Written Answers of 22 November 2000

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Crushed Cars
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his reply of 1 November 2000,Official Report, column 458W, in respect of the number of crushed cars in 2000, if he will break down the number by (a) registration year and (b) model. [136934]

  Mr. Hill
  DVLA's wheelclamping database holds information on clamped and impounded vehicles by registration mark and make. Although the exact ages of vehicles are not readily available, the age identification letter which forms part of the vehicle registration mark provides a good indication.

  The following two tables show (i) the approximate age of the vehicle and (ii) the make of the crushed vehicle.

  DVLA—Wheelclamping scheme Breakdown of vehicles crushed—age identifier

  Prefix/Suffix/Other

  Letter

  Year

  Number of vehicles

  Suffix

  L

  —

  2

  Suffix

  M

  1973–74

  8

  Suffix

  N

  1974–75

  8

  Suffix

  P

  1975–76

  8

  Suffix

  R

  1976–77

  14

  Suffix

  S

  1977–78

  12

  Suffix

  T

  1978–79

  42

  Suffix

  V

  1979–80

  54

  Suffix

  W

  1980–81

  81

  Suffix

  X

  1981–82

  193

  Suffix

  Y

  1982–83

  396

  Prefix

  A

  1983–84

  664

  Prefix

  B

  1984–85

  1,008

  Prefix

  C

  1985–86

  1,340

  Prefix

  D

  1986–87

  1,654

  Prefix

  E

  1987–88

  1,842

  Prefix

  F

  1988–89

  1539

  Prefix

  G

  1989–90

  826

  Prefix

  H

  1990–91

  293

  Prefix

  J

  1991–92

  82

  Prefix

  K

  1992–93

  55

  Prefix

  L

  1993–94

  21

  Prefix

  M

  1994–95

  14

  Prefix

  N

  1995–96

  4

  Prefix

  P

  1996–97

  0

  Prefix

  R

  1997–98

  1

  Non age related marks

  —

  Unknown

  44

  Total

  10,205

  178W

  DVLA—Wheelclamping scheme Breakdown of vehicles crushed—make

  Vehicle make

  Number crushed

  Alfa

  11

  Audi

  68

  Austin

  816

  Bedford

  119

  Bertone

  1

  BMW

  139

  Cadillac

  2

  Carbodies

  2

  Chevrolet

  1

  Citroen

  160

  Colt

  6

  DAF

  1

  Daihatsu

  21

  Daimler

  1

  Dutton

  1

  Fiat

  305

  Ford

  3,303

  Freight

  38

  FSO

  1

  Honda

  140

  Hyundai

  48

  Jaguar

  23

  Kia

  2

  Lada

  59

  Lanchester

  4

  Lancia

  3

  Leyland

  30

  Mazda

  82

  Mercedes

  40

  Mercury

  1

  MG

  70

  Mitsubishi

  20

  Morgan

  3

  Morris

  1

  Nissan/Datsun

  588

  Oldsmobile

  1

  Opel

  29

  Peugeot

  358

  Porsche

  3

  Proton

  19

  Reliant

  3

  Renault

  346

  Rickman

  1

  Rover

  689

  Saab

  47

  Sao

  1

  Scania

  1

  Seat

  54

  Seddon

  1

  Sherpa

  1

  Skoda

  18

  Subaru

  13

  Suzuki

  19

  Talbot

  25

  Toyota

  170

  Trabant

  1

  Transit

  1

  Triumph

  24

  TVR

  1

  Unrecorded

  30

  Vauxhall

  1,369

  Volkswagen

  476

  Volvo

  368

  Yamaha

  2

  Yugo

  16

  Zastava

  8

  Total

  10,205

  Departmental Employees (HIV)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that people who are HIV-positive do not suffer discrimination as a result of employment practices followed by his Department. [137783]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department is committed to equality of opportunity in the employment of staff. It also has commitments towards their welfare and well-being and takes a number of steps to ensure that there is no discrimination against staff who are HIV-positive.

  HIV is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Human Rights Act 1998 and in accordance with these legislative requirements. Departmental guidance given in the staff hand book states that:
  There will be no discrimination in recruitment against applicants (for both external and internal vacancies) on the grounds that the applicant is HIV-positive. Applicants who have declared they are HIV-positive will be subject to the normal rules governing health appointments.
  Staff will not be dismissed because they are HIV-positive or transferred to alternative employment unless they request it or medical advice recommends this, or medical retirement is appropriate.
  No member of staff or applicant for a post is required to take the HIV antibody test.
  Victimisation of any member of staff who is HIV-positive could result in disciplinary action being taken against the offending member of staff.
  Staff who are HIV-positive are not required to inform the Department. If a member of staff declares that they are HIV-positive, the information will be maintained on a confidential basis.

  The Department recognises the importance of counselling for members of staff who are HIV-positive. Counselling and Support Services will provide counselling, advice and adequate support and will make reasonable arrangements to enable work to be continued.

  The Department has the following support mechanisms available to staff who are HIV-positive:

  Counselling and Support Services

  Harassment Contact Officers

  Trade Union Support

  Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Network

  Disability Network

  Personnel Advisers.

  As an example of positive support, members of the Equality and Diversity Team, along with the Trade Union representatives, recently liaised with the National Aids Trust to prepare a return to work programme for an HIV-positive member of staff who is undergoing combination therapy.

  Council Tax Bands (Properties)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many, and what percentage of, properties in each council tax band there are in(a) London, (b) Liverpool and (c) Birmingham. [138629]
  180W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing the number and percentage of dwellings on 15 October 1999 that were in each council tax band in London, Liverpool and Birmingham.

  Petrol Retailers
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a rate relief scheme for small independent petrol retailers in rural areas. [139104]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  On 19 September, we published our Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance", in which we asked for views on whether the village shop rate relief scheme should be extended to certain rural petrol stations. This would provide 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief to singly owned petrol stations with rateable values below £6,000 that are located in designated rural settlements and provide a community facility or service which is not available elsewhere in the locality (for example, a cash machine or cashback facility) and up to 100 per cent. top-up relief. The consultation period ends on 8 December. We will make our decision on whether mandatory relief should be extended to rural petrol stations in light of responses to the Green Paper. All petrol stations with rateable values below £12,000 and located in qualifying rural settlements can already receive up to 100 per cent. discretionary relief if the local authority feels it is of benefit to the local community.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000,Official Report, column 209W, on energy conservation, for what reason the improvements to Part L of the Building Regulations have not come into effect; and if he will make a statement. [139338]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In my answer of 6 June 2000,Official Report, column 209W, I said that our Part L proposals were to be published for public consultation shortly, and this happened on 15 June. The consultation period ended on 29 September and over 350 responses were received. The proposals are now being re-examined by my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee in the light of that excellent response.

  River Wye
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the outcome of the recent public inquiry on access and navigation rights on the River Wye. [139278]

  Mr. Mullin
  The application made by the Environment Agency for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to confer on it powers to regulate navigation on the River Wye has raised complicated issues which require very careful consideration. Since the close of the inquiry we have continued to receive detailed representations from parties to the inquiry, including the Agency. Earlier this year, in the interests of proper administration, we made these representations available to others appearing at the inquiry so that they could comment on them. We are now considering the comments along with the Inspector's report of the inquiry.
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  We will make a decision on the application as soon as possible. Before doing so, we will consult the National Assembly for Wales since the proposed Order would, if made, affect Wales as well as England.

  Cheltenham?Swindon Rail Line
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the suspension of train services due to tunnel and track repairs on the Cheltenham to Swindon line. [139351]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack is undertaking a major engineering project following flood damage to the 155 year-old Sapperton Tunnel, between Swindon and Gloucester. The cap of a former construction shaft in the floor of the tunnel collapsed due to the amount of stormwater flowing through the tunnel drainage system.

  The track over the shaft will be removed before foundations, bearings and new concrete slabs can be installed over the shafthead. Works will also be carried out to four similar shafts to ensure future storms do not cause another collapse.

  Railtrack expects normal passenger services to resume in about four weeks when the works should be completed.

  Flood Relief (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on planning issues in relation to flood relief measures in Gloucestershire. [139350]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government are committed to reducing, where possible, the risks from flooding to people, property and the natural environment. It is for the Environment Agency to bring forward flood relief measures when they are required for consideration by the appropriate local authority.

  Guidance on planning issues in relation to flood relief measures and other issues related to flood risk is contained in Circular 30/92. This is currently being revised and strengthened and we expect to publish the new PPG 25 "Development and flood risk" as soon as practicable in the new year.

  Fences
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue planning guidance to local authorities on the design and materials of fences fronting dwellings in rural areas. [139245]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Best practice guidance on all the built elements of a development is contained in "By Design", a good practice guide published jointly by my Department and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. The Countryside Agency has also promoted Village Design Statements and Countryside Design Summaries to assist good design in rural areas.

  M4
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when 182W
  the proposal to widen the M4 in the vicinity of Junction 18 was (a) first included and (b) removed from the Government's road programme. [139397]

  Mr. Hill
  The scheme was added to the roads programme in May 1989 and withdrawn in November 1996.

  Coastal Defences (Birling Gap)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will receive the report of the inspector on the public inquiry into coastal defences at Birling Gap. [139423]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government Office for the South East received the inspector's report on the public inquiry into planning applications for coastal defences at Birling Gap on 14 November. The Secretary of State expects to issue his decisions on these applications early in the new year.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the suppliers of new rail sections to Railtrack and the country of origin for each of the last five years, including the specification required concerning(a) tempering, (b) surface hardening and (c) manufacturing method. [139170]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack have advised that the former British Steel, now Corns Rail, and Voest Alpine Schienen of Austria had been their sole suppliers until new contracts were awarded in May of this year to Corns Rail, Voest Alpine Schienen and Lucchini SpA of Italy.

  The current specifications relating to the tempering, surface hardening and manufacture of the rails are included in section RT/CE/S/061 of the Railtrack Line Standards Issue 23 of October 2000. Issue 23 is available on CD Rom and Railtrack have arranged for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The proportion of rails subject to particular manufacturing treatments such as tempering and surface hardening continues to depend on the use to which the rails are to be put, since manufacturing specifications vary according to intended traffic loading, line speeds and the geometry of the track.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the records from Railtrack regarding the dates on which cracks occurred after the fitting of new rail. [139171]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack have advised that it has checked 3,000 sites for gauge corner cracking. The detection and removal of affected rails is a continuous process and the information is not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the Inspection Schedule used by Railtrack to assess track conditions. [139172]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack have advised that the Inspection Schedule it uses to assess the condition of the track is included in their Railway Group Standards Issue 5, dated October 2000, section GC/RT5022 on inspection of rail and rail joints.
  183W
  The Railway Group Standard is available on CD Rom and Railtrack have arranged for a copy to be placed in the House Library.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review planning guidance with regard to the siting of mobile phone masts near(a) private houses, (b) schools and (c) hospitals; and if he will require local planning authorities to refuse planning applications for new masts in cases where operators have refused to share facilities. [139388]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to mobile phone masts and associated guidance ended on 31 October 2000. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.

  Current guidance in DETR Circular 4/99 already makes clear the Government's expectation that developers should provide local planning authorities with evidence that they have fully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast. It also says that, if the evidence regarding the consideration of alternative sites is not considered satisfactory, the authority may be justified in refusing prior approval or planning permission for the development.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research he has conducted on the(a) health implications and (b) environmental impact of the location of mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [139401]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (the Stewart Group) was set up at the request of the then Minister for Public Health to investigate the public health implications of mobile phone technologies. The Group's report was published on 11 May and copies are in the Library. The report reviewed research findings worldwide and made a numbers of recommendations including a recommendation to initiate a substantial independent programme of research. The programme will be launched shortly. The Department has not carried out research into the environmental impact of the location of mobile phone masts.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  China
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has for future development work in China. [138110]

  Clare Short
  Since 1997 we have refocused our development work in China away from a concentration on the old Aid and Trade Provision which softened the terms of commercial contracts. We are now building support for health and water, education and environmental 184W
  concerns focused on the needs of the poorest regions and people. We are also supporting state owned Enterprise Reform and prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS. China has since 1978 focused on the reduction of poverty, and the numbers living on less than 1$ per day have been reduced from 600 million to 120 million.

  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on support given to China for HIV and AIDS. [138113]

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in China. [138121]

  Clare Short
  HIV/AIDS has come into China across its border with Burma and is a problem of increasing importance. We are supporting the efforts of the Chinese Government to develop a national HIV/AIDS policy, and to test innovative approaches to HIV prevention in the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. We are providing £15 million over five years.

  North Korea
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the international aid programmes in North Korea. [138111]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The deprivation and suffering, particularly of the children, which was featured in the 'Dispatches' programme, is principally the result of the policy and action of the Government of North Korea. Since 1998 we have provided over £2.5 million of humanitarian assistance, channelled through UN agencies and international NGOs, focusing particularly on agriculture rehabilitation and food security.

  Zimbabwe
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing to Zimbabwe; and what are the aims of her Department's programmes there. [138114]

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her aid projects in Zimbabwe. [138120]

  Clare Short
  We are providing assistance for projects which assist the poor in improving rural livelihoods; providing water and sanitation; and access to reproductive health needs. I have recently agreed a commitment of £20 million for HIV/AIDS prevention.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts are being made by her Department to encourage the development of renewable sources of energy in the developing world. [138115]
  185W
  Clare Short
  We are spending £1.5 million per year on research to improve energy provision for the poor. The work falls under four themes:The development and promotion of renewable energy sources, especially for rural communities;
  The more efficient supply, conversion and use of energy;
  Improved access to clean energy in poorer households;
  Reducing the environmental impacts of energy use.

  We are also supporting the G8 Renewable Energy Task Force and we are major contributors to the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP). We are also members of the World Renewable Energy Network (WREN).

  I will place a copy of the most recent newsletter in the Library of the House.

  AIDS (Asia)
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to assist countries in Asia in combating AIDS. [138116]

  Clare Short
  Combating HIV/AIDS in Asia is one of our major priorities and we are working with international and regional agencies to this end. At country level, we are supporting major HIV/AIDS programmes in India, Bangladesh, Cambodia and China and smaller efforts elsewhere. We are also supporting a variety of community-led initiatives designed to reduce the impact of the epidemic.

  In 1999–2000, DFID spent over £13 million on HIV/AIDS bilateral programmes in Asia. This year, we will contribute over £43 million to the United Nations Population Fund and UNAIDS. Both organisations contribute significantly to anti HIV/AIDS work in Asia.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Kosovo in respect of children. [138117]

  Clare Short
  We receive regular reports on the humanitarian situation in Kosovo through our own representative and through international humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF. We have provided £2.5 million to UNICEF for programmes in Kosovo, and a total of £12.5 million for the Balkans as a whole.

  Our support to programmes in Kosovo, both directly and through our share of the funding of the programmes of the EC and multilateral agencies, includes support to health care, social welfare, housing and community development.

  Burma
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with NGOs which are involved in provision of aid to Burma. [138118]
  186W
  Clare Short
  We consulted non-governmental organisations in preparing our Country Strategy Paper on Burma which was published in July, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House. I met NGOs concerned with Burma in June.

  Education (Poor Countries)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what initiatives she is taking to help poor countries improve their education provision. [138119]

  Clare Short
  We are committed to the achievement of universal primary education (UPE) and gender equality as priorities for development. This means making a strong contribution to the international effort to achieve these targets. Our three priorities for action are:

  (i) Contributing to the international policies and programmes designed to achieve education for all.

  (ii) Strong, well targeted country programmes—with priority to sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—which provide assistance to governments and civil societies committed to UPE and gender equality. We have committed over £400 million to this work since May 1997 and will do more.

  (iii) Knowledge and research strategies and outcomes that will contribute to the ability of the international community. including partner countries, to learn lessons, share experience and monitor progress.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new initiatives she is taking in Indonesia to support poverty reduction and development. [138122]

  Clare Short
  We published our Country Strategy Paper, setting out the broad framework for UK development assistance to Indonesia, in September. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Key elements of our development programme include a recently agreed Multistakeholder Forestry Programme, which aims to promote more equitable and sustainable management of Indonesia's forests; technical advice and funding to the Governance Partnership, a facility which provides support to governance reform initiatives identified and prioritised by Indonesian government and civil society; and support for the Community Recovery Programme, an Indonesian civil society response to the economic crisis, providing a "safety net" for those worst affected. We are also exploring with government, civil society and other donors how we might best support pro-poor policy making and budgeting in Indonesia.

  Africa (Small Arms)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to halt the spread of small arms in Africa. [138123]

  Clare Short
  We have supported the implementation of the Moratorium on the Import, Export and Manufacture of Light Weapons in West Africa through funding concrete programmes in conjunction with the UN. We have provided direct support for the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) Action Plan against the proliferation of small arms in that region and helped to fund some of their projects. We have also actively
  187W
  supported the Nairobi declaration on the problem of the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and in the Horn of Africa and we are assisting in the development and implementation of an Action Plan in support of this Declaration. We plan further efforts to stem the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

  CPA Conference
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many delegates to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Annual Conference in Edinburgh visited her Department's stall; and what the take-up was of publications and other materials from the stall by delegates. [138124]

  Clare Short
  We estimate that over 200 delegates visited the Department for International Development stand during the Conference, representing over a third of those attending. There was considerable interest in the publications, which covered a wide range of issues about the Department and its work.

  Palestinian Authority
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on recent UK development aid to the Palestinian Authority. [138125]

  Clare Short
  The UK's priority is to continue support to build a Palestinian nation through economic and social development that takes full account of the needs of the poor. As well as supporting the peace process, our development programme seeks to improve parliamentary democracy, Palestinian basic health care, education, access to water and sanitation, gender equality, legislation, integration into the global economy and improving the efficiency and accountability of the Palestinian Authority. We are also seeking to increase the effectiveness of our support via multilateral institutions, in particular the EC and the UN Relief Works Agency.

  In response to the recent troubles DFID has provided $100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for medical assistance and two emergency experts to the UN Office for the co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We are following events in the region closely and will respond where we can to developments.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to make a decision on providing an airfield on the island of St. Helena. [138126]

  Clare Short
  A comparative study of the options for sea and air access to St. Helena is currently under way. The team undertaking the work visited the island in mid-October. We expect their draft report by the end of this year. We will then discuss the report and its recommendations with the St. Helena Government. The results of the study cannot be prejudged and no presumption can be made that it will lead to support being offered for the provision of an airfield. We hope to reach decisions in early 2001.
  188W

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy of development aid towards Ethiopia. [138127]

  Clare Short
  I discussed our role in Ethiopia with the Ethiopian Prime Minister in Addis Ababa at the weekend. As the prospects for lasting peace become firmer, we are reviewing how we should re-engage there. Initially we will be strengthening our work through multilateral development agencies such as the World bank and the European Commission. We also strengthen our work on food security.

