Written Answers of 31 October 2000

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Racism
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred in each of the past three years; and what proportion of those prosecutions have led to convictions. [134530]

  The Solicitor-General
  In 1998 there was one prosecution for offences of incitement to racial hatred under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986—this resulted in a conviction. In 1999 there were five defendants charged—three of these were convicted. There are currently three existing prosecutions involving such offences.

  1997

  1998

  1999

  12000

  No consent applications

  12

  2

  5

  3

  Withdrawn

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Not granted

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Prosecuted

  10

  5

  5

  3

  Convicted

  9

  3

  3

  2—

  1To date

  2Results awaited

HEALTH

  Hospital Food
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the quality of food in general hospitals in England and Wales.[134747]

  Ms Stuart
  Research has shown, and patients have told me, that in some hospitals the quality of food is not up to the standard that patients expect. The NHS Plan sets out a programme of work to improve the standard of hospital food:A 24-hour National Health Service catering service with a new NHS Menu, designed by leading chefs. It will cover continental breakfast, cold drinks and snacks at mid-morning and in the afternoon, light lunchtime meals and an improved two-course evening dinner. This will be a minimum standard for all hospitals;
  A national franchise for NHS catering will be examined to ensure hospital food is provided by organisations with a national reputation for high quality and customer satisfaction;
  Half of all hospitals will have new "ward housekeepers" in place by 2004 to ensure that the quality, presentation and quantity of meals meet patient needs; that patients, particularly elderly people, are able to eat meals on offer; and that the service patients receive is genuinely available round the clock;
  Dieticians will advise and check on nutritional values in hospital food. Patients' views will be measured as part of the Performance Assessment Framework and there will be unannounced inspections of the quality of hospital food.
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  Patient environment action teams, comprising NHS professionals and patient representatives, are now visiting all acute hospitals as part of my initiative to improve the environment for patients, this includes looking at food services and seeking views from patients.

  Work is progressing on all elements of this programme.

  Drug-related Illnesses
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated annual cost is to the NHS of treating people with drug-related illnesses.[134746]

  Ms Stuart
  In 1999–2000, the drug misuse special allocation to health authorities for the treatment of drug misuse was £59 million. Local authorities received £3 million through the drug and alcohol special grant for the same purpose. However, through the drug action team templates, health and local authorities report actual expenditure in excess of these levels. In 1998–99, the template indicated that £150.7 million was spent on drugs misuse treatment, inclusive of the special allocation and grant.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he next plans to meet the Chairman and members of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to discuss their decision on not prescribing beta interferon; [1347511)

  (2) what was the cost basis on which NICE made its decision not to allow the prescribing of beta interferon; [134738]

  (3) if he will refer back to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence their decision on the non-prescribing of beta interferon. [134740]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has not yet published its final guidance on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and it would not be appropriate to pre-empt what the final guidance might say.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the savings in social security benefits and local authority care costs that would arise if beta interferon were prescribed to those patients who might benefit.[134739]

  Mr. Denham
  No. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is conducting a thorough appraisal on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and has not yet completed its work.

  Aricept
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that Aricept and related drugs may be prescribed for Alzheimer's disease. [135063]

  Mr. Denham
  We have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to conduct an appraisal of Aricept and other related drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We expect NICE to issue guidance in December 2000.

  correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 16 August on behalf of his constituent Mrs. Sturman. [135791]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: A letter was sent to the right hon. Member on 30 October.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 18 September regarding a constituent (reference POH(4)5608/55). [135456]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 27 October.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 29 August (reference POH(4)5608/52). [135458]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 30 October.

  Intermediate Care
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department defines intermediate care. [135836]

  Mr. Hutton
  The term 'intermediate care' describes a range of multi disciplinary, multi agency services designed to promote independence and improve quality of care, particularly for older people. The aims of intermediate care are to:Prevent avoidable hospital admission
  Facilitate timely discharge from hospital, with an emphasis on active rehabilitation
  Minimise premature or avoidable dependence on long term institutional care.

  Intermediate care encompasses a wide range of service models and can be provided in a range of settings. These services can be provided in community-based settings or in the people's own homes, but may also be provided in step-down facilities within acute hospitals. The most intensive forms of rehabilitation should typically be provided in hospital.

  Infant Mortality Rates
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the infant mortality rates were in each of the last 10 years for(a) Taunton constituency and (b) Somerset health authority. [134314]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Jackie Ballard, dated 31 October 2000:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking for the infant mortality rates in each of the last 10 years for Taunton constituency and Somerset Health Authority. I am replying in his absence. (134314)
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  The figures are shown in the attached table. The rates (particularly those for Taunton constituency, which are calculated from fewer than 20 deaths) may be unreliable due to the small number of events and should be treated cautiously. Any variation they show over time, or difference from national or health authority rates are likely to be due to change.

  Infant mortality numbers and rates for Somerset HA and Taunton

  parliamentary constituency, 1990–99

  REGYR1

  Number

  Rate2

  Somerset HA

  1990

  34

  6.1

  1991

  25

  4.4

  1992

  28

  5.0

  1993

  32

  5.8

  1994

  32

  5.9

  1995

  17

  3.2

  1996

  22

  4.2

  1997

  24

  4.5

  1998

  25

  4.7

  1999

  23

  4.6

  Taunton constituency

  1990

  4

  3.4

  1991

  7

  5.7

  1992

  5

  4.3

  1993

  5

  4.3

  1994

  6

  5.3

  1995

  3

  2.8

  1996

  3

  2.7

  1997

  1

  1.0

  1998

  3

  2.8

  1999

  7

  7.1

  1Registration year

  2Per 1,000 live births

CABINET OFFICE

  Knowledge Network
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the report of phase one of the Knowledge Network will be made publicly available. [136034]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Knowledge Network Phase 1 Report will be published on the Cabinet Office website. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Services Productivity
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what surveys have been undertaken by the Public Services Productivity Panel. [135461]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  To date, 13 reports have been published by the Public Services Productivity Panel. They are available on the Panel's website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pspp/

  A brief description of the published reports follows:

  1. "Meeting the challenge: a joint report by the Public Services Productivity Panel"—brings together the main findings from the Productivity Panel's first 12 studies. High quality performance management is identified as an essential feature of any high-performing organisation. The report outlines a simple, integrated framework that managers can use to engineer a step-change in their organisation's productivity.

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  2. "Variations in outpatient performance"—sets out a comprehensive strategy for improving waiting times for consultant appointments through a combination of improved management, long-term planning and new booking systems.

  3. "Customers in the driving seat?"—reviews the quality of customer services in three of the large transport agencies. It sets out a number of practical recommendations that would be of interest to all public sector organisations that want to improve their front-line services to customers.

  4. "Incentives for change"—examines performance incentives for the 150,000 front-line staff who work in the Benefits Agency, HM Customs and Excise, the Employment Service and the Inland Revenue. The report contains a wealth of comparative data on how performance is rewarded and incentivised across both the public and private sectors.

  5. "Targeting improved performance"—reviews the performance management systems of the Defence Logistics Organisation against a model developed by the Productivity Panel. This model has since been adopted by the Civil Service Management Board for use throughout the civil service.

  6. "Improving police performance"—identifies a new way to measure the efficiency of the police using information that is already collected by the police service. The report outlines a means by which police forces can better understand their relative strengths and weaknesses and thus fits within the framework of the Best Value initiative.

  7. "Refocusing performance management"—reports on work with staff in the Energy Group of the DTI to refresh its performance management system by demonstrating how a model developed by the Productivity Panel can be applied in a complex public sector organisation.

  8. "Sold on health"—sets out a new national framework for the management of the NHS estate that is designed to root out surplus estate, accelerate sales and cut red tape. The approach can generate additional finance and free up resources to increase the focus on patient care.

  9. "Working in partnership"—tackles the issue of achieving joined-up working at a local level, particularly through developing joint IT systems, by highlighting the key issues that organisations need to address as they plan across organisational boundaries. The report includes a simple self-assessment tool which other public services can apply.

  10. "Out in the open"—proposes improvements to the commissioning of services for older people. It demonstrates how efficiency gains can be achieved by developing care services that move away from reliance on expensive, and often inappropriate, residential and nursing care.

  11. "Putting your house in order"—looks at how to get best value for tenants from the £4 billion invested each year in improvements to social housing stock. It recommends engaging tenants in setting priorities, ensuring structural improvements are linked to social objectives and creating partnerships between tenants, landlords and contractors.

  12. "Maximising value for money"—examines the role of the Strategic Outline Case as an important element of planning for information systems and change management initiatives that involve a large number of stakeholders, are novel, risky and complex, or where the objectives and scope may be ill-defined.

  13. "Effective reporting in education"—looks at how performance reporting arrangements in schools and further education colleges could be further developed to support the Government's radical agenda for raising standards in education and training. It recommends focusing performance reporting on key targets, reporting on planned improvement in those key areas, and identifying patterns of good practice.

DEFENCE

  HMS Olna and HMS Olwen
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the length of time will be between the withdrawal from service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of HMS Olna and HMS Olwen, and their replacement by two new vessels. [134931]

  Dr. Moonie
  The planned length of time between the withdrawal from Royal Fleet Auxiliary service of RFA Olna, on 3 November 2000, and the In-Service date of her replacement of RFA Wave Ruler, in September 2002, will be 23 months. The planned length of time between the withdrawal of RFA Olwen on 19 September 2000 and the In-Service date of her replacement RFA Wave Knight in February 2002, will be 18 months.

  Argentina
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on military relations with Argentina. [134959]

  Mr. Hoon
  The United Kingdom has a successful defence relationship with Argentina. We conduct annual defence contact talks, at which we agree an extensive defence contacts programme. This year's programme consists of over 50 items, including places on each other's training courses; ship and aircraft visits; exchanges of defence personnel and several visits by senior military officers. I visited Buenos Aires in March this year, and the Argentine Defence Minister, Sir Ricardo Lopez-Murphy, visited the UK as a guest of the British Government in July.

  Russia
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what areas there is co-operation between the military forces of the United Kingdom and Russia. [134963]

  Mr. Hoon
  We look forward to engaging Russia in a meaningful defence relationship. We made good progress towards that objective in 1997 and 1998. But since 1999, the only significant activity that has continued unabated is a programme to re-train Russian servicemen who are about to retire.

  Earlier this year, the Russians indicated that they are willing to re-commence a bilateral defence relationship with us. I welcome this and we have taken steps to re-establish the relationship. This must, clearly, be part and parcel of the UK's overall relationship with Russia and must therefore take account of the situation in Chechnya. This is why our approach is one of critical engagement.

  On the operational front, Russian forces continue to work effectively with KFOR troops in Kosovo. Bilateral co-operation is resuming in a number of areas. The Naval co-operation programme includes personnel exchanges, ship visits, exercises at sea and the exchange of doctrine and operating practices. Resumption of the programme was supported during the Naval Staff talks held in June and

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  efforts to re-establish links are progressing, albeit slowly. Nevertheless, HMS Sheffield visited St. Petersburg in July and HMS Newcastle and HMS Cornwall visited Vladivostok in August.

  We have also contributed a total of 11 officers from across the Services to attend three-month long United Nations Military Observer courses run by the Russians at the Vystrel Training Academy outside Moscow. Exchange visits between 20 Squadron RAF and the Russian 174 Fighter Regiment in Monchegorsk continue the ongoing affiliation between these two units. Elsewhere, there is Russian participation at various military seminars and courses in the United Kingdom organised as part of the Outreach programme.

  Royal Navy Submarines
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the disposal of Royal Navy submarines not powered by nuclear reactors. [134928]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 57W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) and to the answer I gave on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock). Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines, which are powered by diesel-electric engines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight-year lease with an option of outright purchase.

  The first of the submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000 and the three remaining submarines will follow over the next 18 months.

  There are no other Royal Navy submarine exports.

  Recruitment Policy
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how recruitment policy for the armed forces will be affected by the incorporation into UK law of the European Convention on Human Rights. [135159]

  Mr. Spellar
  The incorporation into UK law of the European Convention on Human Rights on 2 October 2000 will not affect recruitment policy into the armed forces.

  War Graves
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the war graves located within the Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency. [135059]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who have responsibility for the maintenance in perpetuity of war graves from the two World Wars. However, I will arrange for the Commission to be informed of this request and ask that they respond with the necessary information direct, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals by the War Graves Commission to cut overseas allowances. [135047]
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  Dr. Moonie
  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an autonomous body subject to Royal Charter and as such has responsibility for formulating its own pay and allowance system, which includes a package of allowances to help cover the additional costs (for UK-recruited staff) of living abroad.

  The changes are not the result of any reduction in funding by the UK Government; the Ministry of Defence will continue to contribute to the Commission in proportion to its number of war graves and there are no plans to reduce the current contribution of £23 million. The Government will ensure, in conjunction with the Commission, that the highest standards in tending war graves will be maintained and that our war dead will continue to be afforded the utmost respect.

  The Commission has announced that they have decided to hold an independent review of the allowances. There will be full consultation with the staff and their representatives. Any changes will be delayed until the review has been completed. Baroness Dean of Thorton-le-Fylde has agreed to conduct the review; it would be inappropriate to comment further until the review has concluded.

  Ionospheric Research
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the environmental effects of ionospheric research; and if he will make a statement. [134230]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: My Department has undertaken no such assessment. However, we are not aware of any evidence that would point to significant environmental damage as a result of ionospheric research projects undertaken for the Department.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to the Scientific and Technological Options Assessment Panel's investigation into the local, global and public health risks of ionospheric research. [134235]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: My Department has not contributed to any investigation by the Scientific and Technological Options Assessments Panel of the European Parliament into the local, global and public health risks of ionospheric research.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the ionospheric research projects in which his Department is involved, stating in each case(a) the number of personnel involved, (b) the duration of the project and (c) the yearly and total project cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [134229]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The table provides the information requested in respect of two ionospheric research projects. I am withholding information on other ionospheric research projects undertaken for the Department under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Access to Government Information.
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  Ionospheric research projects funded by MOD

  Title

  Number of staff

  Duration

  Year

  Cost £000

  Development of Non-linear Solar Geophysical Prediction Techniques and an online demonstrator system

  2.0

  April 1998–March 2001

  1998–99

  120

  1999–2000

  120

  12000–01

  120

  Total

  360

  Specification of Atmospheric and Ionospheric Refractivity using the COSMIC satellite constellation

  1.25

  October 1999–September 2002

  1998–99

  80

  1999–2000

  160

  2000–01

  150

  2001–02

  70

  Total

  460

  1Estimate

  Research Programmes
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to(a) the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Programme and (b) the European Incoherent Scatter Radar Project, stating in each case the (i) nature, (ii) duration and (iii) purpose of the contribution, including how many staff were attached to the projects and what financial support was given. [134231]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: My Department has not contributed to these projects.

  Military Remains
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the recent contacts he has had with representatives of the Survivors Association for HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales. [135140]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: My Department has received a substantial amount of correspondence from the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse Survivors Association.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish his conclusion on the report into whether the sites of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse should be designated under the provisions of the protection of the Military Remains Act 1986. [135074]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his actions to protect HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales as war graves. [135139]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: A review of policy on wrecked military vessels is being undertaken at present. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House when the review is complete.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total value of the contracts awarded is for the design of the future generation of aircraft carriers. [133600]
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  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 269W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Halton (Mr. Twigg).

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the changes will be made to the armed forces pension scheme to introduce pensions for life for armed forces attributable widows. [135938]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am very pleased to announce that the amendments to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme have now been approved with an effective date of 31 October 2000. This means that those in receipt of an attributable armed forces widow(er)'s pension will keep their pension should they remarry or begin to cohabit on or after this date.

  British Aerospace
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former employees of his Department and the armed forces have a position on the board of directors at British Aerospace. [135480]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: There are no former employees of the Ministry of Defence currently on the Board of BAE Systems. However, two individuals who have previously worked in the Ministry of Defence on secondment from BAE, one during the 1980s and the other in the 1990s, are now members of the BAE Systems Board.

  Sierra Leone
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the costs have been to date of the UK training teams deployed in Sierra Leone under Operation Basilica. [135922]

  Mr. Hoon
  There have been three Short Term Training Teams deployed in Sierra Leone working with the Sierra Leone Army. The cost so far has been some £1.9 million. In addition equipment has been provided to the SLA worth a further £1.6 million.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops have been deployed under the UN from each country in Sierra Leone; what the timetable plan has
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  been for their deployment in each case; and what the numbers and timetable are for future deployment for each country's troops. [135923]

  Mr. Hoon
  The latest figures we have for the number of troops deployed in support of UNAMSIL are as follows:

  Country

  Number

  Nigeria

  3,201

  Kenya

  878

  Ghana

  774

  India

  3,059

  Guinea

  777

  Jordan

  1,825

  Zambia

  777

  Bangladesh

  780

  Russia

  112

  The numbers fluctuate on a daily basis as individuals in each contingent move in and out of the country. In addition, there are 260 UN Military Observers deployed in support of UNAMSIL from a variety of countries including the UK.

  The deployment timetable for these troops, and any future troops, is an issue for the United Nations.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit (Wirral)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were on Incapacity Benefit in Wirral Metropolitan Authority for each of the past three years. [134737]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Frank Field, dated 30 October 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people were on Incapacity Benefit in Wirral Metropolitan Authority for each of the past three years.
  Information is recorded on the total number of constituents claiming Incapacity Benefit at Birkenhead Office, which covers the Wirral Metropolitan Authority. The number of customers receiving Incapacity Benefit, including Credits only cases, from Birkenhead Office is 21,000 at 31 May 1998, 20,700 at 31 May 1999 and 19,600 at 31 May 2000.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefits (ACT)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what advice he has received from his Department's auditors on the risk of duplicated payment by automated credit transfer re-occurring; [134759]
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  (2) what changes his Department (a) has made and (b) is planning to make, to the use of automated credit transfer, following the duplication of payments to claimants of Income Support; [134757]

  (3) what measures he is taking to ensure that staff comply fully with procedures for paying benefit by automated credit transfer. [134758]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of benefit payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Frank Field, dated 30 October 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what advice was received from Departmental Auditors on risk of duplicated payment by Automated Credit Transfer (ACT) re-occurring; what changes the Department (a) has made and (b) is planning to make, to the use of ACT, following the duplication of payments to claimants of Income Support (IS); and what measures have been taken to ensure that staff comply fully with procedures for paying benefit by ACT.
  In March, Benefits Agency Internal Audit issued their report on the IS Duplicate Payment Incident. The report contained thirteen recommendations and the assessment of the potential for a re-occurrence of the incidence was included in the Management Summary, which stated:
  "The implementation of the recommendations contained within the report will help strengthen controls and reduce the risk of such a problem occurring again. Action is already in hand on many of these. It is recognised, however, that compliance with laid down procedures within the payment production process is also essential in the prevention of future incidents. Where there is non-compliance…the risk of errors increases dramatically".
  A programme of activity to implement the recommendations has been undertaken. To date, we have introduced a number of system controls that, if a similar incident occurred, would halt further processing, thus preventing duplicate payments.
  A system change has been implemented within the 'Common Payments Package', which now prevents the creation of a partial file. The IS incident involved the creation of a partial file.
  Electronic Data Systems (EDS) provide the delivery of our IT services, their Code Products team, have implemented improved controls during the 'Autobacs' procedure. 'Autobacs' is a piece of EDS software that formats the ACT files prior to the handover to Bankers Automated Clearing Service (BACS), the ACT clearing service.
  The DSS Accounts Payable Central Control Unit has been established. The unit carries out daily monitoring to assure the integrity of benefit payment and accounting data. Following each IS ACT overnight batch process, this team would immediately identify any payments which could not be properly accounted for.
  In addition, the following improvements are planned:
  A generic requirement has been issued to EDS that DSS benefit system controllers receive positive assurance that ACT payment data, supplied by each separate benefit system has been successfully received before payment processing commences.
  The Bank Liaison Sections, who provide the administrative support throughout the calculation and production of ACT payments, are currently based in several regions of the country, working to a specific benefit. The intention is to centralise these sections into one area by March 2001; this will facilitate the identification of best practices resulting in more accurate application of checking procedures.

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  Alongside of all this activity, a review of all processes and procedures associated with Bank Liaison work has been undertaken. Guidance is being amended to provide a uniform standard for all staff to follow. Mandatory security and accuracy checks have been incorporated to assess performance.
  As you will be aware the government intends to move all customers to payment by ACT starting in 2003, this programme requires an extensive review of all ACT procedures, which is currently underway. The lessons learnt from the IS incident will be incorporated into any plans to support the move to ACT.
  These actions represent a substantial tightening of procedures to ensure that the original incident could not be repeated.
  I am sorry that this is a somewhat technical reply but I hope it is helpful.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what steps are being taken to recover the outstanding sums resulting from the duplicate payments of Income Support by automated credit transfer; [134755]

  (2) how much money overpaid by means of duplicate payment of Income Support by automated credit transfer has been written off. [134756]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Frank Field, dated 30 October 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what steps are being taken to recover the outstanding sums resulting from the duplicate payments of Income Support by automated credit transfer, and how much money overpaid by means of duplicate payment of Income Support by automated credit transfer has been written off.
  I believe your question refers to the overpayments which took place on the 17th and 18th January this year which resulted in 112,000 customers being overpaid a total of £10.5 million.
  Overpayments of this type are classed as overprovisions of benefit and are recoverable under common law and the Secretary of State has a duty to seek recovery of such overpayments where cost effective to do so.
  Recovery procedures follow guidance as provided in Government Accounting.
  To date, none of the overpayments have been written-off. However, repayment was not requested where the amount paid was less than £5, or from the estates of those who had died before the request could be issued.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the causes of the failure of batch runs of payments of income support by automated credit transfer on 12 January 2000; [134760]

  (2) how many duplicate payments of income support were made using automated credit transfer; and between which dates they occurred; [134754]

  (3) how much money was recently overpaid by duplicate automated credit transfer payments of income support. [134753]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of benefit payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my right hon. Friend.
  348W
  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Frank Field, dated 30 October 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking if he will list the causes of the failure of batch runs of payments of Income Support by automated credit transfer on 12 January 2000, how many duplicate payments of Income Support were made using automated credit transfer, between which dates they occurred, and how much money was overpaid by the duplicate automated credit transfer payments of Income Support.
  I refer you to the Written Answer given to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders). Official Report volume 343, columns 471 to 472, in relation to the question of the causes for the duplicate batch payments of Income Support using Automated Credit Transfer.
  Immediately after the incident steps were taken to enhance the Income Support Computer System to ensure that similar processing problems did not recur. A full review of the situation has been carried out, and confirms that these enhancements have successfully negated further problems.
  The Secretary of State has a duty to seek recovery under common law where an overpayment has arisen outside the provisions of Sections 71 and 74 of the Administration Act 1992. Recovery under common law has been a feature of the social security system since its inception.
  Benefits Accounting (BAB) estimate that over 80% of the 10.5 million should be recovered.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average processing time is for attendance allowance for(a) first-time claims and (b) appeals for claims to be reconsidered. [134551]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Attendance Allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, who will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. David Willets, dated 30 October 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average processing time is for Attendance Allowance (AA) for (a) first time claims and (b) appeals for claims to be reconsidered.
  For the period April to September 2000 the actual average clearance time for new and repeat claims was 34 days. The clearance time for reconsiderations was 54 days.
  New procedures for assessing claims for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance were introduced last year to improve the accuracy of decisions on entitlement. Customers can now receive clearer explanations of decisions on their benefit entitlement. Initially these changes led to significant increases in the time it took to process each case which, together with a growing caseload, created a temporary backlog of work. This has been tackled as a priority and, as decision-makers have become accustomed to the new procedures, the backlog has now been cleared.
  I hope this information is helpful

  Pensioners (Benefit Overpayments)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he has issued to the Benefits

  349W
  Agency about its approach to cases in which pensioners on benefits, unbeknown to them and to the Agency, have been over-paid for 12 months or more. [134380]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. John Bercow, dated 30 October 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your Parliamentary Question asking what guidance he has issued to the Benefits Agency about its approach to cases in which pensioners on benefits unbeknown to them and to the Agency have been over-paid for 12 months or more.
  The Overpayments Recovery Guide is an internally produced manual available to staff dealing with overpayments of benefit. It provides general advice to staff on how to proceed once an overpayment has been identified, dealing with issues such as the classification of the overpayment, for example, mistake by the customer, official error, and special age and welfare considerations.
  It has always been our policy to recover overpayments as quickly and as effectively as possible, without causing undue financial hardship to our customers.
  The decision whether an overpayment is recoverable is normally made by a decision-maker. In cases where an overpayment is caused by misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact Section 71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 allows the recovery of that overpayment. Recovery is sought whenever it is appropriate to do so. The decision automatically provides a right of appeal on the grounds of whether there has been misrepresentation or failure to disclose and the amount determined. This legislation covers the vast majority of the overpayments we try to recover.
  However, in some cases we may seek to recover overpayments that fall outside the scope of Section 71. Typically, repayment may be requested where a person has been paid over and above the amount authorised; for example, where someone has been paid twice for the same period.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Income Support
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have been awarded Income Support since 1 May; how many pensioners were awarded Income Support in the same period in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [135667]

  Mr. Bayley
  Between May and September over 137,800 successful claims to the Minimum Income Guarantee have been received. Over 101,900 successful claims were received for the equivalent period in 1999.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have applied(a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully for the Minimum Income Guarantee since the start of the take-up campaign (i) in total and (ii) in each Benefit Agency area. [135653]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table. The table excludes those cases which are currently being processed.

