Written Answers of 25 April 2001

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average length of time is that people spend on Incapacity Benefit. [157077]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The average duration of Incapacity Benefit for claims which terminated in the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 is 1,027 days. If people who leave Incapacity Benefit for retirement pension are excluded, the average duration is 500 days.

  Note:

  Figures are taken from a 1 per cent. sample of claimants.

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time that people who apply for a national insurance number must wait before(a) being given an appointment with the Benefits Agency and (b) receiving a national insurance number. [158676]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information on the average time that people who apply for a national insurance number (NINO) must wait before being given an appointment with the Benefits Agency is not held.

  After a customer is interviewed by the Benefits Agency, the length of time he/she has to wait to receive their NINO depends on whether the application is for benefit or employment purposes.

  With the introduction of the enhanced NINO process in April 2001 the Benefits Agency is responsible for notifying the customer of their NINO by letter after all inquiries have been completed.

  Child Benefit (Greenock and Inverclyde)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Greenock and Inverclyde will benefit from the latest increase in Child Benefit; and if he will make a statement. [158598]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

  The latest information shows there are 13,610 children and 7,957 families in the Greenock and Inverclyde parliamentary constituency receiving Child Benefit. Since 1997 the rate of Child Benefit for the first child has increased by 26 per cent. in real terms. The rates from April 2001 are £15.50 for the first child and £10.35 for all other children.
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  Notes:
  1. Figures are based on the November 2000 100 per cent. extract of the Child Benefit computer system.
  2. Cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the relevant version of the ONS Postcode Directory. Constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

DEFENCE

  Army Base Repair Organisation
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Army Base Repair Organisation for the financial year 2001–02. [159241]

  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets (KT) have been set for the Chief Executive for financial year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by ABRO since it formed in April 1993 and will help it to prepare for trading fund status. They are as follows:KTI Service Delivery—Programme Load
  To complete 95 per cent. of all programmes designated critical within the times agreed with the customer.
  KT2 Service Delivery—Land District Load
  To complete 95 per cent. of Land Command District Load tasks within the priorities agreed with the customer.
  KT3 Efficiency
  To reduce the average cost of a selected range of Programme Load products by 5 per cent., exclusive of spares, over the course of financial year 2001–02 from a 2000–01 baseline.
  KT4 Efficiency
  To reduce the average cost of a selected range of Land Command District Load tasks by 5 per cent., exclusive of spares, over the course of financial year 2001–02 from a 2000–01 baseline.
  KT5 Winning New York
  To produce a robust marketing strategy for the first year of trading (planned to be 2002–03) and to increase the value of third party revenue won in 2001–02 by at least 100 per cent. from a 2000–01 baseline.

  Tornado GR4
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Tornado GR4 mid life update. [159242]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am pleased to announce that following further development work and extensive trials, the GR4 with improved software achieved a Military Aircraft Release on 10 April. We expect shortly to deploy the GR4 operationally.

  Ro-ro Ferries
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about the future of the contract to be placed with Harland and Wolff for the construction of two roll-on roll-off ferries to provide strategic sea lift capability for the armed forces; [157725]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the progress of the programme to secure guaranteed access to roll-on roll-off ferries to provide strategic sea lift capability for the armed forces. [157726]
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  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 24 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 2001, Official Report, column 359W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore). The commercial shipbuilding contracts for the two ships to be built by Harland and Wolff have been taken over by the Ministry of Defence. These contracts will be managed on our behalf by AWSR Shipping Ltd.

  Negotiations on the Private Finance Initiative contract for the full Strategic Sea-lift service are proceeding and we expect to place a contract shortly. As a result of the adoption of a parallel build programme in two yards, it is planned that the full Strategic Sea-lift capability will be available by 2003, some two years ahead of the planned in-service date. Until then, a provisional service is being managed by MOD, providing an enhanced level of sealift compared to that previously available.

  Fast Jet Pilots
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the maximum output of fast jet pilots is from RAF Valley per year. [157721]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 24 April 2001]: Over the next four years RAF Valley is tasked to provide places for 102 fast jet pilot students per year to meet the current RAF Valley output target of 80 pilots per year. The output target is determined by the future front-line manning requirements and is reviewed regularly. The RAF Valley output target has recently been increased as the result of such a review.

  Capacity is greater than output as not all students achieve the full range of skills necessary to complete fast jet training. Those that do not are usually restreamed into rotary wing or multi-engine roles.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the anticipated shortfalls in(a) fast jet pilots and (b) single seat fast jet pilots for each of the next five years. [157722]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 24 April 2001]: The current forecast shortfall of fast jet pilots in the armed forces over the next five years is as follows:

  Year

  Fast jet pilots1.2

  2001–02

  125

  2002–03

  138

  2003–04

  139

  2004–05

  138

  2005–06

  132

  1Figures comprise the forecast shortfall in RN Sea Harrier pilots and RAF junior officer pilots—filling both flying posts (including front line and training squadrons) and ground appointments

  2RAF Personnel Manning Agency. RAF Manpower planning forecasts do not differentiate between the various types of jet aircraft

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fast jet pilots in the(a) RAF and (b) Royal Navy are combat-ready. [157724]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 24 April 2001]: As at 31 March 2001, there were 230 combat-ready fast jet pilots in the Royal Air Force and 21 in the Royal Navy. A further 94 pilots were at lower states of readiness.

  Pilot Shortages
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current shortages of trained pilots are for the(a) Sea Harrier FA2, (b) Harrier GR7, (c) Tornado F3, (d)Tornado GR1-GR4 and (e) Jaguar. [157723]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 24 April 2001]: The shortfall of trained pilots based on the frontline strength and establishment of specific aircraft types on 1 March is as follows:

  Aircraft type

  Pilot shortfall

  Sea Harrier FA2

  5

  Harrier GR7

  9

  Tornado F3

  12

  Tornado GR1/GR4

  18

  Jaguar

  3

  Notwithstanding the shortfalls, all operational commitments are being met.

  A400M
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason he has allowed the final production line for the A400M to be located in Spain. [157720]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 24 April 2001]: The location of the final assembly line for the A400M is primarily a matter for Airbus Military Company. The company will be contracted to deliver aircraft on the basis of a "commercial approach" which makes maximum use of existing supply chains and centres of excellence. Just as Airbus UK is the centre of excellence for wing design and will be leading the wing design for the A400M, so European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company of Spain is the centre of excellence for military transport aircraft assembly and this thus influences the choice of Spain to host the final assembly line.

  Holy Loch
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) of 29 March 2001,Official Report, column 733W, on the cost of the clean-up operation of Holy Loch, what proportion of the cost has been met by the US Defence Department; and if he will make a statement. [158600]

  Dr. Moonie
  The US Defence Department are not contributing to the cost of the clearance nor are they legally obliged to do so.

  Departmental Pay
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he is making for his Department's staff who wish to continue to be paid on a weekly basis. [158541]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence's industrial staff will transfer from weekly to monthly pay during April and May this year as part of the process of harmonising their pay and grading arrangements with those of non-industrial staff, who are paid monthly. The change to monthly pay was negotiated with the industrial trade unions and supported by a majority of industrial staff who voted in favour by ballot. As is normal practice, the
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  change will apply to all industrial staff covered by the negotiations and consequently there is no provision for staff to continue to be paid weekly.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Lord Birt
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many reports Lord Birt has submitted to the Attorney-General in his capacity as an adviser on crime; and if he will make a statement. [158235]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Attorney-General and I received a briefing from Lord Birt setting out his emerging findings, prior to our meeting with him. Aside from that, the work undertaken by Lord Birt was considered alongside that undertaken by the Home Office, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and Her Majesty's Treasury in preparing the Government's strategy document "Criminal Justice: the Way Ahead".

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions, and on what dates,(a) he and (b) the Attorney-General have met Lord Birt in his capacity as an adviser on crime since his appointment; and if he will make a statement about the contribution of Lord Birt to his Department's policies. [158228]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Attorney-General and I have had one substantive meeting with Lord Birt. The work undertaken by Lord Birt was considered alongside that undertaken by the Home Office, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and Her Majesty's Treasury in preparing the Government's strategy document "Criminal Justice: the Way Ahead".

PRIME MINISTER

  East Midlands Airport
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit East Midlands airport. [157684]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate plans to do so.

