Written Answers of 2 November 2000

DEFENCE

  Royal Navy Ships
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships have been ordered since May 1997; and on what dates. [134927]

  Mr. Hoon
  On 19 June 2000, the Minister for Defence Procurement announced the placing of an order with Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. for two new Multi-Role Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Vessels together with 25 years contractor support. The ships, to be named HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise, will be built under sub-contract at Appledore Shipbuilders in Devon, and are due to enter service in 2002 and 2003.

  During the debate on Defence Procurement on 26 October, I announced that we intended to order four alternative landing ship logistic (ALSLs), subject to negotiation of satisfactory terms and conditions.

  I also announced that, subject to final negotiations, we intend to sign a 25-year private finance initiative contract with AWSR Shipping Ltd. to provide for the strategic sealift capability. This will involve the construction of six new roll on roll off (RORO) vessels; two at Harland and Wolff in Northern Ireland and four in a German shipyard.

  It is also intended that, subject to satisfactory arrangements being agreed, the order for the first new type 45 Destroyers will be placed later this year. It is planned that the first and third ships will be assembled by BAE Systems Marine and the second by Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd.

  TRACER Programme
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the TRACER programme as a bilateral programme with the United States of America. [135834]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 31 October 2000)Bilateral collaboration is continuing on the UK's Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) and the US Future Scout and Cavalry System (FSCS).

  The current phase of the programme is of 42 months duration and finishes in July 2002. The programme is proceeding to schedule and both Governments are pleased with progress to date.

  In parallel, the UK is conducting studies to examine the use of unmanned air vehicles to complement ground-based reconnaissance. The outcome of these studies will be used to inform the UK decision on the optimum mix of platforms, technology and sensors and the role that TRACER will play in the Army's future battlefield information gathering.
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  Neither nation is committed beyond the current phase. At the end of this phase there will be a comprehensive review, and the decision on how to proceed will take account of all relevant factors.

  Military Graves
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the non-war graves where maintenance to an appropriate standard is impossible for(a) climatic and (b) political reasons. [134307]

  Dr. Moonie
  The standard of maintenance of those service graves designated non-world war graves varies according to the prevailing weather and local climatic conditions in the countries in which the graves are located. I am able to confirm however, that in general there are no non-world war graves that are impossible to maintain to the appropriate standard for climatic reasons, though they may not appear the same as those located in a typical war grave cemetery in, for example, north-west Europe. Local conditions are taken into account when selecting the material used for headstones or markers and the design of the cemetery.

  The changing worldwide political situation does mean that at times cemeteries containing war graves and non-world war graves are difficult or impossible to maintain. Currently, activity is restricted or impossible in Algeria, Ambon (Indonesia), Iraq and Mogadishu (Somalia). It can be difficult to maintain cemeteries in Northern Cyprus, parts of the Middle East, particularly Libya and China, and even Northern Ireland for political and security reasons. Restoration work on non-world war graves maintained on our behalf by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) is resuming.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responsibilities of the Army Casualty Cell. [134305]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Army Casualty Cell is responsible for the following:

  (a) monitoring and recording all Listed Army casualties in Peace and War and ensuring next of kin are notified in each case.

  (b) repatriating the remains of those soldiers who die overseas and remaining long term point of contact for next of kin.

  (c) providing an Army casualty helpline in the event of a major casualty incident occurring in either peace or war.

  (d) advising on arrangements for public expense funerals of those soldiers who die in service, when requested by next of kin.

  (e) erecting standard military pattern headstones on the graves of deceased soldiers, when requested by next of kin.

  (f) focal point for policy issues relating to post 1947 Army non war graves in the UK.

  (g) overseeing the maintenance of post 1947 tri-service non war graves overseas where not already managed by another agency.

  (h) facilitating the flow of information from concerned relatives to service personnel and their dependants serving overseas.

  (i) authorising compassionate leave and travel back to the UK in cases of the death or imminent death of close relatives.

  (j) authorising the travel of close relatives to visit service personnel who are very seriously ill overseas.

  (k) identification of the remains of recently discovered soldiers killed in either of the World Wars, tracing and notifying the remaining family and organising the funeral.

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  (l) answering inquiries from members of the public and Members of Parliament in respect of subjects relating to the Army Casualty Cell's activities.

  (m) monitoring Boards of Inquiry into cases of deceased soldiers and arranging for release of the Board of Inquiry report to the next of kin.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from 1 October what will be the annual budget of the Army Casualty Cell at Upavon in respect of non-war graves in(a) the UK and (b) overseas. [134304]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Army Casualty Cell assumed responsibility for overseas non-war graves from 1 October 2000, but will not take over the financial responsibility until April 2001. £180,000 has been allocated for this task. The maintenance of non-war graves in the UK is the responsibility of Land Command and is funded as part of their overall budget for property management. It follows that the Army Casualty Cell has no annual budget for this purpose.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current annual budgets for(a) the Royal Navy and (b) the Royal Air Force in respect of their non-war graves in the UK. [134306]

  Dr. Moonie
  Both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force meet the costs of funerals, burial plots, headstones, marker stones and related costs for personnel who die while in service. In financial year 2000–01 the Royal Air Force allocation is £70,000. The Royal Navy allocation is not separately identified. The costs of subsequently maintaining non-war graves are met from local works service budgets and are not separately identified by either service.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in each of the past five years what has been the annual contribution from British Government sources to the South African Heritage Committee in respect of Boer War graves. [134297]

  Dr. Moonie
  Ordinarily, the British Government make an annual donation of £10,000 to the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) towards the maintenance of Boer War graves. In 1999, however, it was decided that an additional donation of £5,000 should be paid for three years, ending in 2001. This temporary increase in the contribution was established in order to support the SAHRA's initiative to employ a single contractor to maintain all British graves throughout South Africa.

  £

  1996

  align="right">10,000

  1997

  align="right">10,000

  1998

  align="right">10,000

  1999

  15,000

  2000

  align="right">15,000

  Fuel Tankers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the specification is of fuel tankers used by(a) the Army and (b) the other armed services; how this differs from the specification of commercial fuel tankers in use in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [136061]
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  Mr. Spellar
  The armed forces currently use three sizes of bulk fuel tanker (12,000 litre, 22,500 litre and 32,000 litre). The 32,000 litre fuel tanker is commercially based and has a similar specification to modern commercial fuel tankers. It employs commercial standard safety systems, is fully compliant with "Accord European relatif au transport des Marchandises Dangerous par Route (ADR) Directive" requirements and approved for use under the petroleum industry's Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS). The 22,500 litre and 12,000 litre fuel tankers are older; they are not fully compliant with ADR regulations as they were constructed to specifications reflecting Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG) regulations in force at the time of manufacture.

  In general terms, the specification of military tankers is enhanced to optimise them for military use. Military tankers differ from commercial tankers in the numbers of filling and discharge points; they are fitted with an integral pump to permit cross-loading and kerbside refueling of convoys and tend to be tougher in construction.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are qualified to drive commercial fuel tankers of the type in use in the UK; how many were qualified to do so on 1 January; how many are undergoing training which would enable them to drive such commercial fuel tankers; and if he will make a statement. [136060]

  Mr. Spellar
  Some 300 service personnel are qualified to drive commercial fuel tankers—the figure is the same for 1 January—of which 180 could be made available for this purpose. Around 900 additional drivers are currently being trained to drive commercial tankers.

  Courts Martial
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes will be made in courts martial as a result of the incorporation into UK law of the European Convention on Human Rights. [135060]

  Mr. Spellar
  Changes have already been made so that courts martial procedures are compatible with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which concerns the right to a fair trial. These were included in the Armed Forces Act 1996, which introduced reforms to reinforce the independence of the courts martial system. The changes came into effect on 1 April 1997.

  No further changes to the legislation on the conduct of courts martial are planned as a result of the incorporation into UK law of the European Convention on Human Rights.

  Eurolift Project
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made at EU level on the Eurolift project for the establishment of an EU air transport command. [135661]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no Eurolift project for the establishment of an EU air transport command. The European Air Group, which comprises seven European nations—Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK—is, however, conducting a study into options for improving interoperability and co-ordination
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  of military airlift between member nations. The study is not expected to be completed before the end of this year, so it would be premature to judge the outcome at this stage.

  Fuel Crisis
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of those troops being trained for duties in the event of another fuel crisis, how many have been trained to assist the police in relation to public order offences. [136067]

  Mr. Spellar
  None.

  RAF Benson
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how many(a) civilians and (b) RAF personnel the two Lynx deep-servicing lines at RAF Benson are undermanned; and if he will make a statement. [134299]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no Lynx deep servicing lines at RAF Benson.

  Army Training Estates Review
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the outcome of the Army Training Estates Review; and if he will make a statement. [134302]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently two similarly named reviews being carried out within the Ministry of Defence.

  First, Land Command is conducting an Army Training Estate Site Utility Review. This aims to identify Land Command training areas, camps and ranges which are no longer required in order that they can be closed or sold, thereby saving maintenance costs and where possible generating revenue. The review team will make their recommendations by the end of this calendar year. Secondly, the Army Training and Recruiting Agency is conducting a review into the strategic development of the Agency over the next few years and this may have an impact on its estate. Work is still at a very early stage and no decisions have been taken.

  Russian Plutonium/Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the locations where the Russian plutonium stockpiles covered by the UK's programme of help with disposal of such material have been disposed of.[134352]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the locations where the Russian chemical weapons covered by the UK's programme of help with disposal of such weapons have been disposed of. [134351]

  Mr. Spellar
  In July, as part of Spending Review 2000, up to £12 million was allocated to the Ministry of Defence for high priority chemical demilitarisation and co-operative biological non proliferation projects in Russia. This funding will be available over a three-year 546W
  period starting in April 2001. A study of possible options for UK assistance is currently under way. No decisions on specific projects have yet been taken.

  Atlantic Star
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to recommend the award of the Atlantic Star to Russian convoy veterans for their service in the Arctic Ocean during World War II; and if he will make a statement. [135881]

  Mr. Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS), part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency issues all campaign stars in respect of Merchant Seamen. The qualifications for the Atlantic Star require that the 1939–45 Star must first have been earned by six months' service at sea and then must be followed by a further six months' service at sea before 8 May 1945, with at least one voyage in the qualifying area ie across the Atlantic, South Atlantic or service in convoys to North Russia. This award is available to all British seafarers who fulfil the criteria.

  Merchant Shipping Notice M.279, which sets out the criteria for campaign stars for Merchant Seamen, was published in 1946 and is still in use to assess awards. It remains official policy to award the Atlantic Star to Russian convoy veterans who are British seafarers provided they make a request and fulfil the necessary criteria.

  Evidence of service is taken either from the discharge book of the veteran, or, if this is not available, from the discharge summaries and ships log books which are held at RSS Cardiff.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Train Safety
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the effectiveness of hammers carried on trains for use in emergencies to break window glass; and if he will make a statement. [134340]

  Mr. Hill
  This and other matters relating to the evacuation of trains in an emergency are under review by the Health and Safety Commission. The Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 2000, which were laid before the House on 2 October following proposals from the Commission, will require train operators to revise their safety cases to include, among other things, details of the train evacuation equipment and arrangements which they have in place or propose. These revised safety cases will have to be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive for formal acceptance.

  The Commission expects shortly to receive a report from a railway industry working group which is considering these issues. The Commission and Executive will take any further action which may be appropriate in the light of the industry's proposals and any relevant recommendations which may arise from Lord Cullen's public inquiry.
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  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are made to test the effectiveness of safety equipment carried on passenger trains. [134339]

  Mr. Hill
  There are many different types of safety equipment carried on passenger trains. Arrangements for testing the effectiveness of the safety equipment are laid out in the maintenance regime for each train type. The train owner, operator or maintenance contractor is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate arrangements are undertaken.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with Railtrack on the subject of cracked or faulty railway lines; what assurances he has secured from Railtrack; and if he will make a statement.[135932]

  Mr. Hill
  There are regular meetings between Ministers and Railtrack at which a variety of issues have been discussed, including the issue of broken rails.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations are being undertaken on the safety of the railway track in(a) north-east Scotland and (b) elsewhere in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [135934]

  Mr. Hill
  HSE's Principal Inspector of Railways in Scotland met with the Senior Railtrack Management on 25 October 2000. Railtrack Scotland has carried out visual examinations on sites with track already identified as needing replacement, and are in the process of establishing a programme for other sites. Railtrack is taking whatever action is necessary to identify all track defects and where they cannot be remedied speedily, the necessary mitigation measures (i.e. speed restrictions, increased inspection, traffic limitations) will be implemented to maintain the safety of passengers. HSE is also meeting with senior management at Railtrack HQ on national initiatives being taken to maintain the infrastructure.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he was first advised by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority of the extent of the problems with broken rails; and if he will make a statement. [135933]

  Mr. Hill
  In its first interim report into the Hatfield derailment on 20 October, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) informed Ministers that Railtrack were concerned about a specific form of rolling contact fatigue—sometimes referred to as gauge corner cracking—and that as a result had imposed emergency speed restrictions across the railway system. However, Ministers have been aware of the general issue of broken rails for a considerable amount of time, including the concerns raised by the HSE and the Rail Regulator.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many broken rails were discovered on the railway network in Scotland in(a) 1990 and (b) in each year from 1995 to date; and if he will make a statement.[135935]

  Mr. Hill
  The Health and Safety Executive does not hold records on broken rails dating back to 1990. Figures for broken rails based on geographical areas supplied to HSE's Railway Inspectorate by railway operators 548W
  commenced from 1 April 1996. The number of broken rails for Scotland for the period of 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2000 are shown in the following table.

  Broken rails in Scotland 1996–97 to 1999–2000

  Total broken rails in scotland

  Year

  Railtrack

  Glasgow Underground

  1996–97

  57

  2

  1997–98

  49

  0

  1998–99

  88

  0

  1999–2000

  80

  0

  Road Deaths
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed on the roads in the week beginning Sunday 10 September and in the same week of September 1999. [135094]

  Mr. Hill
  No information is yet available regarding 2000 accident data. The figures for the days September 10–16 for 1998 and 1999 are as shown:

  1998–67

  1999–62

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed on the roads in each of the last three years for which figures are available in the area of the Essex Police Authority. [135101]

  Mr. Hill
  The number of people killed on the roads in the area of the Essex Police authority in each of the last three years for which figures are available are as follows:

  1997–89

  1998–76

  1999–106.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed on the road in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [135099]

  Mr. Hill
  The number of people killed on the roads in each of the last three years for which figures are available are as follows:

  1997–3,599

  1998–3,421

  1999–3,423.

  Housing Stock Transfers
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list(a) the three most senior members of staff employed by registered social landlords that have taken over former local authority housing stock and (b) their previous employers; [134732]

  (2) if he will list (a) the chairmen of registered social landlords that have taken over former local authority housing stock and (b) their current occupation and relevant interests. [134733]
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  Mr. Mullin
  A list of the chairs and two most senior members of staff of registered social landlords (RSLs) which have taken over former local authority housing stock has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Information on the previous employers of senior staff in these RSLs, the third most senior member of staff, and the current occupation and relevant interests of the chairs of these RSLs is not held centrally.

  Disabled Drivers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress on reviewing the definition of very exceptional cases in the context of the application of the second EC Directive on the driving licence relating to the renewal of licences for drivers suffering from diabetes mellitus and requiring insulin treatment; and what account is being taken of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in this review. [134572]

  Mr. Hill
  At their meeting on 4 October, the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes agreed that the term "exceptional case" should be redefined to mean applicants for Cl entitlement (vehicles of between 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes) with good diabetic control and no significant complications. The panel will meet again on 8 November to finalise the new definition, after which public consultation will begin with a view to having the legislative changes in place by spring 2001.

  There is no question of conflict with the Disability Discrimination Act.

  Railways (Public Investment)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public money has been paid to(a) the railway operating companies and (b) Railtrack in each year since privatisation; and what annual payments are to be made in future years. [135432]

  Mr. Hill
  Since privatisation, Support for Passenger Rail Services (SPRS) has been paid by the Franchising Director to passenger train operating companies (TOCs). Also, certain TOCs receive income from Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) for rail passenger services in major conurbations. In addition, freight operating companies (FOCs) receive freight grant payments from my Department.

  The table provides details, for each year since the TOCs and FOCs were created, of SPRS and PTE payments to the TOCs, and freight grant payments to the FOCs. The figures for 2000–01 are estimated outturns.

  Cash prices

  £ million

  Payments

  SPRS

  PTE

  Freight grant

  1994–95

  1.783

  346

  —

  1995–96

  1,669

  362

  —

  1996–97

  1,809

  291

  12

  1997–98

  1,429

  375

  21

  1998–99

  1,196

  337

  19

  1999–2000

  1,033

  312

  17

  2000–01

  913

  280

  16

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  Since privatisation, no public money has been paid direct to Railtrack, but the company's profitability is contingent on public money. Some 90 per cent. of Railtrack's income is paid to the company by TOCs and FOCs in access charges, a substantial proportion of which are supported by public money.

  The precise size of annual payments in future years will depend on negotiations which the Franchising Director has not yet completed with TOCs and others. Under existing franchises, total subsidy to TOCs is set to fall from some £1.2 billion this year to less than £900 million by 2002–03. Also, the Franchising Director has approved a number of projects under the Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) scheme, involving commitments to pay some £12 million to TOCs. He is currently considering 23 other possible RPP projects, with potential to generate payments of an additional £53 million. The Ten-Year Plan for Transport provides for substantial extra Government funding to halt the decline in revenue subsidy and for direct payments of renewals capital grant to Railtrack for both passengers and freight. In addition, the Plan provides for a Rail Modernisation Fund of £7 billion to support enhancements of the rail network.

  Road Haulage
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the principal elements in the costs of a typical road haulage business in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) the latest date for which figures are available, indicating in each year the percentage of turnover accounted for by those costs. [135408]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government do not routinely collect information on the operating costs of road hauliers.

