Written Answers of 8 November 2000

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Ministerial Engagements
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many visits he has made to(a) the cinema and (b) the theatre in an official capacity since May 1997. [136242]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since May 1997 I have attended 12 cinematic and 25 theatrical performances in an official capacity. In addition I have also attended performances at various festivals over this period and have attended both the cinema and theatre on numerous other occasions in a personal capacity.

  Culture Online
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 1 November 2000,Official Report, column 476W, what estimates he has made of the cost to public funds of establishing the new service provisionally entitled Culture Online. [137221]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department is in the process of commissioning a full economic appraisal of this proposal in order to establish the likely cost to public funds and the potential for income generation.

  Theatre Closures (London)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about the proposed closure of Westminster Theatre and the Mermaid Theatre; what assessment he has made of planning arrangements governing the future listing of such buildings; and if he will make a statement. [137008]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have received two representations asking me to consider listing the Westminster Theatre and none about the Mermaid. The Westminster Theatre has been assessed for listing and found not to meet the strict criteria; a certificate of immunity against listing, valid for five years, was issued in June 1997. The Mermaid Theatre will be considered should I receive such a request.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which relocation companies hold contracts with his Department for the relocation of civil servants; when the contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the length and value of each contract is. [137189]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department has no regionally based offices so has had no need of such contracts.

  Fitness Facilities
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to work with(a) private health and fitness clubs and (b) public sports and leisure facilities to provide health benefits to all the population. [137045]

  Kate Hoey
  The Government's Sports Strategy "A Sporting Future for All" is based on creating opportunities to participate in sport. Wide participation, which requires easy access to various types of sports and fitness facilities and to sports clubs, will help to improve levels of fitness and lead to long-term improvements. The strategy implementation subgroup charged with this task, whose members include representatives from local authority sport and the private health and fitness sector, is on course to report back to Ministers at the end of the year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) of 9 March 2000,Official Report, columns 806-07W, what the average cost per case is for the administration of Housing Benefit in each local authority in England. [136166]

  Angela Eagle
  The measure of the average cost to a local authority of administering a Housing Benefit case is based on a comparison of the amount the authority reports it spends on benefit administration and the reported size of its case load. The figures have been calculated using this comparison and have been placed in the Library.

  Mortgage Benefit Scheme
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on the introduction of a mortgage benefit scheme. [136814]

  Angela Eagle
  In April we published our Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all" setting out our vision and strategy for the provision of housing in the future. It is the most comprehensive review of housing policy for 23 years and is all about raising standards, improving performance, extending choice and increasing accessibility and accountability. I am aware that some of the responses to the Housing Green Paper support the introduction of a mortgage benefit scheme.

  EU Employment Directive
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Inter-ministerial Group on Ageing and Older People last met to discuss the EU directive on discrimination in employment. [137319]

  Mr. Rooker
  The EU directive is not specific to older people. It was therefore discussed by Ministers across Government throughout the year before it was signed in October.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was spent on social security for the elderly as
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  a proportion of gross domestic product in 1996–97; what he estimates it will be in 2001–02; and what amount this would be if basic state pension had been linked to earnings, excluding the cost of free television licences for the over-75s, Winter Fuel Payments and the Minimum Income Guarantee, but including Income Support. [137903]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1996–97, Social Security benefit expenditure on elderly people accounted for 5.32 per cent. of GDP. The forecasts underlying the most recently published expenditure plans1 show that in 2001–02 the corresponding figure will be 5.33 per cent. of GDP. The corresponding figure for 2001–02 would have been 5.23 per cent. if basic state pension had been linked to earnings, excluding the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s, Winter Fuel Payments and the Minimum Income Guarantee, but including Income Support.
  1 Spending Review 2000 plans.

WALES

  Rail Improvements
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairmen of rail companies

  Capital expenditure stated at time of investment decision

  £ million

  Region

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  France

  61.100

  55.550

  25.500

  4.567

  0.050

  16.900

  14.190

  19.090

  24.064

  1.200

  Germany

  9.212

  39.482

  8.434

  13.682

  31.350

  6.600

  0.975

  25.868

  63.354

  33.880

  Italy

  0.500

  58.070

  11.425

  2.835

  0

  5.770

  21.849

  17.290

  17.840

  3.810

  Japan

  39.469

  230.475

  9.150

  87.215

  214.590

  34.015

  96.076

  145.558

  196.598

  24.031

  Korea

  0

  0

  0.600

  0

  0

  17.102

  1700.000

  0

  0.400

  0

  North America

  136.543

  589.700

  384.549

  356.527

  506.829

  520.673

  880.289

  134.223

  144.787

  437.930

  Other European

  15.346

  30.820

  32.474

  67.086

  19.671

  23.158

  17.779

  78.606

  87.952

  7.346

  Rest of World

  24.300

  17.950

  318.087

  43.000

  2.450

  296.092

  0.989

  28.147

  5.901

  4.067

  Business Numbers
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many businesses(a) operate and (b) operated in 1995 in Wales. [136272]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  In 1999 there were 75,230 businesses in Wales registered for VAT. The comparable figure for 1995 is 77,200. These figures do not include companies with an annual turnover of less than £50,000 or those in VAT-exempt sectors.

  Small and Medium-sized Businesses
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the level of regulations on small businesses. [136478]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of matters, including the concerns of small businesses.

  Both the Government and the National Assembly are committed to minimising regulatory burdens on business.

  Skills Shortages (Alyn and Deeside)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the First Secretary concerning skills shortages in Alyn and
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  operating within Wales to discuss improvements to Welsh railway lines; and what was the outcome of these meetings. [135241]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Oversight of the railway industry is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

  I have met representatives of rail companies on several occasions to discuss a range of issues. I also maintain close contact with the National Assembly for Wales, which has a key role to play in encouraging the development of integrated transport networks. I know that Sue Essex, the Assembly's Secretary for Planning, Environment and Transport, has had numerous meetings with the train operating companies and has issued guidance to those bidding for the Wales and Borders franchise, setting out the Assembly's aspirations for rail services in Wales.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the origins of foreign investment in Wales in each of the last 10 years. [135228]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is in the table.

  Deeside, with particular reference to small and medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement. [137012]

  Mr. Hanson
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of matters, including the skills requirements of businesses in particular localities.

  Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) are currently responsible for assessing the skill needs of employers in their areas—including small and medium-sized enterprises, and for working with local authorities and others to promote local action to meet those needs. I understand that the National Assembly is supporting this process through commissioning research under the Future Skills Wales study, which provides information on skill needs at TEC area and local authority level. From April 2001, the responsibility for analysing and addressing local skill needs will fall to regional offices of the Council for Education and Training in Wales.

  Engineering Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the First Secretary concerning the provision of skilled persons in the engineering industries; and if he will make a statement; [137018]
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  (2) what consultations he has had with the First Secretary concerning policies related to the employment of skilled persons to fill vacancies in the engineering industry; and if he will make a statement. [137015]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of matters including the skill requirements of particular industries.

  I understand that the National Assembly liaises closely with the Engineering and Marine Training Authority (EMTA) and other national training organisations on the skill needs of the engineering industry and will take account of their views in drawing up an employment action plan as part of the National Economic Development Strategy.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the First Secretary concerning the number of houses built by local authorities in Wales since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [137021]

  Mr. Hanson
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of matters, including housing provision.

  I understand that local authorities reported 1,859 homes completed between January 1990 and December 1999.

  Aerospace Industry (Alyn and Deeside)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the First Secretary concerning the requirement for skilled persons in Alyn and Deeside, with particular reference to the aerospace industry; and if he will make a statement. [137014]

  Mr. Hanson
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of matters, including the skill requirements of particular industries.

  I understand that the National Assembly, the Welsh Development Agency and the Training and Enterprise Councils have been working with the aerospace sector to help overcome recruitment and training difficulties. For example, the Assembly has part-funded a collaborative project with the industry to meet training needs arising out of new British Civil Aviation Authority requirements.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds organic farming in Wales will receive from EU sources in each of the next three years. [137098]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  That is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

DEFENCE

  Precision-guided Bombing Capability
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the training of RAF aircrews in laser-guided bombing performance; and what plans he has for improving it. [134403]
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  Mr. Spellar
  As we have acknowledged in the publication 'Kosovo—Lessons from the Crisis', the RAF already has a well-practised low-level all-weather attack capability. Given the strong possibility that future operations could, as in Kosovo, be conducted at medium altitude, we have considered how best to be prepared for such an eventuality. Precision guided munitions, including the RAF's Laser Guided Bombs (Paveway II and Paveway III), achieved good results in the Kosovo crisis. The RAF had built up their precision attack capability as a consequence of lessons from the Gulf War and this paid dividends, with the laser-guided systems performing well and in accordance with expectations. Nevertheless, the limitations of our current laser-guided systems in poor weather were highlighted.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 272W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) about plans for improving laser-guided bombing performance. We intend to procure an interim all-weather precision guided bombing capability for the RAF and have selected Raytheon Systems Corporation to supply the RAF Tornado GR4 aircraft, subject to the successful completion of contractual negotiations, with Enhanced Paveway Bombs.

  We keep our training in precision-guided attacks under review to ensure that our crews are properly trained to employ the equipment they operate.

  Ranges (Crown Immunity)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Crown immunity applies to the Tons Warren Range at the head of Luce Bay, Galloway; and if such immunity extends to prescribed sea areas adjacent to both that range and Kirkcudbright Ranges, Galloway. [135107]

  Mr. Spellar
  Crown immunity is an expression used by lawyers to refer to exemptions for the Crown which appear in legislation. Whether or not the Crown is exempt from certain legislation in respect of the sites in question will depend on the precise terms and effects of that legislation.

  Army Overstretch
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 276W, what percentage of Army commitment and what interval between deployments his Department assesses to be optimal in order for overstretch to be alleviated; and if he will make a statement. [136743]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: We concluded during the Strategic Defence Review process that for the Army, six-month operational tours and an average interval between tours of 24 months are optimum for operational effectiveness and retention. We do not identify an optimum percentage figure for commitment levels, which are a reflection of operational deployments. Whether such deployments are sustainable depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the task and duration of the commitment, which are not reflected in overall percentage figures on commitment levels.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often nuclear submarines are inspected for safety. [137215]

  Mr. Spellar
  Royal Navy nuclear submarines are subject to a rolling programme of planned inspection and maintenance. The periodicity of this work is designed to ensure the safety of the nuclear reactor and the submarine as a whole. For example, certain reactor protection systems are inspected every 24 hours, while some hull and support system components are examined every few months. In addition, there are major overhaul periods, which can take some two years to complete, when further inspections are made.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the cracks in the cooling system of HMS Tireless will have on the immediate environment; and if the cracks resulted from a design flaw in the nuclear submarines. [137212]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since her arrival in Gibraltar on 19 May, HMS Tireless has undergone routine radiation monitoring and has had no effect on the immediate environment. During her repair, no radioactive contamination of any kind will be released into the environment either within HMS Tireless or externally in Gibraltar. All nuclear waste arising from her repair will have extremely low levels of radioactivity and will be returned to the UK in specially constructed tanks.

  At present there is no evidence to suggest that the defect found in some, but not all, hunter-killer submarines, has resulted from a design flaw. It is feasible that the defect could have arisen from the manufacturing process when the submarines were built or have some other origin. The analysis of the evidence collected so far is, as yet, inconclusive.

  European Forces
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the official language of the European forces as defined in EU Council document SN 300/99 will be; [136298]

  (2) if (a) the NATO flag or (b) the EU flag will be the official flag of the European forces as defined in EU Council document SN 300/99. [136299]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The European forces referred to in EU Council document SN 300/99 are the pool of capability needed to achieve the Headline Goal. The Headline Goal states that, by 2003, EU nations should be able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain up to 60,000 troops capable of undertaking the full range of crisis management tasks.

  In the event of an EU-led or NATO-led operation being launched, each nation would decide when and how to commit their forces and each nation would be under their own national command and national flag.

  National forces deployed on an EU-led operation in support of this goal will speak their own language. The issue of working language between national forces or in
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  Multinational Headquarters has not yet been addressed in the EU context. However, in NATO the working language for these purposes is English.

  Iraq (Southern No-fly Zone)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions(a) coalition aircraft and (b) UK aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone in Iraq have released ordnance in response to violations from (i) 20 December 1998 to 17 May 2000 and (ii) 17 May to date indicating in percentage terms over said periods (1) the nature of the threat, (2) the category of the target attacked and (3) the tonnage of ordnance released on each category of target in proportion to the overall tonnage released in said periods; and if he will make a statement. [136593]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: For the period 20 December 1998 to 17 May 2000 I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 6 June 2000, Official Report, column 170W.

  Saddam Hussein continues to try to kill coalition aircrew conducting legitimate humanitarian patrols. Coalition patrols respond to these attacks only in self-defence. If Saddam stopped trying to kill our aircrew we would not have to react in this way.

  Between 18 May and 31 October 2000 coalition aircraft were directly threatened by the Iraqi air defence forces in the southern no-fly zone on 55 occasions, and responded in self-defence on 16 occasions against Iraqi military facilities posing a direct threat to coalition forces. UK aircraft released ordnance on eight occasions. Details of the threats broken down by percentage, are as follows:

  Percentage

  (i) Nature of threat by percentage

  Aircraft Violations of southern no-fly zone

  4

  Anti-Aircraft Artillery/Surface to Air Missile Firings

  91

  Hostile Electronic Activity

  5

  (ii) Category of Target attacked by percentage

  Integrated Air Defence System

  100

  (iii) Tonnage of Weapons Released by percentage

  Integrated Ground Based Air Defence System

  100

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tonnage of ordnance has been released by(a) coalition and (b) UK aircraft in operations to maintain the southern no-fly zone in Iraq from 17 May to date; and if he will make a statement. [136594]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: Between 18 May and 31 October 2000 coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone released some 60 tonnes of ordnance. The UK element of this figure was some 11 per cent. These weapons were released in self-defence in response to Iraqi threats to coalition aircraft.

  Flooding (Armed Forces)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the armed forces have played in dealing with the recent floods in the UK. [137314]
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  Mr. Spellar
  The armed forces are always ready to respond to requests from the emergency services to provide help and support in the event of national disaster. Over the past week they have responded to numerous requests to help with flood relief. At the peak about 600 service personnel were providing assistance in numerous locations, performing tasks such as the reinforcement of flood defences and the evacuation of residents. Chinook helicopters have been used to move sandbags to inaccessible areas and Sea King helicopters have conducted rescue missions for people trapped by floodwaters.

  The armed forces are continuing to provide assistance in several areas, and they remain ready to respond to further calls from the emergency services, wherever the need may arise.

  RAF Innsworth
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the number of MOD police at RAF Innsworth; and if he will make a statement. [136987]

  Dr. Moonie
  The complement of Ministry of Defence Police at RAF Innsworth reduces from six to two on 1 April 2001. A review of the possible need to strengthen MDP resources in the wider area is currently nearing completion.

  War Graves
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the income provided to gardeners employed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. [136980]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 31 October 2000,Official Report, columns 341-42W.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Mr. Roger Sylvester
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Solicitor-General when a decision will be made on the bringing of charges against officers from Tottenham police station in connection with the death of Mr. Roger Sylvester; and if he will make a statement. [136975]

  The Solicitor-General
  The investigation report of the Essex police has been considered carefully by the Crown Prosecution Service, in accordance with the tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Further medical evidence has recently been obtained and is urgently being considered by the Crown Prosecution Service. It is expected that the Crown Prosecutor reviewing the case will be in a position to complete the review by the end of this month. I will write to my hon. Friend when a decision has been made.

PRIME MINISTER

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and if he will make a statement. [137757]

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the remit given to the Performance and Innovation Unit to make a study of the future of renewable energy; what resources are to be committed to the study; and by when he has asked the PIU to report. [135431]

  The Prime Minister
  I have asked the Performance and Innovation Unit to undertake the following further projects:

  (i) how to achieve better availability of drugs to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries, and help achieve the targets for these diseases agreed at the G8 Okinawa summit. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will be the Sponsor Ministers for this project, which will report by summer 2001.