  Number of successful and unsuccessful Minimum Income

  Guarantee (MIG) claims received in each Benefits Agency (BA)

  area

  Area

  Successful

  Unsuccessful

  Total

  East London and Anglia

  2,086

  1,937

  4,023

  Chilterns

  1,741

  1,558

  3,299

  London South

  2,915

  2,820

  5,735

  350W

  Number of successful and unsuccessful Minimum Income

  Guarantee (MIG) claims received in each Benefits Agency (BA)

  area

  Area

  Successful

  Unsuccessful

  Total

  West Country

  2,400

  2,261

  4,661

  Mercia

  2,216

  1,988

  4,204

  West Midlands

  1,904

  1,565

  3,469

  Wales

  1,538

  1,761

  3,299

  North West Coast

  1,740

  1,637

  3,377

  Greater Manchester

  1,684

  1,468

  3,152

  Yorkshire

  2,174

  2,039

  4,213

  Tyne Tees

  1,435

  1,374

  2,809

  West of Scotland

  1,485

  1,349

  2,834

  East of Scotland

  1,428

  1,231

  2,659

  Total

  24,746

  22,988

  47,734

  Note:

  Figures exclude Northern Ireland

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners, in each region, are entitled to extra financial assistance through the minimum income guarantee, but are not receiving it; and if he will make a statement. [135749]

  Mr. Bayley
  We estimate that about 500,000 pensioners are missing out on their entitlement within Great Britain. This information is not available on a regional basis.

  Free Television Licence Scheme
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the funding of the over 75s' free television licence scheme. [136146]

  Mr. Rooker
  In his pre-budget statement on 9 November 1999, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced that, from autumn 2000, every pensioner aged 75 or over will receive their television licence free of charge. The over 75s' free television licence scheme will be introduced from 1 November 2000 and the cost of this concession will be met from public funds, via payments by the Department of Social Security to the BBC.

  The Amendment (Cm 4797), dated 3 July 2000, to the Agreement (Cm 3152), dated 25 January 1996, between the predecessor of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the British Broadcasting Corporation was laid before Parliament and approved by way of an affirmative resolution on 6 July. Under the Amendment the Secretary of State for Social Security undertakes to pay the Corporation (out of moneys provided by Parliament) a sum or sums equivalent to the moneys foregone by the Corporation in issuing free television licences together with an additional sum or sums in respect of the administrative costs arising from the issue of such licences.

  Parliamentary approval of this expenditure will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Housing benefit subsidies, council tax benefit subsidies and administration, payments into the National Insurance Fund and Social Fund and other grants vote (Class XII, Vote 2). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £348 million will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.
  351W
  The advance will be repaid from Class XII, Vote 2 when Parliament has approved the Supplementary Estimate.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the proposed advertising campaign on stakeholder pensions will begin; how much he estimates it will cost; and how long it is planned to last. [134531]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department is not planning a specific campaign on Stakeholder Pensions. The Department will continue its pensions education marketing activity from January 2001. The campaign aims to communicate basic impartial information about pensions, and to explain the new wider range of pensions options available, so that people can make informed decisions about their pensions arrangements. The first wave of advertising is planned to run from January to March of next year. It will cost in the region of £4.8 million.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the local authorities which he deems to have administered housing benefit incorrectly. [134512]

  Angela Eagle
  The standard of performance in local authorities which have been inspected by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) has been found to be variable. As at 31 October 2000 the BFI has completed 74 inspections of local authorities and the published reports are available in the Library.

  Vaccine Damage
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to raise the level of payments under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and if he will make a statement. [135447]

  Mr. Bayley
  On 27 June, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced that he intended to increase the Vaccine Damage Payment to £100,000. Regulations were laid shortly after and the new rate is now effective for new claims made on or after 22 July this year. We have no plans to raise the level of payment further.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the annual cost would be of extending Winter Fuel Payments to those under the age of 60 now in receipt of the middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance care component or higher rate of mobility component. [135839]

  Angela Eagle
  It is estimated that the extension of Winter Fuel Payments to recipients of Disability Living Allowance higher or middle rate care component or higher rate mobility component would cost around £150 million in the winter of 2000–01.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Portcullis House
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make filing cabinets available to hon. Members accommodated in Portcullis House. [134325]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 238W.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make a statement on recent media reports concerning Portcullis House. [135913]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  I am pleased to have this opportunity to correct some of the misleading, or inaccurate, comments and articles made by the media about Portcullis House. During the summer, my Committee was encouraged to see in the technical press and elsewhere the positive response to the building from construction professionals and commentators. This was to be expected given the fine quality of the design and the technical achievements in the construction of the building. However, as I have said, a number of unfounded or inaccurate claims have been made or repeated from earlier reports. Hon. Members may find the following facts helpful to know.

  The building has been constructed on time and within budget. The construction period agreed by the House of Commons Commission in 1993 was 30 months. Construction started on 5 January 1998 and the certificate of practical completion issued on 18 August 2000, including the additions to the brief. The budget approved by the Commission in 1993 was £165 million plus building cost inflation between then and the start of construction works and £9 million for the delay caused by the late handover of the site from London Underground. Against this total of £237 million the forecast outturn cost is £231 million.

  The oft-quoted cost of "£1 million per hon. Member" is simplistic. It totally ignores the fact that at least an equal number of staff will be employed in hon. Members' offices and that two of the floors (one third of the building) provide Select Committee, conference and other communal facilities for the benefit of all 659 hon. Members, particularly those 450 now with offices north of Bridge Street.

  There are no plans to spend £0.5 million on buffing up the roof and fenestration. Nor is £200,000 being spent on further planting.

  The reception desk in the main entrance did not cost £75,000, nor the preposterous £300,000 as reported more recently. The figure of £75,000 is the cost of a "package", which includes the main reception desk, the security desk at the subway entrance and the security enclosure at the main entrance area.

  Hiring trees such as those in the courtyard is a normal commercial arrangement. The cost includes their care and maintenance and requires the nurseryman to replace at no additional cost any that do not thrive. The trees are not purely decorative. The shading will reduce the amount of

  353W
  cooling needed in the summer, contributing to the energy efficiency of the building. Despite reports to the contrary, the trees are not dying. The trees were distressed having been uprooted and a significant leaf fall was expected, particularly during the first few weeks. There will always be some loss of leaf, but we are advised they will fully recover.

  The closure of the building after the basement flooded was a short-lived and precautionary measure lasting some four hours only. Torrential rain on 15 September coincided with a high tide. As a result, storm water backed up flooding a lightwell in an adjacent building, which overflowed through a ventilation duct into the basement, entering an electrical substation. Only four hon. Members had by then moved into the building, none of whom was inconvenienced, and the programme of moves continued on schedule without interruption.

  At least three timekeeping devices have been provided in hon. Members' and their staffs rooms—on the annunciators, the telephones and personal computers.

  Hon. Members require both storage and work surfaces. The most effective way to meet both requirements is to provide storage under the work surfaces using two or three-drawer pedestals. Filing and storage space is provided also in the joinery walls.

  It is not the practice to comment on the implications of any alleged security lapses; suffice it to say that the reported four-inch gap near the main entrance door is due to a capping piece being awaited and, contrary to irresponsible reports, the appropriate authorities did not raise any matters of concern.

  Neither feng-shui nor space utilisation experts have been used on the project.

  Marble has not been used in the building. The wall and ceilings of the offices are plain concrete.

  The easy chairs provided in some hon. Members' offices do not have a "snooze control" facility.

  Over 150 hon. Members and their staff have now moved into the building. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It is inevitable, however, that in a project of this size there will be some teething troubles. To date these have been minor and will be dealt with under the Parliamentary Works Directorate's normal defects and maintenance programme.

  Westminster Hall
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the hon. and right hon. Members who have initiated debates in Westminster Hall since its inception, stating the number of debates initiated by each Member. [132841]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [pursuant to her reply, 27 July 2000, c. 811W–13W]: I regret that the information provided was incorrect. Revised figures from the beginning of the Session to 26 July are as follows. It does not include Government adjournment debates or debates on Select Committee reports.

  Ms Diane Abbott—1

  Mr. Richard Allan—1

  Mr. David Amess—5

  Mr. Peter Atkinson—1

  354W

  Mr. Norman Baker—1

  Ms Jackie Ballard—2

  Miss Anne Begg—1

  Mr. Martin Bell—1

  Mr. A. J. Beith—3

  Mr. Tony Benn—1

  Mr. Bob Blizzard—2

  Mr. Crispin Blunt—1

  Sir Richard Body—1

  Mr. Peter Bottomley—1

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley—1

  Mr. Peter Bradley—1

  Mr. Graham Brady—2

  Mr. Tom Brake—7

  Dr. Peter Brand—2

  Mr. Colin Breed—2

  Ms Helen Brinton—1

  Mr. Desmond Browne—1

  Mrs. Angela Browning—1

  Ms Karen Buck—1

  Mr. Paul Burstow—1

  Dr. Vincent Cable—4

  Mr. Alan Campbell—1

  Mrs. Anne Campbell—1

  Mr. William Cash—1

  Mr. David Chaytor—4

  Mr. Christopher Chope—1

  Mr. Michael Clapham—1

  Mr. Tom Clarke—2

  Ms Ann Clwyd—1

  Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown—3

  Mr. Vernon Coaker—1

  Mr. Harry Cohen—2

  Mr. Iain Coleman—1

  Mr. Tony Colma—2

  Mr. Jeremy Corbyn—3

  Mr. Jim Cousins—1

  Mr. Tom Cox—3

  Mr. Tam Dalyell—3

  Mr. Edward Davey—1

  Mrs. Valerie Davey—1

  Mr. David Davis—2

  Mr. Hilton Dawson—2

  Mr. Andrew Dismore—1

  Mr. Frank Dobson—1

  Mr. David Drew—5

  Ms Julia Drown—2

  Mr. Alan Duncan—1

  Mr. Clive Efford—1

  Sir Peter Emery—1

  Mr. Jeff Enniss—1

  Mr. Nigel Evans—1

  Mr. Michael Fabricant—2

  Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick—1

  Mr. Howard Flight—1

  Mr. Paul Flynn—2

  Mrs. Maria Fyfe—1

  Mr. Barry Gardiner—2

  Mr. Andrew George—2

  355W

  Mr. Neil Gerrard—1

  Dr. Ian Gibson—3

  Mr. Christopher Gill—3

  Mrs. Cheryl Gillan—1

  Mrs. Teresa Gorman—1

  Mr. Win Griffiths—1

  Mr. Patrick Hall—1

  Mr. Fabian Hamilton—1

  Mr. Phil Hammond—2

  Dr. Evan Harris—2

  Mr. David Heath—2

  Mr. Kelvin Hopkins—2

  Mr. Lindsay Hoyle—2

  Mr. Simon Hughes—2

  Mr. Andrew Hunter—02

  Dr. Brian Iddon—2

  Mr. Eric Illsley—3

  Ms. Helen Jackson—1

  Ms. Jenny Jones—1

  Ms. Helen Jones—1

  Dr. Lynne Jones—1

  Ms. Sally Keeble—1

  Miss. Julie Kirkbride—2

  Dr. Ashok Kumar—2

  Dr. Stephen Ladyman—1

  Mrs. Jacqui Lait—1

  Mr. Edward Leigh—2

  Dr. Julian Lewis—2

  Mr. Peter Lilley—1

  Mr. Richard Livsey—1

  Mr. Tony Lloyd—1

  Mr. Tim Loughton—1

  Mr. Andrew Love—1

  Sir. Nicholas Lyell—1

  Mr. Peter Luff—1

  Mr. Calum Macdonald—1

  Mr. Robert Maclennan—1

  Mr. Denis MacShane—1

  Ms. Judy Mallaber—1

  Mr. Michael Mates—1

  Mr. John McDonnell—1

  Miss. Anne McIntosh—1

  Mr. Patrick McLoughlin—1

  Mr. Kevin McNamara—1

  Mr. Ken Maginnis—

  Ms. Gillian Merron—2

  Mrs. Ray Michie—1

  Mr. Austin Mitchell—1

  Ms. Laura Moffatt—1

  Ms. Margaret Moran—1

  Ms. Julie Morgan—1

  Mr. George Mudie—1

  Mr. Jim Murphy—1

  Mr. Patrick Nicholls—3

  Mr. Mark Oaten—3

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien—1

  Mr. Richard Page—1

  Mr. David Prior—3

  Mr. Bill Rammell—2

  Mr. John Randall—1

  356W

  Mr. David Rendel—2

  Ms. Joan Ruddock—1

  Ms. Joan Ryan—1

  Mr. Nick St. Aubyn—1

  Mr. Martin Salter—2

  Mr. Mohammed Sarwar—2

  Mr. Malcolm Savidge—1

  Mr. Jonathan Shaw—2

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard—2

  Mr. Marsha Singh—1

  Mr. Llew Smith—1

  Rev. Martin Smyth—2

  Mrs. Caroline Spelman—1

  Mr. Richard Spring—1

  Dr. Phyllis Starkey—1

  Mr. Anthony Steen—1

  Mr. George Stevenson—1

  Mr. David Stewart—1

  Mr. Ian Stewart—1

  Dr. Howard Stoate—1

  Mr. Andrew Stunell—1

  Mr. Desmond Swayne—1

  Mr. David Taylor—1

  Mr. Matthew Taylor—1

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas—1

  Mr. William Thompson—2

  Dr. Jenny Tonge—2

  Mr. Michael Trend—1

  Dr. George Turner—1

  Mr. Stephen Twigg—1

  Mr. Derek Twigg—1

  Mr. Bill Tynan—1

  Mr. Peter Viggers—1

  Ms. Joan Walley—1

  Ms. Claire Ward—1

  Mr. Charles Wardle—1

  Mr. Steve Webb—5

  Mr. Bowen Wells—2

  Dr. Alan Whitbread—1

  Mr. John Wilkinson—1

  Mr. David Wilshire—1

  Mr. David Winnick—1

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton—1

  Mr. Phil Woolas—1

  Mr. Tony Worthington—2

  Mr. Derek Wyatt—2

PRIME MINISTER

  Downing Street Website
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the impartiality requirements which apply to the 10 Downing Street website in arranging ministerial discussions about politically controversial subjects with children at school. [135002]
  357W
  The Prime Minister
  The team of civil servants in my office who support and operate the Downing street website work in full accordance with the rules on impartiality as set out in the civil service code.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made over the past year to the frequency of his broadcasts on the Downing street website. [135004]

  The Prime Minister
  I continue to put out statements on the No. 10 website when there is a particular issue that needs to be addressed. There have been 16 broadcasts since February this year.

  Environmental Reporting
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he has held with the business community in respect of the merits of environmental reporting. [135444]

  The Prime Minister
  Officials and Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Department of Trade and Industry regularly meet companies to discuss a range of environmental issues, including environmental reporting. The Government have also undertaken several initiatives in consultation with business to help companies improve their environmental performance and reporting.

  In particular the DETR has consulted the top 350 UK businesses and others on detailed guidelines on how to measure and report on greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Similar guidance on water use will follow in December 2000.

  To help a wider group of businesses to make a start on reporting, the DETR relaunched the "Making a Corporate Commitment" (MACC 2) campaign in June this year, after consultation with a range of businesses.

  The Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment—which reports to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—is currently looking at how to encourage businesses to make sustainability a key part of their decision making. ACBE has consulted with business and plans to publish advice to company board members on this issue. Reporting and communication with stakeholders will be included in this advice as part of the wider sustainability agenda.

  Carbon Trust
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out each of the planned sources of funding for the new Carbon Trust. [135442]

  The Prime Minister
  The funding allocations for the Carbon Trust are still being finalised. However, initially it will receive, on an annual basis, £27 million for England from the Energy Efficiency Fund recycled from the climate change levy, up to £6 million for the Devolved Administrations from the same source and at least £17 million from the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme.

  Kyoto Mechanisms Office
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Department will be responsible for the Kyoto Mechanisms Office. [135443]
  358W
  The prime Minister
  The UK Kyoto Mechanisms Office Will be an interdepartmental unit under the joint responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Green Technologies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to encourage the development of green technologies as part of Government regeneration strategy. [135441]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government's strategy for tackling social exclusion and improving the environment in deprived areas is being delivered through a range of programmes that encourage and support sustainable regeneration.

  Regional Development Agencies have a statutory duty to promote sustainable development. As well as promoting the development of green technologies generally, they are able to support specific projects through their administration of the Single Regeneration Budget. These may include:

  combined heat and power schemes;

  community based waste minimisation projects;

  energy efficiency measures; and

  innovative solutions and remediation techniques for dealing with contaminated land.

  In addition, the criteria used to select projects for support from European Regional Development Funds specifically encourage positive action on environmental sustainability, including clean technology projects.

WALES

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of graduates were claiming unemployment benefit a year after completing their university courses in each of the past five years in Wales. [134907]

  Mr. Hanson
  Information is not available in the form requested. The latest available figures on unemployment rates of newly qualified graduates are given. These show the position six months after graduation from higher education institutions in Wales.

  First degree full time graduates from higher education institutions

  in Wales who were assumed to be unemployed six months after

  graduation1

  Year of graduation

  Percentage

  1994–952

  9.1

  1995–96

  7.6

  1996–97

  7.1

  1997–98

  5.6

  1998–99

  5.1

  1Data do not indicate whether graduates were claiming unemployment benefit or not.

  21994–95 data were collected only for students obtaining qualifications in a 10 month period (1 October 1994 to 31 July 1995) whereafter from 1995–96 onwards, data relate to students qualifying in a 12 month period (1 August to 31 July).

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency

  University Research
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding each university in Wales has received towards research in each of the past five years. [134905]

  £000

  Institution

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  University of Glamorgan

  2,508

  2,969

  3,003

  2,301

  1,910

  University of Wales, Aberystwyth

  12,689

  11,618

  12,598

  11,230

  12,922

  University College Wales, Bangor

  12,092

  12,765

  13,790

  13,100

  15,067

  Cardiff University

  28,916

  30,441

  32,089

  37,865

  38,903

  University of Wales, Lampeter

  1,492

  1,042

  1,213

  1,268

  1,097

  University of Wales, Swansea

  17,371

  17,284

  16,646

  16,303

  17,339

  University of Wales College of Medicine

  14,900

  14,898

  15,305

  15,933

  17,536

  University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

  151

  318

  343

  1,022

  987

  University of Wales College, Newport

  233

  246

  255

  278

  501

  North East Wales Institute

  1,533

  1,536

  1,204

  878

  844

  Swansea Institute of Higher Education

  64

  2

  1

  231

  170

  Trinity College Carmarthen

  35

  74

  130

  171

  63

  Welsh College of Music and Drama

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Secondary Legislation
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions his Department has had with officials from the National Assembly for Wales on the development of common practice across Government when framing legislation which accords secondary legislation powers to the National Assembly for Wales; [134365]

  (2) what discussions his Department has had with officials from the National Assembly for Wales on the development of common practice across Government when framing legislation which accords secondary legislative powers to the National Assembly for Wales. [134366]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I recognise the importance of developing common practices in framing the Assembly's secondary legislative powers. Devolution Guidance Note (DGN) 9 on Post Devolution Primary Legislation Affecting Wales is currently being prepared and I expect it to be published by Cabinet Office shortly. Both my officials and those of the National Assembly for Wales have been involved in the discussions on its contents.

  The framing of the Assembly's powers in current Bills will continue to be discussed thoroughly on a case-by-case basis by officials, including Assembly officials.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average waiting time between application and completion of work involving mandatory home improvement grants for(a) Wales and (b) each council in Wales in each of the last two years. [135239]

  Mr. Hanson
  This information is not held centrally.

  Historic Building Grants
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many historic building grants were awarded in the last five years in Wales; and what was the average cost of these grants.[135206]
  360W
  Mr. Hanson
  The figures set out include research income from all sources including Research Councils, charities, industry, commerce, Government and public bodies. Since 1 July 1999 this has been the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

  Mr. Hanson
  Between 1 April 1995 and 30 June 1999 Cadw offered grants in respect of 486 properties in Wales. The average offer per property was £22,902.

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

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Rip-off Britain Campaign
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the motor industry since the start of his Rip-off Britain Campaign. [134978]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a number of representations from the motor industry.

  Company Insolvencies
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company insolvencies there were in the last 10 years. [135229]

  Dr. Howells
  The total number of company insolvencies in England and Wales for the years 1990 to 1999 was 166,829. The number in each year is shown in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1990

  15,051

  1991

  21,827

  1992

  24,425

  1993

  20,708

  1994

  16,728

  1995

  14,536

  1996

  13,461

  1997

  12,610

  1998

  13,203

  1999

  14,280

  Licence Fees
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list licence fee increases for the top 50 licence payments payable to Ofgem. [135058]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Licence fees paid by individual licensees are commercially confidential.

  Military Equipment Exports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1999 prices, what was the value of military equipment licensed for export to China in each year between 1985 and 1999. [134435]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in response to a recommendation made by the Quadripartite Committee, the 1999 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls sets out the total value in respect of which a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) was issued for the export of military equipment and other goods subject to strategic export controls. However, this total is likely to be greater than the value of exports that are actually made under the SIELs concerned because some of these will not be used to make all of the exports authorised and others will not be used at all. In addition, some goods are exported only temporarily and later returned to the UK.

  It should also be noted that this figure does not cover all types of licence. Open licences allow the exporters concerned to make multiple shipments of the specified goods to the specified destinations in accordance with the licence conditions. While such licences do not normally impose any limit on the volume of exports that may be made under the licence, exporters are required as a condition of the licence to maintain records of all controlled exports for a minimum of three or four years depending on the goods. While these records may be examined by compliance offices in the course of routine compliance visits, the Export Control Organisation does not compile any central record.

  For the years prior to 1999, applicants for Standard Individual Export Licences were required to record on the application form the value of the goods for which a licence was sought; this information was then recorded on ECO's computer databases. However, where a licence was issued, the value of the goods covered by that licence may have been less than the value of the goods covered by the original application. Exporters sometimes mistakenly apply for a licence to export goods for which no licence is required. In addition, goods are sometimes withdrawn from the coverage of an application during the licensing process, for example at the exporter's request, or the value may change during the time taken to process the application because of changes in exchange rates. Moreover, the value of the goods licensed for export by each individual licence was not recorded on ECO's computer database until 1 January 1999, although it was shown on the licence itself.

  Finally, HM Customs and Excise collect and record information on imports to and exports from the UK for trade statistics purposes. This information is set out in Part III of the Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls.

  "Voices"
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department spent on advertising in the recent Government publication, "Voices". [135586]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 October 20001: The DTI spent £4,388 (excluding VAT) on advertising in the recent Government publication "Voices".

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department since 1999 in reducing sickness absence; what targets he has agreed with the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [135493]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The Cabinet Office prepares each year an annual report of sickness absence in the Civil Service, which includes information for each department. The report for 1999 is currently being finalised and will be published soon.

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

  The department has a programme of action to encourage management best practice in maximising attendance.

  Petrol Prices
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the increased cost of petrol to businesses, rural dwellers and farmers; and if he will make a statement. [135796]

  Mr. Byers
  I have received a number of such representations and understand concerns about the continued rise in petrol prices. Most of this is caused by the current unsustainably high level of oil prices. Together with other oil consuming countries, the Government are calling for action from OPEC and other oil producers which would contribute to a reduction in oil prices and greater stability in oil markets.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 2000,Official Report, columns 252–53W, concerning the percentage of the price of petrol which is accounted for by taxation in each EU country, if he will update those figures.[135774]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The latest available information for premium unleaded petrol prices and taxes is for July 2000 and is shown in table.

  European unleaded petrol prices1

  Pence per litre2

  Prices as at mid July 2000

  Pump price

  Amount of tax

  Tax component Percentage

  Austria

  61.48

  36.27

  59.00

  Belgium

  66.21

  43.34

  65.46

  Denmark

  71.01

  46.77

  65.85

  Finland

  73.31

  48.37

  65.98

  France

  71.61

  48.74

  68.07

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  European unleaded petrol prices1

  Pence per litre2

  Prices as at mid July 2000

  Pump price

  Amount of tax

  Tax component percentage

  Germany

  65.47

  44.33

  67.70

  Greece

  51.49

  26.41

  51.29

  Ireland

  58.29

  33.90

  58.16

  Italy

  70.32

  44.40

  63.14

  Luxembourg

  54.18

  29.17

  53.85

  Netherlands

  74.38

  48.56

  65.29

  Portugal

  55.76

  26.27

  47.11

  Spain

  52.81

  30.63

  58.00

  Sweden

  71.90

  47.62

  66.23

  UK

  84.65

  61.43

  72.57

  1Premium unleaded 95RON

  2Prices converted to pounds sterling using mid July exchange rates

  Source

  European Commission Oil Bulletin

  Fuel Delivery Operators
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent service personnel are being trained to operate fuel delivery lorries in the event of disruption to supply. [135654]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary published on 29 September a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all members of the Fuel Supply Task Force aimed at putting in place robust systems to avoid disruption of fuel supplies.

