Written Answers of 26 October 2000

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Business Relations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new regulations on business were introduced by his Department in the financial year 1999–2000. [134771]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department was responsible for 172 regulations affecting business in this period. Of these, 135 had no cost impact on business and 18 reduced businesses' costs. Sixty-three of them were Orders licensing businesses as public telecommunications providers.

  Virgin Group
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will establish an inquiry into the privatisation in 1988 of the Virgin Group and the subsequent re-sale in 1989 of a 25 per cent. stake in that company to the Pony Canyon Company. [134618]

  Dr. Howells
  If the hon. Member sends me any evidence in support of this request I will consider it.

  Merger Regime
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for reforming the merger regime. [135684]

  Mr. Byers
  In August last year the Government published proposals for reforming the UK's system of merger regulation and invited interested parties to comment on them.

  When I launched the consultation I set out key principles which a reformed regime should reflect. In particular, it needed to provide effective and proportionate control of mergers which had harmful effects; be clear, transparent, consistent and fair; and impose minimum burdens on those using it. I proposed two fundamental reforms to the current regime. First, the framework for decisions should be clarified, focusing it more clearly on competition; and secondly, ministerial involvement in merger decisions should be minimised. In addition, I put forward a number of more detailed proposals for reform covering issues such as the status of the independent competition authorities, exceptional interest cases and timetables.

  We received 60 representations from a broad range of companies, competition lawyers, trade unions, business and consumer organisations, regulatory bodies and a number of individuals. There was a broad support for minimising ministerial involvement and moving towards a competition-based test. Respondents also provided useful views on other aspects of the regime.
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  I am publishing today the Government's response to this consultation, which summarises the views received and sets out proposals for the future.

  In summary:
  responsibility for making decisions in merger cases should be given to the independent competition authorities; the Secretary of State should only become involved in the small minority of cases which raise defined exceptional public interest issues;
  decisions should be made by the competition authorities against a competition-based test rather than against the current public interest test;
  the division of responsibility between the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Competition Commission (CC) should remain unaltered: the OFT will conduct the first stage, preliminary investigation into a merger and the CC will carry out a second-stage, in-depth inquiry if merited;
  the system of voluntary notification for all mergers, which business clearly values, should be retained;
  wherever possible timetables for investigations should be tightened.

  We intend to define national security in the legislation from the outset as an area raising issues of exceptional public interest. In addition, we intend to give the Secretary of State a reserve power to define further specific exceptional public interest criteria where ministerial involvement in the mergers process may be necessary, although there are no current plans to make any such orders. This power will be subject to the approval of Parliament.

  There are a number of more detailed issues set out in the document, including the specific form of the competition test and of the qualifying thresholds, and alternative approaches to develop the Competition Commission's procedures for identifying remedies. The Government would welcome further views on aspects of these. While the principles underlying the reforms are clear, today's announcement represents a further stage in consultation, not the end of the process. We will continue to develop the detail of the proposals, consulting with interested parties where appropriate.

  The Government intend to introduce legislation designed to implement the measures set out in the document as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  However, in light of the broad support among consultation responses for the thrust of the reforms, I have been examining ways of making progress towards operating the current regime consistently with the principles underlying the reforms, so far as is possible within the existing framework. I am now, therefore, adopting a new policy in relation to the advice I receive from the Director General of Fair Trading.

  First, I confirm I will continue to refer cases to the Competition Commission primarily on competition grounds.

  But I wish to go further, in advance of legislation.

  My policy from today will be to accept the advice I receive from the Director General of Fair Trading on whether or not to refer merger cases to the Competition Commission, save in exceptional circumstances.

  I do not expect exceptional circumstances to arise often. It may be appropriate for me to intervene, for example, where a merger raises national security issues or where

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  there are other unusual circumstances, such as where there is a material change after the submission of the DGFT's advice, or where the advice of the DGFT conflicts with the views of sectoral regulators.

  I think that it is right that the role of the Director General of Fair Trading should be emphasised in this way. This policy currently covers only my decisions following the advice of the DGFT on reference decisions (including undertakings in lieu). I intend to review in 12 months time the position in relation to my decisions following advice from the Competition Commission after a full inquiry into a referred merger.

  Today's announcement reflects my view that the Director General is best placed to assess competition issues in individual cases. As previously, it will be for the Director General to decide on the process he thinks best serves him in the formulation of his advice. Departmental officials will continue to assist in this process where the Director General of Fair Trading considers this appropriate.

  Lastly, I want to take what action I can to reduce the burdens of the current system on business. To this end I propose to exempt small firms from paying merger fees. I am publishing draft proposals for doing this today and seeking interested parties' views on them.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what grant money has been paid to the coal industry since his announcements offering £100 million to the industry. [134977]

  Mrs. Liddell
  On 27 July, I announced that the UK Government had formally applied to the European Commission for its approval to pay operating aid to United Kingdom coal producers over the period to July 2002. The European Commission is still considering our application, so no grant money has yet been paid to the coal industry under this scheme.

  Nissan
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has obtained EU approval for Government funding to Nissan. [134979]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Notification of an RSA grant to Nissan to secure the Micra project has been made to the European Commission and a response is awaited.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what terms he offered Nissan –40 million of Government aid; and when he plans to pay Nissan such grant. [134976]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  An offer of RSA has been made to Nissan in an effort to ensure the Micra project for its Sunderland plant. The offer was made subject to European Commission approval under the Motor Vehicle State Aid Framework.

  If the Commission approves the offer and Nissan decide to locate the Micra project in Sunderland, payments will be made when agreed capital expenditure and job targets are met.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if his Department will launch an inquiry to establish whether the New Millennium Experience Company has fulfilled its duties under section 221 of the Companies Act 1985 to maintain certain specific accounting records, with particular reference to maintaining a record of assets and liabilities. [134429]

  Dr. Howells
  As is known already, the National Audit Office are inquiring into the New Millennium Experience Company Limited. The findings of the inquiry are expected to be published in early November and will be considered by the Public Accounts Committee. Accordingly, it would be both premature and a wasteful duplication of resources for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to appoint inspectors at this stage.

  Robert Maxwell
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) of 20 June 2000,Official Report, column 142W, regarding Robert Maxwell, when he expects to receive a report from the inspectors appointed on 8 June 1992 under the Companies Acts to investigate the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers plc; and what has been the cost to date of the inspection. [134879]

  Dr. Howells
  The inspectors have not completed their inquiries and so have not yet submitted their report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Although I am hopeful that these inquiries will be completed shortly, the inspectors are independent and I am unable to say when this is likely to be. The cost of the inspection to date (excluding Value Added Tax) is £7,946,344.

DEFENCE

  Joint Force Harrier Programme
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the merging of the Royal Air Force's and Royal Navy's trade structures resulting from the Joint Force Harrier programme; and if he will make a statement. [134255]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Force Harrier (JFH) initiative does not require the aircraft engineering trade structures of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to be merged. For the present, Royal Air Force Harrier squadrons and Royal Navy Sea Harrier squadrons will employ engineering personnel of their own services, organised within their existing trade groups and specialisations. It would not be practicable, nor is it desired, to introduce new trade structures for JFH that do not align with wider RAF and RN arrangements.

  However, the desirability of converging aircraft engineering trade structures has been recognised, and the training and employment of aircraft engineering personnel is under review at many levels within MOD departments on a tri-service basis. The potential for JFH to act as a sounding board and catalyst for this is clear, especially

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  after collocation in 2003 when RAF and RN engineers will be working alongside each other at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is to(a) the Royal Air Force and (b) the Royal Navy of the Joint Force Harrier programme; when the programme is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [134249]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Force Harrier programme is being managed by Royal Air Force Strike Command (STC), under the auspices of Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Group. Under current plans (as agreed by the Joint COS), the programme is due to be completed in the summer of 2003, when the FA2 Sea Harrier squadrons based at RNAS Yeovilton will have relocated to RAF Stations Cottesmore and Wittering. Work is already under way to prepare the two sites for the arrival and collocation of the Royal Naval elements. The present budget for the additional capital works (and other relocation-related costs) is approximately £11 million, the costs of which are being borne by RAF Strike Command.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the joint force Harrier programme on the operational capability and engineering efficiency of the RAF's GR7 and the Royal Navy's FA2 Harriers; and if he will make a statement. [134251]

  Mr. Spellar
  The advances made in Joint Force Harrier (JFH) operational capability have already been demonstrated on the world stage. In the first six months of its existence, No. 3 Group of RAF Strike Command which own JFH and, in particular, its embarked RAF Harrier GR7 and Navy Sea Harrier FA2 squadrons, have made major contributions to Operation Palliser (Sierra Leone) as well as the recent Mediterranean deployment by the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. As an international means of power projection, an aircraft carrier with fully integrated JFH units embarked is a considerable national asset and one which has already proved its potent deterrent value. The benefits have also been significant in the supporting areas where a slim, but truly joint staff organisation allows for rapid planning and execution of integrated operations. This arrangement also benefits exercise planning and will lead to more integrated—and therefore considerably improved—use of training opportunities.

  At station and squadron level, the engineering efficiency of JFH units will not be affected in the short term, as the units remain at their current air stations. In the longer term, direct engineering efficiencies are limited by the significant differences between the Harrier GR7 and the Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft and their systems. However, maximum use is being made of collocation in 2003 to develop integrated support facilities for RAF and RN aircraft, an example being a combined facility for the repair and test of Pegasus engines. In the longer term, convergence of trade structures is expected to deliver a more flexible and deplorable workforce. Within RAF Strike Command, the Joint Force Harrier Role Office now discharges a number of engineering functions that were previously split between a number of departments and commands. This Role Office is built as a lean, joint organisation and provides key support to joint force Harrier staffs and other departments.
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  For the future, JFH will take part in the development of new support concepts and technologies associated with the Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA). These are intended to deliver significant through-life savings compared to current Harrier and Sea Harrier aircraft by large reductions in the engineering effort required in service.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the single service identities of the RAF's Harrier GR7 and the Royal Navy's Harrier FA2 are maintained within the joint force Harrier programme; and if he will make a statement. [134250]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the Joint Force Harrier (JFH), single service ethos and identity will continue to be fostered within the individual communities. In tandem, a joint force ethos is developing. Both RN and RAF JFH squadrons will wear the uniform and ranks of their parent service and will be commanded by officers from the relevant service. Each service element of the JFH remains under full single-service command, including terms and conditions of service, disciplinary matters, and individual career development. These arrangements are planned to continue up to, and beyond, the Future Carrier Borne Aircraft/ the future aircraft carrier (CVF) era. Higher Command initiatives, such as the Armed Forces Overarching Personnel Strategy underpin the implementation of JFH. The integration of RAF and RN personnel as 'one company' is a clearly stated objective, and HQ 3Gp of RAF Strike Command sponsors a number of Working Groups that address various subject-related topics. In particular, the CVS/JFH Integration Working Group receives comprehensive debriefings after JFH operational and exercise detachments; from these reports 'best practice' is identified and adopted (after full consultation has taken place with the relevant single-service authorities).

  ARMYMAIL
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are connected by the ARMYMAIL electronic mail system supplied by Bull Information Systems Ltd.; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [133729]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]The ARMYMAIL electronic mail system was renamed the Electronic Messaging Service (EMS) in response to the wider tri-Service Defence community it now serves. The purpose of EMS is to provide a managed electronic mail interconnection service between separate information system communities in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Subscription to EMS is on a communities-by-communities basis, and hence the number of potential users of the Service is the total number of users within each of the connected communities. There is currently a total of almost 82,000 members of the subscribing communities with the Army, RAF and MOD civilian organisations, including Defence agencies. The total cost of the service, paid to Bull Information Systems Ltd., is approximately £2.1 million per annum, based on the current usage.

  Budget Allocations
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of(a) the Royal Air Force's

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  annual budget is allocated to its Harrier GR7 and (b) the Royal Navy's budget is allocated to its Harrier FA2; and if he will make a statement. [134248]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 1 April, following the re-organisation of Royal Air Force Strike Command (STC), budgetary responsibility for both the RAF Harrier GR7 and the Navy Sea Harrier FA2 transferred to Joint Force Harrier (JFH) under the command of No. 3 Group at STC. The Group's resource budget for the operation of the Joint Harrier fleet for financial year 2000–01 is approximately £330 million, which equates to 8.2 per cent. of the RAF Strike Command budget. While this includes the majority of costs relating to the Harrier FA2, some minor support costs are continuing to be borne by the Royal Navy pending the collocation of the Joint Force Harrier fleet in the summer of 2003.

  In addition, further costs relating to the Harrier fleet are accounted for elsewhere in the Department—for example, RAF Personnel and Training Command and the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), who are, respectively, responsible for the production of trained manpower and equipment support.

  HMS Prince of Wales
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he plans to take concerning the removal of two propellors from the wreck of HMS Prince of Wales'; and if he will make a statement. [134469]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are aware of reports that HMS Repulse has lost two of her port side propellers. The first reported missing in the 1970s. The second was reported missing in October 1999.

  My Department would act on any clear evidence that criminal activities are taking place.

  We are not aware of any reports that HMS Prince of Wales has lost propellers.

  War Graves at Sea
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with other Governments about the protection of war graves at sea; and if he will make a statement. [134470]

  Dr. Moonie
  In conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my officials have been represented at UNESCO meetings to discuss the Draft Convention of the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. The issue of war graves has been discussed.

  My officials have periodic informal contact with officials from Embassies in London to discuss the war graves issue. Record of such contacts are not kept.

  Official Residences
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breadown of(a) the annual running costs, including separate breakdowns for the maintenance, furniture and equipment costs, for each official service residence, (b) the subject matter of contracts of more than £5,000 for each residence and (c) the annual cost of domestic and household staff for each residence; and if
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  he will identify the county in which each official service residence is situated and the rank of the officer in residence. [134431]

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

  Departmental Building Costs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to renovate his Department's headquarters in Whitehall. [134433]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Pollard) on 17 May 2000,Official Report, columns 162–63W.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action she is taking to improve security in magistrates courts. [134228]

  Jane Kennedy
  Responsibility for security in magistrates courts rests with the Magistrates Courts Committee. The Lord Chancellor's Department has supported the issue of guidance to Magistrates Courts Committees on preventing violence to staff, magistrates and courts users. Where bids are received the Magistrates Courts Committees paying authority to install security equipment in court buildings, the Department treats them as a high priority for capital funding allocations. The Department also has a programme for the installation of secure docks where a need has been identified.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he received the Government Actuary's report under section 36 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000; and when he will lay it before Parliament. [134263]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government Actuary is currently finalising his report. It will be published when it is completed.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 878W, if he will publish his estimate of the number of people entitled to family credit in 1998–99. [134576]

  Angela Eagle
  Estimates of numbers entitled to Family Credit in 1998–99 will be published on 8 December 2000 in "Income related benefits—estimates of take-up", a copy of which will be available in the Library.