  Overseas Territories
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met the chief ministers of the overseas territories; what matters were discussed at that meeting; and if she will make a statement. [138128]

  Clare Short
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State is responsible for development assistance to the Overseas Territories. He last met Chief Ministers during the second annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council meetings from 3–4 October 2000. These ensure that there is opportunity during the year for UK Ministers to meet political leaders from the Overseas Territories for an exchange of views on a jointly determined agenda. This year's talks included discussion on sustainable development, human rights, accessible justice and internal security.

  ILO
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the ILO's contribution to promoting international development. [138129]

  Clare Short
  Our assessment is that the International Labour Organisation's priorities are evolving in a direction which will increase their developmental benefits. The ILO's focus on "Decent Work" should achieve a greater emphasis on promoting secure livelihoods for poor people.

  Misuse of Aid
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that British aid is not misused. [138130]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 7 November 2000,Official Report, column 159W.

  Corruption
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what help her Department is giving to developing countries to fight corruption. [138131]

  Clare Short
  Since 1997 we have strengthened our efforts to fight corruption. This includes support for national anti-corruption strategies, which may include the establishment of specific anti-corruption agencies; strengthening public sector capacity for budgetary and
  189W
  financial management, procurement, accounting and audit; reforming civil service management; enhancing public oversight through strengthened public accounts and other parliamentary committees, and supporting civil society to promote transparency and accountability. We are also collaborating with other development agencies and contributing to multilateral efforts, in particular through supporting the implementation of international conventions against bribery in international trade and strengthening regional anti-money-laundering mechanisms.

  Aid Targeting
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on proposals for the better targeting of aid. [138132]

  Clare Short
  I most recently met EU Development Ministers and Commission representatives at the 10 November Development Council. The Government are implementing a detailed strategy (a copy of which is in the Library of the House) to press the European Commission and other EU member states radically to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance. To this end the 10 November Development Council adopted a Development Policy Declaration with poverty reduction, and eventual eradication, as its central objective. I will continue to press for EC resource priorities to be shifted to reflect this new policy.

DEFENCE

  Defence Aviation Repair Agency
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress the Chief Executive of DARA has made in achieving his Agency's key targets 1 to 5 for the financial year 2000–01. [138163]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of DARA is on course to exceed the Agency's key targets 1, 2 and 5 and is on target to meet key targets 3 and 4.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role and responsibilities are of the Staff Officer to the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [139582]

  Mr. Spellar
  The role of the Staff Officer to the DARA Chief Executive is to provide Secretariat support to the Chief Executive in the running of a £500 million turnover business, with over 5,000 employees and on four sites across the UK.

  Specifically:

  (a) Acting as Secretary to DARA board-level meetings.

  (b) Preparing draft documents for the Chief Executive.

  (c) Preparing comprehensive briefing material for meetings including the Ministerial Advisory Board.

  (d) Drafting responses to parliamentary questions.

  (e) Handling media inquiries.

  Indonesia (Arms Trade)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the United Kingdom's arms trade was with the Moluccas Islands of Indonesia on average in the last five years. [139030]
  190W
  Dr. Moonie
  HM Customs and Excise data collection methods do not allow for the identification of the destination of goods below country level and it is therefore not possible to provide the specific information requested. Details of identified exports of military equipment to individual countries, including Indonesia, are published in Part III of the annual report on Strategic Export Controls. Annual reports have been published covering each of the last three years and copies are available from the Library of the House. Comparable information relating to earlier years is not available.

  Mine Detection
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what concepts have been developed by the UK Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for mine detection; what the cost of the latest version of the technology demonstrator is; what the technology demonstrator is based on; and if he will make a statement. [138979]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency is undertaking a number of research tasks for the Ministry of Defence in mine detection. There are three applied research technology demonstrators, aimed at proof of principle demonstrations. These are:

  1. The Advanced Hand Held Mine Detector (AHHMD) technology demonstrator programme that started in April 1995. AHHMD is a man-portable, although not necessarily strictly `hand held', system. Research expenditure has been approximately £3 million over five years. The demonstrator is based on integration of Metal Detection, Ground Penetrating Radar and Quadruple Resonance sensors.

  2. The Mine Detection, neutralisation and Route Marking System (MINDER) technology demonstrator programme that started in April 1997. MINDER is a land vehicle mounted system. Research expenditure will be in the order of £4 million over five years. The demonstrator is based on integration of close-in Metal Detection and Ground Penetrating Radar sensor arrays and forward looking Ultra Wide Band Radar and Polarised Infra-Red sensors.

  3. The Remote Minefield Detection System (REMIDS) technology demonstrator programme is aimed at minefield detection rather than individual mines and began in 1995. Research expenditure will be in the order of £6 million over six years. The demonstrator is based on Ultra Wide Band Synthetic Aperture Radar and Polarised Infra-Red sensors together with a mine detection workstation.

  Military Equipment
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines have been set for the future Scout and Cavalry system and tactical reconnaissance armoured combat equipment requirement; what ISTAR capabilities TRACER and FSCS will employ; and if he will make a statement. [138976]

  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 Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 22 November 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on the collaborative Future Scout and Cavalry System and Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) programme. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

  191W
  You asked what guidelines have been set for the programme. In approving the programme, Minister (Defence Procurement) directed that the work on TRACER should be part of an integrated strategy of studies which would include work to determine the role that Unmanned Air Vehicles would play in battlefield reconnaissance. Balance of Investment studies will inform a decision on the optimum mix of sensors and platforms to meet the land commander's critical information requirements.
  On the question of what ISTAR capabilities will be employed, TRACER/FSCS will form the land-based component of the wider Information, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets. To meet commanders' requirements for detailed combat intelligence, these systems will need to be capable of gathering, processing and disseminating accurate and timely information. Of primary importance will be information on the enemy strength, deployment and equipment. To provide a complete and detailed picture of the battlefield Commanders will also require data on terrain, navigability, obstacles and routes.
  In the context of TRACER, two competing consortia are considering a wide range of candidate technologies. These include surveillance systems, a sophisticated sensor suite, a balanced survivability package including stealth technology, an improved target detection and recognition capability, Defensive Aids Suites and physical protection in the form of advanced armour technologies.
  A decision on the final system architecture will take account of the outcome of the current Project Definition phase, due to complete in July 2002, and the parallel studies into the use of Unmanned Air Vehicles for battlefield reconnaissance.

  Merlin Helicopters
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. [138796]

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

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 22 November 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  In June 2000 the Merlin Mk3 formal In Service Date was achieved with delivery of the sixth helicopter. This milestone enabled the start of RAF aircrew training and was one element of a phased introduction into service. I assume the question refers to the handover of the first four helicopters to RAF Benson which had been scheduled for 6 November, but was postponed following an accident involving a RN Merlin MkI helicopter and the subsequent suspension of flying. A new date for the handover will be confirmed once flying resumes.

  Cluster Bombs
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if further trials of cluster bombs are planned at the Luce Bay range. [139240]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no current plans for further trials of cluster bombs at Luce Bay range.

  Royal Navy Security Procedures
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reviewed Royal Navy security procedures following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole; and if he will make a statement. [139348]
  192W
  Mr. Spellar
  The recent terrorist attacks in Yemen highlight the continuing terrorist threat to UK and allied forces and interests. The threat to our personnel and assets and the security procedures we take to counter the threat are kept under constant review.

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Diversification Agency; and if he will make a statement on its future. [139355]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) has made an impressive start in implementing our defence diversification policies. Well over 300 companies have been given help to solve their business problems by drawing on defence-based science and technology. We are currently considering the future of the agency, and how best to take forward our diversification policies, in the light of our Public Private Partnership plans for the Defence Evaluation Research Agency.

  Strategic Tanker Aircraft
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if DERA Boscombe Down is being used as the public sector comparator or reference project in the private finance initiative procurement of future strategic tanker aircraft; [139163]

  (2) how many wide-bodied jet aircraft will be accommodated at DERA Boscombe Down under the proposed future strategic tanker aircraft project; [139162]

  (3) if he will list the members of the four industry consortia involved in the future strategic tanker aircraft project; and which of them propose to operate the project from (a) RAF Brize Norton and (b) DERA Boscombe Down. [139160]

  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 Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 22 November 2000:
  I am replying to your questions (139163, 139162 & 139160) to the Secretary of State for Defence about DERA Boscombe Down and the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  FSTA is planned to begin replacing the RAF's current fleet of VC10 and Tristar tanker/transport aircraft from around 2007. We are currently investigating the potential for achieving a service based solution to the requirement under the Private Finance Initiative. Our core requirement is for an air to air refuelling service with some elements of air transport capability. It is not for a replacement operating base.
  The current fleet is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. We are aware that DERA is promoting the Boscombe Down airfield as a potential operating base for FSTA and seeking to act as a commercial partner to the FSTA consortia. Our work on development of the Public Sector Comparator has concluded that RAF Brize Norton is likely to offer the most cost effective operating base for the FSTA service. However, I should stress that this is not a final decision: under a PFI procurement strategy we are prepared to consider an innovative bid that utilises an alternative base. It would need to demonstrate value for money whilst protecting operational capability.

  193W
  The exact number of aircraft required to meet our output based requirements for the FSTA service will be for the consortia to propose. However, we currently understand that, whatever operating base is selected, between 20 and 25 wide-bodied civil aircraft will be needed. The following consortia submitted outline proposals in November 1999:
  Air Reach—Rolls Royce, and now including Peel Airports and ASIG
  BAE Systems
  Strategic Support Management—comprising SERCO and Spectrum Capital
  Eurotanker—comprising Brown and Root, FRA and Thomson CSF

  In submitting these proposals all of the consortia favoured RAF Brize Norton as the main operating base. However, the makeup of each consortium is still to be finalised and we have not yet launched the formal bidding process. It is, therefore, too early to say whether a Boscombe Down solution is likely to feature in the final bids. It will be for the individual consortia to decide how to frame their proposed solutions.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals were moved between DERA and CAMR at Porton Down, Wiltshire in the last year for which figures are available. [138916]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: A small number of animals have been moved between DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down and its neighbour the Department of Health Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR).

  The tables show the numbers of animals involved from 1995 to 1999:

  Table 1: Numbers of animals moved from CBD to CAMR

  Species/year

  Number

  Rhesus monkeys

  1997

  14

  Late 1996/early 1997

  14

  1996

  12

  Rats

  1996

  2

  1995

  40

  Table 2: Numbers of animals moved from CAMR to CBD

  Species/year

  Number

  Mice

  1999

  28

  1996

  180

  1995

  60

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the animal procedures(a) being conducted at and (b) planned for the area known as Hard Target at Porton Down. [138915]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down has not undertaken any procedures involving living animals at the site on the Porton Down Range known as Hard Target, and none are planned.
  194W
  However, procedures under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been undertaken at another site on the Porton Range which is several hundred metres from Hard Target.

  This research was undertaken on anaesthetised animals to validate physical models used to predict human vulnerability to explosions and the performance of candidate protection systems. Additionally, anaesthetised animals were also used to validate the performance of personal blast protection clothing to protect military personnel from the effects of explosions.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many genetically modified animals were used in procedures, broken down by species, at Porton Down in each year for the last five years. [138917]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down uses only one genetically modified animal species, the mouse, in its research.

  The table shows the numbers of genetically modified mice used in procedures, as reported to the Home Office, for the past five years.

  Year

  Procedures

  1995

  120

  1996

  191

  1997

  75

  1998

  333

  1999

  259

  Iraq
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each type of ordnance released by UK aircraft in response to violations of the southern No-Fly Zone in Iraq since 20 December 1998, stating in each case the proportion they represent of the overall tonnage of ordnance released by UK aircraft since that date, the estimated cost per unit and the estimated cost of stock replacement in each category; and if he will make a statement. [139704]

  Mr. Hoon
  Between 20 December 1998 and 17 November 2000, the UK has employed only precision guided munitions over the southern No-Fly Zone. Some 85 per cent., by weight, were Paveway II (1,000 lb) Laser Guided Bombs at a unit cost of some £37,000. There are no plans to replace this weapon once current stocks are exhausted. The balance were Paveway III (2,000 lb) Laser Guided Bombs for which the current unit and replacement cost is some £85,000.

  These precision guided weapons were only employed in self-defence against the Iraqi Integrated Air Defence System, which continues to target coalition aircraft carrying out humanitarian patrols.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office Closures
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon.
  195W
  Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Mr. Fraser) of 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 224W, if he will provide a breakdown of the 1,183 sub-post office closures by (a) region and (b) urban/rural status. [136707]

  Mr. Byers
  A detailed Post Office check of their original estimate of post office closures in the first half of their current financial year has confirmed that the actual figure is 34 less than their estimate. Accordingly the net total of post office closures since the end of March 1997 is 1,149.

  The 1,149 closures between the end of March 1997 and the end of September 2000 comprised 823 rural offices (defined as offices located in communities of less than 6,300 inhabitants) and 326 urban offices.

  Since the end of March 2000 the Post Office network is no longer organised on the basis of regions but on the basis of territories.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, by region, the number of sub-post office managers and proprietors who, during the past three months, have submitted notice of their intention to close their sub-post office; what the corresponding number was in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.[137939]

  Mr. Byers
  I am informed by the Post Office that closure decisions are not taken by sub-postmasters.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed in Suffolk(a) from May to December 1997, (b) in 1998, (c) in 1999 and (d) from January. [138414]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 14 November 2000]: I understand from the Post Office that figures are not available in the form requested.

  Postal Workers
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many postal workers were employed by Royal Mail in delivering mail in Suffolk in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [138403]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that figures for the number of people employed by Royal Mail are not held centrally on a county basis.

  Mobile Phone Transmission Equipment
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulations govern the installation of mobile phone transmission equipment on telephone masts. [138716]

  Ms Hewitt
  Operators who have been assigned the Telecommunications Code, set out in Schedule 2 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, have permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Under its permitted development rights an operator can install mobile phone transmission equipment on a mast of 15 metres or less in height without the need for a planning application. However, developments undertaken in this way are subject to a prior approval procedure. Under this procedure a planning authority has 42 days in which to comment on the siting and appearance of a mast and can 196W
  refuse approval where it believes the development would pose a serious threat to amenity. Conversely, the installation of masts above 15 metres in height requires a planning application, as does the installation of any masts in a designated area such as a National Park or an area of outstanding natural beauty.

  Least Developed Countries
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EU to remove rice from the EC Trade Directorate's Least and Less Developed Country products draft regulation; and if he will make a statement. [139344]

  Mr. Caborn
  None. The UK supports the Commission's proposal for tariff and quota-free access for all remaining products (except arms) from the Least Developed Countries including a short transitional period for three sensitive agricultural products.

  This is in line with the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when he made clear during his Mansion House speech on 22 November 1999 that the Government support duty-free access for all goods from the Least Developed Countries.

  Social Enterprises
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further action he is taking to promote social enterprises. [139261]

  Ms Hewitt
  Through the Small Business Service, the Department of Trade and Industry is taking a number of measures to promote social enterprises. The measures include:Ensuring that Business Links meet the needs of all types of businesses in their localities, including social enterprises;
  Working with the British Bankers Association and Social Enterprise London to produce guidance on the sector for business support organisations and banks;
  Supporting the development by Social Enterprise London of a pilot set of training modules to help business advisers provide better support for social enterprises;
  Promoting the role of businesses, including social enterprises, in tackling social exclusion through the Phoenix Fund. The Fund, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced in November 1999 and which has an initial budget of £30 million over three years, seeks to promote enterprise in disadvantaged communities. It has four parts:
  A Development Fund to promote innovative ways of supporting enterprise in deprived areas.
  A national network of mentors to pre and early stage business start-ups through the Business Volunteer Mentors Association.
  A Challenge Fund to help resource Community Finance Initiatives (CFIs).
  Loan Guarantee to help co-finance commercial and charitable lending to CFIs.

  A number of organisations supporting social enterprises have applied under the fund and their applications are currently being considered. Announcements about the first successful bids will be made shortly.

  In addition, the Small Business Service will be undertaking a mapping exercise to assess the current and potential economic impact of social enterprises.

  Memo Leak
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Mrs. Browning) of 6 July 2000,Official Report, column 250W, if he will publish the findings of the inquiry into the leaking of a memo from Mr. Andrew Fraser. [139248]

  Mr. Byers
  It has not been the practice under successive administrators to publish the findings of internal inquiries of this kind.

  Departmental Payments
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was(a) the average and (b) the longest period taken by his Department to pay its bills in the past year. [139277]

  Mr. Byers
  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies in(a) Scotland and (b) the UK have been prosecuted for violating the National Minimum Wage legislation. [139425]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There have been no criminal prosecutions. The National Minimum Wage Act provides both civil and criminal powers of enforcement. The Inland Revenue has issued:Enforcement notices: (a) 25 in Scotland and (b) 278 in the United Kingdom.
  Penalty notices: (a) five in Scotland and (b) 38 in the United Kingdom.
  The Inland Revenue has taken (a) one Scottish and (b) 23 United Kingdom companies to employment tribunals to recover arrears of pay.

  The Government cannot disclose the names of employers against whom civil actions have been taken.

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those companies in Scotland which have been investigated for failure to pay the National Minimum Wage. [139427]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  No. This information is confidential and cannot therefore be disclosed.

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individual complaints have been received in Scotland from employees who have not received their legal entitlement to the National Minimum Wage. [139428]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Since April 1999, 366 formal complaints have been made to the Inland Revenue from workers in Scotland who have not been paid the National Minimum Wage.

  Radio Frequencies
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on protocols that exist between this country and other EU member states on the allocation of digital radio frequencies; and what 198W
  reduction of available frequencies in regions of the UK in close proximity to other EU member states he expects. [139581]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Radiocommunications Agency is responsible for the allocation of spectrum for broadcasting services and for ensuring that the UK's use of radio frequencies, including for digital radio, does not cause interference within the UK or in other countries and that other countries' transmissions do not interfere with UK services. The international co-ordination of frequency use is ordered by the decisions of the International Telecommunication Union. An international agreement, known as the Wiesbaden Plan (1995), which was agreed by the European radio administrations, set the parameters within which the UK and neighbouring countries may co-ordinate bilaterally their respective frequency plans for digital radio.

  It is too early to consider the outcome of the international negotiations on the sharing of spectrum for individual radio stations given the current state of the planning and international co-ordination processes within Europe, including the prospect that further frequencies for digital radio may become available for this service in the next few years arising out of a European Planning Conference set for 2002.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has(a) to conduct a national audit of radio frequencies and their usage and (b) to increase the number of frequencies open for new local radio stations. [139575]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Radiocommunications Agency, supported by the Radio Authority and the BBC, commissioned a survey of the current use of the FM spectrum, the efficiency with which it has been planned and the scope for planning additional services. The report was published in June 2000 and is available on the Radiocommunications Agency website at www.radio.gov.uk and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House shortly.