  KFOR
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Bush the role of the American element in KFOR in Macedonia and at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [157576]

  The Prime Minister
  KFOR's mandate does not include operations in Macedonia. As is the case for other KFOR contributors, including the UK, the US has a logistical unit based in Macedonia in support of their KFOR contingent based at Camp Bondsteel.

  The US forces based at Camp Bondsteel are an integral part of KFOR, and make an invaluable contribution to its performance, and its ability to achieve its objectives.

  I have no plans at present to discuss the role of the American element in KFOR with President Bush. But I and Ministers in my Government discuss Balkan-related
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  issues with the US on a regular basis. President Bush and I underlined our joint commitment to promote peace and stability in the Balkans on 23 February at Camp David.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Newcastle Airport
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the safety of passenger aircraft approaching Newcastle Airport, following the AAIB report on an incident involving civilian and military aircraft on 20 March 2000; and if he will make a statement. [158411]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The AAIB report made two recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), both of which the Authority has partially accepted. In its published response to the recommendations, the CAA said that the Directorate of Airspace Policy had conducted a study of operations by scheduled public transport services in all Class G airspace, including those in the vicinity of Newcastle Airport. The study confirmed that provided a Radar Advisory Service or Radar Information Service is used, safety levels in such airspace meet the internationally agreed standard.

  It is clear from this incident, however, that not all traffic is availing itself of such air traffic services. Consequently the CAA is working closely with airspace users and Newcastle Airport, as a matter of urgency, on a wide range of initiatives aimed at preventing such conflicts in the future.

  Motorcycle Excise Duty
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on(a) emissions reduction and (b) congestion reduction of the decision to raise motorcycle excise duty by £5. [158406]

  Mr. Hill
  Vehicle Excise Duty for motorcycles over 250cc increased by £5 to £65 from 1 March 2001. My Department has not carried out any formal analysis of the effect of this change on levels or patterns of motorcycle use and hence on congestion and levels of emissions. However, we believe that any such effects are likely to be negligible.

  Housing Developments
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many housing developments were approved in London during each of the past three years; and what proportion of the development was for affordable rented housing and for social housing. [158583]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The estimated number of planning applications, for which planning permission was granted, relating to housing developments in London is as follows:

  1998–4,000

  1999–3,600

  2000–4,000

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  A full breakdown of information on affordable housing provided as part of individual development schemes is not available. The Department, working with the Greater London Authority, is taking steps to ensure that consistent and accurate data are collected for the provision of affordable housing in London.

  Fare Concessions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with rail companies on the introduction of further fare concessions for retired people. [158385]

  Mr. Hill
  There have been no discussions. The franchise agreement under which rail services are provided require train operating companies to participate in mandatory railcard schemes, including one for senior citizens, based on the railcards offered by British Rail. Participation in these schemes will be a requirement in any new franchise negotiated under the Strategic Rail Authority's replacement programme. Any further concession would be a matter for the Association of Train Operating Companies to consider.

  Londonwide Cycle Lane Network
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with London local authorities to encourage the development of a Londonwide cycle lane network; and if he will make a statement. [158475]

  Mr. Hill
  None. This is a matter for the Mayor of London, Transport for London and the other local highway authorities in London. The Mayor's draft transport strategy shows that Transport for London is taking a proactive approach to encouraging cycling.

  Noise Pollution
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps have been taken since May 1997 to equip local authorities with greater powers to regulate noise pollution. [158701]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The provisions in the Noise Act 1996 relating to the new night noise offence and associated powers of seizure came into force on 23 July 1997. We have issued a consultation paper, following a review of the Noise Act, setting out further options for local authorities to use in tackling noise nuisance. The closing date for comments was 31 March. I will announce the outcome of the consultation to the House. Copies of the report and consultation paper are available in the House Library.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the

  SSSIs within Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council area

  Site

  Notification date

  Area (HA)

  Grid reference

  Attingham Park

  22 March 2000

  190.75

  SJ550096

  Berrington Pool

  25 January 1984

  4.8

  SJ524072

  Bomere, Shomere and Betton Pools

  26 October 1983

  59.8

  SJ502080

  Buildwas River Section

  5 February 1986

  1.29

  SJ640045

  Buildwas Sand Quarry

  22 December 1992

  0.14

  SJ644041

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  Government are taking to ensure that only buses travel in the bus lane at peak times; and if he will make a statement. [158404]

  Mr. Hill
  It is for the local highway authority to decide, in the context of its local transport objectives, whether other classes of vehicles, such as cycles and taxis, should be permitted to use bus lanes. The highway authority would normally liaise with the local police on the enforcement of the traffic regulations so that only permitted vehicles use the lanes, but where authorities had taken on the powers now available to them to enforce parking restriction, they would be able to target parking offences in bus lanes more effectively.

  Following successful trials in London, enforcement systems using bus-mounted and CCTV cameras are being introduced along bus routes in London. This includes local authorities carrying out enforcement using camera evidence.

  My Department will be consulting later this year on regulations to allow local authorities outside London to take up powers in section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 to enforce bus lanes using camera evidence. These new powers would be available to authorities which have parking enforcement powers. We would hope to see a wider use of such approaches leading to better compliance with bus lanes restrictions, keeping them clearer for buses to use.

  School Transport
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the US-style yellow bus as a home-to-school transport service in those counties where it has been piloted; and what implications the scheme has for home-to-school transport throughout the rest of the United Kingdom. [158769]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government are keen to promote bus travel as an alternative to using the private car. We have reached an agreement with First Group plc which enables them to offer suitably modified US-style buses for use in pilot schemes. We shall be evaluating the results of these schemes in due course.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2001,Official Report, column 182W, regarding sites of special scientific interest, if he will list the locations of SSSIs in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [158763]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The table shows the name of all 27 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) wholly or partly within the Shrewsbury and Atcham area. It also gives the date the site was notified, its area and grid reference.
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  SSSIs within Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council area

  Site

  Notification date

  Area (HA)

  Grid reference

  Bullhill Brook

  21 July 1998

  0.31

  SJ555015

  Chermes Dingle

  17 July 1986

  5.46

  SJ614064

  Comley Quarry

  26 July 1985

  1.92

  SO484963

  Coundmoor Brook

  20 August 1985

  3.99

  SJ558037

  Earl's Hill and Habberley Valley

  26 July 1985

  62.62

  SJ410048

  Granham's Moor Quarry

  28 November 1985

  2.64

  SJ389036

  Hencott Pool

  4 March 1985

  11.8

  SJ490160

  Hope Valley

  30 March 1987

  4.85

  SJ348013

  Hughley Brook

  13 November 1985

  10.42

  S0585996

  Huglith Mine

  15 March 1993

  4.2

  SJ404016

  Lin Can Moss

  16 February 1984

  1.88

  SJ375210

  Long Mynd

  23 March 1990

  2,719.29

  SO421924

  Minsterley Meadows

  28 November 2000

  8.14

  SJ379048

  Old River Bed, Shrewsbury

  18 February 1985

  14.99

  SJ496147

  River Severn at Montford

  14 December 1994

  27.02

  SJ422144

  Sheinton Brook

  5 February 1986

  2.51

  SJ607037

  Shrawardine Pool

  12 July 1983

  17.89

  SJ398161

  The Wrekin and The Ercall

  17 December 1986

  287.05

  SJ630084

  Tick Wood and Benthall Edge

  22 August 1985

  144.74

  SJ650029

  Trewern Brook

  28 November 1985

  5.1

  SJ305121

  Wenlock Edge

  17 December 1986

  135.24

  S0596986

  Whitwell Coppice

  13 November 1985

  15.35

  SJ619021

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to local authorities under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. [158891]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Councils and other authorities around the country should be commended for the way they have responded to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. While they have a responsibility to budget for the unexpected, the costs that some authorities have incurred because of this outbreak may be exceptional. The Government are keen to ensure that authorities are reimbursed for any extraordinary emergency expenditure so other key services such as education and social services do not suffer.

  That is why I am announcing today an extension of the Bellwin scheme to provide emergency financial assistance to local authorities to help them meet some of the costs of responding to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.

  I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified to help those councils affected by foot and mouth disease. Under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, grant will be paid against valid claims to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold. These are costs incurred in connection with the taking of immediate action to safeguard life and property or to prevent severe inconvenience following an emergency connected with foot and mouth disease.