  Child Support Scheme
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to improve delivery of the child support scheme. [135682]

  Angela Eagle
  The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 provides the legislative basis for a reformed, and more customer focused, child support scheme. We are today placing in the Libraries copies of our improvement plan, "Operational Vision—Reforming the Child Support Scheme", which sets out the way in which the new service is to be delivered. Additional copies for hon. Members are available from the Vote Office.

  Fraud
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Bristol City Council [135681]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Bristol City Council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

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

  BFI reports a lack of senior management accountability in Bristol City Council. Management information was found to be poor with no effective means of measuring and monitoring performance at a corporate level and the council was unable to reconcile information between different accounting systems. BFI states this led them to question the integrity of the data used to claim DSS subsidy.

  Inspectors found serious deficiencies in the council's administration of benefits and efforts to counter fraud which require immediate attention. The report notes serious concerns about weaknesses in the assessment, control and payment of benefit. The BFI concluded that the council had no effective assurance that claims were calculated correctly from the outset.

  The classification of overpayments and recovery of debts was considered to be poorly managed across sites with no specific policy for the recovery of Housing Benefit overpayments. The council could not provide details of debts recovered.

  In the area of counter-fraud activities, the BFI raises concern about the limited resources being deployed and the general poor quality of investigations. Despite this, the council has had some success in prosecuting benefit cheats.

  More positively, Inspectors found that Bristol City Council keeps the public informed about access to benefits and has a well designed claim form. A formal and structured training and development programme is operated for staff and implementation of the Verification Framework in 1999 had been well managed.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.
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  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Nottingham City Council. [135678]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of Nottingham City Council was published on 5 October 2000, during parliamentary recess. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

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

  Inspectors found the council's staff committed to battling against arrears of work and striving to overcome long-term problems associated with a shortfall in staff resources and deficiencies in management and control.

  The report identifies some effective work in the benefits processing area, but also several areas of deficiency. The BFI considered the council needed to introduce a structured regime of checking to gain necessary management assurance about security, accuracy and quality in benefit administration. The report states that the council's management needs to be more actively involved and that security concerns and audit recommendations should be addressed promptly.

  The BFI found counter-fraud work was particularly weak, despite a steer from council members in 1997 that there was support for effective action to be pursued against fraudsters. To address this, the BFI recommends a thorough review of all counter-fraud operations.

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

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Burnley Borough Council. [135677]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of Burnley Borough Council was published on 5 October, during parliamentary recess. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

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

  The BFI reports that, at the time of the inspection, the council was providing a poor service to claimants, particularly in the time taken to process many claims. The report identifies weaknesses in the council's application of the Verification Framework (VF) and a failure to ensure all appropriate references had been made to the Rent Officer.

  The report notes that little action had been taken by the council to address potential problems associated with private landlord cases which make up a high proportion of the claims case load and represent one of the highest risk areas. BFI identified that the council needs to

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  introduce effective liaison arrangements with its local landlords and for relevant information to be collected so that risks can be assessed.

  Inspectors report that the work of the counter-fraud section was not managed effectively and there was a need for the council to use its fraud database to analyse risk categories and prosecute offenders where appropriate.

  During the inspection, the council was planning to clear arrears of work and recruit and train additional staff. The BFI considered work backlogs needed to be tackled as a matter of urgency. A reduction in delays for processing claims and tightening the application of the VF in the areas specified in the BFI report could, inspectors say, greatly improve the service provided to claimants, and, at the same time, tighten the gateway to benefits.

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

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. [135676]

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

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

  The BFI report found that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council performed well in some areas and that staff were both helpful and committed to raising the standard of benefit delivery and counter-fraud work. However noticeable differences in performance and procedure were identified between the two sites of Neath and Port Talbot.

  Inspectors considered that some good counter-fraud practices had been introduced, such as a prosecutions panel. However, the BFI found that the council did not make effective use of the statutory powers for inspectors given by the 1997 Fraud Act. As well as identifying a need to improve investigation techniques, the report notes a lack of performance targets for investigators.

  Inspectors state overpayments recovery was a particularly weak area with no specific overpayment policy and no targets for staff. There was no management information collected which could have helped the council to prevent overpayments occurring. Finally, because classification of overpayments were poor and essential procedures are not followed, the BFI raised doubts about the validity of the council's subsidy claim.

  More positively, inspectors found the council has elected member support for its counter-fraud efforts. It has recently introduced the Verification Framework, which will provide a minimum set of standards for ensuring verification checks are made on claims.
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  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and has asked the council for their proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Westminster City Council [135680]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Westminster City Council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

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

  The BFI reports that the council has a strong client side team to manage its contracted out benefit administration and counter fraud work. However, the complex management framework and associated organisational arrangements has led to inefficiencies and delays in processes. The report notes that significant work will be required by the council before it can give an assurance that the right amount of benefit goes to the right person in every case.

  Inspectors found levels of verification being applied to claims did not meet the minimum standards of the Verification Framework (VF) and recommend full implementation of the VF.

  Inspectors considered the council's benefits claim form required enhancement so as to reduce the number of requests made to claimants for further information. The BFI also recommends formal liaison arrangements should be introduced with private sector landlords. Inspectors report there is potential for the council to make greater use of statutory powers for the recovery of overpayments from private landlords and for registering debts with the court.

  The report notes the council's strong counter-fraud stance which is supported by elected members. BFI states performance in fraud investigations would be improved if the council set targets for investigations and monitored outcomes.

  Inspectors noted a number of good practices and initiatives such as the council's work with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's Rough Sleepers Unit and work undertaken to improve liaison arrangements between the Benefit Service and the Housing Department.

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

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the baseline figure is for the amount of fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance against which the targets in the Comprehensive Spending Review will be measured in(a) cash terms and (b) as a proportion of the total expenditure on these benefits. [134582]
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  Mr. Rooker
  The target in the Comprehensive Spending Review is to reduce the percentage of loss from fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance. The baseline figure as a proportion of total expenditure on these benefits is 9 per cent.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will announce the outcome of the annual review of the Cold Weather Payments scheme; and if he will make a statement. [135679]

  Angela Eagle
  Following advice from the Meteorological Office, the annual review of the Cold Weather Payments scheme has now been completed. Amending regulations were laid on 6 October 2000 and will come into force on 1 November, in time for the beginning of the winter period.

  One of the weather stations used in the scheme last winter, Eskmeals, which is situated on the Cumbrian coast, is closing. It has therefore been replaced in the scheme by the weather stations at Walney Island, which is a little further south along the coast. There have also been some changes by Royal Mail to postcodes, which have been reflected in the amending regulations.

  Cold Weather Payments are separate from, and in addition to, Winter Fuel Payments, which are paid to eligible people from age 60.

  I have written to each of the hon. Members affected by the changes.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect of raising the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee to £90 on the number of pensioners receiving(a) Income Support, (b) Housing Benefit and (c) Council Tax Benefits assuming that the starting thresholds for the Housing Benefit were adjusted in line. [134595]

  Mr. Bayley
  The estimated effect of raising the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) to £90 on successful new claims would be 65,000 Income Support/MIG claims, 10,000 Housing Benefit claims and 20,000 Council Tax Benefit claims—assuming that the thresholds for Housing Benefit were adjusted in line.

  Job Grant
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the new Job Grant. [132609]

  Angela Eagle
  We are introducing a new initiative from April 2001, known as the Job Grant.

  For the first time, cash help with the transition from welfare to work will be available to most longer term claimants of a range of benefits. Lone parents will continue to benefit from the Lone Parent Run-On, but other claimants of Income Support (IS), Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Incapacity Benefit (IB), or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) who are 25 or over and have been on benefit for at least a year, and who are moving into full-time work which is expected to last for five weeks or more, will now get a flat rate non-taxable
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  payment of £100. Jobseekers who are under 25 will continue to benefit from the intensive help offered by the New Deal for Young People.

  The Job Grant will replace the Jobfinders Grant and Job Match payments. The new grant will be simpler, more universal and will have fewer conditions.

  SERPS
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his proposed preserved rights scheme for entitlement to inherited SERPS entitlement will cover all of those who were actively misled about the rules of the SERPS scheme whether or not they then made a decision in the light of that misinformation which was to their detriment. [134593]

  Mr. Rooker
  The scheme will provide redress for those people who received incorrect or incomplete information about SERPS inheritance, who relied on that information in deciding what, if any, arrangements to make to protect the financial position of their spouse or themselves, and who would or might have acted differently if they had received correct and complete information.

WALES

  Teachers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time and part-time teachers are employed by each education authority in Wales. [134910]

  Mr. Hanson
  Since 1 July 1999, this has been a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  St. David's Day
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly concerning the recognition of St. David's Day as an official holiday in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [134191]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The First Minister has written to me asking whether the UK Government would consider making St. David's Day an additional bank holiday in Wales. I meet with my right hon. Friend on a regular basis when we discuss this and similar matters.

  NHS
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many NHS registered dentists there are per head of the population in each constituency in Wales. [135240]

  Mr. Hanson
  Since 1 July 1999, this has been a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Lords-lieutenant
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2000,Official Report, column 315W, regarding Lords-lieutenant, what expenditure was incurred by his Department in support of each Lord-lieutenant in the financial year 1999–2000. [134975]
  167W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Following the rectification of an accounting error, total expenditure in the financial year 1999–2000 has been revised downwards to £17,680.75. This includes stationery costs of £1,890.58, which cannot be apportioned between the eight lieutenancies.

  Miscellaneous expenses paid to each Lord Lieutenant were as follows:

  Clwyd—nil

  Dyfed—£4,051.52

  Gwent—£2,119.24

  Gwynedd—£532.60

  Mid Glamorgan—nil

  Powys—£2,230.20

  South Glamorgan-£6,856.61

  West Glamorgan—nil.

HEALTH

  NHS Treatment
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has given to the NHS as to the relevance of a patient's age to the quality of treatment provided by the NHS. [135013]

  Top 10 preparations in terms of prescription items dispensed in the community in 1999—England

  Prescription

  Net ingredient

  Drug name

  Items (Thousand)

  Cost (£000)

  Cost per item (£)

  Aspirin Disper_Tab 75mg

  10,848.3

  3,640.4

  0.34

  Salbutamol_Inha 100mcg (200D)

  8,527.9

  25,334.9

  2.97

  Co-Proxamol_Tab 32.5mg/325mg

  8,486.7

  13,517.6

  1.59

  Bendrofluazide_Tab 2.5mg

  7,158.8

  9,008.2

  1.26

  Amoxycillin_Cap 250mg

  6,181.7

  9,906.6

  1.60

  Paracet_Tab 500mg

  5,958.9

  3,581.4

  0.60

  Frusemide_Tab 40mg

  5,706.3

  16,452.5

  2.88

  Atenolol_Tab 50mg

  5,110.4

  11,574.4

  2.26

  Lactulose_Soln 3.-1g-3.7g/5ml

  4,260.8

  11,607.0

  2.72

  Losec_Cap E/C 20mg

  3,903.2

  156,654.3

  40.13

  Total

  66,143.0

  261,277.3

  3.95

  Notes:

  1. The prescription information is from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community, ie by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. 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 hospital or private prescriptions.

  2. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic cost of a drug. This cost does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  3. Most of these items were prescribed by general practitioners; the main exception being Amoxycillin which dentists prescribed almost 1 million items

  Foreign National Patients
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking(a) to discover the extent and (b) to diminish misuse of the National Health Service by unauthorised foreign national patients. [134291]

  Ms Stuart
  Access to National Health Service hospital treatment is based on residence in the United Kingdom, not nationality. All patients should be asked as part of
  168W
  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Plan, announced in July, made it clear that all NHS patients should have access to high-quality services designed round their clinical needs.

  Discrimination on the grounds of age within the NHS is completely unacceptable. The Plan made it clear that we will challenge and remove any arbitrary policies based on age.

  The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People, to be published later this year and introduced from April 2001, will help to ensure that ageism is not tolerated in the NHS. The NSF will for the first time set national standards and define service models for older people's health and social care.

  Drugs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the 10 preparations most prescribed by National Health Service general practitioners during the last year for which figures are available, stating, in each case,(a) the average cost during that year of the ingredients in each preparation dispensed and (b) the total number of prescriptions issued during the year. [134623]

  Mr. Denham
  The table gives details of the number of items and net ingredient cost for the top 10 preparations (in terms of items) dispensed in the community. The majority of these will have been prescribed by general practitioners.

  routine admission procedures about their normal place of residence and patients who are identified as not ordinarily resident in the UK should be further interviewed to establish if charges are appropriate. The relevant legislation is The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989.

  Work is currently under way to review the charging regulations and guidance. This will include consideration of potential abuse of the system.

  Aricept
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the research by the University of Southampton into the clinical effectiveness of Aricept. [134674]

  Mr. Denham
  Evidence relating to the clinical and cost effectiveness of Aricept is being considered by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. They are currently consulting on their provisional conclusions ("Provisional Appraisal Determination") which are confidential to the parties involved. Their final conclusions ("Final Appraisal Determination") are expected in December 2000.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets he sets for the speed of ministerial replies to correspondence from hon. Members; and to what extent his Department has met those targets. [134589]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department has a Service First target set by the Cabinet Office of replying to all correspondence within 20 working days. There is no provision for fast tracking replies to correspondence to hon. Members.

  Social Services (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if supplementary credit approvals granted to the Social Services Department of Worcestershire County Council in earlier financial years which remain unused can be applied to reduce the projected overspend of this department. [134477]

  Mr. Hutton
  The supplementary credit approvals issued to Worcestershire County Council by the Department have been for capital projects related to mental health services and cannot be used to reduce projected overspends by its social services department.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Gift Shops Rulers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason the House of Commons gift shops sell rulers that are not marked in imperial measurements; and if he will ensure that such rulers are stocked. [134201]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  This is a matter for the Director of Catering Services. I shall ask her to write to the hon. Member.