  Planning Officers
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take with regard to planning officers who take employment with(a) developers and (b) applicants with whom they have dealt. [135663]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government have no powers to intervene in these issues. Local authorities are independent employers and the terms and conditions of their staff, including future employment, are determined in their contracts.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to help tenants in social housing whose homes have been designated Band F, G or H and who are thereby ineligible for Council Tax Benefit. [135828]

  Ms Armstrong
  People on low incomes (whether social tenants or otherwise) who occupy dwellings in Bands F, G and H are eligible to claim Council Tax Benefit. Those who received Council Tax Benefit on or before 31 March 1998 and continue to meet the continuity requirements are entitled to have up to 100 per cent. of their council tax liability met through benefit regardless
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  of the valuation band of their home. New claimants after that date who live in dwellings in Bands F, G and H can receive benefit up to the maximum amount payable for Band E dwellings. We have no plans to alter this arrangement, which was introduced to ensure that taxpayers do not fully subsidise the costs of people living in the highest value properties. This is consistent with our policy of not supporting such properties on Income Support where help for mortgage interest in new cases is also restricted. However, we are aware of the concerns that remain with this measure and are continuing to monitor the effects of the restriction.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding has been allocated for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme for 2000–01. [135883]

  Mr. Meacher
  The budget for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme for 2000–01 is £121,857,000.

  Soil Protection Strategy
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish for public consultation the Soil Protection Strategy recommended by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in its 1996 report, 'Sustainable Use of Soil'. [136011]

  Mr. Meacher
  Soon.

  Parish Polls
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the trigger level for the holding of parish polls. [135740]

  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]We have no plans to alter the legislative requirements for the holding of parish polls.

  Fitness to Drive
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review current arrangements for ascertaining the medical fitness of older drivers. [135734]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]These matters are kept under constant review. The benefits of any changes to medical requirements would be assessed in the context of overall mobility and safety benefits for older people and other road users.

  We have commissioned research from Manchester University into the driving behaviour of older people. The project is due to be completed by the end of November and a report will be published in due course.

  Salisbury District Council
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff were employed by Salisbury District Council in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) on 1 October 2000. [136044]
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  Ms Armstrong
  The information that is available is as follows:

  Salisbury District Council

  Number of employees

  12 June 1998

  9 June 2000

  Full-time employees

  477

  418

  Part-time employees

  91

  73

  Estimated whole-time equivalents

  518

  451

  Sources:

  Joint Staffing Watch (1998), Employers' Organisation (2000)

  Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received Road Traffic Reduction Act reports from local traffic authorities as required by the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997. [136774]

  Mr. Hill
  I have received reports under the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 from local traffic authorities in England, as required under the Act. Copies of the reports have been laid before the Parliament and placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Parish Councils (Reserves)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the recommended level is of reserves required to be held by a parish council; and if he will make a statement. [136179]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Government do not make recommendations on the level of reserves to be held by parish councils.

  The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) published non-statutory guidance on standards of financial reporting for parish councils following the laying of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996.

  The CIPFA guidance does not make recommendations on levels of reserves either, but does set out reporting requirements and guidance relating to reserves for small (budgeted annual income of less than £5,000), medium-sized (£5,000–£500,000) and large (£500,000 plus) parish councils.

  Ross-on-Wye Council (Finances)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received the return from Ross-on-Wye Town Council on the finances of the council; and if he will make a statement. [136178]

  Ms Armstrong
  Ross-on-Wye Town Council is a Parish Council, rather than a District Council, and as such does not make financial returns to this department.

  Chicklade Bypass
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will build a bypass for the village of Chicklade on the A303(T) in Wiltshire. [134301]
  553W
  Mr. Hill
  The A303 Chicklade Bottom-Mere Improvement is one of the schemes currently being considered under the London to South West and South Wales Multi-Modal Study. The outcome of the study will inform the Regional Planning Body's consideration of transport infrastructure requirements in preparing a review of the Regional Transport Strategy, currently contained in emerging Regional Planning Guidance for the South West, including the need for improvements to the trunk road network. I expect the study to report towards the end of next year.

  Draft Water Bill
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government plans to publish the draft Water Bill; and if he will make a statement. [136776]

  Mr. Meacher
  I will publish a draft Water Bill for public consultation on Monday 6 November. The draft Bill will have three main elements: first, it will contain provisions to improve the management of water through reforms to the abstraction licensing system and by promoting greater water conservation by water companies; second, it will re-introduce the regulatory reform provisions for water that were removed from the Utilities Bill in March 2000. These clauses have been updated since then, mainly to reflect any relevant amendments made to the equivalent energy provisions now in the Utilities Act 2000. The overall aim is to put the consumer at the heart of the regulatory process and to make regulation more open and accountable; and third, the draft Bill will contain a number of other useful but minor improvements to the regulatory systems for water and reservoir safety.

  The draft Bill includes provisions to increase the maximum penalty for abstraction and impounding offences and for supplying water unfit for human consumption from £5,000 to £20,000. This reflects the importance the Government attaches to ensuring appropriate fines for water offences. Unlimited fines are available in the crown courts.

  The draft Bill will also give new powers to the regulators to fine water companies up to 10 per cent. of their turnover for breaches of their conditions of appointment, or for failure to achieve prescribed standards of performance.

  We are also consulting on measures to ensure that customers have easy access to reliable comparative information on water company performance. We are working with the water industry with the aim of developing a pilot scheme. We are also consulting when we publish the draft water bill on introducing any necessary legislation to require companies to provide comparative performance information to customers.

  Copies of the draft Bill and covering consultation paper, and an accompanying publication setting out the Government's Regulatory Impact Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment and a Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment will be laid before the House at 11am on Monday 6 November.

CABINET OFFICE

  Risk Management Frameworks
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Departments produced risk management frameworks relating to their Statement of Internal Control by September; and if she will place copies in the Library. [135490]

  Mr. Stringer
  Departments and public bodies will be required to produce Statements of Internal Control from the financial years 2001–02 onwards. The first Statements will be published in 2002. As a separate exercise, Departments and Agencies that are responsible for managing significant risks faced by the public are drawing up and publishing the framework and procedures they use for reaching decisions on the risks for which they are responsible. Copies of these will be placed in the Library. As of 31 October, risk frameworks had been published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Defence, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Environment Agency, the Department for Education and Employment, the Food Standards Agency, the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Executive, the Inland Revenue and the Office for National Statistics.

  Pharmacy Controls
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent studies her Department has undertaken on the economic and financial effects of pharmacy(a) licence regulation and (b) planning permission. [134505]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Performance and Innovation Unit of the Cabinet Office published in December 1999 a project on rural economies, which discussed the implications of planning policy for rural economies. Additionally, the independent Better Regulation Task Force, for which I am sponsor Minister, published in June 2000 a case study of increasing regulation in the hotel and restaurant industry. Among other things, it looked at whether there were any barriers in the planning system to the productivity of this sector.

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people are employed in the Performance and Innovation Unit. [135387]

  Mr. Stringer
  As of 31 October 2000, there are 31 people employed in the Performance and Innovation Unit.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  House Purchases
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to be able to publish the final research report on the trials of the new system for home buying and selling. [135830]
  555W
  Mr. Lock
  We are planning to announce the results of the seller's information pack pilot at a conference in Bristol on 24 November. A short report and a summary of the main findings and conclusions will be published on that date. A full research report is expected to be published in December.

  Magistrates Courts Service
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of the magistrates courts service: and if he will make a statement. [136775]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor has today placed copies of the Chief Inspector's Annual Report in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The Chief Inspector reports a noticeable improvement in overall proficiency across the service. Magistrates courts committees have faced up to hard decisions and shown determination in executing them. While further improvements are needed, such as in the management of performance through the monitoring of suitable indicators, magistrates courts committees are demonstrating an increasing willingness to think strategically.

  Although most MCCs continued to show significant weaknesses in managing performance in case administration, all magistrates courts committees inspected achieved average or better than average case completion times. There were also some encouraging signs of recent improvement. The Chief Inspector also noted that there had been good inter-agency work on the planning and implementation of the new Narey procedures and Youth Court Joint Performance Improvement Plans.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in the drafting of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. [135376]

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason a draft Charter of Fundamental Rights is being negotiated by EU member states. [135574]

  Mr. Vaz
  In June 1999, the Conclusions of the Cologne European Council called for a Charter of Fundamental Rights to be drawn up to make those rights more visible. It was agreed that the Charter would be drafted by a body called the Convention, consisting of 15 member states representatives, 16 MEPs, 30 national parliamentarians and one Commissioner.

  The Convention met regularly from December 1999 to October 2000. It circulated a final draft on 2 October. This was discussed by Heads of Government at the Biarritz Informal Council on 13–14 October. They agreed that the Charter should be proclaimed as a political declaration at the Nice European Council in December. Copies of the Charter text have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
  556W
  The Government strongly supports the Charter. People need to know their rights. And the EU Institutions need to respect them. The Charter will help on both counts. It sets out fundamental rights and principles that the EU Institutions should respect when going about their daily business, and it promotes the visibility and accessibility of those rights.

  The Charter is not legally binding. It is addressed to the EU Institutions, and to member states only when they are implementing Union law (Article 51(1)). It does not establish any new power or task for the Community or the Union or modify powers and tasks defined by the Treaties (Article 51(2)). It does not create any new powers for the European Court of Justice.

  Individual Charter articles should be read in the context of the declaration as a whole, including the horizontal provisions. The meaning and scope of articles derived from the European Convention on Human Rights shall be the same as that in the corresponding ECHR articles (Article 52(3)). Charter articles based on EC/EU Treaty rights shall be exercised under the conditions and within the limits defined by those Treaties (Article 52(2)). Other articles make clear that the rights they concern are given effect only to the extent that they have effect in national laws and practices.

  The Government believe the Charter will be good for Britain and good for Europe. Its successful negotiation is a vindication of our policy of positive engagement with our European partners.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who are the members of the Praesidium referred to in Convent 45, Draft Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; and what are its powers. [135523]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today, columns 555–56W, to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) and to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow)

  The Praesidium was chaired by Roman Herzog, the Chairman of the Convention. The European Commission was represented by Antonio Vitorino, Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs.

  The three Vice-Chairs were Inigo Mendes de Vigo (European Parliament), Gunnar Jansson (national parliamentarians) and Paavo Nikula followed by Bacelar de Vasconcelos and Guy Braibant (Finnish, Portuguese and French Presidencies).

  EU Matters
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the number of European commissioners per member state; [135092]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his policy towards changes in majority voting in the EU. [135089]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the White Paper laid before the House on 15 February 2000,Official Report, columns 769–83, which sets out the Government's position.

  Enhanced Co-operation
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on reinforced co-operation in the EU. [135382]

  Mr. Vaz
  As the Prime Minister made clear in his speech in Warsaw on 6 October, this Government support the principle of enhanced co-operation in an enlarged Union. But this must be subject to important safeguards. Enhanced co-operation must remain open to all at any stage; it must not undermine the single market or other common policies and it must not lead to a hard core in which some member states create shared policies and institutions from which others are in practice excluded.

  EU Legal Personality
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals from the European Parliament relating to a legal personality for the European Union. [135385]

  Mr. Vaz
  The issue of EU legal personality has been touched on in discussions at the Intergovernmental Conference. However a majority of member states, including the United Kingdom, were not in favour of this being added to the IGC agenda.

  European Federation
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on a European Federation with a constitution. [135383]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have made clear their opposition to a federal superstate. We want a United Europe of States, not a United States of Europe. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Prime Minister's speech in Warsaw on 6 October. I have sent him a copy of this speech today.

  Euro
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the result of the Danish referendum on the euro. [135378]

  Mr. Vaz
  As the Prime Minister has said, this decision is a matter for the Danish people and does not change the Government's position. We are in favour, in principle, of joining a successful single currency but in practice the five economic tests have to be met. Should Government and Parliament recommend joining, the final decision should be for the British people in a referendum.

  European Common Foreign and Security Policy/NATO
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between European common Foreign and Security Policy and NATO. [135384]

  Mr. Vaz
  NATO is the cornerstone of the UK's defence. NATO plays a major role in crisis management, as in Bosnia and Kosovo. In pursuit of its common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Union is developing its capacity to undertake military crisis 558W
  management operations where the alliance as a whole is not engaged. More capable European nations will strengthen NATO as well as the European Union.

  For European Defence to be effective, EU activity needs to be underpinned by arrangements for consultation, co-operation and transparency with NATO and for EU access to NATO assets. Negotiations between the EU and NATO to secure these arrangements are under way.

  EU Economic and Social Policies
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals by the European Parliament relating to the European Union's powers in relation to economic, social and employment policies. [135090]

  Mr. Vaz
  In its resolution of March 2000, the European Parliament proposed a number of changes to the European Union's powers in relation to economic, social and employment policies, for discussion at the intergovernmental conference. Not all aspects of the European Parliament's proposals have been taken up by the Conference. As far as the proposals relate to qualified majority voting, the Government made their policy clear in their White Paper "IGC: Reform for Enlargement" of February 2000.

  Southern Cameroons National Council
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is towards the Southern Cameroons National Council; and if he will make a statement. [135261]

  Mr. Hain
  As an Anglophone organisation committed to secession from Cameroon, parts of the SCNC have used armed violence in pursuit of their aims. We have pressed the Cameroon authorities to ensure that the rights of all, whether Anglophone or Francophone, be respected. We urge all groups in Cameroon to work together to find peaceful and lawful solutions to their problems. We deplore all violent activity.

  EU Institutional Changes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on EU institutional changes affecting(a) the Commission, (b) the Parliament, (c) the Court of Justice and (d) the Court of Auditors. [135397]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper laid before the House on 15 February 2000,Official Report, columns 769–83, which clearly sets out the Government's position toward the institutional changes currently being discussed at the intergovernmental conference.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress being made in EU enlargement negotiations with(a) Bulgaria, (b) Latvia, (c) Lithuania, (d) Malta, (e) Romania and (f) Slovakia. [135390]

  Mr. Vaz
  Accession negotiations with the six countries listed were launched on 15 February 2000. For the purpose of negotiations, the "acquis communautaire" (ie the body of
  559W
  law and practice to which all member states subscribe) of the European Union is divided into 31 "chapters". By 24 October, the countries concerned had "opened" (ie started negotiations on) between eight and 13 chapters each. Malta had "provisionally closed" (ie no further negotiations are required at this stage) 10 chapters; Slovakia nine; Latvia and Lithuania seven each, Romania and Bulgaria six each. These countries are expected provisionally to close a number of further chapters at the Deputies Conferences scheduled for 16 November and at the Ministerial Conferences on 21 November.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the state of the EU enlargement negotiations in respect of(a) Cyprus, (b) Czech Republic, (c) Estonia, (d) Hungary, (e) Poland and (f) Slovenia. [135391]

  Mr. Vaz
  Accession negotiations with the six countries listed were launched in March 1998. For the purpose of negotiations, the "acquis communautaire" (ie the body of law and practice to which all member states subscribe) of the European Union is divided into 31 "chapters". By 5 October, the countries concerned had "opened" (ie started negotiations on) 29 (out of 31) chapters. Cyprus had "provisionally closed" (ie no further negotiations are required at this stage) 16 chapters, Estonia 14, Hungary and the Czech Republic 13 each, Slovenia 12 and Poland 11. These countries are expected provisionally to close a number of further chapters at the Deputies Conferences scheduled for 14 November and at the Ministerial Conferences on 5 December.

  New Agenda Coalition
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the New Agenda Coalition at the United Nations General Assembly and their efforts to get agreement on multilateral nuclear disarmament.[135399]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government were pleased to have reached agreement with the New Agenda Coalition, and with the other states party to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), on a forward-looking agenda for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament at the 2000 NPT Review Conference in May.

  The Government wish to see that agenda reinforced at this year's United Nations General Assembly. To that end, we are currently engaged in discussions with the Coalition in New York on the text of their draft resolution.

  Landmine Clearance Programme
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the landmine clearance programme in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and when he expects the operation to be completed. [135216]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is difficult to obtain precise figures for demining progress to date in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) estimates indicate that, up to 1999, 50,000 devices (mines and unexploded ordnance) had been cleared; official figures from the local Mine Action Centres suggest that over 12,600 devices have so far been cleared in 1999 and 2000. The overall system of demining in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 560W
  currently under review, in an effort to accelerate the process; but it is not possible to give an estimated end-date for the operation.

  Colombian Anti-narcotics Police
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) financial support and (b) logistical, personnel or training support the Government have provided to the Colombian Anti-Narcotics Police in the last 10 years. [135114]

  Mr. Battle
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have not provided financial support to the Colombian Anti-Narcotics Police (ANP).

  Some training has been provided to the ANP in the past ten years. This has included military training, seaport profiling and vehicle search techniques. We have also provided equipment to the ANP in support of this training, which has included rummage kits and communications equipment.

  Plan Colombia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the UK and its European counterparts to make a final decision on the allocation of funds for Plan Colombia. [135110]

  Mr. Battle
  The European Commission announced at the second consultative group meeting on support for the peace process in Colombia, held in Bogota on 24 October, that the EU would contribute 105 million euro to Colombia over the period 2000–06. In addition, the Commission pledged to continue to support humanitarian projects in Colombia, current expenditure of which is around 10 million euro per annum.

  The EU Presidency made clear at the meeting that the European package is in support of the peace process; defence of human rights and international humanitarian law; help for victims of violence; protection of biodiversity and the environment, and support for regional co-operation.

  Bolivia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent violence in the Chapare region of Bolivia. [135111]

  Mr. Battle
  The political situation in Bolivia has stabilised following a period of social unrest and violent tension in late September and early October. Protests in the Chapare centred on the Bolivian Government's plans to eradicate illegal coca crops, in line with a five year counter-drug action plan.

  An agreement was reached with coca growers on 14 October and the situation in the Chapare has stabilised, although there have been sporadic outbreaks of violence since then. The agreement provides for better implementation and control of alternative development projects and the establishment of a human rights commission to investigate violence and deaths in the Chapare since 1998. The Bolivian Government has also shelved plans to build three military barracks in the Chapare.

  EU Energy Policy
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals by the European Parliament relating to the European Union's energy policy. [135088]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am not aware of any specific proposals in this area.