  My officials are in correspondence with local authorities about the details of the Bellwin scheme. Information will shortly be posted on the Bellwin website which can be found at www.local.detr.gov.uk/finance/bellwin/bell0001.htm.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  EU Youth Orchestra
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy towards funding of the European Union youth orchestra; and how much support was given from public funds in the current financial year. [158755]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The European Union youth orchestra offers young musicians from across the European Union the opportunity to work together to extend their musical experience, and to perform with leading world conductors and soloists. The specialist training and preparation for concerts provides invaluable training and experience for young musicians and can help in the pursuit of a professional career.

  The European Union youth orchestra is primarily supported financially by the European Union. Additional contributions come from the 15 member states of the European Union, of which the UK's contribution was £30,000 from the British Council for the financial year ending 30 September 2000. Funding is also received from corporate and private sponsors.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Cheltenham Gold Cup
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist businesses and individuals who have been financially disadvantaged by the cancellation of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival. [158346]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government recognise that businesses in areas affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD) are under considerable financial pressure, while
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  visitor numbers are down and high-profile events such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup are cancelled or postponed.

  The Government are constantly monitoring the financial impact of FMD in the country, and have already announced a range of measures to assist businesses through any immediate financial difficulties, including a £120 million extension to the Small Firms Loans Guarantee Scheme (SFLGS).

  In addition to these measures, the South-West Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) and Objective 2 partnership have identified over £4 million to assist with the immediate needs of the region and invest-in-recovery programmes to rebuild businesses and communities over the longer term.

  Genetically Modified Fish
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the projects funded by his Department and its research councils in the past 10 years on scientific research into genetically modified or transgenic fish in the United Kingdom and abroad, by research project title indicating the purpose of the research, the project timespan, its total cost and recipient research centres including projects recently begun. [157754]

  Research project title

  Timespan

  Cost (£)

  Institution

  Agriculture and Food Research Council

  Efficient production of transgenic fish

  21 October 1991–21 October 1995

  112,100

  University of Southampton

  Directing gene expression in transgenic fish

  13 January 1992–13 September 1995

  99,500

  Universities of Southampton and Edinburgh

  Grass carp growth hormone gene expression in the early development of goldfish and salmon

  9 November 1992–9 December 1995

  118,200

  University of Aberdeen

  NERC

  The genetic impact of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon on local adaptation and fitness of wild populations: performance of second generation hybrid (ie investigating the genetic impact of genetically modified fish on the wild fish)

  September 2000-February 2002

  36,240

  Queen's University Belfast

  Aquaculture Research
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the research projects supported by his Department over the last 10 years into aquaculture research, including the sums spent on each project. [157755]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I am not aware of any, although the research councils, funded by the Department, may be supporting a number of potentially relevant projects, including contributions to the LINK Aquaculture programme. I would be happy to provide further details.

  Digital TV (Dorset)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [158472]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting on 23 April 2001, Official Report, columns 16–17W.
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  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Project details are listed as follows. All experiments using fish must satisfy the regulations of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Those involving genetic modification are subject to the regulations governing releases to the environment. Marketing of genetically modified fish would also require further approvals, principally as a novel food.

  In 1991–92, the then Agriculture and Food Research Council (AFRC) funded three grants to work on transgenic fish. These were on carp, salmon, trout and goldfish (a form of carp). These grants finished in 1995. One was to determine how to undertake transgenesis in fish because techniques for other species did not work well, one was to manipulate the onset of sexual maturity and the third to change the rate of growth of the fish.

  In addition, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Medical Research Council are supporting a good deal of research using the fish genome as a model. However, this research is aimed at understanding genetic function more generally at a fundamental level, not at improved varieties of fish.

  The research councils are also supporting a range of wider research on fish genetics and aquaculture, but I understand this does not involve genetic modification (GM). I would be happy to provide my hon. Friend with the details if he so wishes.

  Universal Bank
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in discussions on establishing a universal bank at the Post Office; and if he will make a statement. [158770]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Discussions with the banks are at an advanced stage. I hope that they will be concluded shortly.

  Parental Leave
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his plans in respect of parents' rights to take parental leave. [159150]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government are committed to helping parents to achieve a better balance between their home and work lives, in ways which enhance competitiveness for business. That is why we published the Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice", and have carried out extensive consultation with employers and their representatives, employees and their representatives, and family groups.
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  As part of these consultations we have, among other points, received representations on the existing right to parental leave. In the light of these responses I am today announcing three important decisions.

  First, we will increase from 13 to 18 weeks the amount of parental leave available to parents of disabled children. An increase on these lines was almost universally positively received by both parents and employers.

  Secondly, parental leave will remain unpaid. Parents gave more priority to other options in the Green Paper, and while paid parental leave was supported by some employee representatives and family groups, employers of all sizes maintained a high level of opposition to its introduction on grounds of cost and the impact of absence levels from the workplace. The cost of paying for parental leave would be excessive for both the state and employers.

  Thirdly, we will extend entitlement to parental leave to parents of all children who were under five as at 15 December 1999, when the right was first introduced. Experience since then suggests that parental leave has created fewer practical problems for business than may first have been anticipated, and the time is now right to increase the number of parents who are able to exercise the right. Transitional arrangements will apply for parents of children who have since reached, or will soon reach, the age of five, to ensure that they are not disadvantaged.

  A note on the regulatory costs of these measures has been put in the Library of the House. We will publish the necessary draft statutory instrument before the summer.

  We will announce the further decisions taken as a result of the Green Paper as they are reached.

  Employee Consultation
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who is conducting the review of UK law on employee consultation; and when the review will be completed. [158814]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 18 January 2001 that he would review UK arrangements affecting collective redundancies, and that the review would consider whether the current laws were working and in particular whether more should be done to promote effective consultation with employees. As part of the review, the Department of Trade and Industry is holding discussions with companies and trades unions and other interested parties with experience in this field. These are continuing. The review will be completed as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. [159243]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are already committed to reviewing the rehabilitation periods in the Act, following a recommendation from the better regulation task force in their review of fit person criteria in 1999. The sentencing 282W
  framework and its application has changed considerably since 1974 and may change further in the light of current reviews. We believe that the time is right for a fundamental review of the Act as a whole, rather than looking at just a part of it. We are working on preparations for such a review, and will give further details in due course.

  Boards of Visitors
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the review of the boards of visitors. [159244]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am pleased to announce that the right hon. Member for Fareham (Sir P. Lloyd) presented his report to me on 30 March and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library. I am very grateful to him for the great care and trouble that he and his working party have given to this review of the boards of visitors and the complex issues that arose from it.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Joint Schengen Authority information web page will be fully operational. [158758]

  Mrs. Roche
  I understand that the Joint Supervisory Authority, the independent body which oversees the operation of the Schengen Information System, presently maintains a web page providing information about its activities to members of the public.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards retaining Schengen Information System material on domestic files after completion of the spot check; [158756]

  (2) what public information campaign he plans to launch about the Schengen Information System. [158754]

  Mrs. Roche
  We have established a programme to take forward the introduction of the Schengen information System to the United Kingdom. These are both matters I would expect to see the programme address in due course.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on UK participation in Schengen Information System inspections; and what assessment he has made of the report of 9 September 1999. [158759]

  Mrs. Roche
  It is the Department's policy to be fully involved with the Schengen evaluation process, including consideration of any reports that emerge from such evaluations. If the hon. Member will give me further details of the document in question, I will explore the matter further.

  Malcolm Reddican
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries he has made of Greater Manchester police with regard to the disclosure of information relating to the death of Malcolm Reddican. [157963]
  283W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The disclosure of information relating to the death of Malcolm Reddican is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service and Greater Manchester police.

  Crowd 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, on what date he received the Crowd Control Technologies report published by the Scientific and Technological Options Assessment Panel of the European Parliament Directorate General for Research; and what measures he has taken to implement the recommendation that an independent and objective social impact study be (a) commissioned and (b) published prior to authorisation of purchase orders for new crowd control technology. [158036]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Officials have seen a copy of the report in question, which is not an official report of the European Parliament, and its conclusions have been noted.

  The main direction for my Department's future work on baton round systems comes from the Patten Commission report on the future of the police in Northern Ireland. In line with the commission report, full account will be taken of public acceptability and all other relevant issues in our continuing efforts to identify alternatives to the baton round.