SCOTLAND

  Lord-lieutenants
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 2000,Official Report, column 58W, on lord-lieutenants, what expenditure was incurred by his Department in support of each lord-lieutenant in the financial year 1999–2000. [134857]
  170W
  Dr. Reid
  Legislative responsibility for lieutenancy matters is reserved. However, lord-lieutenants may claim reimbursement of expenses from the Secretary of Commissions for Scotland. I understand from the Scottish Executive that the expenditure incurred on each lord-lieutenant's expenses in the financial year 1999–2000 was as follows:

  Lieutenancy

  Expenses (£)

  Aberdeenshire

  4,359

  Angus

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  1,153

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2,545

  Banffshire

  1,597

  Berwickshire

  492

  Caithness

  1,664

  Clackmannan

  —

  Dumfries

  —

  Dunbartonshire

  2,779

  East Lothian

  347

  Fife

  1,277

  Inverness

  911

  Kincardineshire

  421

  Lanarkshire

  49

  Midlothian

  450

  Moray

  2,125

  Nairn

  —

  Orkney

  265

  Perth and Kinross

  —

  Renfrewshire

  788

  Ross and Cromarty

  —

  Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  407

  Shetland

  1,745

  Stewartry of Kirkcudbright

  775

  Stirling and Falkirk

  310

  Sutherland

  698

  Tweeddale

  45

  Western Isles

  2,186

  West Lothian

  —

  Wigtown

  553

  The ex-officio lord-lieutenants (Lord Provosts) of the four cities do not claim expenses.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to offer stakeholder pensions to(a) new and (b) existing local government staff. [134371]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  There are no plans at present to offer stakeholder pensions for new or existing local government staff who are subject to the Local Government Pension Scheme. The scheme contains no restrictions on access and will not have to provide a stakeholder pension arrangement for its employees. The legal obligation of local authority employers to provide stakeholder pensions for employees not subject to the Local Government Pension Scheme will be a matter for them to consider under the provisions of the Stakeholder Pensions Regulations, which came into force earlier this month.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to enable local authorities to improve the regulation of houses in multiple occupation. [134729]

  Mr. Mullin
  We consulted last year on proposals for compulsory licensing of houses in multiple occupation in England, and there was a parallel consultation in Wales. We will introduce primary legislation for England and Wales when parliamentary time allows. In Wales, secondary legislation and detailed arrangements are matters for the National Assembly.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has received concerning the value of the Dome site(a) with the Dome in place and (b) with the Dome removed. [134486]

  Ms Armstrong
  A pre-sale valuation of the Dome site has been undertaken in the context of the competition to identify a use for the Dome when the Millennium Experience finishes. The Government estimate of the financial value of the site is commercially confidential while the process to secure a buyer continues.

  World Athletics Championships
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the transport improvements necessary to enable Picketts Lock to host the World Athletic Championships in 2005. [134834]

  Mr. Hill
  None. It is for the project partners to commission the appropriate assessment.

  Thrombosis
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what data he collates on the numbers of air passengers developing thrombosis on long distance and short distance flights. [134421]

  Mr. Mullin
  The data are not collated centrally. Such data would be difficult to obtain as any passenger developing thrombosis is usually likely to do so a number of days or weeks after the flight has taken place.

  Sewage
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions how much sewage was discharged into the sea in coastal areas in the last two years for which figures are available; and what percentage of this was treated. [134215]

  Mr. Mullin
  Information is not available in the format requested. Data collated by the water industry shows that sewage discharges to English and Welsh coastal waters in 1998 were approximately 6 million population equivalent. ("Population equivalent" is a way of combining household and industrial discharges to sewers into a single figure, where industrial discharges are given an equivalence in their polluting potential to domestic sewage). The percentage receiving "secondary-level" or better treatment 172W
  was 76 per cent. We have put in place the investment programmes to ensure that all discharges from sewage treatment works with a load of above 2,000 population equivalent will receive secondary treatment by 2005.

  China Visit
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the purpose was of his recent visit to China; which staff accompanied him on the visit; what the cost was to the public purse of the visit; and what discussions he held with representatives of the Government of China on environmental or transport matters during his visit. [134631]

  Mr. Prescott
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) on 25 October 2000,Official Report, column 128W. I was accompanied by four officials from my Department, one Special Adviser and one official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. My costs for the trip were approximately £6,550.

  South Downs National Park
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions what procedure he is following for the process of creating a National Park for the South Downs; and what the approximate timetable is. [134848]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Countryside Agency is responsible for designating National Parks and is in the process of considering a designation in the South Downs. The draft timetable provided by the Agency indicates that detailed local consultation on a possible boundary and administrative arrangements will continue until spring 2002, at which time the Agency proposes to deliver a designation order to the Secretary of State along with recommendations on administrative arrangements. The Secretary of State's role is to consider the designation order along with any representations received. In deciding whether to confirm the order, with or without modifications, the Secretary of State will consider any objections and, if necessary, call a public inquiry.

  Powershift
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision has been made for future funding of Powershift grants for energy efficiency in(a) Wales and (b) Scotland. [134629]

  Mr. Meacher
  As announced in the Transport 10-Year Plan, the Government are committed to continuing and strengthening cleaner vehicle initiatives such as the Powershift programme. My Department will announce future funding arrangements for the Powershift programme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland later this year. The budget for Powershift in Scotland has been devolved to the Scottish Executive and an announcement about Powershift funding in Scotland will be made by the Scottish Executive later this year.

  Rail Investment
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to take an equity stake in Railtrack plc in return for any grant received by the company. [134418]
  173W
  Mr. Hill
  Our plans for rail investment were set out in the 10-Year Plan for Transport, and will be further illuminated by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's forthcoming strategic plan.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Railtrack has invited the Government to take an equity stake in the company as a way of generating additional funds for investment; and if he will make a statement. [135079]

  Mr. Hill
  In the context of developing our Ten-Year Plan for Transport, the Government had a number of discussions with Railtrack and others about ways of increasing investment in the railway. Our plans for rail investment were set out in the Ten-Year Plan for Transport and will be further illuminated by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's forthcoming strategic plan.

  Local Government
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish guidance on new council constitutions under part II of the Local Government Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [135582]

  Ms Armstrong
  I have today commenced the duties on local authorities under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 to consult on and draw up proposals for new constitutions.

  I have today published guidance on new council constitutions for English local authorities and associated statutory directions, together with guidelines on the consultation process. I have placed copies of these documents in the Library of the House.

  I have also today laid before the House copies of the following regulations:

  Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000;

  Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2000;

  Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (England) Regulations 2000; and

  Local Authorities (Proposals for Alternative Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2000.

  This is an exciting time of change for councils as they start to consult local communities on their new constitutions which will lead to greater efficiency, transparency and accountability.

  In many areas councils have already begun consulting local people and experimenting with a form of new arrangements. The guidance will help councils build on what has already been achieved.

  I expect the consultation to be meaningful and wide-ranging and to engage local people in discussions about the full range of options for change, including the chance to vote for a directly elected mayor if they want one. That is why today I am also publishing guidelines on consultation which offer practical help to councils.

  The framework is now in place for councils to begin the formal process of consulting local people and drawing up proposals for their new constitution. It is now for
  174W
  councils to ask their communities how they want to be governed. Where people want a directly elected mayor, they will be able to have one.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in implementing the Performance and Innovation Unit's report "Reaching Out: The Role of Central Government at Regional and Local Level". [135645]

  Mr. Prescott
  "Reaching Out" was published in February 2000. The Government accepted all of its 81 conclusions.

  A key conclusion was that there should be new co-ordination arrangements. The Regional Co-ordination Unit (RCU) was established in April. In line with the report's recommendation, the RCU is an interdepartmental unit based in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. It reports to me, with day-to-day direction from my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Lord Falconer of Thoroton.

  The Unit has prepared an action plan identifying the key areas in which we need a new approach to developing and implementing Government policy with regional implications. The plan will be published on Friday 27 October and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The plan will also be published on the website, together with a summary of progress on implementing the 81 detailed conclusions of the PIU report. The website reference is www.government-offices.gov.uk.

  Biological Diversity
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress was made at the last meeting of the conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. [135685]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity met for the fifth time in Nairobi in May. Parliamentary business prevented my attendance, but the United Kingdom fielded a strong delegation who played a key part, including by helping to agree a challenging programme of action on a range of issues. This is vital if we are to succeed in our aim of safeguarding the world's biodiversity, and the Government will play its full part, together with a wide range of other stakeholders and our partners in other countries, in putting these necessarily ambitious plans into practice.

  Sixty-eight Parties to the Convention, including the UK, signed the Biosafety Protocol and a work plan was agreed for the first session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protocol, which meets in Montpellier in December. UK chaired negotiations on the operations of the Convention led to agreement on a comprehensive package of reform to improve its effectiveness, including preparation of a strategic plan for adoption at the next COP, to be held in April 2002 in the Netherlands. An administrative budget of $18.64 million was agreed for 2001–02: the UK's contribution for the biennium will

  175W
  be $0.911 million, an increase of 15.3 per cent. on 1999–2000, reflecting increased activity under the Convention.

  A four year cycle was adopted for Parties' national reports, to include an across the board assessment of implementation using a standard format which should facilitate global stocktaking. Optional biannual reports on priority issues were also invited: for COP6 these will cover forest biodiversity, alien species and benefit-sharing.

  Four ad hoc technical groups were set up, on marine and coastal biodiversity (2), drylands and forests. On inland water biodiversity, co-operation with the Ramsar Convention was encouraged. The COP decided to integrate fully the issue of coral bleaching into the marine and coastal biodiversity work programme which, along with the programme of work on forest biodiversity, envisages co-operation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Work programmes on dryland and agricultural biodiversity were also adopted, as was one on the role of indigenous and local knowledge, with due emphasis on the participation of the holders of such knowledge.

  An expert panel will be re-convened on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing, and its findings will be considered by an open ended working group. This will draft guidelines for legislation and contracts for the exchange of genetic material and the means to protect traditional knowledge. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) were invited to explore further the relationship between the Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) and the Convention.

  The 'ecosystem approach', which is intended to underpin the Convention's work, was elaborated and enshrined in 12 guiding principles for use by Parties. Further work was initiated to improve indicators of biodiversity and programmes for monitoring and assessment, with an increased emphasis on work at the national and regional levels. An international co-ordination mechanism for the Global Taxonomy Initiative was established, along with supporting pilot projects. COP also called for further work on the case for the April 2000 Gran Canaria Declaration, which urged development of a global strategy to conserve plant biodiversity.

  The COP agreed further development of the clearing house mechanism, designed to share information on activity under the Convention, in particular by building the capacity of developing countries to participate. A global initiative on education and public awareness was endorsed, and action encouraged at national level. Discussions on environmental impact assessment promoted the sharing of good practice; further work was foreseen on liability and redress; and a programme of work was established on incentive measures.

  Among the recommendations endorsed by the COP on the sustainable use of biodiversity were the identification of indicators and incentive measures for use by relevant sectors. The tourism industry was encouraged to work with all stakeholders to develop sustainable tourism, and countries were urged to apply interim principles for the control of alien species. Satisfactory decisions on
  176W
  financial resources and mechanisms reflect the improving relationship between the Parties and the Global Environment Facility.

  Full decisions from the meeting are available on the Convention's website at www.biodiv.org.

  Environmental Reviews
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the forthcoming reviews of Environmental Campaign Ltd and the Environmental Action Fund. [135686]

  Mr. Meacher
  As part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly financial, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies and bodies similar to them, my Department has initiated a thorough review of Encams, the umbrella body through which we fund the Tidy Britain Group and Going for Green. The review will consider the case for continuing DETR funding of Encams' work programme in England, and whether Encams is the most appropriate body to carry out the functions funded by DETR. If appropriate it will then consider what changes may be necessary to the current strategic and financial relationship between the Department and Encams, to improve the value for money of any future funding. The review will be carried out by my Department's In House Policy Consultancy, which will consult widely with those organisations having an interest in Encams' activities.

  We have also set in hand a review of the Environmental Action Fund (EAF) which will consider the effectiveness with which the £4 million per year of the EAF is spent on promoting sustainable living in England, examine the aims, terms, conditions and administration of these financial resources and, if appropriate, make recommendations for change to make sure that these resources are targeted most effectively. The review will be carried out by Quadrangle Consulting, who will consult widely with organisations having an interest in the work of the Fund.

  I aim to ensure that any uncertainty caused by these reviews is kept to a minimum and I have asked both the In House Policy Consultancy and the EAF review team to report early in 2001.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Television Licence Fees
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will announce the television licence fees that will come into force next year; and if he will make a statement. [135776]

  Janet Anderson
  On 21 February this year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's conclusions on the recommendations of the independent review panel on the future funding of the BBC. In addition to a range of measures designed to improve BBC efficiency and accountability, the Government introduced a new funding formula which provides for changes in the licence fee of RPI plus 1.5 per cent. for each year from 2000–01 to 2006–07.
  177W
  This formula will enable the BBC to provide a strong and distinctive schedule of benchmark quality programmes and remain at the forefront of the development of digital broadcasting services.

  Application of the RPI figure of 3.3 per cent. for the year to September 2000, plus 1.5 per cent., to the current unrounded licence fees produces new rounded totals of £109.00 for a colour licence and £36.50 for a black-and-white licence. The new licence fees will come into force on 1 April 2001. The necessary regulations to bring these fees into force will be laid before the House in due course.

  Historic Aircraft
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Heritage Lottery Fund's terms of reference cover the making of grants to support the restoration, including to flying condition, of historic aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [134336]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Heritage Lottery Fund can support a wide variety of projects relating to aviation heritage, including the restoration of historic aircraft. The Trustees are willing to consider projects involving the long-term conservation, housing and interpretation of important aircraft. However, they do not expect to fund projects which restore aircraft to flying condition, given the risk of accident.

  Arts Sponsorship
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage increased commercial sponsorship of the arts. [134368]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Latest figures show that annual business support for the arts now stands at over £141 million—an impressive figure. My Department and the Arts Council of England are working closely with Arts and Business to increase that figure to £167 million by March 2002. We are actively promoting Arts and Business's New Partners programme, which will encourage businesses to develop closer, deeper and longer-term relationships with arts organisations. We are also providing funding for a new Arts and Business Information Unit, which will commission research to prove that such relationships can be of mutual benefit.

  Regional Theatres
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the current deficit is of regional theatres in receipt of public funds; and if he will make a statement. [134597]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The latest figure available from the Arts Council of England to the end of March 1999 is £4.4 million. I understand figures to March 2000 have been collected and will be available soon.

  Communications White Paper
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish the Communications White Paper. [134484]
  178W
  Janet Anderson
  The Communications White Paper will be published later this year. The White Paper will set out proposals for the reform of broadcasting and telecommunications legislation.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is on the designation of the Millennium Dome as a listed building. [134620]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The general rule when looking at buildings for listing, is that those less than 10 years old are not listed. There is no reason for us to adopt a different policy for the Millennium Dome.

  Television News Scheduling
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the scheduling of news programmes on BBC1 and ITV. [134617]

  Janet Anderson
  It is not the role of Government to intervene in detailed issues of programme content and scheduling. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has, however, expressed his misgivings about the rescheduling of evening news services. Television is a vital source of information in our democratic society and it is important that the overall audience for television news and the quality of the service provided is not diminished.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the BBC regarding the scheduling of the BBC One evening news; and if he will make a statement. [134605]

  Janet Anderson
  When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Chairman and Director-General of the BBC on 6 October to discuss a range of topics, he expressed misgivings about the BBC's decision to reschedule its evening news.

