Written Answers of 2 February 2001

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the EU's position regarding the control of BSE, with particular reference to the export of processed meat. [146077]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: Under Commission Regulation 2777/2000 no beef from animals over 30 months old may be sold for human consumption unless it has been tested for BSE with a negative result, and specified risk material has to be removed from all beef going into the food chain.

  In addition, the European Community has imposed controls on the export of processed bovine meat from the United Kingdom and from Portugal.

  Export from the UK may take place only in accordance with Council Decision 98/256/EC, which sets out emergency measures to protect against BSE. No plants are approved to export processed beef of UK origin. A list of plants approved to export processed beef of foreign origin is available on the MAFF website at http//:www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/int-trade/default.htm.

  Commission Decision 98/653/EC (as amended) prohibits the export of processed beef from Portugal.

  Farmers' Income
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the number of farmers in the UK with an annual income of(a) £25,000 or less, (b) £25,000 to £50,000, (c) £50,000 to £100,000 and (d) over £100,000. [146152]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The data for the precise income bands requested are not readily available but similar information is given in the table.

  Distribution of farmers' incomes assessed for tax: 1998–99United Kingdom

  Total income assessed for tax1

  Number of farmers2

  Less than £20,000

  265,000

  £20,000 to £30,000

  29,000

  £30,000 to £50,000

  21,000

  £50,000 to £100,000

  8,000

  £100,000 and over

  5,000

  Total

  328,000

  1Income from sources other than agriculture is also included

  2Individuals whose self-employment income from agriculture forms the major part of their self-employment income

  Source:

  Inland Revenue, Survey of Personal Incomes
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  Fishmeal
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which bodies the Government have sought advice on the scientific justification for a ban in the United Kingdom on the use of fishmeal in animal feed. [146404]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The list of organisations and individuals consulted by the Ministry on the implementation of the feed ban, including fishmeal, can be found on the BSE internet site http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/bse/index.html.

  Laying Hens
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to fund research into the enriched cage system for laying hens; and if he will make a statement. [148110]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: My Department has commissioned research into the enriched cage system for laying hens. We need to be sure that our thinking on the welfare outcome of enriched cages and our position when reviewing Directive 1999/74/EC in 2005 is based on robust science.

  New Forest Ponies
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is on the welfare and protection of New Forest ponies. [148325]

  Mr. Morley
  Policy towards the welfare and protection of New Forest ponies is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department using powers from the Protection of Animals Acts 1911–88. My responsibility is limited to welfare at markets including horse sales, during transport and at slaughter. Within my responsibility, I seek to ensure that the ponies are treated so as to avoid any suffering.

  Flood Defences
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the powers of the Environment Agency as they relate to the responsibilities of local authorities for flood defence. [148279]

  Mr. Morley
  I am aware of the recommendation in paragraph 12 of the Third Report, Session 2000–01, of the Agriculture Committee. While no such representations have been made, the Environment Agency has made me aware of difficulties whereby over 119 local authorities are either unwilling or unable to inspect flood defences and critical ordinary watercourses.

  While flood and coastal defence legislation is permissive, the Government do look to local authorities and others to take flood defence responsibilities seriously, recognising the potential threat to human life and the damage and distress that flooding can cause. I therefore agreed with the Local Government Association that such inspections would take place, and the requirement appears in the High Level Targets for the flood and coastal defence operating authorities. These targets took effect from April 2000 and were published alongside an

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  elaboration of the Environment Agency general flood defence supervisory duty, which sets out the arrangements for inspection in more detail.

  I have asked the Agency for details of the local authorities who will not be undertaking inspections, together with details of the significance of the defences and watercourses in their areas. I shall then consider taking the matter up with the Local Government Association.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Line of Route
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee when the Committee will make the results of the summer re-opening of the Line of Route available to the House. [148717]

  Mrs. Roe
  I am pleased to advise the hon. Member that the Committee has now concluded its review of the summer re-opening and has agreed its Report to the House. The Report, "The Trial Summer Re-opening of the Line of Route" (HC (2000–01) 213) will be published at 11.00 am on Thursday 8 February; copies will be available to hon. Members, from this time, in the Vote Office.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Teachers' Pay
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on school teachers' pay and conditions. [148715]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The report of the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) on teachers' pay in England and Wales in 2001–02 has been published today and copies placed in the Library. I will now consult with the teacher employers and unions on my proposals in response to the recommendations. The key proposals are set out. I welcome the report which enables the Government to press on with their drive to raise the status and quality of the teaching profession and its attractiveness as a career to good graduates.

  The Government propose to accept the STRB's recommendations that with effect from 1 April 2000:
  All teachers will receive a basic pay increase of 3.7 per cent., with a larger 5.9 per cent. increase at the lower end of the main pay scale to establish a minimum starting salary for a new entrant with a good honours degree of £17,001, with some consequential adjustment of other points on the scale.
  The rates of London area allowances (other than the discretionary Inner London area supplement) should be increased by 30 per cent. to the following values: Inner London £3,000; Outer London £1,974; and Fringe £765.
  A new fifth recruitment and retention allowance should be created of £5,085; red tape is being cut so that in future all schools will be able to use whichever of the five allowances they wish, and schools in challenging circumstances will be able to pay the allowances as a cumulative bonus to a teacher who remains in post for up to three years.
  A general provision to allow employers to offer recruitment incentives such as housing assistance should be introduced. In respect of the mark time safeguarding arrangements for teachers assimilating to the new pay structure, the maximum offset on any one occasion against increases in salary, other than
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  the threshold uplift, will be reduced from £500 to £250. We intend to make available in time for the 1 April pay calculations a revised version of the software sent to schools and LEAs last year to enable them to calculate teachers' pay.

  Salaries are rising significantly. A newly qualified teacher starting in Inner London will earn £20,000, 21 per cent. more than in 1997 and 9 per cent. more than in April last year. A good experienced classroom teacher outside London who has passed the performance threshold will earn almost £27,000, 25 per cent. more than in 1997 and £3,000 (or 12 per cent.) more than in April last year. And the pay structure will contain more flexibility for schools to reward good performers and for schools in challenging circumstances to attract and retain good teachers.

  In addition the assessment for Advanced Skills Teachers will be resumed later this spring on the basis that selection standards and procedures should be those that were being used up to July 2000; and that with effect from 1 January 2002, applicants for AST assessment must first have crossed the performance threshold for classroom teachers. ASTs should have a duty to undertake 'outreach' and 'inreach' work and we will consult with interested parties on the detail.

  In recognition of the additional Bank Holiday which has been announced for June 2002 to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee, the 190 days in the school year on which teachers must be available for work and may be required to teach pupils will be reduced by one day in 2001–02. There will be consequential reduction in the overall total of 1,265 hours allocated over 195 days for which the teacher must be available for work.

  The criterion for progression above the starting point of the upper pay scale will be substantial and sustained performance and contribution to the school as a teacher. Teachers who move up the upper pay scale should be performing above the level of the threshold. The Department will offer guidance on how the criterion will apply, but decisions will be for governing bodies to take, advised by the head. My Department is planning to provide a substantial amount of funding to support performance awards in England. Funding in Wales is provided by the National Assembly through the revenue support grant.

  New awards of the 5th management allowance will be discouraged, pending further examination by the STRB of whether it should be retained in the longer term.

  Special Educational Needs Allowance 1 should be awarded on a mandatory basis to teachers in special schools; teachers of children who are hearing-impaired or visually-impaired; and teachers appointed to Special Educational Needs units in mainstream schools. The award of SEN allowance 1 in other mainstream schools should be on a discretionary basis. The award of SEN allowance 2 should continue to be on a discretionary basis, as at present.

  As many schools are still working on the development of their leadership group within the new structure, there will continue to be flexibility to adjust heads' Individual School Ranges (ISRs) and salary ranges for other members of the leadership group and Advanced Skills Teachers.
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  The STRB has acknowledged concerns about teachers' workload. Teaching is a challenging profession. While I make no apology for the programme we introduced to improve standards—the results of which are now becoming evident—I have already acted to cut external Government bureaucracy by, for example, reducing my Department's mailings to schools; radically simplifying the Standards Fund with an end to bidding and claiming; and increasing the use of ICT. We have also been dealing with the causes of poor morale in the mid-90s by increasing resources substantially for buildings, books and computers.

  I agree with the STRB that the way forward lies not in crude limits on the hours teachers spend at work or in the classroom, which would be unworkable and would not go to the core of the problem, but in action to identify clearly the problems of excessive workload and to tackle them. We are taking forward the work the STRB has recommended to identify good practice and stimulate change. In particular, we will review the implementation of my Department's 1998 guidance to schools on cutting bureaucracy, and will continue to follow through the current drive to reduce external paperwork going to schools. The figures I announced last December show that about 40 per cent. fewer documents were sent to primary schools last term, and 66 per cent. fewer to secondary schools.

  We will consult with interested parties on the detailed processes, criteria and standards for the "fast track" scheme. This scheme operates in England only; the National Assembly for Wales is considering the position in Wales.