  Prison Inspections
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the prisons and penal institutions where conditions have been severely criticised by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons(a) he and (b) other Home Office Ministers, have visited; and if he will ensure that a Minister makes an unannounced visit to every such institution within a year of an adverse report by the Chief Inspector. [158376]

  Mr. Boateng
  Ministers undertake a rolling programme of visits to ensure that the full range of types and categories of prison are visited. Additionally, visits, both announced and unannounced, are arranged in response to issues or concerns raised for various reasons, including adverse comments from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to detain all asylum seekers. [158336]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The powers to detain individuals are set out in paragraph 16 of schedule 2, and in paragraph 2 of schedule 3 to the Immigration Act 1971. These need to be exercised consistently with article 5 of the European convention on human rights, and with detention policy. There is no blanket power to detain all asylum seekers and the
  284W
  exercise of such a blanket power would almost certainly raise issues under the European convention on human rights.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will add anti-androgen pharmacological treatments to the sex offenders regime. [158522]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service's principal means of reducing reoffending by sex offenders is the sex offender treatment programme (SOTP), which is based on cognitive-behavioural principles. The service is aware of the value of anti-androgen treatment for some sexual offenders, and will be considering the extent to which it should be used as an adjunct to psychological therapy.

  Immigration Detainees (Battersea)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were held in Battersea police stations in the past 12 months; and what was the average length of detention. [158736]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is only held in manual form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1 April, the immigration service has sought to transfer individuals held by the police solely under Immigration Act 1988 powers to dedicated immigration detention facilities after no more than one night spent in custody at a police station.

  Crime (Lancashire)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has assessed the effect the installation of CCTV cameras has had on the reduction of crime in Burnley and Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [158402]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Police operational experience and various research studies show that closed circuit television (CCTV) has considerable crime reduction and detection potential, particularly when used as part of a wider strategy.

  The independent evaluation recently carried out on behalf of Burnley borough council of the "Piloting Neighbourhoods, Burnley" scheme suggests that there has been a reduction in crime of 49 per cent. from the period one year prior to the installation to one year after the installation of CCTV. This residential scheme was funded in 1997 under round 3 of CCTV challenge. The evaluation of Burnley town centre's CCTV scheme, funded in 1996 under round 2 of CCTV challenge, suggested that there had been a reduction in crime of one quarter after the installation of cameras.

  We are not aware of any evaluations being carried out into the effect of CCTV in Lancashire as a whole. Schemes funded under round 1 of the CCTV initiative are still being implemented. They will need to have been in place for at least 12 months before their impact can be fully evaluated. Crime and disorder reduction partnerships will also be evaluating schemes locally.

  Lord Birt
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions, and on what dates,(a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have met Lord Birt in his capacity as an adviser on crime; and if he will make a statement about the contribution of Lord Birt to his Department's policies. [158238]

  Mr. Straw
  I met Lord Birt on two occasions on 25 May and again on 15 December 2000. My right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend the Ministers of State met Lord Birt on 17 October. These meetings focused on analysing existing data on offenders, offences and victims and crime reduction.

HEALTH

  Premature Babies
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many premature babies were born in the Greater Manchester area in 2000. [157230]

  Mr. Denham
  Information is not available in the form requested for the year 2000. However, in 1997–98, an estimated 2,900 babies were born in National Health Service hospitals in Greater Manchester prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation). This represents about 8 per cent. of total NHS hospital births in Greater Manchester.Source:
  Maternity Hospital Episode Statistics

  GP : Patient Ratios
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of patients per general practitioner is in(a) England, (b) the north-west, (c) north Cheshire and (d) Halton. [157842]

  Mr. Denham
  The average list size of unrestricted principals and equivalents in England, the north-west region, North Cheshire health authority and Runcorn and Widnes primary care groups (PCGs) as at 30 September 2000 is shown on the table.

  Average list size of unrestricted principals and equivalents in England; the north-west region; North Cheshire health authority (HA) and Runcorn and Widnes primary care groups (PCG) as at 30 September 2000

  Average list size

  England

  1,853

  North-west region

  1,880

  North Cheshire HA

  1,918

  Runcorn PCG

  1,821

  Widnes PCG

  1,972

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid in compensation by the NHS for medical negligence in each of the last 20 years. [158338]
  286W
  Mr. Denham
  Figures on the amounts included in the national audit summarised accounts for clinical negligence payments for the latest available years are as follows:

  £ million

  1996–97

  235

  1997–98

  144

  1998–99

  221

  1999–2000

  373

  Notes:

  1. Figures prior to 1996–97 are not available because clinical negligence was not separately identified in the accounts prior to that date.

  2. The 1999–2000 figure is provisional as it is subject to audit.

  3. Changes to accounting policies mean that these amounts are not directly comparable.

  Source:

  National Health Service summarised accounts for health authorities, NHS trusts and NHS Litigation Authority.

  Victoria Climbié
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 2001,Official Report, column 687W, on Victoria Climbié (a) when he expects to set up the statutory inquiry and (b) what the remit of the inquiry will be. [158354]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Further announcements about the statutory inquiry into the circumstances leading to and surrounding the death of Victoria Climbié were made on 20 April 2001. The inquiry has been established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State under powers in section 81 of the Children Act 1989 and section 84 of the National Health Service Act 1977, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department under section 49 of the Police Act 1996. Lord Laming of Tewin has been appointed to conduct the inquiry. The terms of reference have been placed in the Library. The date of the preliminary meeting will be announced shortly.

  Nutriprem 2
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances first reviewed Nutriprem 2; what recommendations that Committee made about its suitability for prescription; and if those recommendations have been implemented; [158193]

  (2) on what date his Department first received an application from the manufacturers of Nutriprem 2 for the product to be available on prescription; and when he will announce a decision on this matter. [158190]

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which advisory committees of his Department have considered the suitability of Nutriprem 2 for availability on prescription; when that consideration was undertaken; what conclusions were reached; if those conclusions have been implemented; and if he will make a statement; [158319]

  (2) if he has received an application from the manufacturers of Nutriprem 2 for their product to be made available on prescription; and if he will make a statement. [158321]
  287W
  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Pre-term infant formulae were originally considered by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) in 1992. Their conclusion at that time was that prematurity was not a medical condition and that it would not be appropriate for such formulae to be supplied on national health service prescription. In consequence, pre-term infant formulae have been included in Schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, and may not therefore be prescribed on the NHS.

  An application for an ACBS recommendation for Nutriprem 2 was made on 8 February 1999 which the Committee considered at its meetings on 29 March and 15 June of that year and on 31 January 2000. At its meeting on 31 January 2000, the Committee decided to reverse its earlier view and agreed to recommend Nutriprem 2 as suitable for prescription by GPs at NHS expense for catch-up growth in pre-term infants (ie less than 35 weeks at birth), and small in size for gestational aged infants, until six months post-natal age. Unfortunately, at that time, the fact that Nutriprem 2 was included in schedule 10 was overlooked. At its meeting on 16 May 2000, the Committee recommended that Nutriprem 2 should be removed from schedule 10.

  The Department has been considering whether the reasons which the Committee has given for reversing its earlier decision are sufficiently convincing to justify the additional cost to the NHS of removing this product from schedule 10. We expect to announce our decision in due course.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average period is between a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances that a product is suitable for prescription and a decision to implement that decision; and what the average period of consideration given by his Department is to recommendations from that Committee in respect of Nutriprem 2. [158320]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: General practitioners may prescribe any product which they consider to be a drug, unless it is included in schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations, provided they are prepared to justify their decision to the health authority. The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances provides advice to the National Health Service, the effect of which is that prescriptions issued in accordance with the Committee's advice will not normally be investigated. Generally, therefore, there is no decision for the Department to take when the ACBS has recommended that a product is suitable for prescription. Indeed, I know of no case other than pre-term infant formulae where the ACBS has recommended as suitable for prescription products which cannot be prescribed because they are included in schedule 10. There is thus no average time with which to compare the time taken to consider the ACBS's recommendations on these products.

  Endoscopy Activity
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he decided to reclassify new endoscopic activity as complex out-patient rather than in-patient work; and if he will make a statement; [158267]
  288W
  (2) what his estimate is of the reduction in inpatient waiting lists consequent upon the reclassification of new endoscopic activity as complex out-patient procedures. [158268]

  Mr. Denham
  We have made no changes to the way endoscopy activity is classified.

