Written Answers of 6 April 2001

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Peerages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many applicants for a people's peerage are under(a) 25 and (b) 30 years. [157254]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand from the House of Lords Appointments Commission that there were(a) 22 and (b)

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many applicants for a people's peerage are over(a) 65, (b) 70, (c) 75 and (d) 80. [157255]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand from the House of Lords Appointments Commission that there are(a) 696 of whom, (b) 309 are over 70, (c) 121 are over 75 and (d) 31 are over 80.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the regional backgrounds of aspiring people's peers who appear in the column 'other' on the Commission's website. [157253]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that those listed as 'other' in the House of Lords Appointments Commission website are nominees not resident in the UK at present. They are either British citizens currently living abroad, Commonwealth citizens or Irish citizens. They do not therefore have a regional background.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the questions for answer by her which she has not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost in the 2000–01 session. [157169]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Two. Questions answered on 16 March2001,Official Report, column 764W, and 22 March 2001, Official Report, columns 314–15W.

PRIME MINISTER

  Wal-Mart
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister on what dates between 1 January and 31 July 1999 he met representatives of the Wal-Mart company; and whom he met from the company on each occasion. [157325]

  The Prime Minister
  I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold a public inquiry following the elimination of foot and mouth disease into the causes of the disease and the Government's handling of its consequences. [157612]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 5 April 2001,Official Report, column 251W.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what studies are being undertaken by the Performance and Innovation Unit into the possibility of a national identity card; [157349]

  (2) what consultations have been carried out in the past 12 months by the Performance and Innovation Unit about the possibility of a national identity card. [157346]

  The Prime Minister
  The PIU have not carried out any formal consultation about the possibility of a national identity card.

  In September last year, I asked the PIU to undertake a project looking at privacy and data issues. Lord Falconer, Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, is the Sponsor Minister for the project.

  The project is analysing a broad range of issues involved in privacy and the use of personal data, including current government, private sector and international practices, structural and technological issues, public attitudes and the current legal framework. The project is also examining a range of issues to do with identification and authentication, including identification numbers and smartcards.

  Meetings
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions and where since 3 May 1997 he has met the creators of charitable foundations; what the purposes of such meetings were; and what their outcomes were. [157258]

  The Prime Minister
  I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

DEFENCE

  Reservists
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the call-out of reservists for operations in the Balkans and the region of Iraq. [157797]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since NATO operations commenced in the former Yugoslavia, the reserve forces have historically provided some 10 per cent. of the total manpower in theatre. A further call-out order has been made under section 54 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to allow members of the reserve forces to continue to be called out to support operations in Yugoslavia and in the region of
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  Iraq. As in previous years, only volunteers for these duties will be called out. The new call-out order has effect until 31 March 2002.

  Joint Strike Fighter
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he is making to the US Administration to ensure that the US maintains its commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter project; [156335]

  (2) what recent discussions he has had with the US Defense Secretary on the Joint Strike Fighter project; [156334]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the number of UK jobs which will be created by the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft project; [156336]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the prospects for continuing with the Joint Strike Fighter project without US support; [156337]

  (5) what alternatives to the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft project his Department has assessed. [156338]

  Mr. Hoon
  The importance that the UK attaches to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme has been raised regularly with the United States Administration in UK/US ministerial meetings. I took the opportunity to reinforce this message with Secretary Rumsfeld during my recent visit to the US.

  We estimate that up to 5,000 jobs may be created or sustained as a result of the UK's involvement in the next phase (Engineering and Manufacturing Development) of the JSF programme.

  The alternative options considered by the UK to meet its future requirement were the US F/A18E, the French Rafale, a navalised version of the Eurofighter and an advanced Harrier variant.

  The JSF is a US led project. I would not expect it to continue should the US Government decide to cancel it.

  Weapons Training
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many places were available in(a) March 2000 and (b) March 2001 on courses for HM forces on (i) improvised explosive device disposal, (ii) explosive ordnance device driver courses and (iii) biological and chemical munition disposal; and how many (A) applied for, (B) were accepted to and (C) completed each course. [156215]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 30 March 2001]: This type of training is carried out at three Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) Schools: the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (DEODS) at Chattenden in Kent, The Army School of Ammunition (ASA) at Kineton, Warwickshire and the Defence School of Transport (DST) at Leconfield, Yorkshire. Biological and chemical munitions disposal is taught as part of other courses at the ASA. Similarly, IEDD training forms part of courses run at both DEODS and ASA. Driver training for EOD Van Drivers is taught at the DST.

  Courses run throughout the year and information for courses running at any point during March each year is given in the table.
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  Course title

  March 2000

  March 2001

  Place available

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Army Courses1

  28

  28

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Joint Service Courses2

  0

  28

  ASA Courses with BCMD content3

  18

  18

  EOD Van Driver

  8

  8

  DEODS courses with IEDD elements

  40

  44

  Places taken

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Army Courses1

  25

  30

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Joint Service Courses2

  0

  24

  ASA Courses with BCMD content3

  18

  18

  EOD Van Driver

  7

  8

  DEODS courses with IEDD elements

  39

  39

  Successful passes

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Army Courses1

  17

  10

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Joint Service Courses2

  0

  4—

  ASA Courses with BCMD content3

  17

  15

  EPD Van Driver

  7

  7

  DEODS courses with IEDD elements

  34

  39

  1 These courses are four and five weeks in length. Start dates were in February 2000 and January 2001. Places available and taken are those on the course finishing in March.

  2 These courses are of similar duration to the Army courses. In 2000, no courses started or finished in March, in 2001 the courses are still under way and will not finish for another week.

  3 There are two courses, one four months and one 10 months. Numbers shown are for the courses finishing in March.

  4 Not known

  However, it may be helpful to have the overall position for the training years ending in March 2000 and March 2001, which is given in the table.

  Course title

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Places available

  ASA EOD (IEDD) (Army) Courses

  80

  100

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Joint Service Courses

  80

  80

  ASA Courses with BCMD content

  30

  30

  EOD Van Driver

  80

  80

  DEODS courses with IEDD elements

  288

  276

  Places taken

  ASA EOD (IEDD) (Army) Courses

  80

  90

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Joint Service Courses

  75

  183

  ASA Courses with BCMD content

  19

  26

  EOD Van Driver

  75

  72

  DEODS courses with IEDD elements

  253

  259

  Successful passes

  ASA EOD (IEDD) (Army) Courses

  46

  62

  ASA EOD (IEDD) Joint Service Courses

  40

  29

  ASA Courses with BCMD content

  19

  26

  EOD Van Driver

  75

  72

  DEODS courses with IEDD elements

  236

  229

  1 Two courses ran with additional personnel

  Strategic Defence Initiative Contracts
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts awarded since 1 September 1998 under the Letter of Offer and Acceptance, 0006–98-C-0015, signed under the 1985 Strategic Defence Initiative Memorandum of Understanding, specifying in each case the name of the contractor, the value of the contract and the date of the award. [157281]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 March 2001,Official Report, column 620W.

  Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme is expected to be completed; and if he will publish an unclassified version of its conclusions when it is completed; [157344]

  (2) if he will place in the Library copies of unclassified documents which have been (a) issued to the contractors and (b) made public during the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme. [157401]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme is planned for completion in the autumn of 2001. An unclassified summary of the report will subsequently be published and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The only unclassified document made available to contractors and made public, is that covering the Terms of Reference. In this regard I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 203W.

  Nuclear Warheads
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which locations nuclear warheads withdrawn from active service are stored; and if he will make a statement on the use to which nuclear material recovered from redundant warheads is put. [156376]

  Mr. Hoon
  Nuclear warheads are stored at Faslane and Coulport, before they are returned to the Atomic Weapons Establishment for dismantling.

  Nuclear material retained for defence purposes, including that recovered from redundant warheads, is recycled within the UK's defence programme. Nuclear material recovered from redundant warheads which is surplus to defence needs either has been or will be transferred into safeguard arrangements and will be subject to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Territorial Army Reserve
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list(a) the designated strength and (b) the number enlisted in each battalion or unit of the Territorial Army Reserve; what action is being taken to fill vacancies; and if he will make a statement; [157090]

  (2) how many members of the Territorial Army Reserve attached to units which were disbanded under the Strategic Defence Review (a) transferred to other Army TA units, (b) transferred to other reserve occupations and (c) joined the services full time; how many left the TA; and if he will make a statement. [157091]

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

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the designated strength of the Territorial Army Reserve is; and what the number enlisted is. [157092]
  294W
  Dr. Moonie
  The latest available figures give the numbers enlisted into the Territorial Army as 40,684 against an establishment of 41,204.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces were deployed in the first instance in support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to deal with the foot and mouth outbreak; and how many members of the armed forces were so deployed on 3 April. [157418]

  Mr. Spellar
  In response to initial requests from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), a small number of military specialists—vets and logistic planners—were deployed on 16 March to help in dealing with the foot and mouth outbreak. Since then, the armed forces have continued to respond to further requests for support. The total number of troops deployed as at 3 April was 1,544. Additional troops are on reduced notice to move, pending further requests for assistance.

  Atlantic Star
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek advice from his Department's Historic Branch on the contribution made in the battle of the Atlantic by the Polar Bears, in securing Iceland in 1941, and on whether they are entitled to the Atlantic Star. [157420]

  Dr. Moonie
  The men of the 49th West Riding Division whose divisional sign was a Polar Bear, formed the core of the British garrison of Iceland between the late spring of 1941 until the end of 1942 when responsibility for the garrison passed wholly to the United States forces who began to arrive there in the summer of 1941.

  The securing of Iceland by this garrison made possible the subsequent basing there of Allied aircraft to carry out anti-submarine patrols and thus provide further support to the Allied convoys on which so much depended. Further, the island was used as an assembly point for convoys to Russia.

  However, the land garrison did not participate directly in the operations contributing to the Battle of the Atlantic, and accordingly land service on Iceland was not included among the categories of service conferring eligibility for the Atlantic Star. This campaign award and the other Campaign Stars and War Medals, were considered by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals for the 1939–45 War and subsequently agreed by the King.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek advice from his Department's Historic Branch on the contribution made by 269 Squadron while operating out of Iceland in securing the Enigma code technology from a captured U-Boat; and if Squadron members are entitled to the Atlantic Star. [157419]

  Dr. Moonie
  Number 269 Squadron made a distinguished contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic, including sinking several enemy submarines and playing a major role in the capture of U-570 in August 1941. The
  295W
  surrender of U-570 did produce valuable intelligence on enemy submarines. Unfortunately, the unavoidable lapse in time between the surrender of the vessel to 269 Squadron and the arrival of a Royal Navy surface warship allowed the U-boat crew to throw overboard, or otherwise destroy, all the submarine's Enigma equipment and codebooks.

  Members of 269 Squadron who meet the necessary qualifying criteria are eligible for the award of the Atlantic Star.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Minister for Veterans' Affairs will meet representatives of the 49th Infantry Division Association to discuss members' entitlement to the Atlantic Star. [157421]

  Dr. Moonie
  The basic qualifying criteria for Second World War medals were agreed by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in 1946. It would not be appropriate to attempt to review, with a view to altering contemporary decisions, events which happened more than 50 years ago. A meeting with the members of the 49th Infantry Division Association would not, therefore, be helpful to them.

  Medal entitlement is examined on an individual basis. Members of the 49th Infantry Division Association who feel that they are entitled to the Atlantic Star should write, individually, to the Army Medal Office enclosing as much information concerning their service as possible. Their case will then be considered.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were laid down for service men and women to be entitled to the Atlantic Star; and if he will make a statement. [157417]

  Dr. Moonie
  The qualifying criteria for the campaign stars and medals instituted for service during the Second World War, including the Atlantic Star, were published by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in Command Paper 6633 in May 1945 and amended by Command Paper 6833 in June 1946. Copies of both these documents are in the Library of the House.

  Iraq
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if bombs coated with depleted uranium were used in the most recent bombing of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [157415]

  Mr. Hoon
  Bombs coated with depleted uranium were not used on the most recent occasion that coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no fly zone responded in self-defence against the Iraqi Air Defence System.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons for the most recent bombing of Iraq by the UK and USA. [157414]

  Mr. Hoon
  Coalition aircraft carrying out legitimate patrols of the Iraqi no fly zones are authorised to respond in self-defence to Iraqi efforts to shoot them down. This is the only basis on which weapons have been released over Iraq since Operation Desert Fox in December 1998.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with(a) her EU counterparts and (b) the UN concerning World Food Programme supplies for Sudan. [156895]

  Clare Short
  My Department is in regular contact with(a) the EU in Brussels, both the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the Food Aid Unit, about their plans for food aid to Sudan this year: We have also discussed Sudan with (b) the UN and World Food Programme (WFP) in London, Rome and Khartoum. WFP have asked for 150,000 metric tonnes and we expect a substantial part of this to be provided by contributions from EU member states and the United States. We understand the European Commission will make available 12,000 tonnes for drought and related needs in the north.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's contributions to the World Food Programme earmarked for Sudan since 1997. [156892]

  Clare Short
  Since 1997, the Department for International Development has earmarked £14.4 million for Sudan through the World Food Programme. This contribution was disbursed over 1998 and 1999. No contribution was considered necessary in 2000. We are considering our response in 2001 as the humanitarian situation demands.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on current food deficit levels in Sudan. [156896]

  Clare Short
  There are indications there may be food shortages in some part of Sudan this year. We are monitoring the situation closely both from London and through our DFID representative at the British Embassy in Khartoum. My humanitarian adviser will also be visiting Sudan in May to assess needs and make recommendations.

  Philippines
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the approval by her Department of the National Roads Bridge Replacement Project in the Philippines. [157855]

  Clare Short
  I have recently agreed a commitment of DFID funds of up to £8.75 million to this project. This will be the final project funded under the Aid and Trade Provision (ATP).

  The 1997 White Paper on International Development committed the Government to focus all future development assistance on poverty reduction, and, therefore to end the ATP scheme.