  The answer applies to England and Wales in relation to teachers' pay and conditions and the School Teachers' Review Body. References to other issues apply in England only.

  Delegated Schools Budgets
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance he has issued to local education authorities for the phasing out of additional revenue payments to former grant-maintained schools; [148379]

  (2) over what period local education authorities will move to the delegation of 90 per cent. of their total education budget where the local education authority is delegating less than this amount; [148381]

  (3) what guidance he has given to local education authorities in using the requirement for delegated schools budget to move 90 per cent. of the total local education authority budget to phase out the additional payments made to former grant-maintained schools; [148380]

  (4) what arrangements have been made to phase out the additional revenue payments made to former grant-maintained schools. [148274]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has called on all local education authorities to delegate at least 85 per cent. of their local schools budgets in 2001–02 and at least 87 per cent. in 2002–03. The intention is to achieve a national average level of delegation of 90 per cent. in 2003–04, on a basis which takes account of the differing circumstances of individual local education authorities.
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  The regulations requiring LEAs to provide a guaranteed level of funding for former grant-maintained schools are not directly connected with the minimum delegation requirements set by the Government, although the amount of transitional funding is likely to be influenced by the LEA's level of delegation. The existing arrangements for transitional funding will remain in place for 2001–02, subject to minor adjustments: no decision has yet been taken in respect of subsequent years.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the public service agreements set up with local authorities and set out the inhibitors to achieving educational targets that have been identified by local authorities. [148351]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The negotiations on local PSAs centre on giving pilot authorities greater flexibility in exchange for more demanding performance targets. These negotiations are still in progress. We expect to conclude agreements with the first pilot authorities shortly.

  New Deal (Sussex)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in(a) West Sussex and (b) Mid-Sussex constituency are on the New Deal, broken down by each option. [148354]

  Ms Jowell
  Figures at the end of November 2000 show that the following numbers of young people are participating in New Deal for Young People in Mid and West Sussex:

  Total

  Mid-Sussex constituency

  Total on New Deal

  21

  Number on Gateway

  12

  Number on ND Options

  6

  Employment

  0

  Education and Training

  1

  Voluntary Sector

  3

  Environment Taskforce

  2

  Numbers on follow-through

  3

  West Sussex coastal plain unit delivery

  Total on New Deal

  114

  Number on Gateway

  55

  Number on ND Options

  39

  Employment

  8

  Education and Training

  26

  Voluntary Sector

  4

  Environment Taskforce

  1

  Numbers on follow-through

  20

  School Buildings (Waveney)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in Waveney constituency have benefited from investment in school buildings since May 1997. [148511]

  Jacqui Smith
  Table A shows the schools in the Waveney constituency which have benefited from investment through the New Deal for Schools programme, which commenced in 1997–98. These allocations formed
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  part of the £13.331 million investment made so far in schools in Suffolk local education authority under the New Deal for Schools programme.

  The New Deal for Schools was introduced as a new additional programme targeted specifically at addressing the backlog of urgent repairs in school buildings that had built up after 18 years of under-funding under the previous Administration. It is in addition to other capital funds made available to Suffolk local education authority.

  In total, since 1997, Suffolk local education authority has received some £56.34 million of funding for capital investment in school buildings as shown in the following Table B. Nationally, investment in school buildings has tripled from £683 million a year in 1996–97 to over £2 billion in 2000–01. It will be £3.2 billion in 2003–04, including grant, credit approvals and Private Finance Initiative credits. There will be central Government investment of £7.8 billion in school buildings in total from 2001–02 to 2003–04.

  Table A: New Deal for Schools: Allocations to schools in the Waveney constituency

  Year/school

  Project

  Total allocation (£)

  1997–98

  Included within a 13

  school package:

  Kirkley High

  Improvements

  11,065,000

  1998–99

  Included within a three

  school package:

  Kirkley High

  Upgrading fire alarm systems

  170,000

  64 schools

  Safety glazing

  1250,000

  8 schools

  Safety glazing

  138,900

  12 schools

  Re-roofing

  1325,000

  9 schools

  Electrical safety work

  190,000

  6 schools

  Re-roofing

  1148,000

  1999–2000

  Carlton Colville Primary

  Replacement of condemned temporary accommodation

  110,000

  St. Edmund's Roman Catholic Primary

  Replacement of condemned temporary accommodation

  127,500

  Warren Special School

  Replacement of condemned temporary accommodation

  60,000

  Included within an 18 school package:

  Albert Pye Primary

  Removal of friable asbestos

  1350,000

  Sir John Leman High Kirkley High

  Kirkley High

  Included within a 22 school package:

  Beccles Middle

  Re-roofing works

  1525,000

  Bungay Primary

  Bungay Middle

  St. Edmund's Primary

  Benjamin Britten High

  The Denes School

  Elm Tree Middle

  Fen Park Middle

  The Harris Middle

  Kirkley High

  Pakefield Middle

  Roman Hill Middle

  Included within a Five school package:

  Elm Tree Middle

  Curtain walling replacement

  1200,000

  Worlingham Middle

  Included within a 12 school package:

  Elm Tree Primary

  Replacement of obsolete boilers

  1350,000

  2000–01

  Woods Loke Primary

  Replacement of temporary accommodation

  185,000

  Ringsfield Primary

  Replacement of temporary accommodation

  60,000

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  Table A: New Deal for Schools: Allocations to schools in the Waveney constituency

  Year/school

  Project

  Total allocation (£)

  Kirkley High

  Replacement of Horsa buildings

  280,000

  Included within a three school package:

  Ashley School Primary

  Removal of asbestos panels

  1185,000

  Included within 36 school package:

  Albeit Pye Primary

  Removal of friable asbestos

  1295,000

  Elm Tree Primary

  Benjamin Britten High

  Included within a 20 school package:

  Carlton Colville Primary

  Re-roofing works

  1760,000

  Denes High

  Whitton Green Primary

  Included within a 29 school package:

  Blundeston Primary Primary

  Replacement of obsolete boilers

  1235,000

  Northfield St. Nicholas

  The Poplars Primary

  Roman Hill Middle

  Kessingland Primary

  Denes High

  Fen Park Primary

  St. Margaret's Primary

  Ringsfield Primary

  Worlingham Middle

  Included within a 10 school package:

  Woods Loke Primary

  Curtain walling replacement

  1630,000

  Included within a 16 school package:

  Benjamin Britten High

  Re-roofing

  1520,000

  Elm Tree Middle

  Harris Middle

  Pakefield Middle

  Roman Hill Middle

  Included within a 12 school package:

  Albert Pye Primary

  Replacement of obsolete boilers

  1235,000

  Beccles Middle

  Benjamin Britten High

  Kirkley High

  Somerleyton Primary

  Included within a 116 school package:

  Carlton Colville Primary

  Urgent electrical works

  1500,000

  Meadow Primary

  Roman Hill Middle

  Elm Tree Primary

  Harris Middle

  Oulton Broad Primary

  Pakefield Primary

  Roman Hill Primary

  The Denes High

  The Poplars Primary

  Worlingham Middle

  1Denotes total allocations made to package projects covering more than one school. Suffolk local education authority will be able to advise the value of projects and schools in the Waveney constituency which benefited from these allocations.

  Table B: All capital allocations to Suffolk local education authority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Basic Credit Approvals

  5,067

  5,337

  6,700

  9,051

  Supplementary Credit Approvals

  623

  357

  239

  349

  Grant to Voluntary Aided Schools

  181

  846

  221

  260

  New Deal for Schools

  1,065

  1,579

  2,938

  7,749

  School Security Grant

  177

  223

  227

  228

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  Table B: All capital allocations to Suffolk local education authority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Removal of Outside Toilets

  —

  20

  —

  —

  Energy Efficiency Initiative

  —

  196

  —

  —

  Key Stage 1 Class Size Initiative

  —

  —

  883

  1,073

  National Grid for Learning Grant

  —

  1,455

  975

  2,296

  Assistance with Asset Management Plans

  —

  —

  107

  —

  Seed Challenge Funding

  —

  —

  —

  355

  Formula Capital for Schools

  —

  —

  —

  5,012

  Renewal of School Laboratories

  —

  —

  —

  358

  Provision of Secondary Learning Support Units

  —

  —

  —

  161

  Schools Access Initiative

  12

  7

  11

  2

  Total

  7,125

  10,020

  12,301

  26,894

DEFENCE

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) blood, (b) biopsy and (c) tissue samples taken from any Gulf War veterans have been sent to Porton Down for tests; and what the results of such tests were. [148210]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: A number of blood samples that were collected from the UK Service personnel during the Gulf conflict at various stages of the anti-biological warfare agent vaccination programme are currently stored at Chemical Biological Defence (CBD), Porton Down. These samples were analysed in 1991 with the aim of investigating the level of protection conferred by giving anthrax vaccine in combination with pertussis vaccine. The results of the study were given in a paper "Operation GRANBY: The effect of co-administration of the pertussis vaccine on specific antibody titre development to the anthrax vaccine in man", which was declassified and made publicly available on 28 October 1997.

