Written Answers of 16 November 2000

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Accommodation Questionnaire
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what the cost was of issuing the questionnaire to hon. Members on the type of accommodation they preferred; how many hon. Members replied to the questionnaire; and what action has been taken to accommodate the requests contained in the replies. [138543]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  Other than the cost of the stationery, there was no cost in issuing the questionnaire. 556 hon. Members responded. The results of the survey were analysed, presented to the Committee and passed to the Accommodation Whips.

PRIME MINISTER

  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to receive the seventh Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [138994]

  The Prime Minister
  I am pleased to announce that the seventh Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, entitled "Standards of Conduct in the House of Lords", has been published today by the Committee. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Libraries.

  The recommendations in the Report are for the House of Lords. The Government welcome the Report and hope and expect that the House of Lords will give it the serious consideration that it deserves.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the value is of the social network payment anticipated in the Post Office Network Business Plan for each year to 2005–06; [138042]

  (2) how much of the £80 million per annum payment towards the Post Office Network's fixed costs from the Government Practitioner Services and Internet learning access points anticipated in 2005–06 in the Post Office Network Business Plan will be offset by savings in other Government Departments currently offering similar services; [138037]
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  (3) what proportion of the extra revenues anticipated as a result of the Post Office's Business Plan for the Post Office Network are assumed to come from Government agencies. [138041]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: It is established practice under section II paragraph 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose such information.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a list of the sub-post offices which have closed since May 1997. [136704]

  Mr. Byers
  I understand from the Post Office that a full list of sub-post office closures since May 1997 is not readily available in one central location.

  Ultra-low Sulphur Fuel
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of filling stations which(a) supply ultra-low sulphur petrol and (b) will supply ultra-low sulphur petrol by April 2001. [138440]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 15 November 2000]: The Department does not hold information on the number of petrol retail outlets in the UK selling ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP). According to HM Customs and Excise data, ULSP currently constitutes around a third of petrol released for consumption in the UK.

  Future levels of supply for ULSP will be a matter for individual companies to determine.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many fuel retail outlets sell low sulphur petrol in(a) Wales, (b) rural Wales, (c) England and (d) rural England; and what proportion this is of total petrol outlets. [138268]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady).

  Information Technology
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which Departments had not produced e-business strategies by the end of October; [138640]

  (2) in which disadvantaged communities the Government plan to pilot the costs and benefits of universal broadband access; [138637]

  (3) which Government Departments have introduced low cost personal computer leasing schemes for public service employees; and how many public service employees have benefited from these schemes; [138638]

  (4) which Government Departments and agencies are not connected to the Government secure internet; [138636]

  (5) if the methods for monitoring the achievement of the target of conducting 90 per cent. of low value Government procurement electronically have been agreed;[138641]
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  (6) when the last monthly progress report to the Prime Minister on e-commerce was (a) submitted and (b) published on the e-Envoy website; [138642]

  (7) when he will publish his plans to liberalise re-use of Government information by internet content providers. [138741]

  Ms Hewitt
  I would like to thank my hon. Friend for the interest he has shown in key elements of the Government's strategy for the information age. I have been asked to reply as the Minister with overarching responsibility for that strategy, which the e-Envoy and I published in the UK Online Annual Report on 11 September.

  Yesterday, we published our plan for implementing all the commitments to action in the UK online report. This is on the internet at www.e-envoy.gov.uk/2000/progress/montprog.htm. The e-Envoy and I report monthly to the Prime Minister on progress against these targets. These progress reports areaccessible on the internet at www.e-envoy.gov.uk/2000/progress/progress.htm.

  On the specific questions my hon. Friend asks, the position is as follows:

  Universal broadband access

  The Wired Up Communities initiative will be piloting the impact that providing access to the internet might have on disadvantaged communities. On 11 October the Minister responsible for Learning and Technology, the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Mr. Wills), announced that the first wired up community will be Kensington, Liverpool. We expect to announce further pilot areas in the new year.

  Electronic Government procurement

  Departments will monitor their own progress towards the target that
  by 2001 90 per cent. of low value goods (by volume) will be purchased electronically.

  A tool to enable them to measure their progress has been developed and extensively trialled by the Office of Government Commerce. The measurement tool will be distributed to Principal Finance Officers shortly.

  Liberalising re-use of Government information

  I announced on 6 September our plans to boost the Knowledge Economy by overhauling the way Government information can be acquired and reused by publishing and internet businesses. This announcement was in the context of the Government's Review of the Knowledge Driven Economy as part of the Spending Review 2000. Her Majesty's Stationery Office colleagues are in the process of finalising details of key reforms with Treasury colleagues and are planning to publish these in late November.

  Personal computer leasing schemes

  We are committed to encouraging low cost leasing schemes in the Public Sector, and are currently auditing existing schemes. Over 27,000 teachers have purchased low cost computers through DfEEs 'Computers for Teachers' programme.
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  Publication of UK online monthly progress reports

  The last monthly progress report to the Prime Minister was submitted on 15 November and published on the e-Envoy's website, www.e-envoy.gov.uk, on the same day.

  Government Departments and Agencies connected to the Government secure intranet

  All sizeable central Government Departments have joined, or are in the process of linking to, the Government secure intranet. Details of those Government Departments which are connected, or planning to connect, will be placed in the Library.

  Government Departments' e-business strategies

  Most Government Departments have submitted their plans.

  Many of the actions we are taking forward relate to matters for which the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for setting targets and implementing initiatives. Details of these are included in the UK Online Annual Report.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Malaria
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what target the Government have set for combating malaria; what additional resources have been allocated to meet this target; and if she will make a statement.[136971]

  Clare Short
  The United Kingdom is strongly supporting the World Health Organisation (WHO) led Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative to achieve the goal of reducing the malaria burden by half by 2010. The RBM initiative provides the vehicle for concerted action by partners, especially in Africa, to deliver more widely the benefits of currently available methods of malaria control to the poorest. Overall UK developmental programme spending on malaria control activities increased to over £19 million in 1999–2000 and is set to increase further. We have contributed £12 million to WHO RBM this year alone. The UK is also supporting public-private partnerships to develop the new generation of affordable drugs required for malaria control in developing countries, both by direct funding to WHO for the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) initiative, the Lapdap product development programme and the Malarone donation.

  Palestinian Education
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will suspend the transfer of further funds to the Palestinian Authority for education purposes until the schools under their control are reopened. [137501]

  Clare Short
  We have provided technical assistance to the Palestinian Ministry of Education for a number of years. Our help has focused on building the capacity of the Ministry, districts and schools to deliver high quality education to Palestinian children. To achieve this we have provided the services of experts, training and a limited amount of equipment. In company with other development partners we are considering further
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  assistance to the education sector. There is no reason to delay this work because of school closures for valid security reasons.

  Kosovo
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on the reconstruction of Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [138195]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We have not had recent discussions on Kosovo with other Ministers but I met key officials on my visit to Kosovo earlier this year and officials of this Department attend meetings of the Management Board of the EU Agency for Reconstruction, which is responsible for the EU's programme in Kosovo. The Department's office in Pristina liaises directly with the agency and with other donors, including EU member states, on reconstruction issues. The agency has made good progress on developing its 360 million euros programme of reconstruction activities in 2000 since its establishment in March. The United Kingdom's contribution to this programme is about £39 million. In addition, we are providing £5 million in bilateral technical assistance in this financial year.

  Departmental Employees (New Deal)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff her Department employs under the New Deal for Young People. [137959]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We currently employ two members of staff under the New Deal for Young People and have recently embarked on a new recruitment process for the New Deal arrangements.

  Departmental Employees (HIV)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to ensure that people who are HIV-positive do not suffer discrimination as a result of employment practices followed by her Department.[137792]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Staff who are HIV-positive are not discriminated against in any of DFID's employment practices. Staff who have AIDS are treated in the same way as others with potentially serious health conditions, bearing in mind DFID's duty of care to ensure the health and safety of staff with immuno-suppressive conditions.

  Child Labour (Rugmark Initiative)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the international Rugmark initiative; and what steps she has taken to encourage British carpet companies to take part. [137744]
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  Mr. Foulkes
  We have not been involved with the Rugmark initiative and therefore we have not made an assessment of it.

  In general terms labelling can make a positive contribution to the elimination of child labour but impact hinges on effective monitoring, sustainable income replacement and/or access to quality education—if not children may simply be displaced into non export oriented work.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received from Oxfam regarding reducing Third World debt. [138405]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Secretary of State and I meet regularly with representatives of non-governmental organisations, including Oxfam, to discuss debt and other development issues.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Petrol Costs (Ministerial Cars)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost was in each of the past three years of petrol for his Department's fleet of ministerial cars; and how many vehicles there are in that fleet. [135029]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 552W.

  Housing Investment
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total amount was of Government expenditure on capital investment in housing in each year since 1979–80 in(a) England and (b) London, separately identifying expenditure under capital receipts; and what the projected expenditure is in each category for each year until 2003–04. [135802]

  Mr. Mullin
  The available information on Government allocations, or outturns, for expenditure on housing capital investment made since 1979–80 is set out in the tables. A revised local authority finance regime was introduced from 1990–91, and thus prior years' figures are not directly comparable. Some of the resources allocated through the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund and City Challenge are applied to housing, but this element is not distinguished in the allocations and is therefore not included. Allocations under the Capital Receipts Initiative over the period 1997–98 to 1999–2000 are identified separately in the table.

  Government expenditure plans from 2001–02 to 2003–04 which were set out in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 24 July 2000,Official Report, columns 398–04W, are as follows.
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  Spending Review 2000 Settlement Housing Capital Programmes

  £ million

  England

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Housing Corporation ADP (including Rough Sleepers initiative)

  789

  940

  1,236

  Local Authority Credit Approvals

  2,305

  2,465

  2,545

  Disabled Facility Grants and Housing defects loans

  87

  88

  89

  Starter Homes Initiative

  50

  100

  100

  Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund

  20

  40

  60

  Programme allocations at Regional level are yet to be decided.

  Housing capital expenditure allocations 1979–80 to 1989–901—England

  £ million

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Development Programme(ADP)—Gross expenditure

  2—

  2—

  521

  755

  734

  697

  711

  715

  752

  791

  935

  Local Authority Basic Block allocations (prior to 1990–91)

  2,544

  2,186

  1,771

  1,847

  1,769

  1,821

  1,572

  1,392

  1,262

  1,119

  874

  Estate Action

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  42

  67

  129

  176

  Other allocations

  0

  17

  25

  345

  464

  32

  33

  25

  71

  83

  45

  Housing capital expenditure allocations 1990–91 to 2000–011—England

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme (ADP)—Gross expenditure

  1,063

  1,586

  1,760

  1,796

  1,484

  1,142

  1,044

  684

  607

  638

  542

  Local Authority Credit Approvals (ACGs—from 1990— 91)

  1,296

  1,343

  1,290

  1,378

  1,038

  994

  943

  628

  544

  609

  2,019

  Estate Action

  175

  264

  347

  357

  373

  239

  203

  155

  99

  65

  68

  Other Credit Approval

  221

  187

  110

  45

  70

  88

  88

  51

  31

  3—

  3—

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  174

  569

  570

  3—

  Private Sector Renewal Support Grant

  413

  413

  397

  392

  308

  283

  271

  192

  166

  165

  3—

  Disabled Facilities Grant

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  56

  59

  65

  72

  Estate Renewal Challenge Fund

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  30

  103

  146

  165

  81

  Housing Action Trusts

  3—

  10

  27

  57

  73

  47

  66

  69

  76

  68

  63

  Housing capital expenditure allocations 1979–1980 to 1989–901—London

  £ million

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Development Programme (ADP)—Gross expenditure

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2
  —

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Local Authority Basic Block allocations (prior to 1990–91)

  887

  767

  548

  617

  532

  555

  480

  427

  385

  371

  290

  Estate Action

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  15

  14

  30

  37

  Other allocations

  0

  3

  3

  14

  64

  5

  7

  3

  17

  26

  2

  Housing capital expenditure allocations 1990–91 to 2000–011—London

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme (ADP)—Gross expenditure

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  424

  408

  261

  252

  264

  276

  Local Authority Credit Approvals (ACGs—from 1990-91)

  436

  451

  454

  474

  355

  321

  299

  194

  162

  184

  602

  Estate Action

  33

  67

  93

  91

  98

  88

  87

  86

  68

  46

  54

  Other Credit Approvals

  123

  100

  29

  3

  28

  43

  43

  31

  18

  3—

  3—

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  53

  167

  170

  3—

  724W
  Specific allocations for Estate Action and Housing Action Trusts within the Regeneration Programme are as follows:

  Estimated capital allocations

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Estate Action

  England

  39.5

  11.1

  4.7

  of which London

  35.5

  11.1

  4.7

  Housing Action Trusts England

  70

  92.3

  54.3

  Allocation has yet to be distributed between individual HATs.
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  Housing capital expenditure allocations 1990–91 to 2000–011—London

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Private Sector Renewal Support Grant

  55

  52

  57

  55

  42

  44

  45

  39

  33

  33

  3—

  Disabled Facilities Grant

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  9

  9

  11

  12

  Estate Renewal Challenge Fund

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  13

  58

  114

  79

  46

  Housing Action Trusts

  3—

  2—

  2—

  21

  32

  23

  24

  39

  33

  39

  34

  1Cash prices

  2 Denotes figures not available

  3 Not applicable

  Notes:

  1. ADP Gross Expenditure—excludes ADP funding of City Challenge, Rough Sleepers Initiative and ERCF. Data prior to 1981–82 are unavailable as Corporation expenditure was not cash limited in this period. London boroughs' expenditure was not separately identifiable prior to the Corporation's regional re-organisation from 1995–96. The 1992–93 figure excludes £591 million under the Housing Market Package. 2000–01 figure is forecast expenditure.

  2. Estate Action—figures up to 1994–95 represent supplementary credit approval (SCA) and continuation scheme allocations; thereafter, direct grant payment outturns within the Single Regeneration Budget. 2000–01 outtum is estimated.

  3. Other allocations/credit approvals—covers special programmes for Energy Conservation, Home Insulation, Home Improvement, Private Sector Initiative, Homelessness, Special Grant Allowances, Rural Housing Defects Act, New Town Defective Dwellings, Flats over Shops, Cash Incentive Scheme and Housing Partnership Fund. Figures represent final outtum.

  4. Capital Receipts Initiative—initial allocations.

  5. Private Sector Renewal Support Grant—distributed via Specified Capital Grant Allowances 1990–91 to 1992–93; SCG-dependent SCAs 1993–94 to 1996–97.

  5. Disabled Facilities Grant—initial allocation. DFG was incorporated within SCG and SCG-dependent SCAs prior to 1997–98.

  6. Estate Renewal Challenge Fund—2000–01 outturn is estimated.

  7. Housing Action Trusts—2000–01 outturn is estimated. Separate figure for London expenditure in 1991–92 and 1992–93 not available.

  Low Carbon Technology
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much he has spent on the development of low carbon technology in each year since 1995. [137214]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department has spent under its Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme in each year since 1995 the following amounts directly supporting Research and Development (R & D) into low-carbon technologies. On average an additional 30 per cent. has been spent each year on R & D related promotion. The amounts vary from year-to-year according to opportunities and programme priorities. For example, the number of quality R & D proposals put forward changes, the needs of energy users move between R & D and requirements for other types of support. In the last few years needs have focused on more impartial advice.

  £ million

  1995–96

  1.7

  1996–97

  1.7

  1997–98

  1.2

  1998–99

  0.7

  1999–2000

  0.5

  2000–01

  11.1

  1estimated outturn

  The Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme is the UK Government's principal energy efficiency information, advice and research and development programme for the public and private sectors. The programme covers industrial processes, buildings and the managed housing stock.The Department's Partners in Innovation scheme has also supported collaborative projects on low carbon technologies broadly at the level of £50,000 per year. The Partners in Innovation scheme is a central part of the Department's Construction, Innovation and Research programme.
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  It is the Department's intention to provide a significant stimulus to R & D in future years through the funding recently announced for the Carbon Trust in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith), by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31 October 2000,Official Report, column 357W.

  Bus Fuel Rebate
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much was paid to bus companies under the bus fuel rebate scheme between the financial year 1998–99 and the latest available date; [137761]

  (2) what will be the cost of his plans to extend the bus fuel rebate to community transport schemes; and if he will estimate for each of the last three years the cost of the scheme had the same rebate been extended to community transport schemes in that period; [137760]

  (3) what progress he has made on extension of the bus fuel rebate to community transport schemes; and if he will make a statement. [137814]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department's expenditure on payments of bus fuel duty rebate to bus operators in England was £222 million in 1998–99 and £277 million in 1999–2000. Payments this year are expected to total about £300 million.

  As promised in 'Transport 2010', the 10-year plan for transport, we are now working up proposals for extending the rebate to a wider range of community transport schemes. We shall be consulting on these proposals shortly with the intention of having new rules in place for the 2001–02 financial year.

  It is not possible at this stage to give an estimate of what the cost of this change will be in future years, or would have been in past years, since this depends on

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  decisions still to be taken on the precise definition of the services which will benefit and on the eligible mileage which they run.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of EU directives on wildlife on SSSIs in England. [138032]

  Mr. Mullin
  No assessment has been made of the general impact of EU directives on wildlife. However, two EU directives specifically address the protection of wildlife:Council Directive 92/43/EC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora ("the Habitats Directive") and Council Directive 79/409/EC on the conservation of wild birds ("the Birds Directive"). These generally serve to reinforce the protection of wildlife in England. Under the directives, we have classified 83 special protection areas for birds and have submitted 148 sites to date for possible designation as special areas of conservation for inclusion in a network of sites of European importance. These sites are all already or will be notified as SSSIs, and benefit from special protection under the provisions of the directives.