  In recent years, additional spectrum has been made available for radio broadcasting in the FM Band. In addition, spectrum has been made available in the VHF band to enable the launch of Digital Radio. Further frequencies may become available for local digital radio services as a result of a European Planning Conference in 2002.

  Cold Calling (Utility Companies)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to regulate cold calling by utilities, with specific reference to older residents; [139690]

  (2) what safeguards exist for customers who have agreed to change utility companies as a result of a cold call. [139691]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 give consumers a seven-day cooling off period when buying goods or services worth over £35 during an unsolicited home visit or telephone call. It is an offence not to tell consumers of these rights.
  199W
  There are additional safeguards in respect of gas and electricity supply. In 1998, with the Government's encouragement, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) introduced a licence condition for gas and electricity suppliers governing sales and marketing practices. This includes rules on the proper selection and training of sales staff who are in direct contact with domestic customers, and on the auditing of sales activities. The condition was extended for a further two years in March 2000, and OFGEM is currently consulting on strengthening it. OFGEM also works closely with individual companies on an ongoing basis to resolve problems that lead to customer complaints. The new Gas and Electricity Consumer Council established under the Utilities Act 2000 has said it will also be a vigorous advocate of the consumer interest in this area.

  Detailed regulation of the privatised utilities is a matter for the sectoral regulator. However, the Government are always concerned that consumers, particularly the vulnerable, should be protected against the distress and confusion that inappropriate selling techniques can cause.

  This is reflected in the Utilities Act 2000 which gave OFGEM and the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council a specific responsibility to have regard to the interests of vulnerable individuals, including the disabled, the chronically sick, the elderly, those on low incomes and those in rural areas.

  Science Budget
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the allocation of the science budget. [139831]

  Mr. Byers
  As a result of the Spending Review, the science budget has been increased by £725 million over the next three years. This represents an increase in the Government's investment in science of an average of 7 per cent. per year in real terms over the next three years. Once again the Government are making it clear that they regard a healthy science and engineering base as critical to the nation's well-being.

  After taking advice from the Director General of the Research Councils, I have decided that the science budget should be allocated as follows. A total of £356 million is for investment in science and engineering research; of this, £252 million is to be spent over three years on three high-profile programmes across the Research Councils.

  Resource and capital, figures include baseline and allocations of new funds

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Total

  Allocations to Cross-Council programmes

  Genomics

  15.000

  39.500

  55.500

  110.000

  E-science

  13.000

  29.500

  55.500

  98.000

  Basic technology

  2.000

  15.000

  27.000

  44.000

  Allocations to Research Councils1

  MRC

  339.614

  349.930

  358.151

  1,047.695

  BBSRC

  209.987

  219.603

  226.151

  655.741

  NERC

  191.865

  201.414

  208.750

  602.030

  EPSRC

  426.202

  429.540

  436.911

  1,292.653

  PPARC

  203.289

  212.383

  217.208

  632.881

  ESRC

  73.447

  79.263

  85.033

  237.742

  CCLRC

  6.421

  6.613

  7.452

  20.486

  200W
  The three programmes are as follows.
  Genomics: a £110 million investment to increase understanding of gene function and related applications. This should lead to the development of new diagnostics, drugs and materials.
  E-science: a £98 million investment to solve key problems of processing, communicating, storing and accessing data across a range of scientific disciplines, with additional investment to develop core generic technologies. This investment is absolutely essential for large scale, modern science, but I expect it to have important industrial implications over the coming decade.
  Basic technology: a £44 million investment to build up the UK's technology capability. This has value in itself but will also act as the springboard for more advanced science.

  A £1 billion Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF) will fund renewal and development, of which £375 million will come from the science budget, £300 million from the Department for Education and Employment, and £225 million from the Wellcome Trust. My Department is currently discussing with other interested parties the basis for the allocating of £900 million of this fund to universities.

  The remaining £100 million of SRIF will be invested in Research Council Institutes and large science facilities. The allocations I am announcing today to the Research Councils include £32 million of this. The remainder will be allocated later this year.

  There will be a new £140 million Higher Education Innovation Fund to encourage exploitation of knowledge by Higher Education Institutions. This will incorporate the current Higher Education Reach Out to Business and the Community Fund (HEROBC). This total includes around £60 million from the Department for Education and Employment, and £80 million from the science budget. There is also £20 million from the science budget for the University Challenge and Science Enterprise Challenge Schemes.

  £34 million is being allocated to the Research Councils to fund increases in the basic PhD stipends from £6,800 this academic year to £9,000 in 2003–04. This represents an increase of 23 per cent. in real terms over the period, following the Comprehensive Spending Review in 1998. It sends another clear signal that the Government believe that postgraduate research should no longer be seen as a Cinderella career choice.

  The detailed allocation is as follows. Further details are available in a report I am publishing today, "The Science Budget 2001–02 to 2003–04", which I have placed in the Library of both Houses.
  201W

  Resource and capital, figures include baseline and allocations of new funds

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Total

  Allocations to other areas

  Research Council Pensions Schemes

  26.970

  28.450

  29.740

  85.160

  Royal Society

  25.945

  28.745

  29.245

  83.935

  Royal Academy of Engineering

  4.270

  4.770

  5.270

  14.310

  DIAMOND

  20.000

  20.000

  20.000

  60.000

  Joint Infrastructure Fund

  125.000

  —

  —

  125.000

  Science Research Investment Fund

  —

  125.000

  250.000

  375.000

  Joint Research Equipment Initiative

  —

  10.000

  10.000

  30.000

  Capital yet to be allocated

  —

  34.000

  34.000

  68.000

  Higher Education Innovation Fund

  20.000

  20.000

  40.000

  80.000

  University Challenge

  —

  5.000

  —

  5.000

  Science Enterprise Challenge

  —

  5.000

  10.000

  15.000

  Exploitation of Discoveries at public sector research establishment

  10.000

  —

  —

  10.000

  Foresight Challenge

  —

  3.000

  5.000

  8.000

  Cambridge-MIT Institute

  14.000

  14.000

  14.000

  42.000

  OST Initiatives

  3.000

  3.100

  3.350

  9.450

  OST Administration Costs

  11.192

  11.192

  11.192

  33.576

  Exchange Rate and Contingency Reserve

  15.264

  15.464

  16.014

  46.742

  Total

  1,766.467

  1,910.467

  2,155.467

  5,832.401

  1 Excluding Cross-Council programmes

  Post Offices
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken by the Post Office to improve security measures at Weoley Castle sub-post office in Birmingham and to re-open the premises. [139107]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that in interviewing potential candidates to take over the running of Weoley Castle sub-post office, security measures will be discussed.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Post Office will take to maintain the availability of accessible counter services to residents during temporary closure of urban sub-post offices. [139108]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office have advised that they use a range of measures to try to minimise inconvenience to customers when sub-post offices close temporarily. According to the circumstances, these measures may include: appointing a temporary sub-postmaster who can operate the sub-post office until a permanent solution can be found, subject to availability of existing or alternative premises; managing the office directly with Post Office staff; redirecting customers to nearby post offices. In some circumstances the use of a mobile sub-post office service may be an option.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have sufficient storage and handling space to act as collection, return and payment points for e-commerce. [138040]

  Mr. Byers
  The Post Office have begun a six month trial in some 800 post offices in the South West offering customers the facility to nominate a post office as an alternative collection point for packets and parcels. An objective of the trial is to assess the operational implications, including the space required at post offices, of offering this service throughout the network.

  Horizon Programme
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what functions are performed by the Horizon programme information technology installed in post offices. [138039]

  Mr. Byers
  I understand from the Post Office that the Horizon system is now installed in nearly 15,000 post offices.

  A major upgrade of software for the Horizon system was introduced from 23 October and now includes smartcard compatibility for the automated payments service, direct electronic links between branches and the stock and cash management system and an electronic messaging system. The Horizon equipment has the latest touch screen technology and a small scale monitor, bar code reader, printer and keyboard with card reader for magnetic swipe cards and smartcards. Horizon also operates an electronic point of sale service, which captures transaction details, centrally manages product changes such as tariff updates, and produces an electronic cash account recording weekly payments and receipts which is electronically transferred to the central accounting system. An order book control service for the Benefits Agency is operated by the system, using a barcode reader providing an electronic stop list to reduce fraudulent order book encashment. In addition Horizon integrates several stand alone automated payment systems enabling payment of utilities bills using magnetic swipecards and barcoded bills.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Exports (Israel)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the components or equipment given Open Individual Export Licences by Her Majesty's Government since 1997 for sale to the Israeli
  203W
  armed forces can be used in firearms, tanks or helicopters of the types used by the Israeli armed forces in action against civilians in the Occupied Territories. [138010]

  Mr. Hain
  With regard to details of the equipment licensed for export to Israel on Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) since 2 May 1997, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs on 17 November 2000,Official Report, column 809W.

  All applications to this Government for licences to export defence equipment have been, and continue to be, considered on a case by case basis against the strict export licensing criteria.

  We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export by this Government has been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories during the recent violence. Should any such evidence appear we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment containing components licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139243]

  Mr. Hain
  We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. We would be very concerned if such evidence came to light and would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139244]

  Mr. Hain
  We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. If such evidence came to light we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied
  Territories or in southern Lebanon.

  EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those constitutional traditions which are common to the member states of the EU, as described in the preamble to the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights. [138659]

  Mr. Vaz
  The preamble alludes to Article 6(2) of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with this Article, Community law includes principles which are drawn from those recognised in the constitutions and legal systems of all the member states. Article 6(2) of the TEU does not define the constitutional traditions which are common to the member states, but the case law of the European Court of Justice indicates that they are to be considered on a case-by-case basis in relation to the particular legal tradition in the member states. In most cases, the fundamental human rights concerned are found in the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, which all member states are party.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking on human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [138805]

  Mr. Hain
  We have concerns about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, including the implementation of UN human rights instruments, issues relating to the judicial process, discrimination against women and non-Muslims and restrictions on freedom of expression, movement, assembly and worship.

  We are firmly committed to constructive engagement on human rights with Saudi Arabia and discuss the issue regularly with the Saudis at all levels.

  Asthma Inhalers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the evidence in support of his Department's statement that asthma inhalers intended for use in Iraq were found on sale in Lebanon. [139055]

  Mr. Hain
  Glaxo Wellcome have confirmed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that about 15,000 Ventolin inhalers for the treatment of asthma, part of a shipment sent to Iraq under the UN "Oil for Food" programme earlier this year, were subsequently found on sale on the Lebanese blackmarket.

  US Elections
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections held in the United States of America. [138998]

  Mr. Battle
  We look forward to working with whomever is elected the next President of the United States, and with the new Congress.

  Middle East
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in the Middle East. [138999]
  205W
  Mr. Hain
  I am appalled by the recent violence and tragic deaths in the Middle East. I urge the parties to end the violence and return to negotiations. Only a negotiated settlement can provide a just and lasting solution to the Middle East Peace Process. Violence is a dead-end for all. Britain will remain actively engaged, doing all it can to bring about a just and lasting peace.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of the United States about proposals for the International Criminal Court. [139343]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government regularly urge the United States Government to sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We have made clear to the US, both bilaterally and with EU Partners, our concerns about the proposal the US put forward earlier this year.

  Cuba
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the President of Cuba. [139489]

  Mr. Battle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the President of Cuba.

  Colombia (Presidential Visit)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Colombian president will next visit the UK; and what meetings the Government will hold with him. [139661]

  Mr. Battle
  There are currently no plans for President Pastrana to visit the UK.

  Diego Garcia
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 November 2000,Official Report, column 686W, on Diego Garcia, if he will list the research programmes on Diego Garcia being undertaken by the US authorities for which they have sought UK approval over the last five years. [139616]

  Mr. Battle
  Two research programmes have been undertaken by the US authorities in the last five years. They were:(1) Environmental Impact Assessment of ship husbandry activities at Diego Garcia (undertaken as request of BLOT Government)

  General Dental Service: number of denture treatment items, 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  England

  Thousand

  Item

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Synthetic Resin

  Full upper and lower

  326.6

  332.9

  307.4

  269.3

  262.7

  241.5

  219.8

  214.4

  197.9

  177.9

  Full upper (only)

  90.9

  104.5

  95.5

  85.0

  79.3

  75.4

  73.7

  70.7

  66.8

  60.7

  Full lower (only)

  46.8

  51.5

  47.3

  44.1

  43.6

  39.3

  38.5

  36.1

  36.3

  34.0

  Partial denture

  378.2

  402.4

  398.1

  374.2

  365.5

  354.6

  353.6

  348.3

  347.5

  337.0

  Other combinations of upper and lower

  144.2

  155.7

  149.0

  133.3

  130.0

  118.6

  117.3

  114.7

  114.7

  111.7

  Total for synthetic resin

  986.8

  1,047.0

  997.3

  905.8

  881.1

  829.4

  803.0

  784.2

  763.2

  721.3

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  (2) Cable survivability testing: to determine the susceptibility and depth variability of underwater cables to the bite threat from reef fish.

  UK approval was sought for both.

HEALTH

  Phentermine
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for phentermine (Ionamin) there were in the NHS and the private sector in the last three years; and if he will make a statement on the licensing history of this drug. [138773]

  Ms Stuart
  The number of National Health Service prescription items for phentermine dispensed in the community in England from 1997 to 1999 is shown in the table. Information on prescriptions dispensed in NHS hospitals or the private sector is not available.

  Number of prescription items for phentermine, dispensed in the community 1997 to 1999

  England

  Thousand

  Year

  Number of Year prescription items

  1997

  23.4

  1998

  20.5

  1999

  19.8

  Note:

  1. The data are from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) systems and are based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community ie by the community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. Total prescriptions include not only prescriptions originating from general practices in England but also from nurses, hospital doctors and dentists provided they were dispensed in the community. Also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals or private prescriptions.

  The marketing authorisation for phentermine was withdrawn by the European Commission on 9 April. It was subsequently reinstated on 7 August following a legal challenge to the European Court.

  Dentists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentures were provided and fitted by NHS dentists in each year since 1990. [138816]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the number of treatment items for dentures in the General Dental Service in England from 1990–91 to 1999–2000.

  Better oral health in the population has contributed to a decline in the number of people requiring dentures.
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  General Dental Service: number of denture treatment items, 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  England

  Thousand

  Item

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Metal Based

  Full denture upper

  17.1

  18.3

  16.5

  14.2

  13.4

  12.1

  11.0

  10.5

  10.2

  9.2

  Full denture lower

  1.4

  1.8

  1.6

  1.7

  2.5

  2.6

  2.9

  2.1

  1.0

  1.0

  Plate design partial denture

  56.3

  61.8

  51.5

  43.2

  40.5

  38.6

  33.3

  31.0

  31.1

  29.3

  Skeleton design partial denture1

  67.7

  66.3

  58.2

  47.1

  46.7

  43.4

  36.4

  32.9

  32.7

  33.3

  Skeleton design partial denture2

  53.4

  51.7

  48.7

  43.3

  43.2

  40.2

  35.4

  31.1

  31.5

  29.8

  Dentures in any other metal

  2.0

  1.6

  1.2

  1.2

  0.7

  0.4

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.0

  Total for metal based

  197.8

  201.6

  177.7

  150.7

  147.0

  137.3

  119.2

  107.9

  106.7

  102.6

  Total denture treatment items

  1,184.5

  1,248.5

  1,175.1

  1,056.5

  1,028.1

  966.7

  922.1

  892.1

  869.9

  823.9

  1 Single bar

  2 Multiple bars

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of dentists from(a) Italy and (b) Greece who are practising in the United Kingdom; what mandatory vocational training is given to dental graduates in these countries before being allowed to practise; and if he will make a statement. [138815]

  Mr. Hutton
  I am advised that at 1 January 2000 the General Dental Council had accepted onto their register 84 dentists with a primary qualification from Greece and 27 with a primary qualification from Italy. European Community Directive 78–686 makes provision for free movement of European Economic Authority dentists with EEA qualifications and mutual recognition of their qualifications. Although the Directive lays down minimum standards of training, the amount of time devoted to vocational training is a matter for individual member states to determine.

  Parkinson's Disease
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances sufferers of Parkinson's disease are exempted from paying prescription charges; and what plans he has to change these criteria. [139281]

  Ms Stuart
  People suffering from Parkinson's disease are entitled to free prescriptions if they are aged 60 or over, are suffering from an exempting medical condition (Parkinson's disease itself is not an exempting condition) or they (or their partner) are receiving income support, income based jobseeker's allowance or tax credits (with

  Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs)1 by all Operation Count of Episodes Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust 1996–97 to 1998–99

  OPCS4R Codes used

  Operation

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  C71-C72, C74-C75

  Cataract removal

  1,951

  1,569

  1,995

  W40-W42

  Knee joint replacement

  123

  113

  213

  W37-W39, W46-W48

  Hip joint replacements

  261

  251

  414

  T19-T21

  Hernia

  520

  549

  692

  1 An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provided.

  Note:

  1. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within a year.

  2. These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the procedure was mentioned in any of the four operation fields in the HES data set.

  3. The data in the table have not been adjusted for shortfalls.

  Source:

  Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) Department of Health
  208W
  their maximum credit reduced by £70 or less per week). They may also claim for help under the NHS Low Income Scheme. We have no plans to review these arrangements.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he has not answered the question tabled for answer on 13 November, by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to correspondence concerning Mr. D. Garnett. [139679]

  Ms Stuart
  A reply was sent to my right hon. Friend's letter on 20 November.

  Operations (Walsgrave Hospital)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) cataract, (b) knee joint replacement, (c) hip joint replacement and (d) hernia operations were performed at Walsgrave Hospital in each of the last three years. [139045]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: The figures for Walsgrave Hospital, part of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, formerly called the Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust, would exclude cataracts and knee and hip joint replacements, as Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology are based at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital site.

  The table shows all-operation count of episodes on the number of cataract removal, knee joint replacement, hip joint replacement and hernia carried out at the former Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust from 1996–97 to 1998–99.

  Free Nursing Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out(a) the assumptions his Department used and (b) the definition of nursing care used in providing an estimate of the cost of his proposal that nursing care should be free. [139042]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 20 November 2000]: These figures were based on the estimated costs of nursing care incurred by individuals in nursing homes who are not currently supported by local authorities or the National Health Service. They also include costs associated with assessing people's nursing care needs under the new arrangements. This calculation broadly reflected the difference in the average costs of residential and nursing care, rather than a particular definition of nursing care.

  Hospices
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total budget spent on hospices in(a) England and (b) Wales from 1979 to 1997; and what are the projected budgets for England for the next three years. [139603]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: Specialist palliative care is provided by voluntary sector providers and by the National Health Service. Information on the total budget spend on hospices in past years is not available.