  There are 244 vials of sera held at CBD Porton Down. We know of another 38 vials that have been destroyed or lost. We have identified 188 donors of 245 of this total of 282 that we either have, or have been lost. In February and March 2000, all the donors who had been identified were contacted. The Ministry of Defence offered to send them the sample or to keep it at CBD Porton Down.

  Apart from these blood samples, we have no records of other biological samples form Gulf veterans having been tested at CBD Porton Down. However, blood samples taken for the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) at St. Thomas' Hospital, London, are either tested on site or sent to laboratories that have particular expertise in specific tests. Up until December
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  2000, 0.5 ml of blood taken from Gulf veterans was sent to the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research (CAMR) at Porton Down for sandfly fever testing. CAMR is a Department of Health Special Health Authority. It is completely separate from CBD Porton Down, which is a Ministry of Defence facility.

  HMS Tireless
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with Offshore Heavy Transport ASA regarding the return of HMS Tireless to the UK using a transporter ship. [148348]

  Mr. Spellar
  No discussions have been held with Offshore Heavy Transport ASA to return HMS Tireless to the UK using a transporter ship. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 48W.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects women to serve as submariners; and if he will make a statement. [148171]

  Mr. Hoon
  The current medical advice is to the effect that women should not serve in submarines because no assurance can be given regarding the safety of a foetus due to the presence of contaminants in the submarine atmosphere. The medical advice on this question is kept under regular review and is in the process of being reassessed. Currently, there are no plans to change the policy of excluding women from the submarine service.

  Combat Effectiveness and Gender Study
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Combat Effectiveness and Gender Study will be complete; and when he will publish its findings. [148344]

  Mr. Hoon
  The study into the effects of gender upon combat effectiveness will be completed later this year. An announcement will be made once Ministers have received the results and considered advice from the Chiefs of Staff.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on management consultants in each year since 1997. [148345]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Department's annual returns of expenditure on External Assistance, which include outside consultants, for the last five financial years are available in the Library of the House.
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  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which management consultancy firms have been contracted by his Department since May 1997; and how much has been paid to each of them. [148347]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not held centrally. It could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which aircraft in service with the armed forces use depleted uranium for ballast; and if he will make a statement. [148349]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following aircraft contain depleted uranium:Tristar—elevator and rudder balance weights are made from depleted uranium.
  C130—elevator counterbalance weights are made from depleted uranium.
  Wessex—a small number of Wessex helicopters in MOD museuMs and training schools are fitted with depleted uranium ballast weights on their main rotor blade tips.

  We are continuing to investigate whether depleted uranium is also present in Gazelle helicopter tail rotor tip weights. I will write to the hon. Member to advise him of the outcome of this work.

  Officers' Houses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers' houses are now occupied by

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  (a) 1999–2000

  2000–01

  (b) 2001–02

  London Borough of Westminster

  (i) Revenue Support Grant1

  151.611

  125.687

  127.661

  127.047

  135.969

  (ii) National Non-domestic

  42.627

  46.452

  52.372

  61.301

  62.783

  (iii) SSA Reduction Grant

  0.000

  15.580

  8.500

  1.624

  0.000

  (iv) Central Support Protection Grant

  2—

  2—

  4.206

  4.866

  0.000

  (v) Housing Investment Programme (HIP)

  10.275

  7.554

  8.385

  25.535

  17.364

  (vi) HIP Basic Credit Approval

  2.789

  4.476

  6.271

  22.722

  —

  (vii) Single Regeneration Budget

  32.8823

  (viii) Transport Supplementary Grant

  0.472

  0.419

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  (i) Revenue Support Grant

  66.642

  66.196

  66.194

  65.610

  69.350

  (ii) National Non-domestic Rates

  33.804

  36.203

  40.468

  47.167

  48.567

  (iii) SSA Reduction Grant

  8.412

  5.487

  3.158

  0.000

  0.000

  (iv) Central Support Protection Grant

  2—

  2—

  1.121

  0.000

  0.000

  (v) Housing Investment Programme (HIP)

  6.358

  5.723

  6.306

  16.395

  12.910

  (vi) HIP Basic Credit Approval

  5.757

  4.181

  5.447

  16.263

  —

  (vii) Single Regeneration Budget

  6.778

  (viii) Transport Supplementary Grant

  0.437

  0.196

  0.298

  0.000

  0.000

  1Figures supplied for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are based on the Local Government Finance Report (England) Amending Reports dated February 1999 and February 2000 respectively

  2Grant introduced in 1999–2000

  3Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding figures relate to the lifetime amount awarded to schemes since round three (round three being the 1997–98 award period). As these are lifetime figures this does not reflect the annual amount spent, rather the figures represent the amount paid plus the amount outstanding within the award. However where an award is agreed, in principle, funding is released on an annual basis and this release is dependent upon the total available budget at the time of the annual review Figures are given for those schemes where the relevant Borough Council is the Accountable Body. Funding may have been awarded to organisations within the borough, or working within the borough, over and above these figures. Figures provided reflect the amounts that were awarded directly to the Local Authority only—source London Development Agency.

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  officers and families serving at RAF Sealand; how many are occupied by families of officers serving overseas; and if he will make a statement. [148520]

  Dr. Moonie
  A total of 23 properties at Little Roodee serve the requirements of those serving at RAF Sealand and the surrounding area. Of these properties nine are occupied by officers serving at RAF Sealand and their families; three are occupied by officers belonging to local units; one is occupied by the family of a Lieutenant Colonel who is serving overseas. Of the remaining properties, eight are occupied by other ranks serving at RAF Sealand and two are currently void.

  All 23 properties were officers' quarters, but in 1997, it was agreed that nine of these would be redesignated to accommodate senior other ranks.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Government Grants (Central London)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each category of grant, and the amount of each grant, paid by his Department to(a) Westminster and (b) Kensington and Chelsea in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01; and what the projected figure is for 2001–02. [146311]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information requested is, as far as possible, given in the following table:
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  Unlicensed Vehicles
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many owners of vehicles found in Slough were prosecuted in 2000 for(a) not registering and (b) not paying tax on their vehicles in 2000. [147746]

  Mr. Hill
  The Slough area is covered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's Reading local office, which prosecuted 2,103 motorists for evasion in 2000. A further 2,462 motorists paid out of court settlements in connection with VED evasion.

  The Reading Office has only recently started enforcement action relating to the statutory off-road notification registration requirements. In 2000, 44 motorists in the Reading area paid out of court settlements in connection with SORN offences.

  Concessionary Bus Passes
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to equalise, between men and women, the age at which the concessionary bus pass is available. [147844]

  Mr. Hill
  The law currently provides for equalisation in respect of travel concessions on the same basis, and to the same timetable, as for national pensions—that is, over a transitional period of 10 years starting in 2010.

  The matter is however presently the subject of a case currently before the European Court of Human Rights, and we will consider our position in the light of developments.

  Central Railways Plc
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received since 1 January from Central Railway; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the recent letter to him from that company; [148205]

  (2) what his policy is towards the introduction of a Private Bill to authorise the rail freight line proposed by Central Railway. [148206]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: Central Railway has written to Ministers twice this year. The second letter sought Government support for a hybrid bill. A reply will be sent as soon as possible. It is for the company to decide whether to make its letter public.

  Housing
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps the Government will take to ensure that low-cost homes built as a result of the additional council tax income received from second homes will be occupied by low-income earners; [148085]

  (2) what plans he has to end the 50 per cent. council tax discount on second homes. [148179]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: In our Rural White Paper, we said that we would consult on our proposals to give local authorities discretion to end the 50 per cent. discount and to allow
  314W
  them to retain the additional proceeds, and that we would seek views on whether these should be spent on affordable housing. We intend to issue a consultation paper shortly.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total value in England and Wales is of the second home rating rebate. [148099]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: Some 523,000 dwellings in England, some 2.6 per cent. of the total chargeable dwellings, are subject to the 50 per cent. council tax discount. We do not know how many of these are second and holiday homes. However, from the survey of English Housing we estimate that in 1998–99 there were about 248,000 second and holiday homes, which would be about 1.2 per cent. of the total number of dwellings that year. On that basis, if all local authorities ended the 50 per cent. discount the extra council tax raised would be around £100 million.

  As council tax in Wales is a devolved matter, it is for the National Assembly for Wales to answer questions about the position in Wales.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the estimated financial benefits to local councils of second home ownership in England. [148180]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: Since we published the Rural White Paper on 28 November, we have received four representations which raise the subject of the financial benefits which second home ownership can bring to local communities.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set a deadline for an exchange of contracts with Legacy plc over the sale of the Millennium Dome. [148521]

  Ms Armstrong
  When I announced the preferred bidder status on 20 November 2000,I said that if all went well we expected to exchange contracts during February 2001. The Government continue to monitor progress towards that goal.