  Military personnel played a contingency role during the disruption in September and they will be in a position to do so again if needed to ensure the distribution of fuel.

  Mergers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what constraints exist, where a breach of merger undertakings is identified, on the ability of the competition authorities to require an immediate rectification of such a breach; and if he will make a statement. [135665]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: Where the parties to a merger are found to be in breach of statutory undertakings and the Director General of Fair Trading advises my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry that the circumstances of the breach are such that the relevant provisions should be enforced, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry may make an order under sections 73 or 75k of the Fair Trading Act 1973 exercising the powers referred to therein, where he considers this will remedy the adverse effects of the merger. An application to the court may also be considered under section 93A of the Act.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action can be taken by the competition authorities for which he is responsible where a company is found to be in breach of undertakings given to obtain approval of a merger under the Fair Trading Act 1973; and if he will make a statement. [135668]
  364W
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: If the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) considers that a breach of undertakings has occurred, he will consider whether to advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to release the parties from the undertakings, or to vary or replace them (for example, because a change in market conditions has made it difficult or unreasonable for the parties to continue to seek to comply with the undertakings). The DGFT will also consider whether the circumstances of the breach are such that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry should be advised to make an order under section 73 or 75k of the Fair Trading Act 1973 exercising the powers referred to therein, where he considers this is required to remedy the adverse effects of the merger. Consideration may also be given to civil proceedings in an appropriate case.

  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for compensation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been(a) received and (b) settled in each of the last five years. [134437]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Department has received a total of 122,952 claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, of which 5,161 have been settled in full and final settlement. In total the Department has made payments totalling £78 million, including 22,292 interim settlement payments.

  These are broken down as follows:

  Received

  Settled full and final

  Interim

  Pre 1996

  870

  —

  1

  1996

  5,548

  —

  4

  1997

  3,259

  —

  —

  1998

  54,145

  7

  10,519

  1999

  29,424

  799

  5,485

  2000

  29,706

  2,509

  6,283

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the claim of William Farrington (deceased) for compensation for respiratory disease will be dealt with by IRISC Claims Management; [134442]

  (2) what action he has taken to deal with the claim of Mr. William Farrington (deceased) for compensation for respiratory disease [134443]

  Mrs. Liddell
  On 24 February 2000, in line with the prioritisation procedure agreed with the solicitors representing the claimants, IRISC (the Department's claims handling agents) sent Maddocks Clarke, Mrs. Farrington's solicitor, the necessary Claims Questionnaire, Financial/Other Losses Questionnaire and Mandates which authorise access to the late Mr. Farrington's medical records.

  Maddocks Clarke returned the completed forms to IRISC on 22 May. Unfortunately there was conflicting information entered on the Claims Questionnaire and the Financial/Other Losses Questionnaire and IRISC contacted Maddocks Clarke to clarify this. Clarification was received on 23 June and the forms were forwarded to Healthcall, provider of the medical assessments.
  365W
  Healthcall had anticipated that they would complete the scanning of all the required medical records by the middle of September. However, due to staff sickness and the unavailability of Health Authority staff this was delayed and the remaining records will now be scanned on 21 November.

  All the documentation will then be passed to a respiratory consultant who will assess the disability for which the Department is liable. IRISC will write to Mrs. Farrington's solicitor with an offer of compensation within two weeks of receiving the correctly completed medical report form.

  Prior to his death Mr. Farrington received an interim payment of £2,000, and subsequently Mrs. Farrington has received her bereavement award.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average time take by IRISC Claims Management to deal with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims in the last 12 months. [134438]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The processing of COPD claims requires the involvement of many bodies—the Department, its contractors, the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Department of Social Security and the claimants' solicitors. Where IRISC, the Department's claims handling agents, are involved there are time scales at various stages of the process, set out in the Handling Agreement signed by the Department and the solicitors representing the claimants.

  Some of the main deadlines include agreeing or contending an Employment History within 56 days of receipt of a completed Claims Questionnaire and making an offer on general damages within 28 days of receipt of a medical assessment process—MAP—report. It should be noted that there are not formal time scales for other parties, including solicitors.

  For those claimants who have received a full and final settlement since 1 November 1999 IRISC advise that the targets set out in the Handling Agreement have been met in all cases.

  Oil Tankers
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what power the Government have to seize oil tankers owned by(a) private contractors and (b) oil Companies [135944]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Energy Act 1976 contains powers which would enable Government to direct both private contractors and oil companies to act in specified ways. The Act contains no specific powers to requisition vehicles.

  It would be possible, however, to take powers to requisition vehicles in emergency regulations made under section 2 of the Emergency Powers Act 1920.

  Director General of Telecommunications
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the appointment of the Director General of Telecommunications. [136103]
  366W
  Ms Hewitt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has today re-appointed David Edmonds as Director General of Telecommunications for a further three years from 1 April 2001. Since his appointment on 1 April 1998, Mr. Edmonds has been successful in stimulating a more competitive, forward looking telecoms regulatory regime.

  The Government are committed to creating the most dynamic and competitive communications market possible, giving consumers more choice, lowering prices and encouraging greater innovation. Mr. Edmonds is the right person to make and carry through the tough decisions necessary to achieve that goal.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Council
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future structure and strategy of the British Council. [135592]

  Mr. Hain
  The British Council has reviewed its operations over the next five years, to ensure that it continues to make maximum impact in a world of rapid change and to exploit new opportunities to reach wider, younger target audiences.

  As a result, and with the encouragement of the FCO, the Council will increase its work in countries in transition to full democracy. It will open up in Armenia, and increase resources for Central and Eastern Europe.

  In recognition of the important work the Council does overseas, under this year's Spending Review of 2001–02 to 2003–04 the Council will receive an increase in its grant in aid of £24.8 million. In addition to helping to fund the proposed expansion in the Council's overseas network, particularly in Russia and China, it will assist in the development of new knowledge and learning centres, for the benefit mainly of developing countries.

  In Western Europe, where infrastructure costs are particularly high, and new forms of Information Technology widely used, the Council will make a significant shift in resources from fixed costs to activities. It will focus its physical presence in capital cities and use some of the savings to fund investment in new, IT-based programmes and services, exploiting the enormous potential of the new media. This will allow the Council to reach wider audiences, particularly young professional people, while maintaining core programmes.

  To reflect changed priorities the Council will close country directorates in Belarus, Ecuador, Lesotho and Swaziland (citizens of some of these countries may still be able to participate in British Council programmes in their region). The Council will also close a small number of offices outside capital cities. Where appropriate, it plans to modify library and information services to match changing patterns of local demand.

  The reduction in physical presence will allow overall program expenditure to increase. Arts, science, English language teaching and education training will remain core activities. The Council will expand work on governance and human rights; it will aim work in science, the

  367W
  environment, health and technology at wider, younger audiences. Generally, it will move to larger cross-sectoral activities that will attract wider audiences and have greater media impact.

  In summary, the Council's new strategy is designed to ensure that it remains in tune with the evolving needs of target audiences as we move into a new century.

  Conflict Diamonds
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on dealing in illegal diamonds by the RUF in Sierra Leone of his initiatives on conflict diamonds. [135918]

  Mr. Hain
  As part of HMG's initiative to tackle the problem of conflict diamonds, the UK played the lead role in promoting UN Security Council resolution 1306(2000) which was adopted on 5 July 2000 and imposed a ban on the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to the territory of UN member states. The resolution provided for an exemption from the ban for diamonds controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime. This exemption came into effect on 6 October when the UN Sanctions Committee Chairman reported to the President of the Security Council that an effective regime was fully in operation.

  We anticipate that the new regime will enhance the capacity of the Government and people of Sierra Leone to benefit from their country's diamond wealth, while limiting the rebels' income from the illicit diamond trade.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Nigeria concerning allegations about senior Nigerians in the UN force dealing in illegal diamonds. [135920]

  Mr. Hain
  UN Security Council resolution 1306, adopted on 5 July 2000, prohibits the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to the territory of UN member states, unless accompanied by a Certificate of Origin issued by the Government of Sierra Leone.

  It is for the UN Sanctions Committee to investigate any allegations that this prohibition may have been violated.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Mugabe of Zimbabwe over(a) the revocation of the national reconciliation policy and (b) threats to arrest Ian Smith and other former Rhodesian Government members. [135838]

  Mr. Hain
  Although President Mugabe has announced to supporters that he intends to revoke the National Reconciliation Policy and arrest members of the former Rhodesian Government, he has taken no steps to do so. We are concerned by any action or statement which might threaten stability and political reconciliation in Zimbabwe, and will follow developments closely.

  Jordan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with King Abdullah of Jordan. [135837]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met King Abdullah of Jordan in Amman on 12 October and in London on 25 October. The main topic of discussion at each meeting was the continuing crisis in the Middle East and the Peace Process. The Foreign Secretary praised King Abdullah for his constructive efforts to bring peace to the region and reaffirmed Britain's strong commitment to close co-operation and friendship with Jordan.

  Departmental Employees
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what capacity Peter Penfold is employed by his Department. [135919]

  Mr. Hain
  Mr. Peter Penfold is a member of the FCO's Senior Management Structure. He has now returned to the UK after completing his posting in Sierra Leone, and in accordance with normal procedure is being considered for further appointments.

  Sierra Leone
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the UN about the new commander of the UN peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone. [135917]

  Mr. Hain
  The withdrawal of the Indian contingent in UNAMSIL will leave the Force Commander post open. We have encouraged the UN Secretary-General to consider carefully all suitable candidates for this key position.

  Savings Tax
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals by the European Commission relating to tax rates on savings. [135380]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  At the Feira European Council in June, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor persuaded the EU to accept exchange of information rather than a withholding tax on cross-border savings income as the way forward. This illustrated the success of the Government's policy of constructive engagement on EU issues.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Fourth Annual report and Accounts for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be published. [136033]

  Dr. Reid
  The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has published its fourth Annual Report and Accounts today. The report contains details of the
  369W
  progress made by SEPA during the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, the Agency's fourth year of operation. A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts has been placed in the Library.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress made in the current review of the most effective way to measure(a) employment and (b) unemployment statistics. [135445]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 31 October 2000:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about the progress made in the current review of the most effective way to measure employment and unemployment statistics. I am replying in the his absence. (135445)
  There is no general review of employment or unemployment statistics taking place currently. However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is involved with a project, including public consultation, for the Labour Market Theme Working Group. This includes a question on the public's requirements with regard to sub-national unemployment rates. In addition, ONS is currently reviewing the unemployment rate measures.
  The review began in 1999 and the public consultation stage is currently underway. This was launched in September via an article published in Labour Market Trends. The article was also posted on the National Statistics website and sent out to members of the Central and Local Government Information Partnership sub-group. Users are invited to comment on its proposals. The closing date for contributions to this consultation process is 31 October 2000.
  A report is planned early in 2001 summarising the responses received and outlining the next steps. Details of the implementation timetable for the various work programmes will also be included.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 12 April on behalf of his constituent Mrs. Eddy. [127374]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 June 2000]: I replied to the letter from the right hon. Member on 19 July 2000.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire, dated 6 June and 17 May, regarding Mr. Ian Cannon and Armillatox. [132444]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman replied to the letters from the hon. Member on 23 June 2000, but due to a regrettable failure in recent months by the external courier firm contracted by MAFF to deliver certain mail to Parliament, the replies were not delivered when originally
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  despatched. The Department's contract with the courier firm has been terminated, and a full investigation of the incident is now under way, including a review of our mail tracking system to ensure that this cannot occur again. The replies were re-sent on 29 September. I apologise for the inconvenience caused.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter of 10 May from the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton requesting a meeting on behalf of Mrs. A. Barnes. [131751]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 July.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the hon. Member for West Chelmsford will receive a reply to his letter of 14 April on behalf of his constituent Mr. H. E. Biggs. [131755]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman replied to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford on 31 May 2000, but due to a regrettable failure in recent months by the external courier firm contracted by MAFF to deliver certain mail to Parliament, the replies were not delivered when originally despatched. The Department's contract with the courier firm has been terminated, and a full investigation of the incident is now under way, including a review of our mail tracking system to ensure that this cannot occur again. The reply was re-sent on 19 October. I apologise for the inconvenience caused.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk of 31 August. [134293]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: I replied to the right hon. Member on 27 October 2000.

  Crop Contamination
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he was informed first of the import of GM-contaminated oil and rape seeds into the United Kingdom. [128497]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I was sent advice on the position on 19 April.

  Abattoirs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on(a) the future of small abattoirs and (b) the level of meat hygiene charges. [132891]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have received a large number of representations on this subject. They will be taken
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  into account before decisions are reached on the recommendations of the Meat Inspections Charges Task Force.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the future of small abattoirs; and if he will make a statement. [132889]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I am well aware of concerns about the future position of small and medium enterprises. That is why the Agriculture Strategy launched in March set up a Task Force to review the issue of meat inspection charges as they bear on this sector. My colleagues and I are now considering the Task Force recommendations.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 2000,Official Report, column 295W, how much of the expenditure of each of the non-departmental public bodies listed in his answer came from his departmental budget in (a) each of the last three years and (b) the current financial year; and how much is planned in each of the next three years. [131353]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: The information which the hon. Member requested regarding my Department's non-departmental public bodies is as follows:
  Allocations for 2001–02 to 2003–04 have not yet been agreed by the Management Board resulting in the requested information for future years not yet being available.

  Executive non-departmental public bodies

  Agriculture Wages Board and Agriculture Wages Committees

  (a) All

  (b) All

  Apple and Pear Research Council

  (a) None

  (b) None

  British Potato Council

  (a) 1997–98: £95,000

  1998–99: £95,000

  1999–2000: £95,000

  (b) 2000–01: £95,000

  Food from Britain

  (a) 1997–98: £4,918,000

  1998–99: £5,282,000

  1999–2000: £4,986,000

  (b) 2000–01: £5,392,000

  Home-Grown Cereals Authority

  (a) 1997–98: £142,070

  1998–99: £142,070

  1999–2000: £147,070

  (b) 2000–01: £137,070

  Horticultural Development Council

  (a) None

  (b) None

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  Horticulture Research International

  (a) 1997–98: £12,302,000

  1998–99: £12,348,000

  1999–2000: £11,407,000

  (b) 2000–01: £10,000,0001

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  (a) 1997–98: £289,000

  1998–99: £278,000

  1999–2000: £291,000

  (b) 2000–01: £283,000

  Milk Development Council

  (a) None

  (b) None

  Regional Flood Defence Committees

  The fees and expenses of the Regional Flood Defence Committees' Chairmen and Members are budgeted for, and paid by, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

  (a) 1997–98: £20,951,000

  1998–99: £17,551,000

  1999–2000: £17,219,000

  (b) 2000–01: £15,735,000

  Sea Fish Industry Authority

  (a) 1997–98: £296,000

  1998–99: £271,000

  1999–2000: £225,000

  (b) 2000–01: £250,000

  United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS)

  (a) All

  (b) All

  Wine Standards Board of the Vintners' Company

  (a) 1997–98: £371,115

  1998–99: £371,191

  1999–2000: £375,408

  (b) 2000–01: £379,000

  Public Corporations

  Covent Garden Market Authority

  (a) None

  (b) None

  Advisory non-departmental public bodies

  Advisory Committee on Pesticides

  Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee

  Consumers' Committee for Great Britain (expenditure in 1997–98 only)

  Farm Animal Welfare Council

  Hill Farming Advisory Committee

  (a) All

  (b) All

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  (a) 1997–98: £56,000

  1998–99: £71,000

  1999–2000: £71,000

  (b) 2000–01: £71,000

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  Veterinary Products Committee

  (a) 1997–98: Nil

  1998–99: £20,000

  1999–2000: £84,000

  (b) 2000–01: £56,000

  Tribunals

  Agricultural Land Tribunals

  (a) All

  (b) All

  1Provisional.

  Ministerial Duty Roster
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the daily ministerial duty roster for his Department during the Summer Adjournment. [133279]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 28 July 2000]: It is not normal Government practice to publish the daily ministerial duty roster. However, with the exception of

  Application

  Purpose

  Intended Recipients1

  Financial value £000

  Outcome

  Round 2

  National Flood and Coastal Defence database

  To provide electronic database to store, manipulate and present information on flood and castal defence risks, assets and associated habitats, supported by and available to all operating authorities in England and Wales

  Environment Agency

  4,000

  Unsuccessful

  European Centre for Organic Top Fruit and Nursery Stock

  To create a centre of excellence to develop a deeper scientific basis for organics and to disseminate it effectively across organic sector from growers to consumers

  Horticulture Research International, East Malling, Kent

  2,261

  Successful

  TSE Research Surveillance project

  Capital money for new facilities to enable SEAC Sub-group recommendations on sheep to be met

  MAFF

  13,900

  Successful

  1Reflects initial allocation of funding

  Departmental Farms
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the farms that form his Estate of Farms, indicating for each(a) the projects undertaken, (b) the operator of the farm, (c) the acreage, (d) the grade of the land, (e) the number of his Department's employees employed on the farm, (f) how long it has been in his Department's ownership and (g) the dates on which (i) he and (ii) other Ministers from his Department have visited the farms. [132441]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 25 July 2000: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Quangos
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the annual budget of each quango currently sponsored by his Department in each of the last three years, broken down by source of funding.[130806]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The information requested regarding my Department's non-departmental public bodies is being placed in the Library of the House.
  374W
  two days, I was on duty throughout the summer, dealing with classical swine fever and later, the Government response to the Phillips inquiry and other departmental business. The other Ministers in the Department each took a full share of the summer duty roster.

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reconcile his answers of 18 May 2000, Official Report, columns 269–72W, concerning his Department's applications to the Capital Modernisation Fund, and 5 May 2000, Official Report, column 246W, concerning the funding of the European Centre for Organic Fruit and Nursery Stock. [130809]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Unfortunately, due to an administrative error, information about the Department's applications under round 2 of the Capital Modernisation Fund (including the European Centre for Organic Top Fruit and Nursery Stock) was omitted from my reply of 18 May.

  The missing information is as follows:

  Expenditure
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a breakdown of the annually managed expenditure line in the 2000 Spending Review, listing the items of expenditure previously included in the departmental expenditure limits of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Intervention Board and the Forestry Commission or otherwise managed by his Department. [134012]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The annually managed expenditure provisions agreed in the 2000 Spending Review for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Forestry Commission and the Intervention Board are as follows. Only the Intervention Board has reclassified as annually managed expenditure some items previously included in its departmental expenditure limit. The items are analysed below the main table.

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Main Departmental Programmes

  CAP/Agri-environment schemes

  1,520.6

  1,452.6

  1,451.6

  Resource accounting items

  61.3

  76.3

  83.8

  375W

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Forestry Commission

  Main Departmental Programmes

  EU RDR-financed woodland grant payments

  3.5

  5.5

  5.5

  Resource accounting items

  49.9

  51.9

  54.5

  Intervention Board

  Main Departmental Programmes CAP schemes

  709.2

  694.1

  705.0

  Resource accounting items

  4.4

  3.3

  3.6

  Intervention Board: Items transferred from departmental

  expenditure limits into annually managed expenditure

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  OTMS-Compensation

  285.7

  268.5

  261.5

  Beef Intervention

  11.0

  7.4

  7.5

  Beef Export Refunds

  2.0

  2.1

  2.1

  Total

  298.7

  278.0

  271.1

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which items of the Intervention Board departmental expenditure limit and annually managed expenditure on the Common Agricultural Policy are determined by the(a) European Union and (b) Government. [134014]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The Intervention Board's Departmental Expenditure Limit consists of administration expenditure and BSE related programme expenditure. The latter includes compensation under the Over Thirty Months Scheme and all associated incidental/disposal costs. The Intervention Board's Annually Managed Expenditure is non-BSE related programme expenditure. This includes intervention buying, other internal market measures and EU refunds on export trade with non-member countries. All programme-related expenditure derives directly from EU legislation and is largely EU funded. The administration expenditure is Exchequer funded and in large measure is demand-led according to the levels of CAP market support activity.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Intervention Board and Forestry Commission departmental expenditure limits given for the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 in the 2000 MAFF Department report have been re-allocated to other years as a result of the shift to resource budgeting. [134015]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The departmental expenditure limits (DEL) quoted in the 2000 Department Report for the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 are all in cash terms. There has been no re-allocation of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Intervention Board DEL as a result of the shift to resource budgeting. As a result of accruals timing adjustments over the three years the Forestry Commission DEL is less than the respective cash provisions shown in the Departmental Report by 0.6 per cent., 2.2 per cent. and 1.7 per cent.
  376W
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which expenditure items previously included in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Intervention Board and the Forestry Commission departmental expenditure limits are accounted for as annually managed expenditure. [134011]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: Only the Intervention Board has reclassified as annually man aged expenditure certain items previously included in its departmental expenditure limit. These are beef intervention, beef export refunds and remnant payments on schemes that have ended, such as the Calf Processing Aid Scheme, Beef Stocks Transfer Scheme and Aid to the Rendering Industry. As part of the 2000 Spending Review settlement the compensation payments on the Over Thirty Months Scheme will transfer into annually managed expenditure with effect from 1 April 2001.

  Intervention Board: Items transferred from departmental

  expenditure limits into annually managed expenditure

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  OTMS—Compensation

  285.7

  268.5

  261.5

  Beef Intervention

  11.0

  7.4

  7.5

  Beef Export Refunds

  2.0

  2.1

  2.1

  Total

  298.7

  278.0

  271.1

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a detailed reconciliation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Intervention Board and Forestry Commission departmental expenditure limits set out in the 2000 Budget, the 2000 MAFF Departmental report, the 2000 Spending Review and the 1998 Spending Review. [134008]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The relevant total MAFF, Intervention Board (IB) and Forestry Commission (FC) departmental expenditure limits are as follows:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  1. 1998 Spending Review

  1,344

  1,265

  1,303

  2. Budget 2000

  1,415

  1,215

  1,186

  3. 2000 Departmental Report

  1,417

  1,215

  1,186

  4. 2000 Spending Review

  —

  —

  1,258

  Changes in the 1999–2000 figures between positions 1 and 2 reflect the Supplementary Estimates and the transfer of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) from MAFF to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Changes in the 1999–2000 figures between positions 1 and 3 reflect the Supplementary Estimates but not the transfer of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

  Changes in the 2000–01 figures between positions 1 and 2 reflect the transfer of the MHS and the Joint Food Standards and Safety Group from MAFF to the FSA; take-up of funding for the support package which I announced on 20 September 1999; the transfer of receipts from the sale of Covent Garden Market into 2001–02;

  377W
  the take-up of funding for a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) surveillance programme; and a redefinition of the BSE envelope.

  Changes in the 2001–02 figures between positions 1 and 2 reflect the same changes as for the 2000–01 figures. Changes between positions 3 and 4 reflect Cash to Resource adjustments for Capital Charges; Non-Departmental Public Body/Public Corporation adjustments; a further redefinition of the BSE envelope; the transfer of OTMS funding from DEL to AME; and additional funding secured under the 2000 Spending Reviews.

  National Changeover Plan
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has held with farmers' representatives to involve them in the National Changeover Plan. [134021]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The Government are working in partnership with business, the wider public sector and the voluntary sector to continue the planning necessary to give the UK a • genuine option to take a decision early in the next Parliament to join a successful single currency.

  My officials have consulted farmers' representatives about the option of receiving CAP payments in euro. In early August I announced the introduction of an arrangement making available payments in euro to traders for certain types of CAP market support measure.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent on the National Changeover Plan to date broken down into the main items of expenditure. [134022]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: Information on investments in changeover planning by the public sector was set out in the Second Outline National Changeover Plan, published on 9 March 2000.

  Pig Industry
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conditions the European Commission has imposed on his proposed Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme; and what plans he has made for the allocated funding if the conditions are not met. [134024]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme was developed in close consultation with the National Pig Association and the Meat and Livestock Commission. In order to ensure that the scheme kept within state aid rules, we also kept in close contact with the European Commission. There is no reason to believe that the Commission will impose any conditions over and above what is laid down in its guidelines for state aids of this type. As the industry has been fully involved with the scheme's development and is as flexible as state aid rules and financial propriety will allow, I expect British pig producers to make full use of the funding available.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the total cost to date incurred by pig farmers in complying with BSE regulations in force in the United Kingdom. [134016]
  378W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: No such assessment has been made; however, I acknowledge that the pig industry, like other livestock and related industries, has faced increased costs as a result of measures to eliminate BSE from the British cattle herd.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what costs his Department will be seeking from the British Pig Industry Support Group following its court case against the Government. [134017]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The Government are seeking to cover their legal costs in this case. The amount claimed does not include the considerable time that officials in policy divisions spent on drawing up witness statements and compiling relevant documentation.

