  106

  1,523

  1,629

  62

  1,691

  Waltham Forest

  161

  1,542

  1,703

  953

  2,656

  South East

  2,646

  10,223

  12,869

  51,787

  64,656

  Bracknell Forest

  0

  680

  680

  146

  826

  Brighton and Hove

  55

  307

  362

  1,620

  1,982

  Buckinghamshire

  149

  721

  870

  3,476

  4,346

  East Sussex

  0

  270

  270

  3,413

  3,683

  Hampshire

  68

  205

  273

  9,624

  9,897

  Isle of Wight

  0

  45

  45

  838

  883

  Kent

  10

  582

  592

  10,424

  11,016

  Medway

  0

  190

  190

  2,170

  2,360

  Milton Keynes

  74

  454

  528

  1,446

  1,974

  Oxfordshire

  713

  1,909

  2,622

  1,578

  4,200

  Portsmouth

  19

  191

  210

  1,452

  1,662

  Reading

  323

  788

  1,111

  114

  1,225

  Slough

  354

  639

  993

  389

  1,382

  Southampton

  28

  143

  171

  1,644

  1,815

  Surrey

  166

  1,020

  1,186

  7,596

  8,782

  West Berkshire

  139

  753

  892

  253

  1,145

  West Sussex

  142

  301

  443

  5,176

  5,619

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  270

  482

  752

  102

  854

  Wokingham

  136

  543

  679

  326

  1,005

  South West

  560

  3,716

  4,276

  35,676

  39,952

  Bath and North East Somerset

  0

  126

  126

  1,152

  1,278

  Bournemouth

  0

  122

  122

  976

  1,098

  Bristol, City of

  451

  640

  1,091

  2,801

  3,892

  Cornwall

  47

  639

  686

  3,502

  4,188

  Devon

  47

  715

  738

  4,454

  5,192

  Dorset

  23

  83

  83

  2,524

  2,607

  Gloucestershire

  0

  39

  39

  4,269

  4,308

  448W 449W

  Number of pupils1 aged 42 in maintained nursery and primary schools by local education authority area in England January 2000 (provisional)

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  All pupils in nursery provision

  Other pupils aged 4 in Infant classes in primary schools

  All pupils aged 4 in nursery and primary schools

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  13

  13

  North Somerset

  0

  85

  85

  1,380

  1,465

  Plymouth

  39

  273

  312

  1,803

  2,115

  Poole

  0

  48

  48

  961

  1,009

  Somerset

  0

  228

  228

  3,675

  3,903

  South Gloucestershire

  0

  157

  157

  2,274

  2,431

  Swindon

  0

  209

  209

  1,623

  1,832

  Torbay

  0

  198

  198

  898

  1,096

  Wiltshire

  0

  154

  154

  3,371

  3,525

  1Includes headcount of full-time and part-time pupils

  2Ages at 31 December 1999

  Age Diversity
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the code of practice on age diversity in employment on reducing discrimination in the workplace. [122524]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government have been encouraged by the high level of interest shown by employers, the media, other organisations and individuals in age diversity since the publication of the Code and we have made it clear that the effectiveness of the Code on reducing age discrimination in the workplace will be fully evaluated, with comprehensive findings published early next year.

  To this effect an independent organisation, NOP (National Opinion Polls) has been commissioned to carry out a large scale research project in three stages, to help evaluate the effectiveness the Code is having on reducing discrimination. We will be publishing the first and second stage findings of the evaluation in June.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent in each year on the New Deal for Lone Parents; and how many lone parents have benefited from this scheme in each year. [122602]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]: The full national New Deal for Lone Parents (Phase 3) was implemented on 26 October 1998. It had already been operating in eight prototype areas from July 1997 (Phase 1), and nationally for new and repeat claimants from 6 April 1998 (Phase 2).

  The cost of implementing the New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) prototype phase 1 areas was £7.9 million. The cost of implementing the national programme has been £58.6 million—broken down as £0.311 million in 1997–98, £22.3 million in 1998–99 and £36 million in 1999–2000. The figure for 1999–2000 is provisional.

  Both sums include the cost of project management, the development and provision of IT support, publicity, the cost of evaluation and the costs of NDLP Innovative Pilots.

  The numbers of lone parents who have benefited from the scheme are set out in the following table.
  450W

  Prototype phase 11

  Phase 22

  National programme3

  Initial interviews attended

  8,107

  15,193

  132,880

  Number agreeing to participate

  7,302

  12,889

  118,420

  Number entering education/training

  375

  2,569

  12,160

  Jobs obtained

  3,393

  2,878

  40,270

  1July 1997 to October 1998

  2April 1998 to October 1998

  3October 1998 to February 2000

  Dissection
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his policy is in respect of the practice of dissecting animals for educational purposes in(a) maintained and (b) independent schools. [122941]

  Jacqui Smith
  There is no requirement in the National Curriculum for dissection to be carried out although individual teachers may choose to use dissection to illustrate various aspects of the science curriculum. In the key stage 3 schemes of work which have been published recently by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, organ dissection is suggested as one of a range of possible teaching activities in some contexts. Where dissection is used, teachers in both state and private schools must always take account of potential threats to the well-being of pupils, particularly in relation to health and safety, religious or ethnic background and individual sensitivities. GCSE and A level exam boards no longer require pupils to undertake dissection for assessment and there should therefore be no pressure on pupils to dissect or watch a dissection. Dissection of living vertebrates and bovine eyeballs is banned in all schools and further directives or advice may be given to teachers by their employers. In maintained schools this is provided by the local education authority, in foundation and voluntary aided schools by the governing body and in private schools by the head teacher or governing body.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Human Rights
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the President of the Council what consultations she has held about terms of reference for the Joint Committee on Human Rights. [121917]
  451W
  Mr. Tipping
  Preliminary consultations on principle have taken place between the usual channels. The House will, of course, have the opportunity to debate the proposed Standing Orders in due course, and I will ensure the motions appear well before the debate. The Government expect to propose very broad terms of reference for the Committee.

  Trade Unions
  Angela Smith
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Commission last met representatives of the recognised trade unions in the House. [121918]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  It is not the practice of the Commission to engage in direct negotiations with the trade unions. This function has been delegated to the Board of Management; senior staff are in frequent touch with trade union representatives.

  Westminster Hall
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the President of the Council what recent representations she has received on proceedings in Westminster Hall. [121919]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have received no recent direct representations.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the(a) capital and (b) running costs of the Westminster Hall experiment to date. [121922]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The capital costs of refurbishment of the Grand Committee Room, brought forward to allow Westminster Hall to function, were given by the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee as £882,000,Official Report, 23 November 1999, column 57W. It is not possible to state precisely how much of this sum is directly attributable to Westminster Hall; some £30,000 was spent on furniture, and a proportion of the professional fees of £71,000 went towards design services. For running costs, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on 20 March 2000, Official Report, column 456W.

  Voting Methods
  Jean Corston
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on proposals for reform of the voting methods of the House. [121920]

  Mr. Tipping
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson),Official Report, column 860.

  Oral Questions
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the President of the Council if she will recommend to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons that it examines the benefits of reducing the period between tabling oral questions to Ministers and the date for answer. [121921]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have no plans to do so.

  Modernisation Committee
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the progress made to date on reforms proposed by the Modernisation Committee. [121923]

  Mrs. Beckett
  A full analysis of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and their implementation is set out in that Committee's First Special Report of Session 1998–99, HC 865. Since that report was published, the Royal Parks (Trading) Bill has been debated in Standing Committee so 48 of the 56 recommendations of the Committee have now been implemented in whole or in part.

  Voicemail
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 2000,Official Report, column 215W, on voicemail, for what reason he was not able to provide the installation cost; and on what basis the service cost of £92,000 was calculated. [122536]

  Mr. Allan:
  I am advised by the Head of Telecommunications that the voicemail facility currently used by Parliament is purchased as a service from the Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). Since it is a service, and since it is provided globally via Parliament's voice network, there are no site specific installation costs.

  The sum of £92,000 can be broken down as follows: megastream rental £8,225 (this provides the connection between Parliament's voice network and the external CCTA managed voicemail system); mailbox rental £37,900 (annual cost—the last quarter has been estimated); applications development and manual £800; and training £45,330.

  I am advised that training costs are expected to fall in the current financial year, since the first and major tranche of roll-out to new users is now completed. Mailbox rental costs are expected to increase as the majority of mailboxes will now incur full-year rental costs.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what account his Committee takes of animal welfare issues in determining purchasing policy. [122917]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  Purchasing policy is essentially a matter for the Refreshment Department. However, I am advised by the Director of Catering Services that the Department's purchasing guidelines include the following provisions related to animal welfare:

  1. fresh meats must be sourced from livestock raised under an accredited "farm assurance scheme". Such schemes ensure that all stock is reared according to good animal husbandry and welfare practices. The Department periodically tests the claims of suppliers by requiring them to provide documentary evidence tracing the cut of meat delivered back to source and, where possible, to the animal;

  2. fresh meat suppliers must meet standards set by the Meat and Livestock Commission, who provide both detailed and general advice to the Department about animal welfare issues in the meat industry;

  3. veal must be from calves raised in group housing systems, not crate systems;

  453W

  4. pigmeat supplied to the Department must be from pigs raised in loose-housed systems, not stall and tether systems; and

  5. eggs must be from free-range flocks. The supplier is licensed under the RSPCA's Freedom Food Scheme.