  Aircraft Fuel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been conducted (a) into the quantity of aircraft fuel that is used while aircraft are (i) stacked and (ii) delayed due to air traffic control processes and (b) into the impact on the use of aircraft fuel of introducing a single European air traffic control system; and if he will make a statement. [138262]

  Mr. Mullin
  Air traffic control delays are, of course, imposed for safety reasons when there is a lack of en-route air traffic control or airport capacity. Stacking and en-route delays do exacerbate fuel burn, but the Government are unaware of any research undertaken to specifically calculate additional fuel burn due to these delays.

  Much work has, however, been done across Europe to accommodate high rates of traffic growth safely while minimising air traffic delays. These efforts have resulted in delays in summer 2000 being comparable to summer 1998, but it is recognised that this record needs to be improved.

  The reduction of air transport delays is one of the principal objectives of the European Commission's single European sky initiative. The recommendations arising from this initiative are to be presented to the December Transport Council. These are likely to include the need to improve civil/military co-operation and to strengthen the regulatory regime to compel European States to implement commonly agreed capacity enhancements in order to optimise airspace use, and hence reduce delays and fuel burn.

  Noise Act 1996
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authorities which have implemented in full the provisions of the Noise Act 1996. [138510]
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  Mr. Hill
  There is no requirement for local authorities to inform the Department once they have decided to adopt the Act. The local authorities in England which have, so far as we are aware, adopted the Act, are:

  London Borough of Barnet

  London Borough of Bromley

  London Borough of Havering

  London Borough of Waltham Forest

  Westminster City Council

  East Devon District Council

  Guildford Borough Council

  Hertsmere Borough Council

  Newark and Sherwood District Council

  Rushcliffe Borough Council

  Shepway District Council

  Surrey Heath Borough Council

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions he has taken to encourage local authorities to implement the provisions of the Noise Act 1996. [138511]

  Mr. Hill
  The Noise Act was introduced following consideration of the effectiveness of neighbour noise controls by the Neighbour Noise Working Party and consultations with local authorities. When the Act was introduced the Government at the time left open the option of adopting it to local authorities in the light of their local requirements and available resources.

  Following a commitment made to Parliament, we commissioned a review of the Act last year and expect to announce the outcome of this to the House shortly.

  Noise Strategy
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a noise strategy; and if he will make a statement. [138512]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government have given a commitment to consider the case for a national ambient noise strategy. A first step will be to issue a consultation paper on the options.

  National Forest
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will report on the National Forest Company's progress in creating the national forest in the East Midlands. [139110]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have arranged for copies of the National Forest Company's Annual Report and its Accounts for 1999–2000 to be placed in the House Libraries.

  Trunk Roads
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce further additions to the targeted programme of trunk road improvements. [139225]
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  Mr. Hill
  At the time of the Roads Review in July 1998, we decided to take forward consideration of the A63 Melton Grade Separated Junction in Yorkshire. I can now confirm that following further work, including a full appraisal, and consultation with the regional planning body, the scheme has been added to the targeted programme of improvements. By removing three existing junctions the scheme will improve safety and reduce delays. It will also facilitate access to enable regeneration of a large area of brownfield land to the south of the A63 on the banks of the Humber. Draft orders for the scheme were published on 17 October.

  Further additions to the programme will in general depend on the outcome of studies commissioned as a result of the Roads Review and priorities identified in the course of development of Regional Transport Strategies within the context of Regional Planning Guidance.

  However, if the objectives of investment in trunk roads under the 10-Year Plan are to be delivered it is important that we make some immediate progress. Therefore, we have initiated consultations with regional planning bodies to consider possible targeted improvements to tackle problems on those parts of the core trunk road network not being considered within a study. As part of this exercise we will also consider whether decisions can be taken on taking forward some targeted improvements within the areas covered by studies without prejudicing the strategic context of the study in question or the emerging Regional Transport Strategy. Specific proposals for improvements will be evaluated using the New Approach to Appraisal to ensure they are consistent with our transport criteria of safety, economy, environmental impact accessibility and integration. We will make an announcement about the outcome of this exercise in the spring.

  I can also confirm that work on the programme of 100 early action schemes to tackle localised safety and congestion problems on the trunk road announced at the time of the 10-Year Plan has begun. Copies of a leaflet showing the locations of these schemes have been placed in the Library.

HEALTH

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the element of SSA for each local authority in England was for the placement of children in residential care in the last five years for which figures are available. [135104]

  Mr. Hutton
  The standard spending assessment for children's personal social services does not include a specific element relating to the placement of children in residential care. The SSA reflects differences between authorities in the potential need for all children's social services, based upon the socio-economic and health characteristics of each authority. It also reflects unavoidable variations in the costs of supplying these services.
  730W
  The total SSA for children's personal social services in the current financial year is £1,997.7 million. Allocations for each local authority are given in the tables.

  Standard spending assessments for 2001–2001

  £ million

  Summary table

  Children's SSA

  Principal Metropolitan Cities

  199.597

  Other Metropolitan Districts

  326.132

  Metropolitan sub total

  525.729

  Inner London

  309.502

  Outer London

  263.918

  London sub total

  573.420

  Shire Counties

  570.033

  Shire Unitary Authorities

  328.518

  Shire sub total

  898.551

  England total

  1,997.700

  £ million

  Local authority

  Children's SSA

  Principal Metropolitan Cities

  Birmingham

  64.179

  Leeds

  28.549

  Liverpool

  33.142

  Manchester

  36.239

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  15.828

  Sheffield

  21.660

  Sub-Total

  199.597

  Other Metropolitan Districts

  Barnsley

  8.119

  Bolton

  10.872

  Bradford

  22.913

  Bury

  6.477

  Calderdale

  7.191

  Coventry

  14.907

  Doncaster

  11.102

  Dudley

  9.522

  Gateshead

  8.970

  Kirklees

  13.820

  Knowsley

  12.530

  North Tyneside

  8.316

  Oldham

  10.050

  Rochdale

  10.558

  Rotherham

  9.706

  Salford

  12.145

  Sandwell

  14.704

  Sefton

  12.164

  Solihull

  6.468

  South Tyneside

  8.596

  St. Helens

  7.029

  Stockport

  8.882

  Sunderland

  13.637

  Tameside

  9.177

  Trafford

  7.622

  Wakefield

  10.904

  Walsall

  11.070

  Wigan

  10.411

  Wirral

  15.798

  Wolverhampton

  12.471

  Sub total

  326.132

  Metropolitan sub total

  525.729

  Inner London

  City of London

  0.637

  Camden

  22.246

  Greenwich

  21.633

  731W

  £ million

  Local authority

  Children's SSAM

  Hackney

  29.076

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  17.967

  Islington

  26.735

  Kensington and Chelsea

  15.430

  Lambeth

  39.037

  Lewisham

  28.318

  Southwark

  35.360

  Tower Hamlets

  28.416

  Wandsworth

  23.308

  Westminster

  21.338

  Sub total

  309.502

  Outer London

  Barking and Dagenham

  12.559

  Barnet

  13.875

  Bexley

  8.848

  Brent

  21.538

  Bromley

  10.403

  Croydon

  19.217

  Ealing

  21.099

  Enfield

  14.439

  Haringey

  22.787

  Harrow

  7.902

  Havering

  7.240

  Hillingdon

  10.245

  Hounslow

  13.199

  Kingston upon Thames

  4.899

  Merton

  9.359

  Newham

  25.673

  Redbridge

  10.239

  Richmond upon Thames

  5.541

  Sutton

  7.372

  Waltham Forest

  17.487

  Subtotal

  263.918

  London sub total

  573.420

  Shire Counties

  Bedfordshire

  9.351

  Buckinghamshire

  10.003

  Cambridgeshire

  11.712

  Cheshire

  16.211

  Cornwall

  13.165

  Cumbria

  12.495

  Derbyshire

  16.369

  Devon

  16.781

  Dorset

  7.913

  Durham

  17.541

  East Sussex

  14.832

  Essex

  35.037

  Gloucestershire

  13.910

  Hampshire

  28.499

  Hertfordshire

  27.363

  Kent

  39.941

  Lancashire

  37.147

  Leicestershire

  10.974

  Lincolnshire

  14.857

  Norfolk

  19.772

  North Yorkshire

  11.241

  Northamptonshire

  17.844

  Northumberland

  8.120

  Nottinghamshire

  19.487

  Oxfordshire

  14.396

  Shropshire

  5.512

  Somerset

  11.172

  Staffordshire

  18.502

  Suffolk

  15.944

  Surrey

  22.833

  Warwickshire

  11.569

  West Sussex

  17.480

  Wiltshire

  9.106

  Worcestershire

  12.954

  Sub total

  570.033

  732W

  £ million

  Local authority

  Children's SSA

  Shire Unitary Authorities

  Isles of Scilly

  0.030

  Isle of Wight Council

  4.310

  Bath and North East Somerset

  3.991

  Blackburn with Darwen

  7.089

  Blackpool

  6.687

  Bournemouth

  5.915

  Bracknell Forest

  3.179

  Brighton and Hove

  11.324

  Bristol

  18.960

  Darlington

  3.719

  Derby

  9.974

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  6.015

  Halton

  6.549

  Hartlepool

  4.194

  Herefordshire

  3.933

  Kingston upon Hull

  14.065

  Leicester

  16.391

  Luton

  9.492

  Medway

  8.428

  Middlesbrough

  8.453

  Milton Keynes

  7.788

  West Berkshire

  2.680

  North East Lincolnshire

  6.276

  North Lincolnshire

  4.449

  North Somerset

  4.202

  Nottingham

  19.207

  Peterborough

  6.526

  Plymouth

  11.510

  Poole

  4.137

  Portsmouth

  9.467

  Reading

  6.596

  Redcar and Cleveland

  6.088

  Rutland

  0.574

  Slough

  6.372

  Southend-on-Sea

  7.921

  South Gloucestershire

  5.010

  Southampton

  10.978

  Stockton-on-Tees

  7.620

  Stoke-on-Trent

  10.784

  Swindon

  5.566

  Thurrock

  5.982

  Torbay

  4.923

  Warrington

  5.373

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  3.238

  Wokingham

  2.184

  Telford and The Wrekin

  5.871

  York

  4.498

  Subtotal

  328.518

  Shires sub total

  898.551

  School Nurses
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many school nurses were employed in each health authority in England and Wales in(a) 1979, (b) 1987, (c) 1997, (d) 1998 and (e) 1999; and if he will make a statement; [137869]

  (2) what proposals he has for adopting a benchmark for the provision of school nurses within a health authority in terms of the number of pupils per school nurse; [137867]

  (3) if he has received a copy of the report 'School Nursing within the Public Health Agenda' jointly published by the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association, the Queen's Nursing Institute and the Royal College of Nursing; and if he will make a statement; [137866]
  733W
  (4) what proposals he has to increase the total number of school nurses across England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.[137868]

  Mr. Denham
  Data on the numbers of school nurses employed by health authority in 1987 are shown in the table. This information is not available for the other years. Information on numbers of school nurses after 1995 is not available due to a change in occupation codes used.

  The school years offer an invaluable opportunity for the promotion of healthy living which sets the pattern for lifestyle and health status in adulthood. School nurses have an important role to play in meeting the needs of school-aged children and young people. The documents "Saving Lives", "Supporting Families" and "Making a Difference" identify and support a comprehensive programme of action for developing the public health role of school nursing. We look forward to receiving a copy of the report "School Nursing within the Public Health Agenda".

  It is for health authorities and GP purchasers, with advice from professional colleagues, to determine benchmarks for the numbers, nature and levels of nursing staff and the training required to deliver cost effective school health services. The National Health Service Plan sets out increases in the numbers of nurses undertaking nursing training. Between now and 2004 there will be 5,500 extra nurses and midwives being trained each year than today and around 45,000 nurses and midwives will have come out of training. This means an increased supply of qualified nurses from which school nurses can be recruited and trained.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): School nursing staff by Health Authority in England as at 30 September 1987

  Whole time equivalent

  England

  2,960

  Northern

  240

  North Tees District HA

  20

  South Tees District HA

  40

  East Cumbria District HA

  10

  South Cumbria District HA

  10

  West Cumbria District HA

  10

  Darlington District HA

  10

  Durham District HA

  10

  North West Durham District HA

  10

  South West Durham District HA

  10

  Northumberland Health Authority

  1—

  Gateshead District HA

  10

  Newcastle District HA

  40

  North Tyneside District HA

  10

  South Tyneside District HA

  10

  Sunderland Health Commission

  30

  Hartlepool District HA

  10

  Yorkshire

  240

  Hull District HA

  20

  East Yorkshire District HA

  10

  Grimsby District HA

  10

  Scunthorpe District HA

  10

  Northallerton District HA

  1—

  York District HA

  20

  Scarborough District HA

  10

  Harrogate District HA

  1—

  Bradford District HA

  60

  Huddersfield District HA

  10

  734W

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): School nursing staff by Health Authority in England as at 30 September 1987

  Whole time equivalent

  Dewsbury District HA

  10

  Leeds Western District HA

  30

  Leeds Eastern District HA

  50

  Wakefield District HA

  1—

  Pontefract District HA

  1—

  Trent

  340

  North Derbyshire District HA

  10

  Southern Derbyshire Health

  30

  Leicestershire HA

  70

  North Lincolnshire District HA

  10

  South Lincolnshire District HA

  20

  Bassetlaw District HA

  10

  Central Nottinghamshire District HA

  30

  Nottingham HA

  50

  Barnsley District HA

  1—

  Doncaster District HA

  20

  Rotherham HA

  30

  Sheffield Health

  50

  East Anglia

  80

  Cambridge District HA

  20

  Peterborough District HA

  10

  West Suffolk District HA

  10

  East Suffolk District HA

  10

  Norwich District HA

  20

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney District HA

  10

  West Norfolk and Wisbech District HA

  10

  Huntingdon District HA

  10

  NW Thames

  230

  North Bedfordshire District HA

  10

  South Bedfordshire District HA

  30

  North Hertfordshire District HA

  1—

  East Hertfordshire District HA

  10

  North West Hertfordshire District HA

  10

  South West Hertfordshire District HA

  10

  Barnet HA

  30

  Harrow District HA

  10

  Hillingdon Health Agency

  1—

  Hounslow and Spelthorne District HA

  20

  Ealing District HA

  30

  Brent District HA

  20

  Paddington and North Kensington District

  HA

  20

  Riverside District HA

  30

  NE Thames

  220

  Basildon and Thurrock District HA

  20

  Mid Essex District HA

  10

  North East Essex District HA

  10

  West Essex District HA

  10

  Southend District HA

  20

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood District

  Health

  10

  Hampstead District HA

  20

  Bloomsbury District HA

  20

  Islington District HA

  20

  City and Hackney District HA

  20

  Newham District HA

  10

  Tower Hamlets District HA

  30

  Enfield District HA

  20

  Haringey District HA

  10

  Redbridge District HA

  1—

  Waltham Forest District HA

  10

  SE Thames

  190

  Brighton District HA

  20

  Eastbourne District HA

  1—

  South East Kent District HA

  10

  735W

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): School nursing staff by Health Authority in England as at 30 September 1987

  Whole time equivalent

  Canterbury and Thanet District HA

  10

  Dartford and Gravesham District HA

  10

  Maidstone District HA

  10

  Medway District HA

  10

  Bexley District HA

  10

  Greenwich District HA

  20

  West Lambeth District HA

  10

  Camberwell District HA

  30

  Lewisham and North Southwark District HA

  30

  SW Thames

  150

  North West Surrey District HA

  10

  West Surrey and North East Hampshire

  District HA

  10

  South West Surrey District HA

  10

  Mid Surrey District HA

  10

  East Surrey District HA

  1—

  Chichester District HA

  10

  Mid Downs District HA

  20

  Worthing District HA

  10

  Croydon Health Commissioning Agency

  30

  Kingston and Esher District HA

  10

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  District HA

  20

  Wandsworth District HA

  10

  Merton and Sutton District HA

  10

  Wessex

  130

  East Dorset District HA

  20

  West Dorset District HA

  1—

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health

  1—

  Commissioning Agency

  30

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  Health Commissioning Agency

  20

  Winchester District HA

  10

  Basingstoke and North Hampshire District

  HA

  10

  Salisbury District HA

  1—

  Swindon District HA

  10

  Bath District HA

  30

  Isle of Wight Health Commission

  10

  Oxford

  110

  East Berkshire District HA

  20

  West Berkshire District HA

  30

  Wycombe District HA

  10

  Milton Keynes District HA

  1—

  Kettering District HA

  20

  Northampton District HA

  10

  Oxfordshire District HA

  10

  South Western

  180

  Bristol and Weston District HA

  30

  Frenchay District HA

  20

  Southmead District HA

  20

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly District and

  Family Health

  20

  Exeter District HA

  20

  North Devon District HA

  10

  Plymouth District HA

  20

  Torbay District HA

  10

  Cheltenham and District District HA

  10

  Gloucester District HA

  10

  Somerset HA

  10

  West Midlands

  340

  Bromsgrove and Redditch District HA

  10

  Herefordshire HA

  1—

  Kidderminster and District District HA

  1—

  Worcester and District District HA

  10

  736W

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): School nursing staff by Health Authority in England as at 30 September 1987

  Whole time equivalent

  Shropshire HA

  10

  Mid Staffordshire District HA

  10

  North Staffordshire HA

  40

  South East Staffordshire District HA

  20

  Rugby District HA

  1—

  North Warwickshire District HA

  20

  South Warwickshire District HA

  10

  Central Birmingham District HA

  20

  East Birmingham District HA

  10

  North Birmingham District HA

  10

  South Birmingham District HA

  30

  West Birmingham District HA

  20

  Coventry HA

  10

  Dudley HA

  20

  Sandwell HA

  30

  Solihull Health

  10

  Walsall HA

  20

  Wolverhampton HA

  20

  Mersey

  230

  Chester District HA

  20

  Crewe District HA

  10

  Halton District HA

  10

  Macclesfield District HA

  10

  Warrington District HA

  20

  Liverpool HA

  70

  St. Helens and Knowsley HA

  40

  Southport and Formby District HA

  10

  South Sefton (Merseyside) District HA

  20

  Wirral HA

  30

  North Western

  260

  Lancaster District HA

  1—

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde District HA

  10

  Preston District HA

  1—

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  District HA

  30

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale District HA

  20

  West Lancashire District HA

  1—

  Chorley and South Ribble District HA

  10

  Bolton District HA

  30

  Bury District HA

  10

  North Manchester District HA

  20

  Central Manchester District HA

  20

  South Manchester District HA

  20

  Oldham District HA

  1—

  Rochdale District HA

  20

  Salford District HA

  20

  Stockport Health Commission

  30

  Tameside and Glossop District HA

  20

  Trafford District HA

  10

  Wigan District HA

  10

  1Five or less and greater than zero

  Notes:

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  2 Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts

  3 Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census.