  We also agreed to honour ATP commitments already made and to do our best to make them more poverty focused. This project will improve routes passing through poor rural areas of the Philippines.

  Departmental Procurement
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on untying her Department's procurement following the White Paper commitment. [157796]

  Clare Short
  DFID is untying by applying the Public Procurement Regulations from 1 April to invite global competition for all new contracts above a threshold value of £93,896. Implementation will be a challenge and we have agreed to share the practical lessons with other development agencies in line with our commitment to international untying. The new policy will not disrupt current programmes. For this financial year only, DFID will consider extension to current contracts where that is necessary for operational reasons and the initial invitation to tender made it clear that a contract may be extended.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she has recently reviewed the effectiveness of United Kingdom development efforts in Zimbabwe. [157802]

  Clare Short
  I have since 1997 kept our development programme in Zimbabwe under regular review. We remain committed to helping the poorest in Zimbabwe who are suffering the combined effect of economic mismanagement and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. But the situation in Zimbabwe is difficult and we continue to work only where we are confident our support can be effective.

  For this reason we have today written to the Zimbabwe Government informing them that we are ending our support to the Privatisation Agency of Zimbabwe and to a Trade Policy Capacity Building Programme. In the continued absence of Government policies likely to reverse current economic decline and reduce poverty, I concluded that these projects were likely to have little beneficial impact for the people of Zimbabwe.

  Micro-finance Institutions
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to encourage access to micro-finance institutions in developing countries. [156598]

  Clare Short
  Gaining access to simple, low cost savings and insurance services helps poor families in developing countries to reduce their vulnerability to economic shocks. Small-scale loans from micro-finance institutions (MFIs) also play a very important role in encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in their business, where they are unable to obtain a loan from a conventional commercial bank.

  Despite the success of many MFIs in extending savings and credit sustainability to the poor these services still reach only a tiny proportion of those that need them. Recognising the importance of MFIs in reducing poverty, DFID provides technical and financial support to raise standards in micro-finance, to improve commercial viability, and to extend outreach to millions more poor families. This support is provided in a number of ways.
  298W
  DFID is a founding member of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP). CGAP is an international coalition of donors and practitioners working to improve the quality and scale of micro-finance services worldwide, through the development and dissemination of best practice.

  DFID supports a large number of MFIs directly, including BRAC and PROSHIKA in Bangladesh, FINCA in Tanzania and KASHF in Pakistan.

  DFID also encourages innovation in the provision of financial services to the poor. It supports a micro-leasing company in Uganda, and the replication of indigenous savings methodologies through MFIs in east and southern Africa under the "MicroSave" initiative.

  Finally, DFID strengthens links between MFIs and mainstream capital markets—whether commercial banks or equity investors—so as to mainstream micro-finance in the financial markets of developing countries.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Green Paper on mercenaries will be published; and what are the reasons for the delay. [156151]

  Mr. Battle
  Unfortunately, it proved impossible to publish the Green Paper on mercenary activity as expected by the end of November 2000.

  The issue is a complex one. It is important therefore to work carefully through the details. I can assure the House that work on the Paper is continuing.

  Private Military Companies
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts officials in his Department have had with representatives of private military companies since guidelines were introduced as a result of the Legg Inquiry. [156152]

  Mr. Battle
  There is no accepted definition of a private military company. Since guidance was introduced, contacts have been recorded with 15–20 companies which may be judged to fall within the category of private military/security companies. These have been principally inquiries regarding general HMG policy towards particular parts of the world.

  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of private military companies that are operating out of the UK. [156153]

  Mr. Battle
  Due to difficulties of definition, the possible blurring of boundaries between private military companies and private security companies, and the frequent shift of company identities and locations in this sector, there is no current definitive estimate of the number of private military companies operating out of the UK.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan authorities concerning the attack on 18 February upon a Christian church in the Hingurangoda district of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [157243]

  Mr. Wilson
  We condemn all such acts of violence against civilians wishing to exercise their right to religious freedom. We are pleased to see that the Sri Lankan Government have condemned this unprovoked attack and that the President has ordered an immediate inquiry. We hope that this will be completed soon and that it will be open and transparent.

  British Forces' Detention (Soviet Union)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations have been made in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Independent States on the detention of members of the British Forces in the Soviet Union after(a) the Second World War and (b) the Korean War; and if he will make a statement. [156772]

  Dr. Moonie
  I have been asked to reply.

  Advantage was taken of the changed climate at the end of the Cold War to liaise with the Russian authorities on whether they possessed information on the few British Service men whose fate as prisoners of war remains unknown following the Second World War and Korean War, in spite of extensive investigation.

  Class reference1

  HC no.

  Cmd no.22

  Departments

  Date laid

  I

  182

  DFEE

  31 January 2001

  I

  189

  Teachers Pension Scheme

  31 January 2001

  I

  155

  Ofsted

  25 January 2001

  II

  188

  NHS Pension Scheme (England and Wales)

  31 January 2001

  II

  194

  Department of Health

  31 January 2001

  III

  5054

  Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions

  30 March 2001

  III

  176

  Ofwat

  31 January 2001

  III

  184

  ORR

  31 January 2001

  IV

  5055

  Home Office

  30 March 2001

  IV

  191

  Charity Commission

  31 January 2001

  V

  5056

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  30 March 2001

  V

  5060

  Treasury Solicitors

  30 March 2001

  V

  193

  Crown Prosecution Service

  31 January 2001

  V

  134

  Public Records Office

  25 January 2001

  V

  198

  Serious Fraud Office

  31 January 2001

  V

  199

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  31 January 2001

  VI

  4

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme—MOD

  13 December 2000

  VI

  50

  Defence—MOD Consolidated

  31 January 2001

  VII

  195

  FCO

  31 January 2001

  VIII

  116

  DfID

  31 January 2001

  VIII

  187

  DfID—Superannuation Pensions

  31 January 2001

  IX

  11

  DTI—Main

  20 December 2000

  IX

  51

  ECGD

  20 December 2000

  IX

  24

  Ofgem

  20 December 2000

  IX

  75

  OFT

  31 January 2001

  IX

  151

  Oftel

  31 January 2001

  IX

  10

  UK Atomic Energy Authority—DTI

  20 December 2000

  X

  5057

  MAFF

  30 March 2001

  X

  196

  Forestry Commission

  31 January 2001

  X

  201

  Forestry Commission Pension Scheme

  31 January 2001

  X

  833

  Intervention Board Executive Agency

  9 November 2000

  XI

  181

  DCMS

  31 January 2001

  XII

  183

  DSS

  31 January 2001

  XIII

  186

  Scotland Office

  31 January 2001

  300W
  This and further detailed research into allegations that British Service men were detained by the Soviet Union after the Second World War has revealed no evidence that the Soviet authorities had a policy of detaining British Service men. Equally, no evidence has been found that British prisoners of war were detained in Korea or elsewhere after the post-armistice repatriations at the end of the Korean War.

TREASURY

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work Her Majesty's Treasury has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155661]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 28 March 2001]: None.

  Resource Accounts
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the resource accounts for each class for 1999–2000 were laid before Parliament; and from what date in each case copies were available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. [155444]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 29 March 2001]: The dates on which departmental resource accounts were laid before the House of Commons are listed in the table.
  301W

  Class reference1

  HC no.

  Cmd no.22

  Departments

  Date laid

  XIV

  96

  Wales Office

  24 January 2001

  XV

  5058

  Northern Ireland Office

  30 March 2001

  XVI

  5062

  HM Treasury

  30 March 2001

  XVI

  192

  Crown Estate

  31 January 2001

  XVI

  165

  Customs and Excise

  31 January 2001

  XVI

  830

  Department of National Savings

  2 November 2000

  XVI

  153

  GAD

  31 January 2001

  XVI

  129

  Inland Revenue

  24 January 2001

  XVI

  798

  National Investment and Loans Office

  22 November 2000

  XVII

  185

  Office for National Statistics

  31 January 2001

  XVII

  5053

  Cabinet Office

  30 March 2001

  XVII

  5059

  Security and Intelligence Agencies

  4 April 2001

  XVII

  5061

  Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation

  30 March 2001

  XVII

  190

  Central Office for Information

  31 January 2001

  XVII

  197

  Privy Council Office

  31 January 2001

  1 The system of 'class' and 'vote' numbering applies solely to appropriation accounts rather than resource accounts; the numbers above indicate the corresponding 'class' of the Departments' appropriation account

  2 With the agreement of the NAO, these accounts were due for presentation as Command Papers by 30 March 2001

  Provision of copies of these accounts by the Vote Office is a matter for the House Authorities, though I understand that these accounts should be available to hon. Members within a few days of being laid.

  Foot and Mouth
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if roll-over relief is available to farmers receiving lump sum compensation for foot and mouth disease who wish to reinvest in livestock in future years. [156900]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Animals used in a farming trade are not chargeable assets for capital gains purposes. They are part of a farmer's trading stock so that any compensation for their loss will be on revenue rather than capital account and form part of the farmer's trading income.

  Compensation received for animals that have been compulsorily slaughtered is treated in the same way as the proceeds would have been if the animals had been sold. As this is income for tax purposes capital gains tax roll-over relief is not applicable.

  Where the herd basis applies, the profit from the disposal of production animals is deferred until they are replaced and the profit is exempt if they are not replaced. Special rules allow profits on the disposal of other animals compulsorily slaughtered to be spread over three years.

  The Revenue and Customs are committed to helping individuals and businesses in difficulty as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. They will respond sympathetically in all cases where customers need help in understanding their entitlements or who are experiencing difficulty in paying tax or national insurance. The Revenue Departments have set up a joint helpline. The number is 0845 300 0157.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if applications for temporary rate reductions made because of the foot and mouth epidemic will be given priority over outstanding appeals against the 2000 rating list; [157380]
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  (2) what targets have been given to the Valuation Office for determining applications for temporary reductions in business rates on the grounds of the impact of the foot and mouth crisis; [157381]

  (3) how many applications have been made for a temporary reduction in business rates arising from the foot and mouth epidemic. [157382]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In England and Wales to date there have been at least 23,000 appeals made for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth. It will be the Valuation Office Agency's policy to prioritise dealing with such applications. The Valuation Office Agency has recently introduced a system for the structured programming of appeals against rating assessments. As a matter of urgency it is considering how, within this system, to prioritise appeals resulting from the foot and mouth epidemic.

  R and D Tax Credit
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firms have taken advantage of the research and development tax credit for small and medium-sized enterprises. [157387]

  Mr. Timms
  Figures for the number of firms that have taken advantage of R and D tax credits will not be available until 2002, when firms incurring R and D expenditure have sent in their tax returns for the first year of operation of the scheme. However, enhanced capital allowances since 1997 and new tax credits to encourage investment and innovation have already saved business over £1 billion.

  European Community (Contributions)
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of the rebates on the UK's contributions to the EEC budget secured by Governments between 1979 and 1987. [157375]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Details of the United Kingdom's abatement for the years 1985–86 to 1987–88 can be found at Table 20.1 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1990–91 to 1992–93" (Cm 1018, January 1990). Details of negotiated refunds for the years
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  1980–81 to 1984–85 can be found at Table 3.3 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1986–87 to 1988–89" (Cmnd 9702-II, January 1986).

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the additional income received by residents of Cunninghame, South constituency following the introduction of the national minimum wage; [157396]

  (2) how many residents of Cunninghame, South constituency (a) have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage and (b) will benefit from the rise in the level of the national minimum wage. [157397]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Brian H. Donohoe, dated 6 April 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions about the benefits of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in Cunninghame South constituency (157396, 157397).
  The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than NMW rates for 1998, 1999 and 2000. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds and was developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in using the NES and LFS separately for measuring low pay.
  Estimates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions are posted on the National Statistics website at:
  www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/themes/labour_ market/nmw_lowpay_tables.asp
  Estimates based on this methodology are not available for the number of jobs paid below NMW rates at Parliamentary Constituency level.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many recipients of Disability Living Allowance higher mobility component in Northern Ireland qualify because they are both blind and deaf; [157408]

  (2) how many Disability Living Allowance recipients, whose main disability is deafness, are aged between 16 and 64 and live in Northern Ireland; [157410]

  (3) how many Disability Living Allowance recipients there are in Northern Ireland; and how many there were in each of the last seven years, whose main disabling condition is deafness; [157405]

  (4) if he will publish a breakdown of disability living allowance awards in Northern Ireland for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) the rate of each component and (b) age; [157407]

  (5) if he will publish a breakdown of Disability Living Allowance awards in Northern Ireland for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) age and (b) type of
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  award, indicating (i) care only components, (ii) mobility only components and (iii) combined care and mobility components; [157406]

  (6) how many recipients there are in Northern Ireland of (a) higher and (b) lower rate Attendance Allowance. [157409]

  Dr. Reid
  Responsibility for this matter has now been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations underlay the decision to exclude housing benefit and income support on mortgage interest from a household's income when determining whether that household suffers fuel poverty, as stated in Box 10.1 of The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy. [157452]

  Dr. Reid
  Responsibility for this matter has now been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times(a) Lord Sainsbury and (b) other Ministers from his Department met with Nadhmi Auchi of General Mediterranean Holdings Ltd.; and if he will list the (i) dates and (ii) locations of those meetings. [156883]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 4 April 2001]: Lord Sainsbury has met Mr. Auchi on one occasion, at a dinner hosted by Mr. Auchi on 23 April 1999 at the Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly. The Department has no record of any other meetings having taken place between DTI Ministers and Mr. Auchi.

  Departmental Policies (Amber Valley)
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Amber Valley constituency, the effects on Amber Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157135]

  Mr. Caborn
  The constituency of Amber Valley has benefited from a range of initiatives since May 1997 including:

  Regional Selective Assistance

  A discretionary grant which provides assistance towards capital projects which would not otherwise go ahead and will create or safeguard employment in an Assisted Area. Grant totalling £3,405,000 has been offered to 10 companies supporting total capital expenditure of £19,126,000 with the aim of safeguarding 559 existing full time jobs and creating in excess of 160 new full time jobs.
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  Smart

  Discretionary grant available to SMEs to help them develop technologically innovative products and processes. Grant totalling £643,819 has been offered to nine projects supporting total project costs in excess of £1,822,000.