  Gastroenterology
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are on a waiting list for in-patient gastroenterology in England and Wales; [158266]

  (2) what proportion of the national waiting list for gastroenterology is made up of patients waiting for endoscopic activity. [158270]

  Mr. Denham
  On 31 December 2000, the latest date for which this information is available, 11,526 people were awaiting admission to hospitals in England for gastroenterology. Information collected centrally does not identify separately those patients awaiting endoscopies. Information for Wales is a matter for the devolved Administration.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) E.coli poisoning and (b) salmonella poisoning have been reported in the United Kingdom in each year since 1970; and how many people died in each year. [151645]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: Table 1 sets out the total number of laboratory-confirmed isolations of E.coli 0157 from humans reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in England and Wales, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health in Scotland and the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Northern Ireland in each year since 1982. There are no reports prior to 1982.

  There is no specific ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) code for Verocytotoxin-producing E.coli (VTEC) 0157 and therefore it is not possible to obtain data from the Office for National Statistics or the General Register Offices on deaths attributable to VTEC 0157 infection. Furthermore those who die following infection will usually have symptoms of kidney failure or brain damage and these features are more likely to be recorded on death certificates.

  Table 1: E.coli 0157: Reports of laboratory-confirmed isolations from humans in the UK, 1982–2000

  Year1

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Total UK reports

  1982

  2—

  1

  0

  1

  1983

  2—

  6

  0

  6

  19843

  3

  9

  0

  12

  1985

  3

  50

  0

  53

  1986

  4

  76

  0

  80

  1987

  12

  89

  0

  101

  1988

  39

  49

  0

  88

  1989

  87

  119

  1

  207

  1990

  165

  250

  1

  416

  1991

  202

  361

  2

  565

  1992

  115

  470

  1

  586

  1993

  119

  385

  2

  506

  1994

  242

  411

  3

  656

  289W

  Table 1: E.coli 0157: Reports of laboratory-confirmed isolations from humans in the UK, 1982–2000

  Year1

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Total UK reports

  1995

  247

  792

  7

  1,046

  1996

  506

  660

  14

  1,180

  1997

  423

  1,087

  25

  1,535

  1998

  217

  890

  24

  1,131

  1999

  295

  1,084

  51

  1,430

  2000

  200

  897

  48

  1,145

  1No data

  2There were no reports of E.coli 0157 in the UK prior to 1982

  3There were no laboratory reports of E.coli 0157 to the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) prior to 1984

  4Data for 2000 remains provisional

  Sources:

  Scotland data are from the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) and represents laboratory reports (faecal isolates only) of Escherichia coli 0157 in humans England and Wales data is from the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP) and represents verocytotoxin-producing strains of E.coli 0157 isolated from humans
  Northern Ireland data are from the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Northern Ireland and represents laboratory reports of E.coli 0157 from humans.

  Table 2 sets out the number of laboratory-confirmed reports of Salmonella in humans made to the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in England and Wales, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health in Scotland and the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre in Northern Ireland in each year since 1970.

  Table 2: Salmonella: Reports of laboratory-confirmed isolations from humans in the UK, 1970–20001

  Year

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Total UK reports

  1970

  828

  6,848

  55

  7,731

  1971

  983

  6,784

  36

  7,803

  1972

  854

  4,849

  36

  5,739

  1973

  919

  6,871

  29

  7,819

  1974

  580

  5,663

  44

  6,287

  1975

  1,157

  8,912

  120

  10,189

  1976

  1,550

  7,831

  166

  9,547

  1977

  889

  6,505

  117

  7,511

  1978

  1,253

  9,042

  35

  10,330

  1979

  1,483

  10,381

  71

  11,935

  1980

  1,577

  9,508

  136

  11,221

  1981

  2,526

  10,251

  131

  12,908

  1982

  2,621

  12,322

  94

  15,037

  1983

  2,288

  15,155

  186

  17,629

  1984

  2,221

  14,727

  157

  17,105

  1985

  1,690

  13,330

  109

  15,129

  1986

  2,015

  16,976

  282

  19,273

  1987

  2,286

  20,532

  480

  23,298

  1988

  2,563

  27,478

  200

  30,241

  1989

  2,557

  29,998

  201

  32,756

  1990

  2,458

  30,112

  259

  32,829

  1991

  2,330

  27,693

  159

  30,182

  1992

  2,992

  31,355

  226

  34,573

  1993

  2,919

  30,650

  180

  33,749

  1994

  2,969

  30,411

  282

  33,662

  1995

  3,107

  29,314

  452

  32,873

  1996

  3,266

  28,983

  413

  32,662

  1997

  3,349

  32,596

  432

  36,377

  1998

  2,109

  23,728

  534

  26,371

  1999

  1,879

  17,532

  688

  20,099

  20002

  1,723

  14,845

  419

  16,987

  1 Faecal and other reports, excluding S.typhi and S.paratyphi

  290W

  2 Data for 2000 remains provisional

  Sources:

  Scotland data are laboratory reports to the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) of Salmonella in humans in Scotland, 1970–2000

  England and Wales data is from the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). The Salmonella data for 1970 to 1980 differ from 1981 onwards as follows:

  1. The pre-1981 data are paper records whereas data for 1981 onwards have been computerised and published on the PHLS website;

  2. The pre-1981 data include all human isolates whereas the data from 1981 onwards are for faecal isolates only;

  3. The pre-1981 data include more than one report for some patients whereas the data for 1981 onwards have had duplication removed so that there is only one report for each patient.

  4. Data for 1981–91 is from Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP) (formerly DEP). Data for 1992 onwards is from the PHLS Salmonella datasheet.

  Northern Ireland data are from the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Northern Ireland

  Table 3 sets out the annual corrected notifications of deaths related to Salmonella infections (other than S.typhi and S.paratyphi), reported to the Office for National Statistics in England and Wales and the General Register Offices in Scotland and Northern Ireland in each year from 1970 to 1999.

  Table 3: Salmonella associated deaths in the UK, 1970–991 (ICD-003)2

  Year

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Total UK reports

  1970

  3

  28

  3

  34

  1971

  3

  34

  0

  37

  1972

  1

  25

  0

  26

  1973

  3

  37

  1

  41

  1974

  3

  29

  0

  32

  1975

  6

  45

  2

  53

  1976

  7

  39

  1

  47

  1977

  7

  34

  3

  44

  1978

  2

  38

  0

  40

  1979

  6

  48

  0

  54

  1980

  3

  37

  1

  41

  1981

  9

  34

  0

  43

  1982

  8

  65

  1

  74

  1983

  5

  49

  0

  54

  1984

  6

  54

  2

  62

  1985

  4

  49

  0

  53

  1986

  2

  40

  0

  42

  1987

  1

  52

  2

  55

  1988

  3

  58

  2

  63

  1989

  3

  61

  0

  64

  1990

  1

  68

  1

  70

  1991

  4

  62

  0

  66

  1992

  3

  59

  0

  62

  1993

  2

  35

  0

  37

  1994

  1

  40

  0

  41

  1995

  2

  36

  1

  39

  1996

  2

  49

  0

  51

  1997

  1

  44

  0

  45

  1998

  5

  21

  0

  26

  1999

  4

  25

  0

  29

  1 Data for 1999 are provisional

  2 Annual corrected notifications ICD-003 ('Salmonella Other') Salmonella related deaths excluding Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi

  Sources:

  England and Wales: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Scotland: General Register Office Scotland (GROS)
  Northern Ireland: General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI)

  ICD-003: International Classification of Diseases (ICD) category for 'Salmonella Other' these infections exclude Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to compensate farmers who have cattle approaching the 30 month cut-off and who suffer financially from being unable to transport their cattle to market. [152017]

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if compensation will be awarded to farmers who as a consequence of foot and mouth exclusion zones have been unable to move cattle and whose cattle have gone over the 30-month age limit. [155654]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 5 and 27 March 2001]: The Government are continuing to look at ways in which the industry might be helped and recognise the concern of beef producers whose animals are subject to movement restrictions which push them over the 30-month age limit and so leave only the OTMS as an outlet for them. The Government's first priority is the eradication of the disease, but we are keeping the position of the producers affected in these ways under review. In the meantime, cattle of all ages may be entered into the livestock welfare disposal scheme if the circumstances are appropriate.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if abattoirs will be compensated for the reduction in the value of hides following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [153851]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]: Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. We have currently no plans to make consequential loss payments of this kind but the situation is being kept under review.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to vaccinate livestock in Lancashire. [158225]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Although vaccination has not been ruled out in areas other than northern Cumbria and Devon, there are currently no plans to vaccinate livestock in Lancashire. Any such measure would require substantial farmer support.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has made to protect new areas of low foot and mouth infection from exposure to stock originating from areas with higher levels of infection; and if he will make a statement. [154393]

