Written Answers of 23 April 2001

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  A/F Protein Inc.
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if(a) he and (b) officials met representatives of A/F Protein Inc. of Waltham, Massachussets, USA; [157756]

  (2) what representations (a) he and (b) officials have received from representatives of A/F Protein Inc. of Waltham, Massachussets; and what his response was. [157794]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  So far as I am aware, no meetings have taken place and no representations have been received.

  Departmental Policies (Eccles)
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Eccles constituency, the effects on Eccles of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158062]

  Mr. Caborn
  This Department does not maintain statistical information at constituency level.

  My hon. Friend's constituents, like many others throughout Greater Manchester, have benefited from my Department's Employment Rights policies which include national minimum wage, working time directive, part time working regulations and improved maternity leave.

  In addition, Eccles is eligible for Enterprise Grant Scheme funding.

  In the North West region, my Department's policies have contributed to growth in employment by 107,000 and a fall in unemployment by 63,000; reductions in youth unemployment by 75 per cent. and long term unemployment by 54 per cent.

  Departmental Policies (Cannock Chase)
  Tony Wright
  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 Cannock Chase constituency, the effects on Cannock Chase of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158064]

  Mr. Caborn
  In the period in question, the following offers of assistance have been made to businesses in the Cannock Chase local authority district.

  (1) Six offers of Regional Selective Assistance totalling £244,000. These offers have brought forward fixed capital investment of £2.48 million for projects which will create 80 jobs.

  (2) Three offers of Enterprise Grant have been made since the scheme was introduced on 1 March 2000. These offers involve grant of £124,000 and fixed capital investment of £889,500.

  2W

  (3) An offer of £45,000 assistance under the Smart (innovation grant) scheme towards a feasibility project involving total costs of £87,453.

  (4) 919 businesses have been assisted by Business Link Staffordshire—75 having received advice from the International Trade Team, of these over 30 have commissioned reports via British Embassies and Consulates in order to obtain tailored information to assist in the development of overseas business. Eight companies have benefited from direct financial support under the Export Voucher Scheme which provides them with a contribution towards using professional outside support in aspects of overseas trade. In addition 20 companies regularly use the Export Documentation Service from the Chamber of Commerce.

  The DTI-funded West Midlands Regional Supply Office (RSO) has assisted 128 companies in the Cannock Chase area since 1997. The RSO is now incorporated into the RDA, Advantage West Midlands.

  The Inward Investment Directorate of Advantage West Midlands reports the following:
  since 1997 there have been 14 investments into the Cannock Chase local authority area, creating 306 new jobs and safeguarding a further 2,359;
  there have been two inward investments this year safeguarding 294 jobs;
  in total there are 25 overseas owned companies in Cannock Chase employing 2,886.

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158554]

  Mr. Byers
  None.

  Kyoto Protocol
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action under Article 20 of the World Trade Organisation in respect of the use of trade constraints to protect the environment following the decision of the United States Administration to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. [158428]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government do not believe that trade sanctions would be a helpful way of tackling the United States on its approach to climate change. We are keen to maintain a constructive dialogue with the US since it is important that they remain engaged in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) Crown post offices and (b) sub-post offices (i) closed and (ii) opened in each year from 1979 to the last year for which figures are available. [158303]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The information requested is set out in the table. Separate figures for openings and closures are not available, but the table shows closure figures net of openings for each year.
  3W

  Year Ending

  Crown Offices

  Sub Post Offices

  Total

  Closures in Year

  31 March 1978

  1,579

  21,342

  22,921

  —

  31 March 1979

  1,580

  21,213

  22,793

  128

  31 March 1980

  1,583

  21,056

  22,639

  154

  31 March 1981

  1,581

  20,894

  22,475

  164

  31 March 1982

  1,573

  20,832

  22,405

  70

  31 March 1983

  1,567

  20,734

  22,301

  104

  31 March 1984

  1,559

  20,499

  22,058

  243

  31 March 1985

  1,553

  20,110

  21,663

  395

  31 March 1986

  1,509

  19,796

  21,305

  358

  31 March 1987

  1,503

  19,708

  21,211

  94

  31 March 1988

  1,499

  19,572

  21,071

  140

  31 March 1989

  1,493

  19,537

  21,030

  41

  31 March 1990

  1,339

  19,532

  20,871

  159

  31 March 1991

  1,167

  19,471

  20,638

  233

  31 March 1992

  1,019

  19,141

  20,160

  478

  31 March 1993

  917

  19,041

  19,958

  202

  31 March 1994

  800

  18,982

  19,782

  176

  31 March 1995

  699

  18,908

  19,607

  175

  31 March 1996

  653

  18,761

  19,414

  193

  31 March 1997

  606

  18,645

  19,251

  163

  31 March 1998

  601

  18,407

  19,008

  243

  31 March 1999

  600

  18,175

  18,775

  233

  31 March 2000

  598

  17,795

  18,393

  382

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed between 1 April 2000 and 31 March. [158341]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Full year figures for the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 are not yet available from the Post Office Network.

  North West Development Agency
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many major companies have located their sites in the North West Region since the formation of the North West Development Agency; and if he will make a statement. [158401]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department does not collect information about companies locating in particular regions. An answer to your specific question would therefore be purely anecdotal and inevitably unrepresentative of the true picture.

  However, the North West Development Agency records investments made by overseas owned companies. Since the Agency's formation, there have been 52 investments in the North West region which have each created or safeguarded 100 or more jobs.

  Cheltenham Gold Cup
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the loss to the economy of Gloucestershire of the postponement and cancellation of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival. [158345]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government are aware that the cancellation of high profile events, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the south west which generate millions of pound in revenue in normal years, is contributing to the financial difficulties of businesses affected by Foot and Mouth disease (FMD).
  4W
  The Government are constantly monitoring the financial impact of FMD in the country, and has already announced a range of measures to assist businesses through immediate financial difficulties. These measures including rate relief, deferment of taxes, and extensions to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme.

  Departmental Performance Targets
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the attainment of the performance targets set for his Department in the Comprehensive Spending Review published in December 1998. [158533]

  Mr. Byers
  Information on the Department's progress against the Public Service Agreement Targets set as part of the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review has recently been published in the Department's annual Expenditure Plans Report for 2001–02, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House. (Cm 5112, March 2001).

  Competitiveness Council
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the report of the Competitiveness Council. [158532]

  Mr. Byers
  The terms of reference for the Competitiveness Council were to advise the Secretary of State. This it has done without producing a report.

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158027]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has provided the following support for businesses in(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) the part of South-West Devon constituency in the Plymouth unitary authority area, since May 1997.

  Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)
  RSA is a capital investment grant linked to the creation or safeguarding of jobs in designated areas of need (the Assisted Areas). The following RSA grant offers have been made to businesses in the Plymouth unitary authority area:

  (a) Seven offers totalling £2.01 million made to businesses in the Plymouth, Sutton constituency, to support projects with total capital expenditure of £19.8 million, and to create and safeguard a total of 1,211 jobs.

  (b) Twenty offers totalling £10.16 million have been made to businesses in the Devonport constituency, to support projects with total capital expenditure of £83.2 million, and to create and safeguard a total of 3,183 jobs.

  5W

  (c) One RSA grant offer of £0.24 million has been made to a business in the Plymouth unitary authority area of South-West Devon constituency, to support a project with capital expenditure of £1.3 million, and to create 55 new jobs.

  Enterprise Grants

  The Enterprise Grants scheme is a simplified scheme that was introduced in April 2000 to help small firms undertake fixed capital investment projects. Two offers totalling £42,000 have been made to firms in the Plymouth, Devonport constituency.

  Smart

  Smart awards are designed to help small firms with the introduction of new products and processes. Seven Smart awards totalling £343,437 have been made to firms in the Plymouth, Devonport constituency.

  Business Link

  PROSPER Business Link has provided services to small businesses in the Truro and St. Austell constituency since 1997. These include general and specialised advice to help businesses grow, export development counselling, ICT advice, and a full range of specialist information. From April 2001 these services will be provided by the Small Business Service operating through a franchise awarded to a PROSPER led partnership. This new service will be more customer focused ensuring that services are driven by local need.

  Ilisu Dam
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to be able to publish the Environmental Impact Assessment report on the Ilisu hydro-electric project in Turkey. [158780]

  Mr. Byers
  We have not yet received a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. When we do, I intend to make the report public.

  Property Market
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the effect of the operation of the property market on small independent retailers; and if he will make a statement. [157242]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am aware of my hon. Friend's concern about the position of small businesses competing for premises with larger, more established businesses. While direct intervention could create difficulties for the retail markets, we are concerned about the quality of information and advice that is available to occupiers of small business premises. We are currently working with the Small Business Service to ensure that better information is available.

  The issue of advice for small businesses arose in the course of our review of the property industry's Code of Practice on Commercial Property Leases, along with more general issues about the degree of choice and flexibility in the commercial property market. Representatives of landlords, occupiers and the professional bodies undertook to address these concerns, but have failed to reach consensus on the key issues. We are disappointed
  6W
  at this lack of agreement, and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning is now considering future options.

  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
  [pursuant to reply, 6 April 2001, c. 306W]Unfortunately two of the figures given in the original answer are incorrect. These should read:

  £ million

  (a)

  (b)

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

  250

  1—

  To Rolls-Royce for the Trent aeroengine in 1997

  200

  7.7

  1Not yet due

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158127]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies. There are no such limits in this Department.

  Police Ombudsman
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been made available to the Police Ombudsman's Office for education and publicity purposes; and if he will make a statement. [157798]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ombudsman's budget for this financial year currently stands at £4.7 million; to what, and how that budget is allocated is a matter for the Ombudsman to decide.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date he was informed of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council statement on the comparative injury potential of the L547 baton round with the L21A1 baton round issued on 21 August; and what steps he took to bring this to the attention of each of the bodies engaged in finding an alternative to the plastic baton round. [158052]

  Mr. Ingram
  The development of the new baton round (the L21A1) was the result of extensive research and included a report by the Defence Scientific Advisory Council on the comparative injury potential of the L547 baton round and the L21A1 baton round. Ministers became aware of the report shortly after it was completed
  7W
  and, confirming as it does the greater safety of the new round over the old one, it was a key factor in the decision to introduce the new round for operational use from 1 June.

  Each of the organisations currently represented on the "Alternatives to Baton Rounds" project was either represented on the Baton Rounds Steering Group or were briefed at an early stage.

  Police Officers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate for each rank for each of the police sub-divisions of(a) Coleraine and (b) Limavady the number of officers in post on (i) 1 January 2000, (ii) 1 January 2001 and (iii) 1 April 2001. [157834]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table provides the information requested. It should be noted that manpower figures for 1 January 2000 are not readily available therefore the nearest possible date of 17 February has been used.

  17 February 2000

  2 January 2001

  2 April 2001

  Coleraine

  C/SUPT

  —

  —

  1

  SUPT

  1

  1

  —

  C/INSP

  1

  1

  —

  INSP

  4

  3

  6

  SGT

  20

  18

  23

  CON

  100

  97

  104

  Table A: Actual strength breakdown by rank

  CC

  DCC

  ACC

  Ch Supt

  Supt

  Ch Insp

  Insp

  Sergt

  Con

  Total

  R Con FT

  R Con PT

  31 December 1998

  1

  1

  8

  39

  120

  169

  482

  1,399

  6,237

  8,456

  2,936

  1,238

  31 January 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  168

  486

  1,392

  6,315

  8,531

  2,884

  1,230

  28 February 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  122

  168

  490

  1,401

  6,290

  8,520

  2,874

  1,226

  31 March 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  168

  489

  1,398

  6,271

  8,496

  2,862

  1,217

  30 April 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  167

  489

  1,398

  6,247

  8,471

  2,858

  1,212

  31 May 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  167

  487

  1,397

  6,234

  8,455

  2,850

  1,209

  30 June 1999

  1

  1

  8

  40

  121

  167

  491

  1,407

  6,254

  8,490

  2,823

  1,204

  31 July 1999

  1

  1

  8

  40

  121

  168

  490

  1,408

  6,242

  8,479

  2,813

  1,200

  31 August 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  168

  489

  1,405

  6,282

  8,514

  2,775

  1,194

  30 September 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  120

  171

  495

  1,398

  6,268

  8,501

  2,762

  1,188

  31 October 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  120

  169

  499

  1,406

  6,245

  8,488

  2,753

  1,181

  30 November 1999

  1

  1

  8

  39

  119

  168

  499

  1,395

  6,225

  8,455

  2,727

  1,176

  31 December 1999

  1

  1

  8

  40

  119

  167

  499

  1,396

  6,214

  8,445

  2,719

  1,174

  31 January 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  120

  168

  496

  1,395

  6,195

  8,423

  2,708

  1,169

  29 February 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  172

  495

  1,394

  6,182

  8,413

  2,698

  1,157

  31 March 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  123

  170

  498

  1,390

  6,163

  8,393

  2,688

  1,152

  30 April 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  123

  171

  499

  1,396

  6,177

  8,415

  2,668

  1,145

  31 May 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  123

  170

  498

  1,394

  6,159

  8,393

  2,654

  1,140

  30 June 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  123

  169

  498

  1,397

  6,138

  8,374

  2,643

  1,137

  31 July 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  122

  168

  498

  1,400

  6,115

  8,352

  2,623

  1,131

  31 August 2000

  1

  1

  8

  39

  121

  168

  498

  1,397

  6,104

  8,337

  2,606

  1,121

  30 September 2000

  1

  1

  8

  40

  122

  168

  494

  1,394

  6,090

  8,318

  2,593

  1,118

  31 October 2000

  1

  1

  8

  40

  122

  168

  496

  1,389

  6,078

  8,303

  2,579

  1,112

  30 November 2000

  1

  1

  7

  40

  121

  168

  492

  1,378

  6,037

  8,245

  2,567

  1,106

  31 December 2000

  1

  1

  7

  40

  122

  169

  493

  1,382

  6,053

  8,268

  2,555

  1,097

  31 January 2001

  1

  1

  6

  33

  107

  162

  456

  1,334

  5,938

  8,038

  2,530

  1,089

  28 February 2001

  1

  1

  6

  36

  93

  157

  442

  1,299

  5,878

  7,913

  2,514

  1,083

  31 March 2001

  1

  1

  4

  33

  91

  150

  433

  1,278

  5,819

  7,810

  2,496

  1,073

  30 April 2001

  1

  1

  3

  39

  72

  135

  412

  1,211

  5,632

  7,506

  2,461

  1,071

  30 May 2001

  1

  1

  3

  38

  68

  130

  400

  1,187

  5,586

  7,414

  2,434

  1,071

  30 June 2001

  1

  1

  3

  37

  67

  130

  397

  1,174

  5,553

  7,363

  2,427

  1,071

  Note:

  Actual strength does not include police personnel on secondment.
  8W

  17 February 2000

  2 January 2001

  2 April 2001

  TOTAL

  126

  120

  134

  FTR

  49

  45

  44

  PTR

  36

  36

  36

  Limavady

  C/SUPT

  —

  —

  —

  SUPT

  1

  1

  1

  C/INSP

  1

  1

  —

  INSP

  4

  4

  4

  SGT

  14

  15

  14

  CON

  49

  52

  49

  TOTAL

  69

  73

  68

  FTR

  37

  32

  31

  PTR

  8

  8

  7

  RUC
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate for each month since 1 January 1999(a) the number of RUC officers in post at each rank, (b) the number who retired at each rank in each month and (c) his projection of (a) and (b) until the end of June. [157885]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tables show(a) the number of RUC officers in post at each rank for each month since 1 January 1999 and projected figures until the end of June 2001 and (b) the number of RUC officers who retired at each rank in each month since 1 January 1999 and projected figures until the end of June 2001.
  9W

  Table B: Number of leavers in each rank by month

  Year/date

  Acc

  Ch Supt

  Supt

  Ch Insp

  Insp

  Sergt

  Con

  S/T Aux/Con

  R Con FT

  R Con PT

  Grand total

  1999

  January

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  5

  9

  1

  52

  6

  74

  February

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  7

  —

  10

  4

  24

  March

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  3

  17

  —

  12

  10

  46

  April

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  5

  12

  —

  4

  4

  27

  May

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  4

  9

  —

  11

  4

  30

  June

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  16

  1

  26

  5

  52

  July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  9

  —

  10

  3

  24

  August

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  4

  13

  —

  38

  7

  64

  September

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  10

  —

  12

  6

  33

  October

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  9

  —

  9

  8

  27

  November

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  3

  10

  —

  27

  4

  46

  December

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  12

  —

  9

  6

  32

  2000

  January

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  12

  —

  11

  6

  33

  February

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  7

  —

  9

  5

  24

  March

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  18

  —

  15

  10

  46

  April

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  14

  1

  20

  9

  47

  May

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  6

  14

  1

  12

  1

  37

  June

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  4

  11

  1

  12

  5

  36

  July

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  18

  —

  20

  7

  47

  August

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  15

  —

  15

  7

  40

  September

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  11

  —

  15

  2

  33

  October

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  —

  12

  7

  28

  November

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  2

  17

  —

  13

  7

  43

  December

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  10

  —

  15

  12

  40

  2001

  January

  —

  7

  16

  9

  35

  58

  105

  —

  22

  9

  261

  February

  —

  5

  7

  8

  19

  28

  56

  1

  16

  4

  144

  March

  2

  6

  4

  3

  10

  19

  56

  2

  20

  5

  127

  April

  1

  5

  12

  11

  22

  72

  178

  —

  35

  2

  338

  May

  —

  1

  4

  5

  15

  27

  65

  —

  27

  —

  144

  June

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  13

  33

  —

  7

  —

  59

  Note:

  Leavers include all cessation reasons eg medical retirement, voluntary early retirement, resigned etc., however the figures for April, May and June 2001 are projections based on known severance figures and do not take account of normal and medical wastage not yet notified.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show how many (a) inquiries were made about joining the RUC and (b) applications were received for each intake to the RUC broken down by gender; and what was the (i) gender and (ii) religious breakdown of each intake in each of the last five years. [156585]

  Applications/acceptances to RUC from 1996–98 by gender and community background—Regulars

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  Year

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  Total

  Applications

  Comp E 1996

  983

  588

  1,571

  236

  133

  369

  129

  26

  155

  2,095

  Comp F 1996

  1,312

  742

  2,054

  261

  145

  406

  242

  27

  269

  2,729

  Comp G 1997

  1,368

  804

  2,172

  253

  159

  412

  188

  25

  213

  2,797

  Comp H 1998

  1,332

  802

  2,134

  270

  161

  431

  228

  32

  260

  2,825

  Comp 1 1998

  1,414

  898

  2,312

  470

  280

  750

  246

  51

  297

  3,359

  Acceptances

  Comp E 1996

  103

  22

  125

  10

  3

  13

  5

  0

  5

  143

  Comp F 1996

  75

  19

  94

  13

  1

  14

  14

  0

  14

  122

  Comp G 1997

  79

  17

  96

  13

  2

  15

  9

  0

  9

  120

  Comp H 1998

  80

  45

  125

  9

  3

  12

  7

  0

  7

  144

  Comp I 1998

  72

  38

  110

  9

  9

  18

  4

  1

  5

  133

  10W
  Mr. Ingram
  The tables show the breakdown of applications for recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary from 1996 to the last recruitment campaign in December 1998 and the corresponding number of successful applicants. The total number of inquiries received for each campaign are not available.
  11W

  Full-time reserves

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  Year

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  Total

  Applications

  Comp C 1996

  654

  421

  1,075

  154

  101

  255

  90

  11

  101

  1,431

  Comp D 1997

  753

  402

  1,155

  109

  75

  184

  113

  22

  135

  1,474

  Comp E 1997

  376

  236

  612

  60

  46

  106

  43

  12

  55

  773

  Comp F 1997

  709

  423

  1,132

  119

  78

  197

  104

  24

  128

  1,457

  Acceptances

  Comp C 1996

  66

  63

  129

  14

  10

  24

  7

  1

  8

  161

  Comp D 1997

  19

  5

  24

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  5

  29

  Comp E 1997

  25

  4

  29

  2

  1

  3

  3

  0

  3

  35

  Comp F 1997

  31

  19

  50

  3

  2

  5

  3

  0

  3

  58

  Notes:

  CB1—Perceived Protestant

  CB2—Perceived Roman Catholic

  CB3—Others

  Coleraine Police Station
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the building of the new police station in Coleraine; when he estimates the remaining contracts will be let; and when the new station will be completed. [157893]

  Mr. Ingram
  All remaining contracts and tenders relating to the new Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Coleraine have now been awarded. Building works are expected to start by early May 2001 with a contract period of 27 months.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the RUC contract for accommodation at the Ministry of Defence buildings at Laurel Hill, Coleraine expires; and what steps have been taken to extend that contract until the new police station in Coleraine is ready for occupation. [157883]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary operational and support personnel located at Laurel Hill MOD base are currently being relocated back to Coleraine Royal Ulster Constabulary station and this is expected to be completed by the end of April 2001 at which time the leasing arrangements with the MOD will be terminated.

  Foot and Mouth (Police Patrols)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many extra police officers, in each rank and in total, have been deployed to control the traffic at the disinfection points of vehicles entering and leaving Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic, since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease began. [157884]

  Mr. Ingram
  No police officers have been specifically deployed to control traffic at disinfection points. However, the Royal Ulster Constabulary liaises daily with and responds to requests from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and other Government officials to attend where required. Attendance has varied as has been deemed necessary.

  Fixed and rolling vehicle checkpoints have been set up throughout the province and, as part of normal duties, police patrols have been operating vehicle checkpoints with instructions to stop/check any persons or vehicles appearing to be involved with the transport of animals or animal products.

  Terrorism
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2001,Official Report, column 135W, on terrorism, what his estimate is of (a) the cost of creating statistics on numbers of individuals who have been notified they are at risk as a result of personal files or information discovered in the possession of paramilitaries and (b) the cost of counting the files maintained at RUC headquarters. [154638]

  Mr. Ingram
  The manual records used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary are held on an individual basis so as to ensure that appropriate action is taken in respect of each person who comes under threat. To date there has not been a statistical need to collate this information in a single database. The information requested is therefore not readily available and to undertake a specific scoping study to evaluate the need and cost of setting up such a database would incur a disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many ministerial meetings with hon. Members have been cancelled by Ministers since 1 January. [155242]

  Dr. Reid
  Two meetings between NIO Ministers and hon. Members have been cancelled since 1 January, these meetings were rescheduled and have subsequently taken place.

  Economy
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Minister for Enterprise in the Northern Ireland Assembly about the number of(a) business start ups and (b) amount of inward investment in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Belfast Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [151046]

  Dr. Reid
  Since taking up office as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland I have had a number of discussions with Sir Reg Empey about economic matters. Those discussions covered a number of issues, including how the Government can assist companies in Northern Ireland
  13W
  and how we can work together to develop the Northern Ireland economy. I expect to have further discussions with Sir Reg Empey in the coming months.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Policies (Don Valley)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Don Valley constituency, the effects on Doncaster of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153519]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since May 1997 my Department has introduced and developed a variety of initiatives which will impact on my hon. Friend's constituency and which promote our objectives of access, excellence, education, and creativity and employment. We have published our strategies to take this forward in "Tomorrow's Tourism" and "A Sporting Future for All", which was recently followed up by the Government's Plan for Sport. We have tackled the issue of social inclusion taking forward the recommendations of Policy Action Team 10 on Arts and Sport and developing social inclusion policies across all our areas which is recognised within the most recent progress report "Building on PAT10."

  We have given more support to the cultural and sporting infrastructure. The Spending Review 2000 secured a doubling of the budget for sport and the largest ever increase for the arts: an increase of 80 per cent. from £186 million in 1997–98 to £336 million in 2003–04. In taking forward our aim to develop the educational potential of culture and sport £40 million has been allocated to developing Creative Partnerships; we have established through lottery funding the £30 million National Foundation for Youth Music; and secured an additional £130 million for primary schools sports and arts facilities through the Space for Sport and the Arts programme. With £120 million of central Government and lottery funding we will be providing a school sports co-ordinator in one in four secondary schools to work with local primary and special schools to improve sporting provision and physical education for children in the most deprived areas. We have delivered free access to national museums for children and the over 60s and additional money will be provided to allow this to be extended to everyone in December 2001. We have commissioned a task force which is currently considering the issues facing non-national museums in the regions.

  We have made improvements in the way the lottery is spent to ensure a fairer distribution. The introduction of the New Opportunities Fund for spending on health, education and the environment has made a real difference to communities everywhere. For instance it has invested £120 million to support the People's Network, which will enable all 4,300 public libraries to offer free public internet access through UK online learning centres; and a further £50 million to stimulate development of content to support the Network.

  We have set up a Regional Cultural Consortium in each of the English regions outside London to champion culture and creativity, including heritage, sport and tourism, and to draw up regional cultural strategies identifying regional objectives and priorities.
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  We have published a Green Paper, "Culture and Creativity: The Next Ten Years", setting out how individual creative talent can be given the support it needs from childhood to flourish; how artists and cultural institutions can be freed from bureaucratic controls; and how the freedom to explore and enjoy creativity and culture can be made available to all.

  Through their commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secure funding base for the BBC and S4C, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future. The Government have introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over from 1 November last year.

  My Department sponsors the British Tourist Authority (BTA) which continues to promote Britain effectively as an attractive tourist destination for overseas visitors. The BTA's successful marketing activities are aimed at bringing benefits to all parts of the UK, including Don Valley.

  In delivering these initiatives we aim to make culture and sport inclusive activities, boosting participation and improving the quality of life for all.

  Don Valley

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 66 national lottery awards to Don Valley totalling £741,678.

  Seventeen Millennium Award winners have been identified from Don Valley and between them they have received grants totalling £29,306.

  Doncaster is part of the South Yorkshire Sports Partnership and, additionally, sits within the South Yorkshire Coalfield Sports Action Zone (SAZ). South Yorkshire Sports Partnership has a Partnership Manager, SAZ Manager and Active Sports Manager.

  Grants offered by English Heritage (EH) in the Doncaster area
  Carstairs Countryside Trust—offered £84,000 for acquisition of Sutton Common Enclosures, a scheduled ancient monument.
  Conservation Area Partnership Scheme—Doncaster High Street—£30,000 p.a. for financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  Information on the number of beneficiaries of free television licences by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 4,600 people aged 75 or over living in the Don Valley constituency.

  There are of course other initiatives in the wider context of the area which may have an effect on the Don Valley constituency. These are:
  Yorkshire Arts received £9,288,000 in 2000–2001 from the Arts Council to support arts and cultural activity across its region. In 2001–2002 this will increase to £10,315,832 or by 11 per cent.
  Doncaster Community Arts received an award of £9,020 from the National Foundation for Youth Music for a Music Maker Project.

  15W
  In addition, the Millennium Commission has contributed £34 million to date towards the development and running costs of the Earth Centre.

  Departmental Policies (Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 21 November 2000. [154504]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since November 2000 my Department has continued to develop a variety of initiatives which will impact on my right hon. Friend's constituency and which promote our objectives of access, excellence, education, and creativity and employment. We have built on our strategies to take this forward in Tomorrow's Tourism and A Sporting Future for All, which was followed in March by The Government's Plan for Sport. We have tackled the issue of social inclusion taking forward the recommendations of Policy Action Team 10 on Arts and Sport and developing social inclusion policies across all our areas which is recognised within the most recent progress report Building on PATIO published in February.

  A significant increase in funding for the cultural and sporting infrastructure has continued to have a huge influence since November. The Spending Review 2000 secured a doubling of the budget for sport and the largest ever increase for the arts: an increase of 80 per cent. from £186 million in 1997–98 to £336 million in 2003–04. In taking forward our aim to develop the educational potential of culture and sport £40 million has been allocated to developing Creative Partnerships; we have established through lottery funding, the £30 million National Foundation for Youth Music; and secured an additional £130 million for primary schools sports and arts facilities through the Space for Sport and the Arts programme. With £120 million of central Government and Lottery funding we are providing a school sports co-ordinator in one in four secondary schools to work with local primary and special schools to improve sporting provision and physical education for children in the most deprived areas. We have delivered free access to national museums for children, from April this was extended to cover the over 60's at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. Additional money will be provided to allow this to be extended to everyone in December 2001. We have commissioned a Task Force which is currently considering the issues facing non-national museums in the regions.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been four national lottery awards to Manchester Gorton since November, totalling £108,648. We have made improvements in the way the Lottery is spent to ensure a fairer distribution. The New Opportunities Fund has made a real difference to communities everywhere. For instance it has invested £120 million to support the People's Network, which will enable all 4,300 public libraries to offer free public internet access through UK online learning centres; and a further £50 million to stimulate development of content to support the Network.
  16W
  The North West Regional Cultural Consortium is working hard to champion culture and creativity, including heritage, sport and tourism throughout the region. Their regional cultural strategy is currently in draft format and is on course to be published in July.

  In March, we published a Green Paper "Culture and Creativity: The Next Ten Years", setting out how individual creative talent can be given the support it needs from childhood to flourish; how artists and cultural institutions can be freed from bureaucratic controls; and how the freedom to explore and enjoy creativity and culture can be made available to all.

  Through their commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secure funding base for the BBC and S4C, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future. Since November the Government have introduced free television licences for people aged 75. Information on the number of beneficiaries of free television licences by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 4,700 people aged 75 or over living in the Manchester, Gorton constituency.

  In the wider context of the region North West Arts Board received £14,061,000 in 2000–01 from the Arts Council to support arts and cultural activity across its region. In 2001–02 this will increase to £15,491,266 or by 10.17 per cent.

  Rugby
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much(a) lottery and (b) Sports Council money has been used to assess players in switching codes from Rugby League to Rugby Union. [157696]

  Kate Hoey
  I have been assured by Sport England and UK Sport that no lottery or Exchequer funding has been used for this purpose.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the latest date is for the opening of the new Wembley stadium. [157314]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]The date for the opening of the new Wembley Stadium is a matter for the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. to determine.

  Digital Terrestrial Television
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport (1) what action his Department is taking to enable television viewers in the Verwood area of Dorset to obtain access to the full range of digital terrestrial television; [158473]
  17W
  (2) what changes are proposed to the power output of the Rowridge and Salisbury transmitters to enable television viewers in the Verwood area of Dorset to obtain the full range of digital terrestrial television. [158467]

  Janet Anderson
  I understand from the Independent Television Commission (ITC) that the Rowridge transmitter received an upgrade in January as part of the ongoing work to equalise the coverage of digital terrestrial television of all six multiplexes. The Government are working with the ITC, the BBC and the broadcasting industry on how to extend digital services further to achieve the best possible coverage throughout the country.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2001 to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn)Official Report, column 415W, on concessionary television licences, for what reason the proposed amendment is limited to accommodation provided or managed by a local authority, housing association or development corporation. [158679]

  Janet Anderson
  The reason is that the anomaly we are seeking to address applies only to sheltered housing provided or managed by a local authority, a housing association or a development corporation, because only sheltered housing provided or managed in this way qualifies for the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary television licence scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2001 to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn),Official Report, column 415W, on concessionary television licences, what the estimated cost to public funds in a full year is of the proposed amendment to the regulations; and how many individuals will benefit. [158678]

  Janet Anderson
  I am unable to provide the information requested. As indicated by my right hon. Friend on 9 April, we are currently consulting with the BBC on the formulation of the proposed amendments to the regulations governing the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary scheme. The number of people who will benefit, and the resulting cost, will depend on the precise structure of the new provisions and on the number of housing managers who, in future, make the relevant changes to previously qualifying accommodation. The cost of the ARC scheme is not met from public funds but represents a reduction in television licence fee revenue collected.

  Premier Christian Radio
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when a decision will be announced on the renewal of the licence of Premier Christian Radio. [158410]

  Janet Anderson
  The Radio Authority must ensure that licences are re-advertised adequately ahead of the expiry dates to minimise the risk of any gap in the service to listeners. It announced in October last year that it will advertise at the same time those London-wide services on AM which will not receive automatic renewal as a consequence of their commitment to provide digital radio services on relevant multiplexes. That will either mean 18W
  advertisement in September 2001 with an award made in the Spring of 2002, or advertisement in March 2002 with an award that autumn, depending on the outcome of applications for a digital multiplex licence which are currently before the Authority. I will let my hon. Friend know which timetable will apply, once this contingent licence award is decided, probably in June of this year.

  Listed Places of Worship
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will extend his grant scheme for listed places of worship beyond March 2003. [158223]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This Government will be pressing the European Commission for the inclusion of a lower rate of VAT for repairs to buildings that are used as listed places of worship when the reduced VAT rates come up for review in 2003. Depending on the outcome of that review, the situation will be considered again then.

  Discounted TV Licences
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to introduce a discount on television licences for people who are registered deaf. [158400]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government have no such plans. We believe the interests of deaf people are better served by improving their access to television services rather than by the provision of licence fee concessions. This was the view of the independent review panel on the future funding of the BBC, in its report of July 1999. The Government accepted the report's recommendation that there should be substantial increases in the BBC's targets for subtitling on its new digital services, and the BBC is working towards 100 per cent. subtitling on its digital channels by the tenth anniversary of their launch. The Corporation also aims to increase the amount of subtitling on BBC1 and BBC2 from its present level of 67 per cent. to 80 per cent. by 2003–04.

  The Government recently announced their intention to increase the target for the provision of subtitling on ITC licensed digital terrestrial television (DTT) services from 50 per cent. of programmes by the tenth anniversary of the start of the service to 80 per cent., and to extend the requirements for subtitling, signing and audio description, which currently apply only to DTT, to digital cable and satellite services when legislation permits.

WALES

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, the effects on Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997; [154947]

  (2) if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ceredigion constituency, the effects on Ceredigion of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997; [154945]
  19W
  (3) if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ynys Môn constituency, the effects on Ynys Môn of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997; [154941]

  (4) if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Caernarfon constituency, the effects on Caernarfon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154946]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As these questions were originally addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my response relates to the effects of Government policies and actions on industry and the economy. Such effects are not normally measured by reference to constituencies so it is not practicable to give information in the form requested. However, prior to the transfer of functions to the National Assembly on 1 July 1999, a range of all-Wales policy initiatives and other actions taken by my Department will have impacted on these four constituencies. Details are set out in the Welsh Office Departmental Reports for 1998 (Cm 3915) and 1999 (Cm 4216), copies of which are in the Library.

  Caernarfon, Ceredigion, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and Ynys Môn are included in the area for which the Government secured Objective 1 status at the Berlin European Council in 1999. Subsequently, in the July 2000 spending review, we made available additional funding, outside the Barnett Formula, for the Welsh Structural Funds Programme. So far in Wales, 201 projects with a total value of £148,960,863 have been approved under the Objective 1 programme. To break down the figures to constituency level would involve disproportionate cost. However, a full list of approved projects is available on the Wales European Funding Office website at http://www/wefo.wales.gov.uk. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Our new Assisted Areas map for the UK, which was formally approved by the European Commission in July 2000, also includes Tier 1 coverage for Caernarfon, Ceredigion, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and Ynys Môn. I have also today made available via the Library copies of the Objective 1 Approved Projects.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  High Sheriffs
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Council if she will ensure fair political balance in appointment of High Sheriffs; and what safeguards are in place to check the appointment system is open and fair and not subject to political abuse. [158384]

  Mrs. Beckett
  High Sheriffs have no political role, their functions are largely ceremonial, and they neither disburse nor receive any public funds, other than strictly defined (and modest) expenses for a limited number of formal court attendances. Political affiliation has not therefore been regarded as a relevant consideration in their appointment. Sheriffs are, however, asked to refrain from all active participation in local and national politics during their term of office.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in her Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158105]

  Clare Short
  No age restriction is applied to appointments to public bodies in my Department.

PRIME MINISTER

  Worcestershire Visit
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 April 2001,Official Report, column 251W, if he will list the representatives of farming and tourism interests he met on his recent visit to Worcestershire. [158209]

  The Prime Minister
  It is not the normal practice of Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

  Constituency Visits
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to invite hon. Members representing rural constituencies to meet him when making visits outside London to discuss foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [158186]

  The Prime Minister
  Future visits will continue to be in accordance with the guidance set out in paragraph 79 of the Ministerial Code.

  Lords Lieutenant
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Prime Minister what powers he has to replace a lord lieutenant. [158361]

  The Prime Minister
  The normal age of retirement for lord lieutenants is 75 although lords lieutenant may retire before that. I believe that, under the Royal Prerogative, it would be possible for the appointment of a lord lieutenant to be ended before retirement, but I am not aware that this has ever been done in recent times.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Prime Minister what criteria are used to ensure that appointments of lords lieutenant are not political. [158364]

  The Prime Minister
  Lords lieutenant are appointed under current legislation by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of the day, following consultations locally and, where appropriate, with the relevant Secretary of State or First Minister. In four Scottish cities each Lord Provost becomes lord lieutenant by virtue of office. Those appointed as lords lieutenant are people of standing in their local communities, most frequently on account of their record of voluntary activity for the good of the community.

  Lords lieutenant are specifically advised that, as Her Majesty's representatives, they should stand aloof from politics in their respective counties or areas and should not, therefore, take part in political activities or hold office

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  in political party organisations in their counties or areas. Lords lieutenant are also advised that participation in national political activity may risk their position of impartiality locally.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Malcolm Reddican
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will take steps to ensure that the Crown Prosecution Service provides full disclosure of all the information and evidence concerning the death of Malcolm Reddican to Mr. Reddican's family. [157964]

  The Solicitor-General
  Disclosure of the evidence and all documentation in relation to the case has been requested by, and on behalf of, Mr. Reddican's family. The Crown Prosecution Service has always indicated a willingness to meet with the family and their legal representatives to discuss the case.

  However, leading counsel for the Crown was asked to consider the question of disclosure, in particular the Human Rights implications of disclosing all the case papers. He advised that, while the family are entitled to a full debriefing and to reassurance that the murder of Malcolm Reddican was fully investigated and properly prosecuted, the rights of others must nevertheless be balanced against the rights of the family.

  Indeed national policy of the Crown Prosecution Service is generally to withhold details of decisions in individual cases, since not to do so would breach confidentiality and might adversely affect the interests and reputations of the parties involved—witnesses, the victim and the suspect. To discuss publicly a decision not to prosecute could amount to a trial of a suspect without the safeguards which criminal proceedings are designed to provide.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Solicitor-General (1) if he will make it his policy to require the Crown Prosecution Service to include in its annual report statistics relating to the number of cases processed, categorised by specific offence, in respect of cases where(a) proceedings are stopped, (b) proceedings continue with the original charges and (c) proceedings continue with amended charges; [157817]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to require the Crown Prosecution Service to include in its annual report statistics relating to the time scales in respect of (a) cases in which a decision is taken to stop proceedings and (b) cases which proceed to a conclusion. [157818]

  The Solicitor-General
  Some of the information sought by my hon. Friend is already available in supplementary volumes of the annual Home Office publication Criminal Statistics England and Wales, which includes a breakdown of case outcomes by offence type.

  In the past, the Crown Prosecution Service has held no records in respect of particular offences, and has been able to publish only aggregate figures on case outcomes. This was because the Service lacked the technical infrastructure required to hold and analyse the vast
  22W
  quantity of data that such records would involve, and because the administrative burden of maintaining manual records was prohibitive. However, there are now two important initiatives within the CPS which promise more detailed and informative case outcomes records for the future.

  Firstly, the CPS is conducting a detailed review to ascertain exactly what information on case outcomes is required to manage properly the prosecution process and to account to parliament and to the public for the standard of its work. This review will consider, and make recommendations on, their requirement for detail on the outcome of particular offences and offence types.

  Secondly, the Service has a new electronic case management under development, named Compass. This will provide the CPS with the modern technology it needs both to support its core business of reviewing and prosecuting criminal cases, and to make available the management information identified by the review mentioned above.

  Of course, no information system can ever be comprehensive. Even with the most sophisticated computer support, a balance must be struck between the data we would like, and the costs of collecting and recording those data.

  Wider developments in information management throughout the criminal justice system must also be taken into account. The various criminal justice agencies are working together to develop common systems of data collecting using agreed definitions, with the aim of providing a fully consistent picture of criminal proceedings from the commencement of the case to its conclusion. This project should specify criminal justice information needs for the foreseeable future, and manage the transition to fully automated data collection.

  Departmental Policies (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ribble Valley constituency, the effects on Ribble Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157849]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Ribble Valley constituency falls largely within the geographical area covered by the Crown Prosecution Service office at Burnley. A Trials Unit has very recently been established there to deal with Crown court casework arising in north-east Lancashire. This will enable greater emphasis to be placed on the conduct of more serious cases and is part of an ongoing reorganisation within CPS Lancashire, in line with recommendations of the Glidewell Review.