  Enterprise Grant

  A new discretionary grant introduced in 2000. Provides support to SMEs investing in capital projects which would not otherwise go ahead. Grant totalling £286,389 has been offered to eight businesses supporting project costs in excess of £2,258,000.

  Business Link

  The Business Link network provides a wide range of business advice and support to SMEs. It is not possible to accurately isolate Business Link data for the Amber Valley constituency area. However, from 1997 to date, Business Link South Derbyshire, which includes the Amber Valley constituency, has helped a total of 2005 businesses and assisted 668 business start ups.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations he has received regarding using the Gibraltar international direct dialling code prefix 350; [156129]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the arrangement set in place to handle internationally dialled telephone calls to Gibraltar using the Gibraltar international direct dialling code prefix 350; [156133]

  (3) what representations he has made to the European Commission regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls routed through Spain and destined for Gibraltar. [156130]

  Ms Hewitt
  We remain deeply concerned about the unsatisfactory situation of telecommunications services in Gibraltar. Spain does not recognise Gibraltar's international direct dialling code (350). This code is however recognised by every other country in the world.

  The Government of Gibraltar have brought to our attention the increasing problem of international calls from countries other than Spain failing to reach their destination in Gibraltar. Some calls from third countries are diverted via Spain by Lease Cost Routing technology, in order to reduce costs.

  We are working hard to ascertain the exact cause of the problem of dropped calls, and to identify the best way forward. There are a number of possible technical and commercial considerations which need to be examined. We have drawn the situation to the attention of both the Spanish Government and the Commission, and will pursue the problem as a matter of urgency.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the Office of Fair Trading 306W
  inquiry into BSkyB will have on the timetable to switch off analogue television channels and accelerate the take-up of digital TV. [R] [157142]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is unable to comment on a Competition Act inquiry by the Office of Fair Trading while it is being undertaken. The Director General of Fair Trading expects to reach a view by this summer on whether or not an infringement decision should be issued against BSkyB.

  Postal Services
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will represent the United Kingdom at the next meeting of the Council of the European Union (Transport and Communications); and what position the UK's representative will take on amending Directive 96/97/EC with regard to the further opening up to competition of Community postal services. [157391]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Small Business and E-Commerce represented the UK at this month's Transport and Telecommunications Council on 4–5 April 2001. There are no plans for a substantive discussion on the proposal to amend Directive 97/67/EC at this Council; this item is on the agenda for information only in order to provide a progress report and an indication of the Presidency's plans for taking forward the debate with the aim of achieving a political compromise at the Telecommunications Council to be held at the end of June. The UK supports the Presidency in its objective to work for an agreement on the further opening up to competition of Community postal services provided appropriate safeguards are in place to maintain the universal service at a uniform tariff.

  Civil Aircraft Projects
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government aid has been granted by his Department, and its predecessor, in support of civil aircraft projects since 1971, excluding Airbus projects; and if he will set out the amounts(a) granted in respect of each project and (b) recovered by way of sales and licensing levies. [157377]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Since 1971 the following launch investment project(a) commitments and (b) amounts recovered, excluding Airbus projects, which the Government have made are as follows:

  £million

  (a)

  (b)

  To Rolls-Royce for the Trent 600/900 in 2001

  200

  1—

  To Rolls-Royce for the Trent aeroengine in 1997

  250

  7.7

  To Shorts for the Learjet 45 in 1995

  17.7

  1—

  To Rolls-Royce for the V2500 in 1985

  60

  29.6

  To Westland for the EH101 in 1984

  60

  1—

  To Westland for the W30–200 in 1982

  39.3

  2—

  To Rolls-Royce for the RB211 in 1974

  439.4

  277.2

  To Hawker Siddeley for the HS146 in 1972

  7.8

  3—

  1 Not yet due

  2 None recovered

  3 Levies not payable

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Litigants in Person
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many civil actions, other than in the small claims court, have been commenced in each of the last five years by litigants in person. [157360]

  Jane Kennedy
  Figures showing the number of trials in the county courts conducted by litigants in person are set out in the table.

  Litigants appearing in person during county court trials England and Wales figures, 1996–2000

  Year

  Number county court trials

  Claimant

  Defendant

  Litigants in person

  1996

  19,608

  2,400

  3,550

  1997

  15,511

  1,590

  3,020

  1998

  14,202

  1,080

  1,900

  1999

  13,437

  880

  1,660

  2000

  15,397

  1,230

  2,280

  Percentage in person

  1996

  19,608

  12.2

  18.1

  1997

  15,511

  10.3

  19.5

  1998

  14,202

  7.6

  13.4

  1999

  13,437

  6.5

  12.4

  2000

  15,397

  8.0

  14.8

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish guidance for those wishing to pursue civil claims as litigants in person which fall outside the scope of the small claims court. [157359]

  Mr. Lock
  The Court Service publishes a comprehensive series of leaflets, which explain basic court procedures starting from making a claim to enforcement procedures. They all include information that goes beyond the small claims procedure.

  The leaflets are specifically aimed at litigants in person and use plain English in a question and answer format. Since the Court Service launched its Welsh Language Scheme on 9 August 2000 some Court Service leaflets are now also available in Welsh.

  The leaflets are available free from any county court office or from the Court Service website. Advice agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux also supply some Court Service leaflets to their customers.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Achievement Awards
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools showing an improvement of at least 2.2 in the Key Stage 2 average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation was carried out prior to deciding the criterion; [157357]

  (2) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools at Key Stage 1 showing an improvement of at least 1.4 in the average point
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  scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation took place with schools about the criterion for deciding awards; [157355]

  (3) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools showing an improvement of at least 4.9 in GCSE/GNVQ average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation was carried out prior to deciding on the criterion; [157354]

  (4) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools showing an improvement of at least 0.80 in Key Stage 3 average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation was carried out prior to deciding the criterion. [157356]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We consulted relevant national bodies about the design of the School Achievement Awards Scheme in May and June last year. We proposed then, and confirmed in September, that about 30 per cent. of maintained schools in England would receive awards, that about three quarters of these awards would be for improvement, that schools would be ranked by the differences between their Key Stage test or GCSE/GNVQ average point scores in 1997 and 2000, and that improvement awards would be given to the highest ranking schools. The minimum increases in average point scores required for improvement awards were consequences of this process.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy not to disadvantage schools which have been notified of a financial award by his Department which is based upon an administrative error; and if he will make a statement. [157385]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  As the hon. Member knows, a number of schools were incorrectly told that they would receive a School Achievement Award. We have made it clear to them that they will receive the financial value of the award.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of the error made by his Department in identifying schools which had won achievement awards in 2001. [157384]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The cost of additional awards will be £1.9 million.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the use of homosexual role-play in school sex education classes; and if he will make a statement. [156774]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have made no estimate of the extent of this type of role playing in schools; Ofsted have reported no such incidents. The Learning and Skills Act 2000 places a statutory duty on schools to protect pupils from inappropriate teaching and materials. Our Sex and Relationship Education guidance is clear that teachers should be able to deal honestly and sensitively with sexual orientation. There should be no direct promotion of sexual orientation.

  Best Value
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations were held between his Department and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions about the content of Best Value Performance Plans required of local authorities. [156444]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My Department has been consulted about published documents on Best Value, including the final version of the statutory guidance on Best Value Performance Plans in DETR Circular 10/1999. Officials from both Departments meet regularly to discuss the implementation of Best Value.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change the year of calculation for education targets in best value performance plans to a school year basis. [156441]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Our aim in introducing best value performance indicators has been to minimise burdens on local authorities by linking them to existing data collection exercises. Some of the education performance indicators are calculated on a school year basis, apart from those for expenditure and for special education needs. Compiling these on a school year would create work for local authorities, and make education expenditure indicators out of line with those for other authority services. Furthermore, any significant change in calculation method would mean that local authorities lose historical trends over time.

  Class Sizes (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each year since 1992 the average primary school class size for schools in Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [156568]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The data requested have been placed in the Library.

  Information on class sizes as at January 2001 will be published in a Statistical First Release 'Class Sizes in Maintained Schools in England January 2001' on 6 April.

  The latest infant class size data for September 2000 were published in a Statistical First Release 'Infant Class Sizes in England 2000' on 1 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Employment statistical website www.dfee.gov.uk/statistics. Figures from this release show that since September 1998, 324,000 five, six and seven-year-olds have benefited from the Government's infant class size initiative. In September 2000, 30,000 children were in classes of 31 or more children, compared with 171,000 in September 1999. This demonstrates that the Government are delivering early our infant class size pledge, which is supported by some £620 million.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of those who completed a teacher training course were full-time teachers three years later in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [155649]
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  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 29 March 2001]: The information is in the table.

  Percentage of teachers who were in full-time teaching in the maintained schools sector in the third year after completing their Initial Teacher Training

  Year of completion of Initial Teacher Training

  Percentage

  1994

  66

  1995

  65

  1996 (provisional)

  66

  The number of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2000 was 404,600, the highest for 10 years and 6,900 higher than January 1998.

  There was a growth of 2,300 in the number of people recruited to train as teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.

  From April 2001 new graduate recruits can expect to earn £17,000 a year (up 6 per cent. from the previous year) and starting salaries in Inner London will rise to £20,000 (up 9 per cent. from the previous year).

  Schools (Battersea)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the additional resources his Department has made available to schools in Battersea since 1997 according to sector; and under which scheme or fund they are provided. [154831]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information showing the schools in the Battersea constituency that benefited from capital investment under the New Deal for Schools is shown in Table A. These allocations formed part of the £4.651 million investment made so far in schools in the London borough of Wandsworth local education authority under the New Deal for Schools programme.

  The New Deal for Schools was introduced as a new additional programme targeted specifically at addressing the backlog of urgent repairs in school buildings that had built up after 18 years of under-funding under the previous Administration. It has been in addition to other capital funds made available to the London borough of Wandsworth local eduction authority. In total, since 1997, the London borough of Wandsworth local education authority has received some £13.214 million of funding for capital investment in school buildings as shown in Table B.

  Nationally, investment in school buildings has tripled from £683 million a year in 1996–97 to over £2 billion in 2000–01. It will be £3.5 billion in 2003–04, including grant, credit approvals and Private Finance Initiative credits. There will be central Government investment of £8.5 billion in school buildings in total from 2001–02 to 2003–04. Capital investment already allocated to the London borough of Wandsworth local education authority in 2001–02, including the increases announced by the Chancellor in the Budget statement of 7 March, amounts to £5.942 million.
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  I refer my hon. Friend to the letter sent to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 16 February for details of increases to revenue funding for schools in the London

  Table A: New Deal for Schools (NDS)—Allocation for schools in the Battersea constituency

  Year/school

  Project

  Grant awarded (£)

  1997–98

  Alderbrook Primary

  Replace gas heaters

  1135,000

  Joseph Tritton Primary

  Provide a secure main entrance with CCTV

  1998–99

  Chesterton (with Chantfield) Primary

  Replacement of three asbestos clad huts

  123,338

  St. George's C of E Primary (VA)

  Renew heating pipework system

  73,840

  Joseph Tritton Primary

  Major works to corroded boundary wall

  57,477

  Honeywell Infant

  Demolition of old dining hall and outside toilets and replacement with new

  194,419

  Honeywell Junior

  Demolition and replacement of old dining hall and outside toilets

  196,299

  Borough wide package of 22 schools

  Safety of chimneys/flue renewals

  2379,500

  1999–2000

  Included within a 12 school package:

  Belleville Primary

  Renewal of mechanical and electrical services

  2l,015,500

  High View Primary

  The Vines

  Wix Primary

  Included within eight school package:

  Chesterton Community College

  Asbestos removal

  2157,886

  2000–01

  Included within a 12 school package:

  Allfarthing Primary

  Renewal of roof and associated drainage works

  21,621,017

  Battersea Technology College

  Bolingbroke Primary

  John Burns Primary

  Chesterton Primary

  Replacement of temporary classrooms

  234,240

  1 Local education authorities (LEAs) were not required to specify individual project costs for phase 1 of the NDS programme, so the amount shown is the total allocation in that year to the LEA. London borough of Wandsworth local education authority holds project level information

  2 Denotes total allocation made to package projects covering more than one school. London borough of Wandsworth local education authority will be able to advise the value of projects at schools which have benefited from these allocations

  Note:

  Funding by sector is not readily available except where specific allocations to Voluntary Aided (VA) schools are identified

  Table B: All capital allocations to London borough of Wandsworth local education authority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Annual Capital Guideline (ACG) Basic Credit Approvals

  50

  274

  1,614

  1,166

  Supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs)

  212

  98

  26

  124

  Grant to Voluntary Aided (VA) Schools

  428

  229

  142

  715

  New Deal for Schools (NDS)

  135

  865

  1,016

  2,635

  School Security Grant

  36

  45

  59

  59

  Energy Efficiency Initiative

  —

  25

  —

  —

  Class Size Initiative

  —

  —

  115

  108

  National Grid for Learning (NGfL) Grant

  —

  292

  455

  580

  Assistance with Asset Management Plans

  —

  —

  23

  —

  Seed Challenge Initiative

  —

  —

  —

  133

  Devolved Formula Capital for Schools

  —

  —

  —

  659

  Additional Devolved Formula Capital for Schools

  —

  —

  —

  593

  Renewal of School Laboratories

  —

  —

  —

  124

  Nursery Provision

  —

  —

  —

  68

  Schools Access Initiative (Grant)

  —

  3

  26

  16

  Outside Toilet Initiative

  —

  66

  —

  —

  Total

  861

  1,897

  3,476

  6,980

  Note:

  Funding by school sector is not readily available, other than where specific grant to the Voluntary Aided sector is shown above. Other programmes may, however, include funding for Voluntary Aided schools.
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  borough of Wandsworth. An extract of revenue funding allocated is shown in Table C. Information at constituency level or sector is not readily available.
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  Table C: Revenue funding allocations—London borough of Wandsworth local education authority

  £ million

  Standard spending assessment

  Grants

  1997–98

  89.1

  3.1

  1998–99

  93.7

  1.2

  1999–2000

  98.2

  3.2

  2000–01

  101.9

  8.9

  Note:

  The following revenue grants have been included: DfEE contributions to the Standards Fund; Class Size Reduction Grant; Funding for Education Action Zones; Grant for Nursery Vouchers in 1997–98; School Budget Support Grant; School Standards Grant; and Education Budget Support Grant.