  Ragwort
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many notices under section 1 of the Weeds Act 1959 have been served during each of the past three years; and on how many occasions he has exercised default powers under section 3 of the Weeds Act 1959 in respect of common ragwort. [133956]

  Mr. Morley
  During 1998, staff at MAFF Regional Service Centres, acting on the Minister's behalf, served one notice under section 1 of the Weeds Act 1959; one notice was served in 1999 and one has been served so far this year; default powers were exercised last year in respect of the 1998 notice.

  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints about common ragwort his Department has received in each of the past three years; and how many landowners have been approached or written to by his Department's officials following such complaints in each of the past three years. [133984]

  Mr. Morley
  During 1998, MAFF Regional Service Centres received 290 complaints from occupiers of farmed land about injurious weeds; 242 complaints were received in 1999; 249 have been received so far this year. Most of these complaints related to common ragwort.

  Figures for the number of occupiers of infested land who were approached or written to following complaints are not held centrally. However, Regional Service Centre staff endeavour to contact all such occupiers, providing their whereabouts are known.

  Milk (Schools)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made for continuing the present level of take-up of milk in schools from January 2001. [134399]

  Ms Quin
  The Government are currently considering whether to top up the EU subsidy for school milk, which is being reduced from 1 January 2001 and we hope to make an announcement soon. In addition we are co-operating actively in the Commission's review of administration arrangements to see whether this can be made simpler for schools which wish to take part.

  Coastal Erosion
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about Government policy on coastal erosion. [133339]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government remain committed to the aim of reducing risks to people and the developed and natural environment from coastal erosion by encouraging the provision of sustainable defence measures. I announced in July a further increase of £30 million in the plans for Ministry funding of capital flood defence and coast protection works, bringing the total for the next three years to £267 million.

  Bees
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make available a grant of £600 per annum to enable beekeepers to take basic beekeeping exams. [134640]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry funds a range of measures costing around £1.3 million annually to assist the beekeeping sector to deal with bee health issues. The emphasis is on providing cost-free regional and national training in good husbandry and disease recognition and control for all beekeepers. In each of the last two years, the National Bee Unit has organised over 700 such events working closely with beekeeping associations. We consider this to be the best use of available resources.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of foul brood and European foul brood have been identified in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [134639]

  Ms Quin
  American and European foul brood are notifiable diseases under the Bee Disease Control Order 1982. All new suspected cases have to be reported, and in England and Wales investigations are carried out by the National Bee Unit. The number of colonies confirmed infected with either of these diseases since 1997 is as follows:

  1998

  1999

  20001

  American foul brood

  229

  148

  103

  European foul brood

  879

  865

  1,039

  Total

  1,108

  1,013

  1,142

  1Figures for 2000 are provisional

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up a field trial to eliminate bee colonies with European foul brood; and what steps he is taking to ensure colonies with European foul brood are destroyed. [134636]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry is already undertaking a range of measures to combat this notifiable disease. All colonies too heavily infected with European foul brood to respond to treatment are destroyed. Lightly infected colonies are treated with antibiotic by field inspectors employed by the National Bee Unit, part of the Central Science Laboratory. The Unit is conducting well publicised trials for the 380W
  long-term control of the disease without the need for destruction of the bees in these valuable colonies. Preliminary results are promising.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time bee inspectors are employed by his Department. [134637]

  Ms Quin
  This year, the National Bee Unit employed(a) eight full-time Regional Bee Inspectors and (b) 37 Seasonal Bee Inspectors to provide statutory inspection and advisory services for beekeepers in England and Wales.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reintroduce(a) a regular checking of beehives in order to discover and eliminate disease; and for what reasons such checking has been discontinued. [134638]

  Ms Quin
  Inspection and treatment of bees for the notifiable diseases American foul brood, European foul brood and varroa are mandatory under the provisions of the Bees Act 1980 and the Bee Disease Control Order 1982. The National Bee Unit organises regular annual checks of bee colonies throughout England and Wales for these diseases, particularly in high risk areas. Approximately 26,000–27,000 colonies in 4,500 apiaries are inspected each year. In addition to this service, the National Bee Unit provides training and education to help beekeepers become more self-reliant in the identification of bee diseases through improved bee husbandry.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on which items of expenditure managed by his Department savings are made when the value of the pound increases in relation to the euro; and what level of savings have been generated in this way since the introduction of the euro. [134025]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: Where the value of the pound increases in relation to the euro, this decreases support to farmers under the CAP, but it is impossible to isolate savings that may have been generated solely by currency fluctuations. Many other influences affect expenditure on agriculture, including world prices and climate.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Chancellor of the Exchequer has sought his Department's advice on the optimum exchange rate for Britain's membership of the single currency. [134023]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The rate at which sterling would enter the single currency would need to be consistent with economic fundamentals in the UK and compatible with sustainable convergence between the UK and the euro economies. This was the basis for the decision on the conversion rates of currencies which joined in the first wave.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which items of expenditure managed by his Department are directly dependent on the exchange rate between the pound and the euro. [134026]
  381W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  All CAP payments may be affected by currency fluctuations.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assumptions the Government have made on the pound-euro exchange rate in setting budgets for expenditure managed by his Department. [134027]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: Assumptions underpinning Government decisions about expenditure were set out in the Spending Review 2000.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment his Department has made of the impact of joining the single currency on British agriculture; [134019]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the net advantages and disadvantages to British farmers of joining the single currency at the present time; [134018]

  (3) what priority the Government places on the needs of agriculture in deciding whether and when to join the single currency. [134020]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 October 2000]: The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is whether the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous on the basis of the Government's five economic tests. The Government have said that they will produce another assessment of the five economic tests early in the next Parliament.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the five beneficiaries who have received the largest sums in lottery grants. [134480]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: According to the National Lottery Awards Database the five National Lottery projects which have been awarded the largest sums in Lottery grants are:

  the New Millennium Experience Company;

  the English National Stadium, Wembley;

  the Eastlands Sport City (incorporating the Commonwealth Games Stadium and the United Kingdom Sports Institute North West Network Centre);

  the Royal Opera House. Covent Garden; and

  the Lowry Centre.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the original deadline was for a decision on the preferred bidder to operate the new National Lottery licence; and when he expects a final decision to be made; [134606]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure impartiality in the award of the new licence to operate the National Lottery; [134601]
  382W
  (3) if he will make a statement on the award of the new licence to operate the National Lottery. [134599]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: I appointed Lord Burns to the National Lottery Commission on 12 October 2000 and I gave him a clear remit, with the other Commissioners, to conduct the selection process for the next National Lottery licence with absolute fairness and impartiality between the applicants.

  The Commission announced on 25 October 2000 that it is about to begin evaluating both revised bids. It expects to say by mid-November whether the bids meet the statutory criteria of ensuring the Lottery is operated with all due propriety and protecting the interests of players. If the Commission concludes that only one bid meets these criteria, the announcement of the preferred bidder could be made around mid-November.

  If the Commission concludes that both bids meet these criteria, then it will consider which bid would secure the greatest returns to good causes. It will do this without preconceptions and without regard to the conclusions it reached on this matter prior to its announcement on 23 August 2000. It would hope to make an announcement of the outcome by mid-December.

  The Commission had originally hoped to announce its preferred bidder by the end of June, but subsequently asked the applicants for more information and postponed its announcement until August. On 23 August 2000, the Commission announced that neither of the two bidders met the statutory criteria for the award of the licence.

  Free TV Licences
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he has taken to inform people aged 75 years or over of their eligibility for a free television licence; and if he will make a statement on the handling of queries. [136028]

  Janet Anderson
  TV Licensing, on behalf of the BBC, has undertaken a number of activities to inform people aged 75 or over of their eligibility for a free television licence and what they needed to do to apply. Publicity has also been aimed at people who have already applied for their free licence, but who needed some reminders and reassurances about when their licence is due to arrive. The activities include:Specific direct mailings to all households and changes to existing stationery to include application forms for a short term licence or Over 75 television licence.
  Two BBC television trails targeted specifically at people aged 75 or over have been running on BBC One and BBC Two since May and will continue to run until mid-November.
  BBC Local Radio trails targeted specifically at people aged 75 or over. These trails ran between June and July and from September to the end of October.
  Press advertisements in both national and targeted press in September and October with further press advertisements planned for targeted press during November.
  Information leaflets and signs have been provided to all Post Offices.

  383W
  Information has been provided on a dedicated Ceefax page which will continue to run until mid-November.
  Liaison with key caring agencies and provision of leaflets highlighting concession details.

  In addition, the BBC has prepared material for responses to media inquiries around 1 November, answering likely questions, and the media will be fully briefed around that date.

  On the handling of inquiries, the BBC has anticipated that applicants are likely to contact TV Licensing with queries about the licences they have been sent, such as the method of calculating the refund, or the validity of the licence for other members of their household. The BBC has tried, as far as possible, to answer these questions in the letter accompanying the licence, but experience shows that many people will still contact TV Licensing with queries. In addition, the BBC says it will be hard to predict the volume of calls from people whose circumstances or their address have changed, and the new applications which might be prompted by the issue of the licence. The BBC, therefore, has in place:
  Automated messages on the helplines to answer the most common queries, and to reassure people still waiting for their licence
  Call centre capacity to a maximum of 260 operators answering queries
  The ability to take people's telephone numbers and call them back outside peak call times.

  The BBC believes this capacity provides TV Licensing with the ability to answer up to 500,000 inquiries through the next six weeks.

  Responses to the licence mailing are, however, hard to predict, and publicity or press activity could cause peaks of telephone calls that exceed the capacity of the call centres at any given time. The cost of this extra capacity would be £250,000 a week. The BBC has chosen to balance cost versus demand and believes it has set it at a sensible level. The BBC will, however, be reviewing this daily and will reconsider its funding on a day-to-day basis.

  Millennium Dome
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting was advised by the New Millennium Experience Company that the information given in her written answer of 4 July 2000,Official Report, column 149W, on the proportion of sponsorship payment due to the New Millennium Experience Company in respect of the Millennium Dome, was factually correct. [136147]

  Janet Anderson
  Yes. However, I have now been advised by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) that the information that they gave me was not correct. The answer should have been:All sponsor contracts are individually tailored for each sponsorship, including phasing of sponsorship payments. As at 1 March, under the terms of their sponsorship agreement, Tesco were due to pay £1.75 million plus VAT. Of that, £1 million (plus VAT) had been received on 12 May 2000, leaving a balance of £750,000. The contract with Boots was nearing finalisation and the company had paid amounts in advance of signature. The Boots contract has now been signed and all due payments have been made.
  384W
  I apologise to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) for the unfortunate but unintentional error. I understand that David James, Executive Chairman of NMEC, is initiating a full investigation as to how this error occurred.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Road Building
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the Royal Automobile Club to discuss road building. [133313]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Ministers regularly meet the RAC Foundation both bilaterally and in the context of the Motorists' Forum. At those meetings various issues are discussed including road building.

  Open Spaces
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the protection of open spaces in towns and cities. [133314]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our planning policies for sport, recreation and open spaces are currently being revised and will provide a strategic framework for assessing the open space needs of local communities and how best to protect them.

  Success of our urban regeneration policy is dependent on creating a high quality environment and the maintenance of good open spaces is essential to this.

  South Coast Corridor Study
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's south coast corridor multi-modal study. [133315]

  Mr. Hill
  Today I have announced the Steering Group membership and Terms of Reference for this important study, which will investigate congestion, safety and environmental problems on the south coast between Southampton and Thanet, and propose measures aimed at improving access to and between the regeneration areas and other areas of economic activity along the south coast. The study is expected to be completed in the spring of 2002.

  Regional Development
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he next intends to visit the north-west of England to discuss regional development policy initiatives. [133316]
  385W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have no plans to visit the north-west of England to discuss regional development policy issues in the near future.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recent breakdowns of the air traffic control system. [133317]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government greatly regret the inconvenience and costs caused to passengers and airlines by the recent failures of the Flight Data Processing System at West Drayton, most notably on 17 June. NATS has taken measures to enhance the robustness of this system which has proved extremely reliable over the years.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which discussions have taken place since 1 August on the future of air traffic control between his Department and(a) IPMS and (b) BALPA. [133491]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have had a series of discussions at both Ministerial and official level with the Institute of Professional and Managerial Staffs and the Public and Commercial Services Union. Most recently, officials from my Department have held discussions with representatives of both those unions on 4 October 2000 about the proposed public-private partnership for National Air Traffic Services.

  We have received no recent representations from the British Association of Airline Pilots.

  Global Warming
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the possible contribution of tree plantations in upland areas in tackling global warming. [133318]

  Mr. Meacher
  UK woodlands remove about 2.8 million tonnes of carbon annually from the atmosphere—about 1.7 per cent. of UK and 0.04 per cent. of global CO2 emissions. They will continue to contribute in future, by providing renewable energy and construction materials as well as simple removal. Over half our woodlands are in upland areas.

  Neighbourhood Wardens
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the neighbourhood warden initiative. [133319]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government announced the first round of 50 successful bids for the neighbourhood wardens grant on 18 September. A decision on a further 42 schemes has been deferred to allow further 386W
  development. The successful schemes are of a good regional spread, tackling issues on improving the environment, quality of life and community safety.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for the introduction of regional Government. [133320]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  No timetable has yet been drawn up for moving to directly-elected regional government. We remain committed to do so, where there is support demonstrated in referendums. In the meantime, regionalism is evolving through the work of the regional chambers, regional development agencies, Government offices and others.

  Single Rail Franchise (Wales)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has undertaken with the relevant secretaries of the National Assembly regarding the establishment of a single rail franchise for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [133321]

  Mr. Hill
  The Instructions and Guidance given to the Franchising Director by the Deputy Prime Minister in September 1999 asked him to consider the size, duration, and make-up of franchises in seeking best value for money. The Franchising Director announced a dedicated rail network for Wales and the border counties of England on 8 August. The scope of this network has now been defined following discussion, which started in March, with the National Assembly for Wales and other key stakeholders.

  Tigers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals Her Majesty's Government are supporting to save the tiger from extinction. [133322]

  Mr. Meacher
  The UK strongly supports the recommendations on tigers agreed at the Conference of CITES Parties last April. We have contributed over £150,000 to a number of tiger initiatives over the last three years, including most recently £40,000 to help CITES establish a Tiger Enforcement Task Force to combat illicit trade in tigers worldwide.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received from organisations concerning mobile phone masts. [133323]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from(a) local authorities and (b) others on mobile phone masts. [133326]
  387W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  As at 30 October, we had received 191 responses to the consultation document on planning for mobile phone masts and other telecommunications development, issued on 31 July. 111 were from local authorities and 80 from others. The consultation period ends today.

  Transport Infrastructure
  Mr.Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on updating the transport infrastructure. [133325]

  Mr. Hill
  Last July we published The 10-year plan for transport. This is a £180 billion investment plan to transform our transport system over the next 10 years, remedying decades of under-investment and stop-start funding. The plan will deliver a modern, integrated transport system fit for the 21st Century.

  Road Improvements (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to improve the A417/A419 at Nettleton Bottom in Gloucestershire. [133327]

  Mr. Hill
  The Highways Agency is currently carrying out a safety improvement scheme at Nettleton Bottom on the A417 trunk road. Work started in September and is due to be completed by early November. The scheme aims to reduce accidents due to vehicles turning right into the Golden Heart public house. A permanent 40 mph speed limit will also be introduced through the village.

  Light Rail
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role he envisages for light rail in integrated public transport. [133328]

  Mr. Hill
  Light rail and similar rapid transit systems can play a significant part in improving the attractiveness and quality of public transport in major conurbations. Our ten-year plan provides a substantial increase in funding for light rail, to back schemes that offer good value for money as part of integrated transport strategies.

  Local Authority Houses
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authority houses there were(a) immediately prior to the coming into force of the right to buy legislation in 1981, (b) on 1 April 1987, (c) on 1 April 1992, (d) on 1 April 1997 and (e) on 1 April 2000. [133329]

  Mr. Mullin
  The right to buy came into effect on 3 October 1980. The number of properties reported by local authorities as in their ownership and available for rent on the dates specified is as follows.

  Number of properties

  1 April 1980

  4,763,500

  1 April 1987

  4,412,600

  388W

  Number of properties

  1 April 1992

  3,844,400

  1 April 1997

  3,400,600

  1 April 2000

  3,012,000

  The change between 1 April 1980 and 1 April 2000 is not accounted for solely by the right to buy, but also by other changes such as voluntary sales and transfers to other social landlords.

  Local Deprivation Index
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve the accuracy of the local deprivation index.[1333301]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The new Indices of Deprivation 2000 were published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in August. The indices, based on 33 ward level indicators of deprivation, were developed after careful research, data testing and extensive consultation with users. They provide local authorities and others with information on deprivation within their area as well as providing national Government and regional bodies with a picture of deprivation across the whole of England. I am confident that they represent the best that is possible at the current time. The indices will be kept under review and will be revised when significantly better information on deprivation for small areas becomes available.

  VAT Harmonisation
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury about the revenue implications of harmonising VAT on repairs, restoration, conservation and new-build at between 5 and 8 per cent. [133331]

  Mr. Mullin
  Lord Rogers' Urban Taskforce recommended that we should harmonise VAT on new-build and repair and maintenance. The forthcoming Urban White Paper will outline the Government's response to Lord Rogers' recommendations, but final decisions on taxation will be for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

  London Underground
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met representatives of London Underground Ltd. to discuss transport investment in London. [133332]

  Mr. Hill
  I meet regularly with London Underground's senior management.

  Areas of Deprivation
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on tackling areas of deprivation.[133333]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government are committed to tackling deprivation through the Spending Review
  389W
  2000's specific targets. The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit will drive forward cross-departmentally the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plan due in the autumn. The new Neighbourhood Renewal Fund's £800 million will provide extra resources for the 88 most deprived authorities and Local Strategic Partnerships will ensure local people play a part.

  Safer Communities
  33. Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund providing new housing for vulnerable people. [133334]

  Mr. Mullin
  This fund of £137 million will finance an expansion of housing and support for young people at risk, people fleeing domestic violence, people with a history of substance misuse and ex-offenders. It is part of the Government's wider action to tackle social exclusion and build safer communities.

  Affordable Housing (South Essex)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what support and assistance he plans to give to key workers seeking affordable accommodation in south Essex. [133335]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In April this year, in our Housing Green Paper, we sought comments on our proposals for a starter home initiative, which will help key workers in high price, high demand areas to buy their own homes, while helping their employers address their recruitment needs. We announced in July that £250 million would be available over the next three years to fund this initiative and we will be announcing further details about it later this year. In the meantime, the increased investment through local authorities and the Housing Corporation, together with our planning policies for housing, will also help to increase the supply of affordable housing where it is most needed.

  Climate Change Report
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's 22nd report, Energy—The Changing Climate. [133336]

  Mr. Meacher
  We welcome the Royal Commission's contribution to the discussion on climate change. Together with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe and other colleagues, I will be giving careful consideration to the recommendations contained in the report. We aim to respond to the report within a year of its publication.

  Mobile Homes
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made in improving the rights of the occupants of mobile homes. [133337]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have consulted on, and are considering, the recommendations of the Park Homes working party. We have already published good practice 390W
  guidance for local authorities on dealing with harassment and site licensing, and we intend to commission research into the economics of the park homes industry.

  Road Safety
  37. Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received regarding spending on safety improvements on A roads. [133338]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department receives representations from time to time, including those from the hon. Member in respect of the A14.

  The Secretary of State is the highway authority for the trunk road network and will be spending £47 million a year on safety schemes. These will include schemes on both motorways and all-purpose A roads.

  The Highways Agency safety strategy, published in March 2000, is to target expenditure to give best value for money with a maximum reduction in accidents, having due regard for our customers. To achieve this objective, the Agency have identified target user groups and is working with other Government Departments, the police, local highway authorities and others with regard to their concerns in helping to inform the programme.

  The prioritisation of expenditure is ultimately for local authorities to decide in light of priorities within their local transport plan. The recent Spending Review 2000 provided £4.5 billion over the next three years for local transport capital expenditure—a 90 per cent. increase on the previous CSR period.

  South Central (Refranchising Process)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the south central refranchising process will be completed. [133340]

  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director announced on 24 October that the shadow Strategic Rail Authority had signed heads of terms with GoVia as the preferred counterparty for the new replacement South Central franchise. GoVia are expected to run the business for 20 years and over that period they are expected to implement an investment programme valued at up to £1.5 billion.

  North West Development Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, when the valuation of North West Development Agency freehold and leasehold assets was last undertaken. [133966]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The valuation of North West Development Agency freehold and leasehold assets was last undertaken on 31 March 2000.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  391W
  if he will place in the Library the register of interests as it applies to each development agency in the United Kingdom. [133961]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The English Regional Development Agencies' (RDAs) registers of members interests are the responsibility of the RDAs themselves and are available to the public on request. As such, the Secretary of State is not in a position to place them in the Library of the House.

  The Devolved Administrations are responsible for development agencies outside England (e.g. Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Development Agency).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the names of the(a) ad hoc and (b) permanent subcommittees and subgroups of the North West Development Agency which deal with regional issues; and what is the remit of each such committee. [133964]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Board of the North West Development Agency (NWDA) has established a number of sub committees and sub groups as follows:

  Audit Committee

  An Audit Committee is the only formal committee of the Board and was officially established in February 2000. The Audit Committee is authorised by the Board to investigate any activity within its duties and may obtain outside legal or other independent professional advice. Its remit is as follows:
  Discuss with the auditor the nature and scope of each forthcoming audit to ensure that the auditor has the fullest co-operation of staff.
  Review the annual statement before submission to the Board.
  Discuss problems and reservations arising from the audit and any matters that the auditor may wish to discuss.
  Review the NWDA's statement of internal control systems prior to endorsement to the Board.
  Make recommendations to the Board of the NWDA.

  The Health Partnership

  The Health Partnership, which is a sub group to the Board of the North West Development Agency was formed in July 1999. Its main purpose is to assist the North West Development Agency in carrying out its role in contributing to health objectives through its work on economic and social regeneration. The Health Partnership provides a forum in which key organisations can contribute to the pool of knowledge on health related issues so that health is fully integrated into the policies of the Agency and regarded as a cross-cutting issue in all policy and programme development.

  The Rural Sub Group

  The Rural Sub Group to the Board of the North West Development Agency was established in November 1999 and has the following purposes:
  To provide advice and information to the Board on rural issues and to take full account of the rural dimension within the North West Development Agency's policies, strategies, action plans and programmes.
  392W
  To ensure as far as possible that the needs of the rural population of the North West are part of the social inclusion agenda.
  To ensure as far as possible that the rural economy is integrated into the mainstream provision of business support services and that the contribution it makes to the regional economy is fully recognised.
  To ensure that rural communities receive a fair share of resources both from the North West Development Agency and from other regional funds.
  To monitor and evaluate the North West Development Agency's rural policies, action plans and programmes.
  To encourage partnerships to address rural issues and the problems of rural areas.

  The Social and Economic Inclusion Sub Group

  The Social and Economic Inclusion Sub Group was established in August 1999 and has the following purposes:
  To provide advice and information to the Board of the North West Development Agency on Social Inclusion.
  To strengthen the capacity of the North West Development Agency and its partners across the region to deliver social inclusion and economic development and to increase access and influence by those groups hitherto excluded from decision making.
  To monitor and evaluate the Agency's performance on social and economic inclusion and where appropriate offer advice on strategy and delivery.

  The Urban Sub Group

  The Urban Sub Group was established in March 2000 and provides advice and information to the Board on urban issues and, in particular, to advise the Board on:
  Matters arising from the publication of the forthcoming Urban White Paper.
  Matters arising from the publication of the forthcoming Housing Green Paper.

  The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Sub Group

  The SRB Sub Group is a permanent advisory group to the Board which meets only at the beginning of the SRB bidding round to agree the criteria for bids and then at the submission stage to consider the bids and make recommendations on those bids to the Board of the North West Development Agency. The need for the sub group is reviewed annually.

  North West Innovation and Technology Advisory Board (NWITAB)

  NWITAB is a formal advisory board which was commissioned by the North West Development Agency to:
  Provide strategic advice and guidance to the NWDA Board on Innovation and Technology issues
  Develop and implement the North West Innovation Strategy. (NWIS)

  The role of the Board is as follows:
  To advise the NWDA Board, via the NWITAB Chair, on all matters relating to the development and implementation of the NWIS.
  To develop and maintain a regional consensus view on the NWIS and its implementation.

  393W
  To endorse NWIS business plans, monitor progress and guide the NWIS Executive accordingly.
  To explore the longer term changes in the Region, nationally and globally, and advise on opportunities, threats and appropriate changes to NWIS and the implementation plan (NW Foresight Group).
  To co-ordinate all innovation and technology activities in the North West region.