  The National Council for Hospices and Specialist Palliative Care has estimated that in 1999–2000 total spend on hospice provision for adults (both NHS and voluntary hospices) was £249 million. Of this, £99 million was provided by the NHS and £150 million by the voluntary sector. In addition, the NHS spend on specialist palliative care services was a further £31 million.

  The NHS Cancer Plan published on 27 September, copies of which have been placed in the Library, recognises the importance of palliative care for all patients that need it. By 2004 the NHS will invest an extra £50 million to end inequalities in access to specialist palliative care and to enable the NHS to make a realistic contribution to the cost hospices incur in providing agreed levels of service. This will mean for the first time ever, NHS investment in specialist palliative care services will match that of the voluntary sector.

  Matters relating to Wales are for the devolved administration to answer.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sir Walter Raleigh Statue
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to move the statue of Sir Walter Raleigh from its position in Whitehall; and if he will make a statement. [139310]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 20 November 2000]: I announced on 15 November that the statue of Sir Walter Raleigh, which is currently sited in Whitehall, should be moved to a new home at the Royal Naval
  210W
  College, Greenwich. I have asked English Heritage, who are the statue's guardians, to begin any necessary preparations.

  Tourist Attractions
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what official procedures are in place to ensure that lottery-funded and other tourist attractions across the United Kingdom are adequately served by public transport systems. [139015]

  Janet Anderson
  Government policy on planning issues is contained in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. PPG 13 covers transport and states that in promoting policies for tourism and recreation, local authorities should ensure that major new attractions are readily accessible by a range of means of transport. In addition, attractions applying for lottery funding are required to demonstrate that they have a viable business plan. The availability of public transport is an important element for attractions where viability depends on visitor numbers.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Palace of Westminster (Guided Tours)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what was the total(a) cost incurred and (b) revenue gained as a result of the arrangements for guided tours of the Palace of Westminster during the summer recess 2000. [139927]

  Mrs. Roe
  My Committee's Report, containing this information, will be put before the House shortly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  EU Judicial Systems
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy towards pooling of prosecution under the "Ne bis in idem" principle, where the defendant has committed the same crime in several EU countries, as discussed in Com (2000) 495. [134798]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 1 November 2000,Official Report, column 519W.

  European Judicial Systems
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on Eurojust; and if he will make a statement. [139740]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The decision to establish Eurojust was taken at the special European Council meeting held at Tampere, Finland in October 1999. The European Council agreed that Eurojust would have the task of facilitating the proper co-ordination of national prosecuting authorities and of supporting criminal investigations in organised crime cases, notably based on Europol's analysis, as

  211W
  well as of co-operating closely with the European Judicial Network, in particular in order to simplify the execution of letters rogatory.

  The Justice and Home Affairs Council was requested to adopt the necessary legal instrument by the end of 2001.

  The Government fully support the decision to establish Eurojust and are actively participating in the current work to negotiate the necessary legal instrument. In discharging the remit from Tampere, the Government believe that Eurojust should co-ordinate and facilitate cross-border investigations, but without directing the national authorities involved.

  In addition to dealing with other types of serious crime, the Government consider that Eurojust should take an active part in the investigation and prosecution of cases of fraud against the finances of the European Union. Eurojust will also need to establish close links with Europol to enable the two organisations to co-operate fully in the European Union's fight against organised crime.

  The Government have fully supported the decision to establish a Provisional Judicial Co-operation Unit in Brussels in the interim period before Eurojust is established. A similar method was used successfully when Europol was established, and experience gained from the operation of the Provisional Unit will feed into the negotiations on Eurojust itself.

  Lord Birt
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met Lord Birt in his position as an adviser to the Government on crime matters; what issues were discussed; and if he will make a statement. [136574]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 November 2000, Official Report, column 801W.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings he has had with Lord Birt regarding crime since Lord Birt's appointment as an adviser to the Government on crime; and what reports on crime he has been presented with by Lord Birt. [137321]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 8 November 2000]:
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 November 2000, Official Report, column 801W.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to letters sent by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath on 20 July 2000 and 1 September 2000 concerning the case of Abdul Hammed Butt. [139027]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my hon. Friend on 17 November. I am sorry that a reply was not sent sooner.
  212W
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain the delays by his Department in dealing with correspondence from Plancey & Company, immigration consultants in Glasgow. [138997]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are not aware of any particular delays in dealing with correspondence from Plancey & Co. Inquiries from this organisation are not treated differently to those from other organisations representing immigration applicants. General inquiries should be directed to the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau. Correspondence about individual cases will be linked to the file and every effort is made to respond speedily to inquiries, depending on the nature and complexity of the case. Resources have been committed to speeding up consideration of all types of application and to reducing backlogs, which has reduced the number of inquiries about outstanding applications.

  Movement of Persons (EU)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by subject headings those provisions of the European Union treaties concerned with movements of persons between member states, and within it of persons from third countries,(a) those obligations which bind all member states, (b) those additional obligations applicable to members of the Schengen agreement, (c) those optional arrangements provided for in the treaties to which the United Kingdom is a party, (d) those additional arrangements made by the Schengen agreement into which the United Kingdom has entered and (e) those arrangements additional to the above currently under negotiation by the United Kingdom. [139083]

  Mrs. Roche
  Articles 18 and 39–48 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC) concern the free movement of European Union citizens. Article 18 falls under the subject heading 'Citizenship of the Union' (Part Two of the Treaty). Articles 39–48 fall under 'Free Movement of Persons, Services and Capital' (Part Three, Title III). These provisions are binding on all member states.

  Articles 61–64 of the TEC contain provisions regarding the movement of third country nationals. These articles fall under 'Visas, Asylum, Immigration and Other Policies Related to the Free Movement of Persons' (Part Three, Title IV). Any measure adopted under Title IV does not bind the United Kingdom (or Ireland) unless either country chooses to opt in to the measure, pursuant to the `Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland' annexed to the TEC by the Treaty of Amsterdam. Denmark's separate Protocol prevents it from taking part in any measures under Title IV.

  Members of the Schengen agreement have additional obligations under the Schengen acquis. This body of law is extensive, so I refer my hon. Friend to the Council Decision 1999/435/EC where the obligations are listed. The United Kingdom does not participate in the parts of the Schengen acquis which are inconsistent with the Government's policy on frontier controls. Those parts of the Schengen acquis in which we do participate are listed in Council Decision 2000/365/EC.

  The scope of the treaty amendments currently under discussion in the Intergovernmental Conference is set out in the Government's White Paper `IGC: Reform for

  213W
  Enlargement', presented to Parliament in February 2000. The latest position on these negotiations is set out in the French Presidency document of 3 November 2000, 'The Progress Report on the Intergovernmental Conference on Institutional Reform' (CONFER 4790), which is available in the Library.

  Violent and Sexual Offences
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been

  Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted (found guilty) at all courts for violent and sexual offences by Police Force Area, 1998 and 1999

  Violent offences1

  Sexual offences2

  1998

  1999

  1998

  1999

  Police Force Area

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Avon and Somerset

  2,648

  1,327

  2,854

  1,522

  279

  100

  260

  101

  Bedfordshire

  1,103

  546

  1,084

  532

  69

  25

  102

  32

  Cambridgeshire

  1,389

  711

  1,372

  777

  84

  50

  117

  53

  Cheshire

  2,203

  1,271

  2,297

  1,257

  168

  141

  138

  87

  City of London

  114

  36

  148

  53

  6

  1

  11

  5

  Cleveland

  1,270

  645

  1,187

  594

  56

  48

  74

  48

  Cumbria

  1,404

  882

  1,435

  857

  48

  36

  68

  35

  Derbyshire

  2,373

  1,187

  2,324

  1,170

  172

  84

  176

  73

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,888

  1,499

  2,773

  1,500

  146

  134

  150

  118

  Dorset

  932

  549

  970

  584

  122

  51

  106

  57

  Durham

  1,304

  754

  1,461

  874

  74

  45

  117

  43

  Essex

  2,738

  1,385

  2,810

  1,410

  220

  101

  228

  81

  Gloucestershire

  1,021

  505

  1,170

  569

  49

  34

  53

  39

  Greater Manchester

  7,033

  3,653

  7,416

  3,638

  468

  302

  445

  246

  Hampshire

  4,015

  2,325

  4,464

  2,537

  263

  171

  334

  179

  Hertfordshire

  1,302

  709

  1,506

  786

  103

  51

  114

  49

  Humberside

  1,813

  1,160

  1,742

  1,073

  86

  96

  82

  61

  Kent

  3,005

  1,779

  3,050

  1,642

  184

  129

  168

  105

  Lancashire

  3,700

  2,034

  3,427

  1,877

  226

  144

  254

  157

  Leicestershire

  2,473

  1,248

  2,250

  1,249

  148

  77

  153

  83

  Lincolnshire

  1,455

  828

  1,543

  834

  104

  38

  102

  49

  Merseyside

  3,272

  1,754

  3,120

  1,624

  191

  136

  139

  99

  Metropolitan Police

  15,437

  8,257

  16,286

  7,796

  1,034

  576

  1,117

  532

  Norfolk

  1,303

  929

  1,309

  956

  121

  51

  85

  50

  North Yorkshire

  1,465

  863

  1,535

  902

  64

  60

  66

  43

  Northamptonshire

  1,468

  728

  1,321

  784

  79

  52

  39

  37

  Northumbria

  4,148

  2,206

  4,362

  2,293

  374

  173

  345

  167

  Nottinghamshire

  3,529

  1,700

  3,633

  1,722

  236

  143

  194

  144

  South Yorkshire

  2,382

  1,455

  2,538

  1,426

  151

  112

  142

  110

  Staffordshire

  2,474

  1,268

  2,536

  1,274

  159

  80

  137

  86

  Suffolk

  1,151

  643

  1,369

  769

  71

  49

  77

  64

  Surrey

  896

  499

  951

  501

  75

  48

  58

  36

  Sussex

  2,078

  1,139

  2,108

  1,142

  186

  101

  166

  70

  Thames Valley

  2,910

  1,505

  2,945

  1,504

  178

  106

  179

  105

  Warwickshire

  678

  450

  612

  386

  37

  21

  44

  26

  West Mercia

  1,991

  1,110

  2,050

  1,129

  145

  101

  119

  95

  West Midlands

  7,341

  3,395

  8,900

  3,809

  488

  281

  562

  315

  West Yorkshire

  5,853

  2,782

  6,986

  3,260

  412

  259

  437

  256

  Wiltshire

  1,246

  753

  1,166

  784

  93

  45

  63

  45

  Dyfed Powys

  1,577

  749

  1,721

  805

  100

  55

  113

  58

  Gwent

  1,868

  918

  1,853

  948

  98

  53

  105

  68

  North Wales

  1,702

  1,073

  1,710

  991

  132

  66

  96

  50

  South Wales

  4,110

  1,951

  4,132

  1,966

  264

  141

  282

  147

  England and Wales

  115,062

  61,160

  120,426

  62,106

  7,763

  4,567

  7,817

  4,304

  1 'Violent offences' includes the indicatable 'violence against the person' offence group plus the summary offence of 'common assault'.

  2 'Sexual offences' includes the indictable 'sexual offences' group.

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) total and (b) average sum of money paid out in criminal injuries compensation in each police authority area as a result of sexual and physical abuse cases in the last two years. [139140]
  214W
  (a) charged with, (b) convicted of and (c) found guilty of (i) physical and (ii) sexual abuse in each police authority area in the last two years. [139139]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of persons charged is not collected centrally.

  Available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings database, showing the number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted (found guilty) at all courts for violent and sexual offences is given in the table.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has provided the data in the following tables.
  215W

  Cases involving physical and sexual abuse 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999

  Police

  Number of cases

  Total paid

  Average paid

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  106

  5,136,750.00

  48,450.99

  Bedfordshire Police

  35

  1,338,500.00

  38,240.29

  British Transport Police

  14

  209,800.00

  14,980.57

  Cambridgeshire Constabulary

  65

  2,359,250.00

  36,290.62

  Central Scotland Police

  24

  971,000.00

  40,450.83

  Cheshire Constabulary

  99

  4,071,850.00

  41,120.98

  Cleveland Constabulary

  74

  3,146,750.00

  42,520.36

  Cumbria Constabulary

  34

  940,000.00

  27,640.71

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  85

  3,294,000.00

  38,750.29

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  85

  3,806,750.00

  44,780.53

  Dorset Police

  44

  1,567,000.00

  35,610.36

  Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

  19

  610,000.00

  32,100.53

  Durham Constabulary

  74

  3,571,000.00

  48,250.68

  Dyfed Powys Police

  29

  1,112,500.00

  38,360.21

  Essex Police

  116

  4,916,340.00

  42,380.22

  Fife Constabulary

  51

  2,774,250.00

  54,390.71

  Gloucestershire Constabulary

  59

  2,524,290.00

  42,780.46

  Grampian Police

  42

  1,680,250.00

  40,000.60

  Greater Manchester Police

  274

  11,062,850.00

  40,370.54

  Gwent Constabulary

  74

  2,913,000.00

  39,360.49

  Hampshire Constabulary

  178

  8,268,750.00

  48,470.61

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  46

  2,024,250.00

  44,000.54

  Humberside Police

  79

  3,127,250.00

  39,580.54

  Kent County Constabulary

  159

  8,266,000.00

  51,980.74

  Lancashire Constabulary

  139

  5,100,900.00

  36,690.71

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  64

  3,624,750.00

  56,630.67

  Lincolnshire Police

  54

  2,468,750.00

  45,710.76

  Lothian and Borders Police

  118

  5,349,250.00

  45,330.26

  Merseyside Police

  179

  6,993,250.00

  39,060.84

  Metropolitan Police

  525

  25,553,160.00

  48,670.27

  Norfolk Constabulary

  72

  2,424,500.00

  33,670.36

  North Wales Police

  108

  4,312,500.00

  39,930.06

  North Yorkshire Police

  66

  2,561,250.00

  38,800.68

  Northamptonshire Police

  59

  2,544,000.00

  43,110.86

  Northern Constabulary

  23

  910,000.00

  39,560.52

  Northumbria Police

  177

  7,663,320.50

  43,290.56

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  126

  5,714,000.00

  45,340.92

  Port of Liverpool Police

  2

  20,000.00

  10,000.00

  RAF Military Police

  1

  20,000.00

  20,000.00

  South Wales Police

  152

  7,145,650.00

  47,010.09

  South Yorkshire Police

  128

  5,522,500.00

  43,140.45

  Staffordshire Police

  68

  2,829,520.50

  41,610.07

  Strathclyde Police

  214

  8,043,350.00

  37,580.57

  Suffolk Constabulary

  63

  2,726,500.00

  43,270.78

  Surrey Constabulary

  46

  2,136,250.00

  46,440.02

  Sussex Police

  92

  4,836,180.50

  52,560.72

  Tayside Police

  49

  1,921,500.00

  39,210.43

  Thames Valley Police

  108

  5,775,000.00

  53,470.22

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  32

  1,822,500.00

  56,950.31

  West Mercia Constabulary

  102

  5,019,250.00

  49,200.83

  West Midlands Police

  180

  8,489,250.00

  47,160.25

  West Yorkshire Police

  251

  10,480,250.00

  41,750.40

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  29

  1,160,000.00

  40,000.00

  Total

  5,092

  223,219,720.50

  43,830.73

  Cases involving physical and sexual abuse 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Police

  Number of cases

  Total paid

  Average paid

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  88

  4,159,000.00

  47,260.14

  Bedfordshire Police

  31

  1,941,000.00

  62,610.29

  British Transport Police

  14

  365,000.00

  26,070.14

  Cambridgeshire Constabulary

  62

  2,162,000.00

  34,870.10

  Central Scotland Police

  21

  902,500.00

  42,970.62

  Cheshire Constabulary

  109

  4,796,710.50

  44,000.66

  City of London Police

  3

  30,000.00

  10,000.00

  Cleveland Constabulary

  65

  2,413,580.00

  37,130.20

  Cumbria Constabulary

  40

  1,833,350.00

  45,830.38

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  113

  4,147,070.50

  36,690.98

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  152

  7,484,750.00

  49,240.18

  Dorset Police

  56

  2,898,120.50

  51,750.22

  216W 217W

  Cases involving physical and sexual abuse 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Police