  Battersea Technology College
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been made available, listed by project and funding scheme, for pupils and teachers at Battersea Technology College, since 2 May 1997. [154820]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Most funding provided by the Department is distributed via local education authorities. The initial budget share for 1998–99 to 2000–01 financial years made available by Wandsworth Local Education Authority to Battersea Technology College is set out in the table. Figures for 1997–98 are not readily available. In addition, Battersea Technology College received £40,000 School Standards Grant in 2000–01. It also received at least £218,069 in 2000–01 through the Standards Fund. Figures for payments through the Standards Fund are not available for 1998–99 and 1999–2000. The Department does not hold information relating to specific projects and project schemes made available at Battersea Technology College since 2 May 1997.

  Mailings to all primary or all secondary schools by school year

  Items

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  12000–01

  Primary

  Literacy and numeracy—items for action

  1

  3

  2

  0

  Literacy and numeracy—information/guidance

  12

  9

  10

  4

  National curriculum—items for action

  2

  0

  3

  0

  National curriculum—information/guidance

  11

  7

  25

  4

  Teachers pay and school funding—items for action

  2

  7

  3

  2

  Teachers pay and school funding—information/guidance

  8

  2

  48

  9

  Other material requiring action

  7

  9

  8

  9

  Information and guidance on other topics

  43

  59

  47

  19

  Secondary

  Literacy and numeracy—items for action

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Literacy and numeracy—information/guidance

  3

  2

  3

  0

  National curriculum—items for action

  0

  0

  3

  0

  National curriculum—information/guidance

  4

  7

  31

  4

  Teachers pay and school funding—items for action

  1

  3

  3

  2

  Teachers pay and school funding—information/guidance

  11

  9

  48

  10

  Other materials requiring action

  14

  14

  12

  9

  Information and guidance on other topics

  52

  80

  62

  23

  1 2000–01 to end March only

  A list of documents sent to LEAs since March 2000 has also been placed in the Library. My answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) on
  314W

  £

  Budget share

  Per pupil (average)

  1998–99

  1,155,000

  2,608

  1999–2000

  1,351,000

  2,712

  2000–01

  1,930,399

  2,907

  Circulars
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by date the circular documents which have been sent by his Department to(a) local education authorities, (b) primary schools and (c) secondary schools since 1 May 1997; and how many pages each document contained. [148352]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 2 February 2001]: Our monthly batched mailings to schools clearly distinguish between documents requiring action and those for guidance and information. Since May 1997 schools have had an average of one action document a fortnight during term time from DFEE. Many of these related to literacy and numeracy, teachers pay or funding improvements. Most items sent are for information only.

  Since September 2000, we have sent less automatically to schools. Of the 47 documents sent to all primary schools since September 2000 only 11 required action. The main documents of substance were the guide to improve grammar teaching and the autumn package of benchmarking data on pupil performance.

  The position for secondary schools was similar. Of the 48 documents sent since September 2000 only 11 required action. The main document of substance was the autumn package of benchmarking data on pupil performance.

  The table shows for each school how many documents we sent to all primary or all secondary schools. Many documents went to both types of school and are counted in each list. The full list of titles is in the Library.

  22 March 2000, Official Report, column 571W, gave the number of mailings prior to this date. Page lengths of mailings to LEAs are not recorded centrally.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Foot and Mouth (Tourism)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to convey accurate information to foreign tourists of the impact of foot and mouth disease on human health. [157026]

  Janet Anderson
  My Department is working closely with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) to ensure that the message that foot and mouth disease has no adverse effect on human health and that Britain is open to business is conveyed to overseas visitors. Where concerns have been expressed, BTA's overseas offices have held briefings for the local media and travel trade to provide accurate information and reassurance about travelling to Britain. Information is also available to overseas media and the public through BTA's overseas call and visitor centres.

  BTA has been, and is continuing to monitor press and public opinion in all its key priority markets. On 20 March I visited New York to help spread the message that Britain is open for business and dispel all the rumours that had started appearing in the American national press about public safety.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if compensation will be made available to non-rural tourism businesses that have been adversely affected by foot and mouth disease. [157050]

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what compensation will be made available to those in the tourist industry in(a) the Chorley area and (b) Lancashire following the foot and mouth outbreak. [157312]

  Janet Anderson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced on 20 March a package of measures to help those adversely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. The Government are considering the need for further measures in the light of the latest developments.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on(a) the use of lottery money for the new Wembley Stadium and (b) the amount of lottery money proposed for the new Wembley Stadium. [157316]

  Kate Hoey
  Sport England have committed £120 million to the Wembley Stadium project. The bulk of this money—£103 million—was used to secure the purchase of the stadium site in January 1999.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Cabinet Office on overseeing the new Wembley Stadium project. [157544]

  Kate Hoey
  No discussions have been held with the Cabinet Office about the Wembley Stadium project.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how often meetings are held between him and the Chairman of the new Wembley Stadium Company; [157317]
  316W
  (2) when he last met the Chairman of the new Wembley Stadium Company. [157313]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet Sir Rodney Walker from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues including his new responsibility as Chairman of Wembley National Stadium Ltd. as well as his other duties including that of Chairman of UK Sport. My right hon. Friend and I last met Sir Rodney on 1 February.

  Tourism (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the impact on tourism in Lancashire of the foot and mouth outbreak. [157311]

  Janet Anderson
  We are making inquiries of a range of tourism-related bodies to determine the impact of foot and mouth disease on tourism businesses. This research is at an early stage and therefore no figures are yet available. The English Tourism Council and the Regional Tourist Boards are also implementing research to assess the impacts at local level. However, the North West Tourist Board estimates that the potential impact on tourism income in the north-west is around £6 million and is threatening around 200 jobs per week. No figures relating specifically to Lancashire are available.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when and how the papers of the New Millennium Experience Company will be opened for public scrutiny; and if he will make a statement. [157244]

  Janet Anderson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 29 March 2001,Official Report, columns 715–16W.

  Religious Broadcasting
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to end the BBC's monopoly of religious broadcasting. [157259]

  Janet Anderson
  All public service broadcasters are committed to carrying religious programming. Such programming is an important element of public service provision and the Government reaffirmed in the White Paper "A New Future for Communications", which was published on 12 December 2000, that it will continue to be so. The White Paper invited comments on whether the current restrictions on ownership of broadcasting licences by religious organisations should be relaxed in the new legislation, and the Government are currently considering the responses.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what grounds Christian broadcasting organisations are not allowed access to the air waves in the UK; and if he will review the matter. [157260]

  Janet Anderson
  The Broadcasting Act 1990 disqualifies religious organisations from holding broadcasting licences, except where the regulators are satisfied that it is appropriate for such bodies to hold licences for licensable programme services, satellite television, or local analogue, cable or satellite radio
  317W
  services. The White Paper, "A New Future for Communications", which was published on 12 December 2000, proposed that religious organisations should also be allowed to hold local digital radio licences. These restrictions have been considered necessary to safeguard pluralism in the media and to avoid religious discrimination: capacity constraints mean that one religious organisation may be able to hold a licence where another may not. Nevertheless, the White Paper invited comments on whether these restrictions should he relaxed, and we are currently considering the responses.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Bereavement Benefits
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that widowers will get the new bereavement benefits from April. [157948]

  Mr. Rooker
  Bereavement Benefits will concentrate the help available where and when it is needed most: on immediate needs and on families with children. Men who are widowed on or after 9 April 2001 will be able to claim Bereavement Benefits. But existing widowed fathers, with children in full-time education whose wives died before that date, are also eligible to claim the new Widowed Parent's Allowance. Invitations to make a claim have been sent to over 13,000 men whose Child Benefit records indicate may be eligible.

  We have publicised the new benefits through relevant leaflets, which are distributed to outlets such as local offices, advisory organisations and doctors' surgeries, and can be found on the internet at www.dss.gov.uk. Advertorials in magazine titles which men are likely to read are due to appear in June.

  We have however identified an error in the legislation that will affect a small number of widowers who will inherit both SERPS and a contracted-out pension from their late wives. In line with normal practice the SERPS payment should be reduced to take account of a contracted-out pension paid by a private pension scheme. This is technically known as a contracted-out deduction, and is made because National Insurance rebates would have been received instead of National Insurance contributions being paid for a SERPS pension. The intention was to treat all widows and widowers equally, but for this group of widowers the contracted-out deduction cannot be made until the legislation is corrected.

  We will correct the legislation at the first available opportunity so as to treat widows and widowers equally. Those affected will be informed from the outset of this error and that it is likely to be corrected by future legislation. They will also be informed that they will not be asked to repay the extra amounts.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Disability Living Allowance recipients, whose main disability is deafness, are aged between 16 and 64 and live in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [157404]
  318W
  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  DLA recipients aged 16–64 in England, Wales and Scotland with deafness as their main disabling condition

  Country

  Number

  England

  12,000

  Wales

  700

  Scotland

  1,300

  Note:

  Figures relate to 31 August 2000.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 5 per cent. data

  Statutory Benefits (Crewe and Nantwich)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the constituency of Crewe and Nantwich have been awarded(a) attendance allowance, (b) back to work bonus, (c) business start up, (d) child benefit, (e) child maintenance bonus, (f) child support maintenance, (g) cold weather payment, (h) community care grants, (i) council tax benefit, (j) disability living allowance, (k) incapacity benefit, (l) income support, (m) industrial injury disablement benefit, (n) invalid care allowance, (o) maternity allowance, (p) severe disablement allowance, (q) social fund crisis loans, (r) stakeholder pensions, (s) statutory maternity pay, (t) statutory sick pay and (u) winter fuel payments since May 1997. [156256]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested as information on awards of benefit at constituency level is limited. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Benefit

  Period

  Number of awards

  Attendance Allowance1

  1 June 1997–30 November 2000

  1,600

  Council Tax Benefit2

  April 1997—March 2000

  8,100

  Disability Living Allowance1

  1 June 1997–30 November 2000

  900

  Incapacity Benefit1

  1 June 1998–30 November 2000

  2,700

  Winter Fuel Payment3

  1999–2000

  18,700

  2000–20014

  16,700

  1 Figures are taken from 5 per cent. sample data.

  2 Information on awards of Council Tax Benefit is in respect of the Crewe and Nantwich borough council area. Figures are taken from the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns. Data refers to benefit claims, which may be a single person or a couple.

  3 Figures are taken from the Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuel Payment exercise and are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  4 The Winter Fuel Payment figures for 2000–2001 are provisional. They are taken from a payment run in November 2000 and will be an underestimate of the actual payments made.

  Child Poverty (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children lived in poverty in Shrewsbury and Atcham on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) the latest available date; and if he will make a statement. [154655]

  Mr. Bayley
  Poverty and social exclusion are complex multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of people's lives—including income, health, housing, the quality of their environment and opportunities to learn. There is no single measure that can capture the complex problems that need to be overcome.
  319W
  However a number of these aspects have seen significant improvement in Shrewsbury and Atcham since 1997. Between February 1997 and August 2000 the number of children in families in receipt of out of work benefits has fallen from 3,100 to 2,300.

  In Shropshire the proportion of 11-year-olds achieving level 4 or above at Key Stage 2 has risen in English from 62 per cent. in 1997 to 79 per cent. in 2000 and in mathematics from 61 per cent. in 1998 to 77 per cent. in 2000.

  The annual report, "Opportunity for all", available in the Library, sets out and monitors the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion.

  Notes:

  1. Out of work benefits include Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance. Numbers on benefit are drawn from a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to sampling error. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Please note that any comparison of figures for February and for August may be affected by seasonal variation.

  2. Information used in earlier replies only looked at Income Support and income based Jobseeker's Allowance. We now include all the key out of work benefits to give a fuller picture.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Foot and Mouth
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the RSPCA regarding animal welfare during mass slaughter programmes. [156967]

  Mr. Morley
  Mr. Chris Laurence, Chief Veterinary Officer of the RSPCA, wrote to my right hon. Friend the Minister on 22 March seeking assurances concerning the welfare of animals destined for slaughter as a result of FMD. Subsequently officials from the RSPCA have visited Great Orton on two occasions to witness the disposal of animals at risk from FMD. I understand that both were satisfied that the welfare of the animals prior to slaughter remained a primary concern of the teams involved in their disposal. I recently met the RSPCA and other welfare organisations to discuss slaughter and other welfare matters.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department is taking to relieve pressure from banks on farmers and businesses affected by the foot and mouth crisis. [155426]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  On behalf of the Rural Task Force I have met representatives of the clearing banks to discuss issues raised by the impact of foot and mouth disease on rural businesses.

  The banks have made it clear to me that they understand the problems being faced by businesses from all sectors affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. Wherever possible they are keen to support their customers and any customers in difficulty or expecting problems to arise should contact their manager locally as soon as possible to discuss the options that may be available.
  320W
  The banks have also told me that they recognise that there will be longer term viability issues for some businesses arising as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak and that they will be pleased to work with the Government's Small Business Service to explore options including extension of the scope of the Small Firms Loans Guarantee Scheme to assist businesses in these circumstances.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  South East England Development Agency
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take following delays by SEEDA in its appraisal of SRB Round 6 projects; and if he will make a statement. [156686]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Eastbourne Regeneration partnership "Reborn" was successful in its bid for Round 6 funding through the Government's Single Regeneration Scheme and was awarded £5 million by SEEDA in July 2000. The partnership, in common with all other partnerships, was required to show that each of the proposed projects could demonstrate sound financial viability and value for money. Thirteen projects were put forward by the partnership but were originally lacking in sufficient detail to meet the requirements of the SRB Scheme. Considerable time was spent by SEEDA with the partnership in addressing and resolving these issues. As a result of the additional time spent by SEEDA on these particular projects there have been delays elsewhere which SEEDA has also addressed.