  The Refreshment Department consults widely with other organisations to ensure that its purchasing guidelines are regularly and authoritatively reviewed. In addition to working closely with the Meat and Livestock Commission, the Department is a member of the Soil Association, and periodically seeks advice from bodies such as the Freedom Food Association, Compassion in World Farming and the NFU.

  Voting Procedures
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council if she will propose to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons that it examine changes to the House's voting procedures which would allow abstentions to be recorded. [121915]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Modernisation Committee may examine this as part of its work on electronic voting.

CABINET OFFICE

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of cars bought by the Government car service since May 1997 have been Rovers. [120862]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Since May 1997 the Government Car and Despatch Agency has purchased 16 Rovers. Six were purchased in the financial year 1996–97.

  Civil Service Code
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when it is intended to introduce a Bill to give statutory basis to the Civil Service Code. [123281]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 8 May 2000,Official Report, column 215W.

  People's Panel
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the report of the first evaluation of the People's Panel will be published; and if she will make a statement. [123708]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have today placed copies of the first report on the evaluation of the People's Panel in the Libraries of the House. The report is also available on the People's Panel website at www.servicefirst.gov.uk.

  Business Regulation Costs
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make it her policy to undertake an annual audit of the cost to business of regulations and to publish the result. [123305]

  Mr. Stringer
  All regulatory proposals likely to have a significant cost or benefit to business are subject to Regulatory Impact Assessment. These assessments are 454W
  published by Departments and placed in the Libraries of the House. In addition, a series of twice yearly Command Papers, entitled Regulatory Impact Assessments, list the assessments for each six month period.

SCOTLAND

  Honours System
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the honours system in Scotland. [121876]

  Dr. Reid
  I have received only one letter making representations about the honours system in Scotland.

  New Deal
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the most recent figures on the take-up of the new deal in Scotland. [121877]

  Dr. Reid
  Take-up of the New Deal in Scotland is good. 1,700 people joined the New Deal for Young People in February, bringing the number of starts to 48,400 since the introduction of the programme.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of the new deal on employment in Clydebank and Milngavie. [121878]

  Dr. Reid
  The New Deal is making a significant impact, with employment in Scotland at its highest level since 1966.

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had about the application of New Deal programmes in Scottish football clubs. [121880]

  Dr. Reid
  I have regular discussions about the New Deal. The New Deal is good news for all jobseekers including those who want to work within football clubs. Hearts, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Dunfermline, Raith Rovers, Dundee, Livingston, Ross County and Dumbarton Football Clubs participate in the New Deal as employers.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions regarding ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland. [121879]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend has frequent contact with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on a number of issues including ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the tender of Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry services under article 87.1 of the EC treaty and the 1992 European Regulations on Maritime Transport (Council Regulation 3577/92); and if he will make a statement. [121884]
  455W
  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend has discussions with the Scottish Executive on a number of issues including issues relating to ferry services.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to assist the unemployed in Scotland to take up available jobs. [121881]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Secretary of State and I take a close interest in assisting unemployed people in Scotland find work and in the New Deal. We frequently carry out New Deal engagements and take every opportunity to publicise its success and to encourage employers to participate. The Secretary of State wrote on 4 May encouraging all Scottish Members to work closely with the Employment Service to help bring together jobseekers and employers with vacancies within their constituencies. The New Deal has helped nearly 23,000 young people into work since its introduction in April 1998.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on fuel poverty issues in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [121883]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend and I have frequent discussions with Scottish Ministers on a wide variety of issues, including poverty. There will be a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty, which brings together UK Ministers and ministers from the devolved administrations, on 26 May, in Edinburgh. UK Ministers and ministers from the devolved administrations also meet in a ministerial group on fuel poverty.

  The UK Government are taking a number of practical steps to alleviate fuel poverty. This past winter around £70 million was paid in Winter Fuel Payments to over 900,000 Scottish pensioners: £944,000 was paid out in my hon. Friend's constituency to 10,964 people. The payment will be increased next winter to £150 per eligible household. In addition, the Government made almost 20,000 Cold Weather Payments in Scotland this past winter. The Scottish Executive are responsible for the Warm Deal in Scotland, which provides a package of energy efficiency measures of up to £500 for those on low incomes. The Warm Deal is a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Minimum Wage
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many enforcement actions have been taken in Scotland to ensure that employers meet their obligation to pay the national minimum wage. [121885]

  Dr. Reid
  As at the end of April this year, minimum wage inspectors in Scotland have received 356 complaints and served 14 enforcement notices. £13 million is being spent over three years in the United Kingdom on enforcement. The Low Pay Commission reported on 15 February that the Inland Revenue has made a successful start to enforcement and was working proactively to ensure compliance with the legislation.

  Shipbuilding Industry
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with bodies in the shipbuilding industry on raising the competitiveness of the industry. [121886]

  Dr. Reid
  This Government are firmly committed to improving the competitive position of the shipbuilding industry across the UK. Both the Department for Trade and Industry and the Scottish Executive chair industry forums which aim to address the issues involved. My regular contact with the Department for Trade and Industry and the Scottish Executive includes matters relating to the shipbuilding industry.

  Freight Trains
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he has held with EWS Railway Freight Company to discuss the shortage of freight trains to meet the contracts with the Scottish coal companies over the last year. [121887]

  Mr. Wilson
  I had a very useful meeting with EWS on 13 April, together with representatives of coal producers and generators, to discuss issues relating to the transport of coal by rail.

  I and my colleagues wish to ensure that the arrangements for transporting coal make the best use of the railway system, and provide a more secure future for all concerned.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with representatives of manufacturing interests on the areas in Scotland to be covered by Regional Selective Assistance; and if he will make a statement. [121888]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department and I have received a wide range of representations since the 10 April announcement of revised proposals for the Assisted Areas map which determines the potential coverage of the Regional Selective Assistance scheme.

  Forth Railway Bridge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 18 April 2000,Official Report, column 475W, what representations he has made to the Rail Regulator to ensure that Railtrack complies with its obligations under the Railways (Safety Cover) Regulations 1994, with particular reference to the Forth railway bridge. [121874]

  Dr. Reid
  Monitoring of Railtrack PLC's compliance with its railway safety case is carried out by the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate who also considered Railtrack's safety case and any subsequent revisions. The safety case includes a strategy for the maintenance of structures on Railtrack's infrastructure. The Railway Inspectorate hold regular meetings with Railtrack to establish that they are maintaining this strategy robustly for the Forth Rail Bridge and other structures.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Advocate-General how many meetings she has held with hon. Members in order to give guidance about the exercise by her of her powers. [121893]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  As I indicated in my response on 18 April 2000 to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Dr. Godman),Official Report, column 816, I am delighted to meet hon. Members to discuss the Advocate-General's powers. To date, no such meeting has yet taken place, but I look forward to arranging meetings in the near future.

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Advocate-General for Scotland, pursuant to her answer of 18 April 2000 to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge),Official Report, column 476W, if she has visited the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to discuss Scottish experience in applying the European Convention on Human Rights since devolution. [121889]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  I and my officials are regularly in contact with the UK Government Departments, including the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to discuss matters of common interest, which would include human rights issues.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress on reform of the Public Trust Office. [121898]

  Jane Kennedy
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor made a statement on the reform of the Public Trust Office on 11 April. We are presently consulting all interested parties on the programme of reform set out in the document "Making Changes: The Future of the Public Trust Office".

  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Public Trust Office executive agency has met its key performance targets for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [121900]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Public Trust Office had seven key performance indicators for the 1999–2000 financial year, and it met five of them. These figures are provisional pending National Audit Office audit of the Public Trust Office's accounts.

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will be able to provide the detailed estimated costs to the Lord Chancellor's Department of implementing the recommendations of the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office. [122805]

  Jane Kennedy
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor announced his plans for the future of the Public Trust Office on 11 April in a consultative 458W
  document called "Making Changes: The Future of the Public Trust Office". I expect to have detailed estimated costs of implementing the planned changes by the autumn.

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the estimated additional cost to those individuals who have their financial affairs managed by the Receivership Division of the Public Trust Office of having their financial affairs managed by accredited panel solicitors. [122802]

  Jane Kennedy
  The provision of Receivership Division services by solicitors is just one of the options we are considering. There are other potential service providers who have the requisite skills to undertake this work. As the work will be put out to tender the estimated cost is, at present, commercially sensitive information. We will, however, be entering into detailed negotiations with potential service providers to ensure that we secure the best value for money for our clients that we possibly can.