  Hospital Staff Assaults
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 242W, on hospital staff assaults, how

  737W
  many of the violent incidents against NHS trust staff in 1998–99 led to (a) prosecution and (b) conviction. [137968]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not held centrally. The cross-Government National Health Service zero tolerance zone campaign, to stamp out violence against staff working in the National Health Service, has been strongly supported by my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General. The campaign makes clearer that employers need to work with the police, magistrates and the Crown Prosecution Service in order to apply a zero tolerance on violence against staff.

  At the launch of the campaign last year, the Lord Chancellor said it was entirely legitimate for magistrates to respond decisively to a particular form of criminal behaviour, such as assaults on National Health Service staff, and to impose sentences which have deterrent components. New national sentencing guidelines issued to the Magistrates Courts in September underline our commitment to tackle violence against National Health Service staff. The guidelines now include as aggravating factors, to be taken into account when sentencing, whether the offence occurred in hospital or medical premises and whether the victim was serving the public.

  Harrogate and York NHS Trusts
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on proposals to merge Harrogate and York NHS Trusts; and if he will make a statement. [138314]

  Mr. Denham
  At the present time there are no formal proposals to merge the Harrogate Health Care National Health Service Trust and the York Health Services NHS Trust. Discussions between the North Yorkshire Health Authority and the trusts are ongoing concerning the future configuration of acute services. Should any proposals to change management structures come out of these discussions, they will be the subject of formal consultation.

  Elderly People (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the designated time scale and programme for action is to improve the care and health available to older persons in ethnic minorities.[138320]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Service Framework for Older People, which is to be introduced from April 2001, will help to ensure that the health and social care needs of older people from all backgrounds are properly addressed.

  Guidance on access to social care services to be issued to local councils soon will include advice on addressing the needs of older persons from ethnic minorities.

  Out-patient Waiting Times
  Mr. St.Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on out-patient waiting times in the West Surrey Health Authority.[137264]
  738W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: At 30 June this year (latest available figures) there were 3,713 patients who had been waiting 13 weeks or over for an appointment in West Surrey Health Authority following referral by a general practitioner.

  The health authority and the South East Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive are in close liaison with the three trusts in West Surrey to address this position.

  Hospital Mortuaries
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 2000,Official Report, column 379W, on hospital mortuaries, if he will list NHS pathology service sites where all or part of the site fails to meet necessary minimum standards. [138461]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 November 2000]: With the exception of cervical cytology screening laboratories, accreditation of National Health Service laboratories is voluntary and carried out by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) UK Ltd. Laboratories accredited by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) UK Ltd. are listed on the company's website at www.cpa-uk.co.uk. I have placed a copy of this information in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Shipyards
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the shipyards in the United Kingdom which are capable of building ships of the size of the future generation of aircraft carriers. [136273]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Gould to Mr. William Ross, dated 16 November 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if he will list the shipyards in the United Kingdom which are capable of building ships of the size of the future generation of aircraft carriers. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The competing Prime Contractors for the future aircraft carrier—BAE Systems and Thomson Naval Systems—have identified a number of UK shipyards with the potential capacity to participate in the build of the vessels. These include Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Swan Hunter on Tyneside, Cammell Laird at Birkenhead and the BAE Systems' yards at Govan and Barrow. Much will depend on the carrier design that is taken forward and the method of construction; consequently, other UK yard options have not been ruled out. Some of the yards identified by the Prime Contractors face potential build limitations or have access restrictions that could prevent whole-ship construction.
  We do not plan to award a contract for the build of CVF until 2004 and no decisions are planned at this stage on yard selection. Ongoing assessment work will include a thorough review of all UK facilities and will address yard suitability, construction/access limitations and the overall cost-effectiveness of potential build strategies.
  I hope this explains the position.

  Eurocorps
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 271W, on Eurocorps, if he will identify by (a) rank and (b) role the augmentees supplied by the United Kingdom to Eurocorps in Kosovo. [138000]

  Mr. Spellar
  The 62 posts filled by the United Kingdom in Headquarters Kosovo Force 3 (KFOR3), whose kernel was provided by Headquarters Eurocorps, were as follows:

  NATO rank

  UK rank

  Role

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Military Assistant to Commander KFOR

  OF-6

  Brigadier

  Chief Joint Implementation Commission (JIC)

  OR-5

  Sergeant

  Driver to Chief JIC

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  JIC Liaison Officer to the Kosovo Protection Corps

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Chief Staff Officer Operations JIC

  OR-7

  Staff Sergeant

  Administrative Supervisor JIC

  OR-4

  Wren Writer

  Administrative Clerk Public Information Staff

  OF-2/3

  Flight Lieutenant

  Staff Officer (SO) Media Operations

  OF-2/3

  Major

  Escort Officer Joint Visitors Bureau

  OR-5

  Sergeant

  Administrative Assistant Coordination Office

  OF-3

  Lieutenant Colonel

  SO Information Operations Civil/Military Cooperation

  OR-6/7

  Staff Sergeant

  Staff Assistant (SA) Intelligence

  OF-2/3

  Flight Lieutenant

  SO Intelligence

  OR-6

  Staff Sergeant

  SA Intelligence

  OR-7/8

  Staff Sergeant

  SA Intelligence

  OR-2/3

  Lance Corporal

  Intelligence Analyst

  OF-5/6

  Sergeant

  SA Geographic

  OF-3/4

  Major

  Commander Intelligence Detachment

  OF-5

  Group Captain

  Chief Air Operations

  OR-6/7

  Flight Sergeant

  SA Helicopter Operations

  OR-7/8

  Flight Sergeant

  Air Traffic Controller

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Chief Operations Cell Ground Liaison Vicenza

  OF-4

  Wing Commander

  Chief Air Operations ControlCentre

  OF-3/4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  SO Campaign Plans

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  SO Civil/Military Cooperation Plans

  OF-5

  Colonel

  Chief Engineer

  OR-7

  Staff Sergeant

  Administrative Supervisor Engineer Branch

  OR-2

  Private

  Clerk/Driver Engineer Branch

  OF-3/4

  Major

  SO Infrastructure Plans

  OF-3

  Lieutenant Commander

  SO Liaison with United Nations Mission in Kosovo

  OF-3

  Major

  SO Civil/MilitaryCooperations Plans

  OF-3

  Major

  Personnel Planning Officer

  OF-3

  Squadron Leader

  Movement Planning Officer

  OR-4/5

  Corporal

  Administrative Assistant Transport Company

  OR-7

  Staff Sergeant

  Communications System Administrator

  OR-6/7

  Lance Corporal

  Communications System Administrator

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Chief Theatre Contracting Office

  OR-3/4

  Civilian

  Customs Administration Clerk

  OR-8

  Warrant Officer

  Deputy Site Sergeant Major

  740W

  NATO rank

  UK rank

  Role

  OR-3

  Leading Regulator

  Military Policeman

  OR-3

  Corporal

  Military Policeman

  OF-7

  Air Vice Marshal

  Commander Rear and Communication Zone

  OF-4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Military Assistant to Commander Rear

  OR-6

  Sergeant

  Administrative Assistant to Commander Rear

  OR-2

  Leading Aircraftman

  Driver to Commander Rear

  OF-3

  Lieutenant Commander

  SO Coordinator Joint Visitors Bureau (Rear)

  OR-6

  Petty Officer Writer

  Administrative Assistant Legal Branch

  OF-3/4

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Chief Personnel (Rear)

  OF-2/3

  Captain

  SO Training

  OR-7/8

  Warrant Officer 2

  SA Ranges

  OR-7/8

  Sergeant

  NCO/Driver Real Estate Mobile Team

  OF-3

  Major

  Logistic SO

  OF-3

  Major

  Property Officer

  OR-6

  Sergeant

  Clerk/Driver Joint Logistic Centre

  OR-3/4

  Leading Wren Writer

  Administrative Clerk Billeting

  OR-5/6

  Sergeant

  SA Power Troop

  OR-5/6

  Petty Officer

  Electrical Engineer

  OR-3/4

  Corporal

  Military Policeman

  OR-3/4

  Corporal

  Military Policeman

  OR-6

  Sergeant

  Alternate Cryptographic Custodian

  OR-5

  Sergeant

  Administrative Assistant Communication Zone South

  OF-4/5

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Deputy Commander Communication Zone South

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Scotland)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the non-departmental public bodies responsible to him which have duties relating to Scotland, indicating their budget and staffing in Scotland, the number of Scottish board members and their emoluments. [137697]

  Dr. Moonie
  None of the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Ministry of Defence have duties which relate specifically to Scotland, but the following have a remit which covers the United Kingdom:

  The RAF Museum

  The National Army Museum

  The Defence Nuclear Safety Committee.

  The remaining information is not held centrally in the form requested. General information on expenditure, staffing, board members and levels of remuneration is published annual in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". Copies of "Public Bodies 1999" are available in the Libraries of the House and "Public Bodies 2000" is due to be published next month. Information on all Government non-departmental public bodies is also available at the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Directory website www.cabinet-office.gov.uk; information on Ministry of Defence bodies is available at the MOD website www.mod.uk.

  Zero-point Energy
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research is being funded by his Department into zero-point energy. [138298]

  Dr. Moonie
  None.

  Mustard Gas (Pigs)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new research his Department is undertaking in Porton Down on the effects of mustard gas on pigs; and how many pigs were involved in the testing of mustard gas in Government centres in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [138299]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has been undertaking research on behalf of the Ministry of Defence on the effects of mustard gas on pigs at its Chemical and Biological Defence laboratories at Porton Down as part of its studies into improved methods for the treatment of wounds on the battlefield.

  Previous research studies to evaluate the technique of dermabrasion as a treatment for established mustard burns were completed at the end of September 1998. The results of this work have been published in the open technical literature. The current research programme is solely concerned with the evaluation of novel protective creams that have the potential to significantly reduce the severity of mustard burns to the skin following exposure.

  The number of pigs that have been used in both phases of these studies for the years in question is as follows: two animals in 1997, six animals per year for 1998 and 1999, and a total of 10 animals in 2000 to the current date.

  UK Military Equipment Sales
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions on which defence personnel have attended, as part of their duties, promotional events for UK military equipment sales in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000; and what the estimated costs were of such attendance in each year since 1996. [138310]

  Dr. Moonie
  Within the Ministry of Defence the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) is responsible for co-ordinating Government support to industry in promoting sales of UK military equipment, with other parts of MOD assisting as required.

  Promotional events in the United Kingdom and overseas attended by defence personnel range from major defence equipment exhibitions and Defence Industry Days (DIDs) to demonstrations of individual items of equipment for potential customers. DIDs are held onboard HM ships when in foreign ports as part of the Fleet visit programme.

  There is no central record of visits to such events or the associated attendance costs and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.
  742W
  Major exhibitions and DIDs at which DESO has been represented in support of the UK defence industry between 1998–2000 include:

  1998

  Asian Aerospace, Singapore

  TRIDEX, Abu Dhabi

  FIDAE, Chile

  DSA, Malaysia

  Aerospace Africa, South Africa

  Eurosatory, France

  Farnborough International Air Show, UK

  Defendory, Greece

  MADEX, South Korea

  Euronaval, France

  Seoul Air Show, South Korea

  DEXSA, South Africa

  Aero India, India

  DIDs

  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  Valparaiso, Chile

  Gdynia, Poland

  Baltimore, USA

  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  La Guaira, Venezuela

  1999

  Australia Air Show, Australia

  IDEX, Abu Dhabi

  LAD, Brazil

  IDET, Czech Republic

  IMDEX Asia, Singapore

  Paris Air Show, France

  Aerospace North America, Canada

  DSEi, UK

  IDEF, Turkey

  DEFEXPO, India

  Dubai Air Show, Dubai

  LIMA, Malaysia

  DIDs

  Durban, South Africa

  Norfolk, USA

  Manila, Philippines

  Sydney, Australia

  Vera Cruz, Mexico

  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  Athens, Greece

  2000

  Pacific 2000, Australia

  Asian Aerospace, Singapore

  TRIDEX, Abu Dhabi

  FIDAE, Chile

  DSA, Malaysia

  SOFEX, Jordan

  Eurosatory, France

  Farnborough International Air Show, UK

  Africa Aerospace and Defence, South Africa

  Defence Asia, Philippines

  Defendory, Greece

  Euronaval, France

  DIDs

  Alexandria, Egypt

  Mumbai, India

  Singapore

  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  Sydney, Australia

  Pusan, South Korea

  Tokyo, Japan

  Istanbul, Turkey

  Royal Fleet Auxiliary
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what industrial action has been taken by Royal Fleet Auxiliary crews in the past six months; which ships were involved; and if he will make a statement. [138431]

  Dr. Moonie
  Industrial action involving Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary commenced in February this year following their rejection of the 1999 pay offer. The action was initially restricted to two days every fortnight; it then became weekly and, from 28 June, continuous. The RMT suspended the industrial action from mid August until the beginning of October to enable talks to take place at the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

  The industrial action involved the refusal by RMT members to undertake certain tasks, such as cleaning officers' cabins, while ships were in port. The most significant measure was the refusal by deck and engineering personnel to carry out unmooring activity thereby preventing the ship from sailing.

  Prior to the action becoming continuous on 28 June, no record of the ships affected was kept, principally because it was possible to adjust ships programmes to minimise the impact. Following that date, three ships were affected: RFAs Sir Geraint, Sir Bedivere and Fort Austin were prevented from leaving port for a period of between four to six weeks during the summer.

  All operational commitments have continued to be met throughout the period of the industrial action.

  While the industrial dispute arose following the rejection of the 1999 pay offer, the focus changed to a demand by the RMT for additional earned voyage leave (EVL). As part of the 2000 pay round, ratings were granted an additional eight days leave per year. Unfortunately, this was not considered by the RMT to be sufficient to resolve the dispute. However, I am pleased to be able to report that, following agreement in principle to the terms of reference of a working group to set in place a timetable for further improvements to leave, the RMT has now suspended the industrial action. I am also advised that the RMT has written to its members recommending that the industrial action is called off.

  Meteorological Office
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he made of the strengths and weaknesses of the bid from Norwich research park for relocation of the Meteorological Office; [138555]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 9 November 2000,Official Report, column 326W, on the Meteorological Office, what account he took of the relative importance of proximity to centres of climatological research in making his decision on the relocation of the Meteorological Office; [138554]

  (3) what process for appealing against the decision to relocate the Meteorological Office exists. [138556]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
  744W
  Letter from Peter Ewins to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 16 November 2000:
  I am replying to your three questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the relocation of the Met Office. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Met Office.
  As you know, the Under Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Lewis Moonie announced in the House on 9 November that the Met Office has chosen Exeter Business Park as its preferred site for relocation. Exeter was chosen from a shortlist of four sites that also included Beaufort Park in Bracknell, Shinfield Park in Reading and Norwich Research Park. These four sites were those that the Met Office believed could best meet its needs, following a thorough search and careful evaluation of potential sites throughout the United Kingdom.
  For Norwich to reach our short list of sites it had performed very favourably against our evaluation criteria. However, only one of the four short-listed sites could be chosen as our preferred site and when evaluating the business benefits and risks, including staff preference, financial appraisals, availability of land with planning consent, local access and other factors, Exeter was the clear choice. It was not an easy decision, but we are certain that Exeter is the best location from which to build a secure and successful future.
  In relative terms, the Norwich Research Park site had a number of strengths, notably the opportunities it offered for lower operating costs and improved living standards for our staff compared with the other sites in the Southeast. There would, in addition, have been good opportunities for collaboration with the University of East Anglia (UEA), which would also have been a valuable source of high quality graduate staff. Moreover, there was strong local political support and also from key organisations in the area, including Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council, the Regional Development Agency and the University.
  The site also had some weaknesses in comparison to our preferred site. For example, there were serious doubts, raised at a late stage in the evaluation process, as to whether the site was actually available. We also had some concerns that the site was somewhat isolated on the fringe of the City and would not offer the profile we were seeking as a world-leading science based organisation. Moreover, our staff demonstrated a preference for Exeter. We have offered to give Norwich City Council's Chief Executive and her team a detailed de-brief in order that lessons may be learnt for similar initiatives in the future.
  We recognise the UAE's particular strength in the field of climate science and impact analysis and the importance of maintaining and strengthening the close working relationship we have with them. There are, of course, many other organisations throughout the United Kingdom and around the World with whom we have close links on a range of subjects, and others with whom we will develop links as we pursue our strategy of diversification into wider environmental services. With modern communications we are firmly of the view that such relationships can be achieved very well indeed from Exeter.
  As a trading fund agency, the choice of preferred site rested with me as Chief Executive and was made with the support of my Management Board, taking full account of the interests of the Met Office's customers—both in the public and private sectors—and our staff. This choice was made in the very best, long-term interests of the Met Office, following a thorough and rigorous evaluation process based on pre-determined criteria. I presented the choice of preferred site to both Dr Moonie and the Secretary of State for Defence who, having weighed all the issues, were content to endorse the decision.
  The two consortia with whom the Met Office is negotiating over the provision and ongoing maintenance of the new accommodation will now work up detailed proposals for the Exeter site. Tenders are due to be submitted by the end of February 2001 and a contract is expected to be placed by June 2001.