  I am satisfied that SEEDA has acted properly in ensuring that these projects meet the required standards specified in the SRB Scheme thereby ensuring the proper stewardship of public funds being invested in the region. I do not believe that there is any further action to take in this matter.

  Sewage
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many projects to solve sewage problems have received EU financial support through Regulation (EEC) No. 1655/2000 of the European Parliament during(a) Phase 1, (b) Phase 2 and (c) Phase 3. [156737]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Three UK sewage projects have received funding from the LIFE Programme since it began in 1992. Two were funded during the first phase of the LIFE Regulation, which ran between 1992 and 1995. The third was funded during the second phase between 1996 and 1999. The third phase runs from 2000 to 2004. As yet no awards have been made during this phase.

  In 1992 the LIFE Programme contributed euro 711.554 to a Wetland Reedbed Treatment of Sewage put forward by the Fife Regional Council. The project ran from January 1993 to March 1997. In the same year the programme contributed euro 352.537,28 towards a Continuous Microfiltration System put forward by a company called MEMCOR based in Derbyshire. This project ran from December 1992 to April 1996.
  321W
  The third project was from a company called Montgomery Watson Ltd., in Buckinghamshire, and was funded in 1995. The project ran from April 1995 to April 1997, and the programme contributed euro 301.254,48. The project aimed to demonstrate a sustainable, affordable wastewater strategy using aquatic/marginal plants for smaller communities of the European Union, and was based in Northern Greece.

  Further information about these projects and ones which have received funding in other member states can be found on the European Commission's website, where there is a searchable database with in formation about all 600 plus projects selected under LIFE I and II.

  The website can be found at http//europa.eu.int/comm/life/envir/database.htm

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 2001,Official Report, column 815W, on foot and mouth, if he will amend the criteria for entry on to the list of authorities able to give relief from business rates to include the incidence of foot and mouth cases within an authority's boundaries. [157088]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have agreed to keep under review the operation of the special grant for hardship rate relief scheme in relation to foot and mouth disease impacts and I will look at representations which individual authorities make on the scheme.

  Tudor Court School, Chafford Hundred
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Health and Safety Executive last visited Tudor Court School, Chafford Hundred in Thurrock. [157068]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not inspected the Tudor Court School in Thurrock since it opened in 1992. However, following a subsidence incident in the school car park on 23 March 2001 the HSE contacted the local education authority, Thurrock council, to ensure immediate steps were taken to ensure the safety of pupils, parents and staff and make the subsidence area safe.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract between his Department and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology agreed in April 1999 concerning research that forms part of the farm-scale evaluation of GM crops in the UK. [157113]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of each of the four farm-scale evaluation contracts. Certain personal and financial details relating to contractors' staff have been removed.

  The farm-scale evaluations are being undertaken by a consortium of three contractors: the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) and the Institute of Arable Crops Research (IACR). CEH leads the consortium and is the main contractor for the maize and beet evaluations,
  322W
  sub-contracting some of the work to SCRI and IACR. Similarly, SCRI leads on the spring oilseed rape trials and IACR on the winter oilseed rape, with some work sub-contracted to the other members of the consortium.

  The work is overseen by the Scientific Steering Committee. Following the pilot year, protocols for the work have been revised on the advice of the Committee. Details of the current protocols can be found in the six monthly reports produced by the research consortium and published on the Department's website.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if a farmer chosen to take part in the farm scale evaluations of GM crops in the UK enters into a contract to grow and manage the field of GM and non-GM crop with(a) the Farming and Biotechnology Industry Body (SCIMAC) and (b) the chemical company that developed the GM crop involved. [157158]

  Mr. Meacher
  Farmers hosting Farm Scale Evaluations on their farm do so by arrangement with the company that holds the consent authorising the release of the GM crop. The companies involved are members of the industry umbrella group SCIMAC. The crops are grown in accordance with the conditions set out in the release consent for that crop.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the voluntary agreement between his Department and the Farming and Biotechnology Industry Body concerning the farm scale evaluations of GM crops in the UK. [157112]

  Mr. Meacher
  I will ensure that a copy of the voluntary agreement with the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC) on the conduct of the Farm Scale Evaluations will be placed in the Library. A copy can be found on my Department's website http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/fse/scimac/agreement/index.htm.

  GM Fish
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the research programmes into fish genetics that his Department has been involved with in the last 10 years. [157275]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has funded a desk study and scientific literature review at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, to consider the environmental implications and risk assessment of GM fish. This work was published as a DETR report in November 1994; "Genetic Modification of Fish—a UK Perspective". ACRE has also published guidance (Guidance note 8, March 1997) for experimental releases and risk assessment of genetically modified fish.

  Copies of both these publications are in the House of Commons Library.

  Research into GM fish has increased steadily since the first published reports in 1985 and the technology now exists for the routine modification of a variety of fish species. Some modified traits may affect the ecological range of a fish species, for example increasing the temperature range in which they are able to survive and

  323W
  breed, or the rate at which the fish grow and mature. The implications of such changes would need to be carefully considered in the risk assessment before a release could take place.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list comprehensive risk assessment programmes the UK has conducted, under EU Directive 90/220 into the implications for human health and the environment following the potential release of GM fish stocks involved in UK-funded research programmes. [157271]

  Mr. Meacher
  There have been no applications to release GM fish under Directive 90/220/EEC in the UK. However the environmental consequences of the farming of genetically modified fish have been considered by my Department and by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE).

  The Department of the Environment published a research report on the "Genetic Modification of Fish—a UK Perspective" in November 1994. ACRE Guidance Note 8, issued in March 1997, provides guidance for experimental releases and risk assessment of genetically modified fish.

  The publications offer detailed recommendations on approaches to risk assessment and risk management for GM fish, and for emergency control measures. Guidelines are also provided for carrying out monitoring during and after the release.

  Copies of both these publications are in the House of Commons Library.

  Air Pollution Control Residues
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with EU officials about the pre-treatment and disposal of APC residue; and if he will make a statement. [157413]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Officials from my Department are engaged in ongoing discussions with EU officials on technical issues regarding the implementation of the Landfill Directive. The most recent meeting of the Technical Adaptation Committee where such matters are discussed took place on 3 April 2001. One of the issues that has been raised in the Committee is the circumstances under which wastes should be considered corrosive. Under the Directive, hazardous waste that is corrosive in the conditions of landfill, possibly including some air pollution control residues, is likely to be prohibited from landfill sites from July 2002.

  Fly-ash
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to classify fly-ash as prohibited waste; and if he will make a statement. [157412]

  Mr. Robert Anisworth
  My Department is currently in the process of transposing the requirements of the European Landfill Directive into national law. Under these provisions, hazardous waste that is corrosive in the conditions of landfill, including some fly-ash, is likely be prohibited from landfill sites from July 2002. Most waste 324W
  that is landfilled will need to be pre-treated in some way. This requirement will be phased in between 2002 and 2009.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and what percentage of(a) fresh food outlets, (b) fresh food wholesalers and distributors and (c) fresh food processors were visited unannounced by environmental health officers or Meat Hygiene Service inspectors in each year since 1995. [145003]

  Ms Stuart
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information in the form requested is not held centrally. The numbers of inspections and visits to food premises by United Kingdom local authorities is as follows:

  Number

  1995

  828,937

  1996

  827,035

  1997

  787,047

  1998

  745,601

  1999

  734,573

  Variations over time in the number of inspections and visits may reflect a number of factors, including changes in the number of food premises and the risk-based frequency of inspections.

  As part of the Food Standard's Agency's arrangements to strengthen its links with local authority enforcement, a programme of audits of local authority enforcement services has been introduced. The audits will include checks on the adequacy and effectiveness of local authority enforcement services.

  In addition to local authority inspections, the Meat Hygiene Service attends licensed fresh meat and poultry slaughterhouses, cutting plants and cold stores for the purposes of enforcing meat hygiene and animal welfare legislation and carrying out meat inspection and meat marking. Attendance by approximately 1,600 inspection staff ranges from full time to weekly visits, depending on the type of licensed premises. MHS staff make no unannounced visits to licensed premises, except principal official veterinary surgeons, who visit to check the effectiveness of MHS staff in carrying out their duties.

CABINET OFFICE

  Correspondence
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will publish the latest figures showing the volume of correspondence received by Ministers and agency chief executives from hon. Members in 2000, indicating the target times set for replies and the replies sent within those target times. [157532]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The following table sets out Departments' and Agencies' performance in handling hon. Members' correspondence during the 2000 calendar year. It also sets out comparative figures for 1999
  325W
  (first published on 17 April 2000, Official Report, columns 386–89W). I am pleased to report that the table shows a steady improvement in overall performance.
  326W
  Hon. Members' attention is drawn to the footnotes which accompany the table and which provide general background information on how the figures are compiled.

  Correspondence from MPs to Ministers and Agency chief executives

  1999

  2000

  Department or Agency

  Target set for reply (working days)

  Number of letters received

  Percentage of replies within target

  Target set for reply (working days)

  Number of letters received

  Percentage of replies within target

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  15

  7,021

  60

  15

  16,137

  30

  Cabinet Office

  15

  552

  85

  15

  902

  88

  Crown Prosecution Service

  15

  30

  93

  15

  218

  100

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  18

  5,502

  90

  18

  3,240

  82

  HM Customs and Excise

  18

  3,009

  38

  18

  32,977

  68

  Ministry of Defence

  15

  5,488

  66

  15

  44,592

  78

  Army Personnel Centre

  15

  42

  84

  15

  38

  95

  DERA

  15

  35

  89

  15

  21

  91

  Meteorological Office

  15

  12

  83

  15

  16

  94

  Pay and Personnel Agency

  —

  —

  —

  10

  31

  43

  Department for International Development

  15

  2,750

  93

  15

  51,769

  82

  Department for Education and Employment

  15

  21,196

  75

  15

  22,318

  72

  Employment Service

  15

  635

  98

  15

  592

  98

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  15

  15,768

  45

  15

  19,636

  69

  Driving Standards Agency

  15

  124

  68

  15

  91

  99

  DVLA

  7

  855

  98

  10

  1,136

  99

  Highways Agency

  15

  357

  79

  15

  314

  78

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  15

  22

  91

  15

  19

  100

  Planning Inspectorate

  8

  204

  92

  8

  6310

  90

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  15

  18

  94

  15

  13

  100

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  20

  11,921

  75

  720

  9,020

  78

  15

  9,482

  37

  815

  8,121

  50

  Department of Health

  20

  18,346

  47

  20

  918,621

  50

  NHS Pensions Agency

  15

  51

  84

  15

  54

  85

  Medicines Control Agency

  10

  70

  68

  15

  25

  68

  Home Office

  15

  16,826

  45

  15

  1018,748

  1141

  20

  877

  79

  20

  121,289

  79

  HM Prison Service

  20

  2,514

  73

  20

  2,306

  75

  UK Passport Agency

  10

  703

  35

  100

  188

  100

  Inland Revenue

  18

  5,872

  49

  18

  35,770

  72

  23

  368

  60

  23

  13533

  53

  Valuation Office

  23

  24

  81

  23

  240

  92

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  15

  223

  95

  15

  204

  93

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  20

  2,038

  82

  20

  141,844

  74

  Court Service

  20

  898

  79

  1520

  16845

  66

  HM Land Registry

  20

  53

  91

  20

  1641

  93

  Public Records Office

  —

  —

  —

  20

  1626

  100

  Public Trust Office

  15

  42

  95

  15

  16124

  88

  Northern Ireland Office

  10

  1,897

  78

  10

  594

  71

  Compensation Agency for NI

  7

  23

  100

  7

  16

  100

  Northern Ireland Prison Service

  10

  37

  92

  10

  37

  70

  Office for National Savings

  —

  —

  —

  10

  16154

  86

  Office for National Statistics

  10

  275

  98

  10

  17167

  79

  President of the Council's Office

  15

  151

  81

  15

  271

  94

  The Scotland Office

  15

  105

  72

  15

  125

  64

  Department of Social Security

  20

  16,555

  66

  20

  16,283

  75

  Benefits Agency

  20

  2,033

  70

  20

  2,642

  1845

  Child Support Agency

  18

  5,661

  98

  18

  5,806

  97

  War Pensions Agency

  20

  477

  100

  20

  395

  99

  327W

  Correspondence from MPs to Ministers and Agency chief executives

  1999

  2000

  Department or Agency

  Target set for reply (working days)

  Number of letters received

  Percentage of replies within target

  Target set for reply (working days)

  Number of letters of received

  Percentage of replied within target

  Department of Trade and Industry

  10

  20,889

  50

  10

  318,858

  60

  Companies House

  10

  19

  100

  10

  44

  100

  Employment Tribunals Service

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1930

  97

  Insolvency Service

  10

  22

  86

  10

  20334

  87

  Patent Office

  10

  308

  88

  10

  21311

  99

  Radiocommunications Agency

  15

  39

  97

  15

  20

  100

  HM Treasury

  15

  5,322

  44

  15

  34,061

  60

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  10

  40

  100

  10

  2235

  100

  Wales Office

  15

  61

  64

  15

  23344

  42

  1 Includes correspondence on the Intervention Board

  2 Letter addressed to the Law Officers but subsequently replied to by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In addition, the CPS received 490 letters direct from MPs between 1 January and 31 December 2000, of which 96 per cent. were replied to within 15 workings days

  3 Includes all ministerial replies, not only replies to letters from MPs

  4 Includes letters from MPs, MDLs, MEPs and Peers. Also includes 293 letters where Agency chief executives replied on Ministers' behalf