  Disability Discrimination
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to discourage disability discrimination in connection with practitioners and performers in the arts. [134217]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I am committed to ensuring that all DCMS policies are fully inclusive. I have met Equity, the Actors' Union, on a number of occasions and have asked them to bring to my attention any cases of alleged discrimination. I also meet regularly the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for Barking who is responsible for Disabled People, to discuss issues of mutual concern. I recently hosted a DCMS conference to discuss with representatives in the arts and leisure industries the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 between now and 2004. My Department will shortly publish its social inclusion strategy for the arts, which will include specific policies for addressing the needs of disabled people.

  British Museum
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he had with
  179W
  (a) the Head of English Heritage and (b) others about the stone used on the South Portico of the British Museum. [134608]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The stone used in the South Portico of the British Museum's Great Court is a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, for English Heritage, for the Heritage Lottery Fund and for the London Borough of Camden, and not for me. My right hon. Friend and I have been kept informed and my right hon. Friend was shown the site earlier this year with representatives from the British Museum, English Heritage and the London Borough of Camden.

  Regional Television News
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the provision of regional television news programmes. [134479]

  Janet Anderson
  The BBC is required, under its Charter and Agreement, to provide regional news and ITV licensees are required under the terms of their licences, to include in their regional programmes, minimum amounts of news of particular interest to viewers in their region. The BBC Governors give their assessment of the BBC's performance and compliance with its various obligations

  Average spending by visitors 1999

  Overseas residents

  UK residents

  Visits to the UK (Thousand)

  Spending (£ million)

  Average spend per visit (£)

  Visits within the UK (Thousand)

  Spending (£)

  Average spend per visit (£)

  United Kingdom

  25,394

  12,370

  487

  145.9

  15,925

  109

  England

  21,506

  11,030

  513

  123.3

  12,915

  105

  Scotland

  1,856

  817

  440

  10.5

  1,665

  158

  Wales

  1,010

  269

  267

  10.9

  1,135

  104

  Northern Ireland

  294

  109

  370

  1.2

  210

  175

  Source:

  The International Passenger Survey and The UK Tourist Key: Key Trends 1990–99

  The IPS interviews a random sample of passengers as they enter or leave the UK by the principal air, sea and tunnel routes. The UKTS is based on interviews with a random sample of UK adult residents for every survey. The results from the interviews are weighed, taking into account of a number of factors, to produce national estimates. The national estimates are then used to calculate average spend per tourist trip.

  BBC1 Evening News
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he intends to hold a six-month review of the performance of BBC1 evening news programmes in order to ensure compliance with the Royal Charter and Agreement; and if he will make a statement; [134622]

  (2) if he has received a commitment from the BBC Board of Governors that they will review the performance of the BBC1 evening news bulletins following recent changes to its schedule. [134624]
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  in their annual report and the Independent Television Commission gives its assessment of the extent to which the ITV licensees have complied with their licence requirements in the Commission's annual report.

  Adult X Channel
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he intends to issue a proscription order against the Adult X Channel, as recommended by the Independent Television Commission. [134616]

  Janet Anderson
  The proscription of the Adult X Channel is a matter on which we are currently carrying out necessary consultations.

  Spending Data (Visitors)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how his Department calculates average spending by visitors to(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [134478]

  Janet Anderson
  My Department calculates the average spending by visitors to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland using statistical data provided by the UK tourism survey and the International Passenger Survey. Figures for the last full year for which information is available are as shown.

  Janet Anderson
  It is not for the Government to review the performance of the BBC 10 o'clock news and we have not asked for or received a commitment from the Board of Governors that they will do so. The Governors are, however, committed to reviewing annually all of the BBC's public services against the criteria published in this year's Annual Report and Accounts. This will include the whole of the new BBC1 schedule. The results of these reviews will be published in next year's Annual Reports and Accounts.

  Regional Orchestras
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the current deficit is of regional orchestras in receipt of public funds; and if he will make a statement. [134598]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The projected figure for the nine orchestras for 1999–2000, quoted by ACE at the launch of its orchestral review last year, was £9,546,525. I understand actual figures to March 2000 have been collected and will be available soon.

  Royal Opera House
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what revisions have been made to the budget of the Royal Opera House in the last six months; and if he will make a statement. [134489]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The budget of the Royal Opera House is a matter for the Board and Management of the House. I understand, however, that there have been no revisions to the budget in the last six months.

  The Royal Opera House companies continue to attract a large and varied audience for their work. The House achieved over 90 per cent. capacity for performances of opera and ballet in the main auditorium in the first season after re-opening, and ticket prices have been reduced in many areas. A broad and innovative programme of education work has involved over 100,000 school children, as well as young people and adults from all backgrounds. I applaud the artists, board and management of the House for their commitment to producing excellent work for the widest possible audience.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Criminal Justice Review
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the outcome of the consultation on the report of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland. [135507]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The report of the Review of the Criminal Justice System was published in March, taking forward an important element of the Good Friday Agreement. The Review undertook a fundamental examination of the justice system in Northern Ireland, and the report cogently addresses a wide range of issues, backed up with extensive research. It emphasises the centrality of human rights, the need to safeguard and entrench the legal system's independence, and the importance of joined-up delivery and enhanced co-operation between the justice agencies and the wider community.

  I welcomed the report and initiated a consultation process on its recommendations. The period of consultation ended on 29 September, and I am grateful to all those who submitted their views.

  Overall, the consultation elicited a wide and positive range of responses. Inevitably with such a comprehensive report reservations on some of the proposals have been expressed, and we will wish to consider further the particular recommendations on which comments have been made. But there has been a wide measure of agreement on the overall shape of the proposed reforms, and a consensus among most respondents that the report represents the broad way forward.

  The Government fully endorse the general approach taken in the report. Informed by the consultation exercise, we have now put in hand the detailed work needed to prepare legislation and an implementation plan. As the Prime Minister has said, these will both be published next April.
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  The report envisages that responsibility for the justice system should be transferred to the Assembly. The Government intend and are willing to devolve responsibility for policing and justice functions, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement. We need first to pave the way by completing the implementation of the policing reforms and giving practical effect to the decisions made on the Criminal Justice Review. Thereafter, devolution will follow as soon as practicable.

  I will make a further statement in due course as the detailed work progresses.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Election of Speaker
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council if she will bring forward proposals to change the method of election of Speakers. [134662]

  Mrs. Beckett
  This is a matter which falls within the remit of either the Procedure Committee or the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons, or perhaps both. If such a Committee or Committees comes forward with proposals, they can then be put before the House.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Appointments Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if the minutes of meetings of the Appointments Commission are to be made public. [133716]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that the Commission does not plan to make its minutes public since much of its work will consist of discussion of individuals. There is already a considerable amount of material about the Commission's working methods on its website www.houseoflordsappointmentscommission.gov.uk.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  General Fisheries Commission
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy towards the establishment of a general fisheries commission for the Mediterranean; if Her Majesty's Government will be represented; if the Government of Gibraltar will be represented; what voting arrangements will apply; what costs are involved; what manner of external donations towards running costs are permitted; and what is the nature of European Commission involvement. [134207]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government support the establishment of appropriate Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) and encourages their application of the principles in the United Nations Fisheries Agreement.

  Although the UK has no fishing interests in the Mediterranean it will be involved in the usual way in the preparation and co-ordination of an EU position in relation to the activities of the General Fisheries

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  Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). As with other RFOs, it will then be for the Commission to negotiate on behalf of the EU.

  Gibraltar is not represented in the GFCM as it does not have a domestic fleet which would be affected by the work of the Commission which concerns stocks in international waters in the Mediterranean.

  Each member of the GFCM has one vote. The EU Commission is entitled to use the number of votes equal to the number of member states entitled to vote. The GFCM is currently funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN. Agreement has been reached on the need to establish an autonomous budget for the Commission.

  Discussions continues on how contributions should be determined. Once the autonomous budget has been ratified the GFCM will be able to accept voluntary contributions offered either for the general run of its activities or for specific projects.

  Pig Industry
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on average incomes in the pig industry in each of the past three years. [134788]

  Ms Quin
  The table shows the average Net Farm Income of full-time specialist pig farm businesses in England for each of the past three years. Farm income estimates for 1999-2000 will be available early in 2001.

  Average income of full time specialist pig farms in England

  Average £/farm

  Year

  Net Farm Income

  1996–97

  55,123

  1997–98

  13,728

  1998–99

  -32,979

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  A rise in the price of pig meat since June 2000 will improve the situation of the pig sector in 2000–01.

  Animal Husbandry
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what progress his Department has made on animal husbandry issues following the report of the Working Party into the role of cattle husbandry in the development of a sustainable policy to control M bovine infection in cattle; [133588]

  (2) if he will publish the guidelines that the Bourne Expert Group is operating with regard to animal husbandry. [133589]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]The Husbandry Panel report was published on 16 May this year. The Government welcomed the report and are considering its recommendations. We have sought the views of both the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB chaired by John Bourne and the TB Forum. The ISG' s terms of reference provide for advising the Government, as required, on any aspect of its strategy to control TB in cattle. The TB Forum established a sub-group of its members to look at husbandry and bio-security issues 184W
  with regard to cattle TB. This sub-group reported to the Forum's October meeting. The Government expect to publish its response to the Husbandry Panel report within the next few weeks.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Zones
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the employment zone initiative. [132600]

  Ms Jowell
  The 15 Employment Zones have made a very good start. We have paid contractors for 1,061 long-term unemployed people having started in jobs up to the end of August. Latest information from our contractors suggests that over 2,000 long-term unemployed people have now been placed into work.

  Labour Market Access
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the measures required to tackle labour market access for the most disadvantaged groups; and what policies are in place to address this situation. [132601]

  Ms Hodge
  Our Welfare to Work and Lifelong Learning strategies are about helping people, including those at greatest disadvantage, get and keep jobs. In designing and evaluating these policies, we take careful account of their impact on different groups in society. Our New Deals already target young people, the long-term unemployed, older workers, lone parents and disabled people. Extra help is available for those with additional disadvantages. In addition, Employment Zones and Action Teams for Jobs target those in disadvantaged communities.

  Islington Arts and Media School
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much fresh start finance has been provided to Islington Arts and Media school. [132603]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  To date, approximately £3.15 million has been spent or committed on building work at the school since its Fresh Start in September 1999. The Department is currently considering a bid for the next phase of this improvement work. The school will also benefit from the extra revenue funding available to all Fresh Start schools, to support the progress the school is now making in raising standards.

  Dance and Drama Scholarships
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the total number is of dance and drama scholarships to be made available this year. [132604]

  Mr. Wicks
  The number of Dance and Drama Awards available from September 2000 is 1,624. Of these 951 students have awards that are funded through the further education route. The awards for the remaining 673 students are funded through the higher education route.
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  These awards did not exist under the previous administration. We have successfully replaced the lottery which existed in the past, putting talent before postcodes.

  Instead of paying fees of up to £8,000, award-winners only pay at most £1,050, in line with university students. Students with awards are also eligible for means tested help with their living and learning costs.

  Direct Grants
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what direct grants are available from central Government for consolidating schools with a number of sites by rebuilding them on a single site; what the procedures are for applying for such funding; and what the time scale is for each type of grant. [132605]

  Jacqui Smith
  A number of funding routes will be available from 2001x2013;02, which could be used for this purpose. Two routes may be best suited. For Voluntary Aided schools, proposals for such grant could have formed part of their capital funding applications to the Department, made via local authorities, by 30 September. Local authorities may also want to put in proposals for such projects, probably funded by borrowing approvals, under the Targeted Capital Fund, by 15 January. Overall capital expenditure plans for 2001–02 are £2.1 billion, compared with the £683 million a year spent under the previous administration in 1996–97.

  Kingsbridge Community College is to receive £2.2 million for 2001–02, by means of an advance allocation of likely formula funding for condition for 2001–02.

  Direct Grants (Schools)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money will be paid in direct grants to schools over the next three years. [132606]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  It is estimated that schools will be paid almost £1.7 billion in direct grants over the next three years. £545 million in 2001–02, with year-on-year increases of 2.75 per cent. in each of the following two years. Since 1997, funding per pupil has increased by over £300 per pupil (to some £3,100 per pupil this year). Under the last Government, funding per pupil fell by £60 in real terms between 1994–95 and 1997–98. There will be further increases in funding following the year 2000 spending review: a further £370 per pupil over the three-year period, taking the total increase to nearly £700 between 1997–98 and 2003–04.

  Work-life Balance
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what help is being offered to employers to develop policies which encourage a balance between work and life. [132608]

  Ms Hodge
  The work-life balance campaign aims to increase employers' awareness and take-up of work-life balance policies.
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  With an additional boost of nearly £1 million, we have increased the Challenge Fund to £3.2 million over three years. This is providing free advice to employers to bring benefits to their business and allow their employees to enjoy a better work-life balance.

  We are working in partnership with Employers for Work-Life Balance (an independent group of 22 employers) to promote best practice. We are publishing a series of good practice guides giving employers practical advice.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to ensure that all schools comply with the minimum requirement of two hours physical education each week for all pupils. [132610]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have set a clear aspiration that all schools should provide two hours of physical activity a week. We are promoting this through a number of developments supported by a massive investment in sport in schools. The Prime Minister announced in September that £750 million would be invested in schools sport facilities as part of a £1 billion investment. We are working to inspire schools and partners in the sports sector to deliver the two hours aspiration through the Sports Strategy. Recent research confirms that the most popular out-of-school hours learning activity was participating in sport. This is particularly encouraging. Additionally, the Teacher Training Agency has allocated an indicative target of 399 primary PE Initial Teacher Training places to providers for the academic year 2000–01. This represents 3 per cent. of the overall primary target of 13,100 and shows a commitment to the recruitment of specialist PE teachers in primary schools.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the new resources announced for the sure start programme in the comprehensive spending review. [132612]

  Yvette Cooper
  I have been asked to reply.
  As announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18 July, in the Spending Review Command Paper 4807, Sure Start has new resources of £449 million for 2002–03 and £499 million for 2003–04. These, added to the provision before the spending review of £448 million for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02, bring the total resources for Sure Start to £1,396 million over the five-year period. As a result, the 250 programmes will be increased to around 500 programmes, and these will reach one third of children in poverty by 2003–04.

  New Deal
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the net cost of the New Deal for Young People. [132613]

  Ms Jowell
  We have commissioned independent research on the net impact of the New Deal for Young People. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) published a first report in December 1999.
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  NIESR concluded that in its first year the New Deal had a positive impact on the levels of output and employment, and that the New Deal was close to self-financing because the extra activity it generated led to higher Government revenue.