  Radon Contamination
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to collate information and inform the public about levels of radon contamination in drinking water in the United Kingdom. [148424]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Last year the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) collated the available information from water undertakers in England and Wales on their monitoring of public water supplies for radioactive substances, including radon. There is no information to suggest that any public water supplies contain significant concentrations of radon. Where the information is incomplete, water companies have been asked to arrange a sampling and analysis programme and to report the results to DWI.
  315W
  Some 1 per cent. of the population obtains its drinking water from private supplies, where responsibility for monitoring its quality lies with local authorities. Following a recent study which found elevated levels of radon gas in some private water supplies in West Devon, my Department has written to district, borough and unitary authorities in England, alerting them to the results of the study, reminding them of their responsibilities in this respect, and identifying for them sources of relevant advice.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to regulate the presence of radon and similar contaminates in drinking water in the United Kingdom. [148423]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Regulations governing the quality of public water supplies require water undertakers to ensure that the water supplied contains no element, organism or substance in the water at a concentration or value which would be detrimental to human health. These regulations are enforced in England and Wales by the drinking water inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales. Local authorities have powers to enforce similar provisions in respect of private water supplies.

  London Underground
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason there is no published maximum number of passengers that can be carried in a carriage on the London Underground. [147896]

  Mr. Hill
  I understand from London Underground that the maximum number of passengers that can be carried in a carriage on the London Underground varies with the type of rolling stock in question. There are currently 12 different types of rolling stock in service. The maximum passenger capacity for each type of stock is published in a series of "fact sheets" available from London Underground Ltd. which give full technical specifications. The following table sets out the capacity (per carriage) for each type of London Underground rolling stock.

  Stock type

  Maximum capacity

  Operational lines

  C69 Stock

  212

  Circle, Hammersmith & City

  C77 Stock

  212

  Circle, Hammersmith & City

  C60 Stock

  185

  Metropolitan, East London

  A62 Stock

  185

  Metropolitan, East London

  D Stock

  232

  District

  1967 Tube Stock

  192

  Victoria

  1972 Mk 1 Tube Stock

  194

  Bakerloo

  1972 Mk II Tube Stock

  194

  Bakerloo

  1973 Tube Stock

  227

  Piccadilly

  1992 Tube Stock

  210

  Central, Waterloo & City

  1995 Tube Stock

  159

  Northern

  1996 Tube Stock

  180

  Jubilee

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has been made by the Safety Regulation Group of the CAA of the proposed price regulation regime for the 316W
  NATS PPP; and if this takes full account of the RPI-X method, as affected by the proposed delay term factor. [148590]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The advice the Government received from the Civil Aviation Authority on the price regulation regime included advice on a delay term factor. My Department had a meeting with the Group Director of Safety Regulation at which he confirmed that he was satisfied that there would be no adverse implications for safety if the CAA's advice was adopted in full.

  In the event, so as to ensure a smooth transition for NATS from the public sector to the PPP, the Government set a somewhat lower price cap and a somewhat lower maximum delay term for the NATS PPP in its early years than those recommended by the CAA.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the outcome was of the meeting on 15 January between road safety campaigners and the Minister with responsibility for roads; and if he has ordered a critical summary of relevant controlled road safety evaluation studies. [148588]

  Mr. Hill
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Whitty), had a useful meeting with my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller), representatives of RoadPeace and other road safety campaigners, at which a variety of issues were discussed. The proposal for a critical summary of relevant controlled road safety evaluation studies has been made by the Institute of Child Health, and my noble Friend has invited the Institute to discuss their ideas with Departmental officials.

  Travel Plan Bursaries
  Shona Mclsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about bursaries to local authorities for the promotion of travel plans. [148735]

  Mr. Hill
  Following an invitation last November we received 263 bids from a total of 153 local traffic authorities and passenger transport executives in England for bursaries to employ dedicated staff to promote travel plans to schools and businesses in their area. I am happy to announce today that we have been able to accept bids for 111 posts across the country. The successful authorities with the number of posts that have been accepted are as listed. Funding will normally be for three years within a limit of £30,000 a year per post.

  Authority

  Number

  Type

  GO region

  Bedfordshire

  1

  CC

  East

  Buckinghamshire

  2

  CC

  South East

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  CC

  East

  Derbyshire

  1

  CC

  East Midlands

  Devon

  1

  CC

  South West

  Dorset

  1

  CC

  South West

  Durham

  1

  CC

  North East

  Essex

  1

  CC

  East

  Gloucestershire

  1

  CC

  South West

  Hampshire

  2

  CC

  South East

  317W

  Authority

  Number

  Type

  GO region

  Hertfordshire

  1

  CC

  East

  Lancashire

  1

  CC

  North West

  Lincolnshire

  1

  CC

  East Midlands

  Norfolk

  2

  CC

  East

  North Yorkshire

  11

  CC

  Yorkshire &Humberside

  Shropshire

  2

  CC

  West Midlands

  Somerset

  2

  CC

  South West

  Warwickshire

  1

  CC

  West Midlands

  West Sussex

  1

  CC

  South East

  Wiltshire

  21

  CC

  South West

  Worcestershire

  2

  CC

  West Midlands

  Cheshire

  2

  CC

  North West

  Bournemouth

  2

  U

  South West

  Bristol City

  2

  U

  South West

  Hartlepool

  1

  U

  North East

  Luton

  1

  U

  East

  Medway

  2

  U

  South East

  Middlesbrough

  1

  U

  North East

  Nottingham City

  2

  U

  East Midlands

  Peterborough City

  1

  U

  East

  Poole

  2

  U

  South West

  Portsmouth City

  2

  U

  South East

  Rutland

  1

  U

  East Midlands

  South Gloucestershire

  2

  U

  South West

  Southend-on-Sea

  2

  U

  East

  Stockton-on-Tees

  2

  U

  North East

  Stoke-on-Trent

  2

  U

  West Midlands

  Swindon

  1

  U

  South West

  Telford and Wrekin

  2

  U

  West Midlands

  York

  1

  U

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Bromley

  1

  LB

  London

  Croydon

  1

  LB

  London

  Greenwich

  1

  LB

  London

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1

  LB

  London

  Harrow

  2

  LB

  London

  Lambeth

  2

  LB

  London

  Merton

  1

  LB

  London

  Redbridge

  1

  LB

  London

  Wandsworth

  1

  LB

  London

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  LB

  London

  Transport for London

  2

  TFL

  Transport for London

  Birmingham City

  1

  MET

  West Midlands

  Bradford City

  1

  MET

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Coventry City

  1

  MET

  West Midlands

  Dudley

  2

  MET

  West Midlands

  Gateshead

  2

  MET

  North East

  Kirklees

  1

  MET

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Leeds City

  2

  MET

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2

  MET

  North East

  North Tyneside

  1

  MET

  North East

  Sheffield City

  1

  MET

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Sunderland

  1

  MET

  North East

  Wakefield

  1

  MET

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Walsall

  1

  MET

  West Midlands

  Greater Manchester

  11

  PTA

  North West

  Merseyside

  5

  PTA

  North West

  Centro

  1

  PTE

  West Midlands

  South Yorkshire

  1

  PTE

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Tyne and Wear Nexus

  1

  PTE

  North East

  West Yorkshire

  2

  PTE

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1Full time equivalent posts

  318W

  Community Transport Schemes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 2001,Official Report, column 739W, on community transport schemes, if applications for continued funding of existing schemes were (a) permitted and (b) encouraged. [148342]

  Mr. Hill
  The Rural Bus Challenge is intended to promote innovation in the provision and promotion of rural bus transport by seeking to support new approaches and projects. The bidding guidance for the 2000 competition neither prohibited nor encouraged the submission of bids for continuation funding of existing schemes. A number of authorities have submitted bids for continued funding of schemes funded by previous Challenge competitions and these are being considered alongside all the other bids. Successful bids to the 1999 competition included further funding for schemes successful in the 1998 competition.

  MOX Fuel Shipments
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations have been received by Her Majesty's Government from other Governments in respect of the current shipment of MOX plutonium fuel to Japan in ships operated by BNFL. [147741]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  To date, a representation has been made by the Government of New Zealand about the current shipment of MOX fuel to Japan. A meeting with the New Zealand High Commissioner took place on 19 January.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many(a) men and (b) women living in the Richmond Park constituency are entitled to winter fuel allowance; [148086]

  (2) how many claims had been made by people living in the Richmond Park constituency for the winter fuel allowance by 26 January. [148084]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Dr. Jenny Tonge, dated 1 February 2001:
  The Secretary Of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary questions asking how many claims had been made by people living in the Richmond Park constituency for the Winter Fuel allowance by 26 January and how many (a) men and (b) women living in the Richmond Park constituency are entitled to Winter Fuel Allowance.
  Information regarding how many claims were made by 26 January is not available in constituency format and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  319W
  Approximately 17,400 people may have been entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2000 in the Richmond Park constituency. This information is not available for men and women separately.