  Israel
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations are being undertaken to ensure that arms exports to Israel are not being used for internal repression or external aggression. [135555]

  Mr. Hain
  We have no evidence to suggest that equipment licensed for export by this Government has been used by Israeli Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories during the recent events. We are very concerned about the recent violence in the Occupied Territories and in Israel and continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for action Her Majesty's Government are evaluating in its role as one of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention to monitor Israeli violations of the IVth Geneva Convention in the Occupied Territories. [135473]

  Mr. Hain
  We and our EU partners monitor the situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories closely through our diplomatic missions. We are also in close contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross and relevant non-governmental organisations.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to ensure that no British equipment is being used by Israeli forces in(a) helicopter attacks and (b) other actions against civilians in the Occupied Territories of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. [135472]

  Mr. Hain
  We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export by this Government has been used by Israeli forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories during the recent violence. We would be concerned if such evidence came to light and continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Israeli Government about the re-establishment at Mitzpe Hagit in the West Bank of an illegal settlement. [135471]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government's position remains that all settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the peace process. This applies to Mitzpe Hagit, as to other settlements. The Israeli Government is well aware of our position.

  Council of the European Union
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the forthcoming business in the Council of the European
  562W
  Union for November and (b) the major European Union events for the period between 30 November and April 2001. [136810]

  Mr. Vaz
  To date we have received the detailed agendas for the following Council meetings in November:

  7 November—Brussels—ECOFIN Council

  Adoption of the agenda

  Approval of the list of "A" items

  Follow-up to the Lisbon European Council meeting

  Adoption of the joint Council-Commission report assessing European financial instruments for risk capital.

  Discussion of the Commission proposal for implementation of the action plan for risk capital and monitoring indicators.

  Adoption of the report on structural performance indicators.

  Discussion of the EPC progress report on the financial and microeconomic impact of aging.

  Preparation for the Nice European Council meeting (poss.) Exchange-rate strategies of countries applying for membership.

  Other business

  7 November—Brussels—Environment

  Adoption of the agenda

  Approval of the list of "A" items(*)

  Community strategy on climate change strategy debate prior to COP6/preparation for COP6

  Draft Council conclusions

  Commission progress report on the European climate change programme

  Other business(*) Including in particular the Council conclusions on the negotiations for a legally binding international instrument to apply international measures to certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

  9 November—Brussels—Education/Youth

  Adoption of the agenda

  (poss.) Approval of the list of "A" items

  (a) Mobility

  Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on mobility within the Community for students, persons undergoing training, volunteers, teachers and trainers.

  Political agreement

  5600/00 EDUC 8 SOC 28 JEUN 3 CODEC 59

  12020/00 CODEC 736 EDUC 133 SOC 318 JEUN 53

  (b) Mobility Action Plan

  Adoption of a Resolution

  Preliminary draft report on future objectives of education systems

  Presentation by the Commission and discussion

  Follow-up to the Leiden seminar on open co-ordination and benchmarking as applied to European education systems

  Information from the Presidency and the Commission

  Contribution to the Luxembourg process

  Adoption of a contribution from the Council (Education) to the Council (Employment and Social Policy)

  Social agenda

  Adoption of a contribution of the Council (Education) to the Council (Employment and Social Policy)

  Follow-up to the meeting of the EU-Latin American Ministers for Higher Education in Paris on 3 November 2000

  Information from the Presidency

  Memorandum on life-long learning

  Presentation by the Commission

  Commission information points

  563W

  (a) Progress reached in the implementation of the European Year of Languages 2001

  (b) Renewal of the United States-Canada-EU co-operation agreements in the field of education and training

  (c) Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Eurydice information network and of the 25th anniversary of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)

  (d) Information from the Presidency on the outcome of the Blois seminar entitled "Learn the history of Europe" (13–15 October 2000)

  Young people and Europe: what follow-up measures should be taken following consultations with young people in Europe? (public debate)

  Implementation of the YOUTH programme

  Information from the Commission and exchange of views

  Social inclusion of young people: Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the member states meeting within the Council

  Adoption

  Protection of the young involved in sport—Information from the Commission and exchange of views

  Measures to combat racism in the young

  Contribution by the German delegation

  Other business

  16 November—Brussels—Research Council

  European Space research

  Commission communication on the realisation of the European space research programme

  Lisbon follow up. Work in progress on:

  Benchmarking (indicators), infrastructures and research, science and society, plan of action e-europe

  Exchange of views

  Option of council resolution

  Commission paper on European space strategy

  Presentation by the Commission

  Exchange of views

  Adoption of council resolution

  Negotiating mandate relating to legal entity of the ITER

  For Approval (false B points)

  Other Business

  Information from the Commission on The Innovation of a knowledge based economy'

  Presidency information on the academy of sciences-Alpha Galileo report

  In addition, there will be the following Council meetings:

  3—Brussels—Social Affairs Council

  No agenda yet available

  10—Brussels—Development Council

  No agenda yet available

  15–16—Brussels—Euro-Med Ministerial

  No agenda yet available

  17—Brussels—Fisheries Council

  No agenda yet available

  20–21—Brussels—General Affairs Council

  No agenda yet available

  20–21—Brussels—Agriculture Council

  No agenda yet available

  23—Brussels—Culture/Audio-visual Council

  No agenda yet available

  564W

  23–24—Brussels—Budget Council

  No agenda yet available

  27–28—Brussels—ECOFIN—Council

  No agenda yet available

  27–28—Brussels—Labour and Social Affairs Council

  No agenda yet available

  30—Brussels—Justice and Home Affairs Council

  No agenda yet available

  30—Brussels—Internal Market/Consumer/Tourism Council

  No agenda yet available

  The following are the principle events in the EU between 30 November and April 2001 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue:

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  December

  1

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  3

  Brussels

  IGC Ministerial Conclave

  4–5

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  4

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  5

  Brussels

  Energy and Industry Council

  7–9

  Nice

  European Council

  11

  Brussels

  Health Council

  11–15

  Strasbourg

  EP Plenary

  14–15

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  18–19

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  18

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  18

  Washington

  EU/United States Summit

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Ottawa

  EU/Canada Summit

  20–21

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  22

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  January

  12

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  19

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  22–23

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  29

  Brussels

  Budget Council (possible)

  February

  8–9

  Brussels

  JHA Information Council

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  12

  Brussels

  Education/Youth Council (possible)

  12

  Brussels

  Research Council

  15–17

  Brussels

  Informal Employment/Telecommunications Council

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  26–27

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  March

  6

  Brussels

  Employment and Social Affairs Council

  8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  12

  Brussels

  Internal Market/Consumer Council

  15

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  16

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  19

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20–21

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  23–24

  Stockholm

  European Council

  31–1

  Brussels

  Meeting of Environment Ministers

  April

  5–6

  Brussels

  Transport/Telecommunications Council

  8–10

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  8–10

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  24–25

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government will ratify the statute creating the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement. [135530]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK will ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as the necessary legislation is in place. The International Criminal Court Bill was published in draft on 25 August for consultation and will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows.

  War Memorials
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by UK diplomatic mission the sums disbursed on(a) British and (b) Commonwealth war memorials in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [134303]

  Mr. Hain
  No funds were disbursed by UK diplomatic missions on British and Commonwealth war memorials during 1998 and 1999.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Commonwealth Education Ministers (Conference)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) ministerial and (b) official representation is planned at the 14 Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers to be held at Halifax, Nova Scotia for 27 to 30 November. [134425]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]The delegation is currently being finalised. It will include myself and Education Ministers from four overseas territories. The devolved Administrations will make their own decisions on possible representation. The Department for International Development also hopes to be represented at ministerial level. The Ministers will be accompanied by officials from the relevant Departments; by Sir Tim Lankester, Deputy Chair of the British Council; and by Dr. Geoffrey Caston, Chairman of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom. A number of other UK bodies and Commonwealth bodies based in the UK will also be attending, either as observers to the ministerial conference or as delegates to the parallel symposium and trade fair.

  Pre-school Playgroups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to provide funding for pre-school playgroup places for three-year-olds in Buckinghamshire. [134581]

  Ms Hodge
  Details of the funding we will be making available to Buckinghamshire local education authority to fund places in 2001–02 will be announced shortly. Figures are not available for the number of places specifically funded in pre-school playgroups.

  From April 2000, Buckinghamshire local education authority were allocated £144,000 to create a total of 124 new, free, part-time early education places in
  566W
  2000–01 for three-year-olds in all settings. This was increased in September 2000 by £193,000 to fund a further 250 places.

  The allocation of places at a local level is the responsibility of the Buckinghamshire early years development and child care partnership. At a national level, approximately 80 per cent. of the new places made available for three-year-olds are in the private, voluntary and independent sectors.

  Since May 1997, we have increased the number of early education places for three and four-year-olds nationally by 120,000. Already, all four-year-olds in Buckinghamshire have access to an early education place. By September 2004, all three-year-olds will also have that.

  Mrs. Marjorie Evans
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many letters he has received in support of Mrs. Marjorie Evans. [134708]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My Department has received 85 letters in support of Marjorie Evans.

  Homophobic Bullying
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evidence his Department has obtained of homophobic bullying resulting from the retention of section 28. [134717]

  Jacqui Smith
  Section 28 does not apply to schools, only to the activities of local education authorities.

  The 1998 report "Playing it Safe", commissioned by Stonewall and the Terence Higgins Trust, and produced by the University of London Institute of Education, for the first time detailed the extent of homophobic bullying in schools.

  University of Buckingham
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the work of the University of Buckingham. [134796]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) carries out reviews of the effectiveness of institutional arrangements for the management of the quality and standards of academic provision in all higher education institutions that receive public funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and therefore subscribe to the Agency. The University of Buckingham is an independent university which does not receive any public funding from the HEFCE. There are, therefore, no requirements for any assessments of the work of the University of Buckingham to be undertaken by the QAA. However, the University of Buckingham is a voluntary subscriber to the QAA for academic quality audit.

  An academic quality audit of the University of Buckingham was carried out by the former Higher Education Quality Council in the 1992–93 academic year, with the report being published in March 1993. The audit scheduled by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for the autumn term 2000 has had to be

  567W
  postponed. The next academic quality audit of the University of Buckingham is not now expected to take place until 2002.

  Stakeholder Pension
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to offer teachers a stakeholder pension. [134372]

  Mr. Wicks
  All teachers have access to the good quality range of benefits provided by the teachers pension scheme. Employers will not, therefore, need to offer teachers a stakeholder pension. All employers should, however, be considering whether they need to offer access to a stakeholder scheme to any of their staff to ensure that no employee is denied the opportunity to make adequate pension provision.

  British Bee Keepers Association
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will offer financial support to those studying for the British Bee Keepers Association's basic exam as a vocational qualification. [135689]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]Vocational qualifications eligible for funding by the Further Education Funding Council are approved by the Secretary of State on the basis of advice received from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Bodies seeking recognition of their awards for such purposes should make application to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, 83 Piccadilly, London W1J 8QA.

  School Rolls
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many middle schools in England have fewer than 100 pupils on roll. [134300]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Figures from the January 2000 schools census show that there were no middle schools, primary deemed or secondary deemed with less than 100 pupils. Information on middle schools by size has recently been published in the statistical volume "Statistics of Education Schools in England 2000". This is available from the Library or alternatively can be accessed on the Department's statistical website www.dfee.gov.uk/statistics.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it has cost so far to administer the backdated winter fuel payments scheme, including the cost of the telephone helpline; and what the estimate is for the final cost of the scheme. [134560]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of winter fuel payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
  568W
  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. David Willetts, dated 1 November 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much it has cost so far to administer the backdated winter fuel payment scheme, including the cost of the telephone helpline; and what the latest estimate is for the final cost of the scheme.
  I can confirm that the cost so far in administering the winter fuel payment scheme is £10 million, which includes the cost of the telephone helpline. The estimated final cost of administering the scheme is in the order of £22.5 million.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the Lewes constituency benefit from(a) the winter heating allowance, (b) the Christmas bonus to the basic state pension and (c) the free TV licence for those aged 75 years or over for the last year for which figures are available; and what was the combined value of these to older people in the constituency. [135327]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of Social Security is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Alexis Cleveland. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 1 November 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many households in the Lewes constituency benefit from (a) the winter fuel heating allowance (b) the Christmas bonus added to the basic state pension and (c) the free TV licence for those aged 75 years or over for the last year for which figures are available. Additionally to advise what was the combined value of these to older people in the constituency.
  The information is not available in the format requested. I can advise you that in the last year recorded Winter Fuel payments were paid to 21,000 pensioners in the Lewes constituency in total. Of these 11,500 received a payment of £50 and 9,500 received £100.
  In addition Christmas bonuses of £10 were issued to 21,000 pensioners.
  The free TV licence scheme does not come into effect until 1 November 2000. It is known that there are 10,000 persons over the age of 75 in the Lewes constituency but as the makeup of the households involved is not known I am unable to advise how many would qualify for a free licence.
  Therefore, it is not possible to say what the combined value of these would be for each individual pensioner in your constituency as conditions of entitlement are governed by the pensioner's individual circumstances.
  However I am able to advise you that from these three payments combined the maximum amount available to a pensioner over the age of 75 years who resided on his/her own would be a combination of Winter Fuel payment (£150), Christmas bonus (£10) and free colour TV licence (£104) totalling £264.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the City of Edinburgh Council. [136915]
  569W
  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of the City of Edinburgh Council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The report provides recommendations aimed at helping the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as their counter fraud activities.

  The BFI reports that the council needs to do much more to improve benefits administration and its counter fraud efforts. Inspectors found the council had no strategic approach to combating fraud and error and there were serious weaknesses in internal security.

  The report notes concerns about the standards of verification being applied to claims and the BFI found there was potential for better use to be made of management information.

  Inspectors found that the approach of the Counter Fraud Unit had been mainly reactive and the poor quality of casework had brought about premature closure of investigations.

  Some of the recommendations made after the trial inspection in 1997 had been implemented, including a physical merger of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit administration. The report also notes a general improvement in the interface arrangements with the Benefits Agency.

  I am now considering the report on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I will be asking the council for their proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London Borough of Harrow. [136916]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the London Borough of Harrow was published on 12 September 2000, during the parliamentary recess. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The report provides recommendations aimed at helping the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as their respective counter fraud activities.

  The BFI report notes the council's involvement in developing and piloting initiatives. This is demonstrated by their participation in an innovative Private Finance Initiative project to finance a document imaging and retrieval scheme. Inspectors commended the council's interest in providing front line customer service and introducing modern IT.

  BFI found serious weaknesses and deficiencies and considered the council needed to put considerable resources into a number of areas. Inspectors considered more resources were required to clear backlogs of work, implement internal and external audit recommendations, ensure all required referrals were made to the Rent Officer and to improve liaison with housing associations and other landlords.
  570W
  The BFI identified a need to enhance training provision, operational processes and written procedural guidance for benefit assessors and fraud investigators. Inspectors say these measures would ensure consistent compliance with the Verification Framework, high quality fraud investigations and compliance with legislative requirements.

  The report also makes recommendations for the London Borough of Harrow to implement corporate anti-fraud policies and strategies to create a culture in which fraud is not tolerated. Also that management checks should be re-introduced to ensure that benefit payments are made correctly to the right person.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and has asked the council for their proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. [136917]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  BFI first reported on the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in July 1999. This second report records the current position and measures the progress made by the council since the first inspection. The report provides recommendations aimed at helping the council address weaknesses and to further improve their benefit administration and counter fraud activities.

  Inspectors report that Tower Hamlets has responded positively to recommendations made in the first report. In particular the council was found to be monitoring performance in benefit administration more rigorously and ensuring verification work met a consistently high standard. Inspectors concluded that the council was in a strong position to implement the Verification Framework should it choose to do so.

  The report notes the way benefit staff and those dealing with homeless people work together to ensure only eligible claimants receive benefit. Dealing with homeless people can be difficult and inspectors commended the council for its efforts.

  The BFI found the council is active in investigating fraud and levying sanctions on fraudsters. Inspectors considered there was potential for further progress through the co-ordination of counter fraud activity against claimants who fail to declare income or change of address.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for their proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Mr. Field:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which local authorities have been directed to improve their administration of Housing Benefit following a second inspection by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement. [135260]
  571W
  Angela Eagle
  Directions have not, as yet, been issued following a second inspection by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate of a local authority's Housing Benefit administration. We have, however, given directions in August 2000 to Northampton Borough Council as a result of the Inspectorate's first inspection of that authority.

  To date, the Inspectorate has completed second inspections of the London Boroughs of Croydon and Tower Hamlets and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, all of which had previously been inspected under the powers in section 139A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. We have previously published the report of the Croydon inspection and are currently studying Croydon council's response to the report. The report on Tower Hamlets will be published this week and the authority will be invited to respond. The report on Sandwell has not yet been published.

  Additionally, the Inspectorate has completed inspections of the London Borough of Camden, the City of Edinburgh Council and Newcastle upon Tyne City Council, all of which had previously been the subject of trial inspections which did not take place under the statutory powers.

  In the case of Camden we decided that it was not necessary to issue directions. The Inspectorate found that the council had built on the already good standards that were evident during its first inspection. The council has many good practices in place and, in keeping with its Beacon Council status, is readily sharing its knowledge with other authorities.

  The report on Edinburgh will be published today and the authority will be invited to respond. The report on Newcastle upon Tyne has not yet been published.

  Application Forms
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to simplify the application forms for state benefits; and if he will make a statement. [135529]

  The Distribution of pensioners' incomes below and above the minimum income guarantee (MIG)

  Income for MIG calculation

  Savings

  Below MIG

  £0–10

  £10–20

  £20–30

  £30–40

  Total

  £0

  800

  200

  100

  100

  600

  1,900

  £0–£3,000

  500

  200

  100

  100

  1,000

  1,800

  £3,000–£8,000

  200

  100

  100

  100

  700

  1,100

  £8,000–£12,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  400

  500

  £12,000–£20,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  600

  700

  £20,000+

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,900

  1,900

  Total

  1,500

  500

  400

  300

  5,200

  7,900

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 cases. No figure is shown where the caseload is less than 50,000.

  2. The figures have been calculated using the Policy Simulation Model for Income Related Benefits. This models the benefits system in 2001–02 and is based on data and the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for 1997–98, uprated to 2001 prices.

  3. Figures exclude Residential Care or Nursing Home cases.

  4. These figures are not calibrated to administrative records of capital levels and as with all survey data may be subject to survey errors.

  5. Figures do not include entitled non-recipients of the MIG.

  6. Income is defined according to the amount used for the calculation of a benefit award and therefore may differ from actual pensioner income.
  572W
  Mr. Rooker
  All our forms and other products are constantly under review. We frequently adopt suggestions from all areas, including from the public, and we carry out research on the effectiveness of our products. As a result, we constantly make changes and modifications in the interests of clear communication. If my hon. Friend has concerns over a particular form perhaps he will write to me.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the Civil Service Code. [136055]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department actively encourages its staff to report any concerns they have about possible wrongdoing, and has in place a range of procedures to enable them to do so.