  A second summary report on the macroeconomic evaluation of New Deal, covering the first two years of the programme, will be published in the next few months.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what he estimates to be the percentage deadweight in the new deals for employment. [132623]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not yet available, but will be assessed as part of the evaluation of each of the New Deals. Information on deadweight in the New Deal for Young People will be included in the second summary report on the macroeconomic evaluation of the New Deal for Young People, due to be published this year.

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what opportunities recent changes will give for greater collaboration between schools and further education colleges over post-16 education. [132614]

  Mr. Wicks
  The creation of a Learning and Skills Council will support collaboration, including through the development of a coherent funding formula across schools and FE. The system we inherited had achieved some success, but it was complex, fragmented and inadequate for the challenge of the 21st Century.

  Pupil Spending
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by how much spending per pupil will increase in real terms between 2000–01 and 2003–04. [132616]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Total funding per pupil in England has increased by over £300 per pupil in real terms since 1997. The Year 2000 Spending Review means a real terms increase in planned spending of £370 over the three years bringing the total to almost £700 per pupil between 1997–98 and 2003–04. Spending per pupil fell by £60 in real terms under the last three years of the previous administration.

  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the level of spending per school pupil since May 1997. [134221]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Under this Government, funding per pupil has already increased by over £300 (to some £3,100 per pupil this year). In this year alone it has risen by £180. Under the last Government, funding per pupil fell by £60 in real terms between 1994–95 and 1997–98. There will be further increases in funding following the year 2000 spending review: a further £370 per pupil over the three-year period, taking the total increase to nearly £700 between 1997–98 and 2003–04.

  Departmental Administration Costs
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the cost of administration in his Department. [132617]

  Mr. Wills
  The planned net running cost of the Department in 2000–01 is £252 million. A further £3.25 million is available this year from the Windfall Tax for DfEE administration. These and comparable figures for past years are set out in Annexes Ei and Eii of the Departmental Report (Cm 4602). They illustrate our success in reducing the costs of administration while delivering the Government's radical programme of reform for education and employment. The planned DfEE running cost for 2000–01 (excluding Windfall Tax funding) is £15 million or 6 per cent. less than in 1996–97. This represents a reduction in real terms of 15 per cent.

  Further Education Funding
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on funding for pay in sixth-form and further education colleges. [132618]

  Mr. Wicks
  To help colleges meet the challenge to raise standards of learning, we have made available additional sums to improve the rewards for high calibre staff and to secure their recruitment and retention. My right hon. Friend announced on 18 July a £50 million increase in funding for further education lecturers' pay in 2001–02.

  The Government are strongly committed to the continuation of the current independent arrangements for settling pay and conditions in the further education sector. These issues will remain a matter between employers and staff. Representatives of employers, unions and officials from this Department have started the process of designing appropriate mechanisms for further education.

  Class Sizes
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on class sizes in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools since May 1997. [132619]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The size of primary classes has gone down in each of the past two years after rising steadily throughout the previous 10 years. In January 1997, the size of the average primary class was 27.5. By January 2000 it had fallen to 27.1. The Government are well on target to deliver their pledge to limit the size of infant classes to 30 pupils, and 300,000 children have already benefited. £620 million is available to support the pledge, and allocations so far to York LEA amount to some £1.4 million. This has helped to reduce the size of the average Key Stage 1 class in the Vale of York to 24.2—the figure in January 1997 was 24.5. The size of the average Key Stage 2 class in the constituency has fallen to 27.1, from 27.2 in January 1997.

  The size of the average secondary class in January 1997 was 21.7. In January 2000 it was 22.0, when the pupil-teacher ratio in secondary classes was 17.1. Secondary class sizes have been rising steadily since 1988, when the average figure was 19.9. However, a typical secondary school will in 2001–02 be receiving

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  £60,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose. If this was spent on teachers, the pupil-teacher ratio could be reduced by 0.6.

  Education SSAs
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in the review of education standard spending assessments; and if he will make a statement. [132620]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  On 19 September, the Government published "Modernising local government finance—a green paper" which sets out our ideas for a fairer distribution of education funding between local authorities. It makes clear that there is a continuing and important role for LEAs in deciding—with their schools—how funding is distributed at local level. We are keen to hear views on the options set out in the Green Paper—there will be three months for responses which we will consider carefully before making any decisions.

  Secondary School Achievements
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps are being taken to improve the achievement of children in secondary schools. [132621]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In recent speeches, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Secretary of State have set out the Government's vision for transforming secondary education. The initiatives include: introducing a pilot scheme to focus on boosting pupil achievement at Key Stage 3; expanding the geographical range and scope of the 'Excellence in Cities' programme; expanding the number of specialist schools; introducing City Academies to areas of urban disadvantage; and investing in professional development for our teachers.

  Child Care Workers
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the response to the Government's campaign to recruit child care workers. [132622]

  Ms Hodge
  The response to the campaign has been very positive and encouraging. By 15 October, the high-profile media and press advertising had generated some 41,728 calls to the national recruitment helpline and 41,321 booklets have been sent out to callers.

  Education Services (Leeds)
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what circumstances the services provided by the proposed Joint Venture Company will return to the sole control of Leeds local education authority. [132624]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Leeds City Council, the Local Education Authority, will be responsible for ensuring that services to schools, pupils and parents in Leeds are delivered on its behalf to an agreed specification under the contractual arrangement with the proposed joint venture company. The joint venture company will take day-to-day responsibility for delivery, and will have the power to take the necessary operational decisions. The contract will be for a fixed period, not yet determined. Towards the end 190W
  of the contract, the Secretary of State and Leeds City Council will need to come to a view on arrangements for the future delivery of relevant services.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the drop-out rate for mature students was in higher education for the last 12 months for which figures are available. [132593]

  Mr. Wicks
  The latest "Performance Indicators in Higher Education" published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England give an overall non-completion rate for students starting full-time first degree courses in the UK in 1997–98 of 17 per cent. a figure which has stayed roughly constant since 1991–92. It is not possible to disaggregate the relevant data by age. We announced in January a substantial package of additional financial support for mature students.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future role of local education authorities. [132611]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Local education authorities have four essential functions related to schools: special educational needs, access and school transport, school improvement and strategic management.

  We are working with LEAs and other partners to develop new and better ways of securing the delivery of education services.

  Skills Training
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what actions he is taking to promote skills training related to automotive design and manufacturing. [132591]

  Mr. Wicks
  The promotion of skills training is at the heart of our decision to set up the Learning and Skills Council and to strengthen the National Training Organisations.

  The motor industry is critical to Britain's competitiveness—and of course vital to the economy of the West Midlands—where the Government have made £129 million available for economic regeneration and job creation.

  The industry has over 13,000 Modern Apprentices, is a priority sector for the Ufl, and will be central to the skills and training agenda of the local LSC in Birmingham.

  Numeracy and Literacy
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve basic numeracy and literacy skills through the New Deal. [132602]

  Ms Jowell
  We have introduced, for the first time ever, comprehensive arrangements to identify, assess and tackle basic numeracy and literacy skills problems. By extending these arrangements to meet the challenge of basic employability, no one should leave the New Deal without the opportunity to improve reading and writing ability.

  Top Universities (Access)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to increase access to the top universities. [132607]

  Mr. Wicks
  In September, we launched a three-year, £150 million programme, the Excellence Challenge to further widen participation in higher education. All higher education institutions in England, 800 secondary schools and 600 FE Colleges in Excellence in Cities areas will be funded. They will work with young people from the age of 13 and provide them with the information, resources and encouragement which they need to apply for and enter higher education, including the most demanding institutions.

  School Transport
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on travel costs for schools in rural areas. [132615]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We recognise the higher cost of school transport in rural areas through the sparsity allowance in local education authorities' standard spending assessments.

  E-universities
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on recent developments in the establishment of an e-university in the United Kingdom. [134224]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has responsibility for the development of the e-universities project, which aims to establish a globally competitive provider of internet-based higher education. The Secretary of State announced on 14 September that the Government would make £14 million available to HEFCE to support the project in 2001–02. On 10 October, HEFCE issued a consultation paper on the business model for the e-universities; and the private sector will be invited to express interest in becoming potential partners in the project.

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent consultations he has held with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. [134214]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Secretary of State and his Ministers regularly seek advice from the QCA on a wide range of matters that fall within the remit of the Authority. Among the issues on which the Secretary of State has received advice from the QCA are the introduction of vocational GCSEs, the development of advanced extension awards, raising standards at Key Stage 3 and access to marked examination scripts.

  University Degrees
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students obtained a first degree at(a) universities established before 1992, (b) universities established under the Further and Higher
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  Education Act 1992, (c) colleges of higher education, (d) further education colleges and (e) otherwise, in the last three years. [134216]

  Mr. Wicks
  The latest available data are shown in the following table. Figures for 1999–2000 will be available in February 2001.

  UK domiciled students obtaining first degrees in English

  institutions

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Pre 1992 Universities

  75,181

  73,839

  76,818

  Universities established under the 1992 FHE Act

  81,656

  82,719

  83,246

  Colleges of HE

  24,742

  24,335

  24,430

  FE colleges1

  1,048

  4,454

  4,234

  Other2

  9,217

  8,610

  8,574

  Total

  191,844

  193,957

  197,302

  1Because of under-reporting by institutions, the figures for 1996–97 are not comparable with later years.

  2Covers the Open University; excludes the University of Buckingham, and other private and independent HE institutions.

  Higher Education (Accountability)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking in conjunction with Higher Education Funding Council for England to simplify and reduce the cost to higher education institutions of compliance with quality and accountability requirements. [134218]

  Mr. Wicks
  This is a matter for the Higher Education Funding Councils, together with institutions. HEFCE is consulting on the report published in August on Better Accountability and will publish the results of their consultation. The Quality Assurance Agency has devised new procedures to remove some of the burden from the institutions of subject review and institutional audit, especially where standards are already high.

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what detailed restrictions on applications by schools for specialist status have been announced since July; how many schools had(a) made formal applications and (b) entered into preliminary discussions with the Department about making a bid; how many bids have been aborted or delayed in consequence; what impact there has been on the distribution of specialties across the country; what costs have been incurred by bidding schools; what private funds have been raised; and if he will make a statement. [134219]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The specialist schools programme has grown from 181 schools in May 1997 to a network of 535 schools and we have plans for 1,000 specialist schools by 2004. Unlike under the previous Administration, there is now a substantial budget for specialist schools and a clear programme of expansion. Currently, around 19 per cent. of secondary pupils attend specialist schools, compared with 6 per cent. in May 1997. That percentage will increase to over 30 per cent. by 2004. There is no permanent upper limit on the number of specialist schools that there can be in any area, nor on the number of pupils. However, in order to ensure that all parts of the country have an opportunity to benefit from the expanded programme, my Department wrote in July to LEAs indicating to them that where
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  specialist schools were already educating over 30 per cent. of their pupils, we would not want to receive further applications until we had ensured a fairer spread in other parts of the country. This does not mean that in the future, subject to resources being available, no further bids will be considered.

  The LEAs where currently over 30 per cent. of pupils attend specialist schools are: Bath and North East Somerset, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, North Somerset, Northumberland, Rutland, West Berkshire and Wigan. I have indicated to those LEAs also that, in exceptional circumstances, where applications have already been prepared, we would be willing to consider them. While we have received no formal applications from schools in these areas in the current Technology and Language College competitions, we have had discussions with six schools which were planning applications and are discussing with each whether we could support their application coming forward. We have so far agreed that two of these should submit an application. The costs incurred by bidding schools are not known but, as these cases demonstrate, our arrangements provide for schools to draw our attention to exceptional circumstances such as a nearly completed application, including where the sponsorship has been raised.

  Higher Education Applications
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on applications to higher education institutions since July, and the number of places available. [134220]

  Mr. Wicks
  The number of applicants through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service to full-time and sandwich first degree, and Higher National Diploma courses at UK institutions since July, is 35,177. The total number of acceptances as at 11 October is 336,930, an increase of 1.9 per cent. on last year. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service statistics do not include students wishing to enrol on part-time courses. Information on all entrants to higher education courses will be collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Foundation Degrees
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on recent developments in the establishment of foundation degrees. [134222]

  Mr. Wicks
  The core features of foundation degrees were set out in the 'Foundation degree prospectus', issued in July by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. These features will ensure that the foundation degree becomes a valued vocational HE qualification that meets employers' needs. The prospectus also invited bids from consortia to design and develop the prototype foundation degree programmes.

  HEFCE received proposals from 56 consortia of HEIs, FECs and employers by the deadline earlier this month. This represents well over half of institutions with degree awarding powers drawn from across the higher education sector. We welcome this enthusiastic response and clear commitment to foundation degrees. The successful consortia will be announced in late November.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will report progress on the establishment of local learning and skills councils and on the appointment of(a) their chairmen and (b) their members. [134223]

  Mr. Wicks
  We are making good progress in establishing the 47 local arms of the Learning and Skills Council. All 47 local Chairs and local Executive Directors have been appointed and we aim to announce local Council members by the end of November.

  International Students
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the proportion of the international student market recently secured by higher education institutions in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to increase this proportion. [134225]

  Mr. Wicks
  Some 18 per cent. of English-speaking international students (from outside the European Union) study in the United Kingdom, the remaining 82 per cent. studying almost exclusively in either the United States or Australia. Last year, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the target of increasing this market share to 25 per cent. by 2005. Recent data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service show that acceptances by international students for undergraduate courses beginning in the 2000–01 academic year have increased by 8.2 per cent., compared to a rise of 1.9 per cent. for all UK undergraduates.

  As part of my right hon. Friend's initiative to attract more international students to the UK, we have developed the Education UK Brand, a three-year world-wide campaign to promote the UK to potential students. We have made it easier for international students to come to the UK by making the visa service more user-friendly, normally allowing them from the outset leave to remain for the full duration of their course, and making it easier for them to work while studying. The number of places on the Chevening scholarship scheme has also been increased.

  Court Judgments
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact on the budgets of local education authorities of recent court judgments concerning special educational needs, with special reference to the four cases of Phelps, Jarvis, Anderton and a 16-year-old referred to as G. [134226]

  Jacqui Smith
  The impact on budgets of individual local education authorities of recent court judgments will depend on the number of further cases successfully brought before the courts. It is not possible to predict the likely number of such cases but it should be noted that in the Phelps case, so far the only one of the cases in which the facts have been considered and in which the court decided there had been negligence, the judgment recognised that
  the professionalism, dedication and standards of those engaged in the provision of educational services are such that cases of negligence will be exceptional.

  Business Links
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to(a) support and (b) encourage links between higher education and business. [134290]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government plan to support and encourage higher education-business links through the establishment of a continuing stream of funding for institutions' work with business and the community. The Higher Education Funding Council for England has already allocated £82.16 million (including a contribution from DTI) for projects running until 2004 under the Higher Education Reach-Out to Business and the Community Fund. This fund will be incorporated into a new Higher Education Innovation Fund from the next financial year, which will also include an additional £80 million over three years from the Office for Science and Technology.