  (ii) to carry out an analysis of the extent, nature and main causes of under-investment in work force development, and to bring forward proposals for solutions. The Minister for Transport will be the Sponsor Minister for this project, which will report by autumn 2001.

  (iii) to examine the contribution that renewable energy technologies could make to economic growth and environmental protection within the context of using natural resources more efficiently to support sustainable development. The Minister for Health will be the Sponsor Minister for this project, which will report by autumn 2001.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Hawk Aircraft (Indonesia)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what licences to permit the sale of spare parts for Hawk fighters in Indonesia have been granted in the past 12 months; and what reports he has received concerning the Hawks used in civil conflicts in(a) East Timor and (b) other parts of Indonesia. [136655]

  Dr. Howells
  Between 1 November 1999 and 31 October 2000, four Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and one Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Indonesia of spares for Hawk aircraft. These figures have been obtained by searching the ECO's computer databases using the entries relating to military aircraft spares.

  As regards the receipt of any reports concerning the use of Hawks, I have been informed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that they understand Hawks are regularly deployed to various parts of Indonesia for routine training.

  I also understand that the FCO are not aware of any evidence that Hawks have ever been used for counter insurgency in East Timor or in Indonesia.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which relocation companies currently hold contracts with his Department for the relocation of civil
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  servants; when those contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the length and value of each contract is. [137190]

  Dr. Howells
  Since May 1997, the Department has used only one company for relocating civil servants, Cendant Relocation Services (previously known as Bradford and Bingley Relocation Services and Black Horse Relocation Services). The contract was last let in November 1999. The contract was not advertised; six companies were invited to tender. The contract runs until 31 October 2002 (with provision to extend if necessary). Its value at award was £950,000 a year.

  Post Offices
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) Crown post offices, (b) franchised post offices and (c) sub-post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency. [137010]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 29 November 1999, Official Report, column 22W.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had recently with representatives of farming organisations regarding the division of Milk Marque into three separate processing companies. [137231]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: None since my announcement on 2 May that the successors were free to develop milk processing activities if they wished.

  Household Debt
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those organisations invited to attend the recent summit on household debt. [137254]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: I invited the following organisations to the conference on tackling over-indebtedness which I hosted on 30 October:

  Association of Payment Clearing Services

  British Bankers Association

  British Retail Consortium

  Cabinet Office—Social Exclusion Unit

  Consumer Credit Association

  Consumer Credit Trade Association

  Consumers Association

  Council of Mortgage Lenders

  Creation Financial Services

  Credit Services Association

  Department for Education and Employment

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Department of Social Security

  Department of Trade and Industry—Insolvency Service

  228W

  Equifax

  Experian

  Federation of Independent Advice Centres

  Finance and Leasing Association

  Financial Services Authority

  HM Treasury

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Mail Order Traders Association

  Money Advice Trust

  National Consumer Council

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  National Pawnbrokers Association

  Office of Fair Trading

  Office of the Data Protection Commissioner

  Personal Finance Research Centre

  Scottish Executive

  Sheriffs of England and Wales.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what proposals he has to deal with irresponsible lending by financial institutions; [137255]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent summit on household debt. [137253]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: The meeting was very constructive and creditor representatives have agreed to work with the Government to look at ways of achieving more responsible lending and borrowing.

  I will shortly set up an industry task force to look at three key areas:
  improving the transparency of information provided to consumers before and when concluding a credit agreement, including the small print;
  adoption of core principles of lending practice, including examining an applicant's overall borrowing exposure and ability to repay; and,
  requiring clear notification to consumers on free and low interest agreements before the final payment is made.

  I hope that the task force will begin its work before Christmas and make recommendations to Government by spring next year.

  Genetically Engineered Animals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the UK patents which have been(a) applied for and (b) granted between (i) 1 July 1999 and 27 July 2000 and (ii) since 28 July 2000 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals; and if he will make a statement. [137293]

  Dr. Howells
  I can give information only about patent applications which have been published. Prior to publication such information is confidential. Patent applications filed since 1 July 1999 will not yet have been published, since publication occurs 18 months after filing. Between 1 July 1999 and 27 July 2000 four UK patents relating to genetically engineered animals or processes for creating them were granted. These were GB 2318578, GB 2331751, GB 2318792 and GB 2340493, all relating to reconstituting an animal embryo. Since 28 July 2000 there have been no UK patents granted relating to genetically engineered animals or processes for creating
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  them. This information does not include applications filed at the European Patent Office which may have the effect of UK patents if granted by that office.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Africa Conflict Prevention Fund
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the role and aims of the Africa Conflict Prevention Fund. [136456]

  Clare Short
  The aim of the Sub-Saharan Africa Conflict Prevention Joint Pool is to reduce violent conflict by improving the effectiveness, impact and efficiency of HMG's contribution to peacekeeping, conflict prevention and management. The Joint Pool's remit is limited to those policy areas and actions that directly contribute to conflict prevention, reduction and management in sub-Saharan Africa. The new arrangements will come into effect from FY 2001–02.

  Sterilisation
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department funds incentivised sterilisation in developing countries. [136640]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development does not fund incentivised sterilisation.

  EU Aid (Corruption)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of corruption in projects administered by the European Union. [136626]

  Clare Short
  We assess financial propriety in EC aid by evaluating the annual reports of the European Court of Auditors on the EC budget and the European Development Fund, and their series of special reports.

  Sector-wide Approaches
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the bilateral aid budget is spent on sector-wide approaches. [136636]

  Clare Short
  To date spending on sector-wide work has been recorded within existing categories defined by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee and cannot be distinguished separately. However, work is under way to generate separate data in consultation with other donors.

  Malawi
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to ensure that British aid to Malawi was not used to purchase 39 Mercedes cars for Government Ministers; and if she will make a statement. [136656]

  Clare Short
  British aid has not been used for this purpose.
  230W
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department made of corruption in the Malawian education sector before her recent aid announcement. [136664]

  Clare Short
  The education programme reviewed financial management in the sector. The programme will itself be audited annually.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support has been given to the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau. [136638]

  Clare Short
  We have provided £352,000 to support the Anti-Corruption Bureau. This comprises a long-term technical adviser and support for professional training. We are discussing additional support for staff, including assistance with prosecutions.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the level of corruption in the Malawian Government. [136663]

  Clare Short
  The Malawi Government inherited an ineffective and corruption ridden government mechanism from the Banda regime. It has repeatedly stated its commitment to rooting out corruption. We are working with the Government to set up systems to reduce corruption and to take action against those implicated.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's aid projects in Malawi. [136666]

  Clare Short
  My Department's aid projects in Malawi are as follows:

  Impact Area 1—Decentralisation and the Role of Government

  Trade Policy Project

  Impact Area 2—Economic and Financial Management

  Anti-Corruption Bureau

  Gemini Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises in Malawi

  Customs Support Programme Phase II

  Support to National Statistical Office

  Support for Medium Term Expenditure Framework

  Impact Area 3—Human Rights

  Radio for Development—(Ndizathuzomwe)

  Training of Lay Magistrates

  Clearance of Homicide Backlog

  Rehabilitation of Prison Farms

  Safety, Security and Access to Justice Programme

  Reform of the Penal Code

  Interim Police Organisational Development Project

  Paralegal Advisory Service

  Human Rights Small Grants Fund

  Community Service Pilot Project

  NGO Capacity Building

  'Through Rights to Needs for Marginalised Malawians'— (support for civil society)

  Impact Area 4—Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

  Farming Systems Integrated Pest Management

  Smallholder Seed Development

  Dedza Sustainable Livelihoods Project

  Lesson Learning and Testing of Safety Nets

  231W

  Targeted Inputs Programme

  Central Region Infrastructure Maintenance Programme

  Microfinance Expansion (FINCA)

  Financial Services for the Poor

  Training for Enterprise and Exports in Malawi

  Economics Activities Programme

  Concern Universal: Safe Water and Sanitation

  SC (UK) Salima Safe Water and Sanitation

  SC (UK) Dowa Safe Water and Sanitation

  Impact Area 5—Education and Health

  Primary Community Schools Project

  Schools Support Systems Project

  Support to Education Sector

  Safe Motherhood project

  College of Health Sciences

  National Health Plan

  National TB Programme

  Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme

  Supplementary Readers

  Support to National AIDS Control Programme

  Reform of Central Medical Stores

  Demographic and Health Survey

  Banja La Mtsogolo (Reproductive Health)

  Expanded Programme of Immunisation

  Essential Medical Laboratory Services

  Impact Area 6—Safeguarding the Environment

  National Forestry Action Plan

  Mulanje Forest Conservation.

  Human Rights Report
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the FCO concerning the publication of the Annual Human Rights Report 2000. [137223]

  Clare Short
  FCO's Human Rights Report 2000 makes clear the close interaction between FCO, DFID and other departments in making and implementing the Government's human rights policy.

  This year's report is not a joint publication as it was in the past. We published in October 2000 a paper. "Realising Human Rights for Poor People", describing the Human Rights strategy of DFID and how we will integrate reporting on human rights into our annual departmental report.

  Contraception Advice
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what advice she gives to people in the Third World about contraception; and if she will make a statement. [136991]

  Clare Short
  The Government are committed to the principles of freedom and choice in reproductive health services as agreed at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, and to the International Development to attain universal access to reproductive health services before 2015.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that concessionary travel for pensioners is available on an equal basis between men and women. [135854]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government have a strong commitment to concessionary travel for elderly people. In the Transport Bill, we are introducing a statutory minimum for local authority concessionary travel schemes, which will provide pensioners and disabled people with half-fare travel or better on local buses with a free pass. In total about 6.5 million people will benefit from the new minimum standard. Under the terms of the Pensions Act 1995, the age of entitlement for concessionary travel for both men and women will be equalised at 65 by 2020.

  Aircraft Noise
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response the Government have made to the proposed EU directive introducing common measurements of aircraft noise across the European Union. [136543]

  Mr. Mullin
  The European Commission's proposal for a Directive on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise is concerned with noise from transport and industrial sources generally, not only noise from aircraft. The Government have undertaken a consultation on the proposed Directive and prepared an initial regulatory impact assessment. Copies of the results were placed in the House Library on 19 October.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with airports and aircraft companies regarding the fitting of mufflers to aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [136997]

  Mr. Mullin
  Officials regularly discuss with stakeholders our strategy on new noise standards, including modification of aircraft to meet those standards. Studies have shown that fitting mufflers can impair an aircraft's performance and handling. Safety is, of course, paramount. Certifying the airworthiness of aircraft is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of bus lanes there are in England; what steps are taken to enforce the regulations which apply to them; and if he will make a statement. [136669]

  Mr. Hill
  Allocation of road space is a matter for the local highway authority and information about the length of bus lanes in England is not kept centrally.

  Enforcement of bus lanes is shared by the police and local highway authorities. Stationary offences can be enforced by local authorities in London, and outside where authorities have taken on decriminalised parking enforcement. In London also, following trials in four

  233W
  boroughs, authorities will be taking on the enforcement of moving offences in bus lanes, using cameras. The Transport Bill contains powers which, when enacted, would allow authorities outside London to do the same.

  The Metropolitan police are currently responsible for all enforcement on the Greater London Authority road network, some of which uses cameras provided by Transport for London. Outside London the police are responsible for all bus lane enforcement except where the local authorities have taken on the relevant powers to do it themselves.

  Road Lighting
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce lighting standards for all classes of road in urban areas; and if he will make a statement. [136425]

  Mr. Hill
  Standards for road lighting for all classes of roads can be found in the British Standard Code of Practice for Road Lighting, BS 5489. It is for the lighting authority concerned, normally the highway authority, to decide if a road should be lit and how to apply the standard.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent studies the Health and Safety Executive has carried out into the safety of organophosphorus sheep dips in relation to(a) humans and (b) sheep. [136205]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has completed studies on the following subjects since 1993:

  occupational hygiene in sheep dipping;

  biological monitoring techniques;

  spontaneous reactivation and ageing of acetylcholinesterase in human red blood cells after inhibition by orgnophosphorous (OP) pesticides;

  in vitro effects of OP pesticides on cell surface esterases and functional tests at the cellular level;

  the relative inhibitory effect of OPs and carbamates towards pseudocholinesterase in human blood;

  handling of sheep dip concentrates;

  the epidemiology of chronic effects of low level exposure to OP dips (two studies);

  human liver metabolism of OP pesticides;

  improvements to laboratory analyses for organophosphate pesticide exposure.

  Studies are ongoing on the following:

  the role of A-esterases in moderating the toxicity of OPs;

  psychological effects of exposures to OPs;

  genetic variation in susceptibility to chronic effects of organophosphate exposure;

  improved engineering controls for sheep dipping;

  risk perception of sheep dippers.

  All the studies in the list relate to effects in human beings. HSE does not conduct studies into the safety of dips on sheep. Such work is co-ordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Asphalt Production Plants
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the compatibility of operating asphalt production plants with the proposed European Union directive on assessment and management of environmental noise, COM (2000) 468 Final, of 26 July. [136295]

  Mr. Meacher
  The proposed directive does not contain provisions for controlling noise at source. The proposals are for harmonisation of noise indicators and assessment methods for noise from transport sources and from industry in urban areas. They would require use of the common indicators and assessment measures to gather information about exposure of individuals to these sources in the form of noise maps. Information would be made available to the public, and would form the basis for action plans at the local level.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list each of the asphalt production plants licensed to operate in England, indicating the owners, operators, output capacity and date opened in each case; [136705]

  (2) what recent assessment has been made by (a) his Department, (b) consultants to his Department, (c) the Environment Agency and (d) the Health and Safety Executive, of the potential environmental and health hazards posed by the operation of asphalt production plants; [136294]

  (3) if he will list the applications refused for the operation of asphalt plants for each of the past 10 years. [136531]

  Mr. Meacher
  I understand that the asphalt production referred to is roadstone coating. These plants are a prescribed process under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and as a result must be authorised by the relevant local authority. Authorisations must include conditions aimed at ensuring the use of Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost (BATNEEC) to prevent and minimise air emissions. Statutory guidance is issued by the Secretary of State on what constitutes BATNEEC for various sectors, including roadstone coating plant. This guidance has been recently revised and published for consultation. A copy of this can be found on the Internet at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/epns/laucons.html

  My Department does not collect the specific data requested for each of the 17,000 processes regulated by authorities in England and Wales. However, data taken from our annual Local Air Pollution Control (LAPC) statistical survey for 1998–99 allow us to prepare good estimates of the number of roadstone coating and mineral drying processes in England and Wales and which authority authorises them. This information is given in the table. The precise numbers cannot be produced without disproportionate cost. But under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 authorities have a duty to maintain a public register containing all particulars of any application for an authorisation made to an authority and the authorisation itself, and it would therefore be feasible to examine authority registers individually.

  The Environment Agency is reviewing the LAPC guidance, referred to above, on roadstone coating and mineral drying processes for the Department has

  235W
  examined air pollution impacts. In addition the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, which is produced under a departmental contract, estimates that in 1998 emissions from roadstone coating plant contributed 0.4 per cent. of UK particulate matter under 10 microns (PM10) and 0.3 per cent. of UK dioxin emissions. Copies of the latest National Air Emissions Inventory are available at http://www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual/ and will be available in the Library of the House shortly. These plant are included in the national PM10 mapping project which in turn forms the basis of the national scale assessment of health effects of PM10.

  Some operators of roadstone coating plant use waste oil to fuel the process. The proposed EU Waste Incineration directive will apply to the burning of waste oil in such plant, and a copy of the Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment relating to the proposal was submitted to the House under cover of Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum EM 12791/98.

  The Health and Safety Executive has also made no assessment, though research into the health hazards at such plant, has been carried out in recent years. However, during their routine inspections of quarries where asphalt is produced, Health and Safety Executive inspectors would check that the employer has taken appropriate precautions in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999. This would include checking the employer's risk assessment, which should detail how potentially hazardous substances are controlled in the asphalt production process, e.g. through extraction ventilation of dust/vapour/fumes, cleanliness of plant, protection clothing of plant operators etc.