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the estimated cost to his Department of implementing the recommendations of the Quinquennial Review in developing supporting information and communications technology for the Public Trust Office, including the additional costs of training and monitoring external providers. [122804]

  Jane Kennedy
  This is a very early stage of a complex change programme. My officials are currently assessing the various computer and technology options available to us, prior to developing detailed design and implementation plans. As a result, specific costings are not available for the individual elements of the programme. I would anticipate that these will be available by the autumn.

  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the estimated cost to his Department of administering the Public Trust Office for the financial years(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [122803]

  Jane Kennedy
  The total, unaudited, cost of running the Public Trust Office in 1999–2000 was £22.2 million. The budgeted cost for 2000–01 is also £22.2 million.

  Courthouse, Colchester
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress towards building a new courthouse at Colchester. [121903]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are no plans to build a new Crown court or county court in Colchester. I cannot say when a new magistrates court will be built there as the accommodation requirements for Essex is a matter for the Magistrate's Courts Committee. The need to improve magistrates courts accommodation in Essex has been accepted by the Lord Chancellor's Department and is in the Private Finance Initiative building programme.

  County Court Actions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps are being taken to reduce the time taken in bringing action for enforcement of payment to the county courts. [121907]
  459W
  Mr. Lock
  Since March 1998, we have been engaged in a comprehensive review of the enforcement of all civil court judgments. As part of that review, we will be looking at how to reduce delay in the enforcement process. I anticipate being able to report the conclusions of the review in June.

  Rural Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of rural magistrates courts in Buckinghamshire. [121908]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government's policy is that magistrates courts in Buckinghamshire are best managed locally by Thames Valley Magistrates Courts Committee under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts in their area, whether rural or urban, are for that magistrates courts committee to determine.

  Bailiffs
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the Citizen's Advice Bureaux report "Undue Distress"; if he will review the powers and role of bailiffs; and if he will make a statement. [122820]

  Mr. Lock
  I am considering the CAB report, which was published on 15 May, and will respond to it in due course. Professor Beatson, of Cambridge University, is currently conducting a review of bailiff law on behalf of the Department and is due to report to us by the end of June 2000. We will look closely at the powers and role of bailiffs in the light of both these reports.

  Commissioner for Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to appoint the Commissioner for Judicial Appointments; and if he will make a statement. [122808]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor intends to appoint the First Commissioner for Judicial Appointments this year.

  Human Rights Act 1998
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much of the legal aid budget has been earmarked to support cases(a) with a Human Rights Act 1998 element and (b) based on the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [122809]

  Mr. Lock
  In the Comprehensive Spending Review in 1998 we estimated that the cost to legal aid of implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 would be of the order of £40 million per annum. However, no separate estimates were made to distinguish costs in cases involving a Human Rights Act element from those exclusively brought under the Act.

  High Court Vacancies
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many vacant posts 460W
  there are for the High Court Bench; when he proposes to fill the vacancies; by what procedure he will fill the vacancies; and if he will make a statement. [122807]

  Mr. Lock
  There are currently no vacancies on the High Court Bench. The assessment of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is that the current demands on the High Court are fully met by the number of judges in post.

  In November 1999 the statutory ceiling on the number of High Court judges was increased by eight, from 98 to 106. Since then, four additional High Court judges have been appointed in preparation for the implementation of the Human Rights Act in October 2000. This has taken the number of judges from 98 to 102 (excluding Mr. Justice Bratza, who is serving full-time on the European Court of Human Rights).

  There remains capacity within the statutory ceiling to appoint a further four judges. The Lord Chancellor will continue to monitor the demands on the High Court, and he will recommend the appointment of further judges, within the statutory ceiling, when he considers it is necessary.

  In February 2000, as part of his regular search for potential candidates, the Lord Chancellor again invited applications for consideration for appointment to the High Court Bench. When vacancies arise, appointment will be made on merit from those who have applied, either in 1998 or this year, or from others whom the Lord Chancellor regards as meeting the criteria to the required degree of distinction. Of the 19 High Court judges appointed since February 1998, eight had applied for appointment, and 11 were invited to accept appointment.

  Careless Driving Charges
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many careless driving charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service in Essex were heard by magistrates in the 12 months from May 1999 to the end of April 2000; and how many were still to be determined by the courts on 1 May 2000. [122902]

  Jane Kennedy
  Magistrates in Essex heard 942 careless driving charges in the period from January 2000 to the end of April 2000. Records before January are not readily available. There remain 644 charges to be determined.

  Damages Act 1996
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he proposes to set a rate of return under section 1 of the Damages Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [121902]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor published a consultation paper in March seeking views on the exercise of his powers under the Damages Act and raising alternatives to lump sum payments. The deadline for responses is 31 May and he will announce decisions following an analysis of the responses to that consultation paper.

  Criminal and Civil Cases
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason a non-molestation order is treated as a criminal case and an access order is treated as a civil case. [121499]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998 creates a new unified and coherent legal regime for dealing with domestic violence. The old personal protection orders have been replaced by non-molestation orders. The non-molestation orders are civil orders made by the court for the protection of the applicant and any children who may be at risk of family violence. The breach of a non-molestation order, involving as it does the threat of violence to the protected person(s), is appropriately a criminal offence and police officers are empowered to arrest for breach of such an order.

  An access order, since the introduction of the Children (NI) Order 1996 known as a contact order, is an order by the court to provide for contact between a parent and a child in circumstances where that parent is not living with the child. Breach of contact orders may be treated as contempt of court. However, difficulties in ensuring contact between children and parents may involve many complicated relationship factors and require to be dealt with sensitively within the family civil law system.

DEFENCE

  Army Training Ranges
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the competition to find a strategic partner for the management of the Army's training areas and ranges. [123710]

  Dr. Moonie
  As my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence, now Minister for the Armed Forces, said in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 25 November 1998,Official Report, column 10W, we have been conducting a competition to seek a long-term strategic partner from the private sector to help introduce best commercial practice in supporting and managing the Army Training Estate. As a result of the work conducted thus far, it has been decided to include all non-core training support activities and services because there is scope for better value for money if the boundaries of the study were to be extended in this way. In addition, a site utility review is going to be conducted to establish the usage of sites and this may lead to rationalisation of some sites. It is too early to say what the impact of this work is going to be, both on jobs and individual sites, but the MOD Trades Unions will be consulted at every stage. Should any redundancies result from this study, these will be handled in accordance with MOD procedures agreed by the Trades Unions.

  Logistic Information Systems Agency
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Logistic Information Systems Agency for 2000–01. [123715]
  462W
  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of the Logistic Information Systems Agency has been set the following Key Targets for 2000–01.
  Key Target 1
  To deliver all Customer-agreed outputs to budget.Key Target 2
  To maintain or improve the cost ratio of Information Systems Delivery staff to Administrative staff of 1:0.58.Key Target 3
  To improve delivery performance to customer requirements such that:
  The average time for Requests For Change assessment is reduced by 4 per cent. to five days.
  The average period required for Requests For Change Authorisation is reduced by 5 per cent. to 64 days.Key Target 4
  To be graded as three or better for overall delivery, on a scale of one (exceptional) to five (ineffective), based on 100 per cent. of customer reports.

  Merchant Navy Reserve
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Merchant Navy Reserve. [123786]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have recently decided, as part of my Department's continuous attempts to improve the effectiveness and operability of the naval reserve forces, to disband the Merchant Navy Reserve (MNR).

  The MNR was formed in 1989 to provide a modest pool of experienced British Merchant Seamen to augment the crews of UK registered merchant ships in times of tension and war. The MNR's membership has never been called-out since its inception and there are no foreseen circumstances where the Government may be required to do so. The Cold War environment that generated the requirement for the Merchant Navy Reserve has changed fundamentally, resulting in the necessity for the Government to review all elements of the armed forces. Such reviews have demonstrated there is no longer a requirement to maintain the Merchant Navy Reserve in circumstances where there is no foreseeable need for its services.

  My Department has therefore made arrangements for letters to be sent to individual members of the MNR thanking them for their past service and informing them of this decision and the reasons behind it. The letters encourage MNR personnel to consider joining the Royal Naval Reserve, an organisation which offers valuable training and personal development opportunities to all those with an interest in acquiring or maintaining the Nation's much-needed maritime skills.

  The measure in no way effects the Government's wholehearted and continuing support for the Merchant Navy, a matter demonstrated amply in the 1998 White Paper "British Shipping: Charting A New Course". Industry, the unions and Government continue to work together to regenerate the UK merchant navy and seafaring skills base to meet the Nation's future needs.