  Number of cases

  Total paid

  Average paid

  Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

  14

  785,000.00

  56,070.14

  Durham Constabulary

  44

  1,971,250.00

  44,800.11

  Dyfed Powys Police

  51

  2,003,250.00

  39,270.94

  Essex Police

  93

  4,998,140.00

  53,740.34

  Fife Constabulary

  38

  1,530,000.00

  40,260.32

  Gloucestershire Constabulary

  32

  1,588,000.00

  49,620.50

  Grampian Police

  35

  2,180,000.00

  62,280.57

  Greater Manchester Police

  271

  11,727,400.50

  43,270.46

  Gwent Constabulary

  65

  3,452,750.00

  53,110.92

  Hampshire Constabulary

  171

  9,354,000.00

  54,700.18

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  56

  2,466.000.00

  44,030.57

  Humberside Police

  78

  3,299,000.00

  42,290.49

  Kent County Constabulary

  154

  8,215,800.00

  53,340.94

  Lancashire Constabulary

  162

  7,110,820.50

  43,890.40

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  48

  2,472,750.00

  51,510.56

  Lincolnshire Police

  46

  1,541,250.00

  33,500.54

  Lothian and Borders Police

  102

  4,726,750.00

  46,340.07

  Manchester Dock Police

  1

  75,000.00

  75,000.00

  Mersey Tunnels Law Enforcement

  2

  40,000.00

  20,000.00

  Merseyside Police

  135

  5,653,280.40

  41,870.62

  Metropolitan Police

  446

  23,204,300.00

  52,020.76

  Ministry of Defence Police

  1

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Norfolk Constabulary

  63

  2,753,500.00

  43,700.63

  North Wales Police

  75

  3,185,000.00

  42,460.67

  North Yorkshire Police

  60

  2,124,250.00

  35,400.42

  Northamptonshire Police

  37

  1,972,250.00

  53,300.41

  Northern Constabulary

  14

  732,000.00

  52,280.57

  Northumbria Police

  226

  9,546,050.00

  42,230.92

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  112

  5,309,620.50

  47,400.74

  Royal Military Police Eastern District

  1

  30,000.00

  30,000.00

  Royal Military Police Southern District

  1

  75,000.00

  75,000.00

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  2

  175,000.00

  87,500.00

  South Wales Police

  127

  6,343,500.00

  49,940.88

  South Yorkshire Police

  118

  5,462,250.00

  46,290.03

  Staffordshire Police

  58

  2,776,250.00

  47,860.64

  Strathclyde Police

  225

  8,888,750.00

  39,500.56

  Suffolk Constabulary

  65

  3,311,250.00

  50,940.23

  Surrey Constabulary

  58

  2,279,000.00

  39,290.31

  Sussex Police

  72

  3,594,500.00

  49,920.36

  Tayside Police

  57

  2,584,500.00

  45,340.21

  Thames Valley Police

  120

  6,402,250.00

  53,350.21

  The Commissioner of Police

  2

  20,000.00

  10,000.00

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  28

  1,091,850.00

  38,990.46

  West Mercia Constabulary

  72

  2,395,250.00

  33,260.74

  West Midlands Police

  210

  8,954,250.00

  42,630.93

  West Yorkshire Police

  228

  10,665,750.00

  46,770.96

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  46

  2,374,000.00

  51,600.87

  Total

  4,876

  224,583,870.40

  46,050.90

  Cases involving physical and sexual abuse 1 April 1998 to 31 March 2000

  Police

  Number of cases

  Total paid

  Average paid

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  194

  9,295,750.00

  47,910.62

  Bedfordshire Police

  66

  3,279,500.00

  49,680.94

  British Transport Police

  28

  574,800.00

  20,520.86

  Cambridgeshire Constabulary

  127

  4,521,250.00

  35,600.04

  Central Scotland Police

  45

  1,873,500.00

  41,630.33

  Cheshire Constabulary

  208

  8,868,560.50

  42,630.73

  City of London Police

  3

  30,000.00

  10,000.00

  Cleveland Constabulary

  139

  5,560,330.00

  40,000.24

  Cumbria Constabulary

  74

  2,773,350.00

  37,470.77

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  198

  7,441,070.50

  37,580.12

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  237

  11,291,500.00

  47,640.35

  Dorset Police

  100

  4,465,120.50

  44,650.13

  Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

  33

  1,395,000.00

  42,270.27

  Durham Constabulary

  118

  5,542,250.00

  46,960.82

  Dyfed Powys Police

  80

  3,115,750.00

  38,940.69

  Essex Police

  209

  9,914,480.00

  47,430.77

  Fife Constabulary

  89

  4,304,250.00

  48,360.24

  218W 219W

  Cases involving physical and sexual abuse 1 April 1998 to 31 March 2000

  Police

  Number of cases

  Total paid

  Average paid

  Gloucestershire Constabulary

  91

  4,112,290.00

  45,190.00

  Grampian Police

  77

  3,860,250.00

  50,130.31

  Greater Manchester Police

  545

  22,790,250.50

  41,810.70

  Gwent Constabulary

  139

  6,365,750.00

  45,790.68

  Hampshire Constabulary

  349

  17,982,750.00

  51,520.65

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  102

  4,490,250.00

  44,020.21

  Humberside Police

  157

  6,426,250.00

  40,930.15

  Kent County Constabulary

  313

  16,481,800.00

  52,650.75

  Lancashire Constabulary

  301

  12,211,720.50

  40,570.05

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  112

  6,097,500.00

  54,440.20

  Lincolnshire Police

  100

  4,010,000.00

  40,100.00

  Lothian and Borders Police

  220

  10,076,000.00

  45,800.00

  Manchester Dock Police

  1

  75,000.00

  75,000.00

  Mersey Tunnels Law Enforcement

  2

  40,000.00

  20,000.00

  Merseyside Police

  314

  12,646,530.40

  40,270.56

  Metropolitan Police

  971

  48,757,460.00

  50,210.37

  Ministry of Defence Police

  1

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Norfolk Constabulary

  135

  5,178,000.00

  38,350.56

  North Wales Police

  183

  7,497,500.00

  40,960.99

  North Yorkshire Police

  126

  4,685,500.00

  37,180.65

  Northamptonshire Police

  96

  4,516,250.00

  47,040.43

  Northern Constabulary

  37

  1,642,000.00

  44,370.84

  Northumbria Police

  403

  17,209,370.50

  42,700.32

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  238

  11,023,620.50

  46,310.78

  Port of Liverpool Police

  2

  20,000.00

  10,000.00

  RAF Military Police

  1

  20,000.00

  20,000.00

  Royal Military Police Eastern District

  1

  30,000.00

  30,000.00

  Royal Military Police Southern District

  1

  75,000.00

  75,000.00

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  2

  175,000.00

  87,500.00

  South Wales Police

  279

  13,489,150.00

  48,340.82

  South Yorkshire Police

  246

  10,984,750.00

  44,650.35

  Staffordshire Police

  126

  5,605,770.50

  44,490.03

  Strathclyde Police

  439

  16,932,100.00

  38,560.97

  Suffolk Constabulary

  128

  6,037,750.00

  47,160.99

  Surrey Constabulary

  104

  4,415,250.00

  42,450.43

  Sussex Police

  164

  8,430,680.50

  51,400.66

  Tayside Police

  106

  4,506,000.00

  42,500.94

  Thames Valley Police

  228

  12,177,250.00

  53,400.90

  The Commissioner of Police

  2

  20,000.00

  10,000.00

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  60

  2,914,350.00

  48,570.25

  West Mercia Constabulary

  174

  7,414,500.00

  42,610.21

  West Midlands Police

  390

  17,443,500.00

  44,720.69

  West Yorkshire Police

  479

  21,146,000.00

  44,140.61

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  75

  3,534,000.00

  47,120.00

  Total

  9,968

  447,803,590.90

  44,920.41

  DNA Samples
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will bring formal legislation to allow DNA samples collected during the course of a police investigation to be retained, subject to the consent of the person giving the sample.[139099]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The consultation paper "Proposals for Revising Legislative Measures on Fingerprints, Footprints and DNA Samples", published on 30 July 1999, proposed allowing retention of DNA samples given voluntarily by members of the public during the course of a police investigation, subject to the volunteers' consent. We intend to introduce legislation on the use of DNA profiling in criminal investigations at the earliest opportunity.

  Police Numbers (Gwent)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional police officers 220W
  will be employed by Gwent Police following the Comprehensive Spending Review. [139262]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As a result of the 2000 Spending Review (SR2000) spending on the police will rise from £7.7 billion this year to £8.5 billion in 2001–02; to £9.0 billion in 2002–03 and to £9.3 billion in 2003–04. This is a very significant increase in resources, with funding rising by nearly £1.6 billion in 2003–04 over provision for this year.

  The Home Secretary's powers to set establishment levels for each force were removed by the previous Government in 1994, under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994. It is for the Chief Officer to determine staffing requirements within the overall resources available. That said, we are providing further new money in SR2000 to expand the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF). As a result forces will be able to recruit 9,000 police officers over and above the number they had previously planned to recruit in the three years 2000–01 to 2002–03 (rather than the 5,000 announced in September 1999).
  221W
  In the case of Gwent, the force's CFF allocation has increased from 43 to 81 recruits. Their allocation is spread over three years. Allocations for years two and three are provisional. They depend on the force delivering target recruitment and improved performance.

  European Public Prosecutor
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will veto the European Commission's IGC proposal 280a to appoint a European Public Prosecutor.[134594]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: In the Intergovernmental Conference negotiations, the Commission is entitled to make proposals. But decisions are a matter for the member states. In the IGC preparatory group, the great majority of member states, including the United Kingdom, have not been minded even to consider the Commission's proposal to appoint a European Public Prosecutor.

  Asylum Seekers (Sir Lanka)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum have been received from Sri Lanka in each of the last 10 years; how many have been refused; how many applicants have returned to Sri Lanka during that time; and if he will make a statement. [139433]

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

  I regret that the requested information on the number of applicants who have returned to Sri Lanka is not available.

  All applications from Sri Lankan nationals are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the United Kingdom's obligations under the 1951 convention.

  Sri Lankan asylum applications 1991 to September 2000

  Applications received1,2

  Refusals of asylum and exceptional leave4,5

  1991

  3,765

  620

  1992

  2,085

  215

  1993

  1,965

  260

  1994

  2,350

  955

  1995

  2,070

  1,225

  1996

  1,340

  2,115

  1997

  1,830

  1,710

  1998

  3,505

  1,950

  19997

  35,130

  1,980

  2000 (to September)7

  34,250

  3,095

  1 Figures do not include overseas applications.

  2 Figures rounded to the nearest five.

  3 Application figures may exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices.

  4 Information is of initial decisions excluding the outcome of appeals or the other subsequent decisions.

  5 Includes refusals on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country, non-compliance refusals, for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, and refusals under the backlog clearance exercise.

  6 Decision figures for 1991 may understate.

  7 Provisional figures.

  Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Neighbourhood Watch schemes there are in England and Wales; and what estimate he has made of how many people belong to them. [139484]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are now over 160,000 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in England and Wales covering more than six million households, or roughly one in 10 of the population.

  Asylum
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of asylum applications that will be made in(a) 2001 and (b) each of the following four years. [139751]

  Mrs. Roche
  The latest forecasts, produced in May, estimated 64,000 asylum applications in 2000–01 and 61,600 in 2001–02. Figures for subsequent years are not available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been(a) spent by, (b) claimed by and (c) reimbursed to each local authority in the United Kingdom (i) in the first six months of 2000–01 and (ii) in total, in respect of asylum support; and if he will make a statement.[139749]

  Mrs. Roche
  The amounts shown in the table have been spent and claimed by local authorities in England and Wales in the first six months of 2000–01.

  These amounts are based on unaudited grant claims received for the period 1 April 2000 to 29 September 2000. A number of grant claims have yet to be received. Claims received so far are subject to pre-payment checks and will be paid shortly. Discussions are continuing with representatives of local authorities about arrangements for payments for the remainder of the financial year.

  £

  Local authority

  Amount spent

  Amount claimed

  Barking and Dagenham

  6,058,898

  6,058,898

  Barnet

  3,514,616

  3,514,616

  Barnsley

  301,606

  300,480

  Bath and North East Somerset

  15,425

  15,425

  Bedfordshire

  962,648

  962,648

  Bexley

  787,330

  787,330

  Birmingham

  2,568,138

  2,568,138

  Blackpool

  83,081

  83,081

  Bolton Metro

  258,929

  258,929

  Bournemouth

  489,910

  489,910

  Bradford

  224,081

  224,081

  Brent

  5,395,780

  5,395,780

  Brighton and Hove

  906,905

  795,440

  Bristol City

  904,100

  904,100

  Bromley

  1,530,330

  1,503,765

  Buckinghamshire

  284,524

  200,620

  Bury

  158,130

  158,130

  Caerphilly County

  15,492

  15,492

  Calderdale

  84,648

  84,554

  Cambridgeshire

  762,903

  762,903

  Camden

  4,419,747

  4,419,747

  Cardiff

  380,000

  380,000

  Ceredigion CC

  183

  183

  Cheshire

  92,921

  92,921

  City of Newcastle

  1,112,457

  1,112,457

  223W

  £

  Local authority

  Amount spent

  Amount claimed

  Conwy CBC

  1,875

  1,875

  Cornwall

  7,748

  6,915

  Corporation of London

  936,198

  710,740

  Coventry

  468,511

  405,560

  Croydon

  1,402,418

  1,402,418

  Cumbria

  5,287

  5,287

  Darlington

  2,849

  2,849

  Denbighshire County

  2,570

  2,570

  Derby

  662,750

  662,750

  Derbyshire

  29,376

  28,280

  Devon

  144,352

  139,700

  Dorset

  147,628

  143,978

  Dudley

  157,996

  155,560

  Ealing

  3,089,059

  3,089,059

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  26,350

  26,350

  East Sussex

  597,217

  596,755

  Enfield

  5,976,634

  5,976,634

  Flintshire

  1,778

  1,778

  Gateshead

  66,481

  66,481

  Gloucestershire

  445,414

  445,414

  Greenwich

  3,104,055

  3,104,055

  Hackney

  5,698,162

  5,698,162

  Halton

  4,140

  4,140

  Hampshire

  256,120

  256,120

  Haringey

  13,461,140

  13,461,140

  Havering

  1,589,915

  1,589,915

  Herefordshire

  18,869

  18,869

  Hertfordshire

  2,202,421

  2,190,960

  Hillingdon

  5,017,268

  4,871,240

  Hounslow

  3,025,472

  2,497,020

  Isle of Wight

  5,481

  5,481

  Islington

  13,004,400

  13,004,400

  Kensington and Chelsea

  5,681,868

  5,621,054

  Kent

  19,803,100

  19,803,100

  Kingston Upon Hull

  475,865

  405,440

  Kingston Upon Thames

  783,559

  773,134

  Kirklees

  458,337

  311,114

  Knowsley

  162,994

  146,180

  Lambeth

  6,447.627

  6,447,627

  Lancashire

  51,733

  51,733

  Leeds

  468,878

  453,022

  Leicester

  862,117

  862,117

  Leicestershire

  312,705

  312,705

  Lewisham

  5,784,718

  5,784,718

  Lincolnshire

  363,904

  363,904

  Liverpool

  1,046,589

  985,937

  Luton

  2,120,205

  2,120,205

  Manchester

  3,118,797

  3,118,797

  Medway

  140,369

  140,369

  Merthyr Tydfil County

  1,889

  1,889

  Merton

  2,285,764

  2,285,764

  Middlesbrough

  216,865

  216,865

  Milton Keynes

  1,008,558

  1,008,558

  Newham

  10,947,468

  10,947,468

  Newport County (South Wales)

  85,914

  69,563

  Norfolk

  500,182

  500,182

  North East Lincolnshire

  315,112

  285,477

  North Lincolnshire

  20,552

  20,552

  North Somerset

  67,464

  66,660

  North Tyneside

  145,358

  136,271

  North Yorkshire

  27,507

  27,507

  Northamptonshire

  5,639,778

  5,639,778

  Northumberland

  2,708

  2,708

  Nottingham

  423,841

  423,841

  Nottinghamshire

  186,408

  155,980

  Oldham

  127,233

  105,766

  Oxfordshire

  4,548,007

  4,229,760

  Pembrokeshire

  21,027

  21,027

  Peterborough

  289,612

  289,612

  Plymouth

  108,308

  108,308

  Poole

  45,154

  27,760

  224W

  £

  Local authority

  Amount spent

  Amount claimed

  Portsmouth

  977,600

  977,600

  Reading

  1,613,059

  1,613,059

  Redbridge

  5,516,083

  5,516,083

  Redcar and Cleveland

  194,816

  180,537

  Rhondda Cynon Taff County

  15,676

  15,676

  Richmond Upon Thames

  4,866,815

  4,357,831

  Rochdale

  193,634

  192,400

  Rotherham

  305,766

  280,837

  Rutland

  23,673

  23,673

  Salford

  337,357

  337,357

  Sandwell

  1,090,253

  1,022,220

  Sheffield

  1,765,280

  1,765,280

  Slough

  6,179,132

  4,909,540

  Solihull

  95,449

  88,920

  Somerset

  56,172

  55,320

  South Gloucestershire

  115,352

  96,880

  South Tyneside

  59,343

  59,343

  Southampton

  1,549,144

  1,549,144

  Southend on Sea

  1,077,580

  1,077,580

  Southwark

  9,142,860

  9,142,860

  St. Helens

  6,560

  6,560

  Staffordshire

  439,218

  420,238

  Stockport

  226,143

  186,180

  Stockton on Tees

  14,119

  14,119

  Stoke on Trent

  228,380

  228,280

  Suffolk

  393,228

  393,228

  Sunderland

  164,672

  160,540

  Surrey

  1,631,944

  1,329,680

  Sutton

  1,505,946

  1,445,200

  Swindon

  339,680

  339,680

  Tameside

  119,207

  114,360

  Telford and Wrekin

  61,022

  56,640

  Thurrock

  1,011,984

  1,011,984

  Trafford

  167,191

  136,013

  Vale of Glamorgan

  28,217

  29,080

  Wakefield

  435,443

  425,340

  Walsall

  90,103

  90,103

  Waltham Forest

  4,856,262

  4,856,262

  Wandsworth

  3,272,234

  2,774,440

  Warrington

  23,333

  20,020

  West Berkshire

  35,756

  35,756

  West Sussex

  513,833

  513,833

  Westminster

  7,950,480

  6,375,743

  Wigan

  173,868

  172,460

  Wiltshire

  103,871

  92,495

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  50,678

  38,320

  Workingham

  40,502

  40,502

  Wolverhampton

  177,027

  177,027

  Worcestershire

  239,055

  239,055

  York

  18,596

  18,596

  Cyngor Gwynedd Council

  749

  700

  Total

  227,465.138

  220,938,210

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been to date under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [139752]

  Mrs. Roche
  There have been seven prosecutions to date, under section 8 of the 1996 Act. We are aware of the problem caused by unscrupulous gangmasters, and by others who commit offences under this section of legislation. There has been a marked increase in the number of prosecutions in comparison with last year, when there was only one, and this demonstrates our commitment to combat illegal working and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
  225W
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of total spending on(a) asylum support and (b) administration associated with asylum applications, in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) each of the next five years.[139750]

  Mrs. Roche
  The available information is shown in the table. Spending plans beyond 2003–04 have not yet been decided.

  £ million

  Year

  Asylum support

  Immigration administration

  2000–01

  604

  594.5

  2001–02

  403

  549.5

  2002–03

  434

  555.9

  2003–04

  491

  553.9

  1Including asylum administration costs

WALES

  Disaster Areas
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review the definition of a designated disaster area. [139590]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no formal definition of a "disaster area".

  The common working definition of a disaster is any event (happening with or without warning) causing or threatening death or injury, damage to property or to the environment or disruption to the community, which because of the scale of its effects cannot be dealt with by the emergency services and local authorities as part of their day-to-day activities.

  There are no plans to review this definition.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Organisations
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of links between the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and the Real IRA. [139173]

  Mr. Ingram
  With regard to the relationship between the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and the Real IRA, the Government believe that they are two sides of the same coin. The 32 County Sovereignty Committee is RIRA's political wing, and as such the two are inextricably linked.

  Policing Board
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the last day for applications for appointment as independent members of the proposed Northern Ireland Policing Board is after the date that the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill has passed both Houses. [135773]

  Mr. Ingram
  The closing date for applications was 09.00 on Wednesday 22 November.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Hunt Kennels
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what examination his Department has undertaken of the extent to which traces of BSE are present in animals resident in hunt kennels. [137249]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: In 1992 the Government concluded a random survey of the brains of 444 hunting hounds to investigate the risk of BSE transmission. The results were unsatisfactory partly because of difficulties in ensuring that the brains did not start to deteriorate between the death of the hound and its examination. Although various pathological changes were seen in the central nervous tissues of some of the hounds, the results did not provide firm proof of a TSE. The results were subsequently considered by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee who did not suggest transmission studies. Hounds were initially studied because they were perceived as a "high risk" population exposed to large quantities of potentially infective bovine tissues. Since then, a range of other species had been identified with TSEs. However, TSEs have not been found in dogs and the further study of hounds was therefore considered less critical.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the value to the farming industry of the removal of dead stock by hunt kennels. [137250]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: Hunt kennels provide a valued service to the farming industry by removing casualty and fallen stock, although information quantifying the financial value of this service is not held by the Department.