  Authorities which have processes authorised under PG 3/15(96)—mineral drying and roadstone coating processes

  Authority

  Number

  Wolverhampton

  11

  Derbyshire Dales

  10

  Barking and Dagenham

  5

  Denbighshire

  4

  Tynedale

  4

  Greenwich

  4

  East Hertfordshire

  4

  North Somerset

  2

  Taunton Deane

  2

  South Kesteven

  2

  Hounslow

  2

  Huntingdonshire

  2

  Forest Heath

  2

  Suffolk Coastal

  2

  Winchester

  2

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  2

  Thurrock

  2

  Stoke-on-Trent

  2

  Plymouth

  2

  Leeds

  2

  Forest of Dean

  2

  East Cambridgeshire

  2

  Wigan

  2

  Bedford

  2

  Broxbourne

  2

  Mansfield

  2

  Ryedale

  2

  Vale of Glamorgan

  2

  Luton BC

  1

  St. Albans

  1

  North East Lincolnshire

  1

  East Staffordshire

  1

  Falmouth and Truro PHA

  1

  236W

  Authorities which have processes authorised under PG 3/15(96)—mineral drying and roadstone coating processes

  Authority

  Number

  Stroud

  1

  Cherwell

  1

  Telford and Wrekin

  1

  Arun

  1

  Halton

  1

  Stevenage

  1

  Reading D. C.

  1

  Carlisle

  1

  Richmondshire

  1

  Breckland

  1

  Doncaster

  1

  Bridgend

  1

  Vale Royal

  4

  South Bedfordshire

  4

  King's Lynn and West Norfolk

  4

  Congleton

  3

  Stockton-on-Tees

  3

  North Lincolnshire

  3

  Colchester

  2

  Stockport

  2

  Macclesfield

  2

  Wychavon

  1

  Gateshead

  1

  Mid Bedfordshire

  1

  Caradon

  1

  South Shropshire

  1

  Lichfield

  1

  Shepway

  1

  Reigate and Banstead

  1

  Sefton

  1

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  1

  South Bucks

  1

  Darlington

  1

  Preston

  1

  Selby

  1

  Lambeth

  1

  Lewes

  1

  Tendring

  1

  Rushmoor

  1

  Isle of Wight and Medina

  1

  Newcastle under Lyme

  1

  Poole

  1

  Restormel

  1

  Ipswich

  1

  Hillingdon

  1

  Waveney

  1

  Powys

  1

  Maidstone

  1

  Salford

  1

  Sheffield

  1

  Coventry

  1

  Northampton

  1

  Vale of White Horse

  1

  Sedgemoor

  1

  Chelmsford

  1

  South Cambridgeshire

  1

  Milton Keynes

  1

  Spelthorne

  1

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses to the consultation on mobile phone masts planning rules have been received(a) in total, (b) from members of the public, (c) from local authorities and other public bodies, (d) from mobile phone companies and associated businesses and (e) from hon. Members; of (a), how many were (i) broadly supportive of the

  237W
  Government's proposals and (ii) opposed; when he plans to announce changes to the rules; and if he will make a statement. [136942]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  At the end of the day, 7 November 2000, we had received 301 responses in total. Of these, 45 were from members of the public; 230 were from local authorities and other public bodies; 18 were from mobile phone companies and associated businesses; and eight were from hon. Members. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We will announce any changes as soon as practicable.

  Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions are taking place between his Department and Liverpool City Council concerning(a) the future running and ownership and (b) the lease of the Philharmonic Hall. [136946]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  There are no discussions taking place between my Department and Liverpool City Council about the Philharmonic Hall.

  Rents
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what average proportion of their income working tenants of(a) local authorities, (b) registered social landlords and (c) private landlords paid in rent in the last 12 months. [136813]

  Mr. Mullin
  Estimates from the Family Resources Survey are shown in the table.

  Rent paid1 as a percentage of disposable household income 2: renting households containing at least one person in work: England: 1998–99

  Median percentage 3

  Local authority tenants

  12

  RSL tenants

  15

  Private landlord tenants

  21

  1 Rent paid by the household—does not include any amount met from Housing Benefit.

  2 Disposable household income means total income of household members less Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. It does not include any Housing Benefit received by the household.

  3 Rent paid as a percentage of disposable income is calculated for all households in the sample individually, and the median value shown here.

  Source:

  DETR analysis of DSS Family Resources Survey

  Housing Stock Transfer (Debt Repayment)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what rates of interest Burnley borough council and Coventry city council were paying on debts redeemed under the arrangements for stock transfer; and what interest rates are expected to be paid on the new investment being raised by the successor bodies. [136817]

  Mr. Mullin
  For the purpose of calculating interest on notional Housing Revenue Account (HRA) debt, an individual Consolidated Rate of Interest (CRI) is calculated 238W
  for each authority. The CRI is a weighted average of actual interest payable on external debt during the year and notional interest on—or the opportunity cost of—internal debt. In the case of Burnley borough council and Coventry city council, the most recent CRI prior to their stock transfers were 6.85 per cent. and 8.37 per cent. respectively.

  The methodology for an authority to determine the proportion of debt repaid as a consequence of its stock transfer was announced to the House by my hon. friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 16 November 1999, Official Report, column 250W. The actual amount of debt repaid is a matter for Burnley borough council and Coventry city council.

  The rates of interest payable by the successor Registered Social Landlords (RSLs)—Burnley and Padiham Community Housing, Whitefriars Homes North Ltd. and Whitefriars Homes South Ltd.—are a commercial matter for each organisation.

  Flooding
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of recent heavy rainfall and flooding on the replenishment of depleted aquifers; and if he will make a statement. [136944]

  Mr. Mullin
  The UK's hydrological situation is monitored jointly by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the British Geological Survey and monthly reports are published. This regular monthly monitoring shows that only a small minority of aquifers were slightly below their average capacity in early October. Recent heavy rainfall will have helped replenish those remaining depleted aquifers.

  Rural Areas
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what rural statutory duties have been placed on the regional development agencies; and which of these relate explicitly to agriculture. [136680]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The statutory purposes of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) relate to: economic development and regeneration, business efficiency, investment and competitiveness, employment, skills and training and sustainable development. They apply as much in relation to the rural parts of their areas as to the non-rural parts. In addition there is at least one member of every RDA Board with experience in rural issues. The statutory guidance on the preparation of RDAs' strategies states that RDAs should take account of the particular features of the region's rural areas including the role of land-based industries such as agriculture.

  Waste Disposal Authorities
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sanctions his Department operates in respect of waste disposal authorities which do not include incineration as an option within their waste local plans. [137247]
  239W
  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: There are no specific sanctions. However, a waste local plan is required to set out credible land use policies to deliver the waste management strategy determined by the local waste disposal authority. The Secretary of State will scrutinise waste local plans and can make objections to any of the policies of a plan, which will be considered by an Inspector at a public inquiry. He may also object to any of the policies as proposed to be modified after such an inquiry. Should the Secretary of State and the relevant authority fail to agree on the policies he may direct that changes be made. The Secretary of State would not normally issue directions about particular sites or technical options, but would address plans which did not contain satisfactory policies to manage or dispose of the waste likely to arise in the authority's area. In exceptional circumstances the Secretary of State could call in part or all of a plan for his own determination.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the guidance his Department issues to waste disposal authorities on incineration. [137246]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: The Government are currently publishing no such guidance.

  MV Derbyshire
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Mr. Justice Colman's report following the re-opened formal investigation into the loss of the MV Derbyshire. [137362]

  Mr. Prescott
  On 17 December 1998 I ordered that the Formal Investigation into the loss of the MV Derbyshire be re-opened in the High Court. Today the Honourable Mr. Justice Colman has published his report following a reading of his executive summary at the Royal Courts of Justice, London. The Court sat for a total of 54 days from the 5 April 2000 and concluded its oral hearings on the 26 July. I am grateful to Mr. Justice Colman for presiding over the hearings in the way he did and for producing such a comprehensive and conclusive report.

  My gratitude also extends to all those who contributed to the underwater survey of the wreck, the subsequent analysis of the survey material, the related research and the Court hearings. I particularly applaud the fortitude of the relatives and friends of those who died with the vessel. The demands of the investigation will have been difficult for many.

  Copies of Mr. Justice Colman's report have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Justice Colman finds that the ship sank through progressive collapse of the main hatch covers following significant flooding of some bow spaces through broken ventilators and air pipes located on the foredeck as a result of prolonged exposure to the sea states generated by Typhoon Orchid. He concludes that the officers and crew of the vessel were in no way to blame for the vessel's loss and specifically rejects any suggestion that the bosun's stores hatch on the foredeck was left unsecured by the crew.
  240W
  The report concludes that the exposure to risk of bulk carriers of the size of the Derbyshire whose hatch covers do no more than comply with the International Load Line Convention of 1966 poses an unacceptable risk to the safety of those vessels and their crews. Further, Mr. Justice Colman wishes to consider the results of a series of model tests relating to hatch cover strength initiated during the closing states of his investigation's oral hearings and may issue an Addendum to his report, if necessary.

  While Mr. Justice Colman is critical of the construction of the vessel at frame 65 he concludes that this did not contribute to the actual loss of the vessel and presented a very low additional safety risk to those on board.

  Mr. Justice Colman makes a total of 24 recommendations to enhance bulk carrier safety and safety generally. These are addressed, to the Department, Lloyds Register of Shipping, the International Association of Classification Societies and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In consultation with the others to whom recommendations are addressed the Department will prepare a response to each of the recommendations. This response will be presented to Parliament. In this respect the Department will give urgent consideration, in particular, to the recommendations that the IMO should revise the relevant provisions of the International Load Line Convention 1966 and that any enhanced requirements concerning hatch cover strength should also apply to existing ships.

  I hope that Mr. Justice Colman's report will finally provide the answers to the many questions surrounding the sinking of the MV Derbyshire in September 1980. I have every reason to believe that the work that has been done will enhance future bulk carrier safety. Though nothing can compensate them for their loss, I trust that this will provide some comfort to the relatives and friends of the 44 people who so tragically lost their lives with the ship.

  High Hedges
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to make high hedges subject to planning control. [136983]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government announced their plans to bring forward legislation on high hedges on 10 August. The new legislation, which will be introduced as soon as there is space in the parliamentary timetable, will not make high hedges the subject of planning control. It will instead make provision for a complaints system run by local authorities, designed to deal with individual disputes as they arise.

  Motorcycles
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce(a) a transport plan to include the use of motorcycles, (b) guidelines to local authorities regarding excluding motorcycles from congestion and workplace charges and (c) the right of motorcycles to use bus lanes; and if he will make a statement. [136994]
  241W
  Mr. Hill
  Our 10-year plan, Transport 2010, and White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", both recognise the contribution that motorcycles can make to integrated transport in certain circumstances. There are complex matters to consider, including road safety, traffic management and environmental issues. We therefore set up an Advisory Group on Motorcycling, chaired by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary, to look at such issues. This will assist us in further defining the role of motorcycles within integrated transport.

  We intend to issue guidance to local authorities on how road user charging and workplace parking levy schemes might best be implemented and operated. This guidance will include advice on the treatment of motorcycles in charging and levy schemes.

  We need properly monitored pilot studies on motorcycle use of bus lanes before we can reach conclusions about this practice. We are seeking to encourage proposals from local authorities interested in conducting such pilots. A thorough examination of the traffic, safety and environmental implications for motorcyclists and other road users is required. We have contacted a number of authorities that have expressed an interest and will work with any who are keen to proceed to monitor and evaluate the effects.

  Diabetic Drivers
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the rules regarding the driving of mini-buses, large vans and small lorries by people with insulin-treated diabetes. [136993]

  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes reviewed the licensing arrangements for Group 2 vehicles (vehicles above 3.5 tonnes) on 4 October. They agreed that those with good diabetic control and no significant complications should be allowed to apply for a licence for category C1 vehicles (between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes). They

  Total New Deal starts

  (i) Unsubsidised employment

  (ii) Options

  (iii) Left register for other reasons

  (a) April 1999 to March 2000

  Office for Scotland

  22,372

  8,262

  9,384

  8,384

  Northern

  14,866

  5,148

  7,083

  4,713

  North West

  27,690

  9,920

  10,486

  9,882

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  21,408

  8,120

  8,139

  8,075

  Office for Wales

  11,753

  4,683

  4,938

  4,040

  West Midlands

  20,245

  6,909

  6,063

  7,933

  East Midlands and Eastern

  16,394

  6,519

  5,360

  6,196

  South West

  11,048

  4,883

  3,520

  4,021

  Laser

  46,745

  16,873

  13,095

  19,012

  (b) April 2000 to August 2000

  Office for Scotland

  8,621

  1,880

  1,016

  1,482

  Northern

  5,878

  1,174

  668

  822

  North West

  10,287

  2,036

  879

  1,695

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  8,020

  1,701

  653

  1,400

  Office for Wales

  4,568

  1,032

  487

  646

  West Midlands

  7,727

  1,339

  505

  1,383

  East Midlands and Eastern

  6,569

  1,389

  380

  1,126

  South West

  4,119

  1,128

  286

  764

  Laser

  16,948

  3,393

  1,104

  3,615

  242W
  will meet again on 8 November to finalise the details, after which public consultation will begin with a view to having the legislative changes in place by spring 2001.

  When the results of a recently initiated research programme into the risks of hypoglycaemia and driving become available in two to three years time, the Panel will review the arrangements for categories D1, C and D (minibuses, lorries and buses).

  Park Homes
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to bring the sale of park homes under property and land law. [136978]

  Mr. Mullin
  Changes to the provisions on the sale of park homes were included in the recommendations of the Park Homes Working Party, published earlier this year. We have consulted on, and are considering, the Working Party's recommendations.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many New Deal clients there were in each standard region, in(a) April 1999 to March 2000 and (b) April to August 2000; and how many of these (i) went into non-subsidised employment, (ii) went into New Deal options and (iii) left the register for other reasons. [134569]

  Ms Jowell
  The table shows, for each cohort of New Deal starts, the number who have subsequently gained an unsubsidised job from any stage of the process, begun an option from the gateway stage, and left New Deal and JSA for other reasons.

  The figures are not mutually exclusive, as people who started an option may have subsequently gained a job or left the register.

  University Tuition Fees
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average fee is for completion of a university course in the United Kingdom. [136006]

  Mr. Wicks
  For students eligible for student support the total tuition fees payable over the duration of their course will depend on the type and length of course as well as their and their families' financial circumstances. For those normally resident in England and Wales only a minority of full-time undergraduates are expected to pay the full fee, which in 2000–01 is set at £1,050 per year, and in future around a half are expected to pay no fees at all. Taking this into account, we estimate that the average total fee payable by an English or Welsh full-time student on a three year degree course (excluding any repeated years) will be around £1,360 in 2000–01 prices.

  Schools (Compensation Claims)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the effect on the number of compensation claims for perceived educational or other deficiencies in schools by present or former pupils, of the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights into UK law. [136259]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Although European Convention Rights were incorporated into UK law in October this year, the Government have observed them for 50 years. We believe that our domestic laws are in harmony with the Convention and we have undertaken a thorough review of our policies and procedures over the past few months. We think these steps reduce the risk of a successful challenge. As with any new legislation, we will keep the situation under review as the law develops.

  Higher Education Research
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research he has commissioned in the past three years from the Centre for Research in Higher Education. [136557]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Department has not directly commissioned any research from the Centre for Research in Higher Education in the last three years.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what redress is available to parents when a local education authority fails to identify a named person on statements for pupils with special educational needs. [137102]

  Jacqui Smith
  Should a local education authority fail to give notice in writing to the parent of the name of the person to whom he may apply for information and advice about the child's special educational needs when serving a copy of the statement on the parent of the child, the parent should ask the LEA to do so immediately. If this does not succeed, it is open to the parent to ask the Secretary of State to investigate in order to try and resolve the issue.