  Homosexuals
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the additional cost to public funds was in(a) legal costs incurred by the (i) Government and (ii) applicants and (b) damages awarded to the applicants by the decision to continue to contest cases relating to homosexuals in the armed forces (i) between 16 February 1996 and 1 May 1997 and (ii) after 2 May 1997. [138466]

  Mr. Spellar
  Compensation and legal costs have been paid in the four cases covered by the European Court of Human Rights judgment of 27 September 1999 and the figures are shown in the table. In addition, in light of the ECHR judgment, the Secretary of State for Defence authorised that settlement negotiations commence with those individuals discharged from the armed forces as a result of their homosexuality who had submitted Employment Tribunal applications and whose account is accepted as being substantially factually true. The level of compensation paid to those applicants who settled their cases during the periods in question, together with legal costs incurred by the Minister of Defence, are also shown in the table. Legal costs incurred by Employment Tribunal applicants are not normally recoverable from the Defendant and therefore the Ministry of Defence has no record of such costs. Settlement negotiations on the remainder of the outstanding cases remain ongoing.

  £

  16 February 1996 to 1 May 1997

  2 May 1997 to date

  Compensation paid in ECHR cases

  0

  324,875

  Claimants' legal costs paid in ECHR cases

  0

  81,200

  Compensation paid to ET applicants

  0

  79,000

  Legal costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence

  12,090

  156,507

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Petrol Costs (Ministerial Cars)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was in each of the past three years of petrol for his Department's fleet of ministerial cars; and how many vehicles there are in that fleet. [134994]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office does not directly manage ministerial vehicles; this function is undertaken by the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, gave on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 552W.

  Press Office
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are currently employed in the Home Office Press Office and at what grades; what has been the total cost to public funds of the 746W
  recent expansion of the Home Office Press Office following the implementation of the report by Clear Communications; and if he will make a statement. [134973]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: The total number of people employed in the press office is 27. This is comprised of five Senior Information Officers, 16 Information Officers, an Assistant Information Officer and a Chief Immigration Officer on attachment. In addition, there is an administrative support team of four people comprised of one Higher Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and two Administrative Assistants.

  As I told the House previously, on 2 March 2000,Official Report, column 383W, the estimated cost of extra staff will be up to £400,000 in a full year, to bring total costs to around £1.6 million. This expansion has proved necessary to cope with the widened responsibilities and activities of the Home Office since May 1997 (including the larger programme of constitutional and other reforms) and a significant increase in calls to the press office over the last three years.

  In addition there has been a one-off cost of refurbishing the press office and the provision of additional equipment and IT support which will be in the region of £200,000.

  As I told the House previously, on 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 746, £82,000 was spent on recruitment advertising and the external consultant's report which recommended that the Press Office be restructured and expanded by between eight and 10 press officers.

  Seasonal Agricultural Work
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from(a) Concordia and (b) other interested parties concerning the number of student permits allowed for assistance and training associated with seasonal agricultural work; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement. [137006]

  Mrs. Roche
  Representations in support of an increase in the quota of non-European Economic Area (EEA) students participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Scheme (SAWS) have been made on behalf of various interested parties, including the National Farmers Union. Concordia (YSV) Ltd., one of the approved scheme operators, had indicated support for an increase.

  The Government have listened to the concerns of the agricultural industry and have agreed to increase the annual quota of students from 10,000 to 15,200 with effect from the 2001 season.

  Race-related Offences
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sentences were imposed on people convicted in(a) 1999 and (b) 1998 of incitement to racial hatred. [137891]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Data taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database are given in the table.
  747W

  Number of persons sentenced at all courts for offences1under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986, by type of offence and disposal, England and Wales, 1998 and 1999

  Offence description

  Year

  Total sentenced

  Conditional discharge

  Fine

  Compensation

  Probation order

  Combination order

  Fully suspended sentence

  Immediate custody

  Section 18

  1998

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  1999

  3

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Section 19

  1998

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1999

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Section 21

  1998

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Section 23

  1998

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1999

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1Data may include persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other 'principal' offences.

  Note:

  Based on principal offence

  Number Plates
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to require that scrap vehicles have number plates destroyed on arrival at scrap yards in order to reduce crime involving the use of false number plates.[137630]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government have no plans to introduce such measures. We are, however, looking closely at the recommendations of the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team that the motor salvage industry and the supply and issue of number plates should be regulated by law in order to reduce crime.

  European Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress made under the scoreboard to review progress on the creation of an area for freedom, security and justice in the European Union. [138085]

  Mrs. Roche
  The European Council meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999 decided that it would keep under constant review progress made towards developing the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice in line with its own conclusions ("the Tampere milestones"). It called on the Commission to come forward with an appropriate proposal for a scoreboard to that end. The Commission presented its scoreboard at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March 2000, at which it was discussed by the Council. The scoreboard was designed to be regularly updated. The Commission produced a revised version of the scoreboard at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 29 May 2000. A further revised version is expected for the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on30 November-1 December 2000.

  There has been progress on a wide range of issues covered by the Tampere conclusions over the past year. Developments range from the establishment of the Police Chiefs Task Force to the adoption of the European Refugee Fund. The first ever joint meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs and ECOFIN Councils took place on 17 October to consider measures to combat money laundering to implement Tampere conclusions 51–58.
  748W
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary regularly reports to the European Scrutiny Committee on the outcome of Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings, in correspondence and in response to Parliamentary Questions. Copies of this correspondence are available in the Library.

  EU Immigration and Asylum Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) purpose and (b) present activities of (i) the Odysseus Programme and (ii) the Robert Schuman legal project. [138081]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Odysseus programme provides training, exchanges and co-operation in the fields of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders in the 15 member states of the European Union. The programme provides for the possible involvement of the applicant countries. Other non-member countries may also be associated, provided this is in accordance with the programme's objectives.

  The programme is supporting approximately 40 projects during 2000, including:
  projects aimed at assisting applicant countries with the accession process, for example presentation of the European Union acquis in the field of immigration, asylum and control of external borders for Turkish officials;
  a seminar on the fight against networks in illegal immigration; and a seminar on liaison officers dealing with migration.

  Robert Schuman legal project:

  The Robert Schuman programme offers financial assistance to national training schemes in Community law for judges and lawyers. The project falls within the ministerial responsibility of the Lord Chancellor.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason a Council directive on minimum standards on procedure for granting and withdrawing refugee status has been proposed; and what his policy is on it. [138089]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Treaty establishing the European Community envisages the adoption of minimum standards on procedures for granting or withdrawing refugee status within a period of five years after the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. The importance of such measures was reaffirmed at the Special European Council
  749W
  in Tampere in October 1999. The scoreboard to review progress on the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice in the European Union requires the Commission to submit a proposal for minimum standards on asylum procedures with a view to adoption in April 2001.

  The Commission presented a proposed directive to the Council on 28 September. The intention of the proposed directive is to establish minimum standards for the fairness and efficiency of asylum procedures in all the member states. This should make a significant contribution to promoting the balance of effort between member states in terms of the receipt of asylum seekers.

  The Government's initial view on this proposed directive will be set out in an Explanatory Memorandum which will be deposited shortly.

  Grotius Programme
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes planned for the Grotius Programme in the course of the Treaty of Amsterdam. [138083]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Grotius programme, which is concerned with incentives and exchanges for legal practitioners, runs from 1996–2000. Following the Treaty of Amsterdam, which provided for judicial co-operation in the field of civil law to take place under the Treaty establishing the European Community and for judicial co-operation in the field of criminal law to take place under the Treaty on European Union, it will be necessary to split the Grotius programme in future. The Commission has proposed the extension of the Grotius programme in the area of civil law for the period of one year only, to enable consideration of its future and its relationship with other programmes, notably the Robert Schuman programme. In the area of criminal law, the Commission has indicated that it is considering proposing the extension of the Grotius programme for a period of two years.

  Fire Stations
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent advice he has received from H1\4 Inspectorate of Fire Services on proposals to reduce manning in(a) Heswall Fire Station and (b) other fire stations from 24 hour to day time manning. [138424]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Advice from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Fire Services would not normally be sought until after receipt of an application to reduce a fire authority's establishment under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. The information is as follows:(a) To date we have not received an application from Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority regarding fire cover provision at Heswall fire station.
  (b) There has been only one such section 19 application this year, on which advice from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Fire Services is awaited. This application was submitted by Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority in relation to Formby fire station.

  Personal Safety
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to facilitate the establishment of a national centre for studies and training in personal safety from crime.[138645]
  750W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are a number of organisations working in this field and the Home Office encourages all initiatives in this area. The Home Office has recently had discussions with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust about how we could assist them with the setting up of their International Personal Safety Centre for the reduction of Crime and Violence against the Person.

  City Status
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the announcement of the result of the competition for city status to mark the millennium [138508]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  At no point was a date set for the announcement of the result of the Millennium city status competition, but as I have indicated on previous occasions we anticipate an announcement by the end of the year.

  ADT v. UK
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was to public funds of(a) defending ADT v. UK, including the legal costs of both sides and (b) the damages awarded. [138463]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The applicant was awarded £20,929.05 damages in respect of the cost of defending criminal proceedings, travel expenses, prosecution costs, loss for items confiscated and destroyed and non-pecuniary losses. In addition, the applicant was awarded £13,771.28 in respect of costs and expenses.

  As regards the Government's legal costs, much of the work involved was carried out by officials and lawyers already employed by Government. We are not therefore able to estimate the total cost of defending the action before the European Court of Human Rights.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legislative action he proposes to take following the decision in the case of ADT v. UK. [138464]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government set up the Sex Offences Review in January 1999. Its terms of reference were to make proposals for reform of the law on sex offences which were among other things compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

  The report of the review is contained in 'Setting the Boundaries'. The review recommended that the offence of gross indecency should be repealed. It was that offence for which ADT was convicted and which, in the circumstances of his conviction, was found to have been a breach of ADT' s private life under Article 8.

  The consultation period finishes on 1 March 2001. Following this the Government will consider legislation for a comprehensive reform of the law on sexual offences, including gross indecency, when parliamentary time allows.
  751W
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what administrative action he intends to take in relation to(a) existing and (b) future charges of gross indecency in the light of the decision in the case of ADT v. UK. [138465]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have made it clear that this area of the law is the subject of recommendations contained in 'Setting the Boundaries'. Until the law is changed it remains in force and enforceable. There is no administrative action which the Home Office can or should take to prevent enforcement of the law.

  However, any decision not to prosecute any individual under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 will be a matter for the independent Crown Prosecution Service. In determining whether to proceed with a prosecution the CPS will have regard to the public interest and in doing so will take account of the Court's judgment and the Human Rights Act 1998.

  Gambling Review Body
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement the recommendations of the Gambling Review Body in full as soon as practicable after its reports. [138719]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Gambling Review Body is due to report next summer. We shall give its report careful consideration, bearing in mind the generally acknowledged need to modernise the laws regulating gambling.

  Armed Robberies
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many armed robberies were committed with(a) licensed pistols, (b) unlicensed pistols, (c) other licensed firearms and (d) other unlicensed firearms, in each of the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 to date.[138689]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Details of the legal status of firearms used in offences are not generally available, but it is thought that most, if not all, will be illegally held. The numbers of handguns and other firearms used in robberies are as follows, for the most recently available information:

  Firearms used in robberies

  Financial year

  Number of handguns

  Number of other firearms1

  1997–98

  1,811

  1,128

  1998–99

  1,814

  1,159

  1Including supposed and imitation firearms, and air weapons.

  Sapurui Sakalatuala
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Security Service will release files from the inter-war period relating to Sapurui Sakalatuala; and if he will make a statement.[138691]
  752W
  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service is still reviewing and releasing records covering the Second World War and has just made public a fourth tranche of files from this period. The Security Service will, in due course in light of resources, be reviewing its inter-war records in preparation for further releases. Under current plans, I do not expect the Security Service to begin reviewing its inter-war records before the year 2001.

  Policing (Cleveland)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Cleveland Police Authority regarding expenditure on Operation Lancet; and if he will make a statement.[138688]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I will be meeting the Chair of the Police Authority and the Chief Constable at their request on 29 November to discuss various matters related to the policing of Cleveland.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Petrol Costs (Ministerial Cars)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost was in each of the past three years of petrol for his Department's fleet of ministerial cars; and how many vehicles there are in that fleet. [134935]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 552W.

  Departmental Employees (New Deal)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many individuals his Department has recruited from the New Deal for Young People; [134688]

  (2) how many staff in his Department are employed under the New Deal for Young People. [137956]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 551W.

  Adult and Community Learning Fund
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the operation to date of the Adult and Community Learning Fund, with particular reference to(a) total expenditure, (b) the criteria for scheme selection and (c) the monitoring and accountability of schemes funded from the ACLF.[136307]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The total expenditure on the Adult and Community Learning Fund (ACLF) to date is £11.4 million. A further £8.6 million will be spent between now and March 2002.

  The Fund supports activities in England which take learning into sectors of the community rarely reached by traditional educational institutions. 309 projects have been

  753W
  supported to date. The criteria are set out in a Prospectus which provides guidance to applicants. Projects must be innovative, of good quality and sustainable. They must also involve learners in managing project activities and building partnerships. Funding must not duplicate or extend existing provision or organisational support. At least one community or voluntary group must lead on, or be an equal partner in, bids for funding.

  ACLF projects are managed on my Department's behalf by the Basic Skills Agency (BSA) and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), which are accountable to the Department and its auditors. Progress on each project is monitored by BSA or NIACE as part of their contracted role as joint managers of the Fund.

  In his recent Remit Letter to the Learning and Skills Council, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State draws the Council's attention to the need to secure, at local level, imaginative and attractive learning opportunities which will draw in people unused to learning, or who see learning in institutions as not for them.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will remove parental income as a means of assessing student fees payable; and if he will make a statement.[136979]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 November 2000]: No. The current assessment system is working well and ensures that currently about a third of dependent students from lower income families do not make any contribution to tuition fees, and I expect this to rise to some two fifths from September 2001 as a result of a change to the contribution threshold. This is in the context of over 40 per cent. of all students making no contribution to tuition fees under the present system, rising to about 50 per cent. from September 2001. The new student finance arrangements that we introduced share the cost of higher education fairly between students, their families and taxpayers generally, and provide essential resources for investment in universities and colleges.

  Departmental Research Budget
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the budget was for research and consultancy for his Department for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [137304]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 8 November 2000]: Research and consultancy is not generally budgeted for as a discrete item within the Department. Most expenditure of this type is met from wider programme or administrative budgets.

  Head Teachers
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary and (b) secondary schools are without permanent head teachers in (i) England and (ii) Norfolk.[137819]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 November 2000]: The table shows temporarily filled vacant full-time head teacher posts in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Norfolk in January 2000.
  754W

  Nursery/primary

  Secondary

  Nursery, primary and secondary

  England

  Temporarily filled as a percentage of head teachers in post

  2.1

  2.3

  2.1

  Number of posts

  390

  90

  480

  Norfolk

  Temporarily filled as a percentage of head teachers in post

  3.4

  0.0

  2.9

  Number of posts

  13

  0

  13

  Head teachers have a key role in boosting standards in schools. We are establishing a National College for School Leadership to give a focus to school leadership development, and are designing a coherent package of training and development programmes for aspiring, new and serving head teachers.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make extra funds available to fund special needs education in rural areas.[138277]

  Jacqui Smith
  Resources are distributed to local education authorities through Standard Spending Assessments. These are calculated using information about the demographic, economic and social characteristics of an area. This includes a sparsity factor, which would take account of additional transport costs in areas such as Cornwall with dispersed populations, and consequently higher costs of transporting pupils with special educational needs.

  Volunteers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will mark next year's International Year of Volunteers by spending a day working as a volunteer.[137426]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: I fully support the aims of the International Year of Volunteers. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and all the Ministers in this Department intend to take part in voluntary activity during 2001. My Department also encourages staff to participate in a wide range of voluntary activities, often during working hours, and will continue to do so.

  Recycled Computers
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the bidding process will commence for the second phase of the Computers Within Reach scheme.[138490]

  Mr. Wills
  We shall be extending the scheme in the areas listed in my answer to my right hon. Friend's earlier questions, of 10 November 2000,Official Report, column 437W. We are currently looking at opportunities for integrating the scheme with other related initiatives in disadvantaged areas, details of which will be given as soon as possible. We are also awaiting the evaluation of the first weeks of the scheme before we make final decisions on next steps.
  755W
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many low cost recycled personal computers have been provided to low income families since 1998; how the recipients have been selected; and what evaluation has been carried out of the programme to date.[138635]

  Mr. Wills
  I announced the commencement of the Computers Within Reach scheme on 25 October 2000 for those on certain benefits who were seeking to gain or retain employment. The first phase of the scheme will provide up to 35,000 recycled PCs in various areas in England until 31 March 2001. Potential applicants have been asked to contact the free telephone helpline 08080 100 900 in the first instance.

  The PCs will be delivered following the applications being processed by the relevant regional contractor. I am writing to all MPs with details of the scheme and the pilot areas to be covered in this first phase. The PCs will be provided in areas where there are locally based groups that made a successful bid to be part of the scheme. The evaluation arrangements are currently being finalised. I will write to my hon. Friend with the outcome of the tender exercise once this has been completed.

  The first phase pilots are located in areas within the following locations:

  Birmingham

  Bradford

  Hull

  Leeds

  Knowsley

  Liverpool

  London

  Manchester

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth

  Sheffield

  City Learning Centres
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library a list of the addresses of City Learning Centres. [138634]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  A list of addresses of those City Learning Centres due to open in the financial year 2000–01 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Further Centres that will open from September 2001 have been allocated to Excellence in Cities areas and partnerships are currently working on detailed plans on where Centres will be sited and how they will operate.