  5 90 per cent. of letters from MPs replied to within 20 working days

  6 Include 139 cases relating to Wales

  7 Excluding correspondence on migration and visa matters

  8 Correspondence on migration and visa matters only

  9 In addition, the chief executive of the Food Standards Agency replied to 537 letters from MPs on behalf of Health Ministers

  10 Excluding correspondence on Prison Service matters

  11 Excluding correspondence on Immigration and Nationality matters, the Home Office replied to 76 per cent. of letters from MPs within 15 working days

  12 Correspondence on Prison Service matters. The 20 working day target takes account of particular geographical circumstances. The target is the same whether replies are sent by Ministers or by the Director General

  13 Local office and "delegated" figures (where local officials have replied direct to MPs)

  14 Excludes letters from MPs to Ministers where Agency chief executives have replied on Ministers' behalf

  15 Target reduced from 20 to 15 workings days on 1 April 2000

  16 Includes letters where the chief executive has replied on Ministers' behalf

  17 Includes 113 letters where the chief executive replied on Ministers' behalf

  18 Performance has improved under the new chief executive. Since September 2000, between 85 per cent. and 95 per cent. of all correspondence from MPs has been replied to within the 20 working day target

  19 Includes 18 letters where the chief executive replied on Ministers' behalf

  20 Includes 313 letters where the chief executive replied on Ministers' behalf

  21 Includes 309 letters where the chief executive replied on Ministers' behalf

  22 Includes eight letters where the chief executive replied on Ministers' behalf

  23 These figures cover the Wales Office's first year of existence and first full parliamentary session. This has been a difficult period. However, the Office has now reviewed its procedures and has introduced a new system for handling MPs correspondence

  Notes on 2000 figures:

  The 1999 figures are taken from 17 April 2000, Official Report, columns 386–87W. Please also refer to the notes given with that reply. Departments and Agencies which received a total of between one and 10 letters from MPs during 2000 are not shown in this table

HEALTH

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne, of 27 September, 24 October, 22 November and 22 December 2000 and 8 January 2001, relating to Mr. Dino Costas of Goffs Oak. [146896]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 5 April 2001.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will substantively reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of 27 September 2000, 24 October 2000, 22 November 2000, 22 December 2000 and 8 January and the written questions replied to on 23 January relating to Mr. Dino Costas of Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire. [151678]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 5 April 2001.
  328W
  I apologise for the unacceptable delay in replying to the hon. Member's correspondence and the previous parliamentary question. I know the Department's Permanent Secretary/Chief Executive of the National Health Service has written to the hon. Member apologising for the unacceptable delay involved in replying to her correspondence. The hon. Member's constituent raised a number of sensitive issues, which required a full investigation to ensure the information provided was correct, ensuring the constituent received a full explanation. This involved liaising with two different health authorities and a number of different sections within these health authorities.

  Departmental Policies (Tooting)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tooting parliamentary constituency, the effect of his Department's policies and actions since 1 May 1997. [149863]
  329W
  Mr. Denham
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority and Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth social services authorities.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  125.8

  £ million (real terms)

  77.5

  Percentage (cash)

  35.61

  Percentage (real terms)

  20.15

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority and the NHS Trusts within it has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £6.6 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; and £138,000, £313,000, £408,000 and £266,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively.

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA has also received: £300,000 for the investment of cancer equipment which has already been delivered and is now in use; £4.5 million, £453,000 and £406,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £2.25 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £3.3 million and £2.9 million to deal with winter pressures in 1998–99 and 2000–01; £228,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01; and £35,000 invested in dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £184 million major hospital development that is being developed at St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust and £24 million development at Queen Mary's, Roehampton.

  Merton local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  26.736

  —

  —

  2001–02

  35.052

  16.1

  31.1

  330W
  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Merton local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,304

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  958

  797

  1,064

  Prevention grant2

  —

  78

  115

  Carers grant3

  —

  76

  196

  275

  Children's grant3

  —

  324

  512

  1,300

  Mental Health Core grant

  388

  524

  798

  4799

  Training Support Grant

  153

  152

  145

  4148

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnerships and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Sutton local authority's personal social service standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97

  Percentage increase

  Year

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  23.901

  —

  —

  2001–02

  31.174

  15.5

  30.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Sutton local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,253

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  882

  735

  1,015

  Prevention grant2

  —

  73

  107

  Carers grant3

  —

  71

  176

  249

  Children's grant3

  —

  250

  392

  983

  Mental Health Core grant

  242

  311

  407

  4408

  Training Support Grant

  140

  158

  174

  4136

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Wandsworth local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  63.679

  —

  —

  2001–02

  74.746

  4.0

  17.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Wandsworth local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,634

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,943

  1,623

  2,117

  Prevention grant2

  —

  158

  233

  Carers grant3

  —

  153

  417

  579

  331W

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Children's grant3

  —

  866

  1,374

  3,370

  Mental Health Core grant

  573

  881

  1,115

  41,118

  Training Support Grant

  215

  238

  300

  4252

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152030]

  Mr. Denham
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority and Redbridge and Waltham Forest social service authorities.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority are shown in the table.

  Increase in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  86.3

  £ million (real terms)

  52.1

  Percentage (cash)

  34.55

  Percentage (real terms)

  19.22

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority and the National Health Service trusts within it have also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.8 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; and £96,000, £192,000, £292,000 and £185,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatient) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively.

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority has also received: £55,000 for the investment of cancer equipment which has already been delivered and is now in use; £3.2 million, £355,000 and £334.000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £1.8 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £3.3 million and £1.6 million
  332W
  to deal with winter pressures in 1998–99 and 2000–01 respectively; £149,000 for heart disease services 2000–01; £57,700 invested in dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £184 million proposed capital scheme at Forest Healthcare NHS Trust.

  Redbridge local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  33.481

  —

  —

  2001–02

  45.514

  20.4

  35.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Redbridge local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2001–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,782

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,270

  1,082

  1,472

  Prevention grant2

  —

  98

  146

  Carers grant3

  —

  97

  244

  343

  Children's grant3

  —

  376

  593

  1,434

  MH Core grant

  263

  444

  580

  4582

  Training Support Grant

  162

  160

  155

  4158

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocations

  Waltham Forest local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  46.853

  —

  —

  2001–02

  56.900

  7.6

  21.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Waltham Forest local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,056

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,480

  1,246

  1,623

  Prevention grant2

  —

  112

  166

  Carers grant3

  —

  110

  304

  422

  Children's grant3

  —

  670

  1,056

  2,561

  MH Core grant

  446

  660

  822

  4824

  Training Support Grant

  204

  205

  200

  4194

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150619]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01". A copy of the most recent report is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by East Riding and Hull health authority and East Riding of Yorkshire social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for East Riding and Hull health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  113.3

  £ million (real terms)

  72.6

  Percentage (cash)

  38.73

  Percentage (real terms)

  22.92

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  East Riding and Hull health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.06 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £114,000, £225,000, £338,000 and £127,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £333,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01; £5.48 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £666,000 to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01 and £1.6 million, £2.06 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively; £1.08 million for heart disease services in 2000–01; £445,000 invested into dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £26 million major hospital development being developed at Hull Royal infirmary and the new £39 million major hospital development being developed at Castle Hill Hospital.

  East Riding of Yorkshire local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.
  334W

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  32.644

  —

  —

  2001–02

  44.039

  19.5

  34.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, East Riding of Yorkshire local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1.940

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1.368

  1.173

  1.660

  Prevention grant2

  —

  111

  168

  Carers grant3

  —

  113

  257

  362

  Children's grant3

  —

  216

  344

  863

  MH Core grant

  241

  407

  470

  4548

  Training Support Grant

  192

  189

  193

  4233

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Houghton and Washington, East)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152991]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Sunderland health authority and Sunderland social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Sunderland HA are set out in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  64.1

  £ million (real terms)

  41.4

  Percentage (cash)

  39.37

  Percentage (real terms)

  23.49

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Sunderland health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £600,000 for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £64,000, £131,000, £202,000 and £139,000 for improving

  335W
  cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £580,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01; £1.8 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £392,000 to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01 and £880,000. £1.05 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively; and £119,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £22 million major hospital development that has opened at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

  Sunderland personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  46.016

  —

  —

  2001–02

  61.499

  18.4

  32.0

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Sunderland local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1.940

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1.368

  1.173

  1.660

  Prevention grant2

  —

  111

  168

  Carers grant3

  —

  113

  257

  362

  Children's grant3

  —

  216

  344

  863

  MH Core grant

  361

  582

  661

  4994

  Training Support Grant

  192

  189

  193

  4233

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (London)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Kensington and Chelsea and Cities of London and Westminster constituencies the effects of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [152273]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Hemsworth)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly to the locations as possible, the effects of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 on(a) Hemsworth constituency and (b) Wakefield district. [153001]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government 336W
  Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Wakefield health authority and Wakefield social services authority.

  Increase in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Wakefield health authority are set out in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  64.8

  £ million (real terms)

  40.9

  Percentage (cash)

  37.09

  Percentage (real terms)

  21.47

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Wakefield health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £815,000 for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £97,000, £171,000, £201,000 and £134,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £824,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–1; £193,000 to expand critical care services in 2000–01 and £1.7 million to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01 and £1.7 million, 1.06 million in 1998–98 and 1998–99 respectively; £138,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01; and £20,000 invested into dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £164 million major hospital development that is being developed at Pinderfields General Hospital and Pontefract General Infirmary.

  Wakefield personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  43.218

  —

  —

  2001–02

  58.450

  19.8

  35.2

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Wakefield local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000s

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special transitional grant 1

  1,940

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,368

  1,173

  1,660

  Prevention grant2

  —

  111

  168

  Carers grant3

  —

  113

  257

  362

  Children's grant3

  —

  216

  344

  863

  MH Core grant

  332

  561

  689

  4813

  Training support grant

  192

  189

  193

  4233

  337W

  1The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency of his Department's policies and action since 2 May 1997. [153282]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Tees health authority and Redcar and Cleveland social services authority and Middlesbrough social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2000–01 for Tees health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2000–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  119.8

  £ million (real terms)

  77.9

  Percentage (cash)

  40.12

  Percentage (real terms)

  24.15

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Tees health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000/01; £83,000, £172,000, £237,000 and £159,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £1.06 million to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000/01; £1.4 million to expand critical care services in 2000/01; £873,000 to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01 and £1.5 million, £2.1 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively; £648,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01; and £27,000 invested into dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £149 million major hospital development that is being developed at South Cleveland Hospital.

  Redcar and Cleveland personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.
  338W

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  19.817

  —

  —

  2001–02

  25.398

  13.5

  28.2

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Redcar and Cleveland local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £00

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2001–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1.940

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1.368

  1.173

  1.660

  Prevention grant2

  —

  111

  168

  Carers grant3

  —

  113

  257

  362

  Children's grant3

  —

  216

  344

  863

  MH Core grant

  140

  237

  273

  4434

  Training Support Grant

  192

  189

  193

  4233

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Middlesbrough local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  22.672

  —

  —

  2001–02

  29.825

  16.5

  31.5

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Middlesbrough local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,023

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  771

  668

  903

  Prevention grant2

  —

  60

  91

  Carers grant3

  —

  59

  161

  225

  Children's grant3

  —

  313

  495

  1.190

  MH Core grant

  149

  251

  290

  4571

  Training Support Grant

  177

  192

  210

  4204

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153085]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government
  339W
  Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My right hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority, Gateshead social services authority and South Tyneside social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2000–01 for Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  79.7

  £ million (real terms)

  50.9

  Percentage (cash)

  38.21

  Percentage (real terms)

  22.46

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.3 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £83,000, £172,000, £237,000 and £159,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £902,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01; £734,000 to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £497,000 to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01 and £1.1 million, £1.35 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively; and £133,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01.

  Gateshead local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  1996–97

  2001–02

  £ million

  32.309

  42.639

  Percentage increase (real)

  —

  16.9

  Percentage increase (cash)

  —

  31.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Gateshead local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,720

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,257

  1,060

  1,440

  Prevention grant2

  —

  96

  141

  Carers grant3

  —

  96

  233

  322

  Children's grant3

  —

  298

  469

  1,227

  MH Core grant

  327

  446

  469

  4548

  Training Support Grant

  212

  235

  262

  4273

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  340W
  South Tyneside local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  1996–97

  2001–02

  £ million

  25.912

  36.293

  Percentage increase (real)

  —

  24.0

  Percentage increase (cash)

  —

  40.1

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, South Tyneside local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,384

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,014

  868

  1,193

  Prevention grant2

  —

  77

  116

  Carers grant3

  —

  78

  198

  274

  Children's grant3

  —

  275

  435

  1,131

  MH Core grant

  182

  252

  355

  4556

  Training Support Grant

  190

  189

  186

  4162

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Jarrow)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information, relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Jarrow of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [153543]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01". A copy of the most recent report is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority, Gateshead social services authority and South Tyneside social services authority.

  Increase in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  79.7

  £ million (real terms)

  50.9

  Percentage (cash)

  38.21

  Percentage (real terms)

  22.46

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.
  341W
  Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.3 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £83,000, £172,000, £237,000 and £159,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £902,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01; £734,000 to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £497,000 to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01 and £1.1 million, £1.35 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively: and £133,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01.