  Correspondence
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will reply to the letters of 6 June and 18 July from the hon. Member for Vale of York concerning the widow's pension of Mr. A. R. Pickering of Rufforth, York. [137211]

  Mr. Wicks
  I have replied to the hon. Member today, Wednesday 8 November 2000.

  Student Loans
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the additional cost as net saving to the Exchequer of increasing the cost of raising the threshold for repayment of income-contingent student loans to(a) £13,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £17,000 at real interest rates of (i) 0 per cent., (ii) 1 per cent., and (iii) 2 per cent., annually for the years up to 2004–05 assuming student numbers continue on current trends and the proportion of income taken remains at the current level. [136976]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on recruitment and training of personal mentors to date. [137033]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: Connexions Partnerships have been issued with guidance, drawing on the innovative work of the Connexions Pilots, to assist them to meet our requirement that they identify in their delivery plans how they will recruit the extra staff required to deliver the service from a variety of backgrounds and sectors and with a range of expertise.

  A training programme is being developed to meet the varying needs of the range of people who will become Connexions Service personal advisers, and to ensure that all are provided with appropriate training. One element of this programme, the Diploma of Personal Advisers, is currently being piloted in Connexions pilot areas. Further guidance on the recruitment and training of Connexions Service personal advisers will be issued shortly.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has held with the National Youth Agency and the Connexions Service on matters and activities of mutual concern. [137034]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: We have consulted widely on the development and implementation of the Connexions Service. The National Youth Agency and other partners in the youth field have been active participants in a number of working groups looking at different aspects of the new service, including the Professional Formation, Inspection and Standards and Involving Young People Working Groups and the Youth Service Transition Group. The National Youth Agency has also taken the opportunity to respond to public consultations.

  Further Education (Staff Checks)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued to further education colleges in respect of police checks for college staff working on school link courses for 14 to 16-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [135926]

  Mr. Wicks
  DfEE Circular 9/93 makes it clear that all staff selected for posts which involve substantial unsupervised access on a sustained or regular basis to children under the age of 16 should undergo a police check before appointment.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  New Year (Licensing Regulations)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to deregulate liquor licensing regulations for new year's eve and new year's day. [135576]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Henderson), on 26 October 2000,Official Report, column 203W.

  Secure Training Centres
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the operation and success of each of the secure training centres since opening; for each of the centres(a) what percentage of children breached their orders, (b) what percentage of children re-offended during the period of their order, (c) what percentage of children has been reconvicted during the period of their order, (d) what assessment has been made of the provision of education and training, (e) what percentage of staff has experience of working with children, (f) how many and what percentage of the total number of staff have resigned since each centre opened, (g) how many incidents of self harm have been recorded, (h) how many incidents of concerted indiscipline have been recorded, (i) how many assaults on staff have been recorded and (j) what is the total amount of payment reductions for contract failures; and if he will make a statement. [135581]

  Mr. Boateng
  Each secure training centre (STC) is subject to comprehensive inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), who may be accompanied by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons and by one or more of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools (OFSTED), at least once every three years. There are also annual inspections to check that the secure training centre is meeting core requirements. Other inspections, with or without notice, can take place at any time of the year; and each centre is subject to a pre-opening inspection. Annual and triennial inspection reports are placed in the House of Commons Library as they become available.

  The Inspectors' reports show that, after significant initial operational difficulties at the first STC, Medway, both it and the newer centres at Rainsbrook and Hassockfield have progressively developed to provide a good standard, comprehensive regime for difficult young juveniles.
  246W
  (a) The Secure Training Order (STO) was available from March 1998 to March 2000. 379 children received STOs of whom 319 went to STCs, and the others to local authority secure units. 20 per cent. of those who went to Medway, 8 per cent. of those who went to Rainsbrook and 4 per cent. of those who went to Hassockfield were returned to custody for breach of STO supervision.

  The STO was replaced by the Detention and Training Order (DTO) in April 2000. Information on DTO breaches is not held centrally.
  (b) and (c) This information is not collected routinely but research is under way. The report of the Policy Research Bureau into the first year at Medway "Evaluation of Medway Secure Training Centre", released on 4 October 2000, recorded a 67 per cent. re-offending rate for those at that establishment. Wider research commissioned by the Youth Justice Board into DTO re-offending is being carried out by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO), the Centre for Crimes and Justice Studies and the Policy Research Bureau. Results are expected in March 2002.
  (d) Home Office monitors based at each STC ensure that the terms of the contracts including on education and training are met on a daily basis. The SSI's annual and triennial inspection reports are in the Library.
  (e) This information is not available. The contracts specify minimum qualifications, skills and experience requirements. All staff receive Home Office-approved training in understanding and dealing with disturbed adolescents.

  (f) The number and percentage of staff (custody and teaching staff) who have resigned since each centre opened is as follows:

  Opened

  Resignations

  Percentage

  Medway

  17 April 1998

  123

  45

  Rainsbrook

  1 July 1999

  43

  28

  Hassockfield

  17 September 1999

  49

  35

  (g), (h) and (i) Recorded incidents of self harm, concerted indiscipline and assaults on staff are as follows:

  Self harm

  Concerted indiscipline

  Assaults1 on staff

  Medway

  32

  43

  193

  Rainsbrook

  36

  3

  56

  Hassockfield

  16

  19

  33

  1 Assaults exclude "pushing and shoving"

  (j) To date, financial penalties reflecting contract failures by the Operating Contractor at each STC total £663,240 (Medway); £ 155,152 (Rainsbrook); and £45,808 (Hassockfield). These cover failure to meet the scheduled opening date of the STC, non-availability of trainee places and failure to deliver specified services.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [135491]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: Civil servants in the main Home Office and its agencies may raise any matter of concern in confidence with one of several nominated officials. Details of how to do so are notified to all staff from time to time by means of an

  247W
  office notice, which also contains an up-to-date list of the nominated officials. This was most recently circulated on 18 August 2000.

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) arrests have been made and (b) charges have been brought by each police force as a result of stops and searches under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in each year since it came into force; and what has been the nature of the charges; [136085]

  (2) how many stops and searches have been carried out by each police force, using powers other than section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, in each year since section 60 of the Act came into force; [136084]

  (3) how many stops and searches have been carried out by each police force under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in each year since it came into force; and how many of these involved the searching of vehicles. [136083]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is published annually in Home Office Statistical Bulletins "Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE, England and Wales, 1995, 1996, 1997–98 and 1998–99", copies of which are available in the Library. (Issue numbers are 12/96, 27/97, 2/99 and 9/00).

  No information is held centrally on the number of charges brought, following arrest under section 60.

  The number of searches of vehicles under section 60 for the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 are contained in the following table. Data for 1995 and the first quarter of 1996 are not available centrally.

  Searches of vehicles under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

  England and Wales

  Number

  Police force area

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  1

  33

  Bedfordshire

  14

  6

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  2

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  1

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  11

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  5

  1

  10

  Lancashire

  1

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  2

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police

  22

  20

  —

  Norfolk

  —

  3

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  248W

  Searches of vehicles under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

  England and Wales

  Number

  Police force area

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Nottinghaamshire

  26

  68

  5

  South Yorkshire

  —

  12

  —

  Stafforddshire

  2

  2

  2

  Suffolk

  —

  5

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  3

  1

  2

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  2

  4

  19

  WestMidlands

  1

  3

  2

  West Yorkshire

  2

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  1

  38

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  1

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  2

  Total

  92

  130

  115

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of the area declarations made by each police force under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, have been by(a) officers above the rank of superintendent, (b) officers of the rank of superintendent and (c) officers below the rank of superintendent in each year since it came into force; [136088]

  (2) on how many occasions in each year since it came into force each police force has used section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to declare an area as one in which stops and searches can take place; and on how many of these occasions the power was extended beyond 24 hours; [136082]

  (3) how many convictions have been obtained by each police force as a result of charges brought following stops and searches under section 60 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 in each year since it came into force. [136086]

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

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the breakdown by ethnic origin of those persons stopped and searched by each police force under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in each year since it came into force; and what was the ethnic origin of the population as a whole in the area of each police force. [136087]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information relates to 1998–99 and is contained in the tables.

  Stop and searches of persons under section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, by ethnic appearance

  England and Wales 1998–99

  Ethnic appearance of person searched

  Police force area

  White

  Black

  Asian

  Other

  Not known

  Avon and Somerset

  1,085

  115

  43

  15

  32

  Bedfordshire

  27

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  137

  5

  2

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  249W

  Stop and searches of persons under section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, by ethnic appearance

  England and Wales 1998–99

  Ethnic appearance of person searched

  Police force area

  White

  Black

  Asian

  Other

  Not known

  Derbyshire

  64

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  132

  22

  5

  —

  7

  Hampshire

  19

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  38

  6

  1

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  75

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Leicestershire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police

  273

  75

  45

  15

  6

  Norfolk

  7

  1

  116

  5

  —

  Northamptonshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  54

  1

  —

  —

  4

  Estimated1 population aged 10 and over by ethnic origin and police force area mid 1998

  Ethnic origin

  Police force area

  White

  Black4

  Asian

  Other5

  Total

  Avon and Somerset 2

  1,281,800

  10,000

  6,900

  8,100

  1,306,800

  Bedfordshire2

  438,400

  11,600

  23,400

  5,700

  479,200

  Cambridgeshire2

  605,100

  5,700

  12,600

  4,300

  627,800

  Cheshire3

  852,200

  1,900

  2,800

  3,900

  860,800

  Cleveland3

  473,200

  1,000

  6,300

  2,100

  482,600

  Cumbria3

  432,900

  400

  500

  1,100

  434,900

  Derbyshire2

  826,000

  5,800

  15,800

  2,600

  850,200

  Devon and Cornwall3

  1,372,400

  2,500

  1,300

  5,000

  1,381,200

  Dorset3

  610,000

  1,000

  1,300

  3,300

  615,600

  Durham3

  529,600

  700

  1,400

  1,800

  533,600

  Essex2

  1,318,000

  4,800

  10,300

  7,600

  1,340,000

  Gloucestershire3

  478,900

  3,500

  3,100

  2,500

  488,100

  Greater Manchester2

  2,094,900

  28,800

  88,700

  17,800

  2,230,200

  Hampshire2

  1,527,000

  5,600

  9,300

  9,500

  1,551,400

  Hertfordshire2

  731,000

  6,700

  14,500

  9,500

  761,800

  Humberside3

  763,600

  1,700

  3,000

  3,200

  771,600

  Kent2

  1,343,700

  6,600

  14,800

  8,600

  1,373,800

  Lancashire3

  1,189,300

  4,300

  44,600

  6,500

  1,244,600

  Leicestershire2

  739,800

  5,500

  59,700

  4,100

  809,000

  Lincolnshire3

  546,300

  1,200

  1,100

  2,100

  550,600

  London, City of3

  4,300

  6—

  100

  200

  4,700

  Merseyside2

  1,209,600

  5,800

  5,300

  8,800

  1,229,400

  Metropolitan Police2

  5,465,700

  498,200

  431,000

  240,900

  6,635,800

  Norfolk3

  692,400

  1,700

  1,300

  3,400

  698,800

  Northamptonshire3

  514,900

  6,700

  8,000

  4,200

  533,800

  Northumbria3

  1,237,900

  1,900

  7,400

  5,400

  1,252,600

  North Yorkshire3

  650,800

  1,000

  1,200

  2,600

  655,700

  Nottinghamshire2

  872,700

  12,300

  12,900

  4,600

  902,500

  South Yorkshire2

  1,106,600

  8,200

  17,300

  5,600

  1,137,700

  Staffordshire2

  913,900

  6,300

  8,400

  2,700

  931,300

  Suffolk3

  572,000

  6,900

  1,800

  4,300

  585,00

  Surrey2

  667,600

  2,500

  10,200

  8,000

  688,300

  Sussex2

  1,299,500

  4,700

  9,900

  10,500

  1,324,600

  Thames Valley2

  1,735,300

  21,600

  43,600

  19,200

  1,819,700

  Warwickshire3

  430,000

  2,400

  10,500

  2,400

  445,300

  West Mercia3

  981,500

  3,500

  6,600

  4,700

  996,300

  West Midlands2

  1,976,200

  71,200

  197,200

  18,600

  2,263,200

  West Yorkshire2

  1,684,800

  21,400

  111,700

  11,700

  1,829,500

  Wiltshire3

  518,000

  2,700

  2,800

  3,500

  527,100

  Dyfed Powys3

  421,900

  600

  600

  1,700

  424,800

  250W

  Stop and searches of persons under section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, by ethnic appearance

  England and Wales 1998–99

  Ethnic appearance of person searched

  Police force area

  White

  Black

  Asian

  Other

  Not known

  North Yorkshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  428

  48

  16

  4

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  212

  4

  3

  —

  2

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  12

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  593

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,814

  West Mercia

  318

  22

  17

  1

  1

  West Midlands

  283

  28

  42

  4

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  231

  6

  1

  4

  —

  Dyfed Powys

  29

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  52

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  4,137

  337

  295

  50

  1,868

  251W

  Estimated1 population aged 10 and over by ethnic origin and police force area mid 1998

  Ethnic origin

  Police force area

  White

  Black 4

  Asian

  Other 5

  Total

  Gwent3

  476,000

  1,500

  3,500

  2,400

  483,300

  North Wales3

  573,700

  800

  1,100

  2,300

  577,800

  South Wales3

  1,056,300

  6,500

  9,600

  8,700

  1,081,100

  Total

  43,215,900

  797,800

  1,223,400

  485,700

  45,722,900

  1 The estimates are based on the mid-1998 population estimates from ONS.

  2 Estimates of numbers of individual ethnic groups are based on the 1996+1997+1998 Labour Force Survey.

  3 Estimates for ethnic groups based on the 1991 census.

  4 Includes mixed origin.

  5 Includes Chinese.

  6 Fewer than 50.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those to be involved in the conduct of the proposed review of the voucher scheme for asylum seekers; and if evidence will be taken from(a) NGOs and (b) individuals. [136081]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government have undertaken to invite all stakeholders and interested parties to make representations, and to place in the Library a list of those organisations which contribute to the review. Those invited to make representations will include hon. Members, Lords, non-governmental organisations, retailers, the Post Office, local government, the police and Sodexho Pass, the voucher supplier. We will also be undertaking fieldwork to investigate the views of asylum seekers. Others with evidence to contribute to the review are welcome to send this to the National Asylum Support Service.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are(a) the terms of reference and (b) the timescale for the proposed review of the voucher scheme for asylum seekers. [136080]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes), 20 October 2000,Official Report, column 210W.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the South West Consortium for Asylum Seekers, with particular regard to future immigration policy; and if he will make a statement. [137001]

  Mrs. Roche
  I met with members and officers from the South West Consortium on 14 September to discuss the situation regarding National Asylum Support Service's requirements for accommodation in the current financial year. The meeting was not concerned with future immigration policy.

  Election Deposits
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the level of the deposit required for UK parliamentary elections. [136269]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In its 1998 report on Electoral Law and Administration, the Home Affairs Committee recommended that the deposit required to stand as a candidate in Westminster parliamentary elections should increase from £500 to £700 for the next general election
  252W
  and that it should be index linked thereafter. This recommendation will need to be considered in consultation with all the political parties represented at Westminster and the European Parliaments.

  Databases
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the investigation into leaks from the SIRENE bureaux in 1997 has identified the(a) source of the leaks and (b) recipient; and if he will make a statement. [136468]

  Mrs. Roche
  The particular circumstances of this breach of security are a matter for the Belgian authorities, whose investigations are continuing. The Government attach the highest importance to the maintenance of the security arrangements at the SIRENE bureaux. The integrity of the arrangements is vital to international judicial and law enforcement co-operation.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to ensure that the UK element of Schengen Information System-connected databases is of identical format to other connected databases. [136469]

  Mrs. Roche
  Arrangements for the United Kingdom's connection to the Central Schengen Information System database are still under consideration.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Article 26 of the Schengen Agreement requires parties to support harmonisation of indirect taxation within the Council of Ministers; and if the UK Government are exempt. [136471]

  Mrs. Roche
  Article 26 of the Schengen Agreement signed in 1985 was given effect through the Schengen Implementing Convention signed in 1990. Those provisions of the Schengen Implementing Convention dealing with certain aspects of the creation of the Single Market (Articles 120-125) were not given a legal basis in the European Union Treaties as they had been superseded by European Communities legislation. They are therefore not the basis of future Schengen development, and they were not included in the Council Decision on the United Kingdom's participation.