  Mr. Morley
  The general ban on movement of animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease remains in place. Welfare movements are permitted only under licence from areas of low risk to areas of higher risk. This is based on a careful risk assessment, the principles of which we have set out on the MAFF FMD website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action will be taken to improve biosecurity to prevent the reintroduction of foot and mouth disease after the disease has been controlled. [156011]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: The Ministry is already starting to look at what lessons can be learned from this outbreak to prevent foot and mouth disease recurring. We are currently consulting on a possible ban on swill feeding and on introducing movement restrictions
  292W
  on sheep, goats and cattle to require a 20-day standstill period. We are also reviewing the enforcement of legislation governing imports of animal products, both commercial and personal, and we will consider other issues surrounding the livestock sector, for example the operation of markets.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances foot and mouth-free status can be achieved without the slaughter of vaccinated animals. [156650]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: The recent European Commission decision (2001/257/EC) authorises the vaccination without slaughter of cattle in specific areas of the UK. Chapter 2.1.1 of the OIE International Animal Health Code contains guidelines on the steps to be taken to regain foot and mouth disease-free status in various circumstances.

  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 arising from the use of swill feeding. [156879]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 4 April 2001]: It has long been recognised that infected meat products might pose a risk if they are not adequately processed in pig swill. The controls in the Animal By-Products Order 1999 are designed to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases such as foot and mouth and classical swine fever by ensuring appropriate treatment of any catering waste which might include meat products.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision he has made for the vaccination of livestock against foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [153023]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: Vaccination has always been an option which we have constantly reviewed in the light of veterinary and epidemiological advice. We have developed contingency plans which would enable us to carry out a limited vaccination programme in certain circumstances. We also need to assess the views of the food and livestock sector.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what vaccines are available against foot and mouth disease; and what his policy is on their use. [152471]

  Mr. Morley
  The vaccines are:

  (i) Adjuvanted inactivated foot and mouth disease vaccine. An aqueous based vaccine for the immunisation of domestic ruminants.

  (ii) Aftopur DOE. An oil based vaccine for the active immunisation of ruminants and pigs.

  (iii) Aftopur AlSap. An aqueous based vaccine for the active immunisation of ruminants.

  Vaccination has always been an option which we have constantly reviewed in the light of veterinary and epidemiological advice. We have developed contingency plans which would enable us to carry out a limited vaccination programme in certain circumstances. We also need to assess the views of the food and livestock sectors.

  Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the transfer club members for each of the years of his Department's funding, indicating which of the transfer club members also received public funding for biotechnology research during this period, specifying the project details, research partners and funding periods. [157801]

  Ms Quin
  Membership of Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (ca 1,000 members) automatically conferred membership of the club in its first phase of operation (January 1996 to July 1997). Membership by direct subscription applied in the second phase (October 1997 to March 1999). There were 130 registered members, distributed as follows: retail (7 per cent. manufacturing and wholesale (41 per cent.); agriculture (8 per cent.); biotechnology (15 per cent.); academic and R&D (17 per cent.), Associations and Government (12 per cent.)

  There is no direct link between the activities of the club and public funding for research.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the role was of the Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club set up by his Department. [157799]

  Ms Quin
  The initiative to set up the Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club was taken by Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association. The objective of the club was to stimulate the information of links between the food industry and the biotechnology sector. The main club activities were to disseminate information via bulletins (10); seminars (six); and visits to research laboratories (seven). MAFF's involvement was to provide partial financial support for the club as a technology awareness raising project, and to monitor the activities to ensure that agreed objectives were met.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial and other public resources were put into the transfer club for each year until March 1999. [157800]

  Ms Quin
  Financial resources put into the Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club were as follows:

  Year ending

  £

  March 1997

  15,000

  March 1998

  9,900

  March 1999

  7,500

  Total

  32,400

  Financial resources put in by industry through club membership fees were £57,412, representing 64 per cent. of total costs.

  The only other public resources put into the club were for monitoring purposes to ensure that contractors were meeting objectives.

  Cod
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the findings of the scientific investigation into the diet of cod. [157833]

  Mr. Morley
  Copies of final report executive summaries for completed MAFF-funded research projects can be requested by e-mailing fisheries @csg.maff.gsi.gov.uk, specifying which area of research or project information is being requested. The research project investigating the diet of cod will be completed in March 2004.

  Sand Eel Fishery
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of the three years research programme into sand eels announced in November 1996. [157831]

  Mr. Morley
  This presumably refers to EU Contract 95/78 dealing with the effects of large-scale industrial fisheries on non-target species. The research partners for this project included the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St. Andrews and the Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen, which will be able to supply the hon. Member with information on this project.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [158113]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies. No age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in this Department.

TREASURY

  Resource Accounts
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 April 2001,Official Report, columns 300–02W, on what date each of the resource accounts for 1999–2000 were published; what the (a) greatest, (b) median and (c) least number of days that elapsed was between each of the resource accounts being laid upon the table and being made generally available to the public; and if he will make a statement. [158540]

  Mr. Timms
  The dates that Departments' resource accounts were published are shown in the table.

  Departments

  Date published

  DFEE

  22 March 2001

  Teachers Pension Scheme

  22 March 2001

  Ofsted

  15 February 2001

  NHS Pension Scheme (England and Wales)

  1—

  Department of Health

  22 March 2001

  Department of Environment, Transport and the
  Regions

  29 March 2001

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  Departments

  Date published

  Ofwat

  31 January 2001

  ORR

  21 March 2001

  Home Office

  1—

  Charity Commission

  28 March 2001

  Lord Chancellors Department

  1—

  Treasury Solicitors

  1—

  Crown Prosecution Service

  30 March 2001

  Public Records Office

  25 January 2001

  Serious Fraud Office

  7 March 2001

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  30 March 2001

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme—MOD

  13 December 2000

  Defence—MOD Consolidated

  1 February 2001

  FCO

  30 March 2001

  DfID

  1—

  DfID—Superannuation Pensions

  1—

  DTI—Main

  31 January 2001

  ECGD

  20 December 2000

  OFGEM

  20 December 2000

  OFT

  31 January 2001

  Oftel

  31 January 2001

  UK Atomic Energy Authority—DTI

  31 January 2001

  MAFF

  1—

  Forestry Commission

  1—

  Forestry Commission Pension Scheme

  22 March 2001

  Intervention Board Executive Agency

  9 November 2000

  DCMS

  31 January 2001

  DSS

  16 February 2001

  Scotland Office

  1—

  Wales Office

  24 January 2001

  Northern Ireland Office

  1—

  HM Treasury

  1—

  Crown Estate

  19 April 2001

  Customs and Excise

  31 January 2001

  Department of National Savings

  3 November 2000

  GAD

  31 January 2001

  Inland Revenue

  24 January 2001

  National Investment and Loans Office

  22 November 2000

  Office for National Statistics

  2 April 2001

  Cabinet Office

  1—

  Security and Intelligence Agencies

  12 April 2001

  Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation

  30 March 2001

  Central Office for Information

  19 April 2001

  Privy Council Office

  9 February 2001

  1Where no date is shown the accounts were not published by 24 April 2001

  As at 24 April 2001, the greatest, median and least number of working days between the laying and publication of departmental resource accounts were as follows:

  Number of days

  Greatest

  54

  Median

  6

  Least1

  -1

  1 DETR's non-statutory resource account was published the day before it was presented to Parliament

  Fourteen Departments arranged for this statutory resource account to be published on the same day that they were laid by the Treasury, as did one Department for its non-statutory resource account.

  This is the first year that Departments have had to organise the printing and subsequent publication of statutory accounts. The National Audit Office undertakes publication of appropriation accounts. The Treasury has informed Departments of the need to publish their resource accounts promptly after laying. Work is in hand to improve Departments' performance in respect of publication of 2000–01 resource accounts.

  Money Laundering
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he will take to stop money laundering from the developed world through the City of London. [157659]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The United Kingdom already has comprehensive provisions in place to prevent money laundering, irrespective of where the funds originated. Money laundering is a serious criminal offence in the UK and attracts penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment—among the highest in the world. The UK anti-money laundering regime has been praised by the financial action taskforce as a model for other countries. Nevertheless, the Government are committed to implementing further measures to strengthen the laws against money laundering.