  At Preston police station, a Criminal Justice Unit, staffed jointly by the police and CPS is being piloted. Criminal Justice Units enable the police and prosecutors to work together more effectively.

  At the beginning of November 1999, in line with national policy, and in liaison with police and Lancashire Magistrates Courts Service, the Crown Prosecution Service implemented the Narey recommendations throughout Lancashire, following a pilot in north-east Lancashire. All

  23W
  defendants charged with a criminal offence now make their first appearance before magistrates courts in the area within 48 hours.

  The Crown Prosecution Service, together with other agencies, has also helped to draw up an action plan and associated procedures to speed up youth justice, particularly in relation to persistent young offenders. The latest published figures show that Lancashire was one of four areas in the country which achieved the Government's target of 71 days or less between arrest and sentence during the year 2000 as a whole.

  Both the Narey changes and the steps on persistent young offenders demonstrate that the Government have successfully speeded up the criminal justice system.

  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office do not directly affect the Ribble Valley constituency.

  Departmental Policies (Tiverton and Honiton)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157805]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Tiverton and Honiton constituency falls within the geographical area covered by the Devon and Cornwall area of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In November 1999, in line with national policy, CPS Devon and Cornwall, in liaison with the police and the central Devon magistrates court, introduced procedures based on the Narey proposals. All adult defendants charged with a criminal offence in central Devon should make their first appearance before Exeter, Tiverton or Honiton magistrates courts within eight days. Due to the imminent court rationalisation, Tiverton court is due for closure.

  A CPS Crown court unit, based in Exeter, deals with serious crime at Exeter Crown court and Barnstaple Crown court. The CPS has set as a goal the better handling of serious cases in the interests of justice and of victims. From 15 January 2001, a fast-track procedure was adopted which will ensure that offences which must be heard in the Crown court normally come before a judge within eight clear days of their first hearing in the magistrates court.

  The CPS, together with other agencies, has been working to speed up youth justice, particularly cases involving persistent young offenders. The time taken for Persistent Youth cases has fallen in the CPS Devon and Cornwall area from 141 days in 1997 to 60 days in 2000. This places Devon and Cornwall at the top of the national league.

  All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the criminal justice system.

  On 30 November 2000, the Exeter office of CPS Devon and Cornwall altered its structure so as to fall in line with proposals in the Glidewell Review. This represents a policy of more effective working between the police and prosecutors and will enable the CPS to place greater emphasis on the more serious criminal cases.
  24W
  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office do not directly affect the Tiverton and Honiton constituency.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Departmental Policies (Clwyd, South)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [151909]

  Ms Quin
  As most of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or Wales basis, but no disaggregated further. However farmers in the UK have benefited from this Government's policies to the tune of £1.35 billion since 2 May 1997 in addition to the figure of approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments.

  Within this total, the value of agrimonetary compensation amounts to some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively. Hill farmers in Wales will also benefit from the funding which Government are putting into Tir Mynydd, the new support scheme for farmers in less favoured areas.

  Farmers in the Clwyd, South constituency will also have available to them all of the schemes available under the Rural Development Programme for Wales, which is backed by funding of around £0.5 billion over the period 2000–06.

  Departmental Policies (Stroud)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Stroud constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152398]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by Parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK

  25W
  receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports

  Average subsidies received by full time farm businesses England 1999–2000

  £000

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Total direct subsidies

  Cereals

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  37.8

  General cropping

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  31.8

  Horticulture

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  Pigs and poultry

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  3.6

  Dairy

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  8.5

  LFA cattle and sheep

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.0

  29.3

  Lowland cattle and sheep

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.2

  14.1

  Mixed

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  33.8

  All types

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  22.5

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  1. HLCA payments to hill farmers are included under livestock subsidies.

  2. The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares with £4,048 under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.

  Farmers in Stroud can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—RURAL Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.

  Consumers in Stroud will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.
  26W
  which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the level of Government funding is for the application of(a) genomics and (b) genetic modification to the needs of British agriculture. [153371]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Funding by MAFF in 2000–01 for genomics research and development is £11 million and for genetic modification research and development, including risks to the agricultural environment from genetic modification, is £3.4 million.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he received a report from the Canadian authorities on the causes of the Advanta seed contamination last year. [153229]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 March 2001,Official Report, columns 345–46W.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report his Department has completed on the review of separation distances for GM field trials. [153224]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 March 2001,Official Report, column 345W.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government advise the removal of flower heads from current winter and imminent spring trials as a precautionary measure. [153233]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 5 March 2001,Official Report, columns 56–57W.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the GM sugarbeet trials scheduled for this year involve expense on the part of the Government. [153230]
  27W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 1 March 2001,Official Report, column 724W.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has been briefed on the report "Elements of Precaution" from the Royal Society of Canada into genetically modified crops; and if he will make a statement. [153239]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The report covers various aspects of the regulation of food biotechnology and was written specifically for the Canadian authorities. The recommendations in the report therefore reflect the existing regulatory system in that country. The European Union has a very stringent control regime for GM crops and food, one which gives a clear priority to safeguarding public health and the environment.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with reference to the GM oilseed rape trials being held in the UK for Aventis, what proportion of the seeds produced by each of the trials of a Fl hybrid oilseed rape will be sterile; in which of the trials the barnase gene and barstar gene will be present in the oil seed rape to be grown; if the barnase and barstar genes involve terminator technology; and which of the trials involve seeds which are sterile. [157261]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]GM oilseed rape hybrids produced by Aventis are currently being trialled under the Farm Scale Evaluation programme and for National List and other research purposes. The hybridity system is the same in each case. Each plan carries separate genes that encode for male sterility (barnase) and fertility restoration (barstar) respectively. The seed produced by these plants is viable and therefore terminator technology is not involved. Detailed technical background on this type of oilseed rape is given in a paper by the Advisory Committee on Releases on the Environment entitled "Environmental Risks of Herbicide-Tolerant Oilseed Rape—A Review of the PGS Hybrid Oilseed Rape." This is available at www.environment.detr.gov.uk/acre.

  Civil Servants (Salary Increases)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, was in his Department for 2000–01. [152800]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 March 20011 Since 1996 MAFF has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements. For the 2000 pay round, the core MAFF settlement included Pesticides Safety Directorate and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

  MAFF applied performance related awards in 2000–01 which linked pay awards to job performance on an individual basis. It is therefore not possible to provide a single average percentage increase. Pay awards to satisfactory performers were within the range of 3.2 per cent. and 11.75 per cent. The higher awards also included changes to the pay structure and additional payments to the best performers. Unsatisfactory performers received no performance pay award.
  28W
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is also responsible for other Executive Agencies with their own negotiating remits. I have asked Chief Executives to respond direct with information on their pay settlements.

  Letter from Steve Edwards to Dr. David Clark, dated March 2001:
  The Minister has asked me to respond to your question on the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, in his Department for 2000–01.
  Since 1996 VLA has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements for staff in the Agency excluding members of the Senior Civil Service.
  In 2000 the headline pay settlement was 2.5% of the pay bill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff received performance related increases with an average cost of 4.3%. The increases were not staged. Information on the 2001 payment settlement is not yet available because negotiations are still ongoing.

  Letter from Professor P. I. Stanley to Dr. David Clark, dated March 2001:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory. to your question concerning the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, for 2000–01.
  The headline pay settlement was 2.7% on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.76%.

  Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Dr. David Clark, dated March 2001:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question regarding the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial Civil Servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, for 2000–01. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
  The headline pay settlement for CEFAS was 2.82% on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4.03%.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is introducing to remove dead badger carcases from holdings. [154032]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 March 20011 The survey of badger carcases for bovine TB, announced on 7 November 2000, included provision for the collection of badger carcases from farms in badger culling trial areas in Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. These arrangements have been temporarily suspended following the redirection of State Veterinary Service resources to foot and mouth disease control. In its response to the report of the independent Husbandry Panel the Government recognised the need for more practical guidance for farmers on how to dispose of badger carcases. They are considering how this may be met.

  Movement Licences
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if distance of travel is a relevant criterion in assessing the case for granting movement licences to slaughter; and where such movements cover local authority boundaries whether all relevant authorities are consulted by the issuing authority. [154079]
  29W
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: The legislation put in place to allow livestock movements direct to slaughter does not specify a maximum period or distance, but only allows movement under licence as long as it does not require a scheduled stop.

  Where these journeys cross local authority boundaries, the issuing authority is not required to consult other relevant authorities.

  Departmental Policies (Newbury and West Berkshire)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Newbury constituency, the effects on Newbury and west Berkshire of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154568]

  Average subsidies received by full time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Total direct subsidies

  Cereals

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  37.8

  General cropping

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  31.8

  Horticulture

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  Pigs and poultry

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  3.6

  Dairy

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  8.5

  LFA cattle and sheep

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.2

  29.3

  Lowland cattle and sheep

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.0

  14.1

  Mixed

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  33.8

  All types

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  22.5

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  1. HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies.

  2. The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environmental schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares with £4,048 under the Hillstock Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.
  30W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.

  Farmers in Newbury can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—RURAL Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—Have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.

  Consumers in Newbury will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154688]
  31W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]: MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  Average subsidies received by full-time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Of which:

  Total direct subsidies

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Cereals

  37.8

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  General Cropping

  31.8

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  Horticulture

  0.4

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  Pigs and Poultry

  3.6

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  Dairy

  8.5

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  LFA Cattle and Sheep

  29.3

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.2

  Lowland Cattle and Sheep

  14.1

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.0

  Mixed

  33.8

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  All Types

  22.5

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of rationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies.

  The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short-term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full-time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares with £4,048 under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.

  Farmers in Lancaster and Wyre can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—Rural Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.
  32W
  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK received approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.

  Consumers in Lancaster and Wyre will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  Departmental Policies (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, the effects on Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154987]

  Ms Quin
  As most of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or Wales basis, but not disaggregated further. However farmers in the UK have benefited from this Government's policies to the tune of £1.35 billion since 2 May 1997 in addition to the figure of approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. Within this total, the value of agrimonetary compensation amounts to some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Hill farmers in Wales will also benefit from the funding which Government are putting into Tir Mynydd, the new support scheme for farmers in less favoured areas.
  33W
  Farmers in the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency will also have available to them all of the schemes available under the Rural Development Programme for Wales, which is backed by funding of around £0.5 billion over the period 2000–06.

  Departmental Policies (Ynys Môn)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ynys Môn constituency, the effects on Ynys Môn of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May
  1997. [154983]

  Ms Quin
  As most of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or Wales basis, but not disaggregated further. However farmers in the UK have benefited from this Government's policies to the tune of £1.35 billion since 2 May 1997 in addition to the figure of approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments.

  Within this total, the value of agrimonetary compensation amounts to some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Hill farmers in Wales will also benefit from the funding which Government are putting into Tir Mynydd, the new support scheme for farmers in less favoured areas. Farmers in the Ynys Môn constituency will also have available to them all of the schemes available under the Rural Development Programme for Wales, which is backed by funding of around £0.5 billion over the period 2000–06.

  Departmental Policies (Ceredigion)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ceredigion constituency, the effects on Ceredigion of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May
  1997. [154984]

  Ms Quin
  As most of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or Wales basis, but not disaggregated further. However farmers in the UK have benefited from this Government's policies to the tune of £1.35 billion since 2 May 1997 in addition to the figure of approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. Within this total, the value of agrimonetary compensation amounts to some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Hill farmers in Wales will also benefit from the funding which Government are putting into Tir Mynydd, the new support scheme for farmers in less favoured areas. Farmers in the Ceredigion constituency will also have
  34W
  available to them all of the schemes available under the Rural Development Programme for Wales, which is backed by funding of around £0.5 billion over the period 2000–06.

  Departmental Policies (Caernarfon)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Caernarfon constituency, the effects on Caernarfon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May
  1997. [154982]

  Ms Quin
  As most of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or Wales basis, but not disaggregated further. However, farmers in the UK have benefited from this Government's policies to the tune of £1.35 billion since 2 May 1997 in addition to the figure of approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. Within this total, the value of agrimonetary compensation amounts to some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Hill farmers in Wales will also benefit from the funding which Government are putting into Tir Mynydd, the new support scheme for farmers in less favoured areas. Farmers in the Caernarfon constituency will also have available to them all of the schemes available under the Rural Development Programme for Wales, which is backed by funding of around £0.5 billion over the period 2000–06.

  Departmental Policies (Chichester)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Chichester constituency, the effects on Chichester of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May
  1997. [155282]

  Ms Quin
  MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.
  35W

  Average subsidies received by full-time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Total direct subsidies

  Cereals

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  37.8

  General Cropping

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  31.8

  Horticulture

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  Pigs and Poultry

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  3.6

  Dairy

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  8.5

  LFA Cattle and Sheep

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.2

  29.3

  Lowland Cattle and Sheep

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.0

  14.1

  Mixed

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  33.8

  All types

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  22.5

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies.

  The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of price supported above world market levels under the CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares to £4,048 under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.

  Farmers in Chichester can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—Rural Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.

  Average Subsidies received by full time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Total direct subsidies

  Cereals

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  37.8

  General cropping

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  31.8

  Horticulture

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  Pigs and poultry

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  3.6

  Dairy

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  8.5

  LFA cattle and sheep

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.2

  29.3

  36W
  Consumers in Chichester will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  Departmental Policies (North Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155899]

  Ms Quin
  MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.
  37W

  Average Subsidies received by full time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Total direct subsidies

  Lowland cattle and sheep

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.0

  14.1

  Mixed

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  33.8

  All types

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  22.5

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  1. HLCA payments to hill farms are induced under livestock subsidies.

  2. The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey.

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares to £4,048 under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.

  Farmers in North Devon can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—Rural Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.

  Consumers in North Devon will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  Pet Carcases
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that disposal of pet carcases by cremation should be exempt from the Animal Waste Directive; and if he will make a statement. [156554]

  Ms Quin
  Animal carcase incinerators, including those operated by pet crematoria, were exempted from the provisions of the Waste Incineration Directive on the proviso that controls providing for high environmental 38W
  standards are included in the EU Animal By-Products Regulation. This Regulation will replace the Animal Waste Directive.

  It is the intention of the UK to negotiate controls on animal carcase incinerators that are proportionate to the health and environmental risks, while safeguarding their continued use.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will match for the British industry the operating support given to the fishing industries of other EU countries. [156460]

  Mr. Morley
  I announced on 2 April a package of measures designed to meet the needs of the English fishing industry. Measures have similarly been announced by the devolved administrations.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with(a) the fishing industry and (b) fish processors about the financial state of the industry and their need for public support. [156459]

  Mr. Morley
  I have personally met with representatives of both the fishing industry and the fish processing industry. I am therefore well aware of the position of all parts of the fisheries sector.

  I have already made clear that I share the catchers' and processors' wish to see a sustainable industry which is economically profitable and which uses environmentally sustainable practices. The package of aid measures worth £22.5 million in England, which will inter alia provide financial assistance to help restructure the fishing industry and make grants available for innovation in the marketing and processing of fish, makes clear that the Government are ready to support and encourage the industry in pursuing these aims.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for decommissioning British fishing vessels; and when he intends to announce them. [156457]

  Mr. Morley
  I have already announced additional funding worth £6 million to help restructure the fishing industry. We will be consulting closely with the industry about the form that this assistance will take.
  39W
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the landing sites for fishing ports in order of value of landings. [157879]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The values of landings of fresh and frozen fish by UK vessels in 1999 at the top 50 UK ports are set out in the table. Corresponding figures for 2000 are not yet available.

  Major ports: value of fresh and frozen fish landed by UK vessels into UK ports during 1999

  Port of landing

  Value (£ million)

  Peterhead

  78.8

  Fraserburgh

  27.9

  Aberdeen

  26.2

  Scrabster

  19.6

  Newlyn

  17.1

  Brixham

  15.8

  Mallaig

  14.8

  Lerwick

  14.4

  Kinlochbervie

  13.2

  Plymouth

  10.7

  Lochinver

  10.4

  Hull

  10.3

  Kilkeel

  8.4

  Ullapool

  8.0

  Grimsby

  7.6

  Portavogie

  7.4

  Lowestoft

  7.3

  Milford Haven

  7.1

  Eyemouth

  5.3

  Weymouth

  5.0

  Whitby

  4.9

  Scarborough

  4.3

  Fleetwood

  4.2

  Bridlington

  4.1

  Ardglass

  3.7

  Stornoway

  3.6

  Kirkcudbright

  3.4

  North Shields

  3.2

  Troon and Saltcoats

  3.2

  Pittenweem

  2.8

  Buckie

  2.8

  Scalloway

  2.8

  Shoreham

  2.6

  Oban

  2.5

  River Dart

  2.5

  Portsmouth

  2.4

  Looe

  2.2

  Whitehaven

  2.2

  Poole

  2.1

  Campbeltown

  2.1

  Blyth

  2.0

  River Fal—Falmouth

  1.9

  Wick

  1.9

  Lings Lynn

  1.9

  Amble

  1.9

  Kirkwall

  1.8

  Tarbert

  1.8

  Macduff

  1.8

  Padstow

  1.7

  Kyle

  1.6

  Total landings, all UK ports

  463.7

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate the Government have made of the proportion of the overall EU fisheries resource accounted for by British territorial waters. [153369]
  40W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  It is not possible to estimate the UK's share of the total EU fisheries resource occurring in British territorial waters. Fish movements are not determined by international boundaries. They also vary over time according to biological, environmental and other conditions. Furthermore, the ICES scientific assessments on which Total Allowable Catch decisions are based are provided in relation to the level of fish stocks within ICES rectangles. These include areas outside EU waters and do not take account of territorial waters.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the European Parliament's decision on(a) abolishing national control over fishing in coastal waters, (b) access to the North sea and (c) the Shetland and Irish boxes. [153237]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the resolution which the European Parliament adopted on 17 January 2001 in relation to the Commission report on the consultations the Commission conducted throughout the EU in 1998–99 in preparation for the 2002 Review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This resolution is not binding on the Commission and Council. Nor does it call for the abolition of national control over over fishing in national waters but, rather, for maintenance of the status quo if there is any controversy over the future of the six to 12 mile limits. The text of the resolution if available in the Library of the House. As we have consistently made clear, we are confident that the six to 12 mile access restrictions will again be renewed in the forthcoming review of the CFP. We shall be arguing then for these access restrictions to be made permanent.

  In the North sea, all the main commercial stocks are now subject to TACs with quotas allocated according to the principle of relative stability, which will continue to apply unless a qualified majority of the Council on the basis of a Commission proposal decides otherwise. There are no signs that this will happen. As a result, we do not expect to see new or increased access to the North sea after 2002.

  Restrictions on access to the Irish Box are laid down in the western waters effort regime, which the Commission has confirmed will continue automatically beyond 2002.

  The Shetland Box will be rolled over automatically beyond 2002 unless, on the basis of a Commission proposal and acting by qualified majority, the Council decides to make any changes. The Government are currently reviewing the effectiveness of the Box in terms of the objectives originally set for it and a way of clarifying the arguments for its continuation beyond 2002.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of(a) fishermen, (b) vessels and (c) value of catch of the UK fishing fleet is (a) English and (b) Scottish. [157239]

  Mr. Morley
  The available information is set out in the table.
  41W

  UK fishing fleet: Number of fishermen, vessels and value of catch (excludes Channel Isles and Isle of Man)

  England

  Percentage

  Scotland

  Percentage

  UK total

  Percentage

  At end 1999

  Number of fishermen1

  Regular

  5,298

  41

  6,042

  47

  12,970

  100

  Part-time

  933

  31

  1,288

  43

  2,991

  100

  Total

  6,231

  39

  7,330

  46

  15,961

  100

  Number of fishing vessels

  12 metre2 and under

  3,341

  54

  1,833

  30

  6,151

  100

  Over 12 metre2

  381

  29

  698

  54

  1,297

  100

  Total

  3,722

  50

  2,531

  34

  4,778

  100

  Value of landings (£ million)

  1999

  184

  31

  345

  59

  588

  100

  1As at 31 March 2000 for England

  2Based on registered length

  Source:

  Classification by Department of Administration

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the EU Commission about aid and support for the British fishing industry following the reduced fishing opportunities available under new quotas and the new instructions to protect cod and hake. [158434]

  Mr. Morley
  None. We have announced a package of national measures within FIFG and support for regional assistance from the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Commission about the compatibility with European law of the aid given to their national fishing industries by other EU Governments. [158436]

  Mr. Morley
  Following an announcement by the Commission of a formal investigation into state aid schemes in France and Spain, the Government wrote to the European Commission on 28 February setting out the UK's position on these aids.

  In particular, we made clear our view that such aids should be considered incompatible with EU state aid guidelines as they distort competition in the fisheries sector and that paying operating subsidies prevents or delays the necessary restructuring of the least economic parts of the fleet. We understand the French aid scheme has been discontinued following Commission investigation.

  Livestock Exports
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution the export of(a) cattle and (b) sheep has made to the British economy over the last five years. [156269]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 March 2001]: The estimated value of (a) live cattle and beef and (b) live sheep and sheepmeat exports from the United Kingdom over the last five years are shown in the table.
  42W

  Units: million pounds

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  20001

  UK exports of livestock

  Live Cattle

  14

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Live Sheep

  103

  83

  71

  76

  72

  UK exports of meat2

  Beef

  140

  16

  13

  20

  19

  Sheepmeat

  303

  258

  218

  206

  197

  1Provisional

  2Includes meat of non-UK origin imported into the UK and then exported under the XAP scheme

  Source:

  ANIMO, HM Customs and Excise

  Food Procurement Standards
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what standards the Government are setting for the(a) catering, (b) food manufacturing and (c) fast food sectors in their procurement of products from the agricultural industry; and if he will establish a code of practice for these sectors. [157580]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The Government have no plans to prescribe standards for this purpose or to establish a code of practice for these sectors, but we encourage good communication across the food chain in a number of ways.

  Sand Eel Fishery
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 20 March 2001,Official Report, column 54WH, if he will publish the scientific advice on the level of the by-catch in the sand eel fishery. [157952]

  Mr. Morley
  This was summarised in an article on sand eels in Fishing News on Friday, 6 April. Table 1 gives details of haddock, whiting and cod by-catches in industrial fisheries for 1995–1999.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the names of the British scientists and discard experts who will work on board Danish industrial fishing vessels fishing for sand eels up

  43W
  to the end of June, (b) the names and registration numbers of the vessels involved and (c) the area in which they will be fishing. [157832]

  Mr. Morley
  Following initial contacts with the Danish authorities arrangements are being made for two discard experts from CEFAS to spend time on Danish fisheries protection vessels later this month. They will board Danish sand eel vessels as necessary fishing in the eastern closed area. Arrangements are also being made for CEFAS scientists to be on board Danish sand eel vessels fishing in June and July in the central North sea.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if UK scientists will(a) monitor the landing of the catches of fishing vessels engaged in the current research programme into sand eels and (b) be allowed full access to the landing and processing area. [157829]

  Mr. Morley
  Yes.

  Cod
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the British allocation of cod was caught in(a) the Norwegian and (b) the EU sector in each of the past three years. [157830]

  Mr. Morley
  The percentages of UK North sea cod quota caught in the Norwegian and EU sectors are:

  1998

  1999

  20001

  Total cod quota (tonnes)

  89,947

  83,557

  55,703

  Total cod uptake (tonnes)

  72,118

  49,087

  39,453

  Total cod uptake percentage

  80

  59

  71

  Average subsidies received by full-time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Of which:

  Total direct subsidies

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Cereals

  37.8

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  General Cropping

  31.8

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  Horticulture

  0.4

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  Pigs and Poultry

  3.6

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  Dairy

  8.5

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  LFA Cattle and Sheep

  29.3

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.2

  Lowland Cattle and Sheep

  14.1

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.0

  Mixed

  33.8

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  All types

  22.5

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies.

  The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short-term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average
  44W

  1998

  1999

  20001

  Percentage caught in:

  Norwegian sector

  23

  19

  27

  EU sector

  56

  39

  43

  Other sectors

  1

  1

  1

  1Provisional

  Departmental Policies (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ribble Valley constituency, the effects on Ribble Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157852]

  Ms Quin
  MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table. farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from

  45W
  £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full-time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares with £4,048 under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.

  Farmers in Ribble Valley can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—Rural Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.

  Consumers in Ribble Valley will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  Departmental Policies (Tiverton and Honiton)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical

  Average subsidies received by full time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

  £000

  Crop subsidies

  Livestock subsidies

  Agri-environment

  Other1

  Total direct subsidies

  Cereals

  34.2

  2.3

  1.0

  0.1

  37.8

  General cropping

  28.8

  2.4

  0.6

  0.0

  31.8

  Horticulture

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  Pigs and poultry

  2.2

  1.4

  0.1

  0.0

  3.6

  Dairy

  2.8

  4.9

  0.8

  0.0

  8.5

  LFA cattle and sheep

  0.4

  25.4

  3.3

  0.2

  29.3

  Lowland cattle and sheep

  1.7

  10.6

  1.8

  0.0

  14.1

  Mixed

  21.4

  10.7

  1.7

  0.0

  33.8

  All types

  14.8

  6.4

  1.2

  0.1

  22.5

  1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

  Notes:

  1. HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies.

  2. The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP.

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short term financial relief since 2 May 1996.

  This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the Beef Special Premium Scheme and Suckler Cow Premium Scheme respectively.

  Since May 1997 the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full time hill farmers in England
  46W
  information relating as directly as possible to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157812]

  Ms Quin
  MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census will be available shortly and also placed in the House Library.

  As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.

  will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme this year. This compares to £4,048 under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1996–97.

  Farmers in Tiverton and Honiton can benefit from schemes available under the England Rural Development Programme, which is backed by funding of £1.6 billion over the period 2000–06. Three of the schemes within this programme—Rural Enterprise, Processing and Marketing, and Vocational Training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the England Rural Development Programme.

  Consumers in Tiverton and Honiton will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  Lancashire Horticulturalists
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the value of EU payments to Lancashire horticulturalists in the last five years. [157990]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Payments under the EU Aid Scheme for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables are made to Producer Organisations for approved Operational Programmes. Since membership of Producer Organisations frequently extends beyond County boundaries, financial information is not available in the form requested. Payments to UK Producer Organisations has increased from £5.7 million in 1997 to about £9 million in respect of 2000.

  BSE
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of BSE to public funds. [158002]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Total expenditure on the BSE crisis is estimated to be £4.4 billion to the end of this financial year. Of that amount, the other European Union member states contribute about £500 million when the Fontainebleau mechanism is taken into account. Therefore, the net cost of BSE to public funds is about £3.9 billion to the end of 2001–02.

  Arable Area Payment Scheme
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total payment has been to date of payments made to farmers in England in respect of the Arable Area Payment Scheme. [157877]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: 42,750 applications made to the Ministry for aid under the Arable Area Payments Scheme have been paid representing £852,219,681.92.

  A further 44,116 AMC 2000 1st Tranche payments with a total value to date of £28,275,505.01 has also been paid to farmers.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is Government policy to encourage farmers to lay disinfected straw on roads adjacent to livestock farms to help prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. [154996]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]: Disinfected straw laid across the entrance to a farm will provide a limited measure of protection against the spread of the foot and mouth virus. However, even with regular topping up, disinfectant will only be applied to the tyre treads of the vehicles passing over them. The best method of disinfection is the combination of thorough cleansing, preferable with a pressure hose, followed by the use of an approved disinfectant applied to all exposed surfaces using a hose or spray. The advice to people working in the countryside contained on the MAFF website (http://www.maff.gov.uk/) emphasises the importance of thorough spraying.
  48W
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information his Department received about outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom(a) between May 1997 and December 1999 and (b) in 2000. [154849]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]: There were 29 suspected cases of foot and mouth disease reported to the Department during the period between May 1997 and December 1999. However, following investigations these were found to be negative.

  There were no suspected cases of foot and mouth disease reported during 2000.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contingency plans his Department had in place to deal with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom in the period up to the notification to his Department of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease at Heddon-on-the-Wall. [154954]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]: MAFF has contingency plans for dealing with outbreaks of serious animal disease. These include detailed operational instructions for use by the State Veterinary Service. The general contingency plan for foot and mouth was updated and submitted to the European Commission in July 2000.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what stocks the Foot and Mouth Reference Laboratory in Pirbright holds of live unattenuated foot and mouth viruses; and what strains are held. [155849]

  Ms Quin
  holding answer 27 March 2001]: The Foot and Mouth Reference Laboratory in Pirbright holds a library of over 5,000 strains from all over the world as part of their responsibility as the FAO/OIE nominated World Reference Laboratory.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the powers which he is using in order to halt the spread of foot and mouth disease; which powers derive(a) from EU legislation and (b) from domestic law, with special reference to (i) slaughter, (ii) disposal of carcases, (iii) movement of livestock (A) without and (B) with transport, (iv) compensation, (v) diagnosis and veterinary inspection, (vi) quarantine arrangements, (vii) limiting access to specified areas, (viii) use of animal byproducts not for human consumption, (ix) health and safety and (x) use of the armed services. [156120]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 4 April 2001,Official Report, column 200W.

  The following points are in addition to that answer.
  The exercise of domestic powers under the Animal Health Act and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order is in accordance with the requirements of Council Directive 85/511/EEC introducing community measures for the control of foot and mouth disease (as amended).
  The carcases of animals killed for disease control purposes are disposed of in accordance with the Animal By-Products Order 1990, which implements Council Directive 90/667/EEC. By-products from animals slaughtered for human consumption are used or disposed of in accordance with the Animal

  49W
  By-Products Order 1999, the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997, the Specified Risk Material Order 1997 or the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983.
  Powers to ensure the health and safety of workers acting to control the Foot and Mouth outbreak are provided by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (as amended) and COSHH Regulations.
  The use of the armed forces is authorised by existing domestic powers under the Emergency Powers Act 1964.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what formula is used to determine the amount of compensation payable for farm livestock slaughtered as a consequence of the present outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [156555]

  Ms Quin
  The level of compensation payable for animals slaughtered as a result of a foot and mouth outbreak is governed by Schedule 3 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

  If an animal is infected with foot and mouth disease, the compensation for slaughter is the value of the animal immediately before it became infected. In all other cases (eg where animals have been exposed to the infection but are not affected, or showing signs of the disease) compensation is the value of the animal immediately before slaughter.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise the age limit for vets assisting local veterinary inspectors to above 65 years; and if he will make a statement. [156922]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 Apri1 2001]: The terms and conditions for Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs) who are contracted on an hourly basis to carry out work on behalf of the Ministry require that the appointment shall terminate on reaching the age of 65, unless the Minister decides that it shall continue. Under the special circumstances that apply at the present time discretion is being used as appropriate.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the value was of exports of pig and sheepmeat in the last year; and what he estimates the value to be in the first year following the end of the outbreak. [157785]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: In 2000 the value of exports of pigmeat was £186 million and of sheepmeat was £200 million. We hope that, once they resume, exports will steadily return to comparable levels.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of burning culled cattle on the possible spread of BSE to neighbouring farms. [157889]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: We have commissioned a risk assessment from DNV Consulting on the BSE risk to cattle of disposing of cattle carcases during the foot and mouth disease outbreak. We expect to receive the risk assessment shortly and copies will be made available to the Libraries of the House.

  DNV have produced an assessment of the BSE risk to human health of disposing of cattle carcases during the foot and mouth disease outbreak, and is available in the Libraries of the House. Our procedures for disposing of cattle carcases reflect the results of this risk assessment following advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee.
  50W
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the import into Britain of livestock products is allowed from countries in which foot and mouth is endemic. [153363]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The importation of meat is not permitted from regions where foot and mouth disease is present. EC rules permit imports from those regions of the relevant countries which are not considered to pose a risk to human or animal health. Fully matured boneless beef, which does not pose an FMD risk may be imported from other regions subject to veterinary certification. Countries to which these controls currently apply are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. Because of their FMD situation prohibitions are currently in place on imports of meat of FMD susceptible species from South Africa, Swaziland and Argentina. All meat imported from third countries is subject to veterinary checks at Border Inspection Posts to ensure that import requirements are met.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what dates in the last nine months his Department made inquiries of T. G. Norman Timber Ltd., of Longtown, Cumbria, about the availability of timber, with particular reference to old railway sleepers; [154960]

  (2) on what dates in the last three months his Department made inquiries of C. A. Talbot and Son (Timber) of Wootton Bank, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, concerning the availability of timber, with particular reference to old railway sleepers; [154959]

  (3) what inquiries his Department has made in the last 12 months to establish the availability of timber, suitable for use in pyres for burning deadstock. [154958]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]: I assume that the hon. Member's questions relate to the media speculation that the Government were aware that foot and mouth existed in the UK prior to the first notification of disease in Essex on 19 February. Such speculation is entirely without foundation.

  The Ministry has contingency plans to deal with all notifiable exotic animal diseases, including foot and mouth disease. These are regularly updated and tested by the State Veterinary Service. As part of this process, Animal Health Offices, including the one at Stafford, will quite correctly contact contractors from whom they may need services or supplies during a disease outbreak. Any inquires directed to the businesses mentioned by the hon. Member would have been made as part of these contingency planning arrangements.

  Information on all the timber stockists contacted by the Ministry over the last year is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 March 2001,Official Report, column 249W, on foot and mouth, what actions the Government will take under the term "kick start the rural economy"; and what estimate he has made of when the disease will be eradicated. [155658]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: The Rural Task Force is continuing to look very carefully at measures to help the rural economy. On 20 March my

  51W
  right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced a package of measures to assist rural business, but the Government have also made it clear that the best way of helping business in the countryside is to encourage people to visit it so far as is consistent with measures to deal with the disease. As a further measure to help counteract the fall in demand and restore confidence, the Government have issued guidance to local authorities to help them assess whether rights of way in their area can be re-opened.

  The Government have published independent research on the epidemiology of the foot and mouth outbreak. The epidemiological forecasts both foresee the outbreak lasting at least until June and possibly beyond July.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what date (i) an official and (ii) a Minister in his Department first informed(a) an official and (b) a commissioner in the European Commission that the UK had its first (1) suspected and (2) confirmed case in the foot and mouth disease outbreak; [156386]

  (2) on what date (i) an official and (ii) a Minister in his Department first informed (a) an official and (b) a Minister in another EU member state that the UK had its first (1) suspected and (2) confirmed case in the foot and mouth disease outbreak. [156387]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 30 March 2001]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe on 30 March 2001, Official Report, columns 797–98W.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average sums are paid in compensation for each class, type and age of livestock slaughtered as a consequence of the present outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [156557]

  Ms Quin
  We are not able to give average compensation payments for each of the specified categories (class, type and age) of livestock slaughtered, as such specific figures are not recorded. We can however, give average payments for each species of animal. These are as follows:

  Cattle: £792

  Sheep: £92

  Pigs: £92.

  These figures are correct as of 9 April 2001.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what emergency provision has been made for the release to local veterinary inspectors of foot and mouth vaccine to vaccinate at-risk animals. [156010]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: Local veterinary inspectors are working hard on measures to control foot and mouth disease and we are anxious not to divert them from this important work. The vaccination contingency plans which we have been developing do not envisage the use of local veterinary inspectors to administer vaccine.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what warnings were given to(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department of the risk of spreading foot and mouth prior to the present outbreak through contaminated meat imports. [156881]
  52W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 4 April 2001]: MAFF Ministers and officials have long been aware of the possibility that foot and mouth disease might be introduced through contaminated meat imports. Foot and Mouth disease is a notifiable disease under Community and Office International Des Epizooties (OIE) protocols and the risks are well known. Notified outbreaks necessarily lead to trade restrictions. Responsibility lies with the European Commission to inform member states of disease controls in other countries and to take appropriate action to safeguard the Community from the risk that disease might be introduced in imported meat. Community law permits member states to take unilateral action to limit imports from countries where a particular risk has been identified, pending the introduction of Community measures.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a programme of vaccination against foot and mouth for deer to allow the Royal Parks to be re-opened to the public. [156894]

  Mr. Morley
  Bushy Park, Richmond Park and the Home Park at Hampton Court re-opened on 11 April.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his estimate is of the number of dairy herds in foot and mouth infected areas. [156915]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: On 1 April there were 7,792 dairy holdings (as classified in June 2000 Agricultural Census) in the infected areas in England and Wales.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the total value of United Kingdom meat exports in each of the four years following the elimination of foot and mouth disease. [156916]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Exports of meat and meat products in 2000 amounted to £630 million. We hope that, once they resume, exports will steadily return to comparable levels.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that the farming sector is not adversely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak when trading with large supermarket chains. [157579]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The Ministry holds regular meetings with all its stakeholders, including retailers, to consider the impact of foot and mouth disease across the food chain and to ensure that all sectors of the industry are working together.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Soil Association on the role of vaccination in tackling foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [157507]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The Prime Minister met representatives of the Soil Association on 2 April. The evidence submitted by the Association has been carefully examined by our scientific and veterinary advisers as part of our ongoing assessment of the case for using vaccination against foot and mouth disease.
  53W
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) sheep, (b) pigs and (c) cattle have been moved through or into Montgomeryshire from outside the county since 1 March; and if he will make a statement. [158727]

  Mr. Morley
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Genomics
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the potential of genomics in agricultural research. [153234]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Genomics is expected to make a significant contribution to UK agriculture. Genome maps for many agriculturally important plants, animals and micro-organisms have been produced in the last few years. Research on genome maps for plants, livestock and micro-organisms should enable scientists to identify those organisms with desirable traits. This information would be beneficial in speeding up breeding programmes.

  National Institute of Agricultural Botany
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by whom the National Institute of Agricultural Botany report which was presented to MAFF as part of their review on separation distances has been peer reviewed. [153231]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The NIAB report has been referred to a number of independent scientific experts both here and abroad for peer review. This process has yet to be completed.

  Hand-carried Imported Foodstuffs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total annual volume of raw and cooked meats and other foodstuffs imported by visitors to the United Kingdom. [154249]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]: Data are not collected by Customs on the volume of raw and cooked meats and other foodstuffs imported by visitors to the United Kingdom and no reliable estimate is therefore available.

  Pig Movements
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects Mr. Adrian Wilcox of College Farm, Bletchington, Oxfordshire to be able to move his pigs. [155437]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: Mr. Wilcox applied for entry to the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and a number of pigs were removed from College Farm on 14 April.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will calculate the impact on the cost of food to consumers arising from the CAP since 1973. [157376]
  54W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publishes an estimate annually of the transfers made by consumers in the European Union as a whole resulting from agricultural policies in the Union. Estimates of the impact of the CAP upon consumers are dependent upon the assumptions made concerning the policy which would have operated in the absence of the CAP.

  The table sets out the OECD estimates for the years 1986 to 1999. Estimates for earlier years are not readily available.

  Total transfers from EU consumers arising as a result of the CAP

  Year

  Billion ecu/euro

  1986

  69.1

  1987

  64.6

  1988

  62.7

  1989

  49.2

  1990

  71.5

  1991

  79.5

  1992

  63.2

  1993

  59.9

  1994

  59.3

  1995

  55.1

  1996

  45.3

  1997

  50.5

  1998

  60.8

  1999

  61.9

  Source:

  OECD Producer and Consumer Support Estimates Database

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were his Department's total gross running costs for travel, including fares, subsistence, accommodation and other expenses met from public funds but excluding such costs for journeys and stays exclusively within the United Kingdom(a) in the three years to 30 April 1997 and (b) in the 12 months ending 30 April 1997. [157629]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  Actual spend

  £

  Description

  1 May 1994 to 30 April 1997

  1 May 1996 to 30 April 1997

  Travel EC Institution Meetings

  2,041,759.84

  644,740.78

  Travel Other Overseas Visits

  1,516.817.70

  511,356.29

  Travel Foreign Hospitality

  24.002.75

  13,902.86

  Subsistence EC Institution Meetings

  1,081,812.02

  319,372.26

  Subsistence Other Overseas Visits

  910,703.18

  276,013.48

  Total

  5,575,095.49

  1,765,685.67

  Farmgate Prices (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the farmgate price of(a) vegetables, (b) fruit and (c) non-edible products in Lancashire. [157989]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Value statistics are not collected at county level.