  Travel Advice (India)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to UK citizens travelling to India about visiting the Sai Baba ashram. [136850]

  Mr. Hain
  I have been asked to reply.

  The FCO issues guidance for visitors to India through its Travel Advice Unit. This information is also available on the FCO web-site (www.fco.gov.uk).

  We have no specific guidance for UK citizens visiting any of the Sai Baba ashrams at Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh), Bangalore (Karnataka) or Shirdi (Maf harashtra). The police at Puttaparthi, the focus of celebrations to mark Sai Baba's birthday on 23 November, have assured our Deputy High Commission at Chennai (Madras) that preparations are already under way to meet the demands of the large congregation expected at the ashram.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what criteria are used to classify a project 1 procedure under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as being likely to be of substantial severity; and if he will make a statement; [136599]

  (2) how many procedure 1 projects under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as a proportion of the total, were in the substantial severity category for each of the last 10 years. [136600]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 sets out the criteria for determining severity levels. Two different types of severity levels are set on project licences; a severity limit for each protocol authorised in the licence and an overall severity banding for the project.

  The severity limit for each protocol is determined by the upper limit of the expected adverse effects that may be encountered by a protected animal, taking into account the measures specified in the licence for avoiding and controlling these effects. It represents the worst potential outcome for any animal subjected to the protocol, even if it may only be, and often is, experienced by a small number of the animals to be used. Indeed, it may never be encountered.

  Protocols of substantial severity may result in a major departure from the animal's usual state of health or well-being. These include: acute toxicity procedures where significant morbidity is an endpoint; some efficacy tests of anti-microbial agents and vaccines; major surgery; and some models of disease, where welfare may be seriously compromised. If it is expected that even one animal would suffer substantial effects, the procedure would merit a substantial severity limit. The Secretary of State will not license any procedure likely to cause severe pain or distress that cannot be alleviated. Licence holders are required by conditions in both project and personal licences to minimise any pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm and to approach the set severity limit only when absolutely necessary.

  The assessment of the overall severity of a project reflects the cumulative effect of each procedure. This assessment is used to weigh the likely adverse effects on
  254W
  all the animals to be used against the benefit likely to accrue. It takes into account not just the level of suffering that might be reached, but also such factors as the number of animals involved; the frequency of use of each procedure; the proportion of animals that are expected to be exposed to the upper severity limits; and the length of time that animals will experience such adverse effects.

  The severity bandings of project licences were introduced into the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in 1998 at Appendix B. Figures before that date were not published in the annual statistics, but were generally included as part of the Annual Report of the Animal Procedures Committee.

  Figures are as follows:

  Number

  Project Licences issued during 1991

  Substantial

  11

  Total

  685

  Project Licences issued during 1992

  Substantial

  33

  Total

  1,257

  Project Licences issued during 1993

  Substantial

  21

  Total

  1,444

  Project Licences in force on 31 December 1994

  Substantial not readily available

  Total

  4,013

  Project Licences in force on 31 December 1995

  Substantial

  72

  Total

  3,977

  Project Licences in force on 31 December 1996

  Substantial

  66

  Total

  3,869

  Project Licences in force on 31 December 1997

  Substantial

  66

  Total

  3,765

  Project Licences in force on 31 December 1998

  Substantial

  66

  Total

  3,650

  Project Licences in force on 31 December 1999

  Substantial

  66

  Total

  3,481

  Trans-sexual Working Group
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Trans-sexual Working Group established in April 1999 has reported to him; and if he will make a statement. [137315]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones), on 26 July 2000,Official Report, column 697W.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require people convicted of sex offences overseas to register automatically as such on their return to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [136985]
  255W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I announced a review of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope),Official Report, 26 June 2000, column 395W. Whether and how sex offenders who are convicted abroad can be required to register is an issue which is being considered as part of that review.

  Mohammed Maizia
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision on the application by Mohammed Maizia to remain in the UK (Ref. M637152). [136990]

  Mrs. Roche
  Mr. Maizia's application has now received attention and his representatives will be contacted with a decision within seven days.

  Open Prisons (Absconders)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have escaped from open prisons during(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000, broken down into offences for which they were sentenced; and if he will make a statement. [136999]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prisoners who escape from open prisons are classified as absconders. The number of absconds from open prisons are given in the table.

  Number

  1997

  720

  1998

  607

  1999

  568

  2000 (up to 6 November)

  427

  A breakdown of these figures by offence could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Radio Broadcasting Licences
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to enable religious organisations to hold national radio broadcasting licences. [137003]

  Janet Anderson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Religious organisations are currently disqualified by provision of Paragraph 2 (1) of Part II of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Act 1990 from holding national radio licences. We will publish a White Paper later this year setting out the Government's proposals for reform of broadcasting and telecommunications regulation to ensure a framework is in place which recognises the developments in those industries. The ownership of radio licences for religious broadcasting is one of the issues being considered in that context.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Peacekeeping
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about peacekeeping in Northern Ireland. [135603]
  256W
  Mr. Mandelson
  I support the Chief Constable's decision to deploy troops to give additional support to the police in dealing with the recent upsurge in violence in North and West Belfast, which has seen four men killed as a result of feuding between loyalist paramilitary organisations and which I strongly condemn. I know from my own visit to the Shankill just how much pain has been suffered and the Government will maintain a proper security presence in these areas to contain the treat.

  I also condemn the bomb attack on Castlewellan RUC station last week. This points up the risks taken by the RUC in carrying out their duties and the thoughts of the whole House will be with the severely injured Constable David Fegan and his family at this time.

  Peace Process
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of a stable economy on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [135605]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A stable and improving economy in Northern Ireland is contributing greatly to the peace process in Northern Ireland, helping to build confidence and demonstrating that Northern Ireland is moving into a brighter and more prosperous future. The peace process has in return benefited the Northern Ireland economy. The Belfast agreement gave a tremendous boost to economic activity in Northern Ireland and the transfer of responsibility for economic matters to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 2 December gave back to locally elected representatives the power to take vital economic decisions for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.

  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what impact terrorist violence over the summer has had on the prospects for sustained peace. [135612]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Terrorist violence over the summer and more recently has caused great suffering for many people in Northern Ireland. I hope the whole House will join me in condemning without reservation all of the recent violence and intimidation, which we all hoped had been left behind. I do not believe that it will prevent the achievement of a peaceful and prosperous society in Northern Ireland—that is what the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland want and voted for in the Referendum.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [135622]

  Mr. Mandelson
  We continue to make steady progress in the implementation of the Belfast agreement. The Northern Ireland Executive recently published its first Programme for Government, an impressive range of measures to be taken by the devolved Administration over the coming year. Decommissioning and building confidence remain important priorities. The independent arms inspectors recently carried out a further inspection of IRA arms dumps: they also met the Northern Ireland political parties last week. The security forces continue to take action to deal with dissident republican and loyalist violence. However, I am confident that recent violence
  257W
  will not deflect us from achieving for the people of Northern Ireland the real benefits that will flow from the full implementation of the Belfast agreement.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has held with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about petrol prices in Northern Ireland. [135606]

  Mr. Howarth
  As the hon. Gentleman is well aware discussions between the Chancellor and Ministers on such matters, for obvious reasons, are confidential.

  However, if the hon. Gentleman exercises a little patience, he may hear some more on this subject from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

  RUC and Prison Service (Intimidation)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent reports he has received of intimidation against recruits to, and members of, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. [135607]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period 1 January to 27 October 2000, there were 155 recorded reports of intimidation/threats against current and former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Over the same period, three general threats and 26 specific threats were recorded against members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about progress on decommissioning terrorist weapons. [135608]

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for removing illegally-held weapons from Northern Ireland. [135611]

  Mr. Ingram
  Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari have reported that they have completed their second inspection of several IRA arms dumps. We welcome this development—it represents further progress and an honouring of commitments given at the beginning of May. I am confident the inspectors will report any further progress that has been made when they deem it appropriate to do so.

  Further progress still needs to be made by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries to meet their commitments to being a lasting peace to Northern Ireland.

  We would call upon the IRA to re-engage with the Commission to show that further progress will be made as promised in its statement in May.

  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met General John de Chastelain to discuss the decommissioning of paramilitary arms. [135614]

  Mr. Ingram
  Under the Good Friday Agreement the Decommissioning Commission operates as an 258W
  independent body to resolve the decommissioning issue. The Commission has provided written reports on progress on a number of occasions.

  I met General de Chastelain on Tuesday 24 October.

  Victim Support Programmes
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about Government programmes for the support of victims of crime. [135610]

  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about Government programmes for the support of victims. [135613]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friends to the oral answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope), at columns 304-05.

  Flags
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the discussions he has held with the political parties about the flying of flags in Northern Ireland. [135615]

  Mr. Mandelson
  On 10 July I wrote to the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland requesting their views on the flying of flags in Northern Ireland. I considered all of the points made by the parties before preparing draft Regulations, which I then sent to the Northern Ireland Assembly for its consideration as I was required to do by the Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000. The Assembly reported its view to me on 18 October. I considered the Assembly's Report, and the views of the parties set out within it very carefully, before laying draft Regulations before Parliament on 23 October.

  Criminal Justice Review
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the implementation programme for the criminal justice review. [135616]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The report of the Review of the Criminal Justice System was published in March this year and the period of consultation ended on 29 September. The Government fully endorse the general approach taken in the report. Informed by the consultation exercise we have now put in hand the detailed work needed to prepare legislation and an implementation plan. As the Prime Minister said on 5 May, these will both be published next April.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Northern Ireland. [135618]

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation. [135619]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government believe the main paramilitary groups are maintaining their cease-fires; however, there remains a threat from those groups who
  259W
  are opposed to the peace process as evidenced by the recent explosion at Castlewellan RUC Station. These attacks are carried out against the will of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland who voted for the Good Friday agreement as the only way forward.

  We condemn the recent upsurge in Loyalist violence and appeal to those leaders with influence over paramilitary organisations to bring this senseless feud to an end before the lives of more families are ruined.

  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to create a normal security environment in Northern Ireland. [135623]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are committed to normalisation of security as quickly as the threat allows. Major progress has already been made. There are currently under 13,500 troops in Northern Ireland—the lowest level since 1970. Since the ceasefire 31 military bases have been demolished or closed. The Borucki sangar in Crossmaglen has also been demolished.

  The Chief Constable recently announced a number of further normalisation measures including the demolition of the six Fermanagh patrol bases, the closure and demolition of Long Kesh army base and, with effect from 1 October, the closure of Strand Road Holding Centre. Further steps will be taken when it is safe to do so.

  Organised Crime
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about organised crime in Northern Ireland. [135620]

  Mr. Ingram
  Organised crime has no place in a decent society. On 25 September the Secretary of State announced a new multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland. An Organised Crime Task Force has been established and met for the first time on 25 October. I chair the Task Force. The Task Force brings together a number of agencies to provide a strategic focus and to develop the existing co-ordination arrangements between the agencies.

  Paramilitary Activity
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent level of paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland. [135600]

  Mr. Mandelson
  We condemn the recent upsurge in violence in North and West Belfast. In the past number of days four men have been killed as a result of feuding between loyalist paramilitary organisations. I know from my own visits to these communities just how much pain has been suffered. The Government are resolute in their determination to tackle this issue and maintain a proper security presence in these areas to deal with this threat. We support the Chief Constable in his decision to re-introduce troops on to the streets of Belfast to provide additional support to the police.

  We also condemn the recent attack on Castlewellan RUC Station. Any attack of this nature is to be deplored but to attack police officers as they carry out their duty in protecting the public is particularly heinous. Our thoughts are with Reserve Constable David Fegan and his family at this time.

  British-Irish Council
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made over the summer in relation to the British-Irish Council. [135522]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have been asked to reply.

  Over the summer, the participants in the British-lrish Council have been taking forward work in a number of the areas identified as priorities at the first BIC summit meeting last December. The second BIC summit was due to take place in Dublin on Wednesday 18 October, hosted by the Irish Government. Regrettably, the summit had to be postponed following the death of the right hon. Donald Dewar MP MSP, First Minister of the Scottish Executive. Action is in hand to identify a new date for the summit.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cereals Producers
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the falling incomes of cereal farms as a result of the weakness of the euro and the need for the Government to claim agrimonetary compensation from the European Commission prior to the end of October; what his policy is on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [R][135080]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson) on 2 November 2000,Official Report, column 620W.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cereals area payments(a) are and (b) were payable in 1999 to British farmers. [136964]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: Farmers are entitled to payments under the Arable Area Payments Scheme in respect of cereals grown and claimed under the rules of that Scheme. In 2000, farmers in England will receive £217.27/ha on 98.36% of their payable area of eligible cereal crops (other than maize). In addition, and subject to the agreement of the European Commission, they are expected to receive £7.37/ha in agrimonetary compensation on the same area. In 1999 they received £208.06/ha on 99.06 per cent. of their payable area. In addition they received a payment of £33.66/ha in agrimonetary compensation and are now receiving a further instalment of £11.22/ha on the same area. Producers of maize in England received the same payments but on a lower area (33.15 per cent. of the payable area in 1999 and 35 per cent. of the payable area in 2000). Farmers in other parts of the UK receive lower payments in line with historic yields but, other than in Scotland, do not suffer area penalties.

  Knacker Industry
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the knacker industry. [135143]
  261W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: Although no Minister has recently met with representatives of the knacker industry, my officials do have frequent discussions with them.

  Poultry
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask die Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his annual budget for poultry science research and development was in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999; and in each of those years what proportion of this budget was spent on research aimed at increasing broiler chicken (i) growth rate and (ii) feed efficiency. [136155]

  Ms Quin
  The annual budget for poultry science research and development was £1.0 million in 1998 and £940,000 in 1999. In addition, a further £1.66 million and £1.44 million were spent in 1998 and 1999 respectively on animal welfare projects relevant to poultry nutrition and welfare. There were no projects during 1998–99 aimed at increasing standard broiler chicken growth rate. The work we are funding on increasing broiler chicken feed efficiency in 1998–99 was £325,000 and £338,000 in 1999–2000. This research is driven by a need—with the reduction in pollutants in mind—to move away from the use of animal proteins in chicken feed and to utilise home grown sources of proteins.

  Exports
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural products made in the UK are exported; and to which countries. [136613]

  Ms Quin
  It is not possible to calculate accurately the percentage of agricultural products made in the UK which are exported, as many exports will be in the form of processed food and feed products. Using a broad assumption to value just the raw commodity element of these processed products, it is estimated that approximately 20 per cent. of UK agricultural production in 1999 was exported.

  The table lists the main countries to which food and feed products were exported in 1999. The values relate to the actual product value, including the full value of processed products.

  Exports of UK food and feed products in 1999

  £ million

  Irish Republic

  1,158

  France

  864

  Germany

  482

  Spain

  408

  Netherlands

  369

  Belgium

  304

  Italy

  284

  USA

  274

  Denmark

  117

  Portugal

  108

  Other

  1,429

  Total

  5,797

  Beef Exports (France)
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when legal proceedings brought by the EU against France for prohibiting the importation of British beef will be heard by the European Court of Justice. [136196]

  Ms Quin
  The timing of the various stages in the European Commission's case against the French Government is determined by the European Court of Justice. The case is now entering the final phase of the written procedure and once that is concluded the Court will fix a Hearing date. It is possible, but not certain, that the Hearing could take place by Spring 2001. However, if the French Government, the Commission and the Court all agreed that a Hearing was not necessary, the oral procedure could be dispensed with altogether leaving the Court to begin its deliberations in advance of the Advocate General's Opinion and the Court's Judgment.