  The Board consists of a wide range of representatives from the Private Sector, and representatives from the Universities Association and Government Office for the North West.

  The North West Innovation Strategy was launched on 8 September 2000.

  Minutes from each sub committee and sub group meeting are submitted to the NWDA Board regularly for their approval and, when appropriate, for items of ratification. The NWDA Board regularly review the appropriateness of each of the Sub Groups as well as the administrative arrangements.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, what is the name of the tenant at Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth, whose letting commenced on 20 March. [133971]

  Board member

  Number of occasions

  Interest

  Maggie Chadwick

  2

  Skills Development Fund

  May 1999

  SRB local bids

  June 1999

  John Dunning

  2

  Skills Development Fund

  May 1999

  SRB Round six bids

  July 2000

  Felicity Goodey

  1

  SRB local bids

  June 1999

  Clive Jeanes

  2

  Skills Development Fund

  May 1999

  SRB Round six bids

  July 2000

  Richard Leese

  2

  SRB local bids

  June 1999

  SRB Round Five—Commonwealth Games bid

  November 1999

  Alan Manning

  1

  Skills Development Fund

  May 1999

  Dennis Mendoros

  2

  Skills Development Fund

  May 1999

  SRB Round six bids

  July 2000

  Judy Robinson

  1

  SRB Round six bids

  July 2000

  Clive Jeanes also left the meeting for part of an item on the Small Business Service which was discussed at the Board meeting of the North West Development Agency in March 2000.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the scale and nature of the financial and other support provided by the North West Development Agency in the case of(a) Workington Town Centre, (b) Maryport Endowment, (c) Dovenby Hall, (d) Hills of the North, (e) Westlake Science Park, (f) Kingmoor Park, Carlisle,(g) Lillyhall Partnership, (h) Alston Foundry, (i) Cumbria Credits, (j) Guided Steps to Lifetime Learning, (k) Regeneration of Maryport Averdale, (l) Building Bridges, (m) Cleator Regeneration, (n) Cumbria Rural Regeneration and (o) Heart of Barrow. [133959]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The North West Development Agency funded the acquisition of the St. John's Precinct and Arcade at Workington Town Centre at a cost of £4.2 million. Funding support in respect of the Maryport
  394W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The name of the tenant at Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth whose letting commenced on 20 March is North Cumbria Health Authority.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, to whom the North West Development Agency is accountable on the provision of information on decisions, and estimates of efficiency gains and financial benefits that arose out of moving the location of its offices. [133962]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The North West Development Agency is accountable to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and must provide such information as the Secretary of State may require.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, if he will list those interests in relation to which members of the board of the North West Development Agency stood aside from consideration of agency business in the 12 month period used in answer. [133960]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Board Members of the North West Development Agency declared an interest and stood aside (left the Board room) from consideration of North West Development Agency Board business on 13 occasions, for the following reasons:

  Endowment, Dovenby Hall, Hills of the North, Westlakes Science Park, Kingmoor Park, Carlisle, Lillyhall Partnership and Alston Foundry was provided by English Partnerships prior to the establishment of the North West Development Agency. Financial assistance towards Cumbria Credits, Guided Steps to Lifetime Learning, Regeneration of Maryport Averdale, Building Bridges, Cleator Regeneration, Cumbria Rural Regeneration and Heart of Barrow was provided by Government Office for the North West under the Single Regeneration Budget programme prior to the establishment of the North West Development Agency. The North West Development Agency has now been given responsibility for the continuing management of English Partnerships and Single Regeneration Budget schemes in Cumbria.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many square feet are available under the terms of the lease being negotiated by North West Development Agency for occupation at Penrith. [133969]
  395W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The net lettable area being negotiated by the North West Development Agency for occupation at Penrith is 4,950 sq ft.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what purposes the Chief Executive of the North West Development Agency visited Copeland and Allendale in the last 12 months. [133968]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The purpose of the visit made by the Chief Executive of the NWDA to the Copeland and Allerdale areas in the last 12 months was to attend a meeting in Cockermouth with the Chief Executives of Allerdale borough council and Groundwork to discuss a feasibility study for the reclamation/redevelopment of Broughton Moor.

  The Chief Executive of the NWDA also visited:
  The Cumberland Pencil Factory in Keswick to discuss potential support to help keep the company in the town;
  A site in Backbarrow, where the Agency was offering support to a potential inward investor through the Partnership Investment Programme; and
  The Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourist Board to discuss various aspects of Tourism in Cumbria.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what office accommodation is available to the North West Development Agency and at what cost at Lillyhall, Workington. [133967]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The North West Development Agency is committed to building a managed workspace scheme at Lillyhall in 2001 as its contribution to the Lillyhall Partnership. Approximately 1,000 sq ft of the accommodation will be occupied by its Estate Management Staff. Design work has only just commenced but the cost of the building is projected to be in the region of £55 per sq ft gross (£35 per sq ft net of ERDF recovery).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what indication he has received of the cost per square foot of office space being negotiated by North West Development Agency for occupation at Penrith. [133970]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The indicated office rent at Penrith is £12/sq ft.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations were made by the North West Development Agency to the DTI on the reductions in percentage levels of regional assistance payable in West Cumbria. [133965]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The North West Development Agency made strong representations on the case for West Cumbria, drawing on the Regional Strategy for the North West. The representations were considered by the DTI in developing a case to put to the EU Commission.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the names of the consultancies employed by the North West Development Agency over the last 12 months. [133963]
  396W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Over the last 12 months the North West Development Agency used the following consultancy services:

  Eversheds

  KPMG Management Consulting

  Segal Quince Wickstead Ltd.

  DTZ Pieda Consulting

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  Addleshaw Booth & Co.

  Asian Pacific Research Ltd.

  T. Gill Consultancy

  John Glester Consultancy Services

  GVA Grimley

  Cogent Strategies International Ltd.

  Platt & Fishwick

  Jill Berry

  University of Salford

  Dibb Lupton Alsop

  Amitek UK Ltd.

  Hay Management Consultants

  HFT Gough & Co.

  A. Scott

  J. P. Clarke

  MSL Search and Selection

  Strategem Ltd.

  Gary Gould

  King Sturge & Co.

  Angle Technology Ltd.

  Turner & Townsend

  John Jones

  George Bowness

  The North West Business Leadership

  Sustainability North West

  Dunlop Heywood & Co. Ltd.

  Carigiet Cowen

  John Diggle

  Wigan MBC

  Cumbria Tourist Board

  Roger Tym & Partners

  Manchester Innovation Ltd.

  Business and Market Research

  Colin McGrath

  STMP Marketing Solutions Ltd.

  Lambert Smith Hampton

  Armstrong Watson & Co.

  Povall Flood & Wilson

  Gibson Thorpe Associates

  Todd & Ledson

  Business Interiors Group

  Plunkett Foundation

  Hammond Suddards

  The Change People

  Baker Associates

  Enterprise 2000 Solutions plc

  TSK Workplace Ltd.

  Harry Wilson

  Craig Associates

  Onesource Information Services

  Moody & Stanley

  Grantley Lowe Associates

  397W

  Jim Sherlock

  P. S. Hill & Co.

  Nimtech Malaysia

  Intuition Training & Consultancy Ltd.

  Pauline Soulsby

  Stainforth Public Relations

  B&I Artingstoll

  Ashley Helme Associates Ltd.

  Status (GB) Ltd.

  W. M. Law & Son

  Hayward Associates

  Environmental Advice Centre Ltd.

  Ann Fairclough Association

  The Duckworth Group.

  Planning
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on policies relating to contacts between planning offices and applicants. [135388]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Planning functions must be seen to be carried out with transparency and openness in order to retain public confidence in the decision making process. Planning officers must abide by the local code of conduct prepared by their local authority. The Government endorse the Local Government Association's "Probity in Planning" which recommends the practices and procedures which codes of conduct should cover, including guidance on discussions between planning officials and applicants.

  Water Supply
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cases of leakage in the water supply system there were, how much water was lost, and how much was spent to rectify these problems, in each of the last five years. [135231]

  Mr. Meacher
  There has been almost a 30 per cent. reduction in water leakage since the Water Summit in May 1997. The total volume of potable water lost through leakage is published annually by the Director General of Water Services in his report on leakage and the efficient use of water. For each of the last five years in England and Wales, the total leakage rates were as follows:

  Organisation

  Location

  London Borough of Lewisham

  Honor Oak

  London Borough of Hillingdon

  Hayes/West Drayton

  Southern Homes

  Hackney

  London Borough of Merton

  Lavender/PhBrdg/Poll Hill

  Southwark Council

  Bermondsey

  London Borough of Barnet

  Graeme Park

  London Borough of Hounslow

  Cranford/Brentford/Hounslow

  Liverpool Housing Trust

  Dymchurch Estate, Liverpool

  West Lancashire District Council

  Skelmersdale, Liverpool

  Eldonian Group Ltd.

  Everton and Breckfield

  Manchester Methodist Housing Association

  Longsight and Levenshulme, Manchester

  Irwell Valley Housing Association

  Sale West

  Derwent and Solway Housing Association

  Moorclose and Westfield, Workington

  Riverside Cheshire Housing Association

  Wimslow

  398W

  Water lost (megalitres/day)

  1995–96

  4,980

  1996–97

  4,528

  1997–98

  3,989

  1998–99

  3,551

  1999–2000

  3,306

  Information on the number of cases of leakage and on the amount of money spent tackling leakage is not held centrally. Details of water companies' overall capital expenditure were last published by the Director General of Water Services in the "Report on the financial performance and expenditure of the water companies in England and Wales 1999–00". In the next five years water companies will invest £15.6 billion in the water industry.

  Carbon Dioxide
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what percentage carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced since 1997. [135208]

  Mr. Meacher
  UK carbon dioxide emissions are provisionally estimated to have been about the same in 1999 as in 1997, and around 7.5 per cent. lower than in 1990. This follows a strong downward trend between 1990 and 1997. The levelling of emissions between 1997 and 1999 reflects a modest growth in overall energy demand, slightly lower output from nuclear power stations and lower imports of electricity from France, balanced by continued fuel switching towards gas.

  The draft UK climate change programme, published in March, sets out a package of policies and measures to continue reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the next decade. It estimated that quantified policies and measures could reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 17.5 per cent. below 1990 levels in 2010 and that other elements of the programme would reduce emissions further and could achieve the Government's 20 per cent. goal

  Neighbourhood Warden Scheme
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the bids and (b) the successful projects under the Neighbourhood Warden scheme, stating the local authority in each case. [135803]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Question(a)All bids:
  399W

  Organisation

  Location

  Knowsley Borough Council

  Stockbridge Village, Knowsley

  Oldham MBC

  Derker and Stoneleigh

  Bolton MBC

  Great Lever, Hutton Lane, Deane

  Manchester and Cheshire North British Housing

  Gorton North, South and West, Manchester

  Portsmouth City Council

  Paulsgrove and Wymering

  Gosport Borough Council

  Town Ward

  Milton Keynes Council

  Fullers Slade

  Adur District Council

  Shoreham, Southwick and Fishergate

  Slough Borough Council

  Britwell, Haymill and Lishmore Park Estate

  Pavillion Housing Association

  North Town and Aldershot

  Leeds City Council

  Middleton Estate, Wythers Estate, Miles Hill Estate, Beckhill Estate, Potternewton Estate, Scott Hall Estate, South Seacroft, John O'Gaunts, Cottingley, Upper Beeston

  Kirklees Metropolitan Council

  Almondbury, Batley Town Centre, Holme Park, Bishop Court, Berry Brow, Botham Hall, Sycamore, Deighton and Bracken Hall, Moorside, Dewsbury Moor, Highfields and Gledholt, Howden Clough, London Park

  Manor and Castle Development Trust, Sheffield

  Fairleigh, Prince of Wales Road, Manor Park

  Barnsley Community Safety Partnership

  Sheffield Road/Doncaster Road, Kendray, Worsborough Dale and Bridge

  Goodwin Resource Centre Association

  Thornton, Hull

  North West Leicestershire District Council

  Greenhill Estate, Coalville

  Nottingham City Council, Clfton and Wiford Area Committee

  Clifton

  Wansbeck

  Northumberland

  South Tyneside MBC

  South Tyneside

  Gateshead MBC

  Gateshead

  William Sutton Trust

  Linthorpe Estate, Middlesbrough

  Sedgefield District Council

  Newton Aycliffe

  Home Housing Association

  Plains Farm, Sunderland

  North Tyneside Council

  North Tyneside

  Plymouth City Council

  Drake and Sutton Wards

  Kerrier District Council/police

  Mullion, Kerrier District

  Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership

  Oxmoor Estate, Huntingdon

  Stevenage Borough Council

  Bedwell, Shephall and Monkswood

  Optima Community Association

  Attwood Green, Birminghan

  Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Parkfields, Whitmore Reans, Pendeford

  Walsall Housing Regeneration Agency

  Brownhills, Caldmore, Palfrey, Darleston, Willenhall

  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough

  Merthyr Dowlais Ward

  Cardiff Community Housing Association

  Adamsdown Lane Estate, Cardiff

  Gwynedd Council

  Maes Barcer Estate Caernarfon

  Caerphilly County Borough

  Gilfach and Graig y Rhacca

  City and Council of Swansea Council

  Hafod Area, Swansea

  London Borough of Sutton

  WrytheGrn/WandleValley

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  Bethnal Green/Victoria Park

  London Borough of Hackney

  Frampton Park/Morningside

  Network Housing Association

  Neasden, Brent

  London Borough of Havering

  Harold Hill and South Havering

  Hyde Northside

  Rosetower

  Willow Park Housing Trust

  Benchill

  Trafford MBC

  Partington and Carrington

  Wirral Borough Council

  Connaught Estate

  Burnley Borough Council

  Barclay, Coal Clough and Burnley Wood

  Tameside MBC

  Ashton

  Wyre Borough Council

  Wyre

  Manchester Methodist Housing Association

  Longridge and Shaw Heath Estate

  William Sutton Trust

  Breightmet and Bolton

  Bury MBC

  East Ward, Bury

  Trafford MBC

  Old Trafford

  Wigan MBC

  Worsley Mesnes North

  Manchester Housing

  North Manchester

  Salford City Council

  The Valley Estate

  Vale of White Horse District Council

  South Abingdon Estate

  Aylesbury Vale District Council

  Meadowcroft/Quarrendon

  Horsham District Council

  Ashington Parish

  Canterbury City Council

  Northgate, Hersden and Harbour Ward

  Guildford Borough Council

  Ash and Stoke

  Hastings Borough Council

  Hollington

  Sheffield City Council

  Lowedges, Jordanthorpe, Batemoor, Darnall/Stainforth Road,

  Doncaster Borough Council

  Mexborough

  Wakefield District Community Safety Partnership

  Chequerfield Estate, Pontefract

  Rotherham Community Safety Partnership

  Rawmarsh East

  FCH Housing and Care

  Crewton Gardens Estate

  Greater Humberstone Management Group and Leicester City Council

  Greater Humberstone

  400W 401W

  Organisation

  Location

  Boston Community Safety Partnership

  Boston

  Stockton on Tees B.C.

  North Hornaby/Hardwick

  Darlington B.C.

  Darlington

  Exeter City Council

  St. Davids, St. James, Newton and Polshoe Wards

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  Parishes within the four Districts

  Dacorum Borough Council

  Bennetts End and Corner Hill

  Norwich City Council

  South East Norwich

  Balsall Heath Forum

  Balsall Heath, Birmingham

  Stoke on Trent City Council

  Bentilee and Berryhill

  Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership

  Broadwaters, Kidderminster

  Focus Housing Group

  Hillfields, Coventry

  Newport County Borough Council

  Broadmead and Moorland Park ( Lliswerry Ward)

  Richmond Borough Council

  Council Housing stock

  Ealing FHA Ltd.

  North Acton and Isleworth

  Newham Borough Council

  Council housing stock

  Notting Hill Housing Trust

  Dalgarno, Kensington

  Lancaster West EMB

  Ladbroke Grove

  London Borough of Lambeth

  3 areas

  London Borough of Harrow

  Wealdstone

  London Borough of Camden

  Gospel Oak

  Hackney Est Man. and Dev.

  Stamford Hill

  Hackney Est Man. and Dev.

  Kingsland

  Poplar HARCA

  Poplar 4 areas

  Pimlico Village Housing Co-op

  Lillington/Longmore Gardens, Westminster

  Congleton

  Borough

  Carlisle City Council

  Raffles, Botcherby and Harraby

  Home Housing Association

  Flimby

  Safer Merseyside

  Merseyside

  Liverpool City Council

  Dovecot, Smithdown, Kensington and Anfield

  Pendle Borough Council

  Bradley and Vivary Bridge

  Cheshire County Council

  Cheshire

  Sefton MBC

  South Sefton

  St. Helens MBC

  St. Helens

  Chester District Housing Trust

  Kingsway, Chester

  Halton Borough Council

  Hough Green

  Wealden District Council

  Town Farm Estate, Hailsham

  Chiltern District Council

  Chesham

  Parchment Housing Group

  Stakes Ward

  Medway Council

  Central Gillingham, Central Chatham, Frindsbury

  Thanet District Council

  Northdown Park Area and Newington Ward

  Shepway District Council

  Folkestone

  Tandridge District Council

  Bletchingley

  Sovereign Housing Association

  Hunters Hill/Omers Rise Area. Burghfield Common

  Shaftesbury Housing Association

  Cannock Lawn

  Ealing Family Housing Association Ltd.

  Amersham Road Estate. Reading

  Southwight Housing Association

  Isle of Wight

  Elmbridge Housing Trust

  North Walton Area

  Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

  Watersedge and Longmead Estates

  Isle of Wight Association Ltd.

  Chale Green Estate

  Southampton City Council

  Northam Estate, Nicholstown/Newtown/Radcliffe Road

  Brighton and Hove Council

  East Brighton

  Burley and Hyde Park Community Safety Project

  Burley and Hyde Park

  Bradford Metropolitan District Council

  Bierley, Holmewood, Wyke, Delph Hill, Buttershaw, Parkside, Allerton, Scholemoor, Canterbury, Howarth Road. Westroyd, Bradford Moor, Fagley, Thorpe Edge, Woodhouse

  Preston Road Partnership

  Preston Road

  PROBE Ltd.

  Marfleet

  North East Lincolnshire Council

  Grimsby (Nunsthorpe, Bradley Park, Grange, Yarborough)

  Leeds Federated Housing Association

  Beeston Hill

  Boston Mayflower Ltd.. Boston Borough Council, Boston Community Safety Partnership

  Boston

  Ashfield Partnership Against Crime

  Welbeck Estate, Coxmoor Estate, Leamington Estate

  Broxtowe Borough Council Community Safety Partnership

  Broxtowe

  Derby City Crime and Disorder Partnership

  Rosehill and Pear Tree

  Ollerton and Boughton Town Council

  Boughton

  South Derbyshire Crime and Disorder Partnership

  South Derbyshire

  South Kesteven District Council

  New Beacon Community Info. Centre

  Walbrook Housing Association

  Hartington Street

  Walbrook Housing Association

  Poets Corner

  Bolsover District Council

  Bolsover

  District of Easington

  Peterlee/Seaham

  Newcastle City Council

  Byker/Heaton

  Middlesbrough Council

  Middlesbrough

  Middlesbrough Council

  Pallister Park/Berwick Hills

  402W 403W

  Organisation

  Location

  Home Housing Association

  Arthurs Hill, Newcastle

  Grangetown Residents Association

  Grangetown

  Derwentside District Council

  Derwentside

  Redcar and Cleveland

  Brotton/Eston/Whale Hill

  S. Somerset District Council

  C. Yeovil and Chard

  Caradon District Council

  Saltash (part)

  Sovereign Housing Association

  Totnes (part)

  North Somerset District Council

  Two police beats in Weston-Super-Mare

  Devon and Cornwall Housing Association

  Barne Barton Estate, Plymouth

  Rochford District Council

  St Andrews and Roche

  Suffolk Heritage Housing Association

  Lowestoft

  Waveney District Council

  Lowestoft

  Bedford Borough Council

  Balliol Estate (Kempston), Shortstown, London Rd (Bedford), Carron Rd (Brickhill)

  Luton Borough Council

  Hightown and South, Bramingham, Sundon Park and Leagrave

  Cambridge City Council

  Cambridge City Centre

  Flagship Housing Group

  Thetford and Brandon

  Cambridgeshire Constabulary

  Peterborough

  Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk—Housing Services Department

  West Norfolk

  South Beds District Council

  Bedfordshire

  Focus Housing Group

  Bordesley Green

  Trident Housing Association

  Five Ways

  Crime Concern

  Greets Green

  Spa Housing Association

  Westlands Estate, Droitwich Spa

  Warwick District Community Safety Forum

  Leamington Old Town

  Newcastle under Lyme Housing

  Residential area of the town ward of Newcastle

  Rugby Borough Council

  Long Lawford

  East Staffordshire Borough Council

  Eton, Uxbridge, Waterside, Winshill, Uttoxeter Town

  Telford and Wrekin Council

  Woodside, Donnington Wood, Brookside, Dawley, Hadley, College/Arleston

  Accord Housing Association

  Eastgate Street

  Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

  Leek. Biddulph

  Birmingham City Council

  Kings Norton

  Cardiff Community Safety Partnership

  Ely and Caerau

  Torfaen County Council

  Cwmbran

  Isle of Anglesey County Council

  Llangefni

  Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough

  Cynon Valley

  Gwalia Homes Housing Association Ltd.

  Clase

  Neath Port Talbot County Council

  Sandsfields and Upper Apan Valley

  Flintshire County Council

  Buckley Deeside Flint Holywell and Mold

  Glamorgan and Gwent HA

  St. Mellons, East Cardiff

  Conwy County Borough Council

  Towyn, Llandudno, Kinmel Bay, Colwyn Bay

  Carmarthenshire

  Glanymor. Tyisha, Llwynhendy

  Question (b)All successful bids and their organizers:

  Organisation

  Location

  London Borough of Lewisham

  Honor Oak

  London Borough of Hillingdon

  Hayes/West Drayton

  Southern Homes

  Hackney

  London Borough of Merton

  Lavender/PhBrdg/Poll Hill

  Southwark Council

  Bermondsey

  London Borough of Barnet

  Graeme Park

  London Borough of Hounslow

  Cranford/Brentford/Hounslow

  Liverpool Housing Trust

  Dymchurch Estate, Liverpool

  West Lancashire District Council

  Skelmersdale, Liverpool

  Eldonian Group Ltd.

  Everton and Breckfield

  Manchester Methodist Housing Association

  Longsight and Levenshulme, Manchester

  Irwell Valley Housing Association

  Sale West

  Derwent and Solway Housing Association

  Moorclose and Westfield, Workington

  Riverside Cheshire Housing Association

  Wimslow

  Knowsley Borough Council

  Stockbridge Village, Knowsley

  Oldham MBC

  Derker and Stoneleigh

  Bolton MBC

  Great Lever, Hutton Lane. Deane

  Manchester and Cheshire North British Housing

  Gorton North, South and West, Manchester

  Portsmouth City Council

  Paulsgrove and Wymering

  Gosport Borough Council

  Town Ward

  Milton Keynes Council

  Fullers Slade

  Adur District Council

  Shoreham, Southwick and Fishergate

  Slough Borough Council

  Britwell. Haymill and Lishmore Park Estate

  Pavillion Housing Association

  North Town and Aldershot

  404W 405W

  Organisation

  Location

  Leeds City Council

  Middleton Estate, Wythers Estate. Miles Hill Estate, Beckhill Estate, Potternewton Estate, Scott Hall Estate, South Seacroft, John O'Gaunts, Cottingley, Upper Beeston

  Kirklees Metropolitan Council

  Almondbury, Batley Town Centre, Holme Park, Bishop Court, Berry Brow, Botham Hall, Sycamore, Deighton and Bracken Hall, Moorside, Dewsbury Moor, Highfields and Gledholt, Howden Clough, London Park.

  Manor and Castle Development Trust, Sheffield

  Fairleigh, Prince of Wales Road, Manor Park

  Barnsley Community Safety Partnership

  Sheffield Road/Doncaster Road, Kendray, Worshorough Dale and Bridge

  Goodwin Resource Centre Association

  Thornton, Hull

  North West Leicestershire District Council

  Greenhill Estate. Coalville

  Nottingham City Council, Clfton and Wiford Area Committee

  Clifton

  Wansbeck

  Northumberland

  South Tyneside MBC

  South Tyneside

  Gateshead MBC

  Gateshead

  William Sutton Trust

  Linthorpe Estate, Middlesbrough

  Sedgefield District Council

  Newton Aycliffe

  Home Housing Association

  Plains Farm, Sunderland

  North Tyneside Council

  North Tyneside

  Plymouth City Council

  Drake and Sutton Wards

  Kerrier District Council/police

  Mullion, Kerrier District

  Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership

  Oxmoor Estate, Huntingdon

  Stevenage Borough Council

  Bedwell, Shephall and Monkswood

  Optima Community Association

  Attwood Green. Birminghan

  Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Parkfields, Whitmore Beans. Pendeford

  Walsall Housing Regeneration Agency

  Brownhills, Caldmore, Palfrey, Darleston, Willenhall

  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough

  Merthyr Dowlais Ward

  Cardiff Community Housing Association

  Adamsdown Lane Estate, Cardiff

  Gwynedd Council

  Maes Barcer Estate Caernarfon

  Caerphilly County Borough

  Gilfach and Graig y Rhacca

  City and Council of Swansea

  Hafod Area, Swansea

  China
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which human rights issues he raised with the Chinese Government during his recent visit to China. [135512]

  Mr. Prescott
  I raised with Vice Premier Wu Bangguo the concerns which exist in the United Kingdom over human rights, but welcomed the dialogue that exists between our two countries on the issue, and the fact that it was being discussed by our officials on that very day in London.