  Flood Defences
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make a statement about the allocation of the £52 million additional funds for flood defences. [158463]

  Mr. Morley
  I informed the flood and coastal defence operating authorities of revised allocations for 2001–02 on 17 February. As a result of increases in the last two Spending Reviews, and following the announcements of additional funding packages in November and January, MAFF funding available for flood and coastal defence in 2001–02 is £102.6 million. The funding will be shared between:

  £ million

  Environment Agency

  53.6

  Local Authorities

  46

  Internal Drainage Boards

  3

  Most of the increased funding is going to the Environment Agency: (a) to accelerate the capital programme on 'main' rivers, (b) to carry forward catchment studies and (c) to make a contribution towards the emergency response and repair costs incurred in the recent flooding. However both Local Authorities and Internal Drainage Boards will also be able to make

  Expected total costs

  Expected end date

  State Veterinary Service network/TB implementation

  5,306,704

  Annual revision required

  Replacement for current Vet Net systems—pilot projects

  150,000

  July 2001

  Cattle Ear Tag Allocation System

  200,000

  April 2001

  Geographical Information Systems for Animal Disease Control

  542,133

  April 2001

  British Cattle Movement Service Strategic Enhancements and Integration Testing of IT System

  3,204,727

  Annual revision required

  Web Access to Cattle Tracing System

  1,759,153

  May 2001

  Monitoring of Animal Movements within UK and EC

  237,965

  Annual revision required

  Pet Travel Scheme

  250,000

  August 2000

  GB Cattle Herd Registration Development

  1,367,000

  November 2000

  Scrapie Control System

  1,908,223

  July 2001

  Farm Survey System replacement

  1,329,020

  March 2002

  Grants and Subsidies Management System for Common Agricultural Policy Payments

  2,823,476

  Annual revision required

  Combined Bovine Risk Assessment Scheme

  2,151,500

  December 2001

  Beef Extensification Premium Scheme

  1,339,000

  May 2001

  New Common Agricultural Policy Support Systems

  15,846,854

  Annual revision required

  Cattle Slaughter Premium Scheme

  1,767,500

  Annual revision required

  Agenda 2000

  1,378,650

  Annual revision required

  Hill Farmers Allowance

  1,838,501

  May 2001

  England Rural Development Programme

  2,135,375

  February 2003

  Sea Fish Management Systems

  394,005

  Annual revision required

  Fisheries Satellite Surveillance

  322,541

  July 2003

  Integration of Existing Building and Estate Management Databases

  1,553,085

  Annual revision required

  Upgrade to Financial Systems and reporting tools

  10,878,802

  Annual revision required

  E-Commerce

  1,867,334

  December 2001

  Replacement Office/Corporate Systems

  9,827,835

  December 2001

  Central Science Laboratories (CSL): Integrated Business Information System

  500,000

  October 2001

  CSL: Upgrade to Hardware to run new Office Systems

  250,000

  May 2001

  Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS): Laboratory Information

  350,000

  March 2003

  Management Systems

  CEFAS: Biological Sampling System

  120,000

  March 2003

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA): Invest to Save Interdepartmental project

  462,000

  April 2002

  (MAGIC) Geographical Information System

  FRCA: Cartography Tool Kit

  930,000

  April 2003

  FRCA: basic mapping for administration of agri-environmental schemes

  292,000

  October 2001

  Intervention Board (IB): Oracle Multi Org for Intervention Board

  252,000

  February 2001

  IB: Block Guarantee Scheme System Redevelopment

  198,000

  April 2001

  IB: Audit Logging

  187,548

  December 2001

  IB: Data Integration

  278,833

  March 2001

  IB: Brussels Matrix

  429,018

  March 2001

  56W
  applications for accelerated river defence works, and £1 million is being set aside for the emergency costs incurred by Internal Drainage Boards.

  Revised plans for future years have been commissioned from the operating authorities recently. These will inform decisions about future allocations in due course.

  Departmental IT Projects
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2001,Official Report, column 476W, if he will list the IT projects currently undertaken in his Department; and if he will state the (a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project. [151505]

  Ms Quin
  I am sorry that there was an error in the list of major IT projects in the answer of 12 March. The entry for 'Food Survey System' should read 'Farm Survey System'. Options for the further development of this system are still under consideration and it is not yet possible to confirm the expected completion date or costs. The costs quoted were those expected up until March 2002.

  We have clarified the heading detail in the list to show that the costs and dates of all projects were those expected and a footnote to show that they are subject to change.

  The rest of the answer remains correct.
  57W

  Expected total costs

  Expected end date

  IB: Modulation

  350,000

  June 2001

  IB: Over Thirty Month Scheme System Extension

  343,214

  July 2001

  IB: Slaughter Premium Scheme System Development

  735,428

  June 2001

  IB: Porting PI Open System to Universe

  1,150,000

  December 2001

  Note:

  These figures show expected costs and dates as at 12 March 2001 which may be subject to change to meet business demands.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Promotional Campaigns
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the television, newspaper and radio advertising and other promotional campaigns conducted by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its departmental public bodies, in each of the past five years, showing for each the expenditure incurred by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153423]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 12 March> 2001]: I have set out information as (a) DETR (Central), (b) Agencies and (c) Public Bodies.

  (a) DETR(C)

  My Department runs several public information campaigns each year using the most appropriate combination of television, radio and newspaper advertising, supported by other promotional material such as leaflets and posters. These campaigns mainly relate to environmental protection and road safety.

  For details of expenditure by medium over each of the past five years, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for. Bath (Mr. Foster) on 15 February 2001, Official Report, columns 222–23W.

  For details of expenditure by subject over each of the past five years, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 20 December 2000, Official Report, columns 168–69W.

  Latest figures showing advertising expenditure for each of the campaigns covered in the reply to the hon. Member for Hertsmere are set out.

  £

  Campaign

  Cost

  2000–01

  Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry

  44,143

  Quality Mark Scheme1

  41,633

  Rough Sleepers Change a Life Campaign

  433,338

  6 Sheet Poster Site

  19,861

  Road Safety Campaign

  7,661,188

  Child Road Safety

  734,991

  Are You Doing Your Bit?

  5,587,672

  Thames Safety Enquiry

  83,738

  Council Board Appointments

  36,147

  Election for Mayor of London

  651,554

  DETR Herts CC Posters

  1,500

  Local Website Information

  35,209

  Total

  15,330,974

  1Please note that an incorrect figure of £85,185 was mistakenly given in the previous reply. We are writing to the hon. Member for Hertsmere to provide him with updated figures.

  58W
  Increases in advertising expenditure in 1999–2000 and 2000–01 result from:
  "Are You Doing Your Bit?" campaign to help people to take action to protect the environment
  Road Safety and Child Road Safety campaigns, aimed at further reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads
  Greater London Authority elections campaign to encourage voting.
  For details of publications and reports, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 19 December 2000, Official Report, columns 108–09W.

  (b) DETR Agencies

  Expenditure on paid publicity by DETR's agencies is set out.

  £

  Campaign

  Cost

  Drivers Standard Agency

  1996–97

  Separate Driving Theory Test

  36,817

  1997–98

  Nil

  1998–99

  Nil

  1999–2000

  Launch of touch-screen theory test

  9,808

  Go-Live date for touch-screen theory test

  8,500

  Shared DVO Group Stand at Motor Show

  16,166

  Total

  34,474

  2000–01

  Launch of "What if" Video

  6,908

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  1996–97

  Sales of Vehicle Registration Marks

  1,085,106

  Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Enforcement

  702,127

  Total

  1,787,233

  1997–98

  VED Enforcement/Wheelclamping

  1,908,085

  Sales of Vehicle Registration Marks

  1,085,106

  Photocard Driving Licences

  5,395

  Total

  2,998,586

  1998–99

  VED Enforcement/Wheelclamping

  2,292,022

  Sales of Vehicle Registration Marks

  1,085,106

  Photocard Driving Licences

  444,890

  Statutory Off Road Notification

  428,936

  Graduated VED

  122,553

  Total

  4,373,507

  1999–2000

  Sales of Vehicle Registration Marks

  2,382,978

  VED Enforcement/Wheelclamping

  2,260,216

  Graduated VED

  419,574

  Photocard Driving Licence

  272,340

  5,335,108

  59W

  £

  Campaign

  Cost

  2000–01

  VED Enforcement/Wheelclamping

  2,231,587

  Graduated VED

  2,012,765

  Sales of Vehicle Registration Marks

  1,957,446

  Statutory Off Road Notification

  510,638

  Photocard Driving Licence

  486,808

  Total

  7,199,244

  The increase in advertising and promotional expenditure for the DVLA is partly due to the introduction of the national wheelclamping scheme and the photocard licence campaign. This increased the number of Vehicle Excise Duty campaigns from 17 in 1996–97 to 27 in 2000–01. Highways Agency expenditure during the past two years is set out in the table. The Agency was unable to provide information relating to years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  £

  Campaign

  Cost

  Highways Agency

  1999–2000

  Consumer campaigns advising of road closures/changes

  263,299

  2000–01

  Consumer campaigns advising of road closures/changes

  127,149

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency (established in April 1998)

  1998–99

  Sea Smart

  78,986

  Safe Fishing

  19,195

  Registry of Shipping and Seamen

  11,143

  Total

  109,324

  1999–2000

  Sea Smart

  25,216

  Registry of Shipping and Seamen

  6,766

  Non-Regulated Pleasure Vessels Code

  65,610

  Safe Fishing

  34,945

  Total

  132,537

  2000–01

  Receiver of Wreck Amnesty

  62,538

  Registry of Shipping and Seamen

  820

  Sea Smart

  53,812

  Flagging In

  12,515

  Total

  129,685

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  1996–97

  Advertising Training Courses

  19,203

  1997–98

  Advertising Training Courses

  53,853

  1998–99

  Advertising Training Courses

  46,607

  1999–2000

  Advertising Training Courses

  60,200

  New telephone Number for Vehicle Inspectorate

  9,480

  Total

  69,680

  2000–01

  Advertising Training Courses

  44,732

  New telephone number for Vehicle Inspectorate

  5,515

  Total

  50,247

  Planning Inspectorate

  1996–97

  Planning Inspectorate Campaign

  6,084

  60W
  The Rent Service, Vehicle Certification Agency and Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre have not carried out any significant communication activity during the period.

  (c) NDPBs

  DETR's Public Bodies are split into Executive and Advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies. There are 55 in total (28 Executive and 27 Advisory Bodies). DETR(C) does not keep central records of Public Bodies' communications campaigns. The cost of tracing and listing each public body's advertising and promotional campaigns over the past five years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total cost of advertising run by his Department, its predecessors and its agencies was in each year since April 1992; and what the projected budget is for(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [154852]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]: I have set out information detailing:
  total advertising expenditure (1992 to date) for DETR (Central), its predecessors and its agencies, and
  projected budget for 2001–02 and 2002–03 for DETR (Central).
  DETR was created in 1997 when the Departments of Environment (DoE) and Transport (DoT) merged. Advertising expenditure since 1992 for DETR(C), its predecessors and its agencies are set out.

  Advertising Expenditure

  £

  Year

  DoE/DoT

  DETR(C)

  Agencies

  1992–93

  11,724,804

  —

  634,894

  1993–94

  8,627,562

  —

  744,726

  1994–95

  8,284,309

  —

  791,747

  1995–96

  8,845,697

  —

  850,912

  1996–97

  7,218,323

  —

  1,620,883

  1997–98

  —

  6,495,781

  3,080,340

  1998–99

  —

  5,993,766

  3,401,027

  1999–2000

  —

  11,927,878

  5,463,299

  2000–01

  —

  15,330,974

  7,127,149

  2001–02

  —

  110,670,000

  2—

  2002–03

  —

  3—

  2—

  1Projected advertising expenditure. Based on information available at time of answering.

  2Total projected expenditure for DETR agencies for 2001–02 and 2002–03 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  3Details of budget not yet agreed.

  Almost all of DETR(C) current advertising expenditure is for road safety and environmental protection campaigns.

  Bus Journeys
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bus journeys were taken in Shrewsbury and Atcham in(a) 1997 and (b) for the latest available 12-month period; and if he will make a statement. [157598]

  Mr. Hill
  The information collected by my Department on the number of journeys made on local bus services cannot be disaggregated to a level of detail sufficient to provide accurate figures in the form requested.

  Flaxmill, Ditherington
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress made with the Flaxmill project in Ditherington, Shrewsbury. [157599]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Flaxmill project is for the restoration and refurbishment of a unique grade I listed and historically significant structure in the county town, i.e. the first iron-framed building in the world. The project is to create development space for retail, educational, arts and leisure and residential uses. Advantage West Midlands is to make a significant contribution to the project of some £2.8 million over a three-year period.

  A certificate of title as proof of ownership, a condition of the funding agreement with Advantage West Midlands, was still outstanding at 9 April 2001. Contracts were due to be exchanged in February 2001. But the outstanding matter, together with a delay in the completion of legal documentation between Mowlem Midlands, the joint developer and works contractor, and the owner of the site, meant that this was not possible.

  I understand that discussions are continuing between the parties involved to ensure progress on the project is secured.

  London Underground
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many broken rails there were on the London Underground in(a) each of the last 10 years and (b) each of the last 12 months. [157636]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground, which has provided me with the following information on broken rails on the running line discovered during the operation of passenger services for recent years and for year 2000–01 until 3 March 2001.

  Total number

  1996–97

  24

  1997–98

  21

  1998–99

  20

  1999–2000

  17

  2000–01

  14

  Period

  2000–01

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  —

  4

  —

  5

  2

  6

  —

  7

  1

  8

  4

  9

  1

  10

  2

  11

  —

  12

  1

  62W
  Note:

  LUL operate a 13 period year. The end of period 12 represents 3 March 2001. Information for period 13 has not been provided yet. LUL confirm that four of these broken rails for 2000–01 were located on sections of track owned by Railtrack.

  Information on years prior to 1996–97 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many escalators were out of service for more than a day on each of the London Underground lines in each of(a) the last five years and (b) the past 12 months. [157481]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground, which informs me that although it keeps a range of records relating to escalators out of service on the Underground, to provide a breakdown of all incidents for time-periods of one day and over for each of the last five years would incur disproportionate costs.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has secured the agreement of Midland Expressway Ltd. to provide a crossing for the Hatherton Canal in the construction of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. [157771]

  Mr. Hill
  The obligations of Midland Expressway Ltd. (MEL) to the future restoration of the Hatherton Canal are set out in the Secretary of State's decision letter published on 28 July 1997. MEL is required to facilitate the full restoration works waiving any consequential loss of tolls that these works may occasion. It is not required to provide a crossing for the canal and it has not agreed to do so.

  I understand MEL has met the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust to discuss the trust's proposals for the canal crossings. The trust would like the canal crossings to be included in the BNRR construction contract and is seeking to raise funds to pay for these. I understand that MEL is continuing to work co-operatively with the trust.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria were used in drawing up the list of rural local authorities to which the emergency business rate relief scheme will be applicable as a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [157431]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: This list identifies the most rural and least densely populated LA areas in England. The decision to target additional Government support on these areas reflects the fact that in broad terms it is the most rural areas that are suffering most of all from the effects of FMD. It equates broadly with the worst effects of FMD, including its broader economic effects. It does not attempt to match every FMD case. Other authorities are likely to suffer less because they are closer to large urban centres and have a wider spread of economic activity. That is why we have targeted relief in this way, using a standard definition of rurality, developed by the Rural Development Commission and the Countryside Agency.
  63W
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Environment Agency staff have been diverted from their normal duties to work on the foot and mouth crisis. [157999]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Approximately 400 Environment Agency staff are working on foot and mouth related issues. As the information is not held centrally it has not been possible to identify the number of staff diverted from their normal regulatory work. Many staff are working in their normal regulatory function but are dealing with the consequences of the foot and mouth outbreak on a daily basis.

  In addition, some 30 agency staff have been diverted from their normal duties to assist the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with additional administrative and technical work arising from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with other departments regarding the creation of a recovery package for those businesses which have been affected by the foot and mouth outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [158684]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am in close contact with other Departments about measures both to help rural businesses to survive the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak and to regenerate the rural economy once the outbreak has been eradicated.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the payment of compensation for consequential losses to firms suffering significantly reduced turnover as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak; and if he will make a statement; [158725]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) suspending business rates, (b) suspending VAT payments and (c) introducing tax concessions for firms suffering significantly reduced turnover as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [158722]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend and I have kept in close touch with Ministers from a range of other Government Departments on the economic effects of the foot and mouth outbreak and the Government have announced a number of measures to help those adversely affected. These include additional financial support for local authority discretionary hardship rate relief schemes in rural areas. Implementation is for local authorities and many have announced their intention to introduce schemes. The measures also include extension of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme, additional funding for the Regional Development Agencies and a

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Revenue Support Grant

  2.39

  2.69

  2.62

  2.44

  2.77

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates

  2.88

  2.91

  3.13

  3.48

  3.44

  Local Government Reorganisation

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Supplementary Credit Approval

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Housing Investment Programme

  1.27

  1.06

  1.28

  2.83

  1.14

  64W
  sympathetic approach to deferring or extending the time to pay tax, VAT and National Insurance contributions where businesses apply for this.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for West Worcestershire (Sir M. Spicer) of 6 April 2001,Official Report, column 301W, on foot and mouth, if he will instruct local authorities not to recover unpaid rates from businesses which have appealed for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth and where the appeals have not yet been determined. [158673]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have no powers to do so. However, local authorities have discretion to defer or reschedule payment of rates of businesses that are severely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, or by other adverse circumstances.

  Local authorities also have discretion to grant rate relief to businesses suffering from hardship. On 22 March, I announced measures designed to alleviate the immediate financial hardship of small businesses in rural areas that have been badly hit by the effects of foot and mouth disease. As part of this package of measures, I announced an increase in the central government contribution to rate relief from 75 per cent. to 95 per cent. for small businesses which are suffering hardship as a result of foot and mouth disease in 151 rural authorities in England.

  In addition, the Government have extended the deadline for making an appeal against the rateable values of properties in these 151 rural authority areas so that appeals received by 30 June 2001 may be backdated into the 2000–01 financial year, if appropriate.

  Emergency Services (Pleasure Boats)
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what plans there are to levy a charge on pleasure boat owners for the provision of emergency services; and if he will make a statement. [158054]

  Mr. Hill
  There are no proposed plans to levy a charge on pleasure boat owners for the provision of any emergency services.

  Departmental Policies (Cannock Chase)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Cannock Chase constituency, the effects on Cannock Chase of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158063]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to Cannock Chase since 1997 is shown in the table. This includes grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.
  65W

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  5.32

  4.45

  4.30

  3.96

  n/a

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.26

  0.84

  0.79

  —

  —

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.04

  0.04

  —

  —

  —

  Loan Charges Defective Housing1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Major Repair Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.40

  SRB Funding (Scheme/Accountable Body)

  Cannock Gateway

  2.9

  2.9

  3.7

  3.3

  2.4

  Trent Challenge

  1.4

  1.7

  1.6

  1.5

  1.0

  Total

  4.3

  4.6

  5.3

  4.5

  3.4

  New Deal for Communities

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Neighbourhood Renewal Funding

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ERDF Funding

  0.17

  0.74

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  7.37

  2.33

  1.94

  0

  0.42

  Transport Annual Capital Guidance

  7.12

  2.33

  1.94

  1.90

  0.42

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  1.07

  0.70

  2.36

  9.32

  14.37

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant4

  0

  0.17

  0.12

  0.12

  5—

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant

  0

  0.20

  0.66

  0.75

  1.03

  Capital Challenge (Supplementary Credit and I Basic Credit Approvals)

  0.75

  1.41

  1.20

  —

  —

  1Where known

  2None

  Notes:

  Housing

  The housing subsidy figure for 2000–01 is still provisional.

  The reduction in HIP resources for 2001–02 is due to the introduction of the new Major Repair Allowance, ie a new way of allocating resources for works to council stock; the table shows Cannock's indicative figure for 2001–02.

  3There is no data for Loan Charges Defective Housing.

  Cannock Chase SRB

  Cannock Gateway

  A comprehensive package of private sector led development with community involvement in a coal closure area. The seven-year scheme aims to tackle problems of drug abuse and child issues, low levels of educational attainment and involves major land reclamation schemes for private sector led employment development.

  Trent Challenge

  A six-year scheme led by Cannock Chase District Council, which complements the Regional Challenge bid for inward investment at the Lea Hall Power Station site. It targets three settlements, which have experienced considerable change in the wake of the closures of the local coal mine and power station. The scheme will enhance employment prospects through initiatives aimed at raising education and skill levels and by addressing housing, environment and quality of life issues.

  Transport

  The transport figures in the table apply to Staffordshire and not Cannock Chase District.

  Plymouth city council1

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  22001–02

  Revenue Support Grant3

  13.978

  103.545

  104.496

  103.809

  110.231

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1

  8.171

  60.295

  65.108

  72.855

  71.213

  Local Government Reorganisation Supplementary Credit Approval

  —

  6.798

  5.214

  113.515

  —

  Housing Investment Programme

  54.788

  4.417

  4.703

  12.939

  714.750

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  12.131

  11.278

  11.149

  1110.093

  —

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.909

  3.076

  3.166

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.270

  0.251

  0.000

  n/a

  n/a

  Loan Charges Defective Housing

  0.344

  0.344

  0.344

  1220.344

  1220.344

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

  —

  —

  —

  —

  81.058

  66W
  4Rural Bus Challenge totals represent awards for successful schemes, spend can be phased over more than one year.

  5N/K

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth Unitary Authority)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158032]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to Plymouth city council in the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 and to Devon county council in 1997–98 is shown in the tables. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Plymouth, Sutton and Plymouth, Devonport constituencies and the part of South-West Devon constituency in the Plymouth unitary authority area. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.
  67W

  Plymouth city council1

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  22001–02

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  0

  0.334

  0.634

  0

  0

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  0

  0.334

  0.634

  0

  0.500

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  0.850

  0.929

  92.122

  3.723

  95.865

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant10

  0

  0

  0

  0.072

  n/k

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant

  0

  0.010

  0.010

  0.010

  0.012

  Capital Challenge (Supplementary Credit and Basic Credit Approvals)

  0.711

  1.370

  1.359

  —

  —

  Devon county council1

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  Revenue Support Grant3

  4266.389

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates3

  4205.912

  Local Government Reorganisation Supplementary Credit Approval

  1.812

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  1.738

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  1.738

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  2.560

  Capital Challenge (Supplementary Credit and Basic Credit Approvals)

  2.694

  1 Plymouth city council became a unitary authority, responsible for all the council services in its area, from 1998–99.

  2Figures where known.

  3The amounts of Revenue Support Grant and Income from National Non-Domestic Rates shown for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are the revised amounts allocated under "The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1997–98 Amending Report 1999" and "The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998–99 Amending Report 2000" respectively.

  4Devon was subject to a Structural Change Order on 1 April 1998. The figures for Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates quoted for Devon county council for 1997–98 include an amount for the areas covered by the city of Plymouth and the borough of Torbay.

  51997–98 HIP allocation inherited from the previous Government's spending plans. Present Government introduced CRI from 1997–98.

  6Single Housing Pot introduced from 2000–01 resulting in CRI being merged with HIP.

  £ million

  SRB scheme

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  12001–02

  Plymouth 2000 Rounds 1–4 (Turning the Tide; Western Approaches; Key to the Future; Areas of Deprivation)2

  3.232

  4.112

  6.251

  5.294

  3—

  Working Together for a Better Future (Round 5)

  n/a

  n/a

  0.164

  1.687

  3—

  Bid for Sutton Ward (Round 6)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  3—

  Plymouth 2020 Rounds 1–6

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  8.569

  1Figures where known.

  2Rounds 1–4 funding merged for accountability purposes.

  3Rounds 1–6 funding merged for accountability purposes from 2001–02.

  European Funding

  The whole of Plymouth was included in the Plymouth Objective 2 programme, which closed for new applications at the end of 1999. Major projects which have received funding since 1997–98 include: Tamar Science Park Phase 2 (£1.1 million), Seaton Barracks (£0.6 million) and Goschen Business Communications Centre (£0.5 million) in Plymouth, Devonport constituency; Royal William Yard (£1.6 million) and West End Revival Package (£0.4 million) in Plymouth, Sutton constituency; and Mountbatten Sailing and Watersports Centre (£1.6 million) in the part of South-West Devon constituency included in the Plymouth unitary authority area.

  Most of Plymouth is included in the South West Objective 2 area that stands to benefit from £108 million
  68W
  7 Resource accounting has resulted in a change to the way capital resources are allocated for 2001–02, with the introduction of a new Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) to cover the cost of maintaining local authority housing in a sound condition. Plymouth city council's MRA allocation for 2001–02 is £8.888 million and, for comparison purposes, is included in the 2001–02 HIP allocation above.

  8Neighbourhood Renewal Fund starts in 2001–02.

  9Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval figures for Plymouth city council include Public Transport Information allocations of £0.804 million in 1999–2000 and £0.600 million in 2001–02.

  10Rural Bus Challenge figures represent awards—actual spend profiles for schemes may cover more than one year.

  11Provisional.

  12Estimated.

  New Deal for Communities (NDC)

  Devonport People's Dreams in Plymouth has submitted a full delivery plan bid for funding NDC Round 2. In 2000–01, £0.4 million funding has been provided for management and administration of the process and £0.131 for 'Quick Win' proposals.

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)

  Three SRB awards have been made in Plymouth in Rounds 4–6 since May 1997. Funding provided for these schemes, and for schemes continuing from previous SRB rounds, since 1997–98 is included in the following table. It is not possible to disaggregate the funding for these schemes by constituency.

  of European funds over the next seven years. The remaining five wards in Plymouth stand to benefit from a programme for traditional areas in the South-West worth around £10 million in European funding over the next six years.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the increase in(a) Standard Spending Assessment and (b) council tax between the previous and current financial years was for (i) Bournemouth, (ii) Brighton and (iii) Blackpool; and if he will make a statement. [158246]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) are a means of distributing a given total of grant which takes account of the demographic, physical and
  69W
  social characteristics of an area. Council tax levels are a matter for local authorities, which have to answer to their voters. SSA and council tax increases for 2001–02 are given in the table:

  Borough council

  Standard Spending Assessment increase (percentage)

  Authority's own council tax increase (Band D) (percentage)

  Bournemouth

  3.4

  10.0

  Brighton and Hove

  5.9

  6.0

  Blackpool

  4.2

  12.1

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–022

  Revenue Support Grant

  3.266

  2.473

  2.336

  2.064

  2.273

  18.309

  18.174

  18.348

  17.973

  18.939

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates

  3.516

  3.610

  3.881

  4.338

  4.299

  18.107

  18.524

  19.329

  110.641

  110.458

  Housing Investment Programme10

  1.196

  0.728

  0.965

  2.608

  31.248

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy10

  1.903

  1.378

  1.205

  41.684

  13—

  Capital Receipts Initiative10

  0.480

  1.138

  1.010

  n/a

  5n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme10

  0.100

  0.050

  n/a

  n/a

  6n/a

  Loan Charges Defective Housing10

  79.646

  779.646

  779.646

  779.646

  779.646

  Transport Supplementary Grant11

  11.049

  10.858

  11.090

  1nil

  10.154

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline11

  11.049

  10.858

  11.090

  1nil

  1nil

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval11

  10.270

  10.354

  10.716

  13.303

  112.69

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant1

  1nil

  10.786

  10.786

  10.786

  1.81.004

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant11

  1nil

  10.463

  11.154

  10.213

  1.12—

  Supplementary Credit Approvals (Salisbury Transport package)9

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  3.58

  1Figures for Wiltshire

  2Where known

  3MRA is ring fenced from HIP resources and was allocated centrally to those local authorities who managed their own housing stock

  4Provisional figure—subject to change

  5CRI ceased as a programme after 1999–2000

  6CIS still continues as a programme but without any DETR allocations

  7Figures are estimated

  8Figures represent the award—actual spend can he over more than one year

  9Funds are paid to Wiltshire County Council, but can only be spent on Salisbury

  10Funding applies to district level only

  11Funding applies to county level only

  12Not known

  13Figures not yet available

  High Hedges
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the terms of reference given to the Building Research Establishment and Tree Advice Trust are to develop an objective way of assessing the obstruction of light by hedges; when the report will be completed; and when it will be published. [158469]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Tree Advice Trust have been asked to produce guidance on the impact of evergreen hedges on daylight and sunlight to buildings, and loss of sunlight to gardens; and to devise a in method for calculating what height a hedge needs to be in order to alleviate any obstruction of light.

  Draft guidelines, including the proposed procedure for calculating hedge height, have recently been issued by BRE for limited consultation. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. These guidelines will be tested against a sample of problem hedges, and will be refined—

  Local Government Finance (Wiltshire)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding his Department has provided to(a) Wiltshire county council and (b) Salisbury district council in the years 1997–98 to 2001–02, including grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure. [157791]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to Salisbury district council and Wiltshire county council in the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 are shown in the table (where available). These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  as necessary—in the light of the results of these field tests and the consultation. The final report on this project is due to be submitted to my Department at the end of July 2001.

  Rural Regeneration Partnerships
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local rural regeneration partnerships operating in the south-west of England; and what the budget of each is for
  2001–02. [158589]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The partnerships operating in the south-west of England are:

  Cornwall—Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Rural Development Programme Committee

  Devon—Devon Joint Rural Development Committee

  Dorset—Committee for Rural Dorset

  Somerset—Rural Somerset Committee

  Gloucestershire—Forest Regeneration Partnership

  Wiltshire—Rural Development Programme for Wiltshire.

  71W
  The partnerships do not have specific budgets but have equal access to the Rural Programme given to the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) by DETR. The SW RDA's rural budget for 2001–02 is £9,388,000.

  Park Homes Industry
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date research was commissioned into the economics of the park homes industry; when the research is due to be completed; and when it will be published. [158470]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Research into the economics of the park homes industry was commissioned on 22 January 2001. Current plans are for the research to be completed by the end of September and a report to be published before the end of the year.

  Highcliffe Castle
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when a decision

  £ million

  Annual capital guideline

  Private sector renewal grant transitional payments

  Disabled facilities grant

  Major repairs allowance

  Barking and Dagenham

  4.419

  0.002

  0.412

  15.220

  Barnet

  5.202

  —

  0.585

  8.536

  Bexley

  1.553

  0.178

  0.763

  —

  Brent

  16.622

  —

  0.879

  8.013

  Bromley

  2.257

  0.40

  0.381

  —

  Camden

  18.758

  —

  0.068

  22.184

  City of London

  0.241

  —

  0.003

  1.771

  Croydon

  5.870

  —

  0.426

  10.705

  Ealing

  11.200

  0.285

  1.141

  11.419

  Enfield

  3.939

  0.084

  0.658

  9.882

  Greenwich

  11.084

  —

  0.503

  20.320

  Hackney

  17.148

  0.050

  0.268

  22.733

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  14.421

  0.036

  0.441

  11.261

  Haringey

  18.697

  —

  0.567

  13.403

  Harrow

  3.540

  0.045

  0.689

  4.133

  Havering

  2.255

  —

  0.232

  8.822

  Hillingdon

  5.115

  0.037

  0.838

  8.137

  Hounslow

  3.620

  0.460

  0.584

  10.867

  Islington

  12.651

  0.212

  25.434

  Kensington and Chelsea

  12.810

  0.045

  0.055

  5.817

  Kingston upon Thames

  1.958

  —

  0.199

  3.746

  Lambeth

  18.370

  0.350

  0.248

  27.361

  Lewisham

  14.563

  0.262

  0.154

  21.858

  Merton

  2.492

  0.006

  0.208

  5.022

  Newham

  21.902

  —

  0.448

  17.178

  Redbridge

  3.260

  —

  0.747

  4.483

  Richmond upon Thames

  2.440

  0.047

  0.443

  4.682

  Southwark

  13.979

  0.198

  0.285

  38.459

  Sutton

  2.027

  0.062

  0.358

  6.199

  Tower Hamlets

  14.809

  0.099

  0.275

  22.855

  Waltham Forest

  14.378

  0.120

  0.478

  9.937

  Wandsworth

  11.386

  1.500

  0.237

  14.773

  Westminster

  17.107

  —

  0.239

  11.851

  Note:

  The Annual Capital Guideline (ACG) figures for Hammersmith and Fulham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest reflect small additional allocations made to those boroughs to fulfil ministerial commitments that authorities with housing stock would receive a combined 2001–02 housing ACG and Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) allocation that was at least 10 per cent. above their 2000–01 housing ACG. The adjustments were necessary as the final MRA allocations were not known until after the Housing Investment Programme allocations had been decided.
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  will be taken on the application for alterations to Highcliffe castle to facilitate disabled access. [158468]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The application by Christchurch borough council for listed building consent to construct a temporary disabled ramp and associated works at Highcliffe castle was submitted to the Secretary of State on 15 February 2001. The Secretary of State is currently considering the issues and will ensure that the council is notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

  Housing (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the allocations of capital housing expenditure for 2001–02 for each London borough broken down into(a) repairs to local authority property, (b) repairs to regulated social landlord property, (c) new local authority build and (d) new regulated social landlord property. [158584]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The table shows the three elements of the housing capital allocations through the Housing Investment Programme and the Major Repairs Allowance allocations to London authorities for 2001–02.
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  Resources to enable local authorities to maintain their own housing stock are provided through the MRA allocations which are distributed through the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system. ACG allocations are not subdivided between repair and new building or between council and registered social landlord stock and local authorities have full discretion to use these resources to match local needs and priorities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for the latest available date for each London borough(a) the

  Households on the housing register (April 2000)

  Acceptances of homeless households in priority need (January -December 2000)

  Households in B&B accommodation (December 2000)

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,925

  278

  0

  Barnet

  5,489

  293(1)

  159

  Bexley

  3,592

  343

  73

  Brent

  1,2603

  1,169

  477

  Bromley

  3,264

  885

  139

  Camden

  5,884

  1,009

  62

  City of London

  787

  24

  34

  Croydon

  6,265

  1,668

  401

  Ealing

  7,709

  476 (3)

  337

  Enfield

  6,001

  912

  252

  Greenwich

  5,473

  1,233

  0

  Hackney

  7,011

  414 (2)

  460

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  4,726

  973

  316

  Haringey

  9,510

  1,137 (3)

  222

  Harrow

  2,610

  680

  156

  Havering

  1,738

  55 (1)

  0

  Hillingdon

  3,656

  858

  407

  Hounslow

  5,017

  1,085

  180

  Islington

  1,1590

  1,485

  132

  Kensington & Chelsea

  8,206

  612

  591

  Kingston upon Thames

  3,113

  288 (3)

  16

  Lambeth

  16,220

  1,008

  111

  Lewisham

  9,774

  891

  0

  Merton

  3,920

  178

  32

  Newham

  11,107

  1,353

  562

  Redbridge

  3,555

  430

  277

  Richmond upon Thames

  4,992

  255 (3)

  71

  Southwark

  5,543

  1,127 (3)

  257

  Sutton

  2,154

  432

  46

  Tower Hamlets

  6,751

  1,275

  145

  Waltham Forest

  7,476

  906

  85

  Wandsworth

  2,441

  628 (3)

  240

  Westminster

  8,099

  1,037

  912

  Note:

  Numbers in brackets after an entry indicate the number of quarters for which figures were reported.

  Housing Targets
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications of removing housing targets from the planning process. [158431]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Under the previous Government, long-term projections of household growth were converted using a "predict and provide" methodology into inflexible targets for new housing. This Government's approach is to enable public consideration at the regional level about the likely rate of housing provision required in a region over the foreseeable future, expressed as an annual rate, and to keep this under regular review.

  Local authorities are expected to provide sufficient land for housing but give priority to reusing previously developed land within urban areas. We have set a target
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  number of people on the housing waiting list, (b) the number of priority homeless and (c) the number of people accommodated in bed and breakfast accommodation under housing legislation. [158582]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The table shows the number of households on the housing register, the number of homeless households in priority need accepted by London authorities and the number of households accommodated in bed and breakfast accommodation by London authorities under the provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts.

  that, by 2008, 60 per cent. of additional dwellings should be provided by redevelopment of previously developed land or through conversion of existing buildings. These policies have been supported by the issue of new planning guidance on housing, (PPG3).

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on controls to prevent urban cramming in market towns. [158432]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing" advises local authorities to improve the quality of residential development by good design and layout (para 54). It further advises local authorities to have clear policies for the protection of open space and playing fields (para 53). We are presently consulting on revised guidance on planning for sport, open space and recreation (PPG17) which reinforces this message.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is Government policy to allow(a) development on green belt land and (b) a review of the green belt in certain circumstances. [158658]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Planning Policy Guidance Note 2—"Green Belts" states a presumption against most built development on land designated as green belt. It allows review of established green belts and the alteration of boundaries in exceptional circumstances. If such an alteration were proposed, the Secretary of State would then wish to be satisfied that the authority has considered opportunities for development within urban areas before allowing it to take place.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish figures for (1)(a) the number of hectares of green belt land in each region and (b) the proportion of land that is green belt in each region of the United Kingdom; [158703]

  (2) (a) the number of hectares of green belt land in each council in England and (b) the proportion of land that is green belt in each council of the United Kingdom. [158702]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Information based on digital (computerised) green belt boundaries in England has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many hectares of non-green belt greenfield land have been(a) developed on and (b) given planning permission for development, since 1 May 1997; [158704]

  (2) how many hectares of green belt land have (a) been developed and (b) given planning permission for development, since 1 May 1997. [158705]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information requested on planning permissions within and outside green belts is not available centrally. The Department's land use change statistics provide estimates of the annual aggregate change to residential use within and outside green belts in England. In 1998, the latest year for which figures are available and during which the last Government's policy guidance on housing was still operational, 2,650 hectares of 'not previously developed' land outside green belts changed to residential use. Over the same period, 140 hectares of land within green belts changed to residential use, about 0.01 per cent. of the total area of green belts.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps have been taken since May 1997 to allow open green spaces of land in built-up areas to be designated as green belt. [158664]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Designation of land as green belt is a matter for local planning authorities having regard to the advice in Planning Policy Guidance Note 2—Green Belts. Advice on designation of land as green belt has not changed since the publication of the January 1995 edition of PPG2.
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  The Government have recently issued for consultation a revision of PPG17—Sport, Open Space and Recreation, which emphasises the need to safeguard existing urban open spaces and to supplement provision where appropriate.

  Business Rate Revaluation
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the rateable value thresholds for mandatory rate relief following the recent business rate revaluation. [158669]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Rateable value thresholds for mandatory rate relief were increased on 1 April 2000, when the recent business rate revaluation came into effect. The rateable value thresholds under the village shop rate relief scheme were increased from £5,000 to £6,000 for mandatory relief and from £10,000 to £12,000 for discretionary relief. The rateable value threshold below which rates are not payable on empty properties was increased from £1,500 to £1,900. These increases reflect average changes in the rateable values of properties below the old thresholds. The £2,500 reduction in rateable value of properties used for the breeding and rearing of horses and ponies remained unchanged at the 1 April 2000 revaluation, because there was no significant change in the rateable values of such properties.

  Construction (Local Source Materials)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to allow councils to place conditions on planning permission to require materials to be constructed from local sources. [158667]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is for local planning authorities in the first instance to decide on specific planning conditions. The advice in DOE Circular 11/95—The Use of Conditions in Planning Permissions—is that the use of conditions may be acceptable to secure a high quality of design in a proposal to make a positive contribution to a site and its surroundings and show consideration for its local context. Conditions may, for example, specify matching materials or the use of only original materials on listed buildings but the source of materials is a matter for the developer or builder.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on drawing up a national register of contaminated land. [158698]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Under Part HA of the Environment Protection Act 1990, which came into force in England in April 2000, each local authority with borough or district functions has a duty to"cause its area to be inspected from time to time for the purpose of identifying contaminated land".
  Statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires each local authority to take a strategic approach to carrying out this inspection function, and to describe its own particular approach in a written strategy. Under the guidance, these written strategies are required to be

  77W
  published by 20 June 2001. As at the beginning of April this year, the Environment Agency was able to confirm that at least 91 per cent. of authorities had work in hand to develop their inspection strategies.

  In any case where a local authority formally identifies any land as being contaminated land for the purposes of the Part IIA regime, either that authority or, in some cases, the Environment Agency, has a duty to ensure that appropriate remediation is carried out. Each local authority is required by section 78R of the 1990 Act to maintain a register of details of remediation carried out on contaminated land in its area. The Environment Agency has a parallel duty to compile a register of remediation on sites for which it is the enforcing authority. Part IIA does not, however, include any provisions establishing a single national register.

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of derelict land there are in(a) England, (b) the North West Region and (c) Halton; and what percentage of derelict land in (i) the North West Region and (ii) Halton is contaminated. [158500]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The most recent estimates from the National Land Use Database show that, in 1998, the area of derelict land and buildings was 19,340 hectares in England, 3,400 hectares in the North West Government Office region and 31 hectares in Halton. Information on how much of this land is contaminated is not available.