  Floods (Lewes)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the report he has commissioned from the Environment Agency into the recent floods in Lewes will consider the workings of the entire river system including the Uck and the Ouse; if he will undertake to fund the recommendations in that report; and if he will make a statement. [136568]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The report I have commissioned will look at the whole Sussex Ouse catchment, including the Uck. It will consider the rainfall/hydrology which caused the flooding, the existing flood defences and the options available to help improve the situation. The report will also link in with the planned Sussex Ouse River strategy, which will consider the management of the Ouse defences in the longer term. Contemplating the strategy will commence in 2001–02 and it is scheduled for completion in 2002–03.

  It will be for the Environment Agency to secure funding for any programme of work resulting from these investigations, having regard to available funding and other priorities in the area. MAFF grant is available for any capital works which meet economic, technical and environmental criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score. Part of the additional £51 million announced by the Deputy Prime Minister for flood defence measures will be to provide funding for whole catchment area studies.

  GM Seeds
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each application for national seed listing of genetically modified varieties, indicating(a) the application number, (b) the company name, (c) the approximate date for decision, (d) the release consent number, (e) the date consent was granted and (f) if different from the national list applicants, the applicants' names. [136486]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The information is set out in the table.
  263W

  Genetically modified plant varieties—National list applications under consideration—November 2000

  Application number

  Name of breeder's reference

  Species

  NL application

  Earliest date of proposed decision

  DETR release consent/marketing consent reference, holder and date granted

  35/959

  Archimedes

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  Test and trials complete1

  Marketing Consent 94/M1/11 Granted 28 February 1996 (Aventis)

  35/960

  Socrates

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  Tests and trials complete1

  Marketing Consent 94/M1/11 Granted 28 February 1996 (Aventis)

  35/1174

  PHW98-407

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  Tests and trials complete2

  98/R19/18 Application 4 December 1998 Granted 22 March 1999 (Agrevo)

  35/1210

  PH96S452

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  Tests and trials complete2

  98/R19/18 Application 4 December 1998 Granted 22 March 1999 (Agrevo)

  35/1211

  PH96S443

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  Tests and trials complete2

  98/R19/18 Application 4 December 1998 Granted 22 March 1999 (Agrevo)

  35/1318

  PHW99-429

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  November 20013

  00/R33/6 and 00/R33/6S Granted 23 August 2000 (Aventis)

  35/1397

  PHW00-43

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  November 20023

  00/R33/6 and 00/R33/6S Granted 23 August 2000 (Aventis)

  35/1398

  PHW00-434

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  November 20023

  00/R33/6 and 00/R33/6S Granted 23 August 2000 (Aventis)

  35/1494

  PHW01-441

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  November 20023

  00/R33/6 and 00/R33/6S Granted 23 August 2000 (Aventis)

  35/1495

  PHW01-446

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  Aventis CropScience NV Belgium

  November 20023

  00/R33/6 and R33/6S Granted 23 August 2000 (Aventis)

  45/774

  STURGEON

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB Sweden

  Tests and trials complete2

  96/R21/4 Application 24 December 1996 Granted 5 February 1997 (Novartis)

  45/798

  KWS 8191

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG Germany

  Tests and trials complete2

  97/R19/13 Application 20 January 1997 Granted 17 March 1997 (Agrevo)

  45/813

  DS 8003

  Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds UK

  Tests and trials complete2

  96/R21/4 Application 24 December 1996 Granted 5 February 1997 (Novartis)

  45/850

  KWS 9193

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanglebener Saatzucht AG Germany

  April 20013

  00/R32/2 Granted 28 April 2000 (Aventis)

  45/865

  HM 1976

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB Sweden

  April 20013

  99/R21/6 Granted 3 May 2000 (Novartis)

  45/877

  ANDORRA

  Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds UK

  April 20013

  99/R21/6 Granted 3 May 2000 (Novartis)

  45/931

  H1 0156

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis

  April 20023

  99/R21/6 Granted 3 May 2000 (Novartis)

  45/950

  H7 5011

  Sugar Beet

  Advanta

  April 20023

  00/R13/10 Granted 28 April 2000 (Advanta)

  51/833

  CHARDON LL

  Maize

  Aventis GMBH Germany

  4—

  Marketing Consent C/F/95/12/07 Published 5 August 1998 (Aventis)

  51/886

  SHERIDAN

  Maize

  Van Der Have Netherlands

  February 20015

  Marketing Consent C/F/95/12/07 Published 5 August 1998 (Aventis)

  1 Marketing consent permits seed multiplication only. No proposed decision will be considered until the new Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations come into force.

  2 Tests and trials complete, National Listing cannot be considered unless a marketing consent under Directive 90/220 is promulgated.

  3 Subject to promulgation of marketing consents under 90/220 and satisfactory completion of tests and trials.

  4 A proposal to add this variety to the National List has been made. This is currently the subject of written representations and a public hearing.

  5 Subject to satisfactory completion of tests and trials.

  Fishing Vessels (Safety)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about grant aid to encourage the safe operation of fishing vessels. [137406]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government wish to see the fishing industry develop a positive safety culture. Former schemes providing grants simply for equipment have not been successful in cutting accident rates. One of the keys to improving safety is good training and that will be our priority. We therefore propose to make up to £0.5 million available in each of the next three financial years to deliver safety training for fishermen in England. These
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  payments, to be funded through the EU structural fund for fisheries, will cover the fees to enable courses to be offered to fishermen without charge.

  My Department is in discussion with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Fisheries Departments of the devolved Administrations to develop a suitable new package of training measures. These will include courses to update safety awareness among fishermen hitherto exempt from the requirement for safety training; to provide training in accident prevention and risk assessment; and safety training for newcomers to the industry. We will consult the fishing industry on our proposals.
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  We also intend that grant aid should be available through FIFG to support the trialling of innovative and experimental equipment to improve vessel safety.

HEALTH

  HIV and Hepatitis C
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to discuss the costs of drugs used in the treatment of HIV and hepatitis C infections with representatives of the Pharmaceutical Industry. [136161]

  Ms Stuart
  I have no such plans. The prices of branded medicines are controlled indirectly by the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) which limits the profits which companies can make from the sale of these products to the National Health Service. Companies have freedom of pricing within this ceiling on overall profits. A new scheme was introduced in October 1999 under which the prices of medicines covered by the PPRS were reduced by 4.5 per cent. overall giving savings to the NHS of around £200 million per year. Copies of the agreement, containing full details, are in the Library.

  At the same time, hospitals can aggregate their purchasing power for these products and the NHS Purchasing and Supplies Authority then competitively tenders this business on their behalf. In some cases hospitals themselves negotiate direct with the pharmaceutical industry.

  Free Dental Examinations
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of restoring free dental examinations to(a) all adults, (b) all those over the age of 65, (c) all those over the age of 60 and (d) all those over the age of 55 years; and if he will make a statement. [136483]

  Mr. Hutton
  About a quarter of dental examinations carried out on adults in the General Dental Service have either no patient charge or else the patient pays a reduced charge. Making dental examinations free to all adults would reduce patient charge revenue in England by:

  £ million

  Adults

  Annual reduction in patient charge revenue

  Age 18 and over

  75

  Age 65 and over

  13

  Age 60 and over

  19

  Age 55 and over

  26

  The total cost of making the change would exceed the reduction in patient charge revenue because additional demand would be stimulated for dental examinations and there would be some additional dental treatment.

  Free Eye Examinations
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of restoring free eye examinations to(a) all adults, (b) all those over the
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  age of 65, (c) all those over the age of 60 and (d) all those over the age of 55 years; and if he will make a statement. [136484]

  Mr. Hutton
  In April 1999 we made everyone aged 60 and over eligible for a free, National Health Service sight test. Children, people on low incomes and people suffering from or predisposed to eye disease are also eligible. Our estimates of the costs per annum of extending eligibility further are £75 million for all adults and £15 million for people aged 55 and over.

  Free Prescriptions
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of restoring free prescriptions to(a) all adults, (b) all those over the age of 65, (c) all those over the age of 60 and (d) all those over the age of 55 years; and if he will make a statement. [136482]

  Ms Stuart
  The cost of restoring free prescriptions to all adults would be £380 million a year. The cost of restoring free prescriptions to all adults aged 55 and over is estimated to be £70 million a year. Those who are over the age of 60 are already exempt. These figures relate solely to the loss of patient charge revenue and make no allowance for any increase in the number of prescription items that might result from this change.

  Carers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that people with responsibilities as carers are not discriminated against in the labour market. [136577]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Ms Hodge) on 6 November 2000,Official Report, columns 41-42W.

  Duchess of Kent Military Hospital
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the impact on civilian patients of the closure of the Duchess of Kent military hospital; and if he will make a statement. [137198]

  Mr. Hutton
  The decision to close the Duchess of Kent military hospital, Catterick was made by the Ministry of Defence following extensive local consultation. Since the closure on 1 July 1999, 13 representations concerning the future provision of treatment for civilian patients have been made to the Secretary of State for Health by hon. Members and by the general public.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans to replace community health councils. [136996]

  Ms Stuart
  The National Health Service Plan sets out the new structures which will be set in place to extend and increase patient and citizen empowerment across all sectors of NHS. Chapter 10 of the NHS Plan announced the establishment of a Patient Advocacy and Liaison
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  Service in every trust. At the moment we are conducting a major exercise to take the views of stakeholder groups nationally and locally on the specific details of how the new arrangements will be set up and co-ordinated in practice. The results of this exercise will be disseminated in the New Year.

  Nursing Home Beds (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about(a) the number of nursing home beds in Gloucestershire and (b) the demand for them. [136992]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 31 March 1999 there were 3,532 nursing care places in 126 nursing care homes in Gloucestershire. Information on the number of beds on 31 March 2000 will be published shortly in "Community Care Statistics: Residential Personal Social Services, England, 2000".

  The demand for nursing home beds varies on a daily basis but is currently at high levels. Gloucestershire Social Services and local National Health Service bodies are working together to develop a whole systems approach to the commissioning of nursing home care.

  Care Needs (Elderly People)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will conclude his consideration of models of assessment of people's care needs; and if he will list the models under consideration. [136209]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: In line with the National Health Service Plan, we aim to introduce a single assessment process for health and social care for older people by April 2002, with protocols to be agreed locally between health and social services. Initially this will be introduced for those older people who are most vulnerable, for example those living alone, or recently discharged from hospital or entering residential or nursing care. Work on developing the assessment process is being taken forward as part of the development of the National Service Framework for older people.

  With regard to nursing care, the NHS will make an assessment of the nursing care requirements of nursing home residents. The Department is working in close consultation with a number of organisations on a standardised approach for this part of the assessment process, which will be ready for implementation in October 2001. There are a range of nursing assessment tools currently available, though each is likely to require some development to deliver the outputs needed.

  Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the new Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service will be independent of the NHS trusts in which it operates; [136070]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that staff employed in the Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service will be accountable to line managers outside the trust in which they are working; and if he will make a statement; [136071]
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  (3) who will set targets for and monitor performance of staff employed in the Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service. [136072]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: Chapter 10 of the National Health Service Plan announced the establishment of a Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service (PALS) in every NHS trust. At the moment, we are conducting a major exercise to take the views of stakeholder groups nationally and locally on the specific details of how the new arrangements set out in Chapter 10 of the NHS Plan should be set up and co-ordinated in practice. The accountability arrangements and performance standards for PALS and PALS staff will be considered as part of this exercise. Also, the issue of independence will be resolved. A clear statement on the outcome of the exercise will be given in the new year.

  Children's Carers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the checking procedures into(a) carers in children's homes and (b) owners of children's homes with particular reference to persons suspected of being under investigation or who have been subject to investigation by (i) the police and (ii) other authorities. [136487]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The Department maintains a list under the Protection of Children Act of persons considered to be unsuitable to work with children. The Department for Education and Employment maintains a separate list of persons barred from working in educational establishments. The Protection of Children Act 1999 requires all regulated child care organisations (including all children's homes) to check against these lists everyone they intend to employ in work that brings them into contact with children. Criminal record checks are also available and where the person being employed will have regular unsupervised contact with children the information supplied will include relevant non-conviction information.

  The Children Act 1989 Guidance, Volume 4 sets out the types of checks that are expected on staff and others in children's homes with regular contact with children.

  A thorough investigation is made into any organisation or private individual applying to set up a registered voluntary or private children's home. This includes making reference checks with both employment and personal referees. Applicants are asked to supply details of their employment history. Applicants must satisfy the registration authority that they have relevant experience and qualifications. If it appears that further investigation is needed the registration authority can ask the police to check if the applicant has a criminal record. These arrangements will be extended in 2001 to small private unregistered children's homes which will be required to register with local authorities for the first time.

  In the future, with the introduction of the National Care Standards Commission, there will be a nationwide, comprehensive set of national minimum standards for all children's homes. These will set out the type of checks required on those owning and working in children's homes.

TREASURY

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those employees in the financial services sector who have been disciplined by the regulatory authorities for misdeeds relating to the mis-selling of pensions, including financial penalties and those relating to terms of employment; and if he will make a statement. [135660]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No individual employees have been disciplined by the regulators for failures to pursue the review of personal pensions mis-selling. However, the Personal Investment Authority, as the main regulator for firms carrying out the review, has taken disciplinary action by fining 314 firms over £7 million in total, expelling four and reprimanding one.

  Winter Deaths
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of excess winter deaths which occurred in 1999–2000, providing a breakdown for(a) each

  Excess winter deaths by age-group and Government Office Region of usual residence, 1994–95 to 1999–2000

  Age at death

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  England

  0-64

  2,090

  2,720

  2,930

  1,670

  2,900

  4,140

  65-74

  5,250

  6,690

  6,520

  3,890

  6,430

  7,210

  75-84

  9,110

  13,460

  16,490

  7,410

  15,430

  15,890

  85+

  9,310

  14,940

  18,900

  8,770

  19,250

  19,290

  All ages

  25,760

  37,810

  44,850

  21,730

  44,010

  46,520

  Wales

  0-64

  200

  190

  120

  90

  230

  270

  65-74

  270

  420

  490

  360

  540

  430

  75-84

  580

  920

  1,050

  480

  930

  1,110

  85+

  600

  910

  1,220

  350

  1,200

  1,150

  All ages

  1,650

  2,440

  2,880

  1,290

  2,900

  2,970

  North East

  0-64

  130

  250

  130

  110

  90

  310

  65-74

  260

  520

  490

  360

  470

  490

  75-84

  400

  650

  920

  530

  890

  1,040

  85+

  420

  650

  690

  550

  920

  890

  All ages

  1,210

  2,080

  2,220

  1,550

  2,370

  2,720

  North West

  0-64

  230

  630

  510

  280

  630

  470

  65-74

  960

  1,010

  1,070

  500

  1,230

  1,110

  75-84

  1,410

  2,060

  2,260

  980

  2,600

  2,070

  85+

  1,190

  1,940

  2,520

  1,010

  2,880

  2,510

  All ages

  3,790

  5,630

  6,360

  2,770

  7,350

  6,170

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  0-64

  130

  250

  240

  210

  260

  420

  65-74

  530

  820

  700

  470

  810

  690

  75-84

  1,030

  1,440

  1,810

  860

  1,800

  1,700

  85+

  1,110

  1,530

  1,880

  910

  1,900

  1,900

  All ages

  2,790

  4,040

  4,550

  2,460

  4,760

  4,710

  East Midlands

  0-64

  240

  170

  250

  130

  310

  400

  65-74

  570

  500

  470

  360

  550

  600

  75-84

  850

  1,110

  1,280

  700

  1,560

  1,280

  85+

  660

  1,140

  1,540

  820

  1,680

  1,620

  All ages

  2,330

  2,930

  3,540

  2,000

  4,090

  3,900

  270W
  English region, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Great Britain by age band; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for each of the last five years. [135129]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 November 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question asking for an estimate of the numbers of excess winter deaths which occurred in 1999–2000, providing a breakdown for each English region, Scotland, Wales and the GB figure by age band, and for corresponding estimates for each of the last five years.
  Figures are provided in the attached table for English Government Office Regions and for Wales. Figures are also provided for Great Britain but were only readily obtainable for all ages. Figures for Scotland are now the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.
  The figures for winter 1999–2000 are provisional and will only be finalised in October 2001 when data for all deaths occurring in 2000 becomes complete.
  Excess winter deaths are defined by National Statistics as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July).
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  Excess winter deaths by age-group and Government Office Region of usual residence, 1994–95 to 1999–2000