  Service Personnel (Marriage Statistics)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy

  463W
  and (c) the RAF of age group (i) 16 to 24, (ii) 25 to 29, (iii) 30 to 34, (iv) 35 to 44, (v) 45 to 49 and (vi) 50 years and over have changed from Maristat One in each year between and including 1989 and the current financial year, stating in each age category the (1) proportional change from strength, (2) proportional change from married strength, (3) proportional change from married to divorced from the national population as a whole and (4) proportional change from married to divorced from the national married population; and if he will make a statement. [123242]

  Mr. Spellar
  This information is not held centrally by my Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the married strength of the(a) Army, (b) RAF, (c) Royal Navy and (d) all services, are married to a serving member of the Armed Forces not including Reserve Forces; and if he will make a statement. [123159]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is as follows:

  Total married strength

  Married to serving person

  Proportion (Percentage)

  (a) Army

  48,614

  2,868

  5.9

  (b) Royal Navy

  20,014

  844

  4.2

  (c) Royal Air Force

  34,219

  2,400

  7.0

  (d) All services

  102,847

  6,112

  5.9

  The table may contain some inaccuracies as some personnel may not have amended their records following the discharge of their spouse from the Armed Forces.

  Labour Committee on Ireland
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date permission was granted to conduct surveillance of the Labour Committee on Ireland; and for what period this surveillance was conducted. [122763]

  Mr. Spellar
  It has been the long-standing practice of successive Governments not to comment on alleged intelligence activities, which are covered by exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) documents and (b) photographs are held relating to the activities of the Labour Committee on Ireland; and how many files on the Labour Committee on Ireland are currently being maintained. [122764]

  Mr. Spellar
  It has been the long-standing practice of successive Governments not to comment on alleged intelligence activities, which are covered by exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Bloody Sunday
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 February 2000,Official Report, column 648W, on Bloody Sunday, if he will make a further statement about the destruction of self-loading rifles. [122765]
  464W
  Mr. Hoon
  The Ministry of Defence/West Mercia police investigation, which is urgently investigating the whereabouts and possible recovery of the surviving so-called 'Bloody Sunday rifles' and the destruction of two rifles that had been previously identified, is still under way. It would be inappropriate to comment further until this investigation is complete.

  Mr. Liam Clarke
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has asked the Metropolitan police Special Branch to conduct an investigation into Mr. Liam Clarke. [122757]

  Mr. Spellar
  No.

  Sunday Times (Injunction)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whom he consulted before seeking an injunction against The Sunday Times and others preventing publication of information obtained from the person known as Martin Ingram. [122758]

  Mr. Spellar
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence obtained advice on this matter from a number of sources within Government. The Secretary to the independent Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee was also consulted.

  Mr. Tony Geraghty
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the 1998 Ministry of Defence police search of the home of journalist Tony Geraghty; how many hours this search lasted; how many personnel and of what rank were present; what items were removed from the premises; what items have been retained by the Ministry of Defence police; what items have been passed on to other agencies; what items have been returned to the owner; what charges were brought against Mr. Geraghty; what considerations led to charges being dropped; and what compensation has been offered to Mr. Geraghty. [122760]

  Mr. Spellar
  The additional cost of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) search of the home of Tony Geraghty was £606.00. The search lasted just under seven hours and was conducted by two detective sergeants and four detective constables. A computer, associated equipment and documentation was taken by the MDP. Items for use in a forthcoming court case involving one of Mr. Geraghty's associates have been retained by the MDP. Items relevant to a West Mercia police investigation, concerning Mr. Geraghty, were passed to that Force. All items not required for the forthcoming court case and not passed to West Mercia police have been returned to Mr. Geraghty. Mr. Geraghty was charged under section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 on 13 May 1999. The decision not to proceed against Mr. Geraghty is a matter for the Attorney General. My Department has not made an offer of compensation to Mr. Geraghty.

  Armoured Support Vehicles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will ensure that the requirement for armoured battle group support vehicles will be met by UK companies and that the vehicles will be built in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [122387]

  (2) what is the cost of meeting the requirement for armoured battlegroup support vehicles; when this requirement will be met; and if he will make a statement. [122385]

  Dr. Moonie
  We require in total about 1,000 vehicles to provide armoured support to the front line, the majority of which will be Armoured Battlegroup Support Vehicle. Deliveries are planned to begin by the end of the decade. The programme is currently at the concept stage and initial estimates indicate an acquisition cost of around £1.5 billion including early years of in-service support.

  The procurement strategy has yet to be finalised, but will be based on achieving best value for money for the tax payer. The MOD has a policy of open international competition whenever this is possible. However, all procurement options will be investigated taking account of security of supply, UK technological capabilities and the benefits to the MOD of potential exports.

  Departmental Housing Stock
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the regulations he intends to implement on the disposal of MOD housing stock; and what discussions he has held with relevant local councils and housing associations to reach an early conclusion. [122110]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: The guidelines to which all Departments work when disposing of surplus property assets are contained in Chapter 32 of Government Accounting.

  Houses in England and Wales which were included in the sale of service families accommodation to Annington Homes Ltd., are passed to the company for disposal in accordance with the terms of the sale.

  When disposing of surplus housing owned by the Ministry of Defence my Department seeks to achieve the maximum return for the taxpayer generally. In most instances this is through sale on the open market.

  Local authorities and Housing Associations formally become aware of our surplus housing through the planning and marketing process, and have the opportunity to take part in the purchase process should they wish to do so. There is of course extensive contact between officials in Defence Estates and local authorities on the range of estate planning and disposal issues.

  It is our policy to dispose of surplus properties as soon as possible to enable their early and productive re-use.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Defence Housing Executive has reached a conclusion as to the method and timing of surplus MOD housing stock being released to council and housing association stock. [122109]
  466W
  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 May 2000]: There has been no change in the Defence Housing Executive's (DHE's) policy on the method and timing of the release of surplus Ministry of Defence housing stock to local authorities and housing associations.

  The bulk of Service Families Accommodation (SFA) in England and Wales are held by the Ministry of Defence on an underlease from Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL). Properties which become surplus to military requirements are handed back to AHL for disposal. Where appropriate, the DHE does release properties to housing associations and local authorities for short term let, but the properties which are available are often not attractive to them.

  Surplus SFA in Scotland is passed to Defence Estates (DE) who determine the appropriate disposal strategy. All relevant factors are taken into consideration and DE will normally liaise with the local authority housing division to ensure that they are made aware of the intention to offer housing for sale. This is intended to allow the council time to plan accordingly and to consider whether they may wish to bid for the properties when they are offered for sale.

  Where appropriate, consideration can be given to a sale to a local authority or housing association by private treaty at open market value, in line with existing Treasury guidelines.

  Armed Forces Personnel Costs
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the average annual cost of paying and accommodating 20,000 armed forces personnel and their families. [121804]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: The average annual cost of paying and accommodating 20,000 armed forces personnel and their families is £562 million. In calculating this figure, it has only been possible to take account of Pay, Employer's-Related National Insurance Contributions and Pensions contributions. Any calculation of overheads such as rents, rates, utilities costs, food, office equipment and services could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Joint NBC Regiment
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library(a) the study and (b) the investment appraisal led by the Directorate of Joint Warfare on the final location of the Joint Nuclear Biological and Chemical Regiment; [123119]

  (2) if transport costs of (a) personnel and (b) vehicles were included in the investment appraisal which informed the decision to locate the Joint NBC Regiment at RAF Honington; and if he will make a statement. [123116]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: A copy of the investment appraisal will be placed in the Library of the House. I am withholding a copy of the study in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to defence, security and international relations.

  Joannou and Paraskevaides Group
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what construction contracts his Department has awarded to the Joannou and Paraskevaides Group in the last three years. [123145]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: The Ministry of Defence has not awarded any construction contracts to Joannou and Paraskevaides within the last three years.

  Mr. Mullineux
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1)(a) if he will make a statement on the reasons which underlay the decision (i) to remove the body of the son of Margaret Maurex from an NHS hospital to a Ministry of Defence site, where a post-mortem examination was performed and (ii) not to ask the permission of Margaret Maurex, (b) what tests were performed on the body, (c) what were the results of the post-mortem examination and (d) for what reasons such exercises were performed in secret; and if he will make a statement; [115926]

  (2) what notification was given to Mrs. Margaret Maurex of the post-mortem conducted at a Ministry of Defence site on her son. [116283]

  Dr. Moonie
  Mr. A. I. Mullineux was discharged from the Regular Army on 10 August 1992 under Queen's Regulations 9.374—"At the Soldier's request on payment—transfer to the Regular Reserve". He was not employed in support of any UK sponsored military operations at the time of his death in Bosnia in February 1993. A careful examination of Mr. Mullineux's contemporary Service records indicates that the Ministry of Defence did not play any role in the repatriation of Mr. Mullineux's body to the UK, nor any post-mortem, which would properly have been the responsibility of the civil authorities.

  Imported Meat
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the prescribed welfare standards included in the legislative requirements governing the supply of imported meat to Her Majesty's forces. [115639]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: There are no prescribed welfare standards included in the legislative requirements governing the import of meat for consumption by HM Forces. However the hygiene standards to which meat imported into the EU most comply are regulated by EU legislation. Welfare standards applying to the rearing, transportation and slaughter of livestock within the EU is subject to regulation by EU Directives.