  Local Planning System
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to extend the local planning system to(a) forestry and agriculture (b) bulldozed tracks, (c) power stations and (d) overhead power lines. [158666]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  None. Power stations over 50 MW and most overhead electric lines are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the. Electricity Act 1989.

  Transport Supplementary Grants
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the allocation of local authorities' transport supplementary grants are linked to air quality standards. [158661]

  Mr. Hill
  Capital resources for local authorities for local transport improvements, including transport supplementary grant, are provided through the Local Transport Plan regime.

  Our guidance to authorities on Local Transport Plans (LTPs) makes clear that allocations will be determined by an assessment of the needs and priorities established in the plans and the extent to which the LTP is likely to provide value for money in delivering its integrated transport objectives. It also recognises that air quality is likely to be one of the major factors influencing the objectives and strategies contained within LTPs, particularly in large urban areas.

  The Environment Act 1995 requires authorities to review and assess local air quality to determine whether the national air quality objectives are likely to be met,
  78W
  and where this is unlikely, to designate air quality management areas and prepare action plans setting out the steps they propose to take in pursuit of them. Our guidance on LTPs makes clear that where an air quality management area has been declared, LTPs should include measures to improve air quality. In order to maximise the effectiveness of both air quality action plans and LTPs, the two should produced in a co-ordinated manner.

  Authorities submitted their first full Local Transport Plans last July. Authorities will be submitting their first annual progress reports later this year and we shall be monitoring closely their progress against the targets set in their LTPs, including those related to air quality standards.

  Pollution Charges
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made since May 1997 on the establishing of pollution charges on the main air, land and water pollutants. [158659]

  Mr. Hill
  The Environment Agency inherited from its predecessor bodies charging regimes for integrated pollution control, radioactive substances regulation, waste management licensing and discharges to controlled waters. It has implemented an interim charging scheme for the new Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) regulatory regime, which came into effect in 2000. The agency is currently working on a long-term scheme for PPC and on a revision to the waste management licensing charging scheme, so that it reflects a risk-based approach to inspections.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incinerators will need to be constructed over the next 10 years under the Government's waste strategy. [158706]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Government set out their aims and objectives for sustainable waste management in "Waste Strategy 2000", published in May 2000.

  The choice of waste facilities is for local councils to take in consultation with their local communities. The Government have no plan for any particular number of incinerators, but recognise that the recovery of energy from waste may have a role to play, alongside recycling and composting, in an integrated waste management plan.

  Dog Fouling Byelaws
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if local authorities have power to introduce byelaws against dog fouling without the prior approval of his Department. [158663]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Local authorities do not have the power to introduce dog fouling byelaws without obtaining this Department's approval. However, local authorities can designate areas where it will be an offence for failing to clear up after one's dog under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. In such cases, dog wardens are able to issue fixed penalties of £25 to offenders or
  79W
  take them to court where the maximum fine on conviction would be £1,000, whereas under byelaws the maximum fine is £500.

  Commercial Premises Lighting
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on bringing lighting on commercial premises under local authority planning control. [158700]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Where proposed lighting installations, or proposals involving lighting, constitute development, they fall within the scope of planning control, and require submission of a planning application to the local planning authority in the usual way. Where they decide to approve an application, local planning authorities can impose planning conditions to limit any adverse impacts of light. However, the installation of some lighting does not constitute development—for example, if it does not materially affect the appearance of the building—and is therefore outside planning control. The courts have ruled that light itself cannot be treated as development. We have no plans to change the position.

  Minewater
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken since May 1997 to prevent the discharges of minewater from abandoned mines. [158699]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Government are committed to controlling pollution from abandoned mines and have both strengthened the regulatory regime concerning abandoned mines and supported works and programmes to address minewater pollution. Under the Mines (Notice of Abandonment) Regulations 1998 operators must now give the Environment Agency advance warning of any proposed abandonment to allow preventive action to be taken to avoid minewater breakouts. In addition, the Government have brought into effect section 60 of the Environment Act 1995, thus removing a statutory defence for owners and former operators of mines for minewater pollution, and have given the Environment Agency new powers to take remedial action under the Anti-Pollution Works Regulations 1999. Among the specific remedial and preventative schemes supported by the Government are programmes operated by the Coal Authority in close liaison with the Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency to prevent and treat significant water pollution from abandoned coal mines. Twelve treatment sites are now working and five others are under construction with a forward programme for four sites each year.

  Eco-labels
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that products tested on animals are not able to secure an eco-label. [158697]

  Mr. Meacher
  The only eco-labelling scheme administered in this country by the Secretary of State is the European Union eco-label. A company wishing to obtain a licence to use that label must ensure that its product satisfies the technical criteria applying to that type 80W
  of product. The criteria are agreed between the member states, following consultation with interested parties, and then adopted and published by the European Commission. The regulation governing the scheme requires that the technical criteria relate only to the environmental impacts of the type of product concerned and its functional fitness for use; and, as the scheme must operate consistently across the single market, no additional requirements for the licensing of the label may be imposed at a national level. However, the scheme must also operate without prejudice to other requirements of EU or national law on relevant product issues, which may include animal testing, and which determine which products may actually be placed on the market.

  Urban Trees (Cabling)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to prevent trees in urban areas being destroyed by cabling operations. [158665]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The utilities, including cable companies, are already signed up to guidelines—NJUG10 ("Guidelines for the planning, installation and maintenance of utility services in proximity to trees")—designed to ensure that they carry out their works without damaging trees unnecessarily.

  The key messages of NJUG10 have also been reinforced in a code of practice, included in the Department's "Tree Preservation Orders—A guide to the law and good practice". This further encourages good street works practice and effective consultation between utility operators and local authority tree officers.

  Local Authorities (Prompt Payment)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage more prompt payment of bills by local authorities. [158670]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government have set a statutory best value performance indicator requiring local authorities to monitor the percentage of invoices paid on time, and to publish this figure in their annual performance plan. Authorities are expected to set targets that are consistent with our own standards for central Government, whereby 100 per cent. of invoices must be paid on time by the end of the financial year 2002–03.

  European Drinking Water and Bathing Water Standards
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which parts of the United Kingdom have failed to meet European drinking water and bathing water standards since May 1997. [158657]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  At least 3 million tests are done on public drinking water supplies each year, for a variety of potential contaminants. Since 1997, rates of failure to meet the relevant national standards (which are in some cases more stringent than those required under the EC Drinking Water Directive) have been as follows (figures for 2000 are not yet available).
  81W

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  England and Wales

  0.25

  0.22

  0.18

  Scotland

  1.70

  1.41

  0.96

  Northern Ireland

  1.11

  1.14

  1.05

  In the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, 57, 56, 47 and 33 UK bathing waters, respectively, failed to meet the relevant mandatory standards set in the EC Bathing Water Directive. Names and locations are included in the 'Bathing Water Directive—Detailed Summary of UK Survey Results' for each year, which have been placed in the Library.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to allow councils to place conditions on planning permission to require buildings to optimise energy conservation. [158668]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is for local planning authorities in the first instance to decide on specific planning conditions. Advice is given in. DOE Circular 11/95—The Use of Conditions in Planning Permissions. This indicates that planning conditions which duplicate the effect of other controls are normally unnecessary. The conservation of Fuel and power is covered by Part L of the Building Regulations.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to reverse the presumption in planning policy in favour of opencast mining. [158662]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A presumption in favour of opencast coal mining was introduced by a Conservative Administration in May 1988. This Government fulfilled their pre-election commitment to reverse the presumption in favour of opencast coal mining by issuing revised Mineral Planning Guidance on Coal (MPG3 (revised) March 1999) which advises that there should be a presumption against new coal mining development unless the proposal is environmentally acceptable (or could be made so by planning conditions or obligations) or would provide overriding local or community benefits.

  Waterways
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reform riparian rights for those wishing to use Britain's waterways for leisure. [158437]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  We currently have no plans to reform riparian rights. After discussion with the main interest groups, we made a commitment to commission research into the extent of access to waterways for leisure activities. That contract was recently awarded to the University of Brighton. The results of the research will inform the future development of our policies for water-based leisure.

  Planning Policy Guidance 7
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on major developments in(a) the area of national parks and (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty in respect of the provisions of paragraph 3.21 of PPG7. [158389]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  PPG7 makes it clear that major developments should not take place in national parks save in the most exceptional circumstances. Such developments will need to demonstrate that they are in the public interest before they proceed. All such applications for development are subject to rigorous examination and will be subject to the specific assessments set out in paragraph 4.5 of PPG7. The Government have made it clear that they expect the same considerations to apply for proposals for major developments in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

  Paragraph 3.21 of PPG7 indicates that new house building and other new development in open countryside, away from established settlements or from areas allocated for development in development plans, should be strictly controlled. But this paragraph also includes policy which would exceptionally allow individual isolated new houses to be built in the countryside if the proposals were of the highest quality and truly outstanding in terms of architecture and landscape design.

  The Government believe that there is a need for more affordable housing in rural areas, and do not see the current planning exception for isolated large dwellings which may be built in unsustainable locations as consistent with that priority, or with its objectives for the countryside more generally. We therefore intend to consult on amendments to PPG7 to remove the exceptions policy which allows such large dwellings to be built.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the amount of overhanging debt which has been written off by central Government for each local authority which has transferred its housing stock to a registered social landlord in each of the past three years, (b) the total estimated amount of overhanging debt which will be written off in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and (c) the budget heads under which these amounts are specified. [158214]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  A local authority is required to use the capital receipt from the transfer of its housing stock to repay the debt attributable to that stock. Where this is insufficient the Department will provide a one-off payment to assist the authority repay the debt. The capital receipt must, however, first cover any premiums payable to the Public Works Loan Board on the early repayment of the loans.

  To date, four one-off payments have been made. In 1999–2000 £20.99 million was paid to Burnley. In 2000–01 payments were made to Coventry (£111.68 million) Calderdale (£64.59 million) and Blackburn with Darwen (£78.9 million). Estimates for any future one-off payments will depend upon the housing stock transfer programme for the years concerned. Any resources required for the one-off payments will be held in the DETR Housing Budget.
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  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the level of housing revenue account debt for each local authority in England. [158213]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The information has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to subsidise local authorities, debt breakage costs where, following a large scale voluntary stock transfer, their capital receipt does not cover the full amount. [158212]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  We currently have no plans.

  Residential Developments
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is concerning suburban and brown belt residential developments which increase the number of units of accommodation on the same site; what instructions and guidance he gives to inspectors appointed to preside over planning appeals in such cases; and if such instructions and guidance changed in the last four years. [158217]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Government policy on planning for housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing" (March 2000). PPG3 encourages local authorities and developers to"think imaginatively about designs and layouts which make more efficient use of land without compromising the quality of the environment".
  It further emphasises that local authorities should create places which are attractive, and respect and enhance local character (paras 54–56).

  Planning Inspectors are fully briefed on PPG3 and other aspects of planning policy. No additional guidance has been issued to inspectors relating to residential developments which might increase the density of dwellings on a site. They take into account all relevant material considerations when considering planning appeals under the procedural rules that govern the handling of appeals. Revised rules were published in June 2000.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the response he has received to his consultation on the control of noise from civil aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [158573]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  My Department received some 590 responses to this detailed consultation. They are currently being studied. We shall announce our conclusions in due course. Copies of the individual responses will be made available for inspection, by arrangement, at the Department's offices, except where consent to disclosure has been explicitly withheld.

  Coalfield Regeneration
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what 84W
  comparative weight his Department attaches to planning applications which could have an economic regeneration impact in former colliery sites. [158274]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act requires that an application for planning permission or an appeal shall be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Other considerations may include Government planning policy guidance, as well as the particular circumstances of the case, including the contribution a proposal could make to economic regeneration.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has provided to local planning authorities in relation to the regeneration of former colliery sites. [158276]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  No specific guidance has been issued to local planning authorities in relation to the regeneration of former colliery sites. The Government stated in response to the report of the Coalfields Task Force that sufficient flexibility already exists in national planning guidance to permit the development of carefully selected employment sites.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken, and what new initiatives he proposes, to bring about the regeneration of former colliery sites in the Yorkshire area. [158277]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Twenty-eight former colliery sites, covering in excess of 1,200 hectares, are located in Yorkshire. 26 of these are within the portfolio of Yorkshire Forward. The reclamation and servicing of these sites is being taken forward through the 10-year National Coalfield Programme.

  Work has already commenced on 16 of the Yorkshire sites. To date 247 hectares of derelict land has been reclaimed, with a further 286 hectares in the process of being reclaimed; 2,400 job opportunities have been created; about 60,000 sq m of floorspace constructed and £40 million of private sector investment secured. Reclamation work on a further four of the sites is expected to commence during the current year.

  The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has provided over £4.3 million in grants to the coalfields communities in the Yorkshire region. The Trust provides grants for smaller voluntary and community groups, through its development worker team, to help strengthen community identities. It also supports intermediate labour market projects that involve the training and employment of local people—projects that support lifelong learning. Following the Government's recent decision to provide an additional £45 million to the trust over the three years to March 2005, the trust is developing rolling regional plans to ensure that its actions meet regional needs. The trust will allow the trust to maintain and develop further its key role in combating poverty, debt and social exclusion in the former coalfield areas.

  In addition to these coalfield-specific programmes a range of national programmes directly benefit the coalmining communities in Yorkshire, including the Single Regeneration Budget, the Housing Investment Programme and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The

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  Single Regeneration Budget alone has provided over £100 million to deliver a holistic regeneration package across these coalfield areas.

  Tudor Court School
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 6 April 2001,Official Report, column 321W, if the Health and Safety Executive will visit the site of the subsidence at Tudor Court School to ascertain that sufficient safety precautions have also been taken in relation to the abutting highway and neighbouring residential properties, and that its requirement to make the subsidence area safe, has been adhered to satisfactorily. [158383]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) intends to visit Tudor Court School before the start of the summer term. The HSE has been in contact with the Highways Authority and the Building Control Department of Thurrock council about concerns over subsidence in neighbouring areas. They enforce the relevant legislation.

  Euratom
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many verification missions Euratom has made to United Kingdom nuclear facilities, pursuant to article 35 of the Euratom Treaty since the United Kingdom joined the Treaty; and if he will list the plants involved and date of visit to each. [158429]

  Mr. Meacher
  The European Commission has undertaken four verification visits to UK nuclear plants under the terms of article 35 of the Euratom Treaty as follows:Dounreay 10–14 May 1993
  Sellafield 6–10 December 1993
  Dounreay 15–18 March 1999
  Dungeness 6–10 November 2000.

DEFENCE

  Defence Contracts
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the value of defence contracts in the north-west since 1997. [156937]

  Dr. Moonie
  Over 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year and the Ministry of Defence does not routinely analyse all of these on a regional basis. However, it is estimated that the value of defence equipment contracts placed in the north-west of England was £850 million in financial year 1997–98 and £1,200 million in 1998–99. These estimates relate to the locations of defence equipment contractors, and do not take account of the locations of sub-contractors.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he makes concerning employment in manufacturing in the UK when making defence procurement decisions. [156952]
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  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that our armed forces have the right equipment, procured in a cost-effective manner that offers the best value for money. When making defence procurement decisions a wide range of factors are taken into account, including possible effects on employment in the UK.

  European Security and Defence Policy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress towards the Headline Goal on European Defence. [156943]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK and France announced at Cahors in February the proposal to hold a second EU Capabilities Conference in the autumn. At this Conference, EU member states will identify and commit to the improvements needed to achieve the level of capability set out in the Headline Goal.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the French Defence Minister to discuss UK and French contributions to European Security and Defence Policy. [156957]

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the French Defence Minister to discuss the European Security and Defence Policy. [156963]

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning the European Security and Defence Policy. [156965]

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the European Security and Defence Policy. [156928]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Members for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) and for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 12.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the NATO Secretary General to discuss European Security and Defence Policy. [156958]

  Mr. Hoon
  I last discussed European Security and Defence Policy with Lord Robertson at the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers session on 5-6 December 2000.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define the phrase "pursuit of efforts" used in the presidency report of the European Security and Defence Policy at Nice, in the area of(a) command and control, (b) intelligence and (c) strategic lift under section I(i); and if he will make a statement. [158309]

  Mr. Hoon
  European Security and Defence Policy is about improving European military capability. The European Council at Helsinki decided to develop collective capability goals in the fields of command and control, intelligence and strategic transport. As with the Headline Goal, the European Council at Nice noted efforts made by member states to define and achieve these goals. Member states committed themselves to pursuing efforts to develop and improve these capabilities. They also agreed to take steps to ensure the coherent development of EU and NATO capabilities where they overlap.
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  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Reserve Forces in the context of the European Security and Defence Policy commitments. [158316]

  Mr. Hoon
  UK participation in any particular operation, and the nature of our contribution (including any potential use of the Reserve Forces), would be matters for decision by the UK Government in the light of circumstances at the time.

  Our aim in restructuring the Reserve Forces, particularly for the Territorial Army, was to make it more integrated with regular forces and defence plans, with a shift in emphasis away from traditional home defence roles, to others such as signallers, artillery, air defence, logisticians and particularly medical services.

  The number deployed with regulars would depend on the nature and scale of the operation.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the costs of upgrading EU armed forces to comply with the strategic capability requirements as identified in the Presidency report on the European Security and Defence Policy. [158315]

  Mr. Hoon
  The EU has set itself a target for military capability improvements under the Headline Goal. Commitments by individual nations to meet the targets that they have signed up to are a matter for those nations, as are the ways by which these are achieved.

  Many European nations are undertaking restructuring programmes and defence reviews. Defence reviews help to identify the areas where re-prioritisation of defence spending can bring about more effective defence outputs. Improvement in capabilities is not just about spending more money, but spending more effectively.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define peacemaking as established under the actions of the European Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement. [158308]

  Mr. Hoon
  The establishing of conditions for negotiating peace through the disengagement of the warring parties and their withdrawal from a demilitarised zone has been endorsed by EU Ministers as suitable for an EU led force. In this, as in other scenarios, it is assumed that the EU would be acting militarily in accordance with the UN Charter.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on changes to(a) his Department's and (b) NATO's practice in the context of the transparency of comparison of Governments identified in the Appendix to Annexe 1 of the Nice Presidency Guidelines on the European Security and Defence Policy. [158317]

  Mr. Hoon
  Transparency is necessary to stimulate capability improvement among EU member states, and to ensure coherence with NATO defence planning and Partnership for Peace (PfP) Planning and Review Process (PARP).

  There have been no significant changes in departmental practice to ensure transparency as identified in Annexe 1 of the Nice Presidency Report on the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

  KFOR
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of KFOR. [156945]

  Mr. Spellar
  NATO forms the core of the international peacekeeping mission to Kosovo in which some 43,000 military personnel from 39 countries are deployed. The mission is seeking to build a secure environment within Kosovo in which all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic origins, can live in peace and, with international aid, democracy can begin to grow.

  KFOR's mandate comes from UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 12 June 1999 and is guided by a Military Technical Agreement signed by NATO and Yugoslav commanders on 9 June 1999.

  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the number of British troops deployed in Kosovo. [156962]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 17 April, there were 3,343 British troops deployed to KFOR.

  Armed Forces (Training)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the training provided by British armed forces to the armed forces of other countries. [156949]

  Mr. Spellar
  Our armed forces provide a wide range of training, both in the UK and abroad, to those of other countries. This training is a key element of our relationship with many countries. It is an integral part of UK defence policy and makes an important contribution to the Government's conflict prevention initiative.

  Operational Commitment
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the level of operational commitment of the armed forces is. [156950]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 1 March 2001, some 22 per cent. of the trained Army were committed to operations. This compares favourably to the figure of 26 per cent. that we inherited on 1 May 1997.

  For the other Services, 10 per cent. of the Naval Service were committed to operations as at 1 January this year; this figure, which is the latest available, reflects the position over the Christmas and New Year break. For the RAF 10 per cent. of the trained strength was committed to operations as at 1 March this year. Unfortunately, for the Naval Service and RAF comparable figures for 1 May 1997 are not available.

  NATO (Nuclear Weapons Policy)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will request NATO to review its nuclear weapons policy. [156951]

  Mr. Hoon
  NATO's 1999 Strategic Concept emphasised that the Alliance's nuclear forces will continue to play an essential part in preserving peace and preventing coercion, and will be maintained at the minimum level necessary to ensure credible deterrence. I see no reason to request a further review of that position.

  Defence Co-operation (France)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on defence co-operation with France. [156953]

  Mr. Hoon
  Co-operation between France and the UK on defence matters is very good. This is emphasised by important bilateral agreements, including navy to navy and army to army Letters of Intent (LOI); an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) covering the European Air Group; a LOI on co-operation in crisis management and operations; and a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement.

  These agreements cover a wide range of activity and build on already close defence links and successful combined operations e.g. Bosnia, West Africa, Kosovo.

  Other areas of co-operation include the Franco British Joint Commission on Peacekeeping, established in 1996; joint work to develop and better co-ordinate our activities in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.

  New areas of co-operation that we are considering, as part of the UK's multinational defence co-operation initiative, include fuel supplies, medical issues, arms control and Combat Search and Rescue, and will further strengthen our bilateral relationship.

  Throckmorton Airfield
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his long-term plans for the use of Throckmorton airfield in Worcestershire. [156954]

  Dr. Moonie
  The site is used as an outdoor 'quiet electromagnetic test range' for testing technologies developed at the associated DERA site at Malvern, the main benefit being the large amount of open space available. It is envisaged that this activity will continue into the foreseeable future. Several commercial tenants currently use the former hangars for business activity—employing about 100 local people in total—and the option to further develop this activity exists.

  A part of the site is currently being used by MAFF in support of foot and mouth related activities. It is not anticipated that this usage will have any impact on long-term plans for the site, which offers a brown field location that has the potential to be used, in full or part, to assist in the economic development and prosperity of this region. DERA continues to discuss with both Regional and Local government representatives possible future developments in the context of the County and Local Structure Plans.

  It is intended that Throckmorton airfield, now known as DERA Pershore, becomes part of NewDERA plc on 1 July 2001.

  Compensation
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many compensation claims from ex-service personnel are outstanding against his Department. [156956]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence claims database does not distinguish between claims from former and serving members of the armed forces. The total number of outstanding claims from serving and former Service personnel against the Ministry of Defence is 2,341.

  Defence Establishments (Shoeburyness)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in providing employment and promoting development on the defence establishments in Shoeburyness. [156959]

  Dr. Moonie
  As a consequence of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, operations at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range, Shoeburyness, known also as New Ranges, will be carried out by NewDERA under an arrangement which is currently being negotiated. The intention is that NewDERA will have the flexibility to conduct operations on ranges while meeting the needs of the Ministry of Defence and maintaining value for money for the taxpayer. Meanwhile DERA is continuing to work with SERCO Ltd. to rationalise the New Ranges estate to introduce new businesses which are able to co-exist with continuing range activities. There are currently 10 tenants on the site and this number is expected to increase. Recent new tenants include two from the transport industry. Old Ranges at Shoeburyness was sold in March 2000 to Gladedale Homes Ltd. and the Ministry of Defence has no further interest in the site.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to deploy the Territorial Army to assist in combating the foot and mouth outbreak. [156960]

  Mr. Hoon
  Individual members of the Territorial Army are already engaged in combating the foot and mouth outbreak in affected parts of the country. This is on a voluntary basis. Generally, their engagement is during their allocated Territorial Army time, that is the weekends and weekday evenings they would ordinarily spend on TA duty.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) prior to the present outbreak of foot and mouth, what contingency plan his Department had for providing military assistance to the civil power in combating foot and mouth; and when this plan was last updated; [158332]

  (2) if, prior to the present outbreak of foot and mouth, his Department had received a request to prepare a contingency plan for providing military assistance to the civil power in combating foot and mouth based on achieving a maximum of 24 hours between detection and slaughter anywhere in the United Kingdom. [158307]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are well-established procedures in place to enable civil authorities to raise requests for military assistance in a wide variety of circumstance. Other Government Departments are aware of these arrangements, and they were implemented rapidly and effectively during the current outbreak of the disease. The procedures ensure that past experience and the current capabilities of the armed forces are drawn upon in order to make the most effective and appropriate contribution to crisis management and (in this case) combating the spread of the disease. In particular, the armed forces are skilled practitioners in a number of important roles such as logistic support and command and control. These skills are exercised on a regular basis and, in the event of a crisis, their high state of readiness can be drawn upon.

  Army Manpower
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the manpower strength is of the Army. [156961]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 1 March 2001, the full-time trained strength of the Army was 100,199 and the size of the Territorial Army was 40,684.

  NATO
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet the United States Secretary of Defence to discuss issues of mutual interest concerning NATO; and if he will make a statement. [156964]

  Mr. Hoon
  I next plan to meet Secretary Rumsfeld at the NATO Defence Ministerials in Brussels between 6–8 June.

  Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which individuals and competencies were represented on the Baton Rounds Steering Group; when this body was created; what its annual budget is; and what meetings and correspondence the Group has had with the body set up as a result of the Patten Commission recommendation to commission urgent research to develop an alternative to the plastic baton round. [158053]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Baton Rounds Steering Group which has now been wound up, comprised representatives of the police, the Home Office (including scientific advice), the Ministry of Defence (both military and scientific) and the Northern Ireland Office. It is not our practice to name individual members of committees or officials. The group itself held no budget.

  As the work of the Baton Rounds Steering Group had largely been completed prior to the establishment of the project group looking at alternatives to the baton round, no formal meetings or correspondence between the two took place. But, as the majority of the organisations represented on the "Alternatives to Baton Rounds" project group were also represented on the Baton Rounds Steering Group, any relevant information was routinely shared.

  Defence Assets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list UK assets identified in the Force catalogue under the Helsinki Headline Goal; and if he will list those assets therein which are(a) double and (b) multiple-hatted to (i) the UN, (ii) NATO, (iii) other bodies and (iv) standing tasks. [158314]

  Mr. Hoon
  As announced on 20 November 2000, in the maximum scale operation envisaged at Helsinki—a corps level deployment of up to 60,000 troops—the UK component could be around 12,500 strong. Maritime and air deployments of up to 18 warships and 72 combat aircraft could be made in addition.

  The pool of forces identified by the UK provides for an element of choice in order to cater for differing operational, political or geographical circumstances, and the major elements are as follows:
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  Land

  Either an Armoured or Mechanised brigade, each of which could be sustained for at least a year or an Air Assault brigade which would be deployed for up to six months. Combat Support enabling capabilities such as Artillery, and Short Range Air Defence, and Attack Helicopters could be deployed in addition, supported by the appropriate complement of logistic enablers and national support troops.

  Maritime

  Maritime forces comprising one aircraft carrier, two nuclear powered submarines, deployment of up to four destroyers/frigates, support vessels; and an amphibious task group, including one helicopter landing platform and an amphibious brigade. The aircraft carrier, helicopter landing platform and submarines could not necessarily be sustained continuously for a whole year.

  Air

  Up to 72 combat aircraft (including Sea Harriers), with associated support aircraft including strategic transport. This number would be available for six months to cover initial theatre entry. For a longer term commitment the total would reduce.

  All the pool of forces and capabilities which the UK has identified in response to the EU' s Headline Goal, are also potentially available to NATO (for which a range of other forces are also available).

  The UK does not earmark troops for use by the UN or other bodies. However under the UN's Standby Arrangements System, designed to facilitate the rapid deployment of forces once political decisions have been made, we have declared a range of capabilities from the UK Joint Rapid Reaction Force as potentially available for peacekeeping operations. This was undertaken in a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and the UN.

  The forces declared as potentially available for an EU-led operation ate not committed to current standing tasks.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those occasions since May 1997 on which defence assets were(a) hired out and (b) loaned to a private (i) company and (ii) individual; and if he will make a statement on his policy thereon. [156972]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence (MOD) places some 50,000 contracts a year, many of which involve the loan of defence assets in aid of the contract. Under the terms of exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information details regarding the hire or loan of defence equipment could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  It is MOD's general policy to raise charges for any equipment that is loaned out to private companies or individuals. These charges are normally raised at a level that ensures MOD's costs are recovered.

  Tornado
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the investigation into allegations of accounting irregularities and financial malpractice on the Tornado maintenance
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  programme; how many Defence Police Fraud Squad officers were attached to the case; when investigations will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [157593]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to my answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 635W. This remains an operational policing matter. I understand that varying numbers of officers have been assigned to the investigation at different stages. The Ministry of Defence Police Fraud Squad are currently awaiting the results of inquiries which it is hoped will enable them to take the investigation forward. At this stage it is not possible to predict when it is likely to be completed.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Tornado GR1/GR4 fleet are operationally deployable; what percentage of the fleet this represents; and if he will make a statement. [157589]

  Mr. Spellar
  122 of a total of 181, or 67 per cent. of Tornado GR1/GR4 aircraft in the active fleet are allocated to the front line. Of these, all are potentially capable of being deployed. The specific numbers available vary from day-to-day depending on aircraft serviceability. However, there are sufficient aircraft of both marks of Tornado to meet current operational, training and immediate readiness requirements.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the scheduled deployments for the Tornado GR4 for the next year; indicating in each case the date and duration of development and the number of aircraft to be deployed; and if he will make a statement. [157639]

  Mr. Spellar
  Tornado GR4 aircraft are scheduled to undertake the following major deployments in the year from 1 April 2001. The number of aircraft in each deployment is shown in brackets:Various exercises, United States and Canada, 9 February to I October 2001—(9)
  NATO Air Meet, Oerland, Norway 3–14 September 2001—(6)
  Ex SAIF SAREEA, Oman, 16 September to 30 October 2001—(12)
  Ex STRONG RESOLVE, Bodo, Norway, 1–15 March 2002—(12)

  Note:

  The nine Tornados deployed to North America will be used by a number of squadrons in rotation.

  Royal Navy Shore Establishments
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 253W, which Royal Navy shore establishments are under review with respect to possible amalgamation or closure. [158526]

  Mr. Spellar
  A comprehensive review of the utilisation of the Royal Navy's training estate has identified possible efficiencies but is not yet fully complete and requires further work. This work is being taken forward, in conjunction with proposals for the rationalisation of specialist training which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced in the House as part of the Defence Training Review on 27 March 2001,Official Report, columns 545–46W, to determine the optimum mix of shore establishments to meet the training
  94W
  needs of the Royal Navy. It is not possible to confirm which establishments might be affected until this further work has been completed.

  As I announced in a written answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 30 March 2001, Official Report, column 788W, formal consultation is currently under way with the departmental trade unions regarding the proposed streamlining and re-location to Portsmouth of elements of the Commander in Chief Fleet's Headquarters from Northwood as a result of the Fleet First study. No decision will be taken on the re-location until the formal consultation process is complete. Comments have been invited from the unions by 15 May 2001.

  Royal Navy Training Estate
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of the Royal Navy's study of its training estate in the Library. [158527]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) initiated a comprehensive study of the Royal Navy's Training Estate in association with KPMG Consultants in 2000. The initial conclusions are being reviewed in light of the findings of the Defence Training Review which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 27 March 2001,Official Report, columns 545–46W, and the proposals for the future fleet HQ which is currently undergoing the formal consultation process. I shall write to the hon. Member once the review of the study's initial conclusions is complete.

  DMSO Solvent Experiments
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service volunteers have been exposed to the solvent DMSO in experiments since 1990 at the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down; what the purpose was of these experiments; in what years these experiments took place; what the conclusions were of these experiments; on what dates the Independent Ethics Committee scrutinised these experiments; and if he will place in the Library copies of the technical reports which arose out of these experiments. [157328]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since 1990, the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down has undertaken studies in which 25 service volunteers were exposed to small amounts of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). The two protocols covering this work were submitted to the Ethical Subgroup of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee (DSAC) Medical Committee in November 1989 and April 1990, respectively. The studies were designed to investigate whether DMSO could be used as a chemical warfare agent simulant (training agent). Volunteers were exposed to either DMSO applied as a liquid to the skin or as an inhaled vapour. The quantity of the metabolite dimethylsulphide (DMS) exhaled on their breath was measured.

  The results of these studies have not been written up in any technical reports but the assessment was that DMSO was not suitable for the requirement.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which buildings and premises(a) owned and (b) leased by his Department use (i) chlorofluorocarbons and (ii) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other energy needs; and if he will give details of such use and the reasons for it. [153012]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: This information is not held centrally in the form requested and will take a little time to compile. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent his Department's building in Whitehall uses hydrofluorocarbons for(a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons. [153014]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: As far as can be ascertained from our records, minimal use of hydrofluorocarbons is currently made in the operation of Main Building, Whitehall. Known uses include small scale refrigeration equipment, small air conditioning units and drinking water coolers. Only very small amounts of hydrofluorocarbons would have been purchased since 1995. We have no current plans to phase out the purchase or use of hydrofluorocarbons in Main Building. However, any use of hydrofluorocarbons in relating to operating the building will continue to follow the Government policy laid down in Climate Change the UK Programme (November 2000).

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of(a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other energy needs of buildings and premises (i) owned and (ii) leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153013]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: It is the policy of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that hydrocarbons and other environmentally benign refrigerants will be routinely considered as replacements for ozone depleting substances both in existing and new refrigeration applications in MOD buildings and premises. These refrigerants will be utilised wherever they provide an acceptable solution in terms of safety, technical feasibility and efficiency.

  Training Rounds
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training rounds were used by(a) RAF and (a) Fleet Air Arm pilots, by aircraft type, in the last 12 months. [156976]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if all the documents in his Department relating to 96W
  the official inquiry in 1970 into allegations that the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment had experimented on old people have been placed in the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement. [157304]

  Dr. Moonie
  No, but we are in the process of transferring these to the Public Record Office.

  Defence Committees (UK Membership)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the UK contribution to staffing(a) the Political and Security Committee, (b) the Military Committee of the European Union and (c) the Military Staff of the European Union. [158323]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the EU is composed of national representatives of senior/ambassadorial level dealing with all aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the Common European Security and Defence Policy (CESDP). Each of the EU member states (including the UK) has a representative.

  The EU Military Committee is composed of the EU member states' Chiefs of Defence, represented on a day-to-day basis by a national military representative, based in Brussels. It gives military advice and makes recommendations to the PSC, and provides military direction to the Military Staff.

  The EU Military Staff will provide military expertise and support to the CESDP. The Military Staff posts are still in the process of being filled. The UK will hold 13 of the 135 posts, including the Deputy Director General of the EUMS.

  EU Deployment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the way in which his Department will hand over data to the European Union military staff for identifying possible assets for EU deployment. [158324]

  Mr. Hoon
  Information is passed to the European Union Military Staff in accordance with the appropriate security regulations and procedures.

  The UK has identified a range of forces and capabilities it could contribute to the achievement of the EU's Headline Goal. Deployment of forces for a particular operation will depend on a national decision in light of circumstances at the time.

  Fleet Capability
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fleet size is of(a) Hercules C1, (b) Hercules C3, (c) Hercules C4 and (d) Hercules C5; how many on 1 April were (i) fully serviceable, (ii) unserviceable 1 line, (iii) unserviceable 2 line, (iv) unserviceable 3/4 line, (v) on trials, (vi) held in reserve and (vii) undergoing upgrade; what percentage of the fleet this represents for each category; and if he will make a statement. [157605]

  Mr. Spellar
  Figures are not available for 1 April which was a Sunday. I will write to the right hon. and learned Member regarding general availability of the Hercules fleet.

  Hercules C130J
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hercules Cl30J are in service with the RAF; when they received military aircraft release; and if he will make a statement. [157641]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 6 April, 15 of the 25 Hercules C-130J aircraft ordered were in service with the RAF, and a further two aircraft were in the process of being accepted from the Contractor. Initial Military Aircraft Release was issued on 17 January 2000. The aircraft are currently cleared for strategic (cargo transportation) operations. A revised Military Aircraft Release covering tactical operations (cargo and paratroop aerial delivery) is planned for mid 2002.

  UK Nuclear Defence Policy
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the United Kingdom's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States of America. [158100]

  Mr. Hoon
  The United Kingdom's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are fully compatible with the terms of the 1958 UK/US Agreement for Co-operation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes.

  Aldermaston and Los Alamos
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the nature was of the cargo sent from AWE Aldermaston to Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico via RAF Brize Norton and Kirtland Airforce Base in Albuquerque on 2 April. [158097]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am withholding the details under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the relationship between the nuclear weapons laboratories at Aldermaston and Los Alamos. [158099]

  Mr. Hoon
  The laboratories continue to enjoy a close working relationship on nuclear weapons science and technology under the terms of the 1958 US/UK Mutual Defence Agreement.

  St. Dunstan's Charity
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support he and his predecessors have given to St. Dunstan's charity for blind ex-service men and women; and what further support is under consideration. [158023]

  Dr. Moonie
  In keeping with the long standing practice that central Government do not provide funds to assist individual charities' core activities, St. Dunstan's is required to raise its own funding. It does not, therefore, receive financial support from the Ministry of Defence. However, considerable Government assistance is available for those ex-Service personnel who are disabled. Personnel deemed to have sustained a disability due to their work in the armed forces may qualify for a tax-free 98W
  'War Disablement Pension' from the War Pensions Agency. They may also qualify for a pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS).

  HMS Edinburgh
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned deployments of HMS Edinburgh are for the next 12 months. [158525]

  Mr. Spellar
  HMS Edinburgh is scheduled to deploy from Portsmouth on 15 May as the Atlantic Patrol Task (South) ship. Thereafter, subject to operational requirements, she is due to operate in North European waters during January-March 2002.

  Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships have(a) entered into service with the Royal Navy since 1 May 1997 and (b) left the service of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 1 May 1997. [158524]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following ships have entered service with the Royal Navy since 1 May 1997:HMS Ocean, HMS Kent, HMS Portland, HMS Sutherland,
  HMS Penzance, HMS Pembroke, HMS Grimsby, HMS Bangor,
  HMS Ramsey, HMS Blyth, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance.
  The following ships have left Royal Navy and RFA service since 1 May 1997:
  HMS Birmingham, HMS Brave, HMS Beaver, HMS Boxer,
  HMS London, HMS Bicester, HMS Berkeley, HMS Orkney,
  HMS Blackwater, HMS Spey, HMS Arun, HMS lichen, RFA Olna and RFA Olwen.

  Whistleblowers (Soldiers)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures enable soldiers to give confidential information to officers concerning suspicions of(a) paramilitary and (b) Nazi membership of fellow soldiers. [158570]

  Mr. Spellar
  Service policy is that membership of paramilitary or Nazi-type organisations is unacceptable. Any member of the armed forces who has a suspicion about an individual involved in such activities would have a duty to report it to the chain of command. Divisional or commanding officers take all such allegations very seriously and have a duty to investigate them and take appropriate action. In addition, in particular where criminal, disciplinary or security activity is suspected, an allegation may be made to either the Service police or security staff.

  Each Service also operates a confidential helpline which would advise Service personnel of the correct course of action to take if, for any reason, they were uncertain what steps they should take in these circumstances.

  Lance Corporal William Thompson
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the service career of former RIR Lance Corporal William Thompson, indicating in which units of the RIR he served. [158569]
  99W
  Mr. Spellar
  In accordance with exemption 8a and exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, such details are not to be disclosed without the consent of the individual to whom the information relates.

  RAF Chinook ZD576
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 2001,Official Report, column 86W, on what evidence he based his statement that RAF Chinook ZD576' s engines were working right up until impact. [158215]

  Mr. Spellar
  This statement was based on the report of the technical investigation carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch following the accident, which said:"The engines sustained generally moderate impact and fire damage. Strip examination indicated that both were running at high speed with turbines hot at the time of impact, and revealed no signs of pre-impact failure or malfunction that could have affected the operation of either engine."

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Air Accident Investigation Branch took to verify independently information provided by Textron Lycoming during their investigation into the loss of RAF Chinook ZD576. [158184]

  Location

  Unit

  Missiles fired

  Date

  Castlemartin

  Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill

  6

  16 February 2000

  Otterburn

  101 (V) Regiment Royal Artillery

  6

  25 November 2000

  Castlemartin

  Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill

  6

  21 February 2001

  In addition 750 reduced range practice rockets were fired at the above ranges.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of Military Appreciation of the Security Situation in Northern Ireland presented to the Prime Minister on 4 October 1971. [158505]

  Mr. Spellar
  The document in question was submitted by the Ministry of Defence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. It would be inappropriate to publish such documents while the Inquiry is still sitting.

  US National Missile Defence System
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the US National Missile Defence System on the national security of the UK. [156940]
  100W
  Mr. Spellar
  The engines of RAF Chinook ZD576 and their fuel systems were examined externally in detail by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) at Farnborough with the assistance of a representative from Textron Lycoming, together with representatives from Chandler Evans Co. and Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Engineering. The engines were then strip examined at Textron Lycoming's Stratford, Connecticut plant under the direction of the AAIB.