  We also support activities to enable and encourage HE-business interaction to enhance the work-readiness of graduates. Higher education institutions are involving employers in the development of the new foundation degrees that are designed to meet the skills gap at the higher technician and associate professional level. We are also working with higher education institutions and National Training Organisations to develop Graduate Apprenticeships as a means of equipping graduates with an honours degree or higher-level qualification for work in specific employment sectors.

  Performance Tables
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment further to his answer of 20 July 2000,Official Report, columns 305–06W, on performance tables, whether pupils recently arrived from overseas will be counted as being on school rolls in respect of Key Stage 3 test results. [134383]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 1039W.

  Milk (Schools)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he gives to headteachers and governors about the provision of subsidised milk in schools and the entitlement of pupils to receive free school milk. [134397]

  Jacqui Smith
  Schools and local education authorities are not obliged to provide milk for their pupils, but where they do so it must by law be supplied free of charge to those children whose parents are in receipt of either Income Support or income-based Jobseekee s Allowance. The Government issued guidance in September 1996. The Government encourage schools that do not provide drinking milk to consider doing so and to make use of either the EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme or the Welfare Food Scheme. These schemes are administered by the Intervention Board, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Department of Health respectively, and it is for them to issue guidance as they consider necessary.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Meetings
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters, other than the new agenda for reform of the police, were discussed at his meeting with the Home Secretary on 26 June; if he will place a copy of the minutes in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [134860]

  The Prime Minister
  It has been established practice under successive administrations not to disclose details of confidential discussions between Ministers.

TREASURY

  Central Heating Fuel
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the cost of central heating fuel has risen due to(a) the increase in the price of crude oil and (b) increases in taxation, since 1 April 1998. [134292]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is contained in the Department of Trade and Industry's monthly statistical bulletin, "Energy Trends, March 1999". A copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  The rise in taxation was preceded in September 1997 by the Government's reduction in the rate of VAT on fuel and power used domestically, cutting the rate of VAT from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent., the lowest level allowed under European Community law.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families he estimates are currently eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit; and how many of those are in receipt of it. [134427]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of families in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit at the end of August 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,123,000. This compares with 817,000 families who were in receipt of Family Credit in August 1999. The number of individuals and families in receipt of the Disabled Persons Tax Credit is provisionally estimated at 25,400. This compares with 18,469 recipients under Disability Working Allowance in August 1999.

  Euro
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last discussed Government policy on the euro with the Federation of Small Businesses. [134652]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor meets many business representatives to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what constitutional issues he considered in deciding that there was no constitutional bar to future British entry to the euro. [134651]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor's October 1997 statement set out the Government's position on the constitutional issue.
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  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what period of time his five economic tests would have to have been met for him to decide that convergence had been achieved. [135025]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The determining factor underpinning any Government decision is whether the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said we will make another assessment of the five economic tests early in the next Parliament.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the result of the Danish referendum on the single European currency. [134939]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Danish membership of EMU is a matter for the Danish people.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met(a) the Foreign Secretary and (b) the Northern Ireland Secretary to discuss the implications of replacing the pound with the single European currency. [135024]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer meets his Cabinet colleagues on a regular basis and discusses a wide range of issues.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress towards each of his five economic tests for replacing the pound with the single European currency being met. [134940]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said we will make another assessment of the five economic tests early in the next Parliament.

  New Taxes
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new taxes he has introduced since May 1997. [134649]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information on taxation is in the Financial Statement and Budget Reports, which can be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Disabled Persons Learning Credit
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the take-up of the disabled persons learning credit. [134722]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We are not aware of the existence of the disabled persons learning credit.

  Gold Reserves
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the current value in pounds sterling is of those euros purchased with the proceeds of United Kingdom gold reserves sold and invested in the euro; [134915]

  (2) what the value was in pounds sterling of United Kingdom gold reserves sold and invested in the euro; [134914]

  (3) what his long-term plans are regarding the maintenance of Britain's gold reserves. [134971]
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  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury is planning to reduce its gold holdings to around 300 tonnes over the medium term, as announced on 7 May 1999.

  Details of the proceeds from each of the eight gold auctions held to date can be found on the Bank of England's website (www.bankofengland.co.uk/press.htm). The proceeds have been reinvested in interest-bearing foreign currency assets. The currency split being broadly the same as that of the net reserves. Details of this can be found in the "Exchange Equalisation Account: Accounts 1997–98", published 26 January 2000.

  Pre-Budget Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department worked on the 1999 Pre-Budget report. [134725]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A number of staff in the Treasury worked on the 1999 Pre-Budget Report.

  Financial Services
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent developments there have been in the regulation of financial services. [135644]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which received Royal Assent on 14 June, provides a framework for the completion of the modernisation of financial services regulation announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in May 1997.

  Parliament will be asked to approve secondary legislation under the Act. The Treasury has today issued two consultation documents: on the scope of FSA regulation; and on the framework for the promotion of financial services. In the document on scope there are draft Orders on regulated activities; when regulated activities are and are not being carried on by way of business; persons who will be exempt from the requirement for FSA authorisation; the exemption of appointed representatives of an authorised person; and activities which will not be exempt regulated activities under Part XX of the Act. In the document on the framework for promotion of financial services there are draft Orders on financial promotion and on the promotion of collective investment scheme.

  The Government have previously announced a number of areas which it proposes should be subject to FSA regulation, in order to strike a better balance between the interests of providers and consumers of financial services. The principal change is the regulation of mortgage lending, on which the Treasury has today issued a further consultation document. Other areas which the Government propose be brought into the scope of FSA regulation are pre-paid funeral plans, deposit taking by credit unions and Lloyd's insurance.

  Copies of all three consultation documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Further copies are available from the Treasury, and can also be accessed via the Treasury's website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Egypt
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Egyptian Government to ensure Shaiboob William Arsal's appeal against his conviction for murder is held in an open and transparent manner. [133847]

  Mr. Hain
  We are aware of the circumstances of Shaiboob William Arsal's trial. The case is now sub judice under Egyptian law following his appeal to the Court of Cassation on 12 June. We would not want to make any comment that might prejudice his appeal. However, we shall continue to follow the course of his case closely as we shall all reports of human rights concern.

  Arms Exports
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to consolidate the UK's national criteria against which the Government assess licence applications to export arms and dual-use equipment with those of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports; and if he will make a statement. [135683]

  Mr. Hain
  Licences to export arms and other goods controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, acting through the Export Control Organisation of the DTI. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by DTI to other Government Departments with an interest, as determined by those Departments in line with their own policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development.

  In the Foreign Secretary's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 28 July 1997, Official Report, column 27, he set out the criteria which would be used in considering advance approvals for promotion prior to formal application for an export licence, applications for licences to export miliary equipment, and dual-use goods where there are grounds for believing that the end-user will be the armed forces or internal security forces of the recipient country. As my right hon. Friend said then, the Government are committed to the maintenance of a strong defence industry as part of our industrial base as well as of our defence effort, and recognise that defence exports can also contribute to international stability by strengthening collective defence relationships; but believe that arms transfers must be managed responsibly. We have since taken a range of measures designed to ensure the highest standards of responsibility in our export control policies. These include the adoption during the UK's Presidency of the EU of a Code of Conduct on Arms Exports; the publication of Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls which are among the most transparent of those of any arms exporting country; the ban on the export of equipment used for torture; the ratification of the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines and the passage of the Land Mines Act; and our many efforts to combat illicit trafficking in and destabilising accumulations of small arms.
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  Since the Council of the European Union adopted the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports on 8 June 1998, all relevant licence applications have been assessed against the UK's national criteria and those in the Code of Conduct, which represent minimum standards that all member states have agreed to apply. The criteria in the EU Code of Conduct are compatible with those which I announced in July 1997. At the same time there is a large degree of overlap between the two. It is clearly in the interests of Government Departments involved in assessing licence applications, British exporters and other interested parties that the criteria which are used should be set out as clearly and unambiguously as possible.

  With immediate effect, therefore, the following consolidated criteria will be used in considering all individual applications for licences to export goods on the Military List, which forms Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994; advance approvals for promotion prior to formal application for an export licence; and licence applications for the export of dual-use goods as specified in Annexe 1 of Council Decision 94/942/CFSP when there are grounds for believing that the end-user of such goods will be the armed forces or internal security forces or similar entities in the recipient country, or that the goods will be used to produce arms or other goods on the Military List for such end-users. The criteria are based on those in the EU Code of Conduct, incorporating elements from the UK's national criteria where appropriate. As before, they will not be applied mechanistically but on a case-by-case basis, using judgment and commonsense. Neither the fact of this consolidation, nor any minor additions or amendments to the wording of the two sets of criteria used before, should be taken to imply any change in policy or in its application.

  An export licence will not be issued if the arguments for doing so are outweighed by the need to comply with the UK's international obligations and commitments, by concern that the goods might be used for internal repression or international aggression, by the risks to regional stability or by other considerations as described in these criteria.

  Criterion One

  Respect for the UK's international commitments, in particular sanctions decreed by the UN Security Council and those decreed by the European Community, agreements on non-proliferation and other subjects, as well as other international obligations.

  The Government will not issue an export licence if approval would be inconsistent with, inter alia:

  (a) the UK's international obligations and its commitments to enforce UN, OSCE and EU arms embargoes, as well as national embargoes observed by the UK and other commitments regarding the application of strategic export controls;

  (b) the UK's international obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention;

  (c) the UK's commitments in the frameworks of the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement;

  (d) the Guidelines for Conventional Arms Transfers agreed by the Permanent Five members of the UN Security Council, the OSCE Principles Governing Conventional Arms Transfers and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports;

  (e) the UK's obligations under the Ottawa Convention and the 1998 Land Mines Act;

  (f) the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

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  Criterion Two

  The respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination.

  Having assessed the recipient country's attitude towards relevant principles established by international human rights instruments, the Government will:

  (a) not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression;

  (b) exercise special caution and vigilance in issuing licences, on a case-by-case basis and taking account of the nature of the equipment, to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established by the competent bodies of the UN, the Council of Europe or by the EU.

  For these purposes, equipment which might be used for internal repression will include, inter alia, equipment where there is evidence of the use of this or similar equipment for internal repression by the proposed end-user, or where there is reason to believe that the equipment will be diverted from its stated end-use or end-user and used for internal repression.

  The nature of the equipment will be considered carefully, particularly if it is intended for internal security purposes. Internal repression includes, inter alia, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment; summary, arbitrary or extra-judicial executions; disappearances; arbitrary detentions; and other major suppression or violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms as set out in relevant international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

  The Government considers that in some cases the use of force by a Government within its own borders, for example to preserve law and order against terrorists or other criminals, is legitimate and does not constitute internal repression, as long as force is used in accordance with the international human rights standards described.

  Criterion Three

  The internal situation in the country of final destination, as a function of the existence of tensions or armed conflicts.

  The Government will not issue licences for exports which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination.

  Criterion Four

  Preservation of regional peace, security and stability.

  The Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the intended recipient would use the proposed export aggressively against another country or to assert by force a territorial claim. However a purely theoretical possibility that the items concerned might be used in the future against another state will not of itself lead to a licence being refused.

  When considering these risks, the Government will take into account inter alia:

  (a) the existence or likelihood of armed conflict between the recipient and another country;

  (b) a claim against the territory of a neighbouring country which the recipient has in the past tried or threatened to pursue by means of force;

  (c) whether the equipment would be likely to be used other than for the legitimate national security and defence of the recipient;

  (d) the need not to affect adversely regional stability in any significant way, taking into account the balance of forces between the states of the region concerned, their relative expenditure on defence, the potential for the equipment significantly to enhance the effectiveness of existing capabilities or to improve force projection, and the need not to introduce into the region new capabilities which would be likely to lead to increased tension.

  202W
  Criterion Five

  The national security of the UK, of territories whose external relations are the UK's responsibility, and of allies, EU member states and other friendly countries.

  The Government will take into account:

  (a) the potential effect of the proposed export on the UK's defence and security interests or on those of other territories and countries as described above, while recognising that this factor cannot affect consideration of the criteria on respect of human rights and on regional peace, security and stability;

  (b) the risk of the goods concerned being used against UK forces or on those of other territories and countries as described above;

  (c) the risk of reverse engineering or unintended technology transfer;

  (d) the need to protect UK military classified information and capabilities.

  Criterion Six

  The behaviour of the buyer country with regard to the international community, as regards in particular to its attitude to terrorism, the nature of its alliances and respect for international law.

  The Government will take into account inter alia the record of the buyer country with regard to:

  (a) its support or encouragement of terrorism and international organised crime;

  (b) its compliance with its international commitments, in particular on the non-use of force, including under international humanitarian law applicable to international and non-international conflicts;

  (c) its commitment to non-proliferation and other areas of arms control and disarmament, in particular the signature, ratification and implementation of relevant arms control and disarmament conventions referred to in sub-para (b) of Criterion One.

  Criterion Seven

  The existence of a risk that the equipment will be diverted within the buyer country or re-exported under undesirable conditions.

  In assessing the impact of the proposed export on the importing country and the risk that exported goods might be diverted to an undesirable end-user, the following will be considered:

  (a) the legitimate defence and domestic security interests of the recipient country, including any involvement in UN or other peace-keeping activity;

  (b) the technical capability of the recipient country to use the equipment;

  (c) the capability of the recipient country to exert effective export controls.

  The Government will pay particular attention to the need to avoid diversion of UK exports to terrorist organisations. Proposed exports of anti-terrorist equipment will be given particularly careful consideration in this context.

  Criterion Eight

  The compatibility of the arms exports with the technical and economic capacity of the recipient country, taking into account the desirability that states should achieve their legitimate needs of security and defence with the least diversion for armaments of human and economic resources.

  The Government will take into account, in the light of information from relevant sources such as United Nations Development Programme, World bank, IMF and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports, whether the proposed export would seriously undermine the economy or seriously hamper the sustainable development of the recipient country.

  The Government will consider in this context the recipient country's relative levels of military and social expenditure, taking into account also any EU or bilateral aid, and its public finances, balance of payments, external debt, economic and social development and any IMF- or World bank-sponsored economic reform programme.
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  Other Factors

  Operative Provision 10 of the EU Code of Conduct specifies that member states may where appropriate also take into account the effect of proposed exports on their economic, social, commercial and industrial interests, but that these factors will not affect the application of the criteria in the Code.

  The Government will thus continue when considering export licence applications to give full weight to the UK's national interest, including:

  (a) the potential effect on the UK's economic, financial and commercial interests, including our long-term interests in having stable, democratic trading partners;

  (b) the potential effect on the UK's relations with the recipient country;

  (c) the potential effect on any collaborative defence production or procurement project with allies or EU partners;

  (d) the protection of the UK's essential strategic industrial base.