  Gulf Veterans
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department has performed post mortem examinations on Gulf veterans; how many 468W
  post mortems have taken place and where they were conducted; what types of specimen have been taken and where they were tested; what tests were performed on cadavers and with what results; and if he will make a statement. [116284]

  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD has no specific arrangements to request post mortem examinations on Gulf veterans, nor is it routinely informed of the results of such examinations. While the MOD is aware that post mortems have been performed on some Gulf veterans, data on numbers, locations, types of specimen taken, tests and results could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Press Officers
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many press officers were employed by his Department in(a) March 1997 and (b) March 2000. [123304]

  Mr. Byers
  On 1 March 1997 there were 17 Press Officers employed in the DTI Newsroom. On 1 March 2000 there were 21 Press Officers.

  Regulations
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total cost to(a) business and (b) the public sector of regulations introduced by his Department since May 1997. [123303]

  Mr. Byers
  Details are contained in the Regulatory Impact Assessments that have been carried out for all regulations introduced by my Department that impose or reduce costs. Copies of all such assessments are available in the Library of the House.

  Recruitment
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish summary information on his Department's recruitment for the calendar year 1999 and the use of permitted exceptions to the principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit, as required by the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. [123767]

  Dr. Howells
  It is DTI policy that recruitment is carried out on the basis of fair and open competition and selection on merit, subject to the exceptions permitted by the Civil Service Commissioners. My Department has systems in place, which ensure that the principles of fair and open competition are understood and followed in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Commissioners' recruitment Code. These Systems are subject to internal check and to external check by the Commissioner's approved auditors.

  The following table and narratives describe DTI recruitment other than for the DTI's Executive Agencies and the Government Office network who make separate arrangements for publishing recruitment data.
  469W

  Recruitment information Number of staff recruited 1 January 1999–31 December 1999

  Gender

  Ethnic background2

  Range

  Permanent

  FTA

  Recurring temp

  Standby

  Short notice

  Other1

  M

  F

  White

  Ethnic minority

  Not stated

  Disability

  Range 11

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Range 10

  13

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  4

  13

  9

  1

  7

  —

  Range 9

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  2

  3

  1

  3

  —

  Range 8

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  5

  6

  —

  —

  —

  Range 7

  10

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  2

  9

  1

  1

  2

  Range 6

  8

  3

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8

  4

  11

  1

  —

  2

  Range 5

  29

  3

  —

  —

  —

  7

  20

  19

  13

  23

  3

  —

  Range 4

  31

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  17

  24

  32

  8

  1

  8

  Range 3

  53

  7

  —

  —

  —

  32

  47

  45

  52

  36

  4

  9

  Range 2

  72

  10

  —

  —

  —

  17

  38

  61

  49

  42

  8

  9

  Range 1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  Fast Stream

  13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  7

  12

  1

  —

  2

  Total

  239

  29

  —

  1

  —

  72

  157

  184

  196

  116

  28

  32

  1Includes numbers of casuals, sandwich course students, legal trainees

  2Note that ethnic data have been suppressed for those ranges where numbers recruited are five or less to avoid the possibility of identifying individuals.

  The number of occasions on which the permitted exceptions to fair and open competition and selection on merit have been used at each level (except for appointments of up to 12 months) are categorised as follows. Details of the exceptions are underneath the relevant category.
  Extensions of appointments of up to 12 months up to a maximum of 24 months—none Short term appointment where highly specialised skills are required—One Range 10 on standby contract to set-up Joint Cambridge University/MIT Institute project. One Range 11 stayed beyond retirement to continue work on Omissions and trading group secretariat for the Environment group before the Budget.Recurrent short term appointments—Two Range 3s, one Range 5, five Range 10s, all employed in the Queens Award office where the work is seasonal.Extensions of short term appointments beyond the initial publicised period, including conversions to permanency—One Range 5 Statistical Officer whose appointment was extended for a further six months to oversee the completion of a project; one Range 7 Research Officer converted to permanency due to difficulty of recruiting a Research Officer.Secondments—56 Re-appointment of former civil servants—Two Range 4s recruited by Employment relations resigned and asked for re-instatement.Transfers of staff with their work (not under TUPE)—none Transfer of staff from other public services without work (unless from a public body staffed exclusively by civil servants)—none Appointments of surplus acceptable candidates to shortage posts—none No disabled candidates were appointed under modified selection arrangements.Any use of the exceptions reserved for the Commissioners (i.e. appointments on the basis of the proven distinction of the individual and appointments not in order of merit)—none.

  Miners Strike
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding dismissals by British Coal during the 1984–85 miners strike. [123768]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In their report, the Coalfield Task Force established by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister recommended that the DTI review the pension 470W
  entitlements of men who were not reinstated following their dismissal during that dispute. True to our commitment to investigate this matter, I have today distributed to interested parties a consultative document.

  The document endeavours to present a broadly factual account of British Coal's dismissal and re-employment policy around the time of the strike and in its aftermath. It focuses in particular on those individuals who were not re-employed in the aftermath of the strike and whose cases were not considered by Industrial Tribunals at the time. It also addresses concerns which have been expressed over the pension rights of individuals who were found by Industrial Tribunals to have been unfairly dismissed.

  The document also proposes a twin approach aimed at achieving a resolution which I hope will be seen as just in the eyes of all those who continue to live with the effects of this tragic period in the industry's history.

  I am placing copies of the document in the Libraries of the House.

  Parental Leave
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to allow adoptive parents entitlement to parental leave. [123230]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999, which came into effect on 15 December 1999, entitle adoptive parents to 13 weeks unpaid parental leave.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry made an announcement on 9 May setting out the details of a review looking at the issues surrounding maternity pay and parental leave. The review will look at increasing adoption and whether rights to adoption leave are being taken up.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the subject of entitlement to(a) statutory maternity and (b) parental leave for parents adopting a child. [123229]
  471W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: The Department received 107 responses to the 1998 "Fairness at Work" White Paper proposal to provide adoptive parents with three months parental leave. Of these, 104 respondents agreed with Government's proposal.

  The Maternity and Parental Leave consultation in summer 1999 invited views on the Government's detailed proposals for framing parental leave for adoptive parents. Over 200 responses were received on this subject, over three-quarters of which supported the proposals.

  The Department has also received about 20 letters on adoption leave since 1999.

  In addition to these representations we have discussed this issue with representatives of key adoption organisations.

  Paternity Leave
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what improvements he plans for statutory entitlement to paternity leave; and when he intends to propose them. [121580]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made an announcement on 9 May setting out the details of a review on maternity pay and parental leave. The review will look at ways of providing further support and choice for working parents with young children. We will consider how best to build on statutory parental leave entitlement in the context of the review.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of post office closures, with particular reference to the effect on the number and length of additional car journeys which result. [123279]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  No such assessment has been made by my Department. But the Government remain fully committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices and fully recognise the valuable social and environmental role played by post offices in their local communities.

  Indonesian Plywood
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much plywood from Indonesia was imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [123157]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 22 May 2000]: The information is given in the table:

  £ million

  Thousand tonnes

  1995

  56.5

  105.9

  1996

  64.5

  118.0

  1997

  76.1

  139.5

  1998

  49.9

  130.7

  1999

  60.2

  147.9

  Note:

  Plywood is defined by headings 634.31 to 634.49 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revision 3)

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise

  Export Licences
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many open export licences for the export of aircraft spares to Kenya remained in force between January and April; what items have been supplied under these licences during this period; and what end-use assurances have been given by the Kenyan authorities in relation to the re-export of equipment supplied under these licences. [122554]

  Dr. Howells
  The export of military aircraft spares is controlled under entries ML5, ML10, ML11, ML15, ML16 and ML21 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 January and 30 April 2000, 30 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) gave licence coverage to export to consignees or end-users in Kenya, goods with the relevant ratings.

  Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Open Individual Export Licences valid for the export to Kenya of goods with the relevant ratings

  Rating

  Number of valid OIELs covering goods with this rating and including Kenya as a permitted destination (OIELs may cover a range of countries)

  ML5

  5

  ML10

  19

  ML11

  9

  ML15

  2

  ML21

  2

  In the period, there were no valid OIELs for Kenya covering goods with the rating ML16.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08W.

  An Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) is specific to an individual exporter and covers multiple shipments of specified goods to specified destinations and/or, in some cases, specified consignees. The exporter must obtain from each consignee an appropriate written undertaking for each export before the export takes place, or not later than one month after the date of exportation. Where the exporter intends to make more than one exportation to the same consignee in any period of one year, an annual written undertaking may be obtained in fulfilment of this requirement. As with SIELs, where goods are being consigned direct to a Government body, the DTI will normally accept a copy of the Government purchase contract order, or the relevant extracts from the contract.

  In addition, Kenya is a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List. An Open General Export

  473W
  Licence (OGEL) allows the export from the UK of goods specified in the goods coverage of the OGEL to specified destinations. In such circumstances, end-user undertakings are not required. Copies of OGELs are routinely placed in the Library of the House.