  MLRS M28 Rockets
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MLRS M28 rockets Her Majesty's armed forces have in stock. [158396]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am withholding information regarding the quantity of MLRS M28 rockets held in stock by the armed forces, in accordance with exemption 1 (a) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MLRS M28 rockets have been fired by Her Majesty's armed forces within the United Kingdom since 25 October 1998, indicating in each case the date and location. [158395]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of MLRS M28 rockets that have been fired by Her Majesty's armed forces within the United Kingdom since 25 October 1998, by location and date, is as follows:

  Mr. Hoon
  We share the US's concerns about the problem of missile Proliferation and understand the role that missile defence can play as one element of the response. The US has not yet put forward specific missile defence proposals, but has made clear that it intends to consult fully with its Allies before making any decision. We expect to play a full and constructive part in that process, taking account of UK national security interests.

  Canadian Defence Deployments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has held with his Canadian counterpart on identifying Canadian assets for deployment in EU-led operations. [158312]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have regular discussions with my Canadian counterpart. The European Union has already welcomed the interest shown by Canada in participating in EU-led operations. Consultations with Canada will be stepped up in times of crisis. Participation by Canada will be of particular importance in the case of EU operations drawing on NATO assets and capabilities. In this context, when the European Union embarks on detailed examination of an option making use of NATO assets and capabilities, particular attention will be paid to consultation with Canada.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Policies (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ribble Valley constituency, the effects on Ribble Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157850]

  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Ribble Valley constituency and Lancashire LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Camden)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the effects, with statistical information on(a) Hampstead and Highgate and (b) the London borough of Camden of his Department's policies since 2 May l997. [158014]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on (a) Hampstead and Highgate and (b) the London borough of Camden and Camden LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Child Care
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many new child care places were created in(a) Wandsworth and (b) the constituency of Battersea between 2 May 1997 and April 2001; and if he will make a statement. [156769]

  Ms Hodge
  Between May 1997 and March 1999, the National Childcare Strategy created 9,784 childcare places in the London region. Since April 1999 local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have provided details of the new childcare places that have opened by local education authority and constituency. Between April 1999 and December 2000 two Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have reported new childcare places in the constituency of Battersea. Wandsworth Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership have reported the creation of 411 new out of school hours childcare places in the borough of Wandsworth and 124 of these are in the constituency of Battersea. Lambeth Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership reported the creation of 2,648 new childcare places between April 1999 and December 2000, of which 24 places were on the border of the constituency and fall within Battersea.

  Since September 1998, all four-year-olds in Wandsworth have been entitled to receive a free, part time, early education place. This entitlement is also available for all three year olds in Wandsworth. From 1999 to 2001, Wandsworth received a total of £2,850,000 to fund 3,172 early education places for three year olds. In 2001–02, Wandsworth LEA have been allocated additional funding of £2,050,488 to provide places for 1,726 three year olds. This is in addition to the places that the authority will make available through their own resources (including Standard Spending Assessment).

  Work Permits (IT)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work permits for entrants to the UK were granted in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000 to information technology and e-commerce specialists from countries outside the European Union. [157694]

  Ms Hodge
  The number of foreign nationals granted permission, through work permit arrangements, to undertake information technology related jobs during 2000 was 18,257. Comparable figures for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 are not available as the way in which work permit management information is collected was changed in October 1999.

  Employment (Asian Women)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to increase participation in the labour market of British Asian women; and if he will make a statement. [157773]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government have a range of initiatives to increase job opportunities for groups such as British Asian women who traditionally suffer disadvantage in the labour market. In particular, three major initiatives—New Deal, Action Teams and Employment Zones—are taking steps, including outreach work in local communities, to overcome the specific barriers that stop Asian women from moving into work.

  Education Achievement Awards
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the success of the education achievement awards; and if he will make a statement. [157776]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: School Achievement Awards are for schools that have substantially improved their results since 1997 or achieved better results last year than other schools in similar circumstances. They are a very effective way of recognising those achievements and enabling schools to reward whole staff teams. The very regrettable error affecting a minority of the schools involved should not detract from that.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what appeals procedure is available to schools that feel unfairly excluded from the list of those regarded as eligible for an achievement award. [157777]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The Department has telephone and e-mail helplines for School Achievement Awards inquiries that are available to all schools. Every school that asks why it did not win an award is being told the specific reason. We will ensure that every school that qualifies for an award receives one.

  Teachers' Working Hours
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with teacher unions about resolving the dispute over working hours; and if he will make a statement. [157778]
  103W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: My right hon. Friend will hold discussions with the teacher unions about a review of teacher workload when they have all suspended industrial action. At that point, he will be prepared to hold discussions about the proposed remit and timetable for the review which was recommended by the independent School Teachers' Review Body.

  Schools (Battersea)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been made available for improving school buildings under the New Deal for Schools in the Battersea parliamentary constituency since 1 May 1997; and if he will list the improvements concerned. [157804]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to his previous question on 6 April 2001,Official Report, column 310W.

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

  School

  Project

  Grant awarded (£)

  1997–98

  Alderbrook Primary

  Replace gas heater

  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 facilities

  194,419

  Honeywell Junior

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

  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

  21,015,500

  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.

  104W
  Information showing the schools in the Battersea constituency that benefited from investment under 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.

  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.
  105W

  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

  Departmental Policies (Tiverton and Honiton)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157814]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Tiverton and Honiton constituency and Devon LEA.

  Schools with specialist status

  Queen Elizabeth Community College was awarded Technology college status in 1998.

  School Achievement Awards

  Staff at 12 schools in the constituency received Improvement Awards because pupil performance in 2000 was substantially better than in 1997, or because schools had come out of special measures. Four schools received Excellence Awards, because pupil performance in 2000 was better than most schools in similar circumstances. Awards were around £5,000 for a typical primary school and £25,000 for a typical secondary school.

  Class Sizes

  £000

  Revenue Funding

  Capital Funding

  1998–99

  1,000

  523

  1999–2000

  1,831

  732

  2000–01

  2,596

  719

  Total

  5,427

  1,974

  The September 2000 figures show that in Devon there are now 62 (0.3 per cent.) pupils remaining in infant classes of 31 or more. The figure in January 1998 was 5,639 (26 per cent.).

  Classroom of the Future

  Devon LEA was awarded £900,000 as part of this initiative in February 2001. The stated aim is, in the context of recent educational research, to provide life long learning opportunities that broaden experiences for pupils and the whole community. It will be an inclusive project that provides greater educational opportunities for those
  106W
  living in rural communities, so that social exclusion in isolated rural areas no longer exists. The proposal is to set up units in two primary schools and a community college within an existing cluster of schools, and to work with three technology colleges. The potential of ICT is fully explored, in combination with a sustainable design. Partners include Exeter and Plymouth universities and the Timber Research and Development Association.

  Performance Data (England averages include independent schools)

  Key Stage 2 test results: percentage of pupils achieving level 4 or above

  11997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  English

  LEA

  62

  66

  72

  75

  England

  63

  65

  71

  75

  Maths

  LEA

  62

  60

  70

  72

  England

  62

  59

  69

  72

  Science

  LEA

  67

  72

  80

  86

  England

  69

  69

  78

  85

  GCSE and GNVQ results

  Percentage

  11997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  5+ A*-C grades

  LEA average

  44

  47

  48

  49

  England average

  45

  46

  48

  49

  5+ A*-G grades

  LEA average

  90

  91

  91

  91

  England average

  86

  88

  89

  89

  No Passes

  LEA average

  5

  4

  4

  4

  England average

  8

  7

  6

  6

  Average Point Score

  LEA average

  n/a

  38.4

  38.7

  39.2

  England average

  n/a

  37.0

  38.1

  38.9

  Results for 1997 include Plymouth and Torbay, which became separate unitary authorities with effect from 1998.

  107W

  GCE A/AS level examinations and advanced GNVQs

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Average points for 2 or more A/AS levels

  LEA average

  16.3

  17.3

  17.9

  England average

  17.8

  18.2

  18.5

  A/AS average per entry

  LEA average

  5.2

  5.5

  5.3

  England average

  5.4

  5.5

  5.5

  LEA capital funding

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  Credit approvals

  Annual Capital Guideline (ACG)

  10,890

  6,788

  6,727

  9,467

  10,072

  43,944

  Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA)

  2,771

  857

  1,200

  328

  1,400

  6,556

  Grants

  New Deal for Schools

  1,018

  2,397

  4,763

  7,536

  —

  15,714

  NDS Condition funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,520

  1,520

  Nat. Grid for Learning (NGfL)

  —

  979

  1,213

  2,342

  3,620

  8,154

  Voluntary Aided Grant

  1,002

  187

  251

  387

  1,768

  3,595

  Devolved Formula Capital

  —

  —

  —

  5,013

  4,101

  9,114

  Science labs

  —

  —

  —

  327

  327

  654

  Energy

  —

  175

  —

  —

  —

  175

  Assist Management Plan support

  —

  —

  108

  —

  —

  108

  SEED challenge

  —

  —

  —

  341

  395

  736

  Class Size Initiative

  —

  247

  1,001

  664

  —

  1,912

  Outside toilet removal

  —

  972

  —

  —

  —

  972

  Schools Security at 75 per cent.

  262

  219

  231

  233

  165

  1,110

  SSLU's Grant

  —

  —

  —

  114

  99

  213

  Schools Access Initiative at 85 per cent.

  —

  —

  —

  22

  581

  603

  Totals

  15,943

  12,821

  15,494

  26,774

  24,048

  95,080

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Information on Modern Apprenticeships for all English constituencies was placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 30 March 2001.

  New Deal for Schools

  Year

  School

  Project

  Allocation (£)

  1997–98

  Tiverton High

  ICT project

  11,017,000

  1998–99

  Clyst Hydon Primary

  Replacement of cesspool

  16,500

  1999–2000

  Cullompton Community College

  Replacement of concrete roof

  558,888

  Clyst Vale Community College

  Upgrade food technology area

  40,000

  2000–01

  The King's School

  Replacement of HORSA kitchen/dining building

  532,465

  Honiton Primary

  Replacement of four temporary classrooms and demolition of HORSA kitchen

  493,370

  Kentisbeare Primary

  Replacement of HORSA hut, temporary classroom and toilets (Phase 2)

  411,347

  Broadclyst Community Primary

  Replacement of HORSA hut classrooms

  713,065

  1 The LEA will be able to advise how much of the total allocation of £1.017 million was awarded to this school.

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, 423 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 236 have found jobs, 190 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The working age employment rate in Devon local education authority in winter 2000–01 was 77.6 per cent., above the UK rate of 74.5 per cent. The rate in winter 1996–97 was 73.5 per cent.

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 3.3 per cent. in March 1997 to 1.6 per cent. in March 2001 in the Tiverton and Honiton constituency.
  108W

  GCE A/AS level examinations and advanced GNVQs

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Average point score GNVQs

  LEA average

  10.5

  10.7

  10.6

  England average

  9.6

  9.9

  10.1

  Funding per pupil

  In Devon LEA, funding per pupil has increased by £420 in real terms between 1997–98 and 2001–02.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes in UK primary schools excluding years one, two and three have more than 30 children in them. [157828]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of key stage 2 classes in England, taught by one teacher, with 31 or more pupils, was 22,817 (29.5 per cent.), in January 2001. The equivalent figure for January 1998 was 25,295 (34.3 per cent.). For information for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, I refer my hon. Friend to the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively.
  109W
  Nationally, average class sizes for primary children have fallen under this Government. At Key Stage 1 the figure has gone down from 27.1 in January 1998 to 25.2 in January 2001. At Key Stage 2 the figure has gone down from 28.3 in January 1998 to 27.9 in 2001. This is a reflection of the fact that delivery of our infant class size pledge is not being achieved at the expense of bigger junior classes. We are making £73 million available in 2001–02 to make further progress on class sizes at Key Stage 2.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size was in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) March 1997 and (ii) March 2001 in North Yorkshire. [157868]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The available information is shown in the table.

  Average class size1 in maintained primary and secondary schools in North Yorkshire LEA

  Primary

  Secondary

  January 20012

  25.3

  21.1

  January 1997

  26.3

  20.6

  1 Classes taught by one teacher.

  2 Provisional.

  Information on class sizes as at January 2001 has been published in a Statistical First Release "Class Sizes in Maintained Schools in England January 2001" on 6 April, 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.

  Nationally, average class sizes for primary schools has fallen significantly since 1997. At Key Stage 1 the figure has gone down from 26.9 in 1997 to 25.2 in 2001. At Key Stage 2 the figure has gone down from 28.1 in 1997 to 27.9 in 2001. This is a reflection of the fact that delivery of our infant class size pledge is not being achieved at the expense of bigger junior classes. More generally at secondary level, the 2001 figures show that class sizes nationally have stabilised after a decade of rises. As for the pupil/teacher ratio in secondary schools, the number of pupils in secondary schools rose between 1991 and 1997 and between 1997 and 2001 by just under 190,000 nationally in both sets of years—yet the increase in the pupil/teacher ratio nationally in secondary schools was three times greater between 1991 and 1997 than it was between 1997 and 2001. Indeed, the 2001 figures show that the secondary pupil/teacher ratio has in fact improved for the first time in 10 years and now stands at 17.1.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size was in the Bury St. Edmunds constituency for (i) middle schools and (ii) upper schools in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; and what is it at present. [157975]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The information requested is shown in the following table.
  110W

  Average class sizes1 in Bury St. Edmunds constituency

  Middle deemed Secondary schools

  Maintained secondary schools2

  Key Stage 1

  January 20013

  25.2

  19.1

  23.4

  January 2000

  22.9

  19.9

  24.0

  January 1999

  23.1

  18.7

  24.9

  January 1998

  23.1

  18.7

  24.0

  January 1997

  22.7

  18.9

  24.7

  1 Classes taught by one teacher.

  2 Excluding middle deemed secondary schools.

  3 Provisional.

  Average class sizes for primary children in Bury St. Edmunds have fallen significantly since 1997. At Key Stage 1 the figure has gone down from 24.7 in 1997 to 23.4 in 2001. At Key Stage 2 the figure has gone down from 26.7 in 1997 to 25.8 in 2001. This is a reflection of the fact that delivery of our infant class size pledge is not being achieved at the expense of bigger junior classes. More generally at secondary level, the 2001 figures show that class sizes nationally have stabilised after a decade of rises. As for the pupil/teacher ratio in secondary schools, the number of pupils in secondary schools rose between 1991 and 1997 and between 1997 and 2001 by just under 190,000 nationally in both sets of years—yet the increase in the pupil/teacher ratio nationally in secondary schools was three times greater between 1991 and 1997 than it was between 1997 and 2001. Indeed, the 2001 figures show that the secondary pupil/teacher ratio has in fact improved for the first time in 10 years and now stands at 17.1.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size was in Suffolk local education authority for (i) middle schools and (ii) upper schools in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; and what is it at present. [157976]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Average class sizes1 in Suffolk LEA

  Middle deemed schools

  Maintained secondary schools2

  Key Stage 1

  January 20013

  24.2

  20.2

  23.7

  January 2000

  23.8

  19.9

  24.3

  January 1999

  23.6

  19.6

  24.1

  January 1998

  23.7

  19.7

  24.1

  January 1997

  23.3

  20.1

  24.3

  1 Classes taught by one teacher

  2 Excluding middle deemed secondary schools

  3 Provisional

  Average class sizes for primary children in Suffolk LEA have fallen since this Government came to power. In addition to smaller Key Stage 1 classes, the size of the average Key Stage 2 class has gone down from 26.3 in January 1998 to 26.2 in January 2001. More generally at secondary level, the 2001 figures show that class sizes nationally have stabilised after a decade of rises. As for the pupil/teacher ratio in secondary schools, the number of pupils in secondary schools rose between 1991 and 1997 and between 1997 and 2001 by just under 190,000 nationally in both sets of years—yet the increase in the pupil/teacher ratio nationally in secondary schools was three times greater between 1991 and 1997 than it was

  111W
  between 1997 and 2001. Indeed, the 2001 figures show that the secondary pupil/teacher ratio has in fact improved for the first time in 10 years and now stands at 17.1.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the change to average class sizes in sixth forms in(a) West Sussex and (b) Chichester constituency since May 1997. [158593]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In West Sussex local education authority the size of the average sixth-form class has fallen from 11 in January 1997 to 9.7 in January 2001. The corresponding fall in Chichester is from 11.1 to 10.5.

  At secondary level, the 2001 figures show that class sizes nationally have stabilised after a decade of rises. As for the pupil/teacher ratio in secondary schools, the number of pupils in secondary schools rose between 1991 and 1997 and between 1997 and 2001 by just under 190,000 nationally in both sets of years—yet the increase in the pupil/teacher ratio nationally in secondary schools was three times greater between 1991 and 1997 than it was between 1997 and 2001. Indeed, the 2001 figures show that the secondary pupil/teacher ratio has in fact improved for the first time in 10 years and now stands at 17.1.

  Art and Design Edexcel Unit Tests
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the pass rate of students at(a) unit 4 and (b) unit one of the recent GNVQ intermediate art and design Edexcel unit tests. [157895]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Responsibility for assessing the standards of qualifications rests with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and with the awarding body.

  New Deal (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in Coventry have found jobs through the New Deal. [157858]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The table shows, for Coventry, jobs gained from New Deal programmes in the period ending January 2001.

  Jobs gained

  New Deal for Young People

  1,765

  25+ New Deal

  85

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  536

  New Deal 50+

  226

  New Deal for Partners

  1

  New Deal (Hampstead and Highgate)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in Hampstead and Highgate are benefiting from each strand of the New Deal. [158021]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The following table shows, for Hampstead and Highgate parliamentary constituency, starts to New Deal programmes and jobs gained in the period ending January 2001.
  112W

  Starts

  Jobs gained

  New Deal for Young People

  1,085

  367

  25+ New Deal

  1,333

  221

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  301

  71

  New Deal 50+

  n/a

  26

  Figures for other voluntary New Deal programmes are not available at parliamentary constituency level.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the teaching assistants providing classroom support for children with learning difficulties have received training in special needs education. [158081]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not held centrally.

  Through the Department's Standards Fund programme, we are supporting expenditure on special educational needs (SEN) training and development for teachers, headteachers, special educational needs co-ordinators and teaching assistants. It is envisaged that, of the overall £82 million available for SEN in 2001–02, £30 million will be spent on training. This is an increase from SEN training expenditure of £26 million in 2000–01 and £21 million in 1999–2000.

  From September 2000 we have made available introductory training materials for recently recruited teaching assistants, which include coverage of the special educational needs framework, and in October of last year we published "Working with teaching assistants: a good practice guide".

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of enforcement of the legislation relating to the employment of people with learning difficulties. [158347]

  Ms Hodge
  My Department monitors Employment Tribunal cases and case law on the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). It also carries out targeted research on how the DDA's employment provisions are working. "Monitoring the Disability Discrimination Act 1995—Phase 2" (an interim report published in March 2000 by Income Data Services Ltd.), provides a statistical analysis of Employment Tribunal cases and a commentary on case law.

  Of the 487 Employment Tribunal cases where the disability was known and the case reached a hearing, 18 concerned specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) and 3 severe learning difficulties. The Disability Rights Commission, as part of its statutory role for monitoring the DDA, will be taking forward with my Department the next phase of the project later in 2001.

  Pupil Exclusion
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children have been excluded from school because of their health needs in the last 12 months. [158082]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is not collected centrally.
  113W
  Information on permanent exclusions was published in the Statistical Bulletin "Permanent Exclusions from Maintained Schools in England" on 29 November 2000, 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.

  We are providing £174 million this year to help schools and LEAs tackle exclusion—a third more than in 1999–2000 and 10 times more than in 1996–97. This is helping to pay for more than 1,000 on-site Learning Support Units which take disruptive pupils out of the classroom quickly, improve their behaviour and reduce the need for exclusion. Where an exclusion is necessary, provision for excluded pupils is being greatly increased. There are now 1,000 more places and nearly 600 more teachers and support staff in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) than in 1997. The quality of education provided by PRUs has improved rapidly and by September 2002 all local education authorities will be required to offer excluded pupils a full-time education, not the 2–3 hours typical in the past.

  Special Educational Needs
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children have a statement of special educational needs, what percentage of school age children have been statemented, and what percentage of statemented children are on(a) level 2 and (b) level 3, in each local education authority. [153149]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  The available data are shown in the table.

  Arrangements for identifying and providing for children with SEN are set out in the Education Act 1996 (and, prior to this, the Education Acts 1993 and 1981). This Act is supported by the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs, issued in 1994, to which local education authorities (LEAs) and schools must have regard. The Government published "Meeting Special Educational Needs: A Programme of Action" in November 1998 following consultation on its proposals to support the increased achievement of children with SEN.

  The Code of Practice sets out five recommended stages for addressing the different levels of pupils' SEN. Stages 1–3 are school-based, with support from specialists from outside the school at stage 3. The vast majority of these children will have their needs met in mainstream schools. Stage 4 involves the LEA considering the need for, and if appropriate making, a multi-disciplinary assessment of the child's needs. Stage 5 involves the LEA making and monitoring a statement of SEN. The Government are currently reviewing the Code of Practice.

  All schools: Number of pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN)—January 2000

  Local education authority area

  Number of pupils with statements

  Total number of pupils

  SEN as a percentage of all pupils1

  England

  252,857

  8,345,815

  3.0

  North East

  13,943

  446,668

  3.1

  Darlington

  580

  17,231

  3.4

  Durham

  3,296

  82,634

  4.0

  114W

  All schools: Number of pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN)—January 2000

  Local education authority area

  Number of pupils with statements

  Total number of pupils

  SEN as a percentage of all pupils1

  Gateshead

  827

  32,786

  2.5

  Hartlepool

  430

  17,250

  2.5

  Middlesbrough

  776

  26,541

  2.9

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,151

  45,623

  2.5

  North Tyneside

  942

  33,012

  2.9

  Northumberland

  1,635

  53,095

  3.1

  Redcar and Cleveland

  590

  26,231

  2.2

  South Tyneside

  839

  26,543

  3.2

  Stockton-on-Tees

  1,082

  34,777

  3.1

  Sunderland

  1,795

  50,945

  3.5

  North West

  39,791

  1,203,679

  3.3

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1,176

  28,781

  4.1

  Blackpool

  828

  22,684

  3.7

  Bolton

  1,630

  50,160

  3.2

  Bury

  918

  32,295

  2.8

  Cheshire

  3,564

  115,961

  3.1

  Cumbria

  2,899

  81,879

  3.5

  Halton

  965

  21,657

  4.5

  Knowsley

  1,179

  29,801

  4.0

  Lancashire

  7,666

  189,279

  4.1

  Liverpool

  2,359

  83,087

  2.8

  Manchester

  2,160

  75,076

  2.9

  Oldham

  679

  43,281

  1.6

  Rochdale

  982

  37,378

  2.6

  Salford

  946

  38,830

  2.4

  St. Helens

  1,440

  30,998

  4.6

  Sefton

  1,649

  51,796

  3.2

  Stockport

  1,250

  49,455

  2.5

  Tameside

  1,189

  38,931

  3.4

  Trafford

  853

  39,028

  2.2

  Warrington

  993

  32,996

  3.0

  Wigan

  2,292

  51,354

  4.5

  Wirral

  2,146

  58,972

  3.6

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  26,974

  867,713

  3.1

  Barnsley

  1,126

  35,573

  3.2

  Bradford

  2,555

  93,324

  2.7

  Calderdale

  1,071

  36,601

  2.9

  Doncaster

  2,252

  53,258

  4.2

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  1,299

  51,986

  2.5

  Kingston Upon Hull, City of

  998

  44,927

  2.2

  Kirklees

  2,832

  67,285

  4.2

  Leeds

  4,239

  122,363

  3.5

  North East Lincolnshire

  805

  29,047

  2.8

  North Lincolnshire

  735

  25,980

  2.8

  North Yorkshire

  2,400

  95,293

  2.5

  Rotherham

  1,764

  46,688

  3.8

  Sheffield

  2,593

  79,474

  3.3

  Wakefield

  1,575

  58,353

  2.7

  York

  730

  27,561

  2.6

  East Midlands

  19,126

  709,751

  2.7

  Derby

  1,427

  40,719

  3.5

  Derbyshire

  4,321

  121,462

  3.6

  Leicester

  2,094

  51,093

  4.1

  Leicestershire

  2,813

  99,715

  2.8

  Lincolnshire

  3,239

  104,362

  3.1

  Northamptonshire

  3,114

  112,071

  2.8

  Nottingham

  685

  46,848

  1.5

  Nottinghamshire

  1,273

  126,626

  1.0

  Rutland

  160

  6,855

  2.3

  West Midlands

  28,322

  935,483

  3.0

  Birmingham

  5,256

  187,380

  2.8

  Coventry

  1,425

  53,901

  2.6

  Dudley

  1,259

  51,590

  2.4

  herefordshire

  825

  26,102

  3.2

  Sandwell

  1,352

  52,851

  2.6

  Shropshire

  1,667

  45,259

  3.7

  Solihull

  750

  41,126

  1.8

  Staffordshire

  5,552

  138,349

  4.0

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1,229

  39,605

  3.1

  Telford and Wrekin

  1,256

  28,169

  4.5

  Walsall

  1,426

  51,061

  2.8

  Warwickshire

  2,514

  84,033

  3.0

  Wolverhampton

  1,213

  45,084

  2.7

  Worcestershire

  2,598

  90,973

  2.9

  115W

  All schools: Number of pupils with statements of Special
  Educational Needs (SEN)—January 2000

  Local education authority area

  Number of pupils with statements

  Total number of pupils

  SEN as a percentage of all pupils1

  East of England

  24,913

  901,470

  2.8

  Bedfordshire

  2,315

  69,641

  3.3

  Cambridgeshire

  2,845

  85,034

  3.3

  Essex

  4,634

  210,299

  2.2

  Hertfordshire

  4,709

  195,782

  2.4

  Luton

  732

  32,593

  2.2

  Norfolk

  4,084

  119,701

  3.4

  Peterborough

  1,011

  29,697

  3.4

  Southend-on-Sea

  684

  27,550

  2.5

  Suffolk

  3,387

  108,881

  3.1

  Thurrock

  512

  22,292

  2.3

  London

  34,200

  1,185,392

  2.9

  Inner London

  13,410

  426,647

  3.1

  Camden

  880

  29,894

  2.9

  City of London

  2

  1,925

  0.1

  Hackney

  1,040

  31,437

  3.3

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  748

  21,731

  3.4

  Haringey

  944

  36,038

  2.6

  Islington

  912

  24,923

  3.7

  Kensington and Chelsea

  310

  21,590

  1.4

  Lambeth

  1,221

  30,332

  4.0

  Lewisham

  1,274

  38,694

  3.3

  Newham

  1,496

  49,506

  3.0

  Southwark

  1,227

  40,852

  3.0

  Tower Hamlets

  1,569

  37,633

  4.2

  Wandsworth

  1,150

  37,498

  3.1

  Westminster

  637

  24,594

  2.6

  Outer London

  20,790

  758,745

  2.7

  Barking and Dagenham

  816

  29,445

  2.8

  Barnet

  1,272

  54,777

  2.3

  Bexley

  1,074

  40,885

  2.6

  Brent

  1,235

  39,661

  3.1

  Bromley

  1,643

  51,219

  3.2

  Croydon

  1,174

  58,505

  2.0

  Ealing

  1,224

  49,080

  2.5

  Enfield

  1,196

  49,290

  2.4

  Greenwich

  1,599

  38,784

  4.1

  Harrow

  808

  33,787

  2.4

  Havering

  1,094

  37,656

  2.9

  Hillingdon

  1,419

  44,363

  3.2

  Hounslow

  1,077

  36,928

  2.9

  Kingston upon Thames

  558

  24,000

  2.3

  Merton

  808

  27,216

  3.0

  Redbridge

  847

  46,743

  1.8

  Richmond upon Thames

  624

  27,904

  2.2

  Sutton

  967

  30,955

  3.1

  Waltham Forest

  1,355

  37,547

  3.6

  South East

  40,173

  1,312,345

  3.1

  Bracknell Forest

  464

  18,011

  2.6

  Brighton and Hove

  1,445

  35,361

  4.1

  Buckinghamshire

  2,428

  83,711

  2.9

  East Sussex

  2,326

  74,490

  3.1

  Hampshire

  4,705

  192,205

  2.4

  Isle of Wight

  873

  20,401

  4.3

  Kent

  8,030

  228,836

  3.5

  Medway

  1,631

  46,726

  3.5

  Milton Keynes

  1,343

  36.070

  3.7

  Oxfordshire

  2,431

  99,345

  2.4

  Portsmouth

  757

  29,539

  2.6

  Reading

  612

  20,959

  2.9

  Slough

  676

  20,858

  3.2

  Southampton

  831

  32,983

  2.5

  Surrey

  5,344

  176,782

  3.0

  West Berkshire

  1,103

  27,670

  4.0

  West Sussex

  3,662

  116,591

  3.1

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  606

  24,908

  2.4

  Wokingham

  906

  26,899

  3.4

  South West

  25.425

  783,314

  3.2

  Bath and North East Somerset

  721

  29,679

  2.4

  Bournemouth

  675

  23,049

  2.9

  Bristol, City of

  2,436

  60,354

  4.0

  Cornwall

  3,341

  76,095

  4.4

  Devon

  3,750

  105,086

  3.6

  Dorset

  1,814

  60,385

  3.0

  116W

  All schools: Number of pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN)—January 2000

  Local education authority area

  Number of pupils with statements

  Total number of pupils

  SEN as a percentage of all pupils1

  Gloucestershire

  2,681

  93,395

  2.9

  Isles of Scilly

  4

  266

  1.5

  North Somerset

  906

  28,647

  3.2

  Plymouth

  1,513

  42,768

  3.5

  Poole

  703

  21,090

  3.3

  Somerset

  2,257

  79,711

  2.8

  South Gloucestershire

  1,292

  41,819

  3.1

  Swindon

  961

  29,886

  3.2

  Torbay

  689

  20,065

  3.4

  Wiltshire

  1,661

  70,962

  2.3

  1 Excludes dually registered pupils in Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure statements under Part 3 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill[Lords] quantify provision. [158121]

  Jacqui Smith
  Section 324(3) of the Education Act 1996 requires that statements specify the special educational provision to be made for individual children. We have no plans to change this. The existing Special Educational Needs Code of Practice recognises that, in many cases, specific provision should be quantified, while in other cases flexibility should be retained. The revised Code of Practice, which will shortly be placed before Parliament for approval, will expand on this guidance. It will make it clear that a statement should describe clearly all of the child's special educational needs in full; set out the main objectives that the special educational provision aims to meet; specify clearly and detail the provision required to meet each of the child's needs; describe the arrangements for setting shorter-term objectives for the child and any special arrangements for the annual review of the statement. The revised Code will recognise that there may often be a need for provision to be expressed in terms of hours, equipment or personnel, and it will also state clearly that authorities must not, in any circumstances, have blanket policies not to quantify provision in statements.

  School Curriculum (Environmental Issues)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government have taken since May 1997 to ensure that environmental issues form part of the school curriculum. [158710]

  Jacqui Smith
  Sustainable Development Education (SDE), which includes learning about environmental issues, has been part of the National Curriculum since September 2000.

  Speech Therapy
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many hours of speech therapy will be provided to children under the provisions of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill[Lords]. [158122]

  Jacqui Smith
  This matter does not come within the provisions of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill. Specific provision for speech and language therapy might be set out in a statement of special educational needs (SEN) maintained in relation to a particular child. In the draft revised SEN Code of Practice
  117W
  we have indicated that addressing speech and language impairment should normally be recorded as educational provision unless there are exceptional reasons for not doing so.

  Local education authorities receive support under the Standards Fund to enhance speech and language therapy services in conjunction with the NHS and the voluntary sector. Of the £82 million available for SEN under the Standards Fund 2001–02, we envisage that about £10 million will be spent on improving speech and language therapy provision.

  In addition, I announced on 27 March a £10 million initiative to provide communication aids for children with SEN and disabilities. This expenditure will be incurred over the period 2002–03 and 2003–04.

  Second Language Teaching
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many primary schools teach a second language. [158397]

  Jacqui Smith
  We do not hold information centrally on the number of primary schools currently teaching a second language, but it is estimated that one in five do so. The National Curriculum contains guidance for teaching 7 to 11-year-olds, covering skills, knowledge and understanding, together with attainment targets. We have also published a scheme of work for primary French, and further materials for primary German and Spanish.

  I recently announced further funding of over £200,000 for the Early Language Learning initiative, through which we are piloting approaches to extend language teaching in primary schools, gathering good practice and developing classroom materials. In our formal response to the Nuffield Languages Inquiry we set out our intention to build on existing links between primary schools and specialist language colleges. The increasing number of colleges and the developing focus on their roles as 'hubs' of excellence will enhance opportunities for primary schools to access languages expertise.

  Specialist Schools Programme
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his plans are for the expansion of the specialist schools programme. [158537]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of specialist schools has increased threefold since May 1997, from 181 to 536, with a further 73 designated to start operating from September 2001. Our target of 1,500 specialist schools by 2006 proposed in the Green Paper "Schools: Building on Success" is an increase of 1,000 on our original target of 500. As a result of the 2000 Spending Review, the Government will be providing an additional £33 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund over the next three years to make it possible to expand the specialist schools programme at a faster rate to reach 1,000 specialist schools by 2003. This will enable us to introduce all three of the new specialisms (Science, Engineering, and Business and Enterprise) in September next year.

  Harassment (Disability)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made 118W
  of the number of people with learning disabilities who have experienced bullying and harassment at work in the last year. [158077]

  Ms Hodge
  People with learning disabilities can take cases under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) where they believe they have faced harassment or bullying which amounts to a "detriment" on account of their disability. My Department monitors Employment Tribunal decisions and emerging case law on all aspects of the DDA, including complaints made by disabled people about harassment and bullying. In its final report, "From Exclusion to Inclusion", the Disability Rights Task Force commented that the DDA is effective in its treatment of harassment but proposed strengthening the Employment Code of Practice. In our response to the Task Force, entitled "Towards Inclusion" and published on 5 March, we explain that we have asked the Disability Rights Commission to ensure that the current section in the Code of Practice on harassment is reviewed and strengthened, as necessary.

  Pipework Insulation
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what standard of heat insulation is specified for pipework in PFI projects in his Department. [151655]

  Mr. Wicks
  There are no PFI heating or building projects in the Department.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) of 9 February 2001,Official Report, column 764W, if he will estimate the nominal rate of interest required to hold the net present value of student loans at £590 million if the threshold of student loans repayment were increased to £15,000. [157872]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The net present value of the estimated £982 million income contingent loans issued in 1999–2000 to students domiciled in England and Wales is estimated to be £590 million. The nominal rate of interest required to maintain this net present value with a threshold for repayment of £15,000 per year is estimated to be around 4½ per cent.

  National Training Organisations
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what account he will take in conducting the review of national training organisations' employees of the coherence of the sector in question as well as its size defined by the number of employees. [155865]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 28 March 2001]: We will consider a number of issues in relation to the future direction of the National Training Organisations network raised during the consultation, which concludes on 12 April. These include the coherence of the sector, as well as work force coverage.

  Modern Apprenticeships (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many modern apprenticeship and advanced modern apprenticeship starts there were in the(a) City of Newcastle upon Tyne and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency in each financial year from 1996–97 to the most recent date in 2000–01 for which figures are available. [157103]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: Since 1 April 1996, we know of 3,475 starts on Modern Apprenticeships in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne local authority district and 978 in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central parliamentary constituency as at 30 November 2000. Broken down by financial year these are:

  Financial year

  Foundation modern apprenticeships1

  Advanced modern apprenticeships2

  Total

  Newcastle upon Tyne local authority district

  1996–97

  3—

  357

  357

  1997–98

  3

  482

  485

  1998–99

  140

  392

  532

  1999–2000

  749

  483

  1,232

  2000–014

  559

  310

  869

  Total

  1,451

  2,024

  3,475

  Newcastle upon Tyne Central parliamentary constituency

  1996–97

  3—

  85

  85

  1997–98

  1

  149

  150

  FEFC funded

  Non-FEFC funded

  16–18

  Adult

  16–16

  Adult

  Year

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  1996–97

  1,471

  1,601

  1,223

  18,233

  71

  116

  336

  212

  1997–98

  1,301

  1,720

  1,100

  17,626

  98

  146

  348

  347

  1998–99

  1,251

  1,652

  1,232

  17,641

  101

  318

  446

  915

  1999–2000

  1,302

  1,600

  833

  18,804

  106

  324

  412

  1,132

  Notes:

  1. All data are whole-year data.

  2. Figures for 1999–2000 are provisional.

  3. Includes data from all FEFC funded institutions (including Specialist Designated Institutions).

  4. Excludes Higher Education Institutions.

CABINET OFFICE

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many officials, at what grades, have been transferred to(a) MAFF, (b) the Rural Task Force and (c) other relevant bodies working on the foot and mouth outbreak from other Government Departments. [157718]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Information is not held in the form requested. Over 100 staff from central and regional government are assisting MAFF. Around 15 further staff are working within the Rural Task Force.

  Workforce Development Plan (Civil Service)
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if the Central Government National Training Organisation has completed a work force development plan for the Civil Service. [158422]
  120W

  Financial year

  Foundation modern apprenticeships1

  Advanced modern apprenticeships2

  Total

  1998–99

  39

  99

  138

  1999–2000

  218

  134

  352

  2000–014

  170

  83

  253

  Total

  428

  550

  978

  1 Foundation Modern Apprenticeships, formerly known as National Traineeships, were introduced nationally in September 1997.

  2 Advanced Modern Apprenticeships, formerly known as Modern Apprenticeships, were introduced nationally in September 1995.

  3 Not applicable.

  4 April to November.

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database.

  Students (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many full and part-time students there are(a) aged 16 to 18 years and (b) over 18 years with home postcodes in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne at Further Education Funding Council-funded institutions, broken down between FEFC-funded courses and other courses, in each year since 1996–97. [157105]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The numbers of students with home postcodes in the local authority district of Newcastle-Upon Tyne split by age, mode of attendance and funding category is contained in the table:

  Mr. Stringer
  I am pleased to confirm that the Central Government National Training Organisation completed a work force development plan for the Civil Service. The plan is called "Developing 21st Century Skills" and sets out the priority skills needs for the Civil Service and actions that will be taken to address these needs. The plan focuses on equipping Civil Servants to deliver the Modernising Government agenda. Copies of the plan have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in her Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis is for this limit. [158116]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of
  121W
  those appointed to public bodies. In general, no age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies for which the Prime Minister or I are responsible.

  There is one exception. Candidates for appointment to the Civil Service Appeal Board must be either recently retired or about to retire from the Senior Civil Service or a recently retired (or about to retire) Civil Service Trade Union official. They are appointed for an initial period of three years with a possibility of re-appointment. This is explained in the advertisement. To ensure that board members are up to date with civil service/trade union practice and procedures, they are not allowed to serve beyond age 70. In practice, however, appointees normally complete their full period of office before reaching that age.

  It should also be noted that although there is no age limit to appointments made to the Advisory Committee on Advertising, each appointee must be "currently employed" as a media or marketing professional.

  Departmental Publications
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will instruct Departments that Internet-only publications that are no longer current should continue to be made publicly available in an archival subset of departmental websites. [158118]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Guidelines for UK Government websites are currently being revised and will in future emphasise the importance of retaining archival electronic master copies of all publications published on websites.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [155361]

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

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times(a) the Minister for Europe and (b) other Ministers from his Department have met with Nadhmi Auchi, of General Mediterranean Holdings Ltd.; and if he will list the (i) dates and (ii) locations of all such meetings. [156873]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 4 April 2001]: Neither I nor any other Minister from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have had any official meetings with Mr. Auchi.

  China
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the EU made an announcement of its position on a China 122W
  resolution at the 57 UN Commission for Human Rights prior to seeing the text of the resolution which the USA was drafting. [157450]

  Mr. Battle
  EU partners felt it was important to send an early and clear message to those concerned, including China and member states of the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), about the EU's approach towards the US resolution on China, and the expected Chinese no-action motion at the current UNCHR session. EU Foreign Ministers agreed a common position at the General Affairs Council on 19 March, after receiving informal briefing from the US authorities. It was agreed not to co-sponsor the US resolution on China at the UN Commission on Human Rights, but to strengthen the EU common position by actively lobbying against the expected Chinese no-action motion, for the first time since 1996.