  Internet Safety Guidance
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's Superhighways Safety Pack.[138639]

  Mr. Wills
  Copies of the new version of this comprehensive internet safety guidance have today been placed in the Library. We have produced, and recently updated, the pack for teachers and parents, providing guidance on the wide range of internet safety measures which they can adopt. These range from using "walled gardens" and filtering software, to monitoring and tracking pupil access and providing "user contracts" for pupils, spelling out how they should behave.
  756W
  The pack is also available on the internet at http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk

  Online Learning
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library a list of the addresses of(a) UK online learning centres and (b) ISI support centres.[138643]

  Mr. Wills
  I will write to my hon. Friend with a full list of the successful first phase of UK online centres funded through the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF) by the end of November 2000, along with a list of DTI's UK online for business (formally Information Society Initiative) advisers and their contact details. Copies will also be placed in the Library.

TREASURY

  Investors Compensation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the average amount of compensation paid by the ICS in relation to the cases referred to the investors' compensation scheme by the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman in each of the last two years, as a result of an award not having been paid due to the offending company having been struck off the PIA Register;[135271]

  (2) how many decisions made by the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman in each of the last two years in favour of the complainant did not lead to the payment of compensation because the offending company was struck off the PIA Register before payment was made; and of these cases how many were referred to the Investors' Compensation Scheme;[135273]

  (3) what was (a) the average amount of compensation paid and (b) the average amount of compensation awarded in cases where no payment was made due to the offending company having been struck off the Personal Investment Authority Register in relation to decisions made by the PIA Ombudsman in each of the last two years in favour of the complainant.[135272]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The previous history of cases dealt with by ICS is not centrally recorded, including whether they have been previously dealt with by PIAOB.

  The information requested on compensation is not available. Compensation often does not take the form of a cash award to a complainant.

  Census
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the printing of the census forms for Wales and England began.[135154]

  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.
  757W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Simon Thomas, dated 15 November 2000:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking when the printing of the census forms for Wales and England began. (135154)
  The contractual arrangements for printing the forms were agreed in February 2000. The contract required printing of the forms for Wales to begin on 27 July. Printing of the Welsh language version of the household forms for Wales subsequently began on that date, followed by the printing of the English language version on 2 August.
  Details of the arrangements for the consultation on the 2001 Census in Wales have been widely publicised. The shape and content of the Census has been formulated in consultation with users through a structure of Advisory Committees, working Groups and topic-related sub-groups, Census News, information papers, the Internet and ad hoc public meetings. The assessment of the resulting business cases for census topics culminated in the Government's proposals set out in the White Paper in March 1999. In Wales in particular, formal consultation is carried out through the Welsh Census Users Network Group at which each of the 22 local government authorities in Wales is represented as well as a range of other public bodies and authorities. Additional bilateral consultation is carried out with the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Language Board.
  In addition to this extensive programme of consultation a major public rehearsal of the 2001 Census was carried out in April 1999, including coverage of around 7,800 households in Gwynedd and 6,900 households in Ceredigion.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Ceredigion for reply on 30 October regarding the date upon which the printing of the Census forms for Wales commenced.[137210]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have done so today.

  Import Duty
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the limit above which import duty is paid on goods ordered through the intemet, post and telephone.[136982]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 November 2000]: UK policy is not to discriminate in favour of certain types of trade.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families he estimates are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit but not claiming it.[137615]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimating the number of families currently eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit requires, among other things, detailed survey data for 2000–01. These are not yet available.

  The number of families receiving WFTC at the end of August is provisionally estimated at 1,123,000, compared to 817,000 families who were in receipt of Family Credit in August 1999.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to measure the level of fraud in applications for Working Families Tax Credit.[137389]
  758W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 9 November 2000]: The Inland Revenue is currently undertaking an exercise to benchmark the level of fraud within Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit. The findings of this exercise will be used by the Inland Revenue to ensure their tax credits compliance work is carried out in the most effective way.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost to the Exchequer would be of disregarding the widow's maintenance allowance in respect of the Working Families Tax Credit.[137736]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 10 November 2000]: I am not aware of a widow's maintenance allowance.

  EU Budget Lines
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government received itemised expenditure of EU Budget Line B3–301, Information Outlets, for the latest year; what is his policy on the optional targeting of such funds; and if he will identify how much funding went to each recipient, naming the recipients, with particular reference to expenditure in the UK.[138166]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  It is within the remit of the Commission to decide the criteria for the targeting of such funds.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the European Communities budget lines which the Government are seeking to delete.[138082]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government look for good value for money on all budget lines, and seek to ensure that any spending is within the financial perspective agreed at Berlin in March 1999.

  Special Compliance Office
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the(a) number and (b) proportion of Inland Revenue personnel working in the Special Compliance Office.[138322]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Over the next two years, more than £2.5 million will be added to the budget of Special Compliance Office.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the last tax year for which data are available, what was the(a) annual budget of the Inland Revenue Special Compliance Office, and (b) estimated additional tax revenue which its activities generated.[138321]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the year to 31 March 2000, the total budget of Special Compliance Office was £24.3 million. The office brought into charge additional tax, interest and penalties of £371 million during the year. It also concluded criminal proceedings against 40 defendants in respect of revenue-related offences.

  VAT (Places of Worship)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Cm 4917, if he will define places of worship in respect of consideration for a reduction in VAT.[138197]
  759W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: Places of worship are listed religious buildings such as cathedrals, churches, chapels, meeting-houses, synagogues, mosques and temples.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the plans announced in his pre-Budget Statement to reduce VAT on church repairs in the context of EU rules governing VAT.[138738]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are attracted to the idea of offering a reduced rate for the repair of listed buildings which are used as places of worship, such as churches, chapels, synagogues, meeting-houses, temples and mosques. As a first step I have written to the European Commission on 8 November to ask for consideration of early legislative proposals to add repairs, maintenance and improvements to listed places of worship to the list of permissible reduced rates.

  Urban Regeneration
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the proposals for regeneration in his pre-Budget Report will fulfil the recommendations contained in the Rogers report:"Towards an Urban Renaissance".[138246]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: The pre-Budget Report 2000 announced that the following package of measures to promote urban regeneration would be introduced in Budget 2001:

  (i) complete exemption from stamp duty for all property transactions in Britain's most disadvantaged communities;

  (ii) accelerated payable tax credit for cleaning up contaminated land;

  (iii) immediate tax relief to property owners for the costs of converting redundant space over shops and other commercial premises into flats for letting;

  (iv) a reduced rate of VAT for the cost of converting residential properties into a different number of dwellings;

  (v) an adjustment to the zero rate of VAT to provide relief for the sale of renovated houses that have been empty for 10 years or more.

  Of these proposed measures, the first three respond to specific recommendations made in the Urban Task Force report "Towards an Urban Renaissance", chaired by Lord Rogers. The remaining two move some way towards Lord Rogers's recommendations for changes to VAT. In addition, the Government announced that it would continue to monitor the urban regeneration companies, and consider how a tax relief may help, responding to a further recommendation made in the report.

  Contaminated Land (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief he will provide to property investors for the clean up of contaminated land. [138233]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: The scheme announced in the PBR will give accelerated tax relief for the cost of cleaning up contaminated land. Final details will be included in my right hon. Friend's Budget.

  Residential Conversions
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who will be eligible for tax relief for creating flats over shops; and if there will be an upper limit to such relief in respect of the(a) property and (b) property owners.[138235]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: Under the proposals announced by the Chancellor in the pre-Budget Report, 100 per cent. capital allowances for the costs of converting vacant and under-used space over shops would be available to property owners who create flats for letting. The scheme will include checks to ensure this enhanced relief does not subsidise high-value properties that require no encouragement. It is not proposed to limit the total relief available to a property owner.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated number of flats over shops which will be created by his proposal for capital allowances.[138234]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: The proposed scheme for 100 per cent. capital allowances for flats over shops is expected to support the conversion of over 1,000 flats each year over the next five years.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has received from the European Commission on his plans to(a) reduce VAT rates on residential conversions and (b) remove VAT on developers renovating and selling houses which have been empty for 10 years or more.[138222]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: Item 9 of Annexe H to the VAT Sixth Directive allows a reduced rate for alteration and conversion work to houses which is done to further a social policy. The removal of VAT from the sale of renovated houses that have been empty for 10 years is a minor adjustment and updating of the existing zero rate. There is therefore no need to seek the Commission's advice on VAT law.

  Volunteers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will mark next year's International Year of Volunteers by spending a day working as a volunteer.[137423]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 531W.

  All Treasury staff are allowed one day's extra leave to undertake voluntary work in a private capacity.

  Tax Returns (Internet)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2000,Official Report, column 412W, on tax returns, if he will make a statement on the pilot of internet VAT returns.[137850]
  761W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: A limited live pilot of internet VAT returns started on 1 March 2000. A number of businesses were invited to participate after registering their interest in the internet VAT return at the early stages of development.

  Initial feedback from businesses in the live pilot has been favourable. Customs are continuing to develop the system with a view to making it more widely available during 2001.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Cm 4917, on what basis he expects October corporation tax receipts to be a guide to corporation tax receipts for the October to March period in fiscal year 2000–01.[138460]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Large companies are now required to pay their corporation tax in quarterly instalments with, during the four year transition period, a subsequent balancing payment. October's receipts of tax were mainly:instalment payments by companies with calendar or financial year accounting periods and these companies should pay similar amounts in January next year; and
  balancing payments by companies with 1999 calendar year accounts and these levels of payments can help estimation of other companies' balancing payments due in the rest of the year.

  Commercial Road Vehicles Vignette
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to issue detailed proposals for the vignette for commercial road vehicles in the United Kingdom; and what the daily charge will be.[138287]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: The Chancellor announced the Government's intention to introduce a 'vignette' as part of his package of positive measures for the haulage industry.

  We will be consulting with representatives from the haulage industry on the introduction of the scheme. Further details will be announced in due course.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the lower earnings limit(a) for crediting towards national insurance benefits and (b) for national insurance contribution payments (i) was in April 1997 and (ii) will be in April 2001; and if he will estimate for each local authority in Tyne and Wear the numbers of employees who will be credited with national insurance contributions, but not paying them in April 2001.[138332]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to Inland Revenue press release "IR1—Income Tax Allowances and National Insurance Contributions".

  I am afraid that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate for the number of employees in Tyne and Wear who will be credited with national insurance contributions, but not paying them.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual additional revenue raised by his proposal in the 762W
  pre-Budget Report to increase the upper limit on national insurance contributions for employed and self employed.[138622]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the March 1999 Budget the Chancellor announced a large reform of National Insurance and figures were given in table 1.3 of the "March 1999 Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report". These estimates were updated in the "March 2000 Financial Statement and Budget Report" appendix A2.

  Widowers
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of paying the bereavement allowance to all men widowed between 6 April 1994 and 5 April 2000; and if he will make a statement.[138103]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: The Inland Revenue does not generally hold information on whether men are widowed and therefore any costing is very approximate. We estimate the cost of extending the widow's bereavement allowance to men retrospectively for the tax years 1994–95 to 1999–2000 would be about £180 million.

  The Government recognise that the previous system of tax allowances did not target support fairly on those who needed it most. A new system has now been introduced, which focuses resources on families with children. Most widows and widowers with children under 16 will, from next April, be entitled to the Children's Tax Credit, worth over twice as much as the Widow's Bereavement Allowance. We believe that this will give the right support to those who need it most.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many men were widowed between 6 April 1994 and 5 April 2000 in(a) the UK and (b) each Scottish local authority area.[138102]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: There are around 80,000 men widowed each year in the UK of whom some 7,500 are in Scotland. I regret that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate for the number of men widowed in each Scottish local authority area.

  Special Advisers (Budget)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what restrictions apply to contact between his special advisers and journalists between publication of the Budget Report 2000 and the 2001 Budget. [136193]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Special advisers carry out their duties in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contract (similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments).

  Departmental Employees (New Deal)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff his Department employs under the New Deal for Young People.[137951]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 13 November 2000,Official Report, columns 551–52W.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be of pensionable age in each of the next 10 years.[138045]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: The most recent actual figures relate to mid-1999. They are given in "Population Trends 101", Table 1.5. The Government Actuary's latest projections of the number of people over state pension age, based on the population at mid-1998, are available on the CD ROM accompanying "National population projections:1998-based" (ONS Series no. 22) or on the GAD website http://www. gad. gov.uk/population/1998/pop98. html.

  Disadvantaged Communities
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Cm 4917, if he will list the most disadvantaged communities which will qualify for tax reliefs under his regeneration proposals.[138232]

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which areas of Merseyside will qualify for exemption from Stamp Duty.[138333]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 13 November 2000]: The Government are working to ensure that the Stamp Duty measure announced in the pre-Budget Report is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas in all parts of the UK.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 8 November 2000,Official Report, columns 315–27, on the pre-Budget Report, what estimate he has made of the impact of changes in stamp duty to (a) property sales and (b) other economic variables in deprived areas as defined in Table B4 of the document "Building Long Term Prosperity for All"; and if he will make a statement.[138282]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: The Government will work to ensure that the stamp duty measure announced in the pre-Budget Report is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas.

  This is part of a comprehensive package of measures worth £1 billion over five years which will complement and build on measures already in place to revive our most disadvantaged communities.

  Individual Savings Account
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the operation of ISAs.[138701]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A review of the operation of ISAs began work in April this year, and changes arising from the review were announced in the recent Pre-Budget Report. These include extending cash ISAs to 16 and 17-year-olds, increasing the use of electronic business for ISAs, and the alignment of the PEP rules on investments, transfers and administrative procedures with the more flexible ISA rules. Further details can be found in the Inland Revenue Press Release "Encouraging Britain to Save" issued on 8 November.

  Euro
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to Government Departments to date has been of the national euro changeover plan.[138725]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Public sector spending on changeover planning to date is set out in the Treasury's Fourth Report on Euro Preparations, published on 6 November 2000. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost has been to date of euro information campaigns directed specifically at business.[138732]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) on 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 1016.

  Personal Computers
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many personal computers have been provided by private sector employers for use at home by their employees, for which a tax allowance has been claimed; and what the value was of the computers provided.[138686]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is not available.

  Petroleum Revenue Tax
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department received on Petroleum Revenue Tax in relation to the pre-Budget Report.[138515]

  Mr. Timms
  The Treasury has received a number of representations on Petroleum Revenue Tax.

  Tax Harmonisation
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the relationship between his plans to abolish the withholding tax on the payment of interest between companies and the Council of Ministers' plans for an EU withholding tax.[138739]

  Mr. Timms
  The Budget proposal to abolish withholding tax on international bonds and simplification represents a helpful simplification of the tax system, as does the proposal in the pre-Budget Report whereby, subject to consultation, the requirement to withhold tax on most intra-UK interest and royalties payments between UK companies within the charge of corporation tax will be abolished from April 2001. They are not directly connected with EU proposals on taxation of savings, on which subject I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer my hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave on 31 October 2000,Official Report, column 410W.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his policy is concerning proposals by the Dutch Government for the harmonisation of pension tax systems, to be included in the IGC on institutional reform at Nice;[138734]
  765W
  (2) if he will make a statement on proposals by the European Commission for the harmonisation of fuel taxes to be included at the IGC on institutional reform at Nice;[138733]

  (3) if he will make a statement on plans by the French Presidency to introduce internal market tax harmonisation measures.[138729]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government will insist on retaining unanimity for decisions on taxation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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.[137192]

  Mr. Hain
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no current contracts with specialist companies for staff relocation in the United Kingdom.

  Dependent Territories Citizens
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what entitlement citizens of(a) Gibraltar and (b) Ceuta and Melilla have to benefits available to EU citizens; and if he will make a statement.[137379]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Treaty establishing the European Community applies to Gibraltar as a European Territory for whose external relations the UK as a member state is responsible, subject to various exemptions provided for in the UK's Act of Accession to the Community. Specifically, Gibraltar is not part of the Community Customs Territory and is outside the Treaty rules on the free movement of goods, the Common Commercial Policy, the VAT regime and the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies.

  The EC Treaty applies to Ceuta and Melilla as part of the Spanish metropolitan territory, subject to certain exemptions contained in Spain's Act of Accession to the Community. Ceuta and Melilla are not part of the Community Customs Territory (although goods originating in Ceuta and Melilla have duty-free access to the EC) and are outside the Common Commercial Policy and Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies. VAT is not levied there, but Spain contributes to Community own resources on their behalf.

  Gibraltar and Ceuta and Melilla are entitled to the benefits flowing from the EC Treaty except those arising from parts of the Treaty and subsequent legislation which are not applicable to these territories.

  Visa Applicants (Islamabad)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current average waiting time in Islamabad is for applicants seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom having married United Kingdom citizens from the point of 766W
  application to the issuing of the visa; and what it was on the same count date in each of the last five years.[137368]

  Mr. Vaz
  At the end of September waiting time in Islamabad for interview for a spouse settlement visa was 18.5 weeks. Waiting times at the same point in the last two years were 40 weeks (1999) and 16 weeks (1998). The monthly data for the years 1995 to 1997 have not been retained. The waiting times at the end of December 1995, 1996 and 1997 were 13.5 weeks (1995), 18 weeks (1996) and 18 weeks (1997). We also know from correspondence with the High Commission that the waiting time for spouse settlement interviews in September 1995 was 18 weeks. All these waiting times are for interview. The time until a decision to issue (or refuse) a visa may be longer, depending on the circumstances of the case. I have today asked Islamabad for weekly information about queue lengths.