  In the application of the criteria, account will be taken of reliable evidence, including, for example, reporting from diplomatic posts, relevant reports by international bodies, intelligence and information from open sources and non-governmental organisations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Protection of Children
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he made available draft guidance on Part II of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill concerning the protection of children. [135510]

  Mr. Boateng
  Draft copies of the guidance for Part II of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill concerning the Protection of Children were placed in the Library of the House on Monday 2 October 2000.

  This is a preliminary draft of non-statutory guidance intended for those organisations that will be involved in implementing the scheme. We are seeking comments on it from a range of those organisations. It has been made available to provide an indication of how the scheme might work in practice, and to inform debate on this subject.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the first annual report on progress on his race equality employment targets for minority ethnic staff in his Department and its service areas. [135509]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I will, tomorrow, publish the document "Race Equality—The Home Secretary's Employment Targets—The First Annual Report on Progress". This report covers progress on recruitment, retention and career progression targets for minority ethnic staff in the Home Office, the prison, the police, the fire and probation services. A copy of the report will also be placed in the Library.

  Licensing Hours
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if permitted hours of opening for licensed premises and registered members' clubs in England and Wales will be extended on 31 December; and if he will make a statement. [135506]
  204W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  New Year's Eve is regarded as a special occasion and licensing justices and the magistrates' courts may, on receipt of application, grant special orders of exemption under the Licensing Act 1964, allowing licensed premises and registered members' clubs to remain open beyond the normal permitted hours. There is no limit on the extension which may be granted. This has been the practice on every New Year's Eve in the years before the Millennium. All licensees and registered members' clubs wishing to apply for extensions should do so as soon as possible.

  This year 31 December falls on a Sunday. Permitted hours for pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and registered members' clubs in England and Wales on a Sunday normally end at 10.30 pm. The Magistrates' Association and the Justices' Clerks' Society have jointly issued guidance to the licensing justices and magistrates' courts suggesting that an extension to 12.30 am on New Year's Day morning would normally be appropriate. Magistrates will be able to determine what is appropriate for their local area and may determine a later time. Where extensions are granted, this will help people to enjoy a festive New Year as they have done in the past under similar procedures.

  Because of the unique nature of last year's Millennium celebrations, permitted hours were extended nationally by amending the Licensing Act 1964 using a deregulation order, approved by Parliament, which came into force in July 1999. The Government had originally proposed applying this arrangement to all future New Year's Eves, but limited it to Millennium Eve after concerns expressed by the House of Lords Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee. The Millennium arrangements worked well; and the Government wanted to make a further deregulation order for this New Year's Eve, to provide a more typical test of the national extension. But in March the Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee said in its Ninth Report (1999–2000 Parliamentary session, 15 March 2000) that they would be highly unlikely to support any further licensing deregulation ahead of general licensing reform. To bring an appropriate deregulation order into force before next New Year's Eve, under the timescales dictated by the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 for mandatory public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny, would have required the Government to initiate the process by the end of March. In July, the Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee agreed to give consideration to a further proposal in respect of New Year's Eve. By then it was too late, consistent with the requirements of the 1994 Act, to bring forward a similar order which could come into effect for this New Year's Eve. In reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on 20 July 2000, Official Report, column 329W, I made it clear that the timescales for statutory public consultation and the subsequent parliamentary process were dictated by the 1994 Act, and it was now unlikely that the process could be completed in time for next New Year. We examined whether, with the co-operation of the Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee and colleagues in both Houses, it was possible to obtain an Order in shorter time than that initially envisaged. We concluded that if we had done so it would have been open to legal challenge with an uncertain outcome. We have therefore decided against taking that course. We intend, however, to prepare such an order to

  205W
  apply to New Year's Eve next year, which will then provide a further test of the success of a standard national exemption.

  We remain wholly committed to the general reform of licensing law as described in the White Paper "Time for Reform", published in April this year, which would include provision for the Secretary of State to set appropriate opening times nationally for licensed premises for any special national celebrations.

  Anti-terrorism Legislation
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the report from John Rowe QC on the operation of those provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 which are not already included in the existing review of anti-terrorism legislation. [135508]

  Mr. Straw
  Mr. Rowe has completed his investigations into the operation of the relevant provisions of the Act and communicated his findings to me on 29 August. He has found that sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Act have not yet been used.

  Crime Statistics (Taunton)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes(a) were reported and (b) led to convictions in the Taunton constituency in each year since 1979. [134318]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Details of reported crime are not available. Information on the numbers of crimes recorded by the police in the Taunton Deane local authority area has been provided by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The figures cover the 1993–94 financial year onwards. I understand that information for earlier years is not available.

  Recorded offences in Taunton Deane

  Number

  1993–94

  9,602

  1994–95

  9,630

  1995–96

  8,683

  1996–97

  9,692

  1997–98

  9,526

  1998–99

  8,764

  1998–991

  9,247

  1999–20001

  8,560

  1New counting rules

  Available information held centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, showing the number of offenders convicted of indictable offences at Taunton Deane Petty Sessional Division, are as follows:

  Offenders convicted for indictable offences at Taunton Deane

  PSD1

  Number

  1979

  571

  1984

  724

  1989

  510

  1993

  505

  1994

  497

  1995

  450

  1996

  479

  1997

  566

  206W

  Offenders convicted for indictable offences at Taunton Deane

  PSD1

  Number

  1998

  533

  19992

  576

  1Includes those found guilty at the Crown Court where the committing Petty Sessional Division was Taunton Deane

  2Provisional

  Note:

  Due to disproportionate cost, selected years only are given

  It is important to note that as recorded crime data relate to offences, and convictions data relate to offenders, the two sets of figures are not directly comparable.

  Entry Refusals
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received over the proposed sum to be paid by those who will wish to lodge an appeal against the refusal of a visitor's entry certificate. [134423]

  Mrs. Roche
  We have received representations expressing concern about the level of the fees from seven Members of Parliament and from the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

  This summer, we consulted 36 organisations and individuals on the terms of the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations. Six of the 10 respondents asked us to reconsider the charges. In partnership with the Lord Chancellor's Department, we addressed these concerns by reviewing the estimated costs of these appeals and reducing both fees, in the case of a disposal on the papers by nearly 50 per cent.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult further over the amount to be paid by those who will wish to lodge an appeal against the refusal of a visitor's entry certificate. [134424]

  Mrs. Roche
  We will conduct a review of the family visit visa appeal scheme in due course. The terms of that review have not yet been decided.

  Following consultation on the proposed Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations, we reduced the fee for appealing. The reduction was nearly 50 per cent. in the case of paper disposals, which we expect to form the majority of cases. We will need to assess how the current arrangements are working before we consider changing them again.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place the responses to the consultation document Refusal of Entry to the United Kingdom on Grounds of Criminal Conviction in the Library; what action he plans to take to amend the relevant immigration rules in the light of the consultations; and if he will make a statement. [134870]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Gillingham (Mr. Clark) on 24 October 2000,Official Report, column 115W.

  Police Training
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reform police training practices; and if he will make a statement. [134851]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary published the Government's proposals to reform police training in May 2000, following a period of consultation with the key stakeholders. The proposals are set out in the paper, "Police Training: The Way Forward", which represents an ambitious programme to raise standards and ensure relevant profession-long training for all staff. The measures requiring legislation will be implemented at the earliest legislative opportunity. Work is already in hand to implement within available funds the non-legislative proposals. A steering group drawn from the Police Training Council is overseeing most of these arrangements.

  Immigration (Overstayers)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what obligations there are on(a) public authorities and (b) others who discover overstayers to report them to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [134876]

  Mrs. Roche
  There is no legal duty for either public bodies or private individuals to report overstayers to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. However, as with any other offence, I would urge anyone who suspects that an offence has been committed to inform the appropriate authorities.

  Asylum Seekers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reimburse local authorities for spending incurred in relation to(a) the establishment and (b) the running costs of regional consortia for the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers, where no contract for such provision is to be entered into. [134865]

  Mrs. Roche
  The establishment and running costs of Regional Consortia are met by the Home Office through the Enabling Grant. If any Consortium does not enter into contracts for accommodation, the portion of the grant relating to the co-ordination of local and regional services can still be provided.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently being supported under the National Asylum Seekers Support scheme; and how many are receiving both accommodation and vouchers from NASS. [134864]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of September 2000, 14,2001 asylum seekers, including dependants, are being supported under the scheme administered by the National Asylum Seekers Support Service. Of these 9,5001 have been allocated support of both accommodation and vouchers.
  1Figures rounded to nearest hundred
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many in-country applications for asylum were submitted in each of the last five years 208W
  for which figures are available by persons who had been in the United Kingdom for (a) six months or less, (b) more than six months, but less than 12 months and (c) 12 months or more. [134873]

  Mrs. Roche
  I regret that reliable information on the date of arrival for persons making an in-country asylum application is not yet available. The information that is available is given in the table.

  Asylum applications received in-country1

  1995

  29,555

  1996

  17,205

  1997

  15,915

  1998

  22,670

  19992

  41,700

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  2Provisional

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who have(a) been granted asylum, (b) been granted exceptional leave to remain and (c) not had their applications for asylum determined are on (i) further and (ii) higher education courses in the United Kingdom; what is the cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [134874]

  Mrs. Roche
  The latest information available shows that 13,685 students in further education colleges in 1998–99 were asylum seekers (that is, had not had their applications for asylum finally determined). The cost of their education is not currently available.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers in higher education is not available, and no information on the number of those granted asylum or exceptional leave to remain in further or higher education is available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on(a) the provision of legal aid and (b) other legal services for asylum seekers in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [134867]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information is not available in the form requested. In England and Wales in the last five years legal aid has been provided in immigration and nationality cases, including to those seeking asylum as follows:

  £

  Total cost

  1995–96

  23,929

  1996–97

  26,146

  1997–98

  35,218

  1998–99

  48,800

  1999–2000

  46,167

  Grant in aid has been given to Immigration Advisory Service and to the Refugee Legal Centre in the following table, to provide representation in all immigration cases including asylum seekers. The grant is not broken down into asylum seekers and others.
  209W

  Refugee Legal Centre

  £

  Payment

  1995–96

  3,061,487

  1996–97

  3,082,000

  1997–98

  2,584,733

  1998–99

  3,263,100

  1999–2000

  3,353,000

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which recommendations of the Vantagepoint report on asylum procedures have been implemented to date; which have yet to be implemented; which will not be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [134875]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the right hon. Lady to the answer the Secretary of State for the Home Office gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffatt) on 29 February 2000,Official Report, column 255W, which set out the background to the radical overhaul of asylum decision-making processes that this Government have undertaken. The Asylum Process Project/Vantagepoint Report was part of this process.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary agreed in principle that the fundamental changes to the process suggested in the report should be pursued, but it was never the intention that this should be done in isolation. Many changes had already been put in place, prior to the completion of the report, as part of our strategy to speed up processes across the asylum business as a whole.

  Substantial improvements have already been made. IND has made almost 81,000 asylum decisions so far this calendar year, compared with less then 25,000 during the same period last year, an increase of 225 per cent. Decisions continue to outstrip intake and the backlog of initial decisions has fallen for eight consecutive months. The backlog is now 75,680. We remain on course to clear the backlog down to frictional levels by spring 2001.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts have been entered into with local authorities' regional consortia to provide accommodation for asylum seekers; how many units are to be provided by the regional consortia in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; how the actual level of provision required differs from previous estimates given to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [134866]

  Mrs. Roche
  Three contracts have been entered into by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) with Regional Consortia for provision of accommodation to asylum seekers. These are: with Glasgow City Council on behalf of the Scottish Consortium; with the North East Consortium; and with the Yorkshire and Humberside Consortium. The number of units that these contracts will provide is commercially confidential. During negotiations, the number of accommodation units to be provided under the contracts was discussed in the context of what was reasonable for Consortia to provide and what NASS's needs were likely to be.

  The National Asylum Support Service recently revised some of the assumptions used to forecast accommodation requirements, based on its operational experience to date, with the result that the year's national forecast is now
  210W
  some 44,000 bedspaces rather than 65,000. That revision did not alter the number of accommodation units provided under either of the two contracts already signed (with Scotland and the North East) or the one that has just been signed (with the Yorkshire and Humberside Consortium).

  Where it has not yet entered into contracts with Regional Consortia, NASS is taking the change in assumptions into account when continuing negotiations. NASS will not contract for more accommodation than it judges necessary.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to allow retailers to provide cash change to asylum seekers using vouchers; and if he will make a statement; [134672]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the proposed review of the asylum seeker's voucher support system; what the terms of reference of the review are; who is undertaking the review; what the timescale of the review is; which individuals and organisations are being invited to make submissions on the voucher system; and if he will make a statement. [134671]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government's review of the operation of the voucher support system is being undertaken by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green. It will include early consideration of how change and lower denomination vouchers can be issued in the context of the decisions made by Parliament and reflected in the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act. All relevant stakeholders and interested parties are to be invited to make representations. I will place in the Library of the House a list of those organisations which contribute to the review.

  It is hoped to complete the review early next year and its conclusions will be reported to the House.

  Police Officers (Overtime Payments)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review overtime payments to police officers; and if he will make a statement. [134859]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have no present plans to review overtime payments, but will be ready to consider any suggestions made by the Police Service, through the normal negotiating machinery, in the light of their views on changes necessary to enable the service most effectively to meet future demands.

  Police Meetings
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Chairman of the Police Federation; what issues were discussed; if he will place a copy of the minutes in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [134850]

  Mr. Straw
  I last met the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers on 24 October and the Chairman of the Police Federation, with other representatives of the police services, on 9 October. A range of issues relating to policing were discussed. It has been the longstanding practice of successive administrations not to publish minutes of private meetings.

  M16 Headquarters Attack
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police following the attack on M16 Headquarters; what actions have been taken to raise the level of security in London since the incident; and if he will make a statement. [134974]

  Mr. Straw
  I met with Sir John Stevens the following day (21 September). Considerable police resources have been dedicated to dealing with this very serious incident. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on particular security measures in place at any particular time. Security measures are kept under constant review by the authorities.

  Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Walters) on 28 February 2000,Official Report, column 112W, if he will place in the Library copies of his correspondence since that date with the Committee on Standards in Public Life relating to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill. [134854]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am unaware of any further correspondence with the Neill Committee relating to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill since the exchange of letters referred to in my answer to the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Walter) on 28 February.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to make an order allowing the foreign funding of political parties and referendums in Northern Ireland under clause 65 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill, once the Bill is enacted; and what estimate he has made of the amount of foreign funding that will be given in any one year to each party that currently fields candidates in elections in Northern Ireland. [134863]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is the Government's current intention to exercise the order-making power to clause 65 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill so as to disapply the provisions of Part IV of the Bill in respect of Northern Ireland parties for an initial period of four years. However, before coming to a final view on this matter the Government will undertake a further round of consultations with the main Northern Ireland parties.