  From the end of this month we are establishing a dedicated Whistleblowers Hotline to enable staff to report wrongdoing along the lines of the Public Interest Disclosure Act

  Additionally where a departmental civil servant has reported a concern but does not feel they have had an adequate response, then they can of course have recourse to the Civil Service Commissioners.

  If the hon. Member has a particular concern perhaps he will write to me.

  Pensioners (Incomes)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have incomes(a) below, (b) up to £10, (c) £10 to £20, (d) £20 to £30 and (e) £30 or more above the minimum income guarantee level; and if he will identify in each case how many have savings of (i) nil, (ii) £0to £3,000, (iii) £3,000 to £8,000, (iv) £8,000 to £12,000, (v) £12,000 to £20,000 and (vi) £20,000 and above. [134557]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Pensioners (Income Support)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners are claiming Income Support; and if he will break this figure down by(a) age and (b) gender. [135754]

  Mr. Bayley
  There are currently 1.6 million pensioners in receipt of the minimum income guarantee. This represents 13.6 per cent. of the pensioner population of Great Britain.

  Minimum income guarantee pensioners as a percentage of

  pensioner population, by age and gender, May 2000

  Percentage

  Age

  Male claimants

  Female claimants

  60–74 years

  9.7

  9.6

  75–79 years

  7.4

  16.3

  80 years and over

  16.0

  33.3

  All pensioners

  10.2

  16.2

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Pensioners are defined as where the claimant, and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  3. Figure may include claimants who are in Residential Care/Nursing Homes.

  4. Percentages are calculated using the ONS mid-term 1999 population estimates for the relevant gender and age band, and have been rounded to one decimal.

  Sources:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 2000

  Office for National Statistics Mid-term Population Estimates, 1999

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners received the minimum income guarantee in each month since January to date. [135931]

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

  Pensioners receiving the minimum income guarantee, as at

  February and May 2000

  Month

  Number of claimants

  February

  1,604,200

  May

  1,614,500

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Pensioners are defined as where the claimant, and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, February and May 2000

  Pensioners (State Pension)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are not receiving their correct state pension because of the problems with the NIRS2 computer system. [135722]

  Mr. Rooker
  As at 15 September 2000, Benefit Agency offices had 97,000 pension awards waiting to be reviewed. Not all of these, however, will result in the rate 574W
  of pension in payment having to be revised as that rate may be correct because of the contingency arrangements deployed by the Benefits Agency.

  Pensioners (Occupational Pensions)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a breakdown by(a) age and (b) gender, of the proportion of pensioners who receive an occupational pension of over £20 per week. [135750]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is as follows:

  Proportion of individual pensioners in receipt of occupational

  pension income of over £20 per week in 1998–99

  Percentage

  Age

  All

  Males

  Females

  60–64

  22

  n/a

  22

  65–69

  41

  58

  27

  70–74

  39

  56

  24

  75–79

  36

  51

  27

  80 and over

  29

  47

  23

  All over State Pension age

  35

  38

  21

  Notes:

  1. Pensioners are defined as individuals over State Pension age (65 for men, 60 for women). hence males aged 60–64 are not included in the analysis.

  2. Occupational pension income includes amounts paid to widows from occupational pension schemes.

  3. For individuals with more than one occupational pension or widows' pension only the four highest amounts of occupational pension and three highest amounts of widows' pension are taken into account in calculating these percentages.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department since 1999 in reducing sickness absence; what targets he has agreed with the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [135495]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]Since "Working Well Together Report, Managing Attendance In the Public Sector" was issued in 1998, the Department has reviewed and revised the procedures for managing sickness absence in line with the recommendations in that report.

  The Cabinet Office prepares each year an annual report of sickness absence in the Civil Service which includes information for each Department. The report for 1999 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.

  Details of the Department's targets for reduced sickness absence for the years 2001 and 2003 against a baseline year of 1998 will be included in its Service Delivery Agreement. This is also to be published shortly.

  This Department has agreed the following targets with Cabinet Office for reducing sickness absence: 20 per cent. reduction to 9.7 average working days lost by December 2001; a 30 per cent. reduction to 8.5 average working days lost by December 2003.

  Earnings Link
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when he expects to receive the Government
  575W
  Actuary's report under section 36 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 on the cost of restoring the earnings link; [136045]

  (2) what representations he has made to the Government Actuary's Department regarding the timing of the Actuary's report under section 36 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 on the cost of restoring the earnings link; [136048]

  (3) if he has received a draft of the Government Actuary's report under section 36 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 on the cost of restoring the earnings link. [136050]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government Actuary is currently finalising his report on the effect on the National Insurance Fund of an earnings uprating of basic State Retirement Pension, and it will be published when it is completed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Harmon CFEM Facades
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement about the matter of Harmon CFEM Facades v. the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons. [136650]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The House of Commons Commission settled its dispute with Harmon CFEM Facades (UK) Limited on 16 August 2000 at the figure of £5.26 million, which included a contribution to Harmon's costs. This sum was very substantially less than that claimed by Harmon.

  In making the decision to settle, the Commission took into consideration the judgments of His Honour Judge Humphrey Lloyd QC at the liability trial and at the later interim payment hearing. The subsequent decision in the House's favour of Lord Justice Kennedy to grant permission to appeal the interim payment judgment was a significant factor in reducing the amount of the settlement.

  In deciding to settle the action the Commission took into account that were the House to be awarded its costs of defending the damages action (due to be heard in April 2001) the prospect of recovering them was nil due to Harmon's insolvency.

  While the Commission is satisfied that a settlement was obtained at a figure substantially less than the amount of Harmon's claim, it is reviewing the outcome of the case.

PRIME MINISTER

  Prime Minister's Office
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate what the cost of his Office will be for 2000–01. [134434]

  The Prime Minister
  holding answer 26 October 2000]The cost of my Office from 1 April 2000 to 30 September 2000 was £5.4 million.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the Social Exclusion Unit's current priorities. [136912]

  The Prime Minister
  Following an extensive consultation exercise over the summer, and the outcome of the spending review, the unit will be publishing shortly an action plan setting out how the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal will be delivered.

  The unit is also continuing to monitor implementation of its reports on truancy and school exclusion, rough sleeping, teenage pregnancy and 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training.

  In addition, I have asked the unit to work with other Government Departments to explore how we might cut rates of re-offending by ex-prisoners.

  The SEU will look at how to boost the rate of employment and reduce the level of homelessness among ex-prisoners. It will also consider whether more effective supervision after release might help to reduce the current high levels of re-offending.

  I have asked the SEU to report to me by spring 2001.

  I will make a further statement on the unit's future work programme shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Government Energy Policy
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's energy policy. [133903]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are committed to competition and to an energy policy based on secure, diverse and sustainable energy supplies at competitive prices.

  Privatised Utilities
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent steps he has taken to ensure consumers of services provided by privatised utilities receive value for money; and if he will make a statement. [133904]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government have brought in the Utilities Act 2000 which places the consumer at the heart of gas and electricity regulation. In addition, the Government work closely with Oftel to ensure that the regulatory system for telecoms operates to promote competition to benefit the consumer. Later this year we will be publishing a Communications White Paper which will set out the Government's proposals for the reform of the framework of communications regulation.

  National Changeover Plan
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money his Department has spent on implementing the National Changeover Plan. [133905]
  577W
  Mrs. Liddell
  Information on changeover planning is contained in the second Outline National Changeover plan, published on 9 March.

  Motor Industry
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the prospects for the motor industry in the UK. [133909]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The prospects for the UK motor industry are good. 1999 car production was the highest since 1972; sales were the fourth highest on record and UK exports were the highest ever. Since 1997, some 9,600 new jobs have been announced with over £3 billion of new investment.

  Sub-post Offices
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to take to ensure the maintenance of sub-post office services. [133910]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are committed to maintaining a nationwide network of post offices. That commitment was clearly demonstrated when the Government accepted all 24 recommendations of the PIU report, "Counter Revolution Modernising the Post Office Network", published in June. To implement the proposals contained in the PIU report the Government have been working closely with the Post Office to develop robust business plans to take forward initiatives to safeguard the future of the network.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the number of sub-post offices that have closed since 1 January. [133921]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Estimates of the number of sub-post offices have not been produced on a calendar or part-year basis by the Post Office in the past and are therefore not available from 1 January to the present. The Post Office Annual Report and Accounts include the numbers of post offices on a financial year basis. In the financial year 1999–2000, there was a net loss of 382 post offices, of which 380 were sub-post offices.

  In the light of the Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the post office network, the Post Office is revising its methods of collating and reporting information on the network to supply to the Postal Services Commission. The Post Office is currently agreeing with the Commission a process and format for reporting such information quarterly. In the first half of the current financial year, commencing 27 March, there has been a net loss of 333 post offices. The number of rural closures at the half year stage has declined but there has been an increase in the number of town closures (practically all of which have been force majeure). While concerns about the future are undoubtedly a factor, more detailed analysis is taking place to try to identify specific reasons for this change. Due to various factors, including offices closing and reopening within the same financial year, it is not possible to forecast full year figures from quarterly information.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed in each month of the current calendar year, in each region of the UK. [135106]
  578W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In the light of the Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the post office network, the Post Office is revising its methods of collating and reporting information on the network to supply to the Postal Services Commission. The Post Office is currently agreeing with the Commission a process and format for reporting such information quarterly. In the first two quarters of the current financial year, commencing 27 March, the net closures of sub-post office by the Post Office's internal territorial areas were as follows:

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  North

  51

  69

  West

  56

  54

  East

  38

  63

  Due to various factors, including offices closing and reopening within the same financial year, it is not possible to forecast full-year figures from quarterly information.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to improve the long-term viability of manufacturing industry. [133906]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We are assisting manufacturing industry to improve its long-term prospects by providing a stable macro-economic framework and by pursuing policies that help firms to innovate and grow.

  21. Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the performance of manufacturing industry in the north-east. [133911]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The performance of manufacturing industry in the north-east is constantly assessed by a number of organisations. The Government Office for the north-east and the regional development agency, ONE NorthEast, are in regular contact with other partners over business matters in the region.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the performance of manufacturing industry in the west midlands. [133912]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government Office for the West Midlands and Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency, work closely with partners on matters relating to business and the regional economy. In addition to national assessments such as the Annual Census of Production, the regional studies have included an assessment of the automotive industry as part of the work of the Rover Task Force.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the performance of manufacturing industry in Worcestershire. [133925]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There are no plans to assess the performance of manufacturing industry specifically at the national, regional or sub-regional level. The Annual Census of Production, which is compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of the Annual Business Inquiry, does give some indication of relative
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  performance of manufacturing industry in that it provides data on gross value added per employee on a national and regional basis. This information is freely available in publications such as "Regional Trends" and the "Regional Competitiveness" Indicators. This information can be analysed at a sub-regional level but the ONS does charge for this service. However, the DTI does pay for a sub-regional analysis on a Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) area.

  Euro
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent preparing small businesses for UK membership of the euro. [133913]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Nothing.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on the British economy of joining the euro. [133915]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government have set out five economic tests which will have to be met before any decision to join can be taken. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has said that the Treasury will make another assessment of the five tests early in the next Parliament.

  Electronic Commerce
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the regulatory burden on electronic commerce. [133914]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This Government have set themselves the goal of being the best place in the world to trade on line. Our clear strategy to achieve this is set out in the UK online annual report, which was launched on 11 September. In addition, we are working closely with the Better Regulation Task Force to identify existing or potential regulatory burdens on e-commerce.

  Magnox Power Stations
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for the UK's ability to meet its long-term climate change targets of the magnox power stations closure programme. [133916]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In March my Department issued "Energy Projections for the UK; Working Paper", which included assumptions on energy generation from nuclear plants and their life expectancy. BNFL's announcement on 23 May this year of its strategy for its Magnox stations has no implications for the UK's ability to meet its climate change targets under the Kyoto Protocal.

  Radio Spectrum
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on future auctions of the radio spectrum. [133917]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Auctions have important advantages as a method of assigning radio spectrum. They are fair, transparent and efficient in awarding licences to those who will use them to best advantage. Following the successful Third Generation auction earlier this year,580W
  auctions will continue to be used, where appropriate, to achieve optimal use of spectrum, facilitate faster roll-out of new services and promote competition. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Small Business and E-Commerce announced on 15 June 2000, Official Report, columns 699–700W our intention to award by auction licences for the provision of broadband fixed wireless access at 28 GHz. We will also be considering whether further licences for the provision of broadband fixed wireless access at 40 GHz should be awarded by auction.

  Employment Relations Act 1999 (Trade Unions)
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received since the coming into force of the provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999 on(a) individual trade union representation and (b) collective trade union recognition. [133918]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  No representations have been received on the right to be accompanied at disciplinary and grievance hearings, which came into effect on 4 September 2000. Since the statutory procedure on trade union recognition came into force on 6 June 2000, my Department has received two requests for a meeting on the procedure.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the building of new gas-fired power stations. [133919]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear that his intention to lift the stricter consents policy, applying to new power stations, in November remains unchanged.

  EU Membership
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to visit the principal applicant countries for EU membership to discuss their applications. [133923]

  Mrs. Liddell
  DTI ministers regularly visit the EU candidate countries and discuss issues related to EU accession with their Governments. Although my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no immediate plans to visit any of the countries, I intend to visit Warsaw in December to discuss enlargement and the wider EU economic agenda.

  Science
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his programme for the public understanding of science. [133924]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department's Public Understanding programme aims to create as many opportunities as possible for people to learn about recent scientific developments and to debate their value and the issues that they raise for society. It also aims to generate interest in SET among young people in order to develop and encourage lifelong interest in these subjects and possibly leading to the pursuit of science-based careers.

  Postal Services
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Government's support for the post office network. [133922]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office has been urgently developing plans to implement the recommendations of the PIU report on network modernisation. Subject to validation by a robust business case, Government support will be available for modernising and maintaining the rural network, restructuring of the urban network, establishing and operating universal banking services and pilot trials for the development of Government General Practitioner and internet access and learning point facilities. Under the Spending Review, as the first stage of modernising the post office network, ring-fenced support of £270 million over the next three years has been allocated for new investment to start the implementation of the PIU report.

  Universal Bank
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many commercial banks have agreed to work with the Government and the Post Office in the creation of a universal bank; and how many have declined invitations to do so. [134898]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office and the high street banks are continuing to work together to develop the concept of universal banking services and the Government are closely monitoring developments.

  Mining (Respiratory Diseases)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) Scottish and (b) UK claimants of compensation for mining-related respiratory diseases have (i) received their final settlement and (ii) died before receiving their final settlement. [135123]

  Mrs. Liddell
  To date the Department has settled 5,161 claims in full and final settlement, of these 557 were claimants in Scotland.

  IRISC, the Department's claims handling agents, have been informed of 6,314 claims where the claimant has died since lodging a claim, of these 612 were claimants in Scotland.

  Issues remain outstanding that prevent full and final offers in all cases. These issues are in discussion with the solicitors representing the claimants and in the meantime, wherever possible, we will continue to make interim offers following the full assessments, the level of such have been significantly increased to enable offers totalling £100 million to be made by Christmas.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects all compensation payments to ex-miners suffering from respiratory diseases to have been completed. [135121]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Department has received around 123,000 claims and these continue to rise by around 1,000 a week. This is a unique process as the biggest personal injury cases in British history, an estimate of two to three years has been given but kept under review. Under normal circumstances, with full court action, the process can take 582W
  a minimum 10 to 15 years. We are giving priority to claims from those most old and ill, widows and those most likely (on the basis of initial testing) to have emphysema.

  Trading Arrangements
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the New Electricity Trading Arrangements will commence; [135048]

  (2) when he will end the stricter consents policy on new gas-fired power stations. [135049]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 221W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney (Mr. Blizzard).

  North-West Science Review
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the reasons why the Jodrell Bank observatory Merlin project bid was not granted funding by the North-West Science Review; and if he will make a statement. [135869]

  Dr. Howells
  A total of 52 proposals were received by the North-West Science Review Team. They were not only subjected to peer review to ensure that only excellent science would be funded, but judged by other criteria such as their likely impact on the north-west science base, and on their potential contribution to the future of the north-west economy. The e-Merlin proposal was not ranked highly enough to receive funding when judged against these criteria.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the recipients of funding recently announced by the North-West Science Review; and if he will make a statement. [135868]

  Dr. Howells
  On 16 October, my noble Friend the Minister for Science and Technology announced that nine science projects in the north-west were to share in £26 million of Government funding. The Daresbury Laboratory, the University of Liverpool, the Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Manchester, the University of Salford and UMIST are all in the lead on projects being funded. The other members of the successful consortia are the University of Lancaster, the Salford Royal Hospitals Trust, the Christie Hospital Trust and the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what priorities his Department has set for the funding of science projects based in the North-West of England. [135867]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's Department's criteria for the funding of science projects across the United Kingdom science base is scientific excellence.

  With regard to the North-West Science Review, the overriding priority remained scientific excellence, however other criteria such as the likely impact on the north-west science base and the potential contribution to the future of the north-west economy were also taken into account.
  583W
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about(a) the Jodrell Bank observatory Merlin project bid to the North-West Science Review and (b) the future funding of the observatory. [135870]

  Dr. Howells
  (a) My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received one letter from a Member of the European Parliament about the e-Merlin project bid to the North-West Science Review. In addition, the Minister for Science has received a second letter on the same topic from a Member of Parliament.

  (b) My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received one letter on the future funding of Jodrell Bank from a Member of Parliament. In addition, the Minister for Science has received two letters on the same topic, one form a Member of Parliament and one from a representative of a local Government association. The Prime Minister has received one letter on this topic from a member of the public.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects a decision from the North-West Science and Daresbury Development Group on the Jodrell Bank Observatory Merlin project bid for funding; and what representations he has received regarding the funding review.[135871]

  Dr. Howells
  The North-West Science and Daresbury Development Group is not considering the e-Merlin project proposal. This proposal was considered by the North West Science Review Team, whose recommendations for funding were announced by my noble Friend the Minister for Science on 16 October 2000. This proposal was not recommended for funding.