  EU Sugar Regime
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on West Midland sugar beet factories of the implementation of the proposed new EU sugar regime. [137587]

  Ms Quin
  The future of sugar beet factories in the West Midlands is a commercial matter for British Sugar plc. In their comments on the impact of the current EU reform proposal, British Sugar have not suggested that there would be a particular impact on West Midlands factories.

  BSE
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent to which BSE at low levels is endemic in cattle. [137576]

  Ms Quin
  The BSE epidemic, currently in steady decline, would mask low level endemic infection. When the epidemic is over, surveillance for endemic disease will enable an assessment of possible endemic disease at low levels.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research studies since 1970 at CBD Porton Down relating to effects of long-term low
  227W
  level exposure to organophosphates were sponsored by his Department; what results were obtained; and if he will make a statement. [138050]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 November 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 November 2000, Official Report, columns 62–63W.

  Apart from the research project on the dose effect profiles for organophosphate sheep dips on brain electrical activity and cognitive performance in non-human primates, the Department has sponsored no study on the effects of long-term low level exposure to organophosphates at CBD Porton Down.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 17 November; and if he will make a statement. [139733]

  Mr. Morley
  The Fisheries Council met in Brussels on 17 November. I led the UK delegation, accompanied by Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for Rural Development in the Scottish Executive.

  The Council discussed the future policy for management of fleet capacity, building on the Commission's mid-term review of the operation of the current Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP IV). I argued the need for maintaining and strengthening a range of controls in order to bring fishing effort into better balance with fish stocks. I also argued that, given the current over capacity in the fleet, grants for constructing vessels are inappropriate. The Commission will include fleet management among the issues in its Green Paper next spring on the revision of the Common Fisheries Policy.

  The Commission reported recent scientific advice that key cod, whiting and hake stocks were close to collapse. With other member states I stressed the seriousness of this situation and supported the Commission's approach that urgent action was needed to ensure effective recovery plans were introduced for 2001. I welcomed the Commission's intention of looking at a mix of measures to aid recovery and the fact that the fishing industry was already being involved in developing these measures.

  The Council discussed the impact of fuel price rises on the fishing sector. I strongly supported the Commission in opposing unilateral national operating subsidies and welcomed the Commission's statement that measures taken by member states had to comply with state aid rules, and that they were taking action as appropriate to this end.

  The Council discussed a Commission proposal for a three-year continuation of Community financial support for fisheries enforcement. Final decisions on the proposal will be made in December. The Council agreed to a two-year rollover of existing arrangements for control and enforcement action under NEAFC in the North East Atlantic, and to a proposal the Community financial assistance for an observer scheme on tuna boats in the Gulf of Guinea. I argued that while we could accept these proposals, the Community should take a larger role in carrying out control in international waters under the responsibility of regional fisheries organisations. We pressed for decisions to be taken on this and other control
  228W
  measures by June 2001. We also pressed the Commission to seek effective controls on over-fishing of Rockall haddock at the NEAFC annual meeting this week.

  The Council welcomed the Commission's report on the operation of the Common Fisheries Policy in 1997-98, and received a report from the Commission on the latest contacts with Morocco to renegotiate a fisheries agreement. I strongly supported the Commission who pressed certain other member states to ratify the UN Agreement on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. I joined other member states in pressing for Community action against the Galapagos Agreement, which does not respect the UN Law of the Sea and discriminates against the Community fleet.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Employees (New Deal)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff his Department employs under the New Deal for Young People. [137950]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 13 November 2000,Official Report, columns 551–52W. There is one New Dealer who works in my Department.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Manchester, Gorton constituency, of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [136175]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to our overall objectives of:Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;
  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and, Combating poverty and
  promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (Cm 4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Manchester, Gorton since May 1997.

  We are spending an additional £7 billion a year on support for families and children. This includes significant increases in child benefit, which is now worth £15 a week for the eldest child and £10 a week for other children: nationally about 7 million families receive child benefit, and in Gorton 10,000 families benefit.
  229W
  We have launched the New Deals to help lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over 50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since August 1998 the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,323,600 to 1,067,300; in Manchester, Gorton, the number has reduced from 4,100 to 3,000. The number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased over the same period from 955,000 to 910,100 nationally and in Manchester, Gorton from 3,100 to 2,900.

  Next year we will be spending £4.5 billion a year extra in real terms on pensioners as a result of our policies. The Winter Fuel Payment has continued to tackle fuel poverty. Last winter, around 10 million pensioners, of whom 10,300 were in Manchester, Gorton, benefited from the payment. We have now extended the scheme to include eligible people from age 60 so that even more older people will benefit. This winter, households that qualify will receive an increased payment of £200. The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) targets the poorest 1.6 million pensioner families, 4,400 of whom live in Manchester, Gorton. These pensioners will benefit from our alignment of all MIG rates from April 2001, giving single pensioners at least £92.15 each week—a real increase of £12.45 for the poorest pensioners.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average processing time is for Attendance Allowance for(a) first-time claims and (b) appeals for claims to be reconsidered for each quarter over the last three years. [136805]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 7 November 2000]: The information is not available in the form requested. The following table gives figures, for each quarter of the last three years, for the average number of days taken to process an initial Attendance Allowance (AA) claim (excluding accelerated processing under special rules for terminal illness), and the average number of days taken to review a claim (including existing claims). From 18 October 1999 reconsideration was introduced to replace the review process. All data are subject to rounding to whole days.

  Quarter

  Initial claims

  Reviews1

  Reconsiderations

  April-June 1998

  22

  39

  —

  July-September 1998

  23

  40

  —

  October-December 1998

  24

  41

  —

  January-March 1999

  25

  43

  —

  April-June 1999

  29

  39

  —

  July-September 1999

  30

  40

  —

  October-December 1999

  30

  241

  333

  January-March 2000

  32

  243

  355

  April-June 2000

  36

  —

  59

  July-September 2000

  34

  —

  54

  1All reviews, including review from new claims

  2 Cases where requests for review received before 18 October 1999

  3Cases where requests for review received on or after 18 October 1999

  New procedures for assessing claims for AA were introduced in the third quarter of 1999 to improve the accuracy of decisions on entitlement. Customers can now receive clearer explanations of decisions on their benefit entitlement. Initially these changes led to significant
  230W
  increases in the time it took to process each case which, together with a growing caseload, created a temporary backlog of work. This has been tackled as a priority, and as decision-makers have become accustomed to the new procedures, the backlog has now been cleared.

  Poverty
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) children and (b) adults were living in poverty in each of the last 20 years; and what his estimate is of the number of children who will be living in poverty in each of the next three years. [137734]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 10 November 2000]: Poverty is a multi-faceted problem. Therefore we do not use a single definition of poverty but instead use a range of indicators to examine the problem. Information relating to the indicators can be found in the second Government "Opportunity for all" report on tackling poverty and social exclusion "One year on: making a difference" (Cm 4865). The report also describes and monitors the impact of policies we have already introduced, and sets out our plans for the future.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps the Benefits Agency and the Appeals Service must take following a decision by an independent Disability Living Allowance appeal tribunal to amend benefits before arrears of benefit can be paid. [138518]

  Mr. Bayley
  Appeals Service procedures are matters for the Chief Executive of The Appeals Service. The administration of Disability Living Allowance is the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Alexis Cleveland. Following consultation with the Appeals Service, Alexis Cleveland will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 21 November 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what steps the Benefits Agency (BA) and The Appeals Service (TAS) must take following a decision by an independent disability living allowance appeal tribunal to amend benefits before arrears of benefit can be paid.
  TAS issues a copy of the appeal tribunal's decision to all parties to the proceedings, including the appellant and the BA, within 2 days of the appeal hearing.
  Tribunal decision notices (DNs) on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) cases are received from each of TAS operational centres at a central distribution point in Disability Carer Benefits Directorate (DCBD). This was set up in February 2000 to register receipt of DNs and speed up the implementation process. Currently approximately 600 DNs are received each day.
  DNs are then sent immediately to the DCBD operational section with responsibility for handling particular DLA cases. The DN is linked with the DLA case papers and a decision-maker (DM) then looks at the DN to ensure that it is legally correct before it is implemented.
  Where there are no problems DNs are implemented promptly. Before any payment is made, further checks may be made on correct payment and address details, and any periods spent in hospital or residential accommodation that could affect payability of an award. Such DNs can normally be input on to the DLA computer system and payment made within 2 days. If payment of DLA is to be combined with payment of another benefit, the computer system triggers a notification to the relevant local office for their further action.

  231W
  There are occasions when a DM identifies a problem with a DN and cases may be referred back to TAS for specific reasons. These include accidental errors; incomplete decisions where the tribunal has omitted to consider all the relevant issues; and decisions which appear to be wrong in law. In all such cases, the DM requests a copy of the appeal chairman's statement of reasons and record of proceedings.
  TAS has set a standard of 15 working days for these to be produced and issued. Based on that information, implementation of those DNs may be suspended pending further appropriate action either by TAS or, in cases of error of law, consideration of an appeal against the tribunal decision to a Social Security Commissioner. Consideration must be given to all cases where an error has been identified and regrettably this will delay implementation of those decisions.
  Cases identified for a possible appeal to the Commissioner are first examined by a specialist team within DCBD and then by the Benefits Agency Decision-Making and Appeals team before they can be submitted for appeal. Customers are notified that this action is being taken and that payment of arrears has been suspended. If an appeal is not found to be appropriate, the suspension is lifted, payment is made, and the customer is again notified.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many additional pensioner households he expects to be entitled to the Minimum Income Guarantee as a result of the proposed pensioners' credit. [138350]

  Mr. Rooker
  As a result of the proposals announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 9 November 2000,Official Report, columns 451–55, we expect 1.1 million additional pensioner households to benefit from the Minimum Income Guarantee in 2003.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how long information is kept on file following an unsuccessful application by a pensioner for Minimum Income Guarantee. [139693]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: Clerical documents are kept for 14 months after the decision has been made. Records maintained on the mainframe computer system are available to view for 12 weeks after the decision.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the procedures for pensioners accessing the Minimum Income Guarantee with specific reference to(a) the operation of the free phone service, (b) the role of the local Benefits Agency office and (c) the processing of forms. [139692]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: We want pensioners to be able to access services in ways that suit them. Pensioners can access the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) through the network of local Benefits Agency offices by writing, visiting or telephoning their local office.

  Alternatively, pensioners can claim via the MIG Claimline telephone number (0800 028 1111).

  The local office's role is to help pensioners apply for the MIG.

  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the pay and conditions of the Chief Executive of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. [139001]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Director of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate is subject to the pay and conditions of the Senior Civil Service. His pay falls within the Senior Civil Service pay band 4 with a pay range from £57,367 to £95,625.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements there are in place to monitor(a) the general performance of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate and (b) the specific performance of individual inspection teams within the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. [139002]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) is part of the Department of Social Security and its Director is accountable to senior officials in the Department and to Ministers. Ministers and senior officials monitor the overall performance of the BFI through regular accountability meetings. Views on the general performance of the BFI have recently been gathered, from those local authorities that have been inspected, through the BFI' s own survey and the Local Authority Omnibus Survey published by the Department's Social Research Branch.

  The Head of Operations and his two Programme Managers monitor the specific performance of individual inspection teams within BFI. This monitoring encompasses the BFI's own internal inspection quality process which measures and provides assurance on the quality of individual inspections and inspection reports.

  Pensions (EU)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the current percentages of income of retired persons in the United Kingdom and each member state of the Community, derived from public national pension payments, and those from private or occupational pension schemes; and what communications he has (a) received and (b) sent to or from other members states and institutions of the Community concerning future harmonisation of pension arrangements for citizens of the Community and Union. [139087]

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

  Benefits and Tax Credits
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are claiming(a) Working Families Tax Credit, (b) pensioner's Minimum Income Guarantee, (c) winter fuel allowance and (d) free television licences for the over 75s in High Peak; and how many are eligible in each case. [138812]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
  233W
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General to my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 8 November 2000, Official Report, column 274W, for the information on the Working Families Tax Credit.

  Number of pensioners in High Peak claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee and number of pensioners over 75 at May 2000

  Thousand

  High Peak parliamentary constituency

  Number

  MIG Pensioners May 20001

  2.5

  Pensioners over 752,3

  7.5

  1 Source—Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 2000.

  2 Source—Statistical samples held by ASD Information Centre—May 2000.

  3 Source—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 RP, IS, AA, DLA, IB or SDA by parliamentary constituency and are aged 75 or over.

  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.

  Regarding Winter Fuel Payments' currently being made for this winter, provisional information shows that around 17,500 payments will be made to people eligible. These payments will be made before Christmas.

  1Source—Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuel Payment 2000–01 initial exercise.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate, using the same assumptions as used to calculate how many people are eligible for one or both elements of the pension credit, how many people will receive both the guaranteed income top-up element and the savings credit element to a value of(a) up to £4, (b) £5 to 9, (c) £10 to 14, (d) £15 to 19 and (e) £20 to £25 per week; [138504]

  (2) using the same assumptions as used to calculate how many people are eligible for one or both elements of the pension credit, if he will calculate how many people will receive the savings credit element but not the guaranteed income top-up element to a value of (a) up to £4, (b) £5 to 9 and (c) £10 to £13.80 per week. [138506]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 November 2000]: I refer my right hon. Friend to paragraph 16 of chapter 4 of the Pension Credit consultation document (Cm 4900).

  IT Systems
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what preparations he has made to ensure that the IT systems within his Department will be able to cope with the new weekly benefit saving rules that are due to be implemented next year; and what representations he has received on this issue. [139122]
  234W
  Angela Eagle
  The Department administers the payments of subsidy to local authorities by means of a combination of micro (PC) and mainframe computer systems. The first payments for the "new weekly benefit saving rules" will be made in August 2001 (payments under the new scheme will be made quarterly, in arrears). The Department is currently considering the programming changes needed to meet the requirements of the new scheme and these will be implemented well in advance of the first payment date.

  Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to reduce the disability threshold under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 as anticipated in his statement of 27 June; and if he will make a further statement. [139123]

  Mr. Bayley
  In his statement of 27 June 2000,Official Report, columns 719–20, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear that two of the changes he announced—that is, an increase in the time limits for claiming a Vaccine Damage Payment (VDP) to age 21 for children and a reduction in the disability threshold from 80 per cent. to 60 per cent., would require amendments to the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979. We intend to legislate to bring about these changes as soon as the legislative timetable permits.

  State Second Pension
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the implications are for the level and structure of the state second pension of his recent announcement on(a) the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee and (b) the proposed pensioner credit. [139398]

  Mr. Rooker
  The recent announcements about the Minimum Income Guarantee and the Pension Credit will not affect the level or the structure of the State Second Pension. However, taken as a whole, the changes we are introducing will result in a boost to the incomes of all pensioners.

  Pension Clawback
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to abolish the pension clawback; and if he will make a statement. [139494]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have no plans to abolish pension clawback.

  Winter Heating Allowance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households will benefit from the winter heating allowance in Coventry, South this year. [139044]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: For winter 1999–2000 16,403 customers in the Coventry, South constituency qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many pensioners were receiving Income Support in Newcastle upon Tyne in
  235W
  1996 with their average total benefit; and how many pensioners are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee with their average total benefit. [139645]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Income Support pensioners/Minimum Income Guarantee recipients in Newcastle, May 1996 and May 2000

  Thousand

  Quarter

  Number of pensioners

  Average weekly award(£ per week)

  1996—May

  12.3

  33.10

  2000—May

  11.5

  41.91

  Notes:

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

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

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Cases are allocated to each local authority by matching the postcode against the 1997 version 1 and the 2000 version 1 of the Postcode Directory.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, May 1996 and May 2000.
  The downward trend of pensioners claiming Income Support/Minimum Income Guarantee is due to the fact that pensioners are retiring on larger incomes due to SERPS and occupational pensions. This trend has been halted following the introduction of the earnings linked MIG in April 1999.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Manchester, Gorton constituency, of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [136171]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined below are details of the effect on the Gorton constituency and Manchester LEA of a range of the Department's policies.

  Early Excellence Centres

  The Government are funding a pilot programme of Early Excellence Centres (EECs) delivering high quality integrated early education and child care on a one-stop basis to children and their families.

  In Manchester, the Martenscroft and Moss Side Zone will build on their integrated all-day, all-year care and education by encouraging local private and voluntary providers to expand their services. The centre will have at its core the impressive Martenscroft and Moss Side Children's Centres. Both centres currently provide care and education for children from six months to five years. Staff will work across the zone to develop outreach work, co-ordinate community services and provide professional support and advice to all settings, including the private and voluntary sector and local primary schools, to improve quality of provision and children's attainment.

  Early years places

  In 1997 around 9,821 three and four-year-olds were receiving free, part time early education in Manchester. This has increased to 10,036 in 2000. Already all four-year-olds in Manchester are entitled to a free place. By September 2004, all three-year-olds will be also be entitled to such a place.
  236W
  Sure Start

  LA Programme supporting a small community in the Clayton area, which has a well-developed resource (the Family Support Initiative at Clayton children's centre). Among the interesting services designed to address the main Sure Start principles are plans to recruit a dietician and to disseminate nutritional advice. This programme is one of the first trailblazer projects to receive full Sure Start approval. Total funding up to £2,522,521

  Sure Start Benchill has brought together statutory and voluntary agencies to listen to the views of local people. They aim to build the capacity of the local community, to establish Benchill as an independent project, ultimately directed by a management committee of local people. Local people have identified a need for play space and facilities, and for more nursery and crèche provision. Lead Partner—Barnardos.

  The authority has been invited to submit applications for the second wave of Sure Start programmes.

  Beacon schools

  The Beacon schools initiative is designed to raise standards through the dissemination of good practice. Beacon schools are schools which have been identified as among the best performing in the country and represent examples of successful practice which are to be brought to the attention of the rest of the education service with a view to sharing and spreading that effective practice to others. Beacon schools offer advice on a wide range of areas including specific curriculum subjects, pupil monitoring, school management, provision for gifted and talented children, improving parent involvement, special educational needs and anti-bullying strategies.

  There are a total of 550 beacon schools (from September 2000). Six of these beacon schools are in Manchester LEA: Trinity CE High School, CE School of the Resurrection, St. Catherine's RC Primary School, St. Cuthbert's RC Primary School, Piper Hill Special School and North Manchester High School.

  Specialist schools

  Specialist schools seek school improvement through a special focus on one area of the curriculum. They achieve their status in competition with other applicant schools. They are existing secondary schools which provide rich experience in their chosen specialisms, in addition to the National Curriculum. As well as achieving high standards in their chosen specialisms, the Government expect them to be a resource for other schools and their local communities, equipping young people with the skills they need to progress into employment, further training or higher education according to their individual abilities, aptitudes and ambitions.