  Gateshead local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  32.309

  —

  —

  2001–02

  42.639

  16.9

  31.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Gateshead local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,720

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,257

  1,060

  1,440

  Prevention grant2

  —

  96

  141

  Carers grant3

  —

  96

  233

  322

  Children's grant3

  —

  298

  469

  1,227

  MH Core Grant

  327

  446

  469

  4747

  Training Support Grant

  212

  235

  262

  4273

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  South Tyneside local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  25.912

  —

  —

  2001–02

  36.293

  24.0

  40.1

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, South Tyneside local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,384

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,014

  868

  1,193

  Prevention grant2

  —

  77

  116

  Carers grant3

  —

  78

  198

  274

  Children's grant3

  —

  275

  435

  1,131

  MH Core grant

  182

  252

  355

  4556

  Training Support Grant

  190

  189

  186

  4162

  342W
  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Walthamstow)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Walthamstow constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154177]

  Mr. Denham
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000/01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority and Redbridge and Waltham Forest social services authorities.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  86.3

  £ million (real terms)

  52.1

  Percentage (cash)

  34.55

  Percentage (real terms)

  19.22

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority and the National Health Service trusts within it have also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.8 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £96,000, £192,000, £292,000 and £185,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00 and 2000–01 respectively; Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority has also received: £55,000 for the investment of cancer equipment which has already been delivered and is now in use; £3.2 million, £355,000 and £334,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £1.8 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £3.3 million and £1.6 million to deal with winter pressures in 1998–99 and 2000–01 respectively £149,000 for heart disease services 2000–01; and £57,700 invested into dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new the £184 million proposed capital scheme at Forest Healthcare NHS Trust.
  343W

  Redbridge local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97

  1996–97

  2001–02

  £ million

  33.481

  45.514

  Percentage increase (real)

  —

  20.4

  Percentage increase (cash)

  —

  35.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Redbridge local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  The special Transitional grant1

  1,782

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,270

  1,082

  1,472

  Prevention grant2

  —

  98

  146

  Carers grant3

  —

  97

  244

  343

  Children's grant3

  —

  376

  593

  1,434

  Mental Health Core grant

  263

  444

  580

  5824

  Training Support Grant

  162

  160

  155

  1584

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocations

  Waltham Forest local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  46.853

  —

  —

  2001–02

  56.900

  7.6

  21.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Waltham Forest local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,056

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,480

  1,246

  1,623

  Prevention grant2

  —

  112

  166

  Carers grant3

  —

  110

  304

  422

  Children's grant3

  —

  670

  1,056

  2,561

  Mental Health Core grant

  446

  660

  822

  8244

  Training Support Grant

  204

  205

  200

  1944

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Sutton and Cheam)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Sutton and Cheam constituency, the effects on Sutton and Cheam of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154415]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]: Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure
  344W
  Plans 2000–01" is available in the Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  The hon. Member's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority and Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Social Services Authorities.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  125.8

  £ million (real terms)

  77.5

  Percentage (cash)

  35.61

  Percentage (real terms)

  20.15

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority and the National Health Service Trust within it has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £6.6 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £138,000, £313,000, £408,000 and £266,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively.

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA has also received £300,000 for the investment of cancer equipment which has already been delivered and is now in use; £4.5 million, £453,000 and £406,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 1998–99, 1995–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £2.25 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £3.3 million and £2.9 million to deal with winter pressures in 1998–99 and 2000–01; £228,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01; and £35,000 invested in dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, the hon. Member's constituents will benefit from the new £48 million major hospital development that is being developed at St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust and £24 million development at Queen Mary's Roehampton.

  Merton local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  26.736

  —

  —

  2001–02

  35.052

  16.1

  31.1

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Merton local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.
  345W

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  The special Transitional grant1

  1,304

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  958

  797

  1,064

  Prevention grant2

  —

  78

  115

  Carers grant3

  —

  76

  196

  275

  Children's grant3

  —

  324

  512

  1,300

  Mental Health Core grant

  388

  524

  798

  4799

  Training Support Grant

  153

  152

  145

  4148

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Sutton local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  23.901

  —

  —

  2001–02

  31.174

  15.5

  30.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Sutton local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  The Special Transitional Grant1

  1,253

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  882

  735

  1,015

  Prevention grant2

  —

  73

  107

  Carers grant3

  —

  71

  176

  249

  Children's grant3

  —

  250

  392

  983

  Mental Health Core grant

  242

  311

  407

  4408

  Training Support Grant

  140

  158

  174

  4136

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Wandsworth local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  63.679

  —

  —

  2001–02

  74.746

  4.0

  17.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to Wandsworth local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,634

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,943

  1,623

  2,117

  Prevention grant2

  —

  158

  233

  Carers grant3

  —

  153

  417

  579

  Children's grant3

  —

  866

  1,374

  3,370

  Mental Health Core grant

  573

  881

  1,115

  41,118

  Training Support Grant

  215

  238

  300

  4252

  346W
  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Norwich, North)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Norwich, North constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [151145]

  Mr. Denham
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Norfolk health authority and Norfolk social services authority.

  Norfolk health authority was formed on 1 April 1999 from the merger of East Norfolk health authority and part of North West Anglia health authority. It is not possible to compare pre-merger and post-merger allocations.

  Norfolk health authority has received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.3 million for accident and emergency modernisation (capital) in 2000–01; £199,000, £390,000, £477,000 and £286,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £986,000 has also been provided for investment in cancer equipment which has been delivered and is in use; £929,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01; £2.2 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £1.1 million to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01; £195,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01; and £60,000 invested in dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £158 million major hospital development that is being developed at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital National Health Service trust.

  Norfolk local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  97.014

  —

  —

  2001–02

  126.380

  15.4

  30.3

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Norfolk local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.
  347W

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  5,273

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  3,791

  3,292

  4,671

  Prevention grant2

  —

  313

  474

  Carers grant3

  —

  324

  752

  1,053

  Children's grant3

  —

  723

  1,149

  2,924

  MH Core grant

  730

  1,208

  1,395

  41,758

  Training Support Grant

  426

  511

  604

  4506

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Luton, South)
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Luton, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156161]

  Mr. Denham
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Bedfordshire health authority and Luton unitary social services authority.

  The increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Bedfordshire health authority is set out in the table.

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  103.6

  £ million (real terms)

  68.3

  Percentage (cash)

  41.49

  Percentage (real terms)

  25.36

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Bedfordshire health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.4 million for accident and emergency modernisation (capital) in 2000–01; £101,000, £201,000, £304,000 and £203,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £644,000 to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01; £1.4 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £887,000 to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01; £168,000 for heart disease services 2000–01; £50,000 invested to dentistry in 2000–01.
  348W
  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £14.7 million major development to include elderly care, physiotherapy and outpatients, as well as staff accommodation that is being developed at the Luton and Dunstable hospital.

  Bedfordshire local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  61.927

  —

  —

  2001–02

  52.107

  -25.5

  -15.9

  Note:

  The SSA has decreased because of boundary changes resulting from local government reorganisation.

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Bedfordshire local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,056

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,485

  1,289

  1,803

  Prevention grant2

  —

  120

  182

  Carers grant3

  —

  120

  291

  416

  Children's grant3

  —

  357

  560

  1,431

  Mental Health Core grant

  316

  534

  611

  4684

  Training Support Grant

  289

  269

  218

  4207

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Luton local authority came into existence on 1 April 1997. Its personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 is £30.922 million.

  In addition to its SSA, Luton has received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  The special Transitional Grant1

  1,001

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  765

  658

  888

  Prevention grant2

  —

  63

  95

  Carers grant3

  —

  61

  171

  241

  Children's grant3

  —

  359

  561

  1,357

  Mental Health Core grant

  156

  300

  304

  4486

  Training Support Grant

  157

  165

  181

  4167

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Departmental Policies (Southwark)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the London borough of Southwark, the effects on the London borough of Southwark of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155974]
  349W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department a of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2000–01" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My right hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority and Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority are shown in the table.

  Increase in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  186.4

  £ million (real terms)

  119.8

  Percentage (cash)

  39

  Percentage (real terms)

  23.16

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority and the National Health Service trusts within it have also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £832,000 for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £235,000, £510,000, £553,000 and £366,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively.

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham HA has also received £1.89 million for the investment of cancer equipment which has already been delivered and is now in use; £6.2 million, £1.2 million and £1.3 million to reduce waiting lists and times in 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £3.3 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £5.3 million and £1.8 million to deal with winter pressures in 1998–99 and 2000–01 respectively; £813,000 for heart disease services in 2000–01 respectively; and £136,700 invested to dentistry in 2000–01.

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £100 million reconfiguration of services at Guys and St. Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust which is currently under construction, £75 million capital scheme at Kings and £44 million proposed development at Lewisham hospital.

  Lambeth local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.
  350W

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  84.841

  —

  —

  2001–02

  92.374

  -3.6

  8.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Lambeth local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,477

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,974

  1,670

  2,160

  Prevention grant2

  —

  165

  247

  Carers grant3

  —

  157

  509

  714

  Children's grant3

  —

  1,574

  2,525

  6,034

  MH Core grant

  797

  1,129

  1,381

  41,383

  Training Support Grant

  248

  178

  177

  4248

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Southwark local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  70.242

  —

  —

  2001–02

  87.510

  10.3

  24.6

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Southwark local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,443

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,913

  1,619

  2,116

  Prevention grant2

  —

  154

  229

  Carers grant3

  —

  148

  472

  665

  Children's grant3

  —

  1,269

  2,025

  5,095

  MH Core grant

  794

  1,082

  1,308

  41,311

  Training Support Grant

  223

  255

  308

  4325

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Lewisham local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  65.456

  —

  —

  2001–02

  75.867

  2.6

  15.9

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Lewisham local authority received additional funding in the form of a

  351W
  number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  2,465

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,819

  1,516

  1,971

  Prevention grant2

  —

  142

  210

  Carers grant3

  —

  139

  416

  576

  Children's grant3

  —

  1,111

  1,768

  4,216

  MH Core grant

  649

  914

  1,266

  41,268

  Training Support Grant

  187

  244

  228

  4218

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2 The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  Grants (London Boroughs)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) each category of grant and (b) the amount of each grant paid by his Department to each London borough in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–1999, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01; and what the projected figure is for 2001–02. [155429]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  HCHS: Non-medical and medical and dental staff and those employed in the community and public health areas of work in Shropshire HA area as at 30 September 1997 and 2000

  Whole-time equivalents

  Headcount

  1997

  2000

  1997

  2000

  Total non-medical staff

  5,020

  5,620

  6,230

  7,060

  Of which

  Nursing staff community psychiatry1

  60

  80

  60

  80

  Community learning difficulties1

  10

  10

  10

  10

  Community services1

  300

  340

  390

  490

  Total medical and dental public health medicine (PHM) and community health service (CHS) staff

  20

  30

  40

  40

  Of which

  PHM

  2—

  10

  10

  10

  CHS

  20

  20

  30

  30

  1 These are the only non-medical workforce staff groups that can be identified as working within community health

  2 Five or less and greater than zero

  Notes:

  Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Source:

  Department of Health 2000 non-medical workforce census

  Department of Health 2000 medical and dental workforce census

  General Practitioners
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms will be put in place to enable GP practices to demonstrate their competence to primary care trusts. [156734]

  Mr. Denham
  Primary care trust (PCT) core functions include the development of general practice and other primary care providers and those professionals working in primary and community care. The range of services developed will vary between PCTs. It is therefore for each PCT to develop its own incentive arrangements and a range of performance indicators to assess the development of practices and the services it provides.
  352W
  The tables list the amount and type of grant paid to each London borough from 1997–98 to 2000–01 with indicative allocations for 2001–02. In addition to the grants shown in the tables:
  each council will receive £16,666 from the Improving Information Management grant being introduced in 2001–02
  from the Invest to Save grant, Croydon council was paid £36,900 in 2000–01 and will receive £50,000 in 2001–02; Harrow council was paid £459,000 in 2000–01 and will received £410,000 in 2001–02
  Hammersmith and Fulham council received secure accommodation grants of £5.601,163 in 1997–98, £1,554,664 in 1998–99, £88,458 in 1999–2000 and £68,914 in 2000–01. Southwark council received £813,916 in 1997–98 and £420,533 in 1998–99.

  Community Health Workers
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community health workers worked in Shropshire(a) in May 1997 and (b) on the most recent date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [156565]

  Yvette Cooper
  Data relating solely to community health workers are not collected centrally. The table illustrates the number of staff employed in hospitals and community health services (HCHS) in the Shropshire health authority (HA).

  The National Health Service Plan sets out future plans for further expansion of NHS staff.

  As part of this the Prime Minister announced on 19 March an additional £100 million to invest in general practice and primary care. PCTs and primary care groups will need to agree objectives and targets with their constituent practices for the effective use of these funds that support improvement of services by skilled and competent primary care professionals.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many isolation wards for the treatment of tuberculosis have been opened in NHS hospitals since May 1997; in which hospitals; and on what dates. [156535]
  353W
  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: Information on the number of isolation wards in hospitals is not collected centrally.

  Different levels of isolation are required depending on the infectious (or suspected infectious) nature of a tuberculosis case. Each patient is considered on a case-by-case basis and therefore, the need for isolation facilities is made at local level.

  The Department has published recommendations on isolation in two documents. One in June 1996 "Recommendations for the prevention and control of tuberculosis at local level" and again in September 1998 in the document entitled "UK guidance on the prevention and control of transmission of HIV-related tuberculosis and Drug-resistant, including Multiple Drug-resistant tuberculosis".

  HPV Testing
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the pilot tests for HPV testing(a) have started on schedule and (b) are taking place in the of originally announced locations; and when he expects the results to be published. [156745]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 3 April 2001]: The human papilloma virus/liquid based cytology pilot started in March 2001, as planned. As previously announced, the three sites are Norfolk and Norwich North Bristol and Newcastle.

  The evaluation is in two phases. In May 2002 the United Kingdom national screening committee (NSC) will report to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on liquid based cytology. In March 2003, the NSC will consider the full evaluation of human papilloma virus testing and liquid based cytology in cervical screening before reporting to Ministers. Decisions about publication will be made at that stage.

  Cancer
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to meet the European Standards in Cancer survival rates. [156746]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 3 April 2001]: The National Health Service cancer plan has set out the actions and milestones that aim to deliver the fastest improvements in cancer services anywhere in Europe over the next five years. By 2010 we anticipate that our five year survival rates for cancer will compare with the best in Europe.

  NHS Plan
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the term "by 2006" used in the NHS Plan refers to 1 January 2006. [157087]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no references to the term "by 2006" in the National Health Service Plan.