  With regard to representation, I have received one letter from Chris Davies, Member of the European Parliament, and in addition, the Minister for Science has received one letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman).

  Widescreen Televisions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that widescreen televisions sold in the UK are clearly labelled to distinguish whether they are digital or analogue. [135908]

  Dr. Howells
  Consumers should be able to make an informed choice between buying an integrated digital television and an analogue television with a set top box in order to receive digital broadcasts. The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 prohibits false or misleading descriptions of products—whether by means of a label or by any other means, such as an oral statement. It would therefore be an offence to describe a television set falsely and, if there are instances where traders are misdescribing analogue TVs as digital, I would urge consumers to get in touch with their local trading standards department. My Department is contacting the Local Authorities Co-Ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards (Lacots) to establish the nature and extent of any problem in this area.

  Exporting Businesses (Financial Support)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to extend pre-shipment financial support to exporting businesses through(a) ECGD and (b) other means. [135591]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]ECGD does already provide finance through its Buyer Credit and Supplier Credit Schemes for progress payments which are identified in the commercial contract. This means that the exporter can receive moneys from the financing arrangements for work completed at each progress payment milestone.

  Exporters that require working capital to fund work in progress secure these funds through their commercial banking facilities.

  Price Transparency
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies his Department has undertaken on the competition effects of increased price transparency due to use of the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [136025]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]The Government believe that the internet and e-commerce are generally beneficial to competition. They increase the range of supplies for many products and services. Price transparency is just one aspect. The DTI has not conducted studies on the competition effects of increased price transparency.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the reasons for projected increases in carbon dioxide emissions after 2000. [136092]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Projections will reflect a complex interaction of factors, though significant contributions to projected increased emissions post 2000 are increased economic output, projected fall in nuclear capacity and increases in transport emissions. Details of the assumptions can be found in the working paper entitled, "Energy Projections for the UK," available in the Library of the House, which describes the DTI energy model used to make the projections. The Government are putting in place measures to tackle this emissions growth. Their draft climate change programme identified quantified measures that could reduce CO2 emissions in 2010 by 17.5 per cent. below 1990 levels.

  Community Hospitals
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about a purchase by Schroders Salomon Smith Barney of a share of Community Hospitals. [136017]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]On 8 August my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced that he had asked the Competition Commission to consider the question of whether the acquisition of 26.8 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Community Hospitals Group by enterprises under the control of Salomon International LLC and BUPA constituted a merger and, if so, whether
  585W
  or not the merger would operate against the public interest. The Commission have called for evidence and are due to deliver their report to the Department by 8 November.

  During the Commission's investigation into a merger, it is my practice to forward any representations which I receive to the Commission so that they can take the views expressed into consideration in formulating their report.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ascertain that the purchase by Schroders Salomon Smith Barney of a share of Community Hospitals complies with the intent and terms of undertakings given by BUPA at the time of its acquisition of Goldsborough plc. [136018]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]The acquisition of 26.8 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Community Hospitals Group by Schroders Salomon Smith Barney is being considered by the Competition Commission alongside BUPA's proposals to acquire all of Community Hospitals Group. It is for the Competition Commission to consider whether or not either merger operates against the public interest. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will consider what action, if any, should be taken in the light of the Commission's report.

  Scientific Research
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the arrangements by which(a) the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and (b) the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Council are made accountable to his Department. [133897]

  Dr. Howells
  The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Council are, in common with all of the Research Councils, accountable through their Chief Executives to the Director General Research Councils (DGRC) in the Office of Science and Technology of DTI. The DGRC in turn is accountable to the Permanent Secretary of DTI, who is the Accounting Officer for the Department.

  CARAD Programme
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for the CARAD programme following the Comprehensive Spending Review. [133886]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Under the DTI's Civil Aircraft Research and Technology Demonstration (CARAD) programme we have maintained close contact with the UK aerospace industry, supported new CARAD projects and implemented important initiatives in key areas of technology. The future funding levels for CARAD will be reviewed carefully alongside the other budgets and priorities supported by the DTI. Details of the allocations for the next three financial years for all DTI budgets, including CARAD, will be announced when the Department publishes its Expenditure Plans Report next March.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the Civil Service Code. [136059]

  Dr. Howells
  The procedure is set out in the DTI staff handbook.

  If a member of staff feels that the performance of any part of their duties raises a fundamental issue of conscience they should consult a senior officer.

  If necessary and if a problem cannot be resolved by other means staff are advised that they may take the matter up with the Principal Establishment and Finance Officer and the Permanent Head of the Department, and that they have a right to have the matter referred to the Head of the Home Civil Service through the Permanent Head of the Department. If a member of staff feels that the response does not represent a reasonable response to their grounds for concern, they may report the matter in writing to the Civil Service Commissioners.

  The Department has also designated a senior DTI manager, who has agreed to be available to discuss issues of conscience with any member of staff who may prefer to raise a matter outside the usual channels on a confidential basis.

  European Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications of Article 15 of the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights for disqualified company directors. [134819]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The charter will be a political declaration of rights, freedoms and principles and is not legally binding.

  Article 15 reiterates the right to freedom of movement of workers, freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services in any member state guaranteed by the Treaty establishing the European Community.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) today, column 555–56W.

  Utility Regulators
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list for each year since the office was established(a) the number of employees and (b) the total running costs of (i) the Office of Telecommunications, (ii) the Office of Gas Supply, (iii) the Office of Electricity Regulations and (iv) the Office of Water Services. [135050]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is published in the Regulators' annual reports and in the annual Appropriation Accounts, copies of which are in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Central Asia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to the drought affected areas of Central Asia. [135215]

  Clare Short
  We are taking a regional approach in our response to the drought which is affecting a belt of countries across the whole of Asia. So far we have committed over £5 million for humanitarian assistance in the drought affected countries. Further funds have been set aside to respond to needs in Central Asia specifically. We are currently considering proposals from a number of international agencies, including UN organisations, the Red Cross and international NGOs.

  Major Disasters
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the major disasters for which her Department has provided(a) emergency aid and (b) redevelopment support over the last 10 years, indicating the effectiveness of the support given in each case. [135395]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Over the last 10 years, this Department (and its predecessor) has provided emergency aid in a large number of major disasters and it would take a long time to retrieve the details requested. However, since 1997 this Department has provided humanitarian assistance on more than 80 occasions in over 60 countries. During 2000, DFID has provided speedy and appropriate relief to a number of disasters, including floods in West Bengal, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia, a hurricane in Belize, typhoon and tidal wave in North Korea and droughts in Asia and East Africa. We have also continued to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict in many countries, such as Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

  Where disasters occur frequently or result in prolonged crises, we are increasingly promoting preparedness and mitigation measures as part of longer-term development programmes. This includes analysing common hazards and their impact on poor people, and assessing the effect of recurrent crises on achieving the targets of sustainable international development.

  We are working to strengthen the international humanitarian system. For example, we are working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve their preparedness and response to disasters, specifically in poor countries. We are supplying the United Nations organisations such as the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children Fund, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to improve the speed and effectiveness of their responses. We are encouraging the international non-governmental organisations to strengthen standards of assistance for those affected by disasters.

  We are working to ensure that the assistance we provide is as effective as possible. To this end it is always based on proper assessment of needs and delivery supervised to prevent the diversion of goods away from those in most need. We only fund reputable agencies or
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  NGOs which are already established in the disaster-affected country or have experienced local partners. In addition, we are working in partnership with NGOs to agree minimum standards of assistance.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what procedures exist in her Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the civil service code. [136057]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Together with the civil service code itself, the procedure to be followed in such circumstances is set out in this Department's staff handbook. Three senior officers are designated as being available to advise staff and to investigate such complaints. Staff have the right to approach them at any time. The procedures also provide for the right to raise such matters with the permanent secretary and, if necessary, with the Civil Service Commissioners. Staff may also be protected by the provisions of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

  Publications
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her "Literature Survey on intellectual property rights and sustainable human development" cost to produce. [136634]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The report "Literature Survey on intellectual property rights and sustainable human development" cost £2,500 to produce.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sport (Schools)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment about the promotion of an anti-drugs strategy via the teaching of sport in schools. [134715]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend and I liaise regularly with ministerial colleagues about sport in schools and physical education. The Government are particularly aware of the potential of sport as a tool for educating young people about health and fitness and for helping them to develop a healthy and safe life style, hence initiatives such as Positive Futures, a joint project involving Sport England, the Youth Justice Board and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, which aims to help vulnerable children avoid drug misuse and crime through sporting activities.

  Free Television Licence
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners aged over 75 years(a) do not own a television, (b) already pay a reduced TV licence fee, (c) live in a household where someone else under 75 pays for the TV licence and (d) will be entitled

  589W
  to the free TV licence instead of paying a full TV licence fee at present; and what proportion of all pensioners aged over 75 years this represents in each case. [134537]

  Janet Anderson
  Based on information provided by the BBC, the answers to the hon. Member's questions are as follows:

  (a) the number of people aged 75 or over who do not own a television set is not known, but over 97 per cent. of all households have television;

  (b) 0.5 million households who currently qualify for a concessionary television licence include a person aged 75 or over;

  (c) no information is available on the age of the person who has previously paid the television licence fee in households where there is a resident aged 75 or over; and

  (d) an estimated 3.1 million households which currently pay the full licence fee will receive a free licence from 1 November.

  Television licences cover households rather than individuals, so presenting the above figures as a proportion of the total number of people aged 75 or over would be misleading. There are an estimated 4.35 million people aged 75 or over in the United Kingdom, all of whom are entitled to benefit from a free television licence, but the estimated number of free licences that will be issued is 3.6 million.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery money has been raised for good causes in each week since May 1997. [134481]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]I have placed copies of a table showing weekly payments into the National Lottery Distribution Fund by the lottery operator since the beginning of May 1997 in the Libraries of the House (the figures exclude one-off annual payments).

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the level of returns from the lottery to the good causes in the next licence period. [135903]

  Kate Hoey
  None; the letting of the next National Lottery licence is a matter for the National Lottery Commission. The Commission has statutory duties to ensure that the National Lottery is run with all due propriety, that the interests of players are protected and, subject to these two criteria, to maximise the returns to good causes.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on ticket sales of the selection process for the next lottery operator. [135904]

  Kate Hoey
  None; Ministers are not involved in the process of selecting the next operator, which is a matter for the National Lottery Commission.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he intends to make an announcement about future initiatives in health, education and the environment to be funded by the National Lottery through the New Opportunities Fund. [136809]
  590W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  On Monday 6 November, I shall be publishing and laying before Parliament a consultation document, "New Opportunities from the Lottery". Copies will be widely available from my Department and through the Stationery Office. I hope that our proposals will receive widespread support and I look forward to receiving views on how best we can take them forward.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 331W, on ministerial engagements, if he will list the total number of engagements (a) accepted, (b) cancelled and (c) where an official attended in his place. [136177]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts attended 200 engagements with non-governmental bodies in the year to 31 October. On eight occasions he was obliged not to fulfil engagements, and on three of these an official attended in his place.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the civil service code.[136056]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Paragraph 11 of the civil service code outlines the circumstances in which civil servants may report actions which fall under(a), (b), (c) and (d). In my Department the code is operated under the grievance/complaints procedures which are set out in the DCMS staff handbook.

  Individuals making a complaint are encouraged to report the matter to their line manager and divisional head within one month of the incident or action of which they are reporting. If staff are not satisfied with their findings, they may appeal to the personnel director (in the first instance) and, ultimately, to the permanent secretary. Alternatively, staff can report the matter to the head of personnel and central services division.

  If after this staff are still not satisfied with the response, they may appeal under section 12 of the civil service code to the Civil Service Commissioners.

  Film Classification
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the proposed changes to film classification in respect of(a) sex and (b) violence. [134704]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) published its revised classification guidelines in respect of film and video on 14 September. The guidelines reflect the outcome of an extensive consultation and research exercise into public opinion undertaken by the Board. Under the new guidelines, the Board will be more restrictive in the lower classifications on violence, drugs and bad language.
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  In respect of material classified in the Restricted 18 (R18) category, which is only available in licensed sex shops to those aged 18 and over, the hon. Member may recall that, on 24 July, the Government published a consultation paper to consider whether there were any additional steps that could be taken to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit material contained in videos given an R18 classification by the Board. The consultation period closed on 31 October.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Omagh Inquest Inquiry
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total cost to date of the Omagh inquest inquiry. [135857]

  Mr. Lock
  I have been asked to reply.

  The total cost to date, inclusive of VAT, of the Omagh inquest is £1,402,000. This represents accommodation and IT costs only.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the agreed legal fees to banisters and solicitors involved in the Omagh inquest inquiry. [135855]

  Mr. Lock
  I have been asked to reply.

  The legal fees payable from the extra-statutory scheme for representation at the Omagh inquest for the families which sought public funding were based on existing legal aid rates. It is anticipated that £216,787.50 will be paid in fees in respect of the 12 families represented at the inquest.

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Probation Board for Northern Ireland's Annual report for 1999–2000. [136779]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Probation Board's Annual Report for 1999–2000 was published on 2 November 2000

  A copy of the Report has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Probation Board for Northern Ireland's Business Plan for 2000–01. [136778]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Probation Board's Business Plan for 2000–01 was published on November 2000. The Plan sets out the Board's key performance targets for the year. Copies of the Plan have been placed in the Library.

  Terrorists Incidents
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for each Police Division in Northern Ireland, how many(a) bomb scares or warnings, (b) car-bombs recovered by the security forces, (c) arson and bomb attacks on premises (d) cases of intimidation
  592W
  and (e) shooting incidents there were (1) from 1 January to 30 September and (2) in October to date, indicating (A) how many were related to (i) Loyalist terrorist organisations and (ii) Republican terrorist organisations and (B) how many deaths and injuries were involved and what damage to property resulted from such activity. [134295]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is not held in a form which allows all of these questions to be answered. However, the following tables show for the period mentioned the number of hoax bombing incidents, bombing incidents, shooting incidents, recorded arson attacks on churches, chapels, schools, orange halls and GGA/AOH property, the number of deaths and the number of injuries recorded as a result of the security situation in Northern Ireland. Only in the case of deaths can attribution be given. No records of intimidation are available.

  Hoax Bombing Incidents

  Police Division

  1 January to 30 September 2000

  1 October to 19 October 2000

  A

  4

  —

  B

  5

  —

  D

  15

  —

  E

  3

  —

  G

  2

  —

  H

  2

  —

  J

  16

  —

  K

  4

  1

  L

  3

  —

  N

  2

  —

  O

  6

  —

  P

  6

  —

  Total

  68

  1

  Note:

  Includes all hoax bombing incidents which were attended by Ammunition Technical Officers.

  Bombing Incidents

  Police Division

  1 January to 30 September 2000

  1 October to 19 October 2000

  A

  4

  1

  B

  2

  1

  D

  21

  1

  E

  1

  1

  G

  3

  —

  H

  9

  —

  J

  10

  —

  K

  4

  —

  L

  2

  —

  N

  2

  —

  O

  14

  2

  P

  10

  2

  Total

  83

  8

  Notes:

  1. An individual bombing incident may involve one or more explosive devices. Incidents recorded include explosions and defusings. Incidents involving hoax devices, petrol bombs or incendiaries are excluded.

  2. Year 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment.
  593W

  Shooting Incidents

  Police Division

  1 January to 30 September 2000

  1 October to 19 October 2000

  A

  28

  2

  B

  26

  5

  D

  98

  5

  E

  7

  1

  G

  7

  2

  H

  5

  —

  J

  16

  —

  K

  4

  —

  L

  —

  —

  N

  16

  —

  O

  14

  1

  P

  15

  1

  Total

  236

  16

  Notes:

  1. The following types of incidents are included:

  shots fired by terrorists

  shots fired by the security forces

  paramilitary-style attacks involving shootings

  shots heard (and later confirmed)

  other violent incidents where shots are fired (e.g. armed robbery).

  2. Year 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment.

  Arson attacks on properties from 1 January to 19 October 2000

  Police Division

  Churches/Chapels

  Schools

  Orange halls

  GAA/AOH

  A

  1

  —

  —

  —

  B

  2

  6

  —

  —

  D

  8

  3

  3

  —

  E

  —

  2

  —

  —

  G

  —

  1

  1

  —

  H

  —

  —

  1

  —

  J

  3

  —

  3

  —

  K

  1

  —

  3

  —

  L

  —

  3

  4

  1

  N

  —

  1

  —

  —

  O

  1

  —

  1

  3

  P

  5

  4

  2

  2

  Total

  21

  20

  18

  6

  Notes:

  1. Excludes incidents which were due to vandalism where there was no Sectarian motive. Details of arson attacks on other types of property (e.g. dwellings) are not available at present.

  2. Year 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment.

  Deaths

  1 January to 30 September 2000

  1 October to 19 October 2000

  Police Division

  by Loyalist

  by Republican

  by Loyalist

  by Republican

  A

  —

  1

  —

  —

  B

  —

  —

  —

  1

  D

  4

  —

  —

  —

  E

  —

  —

  —

  —

  G

  —

  —

  —

  —

  H

  2

  —

  —

  —

  J

  1

  —

  —

  —

  K

  —

  —

  —

  —

  L

  —

  —

  —

  —

  N

  —

  —

  —

  —

  O

  —

  1

  —

  —

  P

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  8

  2

  —

  1

  594W

  Injuries

  Police Division

  1 January to 30 September 2000

  1 October to 19 October 2000

  A

  95

  5

  B

  128

  11

  D

  230

  19

  E

  39

  1

  G

  32

  2

  H

  25

  5

  J

  161

  —

  K

  20

  —

  L

  7

  —

  N

  76

  —

  O

  8

  1

  P

  32

  4

  Total

  853

  48

  Notes:

  1. Includes all injuries as a result of the security situation and serious public disorder.

  2. Year 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment.

  Police Service
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2000,Official Report, column 16W, on the police service, on what date the Chief Constable initiated the review of the RUC appraisal system to take account of human rights performance; who was instructed to take charge of this review; what is this officer's rank; and what are the terms of reference of the review. [135823]

  Mr. Ingram
  A review of the current appraisal system commenced in the autumn of 1999. Since the spring of 2000, the review has been widened to take account of Patten's recommendations. The review is proceeding in tandem with the work of the national appraisal group and the revised system will incorporate human rights issues. The Assistant Chief Constable, Personnel and Training, has overall responsibility for this work and in addition to considering the human rights issues, is undertaking periodic reviews to address the following areas:

  (a) the general effectiveness of the appraisal system;

  (b) that the interviews and forms are being completed in accordance with the timetable;

  (c) that the policing priorities agreed by the appraisee and appraiser are consistent with local and strategic objectives;

  (d) the quality of the completed forms;

  (e) the quality of the development plans;

  (f) that appropriate procedures are in place, both at headquarters and at local level, to deal with those matters which arise from the process;

  (g) the perception of all those involved in the process in terms of openness, fairness and value.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2000,Official Report, column 13W, if he will place a copy of the revised conduct regulations for the police in the Library. [135804]

  Mr. Ingram
  Copies of all the new regulations pertaining to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and covering conduct, complaints and appeals have now been placed in the Library of the House.
  595W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2000,Official Report, column 19W, what representations he has received concerning possible venues for annual conferences of police services north and south of the Border; what dates are being considered for the first such conference; and if this conference will be open to attendance by (a) the Police Ombudsman, (b) the Human Rights Commission, (c) the Equality Commission, (d) nongovernmental organisations and (e) the press. [135731]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have nothing to add to my previous answer.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department since 1999 in reducing sickness absence; what targets he has agreed with the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [135463]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Cabinet Office prepares each year an annual report of sickness absence in the civil service which includes information for each Department. The report for 1999 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.