  Within Manchester LEA, the following schools have specialist school status: Brookway High School (Sports), Parrs Wood High School (Technology), Newall Green High School (Arts), Levenshulme High School (Language), Wright Robinson School (Sports), St. Matthews RC High School (Technology) and Trinity CE High School (Technology).

  Performance indicators

  Results at both Key Stage 2 and GCSE/GNVQ have increased since 1997.

  Key Stage 2: Eligible pupils achieving level 4 or above

  Percentage

  LEA averages

  1997

  1999

  2000

  English

  54.3

  61.1

  65.0

  Maths

  53.9

  61.3

  64.0

  Science

  59.1

  70.8

  78.0

  GCSE and GNVQ results

  Percentage

  LEA averages

  1997

  1999

  2000

  5 † A*—C

  26.3

  30.2

  30.3

  5 † A*—G

  75.2

  79.1

  83.3

  No passes

  14.4

  10.1

  7.3

  237W
  Class Sizes

  Statistics for September 2000 show that Manchester LEA had 362 (2.8 per cent.) pupils in classes of 31 or more, compared with 3,971 (24 per cent.) in January 1998. The national figure for September 2000 shows the number of pupils in infant classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher was 30,000 (2 per cent.), compared to 485,000 (29 per cent.) in January 1998.

  Education Action Zones

  Education Action Zones were proposed in the White Paper "Excellence in schools" and have their legislative basis in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. EAZs create an urgent focus on raising standards through local partnerships between parents, schools, businesses. LEAs, TECs and others. Zones are based around small clusters of schools in areas of relative deprivation. Each zone runs for an initial three years with the possibility of extension to five years. In return for setting challenging targets for improvement across the zone, an EAZ receives up to £1 million per year in additional support from the Department and the private sector. There are now 73 EAZs. Of the 25 first round zones, 20 have recently been extended from three to five years. The other five zones have been given until 1 December to prove that they are ready for extension.

  Manchester has two Education Action Zones: East Manchester and Wythenshawe Partnerships.

  Excellence in Cities

  Excellence in Cities (EiC) is designed to remedy successive failures to address the educational problems of the major cities where standards have been too low for too long.

  It was launched in March 1999 by the Prime Minister and David Blunkett. The programme went live in schools in September 1999. Its progress, initially focused on secondary schools, has been rapid.

  The Government expanded the programme in March 2000 and Phase 2 began in schools in September 2000. This phase brought a further 23 LEA areas into EiC and introduced a pilot of the three core strands of EiC in primary schools in Phase 1 areas.

  Manchester LEA was designated an Excellence in Cities (EiC) area in Phase 1 of the Programme. The partnership. which covers all 23 secondary schools, is taking full advantage of EiC to maximise the impact. 'Excellence in Manchester' now has:
  21 Learning Support Units (LSUs);
  two Beacon and two Specialist Secondary Schools approved under EiC;
  six Gifted and Talented Pupil clusters and;
  some 65 Learning mentors.

  In addition, three City Learning Centres (CLCs) and a mini Education Action Zone (EAZ) are due to open in September 2000, with a further two CLCs pre-committed for September 2001.

  EiC is now being piloted in primary schools within all Phase 1 areas. The Manchester partnership has an approved plan. Although there were some conditions to be met for funding to be released, it was noted that the plan was "good and everything

  Funding to Manchester LEA

  £million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  SSA

  181.603

  198.890

  207.651

  216.249

  Standards Fund

  2.275

  2.799

  10.286

  20.292

  EAZ

  —

  —

  0.272

  1.739

  NEG

  6.038

  0.263

  0.404

  —

  £290 million Special Grant to Schools

  —

  —

  —

  2.703

  £50 million Special Grant to LEAs

  —

  —

  —

  0.552

  Notes:

  1. £527 million was taken from the total SSA to fund the Nursery Voucher Scheme in 1997–98

  2. Funding for the reduction of (infant) class sizes was part of the Standards Fund in 1998–99

  3. Education Action Zone funding is paid to the Zone not to the LEA

  4. Standards Fund/Gest figures are DfEE contribution only and exclude capital funding

  5. Some elements of the Standards Fund are targeted at adult education, these have been included

  6. Nursery education grant data are not available for 2000–01
  238W
  required had been done". From September, 56 primary schools in Manchester will introduce the "learning mentor", "gifted and talented" and "LSU" strands of EiC.

  PPP/PFI Projects

  The Government have a manifesto commitment to use Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to improve the standard of school buildings. The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is a concept which can be applied to most aspects of public sector operation. It transforms Departments, agencies, local authorities and similar bodies from being owners and operators of assets into purchasers of services from the private sector. Private firms become long-term providers of services rather than simply up-front asset builders. This works to the mutual advantage of users of public services, taxpayers and companies seeking new business opportunities.

  Temple Primary School serves a multi-faith, ethnically diverse community. The existing school has separate primary, nursery and dining buildings which are of an outdated Victorian design. Key Stage 2 provision is particularly unsuitable for current curriculum and operational requirements.

  The PFI project is to provide a replacement Primary School which will provide a more appropriate learning environment capable of supporting modern teaching methods and curricula for pupils, and adults and the community.

  The replacement school and play areas have been designed to be fully accessible for people with disabilities, thus allowing the full range of mainstream opportunities to be available to all. In addition the new school site will incorporate playing fields and a wildlife area, facilities which are not currently available.

  The contract was signed in March 2000 between Manchester City Council and Turner Constructions and has a value of £3.7 million.

  Capital for Manchester, Gorton under New Deal for Schools

  £1.3 billion has been provided from the New Deal for Schools (NDS) from 1997–98 until 2001–02 to address the backlog of urgent repairs in school buildings that had built up after 18 years of under-funding under the previous Administration.

  Within Manchester, the following allocations have been made:

  Old Hall Drive Primary School—£141,828—roof repair

  Crowcroft Park Primary School—£40,000—replacement windows

  Stanley Grove Primary—£275,000—replacement of Horsa Unit

  Wilbraham Primary—£350,000—replacement of Horsa Unit

  Whalley Range—£1,268,206—provision of sports hall and two classrooms

  St. Agnes CE Primary—part of a nine school roofing package worth —724,400

  Wright Robinson—£459,200—replacement windows

  Wright Robinson—part of a three school package for upgrading of technical rooms—270,000

  Gorton Mount Infant, Heald Place Primary and All Saints Primary—part of a nine school package to upgrade toilets—£195,000.

  LEA Funding
  239W
  Failing schools

  Manchester LEA has had 24 schools in special measures. 10 of those have been restored to health.

  Student numbers at all FEFC funded institutions, where the home postcode is in the Gorton constituency, 1996–97,1997–98,1998–99

  FEFC funded

  Non-FEFC funded

  16-18

  Adult

  16-18

  Adult

  FT

  PT

  FT

  PT

  FT

  PT

  FT

  PT

  1996–97

  1,143

  339

  1,143

  4,279

  40

  86

  64

  68

  1997–98

  1,216

  278

  1,125

  4,342

  34

  89

  101

  144

  1998–99

  1,282

  271

  1,291

  4,233

  42

  104

  182

  180

  Notes:

  1. Under-16s included in 16–18 figures

  2. Where age unknown, included in adult figures

  Sources:

  1996–97: Individualised Student Record 10 (December 1997)

  1996–98: Individualised Student Record 13 (December 1998)

  1998–99: Individualised Student Record 16 (December 1999) for all FEFC funded institutions

  Education Maintenance Allowances

  EMAs are part of the Government's commitment to make sure that all young people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, no matter what their financial circumstances may be.

  Eligible young people can receive an allowance of up to £30 a week (£40 in two areas) if they stay on at school or college, with additional bonuses payable for retention and achievement

  Manchester has 2,180 applications for EMAs at the end of October. We expect more applications when they send in their statistical return for November. People are eligible for an EMA in Manchester if they were in Year 11 in July 2000, and have continued in Further Education this September. Manchester are piloting the EMA variant where the maximum EMA is £30 per week and termly bonuses of £50 are paid for 95 per cent. attendance. The maximum amount of EMA is payable if the young person's natural parents earn less than £13,000. A tapered amount is payable if parental income is between £13,000 and £30,000. No EMA is payable if parental income is above £30,000.

  Pioneer Centres

  Greater Manchester Bangladesh Association (GMBA)

  GMBA is a community organisation based within the Longsight area of Manchester. The community centre has been delivering IT training to the local residents and members of the community for around 12 years.

  The centre has always operated an open door policy on recruitment to the various full-time and part-time courses run. The ICT project has enabled the centre to increase the availability of its facilities to small businesses within the area and local residents who do not necessarily require formal training programmes, but wish to access a computer.

  Seminars have been held at various local libraries, as well as teaming up with people from Manchester Technology Management Centre, who are delivering a series of seminars on e-commerce and telematics to the local business community.

  Unemployment

  There has been a notable improvement in the Gorton constituency unemployment claimant position. At May 1997 there were 4,740 unemployed claimants, with an unemployment rate of 23 per cent. (compared with a UK rate of 5.6 per cent.). By October 2000 the Gorton figures had fallen to 2,988 or 12.5 per cent. (UK 3.5 per cent.).

  New Deal for Young People in the constituency has been successful. 1,817 young people have joined the New Deal, with 755 entering into employment.

  Schoolchildren (E-mail Addresses)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made 240W
  The average turn round time for schools that came into special measures after 1 May 1997 is 20 months.

  Further Education

  with the Government's commitment to provide every school pupil with an e-mail address; and how he intends to ensure that children will not be (a) individually identifiable and (b) open to approaches by paedophiles when such addresses are allocated. [136213]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The Government want fifty per cent. of pupils and students to have their own e-mail address by 2002. Good progress is being made towards achieving this. The majority of schools are now connected to the internet and almost all have been allocated a standard domain name (<school name>. <geographical area>.sch.uk). Currently, 9 per cent. of primary school pupils, 26 per cent. of secondary school pupils and 13 per cent. of special school pupils have a personal e-mail address. Some schools are providing access through whole class/or teaching group e-mail accounts.

  We all share a responsibility to make sure that students' use of the internet is appropriate and safe. A range of measures to help to protect children have been publicised by my Department, via the Superhighway Safety information pack and website. These include, for example, monitoring pupils' computer use and the use of filtering software to prevent access to unsuitable internet material. The pack also includes a Disney 'Doug' poster, which promotes safe internet use to young children. It is the school's duty to ensure that every child is safe and that no individual child should be identifiable or contactable. Our publications recommend that school websites should not contain either personal e-mail or postal addresses.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Scotland)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [137699]

  Mr. Wills
  Of the 13 Executive NDPBs responsible to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the following have a GB or UK-wide remit.
  241W
  a. "British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA)"

  HQ based in Coventry. No staff based in Scotland. One Board Member representing Scottish interests—unpaid.

  b. "Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)"
  HQ based in Norfolk. 111 staff based in Scotland. 2 Board members representing Scottish interests—both unpaid.

  c. "Disability Rights Commission (DRC)"

  HQ based in Manchester. Ten members of staff based in Scotland with a further 4 expected to be recruited. One Commissioner with special knowledge of Scotland, receiving a daily fee of £134.

  d. "Engineering Construction Industry Training Board" HQ in Hertfordshire. Five members of staff based in Scotland. Five Board Members representing Scottish interests—all unpaid.

  e. "Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC)"

  HQ based in Manchester. 12 members of staff based in Scotland. One Commissioner with special knowledge of Scotland, receiving a daily fee of £134.

  f. "Investors in People UK (IiP UK)"

  HQ based in London. No staff based in Scotland. One Board member from Scotland-unpaid.

  g. "Remploy Limited"

  HQ based in London. 962 staff based in Scotland. No Board representation for Scotland.

  h. "The Students Loan Company Limited (SLC)"

  HQ based in Glasgow. All the company's 525 members of staff based in Scotland. The SLC operates within overall strategies set by the SoS for Education and Employment and Scottish Ministers. None of the SLC's Board members are designated to represent a specific region but Scottish Ministers, and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, are entitled to send a senior official as an "assessor" to attend all of the SLC's Board and Committee meetings to represent their interests.

  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 "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).

  Schools (Personal Safety)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to encourage schools to consider and disseminate information and awareness of personal safety from crime, and to incorporate this issue into teacher training programmes. [138646]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 16 November 2000]: Safety education for pupils is covered within personal, social and health education, introduced as part of the revised National Curriculum. This includes teaching pupils about managing risk, how to stay safe and where to get help. A working group is currently developing guidance to help schools teach safety issues. In addition, citizenship education encourages partnerships between schools and community organisations such as the police.
  242W
  The Standards Fund school security grant of £22 million includes funding for training school staff and governors in personal safety techniques, prevention organisations and the police.

  Mandarin
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage the teaching of Mandarin in schools. [138804]

  Jacqui Smith
  There has been a steady expansion in learning of Mandarin Chinese in the Specialist Language Colleges sector, where around a third (31 institutions) offer accredited courses to 'A' Level. However, many more offer 'enrichment'—courses that are non-accredited but which give pupils enhanced learning opportunities. These can take the form of masterclasses, links with other colleges involving the sharing of teaching materials, exchanges and study visits.

  The Government are also supporting a £50,000 pilot project for the teaching of Mandarin at the Djangoly CTC. We recognise the importance of young people having access to languages like Mandarin in developing trade and cultural links with China.

  Objective 3 Grants
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the percentage of Objective 3 European Social Fund grants that have been awarded to voluntary sector organisations for each of the past 10 years for which figures are available. [139126]

  Ms Jowell
  The percentage of Objective 3 European Social Fund grants that have been directly awarded to voluntary sector organisations in Great Britain for each of the past 10 years is as follows:

  Percentage

  1990

  9.2

  1991

  10.2

  1992

  10.8

  1993

  12.1

  1994

  8.3

  1995

  7.7

  1996

  8.2

  1997

  8.5

  1998

  13.1

  1999

  119.5

  1 1999 figures excludes Scotland. as information is not currently available

  These are likely to be underestimates of the percentage actually received by the voluntary sector as many voluntary sector projects receive funding indirectly from other sectors, especially local authorities and Training and Enterprise Councils.

  Medium Density Fibreboard (Schools)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given to schools regarding the use of medium density fibreboard; and if he will make a statement. [139255]
  243W
  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has not issued guidance on the use of medium density fibreboard in schools. This is because existing legislation covers the use of materials that may be deemed hazardous in certain circumstances. For example, as with any other workplace, schools are bound by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1989.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the timetable is for revising the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. [139273]

  Jacqui Smith
  We are considering carefully the responses to consultation on the revised Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and aim to bring forward a final version for approval by both Houses following the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill.

  The arrangements for revising the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Wales are matters for the Welsh Assembly.

  Retired School Teachers
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he has taken to encourage retired school teachers to return to work. [139435]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have introduced a number of measures to make it more attractive to retired teachers to undertake further teaching service. Teachers who have retired are now able to undertake substantial periods of re-employment within any financial year without affecting their pension. The pensions of those teachers who have retired with actuarially reduced benefits are unaffected by any re-employment. We have also made it possible for all retired teachers who return to either full-time or part-time teaching to elect to re-join the Teachers' Pension Scheme and accrue additional retirement benefit entitlement.

  Pupil Numbers
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were enrolled in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five academic years in (i) England and (ii) Kent. [139479]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number of pupils1 in maintained primary and secondary schools

  Number of pupils in maintained primary schools

  Number of pupils in maintained secondary schools

  Kent Local Education Authority

  1996

  135,598

  103,769

  1997

  137,962

  104,812

  1998

  139,328

  105,900

  1999

  115,004

  88,966

  2000

  114,835

  91,288

  244W

  Number of pupils1 in maintained primary and secondary schools

  Number of pupils in maintained primary schools

  Number of pupils in maintained secondary schools

  England

  1996

  4,389,364

  3,010,416

  1997

  4,429,043

  3,041,584

  1998

  4,460,646

  3,072,822

  1999

  4,460,171

  3,121,901

  2000

  4,435,346

  3,181,813

  1Full-time and part-time pupils

  Unruly Pupils
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to consult teachers and parents on his proposed guidelines on the legitimate use of physical restraint on unruly pupils. [139480]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have undertaken an extensive consultation exercise on the draft of the guidance to help schools and local education authorities plan their strategies for managing the behaviour of children with severe behavioural difficulties referred to in my reply to the hon. Member's question on 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 288W.

  Those consulted included all the teacher unions, a wide range of other professional bodies (including the National Association Of Schools For Children With Emotional And Behavioural Difficulties and the Association of Workers for Children With Emotional And Behavioural Difficulties), bodies representing parents and individual parents and teachers who expressed an interest in the issue.

  School Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on school teachers' pay. [140119]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have today made an order under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991 to give statutory force to the new pay arrangements for teachers entailing assessment against a performance threshold for those who wish to have access to a pay increase of £2,001 and an upper pay scale. This follows consultation on detailed provisions further to my acceptance of recommendations made by the independent School Teachers' Review Body in its special report published on 20 October. Threshold assessment, which has been suspended since the High Court ruled on 14 July that it had to be covered by an order under the 1991 Act, will restart as soon as possible. The main elements of the threshold procedures are as follows:The threshold standards remain the same as those my Department promulgated in March;
  Teachers in England who have applied to cross the threshold will be assessed on their original applications—this means no extra work for teachers or headteachers in the initial stages of the threshold process;
  Teachers in Wales have until 16 March 2001 to submit threshold applications; headteachers in England may accept late applications up to 16 March 2001 in specified exceptional circumstances;

  245W
  Teachers can be called upon to assist heads with assessments of other teachers for whom they have management responsibility;
  Headteachers must give written feedback to all unsuccessful applicants. Teachers who feel they have been wrongly assessed will be able to seek a review.

  Cambridge Education Associates, who manage the external assessors, have started to contact schools in England to arrange external assessor visits and aim to complete these as soon as possible. Headteachers in England who have not already done so should complete their assessments and send them to CEA by 26 January 2001. Headteachers in Wales should complete their assessments by 18 May 2001. All teachers who successfully meet the standards will get their pay increases as soon as possible after being notified of their success. These pay increases will be backdated to 1 September 2000. In England a new special grant will cover the extra pay costs of teachers crossing the threshold. In Wales the National Assembly has made extra funding to cover these costs available to local education authorities.

TREASURY

  US Tax System
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the impact of the tax system in the United States on encouraging small business start-ups. [136406]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government keep under review the tax regimes of other major countries and their respective impacts on business competitiveness and entrepreneurship. The tax system in the United States is perceived to be generally supportive of the creation and growth of small businesses.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Scotland)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [137625]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The following non-departmental public bodies, sponsored by the Treasury, have a remit which covers the United Kingdom:

  Bank of England

  Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals, Seals and

  Decorations

  Statistics Commission

  Policyholders Protection Board

  Financial Services Tribunal.