  I hope the information provided is helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what records the Child Support Agency maintains about fathers' employment status at the time an assessment is made; and what percentage of fathers in employment chose to give up their jobs within 12 months of a Child Support Agency assessment in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [146241]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 1 February 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.

  Table 1: Number of non-resident parents who were in employment at 31 August 1999 and employment status at 31 August 2000, by CSA Business Unit: all cases1

  Agency Business Units

  (1) Number in employment2 at 31 August 1999

  (2) Number of (1) in employment2 at 31 August 2000

  Number of (1) not in employment at 31 August 2000

  Number of (1) no longer CSA customers at 31 August 2000

  Midlands

  80,000

  71,000

  5,000

  4,000

  South Eastern

  67,000

  63,000

  3,000

  1,000

  Scotland and North East England

  87,000

  80,000

  6,000

  1,000

  South Western

  86,000

  78,000

  4,000

  4,000

  Wales and North West

  83,000

  70,000

  6,000

  7,000

  Eastern

  89,000

  83,000

  5,000

  1,000

  All

  491,000

  445,0003

  28,0003

  18,000

  Number of population in paid employment4

  27,500,000

  28,000,000

  28,000,000

  —

  Percentage of CSA customers in paid employment against population as a whole

  1.78

  1.59

  —

  —

  1All cases employed and self-employed with full and interim assessments.

  2Those cases employed as at August 2000 may have had periods of unemployment during the year.

  3NRP benefit status is more indicative of the case at take-on rather than at the current time.

  4Source: Labour Force Survey (seasonally adjusted) rounded to nearest half million.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand, therefore totals may not tally.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of CSCS.

  Table 2: Number of non-resident parents who were not in employment at 31 August 1999 and employment status at 31 August 2000, by CSA Business Unit:all cases

  Agency Business Units

  (1) Number not in employment at 31 August 1999

  (2) Number of (1) not in employment at 31 August 20001

  (3) Number of (l) in employment at 31 August 20002

  (4) Number of (l) no longer CSA customers at 31 August 2000

  Midlands

  78,000

  69,000

  4,000

  5,000

  South Eastern

  77,000

  71,000

  3,000

  3,000

  Scotland and North East England

  90,000

  79,000

  6,000

  5,000

  South Western

  57,000

  46,000

  5,000

  6,000

  Wales and North West

  95,000

  84,000

  5,000

  7,000

  Eastern

  85,000

  79,000

  4,000

  2,000

  All

  483,000

  429,000

  27,000

  27,000

  1The table does not show whether there were short term periods of employment during the year.

  2 Employed figure includes self-employed cases.

  Notes:

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand, therefore totals may not tally.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of CSCS.
  320W
  Mr. Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.

  You have asked what records the Agency maintains about the employment status of the father at the time an assessment is made. The Agency requests the employment status of the Parent With Care on the Maintenance Assessment Form and the Non Resident Parent on the Maintenance Enquiry Form. These are then recorded on the Child Support Computer System.

  You ask how many people there were in paid employment who had been assessed for child maintenance but who have, during the last 12 months, chosen to give up their jobs. The information is not available in the format requested. Such information that is available is shown in Table 1 in the attached annex. This shows those who were employed as at 31 August 1999 and their employment status as at 31 August 2000 broken down by CSA Business Unit.

  Table 2 shows those who were not in employment in August 1999 and their employment status at August 2000. Comparing both sets of data in the enclosed tables you will note that there was movement both into and out of employment during that period.

  The Department produces a CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics which is available in the House of Commons Library and you may find the information it contains of further interest.
  321W
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are being taken to improve the accuracy of Child Support Agency assessments. [146242]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 1 February 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  Mr Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
  You have asked what steps are being taken to improve accuracy of Child Support Agency assessments.
  I fully accept that the current level of accuracy is unacceptable and since I joined the Agency last September I have made it a top priority to improve it. Revised checking arrangements, with built in feedback loops to decision makers, have recently been introduced and each of my Area Directors has developed an accuracy plan setting out specific actions for which I will hold them accountable. We have also targeted training at areas of weakness and developed guidance to help deal with particular problem areas.
  That said, it is unlikely that accuracy will be brought to an acceptable level until the Child Support Reforms are introduced. The complexity of the current calculation, requiring over a hundred separate pieces of information is well documented.
  However, I will not let the problems of the current system become an excuse for simply waiting for the new scheme and, as already indicated, we will continue to strive to improve accuracy levels.
  I trust that this is helpful.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases the Child Support Agency is currently dealing with; and what the average cost was per case over the last 12 months; [146243]

  (2) what is the cost to the Child Support Agency of every £100 it recovers. [146244]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 1 February 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  Mr. Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
  You asked how many cases the Child Support Agency is currently dealing with; what the average cost was per case over the last 12 months and what is the cost to the Child Support Agency for every £100 it recovers.
  The Agency currently (at 31 December 2000) has a Live and Assessed caseload of 1,042,700. This includes Full Maintenance Assessments, Interim Maintenance Assessments and Closures and Suspensions.
  The average cost per case is £203.10 and is based on the Agency's current running costs (excluding the costs associated with the Child Support Reforms) between January to December 2000 of £211,769,683.
  The cost to the Agency for every £100 recovered is £25.98. This has been calculated using the total maintenance collected and arranged for the period April to December (£577,930,287) and the Agency running costs (excluding the costs associated with the Child Support Reforms) for the same period (£150,134,117).
  I hope this is helpful.
  322W
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information is contained in Child Support Agency records about the nature of a father's relationship to the child's mother; and how the CSA categorises such relationships. [146246]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 1 February 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  Mr Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
  No records are held about the nature of a Non Resident Parent's relationship with a child's Parent With Care, nor are categories of relationships held. This information is not relevant to the calculation of Child Support and therefore, is not requested.
  For the Agency to collect information which is not relevant would not only go beyond its legal powers, but would also be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 which requires that information must only be obtained to meet legitimate business needs, must be relevant, and not excessive.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Pensioners' Incomes
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Mid-Sussex receive the over-80s premium on the basic state pension; and if he will make a statement. [148358]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is estimated that there were 2,321,800 pensioners residing in Great Britain and overseas, at 31 March 2000, who were in receipt of a basic state pension including the over-80s age addition. We further estimate that 6,300 resided in the Unitary Authority of Mid-Sussex.

  Note:

  The case count figures quoted are in thousands and are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Source:

  5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System at 31 March 2000.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Mid-Sussex constituency have a weekly gross income of(a) under £100, (b) under £150, (c) under £200, (d) under £500 and (e) under £ 1,000. [148356]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Acquired Brain Injury
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to help individuals with acquired brain injury back into work; [147961]

  (2) what guidance he gives to local authorities in Greater Manchester on support for vocational rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury. [147962]

  Mr. Bayley
  This Department does not give guidance to local authorities on support for vocational rehabilitation. But, in partnership with the Department for Education and Employment, we are setting up a national network of Job Brokers under the auspices of the New
  323W
  Deal for Disabled People. The brokers will offer people receiving incapacity benefits, including those with acquired brain injury, support, guidance and preparation to find paid work and move off benefit dependence.

  One of our current New Deal for Disabled People innovative schemes is run by Rehab UK in conjunction with Rehab Scotland, the Shaw Trust and the Employment Service. Referrals to the scheme are made by employers, and three rehabilitation hospitals provide a programme to support adults with acquired disabilities, especially acquired brain injury, to retain or secure new employment. The project has created unique pathways between medical rehabilitation, vocational assessment, job coaching and supported employment to help employees return to work or find new employment.

  Benefits (Mid-Sussex)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of people of working age in the Mid-Sussex constituency receive(a) Income Support and (b) disability benefits; and if he will make a statement. [148357]

  Mr. Bayley
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  As at May 2000, 1,600 people of working age were receiving Income Support in the Mid-Sussex constituency, with a further 2,000 people receiving disability benefits.

  Notes:

  1.Working age is 16 to 59 for females and 16 to 64 for males.

  2.Disabity benefits are Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Income Support with a disability-related premium. No constituency level data are available on the number of Industrial Injury Benefit recipients.

  3.Although benefit recipients can receive a combination of disability benefits, each person is counted only once.

  4.Figures quoted are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  5.Figures are not held for the total number of people of working age in the constituency, so it is not possible to express these figures in percentage terms.

  HEALTH
  Annex A:

  Table 1: Cash compliance levels for the quarter ending 31 August 2000, by status of the Parent with Care

  Number are in thousands

  Parent with Care receiving

  Total number of PWCs

  NRP fully cash compliant

  Percentage

  NRP nil cash compliant

  Percentage

  Income Support

  95.1

  45.5

  48

  22.9

  24

  26.7

  28

  JSA (IB)

  1.7

  0.7

  41

  0.4

  24

  0.6

  35

  WFTC

  79.6

  44.1

  55

  20.7

  26

  14.8

  19

  Not receiving any of the above benefits

  104.2

  58.2

  56

  23.3

  22

  22.7

  22

  All

  280.6

  148.5

  53

  67.3

  24

  64.8

  23

  Notes:
  1.Figures are based on a 5 per cent sample of the Child Support Computer System, therefore are subject to sampling error.
  2.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred, and are shown in thousands.
  3.The table does not include those cases where payment is not made via the Agency's collection service
  I hope this is helpful.