  Details of the Department's targets for reduced sickness absence for years 2001 to 2003 against a baseline year of 1998 will be included in its service delivery agreement. This is also to be published shortly.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper, or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the Civil Service Code. [135454]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Civil Service Code is set out in full in the Northern Ireland Office Home Civil Service Staff Handbook. The procedures which staff should follow when they wish to report matters in the categories listed are also set out in the Staff Handbook in the section on Complaints about Personal Matters. This section includes details about the Independent Departmental Adviser with whom staff may discuss their concerns, and the circumstances in which they may write direct to the Civil Service Commissioners.

HEALTH

  Antipsychotic Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has evaluated into the risk of idiopathic venous thromboembolism in users of conventional antipsychotic drugs; [134266]

  (2) what guidance his Department issues to psychiatrists concerning the risk of idiopathic venous thromboembolism in users of conventional antipsychotic drugs. [134267]
  596W
  Ms Stuart
  The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is currently evaluating an epidemiological study published in the Lancet1 on the 7 October 2000, which suggests an increased risk of first time idiopathic venous thromboembolism in current users of anti-psychotics compared to non-users.

  As well as the published medical literature, the MCA uses a number of sources of information to assess risk, including the UK spontaneous reporting scheme (the Yellow Card Scheme). Independent expert advice will be sought from the Committee on Safety of Medicines, who will be asked to advise on any guidance for health professionals including psychiatrists.
  1Antipsychotic drug use and risk of first-time idiopathic venous thromboembolism: a case control study. Zornberg GL Jick H. Lancet 2000; 356:1219–23.

  Dystonia
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has carried out into dystonia. [134467]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department has not carried out any research into dystonia.

  The main Government agency for research into the causes of disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), funded via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The MRC provided more than £3 million in 1999–2000 for research into movement disorders, including dystonia.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence about its appraisal of the cost effectiveness of beta interferon. [134775]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department as one of the many stakeholders was given the opportunity to comment on National Institute for Clinical Excellence's provisional appraisal determination and draft guidance on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Like other stakeholders we are awaiting the outcome of the appeal which has been made against the final appraisal determination.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with multiple sclerosis were part of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence review team on prescribing beta interferon. [135481]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department does not hold this information; details of the appraisal process are a matter for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE has not yet published its final guidance on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, but will in accordance with its usual procedure have consulted interested parties including patient representative groups.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is towards prescription of cannabis for medicinal purposes by NHS doctors. [134741]
  597W
  Mr. Hutton
  We consider that doctors should not prescribe cannabis until the quality, safety and efficacy of a medical form have been scientifically established and a marketing authorisation issued by the Medical Control Agency. This is a procedure that all prospective new medicines must go through.

  When the benefits of a cannabis-based medicine have been scientifically demonstrated, the Government would be willing to amend the misuse of drugs controls to allow the prescribing of such a medicine.

  There are currently two trials under way. The first, a three-year study to attempt to measure the therapeutic effects of cannabis in people with multiple sclerosis, is due to report early in 2004. This study has received £950,000 from the Medical Research Council.

  The second trial is being managed by GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd. with the aim of developing a cannabis-based medicine. Initial findings from this trial are expected later this year.

  Adoption
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to review their guidelines on adoption in respect of(a) the age of the prospective adopter and (b) the ethnicity or cultural background of the prospective adopter. [134897]

  Mr. Hutton
  We made clear in Local Authority Circular (98)20, copies of which are available in the Library, that although a child's ethnic origin, culture, language and religion are significant factors to be taken into account when adoption agencies are considering the most appropriate placement for a child, it is unacceptable for a child to be denied loving adoptive parents solely on the grounds that the child and adopters do not share the same racial or cultural background.

  Although age is one consideration among many that is taken into account in assessing the suitability of prospective adopters, the guidance also makes it clear that there should be no upper age restriction to people applying to become adoptive parents. It is clear that for far too long children drift in the care system when suitable adopters are available.

  In February, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a review of adoption services. In July, the report by the Performance and Innovation Unit was published for consultation. We will be publishing a White Paper on adoption before the end of the year. In addition, as part of our commitment to modernising services, we will be publishing, for consultation, a draft set of evidence-based national standards for adoption.

  Chlorpromazine
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated relating to the side effects of chlorpromazine. [134395]

  Ms Stuart
  The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and the expert advisory committee, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), have evaluated adverse reactions associated with chlorpromazine including involuntary movement disorders, abnormalities of the blood, sedation, muscle rigidity and the sensitivity of patients with underlying dementia to side effects. The MCA/CSM published advice on these reactions in the bulletin 598W
  "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance", which is received by all registered medical practitioners, in April 1979 September 1986, November 1993, November 1994, November 1995 and March 1996.

  The MCA continuously monitors the safety of chlorpromazine, as with all medicines, from the United Kingdom spontaneous reporting scheme (the Yellow Card Scheme), and other sources including the published medical literature. A recently published study' suggesting an increased risk of first-time idiopathic venous thromboembolism in current users of antipsychotics including chlorpromazine compared with non-users, is currently under evaluation.

  The Department has also funded research to the value of £1.4 million into antipsychotic drugs, including chlorpromazine. One project is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial in severe schizophrenia. This will compare conventional anti-psychotics with newer agents to assess relative effectiveness and differences in quality of life. A second project is a systematic review of comparative studies of depot and oral antipsychotics: quality of life, patient satisfaction and adverse effects will be among the outcomes studied.
  1Antipsychotic drug use and risk of first-time idiopathic venous thromboembolism: a case control study. Zornberg GL, Jick H. Lancet 2000;356:1219–23.

  Doctors (Overseas Recruitment)
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy in relation to the recruitment of doctors from abroad; to what extent he proposes to seek to recruit consultants from abroad; whether the established regulations for the appointment of consultant will apply; and what financial incentives will be offered to such recruits from abroad to accept posts within the National Health Service. [135084]

  Mr. Denham
  International recruitment has made a valuable contribution to the National Health Service throughout its history, and is a two-way process in view of the increasing globalisation of the world's medical work force.

  In the short term, until we benefit from the increased investment in training, we will be increasing the recruitment of trained doctors from abroad. The consultant appointment regulations will apply to all appointments to that grade.

  The reward package offered to doctors from abroad will be consistent with that offered to United Kingdom trained doctors.

  NHS Services (Complaints)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been made about NHS services from residents of the Borough of Kingston upon Thames in each year from 1992 to 2000. [135779]

  Ms Stuart
  Information on complaints about the National Health Service is not collated in the format requested. Data are compiled by the health authority or NHS trust rather than by complainant's district of residence. Information on written complaints in England is published in, "Handling Complaints: Monitoring the NHS Complaints Procedures", copies of which are
  599W
  available in the Library. The latest figures are for 1998–99. The data held prior to 1996–97 are not directly comparable.

  NHS General Practitioners
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many practising NHS GPs there were per head of population in each constituency in each year between 1987 and 1999; [135782]

  (2) what the average number of patients registered with an NHS GP practice was in each constituency in each year between 1987 and 1999. [135784]

  Mr. Denham
  Statistics collected in the Department are largely by health authority, local authority or National Health Service trust, reflecting local lines of responsibility and accountability. The Department publishes a wide range of detail at these levels. Comprehensive information at constituency level could be collected and published only at disproportionate cost.

  Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)1 per 10,000, patients of UPEs and residential population2 by health authority— 1996 to 19983

  UPEs per 10,000 pop

  Average list size

  1987–19954

  1996

  5.5

  1,885

  1997

  5.5

  1,819

  1998

  5.5

  1,807

  1999

  5.5

  1,845

  1UPEs include Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs

  2ONS mid year population estimates

  3General Medical Practitioner data as at 1 October each year

  4Comparative detailed data is not available before 1996

  Notes:

  1. Based on ONS mid year population estimates

  2. Based on patients of UPEs

  3. Health authority level data is available in the annual "General and Personal Medical Services Statistics"

  Source:

  Department of Health General & Personal Medical Services Statistics & ONS population census

  Larval Therapy
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which conventional treatments have been tested in the West Cumberland hospital study comparing larval therapy to modern conventional therapy; what conclusions the study has reached concerning the cost efficiency of(a) conventional treatment and (b) larval therapy; and if he will make a statement. [135812]

  Mr. Denham
  The conventional treatment tested in the West Cumberland Hospital study comparing larval therapy to modern conventional therapy was standard Hydrogel dressings (Intrasite gel: Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd.). The study found that the median cost of the cases using conventional treatment was £136.23 whereas the median cost of the cases using larval therapy was £78.64.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to improve working conditions and morale of staff of the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [135703]
  600W
  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to improving the working conditions and moral of staff in the National Health Service by becoming a better employer. We recognise that a well motivated work force, able to manage a healthy work-life balance and fairly rewarded, will provide a better service to patients. For the last two years pay awards recommended by the independent review bodies have been implemented in full. Since 1997 nurses have had a 15 per cent. pay rise.

  On 4 October, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State published the human resources performance framework which will measure for the first time the way in which NHS employers treat their staff, and which will link their performance to the resources they receive. An integral part of the framework is the new improving working lives standard. This introduces a kite-marking system for NHS employers to demonstrate how they are improving the working lives of all their staff. By April 2003, all NHS employers are expected to be accredited as putting the IWL standard into practice.

  In September this year each NHS trust received £25,000 to improve the working environment for staff. A further £30 million has been allocated to expand child care provisions so that by 2004 there will be provision for around 100 on-site nurseries. An additional £6 million in 2001–02, rising to £8 million in 2003–04, is being invested to extend occupational health services for staff in the NHS. An extra £140 million is being invested by 2003–04 in personal development and training, to provide access to learning for all NHS staff. There were 10,000 more nurses in September 1999 than in September 1997, indicating that moral is improving.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will introduce the market forces supplement for NHS staff; and how it will be allocated. [135844]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]The National Health Service Plan set out our plans to invest in staff working in the National Health Service. This includes the introduction of a new market forces supplement to top up the pay of staff in areas where there are labour market shortages. We will be publishing our proposals in due course.

  Down's Syndrome
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on access to NHS services by people with Down's syndrome. [135885]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Plan makes clear our commitment to challenging discrimination in the NHS on any grounds, including disability. Anyone who has a learning disability, including everyone who has Down's syndrome, has the same rights of access to NHS services to NHS services as everyone else. This fundamental principle will be re-inforced in our learning disability strategy which is to be published as a White Paper in the early months of next year.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper, or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional

  601W
  convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the civil service code. [135460]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of service and ethical standards in public life in all of its practices. The civil service code enables all civil servants to report their concerns to, among others, their senior manager, the Departmental security officer or the Civil Service Commissioners. In addition the Department will shortly introduce a "whistleblowing" policy covering disclosures by staff of malpractice, illegal acts or serious omissions of duty at work. The policy has been developed in line with the best practice advised by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. It enables staff to raise—at an early stage and in the right way—any concerns they may have about activities within the Department.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 18 September regarding a constituent (reference POH(6)5608/54). [135457]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]A reply to my hon. Friend's letter was sent on 31 October.

  Nurses (Overseas Recruitment)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued regarding the recruitment of nurses from overseas; and if he will make a statement. [135835]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]The Department published guidance on international nursing recruitment in November 1999. The guidance stresses that international recruitment should be valued and has made a valuable contribution to the National Health Service throughout its history; is a two-way process in view of the increasing globalisation of the world's nursing work force; and is viable only when its professional and service value can be clearly demonstrated, and if the recruit's placement in the NHS will have no negative impact upon their home healthcare system.

  Each NHS region is appointing a team to lead on international recruitment. This activity will be managed across the entire region to ensure that best practice is followed and promoted. They will also promote collaboration between trusts, to achieve efficient, ethical international recruitment.

  Children's Society
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Children's Society about the Safe House in Leeds; and if he will make a statement. [136096]

  Mr. Hutton
  We would like to pay tribute to the Children's Society and all those involved over the years in running the Leeds Safe House. We are pleased to see that, although the refuge has closed, the Society will continue to help young runaways in Leeds through its work in the Leeds Safe on the Streets network.
  602W
  The Children's Society and the Department are currently in discussions about developing other more flexible ways of meeting the needs of children and young people who run away from home and we are keen to see these develop for all such children across the country.

  Medical Training
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what programmes in undergraduate medical training there are which ensure that doctors study both educational and clinical psychology. [136094]

  Mr. Denham
  Individual university medical schools determine their own undergraduate medical curricula in the light of the recommendations from the General Medical Council's (GMC) Education Committee, which has the statutory responsibility to determine the extent of knowledge and skill required for the granting of primary medical qualifications in the United Kingdom. The Committee's most recent recommendations were published in the 1993 report "Tomorrow's Doctors".

  University medical schools are in the process of implementing the recommendations contained in the report and the GMC is monitoring progress.

  Diagnostic and Treatment Centres
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health where the newly proposed diagnostic and treatment centres will be located; and if he will make a statement. [135845]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]No decisions have been made on the location of the diagnostic and treatment centres announced in The NHS Plan. We are working with NHS Executive Regional Offices to determine where these new centres will be located, and will announce details when this process is complete.

  Pharmacists
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for funding pharmacists to deliver medicines to the patient's door. [135846]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]"Pharmacy in the Future—Implementing the National Health Service Plan", which was published on 12 September, sets out our programme for pharmacy in the National Health Service; copies are available in the Library. We shall be discussing with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee changes in the terms of service and distribution of the global sum for community pharmacy to establish minimum standards and promote and reward high-quality services. When parliamentary time permits, we will introduce legislation to allow a new form of agreement between the NHS, pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set out the gross expenditure on family
  603W
  health services, by service, for each year since 1979–80, in the same format as figure 11.12 of Cm 4603, "The Government's Expenditure Plans 2000–01"; [136023]

  (2) what was the gross expenditure on general medical services, as a percentage of gross family health services expenditure, in each year since 1979–80; [136022]

  (3) what percentage of gross NHS expenditure was represented by gross general medical services expenditure in each year since 1979–80. [136024]

  Family health services gross expenditure, 1989–90 to 1998–99

  £ million

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  % real terms growth 1989–90 to 1998–99

  Drugs non-discretionary

  1,952

  2,091

  2,210

  2,356

  2,352

  2,243

  2,210

  2,014

  2,171

  1,837

  1—

  Drugs discretionary

  0

  0

  125

  295

  628

  1,009

  1,296

  1,794

  1,936

  2,519

  1—

  Drugs Total

  1,952

  2,091

  2,335

  2,651

  2,980

  3,252

  3,506

  3,808

  4,107

  4,356

  81.6

  General Medical Services

  Non-discretionary

  1,569

  1,484

  1,656

  1,768

  1,840

  1,902

  1,965

  2,073

  2,198

  2,243

  16.3

  Discretionary

  0

  464

  600

  686

  715

  723

  754

  800

  835

  878

  54.0

  Total General Medical Services discretionary and non-discretionary

  1,569

  1,948

  2,256

  2,454

  2,555

  2,625

  2,719

  2,873

  3,033

  3,121

  61.9

  PMS2

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  37

  1—

  General Dental Services

  948

  1,040

  1,246

  1,306

  1,222

  1,279

  1,290

  1,323

  1,348

  1,438

  23.4

  PDS2

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  4

  1—

  Dispensing Costs

  518

  561

  603

  658

  677

  679

  706

  746

  768

  781

  22.7

  General Ophthalmic Services

  108

  111

  141

  172

  192

  213

  223

  237

  241

  240

  80.8

  Total FHS spend

  5,095

  5,751

  6,581

  7,241

  7,626

  8,048

  8,444

  8,987

  9,497

  9,977

  59.4

  Gross GMS as a percentage of Gross FHS

  30.8

  33.9

  34.3

  33.9

  33.5

  32.6

  32.2

  32.0

  31.9

  31.3

  Total NHS expenditure (Gross)

  21,132

  23,654

  26,785

  29,371

  31,075

  32,890

  34,430

  35,729

  37,793

  39,884

  53.6

  Total GMS as a percentage of gross NHS

  7.4

  8.2

  8.4

  8.4

  8.2

  8.0

  7.9

  8.0

  8.0

  7.8

  1n/a

  2Discretionary

  Notes:

  1. Data are taken from the Published Departmental Report for GMS data.

  2. Personal Medical Services (PMS) and Personal Dental Services(PDS) schemes are Primary Care Act pilots designed to test locally managed approaches to the delivery of primary care. PDS and PMS expenditure figures, although not allocations. exclude any related capital investment by NHS trusts. PDS expenditure figures are also gross of patient charge income whereas allocations are net of charges.

  3. From 1993–94 onwards, gross HCHS revenue, gross NHS revenue and NHS total gross expenditure is inflated because of the interest dividends paid by NHS Trusts.

  4. Please note that Discretionary GMS data were not available in 1998–99 as they did not start until 1990–91.

  Trafford General Hospital Mortuary
  .Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the condition of the mortuary of Trafford General Hospital. [136065]

  Mr. Denham
  An upgrade of the current mortuary facilities at Trafford General Hospital took place in 1998 so that it would meet the necessary minimum standards. Trafford Healthcare National Health Service Trust is now in the process of developing a business case for a new mortuary and this has the support of the north-west regional office of the NHS Executive.