  Kazakhstan
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss the conclusions of the OSCE reports on the parliamentary and presidential elections in Kazakhstan in 1999, and the issue of freedom and independence of the media, with President Nazarbaev during his forthcoming visit.[137713]

  Mr. Vaz
  We welcome President Nazarbaev's visit to the United Kingdom from 15–18 November 2000. The Secretary of State will discuss progress on democratisation and media freedom with President Nazarbaev during his visit to the United Kingdom.

  European Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bearing the Charter of Fundamental Rights will have on verdicts of the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement.[137965]

  Mr. Vaz
  The EU is already obliged to respect fundamental rights, and the ECJ is responsible for ensuring that this happens. The obligation to respect fundamental rights was first given Treaty status at Maastricht. In deciding how to interpret fundamental rights the ECJ is already, and will remain, free to have regard to relevant material. That may include the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

  The Charter will be adopted at Nice as a political declaration. It will not be legally binding. It will create no new powers or tasks for the EU or the ECJ. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 November 2000,Official Report, column 555W.

  European Union Defence Policy
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the treaty base for the development in European Union defence policy in respect of(a) CFSP, (b) ESDI, (c) ESDP and (d) CESDP at (i) St. Malo, (ii) Cologne and (iii) Feira.[138209]

  Mr. Vaz
  The acronyms ESDI, ESDP and CESDP have all been used to refer to the same process: the European defence initiative launched by the Prime Minister at
  767W
  Portschach in 1998. This initiative has been taken forward through the St. Malo UK-French Summit and the European Councils of Cologne, Helsinki and Feira. The aims of the initiative remain the same: to strengthen the military capabilities of EU member states and European Allies and to enable the Council of the EU to decide to launch and to conduct a military crisis management operation (a Petersberg task) where the alliance as a whole is not engaged. ESDI more correctly refers to the arrangements within NATO for the alliance to support European-led crisis management.

  Article 2 and Title V of the Treaty on European Union provide the legal base for the EU's CFSP activity, including military crisis management. The Government are satisfied that the Treaty provides a sufficient legal base for the European defence initiative as defined in successive decisions of the European Council.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the inclusion of defence matters in the proposed Treaty of Nice.[138208]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government expect that the European Council at Nice will take decisions on the necessary arrangements to enable the Council of the European Union to decide to launch and to conduct a military crisis management operation (a Petersberg task) where the alliance as a whole is not engaged. The Government are satisfied that the existing Treaty provisions provide a sufficient legal base for the proposals which the French Presidency was mandated to develop by the European Council at Feira.

  Iraq
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total list of holds imposed by the UK on humanitarian goods for Iraq on 1 November.[138457]

  Mr. Hain
  Over US$37 billion has been made available to purchase humanitarian goods under the Oil for Food programme since its inception in 1996. This year alone, Oil for Food revenue is expected to reach more than US$16 billion.

  Figures for 1 November are no longer available. However, as at 13 November the UK had 208 contracts placed on hold, valued at approximately US$0.3 billion, which is less than 1 per cent. of the total value of Oil for Food revenue. The UK, as a responsible member of the UN Iraq Sanctions Committee, scrutinises contracts very carefully to ensure that goods are not supplied to Iraq in violation of Security Council resolutions. Holds are normally lifted after assurances have been received about the end-use or in-country monitoring of these goods. Since early October the UK has lifted holds on contracts valued at $200 million following confirmation that the goods will be subject to specific monitoring within Iraq.

  It is noteworthy that at the end of October Iraq's bureaucracy was holding back the delivery of US$1.1 billion worth of goods already approved by the Sanctions Committee. Detailed information on the status of individual Oil for Food contracts are available from The Office for Iraq Programme's website (http://www.un.org/Dems/oip.html).
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  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the European Union's policy on sanctions against Iraq. [138682]

  Mr. Hain
  The member states of the European Union, in accordance with their international obligations, continue to implement the United Nations sanctions on Iraq imposed by the United Nations Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

  Euro
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the statistical accuracy of recent Eurobarometer opinion surveys concerning attitudes towards the euro. [138737]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes no assessment of the statistical accuracy of such polls. The European Commission produces the six-monthly Eurobarometer poll. For details of the surveys research methodology I refer the hon. Member to the office of the European Commission in London.

  IGC
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals by the French Presidency at the IGC on Institutional Reform relating to self-employed people. [138728]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have made it quite clear that it will insist on retaining unanimity for Social Security, including for the categories of people covered by the Social Security provisions.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals from the French Presidency at the IGC on Institutional Reform to extend the coordination of national tax systems.[138730]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have made it quite clear that it will insist on retaining unanimity for decisions on taxation.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals in the progress report on the IGC relating to the WTO and the conclusion of international trade agreements.[138726]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Presidency's proposals relate principally to the extension of the Common Commercial Policy to include services and intellectual property. This could bring benefits to British industry by improving access to overseas markets, and the Government is therefore looking carefully at the options for change.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals for the co-ordination of social security systems contained in the progress report on the IGC on Institutional Reform.[138727]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have made quite clear that they will insist on retaining unanimity for social security.
  769W
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals in the Progress report on the IGC on Institutional Reform relating to(a) political parties at the European Union level, (b) the European Court of Justice, (c) the Court of Auditors, (d) the co-operation procedure and (e) the Committee of the Regions. [138722]

  Mr. Vaz
  On the first point, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 513W.

  The Government have made clear its position on IGC issues in its White Paper, and most recently in the Government's response to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on the intergovernmental Conference (published as a Command Paper on Friday 27 October). I refer the hon. Member to these.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals concerning enhanced cooperation in the Progress Report on the IGC on Institutional Reform, with particular reference to the impact on member states not taking part in enhanced cooperation.[138676]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 2 November 2000,Official Report, column 557W.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what his policy is on the number of votes to be required for a blocking minority under QMV at the proposed IGC on Institutional Reform;z[138677]

  (2) if he will make a statement on proposals for a double simple majority voting rule to be discussed at the IGC on Institutional Reform. [138678]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government set out their position on vote reweighting in the IGC White Paper that they published in February.

  I refer the hon. Member to this.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals in the Progress report on the IGC on Institutional Reform relating to(a) transport issues and (b) economic and financial cooperation with non-EU countries.[138735]

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

  European Court of Justice
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has made to the Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice's recent legal opinion concerning criticism of the EU.[138684]

  Mr. Vaz
  In his Opinion in a case brought by Bernard Connelly against the European Commission, the Advocate-General, Ruiz-Javabo Colomer, concluded that the European Court of Justice should dismiss Mr. Connelly's appeal against the decision of the Court of First Instance. The Court of First Instance had found 770W
  previously that Mr. Connelly was in breach of his obligations as a Commission official, according to his terms of employment, and that his dismissal was therefore justified. Neither the Court of First Instance nor the Advocate-General found that it was illegal to criticise the EU, as it has been claimed in some sections of the press.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards(a) the number of British commissioners, (b) the number of votes allocated to Britain and (c) the number of British judges on the European Court of Justice.[138675]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government set out their position on Commission size and vote reweighting in the IGC White Paper that they published in February. I refer the hon. Member to this.

  Currently each member state nominates a judge for the ECJ. There are no plans to change this.

  Acquis Communautaire
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the volume of acquis communautaire applicant states need to adopt before they can join the EU.[138723]

  Mr. Vaz
  As in all previous enlargements, new members of the EU must be able to implement the acquis communautaire in full on accession. The candidate country's acceptance of the acquis may give rise to technical adjustments, and exceptionally to non-permanent transitional measures. These adjustments and transitional measures are the subject of the accession negotiations currently under way with 12 countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia).

  Ballistic Missile Defence Shield
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on American plans for a ballistic missile defence shield designed to protect Western Europe.[138683]

  Mr. Vaz
  President Clinton announced on 1 September that any decision on the possible deployment of a National Missile Defence system would be deferred to the next US Administration.

  The system the current Administration envisage would protect all of the US, but not Western Europe.

  French Presidency Proposals
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the French Presidency's proposals for(a) a European food safety authority and (b) the harmonisation of working hours in the transport industry.[138680]

  Mr. Vaz
  (a) A proposal for a European Food Authority forms one part of the European Commission's proposed Regulation on general food law adopted on 8 November. The UK supports the establishment of such an Authority and will be considering this proposal carefully with wide public consultation. The French

  771W
  Presidency will be seeking preliminary views on the European Food Authority proposal in an orientation debate at the Internal Market Council on 30 November.

  (b) Proposals concerning the organisation of working time for mobile workers in the road transport sector were first published by the Commission in November 1998. Since then, negotiations in the Council have been slow and difficult and several issues have still to be resolved. The French Presidency hope to reach a Common Position at the Transport Council on 20–21 December.

  Diego Garcia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to assist former inhabitants of Diego Garcia to return to all parts of the islands.[138489]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 511W.

  HIV/AIDS
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to respond to the request from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for a report on the UK Government's activities concerning HIV/AIDS and human rights.[138561]

  Mr. Hain
  The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the most serious threats to health in modern times. Globally, nearly 34 million people live with HIV/AIDS. And, for many, it is not just their health that suffers but also their economic and social rights.

  That is why we see HIV/AIDS as an absolute priority. We are intensifying our support for more effective national and regional action to tackle HIV/AIDS; increasing support for vaccine development and microbicides to prevent infection; and collaborating with national governments, the private sector, civil society, researchers, UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO in ensuring the most effective global response to the pandemic.

  In responding to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights we shall of course highlight these and our other efforts. I expect to issue this response in the near future, once we, in conjunction with DFID, have compiled the necessary information.

  Homosexual Rights
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to include reference to homosexual rights in the 'Good Governance and Human Rights' section of his Department's publication 'Focus International, Britain's Overseas Territories'.[138534]

  Mr. Battle
  Focus International briefings are occasional publications on topics in which Britain has a particular interest. The July 2000 briefing on Overseas Territories was produced in direct response to Overseas and UK public interest in the territories arising from the publication of the White Paper on Overseas Territories in 772W
  March 1999. It included a reference to our requirement for Overseas Territories to revise legislation to decriminalise consensual homosexual acts in private between adults.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will provide a schedule of the types of legal cases that are eligible for legal aid.[138272]

  Mr. Lock
  Public funding (formerly legal aid) is available, subject to eligibility criteria, for all civil cases in England and Wales unless specifically excluded by schedule 2 of the Access to Justice Act 1999. Legal aid is available for all criminal cases which are serious enough to meet the interests of justice criteria set out in section 22(2) of the Legal Aid Act 1988.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the policy adopted by the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure effective prosecution in cases of domestic violence.[137167]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service regards violence in the domestic context as a serious matter and will prosecute wherever it is proper to do so.

  It is committed to working with others in the criminal justice system to achieve effective prosecutions in this difficult area.

  The Crown Prosecutors will consider the full range of prosecution options whether or not the victim is willing to attend the trial as a witness.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Solicitor-General what guidance he gives to the Crown Prosecution Service on consultation with victims on decisions about whether to prosecute.[137168]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Code for Crown Prosecutors was reissued last month. It sets out among other things the relationship between the CPS, victims and the public interest. The Code explains that the CPS prosecutes on behalf of the public at large and not just in the interests of any one individual.

  The Code at paragraphs 6.7 and 6.8 makes it clear that Crown Prosecutors should always take into account the consequences for the victim of the decision whether or not to prosecute, and any views expressed by the victim or the victim's family as that is part of the public interest.

  Prosecutors should already carry this out in appropriate cases, but additional guidance is being considered to improve this process.
  773W
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the operation of the Crown Prosecution Service.[137165]

  The Solicitor-General
  The significance of the Human Rights Act on the work of the CPS was recognised at an early stage, and a high priority was given to ensure the CPS was well prepared for the implementation of the Act on 2 October 2000.

  In consultation with other prosecuting agencies and leading external human rights experts, the CPS developed a comprehensive training course for CPS prosecutors. The training programme reached nearly 2,500 prosecutors and selected caseworkers before 2 October 2000.

  This training programme and the continued guidance and advice that CPS staff receive has ensured that cases giving rise to human rights issues have been dealt with in a professional and effective manner. We had expected that human rights problems would be raised in ordinary cases, and that they would be dealt with in the ordinary way. This has proved to be the case.

  The Human Rights Act has meant that the courts are considering many new arguments. A number of cases raising human rights points are already going to the appeal courts. Where such cases have an impact on the criminal justice system as a whole and need to be litigated and resolved urgently they may be fast tracked to the appeal courts.

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Solicitor-General what arrangements he has put in place for reviewing the work of the CPS Inspectorate; and how he measures the effectiveness of the Inspectorate.[137161]

  The Solicitor-General
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and I routinely meet the Chief Inspector to discuss the work of the Inspectorate and the issues emerging. We receive and consider the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector together with reports of each Area inspection and thematic review undertaken. An Advisory Board is at present being established to ensure that the Inspectorate activity is targeted on those matters which most influence the performance of the CPS itself and the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system as a whole.

  Criminal Libel
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Solicitor-General what impact incorporation of the European convention on Human Rights into UK law has had on his policy on permitting prosecutions for criminal libel; and if he will make a statement.[137169]

  The Solicitor-General
  CPS prosecution policy is contained in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The Code outlines the two-stage process in the decision to prosecute. The first stage is the evidential test, which states there must be sufficient evidence to provide a "realistic prospect of conviction". The second stage is the public interest test. The CPS will only start or continue when the case has passed both tests. The Code also states that each case must be considered on its own facts and merits.
  774W
  The revised Code, which was launched on 11 October 2000, has been amended to reflect the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998. The Code states
  Crown Prosecutors must apply the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights in accordance with the Act.

  Cases involving criminal libel will be considered in accordance with the principles outlined in the Code.

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Solicitor-General when he notified the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament that he did not intend to refer the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.[138278]

  The Solicitor-General
  An official in the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers wrote to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on 22 September 2000 to notify him that I did not intend to refer the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council under section 33(1) of the Scotland Act 1998.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of National Lottery grants has been spent on the Dome during 2000 to date.[135577]

  Janet Anderson
  Between 1 January 2000 and 31 October 2000, £139 million of Lottery money was paid to the New Millennium Experience Company. This amounts to 10.4 per cent. of the £1,340.5 million which has been paid to all grant recipients during the same period.

  Lottery Funding (The Olympics)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of National Lottery funding on Britain's Olympic performance.[134822]

  Kate Hoey
  The performance of the British Team in Sydney was the best showing since the 1920 Games. This was achieved through the focus, determination and talent of our athletes, harnessed and given a chance by the Lottery funding and other support that they and their coaches receive. Over £80 million has been paid to athletes and their sports from the National Lottery since 1997.

  I have met with the Performance Directors of the Olympic Sports, together with the British Olympic Association, to discuss ways of building on the success of Sydney and I shall shortly be having a similar meeting with the Chief Executives of the sports governing bodies.

  Fitness Industry
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the economic contribution of the fitness industry, consisting of private health and fitness clubs, public sports and leisure facilities, to the economy.[137044]
  775W
  Kate Hoey
  The Government recognise the contribution that the fitness industry makes to the overall economy and the wider health benefits of increasing participation. There are a number of different independent estimates of the specific economic benefits of the fitness and leisure industry based on estimates of the economic benefits of sport as a whole. However, these estimates tend not to be sensitive enough to give a reliable estimate of expenditure within specific sectors. I understand the Leisure Industries Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University is currently developing a new model which aims to provide a more accurate picture of the economic impacts of different sectors of sport, including the health and fitness markets. Sheffield Hallam University is intending to publish the first results from this work shortly.

  Free Television Licences (Scotland)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications for free television licences for pensioners aged 75 years and over have been(a) made and (b) granted in (i) Glasgow, Pollok, (ii) the city of Glasgow and (iii) Scotland; and what each figure represents as a percentage of the eligible groups in each case.[137770]

  Janet Anderson
  The information requested is not available. TV Licensing, which administers this concession for the BBC as Licensing Authority, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of applications received and free licences issued. Television licences cover households rather than individuals and there is no accurate information, by area, on the number of households eligible for the concession. However, estimates of the over-75 population based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 5,200 people aged 75 or over in the Glasgow, Pollok constituency, 47,500 in the City of Glasgow and 327,000 in Scotland.

  Athletics Stadium
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his latest estimate is of the total cost of building an athletics stadium and related development at Picketts Lock.[137839]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 November 2000]: The English Sports Council has allocated £1.3 million from the Sports Lottery Fund for detailed feasibility work on the Lee Valley Stadium project. Accurate estimates of the overall project costs will be available once this work has been completed. An initial technical study for a concept athletics stadium capable of hosting the 2005 World Athletics Championships and becoming the long-term home for the athletics in the UK, has been prepared by Drivers Jonas, on behalf of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and UK Athletics. This paper exercise suggests that the cost of such a stadium could be around £95 million, but more accurate figures will be available in due course from the detailed feasibility study.