  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" and, with respect to the Bank of England, in the Bank's Annual Report. Copies of "Public Bodies 1999" and of the Bank of England's Annual Report 2000 have been placed in the Libraries of the House and "Public Bodies 2000" is due to be published next month. Information on board
  246W
  membership and remuneration can also be downloaded from the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Directory website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk).

  Ultra-low Sulphur Fuel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Cm 4917, what estimate he has made of the cost of reducing the tax on ultra low sulphur petrol by(a) 2p per litre and (b) 2p per litre for each of the three financial years from 2001–02 onwards; and if he will make a statement. [138462]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 15 November 2000]: Estimates of the cost in 2001–02 of reducing the duty on Ultra Low Sulphur Petrol by 2p per litre and of reducing the duty on Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel by 3p were published in the pre-Budget Report of 8 November 2000. If these cuts are implemented in Budget 2001, estimates of their cost in 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 will be published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if diesel vehicles commonly used by farmers on public highways will be able to benefit from the reduction of duty on ultra low sulphur diesel. [139630]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 21 November 2000]: Yes.

  Building Repairs (VAT)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has sought approval from the European Commission for the changes to VAT on repairs on empty buildings. [139113]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 15 November 2000,Official Report, column 760W.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has sought approval from the European Commission for his proposed changes to stamp duty. [139112]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government will work with the European Commission to ensure that the stamp duty relief for disadvantaged communities announced in the pre-Budget report can be implemented in Budget 2001. Formal notification will be sent to the Commission in due course.

  Savings Accounts
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of savings in ISA accounts over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [139418]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The provisional value of funds held in ISAs on 5 April 2000 was £28.7 billion, and a further £9.2 billion had been invested by 5 July 2000. The value of funds in future years will depend on a large number of factors including levels of subscriptions, transfers from matured TESSAs, interest rates, share price movements, and withdrawals. The Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget report that to build on the success of
  247W
  ISAs, the higher £7,000 contribution limit (including the higher £3,000 contribution limit for cash ISAs) will be retained for a further five years until April 2006.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ISA accounts have been opened; how much has been invested in total in ISA accounts to date; how much was invested in(a) PEPs and (b) TESSAs in the same introductory period; and if he will make a statement. [139417]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Individual Savings Accounts have attracted £37.6 billion in their first year and a quarter. Almost 9.3 million accounts were opened in 1999–2000.

  There were some 3.1 million TESSAs after their first year and a quarter, in which £10.4 billion had been invested. A similar comparative figure for PEPs is not available, but PEPs attracted only £480 million in their first year from 270,000 investors, and a further £200 million from 120,000 investors in their second year.

  Charities
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated annual cost is to his Department of tax allowances granted to charities operating in England and Wales. [139463]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The total cost of tax reliefs for charities in the UK is estimated at over £2 billion for 1999–2000. Where available, a breakdown of the cost of tax reliefs for charities in England and Wales are shown in the table.

  £million

  United Kingdom

  England and Wales

  Repayment of tax1

  821

  775

  Business rates relief

  600

  540

  Inheritance tax exemption of transfers to charities on death

  350

  320

  1 Breakdown provided covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  Third World Debt
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the level of debt owed by countries in the Third World. [139466]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There is no agreed definition of the "Third World". Full figures for debt held by countries can be found in "Global Development Finance, 2000" published by the World bank.

  Departmental Investment Strategies
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to publish the White Paper on Departmental Investment Strategies; and when Departments will publish their own departmental in vestment strategies. [139900]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  "Departmental Investment Strategies: A Summary" (Cm 4916) is being presented to Parliament and published today. Departments are also publishing their own Departmental Investment Strategies on their websites today and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many claimants there are of(a) working family tax credit child care payments, (b) disabled persons' tax credit and (c) disabled persons' tax credit child care payments in Newcastle upon Tyne; and what is the average payment in each case. [139646]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are too few cases in the 5 per cent. sample used for these analyses to provide reliable estimates at the local authority level of the number of families receiving the child care tax credit within Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC), or the average extra payment resulting from this credit.

  For the total number of families benefiting from WFTC in Newcastle upon Tyne, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 8 November 2000, Official Report, column 274W. About 6.7 per cent. of families on WFTC in the North East region at May 2000 received the child care tax credit, and their average extra payment resulting from this credit was about £29 per week.

  Estimates of the number of recipients of the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) in each local authority at the end of April are shown at Table 5.3 in the DPTC Quarterly Enquiry for April 2000. A copy has been placed in the Library. The average weekly payment to recipients in Newcastle upon Tyne was £67.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 November,Official Report, column 758W, what information he has received from the Department of Social Security with respect to benchmarking the level of fraud associated with the working families tax credit. [139747]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Department of Social Security has not benchmarked the level of fraud within the Working Families' Tax Credit.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in(a) part-time and (b) full-time employment in the Monmouth constituency receive the Working Families Tax Credit. [139276]

  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families in each parliamentary constituency who receive the Working Families Tax Credit.[139102]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the total number of recipients I refer my hon. Friends to my answer to hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) on 1 November 2000,Official Report, column 515W.

  Cold-related Deaths
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in (1) how many deaths in England and Wales in 1999 hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate, broken down between(a) all ages, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 and over; [137268]
  249W
  (2) how many excess winter deaths there were in England and Wales in 1999–2000 (a) in all age groups, (b) for those aged 60 to 74, (c) for those aged 75 to 84 and (d) for those aged 85 and over; [137269]

  (3) in how many deaths in 1999 in England and Wales hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate for (a) all age groups, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 years and over; [136545]

  (4) what was the number of excess winter deaths in 1999–2000 for (a) all ages, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 years and over. [136550]

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 22 November 2000:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions on deaths in 1999 in England and Wales where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate (136545/137268) and the number of excess winter deaths in 1999–2000 (136550/137269). I am replying in his absence.
  The information requested is given in the following tables.

  Deaths with a mention of hypothermia (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code N991.6)—England and Wales, 1999

  Number

  All ages

  325

  0–59

  58

  60–74

  55

  75–84

  102

  85+

  100

  Excess winter deaths for winter 1999–2000 (provisional figures)— England and Wales

  Number

  All ages

  49,440

  0–59

  2,660

  60–74

  9,350

  75–84

  16,990

  85+

  20,440

  The figures for winter 1999–2000 are provisional and will only be finalised in October 2001 when data for all deaths occurring in 2000 becomes complete.

  Excess winter deaths are defined by National Statistics as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July).

  Departmental Employees (HIV)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that people who are HIV-positive do not suffer discrimination as a result of employment practices followed by his Department. [137779]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury is an equal opportunities employer. Employment policies are in place to guard against discrimination to ensure that there are no 250W
  unfair or unlawful discriminatory barriers to employment or advancement in the Treasury. These policies apply to all staff.

  UNUM Ltd.
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many complaints he has received in the last five years about UNUM Ltd. in relation to the operation of its permanent health insurance policies; and if he will make a statement; [139258]

  (2) if he will draw the attention of the Financial Services Authority to complaints he has received about UNUM Ltd. in relation to the operation of its permanent health insurance policies; [139259]

  (3) if he will make a statement on his inquiries into UNUM Ltd. in relation to the operation of its permanent health insurance policies in the case of Mr. E Sales. [139403]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury has received a small number of complaints about companies which provide permanent health insurance products since becoming responsible for the insurance industry in 1998, and no specific inquiries have been launched in respect of the case of Mr. Sales. However, I understand that Mr. Sales's complaint has been considered by the Insurance Ombudsman.

  Arbitration for group insurance policies will in future fall within the remit of the Financial Ombudsman service which will be extended to provide access for those who cannot be considered under the present arrangements.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judges' Lodgings
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if stocked wine cellars provided for the use of judges in judges' lodgings are provided(a) free of charge, (b) at cost price or (c) at commercial price; and if he will make a statement. [139148]

  Jane Kennedy
  Stocked wine cellars are not provided for judges. Any wine purchased by the lodgings manager for consumption during periods of judicial occupation is purchased at retail prices and is paid for from the judges' weekly allowance.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance is given to High Court judges on using judges' lodgings for(a) formal and (b) private entertaining; what budget is given to each judge for formal entertaining; and what the total amount spent on entertaining by judges using lodgings was in each of the last five years. [139227]

  Jane Kennedy
  Guidance agreed with the Judiciary on the use of lodgings states that entertaining should generally not exceed one formal lunch party and one dinner party per week and that"numbers invited to lunch parties are in any event expected to be modest".
  251W
  There is no other guidance relating to private entertaining.

  A weekly allowance of £310 per week is made where one judge occupies a lodgings and £230 per week per judge where a lodgings is occupied by two judges or more, to cover the cost of all food and drink for judge, clerk and marshal. This sum also has to cover all formal entertaining. Should a judge exceed the allowance allocated, for whatever reason, the additional expenditure will be paid by the judge.

  No separate records are held of the cost of formal entertaining.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions judges used judges' lodgings for(a) formal lunches, (b) formal dinners and (c) other formal entertaining (i) on average and (ii) in total, indicating the lodging which had (A) the greatest and (B) the least use in each of the last five years. [139228]

  Judges' lodgings staffing details for the year 1999–2000

  No

  Lodgings

  Total number of staff at lodgings

  Job description

  Staff wages(£)

  Other staff costs (£)

  1

  Birmingham

  10

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Housekeeperm Domestic x 7 Chef

  70,393.00

  282.00

  2

  Bristol

  7

  Lodgings Manager/Chef Butler Domestic x 5

  79,309.00

  2,400.00

  3

  Caernarfon

  3

  Domestic Butler Chef

  15,847.06

  4

  Cardiff

  6

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Housekeeper Domestic x 3 Chef

  80,626.00

  1,142.00

  5

  Carlisle

  2

  Housekeeper/Cook Domestic/Waitress

  2—

  2—

  6

  Chelmsford

  4

  Housekeeper/Butler Domestic/Waitress x 2 Chef

  114,033.86

  1182

  7

  Chester

  5

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Chef Domestic x 3

  65,582.56

  576.00

  8

  Exeter

  4

  Manager Deputy Manager Domestic x 2

  2—

  2—

  9

  Leeds

  10

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Chef Housekeeper Domestic x 7

  113,724.00

  1,048.00

  10

  Leicester

  4

  Steward Domestic Butler Cook

  15,985.46

  11

  Lewes

  4

  Lodgings Manager/Cook Assistant Housekeeper Domestic x 2

  56,585.00

  597.00

  252W
  Jane Kennedy
  No records are held of the number of formal lunches, dinners or other entertaining by judges at lodgings. The guidance on the use of lodgings agreed with the judiciary states that entertaining should not exceed one formal lunch party and one dinner party per week.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list for each judges' lodging(a) the number and (b) the job descriptions of staff employed to service the lodging and serve judges staying there and (c) the annual (i) staff wages and (ii) staff costs for each lodging. [139230]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is contained in the table.

  Because staffing numbers at the hired lodgings (and some of the permanent ones) vary depending on judicial occupation, actual staffing levels for the period 1999–2000 have been given.

  The figure for other staff costs comprises staff travel and subsistence costs incurred on business related to the lodgings.
  253W

  Judges' lodgings staffing details for the year 1999–2000

  No.

  Lodgings

  Total number of staff at lodgings

  Job description

  Staff wages (£)

  Other staff costs (£)

  12

  Lincoln

  4

  Domestic x 2 Lodgings Manager/Cook Butler

  15,057.00

  13

  Liverpool

  8

  Lodgings Manager/Chef Butler Housekeeper Domestic x 5

  76,703.62

  1,550.00

  14

  Maidstone

  5

  Lodgings Manager/Chef Assistant Housekeeper Domestic x 3

  45,528.88

  775.00

  15

  Manchester

  11

  Lodgings Manager Housekeeper Chef Domestic x 8

  129,009.80

  1,058.00

  16

  Mold

  3

  Domestic Lodgings Manager/Butler Cook

  17,576.98

  17

  Northampton

  3

  Domestic Lodgings Manager/Cook Butler

  16,170.19

  18

  Norwich

  5

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Chef Domestic x 3

  44,412.00

  411.00

  19

  Nottingham

  6

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Housekeeper Chef Domestic x 3

  71,759.00

  184.00

  20

  Oxford

  3

  Domestic Chef/Lodgings Manager Butler

  113,152.7

  1232

  21

  Plawsworth

  8

  Lodgings Manager/Butler Housekeeper Chef Domestic x 5

  103,360.91

  939.00

  22

  Plymouth

  4

  Domestic x 2 Lodgings Manager/Chef Butler

  14,211.77

  128.00

  23

  Preston

  6

  Lodgings Manager Domestic x 3 Butler Chef

  64,940.92

  655.00

  24

  Reading

  4

  Lodgings Manager Housekeeper Domestic Chef

  14,320.70

  21.00

  25

  Sheffield

  6

  Lodgings Manager Butler Chef Domestic x 3

  65,500.00

  588.00

  26

  St. Albans

  4

  Lodgings Manager Housekeeper Domestic Chef

  114,729.31

  97.00

  27

  Stafford

  6

  Housekeeper Cook Assistant Cook/Housekeeper Domestic x 2 Butler

  13,930.46

  254W 255W

  Judges' lodgings staffing details for the year 1999–2000

  No.

  Lodgings

  Total number of staff at lodgings

  Job description

  Staff wages(£)

  Other staff costs(£)

  28

  Swansea

  4

  Lodgings Manager/Chef Domestic x 2 Butler

  59,994.46

  556.00

  29

  Truro

  4

  Domestic x 2 Lodgings Manager/Chef Butler

  11,275.00

  161.00

  30

  Warwick

  4

  Chef Domestic x 2 Butler

  23,735.90

  31

  Winchester

  9

  Lodgings Manager/Cook ButlerAssistant Housekeeper/Assistant Cook Domestic x 6

  90,039.00

  648.00

  32

  Worcester

  3

  Domestic Butler Cook

  5,032.03

  87.00

  Total

  169

  1,351,550.19

  13,614.00

  1 Some staff are provided as part of the overall hire charge. No split of the cost of salaries is available.

  2 This is a hired lodgings and staff are provided as part of the overall hire charge. No split of the cost of salaries is available.

  Barristers (Remuneration)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the effect the reduction in fees paid to barristers for crime and family work from legal aid will have on the availability of experienced barristers to carry out such work on legal aid. [139152]

  Mr. Lock
  Our proposals for legal aid fees aim to ensure that there will be a sufficient number of good quality barristers willing to undertake criminal and family work in the future. The proposals have been the subject of extensive consultation from 4 July to 12 October. The Lord Chancellor and I will consider the responses received and representations made very carefully. We would be concerned if any significant drain of experienced barristers from these areas of practice was likely to be the result of a new fee regime; and would not have submitted any proposals for consultation which we believed would have had that effect. In view of current market circumstances, the Lord Chancellor and I are not presently persuaded that there is likely to be a lack of supply of competent banisters in either area to carry out publicly funded work.

  Personal Injury Litigation
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he has taken to assess the availability of insurance cover against adverse costs orders to solicitors practising personal injury litigation. [139332]

  Mr. Lock
  There is a thriving and innovative market providing litigation insurance, not only for personal injury but to take and defend other types of claims. The figures we have from major insurers indicate that, to date, well over 100,000 after the event policies have been 256W
  purchased and that number is set to increase significantly. Measures have been in place since April 2000 to enable successful parties to litigation to recover premiums from losing opponents. This means that any compensation they receive will not be diminished. Because the costs and risks of pursuing good claims are now more affordable, there is further growth in the market for supporting insurance products.

  My Department is in regular contact with organisations involved with providing legal services, including insurers. It is important for the Government to keep an open dialogue with the providers of legal services.

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor), of 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 970W, if he will list the salary bands for 2000–01 for each paid special adviser, indicating the total cost to each Government department of the employment of paid special advisers in 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [136435]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have been asked to reply.

  Details of individual Special Adviser salaries and costs for Special Advisers within individual departments are not given, in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.

  The Special Adviser pay bands for 2000–01 are as follows:

  A: £27,503 to £47,602

  B: £42,312 to £63,649

  C: £57,122 to £80,453.

CABINET OFFICE

  GM Crops
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Government are taking to create international agreements to regulate the production of genetically modified crops in developing countries. [138811]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted last January, provides a comprehensive international legal framework enabling developing countries to regulate the safe transfer, handling and use of such crops. The Government support early implementation of the Protocol and will work with other countries to achieve this.

  Primary and Secondary Legislation (Wales)
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer from the Secretary of State for Wales of 31 October 2000,Official Report, column 359W, what the role of her Department is in
  258W
  co-ordinating the Government's approach in formulating primary legislation according subordinate legislative powers to the National Assembly for Wales. [139352]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Cabinet Office Constitution Secretariat has produced a series of Devolution Guidance Notes, to assist Government Departments with aspects of devolution. These guidance notes have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and made available on the Cabinet Office website.

  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales said in his answer of 31 October 2000, Official Report, column 359W, a Guidance Note on Post Devolution Primary Legislation Affecting Wales is being prepared. I expect this note to be published soon.

  Farming
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost was of conducting the Better Regulation Task Force's inquiry into environmental regulations and farmers. [139317]

  Mr. Stringer
  The cost of conducting the Better Regulation Task Force review of environmental regulations and farmers is just over £29,000.

  Young People in Employment
  Young People in Employment
  Sentencing Advisory Panel
  Sentencing Advisory Panel
  Abnormal Loads: Police Escorts
  Abnormal Loads: Police Escorts
  Science Budget
  Science Budget
  RAMC Site, Millbank: Sale
  RAMC Site, Millbank: Sale
  Porton Down Volunteers
  Porton Down Volunteers
  Racist Incidents on School Premises: Reporting Guidelines
  Racist Incidents on School Premises: Reporting Guidelines
  Dyslexia Association Teaching Methods
  Dyslexia Association Teaching Methods
  Shadow Strategic Rail Authority Competition: Safety Cases
  Shadow Strategic Rail Authority Competition: Safety Cases
  Shadow Strategic Rail Authority Competition: Road-going Cement Tanker Trailer
  Shadow Strategic Rail Authority Competition: Road-going Cement Tanker Trailer
  Mega 3 Rail Wagon
  Mega 3 Rail Wagon
  Antarctic Ozone Hole
  Antarctic Ozone Hole
  Coral Reef Systems and Climate Change
  Coral Reef Systems and Climate Change
  Traffic Calming Measures and Child Casualty Reduction
  Traffic Calming Measures and Child Casualty Reduction
  Mixed Sex Wards and the Case of Edward Butler
  Mixed Sex Wards and the Case of Edward Butler
  Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy: Methods of Identification
  Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy: Methods of Identification