  Bed-blocking (Kent)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bed days were lost through bed-blocking at(a) the
  604W
  .Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 November 2000)The information requested is shown in the table for the years 1989–90 to 1998–99.

  Expenditure figures from 1979–80 to 1997–98 are not held in the format requested.

  It is also not possible to provide expenditure figures for 1999–2000 as the general medical services discretionary element became part of the unified allocation to health authorities.

  Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, (b) the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford and (c) the Kent and Canterbury Hospital during the past 26 weeks; and if he will make a statement. [136078]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested. I refer the hon. Member to the East Kent Health Authority, which may have the information he requests.

  Elective Surgery (Kent)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appointments for elective surgery were postponed or cancelled at(a) the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, (b) the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford and (c) the Kent and Canterbury Hospital during the past 26 weeks. [136077]
  605W
  Mr. Denham
  This information is not collected in the form requested.

  Occupational Therapists
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to improve the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists in the NHS. [122908]

  Mr. Denham
  The national recruitment, retention and vacancy survey published September 1999 gave us the latest authoritative data on staff vacancies from 98 per cent. of National Health Service trusts. They show that only 1.9 per cent. of occupational therapy posts have been vacant for three months or more (in England). The Government are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficient to get a better match between supply and demand.

  We are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of occupational therapists. These include the publication of the framework for the management of human resources for the whole of the NHS, "Working Together: securing a quality workforce for the NHS", which sets targets for local employers to improve recruitment and retention year on year. We have issued guidance to the service on improving working lives and we will shortly be issuing guidance on lifelong learning and continuing professional development.

  Debt written off

  Debt injected

  Industry

  Year

  £million

  Type of Debt

  Year

  £ million

  British Steel

  1980–81

  509.3

  National Loans Fund

  —

  —

  British Aerospace

  1980–81

  60

  Public Dividend Capital

  —

  —

  National Freight Corporation1

  1980–81

  100

  National Loans Fund

  —

  —

  British Airways

  1980–81

  160

  Public Dividend Capital

  —

  —

  British Transport Docks Board1

  1982–83

  81.3

  National Loans Fund

  1982–83

  25

  British Telecommunications

  1984–85

  2,789.9

  National Loans Fund

  1984–85

  3,500

  British Gas

  —

  —

  —

  1986–87

  2,500

  BAA

  1986–87

  43.5

  National Loans Fund

  —

  —

  British Steel

  1988–89

  500

  Public Dividend Capital

  —

  —

  British Steel

  1988–89

  3,480

  Borrowing under Iron and Steel Act 1982

  —

  —

  Harland and Wolff

  1989–90

  422.5

  Assistance under Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries (Northern Ireland) Order 1979

  —

  —

  Short Brothers

  1989–90

  390

  Loan by DED

  —

  —

  Water companies

  1989–90

  4,973.3

  National Loans Fund

  1989–90

  72.9

  Water companies

  1989–90

  55

  Public Works Loan Board

  —

  —

  Electricity (England and Wales)

  —

  —

  —

  1990–91

  3,583

  Electricity (Scotland)3

  1991–92

  1,043.6

  National Loans Fund

  1991–92

  625.9

  NTL

  —

  —

  —

  1991–92

  22

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  70.3

  Belfast Airport

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  15.2

  British Coal

  1994–95

  1,633.4

  Voted Loans

  —

  —

  Railtrack

  1995–96

  1,229

  National Loans Fund

  1996–97

  585

  Total

  17.470.8

  10,999.3

  1Privatised as National Freight Consortium (now NFC).

  2Privatised as Associated British Ports Holdings.

  3Prior to privatisation, National Loans Fund Debt due to the South of Scotland Electricity Board nuclear programme of £1,368.4 million was transferred to Scottish Nuclear Ltd. and subsequently written off.

  4In the case of the privatisation of British Energy, on 5 June 1996, it was agreed that, of the £1,745 million of debt to Government created as the result of the reorganisation of the nuclear power generating industry prior to the privatisation, £600 million would be converted into a new debt owed to Government, £700 million converted into 700 million shares with a face value of £1 and £445 million would be written off.

  606W
  We are also modernising services and modernising employment practice in the NHS: developing more supportive, flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development; tackling violence and racism in the workplace; involving staff in the way services are delivered and in the changes and developments that affect their working lives.

  We have accepted in full the pay increases recommended by the Pay Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine (including occupational therapist) for 2000–01. The review body has recommended an across-the-board increase of 3.4 per cent. for 2000–01. Experienced staff will receive total increases of up to 8.4 per cent.

TREASURY

  Debt Write-offs (Privatised Industry)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of debt written off by the Government for each industry privatised since 1980. [135906]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The table shows the amount of debt written off for each industry privatised since 1980. Where relevant the table also shows the type of debt concerned and the amount of debt injected.

  fuel Taxes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much fuel duty has derived from the taxation of alternative fuels; and what percentage this represents of the total tax on road fuel, since the most recent Budget. [135651]

  Mr. Timms
  The receipts of excise duty from 'gas for use as road fuel' between April and September 2000 are £1.6 million. This represents 0.01 per cent. of the total excise receipts for road fuels.

  This represents a growth of over 160 per cent. on receipts from the similar period last year.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the review of the taxation of company cars.[135898]

  Mr. Timms
  A major reform of company car tax, to be implemented from April 2002, was announced by the Chancellor in the 1999 Budget, following a review of the system in the light of criticism of its inherent perverse incentives for some company car users to drive extra, unnecessary business miles. The main details of how the system will work in practice were announced in a Budget 2000 press release (Rev6)—'Protecting the environment: Reform of company car taxation' as legislated for the Finance Act 2000.

  Service Delivery Agreements
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the White Paper 'Service Delivery Agreements: A Guide'; and when Departments will publish their own service delivery agreements. [136931]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I will be presenting "Service Delivery Agreements: A Guide" (Cm4915) to the House and publishing it tomorrow. Departments will be publishing their own Service Delivery Agreements on departmental websites on the same day, and a full hard copy set will be placed in the Library of the House for information.

  Banking Services
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to ensure that banking services are available to all.
  [133907]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Mr. Ruane) on 20 July 2000, Official Report, column 311W.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Pan-European Political Parties
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government relating to the proposal of the Commission and Parliament of the European Union for an amendment to be made to Article 192 of the Community Treaty to require the 608W
  European Council to lay down a statute of conditions governing the recognition, rules, and funding of pan-European political parties. [135402]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  European political parties already exist and are recognised in the EC Treaty. The proposal for a legal base to allow the establishment of a statute to regulate these parties is intended to ensure the transparency of their funding. We strongly support this aim.

  Rural Policing
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements in rural policing will result from the £15 million announced on 15 June 2000,Official Report, column 714W. [136777]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Chief officers will target the money as they see fit, keeping their local communities informed of where improvements can be expected.

  Guidance to be issued under the Local Government Act 1999 will require those police authorities who were given a share of the money to provide a clear account in their Best Value Performance Plans. For the previous year they will set out what improvement they sought with the money, which Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) were used to measure their performance, and how they performed. For the forthcoming year, they will detail what improvement they seek and which BVPIs will be used to measure that. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary will inspect forces on the basis of that statement.

  European Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Article 5 of the draft European Charter of Fundamental Rights would preclude(a) paid servitude and (b) football transfer fees; and if he will make a statement. [134894]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Charter will be a political declaration of rights, freedoms and principles and is not legally binding.

  Article 5.1 and 5.2 correspond to Article 4.1 and 4.2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) today, columns 555–56W.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between Article 20 of the draft European Charter of Fundamental Rights and diplomatic immunity. [134818]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Charter will be a political declaration of rights, freedoms and principles and is not legally binding.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) today, columns 555–56W.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the consequences of Article 7 of the draft European Charter of Fundamental Rights for(a) the media and (b) surveillance of criminals. [134793]
  609W
  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Charter will be a political declaration of rights, freedoms and principles and is not legally binding.

  Article 7 corresponds to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) today, columns 555–56W.

  Prisons (Health Care Services)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the arrangements for the delivery of health care services in prisons in England. [134384]

  Mr. Boateng
  A comprehensive assessment of the arrangements for delivering health care services in prisons was conducted prior to the publication of "The Future Organisation of Prison Health Care" in March 1999. The programme of reform set out in that report requires each prison and health authority jointly to review the health needs of the local prison population and to develop joint improvement plans by the end of March 2001.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make available specific ring-fenced funds for health-related service improvements in prisons in England. [134387]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prison Service funds are not generally ring-fenced for particular purposes. The reform and improvement of prison health care is a high priority for the Government and this will be reflected in business plans and financial allocations within the Prison Service for 2001–04. Provisional plans are for significant additional investment in health care over this period, including up to £35 million to rebuild or refurbish those prison health care centres in England and Wales that most badly need it.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the work programmes are of(a) the prisons task force and (b) the prisons health policy unit; and what plans he has to report on their progress. [134388]

  Mr. Boateng
  The joint work programme of the prison health policy unit and the prison health task force was set out in the "Prison Health Handbook", which was published in September 2000. Copies have been placed in the Library. These will publish a joint annual report on their work.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for the NHS to be responsible for health care services in prisons in England. [134385]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government's policy on responsibilities for prison health care was set out in the report "The Future Organisation of Prison Health Care", published in March 1999. That document sets out the rationale for an approach based on a partnership between the Prison Service and the NHS as the best way of meeting the health care needs of prisoners.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the fine imposed on a haulier at Dover who voluntarily reported his discovery of illegal immigrants in his lorry. [135022]

  Mrs. Roche
  Without more detail I am not sure to which haulier the hon. Member is referring. Any haulier who suspects that persons are concealed in their vehicle should report the matter immediately to the authorities, whether in the United Kingdom or abroad. To do otherwise may give rise to suspicion that they are deliberately involved in facilitating the illegal entry of such persons. If a haulier has taken proper measures to secure his vehicle in accordance with the Code of Practice for Vehicles, he will have grounds for establishing a defence against the Civil Penalty that may be imposed. Where a penalty is imposed there are thirty days in which to lodge a notice objecting to liability.

  British Stasi Agents
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in what circumstances it is the Government's policy to reveal the identity of British Stasi agents in the absence of a decision to prosecute them; [135005]

  (2) for what reason no files have been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police or the security service concerning the possible prosecution of British Stasi agents; [135006]

  (3) if it is his policy not to expose British Stasi agents if they provided (a) unclassified personal information to their controllers, (b) unclassified political information to their controllers or (c) classified information to their controllers. [135027]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 21 October 1999, Official Report, columns 587–99, and the one that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department made on 21 December 1999, Official Report, columns 182–229WH, concerning the cases involving the East German Stasi.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have breached one or more conditions of their release under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme since its inception. [134768]

  Mr. Boateng
  Of the 26,898 prisoners placed on the Home Detention Curfew scheme by 30 September 2000, 1,756 have been reported as having breached one or more of the conditions of their release while subject to the Home Detention Curfew scheme.

  This figure includes prisoners who are reported:
  as having breached the conditions of the curfew (section 38A(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991);
  as no longer able to be electronically monitored (section 38A(1)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991):

  611W
  as presenting a risk of serious harm to the public (section 38A(1)(c) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991); and
  as having committed an offence or breached any other requirement of probation supervision (section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991). Curfewees who are charged with new offences may also be recalled on any of the preceding grounds depending on the circumstances of the case.

  Prisoners whose current sentence is in respect of an offence committed before 1 January 1999 are not liable to be recalled under section 39 of the Act. In such cases, where the curfewee has breached the requirements of probation supervision or where they have committed a further offence and it has not been possible to revoke their licence under section 38A of the Act, the breach may be referred to the courts under section 38(1) of the Act. The total number of such cases referred to the courts is not held centrally.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what criminal offences have been committed by prisoners released under the home detention curfew scheme. [134773]

  Mr. Boateng
  Of the 26,898 prisoners placed on the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme by 30 September 2000, 555 are known by the Prison Service to have been cautioned or convicted of a further offence committed while on HDC or are pending prosecution for such an offence. The total number of offences committed by these prisoners is 1,003. A breakdown of the offences is contained in the given table.

  Breakdown of all cases involving further offences which led to

  conviction, cautions or where prosecutions are pending

  28 January 1999 to 30 September 2000

  Offence

  Number

  Total

  1,003

  Manslaughter

  0

  Other homicide and attempted homicide

  Attempted murder

  0

  Making threats to kill

  3

  Conspire, aid, incite murder

  0

  Death by reckless driving

  0

  Wounding

  Wounding (inflicting GBH)

  6

  Assault occasioning ABH

  22

  Assault with intent to cause GBH

  0

  Assaults

  Assault with intent to resist arrest

  1

  Other assault

  32

  Obstruct/resist constable

  0

  Assault on police officer

  24

  Cruelty to children

  0

  Other violence against the person

  Cause explosion, place explosive

  0

  Possess firearms with intent

  1

  Possess offensive weapon

  9

  Other violence against the person

  8

  Sexual Offences

  Rape

  2

  Buggery

  0

  Indecent assault

  1

  Unlawful sexual intercourse

  0

  612W

  Breakdown of all cases involving further offences which led to

  conviction, cautions or where prosecutions are pending

  28 January 1999 to 30 September 2000

  Offence

  Number

  Abduction

  0

  Bigamy

  0

  Burglary

  42

  Robbery

  17

  Taking and driving away

  13

  Other theft

  175

  Handling stolen goods

  29

  Fraud

  44

  Forgery

  4

  Drugs offences

  Production

  0

  Supply

  14

  Possession with intent

  7

  Possession

  83

  Unlawful import/export

  1

  Other drugs offences

  5

  Arson

  1

  Criminal damage

  43

  In charge or driving under the influence of drink or drugs

  42

  Reckless driving

  7

  Other motoring offences

  195

  Drunkenness

  1

  Blackmail

  0

  Kidnapping

  3

  Affray

  14

  Violent disorder

  23

  Perjury/libel/pervert the course of justice

  6

  Threat/disorderly behaviour

  6

  Breach of Court Order

  38

  Other offences

  68

  Offence not recorded

  13

  Sentencing Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in his review of sentencing policy, extending the right of appeal against lenient sentences to include the offence of the sale of drugs to children will be considered. [134532]

  Mr. Boateng
  Rights of appeal, whether by the prosecution or the defence, are not within the terms of reference of the current Review of the Sentencing Framework.

  However, on 24 July my hon. Friend the Minister of State announced an extension of the Attorney-General's powers to refer unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal for review. From 21 August 2000, the Attorney-General has been able to refer sentences imposed for drug trafficking offences, including the offence of supplying a controlled drug. There is no separate offence of supplying drugs to children.

  R v. CICA ex parte Embling
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the implications of Rv. CICA ex parte Embling. [134332]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel will naturally take account of the judgment in making determinations under the tariff-based criminal injuries compensation scheme. The Government will
  613W
  consider whether greater clarification of the terms "full recovery" and "continuing disability" would be helpful in any future amendment of the scheme and its accompanying tariff of injuries.

  Money Laundering
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are presently under discussion at EU level for combating money laundering through(a) the Internet and (b) electronic currency transfers. [134810]

  Mrs. Roche
  A number of measures have been taken or are currently under consideration in this area.

  The revision of the 1991 Money Laundering Directive in the European Union, which has recently received political agreement within the Council, is designed to ensure that all member states have sufficiently robust national laws and regulations to combat the increasingly sophisticated methods used in money laundering. As such it includes specific provisions to ensure that there is adequate identification of customers where no face-to-face contact between bank staff and customer occurs, such as through Internet banking accounts. Implementation will require the development of specific regulations and guidelines in the United Kingdom, applied to all those involved in financial transactions. This is currently being considered. It has been agreed that three years after the adoption of the Directive an examination will be undertaken to consider identification measures for clients involved in non-face-to-face transactions and the possible implications for electronic commerce.

  In a separate measure, the European Union has prepared a comprehensive strategy for dealing with organised crime in a paper entitled "The Prevention and Control of Organised Crime: A European Union Strategy for the beginning of the new Millennium". The measures proposed in that document, and to be taken forward in European Union Working Groups, include a specific recommendation to address the issue of money laundering on the Internet and via electronic money products.

  At the joint Council of European Union Justice and Finance Ministers on 17 October, it was agreed that a range of measures be undertaken against financial crime, with particular attention to be given to measures to facilitate the fight against the abuse of new information and communications, especially the Internet and electronic transfer of money.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the benefits of introducing a fast-track procedure at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for processing applications from non-EU foreign nationals for leave to remain in the UK when they are medically qualified people filling a vacancy for a doctor or nurse within the NHS. [135531]

  Mrs. Roche
  From 2 May, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the Department for Education and Employment have revised procedures for handling all 614W
  applications for leave to remain for the purpose of employment including those from medically qualified persons seeking employment within the NHS. This has enabled such applications to be completed within 2–3 weeks instead of three months or longer.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers the UK(a) returned and (b) accepted in October 1999, (ii) November 1999, (iii) December 1999, (iv) January 2000, (v) February 2000, (vi) March 2000, (vii) April 2000, (viii) May 2000, (ix) June 2000 and (x) July 2000. [136091]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested can be found in the table. We have interpreted "returned" to mean unsuccessful asylum seekers removed under port and enforcement processes, and "accepted" to mean those asylum seekers granted refugee status or refused asylum but given exceptional leave to remain.

  Asylum seekers the UK returned and accepted—October 1999 to

  July 20001

  2.3Returned

  4Accepted

  1999

  October

  675

  465

  November

  635

  450

  December

  645

  220

  2000

  January

  605

  350

  February

  735

  905

  March

  730

  1,815

  April

  765

  3,935

  May

  890

  3,945

  June

  725

  2,590

  July

  720

  1,690

  1All figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

  3Figures relate to asylum seekers who have been removed under port and enforcement procedures.

  3Figures include voluntary departures following enforcement action but excludes all other voluntary departures.

  4Includes persons seeking asylum who have been granted asylum or refused asylum but given ELR.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for asylum cases considered under normal procedures, for(a) each of the last 10 calendar years for which figures are available and (b) each month in 2000 for which figures are available, (i) the number of asylum claims refused, broken down by major type of refusal and (ii) the number of asylum claims refused in each type, expressed as a proportion of the total number of refusals. [136063]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is given in the table.