  Digital Broadcasting
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if, following receipt of the BBC's consultation paper 'A Digital Curriculum', he will 776W
  undertake a public consultation on its proposals; and what criteria he will adopt in deciding whether to give his approval to the BBC's proposals.[138550]

  Janet Anderson
  The BBC has recently carried out a public consultation on its proposed digital curriculum service. If, in the light of the consultation exercise, the Corporation decides that it wishes to proceed with such a service, my right hon. Friend's approval will be required. The Department would at that stage publish the BBC's request and invite representations. Details of the Department's consultation and the criteria we will use in assessing BBC public service proposals are set out in the guidelines "BBC Public Services: Approvals", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House on 21 June. The guidelines are currently being revised and we aim to publish the final version shortly.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the non-departmental public bodies responsible to him which have duties relating to Scotland, indicating their budget and staffing in Scotland, the number of Scottish board members and their emoluments.[137698]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department with statutory duties relating to Scotland are:

  Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites

  British Library

  British Tourist Authority

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Millennium Commission

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  National Lottery Charities Board

  National Lottery Commission

  New Millennium Experience Company

  New Opportunities Fund

  Registrar of Public Lending Right

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

  Theatres Trust

  UK Sports Council

  The remaining information is not held centrally in the form requested, but general information on expenditure, staffing, board members and levels of remuneration is published annually in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". Copies of the "Public Bodies 1999" have been placed in the Libraries of the House and "Public Bodies 2000" is due to be published next month. Information on board membership and remuneration can also be downloaded from the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Directory website www.cabinet-office.gov.uk.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  New Deal for Young People
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people are employed in his Department under the New Deal for Young People;[136480]
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  (2) how many staff are employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People.[137963]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office in his answer on 13 October 2000,Official Report,column 551W.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total cost from 30 June to 30 September of the Saville Inquiry into the events in Londonderry on 30 January 1972; and what sums were spent in that period on the inquiry broken down by(a) salaries of staff, (b) travel and subsistence,(c) accommodation, (d) hearing/witness costs, (e) fees to solicitors, representing those killed, (f) solicitors representing others,(g)banisters representing those killed,(h)banisters representing others, (i) IT/communications and (j) miscellaneous, including general office expenditure and also provide the totals of each heading and the total costs since this inquiry began.[136556]

  Mr. Ingram
  My Department's expenditure on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry is summarised in the table for the period 1 July to 30 September 2000. The figures for moneys paid to solicitors and banisters cannot be readily provided separately, nor can the payments for their professional services be separated from other expenses. However these payments have been split between those to lawyers representing families and those to other lawyers, including Counsel to the Inquiry.

  £

  Spend for period 1 July to 30 September 2000

  Spend since 1997–98 to 30 September 2000

  Salaries

  290,676

  2,069,659

  Travel and subsistence

  92,743

  538,391

  Accommodation

  174,696

  1,937,631

  Hearing/Witness Costs

  208,142

  1,462,955

  Payments to lawyers representing families of the dead or wounded

  1,118,711

  4,170,791

  Payments to other lawyers, including Counsel to the Inquiry

  291,368

  11,149,614

  IT/Communications

  1,555,032

  7,064,818

  Miscellaneous including general office expenditure

  84,959

  1,177,659

  Total

  3,816,327

  29.571,518

WALES

  Reservoirs (Wales)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what level of water was held in reservoirs in Wales immediately prior to the heavy rainfall in the second half of October.[138562]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  That is an operational matter for the Environment Agency and water supply companies. I understand that the Environment Agency Wales will be
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  producing a report on recent flooding in Wales for the National Assembly for Wales and this will include information on reservoir levels.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Poultry Farming
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with poultry farmers concerning the integrated pollution prevention and control directive.[137145]

  Mr. Morley
  My ministerial colleagues in MAFF have discussed IPPC issues with representatives of the poultry sector as part of our regular discussions on the situation in the industry. Also my officials regularly meet the poultry industry and the Environment Agency to discuss the implementation of the Directive.

  Climate Change
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what strategic measures he is taking to allow for agricultural changes induced by climate change. [137146]

  Mr. Morley
  My Department has carried out a detailed analysis of the likely impact of climate change on agriculture. Results are not conclusive but the recent extreme weather means that we must assess long-term affect carefully. Further research is underway.

  BSE
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that scientific advice to Ministers relating to BSE is published.[137148]

  Ms Quin
  Scientific advice to Ministers relating to BSE is provided by SEAC. Public Summaries of the Committee's deliberations including advice and recommendations to Ministers are published after every meeting and placed on the MAFF and DH websites.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the potential incidence of BSE in sheep.[137154]

  Ms Quin
  BSE has not been found in sheep except under experimental circumstances. Research has shown that in sheep BSE is similar to scrapie, the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that has been present in British sheep for hundreds of years. MAFF is currently funding experiments to examine some 235 cases of scrapie for evidence of infection with the agent of BSE.

  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to improve communication and co-ordination between his Department and other Government Departments and agencies on issues relating to BSE.[137157]

  Ms Quin
  MAFF works closely with other Government Departments and agencies on BSE issues. Departments and agencies meet monthly to review BSE issues. Separate meetings are held as necessary on specific topics.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what wildlife conservation measures he is proposing in connection with the review of the common fisheries policy.[137149]

  Mr. Morley
  We believe that it is important to continue to integrate environmental considerations into fisheries management. The Commission have already indicated that reduction in the bycatch of cetaceans is a priority.

  Livestock Farming (Northumberland)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the prospects for livestock farming in Northumberland. [137150]

  Ms Quin
  The Government announced in September 1999 and March 2000 substantial aid to the livestock industry—on top of the £1 billion in normal subsidy payments made to UK livestock producers each year.

  £1.6 billion over seven years will also be made available under the England Rural Development Programme and with natural advantages such as an abundance of grass, good breeding stock and a wealth of technical expertise at their disposal, the Government believe livestock farmers—including those in Northumberland—should have a successful future.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase the area of farmed land subject to countryside stewardship agreements.[137151]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend the Minister announced a substantial increase in the Countryside Stewardship budget last December. As part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), £500 million is being allocated to the Scheme over the next seven years. During this period, MAFF aims to add 525,000 hectares of land to the 210,000 hectares already covered by the Scheme.

  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase expenditure on the Countryside Stewardship scheme. [137131]

  Mr. Morley
  Our plans for a major expansion of the Stewardship budget are well known. As part of the England Rural Development Programme, £500 million is being allocated to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme over the next seven years to 2006–07. This means that there will be around £16 million available each year for new agreements and we will be able to offer more than double the number of agreements offered in previous years.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help his Department provides to farmers seeking to convert to organic production.[137152]
  780W
  Mr. Morley
  The Organic Farming Scheme provides conversion aid over a five year period to farmers in England. The budget for the Scheme for the period 1999–2000 to 2006–07 is some £140 million.

  In addition, the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) funded by MAFF provides free advice to potential organic farmers.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many successful applications have been made to the organic farming scheme since May 1997; and how many were made in the previous five years.[137147]

  Mr. Morley
  Aid for conversion to organic farming has been provided since 1994, first under the Organic Aid Scheme and from April 1999 under the Organic Fanning Scheme. There were 158 successful aid applications prior to April 1997 and 1,567 successful applications since that date.

  Arable Farming
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what forecasts he has made for the economic prospects of the arable sector over the coming year.[137153]

  Ms Quin
  Forecasts of farm incomes in the United Kingdom, for the year ending February 2001, including incomes on cereals farms and general cropping farms, will be published at the end of January 2001. More detailed information will be available in the next edition of "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom" which will be published in March 2001. There is no doubt, however, that UK arable farmers face very difficult trading conditions which is why my right hon. Friend the Minister has announced that a further £34 million in agrimonetary compensation is to be paid to arable farmers, subject to European Commission approval. The extra money will provide valuable assistance to the arable sector at an exceptionally difficult time.

  Supermarkets
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets about their relationships with suppliers of horticultural products.[137158]

  Ms Quin
  Supply chain relationships are a theme of the Agricultural Forum, where Ministers meet key figures from all points in the food chain including retailers and horticultural producers, among others. The Forum last met on 6 July and will meet again on 23 November, when the food chain will be one of the key issues on the agenda.

  As part of the Government's Action Plan for Farming, the major retailers, facilitated by the IGD, have developed a voluntary code of best practice in commercial relationships with trading partners. The Competition Commission has also recommended that a Code of Practice should be established which would put relations between supermarkets and their suppliers on a clearer and more predictable basis. Supermarkets with more than 8 per cent. of the market would have to give legally binding undertakings to comply with the Code. My right
  781W
  hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked the Director-General of Fair Trading to take this forward.

  Illegal Fishing
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to combat the illegal landing of fish in the UK. [137159]

  Mr. Morley
  The Fisheries Departments in the UK spend over £24 million a year on monitoring, control and surveillance. A number of steps have been taken to strengthen enforcement including the introduction of satellite monitoring, prior notification of landings and designated port arrangements for larger vessels and the implementation of more rigorous controls over the landing and sale of fish agreed by the Council of Ministers in 1998.

  Flooding (River Roding)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's response to the flooding of the River Roding.[137155]

  Mr. Morley
  I visited the area on 1 November and sympathise greatly with all those affected. In common with elsewhere in the Country, the Environment Agency issued timely flood warnings and co-operated with the emergency services and local authorities, in this case the London Borough of Redbridge, to provide all possible assistance. The Agency has been asked to report on the flooding throughout the Country once the immediate effects of the flooding have been dealt with.

  Agricultural Wages Board
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the Agricultural Wages Board has had on current rates of pay in the horticulture sector.[137133]

  Ms Quin
  The Agriculture Wages Board last increased minimum rates of pay for full time standard and casual workers, including those in the horticulture sector, in June of this year. The Government also announced that the Agriculture Wages Board would continue to operate for at least another five years.

  Rural Development Plan
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role the North West Regional Development Agency is playing in the implementation of the Rural Development Plan for England.[137156]

  Mr. Morley
  The North West Regional Development Agency is a member of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) Regional Programming Group (RPG) for the North West. RPGs for each region have a strategic role in guiding the implementation of the regionally targeted schemes in accordance with the aspiration and goals in the Regional Chapters of the ERDP.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the(a) task forces,
  782W
  (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate.[131460]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group if it(a) is a private company, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details;[131173]

  (2) if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement.[133571]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  I also refer the hon. Member to the first central list of information that was published on 11 January 2000. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries of the House.

  The detailed information requested about the number of recommendations made and the number rejected is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

  Organic Imports
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are made on imported foods labelled as organic to ensure that they do not include residues which would not be allowed in UK-produced organic foods.[135673]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 31 October 2000]: The authentication of organic foods is achieved on the basis of production standards rather than residues checks. Under Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 all food produced within the EU for sale as organic must comply with the production requirements of the Regulation and be produced by an operator certified by a recognised organic certification body and subject to annual inspection by them.

  In the case of imports from outside the EU, the European Commission has listed six countries which have demonstrated to the Commission that they have equivalent standards and controls: Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel and Switzerland. Imports may take place freely, although the imports must be registered with an organic certification body. For other countries

  783W
  outside the EU, registered EU importers may make application to the authorities in their member state providing full details of the standards and control procedures to be used. An authorisation to import will be issued only if it can be shown that these are equivalent to the EC Regulation. The UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) is the body that undertakes the issue of such authorisations in the UK.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 2000,Official Report, column 176W, on relocating civil servants, which relocation companies hold contracts with his Department for the relocation of civil servants; when these contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the length and value is of each contract.[137095]

  Mr. Morley
  No relocation companies hold contracts with my Department. Contractors are invited to tender on an ad-hoc basis when the need arises.

  Flooding (Insurance)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make funds available to local authorities to compensate individuals whose homes have been flooded but who were not insured.[138687]

  Mr. Morley
  On 4 November the Government announced significant improvements to the Bellwin Scheme to assist local authorities in dealing with the current flooding. However, such help does not extend to individuals or businesses affected by flooding as it is an insurable risk.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many certificates issued by the Compensation Recovery Unit have resulted in payments received; and what is the total of those payments; [136432]

  (2) how much money has been recovered from damages awarded to miners by the Compensation Recovery Unit; [136433]

  (3) what was the original estimated amount claimed by the Compensation Recovery Unit from the damages awarded to those miners whose cases the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney brought to his and his Department's attention; and what is the latest estimate claimed by the Compensation Recovery Unit in these cases.[136431]

  Mr. Bayley
  Since the current compensation recovery scheme came into effect during the 1996–97 financial year, 3,898,582 certificates have been issued, and £684,430,905 has been recovered.

  The total amount recovered to date by the Compensation Recovery Unit from damages awarded to miners by the Department of Trade and Industry is £14,868,340.07.
  784W

  The breakdown of the certificates issued and amounts recovered

  Financial year

  Certificates issued

  Benefits recovered (£)

  1997–98

  720,546

  166,906,114

  1998–99

  1,265,104

  201,468,600

  1999–2000

  1,232,304

  202,105,188

  1 April 2000 to 31 August 2000

  680,628

  113,951,003

  Total

  3,898,582

  684,430,905

  It should be noted that, first, more than one certificate may be issued in relation to a given recovery, and, second, because payments may be received some time after the Compensation Recovery Unit issues a certificate, payments received during a given financial year may relate to certificates issued during the previous financial year. The figures for certificates issued and benefits recovered are therefore not necessarily coterminous. In respect of the five cases brought by my hon. Friend to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Department in February of this year, both the original estimated amount and the latest estimated amount are shown in the following table. For reasons of confidentiality, the identity of particular cases has to remain anonymous.

  Original certificate

  Latest certificate

  Cases

  (£)

  Date of issue

  (£)

  Date of issue

  1

  21,787.59

  8 January 2000

  0

  27 October 1999

  2

  21,707.54

  16 November 1999

  6.38

  18 October 2000

  3

  24,238.75

  24 July 1997

  22.02

  2 October 2000

  4

  14.302.01

  21 December 1999

  413.08

  6 June 2000

  5

  5,858.35

  27 October 1999

  674.46

  8 August 2000

  Ministerial Directions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 23 October 2000,Official Report, columns 73-76W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement.[137295]

  Mr. Rooker
  In accordance with the rules of Government accounting, the Comptroller and Auditor General has been notified of all ministerial directions.

  We have considered this request under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and concluded that providing this information would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion within Government. The request therefore falls within the terms of exemption 2 of the Code of Practice.

  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the local authorities in Scotland which have been inspected by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, together with the dates when(a) these inspections began and (b) reports were issued.[137775]
  785W
  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Local authority

  Start date

  Publication date

  East Dunbartonshire

  19 January 1998

  18 March 1999

  Inverclyde

  4 May 1998

  12 February 1999

  East Lothian

  18 May 1998

  18 March 1999

  South Ayrshire

  6 July 1998

  18 March 1999

  Dundee

  2 November 1998

  1 July 1999

  Angus

  28 June 1999

  16 May 2000

  Borders

  5 July 1999

  22 June 2000

  Stirling

  30 August 1999

  22 June 2000

  Edinburgh

  30 November 1999

  2 November 2000

  Notes:

  1. The start date shown is when the local authority is contacted with a request for information to assist with future planning of the inspection. The inspection start dates for inspections begun earlier than 1999 have been calculated as records did not hold actual start dates.

  2. The current Benefit Fraud Inspectorate programme includes another two Scottish local authorities which are currently being inspected and a further four inspections of Scottish authorities that are due to be carried out by autumn 2001.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those reports by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate which have had sections completely blanked out.[137726]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 November 2000]The information is in the list, which gives all the reports that have been published so far by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, where a paragraph or more has been blanked out.

  It should be noted that when the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate publishes reports it blanks out material which would be of assistance to fraudsters, unnecessarily identifies individuals, or is confidential. All reports so far have had some material blanked out, except the Securing Child Support (Child Support Agency) report published in July 1999.

  Local Authority Reports

  Blackpool

  East Dunbartonshire

  Eastbourne

  Broxboume

  Teesdale

  Burnley

  Leicester

  Croydon

  East Lothian

  Elmbridge

  Oldham

  Thanet

  Tower Hamlets

  South Ayrshire

  Telford and Wrekin

  Trafford

  Gateshead

  East Devon

  Stoke on Trent

  Kirklees

  Dundee

  Richmond upon Thames

  Swansea

  Oxford

  Bournemouth

  Lichfield

  Macclesfield

  786W

  Angus

  Borders

  Epsom

  Berwick

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  Braintree

  Camden

  Tower Hamlets

  Croydon

  Sandwell

  West Wiltshire

  Powys

  Wigan

  Shrewsbury

  Norwich

  York

  Calderdale

  Rotherham

  Ellesmere Port

  St. Helens

  South Lakes

  Babergh

  Barnet

  Northampton

  Sunderland

  Gloucester

  Rochford

  Derbyshire Dales

  Swale

  Hart

  Blyth Valley

  Allerdale

  Southwark

  Congleton

  Neath and Port Talbot

  Brighton and Hove

  Stirling

  Eden

  Lancaster

  Harrow

  Nottingham

  Rochford

  Bristol

  Westminster

  Agency Reports

  BA: Area Directorate 3 (London South) Contributions Agency

  Vaccine Damage Payment Act
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have been made in the rules for eligibility for payments under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.[137776]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Vaccine Damage Payment (VDP) Act 1979 provides a single, tax-free payment for people who have suffered severe mental and/or physical disablement of 80 per cent. or more as a result of vaccination against one or a group of specified diseases following a claim made within six years of the date of vaccination or of a child reaching the age of two whichever is the later. The only changes to the eligibility rules which have been made since 1979 are the addition of mumps in April 1990 and haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) in May 1995 to the list of specified diseases.
  787W
  On 27 June 2000,Official Report, columns 719–20, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced a number of changes to the VDP scheme. In addition to increasing the level of the one-off payment for £40,000 to £100,000, these changes included proposals to amend the time limits for claiming a payment to age 21 in the case of children, and to reduce the disability threshold from 80 per cent. to 60 per cent.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further plans he has to increase the take-up of the minimum income guarantee.[135755]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are determined to ensure that pensioners on low incomes claim what they are entitled to. The minimum income guarantee take-up campaign is still in progress.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners he estimates are(a) eligible for and (b) claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee for each parliamentary constituency in Wales. [136646]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is only possible to answer part(b) of the hon. Member's question.