  The Government have made no estimate of the amount of foreign funding that will be given in any one year to parties contesting elections in Northern Ireland. In their evidence to the Neill Committee a number of Northern Ireland parties indicated that they had received donations from abroad.

  Human Rights Act Leaflet
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the production of the leaflet "The Human Rights Act: An Introduction"; how many leaflets have been produced; how are they to be distributed; and if he will make a statement. [134869]
  212W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Two million copies of the leaflet have been produced, at a cost of £88,120. Copies have been provided free of charge to a range of advice centres, libraries and similar organisations across the United Kingdom. Members of the public can also obtain a free copy by calling a telephone response line. Already, since 1 October there have been over 18,000 such additional requests. People want to know what fundamental rights and freedoms are safeguarded by the Human Rights Act and it is clearly right that the Government should ensure that they can be informed.

  Human Rights Act 1998
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the poetry competition for educational and other organisations conducted to mark the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998; how many institutions and organisations were asked to submit poems; how many persons in total are enrolled at the institutions and organisations contacted; how many poems were submitted; what the cost the public funds was of the advertisements containing the winning poems; and if he will make a statement. [134868]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The competition invited young people to explore the underlying principles of the Human Rights Act 1998 through the creative medium of their choice. It was managed on our behalf by the Citizenship Foundation, at a cost of £23,113. A total of 7,234 schools and youth groups were invited to participate, all of whom received an information pack about the competition and the Human Rights Act. 280 formal entries, involving over 1,000 young people, were received. These included poetry, drama, posters, collages, songs, board games and websites. The advertisements that used the winning poem cost £307,103 which also resulted in additional coverage by the media of the Human Rights Act launch. The standard of competition entries was high, and showed an impressive understanding by young people of the rights and responsibilities culture the Human Rights Act will help to develop. The competition as a whole played a valuable and successful part in our work to raise awareness of the Human Rights Act.

  Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans in respect of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill. [134673]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill was defeated on Second Reading in the House of Lords on 28 September. The Government remain convinced that the courts, rather than defendants, are best qualified to reach a view on what is the right venue for trial, and intend to bring forward further legislation when parliamentary time allows.

  Police Review
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review(a) the structure of the police service and (b) the Police Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [134856]
  213W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are no present plans to alter the structure of the police service, but we will be ready to consider any suggestions made by the police service in the light of their views on changes necessary to enable the service most effectively to meet future demands. Discussions will be held with representative policing bodies over coming months on a wide range of issues on the future of policing.

  The Police Pension Scheme is currently under review.

  EU Employment Directive
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received alleging that there was a threat to religious freedom posed by the EU directive on employment agreed between the Governments of the EU on 17 October. [135066]

  Mrs. Roche
  The European Commission put forward a package of proposals under Article 13 of the Treaty of the European Community (EC) in November 1999. The package included two directives, one on racial discrimination in particular and one on discrimination in employment and training on a wider range of grounds: sexual orientation; religion; age; and disability. These have now been agreed between the Governments of the European Union.

  The Home Office has received a total of 128 letters on the subject of the proposals as a whole. Officials have estimated that of these, 60 letters alleged that the EC Directive on employment posed a threat to religious freedom.

  David Bennet Case
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in the David Bennet case in Norwich. [134420]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that the inquest into the death still stands adjourned pending consideration of possible criminal proceedings.

  Sussex Police
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of(a) police officers and (b) police constables in Sussex police on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the most recent date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [134432]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on police numbers is collected twice a year, in March and September. The September 2000 figures will be published as soon as they have been received from all forces and validated.

  The information on the Sussex police is set out in the table.

  Sussex police

  31 March 1997

  31 March 2000

  Total number of police officers

  3,085

  2,822

  Total number of constables

  2,374

  2,140

  The reduction in police numbers during this period has been predominately due to the Chief Constable's decision to replace police officers in jobs that can be more
  214W
  effectively undertaken by civilian staff. Civilian staff numbers in March 2000 were 1,326—an increase of 179 since March 1997.

  Animal Testing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of progress in the co-ordination between the Department of Health, the Home Office, and the Department of Trade and Industry of a joint Government/industry message on the necessity for, and benefits of, animal testing. [134426]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government fully accept that the progress of scientific research; the development of new medical and veterinary drugs and technologies; and consumer and environmental safety continue to depend on the use of animals. Nevertheless, we are committed to ensuring that animals are used only where fully justified and where there are no alternatives. We will continue to work with the scientific community, industry and responsible animal welfare organisations to achieve this and to ensure that the costs and benefits of the use of animals in scientific research are fully explained.

  The Home Office maintains a series of formal relationships with several sectors and interest groups as well as other Government Departments. We liaise with users and their professional bodies; with regulators in United Kingdom Government; and with industry (centering on the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry).

  Officials also liaise with grant awarding bodies such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust who are significant public sector research funding bodies and have established a set of principles which reflect the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  We work with the Regulatory Toxicology Group, including Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, DETR, Heath & Safety Executive and the DTI, which has led to the production of the new Regulatory Toxicology Guidance which is due to be published soon.

  As a result of our setting up a data sharing working group, we have gained the endorsement of Government Departments of the principle of data sharing and agreement that United Kingdom regulatory agencies should encourage industry to extend the scope for sharing animal test data in the field of regulatory safety testing. An inter-Departmental concordat has therefore been developed as a first step in this process and should enable Government Departments to reduce the duplication of tests on animals.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to reduce(a) the number of experiments conducted on animals and (b) the number of animals used in experiments in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement; [134277]

  (2) what plans he has to reduce the numbers of primates used in scientific procedures; and if he will make a statement; [134270]
  215W
  (3) how much has been spent by his Department on work to find alternatives to the use of animals in scientific procedures in each of the last five years; what is the projected expenditure for each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [134269]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Non-human primates are used in regulatory testing to help ensure the safety of medicines and are also used for other important areas of fundamental research aimed primarily at better understanding the causes of disease in humans and developing potential new treatments. They contribute, for example, to programmes of work relating to Parkinson's disease, visual impairment, stroke, diabetes, disorders of reproduction and vaccine development. The 1986 Act requires that non-human primates are only used in scientific procedures if no other species is suitable.

  In deciding whether to grant a licence for any regulated procedure, the 1986 Act requires that the likely benefits of the programme be weighed against the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned (the cost/benefit assessment) and that there are no alternatives which either replace animal use entirely, reduce the number of animals needed or refine the procedures to minimise suffering (the 3Rs). We must also be satisfied that the procedures are likely to achieve the stated objectives.

  The 1986 Act does not make provision for controlling the overall number of procedures. While we can ensure that the number of animals used in each programme of work is minimised, we cannot dictate how many applications for new project licences will be submitted, nor how many will satisfy the requirements of the cost/benefit assessment.

  The effectiveness of the Act cannot be judged by the overall number of procedures as the primary purpose of the Act is to reduce suffering.

  In addition to the rigorous application of the 3Rs we have gained the endorsement of Government Departments of the principle of data sharing and agreement that United Kingdom regulatory agencies should encourage industry to extend the scope for sharing animal test data in the field of regulatory safety testing. An inter-Departmental concordat has therefore been developed as a first step in this process and should enable Government Departments to reduce the duplication of tests on animals.

  The use of alternatives is already widely encouraged. Indeed, the use of animals in procedures is prohibited by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in cases where a scientifically valid alternative is available. Each year the Home Office makes available to the Animal Procedures Committee a budget aimed at developing or promoting the use of alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals used or refine the procedures involved to minimise suffering. In each of the last five years, these budgets have totalled:

  Year

  £000

  1995–96

  253

  1996–97

  242

  1997–98

  182

  1998–99

  259

  1999–2000

  259

  216W
  The budget for 2000–01 is £265,000. The budget for 2001–02 has not yet been set.

  Lord-Lieutenants
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2000,Official Report, columns 355–56W, regarding lord-lieutenants, what expenditure was incurred by his Department in support of each lord lieutenant in the financial year 1999–2000. [134981]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Expenditure incurred by the Home Office in support of each lord lieutenant in the financial year 1999–2000 was:

  Expenditure

  Counties

  Berkshire

  3,659.04

  Cambridgeshire

  9,153.22

  Cornwall

  6,702.14

  Devon

  6,709.74

  Dorset

  781.84

  East Sussex

  4,327.75

  Essex

  475.47

  Gloucestershire

  4,305.94

  Hampshire

  20,239.20

  Herefordshire

  1,789.76

  Hertfordshire

  744.98

  Isle of Wight

  739.85

  Kent

  3,369.86

  Lancashire

  2,105.76

  Lincolnshire

  2,611.43

  Norfolk

  3,392.24

  North Yorkshire

  7,164.08

  Nottingham

  4,910.63

  Northamptonshire

  1,578.92

  Oxfordshire

  3,626.04

  Rutland

  594.19

  Somerset

  2,135.87

  Staffordshire

  4,081.33

  Suffolk

  1,833.68

  Surrey

  4,554.15

  West Sussex

  3,658.33

  Wiltshire

  2,402.38

  Metropolitan

  Bristol

  28,050.00

  Durham

  26,897.18

  East Riding

  17,620.00

  Greater London

  60,026.76

  Greater Manchester

  104,850.00

  Merseyside

  75,915.00

  South Yorkshire

  33,900.00

  Tyne and Wear

  63,180.00

  West Midlands

  101,599.00

  West Yorkshire

  62,000.00

  Crime Initiatives (Builders)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been made available by his Department to projects in (1) England to combat incompetent and dishonest builders as part of crime initiatives; [134853]

  (2) Leeds to combat incompetent and dishonest builders as part of crime initiatives, and in what form. [134852]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As part of the Reducing Burglary Initiative, the Home Office has provided funding for a project in Leeds which is primarily aimed at reducing
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  distraction burglary (burglary artifice). One element of the project, however, is the creation of a 'check-point' scheme which will contain a list of approved contractors who provide a reliable service at a reasonable cost. £131,000 has been identified specially for this element of the project.

  Matters relating to the construction industry generally and moves to improve the service offered to the public by builders are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. I support work currently being undertaken by his Department to tackle the problem.

  Oakington Reception Centre
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington), 14 April 2000,Official Report, column 292W, if he will provide a breakdown, by major category, of the weekly unit cost of housing an asylum seeker at Oakington reception centre (a) at present and (b) when the centre is operating at full capacity; and if he will provide a breakdown of the costs incurred in establishing Oakington reception centre. [134855]

  Mrs. Roche
  Oakington was set up in March 2000 with an initial capacity of 144 beds. Asylum seekers were taken in on a carefully phased programme. The set up costs to date amount to about £5 million and are expected to reach £6 million.

  In September (the last full month for which figures are available), the average daily population was 101 and the weekly unit cost was £2,700. Occupancy has since increased rapidly and is now 176 resulting in a reduction in the unit cost which will continue to fall as the population increases to full capacity. When operating at full capacity, the cost would be £800 per person.

  These figures are higher than those given in the reply to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 14 April. The first figure in that reply was based on the cost of an available space. It appears that the second figure may not have included all the costs of the establishment.

  Police Reform
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the new agenda for reform of the police, discussed at his meeting with the Prime Minister on 26 June; and if it has been discussed with representatives of the police force. [134861]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Calls for a Royal Commission or reforms of policing by other means have come from a number of police sources. On 9 October, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, held a seminar with the leaders of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities, the Police Superintendents' Association, the Police Federation and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Its purpose was to identify the areas in which the police service itself felt there was a need for change and development to meet future requirements. Further discussions with police representative bodies will take place over coming months to explore in more detail a wide range of issues identified 218W
  at the seminar. As was made clear to seminar participants, the Government have no pre-set agenda but are interested in making any improvements which will help achieve our objective of crime reduction.

  Criminal Records
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the criminal conviction certificate, criminal record certificate and enhanced criminal record certificate will be introduced; and if he will make a statement; [134473]

  (2) what information from a person's criminal record will be disclosed on the enhanced criminal record certificate; and if he will make a statement; [134472]

  (3) what information from a person's criminal record may be disclosed to potential employers and external immigration agencies; and if he will make a statement; [134474]

  (4) what information from a person's criminal record will be disclosed on the criminal record certificate; and if he will make a statement; [134471]

  (5) if a fixed penalty fine for a speeding offence will appear on the criminal conviction certificate, criminal record certificate and the enhanced criminal record certificate; and if he will make a statement. [134475]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Criminal Records Bureau will issue to individual applicants, on request, one or more of three different levels of certificate, according to the circumstances of the job or position in question:
  A criminal conviction certificate (CCC), which will show all convictions which are not 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974;A criminal record certificate (CCC), which will contain details of both spent and unspent convictions, and cautions, reprimands and final warnings, recorded at national level and will be issued only where the job or position requires this level of disclosure;An enhanced criminal record certificate (ECRC), which, in addition to the information in a criminal record certificate, will contain relevant information from local police records, and will be issued only where a further restricted group of particularly sensitive jobs or positions so require.
  Data on convictions will, in the main, be drawn directly from the Police National Computer. Fixed penalties are not recorded there, but it is possible that the police might consider that information about such a case, drawn from local police records, was relevant to the job for which the person had applied and should be included in an ECRC.

  The immigration authorities of overseas countries will be able to ask potential emigrants from Britain for a criminal conviction certificate, but the CRB will not provide criminal record certificates or enhanced criminal record certificates for emigration purposes, except in certain circumstances where it can be demonstrated that the emigrant is being considered for a post for which such certificates would be issued if it were in the United Kingdom.

  Detailed planning is continuing, but at present it is expected that the CRB will begin issuing CRCs and ECRCs from around July 2001, and CCCs from around July 2002.

  Sanctions Regimes
  Sanctions Regimes
  Licensing: New Year's Eve
  Licensing: New Year's Eve
  Anti-Terrorism Legislation: Review
  Anti-Terrorism Legislation: Review
  Race Equality Employment Targets: Home Office
  Race Equality Employment Targets: Home Office
  Fuel Duties
  Fuel Duties
  Financial Services Regulation
  Financial Services Regulation
  Government Policy: Regional Implications
  Government Policy: Regional Implications
  Road Safety: Working Time Directive
  Road Safety: Working Time Directive
  Farm Riding Scheme
  Farm Riding Scheme
  Local Councils: New Constitutions
  Local Councils: New Constitutions
  Television Licence Fees
  Television Licence Fees
  NGOs: Appointment of Asian Women
  NGOs: Appointment of Asian Women