  Child Support
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many parents with care spent the Christmas and New Year holiday period with no regular payments from non-resident parents in respect of the maintenance of their children; and how many children were affected. [146167]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 1 February 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Health about the Child Support Agency.
  Mr Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
  The information is not available in the format or for the time period requested. Such information as is available is in the table at Annex A, and shows statistics for the quarter ending August 2000.
  The figures have been broken down to show the status of the Parent With Care.
  Parents with Care on Income Support (IS) or Jobseekers' Allowance (Income Based) (JSA(IB)) whose Child Maintenance is paid to the Agency by the Non Resident Parent are protected against non payment of Child Maintenance. This is because IS/JSA(IB) is paid in full to the customer and any maintenance received by the CSA is retained by the Secretary of State to offset benefit payments.
  Figures do not include cases that are not paid through the Agency collection service. In these cases the Non Resident Parent (NRP) pays Child Maintenance directly to the Parent With Care (PWC) is in receipt of IS or JSA(IB) the amount of benefit they receive will be reduced by an amount equal to the maintenance due.
  These figures do not include any cases where an assessment of maintenance is yet to be made.
  The Agency currently exceeds its Secretary of State target of making 98% of payments to Parents With Care within 10 days of receipt from the Non Resident Parent. From April 2000 to December 2000 2,397,676 payments were made to Parents With Care; 2,353,877 (98.9%) of these were made within 10 days of receipt.
  The Department's Analytical Services Division produces a CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics that is available in the House of Commons Library and you may find the information it contains of further interest.
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  NHS Beds
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set out the definitions of(a) critical care, (b) intensive care, (c) high dependency, (d) intermediate care, (e) continuing care and (f) acute care beds; and if he will provide the numbers of beds and associated staff in each case as at 1 December 1999 and 1 December 2000 for each relevant NHS region, health authority and NHS trust; [141498]

  (2) how many extra (a) critical care beds and (b) acute care beds there were in each London NHS trust on (i) 1 December and (ii) December 1999; how many extra staff are required to make each bed fully operational; how many staff were in post, broken down by professional group, on (a) 1 December and (b) 1 December 1999; and what the vacancy level was in each case. [141508]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 13 December 2000]: The definitions of critical care, intensive care, high dependency and acute care beds, as used in central returns to the Department, have been placed in the Library. Intermediate care beds are not currently identified separately in central returns. The working definition of an intermediate care bed for future monitoring purposes is included. Continuing care is defined by the service provided.

  A special bed census, set up to inform the winter planning process, counted the number of available beds in the following categories—critical care (which includes both intensive care and high dependency) and general and acute. A table showing the number of critical care and general and acute beds on 1 December 1999 and 1 December 2000 for each National Health Service region and health authority will be placed in the Library. More detailed information on in-patient bed numbers by ward type and numbers of NHS residential care beds are published annually in "Bed availability and occupancy, England"; and on adult critical care beds in "Intensive care and high dependency provision, England". Both publications are in the Library.

  It is not possible to distinguish staff by bed category. The workforce censuses are collected as at 30 September of each year and copies of the 1999 census detailed results—"Department of Health NHS Hospital and Community Health Services Non-Medical Workforce Census England: 30 September 1999" and "Department of Health NHS Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Service Medical and Dental Workforce Census England at 30 September 1999" are available in the Library. The September 2000 workforce censuses information will be published shortly. The Department of Health Vacancy Survey is carried out as at 31 March of each year and copies of the 1999 and 2000 surveys are available in the Library.

  Critical care beds

  The twice yearly census of available adult critical care beds counts open and staffed beds by location and the level of care, i.e. intensive or high dependency, provided on the census day. Use of critical care beds will vary depending on the clinical needs of the patient and the staffing available. This definition was also used for the 1 December special census.
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  Critical care beds include both general and specialist intensive care and high dependency beds in the following locations:

  intensive care unit

  high dependency unit

  combined intensive care and high dependency unit

  combined intensive care, high dependency and coronary care unit

  cardiothoracic unit

  neurological unit

  liver unit

  spinal injury

  burns unit

  general or specialist high dependency beds outside units.

  Beds excluded from the census are those in coronary care units, short-term post-operative units linked to theatres, renal units and critical care for babies and children in paediatric and neonatal units.

  Intensive care beds

  An intensive care bed is a critical care bed that was being used for intensive care on the census day.

  High dependency beds

  A high dependency bed is a critical care bed that was being used for high dependency care on the census day.

  Intermediate care beds

  An intermediate care bed is a bed in a residential setting (such as community hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation centre, residential care home or step-down facility in an acute hospital) for people who are medically stable but need a short period of rehabilitation to enable them to re-gain sufficient physical functioning and confidence to return safely to their own home. This "residential rehabilitation" service model may be either 'step-down', i.e. following a stay in an acute hospital, or 'step-up', i.e. following a referral by (say) general practitioner, social services or rapid response team in cases which would otherwise necessitate acute admission or admission to longer-term residential care.

  Acute beds

  Acute beds include beds for adults and children, critical care for adults and children, coronary care, palliative care and younger physically disabled. The count of acute beds does not include maternity beds or beds on wards designated for older people or for people with mental illness or learning disabilities or residential care beds.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the services listed as personal social services for the purposes of allocating money to local government through the Personal Social Services SSA. [148186]

  Mr. Hutton
  The personal social services standard spending assessment comprises sub-blocks for services for elderly people in residential care, services for elderly people receiving domiciliary care, services for other adults and services for children.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the money designated for intermediate care services in the NHS Plan has already been allocated; how much of this money was allocated to local government through the Personal Social Services SSA for 2001–02 to 2003–04 announced on 27 November 2000; and if he will make it his policy to guarantee that the money allocated
  327W
  to local government will be spent on the provision of intermediate care services as envisaged by the NHS Plan. [148187]

  Mr. Hutton
  Details of the funding of intermediate care and community equipment services were set out in a joint health service and local authority circular (HSC 2001/001—LAC (2001)1)) Intermediate Care, issued on 19 January 2001, copies of which are available in the Library.

  In determining the personal social services settlement for 2001–02 to 2003–04, as part of the general settlement for local government, we took specifically into account the need for additional council investment in services that promote independence, particularly for older people. Special grants such as the promoting independence and carers' grants, and the performance fund will play a particular part in funding growth in services which deliver or support intermediate care. The increases in standard spending assessment for 2001–02 to 2003–04 announced following the spending review, and included in the local government settlement announced on 27 November 2000, are intended to enable councils to contribute to the expansion of these services. The deployment of resources made available through SSA remains a decision for councils to make in the light of local circumstances.

  MMR Vaccinations
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests have been received by doctors in England and Wales for separate vaccinations for(a) measles, (b) mumps and (c) rubella in the last 12 months; and how many of these requests have been granted. [144935]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  The policy for protecting children from measles, mumps and rubella is a two dose schedule of the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. This is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and the assessment of the safety of the vaccine by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. This policy has been endorsed on 12 January 2001 by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Nursing and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association.

  Separate doses of single antigen vaccines given at intervals leave children vulnerable to the risk of potentially serious disease. The JCVI advises that there are no benefits from giving the single antigen vaccines compared with the combined vaccine and that a schedule of separate vaccines is less safe than the combined vaccine. It is not the policy of the Department to offer this schedule

  Cloning
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the companies involved in cloning research with which his Department has held meetings in the last three years. [146860]
  328W
  Yvette Cooper
  One meeting took place at the Department of Health between officials and Geron Bio-med in 2000.

  Officials from the Department regularly meet with United Kingdom and international companies and research centres that are working in the field of biological research. Some of these may have an interest in cloning research.

  In addition, officials will have attended a number of scientific meetings hosted by external bodies such as the Wellcome Trust and the Roslin Institute to discuss cloning.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what levels of spending on health per head of population were in each health authority area in each year since 1998–99, calculated on the same basis as used in his answer of 19 October 1999,Official Report, columns 473–75W. [146726]

  Mr. Denham
  Levels of spending on health per head of the population for 1999–2000 in each health authority area are given in the table.

  Figures for 2000–01 are not yet available.