  Minimum Income Guarantee claimants by parliamentary constituency, May 2000

  Thousand

  Parliamentary constituency

  Number of claimants

  Aberavon

  2.4

  Alyn and Deeside

  1.8

  Blaenau Gwent

  2.6

  Brecon and Radnorshire

  1.8

  Bridgend

  2.1

  Caernarfon

  2.0

  Caerphilly

  2.8

  Cardiff, Central

  2.5

  Cardiff, North

  1.5

  Cardiff, South and Penarth

  3.7

  Cardiff, West

  2.7

  East Carmarthen and Dinefwr

  2.4

  West Carmarthen and South Pembrokeshire

  2.4

  Ceredigion

  1.1

  Clwyd, South

  2.3

  Clwyd, West

  3.0

  Conwy

  2.5

  Cynon Valley

  2.2

  Delyn

  2.2

  Gower

  2.2

  Islwyn

  2.3

  Llanelli

  3.4

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  1.6

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  2.4

  Monmouth

  1.7

  Montgomeryshire

  1.4

  Neath

  3.1

  Newport, East

  1.9

  Newport, West

  2.5

  Ogmore

  1.6

  Pontypridd

  1.9

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  2.2

  Rhondda

  3.2

  Swansea, East

  3.0

  Swansea, West

  3.5

  Torfaen

  2.4

  Vale of Clwyd

  2.7

  Vale of Glamorgan

  2.3

  788W

  Minimum Income Guarantee claimants by parliamentary constituency, May 2000

  Thousand

  Parliamentary constituency

  Number of claimants

  Wrexham

  2.3

  Ynys Mon

  2.2

  Notes:

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

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands.

  3. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or their partner are aged 60 or over.

  4. Cases have been allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 version 1 of the Postcode Director. Constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 2000

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Donohoe) of 2 November 2000,Official Report, column 573W, if he will list the percentage of each five year age group above the age of 60 years who are in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee, broken down by gender.[137387]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 November 20001]The information is in the table.

  Minimum Income Guarantee pensioners aged 60 or over by age, gender and as a percentage of the population in the relevant age group, Great Britain, May 2000

  Age

  Number (Thousand)

  Percentage

  All claimants

  1,615

  13.6

  All males

  60–641

  184

  13.5

  65–69

  93

  7.7

  70–74

  72

  7.0

  75–79

  61

  7.4

  80 or over

  112

  16.0

  All females

  60–641

  122

  8.6

  65–69

  119

  9.0

  70–74

  141

  11.3

  75–79

  193

  16.3

  80 or over

  517

  33.3

  160–64 age band includes claimants aged under 60 where there is a partner aged 60 or over.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on 5 per cent. sample, therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

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

  4. "Percentage of the population" is based on ONS population estimates for mid-term 1999, and represents Income Support claimants in each age band as a proportion of the population of the same age and gender.

  Sources:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 2000.

  Population estimates unit—ONS mid-term estimates for 1999.
  789W
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement regarding the level of complexity of the form that needs to be completed by pensioners wishing to claim the Minimum Income Guarantee and its impact on the numbers of people making a claim.[137617]

  Mr. Rooker
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has said in his statement on 9 November 2000,Official Report, columns 451-55, the Department is examining measures which will reduce the complexity of the current system and encourage pensioners to claim their correct benefit entitlement.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a geographical breakdown of the number of pensioners who are estimated to be entitled to the Minimum Income Guarantee but do not claim it. [138311]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the rate of Minimum Income Guarantee per week from April 2001.[138432]

  Mr. Rooker
  In April 2001, the Minimum Income Guarantee will be set at £92.15 for single pensioners and £140.55 for couples.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate, making no allowance for behavioural change, of how many pensioner households will benefit from the Minimum Income Guarantee in 2050.[138349]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 November 2000]: Making no allowance for behavioural change, the figure remains at one in four—the same as given in the Pensions Green Paper "Partnership in Pensions" (Cm 4179).

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many retired people who qualify for payment of the Minimum Income Guarantee are receiving it.[138522]

  Mr. Rooker
  Some 2 million pensioners either as singles or couples receive the Minimum Income Guarantee. Figures for those who might be entitled but are not claiming were based on a 1 per cent. sample. We shall have a better estimate of those entitled but not claiming when the present take-up campaign is concluded, during which we are making direct contact with 2.3 million pensioners.

  "Voices"
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent on advertising space in the recent Government publication, "Voices". [135584]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The total cost of advertising space was £5,477.85 including VAT. In addition we spent £1,395.90 on design and production.

  "Voices" magazine represents a good opportunity for us to make women aware of information available on a number of issues that may affect them. The pack that women are sent when they respond to the advert contains
  790W
  information about: pension options; changes to the state pension age and Inherited SERPS; help available for new mothers and support in times of bereavement.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the income ratio is between the top fifth and the bottom fifth of pensioners; and what it would be if the link between the basic pension and average earnings had been retained.[136046]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1998–99, the ratio of average (median) incomes in the top fifth compared to the bottom fifth of the pensioners' income distribution was 3.1 for single pensioners and 3.5 for pensioner couples. The other information requested is not available.

  Notes:

  1. pensioners are defined as single people aged over state pension age (65 for men, 60 for women) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is over state pension age.

  2. Income is defined as net income before housing costs. The income distribution has been calculated separately for single pensioners and pensioner couples.

  Source:
  The Pensioners' Income Series 1998–99, published on 26 October 2000.
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 122–29W, on pensioner incomes, if he will provide estimates on the same basis for 1998–99.[138030]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the tables.

  Pensioner units' median gross income excluding means-tested benefits, by age and an marital status, 1998–99

  Marital Status

  60–64

  65–69

  70–74

  75–79

  Age 80+

  Single male pensioners

  n/a

  133

  124

  114

  112

  Single female

  pensioners

  123

  114

  102

  100

  99

  Pensioner couples

  n/a

  268

  233

  192

  182

  Notes:

  1. All amounts are in £ per week at July 1998 prices. They are rounded to the nearest £1, although estimates are not necessarily accurate to this level.

  2. Estimates are for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single (non-cohabiting) person over state pension age (65 years or above for men and 60 years or above for women), or a couple (married or cohabiting) where the man, defined as the head, is over state pension age. Estimates for pensioner couples are broken down by the age of the man.

  3. Estimates marked 'n/a' are not applicable. Single men and couples are only defined as pensioner units if the man is aged 65 years or above.

  4. Means-tested benefits are defined as Income Support, Family Credit, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit and Social Fund Grants.

  5. Levels of means-tested benefit may be particularly affected by mis-reporting by survey respondents, as it is thought that receipt of State Retirement Pension and receipt of Income Support are often confused in the FRS.

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Incomes Series dataset, based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1998–99.
  791W

  Numbers of pensioner units by age and marital status, 1998–99

  Marital Status

  60–64

  65–69

  70–74

  75–79

  Age 80+

  Single male

  pensioners

  n/a

  200,000

  250,000

  210,000

  280,000

  Single female

  pensioners

  370,000

  560,000

  690,000

  740,000

  880,000

  Pensioner

  couples

  n/a

  1,010,000

  810,000

  520,000

  330,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 pensioner units

  2. Estimates are for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single (non-cohabiting) person over state pension age (65 years or above for men and 60 years or above for women), or a couple (married or cohabiting) where the man, defined as the head, is over state pension age. Estimates for pensioner couples are broken down by the age of the man.

  3. Estimates marked 'n/a' are not applicable. Single men and couples are only defined as pensioner units if the man is aged 65 years or above.

  4. Estimates are not controlled to independent population estimates by the age bands used.

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Incomes Series dataset, based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1998–99.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have been newly awarded(a) Income Support and (b) the Minimum Income Guarantee in each quarter since 1997.[138309]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Minimum Income Guarantee pensioner claims, 1997 to 2000

  Quarter

  New claims

  1997

  February

  49,000

  May

  64,000

  August

  52,000

  November

  47,000

  1998

  February

  49,000

  May

  50,000

  August

  48,000

  November

  49,000

  1999

  February

  50,000

  May

  64,000

  August

  56,000

  November

  52,000

  2000

  February

  44,000

  May

  66,000

  Notes:

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

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. As inquiries are taken at a point in time, no account can be taken of claimants who flow on and then off again, and visa versa, between the dates of the inquiry. Therefore, the numbers will underestimate the true level of inflows and outflows although the net combined effect will be correct.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiries, February 1997 to May 2000.
  792W
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Slough are eligible for(a) the Winter Fuel Allowance, (b) a free television licence to over 75-year-olds and (c) the Minimum Income Guarantee; and if he will make a statement.[138717]

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

  Statistics on pensioners in Slough, May 2000

  Thousand

  Category

  Number

  Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) pensioners

  2.6

  Pensioners over 75

  5.5

  Winter Fuel Payments total claimants paid

  13.4

  Notes:

  1. All except Winter Fuel Payment data are based on 5 per cent. samples, therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 Version 1 of the Postcode Directory supplied by ONS. Constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

  4. MIG Pensioners are defined as Income Support benefit units where either the claimant and/or the partner is aged 60 or over.

  5. Number of pensioner households who will receive free TV licences is not directly known, but from the statistical samples it is possible to produce data on the number of pensioners receiving one or a combination of Retirement Pension, MIG, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance by parliamentary constituency and are aged 75 or over.

  Sources:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 2000 Statistical samples held by ASD Information Centre, May 2000 Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuel Payment 1999–2000 exercise

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Chatham and Aylesford are eligible for the(a) winter fuel allowance, (b) free television licence for over 75-year-olds and (c) minimum income guarantee; and if he will make a statement. [138720]

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

  Statistics on pensioners in Chatham and Aylesford, May 2000

  Thousand

  Category

  Number

  Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) pensioners

  1.6

  Pensioners over 75

  5.0

  Winter Fuel Payments total claimants paid

  12.8

  Notes:

  1. All except Winter Fuel Payment data are based on 5 per cent. samples, therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 Version 1 of the Postcode Directory supplied by ONS. Constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

  4. MIG Pensioners are defined as Income Support benefit units where either the claimant and/or the partner is aged 60 or over.

  793W

  5. Number of pensioner households who will receive free TV licences is not directly known, but from the statistical samples it is possible to produce data on the number of pensioners receiving one or a combination of Retirement Pension, MIG, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance by parliamentary constituency and are aged 75 or over.

  Sources:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 2000

  Statistical samples held by ASD Information Centre, May 2000

  Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuel Payment 1999–2000 exercise

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Sittingbourne and Sheppey are eligible for(a) winter fuel allowance, (b) free television licence for over 75-year- olds and (c) minimum income guarantee; and if he will make a statement. [138718]

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

  Statistics on pensioners in Sittingbourne and Sheppey,in May 2000

  Category

  Number(Thousand)

  Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) pensioners

  2.1

  Pensioners over 75

  5.9

  Winter fuel payments total claimants paid

  14.7

  Notes:

  1. All except Winter Fuel Payment data are based on 5 per cent. samples, therefore subject to sampling error.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Cases are allocated to each Parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 Version 1 of the Postcode Directory supplied by ONS. Constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

  4. MIG Pensioners are defined as Income Support benefit units where either the claimant and/or the partner is aged 60 or over.

  5. Number of pensioner households who will receive free TV licences is not directly known, but from the statistical samples it is possible to produce data on the number of pensioners receiving one or a combination of Retirement Pension, MIG, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance by Parliamentary constituency and are aged 75 or over.

  Sources:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 2000.

  Statistical samples held by ASD Information Centre—May 2000 Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuels Payment 1999–2000 exercise.

  Payroll Administration
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the costs of administering the payroll in his Department and associated agencies in the last 12 months for which figures are available.[135995]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 November 2000]: The annual cost of administering the Department's integrated pay, personnel and expenses system was £8.3 million 1999–2000. This will reduce to £4.9 million per annum from January 2001 due to restructuring of payroll and expenses services as part of the Department drive to refocus resources on the front-line services.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security(1) what the level of the average payment made to date is to pensioners to make up for income lost as a result of the NIRS2 computer problems, broken down into(a) outstanding benefit payments and (b) compensation; [137516]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that pensioners who may have received a lower income than they are entitled to as a result of the NIRS2 computer problems are informed of their correct entitlement;[137514]

  (3) which benefits, apart from state pensions, are still affected by the problems with NIRS2; and how many claimants of each benefit are still awaiting their correct benefit entitlement as a result.[137515]

  Mr. Rooker
  The contract for NIRS2 was signed in 1996 and there have been problems with the system from the start, which we are trying to resolve.

  Pensioners who have been affected by the NIRS2 problems and who are entitled to compensation under the Departmental Special Payments Scheme receive an average amount of arrears of £377 and an average amount of compensation of £11.77.

  To receive compensation under the scheme, all the following conditions must be satisfied. These are that the:

  final rate of pension was put into payment more than eight months after the date from which the pension is payable,

  amount of arrears due is at least £100,

  amount of compensation payable is at least £10.

  Any change to a pensioner's National Insurance account that affects the rate of pension in payment is notified automatically to the Benefit Agency. This allows both the new rate and any arrears of pension to be paid.

  Claims for Widows Benefit, Incapacity Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance are also affected by the NIRS2 problems. At 15 September 200, Benefits Agency offices had 12,402 Incapacity Benefit claims waiting to be reviewed and 2,255 Jobseeker's Allowance claims. The exact number of Widows Benefit claims waiting to be reviewed is not known but the combined total of Widows Benefit and Retirement Pension claims outstanding at 15 September was 96,776.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the number of pensioners who are currently receiving incorrect payments in respect of(a) the state retirement pension and (b) SERPS that have been caused by problems with the NIRS2 computer system;[138250]

  (2) if he will estimate the average number of newly entitled pensioners who are receiving incorrect payments in respect of (a) the state retirement pension and(b) SERPS that are caused by problems with the NIRS2 computer system;[138251]

  (3) if he will estimate the average weekly (a) underpayment and (b) overpayment in respect of (i) the state retirement pension and (ii) SERPS caused by problems with the NIRS2 computer system at the latest date for which figures are available.[138252]
  795W
  Mr. Rooker
  The contract for NIRS2 was signed in 1996 and there have been problems with the system from the start which we are trying to resolve.

  The number of pensioners not receiving their full rate of pension and the number of newly entitled pensioners who do not receive their full rate of pension in time for their first pension pay day specifically because of NIRS2 problems is not available.

  Separate figures are not held for SERPS, which is a component of the overall State Retirement Pension. At 30 September 2000, NIRS2 problems had caused 128,000 pensioners to be underpaid a total of £43.5 million. At 31 August 2000, NIRS2 problems had caused 5,300 pensioners to be overpaid a total of £920,000. The average underpayment is £340 and the average overpayment £174.

  Widowers
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the implications of the Crossland case for the claims of widowers for equality of treatment.[138316]

  Angela Eagle
  The ECHR case of Christopher Crossland, which was resolved by friendly settlement, concerned only the Widows Bereavement (Tax) Allowance, and therefore has no implications for Widows Benefits.

  In introducing Bereavement Benefits from 9 April 2001, we will, for the first time, introduce specific benefits for widowers on the death of their spouse. These benefits will be available equally to men and women.

  Fathers who are widowed before these benefits are introduced will be able to claim Widowed Parent's Allowance from 9 April 2001 as long as they satisfy the qualifying conditions.

  State Pensions Liabilities (EU)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on EU and British state pensions liabilities.[138736]

  Mr. Rooker
  UK state pension liabilities are a matter for the UK Government. EU state pension liabilities are a matter for the individual member states.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has for the body that will administer the pension credit to share data relevant to the pension credit with(a) the Benefits Agency, (b) local authorities, (c) banks and building societies, (d) pension providers and (e) the Inland Revenue;[138505]
  796W
  (2) what plans the Inland Revenue has for data-sharing with local authorities and the Benefits Agency on the pension credit.[138502]

  Mr. Rooker
  We will consider carefully administration issues as part of our detailed programme to take forward the pension credit. As part of this, we will endeavour to reduce barriers to the claims process.

SCOTLAND

  Graduate Unemployment
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many, and what percentage of, first degree full-time graduates from higher education institutions in Scotland were unemployed six months after graduation in the last year for which figures are available.[137777]

  Dr. Reid
  Higher Education in Scotland is a devolved matter.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the President of the Council how many questions have been(a) tabled by the right hon. Member for Birkenhead since 23 October and (b) given holding answers.[138503]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The following information has been provided by the House of Commons Library (POLIS database) and covers the period from 23 October to 14 November:

  (a) Questions tabled:51

  (b) Questions which have received a holding reply:1

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  EU Employment Directive
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Council how many letters have been received by the Government alleging that there was a threat to religious freedom posed by the EU directive on employment agreed between the Governments of the EU on 17 October.[135064]

  Mrs. Beckett
  My Department has received no such letters.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities gave on 6 November 2000,Official Report, column 39W.

  Pakistan: Restoration of Democracy
  Pakistan: Restoration of Democracy
  GCHQ: Recruitment
  GCHQ: Recruitment
  Secure Establishments for Juveniles
  Secure Establishments for Juveniles
  Convicted Sex Offenders under 18
  Convicted Sex Offenders under 18
  Young People in Custody: Literacy and Numeracy Classes
  Young People in Custody: Literacy and Numeracy Classes
  Young People in Custody: Special Educational Needs
  Young People in Custody: Special Educational Needs
  Proof of Age Proposals
  Proof of Age Proposals
  Winter Fuel Payment
  Winter Fuel Payment
  Capital Gains Tax
  Capital Gains Tax
  Retail Prices Index Excluding Mortgage Interest Payments
  Retail Prices Index Excluding Mortgage Interest Payments
  Personal Incomes: Top Rate of Direct Tax
  Personal Incomes: Top Rate of Direct Tax
  Church Buildings: VAT
  Church Buildings: VAT
  National Insurance Contributions
  National Insurance Contributions
  A3 Kingston By-pass
  A3 Kingston By-pass
  Vehicle Excise Duty: Exempt Historic Vehicles
  Vehicle Excise Duty: Exempt Historic Vehicles
  Regional Government
  Regional Government
  Trunk Road Improvement
  Trunk Road Improvement
  Conjoined Twins: Medical Procedures
  Conjoined Twins: Medical Procedures
  Tate Gallery: Spoliation Advisory Panel
  Tate Gallery: Spoliation Advisory Panel
  House of Lords: Standards of Conduct Report
  House of Lords: Standards of Conduct Report