  The Proceeds of Crime Bill, published in draft for consultation in March, will create a new criminal assets recovery agency, update the criminal laws on money laundering and permit the restraint of realisable property at the beginning of an investigation, an earlier stage than is possible at present. The Bill will also make it an offence for employees in the regulated sector to fail to disclose a transaction to the authorities when they knew or suspected or had reasonable grounds to suspect that it represented the proceeds of crime.

  The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 will give the FSA powers both to issue money laundering rules and to prosecute for breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 1993.

  Furthermore, the UK has taken an active role in updating the EU money laundering directive. The directive will be updated to expand the range of predicate offences giving rise to an obligation to report suspicions and will impose reporting obligations on lawyers and accountants. It will thereby ensure that the minimum standards applicable in other member states are brought close to the tough standards already applied in the UK.

  Life Expectancy
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated average life expectancy of(a) men and (b) women retiring today; and what the figures were for (i) 1991, (ii) 1981 and (iii) 1971. [158898]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The table gives life expectancy at state retirement age calculated from population estimates and deaths data for the calendar years shown.

  Life expectancy at state retirement age, United Kingdom

  Males age 65

  Females age 60

  1971

  12.4

  20.1

  1981

  13.0

  20.8

  1991

  14.1

  21.9

  1999

  15.3

  22.7

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department

  Minimum Wage (Greenock and Inverclyde)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Greenock and Inverclyde benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage; how many are estimated to benefit from the increase to £4.10; and if he will make a statement. [158599]
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  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 Dr. Norman Godman, dated 25 April 2001:
  As National Statistician. I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of people in Greenock and Inverclyde who have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage (NMW), and the number who will benefit from the increase to £4.10.
  The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than NMW rates for 1998, 1999 and 2000. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds and was developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in using the NES and LFS separately for measuring low pay.
  Estimates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions are posted on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/themes/labour_market/nmw_lowpay_tables.asp
  Estimates for Parliamentary Constituencies of numbers of jobs paid below NMW rates are not available on the basis of the methodology applied for producing the national and regional level figures.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Trading Opportunities
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to improve the trading opportunities of poorer countries. [157648]

  Clare Short
  We are working hard for the launch of a new trade round at the ministerial meeting in November in order to achieve an improvement in the trading opportunities of developing countries.

  Water and Electricity
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department offers to ensure public water supply and electricity supply to communities in poorer countries; and if she will make a statement. [157649]

  Mr. Mullin
  We live in a world where over 1 billion people lack access to safe water, 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation, and a similar number have no electricity in their homes. Water and sanitation are fundamental to health and well-being. Electricity is essential for cooking, lighting and opportunities for small-scale enterprises. Last year my Department provided over £60 million to improve access to water supply and sanitation and £40 million for electricity services.

  Egypt
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the budget is for EU and UK development assistance to Egypt for(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [157650]

  Mr. Mullin
  Our budget for bilateral assistance to Egypt was £4 million in 2000–01 and is set to remain at this level in 2001–02 and 2002–03.
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  Assistance by the European Commission to Egypt was approximately £93 million in 1999, of which the UK contribution was £16.5 million, which is the latest year for which figures are available. Budget allocations for 2001 and 2002 have yet to be agreed.

  Russia
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department is spending on overseas development assistance to Russia. [157651]

  Clare Short
  We spent £26 million on aid to Russia in 2000–01 and expect our programme to continue at this level. We contribute a further £12 million through the EC Tacis programme.

  Our new country strategy will focus our work on support for the Government's economic and social reform programme which is crucial for the reduction of poverty in Russia.

  Palestinian Authority
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on aid to the Palestinian Authority. [157652]

  Clare Short
  Britain is providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority to help reduce poverty and support democratic and accountable government in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinians are suffering badly from the effects of the current conflict and the economic sanctions imposed by Israel.

  Peru
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policies on poverty reduction in Peru. [157653]

  Clare Short
  Although a middle-income country, Peru has a serious poverty problem with 41 per cent. of the population classed as poor and 15 per cent. as extremely poor and unable to meet food needs. The Government of President Fujimori grew increasingly corrupt before it collapsed in late 2000 and in the process undermined and reversed the progress on poverty reduction that they had achieved in the mid 1990s.

  After the interim Paniagua Government was formed in November 2000, we concluded that our future strategy should remain focused on the problem of inequality in Peru and would be centred on enabling poor people, especially indigenous groups and women, to realise their social and economic rights, play their full role in society and get out of poverty. Once the Peruvian presidential election (now going to a second round in May or June) is decided and a new elected Government take office on 28 July, we will open discussions with them on the future shape of our support for poverty elimination. We will seek to work with the Peruvian Government, civil society and the international community to maximise progress towards meeting the international development targets in Peru.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on development aid to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa. [157654]

  Clare Short
  HIV/AIDS is the single most important development challenge in Africa. The epidemic is undermining economic growth and fundamentally threatens social and economic development. DFID continues to give greatest priority to prevention, but we also support efforts to combat the personal, social and economic impact of illness and death caused by the disease.

  As national strategic plans to tackle the epidemic improve, we have begun to place our support within the framework of those plans. For example, we have recently approved significant HIV/AIDS-related programmes in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe totalling over £60 million, and a £20 million programme is being designed to support Mozambique. A new programme for South Africa is also planned for this year. We have also committed £7.5 million to a regional initiative on HIV/AIDS with the Southern Africa Development Community. Last month, I approved a £25 million programme under the International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa to support the efforts of Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi and other countries to curtail the spread and reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the measures her Department is taking to strengthen the international effort to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. [157656]

  Clare Short
  The Chancellor and I announced, as part of the global child poverty initiative, several tax measures and purchase fund options, to help increase access to medicines in developing countries. My Department is in discussion with other countries, international organisations, the private sector and civil society, to explore further options to increase international investment to tackle the diseases of poverty in developing countries, including the establishment of a global purchase fund for commodities for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and diseases of childhood. In addition, we continue to encourage the EC to rapidly implement its programme of action for tackling the major communicable diseases.

  We are also currently supporting a number of innovative public-private partnerships aimed at tackling the diseases of poverty. These include £14 million for the international AIDS vaccine initiative and support for the global alliance for vaccines, the medicines for malaria venture, and LAPDAP to treat drug-resistant malaria. In addition, the UK strongly supports the World Health Organisation-led roll back malaria initiative, which provides the vehicle for concerted action to deliver more widely the benefits of currently available methods of malaria control to the poorest.

  Finally, we continue to work with developing countries to strengthen their basic health systems capable of delivering drugs correctly without which poor people will be unable to access the necessary drugs in their communities.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has committed in support of sexual 300W
  reproductive health programmes and action against HIV/ AIDS since 1997; and how much it plans to spend in the next financial year. [157655]

  Clare Short
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Genetically Modified Fish
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what risk and impact assessments her Department has commissioned on genetically modified fish programmes. [157657]

  Clare Short
  The recent press reports that have suggested that DFID-sponsored research on genetically modified fish is being carried out in secret were false. Results are published and designed to help developing countries to decide for themselves whether they want to use these technologies.

  The one current project is investigating genetic modification techniques to accelerate the growth rate and confer sterility in tilapia, a freshwater fish widely farmed in Africa and Asia. Each stage in the progression of this research depends on evidence of the balance between risk and potential benefits. Two assessments of environmental impact have been undertaken and a third commissioned. Socio-economic studies will help to provide a better understanding of how poor producers and consumers could benefit.

  No genetically modified fish have been released from this project. Any controlled field testing will depend on the outcome of current studies. We would only consider a partnership with a developing country where appropriate bio-safety regulations are in place and with the full co-operation of the relevant local authorities.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received regarding assistance for projects in Zimbabwe. [157658]

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with other Governments in the industrialised world concerning future aid to Zimbabwe. [157665]

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department' s involvement in aid projects in Zimbabwe. [157667]

  Clare Short
  Since 1997 I have kept our development programme in Zimbabwe under regular review. As part of this process, I have had discussions with and from representations from a variety of interested parties from Zimbabwe, the UK and elsewhere. We remain committed to helping the poorest in Zimbabwe who are suffering the combined effect of economic mismanagement and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. But the situation in Zimbabwe is difficult and we continue to work only where we are confident our support can be effective.