  Age at death

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  West Midlands

  0-64

  250

  250

  410

  250

  470

  480

  65-74

  600

  880

  730

  510

  750

  970

  75-84

  700

  1,580

  1,650

  800

  1,720

  1,820

  85+

  760

  1,460

  1,740

  900

  1,920

  2,100

  All ages

  2,310

  4,160

  4,530

  2,450

  4,860

  5,370

  Eastern

  0-64

  240

  180

  250

  170

  130

  400

  65-74

  550

  480

  710

  410

  640

  690

  75-84

  1,110

  1,380

  1,720

  930

  1,590

  1,810

  85+

  1,090

  1,830

  2,330

  1,020

  2,440

  2,070

  All ages

  3,000

  3,870

  5,010

  2,540

  4,800

  4,970

  London

  0-64

  380

  440

  430

  150

  410

  580

  65-74

  530

  860

  870

  320

  670

  940

  75-84

  1,370

  1,680

  2,240

  930

  1,690

  2,080

  85+

  1,220

  1,850

  2,390

  1,120

  2,160

  2.430

  All ages

  3,500

  4,830

  5,930

  2,530

  4,930

  6,030

  South East

  0-64

  220

  310

  420

  250

  370

  720

  65-74

  690

  940

  860

  560

  890

  1,080

  75-84

  1,330

  2,240

  2,770

  990

  2,190

  2,500

  85+

  1,750

  2,670

  3,600

  1,410

  3,260

  3,540

  All ages

  3,990

  6,150

  7,650

  3,200

  6,710

  7,830

  South West

  0-64

  280

  250

  300

  120

  230

  370

  65-74

  550

  680

  600

  400

  420

  640

  75-84

  920

  1,320

  1,830

  700

  1,380

  1.600

  85+

  1,100

  1,880

  2,320

  1,020

  2,100

  2,230

  All ages

  2,850

  4,140

  5,060

  2,230

  4,130

  4,830

  1 Provisional

  Excess winter deaths, all ages, Great Britain, 1994–95 to 1999–2000

  Year

  Number

  1994–95

  29,710

  1995–96

  43,910

  1996–97

  51,370

  1997–98

  25,630

  1998–99

  51,660

  1999–20001

  54,680

  1 Provisional

  Single Currency
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those economies of the single currency with which a sustainable convergence must be demonstrated for the purpose of satisfying his first economic test as to whether entry into the euro is in Britain's economic interest. [136203]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The first test concerns sustainable convergence between Britain and the economies of a single currency.

  Illegal Fuel Imports
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the volume of road fuel imported illegally into Great Britain from the
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  Republic of Ireland in the last 12 months; and what volume was so imported via the ports of Cairnryan and Stranraer. [137090]

  Mr. Timms
  No such estimate has been made.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which relocation companies hold contracts with his Department for the relocation of civil servants; when the contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the length and value of each contract is. [137191]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury presently holds no contracts with relocation companies.

  Unemployment (Hendon)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many long-term young unemployed there were in Hendon in(a) May 1997 and (b) now. [136952]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 8 November 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of long-term young unemployed in Hendon in May 1997 and now. (136952)

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  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the main source of labour market data on individuals used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS preferred measure of unemployment is derived from the LFS and is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It counts as unemployed people who are a) without a paid job, b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. However, estimates for the number of ILO long-term young unemployed in the constituency of Hendon cannot be used as they are below the threshold for reliable data.
  ONS also publishes the monthly number of people who are claiming unemployment-related benefits, also known as the Claimant count.
  In May 1997 there were 160 18-24 year olds on the claimant count (computerised claims only). This fell to 9 by May 2000 and to 14 in September 2000. Constituency level claimant count figures are not seasonally adjusted so comparisons are best made year to year. Computerised claims do not include clerical claims which currently makes up around I per cent of the total claimant count.

  Tax Documents
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the next tax ready reckoner and tax reliefs document; and if he will make a statement. [137676]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Treasury will today be publishing a booklet containing the estimates of the effects of various illustrative tax changes on tax receipts in 2001–02 and 2002–03 (plus 2003–04 for indirect taxes) and estimates of the costs of the main tax reliefs in 1999–2000 and 2001–02. Copies are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Financial Services Review Group
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the establishment of a voluntary code for the Financial Services Review Group. [137678]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I am pleased to announce that the Government have appointed Dr. Anne Julius to chair the Group. The other members of the Group will be announced shortly.

  The review will examine:
  whether the voluntary codes for financial services are delivering sufficiently strong benefits to consumers;
  what scope there is to introduce greater independence and consumer representation in the drawing up of codes;
  what role there is for the Ombudsman in influencing or determining standards for consumers;
  whether greater information disclosure can be achieved without the need for further regulation.

  Dr. Julius will serve in a personal capacity, as will all the members of the group. The group will be asked to publish its report by April 2001.

  Devolution
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the increased costs to the Civil Service arising from devolution in Scotland and Wales. [136977]
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  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The costs arising from devolution in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the devolved administrations. They are expected to meet all the costs associated with devolution form within their existing budgets.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) families and (b) children in Hull have benefited from the working families tax credit; what is the total weekly sum involved; what estimate he has made of the number of families which are entitled to apply and have not done so; what further steps he plans to bring this entitlement to their attention; and if he will make a statement. [135593]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the number of families in each local authority in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) at the end of May, based on a 5 per cent. sample of awards, are shown at Table 9.3 in the WFTC Quarterly Inquiry for May 2000. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  The Inquiry also gives the average value of awards to families in the Yorkshire and the Humber Government Office Region. There are too few sample cases to provide reliable estimates of average awards, or of total expenditure, at the local authority level.

  We started a new phase of advertising for WFTC on 23 October, which includes national television, national and regional press, radio and advertising in women's and television magazines. This campaign will be running in the Hull area as in all other areas of the UK.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) families and (b) children in Inverclyde have benefited from the working families tax credit; what is the total weekly sum involved; what estimate he has made of the number of families which are entitled to apply and have not done so; what initiatives he has undertaken to bring this source of income to their notice; and if he will make a statement. [135925]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the number of families benefiting from WFTC in Inverclyde, and for details of the current advertising campaign, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer given above to my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara).

  There are too few sample cases to provide reliable estimates at the local authority level of total expenditure on WFTC, or of the number of children in families in receipt of WFTC. The WFTC Quarterly Inquiry for May 2000 gives the average number of children per family in receipt of WFTC in Scotland at that date is estimated at 1.8.

  National Insurance
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has completed his review of national insurance contributions for 2001–02. [137677]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have completed the annual review under section 141 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. In line with the reforms to national insurance contributions announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his March 1999 Budget and reaffirmed in his pre-Budget reports of 9 November
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  1999 and 8 November 2000, I propose the following changes to take effect from 6 April 2001. These rates and limits will also apply to Northern Ireland national insurance contributions.

  Employers and Employees
  In line with the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the lower earnings limit for primary class 1 contributions is to be raised to £72 a week. It is set at the level of the basic retirement pension for a single person from April 2001 and rounded down to the nearest pound.
  The primary threshold for primary class 1 contributions will be aligned with the secondary threshold for secondary class 1 contributions and the weekly amount of the income tax personal allowance at £87 a week. This means that no tax or class 1 contributions will actually be paid on earnings below this level.
  The upper earnings limit for primary class 1 contributions will be raised to £575 a week to ensure a fair base of earnings liable to such contributions.
  The rate of secondary class 1 contributions payable by all employers is to be reduced by 0.3 per cent., from 12.2 per cent. to 11.9 per cent.

  The self-employed
  The rate of class 2 contributions is to remain at £2 a week.
  Self-employed people with earnings below the annual small earnings exception can apply to be exempted from paying class 2 contributions. This limit will be raised by £130 to £3,955.
  The annual lower and upper profits limits for liability to class 4 contributions will be raised respectively by £150 to £4,535 (in line with the income tax personal allowance) and by £2,080 to £29,900, to maintain the link with employees' earnings liable to class 1 contributions and ensure a fair base for contributions by the self-employed.

  National insurance contributions, proposed re-rating, April 2001

  Item

  2001–02

  Lower Earnings Limit, primary Class 1

  £72 per week

  Upper Earnings Limit, primary Class 1

  £575 per week

  Primary Threshold

  £87 per week

  Secondary Threshold

  £87 per week

  Employees' primary Class 1 rate

  10 per cent. of £87.01 to £575 per week

  Employees' contracted-out rebate

  1.6 per cent.

  Married women's reduced rate

  3.85 per cent.

  Employers' secondary Class 1 rate

  11.9 per cent. on earnings above £87 per week

  Employers' contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes

  3 per cent.

  Employers' contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes

  0.6 per cent.

  Class 2 rate

  £2 per week

  Class 2 Small Earnings Exception

  £3,955 per year

  Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen

  £2.65 per week

  Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers

  £3.60 per week

  Class 3 rate

  £6.75 per week

  Class 4 rate

  7 per cent.

  Class 4 Lower Profits Limit

  £4,535 per year

  Class 4 Upper Profits Limit

  £29,900 per year

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with hon. Members over the future of the EU/China human rights dialogue. [135765]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government take an active role in the EU in determining the direction and strategy for the EU/China Human Rights Dialogue. The UK proposed a review into strengthening the dialogue procedures at a joint COHOM/COASI meeting on 9 February. This was
  276W
  Class 3
  The rate of class 3 voluntary contributions will be increased by 20 pence to £6.75 a week.

  Share Fishermen
  The special rate of class 2 contributions for share fishermen, which allows them to build entitlement to contributory jobseekers allowance in addition to the other contributory benefits available to the self-employed, will remain at £2.65 a week.

  Volunteer Development Workers
  The special rate of class 2 contributions for volunteer development workers, which entitles them to the full range of contributory benefits, will be increased by 25 pence to £3.60 in line with the statutory formula of 5 per cent. of the primary class 1 lower earnings limit.

  Treasury Grant
  Although benefit expenditure from the National Insurance Fund will broadly match income, I need to ensure that the fund can maintain a prudent working balance throughout the coming year. In accordance with section 2(2) of the Social Security Act 1993, I propose to do so by prescribing that the maximum Treasury grant which may be made available to the fund in 2001–02 shall not exceed 2 per cent. of the estimated benefit expenditure for that year. Similar provision will be made in respect of the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund.

  I shall be laying a draft re-rating order before Parliament in due course. This will accompany a report by the Government Actuary to myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security, which we shall jointly present to Parliament.

  The following table sets out the rates, earnings limits and thresholds for National Insurance Contributions proposed for 2001–02.

  supplemented by the GAC conclusions of 20 March which, at the Foreign Secretary's initiative, included a call for the setting of objectives. The Presidency envisage concluding the review by the GAC meeting on 4 December. The Foreign Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into the bilateral relationship with China, to which the Foreign Secretary gave evidence.

  European Union (Qualified Majority Voting)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy he will adopt at Nice on the extension of qualified majority voting. [136396]
  277W
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy concerning the balance of responsibilities between the United Kingdom Government and the European Union and proposals to change the method of voting in Brussels on(a) the approval of the rules of procedure of the Court of Auditors, (b) the appointment of the Court of Auditors, (c) the rules of procedure of the European Court of First Instance, (d) the rules of procedure of the European Court of Justice, (e) the appointment of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Council, (f) the appointment of the Secretary-General, (g) the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories and (h) the powers of the Court of Justice in Title IV. [136672]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood), on 30 October 2000 Official Report, column 238W.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times, and on what issues, Her Majesty's Government have used their veto in the EU in each of the last 10 years; and how many times vetoes were used in total in each of those years. [136773]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Council Secretariat does not hold figures on the number of times proposals for legislation are vetoed, and the figures sought could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The use of the veto on legislative proposals is comparatively rare. But the requirement for unanimity in the most sensitive areas of policy acts as an important discipline, helping to ensure that member states tend to develop proposals which all can support.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the expansion of the aquis communautaire. [136393]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government are clear about the benefits for the UK of co-operating with our European partners. But they are also clear that the Community should act only where the objectives cannot be better carried out by member states.

  Middle East
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will pass on to the UN Human Rights Commission inquiry information on human rights abuses collected by British consular staff in the Palestinian Occupied Territories. [136453]

  Mr. Hain
  We remain concerned about human rights abuses in the Occupied Territories, and if the special session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to be convened in New York passes the UNHRC resolution convening the Commission of Inquiry, we will co-operate fully.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority about the use of children during the clashes between Israelis and Palestinians. [137103]

  Mr. Hain
  I deplore the fact that children have been caught up in recent violence in the Occupied Territories,278W
  which has led to tragic loss of life and casualties among children. I appeal to both sides to ensure that every effort is made to protect children.

  Fishery Concessions (Tristan da Cuhna)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the companies and vessels that hold the fisheries concessions in the area of Tristan da Cuhna. [136808]

  Mr. Hain
  Two companies hold fisheries concessions in Tristan da Cunha' s waters. They are:Eurex Limited of St. Peter Port Guernsey, which has exclusive rights to fish for lobster with a by-catch of finfish and octopus up to twelve miles from the coast. The concession is for five years with an option to renew for a further five years when it runs out in 2002. It operates the fishing vessels Kelso and Edinburgh.
  San Libatore, the offshore fishing company of Cook Strait Seafoods of Wellington, New Zealand, which has exclusive rights for trawling from 50 to 200 miles. This concession began on 1 September 2000 and runs for two years with an option to renew for a further three years when it runs out. It operates the fishing vessel San Libatore.

  Ad hoc licences are issued from time to time for single fishing trips.

  Trade (EU Market Access)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what impact the EC's Everything but Arms initiative will have on the Cotonou Partnership Agreement. [136830]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: I have been asked to reply.

  None. The European Commission's proposal on improved market access for the 1 per cent. of products from the 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which do not yet have tariff and quota free access to the EU will be implemented by adjustments to the EU' s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme. The Cotonou Partnership Agreement and the preferences it enshrines for the participating countries will be unchanged. However, the 39 Cotonou countries which are also LDCs would be able to gain some additional benefits if they export to the EU products covered by the proposed new GSP arrangements.

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when sanctions against Yugoslavia will be lifted. [136968]

  Mr. Vaz
  The EU oil embargo and flight ban have already been lifted with effect from 9 October. The remaining EU sanctions, with the exception of the arms embargo and the ban on the export of equipment which might be used for internal repression or terrorism, are being revised to ensure that only those measures aimed directly at Milosevic and those persons directly associated with him remain in place: this process should be complete by the end of November.

  The UN arms embargo and ban on arming and training for terrorist activities there, imposed by UNSCR 1160 (1998), will remain in place.
  279W
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy that all the EU's economic sanctions against Yugoslavia should be lifted. [136967]

  Mr. Vaz
  The EU oil embargo and flight ban against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were lifted on 9 October following the election of Vojislav Kostunica as President of the FRY. The remaining EU sanctions, with the exceptions of the arms embargo and ban on equipment which might be used for internal repression or terrorism, are being revised to target only Milosevic and those individuals associated with him.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the European Union to provide finance to reconstruct the civilian infrastructure damaged by NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia. [136966]

  Mr. Vaz
  The European Union has already responded quickly to support the new government in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and repair the damage brought on by the Milosevic regime. At the Biarritz European Council on 13 October, the EU announced a 200 meuro emergency assistance package. This package will focus on support for the energy sector, food, health, education and heating. The EU has also allocated 22 meuro for the clearance of the Danube.