  As regards the additional information requested, inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Where confidential information is involved, the parties concerned will be asked if they object to its disclosure, and this can take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry since December 1998 how many(a) single and (b) open export licences have been issued for the export of aircraft spares to Kenya. [122555]

  Dr. Howells
  The export of military aircraft spares is controlled under entries ML5, ML10, ML11, ML15, ML16 and ML21 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 December 1998 and 8 May 2000, one Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) and 12 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Kenya of goods with the relevant ratings. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  £ million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Research Council budgets

  BBSRC

  177.996

  184.531

  183.980

  188.042

  190.818

  198.276

  202.420

  EPSRC

  332.338

  354.389

  377.983

  386.276

  389.444

  404.796

  412.026

  ESRC

  59.215

  61.508

  64.070

  65.227

  67.506

  70.782

  71.300

  MRC

  270.576

  271.599

  282.083

  289.078

  293.998

  305.566

  319.151

  NERC

  167.939

  169.281

  159.341

  168.150

  174.967

  178.715

  181.450

  PPARC

  204.629

  202.806

  213.536

  197.869

  193.105

  186.680

  205.774

  Total

  1,212.693

  1,244.114

  1,280.993

  1,294.642

  1,309.838

  1,344.815

  1,392.121

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  UK population (million)1

  58.401

  58.612

  58,807

  59,014

  59.237

  2—

  2—

  Amount per member of the UK population (£)

  BBSRC

  3.05

  3.15

  3.13

  3.19

  3.22

  —

  —

  EPSRC

  5.69

  6.05

  6.43

  6.55

  6.57

  —

  —

  ESRC

  1.01

  1.05

  1.09

  1.11

  1.14

  —

  —

  MRC

  4.63

  4.63

  4.80

  4.90

  4.96

  —

  —

  NERC

  2.88

  2.89

  2.71

  2.85

  2.95

  —

  —

  PPARC

  3.50

  3.46

  3.63

  3.35

  3.26

  —

  —

  Total

  20.76

  21.23

  21.78

  21.94

  22.11

  —

  —

  1 Calendar year figures—mid-year estimate from Population Trends, Spring 2000

  2Not available

  474W

  Open Individual Export Licences valid for the export to Kenya of goods with the relevant ratings

  Rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating and including Kenya as a permitted destination (OIELs may cover a range of countries)

  ML5

  3

  ML10

  8

  ML11

  3

  ML15

  1

  ML21

  2

  The one SIEL issued covered goods with the rating ML10. There were no SIELs or OIELs issued covering goods with the rating ML16.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08W.

  In addition, Kenya is a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences are routinely placed in the Library of the House.

  Research Councils
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the(a) total budget and (b) budget per head of the United Kingdom population was for each of the six research councils in each year since 1994. [122131]

  Ms Hewitt
  Details of the grant in aid paid to the Research Councils, the population figures and the budget per head of the UK population are set out in the tables.

  Synchrotron
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what detailed assessment was made of the cost associated with building the new synchrotron at(a) Daresbury and (b) Oxford. [122447]

  Ms Hewitt
  In May 1999 the OST commissioned ADD Consultants to consider the comparative advantages, benefits and costs of the site location and its effect on the New Synchrotron project. Their report (completed in June 1999 and made public in January 2000) considered both the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. This report indicated some saving in running costs if the facility were located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry commissioned a further survey into the same two sites in November 1999 and this was carried out by Allott and Lomax. Their report (completed and made public in January 2000) concluded that there were no differences in cost between constructing the facility at the Daresbury Laboratory and at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site, within their estimation errors.

  The issue of cost was not a significant factor in choosing to locate at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the decision to place the synchrotron in Oxfordshire was based on a best value or similar review. [122452]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on the 21 March 2000,Official Report, column 480W.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason ADD was chosen as the consultant to report on the suitability of the sites for the new synchrotron. [122448]

  Ms Hewitt
  ADD Consultants were originally commissioned by CCLRC (the Council for the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils) to write a business case for the New Synchrotron in January 1999. Because of ADD' s existing involvement in the project, and the time constraints, they were a natural choice to carry out the additional study on the suitability of the sites for the new synchrotron.

  SMEs (East Devon)
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he plans to give to small and medium-sized businesses in East Devon. [123075]

  Mr. Caborn
  The range of assistance available to new and existing small and medium-sized businesses in East Devon, and other parts of the UK, is included in this Department's "A Guide to Help for Small Business", a copy of which I am sending to the right hon. Member. In addition, the new Small Business Service will, from April 2001, provide an enhanced service to business in England. There is also new assistance under the £180 million Enterprise Fund which will provide risk capital to the UK's small companies with growth potential.

  Wellcome Foundation
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the basis of his policy for co-operating with the Wellcome Foundation and its board of trustees in funding scientific research. [121759]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Office of Science and Technology is committed to working with all organisations that make a contribution to the science base and where there are clear benefits to be realised from working together. The Wellcome Trust is one of the largest biomedical research charities in the world. OST therefore co-operates with the Wellcome Trust on a number of funding initiatives aimed at ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of scientific research. In addition, the individual Research Councils work with the Trust on projects of mutual interest.

  Such initiatives have been, and will continue to be, of great benefit to the Government, the Trust and the UK.

  Shareholder Remedies
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to take action on shareholder remedies(a) within the wider review of company law and (b) as a separate issue. [122822]

  Dr. Howells
  The independent Company Law Review is carrying out a fundamental review of all aspects of core company law, including shareholder remedies. The Company Law Review Steering Group is due to present its final report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the spring of next year. The Government will then set out their response and the proposed way forward in the light of the Steering Group's recommendations.

  Spin-out Companies
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many spin-off companies have been established in each year since 1994 by each university in the United Kingdom; how many such companies failed in each year since 1994, broken down by university; and what basic research and science underpinned each such company. [122162]

  Ms Hewitt
  To date, this information has not been routinely collected by Government.

  There have however been several surveys, two conducted on behalf of the Innovation Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry and one on behalf of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. These were, respectively, the University-Industry co-operation surveys of 1995 and 1996 and the Industry-academic links in the UK report (December 98/70 Hefce).

  Further measures are being introduced to monitor the spin-out activities of universities more routinely, including through the Higher Education Reach-Out to Business and the Community fund, University Challenge Fund and Science Enterprise Challenge initiatives.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what basis he monitors the performance of spin-out companies; and what makes a company eligible to be classified as a university spin-off. [122163]
  477W
  Ms Hewitt
  The performance of spin-out companies created by universities are not monitored routinely by Government.

  The Government have been using the definition of a university spin-out from the Industry-Academic links in the UK report by PREST, the Policy Research in Engineering and Science & Technology Unit in the University of Manchester (December 98/70 produced by the Higher Education Funding Council for England). The definition is encapsulated on page 35 in the sentence
  …spin-out companies from the HEI, which are established to exploit the commercialisation of results arising from a specific stream of research.

  In addition, under the pilot data collection exercise which was part of the University Challenge Fund competition in 1998–99 the AUTM (Association of University Technology Managers in the USA) definition was used this states:
  Start-up (read spin-out) companies are companies that were dependent upon licensing the institution's technology for initiation.

  The Government are currently refining their definition of a spin-out in order to improve future data collection initiatives.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fur Farming Bill
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from members of the House of Lords on the proposals contained in the Fur Farming Bill. [122697]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]: To date, we have received no representations from Members of the House of Lords.

  Over-30-Months Scheme
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average yearly price of Over-30-Months scheme compensation; and what plans he has to raise it. [120339]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 2 May 2000]: The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Compensation Paid (£)

  Number of animals

  Average amount/animal (£)

  1996–97

  669,709,000

  1,346,195

  497.48

  1997–98

  287,800,000

  847,520

  339.58

  1998–99

  253,031,000

  922,401

  274.32

  1999–2000

  262,754,000

  977,749

  268.73

  Following the removal of the weight limit on payments for all cattle entering the OTMS higher payments will apply from 5 June.

  Pig Industry
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a scheme to 478W
  compensate pig farmers in the United Kingdom for the disposal of specified material on the same basis as that which applies in the Netherlands. [121770]

  Ms Quin
  The Dutch authorities have confirmed that there is not a specific compensation scheme for the disposal of specified material in the Netherlands. Like the UK, however, the Netherlands is planning to introduce a restructuring scheme for its pig industry.

  Sea Defences
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those coastal areas of the UK in respect of which decisions have been taken since 1995 to abandon sea defences; and if he will make a statement. [122329]

  Mr. Morley
  I am replying in respect of England only because policy responsibility for sea defences elsewhere in the United Kingdom is devolved.

  The responsibility for taking decisions on the abandonment of individual sea defences rests with the relevant operating authority (primarily the Environment Agency and local authorities) or private owners of defences. Information on local authorities and private owners is not readily available. The Environment Agency advise that they have taken no such decisions in this period.