  Drug and Tobacco Dependency
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary State for Health how much central Government funding was specifically 354W
  allocated for preventive and curative work in relation to (a) drug, (b) alcohol and (c) tobacco dependency in the last financial year. [156909]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: It is not always possible to distinguish between preventive and curative work in relation to substance misuse. Interventions may be undertaken with people who have some substance misuse problems but have not, or would not, necessarily develop dependency. In the financial year 2000–01, the following sums were allocated for work which can broadly be described as preventive and/or curative in relation to drug, alcohol, and tobacco dependency or misuse, by central Government:
  £59 million drug misuse special allocation to health authorities for drug misuse services.
  £25 million additional in year funding in relation to drug misuse, to increase treatment capacity, reduce drug related deaths, and extend targeted preventive programmes.
  £20 million allocated for smoking cessation through health authorities.
  £13.75 million allocated for anti-smoking education.
  £6.78 million drug and alcohol specific and special grants allocated to local authorities for distribution to voluntary sector drug and alcohol treatment agencies.
  £7.45 million for preventive activity in relation to drug misuse.
  £1.86 million Section 64 General Scheme of Grants to the voluntary sector, covering a range of preventive and curative projects in relation to drug, alcohol, and tobacco dependency.
  £0.6 million for preventive health promotion in relation to alcohol.
  £0.5 million local grants scheme promoting development of primary care led alcohol services.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the(a) number and (b) types of crime committed by prisoners released on the Home Detention Curfew Scheme while they are on the scheme which are not reported to the police; and if he will make a statement. [152694]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: No data are collected on the number or type of offences which might be committed by prisoners released on Home Detention Curfew (HDC) but which are not reported by victims to the police. The British Crime Survey which measures crime against households and individuals—including incidents not reported to the police—shows that overall levels of crime in 1999, the year following introduction of the HDC scheme, were 10 per cent. lower than in 1997.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what major advertising campaigns his Department is carrying out; and what the cost and duration of each is. [154266]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]: My Department is not currently running any advertising campaigns.
  355W
  The second phase of the vehicle crime reduction campaign finished on 31 March. The cost for this phase of the campaign was £4.4 million. The total cost for this campaign during 2000–01 is £8.67 million as outlined in a previous answer to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 12 February 2001, Official Report, column 63W.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the meetings and conferences organised by his Department and agencies of his Department which have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155357]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Immigration
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision in the application for leave to remain made by Mrs. Farmer of Babbacombe Road, Torquay (Ref. D 2599777). [156518]

  Mrs. Roche
  A decision has now been taken on Mrs. Farmer's application and notification of the decision has been sent to Mrs. Farmer's solicitors. I have arranged for a copy of the notification to be sent to the hon. Member.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which Government Departments pay to access information on the national change of address database; [156453]

  (2) what the cost to public funds of accessing the national change of address database was in each year since 1995. [156455]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is a matter for individual Departments to provide the information requested. There are no central records kept in the Home Office of these costs and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people have lodged complaints with the Data Protection Registrar concerning information from the change of address database sold by the Post Office to third parties; [156456]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to require the Data Protection Registrar to obtain the consent of an individual before information from the change of address database is sold on to third parties. [156454]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Data Protection Registrar has been known since 30 January 2001 as the Information Commissioner. The Commissioner administers and enforces the Data Protection Act 1998 independently of the Government.

  I have drawn the Commissioner's attention to these questions and I understand that she will be writing to my hon. Friend.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notifications there were to his Department in each year from 1997 to date of criminal convictions of asylum seekers resident in the United Kingdom. [157168]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not available centrally.

  The Home Office Court Proceedings Database does not hold information about the characteristics of individual cases apart from those that are evident from the description of the offence with which the defendant has been charged.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made for education materials to be made available in appropriate languages for asylum seekers held at Winchester prison. [157012]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Provision for education materials in appropriate languages is made available to detainees as and when the need arises. On arrival each detainee is offered an education induction involving an assessment and interview to find out what his needs are. The education department provides dictionaries, "English as a second language" packs, basic readers and cassettes and has recently employed an "English as a second language" teacher. The education department also provides detainees with information and advice about education and employment opportunities available on release.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are recipients of voucher-only support; and if he will make a statement. [157173]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of February 2001,111,630 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated voucher-only support by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
  1 Figure rounded to the nearest ten

  Young Offenders Institutions
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 13 February 2001,Official Report, columns 294–96, on young offenders institutions, what further consideration he has given to the availability of sanctions to deal with disorder and bullying by young persons in custody; and if he will make a statement. [157036]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: The Prison Service and the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) are working on a joint rewards and sanctions strategy. This emphasises the increased use of incentives which can encourage positive behaviour and be withdrawn when negative behaviour is displayed. The aim is to create a more direct link between individual target setting and compliance with institutional rules, which can in turn influence decisions regarding early and late release under the Detention and Training Order. Guidance will be issued to Governors and practitioners by July.

  Appointments Committee
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the members of the Appointments Committee advising him on the selection of HM Chief Inspector of Probation and their current occupations; [157002]

  (2) if he will list the members of the Appointments Committee advising him on the selection of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and their current occupations. [157003]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: The members of the Advisory Panel are Baroness Stern, former Director of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders and Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre for Prison Studies; Lord Laming, former Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate and author of the Laming Report on Modernising the Management of the Prison Service; Sir Hayden Phillips, Permanent Secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department and chair of the Panel, and Sue Street, Director of the Home Office's Criminal Policy Group.

  In appointing Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation, the guidelines of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments are being followed.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations the Government have carried out with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland authorities about the possible introduction of a national identity card; [157386]

  (2) what his policy is towards the introduction of a national identity card. [157347]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We believe that, at least for the time being, the costs and risks associated with the introduction of a national identity card would outweigh the benefits. During the assessment of the options there was consultation at official level with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland authorities; but we have not specifically sought the views of the Scottish Parliament or the Welsh or Northern Ireland Assemblies.

  Freedom of Information Act
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to extend the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to include technical details of animal experiments; and if he will make a statement. [157423]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Technical details of animal experiments are likely to be covered by the prohibition on disclosure set out in section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. We will not provide public information which will compromise the personal security of scientists and researchers who have concerns about violent animal extremists. The current extremist activity makes it difficult to move on Freedom of Information.

  Closed Circuit Television Initiative
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were received for the 358W
  crime reduction programme closed circuit television initiative round 2; how many have been invited to bid for the final stage; and how many successful bids can be accommodated within the budget provision. [157383]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under round 2 of the crime reduction programme's closed circuit television initiative over 800 initial funding applications worth more than £200 million were received from crime and disorder reduction partnerships. On 26 March, 339 schemes with a potential award total of around £108 million were shortlisted as suitable for further development. Within the budget provision there is scope for all of the shortlisted bids to be funded providing that proposals meet the necessary criteria as outlined in the initiative's prospectus.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by county, those applicants who have been invited to the final bid stage of the closed circuit television initiative round 2. [157379]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under round 2 of the crime reduction programme's closed circuit television initiative, 339 schemes with a potential award total of around £108 million were shortlisted as suitable for further development. A list, by county, of those applicants that have been invited to the final stage of the initiative has been placed in the Library.

  Firearms (Police)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy of the January 2001 Association of Chief Police Officers manual of guidance on the police use of firearms, in the Library. [157319]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A copy of this document in the version which is available to the public was placed in the Library on 20 February. Certain tactical and training information contained in the full manual must remain confidential because of its potential value to armed criminals.

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to strengthen the powers of the police and local authorities to deal with illegally abandoned cars. [157257]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Local Government Association has set up a working group, in partnership with the police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, to look at the related problems of vehicle theft, vehicle excise duty evasion and abandoned vehicles. The Government will consider carefully any recommendations arising from the work of this group, including any proposals for additional powers to enable the police and local authorities deal more effectively with abandoned vehicles.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles removed by(a) the police and (b) local authorities have been declared a hazard in the past five years. [157389]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not collected or held centrally.
  359W
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicle-keepers have been prosecuted for illegally abandoning their vehicles in the past five years. [157388]

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

  Abandoning a motor vehicle is an offence under section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, but information contained in the Home Office's Court Proceedings Database does not distinguish between motor vehicles, anything which formed part of a motor vehicle or anything other than a motor vehicle being abandoned. Nor does it distinguish vehicle keepers from other persons.

  Persons proceeded against for all offences under section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 in England and Wales are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1994

  88

  1995

  98

  1996

  77

  1997

  78

  1998

  71

  1999

  108

  Figures for 2000 are not yet available.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost to public funds of exempting volunteers from fees for criminal record checks. [157348]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It remains our intention that the Criminal Records Bureau will be self-financing by means of the charges that it makes for the disclosures that it issues.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to ensure that information held by the Criminal Records Bureau is as accurate as possible before checks become available to employers; and if he will make a statement. [157171]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will rely on a number of data sources, according to the nature of the case. The CRB has been liaising with all those responsible for the data sources in question. We fully recognise, and entirely share, concerns that have been expressed about delays in inputting data on to the Police National Computer, and errors and omissions in some of the data. Indeed, these were highlighted by reports commissioned by the Government. We have been working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), the Information Commissioner and other concerned parties to tackle these problems. Police forces are now working to a compliance strategy that has been drawn up by ACPO. This sets quantified performance indicators for key aspects of both quality and timeliness, including the prompt inputting of data both in the initial stages of a case and following the conclusion of trial proceedings. There are also agreed programmes to 360W
  tackle backlogs. Performance data for all forces are being routinely collected by PITO, and HMIC will be auditing performance. HMIC will be disseminating to all forces, through conferences and other means, information on good practice in relation to business processes in order to eradicate avoidable delays. Work is also being undertaken to produce revised protocols for weeding out old records, and the development by PITO of programs for the automated implementation of these protocols will be given priority.

  Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigation there has been of the aircraft accident involving the Chief Commisisoner of the Metropolitan Police by(a) the Air Accident Investigation Branch and (b) the Police; and if he will make a statement. [157362]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand that the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing made by an aircraft piloted by Sir John Stevens at Newcastle-upon-Tyne airport on 3 February have been investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the Department of Trade and Industry. The results of the AAIB investigation will be published in the AAIB monthly bulletin. There has been no investigation of the incident by Northumbria Police.

  Firearms Compensation Payments
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions his Department has accepted liability for interest on late firearms compensation payments. [157262]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None.

  Road Traffic Penalties Consultation
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received to the Road Traffic Penalties consultation paper; and when he will report on these to the House. [157416]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have received approximately 1,100 responses to the consultation paper on Road Traffic Penalties. Some individuals have responded more than once, for example by e-mail, fax, letter or through their Member of Parliament. This duplication will be taken into account in the final collation of responses and the final number of respondents will be correspondingly lower. We hope to publish a report on the responses in the summer.

  Huntingdon Life Sciences
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent investigations he has carried out into the activities at Huntingdon Life Sciences; and if he will make a statement. [157422]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A number of police forces in the Eastern Region are pooling resources and working together on investigations relating to attacks by animal extremists. This joint working includes investigating personal attacks on directors and shareholders of Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) and other research centres; a shared approach to preparations for national days of action at the HLS site and other sites in the
  361W
  affected force areas; investigating the organisers and other key individuals in the many cross-border demonstrations which take place; and linking evidence where necessary.

  The Government are absolutely determined to tackle the sort of criminal behaviour perpetrated by animal rights extremists, many of whom do not hesitate to use violence and intimidation to achieve their aims. Both the Government and the police are determined to ensure that people should be allowed to go about their legitimate business without being subject to violence and intimidation. We are introducing a range of measures aimed at combating such intimidation, including important new provisions in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill currently before Parliament.

  Prison Service
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Prison Service establishments are over their certified normal accommodation levels; and if he will make a statement. [157170]

  Mr. Boateng
  At the end of February 2001, there were 53 establishments in which the population exceeded in use certified normal accommodation. The prisons concerned are listed in the table.

  Prison name

  In use CNA

  Population

  Altcourse

  614

  799

  Aylesbury

  348

  353

  Bedford

  352

  368

  Belmarsh

  843

  850

  Birmingham

  710

  925

  Blakenhurst

  647

  846

  Bristol

  314

  545

  Brixton

  651

  755

  Buckley Hall

  350

  360

  Bullingdon

  767

  836

  Canterbury

  196

  254

  Cardiff

  403

  544

  Cookham Wood

  120

  147

  Doncaster

  771

  1,091

  Dorchester

  172

  219

  Downview

  322

  330

  Durham

  670

  703

  Eastwood Park

  295

  302

  Elmley

  763

  864

  Everthorpe

  438

  456

  Exeter

  315

  385

  Glen Parva

  664

  712

  Gloucester

  236

  277

  Guys Marsh

  487

  509

  362W

  Prison name

  In use CNA

  Population

  High Down

  649

  702

  Holloway

  477

  488

  Leeds

  770

  1,236

  Leicester

  219

  358

  Lincoln

  360

  491

  Littlehey

  624

  626

  Liverpool

  1,216

  1,228

  Low Newton

  215

  234

  Manchester

  953

  1,076

  Moorland

  740

  764

  Mount

  705

  732

  New Hall

  327

  365

  Northallerton

  135

  197

  Norwich

  561

  669

  Parc

  844

  929

  Pentonville

  897

  1,098

  Preston

  301

  556

  Ranby

  725

  741

  Shepton Mallet

  99

  110

  Shrewsbury

  185

  319

  Stocken

  556

  573

  Styal

  412

  428

  Usk

  251

  321

  Verne

  552

  562

  Wandsworth

  1,128

  1,302

  Wayland

  620

  625

  Winchester

  455

  564

  Wolds

  360

  378

  Wormwood Scrubs

  812

  856

  Elections Bill
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department since when Parliamentary draftsmen have been working on the Elections Bill. [157146]

  Mr. Straw
  Instructions were issued by officials on Sunday 1 April.

  Welsh Assembly (Concordat)
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the bilateral concordat between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales. [157795]

  Mr. Straw
  A bilateral concordat has been agreed between the Home Office and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales and a copy has been placed in the Library. The concordat sets out working arrangements for consultation, exchange of information, finance, access to services, resolution of disputes and review of relations between the two organisations.