  For that reason, I have closed 12 development projects and suspended or substantially modified five others in the last 12 months. Most recently, we wrote to the Zimbabwe Government on 6 April informing them that we were ending our support to the Privatisation Agency of

  301W
  Zimbabwe and to a Trade Policy Capacity Building Programme. In the continued absence of Government policies likely to reverse current economic decline and reduce poverty, I concluded that those projects were likely to have little beneficial impact for the people of Zimbabwe.

  Kyoto Protocol
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to help developing countries contribute to carbon dioxide reduction under the Kyoto protocol. [157660]

  Clare Short
  Over the last three financial years, we have provided around £200 million of development assistance to developing countries for projects and programmes which have contributed to mitigation of, or adaptation to, climate change. The UK has also provided around £215 million since 1992 to the global environment facility (GEF). One of the GEF's four focal areas is climate change, where it has looked in particular at developing renewable energy resources in developing countries.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of the US President's decision not to ratify the Kyoto protocol on sustainable development in developing countries. [157671]

  Clare Short
  Climate change is a global problem which needs a global agreement. The UK believes that the Kyoto protocol provides the only framework for this. Developing countries are the most affected by climate change. We therefore believe that their best interests would be served by continuing to pursue our aim of ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto protocol by 2002, so as to start to deliver emissions reductions by developed countries. We will of course continue to encourage the US to engage in global efforts to tackle climate change and to take domestic action to reduce its emissions.

  Generic Drugs
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy in respect of the use of World Trade Organisation sponsored and unilateral trade sanctions as a response to developing countries providing generic drugs to treat diseases. [157661]

  Clare Short
  The TRIPS agreement does not apply to generic medicines, which are off-patent. Copies of patented drugs can be legitimately made under the TRIPS agreement through voluntary or, in certain circumstances compulsory licensing. There have been no cases of the WTO dispute settlement panel imposing sanctions on a developing country providing generic drugs.

  Malawi
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to the Government of Malawi to support their anti-corruption measures. [157662]
  302W
  Clare Short
  We are working with the anti-corruption bureau through the provision of a technical adviser, support to undertake prosecutions, training and equipment. We are also helping to tighten Government-wide financial controls, supporting the Accountant-General in developing an integrated financial management information system, and have recently agreed support for the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

  Sierra Leone
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving to amputee victims of the RUF in Sierra Leone. [157663]

  Clare Short
  We are providing support to various NGOs including World Vision for work with displaced people in Sierra Leone. World Vision is providing support to amputees and others.

  Third-world Debt
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on discussions with the US Administration on third-world debt. [157664]

  Clare Short
  I expect to meet members of the new US Administration to discuss debt issues when I am in Washington later this month for the spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF. My officials maintain regular contact with their US counterparts.

  Maternal Mortality
  Jean Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of maternal mortality in developing countries. [157666]

  Clare Short
  The International Development goal of a three quarters reduction in maternal mortality by 2015 is a key priority within DFID's health strategy.

  Functioning health systems are needed to achieve sustained progress in lowering maternal mortality. We have committed £1 billion since 1997 to help developing countries put in place effective health care systems, vital if maternity services are to be improved. We are also spending around £85 million on bilateral reproductive and sexual health, including projects specifically focusing on maternal health in Malawi, Nepal, Kenya and Ghana.

  We are making significant contributions to the maternal health programmes of the European Community, the World Bank and international and national civil society groups, and collaborating with the health and development agencies of the United Nations system, particularly the World Health Organisation, the UN Children's Fund and the UN Population Fund to intensify efforts to make pregnancy safer.

  Firearms
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the availability of small firearms on developing countries. [157668]
  303W
  Clare Short
  Our work on analysing conflict-related issues and our experience and that of others in implementing development programmes demonstrates that the availability of arms, especially small arms and light weapons, exacerbates conflict and undermines sustainable development.

  Trade Unions
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the role of trade unions in developing countries in promoting social justice. [157669]

  Clare Short
  Trade unions and other civil society organisations have an important role to play in promoting social justice. A strong independent civil society is essential for holding Governments to account and for ensuring that the voice of poor people is heard. Trade unions have traditionally drawn their membership from workers in the formal sector. The challenge for trade unions today is to reach the vast majority of poor people who work outside the formal economy.

  Corruption
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the level of corruption in British Government aid programmes. [157670]

  Clare Short
  My Department continuously reviews and assesses mechanisms for the delivery of, and accounting for, UK development funds in order to minimise the risk of corruption.

  I am confident that our carefully designed programme management systems, supported by Internal Audit and National Audit Office scrutiny, are sufficiently robust to prevent or detect fraud or corruption.

  In developing countries, my officials work closely with Governments, civil society and other development agencies to improve the quality of public sector financial management reform. These measures help to reduce the risks. In addition we may call for special programme management, audit and accounting systems in order to satisfy ourselves that funds are used for the intended purpose.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the value was of her Department's aid to(a) Macedonia, (b) Kosovo and (c) Serbia for the most recent six month period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [157575]

  Clare Short
  The most recent period for which bilateral aid figures are published is the financial year 1999–2000.

  In that year, my Department spent £111 million in emergency assistance for Kosovo refugees in the region including Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and in
  304W
  Kosovo itself. The UK's share of EU aid to Kosovo and Kosovo refugees in the calendar year 1999 was £56 million.

  Our bilateral spending on non-emergency aid to Macedonia in 1999–2000 was £0.84 million. The UK's share of total multilateral aid to Macedonia in the calendar year 1998, the latest for which figures are available, was £4.7 million.

  We did not support a bilateral aid programme to Serbia in 1999–2000, in view of the lack of commitment to reform by the then Serbian Government. Our activities in Montenegro were confined to provision of advice to the Privatisation Council.

  Azerbaijan
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new proposals she has to reduce fatalities in childbirth in Azerbaijan. [157644]

  Clare Short
  Azerbaijan is not a priority for direct assistance, due to poor progress in democratic reform. My Department does, however, provide financial support to international institutions including the WHO and the UNFPA, which operate safe motherhood and reproductive health projects in Azerbaijan.

  Commission on Intellectual Property Rights
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the members of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights; and if she will make a statement on its objectives. [159344]

  Clare Short
  The commission, which we promised to set up in the international development White Paper published last December, will be headed by John Barton, Professor of Law of Stanford University in the USA. He is an expert on intellectual property law, who has long studied the impact that international and national rules have on developing countries.

  The other members of the commission are:
  Daniel Alexander, an intellectual property barrister from the UK
  Professor Carlos Correa, Professor of Economics at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
  Dr. Gill Samuels, Senior Director of Science Policy and Scientific Affairs, Europe, Sandwich Laboratories, Pfizer, UK
  Dr. Sandy Thomas, Director, Nuffield Council for Bioethics, London, UK.

  The terms of the reference of the commission are to consider:
  how national IPR regimes should best be designed to benefit developing countries within the context of international agreements, including TRIPS;
  how the international framework of rules and agreements might be improved and developed—for instance in the area of traditional knowledge and the relationship between IPR rules and regimes covering access to genetic resources;

  305W
  the broader policy framework needed to complement intellectual property regimes, including for instance controlling anticompetitive practices through competition policy and law.

  I hope that the commission will advance understanding of how IPR regimes could be sensibly implemented in ways that promote sustainable development, and better livelihoods and health for poor people in developing countries.
  306W
  The commission will hold its first meeting in London on 8–9 May to chart out its objectives and how it will go about its work. The aim is that it will report to me by March next year. The commission will be supported by a secretariat whose members will be drawn from the staff of the Department for International Development and the UK Patent Office.

  Palestinian Prisoners: Human Rights
  Palestinian Prisoners: Human Rights
  Nepal
  Nepal
  Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
  Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
  Prison Service Boards of Visitors
  Prison Service Boards of Visitors
  Employed Barristers: QC Applications
  Employed Barristers: QC Applications
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Risks from Disposal of Carcasses
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Risks from Disposal of Carcasses
  Foot and Mouth Disease: London Marathon
  Foot and Mouth Disease: London Marathon
  Osborne House
  Osborne House
  Foot and Mouth Vaccine
  Foot and Mouth Vaccine
  Farmers: Price Stability
  Farmers: Price Stability
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Vaccination and Slaughter
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Vaccination and Slaughter
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Regional Operations Directors
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Regional Operations Directors
  UK Trade in Meat and Livestock.
  UK Trade in Meat and Livestock.