  Visas
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will provide a breakdown, by entry clearance post, of the number of family visit visa applications(a) received, (b) determined, (c) allowed and (d) refused in March; [157971]

  (2) if he will provide a breakdown, by entry clearance post, of the number of family visit visa refusals in relation to which (a) an appeal was received, (b) the refusal was overturned by an entry clearance manager after receipt of an appeal and (c) an appeal was despatched in March. [157972]

  Mr. Vaz
  The information requested is not yet available. Once it is I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Kazakhstan
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of the state of human rights and democracy in Kazakhstan; and what conditions are included in EU agreements to provide for progress on these matters. [158197]

  Mr. Vaz
  Kazakhstan's human rights record since independence is mixed. In August 1998 the Government acceded to four UN Conventions: the Convention Against Torture; the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the Convention on the Eradication of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The Foreign Secretary pressed President Nazarbaev, during the latter's visit to Britain last November, for Kazakh accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and abolition of the death penalty.

  Serious problems remain. The UK, with its EU partners, has recently issued demarches to the Kazakh Government expressing concern about proposed amendments to the Law on the Mass Media and to the Law on Religion, which threaten to restrict media and religious freedoms.
  123W
  Democracy and respect for human rights underpin the EU-Kazakhstan Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) which came into effect in July 1999. Progress towards democratisation and human rights norms is regularly discussed at high-level PCA meetings between the EU and Kazakhstan. The PCA also provides for co-operation and technical assistance to aid progress in these areas.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the taking over by the EU of continuing WEU deployments. [158311]

  Mr. Vaz
  The mandate of the Western European Union's Multi-national Advisory Police Element in Albania (MAPE) will expire on 30 May. From 1 June, the European Union will assume direct responsibility for advice, training and the institution building activities of the Albanian police. This will be done through a co-operation project under the Community assistance programme for the Western Balkans.

  At the request of the Croatian authorities, the Western European Union has agreed to extend the mandate of the Western European Union's de-mining assistance mission (WEUDAM) with European Union financial support until 30 November when the mission will come to an end.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future role of(a) the WEU Satellite Centre and (b) the Institute for Security Studies, under the CFSP. [158310]

  Mr. Vaz
  Following earlier statements at the Cologne European Council, Ministers agreed in principle at the Nice European Council to incorporate the relevant functions of the Western European Union's Satellite Centre and Institute of Security Studies into the European Union by January 2002.

  European Security and Defence Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the consultations with Russia on security and defence issues, raised in section (2)(vi) of the Nice Presidency report on the European Security and Defence Policy. [158313]

  Mr. Vaz
  EU Heads of Government discussed the European Security and Defence Policy with President Putin at the Stockholm European Council. Senior officials of EU member states have also discussed ESDP with Russia in preparation for the EU/Russia summit on 17 May 2001.

  Chagos Islanders
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the report on the feasibility study of allowing the Chagos islanders to return; and if he will make a statement. [158650]
  124W
  Mr. Battle
  In accordance with the recommendations for further study in the preliminary report Phase 2A, the procurement and installation of measuring equipment on the islands is now complete and the collection of data has begun. At least six months of data are required before the next phase, 2B, can start. A project manager for Phase 2B has been appointed and terms of reference are currently being drawn up. We hope to have let the tender for this phase within 5–6 months. It is too early to say when the report will be ready but we would expect Phase 2 to take about one year. Phase 3 studies will depend on the findings of Phase 2.

  Diego Garcia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments have been made by the USA for the use of Diego Garcia in each year since 1971. [158651]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 1077W.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many personnel are employed by the British Indian Ocean Territories administration in(a) the UK and (b) the Territories; and how many are posted on Diego Garcia in each category. [158652]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 22 January 2001,Official Report, column 403W.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the USA concerning the future resettlement of Diego Garcia by the Chagos islanders since the 2000 court judgment on the right of return. [158649]

  Mr. Battle
  In our regular meetings with US officials they have made no formal representations to us but in our discussions with them about the implications of the court judgment. They have stressed the importance they attach, as we do, to the relevant treaty obligations.

  British Indian Ocean Territories
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) capital and (b) revenue expenditure for each of the past 10 years on the British Indian Ocean Territories. [158654]

  Mr. Battle
  We do not yet have the figures for the financial year 2000–01. The approximate figures for(a) Capital and (b) Recurrent expenditure for the previous six financial years are as follows. For the years prior to that the information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  £

  Financial Year

  (a)

  (b)

  1999–2000

  42,000

  1,850,000

  1998–99

  0

  1,325,000

  1997–98

  33,000

  1,530,000

  1996–97

  22,000

  1,225,000

  1995–96

  49,000

  1,391,000

  1994–95

  49,000

  825,000

  Lockerbie Trial
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official reports he has received from UN observers about the Lockerbie trial at Camp Zeist; and if he will make a statement. [158132]

  Mr. Battle
  There were no UN observers at the Lockerbie trial. There were several international observers, representing five organisations, nominated by the Secretary-General. We understand that one of these observers has written a report in a private capacity. The Registrar of the Lockerbie trial was sent a copy of the report and has made the report available to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Embassy Representation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was provided by the Embassy for the First Minister for Scotland during his recent visit to Washington; and what advice the First Minister received from the UK Ambassador about representation of UK regions in the embassy. [158133]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The British Embassy in Washington provided the First Minister for Scotland with the usual assistance they would offer to visiting Ministers. They provided a full programme of calls and the First Minister was accompanied during his visit which included a call on the White House.

  The Ambassador and the First Minister discussed the possibility of a secondment of a Scottish Executive official to the Embassy. Additionally, the embassy has been in touch with each of the devolved administrations about their representational activity in the United States.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on providing representation in the Embassy in(a) Washington and (b) Tripoli for constituent parts of the United Kingdom. [158134]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  In respect of Washington, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his previous question. Embassy staff in staff in all our posts overseas continue to represent all the constituent parts of the UK.

  Moluccas
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what communications he has had with the Indonesian authorities concerning the situation of Christians in the Moluccas; [158484]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the situation of Christians in the Moluccas; [158483]

  (3) what measures he has taken to end violence in the Moluccas. [158485]

  Mr. Battle
  We have been and continue to be very concerned about events in Indonesia, and especially in Maluku. The second anniversary on 19 January of the outbreak of intercommunal unrest was marked by renewed violence in Ambon: at least 14 people died in clashes between Muslims and the security forces. This illustrated the fragility of the situation in Ambon at a time 126W
  when there had been some recent improvements; the Muslim and Christian holidays in December passed without serious incident.

  Both the Secretary of State for International Development and I visited Indonesia in October 2000 and discussed the situation in Maluku with President Wahid and senior Ministers. We urged tolerance and restraint and made clear to them the Indonesian Government's responsibility to maintain law and order and take immediate steps to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice. I also discussed events with Alwi Shihab, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, in the margins of the EU-ASEAN meeting in Vientiane on 12 December. I further discussed the situation in Indonesia with the Indonesian Ambassador in London on 4 April.

  Our Ambassador to Indonesia has visited the Moluccas twice this year. The visits provided an opportunity to assess the situation at first hand. Together with other international partners, we are working with the Indonesian authorities and UNDP to promote reconciliation and begin wider reconstruction work.

  We welcome the commitment of the Indonesian Government to resolve the country's regional conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation. The challenge for Indonesia is to build on the foundations laid by the recent democratic process and to deliver human rights that benefit everybody. We will play a full part in helping towards that goal.

  Sudan
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking to promote human rights in the Sudan. [158487]

  Mr. Wilson
  We remain concerned about the human rights of all in Sudan and we regularly urge all sides in the civil war to respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. We make representations about our human rights concerns to the Government of Sudan, both bilaterally and with our EU colleagues through the EU/Sudan critical dialogue. The dialogue provides a forum for strong criticism of the Sudanese Government, and allows for a co-ordinated EU assessment of the human rights situation.

  We also work with our EU colleagues in the UN fora to keep our concerns on the international agenda. For example, the EU recently sponsored a UN General Assembly human rights resolution on Sudan and we are currently working on a similar text at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning violence in the Sudan. [158486]

  Mr. Wilson
  We receive numerous representations from members of the public, NGOs, and Members of Parliament, demonstrating the immense strength of feeling about the situation in Sudan. Indeed, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary recently received a petition organised by the Sudanese-British Human Rights Forum containing 18,000 signatures.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Vacancies
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies there were for police officers in the Devon and Cornwall constabulary in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155738]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information has been provided by the Chief Constable and is set out in the table. It compares the actual number of officers in post with the police authority's budgeted provision. The number of funded police posts has not been increased due to civilianisation of support posts that were previously filled by police officers. Between December 1992 and 31 January 2001 civilian support staff numbers in Devon and Cornwall Constabulary have increased by 380 to 1,428.

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  Year

  Number of funded police posts

  Actual number of police officers1

  Vacancies

  December

  1992

  2,928

  2,915

  13

  March 1997

  2,929

  2,865

  64

  January 2001

  2,928

  2,927

  1

  1 Before 1 April 1995 police numbers were counted on head basis. Since April 1995 they have been counted on a full-time equivalent basis.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies for policemen and policewomen there were in Hampshire in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [157821]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information for the years in question is set out in the table. The data for 1992 are taken from Home Office records. Following the abolition of

  Police recruits beginning residential training

  Region

  Force

  Recruits starting residential training 1999–2000

  Recruits starting residential training 2000–01

  Change (Number)

  Change (Percentage)

  East Midlands Region

  253

  530

  277

  109.5

  Derbyshire

  59

  100

  41

  69.5

  Leicestershire

  83

  107

  24

  28.9

  Lincolnshire

  24

  115

  91

  379.2

  Northamptonshire

  16

  75

  59

  368.8

  Nottinghamshire

  71

  133

  62

  87.3

  Eastern Region

  318

  628

  310

  97.5

  Bedfordshire

  33

  74

  41

  124.2

  Cambridgeshire

  24

  126

  102

  425.0

  Essex

  68

  180

  112

  164.7

  Hertfordshire

  148

  110

  -38

  -25.7

  Norfolk

  30

  82

  52

  173.3

  Suffolk

  15

  56

  41

  273.3

  London

  988

  1,281

  293

  29.7

  City of London

  0

  28

  28

  N/A

  Metropolitan police

  988

  1,253

  265

  26.8

  North East Region

  193

  377

  184

  95.3

  Cleveland

  43

  79

  36

  83.7

  Durham

  45

  76

  31

  68.9

  Northumbria

  105

  222

  117

  111.4

  North West Region

  441

  825

  384

  87.1

  Cheshire

  23

  80

  57

  247.8

  Cumbria

  19

  30

  11

  57.9

  GMP

  273

  386

  113

  41.4

  Lancashire

  87

  164

  77

  88.5

  Merseyside

  39

  165

  126

  323.1

  128W
  police establishments in 1995, it became a matter for police authorities and chief constables to decide on police numbers. For 1997 and 2001 the information on vacancies has been provided by the Chief Constable.

  Between 31 March 1992 and 31 January 2001 civilian support staff numbers in Hampshire Constabulary increased 352 to 1,404 (88 of the increase has been since March 1997).

  Hampshire Constabulary

  Year

  Budgeted police strength1

  Actual strength1

  Vacancies

  31 March 1992

  3,202

  3,206

  0 (+4)

  31 March 1997

  3,486

  3,452

  34

  31 January 2001

  23,573

  3,451

  122

  1 Before 1 April 1995 police numbers were counted on head basis. Since April 1995 they have been counted on a full-time equivalent basis.

  2 The Budgeted police strength figure for January 2001 includes Crime Fighting Fund posts (82 posts).

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officer recruits in England and Wales began residential training during(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will provide figures for each police force area. [156870]

  Mr. Straw
  Figures provided by National Police Training (NPT) and by the Metropolitan police record that 3,963 new recruits began residential training during 1999–2000 and 7,009 new recruits began residential training during 2000–01, an increase of 76.9 per cent.

  The table provides a breakdown by police force, by region.
  129W

  Police recruits beginning residential training

  Region

  Force

  Recruits starting residential training 1999–2000

  Recruits starting residential training 2000–01

  Change (Number)

  Change (Percentage)

  South East Region

  718

  1,080

  362

  50.4

  Hampshire

  119

  178

  59

  49.6

  Kent

  152

  262

  110

  72.4

  Surrey

  181

  231

  50

  27.6

  Sussex

  85

  180

  95

  111.8

  Thames Valley

  181

  229

  48

  26.5

  South West Region

  293

  529

  236

  80.5

  Avon and Somerset

  87

  146

  59

  67.8

  Devon and Cornwall

  70

  170

  100

  142.9

  Dorset

  61

  81

  20

  32.8

  Gloucestershire

  57

  73

  16

  28.1

  Wiltshire

  18

  59

  41

  227.8

  Wales

  266

  456

  190

  71.4

  Dyfed-Powys

  35

  58

  23

  65.7

  Gwent

  58

  64

  6

  10.3

  North Wales

  57

  91

  34

  59.6

  South Wales

  116

  243

  127

  109.5

  West Midlands Region

  298

  780

  482

  161.7

  Staffordshire

  18

  59

  41

  227.8

  Warwickshire

  37

  85

  48

  129.7

  West Mercia

  7

  89

  82

  1,171.4

  West Midlands

  236

  547

  311

  131.8

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  195

  523

  328

  168.2

  Humberside

  40

  95

  55

  137.5

  North Yorkshire

  9

  61

  52

  577.8

  South Yorkshire

  85

  161

  76

  89.4

  West Yorkshire

  61

  206

  145

  237.7

  Total

  All Forces

  3,963

  7,009

  3,046

  76.9

  The Prince's Trust
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to involve the Prince's Trust in working with young offenders in custody. [158183]

  Mr. Boateng
  In addition to existing work with the Prince's Trust in several young offender institutions, I am pleased to announce a new joint initiative, running for 12 months between the Prison Service and the Prince's Trust.

  We plan to run the Trust's Volunteers programme for young adult offenders in six prisons—Chelmsford, Gloucester, Leeds, Liverpool, New Hall, Norwich and at Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution, Reading.

  The purpose of the Volunteers programme is to assist in the personal development of young people. The aim of this initiative is to replicate the scheme's current record, as assessed by the Trust, of moving 70 per cent. of unemployed participants on the programme into full-time employment, training or education within three months of completing the programme for this challenging group of young people.

  Voting Procedures
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to inform blind and visually impaired people of the new procedures to assist independent voting for blind and partially sighted people. [158072]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I was joined on 22 March by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) representatives to launch publicly the availability of the 130W
  voting device and the large print display ballot paper at polling stations. The device was featured on the BBC Radio 4 "In Touch" programme on 3 and 10 April, including an interview I gave on the subject.

  The braille and audio tape versions of a leaflet on postal voting, "Make your voice heard", also contain information about the new voting procedures at polling stations for blind and partially sighted voters.

  Electoral administrators have been encouraged to make contact with local organisations representing the visually impaired to organise demonstrations of the voting device. The RNIB has been closely involved in the development of the device and has assisted in publicising the new voting procedures.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the full-time equivalent number of officers was who(a) transferred out of Metropolitan police and (b) were seconded to other forces as a result of the major boundary changes in 2000; and if he will provide a figure for the number of officers in the Metropolitan police, taking the changes into account, immediately prior to the boundary change which is comparable with subsequent equivalent figures. [157779]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that between 1 January 1999 and 6 April 2001, 108 officers transferred to the Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey forces.
  131W
  I am also told by the Commissioner that 466 police officers were seconded to the forces of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey when the boundary change took effect on 1 April 2000. These officers will return to the Metropolitan police over the following two years as and when replacements are recruited by the three county forces.

  The effects of the boundary change were incorporated into the police funding formula and the overall transfer was in terms of financial resources, not of officers. Where data on police numbers are used in the formula, a notional transfer of 887 from the Metropolitan police to the three county forces was applied. Because it is for police authorities and Chief Constables to decide how resources are utilised, it is not appropriate to convert the notional transfer directly into a full-time equivalent strength for the Metropolitan police immediately prior to the boundary changes.

  Between 31 March and 30 September 2000, the strength of the Metropolitan police fell by 790, to 24,695. This will have been due to a combination of boundary change resources and the temporary secondments to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey. By 31 January 2001, the numbers of officers in the Metropolitan police had risen to 24,861, 166 more than on 30 September 2000.

  Illegal Trafficking (Prostitution)
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to prevent the trafficking of women and girls in to the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation and prostitution; and what action is being taken at international level to combat such exploitation. [157527]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The Sex Offences Review recommended to Government in "Setting the Boundaries" that there should be a specific new offence of trafficking for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation for reward. The Government are considering that recommendation in the light of the responses to the report. The Home Office is also co-ordinating a wide range of work by various Government Departments in relation to establishing trafficking offences. These measures support and supplement work being done internationally both in the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). The United Kingdom has already signed the UN Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children; and is taking part in discussions within the EU on proposals to establish common offences and penalties in relation to preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, paying particular attention to the sexual exploitation of women and children.

  The EU funded STOP programme exists to encourage, support and reinforce practical co-operation to tackle trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation in children. The International Organisation for Migration, of which the United Kingdom is a full member, is also engaged on work in this field.

  Apart from prosecution for other offences, traffickers who attempt to facilitate the illegal entry of their victims may be prosecuted for the offence of facilitation which now carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
  132W
  Alternatively, or in addition, such traffickers who are also foreign nationals may also be refused leave to enter the United Kingdom.

  Apart from prosecuting traffickers, the National Crime Squad, National Criminal Intelligence Service, Immigration Service, Police and Europol are all actively involved in the gathering and dissemination of intelligence on trafficking and people smuggling. This work has been co-ordinated through a multi-agency taskforce entitled Project Reflex. The establishment of a network of Immigration Liaison Officers at strategic locations will further facilitate the exchange of information. The announcement by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac) on 5 April 2001, Official Report, column 256W, of an additional £90 million over three years to combat organised crime includes an additional £22.5 million in support of Project Reflex. This new money will enable further work to be carried out to combat trafficking and people smuggling, including the establishment of a joint team drawn from the National Crime Squad and Immigration Service. The EU is working closely together, drawing upon existing co-operation, to tackle the criminals responsible for this horrific trade.

  Departmental Policies (Cannock Chase)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Cannock Chase constituency, the effects on Cannock Chase of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158067]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 2000–2001", is available in the Library.

  Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Cannock Chase constituency or the immediate locality:

  Reducing Burglary Initiative (RBI)

  Under round one of the RBI Staffordshire Police were awarded £529,000 for a project to deal with prolific offenders in Staffordshire.
  133W
  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Cannock district council received approximately £488,000 for two schemes submitted under round one of the CCTV initiative. The Benion Road Estate scheme was awarded £322,000 for a 13 camera system covering a housing estate that suffers from incidents of burglary, violence against the person and anti-social behaviour. Hednesford Town Centre Car Parks was awarded £165,000 for a scheme covering the main shopping street, four car parks, the bus station and Hednesford railway station.

  Cannock Chase council have two schemes to a capital value of £211,000 shortlisted for further consideration under round two of the CCTV initiative.

  Youth Offending

  The Youth Justice Board are contributing approximately £55,000 to a Bail Supervision Scheme being run in Staffordshire which covers the Cannock Chase area. The main objectives of this scheme are: to identify and target prior to court those young people who are at risk of being remanded to custody or secure accommodation; to present programmes to the court at first and subsequent appearances, for alternative options to secure remand for young people.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Cannock Chase to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 49,690 by the end of February 2001; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  Jay Abatan
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the Essex police review's finding about the Sussex police's decision that the fatal assault on Jay Abatan was not racially motivated; [157145]

  (2) following the conclusions of the review by Essex police into the investigation by Sussex police following the death of Jay Abatan, if he will (a) write again to Bindman and Partners Solicitors and (b) reconsider the request by the family of Jay Abatan for a meeting to discuss their concerns. [157144]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Essex police conducted a review of the initial criminal investigation by Sussex police, which considered their treatment of the possibility that the assault on Jay Abatan was racially motivated. Although the Essex review did raise a number of concerns with regard to lessons which could be learnt from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report, it does not specifically criticise Sussex police for not treating the assault on Jay Abatan as racially motivated.
  134W
  In the light of the findings of the Essex review, Sussex police have now asked Avon and Somerset constabulary to undertake a further Inquiry to establish whether any disciplinary offences have been committed. Sussex police voluntarily referred this Inquiry to the Police Complaints Authority for supervision in December 2000. The terms of reference are: to investigate the handling by Sussex police of the assault on Jay Abatan on 24 January 1999 which led to his death on 29 January 1999 with specific reference to:
  the initial response by Sussex on the night of the assault;
  the management of the scene of crime and associated forensic issues;
  family liaison;
  the conduct and management of the inquiry;
  the investigation of the lines of inquiry;
  the racist aspects of the attack;
  the reviews of the inquiry;
  other matters arising from the investigation;
  any other specific complaints subsequently made by or on behalf of Jay Abatan's family.
  As this Inquiry is still on-going, I do not believe that it would be appropriate or helpful for me to comment further or meet with the family of Jay Abatan at this stage.

  Departmental Running Costs
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total gross running costs were to his Department in the 12 months ending
  30 April 1997 of(a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing. [157620]

  Mr. Straw
  The total gross running costs to my Department in the 12 months ending 30 April 1997 were(a) £2,449,710 for stationery and (b) £1,614,168 for printing and publishing.

  Consultancy Payments
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total gross running cost to his Department was of fees and disbursements paid to consultants in the 12 months ending 30 April 1997. [157618]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. In order to provide the hon. Member with as full an answer as possible the combined total running costs of fees and disbursements to my Department paid to consultants in the 12 months ending 31 March 1997 amounted to £11,804,984 (exclusive of VAT).

  Departmental Travel Costs
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's total gross running costs were for travel, including fares, subsistence, accommodation and other expenses met from public funds, but excluding such cost for journeys and stays exclusively within the United Kingdom, in the(a) three years ending 30 April 1997 and (b) 12 months ending 30 April 1997. [157622]
  135W
  Mr. Straw
  Information regarding expenses met from public funds for periods prior to April 1996 is not readily available. The amount met from public funds for the 12-month period ended 30 April 1997 was £2,602,103.29.

  Departmental Policies (Tiverton and Honiton)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157809]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 2000–01", is available in the Library.

  Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency or the immediate locality:

  Targeted Policing Initiative

  Under round two of the Targeted Policing Initiative Devon and Cornwall Constabulary have been awarded £81,000 for a project in the East Devon area. The project aims to focus on offender targeting for anti-social behaviour. This involves employment of a researcher/co-ordinator who would utilise existing Information Technology (IT) and resources to identify prolific criminals to be tackled by a "joined up" targeted approach.

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Mid-Devon district council were awarded £18,000 under round two of the CCTV initiative for a six-camera system covering Cullompton Town Centre.

  Youth Offending

  The Youth Justice Board (YJB) are contributing funding towards four intervention Schemes and one Bail Supervision Scheme in Devon that cover Tiverton and Honiton. The Parenting Skills Project is receiving approximately £43,000. The project aims to contribute to the prevention of offending by young people, by providing a range of up to 120 parental support packages annually. The Devon Mentoring Project aims to provide a swift intervention to young offenders so that they confront the consequences of their offence as close as possible to its commission. This project is receiving £52,000 from the YJB. The YJB are providing £52,000 towards the Devon Making Amends Project. The
  136W
  objectives of this project are to prevent offending by providing various opportunities for young offenders to confront the consequences of their offending. £151,000 is being funded towards the Devon Intensive Supervision and Support Programme. This aims to develop life-skills and cognitive behavioural programme to help young offenders to survive independently within the community and to develop self awareness of the consequences of their offending on themselves, their victims and the wider community.

  Approximately £75,000 is being contributed towards a Bail Support Scheme. This project aims to reduce re-offending among high risk/level offenders who are on bail or remand to courts.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Tiverton and Honiton to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 49,690 by the end of February 2001; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  Departmental Policies (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ribble Valley constituency, the effects on Ribble Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157845]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 2000–2001", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. 'Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000' and 'Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000' can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are some examples relating to the Ribble Valley constituency or the immediate locality:

  Youth Offending

  One Intervention Scheme and one Bail Supervision Scheme are being funded by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) in Lancashire that includes coverage of the Ribble Valley. The Lancashire Restorative Justice Project has

  137W
  been awarded a contribution of approximately £37,000. Youth Justice Mediation is a victim/offender mediation service provided by Blackpool borough and Lancashire county council's Youth Offending Teams who are working together to offer this service to children and young persons who offend and their victims and young offenders with the opportunity to communicate with one another in a safe environment in order that the offender may make amends for their inappropriate behaviour and assist the victim to come to terms with the harm they have suffered.

  The Bail Support Scheme has been awarded £191,000 and the main objectives are to provide a practical alternative to magistrates' courts for remands to custody, secure accommodation remands to local authority accommodation.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Ribble Valley to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 49,690 by the end of February 2001; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.

  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  Burglary
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has assessed on the effect of mandatory prison sentences for burglary on the incidence of burglary. [157761]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is, as yet, too soon to evaluate the impact of section 111 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (previously section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997), which introduced mandatory minimum sentences for repeat burglars. The effects of the provisions, which were brought into force in December 1999, will take some time to be felt because section 111 applies only when all three offences are committed after implementation and one of the two previous offences is committed after the offender has been convicted of the other.

  An evaluation is, however, planned and will take place in two main stages. The first stage will take place in 2003–04 and will be an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the measure across the criminal justice system, including changes in the incidence of burglary. By then, there should be enough evidence to form a more soundly based view of its effects.

  The final evaluation is planned for 2010 when the full effects should have worked their way through.

  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mandatory sentences for burglary have been passed each year since such sentences were first introduced; what proportion of all sentences for 138W
  burglary mandatory sentences represent in each of those years; and how many burglaries were reported to the police in each of those years. [157762]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (as re-enacted by the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000) which came into effect on 1 December 1999, a mandatory prison sentence of three years' minimum duration was introduced for third-time domestic burglary offenders.

  The Home Office's Court Proceedings Databases for 1999 and for 2000 (which are provisional) show that no such sentences have yet been recorded.

  An offender would have to be apprehended, prosecuted and convicted on three separate occasions since 1 December 1999 to be subject to the mandatory sentence. Such action is likely to take some time to get to court.

  There were 442,600 offences of domestic burglary recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1999–2000 and 16,800 persons were sentenced for this offence in 1999.

  Ground Control Technologies
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, what advice was given to the DSAC on (a) the social impact of the use of plastic baton rounds and (b) the views of victims' organisations. [158045]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None. The Defence Scientific Advisory Council considered the scientific and technological issues in relation to this equipment.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, how many police forces and other bodies are to be equipped with the L21A1 plastic baton round; what his estimate is of the cost of re-equipping each force; how many L21A1 baton rounds have been ordered in each force and at what cost; how many L104 anti-riot guns have been ordered and at what cost; how many XL18E3 optical sight mechanisms have been ordered for each force and at what cost; and what is his estimate of the cost of retraining each unit to be equipped with new equipment. [158037]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Twenty-four police forces in England and Wales presently have baton guns. No additional baton guns have been ordered, but new sights to adapt the weapons which already exist have been ordered. Those forces which have the weapon will have already been training in its use and no additional training costs are known to have arisen as a result of the new equipment.

  I wish to consider further, in consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, whether information on the holdings of individual forces can be released without prejudicing operational effectiveness.

  Lewes Prison
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent report by the Board of Visitors into conditions at Lewes Prison. [158340]
  139W
  Mr. Boateng
  This report is currently under consideration and I will be replying shortly to all the issues raised by the Board. When I have done so, I will ensure that a copy of my reply is placed in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers in 2000(a) left voluntarily and (b) were involuntarily deported. [158272]

  Mrs. Roche
  The number of failed asylum seekers who were removed in 2000 was 8,980. This figure includes 550 people who left under the Voluntary Assisted Returns Programme (VARP). It also includes people who left voluntarily in accordance with arrangements notified to the Immigration Service following the commencement of enforcement action. It is not possible to quantify the latter group. However, with the exception of those leaving under VARP, all recorded removals are enforced to some extent, either by escorting to the final point of destination or by the Immigration Service arranging or monitoring the departure. Information is not available on people who leave voluntarily without informing the Immigration Service.

  Football Policing
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what income police authorities in England received from premier league football clubs in 1999–2000. [158273]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not available.

  The decision whether to charge for costs of policing at local events is for the local police authority and the Chief Constable. Under Section 25 (1) of the Police Act 1996
  "the Chief Officer of Police may provide, at the request of any person, special police services at any premises or in any locality in the police area for which the force is maintained, subject to the payment to the police authority of charges on such scales as may be determined by that authority".
  Home Office guidance is that where police charge for special services arrangements should be made for full recovery of costs. This should include the total cost of a police officer including pay, overtime, national insurance, notional pension charges, rent allowance, compensatory grant, uniform, administration costs, and overheads such as costs of travel to and from the ground etc. This is reflected in the Audit Commission report "Taking care of the coppers" (November 1990) which sets out methodology for charging.

  Prison Inspections
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to ensure that the recommendations for reforming conditions at the Stoke Heath Young Offenders' Institution made by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons following his visit to Stoke Heath last October are fully and promptly carried out; and if he will ensure that frequent, irregular spot checks without prior warning are carried out in future. [158374]

  Mr. Boateng
  A new Governor and Deputy have been appointed and an action plan addressing all the recommendations is required to be produced within 140W
  30 working days of publication. This is monitored by line management with progress reports to Ministers nine and 15 months after publication.

  In the 2000–01 financial year, the Area Manager made 16 visits to the establishment; Area Managers are normally expected to make eight visits per year to each establishment. There is clear evidence of improvement in regime delivery and management under the new Governor and Deputy. The Area Manager is satisfied that his normal visiting arrangements, which may include unannounced visits, will now be sufficient to monitor the implementation of the action plan.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to ensure that the safety and proper treatment of young offenders and adult prisoners are not entrusted to the former governor and deputy governor of the Stoke Heath Young Offenders' Institution in Shropshire. [158373]

  Mr. Boateng
  The former Governor of Stoke Heath young offender institution has retired from the Prison Service. There is no evidence that the former Deputy Governor is not capable of performing an operational role under the supervision of a suitable governing Governor.

  Election Mailshots
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the amount necessary to be made available to the Post Office to cover the delivery of post-free election material in 2001. [158216]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  If there is a general election in 2001, we estimate that the delivery costs of candidates' election mailings for that election will amount to around £17.6 million at current rates, though this is dependent on the number of candidates taking advantage of this entitlement. If there were by-elections, the costs would depend on their number and the number of candidates participating.

  Test Purchasing
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussion he has had with other Government Departments on the use of children of compulsory school age in undertaking test purchasing on behalf of local authority trading standards departments during school hours; and if he will make a statement; [158493]

  (2) what advice his Department issues on the use of children of compulsory school age in undertaking test purchases on behalf of local authority trading standards departments during school hours; and if he will make a statement. [158495]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Home Office Circular 17/1992 on the provisions of the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 included guidance on the use of children to make test purchases. A copy of the Circular is in the Library. We are aware that the Association of London Chief Trading Standards Officers subsequently published a code of practice for use in the London area, covering the enforcement of legislation concerning the sale of age-restricted goods which drew on the guidance in the Circular. The Home Office has not
  141W
  subsequently had discussions with other Departments with a view to issuing further guidance. It is, however, our intention to do so, and to consult the Local Government Association, in relation to the provisions in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill, once enacted, which authorise the test purchasing of alcohol.

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158030]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 2000–01", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Plymouth unitary authority area or the immediate locality:

  Reducing Burglary Initiative (RBI)

  Under round one of the RBI Devon and Cornwall constabulary in partnership with Plymouth city council have been awarded approximately £171,000 for projects focusing on Houses of Multiple Occupancy in the seven central wards in Plymouth. Interventions include: analysis of burglary patterns and methods of entries relating to multiple occupancy dwellings; improving the standards of security in city-centre and university multiple occupancy dwellings; provide security publicity and advice, and through establishing a Certificate of Home Security and an accompanying inspections regime (through training existing property inspectors). It will encourage the formation of neighbourhood watch schemes among residents in multiple occupancy dwellings and identify and target vulnerable properties through the existing Homesafe target hardening scheme.

  Under round two, £70,000 has been awarded to various areas. The main interventions proposed in these areas are target hardening, education and improved detection methodology in an area covering 20 high-crime streets.

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Plymouth city council was awarded approximately £114,000 for a scheme to upgrade existing equipment covering the car parks and surrounding areas of Derriford
  142W
  Hospital. Plymouth city council have two bids to a total capital of almost £855,000 shortlisted for further consideration under round two of the CCTV initiative.

  Youth Offending

  The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is currently funding several schemes to tackle youth offending that cover the Plymouth area. The YJB are currently providing funding for five Intervention Schemes, one Bail Supervision scheme, a Youth Inclusion project and Easter and Summer Splash schemes. The Easter and Summer Splash schemes aim to address offending by young people (especially 13 to 17-year-olds) during school holiday periods. The results have been extremely encouraging. The five areas traditionally associated with youth crime—burglary, motor crime, criminal damage, street robbery and juvenile nuisance all showed significant reductions compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. In the Plymouth area, the Barne Barton and Honicknowle areas have been involved in this scheme.

  The Youth Inclusion programme seeks to reduce offending, truancy and exclusion on disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The project aims to do this by providing targeted assistance and support to the 13 to 16-year-olds most at risk of offending, truancy or exclusion. The Barne Barton neighbourhood has received £68,500 from the YJB for each year the programme is fully operational. A further £6,500 per project is paid direct to local evaluators. In return the project must match this grant funding with minimum local (partnership) funding in cash or in-kind of £75,000 per full year.

  There are five Intervention Schemes being run in the Plymouth area. The FIVE Project (Education, Training and Employment) is a partnership of the Prince's Trust with the Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) and local education authorities in five cities of England and Wales. It works with young offenders and those at risk of offending, aged 14–17, through the provision of two Prince's Trust programmes. These mentoring and education programmes can be used in support of Final Warnings to young offenders. The YJB have contributed approximately £340,000 to this scheme. The YJB are also contributing almost £248,000 to Plymouth Community Justice Project. This restorative justice project includes Family Group Conferencing, Victim Offender Mediation, direct and indirect reparation to the community where possible. The project will involve young people at all stages of the Criminal Justice System (Final Warning, Action Plan Orders, Supervision Order, Detention and Training Orders).

  Plymouth Community Justice Project—Mentoring is aimed at Persistent Young Offenders and those on Bail Support programmes, together with other young offenders at risk of further offending or harmful behaviour. The objectives of this project include reducing offending, reducing the risk of offending, increasing the numbers on bail attending court and not offending while on bail, demonstrating an improvement in the young person's self esteem/confidence and contributing to the target Behaviour Support Plan to reduce school exclusions. The YJB are contributing £176,000 to this project.

  Plymouth Community Justice Project—Education and Employment Inclusion Programme is receiving £78,000 from the YJB. This targets a wide group of young people, particularly those excluded or at risk of exclusion. The

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  project seeks to address young people who fall outside of the employment and benefits system. Links have been developed with other appropriate services and also with those professionals responsible for Looked After Children to ensure they access the service. CARA (Children and Adolescent Risk Assessment) is a project providing assessment and basic therapeutic interventions for those children and young people who have committed offences of a sexual nature or who are considered to be at risk of doing so with the objective of preventing further offences. This project has been awarded approximately £104,000 by the YJB.

  The YJB are contributing approximately £134,000 to a Bail Support Scheme in the Plymouth area. This scheme aims to reduce re-offending by 10 per cent., to reduce remands in custody by 10 per cent. and to reduce secure remands by 10 per cent.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of the Plymouth unitary authority area to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 49,690 by the end of February 2001; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  Deputy Lieutenants
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what criteria are used to ensure propriety in appointments; [158363]

  (2) what powers he has to ensure that appointments of deputy lords lieutenant are not subject to political bias. [158362]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Lieutenancies Act 1997 requires the lord lieutenant of a county or area to notify to Her Majesty the name of any person whom he proposes to appoint as a deputy lieutenant. A commission as deputy lieutenant is not granted to that person until the lord lieutenant has been informed by the Secretary of State that Her Majesty does not disapprove of the granting of the commission. Appointments are not based on political affiliation, but on place of residence and service to the community. Lords lieutenant are advised to stand aloof from politics in their counties.

  Assuming the second question relates to this issue, appointments are made on merit to satisfy these criteria.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deputy lieutenants there are in Lancashire; to what extent they are representative of all parts of Lancashire; if they are all members of one political party; how many are Lancastrians by birth; and what steps he is taking to reform the system of appointing deputy lords lieutenant. [158365]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are 41 lieutenants in Lancashire. They come from all parts of the county. The deputy lieutenants of a county or area are appointed by 144W
  the lord lieutenant, subject to the Queen not disapproving of the granting of the commission. When considering the appointment of deputy lieutenants, the lord lieutenant looks at the geographical spread, to ensure that all parts of the county are represented. No information about the political affiliation of deputy lieutenants is held, though appointments are based not on political affiliation but on place of residence and service to the community. Information about how many of the county's deputy lieutenants are Lancastrians by birth is not held. Lords lieutenant are specifically advised that within each county or area, deputy lieutenants should be widely representative of its life in social range, gender, ethnic mix and service to the community.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what measures he judges the success or failure of his policies on the use of illegal drugs. [158221]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  For the first time Departments and agencies nationally and locally have been brought together to work in partnership towards joint performance targets. The Home Office has been at the fore of the 10-year strategy launched in May 1998 to break the link between drugs and crime. The strategy was underpinned with an additional £217 million over three years for anti-drugs activity from the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review. This is in addition to the £1.4 billion spent annually on anti-drug work. The targets for the 10-year strategy as set out in "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain" are:halving the numbers of young people using illegal drugs, especially heroin and cocaine;
  halving the levels of re-offending by drug misusing offenders to protect our communities from drug-related anti-social and criminal behaviour;
  doubling the numbers of drug misusers in treatment; and
  halving the availability of drugs, especially heroin and cocaine, on our streets.

  The Government's anti-drugs strategy clearly recognises that law enforcement continues to be vital in tackling the drugs problem in the United Kingdom. The police service at all levels will continue to concentrate on targeting drug dealers and traffickers and bringing them to justice. There is a particular emphasis on Class A drugs, as these cause the greatest harm. The strategy encourages the police to work with other agencies to disrupt local drug markets and to force drug dealers off our streets, thereby reducing the harm to our communities and the exposure of young people to drugs. The strategy builds on the existing work by the police with the aim of reducing levels of street dealing and the availability of drugs in communities.

  The Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO), a community sentence aimed at serious drug misusing offenders, has been available to courts in England and Wales since 1 October 2000. Its main aim is to get offenders to stop re-offending, with the longer-term aim of getting them off drugs for good. The decision was made to roll-out the DTTO in the light of an independent evaluation of three pilot schemes which found that on average there were significant reductions in the spending on illegal drugs and number of crimes committed by

  145W
  offenders subject to DTTOs. A reconviction study will be undertaken in due course to establish the longer-term impact of the order.

  The Government are well on the way to ensuring that all police forces in England and Wales have Arrest Referral Schemes in place to help drug-misusing arrestees to access the treatment they need ahead of our 2002 target. While it is too early to properly measure the success of this scheme, initial feedback from October to December 2000 suggests that half of arrestees seen by arrest referral workers had not accessed treatment previously, which suggests a positive impact on crime.

  In the Prison Service, in the short term we look at measures such as the random mandatory drug testing (MDT) rate or the take up of drug treatment. Both show extremely encouraging results with the random MDT rate falling from 20.8 per cent. in 1997–98 to a projected figure of 12.5 per cent. in 2000–01. We expect over 37,000 CARATs (Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare services, the new drug package of treatment services) assessments to have been completed in 2000–01. In the long term, the Prison Service is establishing independent research to measure the effectiveness of its drug strategy in reducing both drug misuse and reoffending rates.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes dated 22 March regarding Ms Olga Maiboroda's application to his Department, made on 20 January; for what reasons the completion of her passport application has been delayed; and if he will explain the loss of her papers. [158282]

  Mrs. Roche
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 20 April 2001.

  Prison Governors
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer on 14 February 2001,Official Report, column 176W, on prison governors, when he will write to the hon. Member for Wellingborough concerning changes of governor in prison establishments in the last five years. [158745]

  Mr. Boateng
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 20 April 2001.

  Lord Birt
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which sections of "Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead", Cm 5074, Lord Birt contributed in his capacity as an adviser on crime; and if he will make a statement. [158241]

  Mr. Straw
  Lord Birt's advice spanned the full range of issues tackled in "Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead".