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the New Earnings Survey data on which his proposed adjustment to the Area Cost Adjustment is based; and if he will provide data for earnings in the South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority area on the same basis and over the same period. [135128]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The data used to calculate the proposed update to the Area Cost Adjustment (ACA) indicator is taken from the April 1999 New Earnings Survey (NES). We are unable to release the disaggregated data for individual authorities, as this would breach the confidentiality agreement under which the data is collected as it could reveal the identity of an individual firm or person.

  Under the ACA methodology, the data for South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority contributes to the population-weighted average hourly wage calculation for
  406W
  the 'Rest of England'. The table sets out the average hourly wages for the five ACA areas using the April 1999 NES data.

  ACA area

  1999 NES £ per hour

  City of London

  15.55

  Inner London

  12.83

  Outer London

  11.40

  South East Region

  10.89

  Rest of England

  9.91

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will be consulting local authorities on his proposals for the Housing Revenue Account and HRA Subsidy for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [135940]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are issuing details of our proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and HRA Subsidy for 2001–02 to all local housing authorities in England today. We are asking for comments by 30 November. Copies of the consultation documents are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Next year will see the introduction of resource accounting within the HRA, including the new Major Repairs Allowance (MRA). Resource accounting is part of the new, more businesslike approach to local authority housing and the delivery of better quality services. The MRA will provide resources through the HRA subsidy system, of some £1.6 billion next year, to enable all authorities to maintain the condition of their housing stock

  407W
  over the longer term. The resources are being drawn from the significantly increased provision for capital expenditure by local authorities announced as part of the Government's spending plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04 by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18 July.

  Our proposals for 2001–02 also include an additional £67 million to spend on day-to-day housing maintenance; the third year in which we have proposed increases. In addition, there will be further resources next year of £15 million to help authorities introduce resource accounting, with another £6 million to help tenants get involved in managing their homes through tenant participation compacts.

  We are combating years of under-investment in the fabric of our council stock. We are determined to improve the quality of council housing and the services to tenants.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to phase out refrigerants with a high global warming potential. [135775]

  Mr. Meacher
  A new EC Regulation (2037/2000) on the control of ozone depleting substances came into force on 1 October. Ozone depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs, most commonly used in refrigeration systems, also have a high global warming potential (GWP)—CFC 12 and HCFC 22 have GWPs of 8100 and 1500 respectively; for comparison the GWP of carbon dioxide is defined as 1. From 1 January 2001 there will be a ban on the use of CFCs to maintain existing refrigeration equipment. Also, the use of HCFCs as refrigerants will be banned in most new equipment from 1 January 2001.

  Industry has replaced CFCs and HCFCs with a variety of alternative refrigerants—many with a low GWP. However, in some applications there are no suitable alternatives currently available other than HFC 134a, which has a high GWP (1300), but does not deplete the ozone layer. We announced in the draft Climate Change Programme how we intend to deal with the growth in use of HFCs. The policy gives industry and users a clear signal to look closely at all the alternatives and to use HFCs only where other safe, technically feasible, cost-effective and more environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist. The final Programme is to be published shortly.

  Population Estimates
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates of the population in 2016 in each English region and London have been used in devising the projected level of household formations proposed for the current round of draft regional planning guidance. [135738]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Draft reviews of regional planning guidance (RPG) submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State since July 1999 have taken account of the Office for National Statistics 1996-based sub-national population projections. The projected 408W
  population for each English region and London in 2016 are as shown. They have informed the Department's 1996-based household projections. However, household projections are only one of the factors to be taken into account in preparing the housing strategy in RPG (see Chapter 5 of PPG11 published on 17 October 2000).

  Projected population of England in 2016, by Government Office

  Region

  Thousand

  Population

  North East

  2,521.4

  North West and Merseyside

  6,812.6

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  5,164.7

  East Midlands

  4,455.4

  West Midlands

  5,391.4

  East of England

  5,823.2

  London

  7,608.5

  South East

  8,721.9

  South West

  5,332.8

  England

  51,831.9

  Source:

  ONS 1996-based Sub-national population projections

  Railway Station Refurbishment
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with Railtrack plc regarding railway station refurbishment in West Sussex. [133243]

  Mr. Hill
  None.

  Wembley Task Force
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions since April 2000 the Wembley Task Force has met; and if he will list those present at each meeting. [134835]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [pursuant to her reply, 30 October 2000, c.298-99W]: The list shows the people who attended the meeting on 25 October 2000.

  Chairman Sir Nigel Mobbs

  Deputy Chairman Councillor Paul Daisley (LBB)

  Acting Chief Executive—Tony Winterbottom (LDA)

  Mike Appleton (EP)

  John Duffy (GLA)

  Mariana Spater (WPP)

  Observers

  Niall Mackenzie (DCMS)

  Ian O'Neill (DCMS)

  Geoff Raw (LBB)

  Guy Thornett (LDA)

  Kieran McStravick (LDA).

  Those who did not attend the meeting:

  Derek Casey (Sport England)

  Ian Fytche (Sport England)

  Jonathan Branson (Sport England)

  Ralph Ward (LDA)

TREASURY

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total administrative cost to date of the Pensions Mis-selling Review. [134265]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The estimates of administrative costs, first provided by the FSA to the Treasury Select Committee in early 1998, are £500 million for phase 1 of the review and £520 to £750 million for phase 2.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the sources were of the funds used by the largest six companies who mis-sold personal pensions to reinstate their pensions; and if he will make a statement. [135659]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government's policy follows that outlined in the reply by the then Economic Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Halton (Mr. Twigg) on 24 July 1998,Official Report, columns 750–51W.

  The Government view is that, in principle, the costs of compensating victims of pensions mis-selling should be shared and borne in the same proportion as profits arising from mis-selling would have been.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made in resolving the problems arising from the implementation of the NIRS2 computer system. [134511]

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if full functionality of the NIRS2 computer system has been achieved. [134646]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Following the well documented problems experienced with NIRS2 when it was first introduced, considerable progress has since been made and the Inland Revenue now regards the system as stable. Since April 1999, when the Inland Revenue took responsibility for the system, it has worked with the suppliers to ensure that full functionality is in place.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the administration and compliance costs of inheritance tax. [134648]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Costs of administration were £30.1 million for the year 1999–2000, or 1.5 pence per pound collected. I have no current estimate of the compliance costs of inheritance tax; they were estimated for 1986–87 at about 4 pence per pound collected. (Sandford et al, "Administrative and Compliance Costs of Taxation", Fiscal Publications, 1989).

  Tobacco
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the percentage of tax taken on each pound of rolled tobacco for each of the past 10 years for which figures are available. [134407]
  410W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The information on hand rolling tobacco can be found in the HM Customs and Excise "Tobacco Factsheet", page 4, 'Prices and Taxation Analysis', a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Taxation Statistics
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the change in the overall level of taxation has been over(a) the past year and (b) the past six months. [134970]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Updated estimates and forecasts will be published in the pre-Budget Report.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of paying a specific benefit through the pay packets on(a) claimants' behaviour and (b) the labour market. [134518]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Working Families Tax Credit, as a tax credit rather than a welfare benefit, is paid through the wage packet. This reduces the stigma attached to receiving in work support and clearly demonstrates the reward of work compared to welfare.

  The Government continue to monitor the effects of the Working Families Tax Credit.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the basis was of the forecast contained in the Treasury press release of 7 September 1999 that 1.5 million people would receive the Working Families Tax Credit. [134607]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: The forecast contained in the Treasury press release of 7 September 1999 was based on the best information available at that time. It used survey data from both the Family Resources Survey and the Family Expenditure Survey up to 1997–98 and built on DSS experience of operating Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the level of fraud in the Working Families Tax Credit. [134591]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: There is no statistically valid data currently available from which a meaningful estimate of the level of fraud in tax credits can be made.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the labour market effect of the Working Families Tax Credit; and what assessment he has made of the report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies on the labour market impact of the Working Families Tax Credit. [134630]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: The Working Families Tax Credit is one of a number of reforms to make work pay for those on the lowest incomes in work. Treasury estimates of the possible impact on labour supply of the complete package of reforms—including changes to employee National Insurance and income tax rates—were published in "Tackling Poverty and Making Work Pay—Tax Credits for the 21st Century" (The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefit System,

  411W
  Number 6, March 2000, paragraph 2.13). These estimates took into account recent research and were based on methodology used by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 1999 study: "Entering Work and the British Tax and Benefit System".

  Tax Harmonisation
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on tax harmonisation within the European Union. [134972]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government's approach to EU tax issues is based on fair tax competition, not tax harmonisation. At the recent Feira European Council in June, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor persuaded the EU to accept exchange of information rather than a withholding tax on cross-border savings income as the way forward. This illustrated the success of the Government's policy of constructive engagement on EU issues.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the coal used by steam locomotives on heritage and voluntary railways will be subject to the climate change levy. [134509]

  Mr. Timms
  Coal used to propel trains will be exempt from climate change levy provided they are not being used for the transportation of passengers to from or within:

  a) a place of entertainment, recreation or amusement or

  b) a place of cultural, scientific, historical or similar interest.

  VAT (Fuel)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current estimate of the income from VAT on petrol and diesel sales in the United Kingdom, assuming present pump prices continue unchanged until the end of the financial year. [135086]

  Mr. Timms
  Forecasts of total VAT receipts are published at the time of the Budget and the pre-Budget Report.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress in the review of the value of fiscal marks as a deterrent to tobacco forestalling and to aid anti-smuggling efforts; and when the review will be completed. [135879]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The review of the value of fiscal marks as a deterrent to tobacco forestalling and to aid anti-smuggling was completed and the results published in the Regulatory Impact Assessment laid in the Library of the House of Commons in April 2000. Fiscal marks to counter smuggling will be introduced with effect from 1 April 2001. Restrictions on clearances of tobacco from duty-suspended storage to counter forestalling will be in place for Budget 2001.

  Bank Closures
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what notification is required to(a) his Department and (b) the public authorities prior to the closure of high street bank branches; and if he will make a statement. [135532]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  None.

  Euro
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent studies his Department has undertaken on the impact of the euro on the UK economy. [135469]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have set out five economic tests which define whether an economic case can be made for membership of EMU. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said we will make another assessment of the five economic tests early in the next Parliament.

  Registration
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made since 9 March 1999 on the review by Her Majesty's Customs of the impact of registration on growing businesses. [135873]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Since the publication of the results of the consultation exercise on 9 March 1999, Customs have consulted widely with small business representatives and academics. The outcome of these consultations will inform future Budget decisions.

  Tax Returns (Internet)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the live pilot of electronic VAT returns. [135876]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs and Excise have been developing a system to allow businesses to send their VAT returns securely over the internet. Following introduction of enabling legislation in the Finance Act 1999, and secondary legislation in February 2000, a limited live pilot of internet VAT returns started on 1 March 2000.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 1034W, on tax returns and the internet, if he will publish the data for each month since 1 January 1997 on how many self-assessment tax returns were (a) issued, (b) received, (c) waiting to be processed and (d) processed; and if he will make a statement. [134238]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: The Inland Revenue's self-assessment internet service is the first in a series of electronic services which will be delivered in line with the Government policy that all transactions with Government should be capable of being done electronically by 2005.

  The architecture of the internet service has not only been designed to cope with the increase in take-up of the self-assessment internet service, but will serve

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  enhancements to that service and future services, such as that for companies, which will be delivered over the next three years.

  Tax Year/Date

  SA returns issued

  SA returns received

  SA returns processed

  SA returns waiting to be processed

  1997–98

  3 May 1998

  8,547,334

  259,674

  81,451

  178,223

  31 May 1998

  8,633,913

  702,870

  319,585

  383,285

  28 June 1998

  8,711,634

  1,298,673

  781,249

  517,424

  2 August 1998

  8,788,923

  2,083,105

  1,446,595

  636,510

  30 August 1998

  8,845,663

  2,787,577

  2,021,854

  765,723

  27 September 1998

  8,897,137

  3,895,601

  2,711,470

  1,184,131

  1 November 1998

  8,954,973

  4,944,042

  3,912,100

  1,031,942

  29 November 1998

  9,000,034

  5,342,335

  4,677,158

  665,177

  3 January 1999

  9,024,722

  5,816,006

  5,165,156

  650,850

  31 January 1999

  9,030,450

  7,913,563

  6,005,521

  1,908,042

  28 February 1999

  9,086,725

  8,254,640

  7,252,124

  1,002,516

  28 March 1999

  9,116,935

  8,374,888

  7,973,651

  401,237

  1998–99

  2 May 1999

  8,734,295

  306,529

  109,778

  196,751

  30 May 1999

  8,826,638

  805,864

  432,451

  373,413

  27 June 1999

  8,891,744

  1,370,936

  879,982

  490,954

  1 August 1999

  8,967,094

  2,167,722

  1,559,826

  607,896

  29 August 1999

  9,015,798

  2,900,715

  2,111,840

  788,875

  30 September 1999

  9,057,063

  4,472,780

  2,938,795

  1,533,985

  31 October 1999

  9,109,718

  5,006,960

  3,931,560

  1,075,400

  28 November 1999

  9,137,453

  5,397,759

  4,658,370

  739,389

  2 January 2000

  9,150,632

  5,873,843

  5,148,274

  725,569

  31 January 1999

  9,125,743

  7,872,689

  5,867,559

  2,005,130

  27 February 2000

  9,178,845

  8,343,965

  7,041,913

  1,302,052

  2 April 2000

  9,214,442

  8,506,751

  8,043,818

  462,933

  1999–2000

  30 April 2000

  8,763,125

  202,063

  0

  202,063

  28 May 2000

  8,874,848

  652,810

  33

  652,777

  2 July 2000

  8,955,640

  1,321,170

  536,960

  784,210

  30 July 2000

  9,004,347

  2,010,712

  1,112,762

  897,950

  3 September 2000

  9,054,837

  2,885,753

  1,851,942

  1,033,811

  1 October 2000

  9,095,909

  4,200,312

  2,592,546

  1,607,766

  Fuel Tax (Farmers)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the increased revenue to the Exchequer if diesel fuel supplied to farmers were taxed at the rate of other diesel fuel. [135277]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: It is not possible to estimate accurately the revenue impact of increasing the rate of duty applied to diesel fuel used by farmers because there are no estimates of the amount of fuel used in vehicles covered by paragraphs 2 to 5 of Schedule 1 to Hydrocarbon Oils Duties Act 1979.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of fuel taxed at a lower rate for farmers which was sold in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [135278]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 30 October 2000]: There are no estimates of the amount of fuel used in vehicles covered by paragraphs 2 to 5 of Schedule 1 to Hydrocarbon Oils Duties Act 1979.

  Clearances of gas oil amounted to 6.964 million litres in 1999–2000 and raised duty of £211.2 million. However, sectors other than farming are entitled to use gas oil, for example construction and mining.
  414W
  The statistical data requested are available only on a monthly basis from May 1998 for the Tax Years 1997–98 et seq. and are as detailed.

  Annuities
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the review on annuities is expected to report. [135733]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Various proposals have been put forward as alternatives to the annuity purchase requirement for pension schemes. An announcement will be made in due course if it is decided that any changes are required.

  Beekeepers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduc0e a tax rebate for beekeepers. [134641]

  Dawn Primarolo
  While the Government keep all taxes under review, there are no plans at present to introduce a tax rebate for beekeepers. Any changes would be considered as part of the Budget process.

  Community Amateur Sports Clubs
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce tax exemptions for community amateur sports clubs. [135732]
  415W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Many community amateur sports clubs are already exempt from corporation tax on the income they earn from their members, and the subscriptions of their playing members are exempt from VAT. On 29 September DETR published a Green Paper, "Modernising Local Government Finance", which included, at Annex E, a section inviting views on rate relief for non-profit-making sports clubs.

  Domestic Heating Fuel
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much(a) the pre-tax cost of a litre of domestic heating fuel, (b) the fuel duty on a litre and (c) the VAT on a litre has increased by (i) percentage and (ii) actual terms since January 1999; and how much additional revenue the Treasury has received as a result. [135124]

  Mr. Timms
  Information on the prices of different fuel products is available in "Energy Trends", published monthly by the DTI. There is no excise duty on standard grade heating oil. The rate of VAT applying to domestic heating oil has remained at 5 per cent. since it was reduced to that level from 8 per cent. in September 1997.

  Estimating the additional revenues accrued by the Government as a result of the rise in the price of heating oil is difficult because we need to make assumptions about the way in which consumers fund the rise in the price of fuel. If expenditure is diverted predominantly from standard-rated goods towards expenditure on heating oil, VAT receipts may actually fall.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals against closure of magistrates courts there were in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [135204]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information required to answer the question of how many appeals against the closure of magistrates courts there were in 1990 is not readily accessible. I will in due course, write to the hon. Member to provide the information he requests. The Lord Chancellor's Department assumed responsibility for policy for magistrates courts from the Home Office in April 1992.

  The Government's policy is that magistrates courts are best managed locally by magistrates courts committees under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts are for local magistrates courts committees to determine.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates courts there were in England and Wales in(a) 1990 and (b) 1999. [135205]

  Jane Kennedy
  My Department does not hold records for 1990. Prior to 1992 magistrates courts were the responsibility of the Home Office. I will in due course write to the hon. Member to provide an estimate of the number of courts in 1990.
  416W
  Definitive information about courthouse numbers was not held centrally until 1995, when there were 516 magistrates courts in England and Wales. In 1999 there were 436.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) appeals and (b) successful appeals against closure of magistrates courts there were in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [135203]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Appeals

  Successful appeals

  1997

  17

  2

  1998

  26

  1

  1999

  9

  1

  Civil Courts (IT)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress in installing new IT equipment and systems in the civil courts. [135125]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Court Service has a rolling programme of improving existing IT systems in the County Courts, together with a long-term business and IT strategy programme.

  The most recent significant IT change in the civil courts was the implementation of the Civil Justice Reforms. In order to implement this change effectively within the required timescales without excessive risk, the Court Service (in partnership with its IT supplier) made wide ranging changes to pre-existing systems. Core IT and business changes were implemented to the defined timetable—subsequent refinements have been introduced to improve operational effectiveness.

  However, it is recognised that there remains significant scope to exploit further the potential of modern technologies (as was highlighted by the civil.justice.2000 report). This theme is at the centre of the Modernising the Civil Courts (MCC) programme which we are developing. We plan to issue a consultation paper on MCC later this year. That paper will highlight a wide range of business areas where the application of a diverse set of technologies could significantly enhance the administration of civil justice. In order to ensure that change to IT systems is delivered in the most effective way, a department-wide Information and Communications Technology strategy has been developed—this will ensure that the IT deployed is fully in line with the principle of the Modernising Government initiatives.

  MCC will involve a long-term programme of change. Thus, in parallel with it, the Court Service has begun to, and will continue to, improve current IT facilities. For example:
  A series of upgrades to CaseMan (the main county court IT system) have been implemented to deliver operational changes. These have incorporated a range of changes proposed by end users. There are standing processes to continue with future releases (taking on board end user input);
  A major upgrade of CaseMan has been contracted for with our IT provider and will eliminate old stand-alone systems next year;

  417W
  Earlier this year a facility was introduced that allows major issuers to issue claims by submitting data electronically through telephone lines. Previously the submission of this data had been restricted to tape and disk;
  In the near future, the Court Service plans to pilot new electronic arrangements for handling certain applications to the county courts;
  The Court Service will also shortly be piloting kiosk based access to its electronic services in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton, the CAB and Telford local authority;
  The Court Service is piloting a video conferencing network linking Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds and the Royal Courts of Justice;
  The Court Service rolled out laptops to the majority of the Judiciary. The services provided include access to the internet in general along with specific access to online legal sources related to the Human Rights Act;
  The Court Service relaunched its website that provides online access to a wide range of civil court forms and guidance along with general information as to the operation of the courts. This site is one of the most accessed websites provided by UK central Government.

  Judicial Appointments Annual Report
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the second Judicial Appointments Annual Report; and what information it will contain. [136148]

  Mr. Lock
  The Judicial Appointments Annual Report, covering the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, is published today. The report includes comprehensive narrative descriptions and detailed statistics on appointments to the judiciary, Queen's Counsel, Lay Magistrates and General Commissioners of Income Tax. It also includes information on the Lord Chancellor's appointments policies and procedures and recent developments such as the implementation of Sir Leonard Peach's recommendations. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The report is also available on the internet.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Terrorism Act 2000
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring the Terrorism Act 2000 into force. [136029]

  Mr. Straw
  We are currently working towards an implementation date for the Terrorism Act 2000 of 19 February 2001. Certain powers required in advance of the Terrorism Act taking effect have already been brought into force by Commencement Orders under section 128 of the Act. On 12 October 2000, provisions relating to United Kingdom-wide and Northern Ireland specific codes of practice were brought into force, paving the way for consultation on those codes. Today further provisions, such as those setting out the procedure for the making of secondary legislation, including the orders to bring the codes of practice into force, have been commenced. The provisions brought into force today also include provision for rules of court dealing with certain procedures under the Act and for the establishment of the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission.

  Immigration Services Commissioner
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress the Immigration Services Commissioner has made in establishing the scheme of regulation for immigration advisers and service providers. [136030]

  Mrs. Roche
  Copies of the Immigration Services Commissioner's Rules, Code of Standards and Complaints Scheme have now been published on the internet at http:www.oisc.org.uk. A copy of these documents will be placed in the Library.

  The Commissioner has also published guidance to advisers on competencies in relation to the provision of immigration advice or immigration services. The Commissioner will be making an announcement in the near future as to the process for making a case for exemption or an application for registration.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 28 September; and if he will make a statement. [136031]

  Mr. Straw
  Nigel Sheinwald, the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union, represented the United Kingdom at the 28 September Council. The main matters dealt with at the meeting were as follows:The list of A points was adopted in full, except items on the Schengen Information System, Sirene, on which one member state maintained a Parliamentary Scrutiny Reserve, and on minimum standards for the security of passports.

  Common Visa List:
  The Council agreed to a mechanism for deferring the entry into force of a visa exemption for certain third countries.
  Further discussion would take place in Committee of Permanent Representives (COREPER) and the European Parliament would be reconsulted. This is a measure in respect of which the United Kingdom has not sought to opt in.
  420W
  Europol: money laundering:
  Political agreement was reached on extending the Europol Convention to cover all money laundering and the accompanying Council declaration on predicate offences, subject to consideration of the European Parliament's Opinion. This would formally be adopted at the Council's meeting on 30 November.

  Commission Proposal for a draft Council Directive on minimum standards on asylum procedures:
  The Commission presented this proposal as its first response to the call by the Tampere European Council in October 1999 to create a common European asylum system. The proposal set out minimum procedural guarantees to ensure that member states could process cases quickly and fairly at a national level and that secondary movements of asylum seekers were avoided. Common standards and time limits would assist in dismissing inadmissible and unfounded cases. Member states gave a general welcome to the proposal, which was remitted to the Asylum Working Group for further consideration.

  Reception conditions for asylum seekers:
  This was an orientation debate on key points in the Presidency's discussion document. No conclusions were drawn but the Presidency stressed that this was a key priority and it would be seeking to agree conclusions at the Justice Home Affairs (JHA) Council in November in order to provide a background to an anticipated legislative proposal from the Commission.

  Council Decision to create a provisional Eurojust Unit:
  Political orientation was reached on key elements of the text, subject to consideration of the European Parliament's opinion, which had not yet been received. The text was remitted to COREPER for resolution of some technical issues and the language regime, at the request of one member state. A new Article was agreed which would allow the Commission to be associated fully with the general work of the unit, particularly in relation to the development of the permanent Eurojust, and which would also enable the Commission to lend its expertise to cases considered by the unit where these fell within Commission competence. The United Kingdom maintained its Parliamentary scrutiny reservation.

  Framework Decision relating to the status of victims in criminal proceedings:
  This text was remitted to COREPER to resolve the outstanding issue on compensation. One member state lifted its scrutiny reserve provided that a recital was included to the effect that the Decision did not imply an obligation to treat victims as parties to criminal proceedings. The UK maintained its Parliamentary scrutiny reservation.