  Following the preparation of Shoreline Management Plans, operating authorities are undertaking detailed investigations into the continuing justification and sustainability of some sea defences. This may involve decisions about the abandonment of defences, but more likely decisions to establish a new line of defence.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure, in relation to hearings to be held in respect of the proposed decision to add the genetically modified maize variety Chardon LL to the UK National List, that(a) original trial data are made available in a full and timely manner to those requesting such a hearing and (b) officials will appear at the hearings, give evidence and be available for cross-examination. [121442]

  Ms Quin
  The data on which proposed National List decisions are based are made available on request. The consolidated data on which the Chardon LL proposed decision was based have already been made available to a number of individuals and organisations.

  The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) provide for written representations to be made to Ministers by persons affected by a proposed decision to add a plant variety to the National List and for oral evidence to be given by them to a person appointed by the Ministers. There is no provision for the giving of evidence to the appointed person by Ministry officials, and the appointed person's role is to marshall the views put rather than to make recommendations. Were there to be an appeal to the Plant Variety and Seeds Tribunal after this hearing, the legislation provides both for officials to give evidence and to be available for cross examination.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the savings which would result if testing for tuberculosis in cattle by the veterinary profession were put out to general tender. [R] [122690]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry is carrying out a pilot project in North West England to assess whether competitive tendering for the provision of TB testing and brucellosis work carried out by local veterinary inspectors would improve the value for money and the quality of the services provided. Contracts under the pilot project will be awarded shortly and will run for one year from 1 July. The service provided under contract in the pilot area will be compared with that provided under present arrangements before decisions are made on whether to extend competitive tendering for local veterinary inspection work. At this stage no estimate can be made of the savings which might result from the introduction of competitive tendering.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [121863]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 May 2000]: I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 18 May 2000, Official Report, column 190W.

  British Potato Council
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the first statutory review of the British Potato Council. [123769]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The first statutory review of the British Potato Council (BPC) has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947. I have considered the report of the review and the outcome of the BPC poll, together with the Minister for Rural Affairs at the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development. We agreed that the Council carries out a necessary function that could not be so efficiently carried out by other means. We have therefore decided that the BPC should continue for a further term while taking forward the recommendations of the report, in particular about ways of improving the Council's service to levy payers.

  Flood Relief
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on flood relief, and how this will be funded in future. [123390]
  480W
  Mr. Morley
  The Government's policy is to reduce the risks to people and the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion by encouraging the provision of technically, environmentally and economically sound and sustainable defence measures. The flood and coastal defence operating authorities (the internal drainage boards Environmental Agency, and local authorities) undertake these measures. In April 2000 the Government put in place a series of High Level Targets to help achieve a more certain delivery of its policies by the operating authorities. The Government have also set out a priority for the Environment Agency to work with other bodies, including local authorities and the emergency services, in achieving a seamless and integrated service of flood forecasting, warning and response.

  The two main sources of funding for flood and coastal defence are (a) Ministry contributions towards approved capital schemes undertaken by the operating authorities and (b) that delivered to local authorities through the local government finance mechanisms. The latter is used to fund the levies that local authorities pay to the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards, as well as their own spend on flood and coastal defence. A review of the current funding mechanisms is currently being conducted.

  Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government increased the funding available from the Ministry by £23 million over three years from 1999–2000, to a total of £230 million. The Government have also increased flood defence Standard Spending Assessments beyond inflation. Future funding levels depend on decisions to be taken in the Spending Review later this year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mortgages
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the average difference between bank and building society mortgage interest rates over the past 12 months. [123236]

  Mr. Bayley
  A review of interest rates provided in the Office for National Statistics' financial table 7.1L over the period January to December 1999 shows that a combined building society/bank rate is on average just under 0.28 per cent. higher than the weighted average of the main building societies interest rates. Building Societies continue to provide a comprehensive range of products in a very competitive market. Recent figures show that they continue to outlend the mortgage banks.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment his Department has made of the arrears that have accrued in mortgages taken out by income support and income-based jobseekers allowance recipients in the most recent year for which information is available. [123233]
  481W
  Mr. Bayley
  No information is collected by my Department about the accrual of arrears in mortgages taken out by income support and income based jobseekers allowance recipients. Benefit help for homeowners with housing costs is intended to provide reasonable protection to help secure the home. The mortgage lenders have agreed, under The Mortgage Code, to consider all cases of financial difficulty and mortgage arrears sympathetically and positively.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of ISMI in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [123239]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance claimants with mortgage interest, Great Britain: February 1995 to November 1999

  Thousand

  Quarter

  Income Support

  Income Support for the unemployed/income-based JSA

  All Income Support/income-based JSA

  November 1999

  254

  37

  292

  August 1999

  259

  40

  300

  May 1999

  263

  144

  1307

  February 1999

  269

  148

  1317

  November 1998

  272

  48

  320

  August 1998

  278

  51

  329

  May 1998

  281

  154

  1334

  February 1998

  288

  156

  1344

  November 1997

  292

  60

  351

  August 1997

  298

  69

  367

  May 1997

  301

  77

  379

  February 1997

  308

  90

  398

  November 1996

  313

  98

  411

  August 1996

  319

  112

  431

  May 1996

  322

  123

  445

  February 1996

  326

  134

  460

  November 1995

  330

  138

  469

  August 1995

  340

  161

  501

  May 1995

  329

  162

  491

  February 1995

  327

  175

  502

  1Provisional figures

  Notes:

  1. Customers who are in receipt of Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance are entitled to assistance with mortgage interest payments.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample; as such they are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance replaced Income Support for the unemployed from Novrmber 1996.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, February 1995–November 1999.

  2. Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, November 1996–November 1999.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to revise the index for calculating the ISMI rate to make it more representative of the mortgage lending market. [123234]
  482W
  Mr. Bayley
  We have no plans to revise the index. The standard interest rate used to calculate ISMI entitlement is based on the weighted average of the main building society rates. The building societies continue to provide a broad range of products in a very competitive market. Recent figures produced by the Building Societies Association show that building societies continue to outlend the mortgage banks.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make the ISMI mechanism more quickly responsive to changes in interest rates. [123235]

  Mr. Bayley
  There is no delay in the ISMI mechanism. As soon as the Department is informed by the Office for National Statistics of a change in interest rates, procedures are set in motion to amend regulations. Regulations are required to be laid 21 days before coming into force to allow for proper parliamentary scrutiny.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the average time between changes in the ISMI rate being triggered and higher payments being made to those in receipt of ISMI, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [123237]

  Mr. Bayley
  It normally takes five to six weeks from receipt of the official notification from the Office for National Statistics to implementation of a change in interest rates. This allows for the Department to reprogramme its computer systems and for new regulations to be laid and made available for proper parliamentary scrutiny.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proportion of those entitled to ISMI have had their homes repossessed within nine months of starting to receive(a) income support and (b) income-based jobseeker's allowance in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [123238]

  (2) how many repossessions of homes of those in receipt of ISMI there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [123240]

  Mr. Bayley
  This Department does not keep any figures relating to home repossessions. The benefit system is designed to provide homeowners with reasonable protection and we encourage everyone, particularly those taking out new loans, to consider how they would meet their mortgage repayments if they lost their income. The Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Association of British Insurers have recently announced a new minimum standard for mortgage protection insurance. Most repossessions are caused by wider, more serious difficulties than any shortfall in benefit. Recent figures produced by the Lord Chancellors Department show that in England and Wales repossession activity is declining.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations his Department has received on the current ISMI mechanisms. [123244]
  483W
  Mr. Bayley
  We have received a number of letters and Parliamentary Questions about the ISMI scheme. In addition, the Department is in close contact with the Council of Mortgage Lenders and are active members of a lending industry/Government partnership group. The remit of this partnership group includes ISMI and at various times discussions have taken place as to its current design and how it will operate in the future.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on inclusion of reform of ISMI in the Urban White Paper. [123241]

  Mr. Bayley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on inclusion of reform of ISMI in the Urban White Paper. Options for reform of ISMI are included in the recently published Housing Green Paper.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each of the past five years for which figures are available, how many applications for

  Claims, awards and disallowances

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Claims for IB

  772,726

  1,066,399

  1,046,743

  929,500

  910,829

  Disallowed due to failing the contribution conditions

  267,910

  438,476

  446,583

  395,665

  400,471

  IB spells commencing in the period

  320,900

  508,900

  463,940

  417,420

  386,380

  Disallowed following OOT test

  880

  3,268

  4,346

  4,948

  6,505

  Disallowed following AWT

  54,080

  189,571

  208,545

  219,007

  196,928

  Notes:

  1. All figures are for calendar years except for the "spells commencing" which are for the period 1 December to 30 November each year. In 1995 all figures are from April 1995 when Incapacity Benefit replaced Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit.

  2. The sum of IB spells commencing and disallowances due to failing the contribution conditions does not equal the number of IB claims, as the figure for claims includes some that are subsequently withdrawn and accident declarations (which are made in case a claim to benefit becomes necessary at a later date as a result of an industrial accident).