  England—expenditure by head of population (by health authority), 1999–2000

  Health authority

  £

  Avon

  698.15

  Barking and Havering

  799.37

  Barnet

  747.25

  Barnsley

  774.34

  Bedfordshire

  657.62

  Berkshire

  645.83

  Bexley and Greenwich

  815.06

  Birmingham

  830.78

  Bradford

  767.95

  Brent and Harrow

  857.03

  Bromley

  920.09

  Buckinghamshire

  609.95

  Bury and Rochdale

  737.38

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  700.40

  Cambridgeshire

  670.28

  Camden and Islington

  1,212.95

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  757.66

  County Durham

  760.30

  Coventry

  811.57

  Croydon

  704.70

  Doncaster

  885.35

  Dorset

  747.21

  Dudley

  750.26

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  860.41

  East and North Hertfordshire

  686.03

  East Kent

  754.82

  East Lancashire

  794.35

  East London and The City

  1,091.58

  East Riding

  724.75

  East Surrey

  791.72

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  848.70

  Enfield and Haringey

  754.13

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  845.73

  Gloucestershire

  685.18

  Herefordshire

  824.83

  Hillingdon

  712.10

  Isle of Wight

  833.25

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  1,048.08

  Kingston and Richmond

  758.81

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  984.13

  329W

  England—expenditure by head of population (by health authority), 1999–2000

  Health authority

  £

  Leeds

  843.77

  Leicestershire

  688.98

  Lincolnshire

  745.55

  Liverpool

  989.40

  Manchester

  1,003.16

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  913.11

  Morecambe Bay

  1,049.86

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  894.89

  Norfolk

  712.36

  North and East Devon

  720,80

  North and Mid Hampshire

  602.92

  North Cheshire

  750.52

  North Cumbria

  762.81

  North Derbyshire

  685.27

  North Essex

  688.76

  North Nottinghamshire

  706.29

  North Staffordshire

  742.17

  North West Lancashire

  807.54

  North Yorkshire

  709.21

  Northamptonshire

  636.08

  Northumberland

  855.96

  Nottingham

  765.61

  Oxfordshire

  650.05

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  668.15

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  758.38

  Rotherham

  716.74

  Salford and Trafford

  849.16

  Sandwell

  827.70

  Sefton

  785.38

  Sheffield

  1,008.48

  Shropshire

  674.72

  Solihull

  662.84

  Somerset

  668.84

  South and West Devon

  748.98

  South Cheshire

  705.51

  South Derbyshire

  687.05

  South Essex

  698.92

  South Humber

  784.76

  South Lancashire

  693.89

  South Staffordshire

  639.74

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  708.89

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  777.56

  Stockport

  706.02

  Suffolk

  668.15

  Sunderland

  770.91

  Tees

  823.22

  Wakefield

  781.28

  Walsall

  748.72

  Warwickshire

  681.17

  West Hertfordshire

  705.79

  West Kent

  713.34

  West Pennine

  705.55

  West Surrey

  707.74

  West Sussex

  722.04

  Wigan and Bolton

  707.32

  Wiltshire

  696.83

  Wirral

  780.50

  Wolverhampton

  763.63

  Worcestershire

  652.87

  England—before national adjustment for drugs and GDS

  761.14

  England—after national adjustment for drugs and GDS

  797.14

  Notes:

  1.An element of drugs expenditure has been accounted for by the Prescription Pricing Authority rather than individual health authorities. Also the majority of General Dental Service expenditure is not available by health authority. A total national position is shown including these two elements.

  2.These figures are not comparable between years or between health authorities as a result of changes in accounting practice and other technical accounting differences.
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  3.The expenditure per head of the resident population does not provide the best comparison between health authorities. Recent Parliamentary Questions have been answered in terms of expenditure per weighted head of population where the crude population figures have been modified to take into consideration the health needs of the population. This agrees with the methodology used for the weighted capitation formula which is used to inform health authority allocations.

  4.Figures for the expenditure per weighted head of population for 1999–2000 have been placed in the Library.

  Source:

  Health Authority summarisation forMs for 1999–2000

  Mid-year population estimates for 1999 (which are not comparable with weighted population figures)

  Wexham Park Hospital
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations at Wexham Park hospital were cancelled on 16 January; for what reasons; and if he will make a statement. [147001]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: Information on the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-medical reasons, and breaches of the standard to re-admit patients within one month following such cancellations, are collected on a quarterly basis at health authority level and placed in the Library. The latest figures cover the five quarters up to Quarter 2 (July-September 2000) of the 2000–01 financial year.

  The specific information requested should be available from the Chair of the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts are(a) acute, (b) community and (c) both community and acute; and how many amalgamations of acute and community trusts there have been in the last five years in England and Wales. [147230]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 January 2001]: In England, there are 144 acute trusts, 128 community trusts and 53 acute and community trusts. These figures exclude community trusts with no consultant-led services and primary care trusts. There have been six amalgamations of acute and community trusts in England in the last five years and eight other mergers forming acute and community trusts but involving combinations of acute, community, or acute and community trusts with existing acute and community trusts. Questions about health services in Wales are a matter for the devolved Assembly.

  Mrs. Nicola Stevenson and Mr. Richard Sampson
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the reports by the Community Healthcare Service (North Derbyshire) NHS Trust into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mrs. Nicola Stevenson and Mr. Richard Sampson. [148584]

  Mr. Hutton
  I am aware of the tragic deaths of Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Sampson and offer my sincere condolences to their families.

  The Community Healthcare Service (North Derbyshire) National Health Service Trust has undertaken a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Sampson. The

  331W
  resulting reports contain clinical and personal details and it would not be appropriate for them to be made public. The investigations have highlighted a number of concerns and, as a result, the trust has asked the North Derbyshire health authority to commission an external review into its acute in-patient unit. I would expect the findings of that review to be made public.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Activity Holiday Operators
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from operators of activity holidays regarding the impact on staffing levels of the national minimum wage and the Working Time Directive. [148523]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have received no representations from operators of activity holidays regarding the impact of the Working Time Directive. Late in 1998 we received a copy of the British Activity Holiday Association's comments on the then draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. These comments concerned the accommodation offset.

PRIME MINISTER

  Coleraine
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made towards fulfilling the commitments he made at Coleraine in 1998; and if he will make a statement. [145749]

  The Prime Minister
  Considerable progress has been made since 1998 with the restoration of devolution, the establishment of the principle of consent in statute and arrangements for cross border co-operation and the promotion of fairness and equality. I am committed to ensuring that progress continues on all fronts and to bring about lasting stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.

  Ilisu Dam
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the World Archaeological Congress regarding Hasankeyf and the Ilisu dam; and if he will make a statement. [146852]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  No decision will be made on ECGD support until we have fully considered the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which will cover the archaeological and cultural impact of the project.

  Ministerial Residences
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the official residences of Ministers and the cost in 2000 of providing and servicing each one. [146329]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 5 June 2000, Official Report, columns 50–51W.
  332W

  Crown Appointments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what steps he takes to ensure compliance with the principles of equal opportunities in the appointment of(a) Sheriffs,(b) Under-Sheriffs, (c) Lords-Lieutenant and (d) deputy Lords-Lieutenant; and if he will make a statement; [146727]

  (2) what plans he has to review the appointment procedures for (a) Sheriffs, (b) Under-Sheriffs,(c) Lords-Lieutenant and (d) deputy Lords-Lieutenant; and if he will make a statement. [146728]

  The Prime Minister
  The prime duty of Lords Lieutenant is to be the Queen's representatives in their county or area. Other than in four Scottish cities (where each Lord Provost is Lord-Lieutenant by virtue of office), Lords-Lieutenant are appointed under current legislation by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of the day, following consultations locally and, where appropriate, with the relevant Secretary of State or First Minister.

  Those appointed as Lords-Lieutenant are people of standing in their local communities, most frequently on account of their record of voluntary activity for the good of the community. In considering these appointments, the principles of equal opportunities are always taken into account. Deputy Lieutenants are appointed by Lords-Lieutenant, subject to the Queen not disapproving of the granting of the commission. Lords-Lieutenant are specifically advised that within each county or area, Deputy Lieutenants should be widely representative of its life in social range, gender, ethnic mix and service to the community.

  Serving High Sheriffs are responsible for nominating their successors and their Under-Sheriffs. The Government are working with the Shrievalty Association to ensure that nominations cover a wider range of ethnic and social groups and both sexes, and has recently endorsed a proposal to establish nomination committees in England and Wales to encourage a more systematic approach.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) Sheriffs, (b) Under-Sheriffs, (c) Lords Lieutenant and (d) Deputy Lords-Lieutenant there are; in each category (i) how many and (ii) what proportion are (A) women and (B) from ethnic minority backgrounds; and if he will make a statement. [146731]

  The Prime Minister
  In England there are currently 46 Lords-Lieutenant (one of whom serves as Lord-Lieutenant of the separate counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire); in Wales, six, plus two vacancies; in Scotland 35 (of whom four are ex-officio as Lord Provosts of cities); and in Northern Ireland eight.

  Of these, seven in England are women; four in Scotland; one in Wales; and one in Northern Ireland. None is currently from an ethnic minority.

  I welcome the fact that the number of female Lords-Lieutenant is growing and I look forward to the appointment of the first Lords-Lieutenant from ethnic minorities in due course.
  333W
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information that is available on the numbers of Deputy Lieutenants; it will take a little time to assemble.