  Commission proposal to create a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters:
  The Commission presented this draft Council Decision which was aimed at improving and developing existing judicial co-operation arrangements and providing the public with practical information about access to justice in cross-border litigation. The Civil Law Committee would discuss this further.

  Protection of the environment through the criminal law: orientation debate
  There was general support for the introduction of measures to combat environmental crime, in order to establish an European Union acquis in this area. The Presidency would produce an initiative for a new instrument incorporating the aspects of the 1998 Council of Europe Convention on Environmental Crime which were acceptable to all member states.

  Preparation for the joint JHA/European Council of Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) Council:
  Over lunch, the Council prepared the joint ECOFIN/JHA Council meeting of 17 October on financial crime. The Presidency explained that this would feature a debate on a common and coherent European Union strategy towards more effective co-operation in the financial sector, law enforcement and judicial co-operation.
  421W
  Brussels Regulation:
  The Presidency urged Ministers to pursue this dossier in their capitals as it was a key element of the mutual recognition programme on civil law. The Commission advised that it would be issuing modified proposals during the next week on the e-commerce aspects of mutual recognition in light of the European Parliament's Opinion.

  Other items:
  The Council noted a communication from Germany on the need for Community-level action on fighting dogs, calling for a Commission initiative on this matter. The Commission doubted whether there was a legal basis for Community action but undertook to examine this in greater detail.

  Mixed Committee with Iceland and Norway:
  The Committee heard progress reports on the draft Common Visa List, which Iceland and Norway would apply, and on the application of the Schengen arrangements to the Nordic countries.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 17 October; and if he will make a statement. [136032]

  Mr. Straw
  I attended this Council meeting. The main matters dealt with at the meeting were as follows:

  The list of A points was agreed in full, including the three items outstanding from the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) held on 28 September.

  Draft framework decision on money laundering, the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of instrumentalities and the proceeds of crime:
  There was a broad political orientation, subject to certain parliamentary reserves and the European Parliament opinion to a common minimum maximum penalty of four years and that all member states should be obliged to lift reserves in respect of tax offences to the 1990 Council of Europe money laundering Convention's provisions on confiscation of assets. The Council also agreed a declaration to the effect that minimum maximum penalties would be considered on a case by case basis for future instruments.

  Draft Convention on improving mutual assistance in criminal matters, with particular reference to the fight against organised crime, the laundering of the proceeds of crime and financial crime:
  There was broad agreement, on the basis of a Presidency discussion document, to the principle that legal assistance should not be refused solely on the grounds that an investigation concerned a tax offence or involved the lifting of bank secrecy. A number of member states considered that such measures should be subject to judicial control; others also raised the practical difficulties involved in supplying lists of bank accounts in the absence of a central register. The Commission acknowledged that member states would have flexibility in how they chose to abolish grounds of refusal founded in bank secrecy or tax matters; they should none the less aim to establish efficient systems for providing assistance in such matters. Work on the Convention would continue at expert level on the basis of the discussion document.

  Presentation of the conclusions of the seminar from 13–15 September on the laundering of the proceeds of organised crime in Europe:
  The Presidency presented the conclusions. There was no discussion.

  Proposal for a council decision establishing a community mechanism for the co-ordination of civil protection in the event of emergencies—presentation by the Commission:
  The Presidency and the Commission presented their respective proposals. Two member states welcomed the call for an assessment of respective national capabilities with a view to greater co-ordination between existing national structures. Others argued for a European Civil Protection Agency and a third for more European Union-financed training.
  422W
  Other items:
  I proposed a greater operational role for the Chief Police Officer's Task Force and proposed using a Council Decision to place this work on a more formal footing. The Presidency concluded that the Council should return to this as necessary.
  One member state registered the need for Justice Ministers to have greater involvement in discussions concerning Organization de Lutte anti-Fraud.
  Finally, the Council adopted conclusions regarding the ETA murder the previous night in Spain.

  On the afternoon of 17 October, the Justice and Home Affairs Council met jointly with the ECOFIN Council. I represented the United Kingdom.

  Following a debate on strategy towards more effective co-operation in the financial sector, law enforcement and judicial co-operation, the Council adopted conclusions, a copy of which have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he intends to make to the UK anti-money laundering agencies in response to the conclusions reached at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 17 October. [134812]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  At the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on the morning of 17 October formal agreement was given to the draft Framework Decision covering the exchange of information between the Financial Intelligence Units of member states. It is unlikely that compliance with this instrument will require any change in the organisation of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, which performs this function in the United Kingdom.

  In the afternoon of 17 October Justice and Interior Ministers came together with their Finance Minister colleagues to discuss the fight against financial crime. This joint Council invited the member states to have in place special multi-disciplinary units to fight money laundering. However such units could either be new or, where necessary, build upon existing arrangements. In the United Kingdom we are satisfied that the present anti-money-laundering role discharged by the National Criminal Intelligence Service fully meets the objectives identified by the joint Council.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made to provide asylum seekers with(a) legal representation, (b) housing, (c) health services, (d) welfare advice and (e) language provision. [133824]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Home Office makes grants under section 23 of the Immigration Act 1971 to organisations responsible for providing free legal representation in connection with appeals to those subject to immigration control. For this financial year 2000–01 £56,000 has been paid to the Northern Ireland Law Centre. As with previous years grants will also be awarded to the Immigration Advisory Service and the Refugee Legal Centre. The amounts to be paid to each organisation have yet to be
  423W
  finalised. In addition the Legal Services Commission awards funding under contract to franchised solicitors to provide free representation and advice

  An asylum seeker can, as part of an application for support to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), apply for accommodation. Where accommodation is provided this will normally be in one of the dispersal areas. No asylum seekers will be given accommodation unless he or she has specifically requested it.

  All asylum seekers and their dependants are entitled to receive medical treatment under the NHS.

  For this financial year 2000–01 the Home Office has provided funding of almost £5.5 million to the voluntary sector to provide for the establishment and maintenance of one-stop services. This service provides support to asylum seekers through a comprehensive reception service including assisting asylum seekers who need to access statutory services and the services which providers, under contract to NASS, are required to provide.

  School age children of asylum seekers are entitled to attend school.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed in each month of this year from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to other locations in the United Kingdom by his Department. [134565]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not available. Statistics are not currently available on the location of asylum seekers before they applied for support from the National Asylum Support Service.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers living in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham are in receipt of vouchers from his Department. [134564]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information is not available in the form requested. As at the end of September 3,3001 asylum seekers, including dependants, had been allocated vouchers only by the National Asylum Support Service and were living in the London region. Currently information on asylum seekers who have been allocated vouchers only from the National Asylum Support Service is available only by region and not London Borough.
  1Figures rounded to the nearest 100

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers and dependants are currently receiving support from the National Asylum Support Service. [134517]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not currently available.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers in London are currently receiving support from the National Asylum Support Service; and of those how many are receiving support in the form of vouchers only. [134516]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of September 2000, 3,5001 asylum seekers, including dependants, had been allocated support by the National Asylum Support Service and were
  424W
  living in the London region. Of these, 3,300 were allocated vouchers only and 2001 were allocated accommodation and voucher support due to special or exceptional circumstances which meant they had to stay in London.
  1Figures rounded to the nearest 100.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently receiving support from the National Asylum Support Service; and of those how many are receiving support in the form of vouchers only. [134515]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of September, 14,2001 asylum seekers, including dependants, had been allocated support by the National Asylum Support Service. Of these, 4,7001 had been allocated voucher support only.
  1Figures rounded to the nearest 100.

  Immigration
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have(a) applied for and (b) been granted leave to remain on the basis that they have AIDS or are HIV positive in each of the last five years. [134468]

  Mrs. Roche
  I regret that this information could be obtained only by examination of individual case records and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to reform police pensions. [134524]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 26 October 2000,Official Report, column 213W.

  Extradition
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress made towards common EU standards on extradition, in the context of Tampere Conclusion Number 35. [134680]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to Council Document number 9737/3/00, A Programme of Measures to implement the principle of mutual recognition of decisions in criminal matters, which was deposited in the Library on 16 October 2000.

  The Programme of Measures contains proposals for instruments to simplify extradition procedures between member states of the European Union. The first proposal is automatic recognition of the arrest warrant issued by the requesting judicial authority. There are also instruments to apply the principles that (a) member states will either extradite a person who is subject to a final sentence or enforce their sentence and (b) that member states will transfer a convicted person or enforce their sentence, particularly in the case of convicted persons who have escaped.
  425W
  As with all proposals in the Programme of Measures, the Government will seek to ensure that the instruments are consistent with the relevant provisions in the European Convention on Human Rights.

  The review of extradition which the Home Secretary announced on 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 574, is considering how to simplify and streamline extradition from the United Kingdom generally, and within the European Union in particular. A consultation paper will be available in the new year.

  Homosexual and Lesbian Relationships
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to facilitate the civil registration of homosexual and lesbian relationships; and if he will make a statement. [134767]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have made no plans to do so at the present time.

  Arrests (Football Grounds)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made at football grounds in each of the last three years. [134780]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  3,307 people were arrested at Premier and Nationwide league grounds during the 1997–98 season, 3,341 during the 1998–99 season, and 3,137 during the 1999–2000 season.

  Sentencing Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his review of sentencing policy will consider disparities in sentencing for similar offences in different parts of the country. [134781]

  Mr. Boateng
  The terms of reference of the Review of the Sentencing Framework were specifically set within the context of the Government's objectives of protecting the public by reducing crime and re-offending, and dispensing justice fairly and consistently, and the issue of consistency is one which the review team will have in mind in making their recommendations.

  Measures are already in place to try to improve consistency in sentencing. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a statutory duty on the Court of Appeal to have regard to the need to promote consistency in sentencing when framing or revising sentencing guidelines.

  In addition, the Magistrates Association has issued revised sentencing guidelines earlier this year. It has also asked benches in England and Wales to consider, in light of sentencing data for 1998, whether sentencing practices should be reviewed and ultimately adjusted within their areas.

  Members of the European Parliament (By-elections)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to provide for by-elections when UK seats in the European Parliament fall vacant. [134661]
  426W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The European Parliamentary Election Regulations 1999 set out the arrangements for filling vacancies in the European Parliament. Any vacancy must be filled by the next available candidate on the list of the registered party to whom the vacancy has fallen, thus preserving the proportional nature of the representation for that region. Only if that list is exhausted can a by-election take place. We have no plans at this time to alter these arrangements.

  Vandalism
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions about tenants who daub graffiti or commit other acts of vandalism on their estates.[134548]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There have been no discussions on this specific issue. However, my Department and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions are working closely to take forward the Policy Action Team's report on Anti-Social Behaviour (PAT 8), in particular the provision of comprehensive good practice guidance for Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Anti-Social Behaviour on the three key issues of prevention, enforcement and resettlement.

  The PAT 8 report on Anti-Social Behaviour was published in March and builds on the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to take forward action to combat anti-social behaviour, including problems such as graffiti, vandalism, nuisance neighbours, and other problems on housing estates.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to(a) the police and (b) the Crown Prosecution Service on the apprehension and prosecution of graffiti vandals. [135011]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Guidance to the Crown Prosecution Service is not a matter for the Home Office. I have not identified any need for guidance to the police on this subject but I do attach great importance to the protection of communities from defacement of property and other forms of disorder. The Government's consultation paper "Reducing Public Disorder: the Role of Fixed Penalty Notices" canvassed views on proposals to use fixed penalties for a range of offences. Views were specifically sought on what offences, including criminal damage, might be suitably dealt with in this way.

  Police (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have taken early retirement in each of the past three years. [134549]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There is no provision within the police pension scheme for officers to retire early with an actuarially reduced pension. Maximum pension benefits are payable on completion of 30 years' service and most officers retire having completed at least 30 years' service. Some retire with shorter service on reaching compulsory retirement age. There is provision within the scheme for
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  officers to retire on completion of 25 years' service, with a pension payable from age 50. Officers may also retire with an immediate pension before completion of 30 years or reaching compulsory retirement age, on the grounds of ill-health. Figures for ill-health retirements are as follows:

  Police officers medically retiring in England and Wales

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  1,810

  1998–99

  1,642

  1999–2000

  1,232

  Schengen Information System
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Schengen Information System inquiries have been made by the UK to date; and what estimate he has made of the number in total for the first year of the UK membership. [134804]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The United Kingdom does not yet put data on the Schengen Information System or have access to the Schengen Information System data. No inquiries of the System have therefore been made. The United Kingdom will not make any inquiries of the System during its first year of membership.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his assessment of the level of security of Schengen Information System(a) data and (b) premises.[134794]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Schengen Implementation Convention provides for comprehensive controls over national sections of the Schengen Information System (N.SIS), the central service computer facility in Strasbourg (C.SIS) and the data on the Schengen Information System itself. I have no reason to doubt that the security arrangements in place are in accordance with these provisions and I have no plans to seek to have them modified.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which national authority will supervise the UK element of the Schengen Information System under Article 114 of the Convention. [134792]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The United Kingdom's application of 20 May 1999 to participate in certain provisions of the Schengen Implementing Convention stated that the United Kingdom Data Protection Commissioner will be the supervisory authority responsible for the activities described in Article 114.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many United Kingdom nationals have requested that a check be made on the Schengen Information System data pertaining to them and on the use made thereof; what procedure is involved; and if he will make a statement. [134791]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As the United Kingdom does not put data on the Schengen Information System or have access to the data, there are at present no arrangements in the United Kingdom enabling individuals to make checks.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK subjects have been included in the Schengen Information System. [134683]
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  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The United Kingdom does not put data on the Schengen Information System (SIS) or have access to SIS data.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards recognising documents issued by the Schengen Joint Supervisory Authority indicating that a passport holder is the subject of criminal imposture, as indicated in the JSA opinion of March 2000; [134817]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his policy towards providing information to the Schengen Information System on people of usurped identity, where that individual has been the subject of imposture by a criminal. [134803]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Replacement travel documents issued by United Kingdom authorities for those that have been stolen or misappropriated are easily distinguishable from the stolen documents. Accordingly, the United Kingdom does not intend adopting the procedure followed by other Schengen states which involves the recording of fingerprints and photographs of persons whose identity has been usurped.

  The Joint Supervisory Authority does not issue documents indicating usurped identity.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those categories of suspects from the UK that are placed on the Schengen Information System; and if he will list those categories of information which may be stored. [134790]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Articles 95, 98 and 99 of the Schengen Implementing Convention lists those categories of wanted persons and suspects whose details may be placed on the Schengen Information System. Article 94 of the Schengen Convention sets out those items of information which may be stored in relation to any person whose details are entered on the Schengen Information System. The United Kingdom is not yet participating in the System and has, therefore, made no entries in relation to any suspect from the United Kingdom. A copy of the Schengen Implementing Convention may be found in the Library.

  Schengen States (Illegal Immigration)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Schengen Secretariat with regard to combating illegal immigration to the UK from Schengen states; and if he will make a statement. [134809]

  Mrs. Roche
  No representations have been made to the Schengen Secretariat (as part of the incorporation of Schengen into the European Union, the Schengen Secretariat has been subsumed into the Council Secretariat).

  However, the United Kingdom is fully engaged in discussions at European Union level about combating illegal immigration, both from within and from outside the European Union. The United Kingdom is co-operating fully within Europol, where combating illegal immigration and trafficking receive top priority. We have extensive

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  operational contacts with our European Union colleagues. We also hold regular bilateral discussions with policy officials of other member states.

  The United Kingdom is currently involved in negotiations on a number of measures at European Union level, aimed at combating illegal immigration, clandestine entry and facilitation. These include: a draft Directive defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, movement and residence; a draft Council Framework Decision on strengthening the penal framework to prevent the facilitation of unauthorised entry and residence; and a draft Council Directive about harmonisation of financial penalties imposed on carriers transporting into the territory of member states third-country nationals not having the documents necessary for admission.

  Police Fatalities and Injuries
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been(a) killed and (b) permanently incapacitated in the course of their duties in each of the past three years. [134540]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The most recently available details for officers killed in the course of their duties are as follows. The figures include officers killed in vehicle accidents, attacks by assailants, and in pursuing a suspect.

  Police officers killed in England and Wales

  Number

  1997

  4

  1998

  6

  1999

  8

  The numbers of officers permanently incapacitated in the course of their duties is not collected centrally.

  Women Police Officers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police officers in each force area are women. [134389]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  On 31 March 2000 the percentage of women officers in each force in England and Wales was as follows:

  Police force

  Percentage of officers who are female

  Avon and Somerset

  14

  Bedfordshire

  18

  Cambridgeshire

  15

  Cheshire

  16

  City of London

  13

  Cleveland

  16

  Cumbria

  16

  Derbyshire

  14

  Devon and Cornwall

  16

  Dorset

  16

  Durham

  18

  Dyfed Powys

  14

  Essex

  17

  Gloucestershire

  18

  Greater Manchester

  18

  Gwent

  16

  Hampshire

  17

  Hertfordshire

  19

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  Police force

  Percentage of officers who are female

  Humberside

  15

  Kent

  18

  Lancashire

  17

  Leicestershire

  16

  Lincolnshire

  13

  Merseyside

  16

  Metropolitan Police

  16

  Norfolk

  15

  Northamptonshire

  15

  Northumbria

  16

  North Wales

  16

  North Yorkshire

  14

  Nottinghamshire

  14

  South Wales

  14

  South Yorkshire

  17

  Staffordshire

  20

  Suffolk

  16

  Surrey

  17

  Sussex

  16

  Thames Valley

  17

  Warwickshire

  15

  West Mercia

  16

  West Midlands

  22

  West Yorkshire

  16

  Wiltshire

  17

  Total England and Wales

  17

  Drugs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of a possible link between consumption of soft drugs and subsequent addiction to hard drugs. [134533]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is undoubtedly the case that most users of Class A drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, started off by using so called soft drugs, normally cannabis. But establishing a causal link is extremely difficult because of a range of compounding factors such as socio-economic background; family functioning; adolescent risk taking behaviour and delinquency; and peer affiliations. But even allowing for these factors there is increasing evidence of a causal link. For example, research from New Zealand published last year concluded that, even allowing for a wide range of compounding factors, regular cannabis users (50 times a year) had a 59.2 times higher risk of using other illicit drugs than non cannabis users.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of cannabis possession in each of the last three years. [134538]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Available information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.

  Number of offenders convicted1 at all courts in England and

  Wales for possession of cannabis, 1997–992

  Convictions

  1997

  17,275

  1998

  22,643

  19992

  22,623

  1Where principal offence only

  2Provisional

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  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union about their approach to soft drugs; [134534]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the approach of the Dutch Government to soft drugs. [134535]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have regular discussions with counterparts in the European Union covering a wide range of issues relating to comparative drug policies and practices. One of the outcomes is the European Union Drug Strategy for 2000–04.

  Where Dutch policy is markedly different is in relation to their attempts to separate the markets for so called soft drugs, and drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The most obvious example of this is the Dutch policy towards the sale and possession of cannabis for personal use through the system of "coffee shops". Such a policy, whereby use of cannabis remains illegal but the laws are not enforced, cannot be a model for the United Kingdom; nor have I seen any evidence that it would be desirable to follow this example.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the proportion of violent crime which is(a) drug-related and (b) alcohol-related. [134997]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Statistical data are not collected on offences which may have been committed while an offender is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, both the British Crime Survey and the NEW-ADAM programme of interviewing and drug testing arrestees shed some light on the links between drugs, alcohol and crime.

  The 2000 British Crime Survey reported that 40 per cent. of victims of violent crime believed their attacker was under the influence of alcohol, while 18 per cent. believed that the perpetrator was under the influence of drugs.

  The Home Office has commissioned research by the University of Cambridge to continue the NEW-ADAM programme of interviewing and drug testing arrestees. The second report on this research was published in August 2000 (Home Office Research Study 205, Drugs and Crime: The results of the second developmental stage of the NEW-ADAM programme).

  The research, which was undertaken at four sites (in London, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sunderland), found that over two thirds of arrestees (69 per cent.) tested positively for at least one drug (excluding alcohol) and 20 per cent. tested positive for alcohol. In terms of specific violent offences, of the 41 individuals arrested for assault 61 per cent. tested positive for a drug and 32 per cent. for alcohol; of the 18 individuals arrested for breach of the peace 33 per cent. tested positive for a drug and 61 per cent. for alcohol.

  It should be remembered that because an arrestee tested positive for alcohol or drugs or a victim believed that a perpetrator was under the influence of drugs or alcohol it does not necessarily mean that the consumption of alcohol or drugs caused the crime to be committed. As a result, while the NEW-ADAM study and the British Crime Survey advance our knowledge of the links between
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  drugs, alcohol and crime, it will always be difficult to calculate a single percentage figure calculating precisely what proportion of crime is alcohol or drug-related.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the extent of the sale and use of illegal drugs in Worcestershire. [134510]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is the responsibility of local Drug Action Teams to assess the extent of drug misuse in their area and to plan and implement action to tackle the problem. I understand that the Worcestershire Drug Action Team commissioned a survey which reported on young people's perceptions of drug use in 1997–98. 73 per cent. of those sampled were between 14 and 16 years old. 53 per cent. of the sample said they had been offered drugs. 31 per cent. were offered drugs by a friend. 39 per cent. of those who were offered drugs accepted the offer.

  Nationally, the extent of drug misuse among the population aged 16 to 59 is measured through the British Crime Survey (BCS), which includes a self-report element on drug misuse. The findings focus particularly on those aged 16 to 29.The BCS includes a regional, but not county-level, breakdown of statistics. In the 1998 survey—the latest available—21 per cent. of respondents aged 16 to 29 in the Midlands region had used any drug in the last year.

  Drug misuse among young teenagers is measured by a schools survey among secondary school children aged 11 to 15. Interim findings from the 1999 schools survey were published in May 2000. Nationally, 12 per cent. of pupils aged 11 to 15 had used any drug in the last year. The interim findings do not include a regional breakdown.

  The Government will publish, early in 2001, the results of a Key Informant Survey which will contribute to baseline estimates for the availability of drugs as perceived by practitioners in Drug Action Teams and police forces.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the proportion of violent assaults on the person that are(a) alcohol-related and (b) drug-related. [134539]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Statistical data are not collected on offences which may have been committed while an offender is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, both the British Crime Survey (BCS) and the NEW-ADAM programme of interviewing and drug testing arrestees shed some light on the links between drugs, alcohol and crime.

  The 2000 British Crime Survey reported that 40 per cent. of victims of violent crime believed their attacker was under the influence of alcohol while 18 per cent. believed that the perpetrator was under the influence of drugs.

  The Home Office has commissioned research by the University of Cambridge to continue the NEW-ADAM programme of interviewing and drug testing arrestees. The second report on this research was published in August 2000 (HORS 205, Drugs and Crime: The results of the second developmental stage of the NEW-ADAM programme).
  433W
  The research, which was undertaken at four sites (in London, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sunderland), found over two thirds of arrestees (69 per cent.) tested positively for at least one drug (excluding alcohol) and 22 per cent. tested positive for alcohol. In terms of specific violent offences, of the 41 individuals arrested for assault, 61 per cent. tested positive for a drug and 32 per cent. for alcohol; of the 18 individuals arrested for breach of the peace, 33 per cent. tested positive for a drug and 61 per cent. for alcohol.

  It is important to note that the BCS data rely on the victim's perception of whether or not alcohol or drugs were present at the time of the incident. The NEW-ADAM research is currently based on a small example which is geographically confined. It should also be noted that 29 per cent. of the available NEW-ADAM sample were not interviewed because they were thought to be intoxicated with alcohol. The BCS and NEW-ADAM survey advance our knowledge of the links between drugs, alcohol and crime. However, they do not provide a definite answer as to whether or not the presence of alcohol or drugs have caused a particular crime.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the profits made by drug-dealers trading in(a) soft and (b) hard drugs. [135016]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Within the major research programme that underpins our 10-year national Drugs Strategy, there are two current research projects that will give us a better understanding of the economics of drug dealing. One project is attempting to size the United Kingdom drug market and estimate total expenditure, based on a consumption analysis. Another is looking at the middle levels of the United Kingdom drug market (i.e. between importer and street dealer level), to improve our understanding of secondary drug distribution in the United Kingdom. The results of both pieces of research will be published next year.

  Schengen Liaison Officers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Schengen liaison officers are stationed in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [134806]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None. Consideration will be given to the exchange of Schengen liaison officers when the United Kingdom is fully participating in the police and judicial provisions aspects of the Schengen Implementation Convention.

  Police Officers (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of police officers in England and Wales are(a) black, (b) Asian and (c) Jewish; [134526]

  (2) what proportion of police officers in each force area are members of an ethnic minority. [134390]
  434W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available details on the proportion of officers in the police service in England and Wales in 1999–2000 belonging to particular ethnic groups are as follows:

  Black—0.8 per cent.

  Asian—0.7 per cent.

  Other ethnic groups—0.7 per cent.

  The overall proportion of police officers belonging to an ethnic minority in each of the 43 police forces in England and Wales on 31 March 2000 is given in the table.