  Sources:

  1. Claims received—100 per cent. clerical count.

  2. IB spells commencing—5 per cent. sample of claimants.

  3. Disallowance figures—100 per cent. of the computer system.

  Appeals and decisions

  Incapacity Benefit Appeals

  19951

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Number of appeals lodged

  22,487

  62,303

  95,119

  92,117

  61,221

  Number cleared at hearing

  8,092

  41,593

  57,286

  90,987

  73,154

  Found in favour of the appellant

  4,285

  19,059

  23,859

  33,468

  28,992

  Original decision upheld

  3—

  3—

  3—

  36,618

  32,906

  Number of Commissioner's rehearing appeals lodged2

  3—

  3—

  154

  456

  1,066

  Number cleared at hearing

  3—

  3—

  3—

  280

  973

  Found in favour of the appellant

  3—

  3—

  3—

  188

  643

  1Figures for 1995 include Invalidity Benefit.

  2Information on Commissioner's appeals is only available from autumn 1997 when the GAPS system was introduced.

  3Not available.

  Note:

  The number of appeals in favour of the appellant plus the number of decisions upheld does not equal the total number of appeals cleared at hearing. Appeals cleared at hearing also include cases withdrawn or struck out at hearing.

  Sources:

  1. Figures prior to autumn 1997, 100 per cent. extract from ITS computerised records.

  2. Figures after autumn 1997, 100 per cent. download from the Appeals Service Generic Appeals.

  3. Processing System (GAPS) computer system.
  484W
  Incapacity Benefit were refused and what proportion of total applications this represents; what proportion of applicants refused Incapacity Benefit appealed to the Appeals Service and how many were successful; and what proportion of applicants whose appeals were rejected by the Appeals Service appealed to the social security commissioners and how many were successful. [122152]

  Mr. Bayley
  Information on numbers of claims for Incapacity Benefit (IB), awards and disallowances are in table 1. The available information on appeals is in table 2. It should be noted that the time lags between stages of the process (e.g. between claim and disallowance, or between disallowance and the hearing of an appeal) means that there is no direct relationship between the numbers in the various categories in each. This in turn means that the figures cannot be used to derive proportions. However, it is estimated that around 22 per cent. of those referred are disallowed following a medical test, that of those disallowed around 30 per cent. appeal, and that around 3 per cent. of those who are not successful at tribunal appeal to the Social Security Commissioners. Claimants who are disallowed IB because they fail the contribution conditions may be awarded National Insurance credits ("credits only" cases): and disallowances following the All Work Test and appeals include IB recipients and credits only cases: it is not possible to disaggregate the figures.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instruct the Benefits Agency to ensure that Disability Living Allowance is not withdrawn from a person to whom it had previously been awarded for life, without there first being a detailed personal letter explaining the reasons for the withdrawal being given to the beneficiary, and an immediate opportunity being made available to that person for a review of the decision which can consider further evidence from or on behalf of that person. [122684]

  Mr. Bayley
  As with any benefit, any person whose award of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is changed, in any way and for whatever reason, is offered, and may demand, a reconsideration of that decision and a right of appeal. Any representations they make will be considered as part of these processes.

  It has always been the intention that "life awards" of DLA should only run as long as a person is entitled to that rate of benefit, and the law has always allowed for awards to be altered when there are ground for doing so. People receiving the benefit have always been informed that changes in their circumstances needed to be reported to the Department, and that benefit entitlement could change, even where an award had been given for life.

  Nonetheless, we recognise that the "life award" terminology in DLA caused problems; in particular, that the words used suggested that entitlement could continue even when the conditions for receiving the benefit were no longer met. We therefore took powers in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 to remove references to "life awards". Accordingly, from 12 January this year the terminology was altered to replace "life award" with "indefinite award" to help clarify the situation. The rules that apply to altering awards, whether made for life, or for an indefinite period, have remained unchanged.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have been awarded Disability Living Allowance for life have had that benefit withdrawn during the past 12 months. [122683]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated May 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked Alexis Cleveland to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many people who have been awarded disability living allowance (DLA) for life have had that benefit withdrawn during the past twelve months. As she is on annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
  The number of people awarded DLA for life whose award was terminated in the twelve months ending November 1999 was 80,200. This is the most recent figure available and it represents termination of benefit due to death; residence and presence conditions no longer satisfied; voluntary cancellation and cancellation by the Department.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Pensions (Part-time Workers)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect on the solvency of the UK's pension funds of the EC ruling of 16 May on part-time workers' access to pensions; and if he will make a statement. [122779]

  Mr. Rooker
  This is a complex ruling which needs careful consideration. It also has to be referred back to the House of Lords for their judgment.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer on 18 April 2000,Official Report, column 439W, on pensions, what the National Insurance Fund balance would be, and how far above the minimum level recommended by the Government Actuary, at the end of each of the years (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04, if the basic pension and linked benefit rates remained at their present level in 2000–01 and were uprated in line with prices thereafter. [121195]

  Mr. Rooker
  Precise long-term forecasts of any excess to the Fund reserves would be misleading, given the sensitivity of the differences between forecasts of receipts and expenditure to the variables involved. The Government Actuary's report1 shows a projected Fund balance of £16.6 billion at the end of the 2000–01 financial year, which is £8.8 billion in excess of the minimum recommended.
  1Report by the Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Uprating Order 2000 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2000. Cm 4587, January 2000.

  Taxes and Benefits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide illustrative examples of cases where taxes and benefits interact to produce a marginal income deduction rate of(a) 50 per cent. and above, (b) 60 per cent. and above, (c) 70 per cent. and above, (d) 80 per cent. and above, (e) 90 per cent. and above and (f) 100 per cent. and above on the same basis as Figure 37 in the departmental report, Cm 4614, p.81. [120382]

  Mr. Rooker
  Marginal net income deduction rates in Figure 37 of the latest departmental report were calculated by micro simulation modelling, using a sample of households from the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey. The following examples are drawn from the survey results underpinning the latest estimates, for 1999–2000. They are shown by 10 per cent. bands. As in Figure 37, the examples are restricted to households where at least one person is working for 16 hours or more per week.

  50 to 59 per cent. rate: None of the cases in the 1996–97 survey are modelled to have a marginal net income deduction rate of between 50 and 59 per cent.
  487W
  60 to 69 per cent. rate: a single person with no children, on the Housing Benefit taper and with earnings below the income tax and National Insurance thresholds.

  70 to 79 per cent. rate: an earner in a couple with two children and on the Family Credit (which has now been replaced by the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC)) taper, with earnings below the income tax and National Insurance thresholds.

  80 to 89 per cent. rate: a lone parent with two children, with earnings below the income tax and National Insurance thresholds, receiving the maximum level of Family Credit (which has now been replaced by the WFTC) and on the Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit taper.
  488W
  90 to 99 per cent. rate: a main earner in a couple with two children and on the Family Credit and Housing Benefit tapers, with both partners working but only the main earner earning enough to pay tax, at 23 per cent. (which has now been reduced to 22 per cent.), and National Insurance contributions, at 10 per cent.

  100 per cent. + rate: a sole earner in a couple with one child, on both the Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit tapers, working more than 30 hours per week and paying income tax at 23 per cent. (now reduced to 22 per cent.) and National Insurance at 10 per cent., receiving Family Credit (now replaced by WFTC) less than the value of the 30 hour credit at £11.05, which is not taken into account in assessments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit entitlement.

  Western Sahara
  Western Sahara
  Blantyre House: Move of Governor
  Blantyre House: Move of Governor
  Blantyre House: Prison Search
  Blantyre House: Prison Search
  Blantyre House: Reconviction Rates
  Blantyre House: Reconviction Rates
  Involuntary Manslaughter
  Involuntary Manslaughter
  Financial Bonds: Pilot Study
  Financial Bonds: Pilot Study
  Criminal Justice System Business Plan
  Criminal Justice System Business Plan
  Financial Services Authority: Parliamentary Accountability
  Financial Services Authority: Parliamentary Accountability
  Economic Cycle
  Economic Cycle
  Sunday Working
  Sunday Working
  Stamp Programme
  Stamp Programme
  Wireless Telegraphy Act Licences: Auction
  Wireless Telegraphy Act Licences: Auction
  UK Oil Reserves and the EU
  UK Oil Reserves and the EU
  Payments for Bronchitis and Emphysema to Miners
  Payments for Bronchitis and Emphysema to Miners
  Act of Union Bicentenary: Post Office Decision on Stamp Issue
  Act of Union Bicentenary: Post Office Decision on Stamp Issue
  Lead Shot Working Group
  Lead Shot Working Group
  Animal and Bird Carcasses: Disposal in Small Incinerators
  Animal and Bird Carcasses: Disposal in Small Incinerators
  Wales: Task Forces
  Wales: Task Forces
  Wales: Special Advisers
  Wales: Special Advisers
  Committee on Standards in Public Life: Conduct in the House of Lords
  Committee on Standards in Public Life: Conduct in the House of Lords