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) to which Government policies on crime Lord Birt has contributed personally; [158350]

  (2) if Lord Birt continues in his role as a Government adviser on crime; what the duration of his appointment is; and if he will make a statement; [158243]
  146W
  (3) pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2001, Official Report, column 206W, on Lord Birt, what firm conclusions have emerged from Lord Birt's work; and how they have been reported to the House. [158271]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Taunton (Ms Ballard) on 27 March 2001,Official Report, column 594W.

  Monica Masiti
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds the Zimbabwean war veteran Monica Masiti is making her application for asylum in the United Kingdom; where she is resident in the United Kingdom; and in what capacity within the NHS she is employed. [158322]

  Mrs. Roche
  At present we can find no trace of a Monica Masiti but in any event information about an individual's immigration status is treated as confidential.

  Electoral Commission
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he has consulted, and what representations he has received, about the amount specified in the Electoral Commission (Limit on Public Awareness Expenditure) Order 2001. [158420]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The limit of £1.5 million specified in the Electoral Commission (Limit on Public Awareness Expenditure) Order 2001 reflects the estimate for expenditure under this heading, for 2001–02, proposed by the Commission and approved by the Speaker's Committee in accordance with paragraph 14 of Schedule 1 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. As required by section 13(6) of the Act, the Order was made with the consent of the Treasury. We have received no representations about the amount specified in the Order. Consideration will be given to making a further Order in due course to take effect from 1 April 2002.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the Electoral Commission's rules for making grants under section 13(4)(b) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. [158421]

  Mr. Beith
  I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Speaker's Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the exercise of the Electoral Commission's functions.

  Section 13(4)(b), in common with the other provisions of section 13 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, does not come into force until 1 July 2001. I understand from the Chairman of the Electoral Commission that no decisions have yet been made as to how the Commission will exercise its grant-making powers under section 13. No rules have been prepared for this purpose, nor is there any requirement under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act for the Commission to make such rules.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Expenditure (Scotland)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) personal computers, (b) laptops, (c) servers, (d) printers and (e) fax machines his Department in Scotland owned in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01.[155087]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: The information is in the tables. The office machinery concerned is used to support work done on behalf of claimants not only in Scotland but also in the rest of the UK. Similarly, office machinery located outside Scotland is used to support work done on behalf of Scottish claimants.

  Benefits Agency

  The number of laptops in place is included in the figure provided for PCs.

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  PCs

  5,209

  6,016

  Printers

  1,144

  1,427

  Servers

  140

  140

  Faxes

  359

  377

  Child Support Agency

  The number of laptops in place is included in the figure provided for Pcs.

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Pcs

  480

  490

  Printers

  52

  52

  Servers

  21

  21

  Faxes

  40

  40

  The Child Support Agency (CSA) in Falkirk services the whole of Scotland and a substantial part of the north of England. The figures provided by the CSA are inclusive and cannot be separated.

  Disabled People
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent to which the benefits system discourages people with disabilities from taking up work. [158087]

  Mr. Bayley
  We know that many disabled people would like to return to work if they are given the right assistance. They may, however, be discouraged from taking up work by lack of awareness of the benefits system, by difficulty in finding suitable employment, and by the fear that they will not be able to return to benefit if their attempt at work is unsuccessful.

  We are determined to help people with an illness or disability who want to work to do so. We have put a number of measures in place to remove barriers to work for disabled people. These include higher earnings disregards in the Independent Living Funds and improvements to the linking rules in incapacity benefits. We have extended the linking period from eight to 52 weeks for people who leave Incapacity Benefit to go into paid work or training. From April 2002 we are
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  replacing the therapeutic work rules with new permitted work provisions which will allow all people in receipt of incapacity benefits to try a small amount of work without the fear of losing their benefit entitlement. We have abolished the limit on the number of hours of unpaid voluntary work that can be undertaken. We are also piloting Capability Reports as part of the Personal Capability Assessment, which we introduced in April 2000.

  We are extending the New Deal for Disabled People across Great Britain From July 2001 a national network of Job Brokers will be rolled out jointly by the Department of Social Security and the Department for Education and Employment to offer people receiving incapacity benefits the support, guidance and preparation they need to find paid work and move off benefit dependence, continuing to test and assess what works best.

  Alongside the national extension, in early 2002 we will be starting New Deal for Disabled People Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilots jointly with the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health. These pilots will test the relative effectiveness of different employment and health interventions in reducing the number of people forced to give up work through prolonged illness or disability.

  The national extension and Job Retention and Rehabilitation pilots draw on lessons learned from the pilot phase of the New Deal for Disabled People which, by the end of February 2001, had helped over 6,800 people into work.

  We have also introduced the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) to help make work pay. In the Budget the Chancellor announced an increase in DPTC from June and this, combined with increases in the National Minimum Wage in October, will raise the guaranteed minimum income for a disabled person moving into work of 35 hours per week or more to £170 a week for a single person, and £257 a week for a couple with one child.

  Departmental Policies (Cannock Chase)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Cannock Chase constituency, the effects on Cannock Chase of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158065]

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

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (Cm 4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than data at a local authority level, but the

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  following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Cannock Chase since May 1997.

  Measures in our five Budgets so far will lift over 1.2 million children nationally out of poverty. These include record increases to child benefit, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in the income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit is worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from this April: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Cannock Chase 12,714 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over 50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 960,600; in Cannock Chase the number has reduced from 2,100 to 1,300. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally; in Cannock Chase the number has decreased from 1,400 to 1,200.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. Last winter (2000–01), the payment was £200 for households who qualified. Around 16,200 older people in Cannock Chase received a Winter Fuel Payment.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 15,800 pensioners in Cannock Chase will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic state pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over 75s of whom we estimate there are about 5,700 in Cannock Chase. 2,300 pensioner families in Cannock Chase are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. They are now at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  To help tomorrow's pensioners, we have introduced the new stakeholder pension which is designed to help those on moderate to higher earnings who do not have access to an occupational pension; lower to moderate earners will benefit when we introduce the State Second Pension in April 2002; and from 2003, the Pension Credit will mean that pensioners will for the first time be rewarded, not penalised, for saving.

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158024]
  150W
  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10; promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and, combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than data at a local authority level, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Plymouth, Sutton, Plymouth, Devonport, South-West Devon and the Plymouth unitary authority area since May 1997.

  Measures in our five Budgets so far will lift over 1.2 million children nationally out of poverty. These include record increases to Child Benefit, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in the income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit is worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from this April: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, in Plymouth, Sutton 9,631 families benefit, in Plymouth, Devonport 13,143 families benefit, in South-West Devon 11,376 families benefit and in the Plymouth unitary authority area 29,365 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over 50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 960,600; in Plymouth, Sutton the number has reduced from 4,600 to 1,900, in Plymouth, Devonport from 3,700 to 1,400, in South-West Devon from 1,300 to 500 and in the Plymouth unitary authority area from 9,000 to 3,700. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally; in Plymouth, Sutton the number has reduced from 2,400 to 1,800, in Plymouth, Devonport from 2,800 to 2,600, in South-West Devon from 700 to 600 and in the Plymouth unitary authority area from 5,600 to 4,800.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. Last winter (2000–01), the payment was £200 for households who qualified. Around 16,100 older people in Plymouth, Sutton, 18,700 in Plymouth, Devonport and 18,600 in South-West Devon received a Winter Fuel Payment. Information on the number of Winter Fuel Payments received is not available by local authority area.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 16,000 pensioners in Plymouth, Sutton, 17,500 in Plymouth, Devonport,

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  17,200 in South-West Devon and 44,000 in the Plymouth unitary authority area will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic state pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over 75s of whom we estimate there are about 7,600 in Plymouth, Sutton, 6,600 in Plymouth, Devonport, 7,100 in South-West Devon and 18,400 in the Plymouth unitary authority area. 3,200 pensioner families in Plymouth, Sutton, 2,800 in Plymouth, Devonport, 1,700 in South-West Devon and 7,000 in the Plymouth unitary authority area are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. They are now at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  To help tomorrow's pensioners, we have introduced the new stakeholder pension which is designed to help those on moderate to higher earnings who do not have access to an occupational pension; lower to moderate earners will benefit when we introduce the State Second Pension in April 2002; and from 2003, the Pension Credit will mean that pensioners will for the first time be rewarded, not penalised, for saving.

  Maxwell Pension Schemes
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the expenditure incurred by the National

  Scheme name

  Amount paid (£)

  Amount outstanding (£)

  Progress

  Minor Group Pension Scheme

  2,825,000

  70,377,280

  The SSP bill has been capped at £66 million. A phased and gradually accelerating payment schedule has been agreed. Final payment due in 2020

  Maxwell Communications Works Pension Scheme

  20,000,000

  10,467,802

  It is expected that the scheme will make a final payment for the amount outstanding in the next two months

  Headington Pension Plan

  727,109

  49,236

  Remaining balance is expected to be paid by the scheme

  Victoria Works

  0

  313,456

  These three schemes have merged. Some SSPs may be paid

  AGB

  0

  10,012,704

  AGB Research

  —

  1,338,787

  Maxwell Communications Pension Plan

  0

  10,168,744

  The scheme is unlikely to make any SSP payment

  Maxwell Media Pension Plan

  0

  409,002

  There is no prospect of this scheme making any SSP payment

  Totals

  23,552,109

  103,137,011

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the expenditure incurred by the National Insurance Fund in paying the guaranteed minimum pensions of members of Maxwell scheme pensions who suffered as a result of the theft of pension funds has been repaid. [158199]

  Mr. Rooker
  A total of £23.6 million of State Scheme Premiums (SSPs) has been paid to the National Insurance Fund by Maxwell schemes. Further substantial payments will be made.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of occupational pension schemes which have pensioners whose pensions do not meet the guaranteed minimum pension. [158201]
  152W
  Insurance Fund was in paying the guaranteed minimum pensions of members of Maxwell scheme pensions who suffered as a result of the theft of pension funds. [158198]

  Mr. Rooker
  The value of State Scheme Premiums payable to restore members' rights in the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme is £126.6 million. The Department initially deferred collecting the premiums, but £23.6 million of the debt has been collected to date.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the agreements between his Department and Maxwell pension schemes for the recovery of national insurance loans and, in each case,(a) what the agreed sum to be recovered is, (b) how much has been recovered to date and (c) what the deadline for repayment is. [158438]

  Mr. Rooker
  The agreement reached with all of the Maxwell pension schemes in the early 1990s was that no scheme would be required to pay any State Scheme Premiums (SSPs) until members' pensions have been secured and there were residual funds available to meet these liabilities.

  Information on the agreed sum to be recovered and how much has been recovered to date is in the table.

  No deadlines have been set for collecting the outstanding premiums for schemes, where they have become payable.

  Mr. Rooker
  Of the 120,000 occupational pension schemes, around 7,000 are required to pay pensions at least to the value of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension in respect of service between April 1978 and April 1997.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representation he has received from ITNet covering their administration of housing benefit; and if he will place all correspondence in the Library. [158585]

  Angela Eagle
  I am aware that ITNet have made a number of representations to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, one of which was copied to me. It is not normal practice to place such correspondence in the Library.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to receive the results of the current inquiry into the Independent Living Fund; and if he will publish the submissions made. [158587]

  Mr. Bayley
  The consultation period for the review of the Independent Living Fund closed on March 16. The results of the review will be announced in the summer. Over 1,800 submissions were received from current individual fund clients and their families and carers and over 60 from organisations including those of, and representing, disabled people. Many of the former contain personal details and full publication would not be appropriate. However an anonymised summary of these comments, together with the full text of other submissions, will be placed in the Library when the results of the review are announced.

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158104]

  Mr. Rooker
  For non-judicial public appointments made in the Department no age limits apply. Age is not a criterion of the job or person specification and advertisements make no reference to age. The Department follows the guidance of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and does not discriminate on the ground of age.

  For part-time judicial office-holders, which includes the Pensions Ombudsman and members of the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, an upper age limit of 70 applies. This is now referred to in advertisements for posts. This upper age limit was introduced following the Lord Chancellor's review of the terms of service of part-time judicial office-holders.

  Widows Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the effect is on(a) entitlement to a widow's pension of a woman aged under 60 and (b) entitlement to retirement or widows pension of a woman aged over 60 based on a late husband's contributions, of a woman having paid national insurance contributions at the reduced rate for married women. [158281]

  Mr. Rooker
  None.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 17, if he will list the assumptions behind his statement that 9 per cent. more pensioners will be on means-tested benefits in 2003 compared with today. [158695]

  Mr. Rooker
  The primary reason for the increase in overall numbers receiving means-tested benefits between 1999 and 2003–04 is that more people become eligible to the Minimum Income Guarantee as a result of the 154W
  generous increase in the rates. In May 1999 some 3 million pensioners were in receipt of means-tested benefits. By 2003–04 the number of pensioners forecast to be receiving means-tested benefits is 3.2 million.

  Notes:

  1. Pensioners are defined as where either the claimant or the partner is aged 60 or over.

  2. Means-tested benefits for pensioners comprise Minimum Income Guarantee, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (the latter cases involve men between 60 and 65)

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and represent benefit units rather than individuals.

  4. Whereas the historical figures represent a certain point in time in the year, forecast figures represent an estimated annual average caseload for the year in question.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the magistrates courts covering the Greater London area. [158577]

  Jane Kennedy
  Information on the magistrates courts in the Greater London area available for use in December 2000 is in the table.

  Acton

  Balham

  Barking (East street)

  Barnet

  Belmarsh

  Bexley

  Bow Street

  Brent

  Brentford

  Bromley (London road)

  Camberwell Green

  City of London

  Croydon

  Ealing

  Enfield

  Feltham

  Greenwich

  Harrow

  Hendon

  Highbury Corner

  Highgate

  Horseferry road

  Inner London Children and Family Proceedings Court

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  Marylebone (181 Marylebone road)

  Marylebone (185 Marylebone road)

  Redbridge

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  Seymour Place

  South Western

  155W

  Stratford

  Sutton

  Thames

  Tower Bridge

  Uxbridge

  Waltham Forest

  West London

  Wimbledon

  Woolwich.

  Fines
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much money was collected by the Treasury via the Consolidated Fund in respect of all court and police imposed fines in each year since 1997 for(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the United Kingdom. [158528]

  Jane Kennedy
  Figures for fines alone could be obtained for England, Wales and Northern Ireland only at disproportionate cost. Questions concerning fines imposed in Scotland are outside the Lord Chancellor's jurisdiction and should be referred to the Scottish Executive.

  The police do not impose fines.

  Figures available for total amounts of fines, fees, confiscation orders, contributions to legal aid and other amounts collected by the courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and remitted to the Consolidated Fund are set out in the table.

  £

  Amounts collected by courts in

  England

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  April 1997-March 1998

  1—

  1—

  6,382,000

  April 1998-March 1999

  1—

  1—

  6,089,000

  April 1999-March 2000

  226,175,023

  15,606,246

  6,464,000

  April 2000-December 20002

  157,863,584

  11,062,441

  2—

  April 2000-March 2001

  3—

  3—

  46,235,000

  1 Not available

  2Latest actual figures available for England and Wales based on three quarters worth of data

  3 Not yet available

  4 The Northern Ireland figure for the year April 2000-March 2001 is an estimate

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158130]

  Jane Kennedy
  For appointments as members of the Law Commission in England and Wales, no mention is made of any age limit in the advertisement, but in the information pack sent to applicants it states that the Lord Chancellor will consider applications from candidates up to the age of 65. Law Commissioners work full-time and this is the normal age of retirement.

  For the Lord Chancellor's non-departmental public bodies administered by the Northern Ireland Court Service, there is no age limit for appointment to the Legal Aid Advisory Committee. For the other advisory
  156W
  committees, save in exceptional circumstances, a member will not be appointed over the age of 65 and the retirement ages are as follows:
  Chairman and members of Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax (GCIT) in Northern Ireland: 75 if a Lord Lieutenant, if not a Lord Lieutenant 75 if appointed prior to 1996, 70 if appointed after then.
  Chairman of an Advisory Committee on JPs in Northern Ireland: 75.
  For the other appointments in Northern Ireland the retirement age is 70.
  For the equivalent advisory committees on JPs and on GCITs in England and Wales, appointments cannot normally extend beyond a person's 70th birthday.

  Otherwise, no age limit is placed on the non-judicial appointments the Lord Chancellor makes to his non-departmental public bodies. However, where the appointment is to be held by someone who is a serving member of the judiciary, including JPs, the retirement ages for judges will be borne in mind.

  Tony Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason his Department advertises part-time appointments with an age limit for applicants of 62. [158061]

  Mr. Lock
  A normal upper age limit of 62 for applicants to part-time judicial posts is principally set to take account of the retirement age for judicial offices, which for part-time judicial office holders is 65. In setting the upper age limit at 62 the Lord Chancellor has taken into account the expectation that office holders should be able to complete a reasonable period of service before reaching the compulsory retirement age.

  However, in exceptional circumstances the age limits set for appointment may be relaxed at the Lord Chancellor's discretion. The Lord Chancellor's discretion may be invoked, for example, where an otherwise well-qualified candidate has had a career break or started his or her career later than usual. Other factors that the Lord Chancellor would take into account, in considering whether or not to exercise his discretion, would include evidence of a previous judicial appointment, or that the applicant was particularly well qualified for the post applied for.

  Homelessness (Appeals)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received in relation to the time limit for homeless applicants to appeal to the county court under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996; what research his Department has commissioned relating to this issue; what its findings were; and if he will make a statement. [158071]

  Mr. Lock
  I have received correspondence from both Shelter and the Law Society about this. Although this research has not been specifically undertaken into this issue, it was considered in this Department's Research Report No. 9/99, "A Regional Study of Local Authority and Court Processes in Homelessness Cases", which was published in 1999 and recommended that further consideration should be given to the time limit. We are considering issues a arising out of the research in the context of the Homes Bill, which is currently in another place.

  Adults with Learning Difficulties
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what specific assistance is available within the legal system to adults with learning difficulties.[158079]

  Jane Kennedy
  Court Service staff have been given training on helping people with learning difficulties. This includes explaining terminology and jargon in simpler terms; and advising the judge of any known effect the learning difficulty may have on a hearing. The Court Service also operates a free helpline providing advice on how disabled customers can be helped to use the courts.

  Training seminars for judges include dedicated sessions and case studies on disability issues, of which learning disabilities form a part. A new section of the Equal Treatment Bench Book for judges, entitled "Disability", was published in January 2001. This section includes material on learning disabilities and a chapter on the provisions of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 relating to witnesses with learning disabilities.

  These measures in this Act include new powers to clear the court when the witness is giving evidence. The timetable for implementation in the Crown court and the magistrates courts is under consideration.

  The criminal law recognises that those with severe mental impairment require protection from sexual offences. The report of the Review of Sexual Offences makes several recommendations to Government for changes in the law to improve this protection. Responses to public consultation on this report are now being analysed.

  The Police and Criminal Act 1984, and Code of Practice C made under that Act, also provide specific protections for adults with learning difficulties who may be suspected of committing a criminal offence. The interests of justice test for determining applications for criminal legal aid takes account of the inability of the defendant to understand proceedings.

  The Official Solicitor provides assistance in litigation for an adult with such severe learning disabilities as to be unable to manage his or her property and affairs and there is no other person suitable or able to do so.

  Departmental Policies (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ribble Valley constituency, the effects on Ribble Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157853]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.
  158W
  In particular, the Ribble Valley constituency is covered by the East Lancashire Community Legal Service Partnership. As at 11 April 2001, the Legal Services Commission had let Community Legal Service contracts to 42 solicitors' offices and three Not for Profit (NfP) organisations. The expected expenditure value in the financial year 2001–02 of solicitor-type contracts is £1,385,000; for the NfP-type contracts it is £290,000. The contracts cover a range of categories, including family, welfare benefits, debt and immigration.

  As at 18 April 2001, 25 firms in Ribble Valley had signed Criminal Defence Service contracts for 2001–02. During the year, the total value of payments for work done under these contracts is expected to be approximately £4,633,000.

  Departmental Policies (Tiverton and Honiton)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157815]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.

  In particular, Tiverton and Honiton constituency is covered by the Devon Community Legal Service Partnership. As at 11 April 2001 the Legal Services Commission had let Community Legal Service contracts to 17 solicitors' offices and one Not for Profit (NfP) organisation in the constituency. The expected expenditure value in the financial year 2001–02 of the Solicitor-type contracts is £315,000; for the NfP-type contracts it is £45,000. The contracts cover a range of categories, including family, housing, consumer issues and mental health.

  As at 18 April 2001, 10 firms in the constituency had signed Criminal Defence Service contracts for 2001–02. During the year, the total value of payments for work done under these contracts is expected to be approximately £744,000.

  Family Visit Appeals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) oral and (b) paper only family visit appeals were received by the Immigration Appellate Authority in March. [157969]

  Jane Kennedy
  In March 2001, the Immigration Appellate Authority received 136 cases for oral hearing and 144 cases for paper-only hearing.
  159W
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many family visit appeals were(a) determined, (b) allowed and (c) dismissed by the Immigration Appellate Authority (i) at an oral hearing and (ii) on the papers only in March. [157970]

  Jane Kennedy
  The breakdown of family visit appeals determined, allowed and dismissed by the Immigration Appellate Authority in March 2001 is shown in the table.

  Determined

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Oral cases

  65

  39

  26

  Paper cases

  138

  35

  103

  Family Graduated Fees Scheme
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Family Graduated Fees Scheme will be reviewed; and what form it will take. [157967]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor has agreed to an overall review of the Family Graduated Fees Scheme after a fixed period of operation. It is intended that the review will take place 12 to 18 months after implementation, to allow sufficient time for data collection. It will assess the impact of the scheme and will include a review of the level of rates paid within the scheme, on a cost per case basis, to determine the actual percentage reduction in fees.

HEALTH

  German Beef
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recent discovery of contaminated shipments of German beef in Northern Ireland. [147859]

  Ms Stuart
  I am advised on questions of food safety by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The shipments of German beef in question were found to include a small number of beef forequarters to which pieces of spinal cord remained attached. Under the European Union-wide rules on specified risk material (SRM), the spinal cord should have been removed from the carcases at the abattoir at which the animals were slaughtered.

  The presence of SRM on imported meat is clearly unacceptable. I have raised the issue personally with the Federal German Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture on several occasions to stress the importance of effective implementation of the SRM rules and to press for remedial action at the abattoirs concerned. The FSA has also raised the matter with the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, who also expressed his concern to the German authorities. I am satisfied that the German authorities fully recognise the importance of effective SRM controls and are taking appropriate steps when breaches of these controls are discovered.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Weston-Super-Mare of 10 May 2000 and subsequent reminders regarding waiting times for neurological tests at Frenchay hospital. [150796]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 February 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 9 April 2001.

  I apologise for the unacceptable delay in replying to the hon. Gentleman's correspondence and 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 in replying to his correspondence.

  Departmental Policies (North-East Derbyshire)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North-East Derbyshire constituency, the effect on North-East Derbyshire of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150886]

  Yvette Cooper
  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 North Derbyshire health authority and Derbyshire county council social services.

  The increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for North Derbyshire HA are set out in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  Cash (£ million)

  70.1

  Real Terms (£ million)

  44.2

  Cash (Percentage)

  37.43

  Real Terms (Percentage)

  21.76

  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.

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

  161W

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  5,063

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership Grant2

  —

  3,590

  3,135

  4,350

  Prevention Grant2

  —

  268

  404

  Carers Grant3

  —

  272

  628

  884

  Children's Grant3

  —

  604

  957

  2,476

  MH Core Grant

  662

  1,117

  1,397

  41,735

  Training Support Grant

  450

  514

  658

  4534

  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

  North Derbyshire health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes:
  £155,000 for accident and emergency modernisation between 1997–98 and 2000–01.
  £71,000, £138,000, £194,000 and £125,000 for improving cancer services (breast colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively.
  £4,804 million to reduce waiting lists and times between 1997–98 and 2000–01.
  £641,000 to expand critical care services in 2000–01.
  £810,000 to deal with winter pressures and delayed discharges in 2000–01.
  £139.000 for heart disease services between 1997–98 and 2000–01.
  £139.500 invested into dentistry between 1997–98 and 2000–01.
  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the centralisation of waiting list management processes at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Trust. This project, which is an NHS Beacon, provides a whole systems approach to waiting list and waiting time management.

  £235,000 was provided from the New Opportunities Fund in January 2001 for the Holmewood and Heath Healthy Living Centre Project.

  Derbyshire county council's personal social services standard spending assessment (SSA) for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  118.872

  —

  —

  2001–02

  118.717

  -11.6

  -0.1

  Note:

  The SSA has decreased because of boundary changes resulting from local Government re-organisation

  Departmental Policies (High Peak)
  Mr. Levitt
  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 High Peak constituency of his Department's policies and actions since May 1997. [156783]

  Yvette Cooper
  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 Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.
  162W
  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 North Derbyshire Health Authority and Derbyshire county council social services.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for North Derbyshire Health Authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  70.1

  £ million (real terms)

  44.2

  Percentage (cash)

  37.43

  Percentage (real terms)

  21.76

  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.

  North Derbyshire Health Authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £155,000 for accident and emergency modernisation between 1997–98 and 2000–01; £71,000, £138,000, £194,000 and £125,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £4,804 million to reduce waiting lists and times between 1997–98 and 2000–01; £641,000 to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £810,000 to deal with winter pressures and delayed discharges in 2000–01; £139,000 for heart disease services between 1997–98 and 2000–01; and £139,500 invested into dentistry between 1997–98 and 2000–01.

  Derbyshire county council's personal social services standard spending assessment (SSA) for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table:

  Percentage increase

  £ million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  118.872

  —

  —

  2001–02

  118.717

  -11.6

  -0.1

  Note:

  The SSA has decreased because of boundary changes resulting from local Government re-organisation

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Derbyshire county council 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

  5,063

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  3,590

  3,135

  4,350

  Prevention grant2

  —

  268

  404

  —

  Carers grant3

  —

  272

  628

  884

  Children's grant3

  —

  604

  957

  2,476

  Mental Health core grant

  662

  1,117

  1,397

  41,735

  Training Support Grant

  450

  514

  658

  4534

  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 (Eccles)
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Eccles constituency, the effects on Eccles of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157283]

  Mr. Denham
  Detailed information on the impact of Department policies nationally is set out in the Department's annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure
  Plans 2000–2001" is available in the Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies are 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 Salford and Trafford health authority and Salford and Trafford social services authorities.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for Salford and Trafford health authority are shown in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  95.0

  £ million (real terms)

  60.0

  Percentage (cash)

  37.5

  Percentage (real terms)

  21.8

  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.

  Salford and Trafford health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.35 million for accident and emergency modernisation between 1997–98 and 2000–01; £35,000, £155,000, £259,000 and £191,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer outpatients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; £3.1 million recurrently in 1999–2000 and £2.6 million recurrently in 2000–01 to reduce waiting lists and times; £70,000 in 1997–98, £3.7 million in 1998–99, £214,000 in 1999–2000 and £172,000 in 2000–01 non-recurrently to reduce waiting times and lists; £1.1 million to expand critical care services in 2000/01; £1 million in 1997–98, £1.7 million in 1998–99, and £2.2 million in 2000–01 to deal with winter pressures; £0.8 million in 2000–01 and £0.9 million in 2001–02 for developing intermediate care services; £165,000 was allocated for earmarked additional heart disease services in 2000–01. For 2001–02, the authority plans to spend an additional £1.8 million on heart disease services, including drugs, from the real terms funding increase highlighted above; £46,700 was made available through investing in dentistry grants. £574,000 has been allocated for additional expenditure in the personal dental service in 2000–01. A further £110,900 has been paid to dentists to reward their commitment to the general dental service.
  164W
  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the £114 million redevelopment of the Hope hospital.

  Salford 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

  40.341

  —

  —

  2001–02

  53,402

  17.3

  32.4

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Salford 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

  2,183

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,544

  1,303

  1,753

  Prevention grant2

  —

  113

  167

  Carers grant3

  —

  112

  282

  390

  Children's grant3

  —

  426

  669

  1,722

  MH Core grant

  398

  478

  552

  4652

  Training Support Grant

  313

  335

  336

  4333

  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.

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS vacancies there were for(a) doctors, (b) health visitors, (c) professions allied to medicine and (d) nurses and midwives; and how many such posts in each category have been vacant for three months in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [151300]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 26 February 2001,Official Report, columns 426–30W.

  GP Referrals
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in enabling GPs to refer patients to the hospital or specialist of their choice. [153479]

  Mr. Denham
  Regional specialised commissioning groups comprised of representatives from health authorities, National Health Service acute trusts and regional offices and increasingly primary care trusts meet quarterly and ensure the effective commissioning of specialised services for particular locales. NHS trusts and health authorities draw up service agreements covering specific specialised services. This systematic approach facilitates equitable access to clinically effective, first class services.

  Primary care trusts and health authorities are free to set up service level agreements with any secondary care provider of their choice based on discussion at local level and which they believe provides the most appropriate services.

  Long-term Sickness
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many long-term sick people returned to work during the last 12 months. [153761]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data for long-term sick absence are not collected centrally but held at a local level by employers.

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total waiting list for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.[154703]

  Yvette Cooper
  In 1997 waiting list data were collected quarterly, rather than monthly, and therefore figures for May 1997 are not available. The table shows the in-patient waiting list figures for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital National Health Service Trust, for March 1997 and the most recent available figures (February 2001).

  Date

  Patients on waiting list

  March 1997

  4,245

  February 2001

  4,294

  Source:

  KHO7 quarterly return/monthly waiting times returns.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many imported carcases containing specified risk material were identified in each of the last 12 months. [155289]

  Total

  Con

  Lab

  Lib Dem

  Other

  None

  Bournemouth1

  Appointed—Chair

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Appointed—Non-officer member

  5

  1

  0

  1

  0

  3

  North Dorset1

  Appointed—Chair

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Appointed—Non-officer member

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Poole Bay1

  Appointed—Non-officer member

  3

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Poole Central1

  Appointed—Chair

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Appointed—Non-officer member

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  South and East Dorset

  Applications received—Chair

  29

  2

  0

  3

  0

  24

  Applications received—Non-officer member

  37

  3

  3

  7

  0

  24

  Shortlisted for interview—Chair

  5

  0

  0

  3

  0

  2

  Shortlisted for interview—Non-officer member

  25

  2

  1

  6

  0

  16

  Appointed—Chair

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Appointed—Non-officer member

  4

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  South West Dorset

  Applications received—Chair

  15

  1

  1

  2

  0

  11

  Applications received—Non-officer member

  36

  1

  1

  3

  0

  31

  Shortlisted for interview—Chair

  4

  0

  1

  2

  0

  1

  Shortlisted for interview—Non-officer member

  24

  0

  2

  1

  0

  21

  Appointed—Chair

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Appointed—Non-officer member

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  1 Information about candidates considered for these appointments is no longer available as they were destroyed in an administrative error

  166W
  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer sent 23 March 2001]: The number of consignments of imported beef found to contain carcases with specified risk material still attached, and the number of carcases involved, in each of the last 12 months, is set out in the table.

  Month

  Number of consignments

  Number of carcases

  2000

  April

  1

  1

  May

  0

  0

  June

  0

  0

  July

  0

  0

  August

  1

  1

  September

  1

  3

  October

  0

  0

  November

  0

  0

  December

  0

  0

  2001

  January

  3

  5

  February

  2

  3

  March

  9

  65

  Primary Care Trusts
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in respect of each primary care trust in the Dorset health authority area how many(a) applied for, (b) were shortlisted and (c) were appointed for the posts of (i) Chairman and (ii) non-executive board members broken down by party of political activity indicated in each case. [155833]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: The information requested is given in the table.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the countries from which the import and sale of beef is considered unsafe on human health grounds; and if he will make a statement. [156383]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 March 2001]: Fresh meat, including beef, may be imported into the European Union only from specific third countries which have been approved by the EU on the basis of compliance with a range of animal health and public health criteria. Moreover, fresh meat imported from such countries must have been produced in plants specifically approved for the purpose by the EU. The list of approved countries and approved meat plants (by category) is published by the European Commission on its website. Fresh meat may not, therefore, be imported from meat plants and/or countries not appearing on the approved list.

  All consignments of fresh meat imported from third countries must be accompanied by appropriate veterinary certification confirming that the meat has been produced in accordance with EU animal health and public health requirements.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if beef over 30-months-old from(a) Argentina, (b) Australia, (c) Botswana, (d) Brazil, (e) Mauritius, (f) Namibia, (g) New Zealand, (h) Paraguay, (i) Poland, (j) South Africa, (k) Switzerland, (l) Uruguay, (m) USA and (n) Zimbabwe is considered safe for importation into and sale in the United Kingdom on human health grounds; and if he will make a statement. [156380]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 March 2001]: The hon. Member is referring to the list of countries that are exempt from the generally applicable ban on the sale for human consumption of beef from cattle aged over 30 months at slaughter. They are countries that traditionally supplied the United Kingdom and in which there was no history of BSE. There have been no confirmed cases of BSE in any of them and I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that any risk to public health from over 30-month beef from these sources would be very small.

  However, the FSA is currently reviewing the list of exempt countries in the light of recently strengthened European Union BSE controls, including assessments of geographical BSE risk. A further statement will be made when I receive the FSA's advice.

  NHS Student Support Arrangements
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review NHS student support arrangements; and if he will make a statement.[156856]

  Mr. Denham
  As a result of the review we considered a range of options for change to the existing arrangements taking full account of representations received from students, their representative bodies and others. Following the announcement in the Budget of a substantial package of additional funding for the National Health Service over the next three years, the decision was made to provide additional help for students using an across the board increase in the NHS Bursary. From September 2001 student nurses studying at diploma level will receive a £500 (10.4 per cent.) increase in their bursary, the biggest increase since introduction of bursaries in the late 1980s.
  168W
  This increase contrasts sharply with practice through much of the 1990s when the bursary was frozen, before the present Government introduced a policy of annual uplifts in 1998.

  My ministerial colleagues and I continue to take a close interest in the effective operation of student support arrangements, including the NHS Bursary scheme.

  Pharmaceutical Pricing
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the prevalence in the pharmaceutical sector and the cost to the NHS of the practices criticised by the OFT following its investigation of Napp Pharmaceutical's pricing policies; and if he will make a statement; [157089]

  (2) what steps he proposes to take to reduce the costs to the NHS which arise from pricing practices of drug companies which have been condemned by the Office of Fair Trading following its investigation of the conduct of Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd. [157400]

  Ms Stuart
  The investigation carried out by the Office of Fair Trading relates to one product from one company, which was the subject of a specific complaint. Ministers are examining closely the implications of the decision of the Director-General of Fair Trading and of the direction which he may give to correct the practices which he has criticised, taking into account any appeal which the company may make.

  The Department keeps the level of competition in the pharmaceutical sector under review, and has mechanisms in place to prevent profiteering. It secures value for money through the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) which controls the profits which companies make from the supply of branded medicines to the National Health Service. Under this scheme a high price for one product may be balanced against a low one for another, provided that the company's overall profits remain within the limits permitted by the scheme.

  European Food Authority
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when proposals to establish a European Food Authority were published and by whom; what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to publicise this decision; when it agreed to it; what consultations it has had; and on what Treaty base the Authority is expected to be established.[157326]

  Ms Stuart
  The European Commission introduced a proposal, dated 8 November 2000, for a "Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing a European Food Authority (EFA), and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (COM (2000) 716 final)."

  In December 2000 the Food Standards Agency began a formal consultation on the EC's proposal. This consultation is open and ongoing and details may be found on the FSA's website www.foodstandards.gov.uk. The FSA has held meetings with stakeholders and sends out letters reporting on negotiations in Brussels.
  169W
  The establishment of the EFA is not yet agreed. Negotiations on the EC's proposal are continuing in Brussels.

  As drafted, the EC's proposal gives the Treaty base for the establishment of the EFA as Articles 37 (Common Agricultural Policy), 95 (internal market), 133 (common commercial policy) and 152(4)(b) (public health).

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has carried out into the links between fuel poverty and excess winter deaths; and if he will make a statement on links between the level a winter deaths and the number of households in fuel poverty since 1997. [157453]

  Yvette Cooper
  It is estimated there were some 5.5 million fuel poor households in the United Kingdom in 1996. Further analysis suggests this may have fallen to around 4.5 million by 1999. In 2000 every pensioner household received £200 winter fuel allowance providing further help to cut fuel poverty. In the UK from December to March, there are on average between 20,000–50,000 excess deaths compared to the rest of the year. We are committed to ending the blight of fuel poverty for vulnerable households by 2010 and launched our fuel poverty strategy as a consultation document on 23 February 2001.

  Links have been established between cold, damp housing and increased ill-health. However, the relative contributions of cold homes, outdoor temperatures and other factors to excess winter deaths are complex and not fully understood.

  The Department has commissioned a systematic review of the effect of cold on otherwise healthy individuals, particularly older people. It will address: 1) the effect of cold exposure on mortality and morbidity; and 2) the effect of cold exposure on physiological changes and risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.

  Additionally, the Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has funded a pilot project to look at the impact of cold homes on health. This will help determine what further research may be considered.

  The Department of Health has already initiated a number of measures to help combat excess winter deaths. The "Keep Warm, Keep Well" campaign, which runs from October to March each year, gives advice to the public and health professionals on staying warm in winter. Additionally, this winter the 'flu vaccine on the National Health Service was extended to include everyone aged 65 and over. The vaccine can prevent complications from influenza. There is also a vaccine against pneumococcal disease which can be given at the same time as the 'flu vaccine to people in high-risk groups which can help prevent pneumococcal pneumonia among other conditions.

  General Dental Council
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which the composition of the General Dental Council reflects the interests of patients.[157448]
  170W
  Mr. Hutton
  We have welcomed proposals from the General Dental Council for increasing its lay membership. Amendments to the Dentists Act 1984 would be required which we plan shortly to submit for scrutiny and debate by Parliament under section 60 of the Health Act 1999.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the General Dental Council's decision not to allow dental patients access to professionals complementary to dentistry, with particular reference to clinical dental technicians. [157447]

  Mr. Hutton
  Currently only two groups of professionals complementary to dentistry are registered by the General Dental Council (GDC): Dental therapists and dental hygienists. The GDC has agreed that additional groups should be registered including clinic dental technicians whom the GDC proposes should be allowed to work remote from the dental practice, but to the prescription of a dentist. Amendments to the Dentists Act 1984 would be required which we plan, in due course, to submit for scrutiny and debate by Parliament under section 60 of the Health Act 1999.

  Food Supplements
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the proposed EU directive on food supplements will have on the availability of(a) herbal and vitamin remedies and (b) information about the properties of such remedies; and if he will make a statement. [157774]

  Ms Stuart
  The draft directive would not change the status of products which are regulated by medicines legislation. Its purpose is to establish a framework for regulation of supplements, including those containing herbal substances and vitamins, sold under food law.

  Our view is that, in the interests of consumer choice, the market should be open to all products which are safe and properly labelled. The Food Standards Agency, which is representing us in discussions on the proposal, is pressing this case in negotiations.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to compensate present and former part-time employees of the NHS who were excluded from the NHS Pension Scheme; and on what date part-time employees were accepted into the scheme. [157955]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no proposals to make compensation payments. Part-time National Health Service employees who become entitled to backdated membership of the NHS pension scheme will be expected to pay their share of the arrears of scheme contributions.

  Between 1 April 1973 and 31 March 1991, part-time employees, working at least half the standard number of whole-time hours for their grade, were entitled to scheme membership. From 1 April 1991, all part-time employees have been able to join the scheme, irrespective of the number of hours worked.

  GP Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on the ability of GPs to charge residential care and nursing homes for GP services; and if he has that guidance under review.[157104]
  171W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: General practitioner services are, and must be, free for patients, including residents of nursing homes. All patients in nursing homes should be registered with a GP practice.

  GPs sometimes contract with nursing homes to provide additional services, for example, training for staff. That is different from individual, direct patient services, for which GPs should not be charging their registered patients.

  We will investigate any allegations of abuse within the system.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into any association there is between drug use and misuse by those with the care of children and the placing of children on (i) risk of neglect and (ii) child protection registers.[157836]

  Mr. Hutton
  "Children's needs—parenting capacity", published by the Department in 1999, draws on a wide range of research, and examines how factors such as drug misuse may impact on children and may affect parental capacity to respond to children's needs.

  In addition, a number of studies in the programme of research on the Children Act 1989 have explored the link between drug misuse by those caring for children and the risk of abuse and neglect, in particular "Family support in cases of emotional maltreatment and neglect" and "Making care orders work: A study of their implementation". These two studies will be summarised in a forthcoming Department overview of contemporary research, entitled "The Children Act now: Messages from research". They are being used to inform our key initiatives to improve children's services, in particular quality protects.