  Police force area

  Percentage ethnic minority officers on 31 March 2000

  Avon and Somerset

  1.1

  Bedfordshire

  3.6

  Cambridgeshire

  2.6

  Cheshire

  0.4

  City of London

  2.3

  Cleveland

  1.2

  Cumbria

  0.3

  Derbyshire

  2.3

  Devon and Cornwall

  0.3

  Dorset

  0.5

  Durham

  0.8

  Dyfed Powys

  0.4

  Essex

  1.2

  Gloucestershire

  1.3

  Greater Manchester

  2.5

  Gwent

  1.3

  Hampshire

  0.8

  Hertfordshire

  1.4

  Humberside

  0.7

  Kent

  1.2

  Lancashire

  1.3

  Leicestershire

  4.4

  Lincolnshire

  1.1

  Merseyside

  1.8

  Metropolitan Police

  4.0

  Norfolk

  0.9

  Northamptonshire

  3.0

  Northumbria

  0.8

  North Wales

  0.4

  North Yorkshire

  0.4

  Nottinghamshire

  2.9

  South Wales

  1.2

  South Yorkshire

  2.3

  Staffordshire

  1.5

  Suffolk

  1.3

  Surrey

  1.4

  Sussex

  0.9

  Thames Valley

  2.2

  Warwickshire

  2.2

  West Mercia

  1.3

  West Midlands

  4.6

  West Yorkshire

  2.6

  Wiltshire

  0.9

  England and Wales

  2.2

  Asset Freezing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress made at EU level on mutual recognition of decisions on freezing of assets. [134681]

  Mrs. Roche
  In my reply to the hon. Gentleman of 28 June 2000,Official Report, column 585W, I stated that discussions were taking place between member states of

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  the European Union with regard to the application of the principle of mutual recognition applied to restraint of assets.

  Since this reply there have been no further substantive discussions on this issue. However, I understand that the Presidency intend to table a draft legal instrument on the subject shortly.

  Anti-Jewish Posters
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been initiated into the circulation of posters in North London urging the murder of Jewish people. [134527]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I understand that the Metropolitan police service has received a number of allegations regarding the dissemination of anti-Semitic material in North London. Arrests have been made. Papers have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on the correct course of action to pursue in relation to the arrested people.

  Inquiries are being vigorously progressed to determine the source of the material.

  Public Demonstrations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of the policing of public demonstrations in London in each of the past three years. [134391]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I am advised by the Metropolitan police that there are around 4,000 "public order" events in London each year which require special policing arrangements. Financial information is not separately maintained on these events and the information requested is not therefore available.

  Sexual Offences Review
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of sexual offences and to bring forward recommendations. [134545]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The consultation paper "Setting the Boundaries: reforming the law on sex offences", which was published in July 2000, made comprehensive recommendations to the Government for a reform of the law on sexual offences. The recommendations are at present out for consultation.

  The closing date for comments is March 2001. The Government will consider the proposals in the light of the comments received with a view to legislation in due course.

  Police Overtime
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to public funds of police overtime payments in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [134450]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information available is set out in the table.
  436W

  Police overtime

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Police officer

  2—

  208,740

  249,720

  Support staff

  2—

  38,511

  32,364

  Total

  2—

  247,251

  282,084

  1Provisional

  2Not available

  Source:

  The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Police statistics

  UK Overseas Offenders
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to seek enforcement of sentences of UK subjects abroad where better social reintegration of the offender will result; which countries his Department assesses as permitting better social reintegration; and if he will make a statement. [134682]

  Mrs. Roche
  The enforcement of custodial sentences in the interests of social rehabilitation imposed in another European Union country is already possible under the Council of Europe Convention on transfer of sentenced persons.

  The Prison Service considers requests from both United Kingdom and foreign nationals who wish to be repatriated abroad.

  Underlying consideration of requests is the principle that prisoners' chances of successfully reintegrating into society are substantially improved if prisoners are allowed to serve their sentence in their own country, where they will benefit from access to their own cultural traditions, language, and be able to strengthen links with the community into which they will eventually be released. As a consequence of this policy, there is no list of countries that permit better social reintegration.

  Police Complaints Procedure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reform of the procedure for considering complaints against the police. [134452]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We are committed to finding ways of increasing public confidence in the investigation of complaints against police misconduct through wider accessibility, more openness and a greater degree of independence. We are currently considering these issues following a consultation exercise based on reports of studies by Liberty and KPMG. A second round of consultation to a limited field and covering specific issues will take place during November.

  The Government have undertaken to announce their views by the end of the year.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty fines have been issued for cycling on the footway since they were introduced. [134522]
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  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There were 665 substantive fixed penalties notices known to have been issued in the period 1 August to 31 December 1999 for the office of cycling on the footway (pavement).

  Two police force areas were unable to provide this information and a further three were able to provide data for only the later months of the year.

  Similar information for 2000 should be available in the spring of 2001.

  Reprimands and Final Warnings
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what period applies for the purpose of rehabilitation in respect of(a) reprimands and (b) final warnings. [134343]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not currently contain any reference to reprimands and final warnings. The Government consulted last year on a proposal to bring reprimands and final warnings within the provisions of the Act with an immediate rehabilitation. We intend to make this change whenever an appropriate legislative opportunity arises.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) reprimands and (b) final warnings have been administered since the provisions of sections 65 and 66 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 were bought into force; and how many cautions were administered in the corresponding preceding period. [134342]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest information, taken from the Home Office Cautions Databases, is given in the table.

  Number of offenders aged 10–17 cautioned, given reprimands or

  final warnings for all offences, England and Wales, October

  1997—December 1998 and January 1999—March 20001

  Number of offenders given a

  October 1997 to December 1998

  January 1999 to March 20001

  Caution

  2135,164

  117,186

  Reprimand

  2—

  7,098

  Final Warning

  2—

  2,919

  Total

  2135,164

  127,203

  1Provisional

  2While piloting of reprimands and final warnings began on 30 September 1998, the Home Office Cautions Database does not separately identify these new warnings from formal cautions until 1 January 1999.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current regime for controlling the use of animals in tests in preventing genetic modification of animals. [134458]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The production of genetically modified animals, as well as their use in experiments or other scientific procedures, is controlled under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Government are satisfied that the 1986 Act adequately caters for transgenic animals used in scientific procedures, and that there is no need for separate controls.
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  Since the genetic modification of animals was first achieved, the number of genetically modified animals produced and used under the terms of the Act has increased considerably, and is likely to continue to increase. The production and use of such animals allows new areas of medical and other scientific research to be explored; provides the potential for investigating a wide variety of conditions including cancer, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis; and allows the quality of the science in many areas of research and testing to be improved.

  The vast majority (over 95 per cent.) of GM animals produced and used are mice. Other genetically modified animals produced and used under the 1986 Act are: rats; rabbits; pigs (for xenotransplantation research); sheep (modified, for example, to produce human proteins in their milk which can be extracted and used to treat human medical conditions); domestic fowl and fish.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to offer the(a) police, (b) prison and (c) fire services a stakeholder pension. [134374]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All police officers have access to the police pension scheme. Consideration is being given to whether police service stakeholder pension arrangements should be made available to police officers who earn less than £30,000 a year, and who wish to top up their benefits.

  All prison officers have access to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). Civil Service stakeholder pension arrangements will be made available to prison officers and other civil servants covered by the PCSPS who earn less than £30,000 a year and who wish to top-up their PCSPS benefits. The Cabinet Office is making the necessary provision on behalf of all civil service employers.

  The provision of stakeholder pensions is currently under consideration for the fire service.

  Policing (Rural Areas)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his policy on policing in rural areas. [134995]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Our policy is to ensure that all areas of the country, urban and rural, benefit from a modern, effective and responsive police service and we are increasing funding for rural forces to take account of the additional costs associated with policing rural areas. The police funding formula includes a sparsity element which directly benefits rural forces and an extra £15 million from the Police Modernisation Fund has been allocated this year to 31 forces covering rural areas. This rises to £30 million from 2001–02. The forces concerned will be required to demonstrate real improvements in the policing of rural areas in return for the extra money.

  Illegal Weapon Imports
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to prevent weapons legally bought on the continent from being brought into this country where they are illegal. [135010]
  439W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The manufacture, sale and importation of 14 bladed, pointed and other offensive weapons have been banned under Section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, in addition to flick knives and gravity knives, the sale of which was already banned under the Restrictions of Offensive Weapons Act 1959. The law prohibits the possession of offensive weapons in a public place, and the possession of knives in public without good reason or lawful authority, with the exception of a folding pocket-knife with a blade not exceeding three inches. Strict controls apply to the possession and importation of firearms.

  The enforcement of controls on the importation of weapons is a matter for HM Customs and Excise, who deploy their resources in accordance with their assessment of risk.

  Terrorism Advocates
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards the activities in the United Kingdom of individuals advocating terrorism abroad. [135015]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are determined to ensure that the United Kingdom is not used as a base for the planning and preparation of terrorism here or abroad. The Terrorism Act 2000, which is due to come into force early next year, further strengthens our response to international terrorism by the inclusion of powers to proscribe organisations concerned in international terrorism; to counter the financing in this country of terrorism anywhere overseas, and includes a new offence of incitement here to commit an act of terrorism, wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom, where that act, if committed in England and Wales, would constitute one of a number of specified offences, in particular murder.

  It is a high priority for the police and the Security Service to counter the activities of those who may be seeking to support terrorism outside the United Kingdom. Where there is any evidence of terrorist activity, action is taken either under the criminal law, supported as necessary by the current counter-terrorist legislation, or under immigration legislation.

  Racially Motivated Crimes
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportions of victims of racially-motivated crimes in each of the past three years have been(a) black, (b) Asian and (c) white. [135001]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available.

  Information on racist incidents is collected annually from all police force areas by HMIC. However, the ethnicity of the victim is not collected.

  The British Crime Survey collects information about racially motivated crimes and the ethnicity of victims. The last available figures are for the year 1995. The survey estimates that there were in total about 382,000 racially motivated crimes in 1995. 238,000 of these incidents were against white people (62 per cent. of the total); 42,000 against black people (11 per cent); 41,000 against Indians (11 per cent) and 60,000 against Pakistanis or Bangladeshis (16 per cent).

  Voting Systems
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the desirability of adopting(a) proportional representation or (b) an alternative vote system for Westminster parliamentary elections; [135031]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of introducing an alternative vote system in UK parliamentary elections on the degree of proportionality between votes cast and hon. Members returned. [135026]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government have not made such an assessment of the alternative vote (AV) system. The Independent Commission on the Voting System proposed that its recommended system, AV plus, be put before the electorate in a referendum as an alternative to first-past-the-post. While no change will be made to the voting system without an endorsement by the general public in a referendum, a decision has yet to be made as to its timing and the question to be asked.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of alternative voting arrangements at the May 2000 local elections under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [134872]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 October 2000]: My Department has received reports from all the local authorities which ran pilot schemes under the terms of the Representation of the People Act 2000.

  Copies have been placed in the Library and are accessible on the Home Office website. We are considering their conclusions, in consultation with electoral administration and local authority associations.

  Applications to run pilot schemes in May 2001 have been invited.

  Metropolitan Police
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in the level of ethnic minority recruitment to the Metropolitan Police since the publication of the Macpherson report. [135000]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The figures show the number and percentage of minority ethnic recruits for the three years 1997–98, 1998–99 and the first six months of 2000–01.

  Year

  Number of minority ethnic officers recruited

  Minority ethnic recruits as a percentage of all recruits

  1997–98

  62

  5.2

  1998–99

  92

  5.6

  1999–2000

  71

  7.1

  20001

  27

  5.2

  1March to September

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in Essex(a) have sought application forms to join the Metropolitan police force in the past six months and (b) subsequently made a formal application; and how many Metropolitan
  441W
  police officers have (i) sought application forms to join the Essex police force and (ii) subsequently made a formal application, in the same period. 1135093]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not collected centrally in the form requested.

  I am advised by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that, between 1 April 2000 and 17 October 2000, it received 98 inquiries from officers of Essex police. The MPS does not have a central record of the number of formal applications by officers of Essex police. Since 1 July, three officers from Essex police have joined the MPS.

  I am advised by Essex police that 21 officers from the MPS have applied to join the force since 1 January 2000. Three of those officers have subsequently withdrawn their applications. No information is currently available centrally about the outcome of the other applications.

  Young Offender Units
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning the number of youth offender units in North Yorkshire. [134381]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have received no recent representations about establishments for young offenders or other youth justice arrangements in North Yorkshire.

  Secure establishments for juveniles are provided by the Prison Service, local authorities and the private sector under contract to the Youth Justice Board. North Yorkshire juvenile remandees and offenders normally go to Wetherby Young Offender Institution which has 360 places, Hassockfield secure training centre in County Durham which has 40 places, and local authority secure units in East Yorkshire, Leeds and Sheffield which have 43 places.

  Representation of the People Regulations 1986
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to collect figures on the number of prosecutions which take place each year under paragraph 29 of the Representation of the People Regulations 1986. [134408]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Paragraph 29 of the Representation of the People Regulations 1986 makes it an offence to withhold the information which an electoral registration officer (ERO) needs to compile the electoral register. The ERO can report to the Crown Prosecution Service for possible prosecution any cases of refusal to provide the information, or of giving false information. Figures for prosecutions are not separately collected, but indications from EROs are that they are relatively rare. We see no necessity to monitor such cases specially and have no plans to do so.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the deliberations of the Animal Procedures Committee on applications for licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 442W
  1986 which are referred to them include consideration of the scientific value and validity of the procedures involved; [134357]

  (2) if he will impose a duty on the Animal Procedures Committee to consider the interests of patients and patient groups; [134356]

  (3) how many members of the Animal Procedures Committee (a) have had and (b) hold full registration as a medical practitioner. [134355]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  When considering any application for a project licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 the Secretary of State is required to weigh the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the programme to be specified in the licence. Any application referred to the Animal Procedures Committee for its consideration will contain such an assessment.

  One of the 20 members of the Animal Procedures Committee is medically qualified, and is in current practice.

  The Act requires the Animal Procedures Committee to have regard both to the protection of animals against avoidable suffering and unnecessary use in scientific procedures and to the legitimate requirements of science and industry. The latter requirement would include a consideration of the interests of patients and patient groups. The Committee's deliberations may also encompass the scientific merit and scientific validity of the proposals, as well as the welfare costs to the animals used.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what organisation is responsible for advising him on the legitimate concerns of patients and patient groups with regard to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [134354]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that any application to use protected animals in research must be subjected to a detailed cost/benefit assessment by Home Office inspectors. The likely adverse effects on the animals concerned must be weighed against the benefits likely to accrue as a result of the proposed programme of work. Clinical benefit, including more cost-effective health care, are factors which may be taken into account in this assessment. A number of sources of advice are available to me on the benefits of research. These include the Animal Procedures Committee and the relevant professional bodies. I also receive representations on issues relating to the use of animals in scientific procedures from a wide range of interest groups, including medical charities.

  Police Officers (Hand Guns)
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of hand guns by police officers in England and Wales. [134714]
  443W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The use of firearms by police officers is governed by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which requires that the use of force in the prevention of crime or apprehension of offenders must be reasonable in all the circumstances, and by operational guidance provided by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  The deployment of armed officers in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.

  Entertainments Licences
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the guidance given to local authorities on the procedures for consulting local residents on applications for entertainments licences; [134700]

  (2) what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the procedures for consulting local residents on applications for entertainments licences; [134701]

  (3) what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the consideration of objections to applications for entertainments licences. [134699]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply as I have responsibility for public entertainment licensing.

  The Home Office has not issued guidance to local authorities on these issues. We have, however, included in our White Paper "Time for Reform" (Cm 4696), which was published on 10 April, proposals for reform of public entertainment licensing, with new requirements for local resident consultation.

  Community Rehabilitation Centres
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the community rehabilitation centres operating in England and Wales indicating(a) the proximity of each to prisons, (b) the nature of their environs, (c) the number of places available at each centre and (d) the number of staff employed at each centre. [135405]

  Mr. Boateng
  The term community rehabilitation centre is not one which is in common use. However, there are currently 100 approved probation and bail hostels in England and Wales. The table shows the name of each approved hostel, the probation area it is in and the number of bedspaces it currently provides. Approved hostels provide an enhanced level of supervision in the community, as well as a supportive and structured environment, within which residents can be supervised effectively for as short a period as is necessary. They are intended as a base from which residents take full advantage of community facilities for work, education, training, treatment and recreation. They would therefore normally be based near to such facilities. Some approved hostels are near to prison establishments, but we do not have this information centrally. The number of staff employed in each approved hostel varies according to the number of bedspaces provided, but on average it would be between 18 and 24. Again, more detailed information is not centrally available.
  444W

  Probation area

  Hostel

  Beds

  Avon

  1Ashley House

  22

  Avon

  Bridge House

  18

  Avon

  Brigstock Road

  28

  Bedfordshire

  Bedford

  25

  Bedfordshire

  Napier Road

  20

  Berkshire

  1Elizabeth Fry

  21

  Berkshire

  Manor Lodge

  22

  Berkshire

  St. Leonards

  22

  Cambridgeshire

  Peterborough

  26

  Cheshire

  Bunbury House

  22

  Cheshire

  Linden Bank

  22

  Cornwall

  Meneghy House

  18

  Cumbria

  Bowling Green

  24

  Derbyshire

  Burdett Lodge

  32

  Devon

  Lawson House

  19

  Dorset

  The Pines

  18

  Dorset

  Weston

  25

  East Sussex

  Brighton

  16

  Essex

  Basildon

  26

  Gloucestershire

  Ryecroft

  16

  Greater Manchester

  Ascot House

  22

  Greater Manchester

  Bradshaw House

  26

  Greater Manchester

  Chorlton

  27

  Greater Manchester

  Hopwood House

  18

  Greater Manchester

  St. Josephs

  29

  Greater Manchester

  Wilton Place

  27

  Greater Manchester

  Withington Road

  32

  Hampshire

  Dickson House

  18

  Hampshire

  Southampton

  22

  Hampshire

  The Grange

  22

  Hereford and Worcester

  Braley House

  21

  Humberside

  Queens Road

  19

  Humberside

  Scunthorpe

  19

  Inner London

  1Katherine Price Hughes

  19

  Inner London

  1Kelley House

  21

  Inner London

  1Hestia Streatham

  28

  Inner London

  1Hestia Battersea

  25

  Inner London

  Camden House

  26

  Inner London

  Canadian Avenue

  24

  Inner London

  Ellison House

  25

  Inner London

  Tulse Hill

  26

  Kent

  Fleming House

  25

  Lancashire

  Haworth House

  26

  Lancashire

  Highfield House

  22

  Leicestershire

  Howard House

  18

  Leicestershire

  Kirk Lodge

  32

  Lincolnshire

  Wordsworth House

  18

  Merseyside

  1Adelaide House

  20

  Merseyside

  Canning House

  18

  Merseyside

  Merseybank

  25

  Merseyside

  Southwood

  29

  Middlesex

  Ealing

  19

  Middlesex

  Seafield Lodge

  22

  Norfolk

  John Boag House

  25

  North East London

  Westbourne House

  40

  North Wales

  Plas-y-Wern

  18

  North Wales

  Ty Newydd

  23

  North Yorkshire

  South View

  20

  Northamptonshire

  Bridgewood

  23

  Northumbria

  1Ozanam House

  25

  Northumbria

  1St. Christophers

  18

  Northumbria

  Cuthbert House

  25

  Northumbria

  Pennywell

  18

  Nottinghamshire

  Astral Grove

  14

  Nottinghamshire

  Southwell House

  18

  Nottinghamshire

  Trent House

  19

  Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  Abingdon Road

  18

  Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  Clarks House

  18

  Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  Milton Keynes

  16

  Somerset

  Glogan House

  18

  South East London

  Beckenham Road

  20

  South Glamorgan

  Mandeville House

  26

  South West London

  Kew

  18

  South Yorkshire

  Norfolk Park

  39

  South Yorkshire

  Rookwood

  39

  445W

  Probation area

  Hostel

  Beds

  South Yorkshire

  Town Moor

  39

  Staffordshire

  Staitheford House

  20

  Staffordshire

  Wenger House

  26

  Staffordshire

  Wharflane House

  22

  Suffolk

  Lightfoot House

  22

  Suffolk

  The Cottage

  18

  Surrey

  St. Catherines Priory

  18

  Teesside

  Nelson House

  22

  Teesside

  The Crescent

  20

  Warwickshire

  McIntyre House

  18

  Warwickshire

  Kenilworth Road

  19

  West Glamorgan

  Emroch House

  18

  West Midlands

  Bilston

  15

  West Midlands

  Carpenter House

  22

  West Midlands

  Crowley House

  18

  West Midlands

  Elliott House

  20

  West Midlands

  Stonnall Road

  12

  West Midlands

  Sycamore Lodge

  32

  West Midlands

  Welford House

  19

  West Yorkshire

  1Cardigan House

  25

  West Yorkshire

  1Ripon House

  24

  West Yorkshire

  1St. Johns

  28

  West Yorkshire

  Albion Street

  24

  West Yorkshire

  Elm Bank

  22

  West Yorkshire

  Holbeck

  24

  Total

  2,257

  1Voluntary managed approved hostels

  There are currently no hostels in the following probation service areas:

  Durham

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Hertfordshire

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  Shropshire

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire.

  Crimestoppers Trust
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a grant to the Crimestoppers Trust; and if he will make a statement. [135098]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  For 2000–01 the Home Office made a grant of £90,000 to Crimestoppers for their administration costs. I have also agreed to fund an evaluation of the effectiveness of Crimestoppers' work in London.

  Police Officers (Medical Retirement)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers subject to disciplinary proceedings have retired on medical grounds in each of the last three years. [134541]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Prison Education Funding
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on proposed changes to the funding of prison education; if it is his policy to devolve funding to the Department of Education and Employment; if it is his policy to ring-fence prison education funding(a) overall and (b) in each individual prison budget; and what the proposed time-scale is for the changes. [134676]

  Mr. Boateng
  A joint Prison Service and Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) partnership will be established to build on the policy framework for prison education. The plan is for funding for prison education to be transferred to DfEE from April 2001. It will be ring-fenced but detailed arrangements have yet to be finalised.

  Accountability for management control and responsibility for delivery will remain with the Director General of the Prison Service. It is envisaged that close working between the Prison Service and DfEE will be beneficial for prisoners.

  There will be a joint Ministerial announcement early in 2001 which will set out the details of the partnership and funding arrangements.

  Practising Freemasons
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce restrictions upon practising freemasons in(a) the police, (b) the judiciary and (c) his Department. [135916]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government have introduced voluntary registration of freemasonry membership in the judiciary and magistracy, the Crown Prosecution Service, the police service, and the prison and probation services. As the response rate to the voluntary registration scheme in the police service was too low to meet the Government's aim of having reasonable public transparency in this area, I am consulting the police service about how a more acceptable response rate can be achieved.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council, 28 September
  Justice and Home Affairs Council, 28 September
  Terrorism Act 2000: Implementation
  Terrorism Act 2000: Implementation
  Immigrant Advisers and Service Providers: Regulation
  Immigrant Advisers and Service Providers: Regulation
  Sentencing Guidelines: Women
  Sentencing Guidelines: Women
  Custodial Sentences: Policy
  Custodial Sentences: Policy
  Voters' Rights
  Voters' Rights
  Millennium Volunteers
  Millennium Volunteers
  Employment and Social Policy Council, 17 October
  Employment and Social Policy Council, 17 October
  Sudan: Chemical Weapon Allegations
  Sudan: Chemical Weapon Allegations
  Burma
  Burma
  Arms Exports: Licence Criteria
  Arms Exports: Licence Criteria
  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  MoD: Legal Advisers
  MoD: Legal Advisers
  Centre for Defence Medicine
  Centre for Defence Medicine
  Royal Army Medical Training Centre Site, Millbank
  Royal Army Medical Training Centre Site, Millbank
  Officer Training Corps
  Officer Training Corps
  Army Base Repair Organisation, Sennybridge
  Army Base Repair Organisation, Sennybridge
  Territorial Army Centre, Horsham
  Territorial Army Centre, Horsham
  Armed Forces Widow's Pensions: Retention on Remarriage
  Armed Forces Widow's Pensions: Retention on Remarriage
  Viagra: Use in Fertility Treatments
  Viagra: Use in Fertility Treatments
  Smoking in Public Places: Control
  Smoking in Public Places: Control
  Hospice Costs: NHS Contribution
  Hospice Costs: NHS Contribution
  Manufacturing: Profitability
  Manufacturing: Profitability
  Sudan: Precursor Chemical Agents
  Sudan: Precursor Chemical Agents
  Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000: Government Actuary's Report
  Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000: Government Actuary's Report
  Benefit Disentitlement and Child Poverty
  Benefit Disentitlement and Child Poverty
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Annual Report and Accounts
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Annual Report and Accounts
  Chardon LL Maize
  Chardon LL Maize
  Judicial Appointments Annual Report
  Judicial Appointments Annual Report
  House of Lords: Smoking Policy
  House of Lords: Smoking Policy