  The latest information on asylum is available on the Home Office intemet site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/index.htm.
  615W

  Decisions1.2 on applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by type, 1989 to 2000

  Number of principal applicants

  Decisions3

  Cases considered under normal procedures Refuals

  Total decisions

  Recognised as refugee and granted asylum4

  Not recognised as refugee but granted exceptional leave5

  Total refused

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave after full consideration

  Percentage

  Refused on safe third country grounds6

  Percentage

  Refused under para. 340 of Immigration Rules7

  Percentage

  1989

  6,955

  2,210

  3,860

  890

  890

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990

  4,025

  920

  2,400

  705

  705

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  6,075

  505

  2,190

  3,380

  2,325

  69

  270

  8

  785

  23

  1992

  34,900

  1,115

  15,325

  18,465

  2,675

  15

  595

  3

  15,195

  82

  1993

  23,405

  1,590

  11,125

  10,690

  4,705

  44

  745

  7

  5,240

  49

  1994

  20,990

  825

  3,660

  16,500

  12,655

  77

  865

  5

  2,985

  18

  1995

  27,005

  1,295

  4,410

  21,300

  17,705

  83

  1,515

  7

  2,085

  10

  1996

  38,960

  2,240

  5,055

  31,670

  28,040

  89

  1,615

  5

  2,015

  6

  1997

  36,045

  3,985

  3,115

  28,945

  22,780

  79

  2,550

  9

  3,615

  12

  1998

  31,570

  5,345

  3,910

  22,315

  17,465

  78

  1,855

  8

  2,995

  14

  19998

  33,720

  7,815

  2,465

  11,025

  8,110

  74

  1,830

  16

  1,085

  10

  20008

  January

  4,040

  180

  170

  2,390

  2,060

  86

  90

  4

  245

  10

  February

  7,865

  225

  680

  5,025

  3,965

  79

  145

  3

  920

  18

  March

  11,340

  590

  1,225

  7,570

  5,335

  70

  120

  2

  2,115

  28

  April

  9,650

  2,090

  1,845

  4,205

  2,930

  70

  110

  2

  1,165

  28

  May

  10,765

  2,015

  1,930

  5,520

  3,785

  69

  85

  1

  1,655

  30

  June

  1,135

  1,135

  1,455

  6,360

  4,125

  65

  100

  2

  2,135

  33

  July

  8,855

  710

  980

  6,345

  4,145

  65

  185

  3

  2,015

  32

  August

  9,770

  575

  925

  7,510

  4,230

  56

  155

  2

  3,125

  42

  September

  8,145

  375

  495

  6,710

  3,670

  55

  155

  2

  2,885

  43

  1Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period

  2Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  3Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcomes of appeals or other subsequent decisions

  4Excluding South East Asian refugees (pre 1996 only)

  5Where it would have been unreasonable or impracticable to seek to enforce return to country of origin

  6Figures from 1 January 1991 only. Prior to this, these refusals are included in the column 'Refused asylum and exceptional leave after full consideration'.

  7Paragraph 340 (paragraph 180F prior 1 October 1994 and paragraph 101 prior to July 1993) of the Immigration Rules, for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failture to respond to invitations to interview to establish identity: see explanatory note 6. Figures from 1 December 1991 only. Prior to this, these refusals are included in the column 'Refused asylum and exceptional leave after full consideration'.

  8Provisional

  Correspondence
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the reason for the delay by the Transfer Desk in his Department in transferring a letter regarding an immigration matter sent to him by the hon. Member for Hull, North on 5 September; what is the(a) average, (b) shortest and (c) greatest length of time taken for a letter to be transferred from his Department to another department; and if he will make a statement. [136026]

  Mr. Straw
  I apologise for the delay in dealing with the letter sent by the hon. Member. This was referred to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate immediately upon its receipt in the Home Office on 5 September. That Directorate subsequently advised that the correspondence would more appropriately be dealt with by the Joint Entry Clearance Unit. Unfortunately, the transfer to that Unit was not completed until 25 October. This was due to a recent and regrettable failure of our normal procedures, which we have since rectified.

  Prior to that failure, in the current year. of all the letters requiring transfer to other Government Departments, 54 per cent. were transferred within five working days;
  616W
  15 per cent. in 5 to 10 days; 13 per cent. in 10 to 20 days and 18 per cent. in over 20 days. The average was 13 days. I do not regard these periods as acceptable.

  Fuel Protests
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans have been drawn up by his task force to deal with a recurrence of fuel protests; how many times the task force has met; what its membership is; and if he will make a statement. [1360661

  Mr. Straw
  The Fuel Task Force has met four times so far. For further details I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) on 24 October 2000,Official Report, columns 115–16W, and to my statement today.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to deploy armed forces personnel in the event of a recurrence of fuel protests; what functions they will perform; what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence concerning these plans; and if he will make a statement. [136062]
  617W
  Mr. Straw
  I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) on 24 October 2000,Official Report, columns 115–16W, to replies made by the Minister for the Armed Forces during MOD oral questions on 30 October, and to my statement today.

  R v. CICA ex parte Leatherland
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the implications of Rv. CICA ex parte Leatherland. [134331]

  Mr. Boateng
  Following the "Leatherland judgment", the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority will provide fuller explanations for their decisions in appropriate cases.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fertiliser Prices
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigation his Department is undertaking into the recent rise in fertiliser prices. [135675]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]I have been asked to reply.

  Although the Department of Trade and Industry monitors price levels for fertilisers, competition investigations are generally matters for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). We are aware that the OFT has received complaints from farmers and their representatives about the prices of fertilisers in the UK. It is now awaiting submission from interested parties in order to determine whether a formal investigation is needed.

  BSE
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the most recent figures for confirmed BSE cases broken down by year of birth. [136913]

  Ms Quin
  The position as at 30 October 2000 was as follows:

  Year of birth

  Total number of confirmed cases

  1974

  1

  1975

  0

  1976

  2

  1977

  10

  1978

  6

  1979

  41

  1980

  101

  1981

  261

  1982

  1,393

  1983

  4,461

  1984

  8,067

  1985

  11,065

  1986

  19,732

  1987

  36,869

  1988

  22,186

  1989

  12,645

  1990

  5,640

  1991

  4,575

  1992

  3,155

  618W

  Year of birth

  Total number of confirmed cases

  1993

  2,359

  1994

  1,206

  1995

  294

  1996

  13

  1997

  0

  1998

  0

  1999

  0

  Unknown

  43,345

  Total

  177,416

  1A third case of BSE in an animal born in 1996 was confirmed on 30 October 2000. The animal was born in May 1996, before the feed ban is considered to have been fully effective.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government are taking to prepare in the event that BSE is present in the United Kingdom sheep flock. [136933]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Government are adopting a precautionary approach and have for some time been operating a risk reduction strategy in this area in line with advice from SEAC and, more recently, the Food Standards Agency. This includes an ongoing research programme, including development of rapid screening methods, a national scrapie plan to eliminate scrapie from the national sheep flock (on which the Government initiated consultation in August) and the removal of the specified risk material from the food chain.

  Genotypically susceptible sheep dosed orally with infected brain material from cattle have developed BSE in scientific experiments. To date, however, BSE is not known to have occurred naturally in sheep, although this possibility is being checked by an ongoing research programme. The Government have in hand preparation of a contingency plan setting out actions that might be taken in different scenarios if in the future BSE is found to be present in sheep.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make arrangements to permit researchers seeking to provide a live test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy to have access to BSE diagnosed cattle. [135202]

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

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the research projects submitted to the 1996 open competition to find a diagnostic test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy produced a live test; and if he will make a statement. [135083]
  619W
  Ms Quin
  All of the projects funded as a result of the 1996 open competition have finished. None has resulted in the development of a test that can be used in the live animal. One project has resulted in a diagnostic test (called DELFIA) which has been submitted for validation by the EU Commission. Tests which pass the EU assessment may be used in national surveillance schemes. This test uses brain samples and so can be used only on dead animals. MAFF is now funding the assessment at Ames in the United States. The test is performed on blood samples and early results suggest that it can diagnose sheep with scrapie. MAFF is funding its further development as a diagnostic test in the live animal.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the unfunded proposals submitted in 1996 to the open competition for a diagnostic test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy were developed further; and if he will make a statement. [135078]

  Ms Quin
  To our knowledge, none of the unfunded proposals submitted under the 1996 open competition has resulted in a diagnostic test that can be used in the live animal. Swiss researchers who submitted a proposal under the competition have since developed a test called the Prionics test. However, this is not the same test as that submitted under the open competition. The Prionics test has been assessed by the EU Commission and has met their criteria. The test is currently being used in abattoir surveys of cattle in Switzerland and France. It is also used in the UK for the confirmation of clinical cases. This test uses brain tissue and cannot be used in the live animal.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases have been brought before the courts in each of the last five years relating to breaches of regulations relating to BSE. [135279]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]There were no cases brought before the courts in the calendar year 1995 relating to breaches of regulations and orders relating to BSE. For the years 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 the figures are:

  Regulations

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection Regulations 1995

  3

  6

  16

  14

  Fresh Meat (Beef Control) No. 2 Regulations 1996

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Specified Bovine Offal Order 1995

  4

  1

  0

  0

  Specified Bovine Material Order 1996

  2

  2

  0

  0

  Specified Bovine Material Order 1997

  0

  0

  3

  0

  Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997

  0

  0

  7

  11

  Totals

  9

  9

  27

  25

  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ceased to have responsibility for bringing such cases before the courts at the beginning of April of this year.

  Additionally, there were 12 cases in 1998 and 84 cases in 1999 where applications were made to the magistrates for orders relating to the disposal of goods ineligible for export.

  Other authorities may also have been responsible for bringing cases before the courts.

  Cereals Producers
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an application for agrimonetary compensation for cereals producers. [136932]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  In view of the very difficult trading conditions faced by UK arable farmers, the Government have decided to ask the EU Commission to draw down £34 million of the optional agrimonetary compensation available this year. This is in addition to the £57 million agrimonetary compensation already announced for this autumn. The extra money will provide valuable assistance to the arable sector at an exceptionally difficult time and follows a series of discussions with NFU leaders about the present problems of the arable sector.

  Organic Farming
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to complete the review of the organic farming scheme. [136914]

  Mr. Morley
  The review of the organic farming scheme was launched in December 1999 and is now completed. I am grateful to all those individuals and organisations who contributed to it. A note summarising the outcome of the review has been placed in the Library.

  We have carefully considered the extent to which changes needed to be made to the scheme, which was heavily oversubscribed after it opened in April 1999 as a much improved replacement for the previous conversion aid arrangements. We believe that the priority is to reopen the organic farming scheme as quickly as possible, and accordingly we will begin accepting applications from 2 January 2001, with the first new payments being made in April 2001.

  The organic farming scheme is now part of the England rural development programme, and its future operation will be reviewed as part of the programme's mid-term evaluation. Many of the issues raised during this year's review will be relevant to that evaluation, and we will ensure that they are taken into account at that time.

  Against this background, one change is being made to the scheme when it reopens, subject to parliamentary approval. To facilitate applications, we propose to extend the deadline for applying for aid under the scheme after registration with an organic inspection body from three months to six months.

  Farmers (Support)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list chronologically the actions taken since 1997 to provide support for farmers, by way of(a) extra cash, (b) policy initiatives and (c) promotion of agricultural products. [135393]

  Ms Quin
  The Government are committed to developing a framework within which the farming industry can continue to adapt to change. Since May 1997,
  621W
  we have introduced a number of policy measures, injecting £670 million (excluding agrimonetary aid) into the industry. These measures include:

  Early 1998

  We introduced several initiatives offering extra support to farmers, not all of which cost money, but which in total were worth more than £150 million to the industry. We:

  (i) paid £85 million in agrimonetary compensation to suckler cow and sheep producers at the beginning of the year;

  (ii) supported the introduction of an EU private storage aid scheme for pigmeat in the face of a fall of about 50 per cent. in the producer price of pigs. Additional action was taken in Northern Ireland;

  (iii) relaxed rules on the moisture content of cereals eligible for purchase intervention, in recognition of the difficulties caused to cereals producers by the wet summer;

  (iv) successfully lobbied the EC to grant two blocks of private storage aid for sheepmeat to help move lamb on the market. With effect from 8 October we removed the obstacles to the export of whole sheep carcases to France;

  (v) successfully negotiated the introduction of the Export Certified Herds Scheme in Northern Ireland;

  (vi) persuaded the EC to increase beef premium advances from 60 per cent. to 80 per cent.;

  (vii) met the costs for one year of Meat Hygiene Service enforcement of controls on specified risk material from cattle and sheep;

  (viii) met the start up and first year running costs of the new Cattle Tracing System.

  16 November 1998

  Announcement of a further aid package of £120 million, to provide:

  (i) extra agrimonetary compensation in the form of supplementary payments under the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme;

  (ii) increased payments under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Scheme (£60 million);

  (iii) extension of the Calf Processing Scheme until the end of the financial year.

  July 1999

  We successfully negotiated the introduction of the Date-Based Export Scheme for eligible British beef from 1 August.

  20 September 1999

  £150 million in new money announced:

  (i) £89 million in deferral of charges for inspections of specified risk material from cattle and sheep carcases and for cattle passports until 2002–03;

  (ii) £60 million in HLCA;

  (iii) £1 million in marketing support.

  28 October 1999

  Announcement of £15 million in new money:

  (i) £5 million in marketing support;

  (ii) £10 million for organic farming;

  Plus:

  (iii) Review of regulatory burdens in agriculture: three industry-led working groups reported in December 1999 on three priority areas identified by the industry: IACS and Inspections, Intervention and Meat Hygiene and Slaughterhouse Rules. Government accepted 98 of the 107 recommendations made. In addition a number of other
  622W
  issues identified for review have been considered in bilateral discussions between MAFF and industry. Implementation of the recommendations is a priority under the Action Plan for Farming.

  1 December 1999

  We pegged Meat Hygiene Charges: charges for 1999-2000 held at 1998–99 levels.

  7 December 1999

  Announced 'New Direction for Agriculture', including £1.6 billion (over seven years) England and Rural Development Plan. £300 million of which is new money. The Plan (now 'Programme') was approved by the European Commission's Star Committee in September 2000, and launched on 3 October 2000.

  1 February 2000

  Original labels on food: Following consultation, tough new guidance notes were issued on 1 February to industry and enforcement authorities. These make clear the need to ensure origin labels on food are unambiguous. They emphasise the need to pay special attention to the wording of origin and other declarations when the country of final processing of a food and the source of its main ingredients may be confused.

  30 March 2000

  Farming Summit: The Government launched the Action Plan for Farming, supported by £200 million. The Plan will provide financial relief to the hardest-hit sectors to help ease the process of change. Other commitments are directed towards rural development and diversification, better regulation, improved food chain co-operation, making the best of IT opportunities and continued commitment to CAP reform.

  The 2000 Spending Review provides a further £300 million to carry forward initiatives under the plan over the next three years.

  Agriculture (Diversification)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what incentives are available to encourage diversification within the agricultural industry. [135236]

  Mr. Morley
  The England Rural Development Programme, launched on 3 October, contains a range of measures to encourage diversification within the agricultural industry in England. The Rural Enterprise Scheme will fund farm diversification projects. The Processing and Marketing Grant, Energy Crops Scheme, woodland grants and Vocational Training Scheme will also support diversification. The Ministry of Agriculture will also be producing a guide on farm diversification which will list these and other sources of funding and advice.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be able to provide details of grant schemes operating in Wales.

  North Sea Fishing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries are excluded from North Sea fishing grounds until 31 December 2002 through accession treaties; how many vessels will subsequently have right of access; and if he will make a statement on the consequences for UK vessel access. [135553]
  623W
  Mr. Morley
  Under the relevant accession treaties, all Finnish, Spanish and Portuguese fishing vessels are excluded from fishing in the North Sea until 31 December 2002. As things currently stand, they will be able to fish for non-quota stocks only thereafter. UK vessel access to the North Sea will not be affected.

  Knacker Industry
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many establishments were closed within the knacker industry in each of the last 10 years. [135142]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]This information is not held centrally as it was only in April 1999, when the Animal By-Products Order 1999 (ABPO 1999) came into force, that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food assumed responsibility for approving knackers yards. However, since 1 April 1999 four knackers yards have closed.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the policy of the French Government towards UK beef exports. [135672]

  Ms Quin
  The French Government have made it clear that they do not intend to lift their ban on imports of UK beef. The European Commission is challenging this ban in the European Court of Justice.

  Farming Employees
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) farmsteads and (b) workers employed in the farming industry there are in Barnsley, East and Mexborough. [136101]

  Ms Quin
  The Agricultural and Horticultural census indicated that there were 117 main holdings in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency in June 1999, with a total labour force of 342.

  Rural Policing
  Rural Policing
  Prisons: Purchase of Computer Equipment
  Prisons: Purchase of Computer Equipment
  Police Officers: Retirement on Health Grounds
  Police Officers: Retirement on Health Grounds
  Electoral Registration Form: Distribution with Additional Material
  Electoral Registration Form: Distribution with Additional Material
  Criminal Record: Definition
  Criminal Record: Definition
  General Abacha: Assets
  General Abacha: Assets
  Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
  Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
  London String of Pearls Millennium Festival
  London String of Pearls Millennium Festival
  Sir Richard Branson
  Sir Richard Branson
  European Council, Biarritz
  European Council, Biarritz
  Parliamentary Scrutiny of Treaties
  Parliamentary Scrutiny of Treaties
  BBC World Service: Relocation to Broadcasting House
  BBC World Service: Relocation to Broadcasting House
  British-Russian and British East-West Centres: Annual Report
  British-Russian and British East-West Centres: Annual Report
  Kosovo: Hydraulic Lifting Equipment Export Licence
  Kosovo: Hydraulic Lifting Equipment Export Licence
  UNHCR: Accounting Discrepancy
  UNHCR: Accounting Discrepancy
  UNHCR: MINDER Asset Management System
  UNHCR: MINDER Asset Management System
  UNHCR: AssetTrak System
  UNHCR: AssetTrak System
  Millennium Dome
  Millennium Dome
  Post Office Company
  Post Office Company
  German Parcel
  German Parcel
  Departmental Cars
  Departmental Cars