  We have also recently commissioned research to explore the reasons why increased numbers of children are being looked after by local authorities. This study will provide an opportunity to explore in greater depth the link between drug misuse by those with the care of children and children experiencing neglect and entering local authority care. It is about to start and plans to report by the end of the year.

  District Nurses
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will review the mileage allowances paid to district nurses; and if he will make a statement. [157822]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Dr. Stoate) on 5 February 2001,Official Report, column 396W.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 115W, on digital hearing aids, when the proposed modernising hearing aid services project will commence. [157950]
  172W
  Mr. Hutton
  The timing to roll-out the "modernising NHS hearing aid services" project and announcements on funding are being kept under review until the results of the Institute of Hearing Research evaluation of the project can start to be taken into account. The Department anticipates £25 million will be available for National Health Service hearing aid services in 2003–04.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that audiology departments are implementing the NICE guidance on hearing aids. [157949]

  Mr. Hutton
  All National Health Service bodies and clinicians are expected to give due weight to guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and to the evidence on which it is based. Initial monitoring of the implementation of NICE's guidance will take place through the established Quarterly Monitoring Review, supplemented through other data sources available to the Department. We will be looking to the Commission for Health Improvement to provide some authoritative information in due course.

  NHS Administration
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many managers and administrators were employed by the NHS in each of the last five years; at what cost; what the total cost to the NHS was of management and administration in each of those years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [157322]

  Mr. Denham
  holding answer 9 April 2001]: The available information is contained in the tables.

  Numbers of managers and administrators: National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Managers within the administration and estates staff group in England as at 30 September each year

  Headcount

  Senior Manager

  Manager

  1996

  7,310

  13,960

  1997

  7,530

  14,640

  1998

  7,990

  14,710

  1999

  8,880

  15,410

  2000

  8,890

  16,370

  The apparent increase is partly accounted for by the fact that managers in primary care groups and primary care teams were not previously recorded in the figures when working for general practitioner fundholders. Even so, nursing numbers have increased by far more than these figures.

  Costs

  Paybill costs of staff in senior management, management and administrative and clerical grades are not a reliable indicator of overall administration costs because for example, they do not include the non-staff costs of management, such as health authority accommodation.

  Expenditure against the published definition of NHS management costs is the most reliable indicator of the cost of management and administration in the NHS. The

  173W
  definition of management costs includes the staff costs of managers in health authorities, Primary Care Groups and NHS Trusts, as well as non-staff costs of HAs and PCGs.

  Management costs at 1999–2000 prices

  £ million

  1996–97

  1,981

  1997–98

  1,857

  1997–981

  1,935

  1998–99

  1,874

  1999–2000

  1,799

  1 Rebased

  Note:

  The definition of management costs was revised for 1998–99 to capture some management activity previously excluded, mainly related to NHS Trusts purchasing private sector support services. To provide a consistent time series, the 1997–98 figure was rebased on the new definition.

  Source:

  Health authority and NHS trust annual accounts

  Shared Clinical Services
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if shared clinical services can continue between two NHS trusts; [157455]

  (2) if he will take steps to ensure the NHS trusts with separate identities but integrated services remain as separate trusts. [157456]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The overarching requirement in providing services is to ensure that they are configured to meet the needs of the local population. The Chorley and South Ribble National Health Service Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have an excellent record of providing a range of acute services to their locality. However, it is recognised that there is a need for more specialised services to be provided to a larger population through managed clinical networks. Organisational arrangements must reflect the most effective way of providing access to the full range of acute services. Sharing and integrating the services of the two trusts should be encouraged and built upon.

  Chemically Dependent Patients
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary State for Health how many doctors have been prevented from prescribing to long-term chemically dependent patients by the Interim Orders Committee of the General Medical Council; and how many are awaiting hearings. [157954]

  Mr. Denham
  There are currently 14 doctors with conditions imposed on their registration by the General Medical Council (GMC) which relate to the drugs which they can prescribe, or which prevent them from treating chemically dependent patients. On 10 April 2001 there were two cases awaiting hearing by the GMC's Interim Orders Committee which involved issues relating to prescribing.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what alternative procedures he has put in place to provide treatment for long-term chemically dependent patients whose doctor is prevented from prescribing to them by the Interim Orders Committee of the General Medical Council. [157951]
  174W
  Mr. Denham
  It is the responsibility of health authorities to assess the health care needs of their population, to draw up strategies and commissioning plans in collaboration with local people and other organisations, and to secure a range of health services to meet those needs, with contingency planning and alternative operational procedures where necessary.

  Drug Patients
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that community drug teams and drug dependency units are capable of coping with a substantial and sudden influx of patients.[157953]

  Ms Stuart
  We have set up a new national treatment agency to set standards for the provision of drug treatment services in England. The performance of local agencies will be monitored against these standards, and we expect that contingency planning for variations in demand would be one measurement of their efficiency.

  Cancelled Operations
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled in each of the last five years(a) nationally and (b) in North Durham Trust, Dryburn. [157825]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department collects information on the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-medical reasons, and breaches of the standard to readmit patients within one month following such cancellations. This information is collected on a quarterly basis at health authority level only and the results are routinely placed in the Library. The latest figures cover the five quarters up to Quarter three (October to December 2000) of the 2000–01 financial year.

  The specific information requested relating to Dryburn Hospital, Durham should be available from the Chairman of the North Durham National Health Service Trust.

  Durham Health Authority
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the per capita expenditure by Durham health authority was in each of the last six years. [157826]

  Mr. Hutton
  The total expenditure by weighted head of population for County Durham and Darlington health authority for 1996–97 to 1999–2000 can be found in the table.

  £

  Year

  Expenditure

  1996–97

  591.82

  1997–98

  564.10

  1998–99

  602.19

  1999–2000

  688.56

  Note:

  The expenditure per weighted head figures in the table do not reflect real changes in the resources available for spend on healthcare locally over the period or provide robust comparisons between health authorities.

  Sources:

  The accounts of health authorities for 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  The summarisation schedules of health authorities 1999–2000. Weighted population estimates for 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000.

  GP Incomes
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average earnings of a general practitioner in England and Wales was in(a) 1992, (b) 1996 and (c) 2000. [157840]

  Mr. Denham
  The table shows General Practitioners' (unrestricted principals) intended average net income for the provision of general medical services. Figures are for Great Britain.

  Intended average net income

  £

  Year

  Average GP (full and part-time)

  Average GP (full-time)

  1992–93

  40,010

  1—

  1996–97

  244,483

  246,808

  2000–01

  54,220

  57,940

  1 Not available.

  2 The 1996–97 pay award was staged. The figure shown is the weighted average for the year.

  GPs also received additional earnings from higher target payments, as follows: 1992–93 £2,338 (gross), 1996–97 £3,330 (gross), and 2000–01 £3,975 (gross).

  Consultants
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hours per week on average consultants who work both in the NHS and the private health sector spend on(a) NHS work and (b) private work; [157819]

  (2) what percentage of consultants in 2000 worked in both the NHS and the private health sector.[157841]

  Ms Stuart
  Information is not held centrally on the number of hours worked by consultants in either the National Health Service or for the private sector. Information on the types of contract held by consultants is available and is set out in the table.

  Hospital, public health medicine (PHM) and community health service (CHS) medical and dental consultants by nature of contract England at 30 September 2000

  Numbers and percentage

  Consultant

  Percentage of all consultant contract

  All contracts

  24,306

  100

  Whole time

  13,877

  57

  Maximum part-time

  5,750

  24

  Part-time

  3,005

  12

  Honorary

  1,674

  7

  Source:

  Department of Health 2000 medical and dental workforce census

  Definition:

  Maximum part time contract—means that the consultant foregoes one eleventh of whole-time salary, in return for the removal of restrictions on private practice earnings. However, there is still a clear contractual obligation to devote "substantially the whole" of their professional time to their NHS duties.

  Residential Care
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average weekly spending money given to people living in residential care is. [158086]
  176W
  Mr. Hutton
  When assessing a person's ability to pay for residential or nursing home accommodation, councils are required to ensure that they retain an amount for personal expenses. The current amount allowed is £16.05 per week.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if doctors are required to consult parents and carers before making decisions affecting people with a severe learning disability. [158080]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has recently issued guidance to health professionals on the legal and good practice requirements for seeking valid consent from patients for proposed examinations or treatment—"Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment". Where an adult patient is mentally able to give or withhold consent to proposed treatment, consent must always be sought directly from the patient himself or herself. It is good practice to involve those close to the patient, such as family, carers and friends, in the decision-making process if the patient wishes for such involvement.

  In some cases, patients may be so severely disabled that they are not able to give, or withhold, consent for a proposed examination or treatment. In such cases, health professionals may legally provide the treatment if it is in the patient's best interests to receive it. Although the health professional concerned is ultimately responsible for the decision as to whether or not treatment is in the patient's best interests, those close to the patient (parents, carers and others) should be fully involved in any discussions, unless the patient has made clear that particular individuals should not be involved in their care.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of women with learning difficulties over the age of 50 are eligible to receive breast screening services; [158093]

  (2) what percentage of women with learning difficulties receive cervical cancer screening.[158092]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not held centrally. We recognise that in the past women with a learning disability may not have had the information and support they needed to decide whether or not to attend for breast or cervical screening. This is why the Department published good practice guidance for women and their families, supporters and health care professionals. The guidance was developed in consultation with women with a learning disability and was published in November 2000.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many day centres for people with learning difficulties have been closed in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01.[158084]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on closures of day centres is not collected centrally. Set out in the table are the numbers of day centres for people with learning disabilities during a survey week in September for 1995 to 1998 for England. Collection of data on numbers of day care centres ceased in 1998.
  177W

  Year

  Day centres for people with learning disabilities

  1995

  1,030

  1996

  1,020

  1997

  1,270

  1998

  12,600

  1 For 1998 the figures also include the number of residential care homes which provide day care to non-residents.

  Source:

  DH form DC3

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been undertaken on the assistance that people with severe learning difficulties and their carers receive in order to take short-term breaks. [158090]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is not currently funding any research in this area.

  The White Paper "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability in the 21st Century", published on 20 March, confirmed that the Department will be funding a £2 million research initiative, "People With Learning Disabilities: Services, Inclusion, and Partnerships" starting later this year and lasting for four years. Research proposals are currently being considered; support for carers is a possible area of research.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with learning disabilities are resident in long-stay hospitals. [158094]

  Mr. Hutton
  Approximately 1,500 learning disabled people remain in long-stay places. Our recent White Paper "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" includes a commitment to enable all people currently living in long-stay hospitals to move into more appropriate accommodation in the community by April 2004.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with severe learning difficulties live with their parents.[158088]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information about the precise number of people with severe learning disabilities who live with their families is not held centrally. It is estimated that some 60 per cent. of all adults with learning disabilities live with their parents.

  During 2001–02, the Department will commission a national survey of people with learning disabilities in contact with social services to improve our knowledge and provide a stronger baseline against which to evaluate the impact of the recently published White Paper, "Valuing people, a new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century".

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with learning difficulties do not have a day centre placement for(a) all and (b) part of the week. [158083]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 31 March 2000 an estimated 49,600 adults with learning disabilities were in receipt of day care services. Information is not available about how many people do not receive services.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of people with learning difficulties that have been sexually abused. [158078]
  178W
  Mr. Hutton
  Information about the proportion of people with learning disabilities who have been sexually abused is not held centrally. The White Paper, "Valuing People, A new Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" says that local councils will need to ensure that learning disability services are represented on the local adult protection management committees, and that information about incidents of abuse of people with learning disabilities is gathered and recorded. This will improve our knowledge about the incidence of abuse.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many parents over the age of 60 years care for children with severe learning difficulties.[158089]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information about the precise number of parents over the age of 60 who care for their sons and daughters with severe learning disabilities is not held centrally. It is estimated that a third of people with learning disabilities living in the family home are living with an older carer (aged 70 or over).

  In the recently published White Paper, "Valuing people, a new strategy for learning disability for the 21 century" we announced our intention to introduce a performance indicator, percentage of carers aged 70 or over for whom a person centred plan, which has been agreed. This will be monitored as part of the arrangements for monitoring the White Paper.

  Departmental Policies (Camden)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effects, with statistical information on(a) Hampstead and Highgate and (b) the London Borough of Camden of his Department's policies since 2 May 1997.[158013]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington North (Ms Buck) on 6 April 2001, Official Report, column 335W.

  Mid Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish for the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area the most recent figures for(a) those waiting for inpatient treatment and (b) those waiting 13 or more than 13 weeks to see a consultant. [158192]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is given in the tables.

  Patients waiting for hospital treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service trust in February 2001

  Month

  Total number of patients waiting

  February 2001

  9,288

  Source:

  Monthly waiting list returns

  Patients waiting 13 weeks or more for an out-patient appointment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service trust in Quarter 3 2000/01(December 2000)

  Month

  Number of patients waiting Month over 13 weeks

  December 2000 (Q3 2000–01)

  2,349

  Source:

  QM08 quarterly return

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the advice given by his Department on the method of calculation of local authority payments to those also assisted by the Independent Living Fund. [158586]

  Mr. Hutton
  Local councils may make direct payments to people whom they have assessed as needing support, whether or not the individual also receives assistance from the independent living extension fund or the 1993 independent living fund. Copies of the policy and practice guidance on direct payments have been widely distributed and are also available on the Department's website www.doh.gov.uk. In determining the extent of a user contribution to the cost of social services support, councils should treat alike those receiving direct payments and those receiving council-commissioned services. The Department has recently consulted on draft guidance for local councils, "Fairer charges for home care and other non-residential social services", which includes advice on any assessment of ability to pay charges for people who are also assisted by the independent living fund.

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for treatment in(a) 1996–97 and (b) March 2001; and what the percentage change was. [158519]

  Mr. Denham
  On 31 March 1997 the total number of patients awaiting admission to hospital in England was 1,158,004. This is the waiting list we inherited. At the end of February 2001, the latest month for which information is presently available, there were 1,032,755 patients awaiting admission to hospital. This is a reduction of 10.8 per cent. and is over 25,000 more than our election promise to reduce waiting lists by 100,000.

  Remicade
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the availability of Remicade is on the NHS. [158466]

  Mr. Denham
  Remicade is currently being appraised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Until NICE has completed its appraisal, National Health Service bodies have been advised to use their existing arrangements to determine local policies on the publicly available evidence.

  Nutriprem 2
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from(a) right hon. and hon. Members, (b) medical practitioners and (c) others about the prescription status of Nutriprem 2. [158191]

  Ms Stuart
  We have had fewer than 15 representations, including nine from right hon. and hon. Members.

  Endometriosis
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about NHS services available to women suffering from endometriosis. [158188]
  180W
  Mr. Denham
  Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in this country, affecting about 2 million women. The prevalence of endometriosis is such that managing and treating it should be part of the routine work of every gynaecology department. Treatments range from managing the symptoms to surgery. The right treatment will be that which suits a particular woman's condition and needs. This will be achieved only by a woman discussing her needs fully with her doctor.

  The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has produced clinical guidelines on "The Investigation and Management of Endometriosis". These bring together the latest evidence-based knowledge and best practice on the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, and examine options for treatment in the light of the presenting symptoms. The guidelines have been distributed to all of the Royal College's Fellows and members working in the health service.

  MRSA
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what MRSA infections occurring in NHS hospitals are reportable to his Department. [158291]

  Mr. Denham
  Until April this year reports of incidents of MRSA came only through specimens submitted voluntarily by trusts for specialist microbiological tests. From April 2001 all acute trusts will be required to collect data on MRSA blood stream infections and the information will be published from April 2002. Work is under way to extend the national surveillance system to cover other areas such as surgical site infections focusing initially on orthopaedic surgery.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals carry out MRSA screening and which do not. [158288]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally Policy on appropriate screening arrangements will vary from hospital to hospital depending on local circumstances, the nature of any infection, risk and other factors. These decisions are best determined locally.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many legal cases arising from infections by MRSA while in hospital have been brought against the NHS in each of the past five years; [158286]

  (2) how much compensation has been paid by the NHS to patients who have been infected by MRSA in each of the past five years. [158287]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service litigation authority received reports of 70 claims between April 1995 and July 2000 where MRSA is mentioned in the incident details. The outcome of those claims is not known and so the cost of claims to the NHS cannot be quantified. Information on compensation paid specifically as a result of infect on with MRSA is not held centrally.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on current research into developing new drugs that will combat MRSA and on the extent of Government funding in such research. [158290]
  181W
  Mr. Denham
  Considerable funding is provided for research to develop new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry, including work contracted to the Public Health Laboratory Service. The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC). In order to encourage research in the broad area of antimicrobial resistance, the MRC has issued a highlight notice welcoming proposals. My Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the National Health Service and will shortly publish its own call for research in the antimicrobial resistance field for which there is central funding of £2.5 million.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of antibiotics that are effective against MRSA. [158289]

  Mr. Denham
  Different strains of MRSA vary in the pattern of resistance shown to other anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Therefore, there is no definitive list of antibiotics that are effective against MRSA.

  Most MRSA that occur in the United Kingdom are still sensitive to, and may be treated with, vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, or quinupristin/dalfopristin. They may also be sensitive to rifampicin, fluoroquinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin), chloramphenicol and to some other antibiotics. Decisions on the antibiotic(s) appropriate for the treatment of any one patient must, therefore, depend on microbiological laboratory testing of the individual bacterium.

  Formula Milk
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the provision on prescription to low income mothers of special nutritional formulae for pre-term infants once they are discharged from hospital. [158318]

  Ms Stuart
  Our current policy is that infant formulae are not prescribable except for children with carbohydrate intolerances. If a product is prescribable, it is prescribable regardless of the income of the child's parents or carers.

  Cancer
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the standardised morality ratio for all cancers in(a) England, (b) the north west, (c) north Cheshire and (d) Halton was in the last year for which figures are available. [157820]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Derek Twigg, dated 23 April 2001:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the standardised mortality ratio for all cancers in (a) England, (b) the North West, (c) North Cheshire and (d) Halton was in the last year for which figures are available (157820).
  These figures are given in the table below. They are presented for the combined years of 1997 to 1999, using England and Wales death rates as the standard of comparison.
  182W

  Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) for deaths from cancer
  ICD9 140–2081 for 1997–992

  Area of usual residence

  SMR

  England and Wales

  100

  England

  100

  North West Health Regional Office

  109

  North Cheshire Health Authority

  115

  Halton Unitary Authority

  132

  1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes 140–208—all malignant neoplasms

  2Pooled deaths registered in years 1997–99

TREASURY

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consideration he has given to(a) postponing the census for the duration of the foot and mouth outbreak and (b) having census forms delivered by post in rural areas at risk from foot and mouth disease; [158416]

  (2) what instructions are being given to census personnel on precautions to minimise the risk of the spread of foot and mouth disease by the distribution of census forms in rural areas. [158417]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Fabricant, dated 23 April 2001:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on what consideration has been given to postponement of the Census and delivery of Census forms by post during the foot and mouth outbreak, as well as the instructions being given to Census personnel to minimise the risk of spread of the disease (158416,158417).
  The impact of delaying the Census because of current outbreak of foot and mouth was assessed against the public concerns expressed about conducting the census in affected areas. I have been very conscious of the distress and difficulty the disease is causing, but I am certain that we shall do nothing in conducting the Census that might contribute to its spread.
  People in rural England and Wales have responded particularly well in past Censuses, and this makes it possible to introduce a much more flexible approach to counting people in these parts of the country, in response to the outbreak.
  On 2 April I released a statement outlining our plans for conducting the Census in affected areas. I attach a copy of the statement.
  This explains that the Census-takers working in the countryside have been instructed to respect all foot and mouth restrictions, and the wishes of the farming community. New arrangements are in place so that Census forms can be delivered to farms and households by mail, or, where practical, to an agreed point such as a farm boundary. Completed forms will be returned by mail.
  Specific guidance for enumerators has been drafted in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and has been endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales, as well

  183W
  as by the National Farmers Union. Details of the procedures have been delivered to area and district managers, and are incorporated in the training of census-takers.
  Census and foot and mouth statement—Monday 2 April 2001
  National Statistician Len Cook today expressed confidence that the Census in England and Wales scheduled for 29 April can be conducted safely and efficiently despite the restrictions imposed to combat foot and mouth disease.
  Census-takers working in the countryside have been instructed to respect all foot and mouth restrictions, and the wishes of the farming community. New arrangements are being put in place so that Census forms can be delivered to farms and households by mail, or, where practical, to an agreed point such as a farm boundary. Completed forms will be returned by mail.
  The special instructions, drafted in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, have been endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales, as well as by the National Farmers Union. Details of the procedures have been delivered to area and district managers, and are incorporated in the training of census-takers.
  Mr. Cook said today "Senior Census officials last week visited teams in the regions worst affected by foot and mouth. They confirmed the practicality of the special arrangements for delivering Census forms in rural areas where there are restrictions.
  I am certain that. with these arrangements in place, the Census can be carried through without danger of contributing to the spread of the disease.
  I am very conscious of the distress and difficulty foot and mouth disease is causing and we shall do nothing that might contribute to its spread".
  Census Director Graham Jones, who on Tuesday visited the North of England and met field staff from Cumbria, Northumberland and Yorkshire, today said: "The people at the sharp end say the revised procedures are entirely practical, and can be applied sensibly and flexibly by census-takers in the countryside".
  Alex Clark, Deputy Census Director, had meetings with field staff in Wales and Devon, and reported a similar positive reaction. In many places, area managers are liaising with local authorities to ensure compliance with local restrictions.
  Forms are scheduled for delivery to households between 9 and 20 April. Delivery in areas where there are restrictions may be delayed by a few days, but forms will reach households in time for the Census on 29 April.
  If necessary the deadline for returning forms will be extended.
  "The information made available by the Census is essential to the planning activities of a whole range of private and public sector bodies", Mr. Cook said, "It will help determine resource allocation decisions on billions of pounds of public expenditure, which will be vitally important for the rural community and the rural economy. In these extremely difficult circumstances we are delighted by the co-operation we are receiving".

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if compensation payments to farmers in respect of foot and mouth disease will be subject to income tax. [157374]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Worcestershire (Sir. M. Spicer) on 6 April 2001, Official Report, column 301W.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) private sector and (b) public sector enterprises are eligible to pay the climate change levy in the Salisbury constituency. [157788]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: We do not hold the information requested. The climate change levy is payable on all business use of energy, except
  184W
  energy covered by the domestic exemption, non-business use by charities, and by exemptions such as those applying to renewable energy and energy supplied from a good quality combined heat and power plant.

  Outsourcing (VAT Ruling)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent VAT tribunal ruling in respect of the outsourcing of investment management by Prudential Assurance on the outsourcing of vehicle repairs by insurance companies; and if he will make a statement. [157900]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Tribunal's decision that the management of an authorised unit trust scheme is exempt, whoever provides the services has no implications for suppliers of other services to insurance companies.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of VAT refunds to be paid to the financial services industry following the VAT tribunal ruling against Customs and Excise in respect of the outsourcing of investment management; and if he will make a statement. [157899]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No refunds are being paid as Customs have appealed the VAT Tribunal's decision to the Court of Session.

  National Audit Office
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to extend the powers of the National Audit Office to examine accounts and records of contractors to central Government; [158299]

  (2) if he will seek to extend the powers of the National Audit Office to audit all organisations which are completely owned by the Government, with special reference to (a) research and development organisations, (b) art galleries, (c) museums, (d) Remploy, (e) the Student Council Trust and (f) the Student Loan Company; [158300]

  (3) if he will seek to extend the powers of the National Audit Office to audit all non-departmental public bodies, with special reference to (a) the Housing Corporation, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) regional development agencies. [158301]

  Mr. Timms
  These matters are being considered in the context of the Government's forthcoming response to Lord Sharman's recent Review of Audit and Accountability for Central Government, "Holding to Account".

  Foundation Schools
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effects of corporation tax on the income from(a) school letting and (b) interest on school bank accounts on foundation schools. [157957]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No such estimate has been made. But income received by schools will usually be exempt from corporation tax.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the(a) cost,

  185W
  (b) absolute gains and (c) relative gains by income decile of increasing the amount of income subject to basic rate tax by £1,000; and if he will make a statement. [158073]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full-year cost of increasing the income tax basic rate limit by £1,000 in 2001–02 is estimated to be £½ billion. All gainers would be in the top income decile. They would gain £175 on average, which represents a 1 per cent. reduction in their tax liability.

  These estimates are based on the survey of personal incomes and consistent with the March 2001 Budget.

  Amateur Sports Clubs
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish details of the proposed scheme for the provision of relief against business rates for amateur sports clubs; when he intends to commence the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [158120]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the light of representations received following the introduction of the package of enhanced tax reliefs for charities in Budget 2000, Budget 2001 announced that the Government would consider the best way for tax relief to help community amateur sports clubs that a make a positive contribution to their local communities. The Government will work with key organisations from sport and the voluntary sector to draw up detailed proposals over the next few months, which we will then publish for a period of wider consultation later this year. The Government will announce firm proposals in the light of consideration of the responses we receive.

  Motorcycle Excise Duty
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay his decision to raise motorcycle excise duty by £5. [158407]

  Mr. Timms
  The Chancellor announced in Budget 2001 that rates of vehicle excise duty for motorcycles would be frozen until at least 2002.

  Budget 2000 announced that the general rate of vehicle excise duty for cars would rise by £5 to £160, but deferred the increase until 1 March 2001. Alongside this, the rate of vehicle excise duty for motorcycles with engines over 400 cc rose by £5 per annum. This was the first increase, since the Government were elected, for motorcycles of this engine size. There was no increase in vehicle excise duty for motorcycles below 400 cc.

  Audio Books and Newspapers
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost would be to the Exchequer of zero-rating audio books and audio newspapers from VAT. [157533]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No accurate estimate is available.

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what year of income is being used as the basis for assessing people's entitlement to the children's tax credit. [155434]
  186W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The children's tax credit to which an individual is entitled is based on his or her income for that tax year.

  Commemorative Coins
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers of each commemorative coin issued since May 1997 and the cost of minting each such coin. [156975]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The number of UK standard commemorative coins issued since May 1997 is set out. The cost of minting each coin is commercially sensitive.

  million pieces

  Coin design

  Purchases

  1997

  Golden Wedding £5

  0.834

  1998

  Prince Charles £5

  0.775

  UK's EU Presidency 50p

  5.048

  50th Anniversary NHS 50p

  5.001

  1999

  Princes Diana £5

  1.796

  Rubgy World Cup £2

  4.900

  2000

  Millennium £5

  1.932

  Queen Mother £51

  2.744

  Public Libraries 50p

  11.263

  2001

  Queen Victoria £5

  2—

  Marconi £2

  2—

  1 The number of coins sold has not yet been confirmed and may be subject to change over the next few months.

  2 These coins have only just been issued and no sales figures are currently available.

  Cancer Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the five year survival rate was for each main group of cancer sufferers in each region and nation of the United Kingdom for each of the years from 1990 to 1996. [156911]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 23 April 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking for the five year survival rates for each main group of cancer sufferers, in each region and nation of the United Kingdom for each of the years 1990 to 1996 (157036). I am replying in his absence.
  For England, the latest available data on the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer, which are for cases diagnosed in the three year period 1992–94 and followed up to 31 December 1999, were published on the National Statistics website, www.statistics.co.uk on 31 January 2001 for eight common cancers.
  The most recent published figures by health regional office area are for cancers of the female breast, lung, cervix and colon diagnosed in 1991–93. These were published in Quality and Performance in the NHS: NHS Performance Indicators which can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/nhsperformanceindicators. Comparable figures for

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  cancers of the stomach, prostate and bladder were made available in the House of Commons Hansard of 28 November 2000 (Number 169, Volume 357, Column 594 W).
  The latest available data for Wales are available in the publication Cancer Registration and Survival in Wales 1985–1994 and are for patients diagnosed in 1985–89.
  The Scottish Cancer Intelligence Unit published their latest survival data for patients diagnosed in 1991–95 by cancer in Trends in Cancer Survival in Scotland 1971–1995.
  Comparable information is not available for Northern Ireland.

  Earnings
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the average hourly earnings were of female part-time employees as a percentage of(a) total female full-time hourly earnings and (b) total male hourly earnings in each year from 1975 to 2000; [157697]

  (2) what the median hourly earnings were of female part-time workers as a percentage of (a) female full-time workers and (b) male full-time workers at the latest date for which figures are available. [157698]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Barbara Follett, dated 23 April 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions about the average and median hourly earnings of female part-time employees. (157697, 157698)
  The tables attached provide information on average and median hourly earnings of female part-time employees as a percentage of both female and male full-time hourly earnings, drawing upon the New Earnings Survey (NES). Percentages based on total male earnings, (as opposed to full-time male earnings), are not available on a consistent basis back to 1975.

  Table 1: Average hourly earnings of female part-time employees as a percentage of:

  Female full-time hourly earnings

  Male full-time hourly earnings

  1975

  83

  58

  1976

  81

  59

  1977

  82

  60

  1978

  81

  59

  1979

  81

  58

  1980

  81

  58

  1981

  79

  58

  1982

  79

  57

  1983

  79

  57

  1984

  78

  57

  1985

  78

  57

  1986

  76

  57

  1987

  76

  56

  1988

  75

  56

  1989

  75

  57

  1990

  75

  57

  1991

  75

  58

  1992

  74

  59

  1993

  74

  59

  1994

  74

  59

  1995

  75

  60

  1996

  72

  58

  1997

  73

  59

  1998

  73

  59

  1999

  74

  60

  2000

  75

  61

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  Notes:

  1. 1984–2000 full-time females and full-time males aged 16 and over.

  2. 1975–1983 full-time females aged 18 and over and full-time males aged 21 and over.

  Table 2: Median hourly earnings of female part-time workers as a percentage of:

  Female full-time hourly workers

  Male full-time hourly workers

  2000

  69

  58

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey

  Motorcycling (VAT)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer, 10 April 2001,Official Report, column 527W, on VAT, if he will list the EU statutory provisions on which his response was based.[158576]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The list of supplies of goods and services which may be subject to reduced rates of VAT is at annexe H of the Sixth Council Directive of 17 May 1997 (77/388/EEC) as amended.

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth Unitary Authority)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth Unitary Authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158031]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Plymouth, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, the levels of claimant, youth and long-term unemployment in the three constituencies have changed as follows:

  Percentage changes: April 1997 to March 2001

  Constituency

  Claimant unemployment

  Youth unemployment

  Long-term unemployment

  Plymouth, Sutton

  -58

  -91

  -77

  Plymouth, Devonport

  -59

  -88

  -81

  South-West Devon

  -62

  -88

  -85

  Macroeconomic stability is being complemented at the microeconomic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and make work pay. To the end of January 2001, the total number of young people who have started the New Deal for 18–24-year-olds and found employment in each of the three constituencies was as follows:

  Constituency

  Total starts

  Total into employment1

  Plymouth, Sutton

  1,807

  1,006 (56)

  Plymouth, Devonport

  1,454

  824 (57)

  South-West Devon

  460

  284 (62)

  1 Percentage of starts in brackets.

  189W
  The working families tax credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In November 2000, 2,000 families in Plymouth, Sutton, 3,500 in Plymouth, Devonport and 1,300 in South-West Devon constituencies were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies that enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 16,000 in Plymouth, Sutton, 17,500 in Plymouth, Devonport and 17,200 in South-West Devon, have received an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners receive an extra £5 a week, and couples receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 7,600 in Plymouth, Sutton, 6,500 in Plymouth, Devonport and 7,200 in South-West Devon.

  MRSA
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many death certificates have given MRSA as(a) the primary and (b) a contributory cause of death in each of the past five years. [158285]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Wilshire, dated 23 April 2001:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of death certificates which have given MRSA as the primary and contributory cause of deaths in each of the last five years (158285).
  I refer you to the answer given to a question from Tony Wright in Hansard of 10 January 2001 (Number 15, Volume 360, Column 571).

  Public Spending
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) limits and (b) restraints are placed upon UK (i) public spending and (ii) public capital expenditure by arrangements with the European Union:, what formulae apply; what are the total sums in each case; and what are the actual planned spending totals in each case. [158349]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Under Council Regulation (EC) No.1467/97, the UK should"endeavour to avoid excessive deficits".

  European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff employed by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products are eligible for Chapter II funding. [158327]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Details of the staff of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) can be found on its website: www.emea.eu.int.

  Euro
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidance to businesses on the legal status of the euro in the UK after 1 January 2002. [158393]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  On 29 March the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that, in consultation with business, the Government were authorising an enhanced small business information campaign, to include an updated website, so that British business is prepared for the introduction of euro notes and coins in 2002. The material available includes case studies and factsheets, all available through the website: www.euro.gov.uk.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what position he will adopt on the Solidarity Initiative During the Changeover to the Euro Currency (European Parliament Session Document BS-0029/01) in the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement. [158325]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Solidarity Initiative is a motion for a European Parliament resolution, and is a matter for the European Parliament.

  Equitable Life
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department was warned before Equitable Life Assurance Society closed itself to new business that the company was potentially unable to meet its contractual commitment to its policy holders; and if he will make a statement. [158567]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Financial Services Authority made it clear when the Equitable Life Assurance Society closed to new business that the society continued to meet statutory solvency requirements. The FSA is continuing to monitor closely the operations of Equitable Life.

  Annuity Pension Arrangements
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards annuity pension arrangements; [158423]

  (2) what discussions he has had recently with groups seeking reform of annuity pension arrangements. [158424]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to Section 5.66 to 5.69 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report published on Budget day, copies of which are in the Library. This sets out the Government's views on annuity pension arrangements.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the figures for each year since 1985 for the numbers of Customs and Excise officers specialising in border control operations.[158447]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise does not collect data in the form specified. Figures are, however, available for the number of staff years spent by Customs and Excise Officers undertaking Customs duties (which would include a range of both frontier and inland activity). These figures are available in the annual reports of the Board of Customs and Excise in the Library of the House.

  IR35
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Professional Contractors Group since the recent court judgment on the IR35 case. [158446]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A meeting is currently being arranged between the Inland Revenue and representatives of the Professional Contractors Group to discuss practical issues arising out of the application and operation of the IR35 legislation.

  European Commission (Tax-raising Powers)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals have been made by the Belgian Government through(a) the Council, (b) the Finance Ministers of the European Community and (c) otherwise, for providing powers to the Commission to raise tax revenue by direct levy, (A) as part of and (B) additional to existing means of providing resources for the Union. [158394]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We have received no such proposals.

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158114]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are no upper or lower age limits for appointments to public bodies of the Chancellor's departments. Appointments are made on merit by matching the abilities, experience and qualities of applicants with the needs of the bodies concerned. The Chancellor's departments have set plans with goals and objectives for increasing the representation of under-represented groups on public bodies as part of the Government's commitment to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies.

  Illegally Imported Foodstuffs
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of Customs and Excise officers who enforce border inspection rules, with particular reference to illegally imported meat and other foodstuffs. [158448]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are two main aspects to Customs role at the UK's border: processing declarations of commercial consignments being moved into and out of the country; and detecting attempts to evade the prohibitions and restrictions on items being moved either commercially or privately.

  Commercial imports and exports of goods from or to locations outside the European Union must be declared to Customs to help ensure any revenues due are properly accounted for and that restrictions are complied with. Declarations of meat and meat products are identified from Customs systems and referred to a MAFF approved border inspection post. The goods are only released from Customs control on receipt of notification from the border inspection post that any necessary checks are complete.

  Customs detection activity at the border is focused on finding and dealing with irregularities across the full range of contrabands; these include controlled drugs, high revenue items such as alcohol and tobacco, cash linked to drug trafficking, paedophile pornography and illicit weapons. When the detection systems find travellers carrying meat products outside the MAFF allowance (one kilogram of cooked meat products in a sealed container) the material is seized and disposed of in accordance with procedures agreed with MAFF and the local port health authority.

  Church Repairs (VAT)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will zero-rate church repairs for VAT. [158224]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor announced in his Budget that he is introducing a UK-wide grant scheme to help with the cost of repairing listed places of worship. The effect of the grant will be to reduce the VAT cost to 5 per cent. for new work undertaken from 1 April 2001.

  Subsidiarity and Repatriation of Powers
  Subsidiarity and Repatriation of Powers
  EU: Enhanced Co-operation
  EU: Enhanced Co-operation
  Turkey
  Turkey
  Macedonia and Kosovo: Albanian Insurgents
  Macedonia and Kosovo: Albanian Insurgents
  European Community and Nice Treaty
  European Community and Nice Treaty
  Missile Defence
  Missile Defence
  Northern Iraq
  Northern Iraq
  European Community: UK Contribution
  European Community: UK Contribution
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Cost
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Cost
  Judicial Appointments
  Judicial Appointments
  Government TV Advertising: Close Caption Subtitles
  Government TV Advertising: Close Caption Subtitles
  Written Answers: Reference to Published Documents
  Written Answers: Reference to Published Documents
  Public Sector Appointments: Register of Volunteers
  Public Sector Appointments: Register of Volunteers
  Millennium Dome: Preferred Bidder Correspondence
  Millennium Dome: Preferred Bidder Correspondence
  Millennium Dome: Best Value
  Millennium Dome: Best Value
  EU Institutions: UK Stagiaires
  EU Institutions: UK Stagiaires
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Internet Access
  Internet Access
  Ministerial Code: Monitoring
  Ministerial Code: Monitoring
  Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body: Chairman
  Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body: Chairman
  Equine Industry: Promotion
  Equine Industry: Promotion
  Foot and Mouth Disease Virus
  Foot and Mouth Disease Virus
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Racehorse Industry
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Racehorse Industry
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Mr Feakin and Mr Cleave
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Mr Feakin and Mr Cleave
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Milking Cow Vaccination
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Milking Cow Vaccination
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Veterinary Assistance
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Veterinary Assistance
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Financial Support to Farmers
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Financial Support to Farmers
  British Beef: Export to France
  British Beef: Export to France
  MAFF Disease Emergency Control Centre: Hours of Operation
  MAFF Disease Emergency Control Centre: Hours of Operation
  Farm Subsidies
  Farm Subsidies
  Rod Fishing Licences
  Rod Fishing Licences
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Grazing on Set-aside Land
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Grazing on Set-aside Land
  National Minimum Wage: Hospitality Sector
  National Minimum Wage: Hospitality Sector
  Post Offices: Horizon Programme Installation
  Post Offices: Horizon Programme Installation
  Worktrain Internet Service
  Worktrain Internet Service
  Work Based Training for Adults: Contract Award Criteria
  Work Based Training for Adults: Contract Award Criteria
  New Deal Employment Statistics
  New Deal Employment Statistics
  Airport Slot Allocations
  Airport Slot Allocations
  East Coast Main Line Franchise
  East Coast Main Line Franchise
  Transport Act 2000, Section 223: Entry into Force
  Transport Act 2000, Section 223: Entry into Force
  Luton and Dunstable Guided Busway Proposal
  Luton and Dunstable Guided Busway Proposal
  "How to get an elected mayor" Brochure
  "How to get an elected mayor" Brochure
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Assistance to Tourism and Rural Business in the North West
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Assistance to Tourism and Rural Business in the North West
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Reopening of Footpaths in Cumbria
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Reopening of Footpaths in Cumbria
  Foreign Registered Vehicles: Road Accidents
  Foreign Registered Vehicles: Road Accidents
  Foot and Mouth Disease: National Parks
  Foot and Mouth Disease: National Parks
  Braille Labelling for Medicines
  Braille Labelling for Medicines
  Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis
  Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis
  Community Pharmacies
  Community Pharmacies
  Pharmacy Workforce
  Pharmacy Workforce
  Home Care and Non-residential Services
  Home Care and Non-residential Services
  Contaminated Blood: Judgment
  Contaminated Blood: Judgment
  Interactive Television Systems: Statutory Provisions on Data Processing
  Interactive Television Systems: Statutory Provisions on Data Processing
  Contract Catering: Increased Turnover
  Contract Catering: Increased Turnover
  New Opportunities Fund: Freehold Land
  New Opportunities Fund: Freehold Land
  Parliamentary Pay Review
  Parliamentary Pay Review
  EU/US "Safe Harbours" Agreement
  EU/US "Safe Harbours" Agreement
  National High-Tech Crime Unit
  National High-Tech Crime Unit
  "Hard-working Families": Definition
  "Hard-working Families": Definition
  Immigration Act Detainees: Telephone Calls
  Immigration Act Detainees: Telephone Calls
  Firearms Database
  Firearms Database
  Persistent Offenders: Sentencing
  Persistent Offenders: Sentencing