  European Security and Defence
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the US Administration on the further development of(a) European Security and Defence Identity and (b) European Security and Defence Policy. [137201]

  Mr. Vaz
  President Clinton welcomed the outcome of the Feira European Council regarding the European Security and Defence Policy in a statement on 20 June 2000. Speaking at the NATO Informal Defence Ministerial at Birmingham on 10 October 2000, Defence Secretary Cohen said that the US agrees with the Helsinki Headline Goal not grudgingly, not with resignation, but with whole-hearted conviction.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if a method for involving non-EU allies into the process for the elaboration of the Headline and Capability Goals has been established; and if he will make a statement. [137200]

  Mr. Vaz
  Non-EU European allies and candidates for accession to the EU have been encouraged to make additional contributions to the Headline Goal target. The European Council at Feira welcomed initial declarations of intent to contribute. Defence Ministers of those countries will have the opportunity to announce offers to make forces available to EU-led crisis management operations in meetings with Defence Ministers of EU member states on 21 November. These offers will be additional to the Headline Goal, which is for EU member states alone to achieve.
  280W
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the scope of the(a) European Security and Defence Identity, (b) Common European Security and Defence Policy and (c) European Security and Defence Policy. [137073]

  Mr. Vaz
  The European Security and Defence Identity refers to the arrangements established within NATO for the Alliance to support European-led crisis management operations.

  The Common European Security and Defence Policy (also known as the European Security and Defence Policy) refers to the arrangements established within the EU for the EU to have the capacity to undertake conflict prevention and crisis management tasks. ESDP is being developed in close co-operation with NATO.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the(a) role and (b) composition is of the European Military Committee; and what representation it has within (a) NATO and (b) other EU bodies. [137109]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Nice European Council is likely to take decisions on establishing permanent political and military bodies including an EU Military Committee. The EU Military Committee will give military advice on questions relating to crisis management operations. It will be composed of Chiefs of Defence Staff of the member states. Day-to-day business will be carried out by national military representatives, who may be double hatted with military representatives at NATO. The Chairman of the Military Committee will attend the Political and Security Committee and meetings of the Council when decisions with defence implications are to be taken.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made in setting up co-operation and co-ordination mechanisms involving non-EU NATO members in the ESDI/P framework. [137075]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 25 October 2000,Official Report, column 148W.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if(a) ESDI and (b) ESDP actions will be subject to a veto by any NATO member state. [137074]

  Mr. Vaz
  All decisions on ESDI in NATO and on ESDP in the EU are taken by consensus. EU decisions are taken by EU member states only.

  European Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in setting up a standing Political and Security Committee dealing with aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. [137077]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Council of the European Union adopted a decision establishing an interim Political and Security Committee (PSC) on 14 February 2000. It met for the first time on 3 March 2000. The interim PSC meets on average twice weekly and can address the full range of Common Foreign and Security Policy issues. As a standing body it
  281W
  can meet at short notice if required. The Government expect the interim PSC to be formally established as a permanent body in the course of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union, January-June 2001.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on incorporating the post of EU high representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy into the European Commission. [137076]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government believe that the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) should continue to be based on inter-governmental cooperation. The role of High Representative provides a valuable focus for the increasingly important role played CFSP. The Government would not support proposals to incorporate this role into the Commission.

  International Criminal Court
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for proposing legislation to establish an international criminal court. [137107]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government will introduce legislation to enable ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows. The ICC Bill was published in draft on 25 August and a consultation process on the draft Bill has been completed.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his participation in the talks designed to create an International Criminal Court. [136984]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK has fully participated throughout the negotiations on the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The sixth session of the Preparatory Commission for the ICC begins in New York on 27 November and British officials will again be actively involved.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people of Western Sahara as set out in the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 16 October 1975; and if he will make a statement. [135927]

  Mr. Hain
  We recognise the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination over their own future and will continue to support international efforts to achieve a just and durable solution in the territory.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the Government have made to the Moroccan Government's statement that it will no longer support the UN Settlement Plan for Western Sahara, including a referendum; and if he will make a statement. [135928]
  282W
  Mr. Hain
  Our understanding is that Morocco remains committed to the UN Settlement Plan for Western Sahara, and to a referendum. The UN Secretary-General has said that the implementation of the plan has been held up for ten years because of differences between the two parties on its voter identification and appeals protocols.

  The Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, James Baker, was drafted in earlier this year to explore all options for an agreed and durable solution, including a political solution which could then be put to a referendum. Morocco's recently stated willingness in principle to consider a political means of breaking the impasse is a positive development. We will continue to give our full support to Mr. Baker's efforts to resolve this dispute.

  Arms Brokering
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions are in place to ensure that arms exported from the UK are not brokered to a third country; and if he will make a statement. [137000]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government are continually seeking to strengthen further their monitoring of the end-use of defence exports to prevent diversion to third parties. The Government have already taken a number of steps to strengthen risk assessment at the licensing stage and to improve the sharing of information on end-users of concern with like-minded countries. For example, the UK regularly seeks additional details of proposed end-use and end-users, including through our overseas posts, in order better to assess particular export licence applications.

  It would be neither practical nor useful to monitor the end-use of all strategic goods exported from the UK over their lifetime with the end-user, particularly when we have already taken steps to satisfy ourselves of the end-user's reliability and integrity before issuing a licence. Post-export monitoring cannot in itself prevent equipment from being diverted or misused, although it may help to inform future licensing decisions. Such monitoring is extremely resource-intensive and generally requires a degree of technical expertise on the part of those involved.

  Nevertheless, the UK is prepared to undertake monitoring of equipment in the recipient country in certain circumstances where the Government believe that such monitoring would genuinely add value to its efforts to minimise the risk of diversion. Several examples of such post-export monitoring are contained in the Government's 1999 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

  At present the Government have powers to control only trafficking and brokering of defence equipment under the United Nations Act 1946 where this is necessary to implement a binding United Nations decision. However, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 28 September that the Government have decided to introduce a system of licensing for arms trafficking and brokering. This will go significantly further than the proposals on trafficking and brokering in the 1998 White Paper on Strategic Export Controls. Full details of the Government's proposals on trafficking and brokering will

  283W
  be set out when the Government announce their proposals for new export control legislation following conclusion of the White Paper review.

  Dog Breeds
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with German Ministers about their proposals to ban certain breeds of dog; and if he will make a statement. [136988]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have not discussed the matter with German Ministers, since such matters are an internal matter for the German authorities.

  I understand the German Government have proposed that such measures be considered for adoption as EU legislation. The European Commission doubt there is a legal basis for EU-wide legislation and it seems unlikely that any such proposals will progress. Our policy is that such domestic legislation should remain a matter for member states. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), has already stated that existing United Kingdom law is adequate for both present and future controls in this area.

  European Public Prosecutor
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on proposals for a European Public Prosecutor. [135381]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Suffolk, (Mr. Spring) on 1 November 2000, Official Report, column 529W.

  European Movement
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account the EU has taken in making decisions to provide funding to the European Movement of the European Movement' s other sources of funding. [136255]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is within the remit of the Commission to decide the criteria for disbursing such grants.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judges' Lodgings
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the total cost was of judges' lodgings for each of the last three years; what was(a) the average cost and (b) the highest cost per night of occupancy of lodgings for each of the last three years; what plans he has to review the cost of judges' lodgings; what recent representations he has received from members of the judiciary concerning lodgings; and if he will make a statement. [134334]
  284W
  Jane Kennedy
  The total cost of running the judges' lodgings in each of the last three years was:

  £

  1997–98

  4,776,680

  1998–99

  5,232,957

  1999–2000

  4,785,683

  For completeness, the average and highest cost per night of occupancy of lodgings by the judge and his or her clerk, inclusive of travel between the lodgings and the court, is set out as follows on three bases:

  Total cost figures

  £

  Highest

  Average (mean)

  1997–98

  2,550

  967

  1998–99

  2,375

  919

  1999–2000

  2,030

  901

  Total cost of lodgings less, for freehold properties, the Treasury capital charge

  £

  Highest

  Average (mean)

  1997–98

  2,550

  918

  1998–99

  2,107

  838

  1999–2000

  2,030

  818

  Only those costs immediately attributable to judicial occupation

  £

  Highest

  Average (mean)

  1997–98

  815.27

  380.70

  1998–99

  646.81

  368.36

  1999–2000

  677.94

  357.34

  An internal review of judges' lodgings is taking place which will:
  review the current location of lodgings, bearing in mind their degree of use and the maximum acceptable travelling times to the court centres they serve;
  compare the value for money provided by lodgings (including past and future capital, running, incidental and opportunity costs) with alternative forms of accommodation providing appropriate standards of security, privacy and comfort; and
  make recommendations concerning the most cost-effective means of managing and staffing lodgings.

  The Lord Chancellor has already begun consultation with the judiciary on the review. When the Lord Chancellor makes his decisions, which will be as soon as possible, he will publish them along with the review.

  No recent representations have been received from members of the judiciary about lodgings.

  Judges
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) High Court judges, (b) circuit judges, (c) recorders or assistant recorders, (d) district judges (including family division) and (e) deputy district judges (including family division),

  285W
  have been appointed in each of the last six years; and how many were (i) solicitors or former solicitors, (ii) women and (iii) people from ethnic minorities. [135127]

  Mr. Lock
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]: The first table gives the requested breakdown for appointments to each level of judge requested for the last three financial years, and for the principal categories from April 1 this year. Another table provides the figures which are readily available for appointments in the calendar years 1994, 1995 and 1996. A further table gives statistics for all professional judicial appointments through the main open competitions in 1999–2000, and shows that of those appointments, 47 per cent. were solicitors, 27 per cent. women and 4 per cent. from ethnic minorities.

  Appointments in the last three financial years

  Total

  Solicitors

  Women

  Ethnic minority

  1997–98

  High Court Judges

  9

  0

  0

  0

  Circuit Judges1

  34

  3

  6

  0

  Assistant Recorders2

  93

  12

  20

  4

  District Judges1,3

  37

  36

  8

  1

  Deputy District Judges3

  63

  57

  20

  2

  1998–99

  High Court Judges

  7

  0

  0

  0

  Circuit Judges1

  15

  1

  2

  1

  Assistant Recorders

  150

  10

  22

  4

  District Judges1,3

  43

  39

  8

  3

  Deputy District Judges3

  100

  86

  32

  1

  1999–2000

  High Court Judges

  8

  0

  3

  0

  Circuit Judges1

  31

  8

  3

  0

  Assistant Recorders2

  113

  9

  21

  6

  District Judges1,3

  27

  24

  10

  1

  Deputy District Judges3

  125

  102

  39

  2

  1 The figures for Circuit Judges and District Judges are for those who were approved for appointment, although they did not take up their appointments until the following year

  2 Appointments in the full competition completed in the year concerned (which usually spans two financial years) rather than the appointments made in that financial year which would be from parts of two competitions

  3 Including Family Division

  Appointments 1 April 2000 to 31 October 2000

  Total

  Solicitors

  Women

  Ethnic minority

  High Court Judges

  11

  1

  0

  0

  Circuit Judges1

  8

  6

  2

  0

  District Judges1,2

  3

  2

  0

  0

  1 Candidates who were interviewed in the competitions in 1999–2000, were originally on the reserve list, and were subsequently appointed. The total figures for those who have taken up post since 1 April 2000 are, therefore, the figures in table 1 plus those in table 2.

  2 Including Family Division

  Appointments in the calendar years shown

  Total

  Solicitors

  Women

  Ethnic minority

  1994

  High Court Judges

  18

  0

  1

  0

  Circuit Judges

  35

  4

  2

  0

  Assistant Recorders2

  50

  13

  6

  3

  District Judges2,3

  31

  28

  10

  0

  Deputy District Judges2,3

  20

  17

  4

  0

  286W

  Appointments in the calendar years shown

  Total

  Solicitors

  Women

  Ethnic minority

  1995

  High Court Judges

  12

  0

  1

  0

  Circuit Judges

  48

  16

  4

  1

  Assistant Recorders2

  58

  9

  9

  1

  District Judges2,3

  31

  30

  4

  0

  Deputy District Judges2,3

  63

  56

  16

  4

  1996

  High Court Judges

  9

  0

  0

  0

  Circuit Judges

  45

  5

  1

  0

  Assistant Recorders2

  98

  16

  17

  2

  District Judges2,3

  24

  22

  3

  0

  Deputy District Judges2,3

  7

  6

  0

  0

  1 The figures of six High Court Judges appointed in 1994 which was given in answer to a written question on 9 February 1999 was incorrect

  2 These figures are those that are the most readily available from existing records but may not be wholly comprehensive because of changes in recording procedures

  3 Including Family Division

  Total appointments through the main judicial appointments competitions in 1999–2000

  Appointments

  Percentage

  Total

  453

  100

  Men

  331

  73.1

  Women1

  122

  26.9

  White

  407

  89.8

  Ethnic minority

  19

  4.2

  Not known

  27

  6

  Barrister (not QC)

  172

  38

  Solicitor (not QC)

  211

  46.6

  QC

  27

  6

  Other

  43

  9.5

  1 If appointments to the Appeals Service are included, the proportion of women appointed in 1999–2000 was 33.4 per cent.

CABINET OFFICE

  British-Irish Council
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made during the summer in relation to the British-Irish Council. [135617]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Over the summer, the participants in the British-Irish Council have been taking forward in a number of the areas identified as priorities at the first BIC summit meeting last December. The second BIC summit was due to take place in Dublin on Wednesday 18 October, hosted by the Irish Government. Regrettably, the summit had to be postponed following the death of the right hon. Donald Dewar MP MSP, First Minister of the Scottish Executive. Action is in hand to identify a new date for the summit.

  Civil Servants (Stakeholder Pensions)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to offer stakeholder pensions to(a) new civil servants, (b) existing civil servants and (c) staff of executive agencies. [134376]
  287W
  Mr. Stringer
  As required under the legislation, from October 2001, designated stakeholder pension arrangements will be made available to all civil servants who cannot be covered by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). Civil service stakeholder pension arrangements will also be made available to civil servants who are covered by the PCSPS but who earn less than £30,000 a year, and who wish to top up their PCSPS benefits.

  These arrangements will he for (a) new civil servants, (b) existing civil servants, and (c) staff of executive agencies while they are employed within the civil service.

  Departmental Websites
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment she has made of the advantages and disadvantages of establishing chat rooms on departmental websites. [136925]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My Department has issued guidelines for Government websites. In paragraph 3.7 of this document there is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of chat rooms. These guidelines are available on the web at http://www.citu.gov.uk/iagc/guidelines/websites/websites.htm.

  Sudanese Diplomats in London: Domestic Servants
  Sudanese Diplomats in London: Domestic Servants
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Passport Format Standardisation
  Passport Format Standardisation
  Excess Winter Death Statistics
  Excess Winter Death Statistics
  UK Tourism and Strength of Sterling
  UK Tourism and Strength of Sterling
  National Lottery Operator's Licence
  National Lottery Operator's Licence
  Departmental Cars
  Departmental Cars
  Overseas Territories Governors and Parliamentary Delegations
  Overseas Territories Governors and Parliamentary Delegations
  European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
  European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
  Cuba: Consular Access to Detained Britons
  Cuba: Consular Access to Detained Britons
  Ballistic Missile Defence: UK/US Dialogue
  Ballistic Missile Defence: UK/US Dialogue
  Repatriation of Bodies within the EU
  Repatriation of Bodies within the EU
  Cayman Islands: Public Sector Trade Union Representation
  Cayman Islands: Public Sector Trade Union Representation
  Sudan: Return of Abducted Persons
  Sudan: Return of Abducted Persons
  North Korea: Diplomatic Relations
  North Korea: Diplomatic Relations
  School Performance Tables: Age Group Anomalies
  School Performance Tables: Age Group Anomalies
  Caravans and Site Numbers
  Caravans and Site Numbers
  Motorway Construction
  Motorway Construction
  Reserve Forces Specialist Support
  Reserve Forces Specialist Support
  RAMC Site, Millbank: Sale
  RAMC Site, Millbank: Sale
  Army Rifle: Calibre
  Army Rifle: Calibre
  Fishing Industry: Safety Measures
  Fishing Industry: Safety Measures
  Manchester: Employment Schemes for Chronically Sick and Disabled People
  Manchester: Employment Schemes for Chronically Sick and Disabled People
  Brain Injury Services in the North West
  Brain Injury Services in the North West