  There are 54 High Sheriffs in England and Wales (of whom one serves as High Sheriff for both Herefordshire and Worcestershire). Of these, seven (almost 13 per cent.) are women, and none is from the ethnic minorities. Nominations already made mean, however, that the proportion of women High Sheriffs will reach 25 per cent. in 2003. Three members of ethnic minorities have been nominated for future years in Greater London, Greater Manchester and Leicestershire respectively. There are 61 Under-Sheriffs in England and Wales, of whom two (just over 3 per cent.) are women. I regret that information is not available on the number for ethnic minorities.

  There are eight Sheriffs in Northern Ireland, three of whom are women (37.5 per cent.); none is from an ethnic minority. There are no Under-Sheriffs in Northern Ireland.

  Sheriffs in Scotland, being salaried judicial appointments, are not comparable to High Sheriffs or Sheriffs in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

  Personal Envoys
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to send a personal envoy to Zimbabwe to help resolve the land dispute and help restore peace to the country; and if he will make a statement. [146867]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: There are no such plans.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to send a personal envoy with a message from him to(a) Sri Lanka, (b) Myanmar and (c) Sierra Leone, to help move the peace process forward; and if he will make a statement. [146868]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: There are no such plans.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to send a personal envoy with a message from him to Phillipines Ministers to help in the search for Eiman April Grant; and if he will make a statement. [146869]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: There are no plans to send a personal envoy to the Philippines.

  The British Ambassador in Manila has, however, been liaising closely with senior members of the Philippine Government about the case. The Embassy is providing consular assistance to Eiman's step-father Mr. Grant, and Eiman's half-sister.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct Sir Anthony Hammond QC to ascertain whether a meeting took place in August 1998 between the right hon. Member for Hartlepool and Mr. S. P. Hinduja and Mr. G. P. Hinduja. [147997]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: As has been made clear, all relevant information will be made available to Sir Anthony Hammond QC.
  334W
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct Sir Anthony Hammond QC to investigate the accuracy of the parliamentary answers given on 3 December 1998 by the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), to the hon. Member for Christchurch about meetings between the right hon. Member for Hartlepool and Mr. S. P. Hinduja and Mr. G. P. Hinduja. [147998]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 3 December 1998, Official Report, column 1040.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date a recommendation for an honour for one of the Hinduja brothers was received from an hon. Member. [148277]

  The Prime Minister
  It is established practice under section 8(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to information, opinions and assessments given in relation to recommendations for honours.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if the report produced by Sir Anthony Hammond will contain unedited records of all(a) telephone calls, (b) letters and (c) other communications involving ministers relating to (i) the application for nationality made by the Hinduja brothers and (ii) the sponsorship of the Faith Zone at the Millennium Dome. [148365]

  The Prime Minister
  The terms of reference of Sir Anthony Hammond's review are set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 29 January 2001,Official Report, column 70W (UIN 147716 and 147717). It is for Sir Anthony Hammond to decide what is included in his report to me.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to provide substantive answers to parliamentary questions concerning the Hinduja brothers in advance of the publication of Sir Anthony Hammond's report. [148366]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to hon. Members by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 30 January 2001,Official Report, column 168W.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if the inquiry being undertaken by Sir Anthony Hammond will establish the level of donations by the Hinduja brothers to political parties since 1990. [148369]

  The Prime Minister
  No. The terms of reference have been set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 29 January,Official Report, column 70W (UIN 147716 and 147717).

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what criteria he applied in deciding that Sir Anthony Hammond should undertake the recently established inquiry. [148368]

  The Prime Minister
  In establishing an inquiry, the individual or team appointed to conduct the inquiry must be impartial, be able to weigh evidence within the particular circumstances of the case, and have the experience and status to command respect. I had all these criteria in mind in appointing Sir Anthony Hammond QC.
  335W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister on what basis information held by the security services on the Hinduja brothers will be available to Sir Anthony Hammond. [148370]

  The Prime Minister
  Sir Anthony Hammond will be provided with access to information held by the security and intelligence agencies if this is relevant to his review.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the companies approached by his Official Spokesman, Mr. Alastair Campbell, regarding sponsorship of the Millennium Dome. [148508]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Lobby Briefings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy for all lobby briefings undertaken on his behalf to be open for audio and visual recording. [148364]

  The Prime Minister
  Since the publication of the Mountfield Report in November 1997, all 11.00 am and 4.00 pm Lobby briefings by my official spokesman and his deputy are on the record. An account of them is published on the No. 10 website.

  It is for Ministers to represent the views of Government in Parliament.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mortgage Group
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ask the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the activities of the Mortgage Group; and if he will make a statement. [148181]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: The Director General of Fair Trading monitors the continuing fitness of all consumer credit licence holders.

  I am aware of the Panorama programme which was broadcast on 28 January and contained a number of allegations about the business practices of the Mortgage Group. I understand that the Director General has approached the programme makers for evidence of the allegations made. Meanwhile, anybody else who has evidence of any breaches of the Consumers Credit Act 1974, its Regulations or the Director General's guidelines on non-status lending by any particular licence holder should pass full details to his office.

  Magnox Reactors
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to restart the magnox reactors at Wylfa, Anglesey. [147843]

  Mr. Hain
  I understand that BNFL has agreed with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) a programme of work aimed at enabling BNFL to return the reactors at Wylfa to service. This programme of work is now being 336W
  implemented. BNFL hopes to complete it during the first half of this year. HSE will not allow BNFL to return the station to operation until fully satisfied about its safety.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions and at what locations officials from his Department accompanied the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) when he was Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to meetings with(a) Mr. Srichand Hinduja and (b) Mr. Gopichand Hinduja. [148004]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), when he was Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 3 December 1998, Official Report, column 291W.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what meetings(a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have attended (i) with the Hinduja brothers and (ii) at which matters relating to business interests controlled by the Hinduja brothers were discussed; [148147]

  (2) if he will list the meetings in India attended by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Affairs, the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), at which matters relating to the business interests of the Hinduja brothers were discussed. [148140]

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Ministers and officials in his Department have(a) been contacted by and (b) contacted (i) Mr. G. P. Hinduja and (ii) Mr. S. P. Hinduja since 2 May 1997; if he will list the occasions on which there was such contact; and if he will make a statement. [148079]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answers 31 January 2001 and 1 February]: Following press speculation, I authorised the Department to issue a statement on 26 January detailing contacts between Department of Trade and Industry Ministers and G. P. and S. P. Hinduja. A copy of this statement has been laid in the Library of the House.

  I also refer the right hon. Members to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) when he was Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 3 December 1998, Official Report, column 291W.

  Huntingdon Life Sciences
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with organisations which have sold shares in Huntingdon Life Sciences; and if he will make a statement. [147408]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: None.

  Droit de Suite
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the prospects for the common position reached in the Council of Ministers over the Droit de Suite directive being maintained; and if he will make a statement. [148071]
  337W
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 31 January 2001]: The Government believe that the agreement reached in Council reflects an acceptable balance between the rights of artists and the competitiveness of the art market and will therefore be urging the Council to stand by the common position.

  Miners' Pension Schemes
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the average pension paid to people in(a) Scotland and (b) the UK from (i) the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme and (ii) the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme is; [148133]

  (2) how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK receive a pension from (i) the Mineworkers' Pensions Scheme and (ii) the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme. [148132]

  Mr. Hain
  These are matters for the trustees of the coal pension schemes. I have asked them to write to the hon. Gentleman direct.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the trips he has undertaken on official business to foreign countries, with the total cost of travel and accommodation for him and his party. [146369]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: In relation to my overseas travel in 1999–2000, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) on 8 January 2001, Official Report, column 364W.

  Details of my overseas visits for 2000–01 will be published in the annual list in the usual way in due course.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were on the sex offenders register on 1 January. [148049]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In September 2000, 13,809 offenders were liable for registration, of which over 97 per cent. had registered as required. Figures are collated on a quarterly basis. It is not currently possible to produce a breakdown of aggregated data on a national basis about those who are registered—for example, the percentage who are female, although sentencing statistics indicate these are likely to form a very small percentage of the total. Such information can only be extracted locally by the police using manual means.

  Work is in hand to develop the computerised recording systems as part of a wider programme of work to enhance the Police National Computer.

  Animals (Scientific Procedures Inspector)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual cost is of an Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspector; and if he will make a statement. [148361]
  338W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On the basis of the funding available for the current financial year and the allocation for central overheads, the average annual cost of each inspector is £113,500.

  Pets (Free Medical Aid)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made on a voluntary basis by agencies to provide free emergency medical aid for pet animals. [148378]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are agencies that currently provide free help to ill or injured pet animals. Central Government have no direct involvement with the aid that these agencies provide.

  Asylum Seekers (Tibet)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received from Tibetan asylum seekers since 1 May 1997; how many of these have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to asylum seekers from Tibet. [147869]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not vailable.

  Asylum applicants from Tibet are classed as nationals of the People's Republic of China. Different regions or provinces are not differentiated in the asylum statistics for Chinese nationals.

  Decisions on asylum applications are based on a full and careful consideration of the merits of individual cases, irrespective of the nationality of the applicant.

  Drugs (Weston-super-Mare)
  Mr.Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations and from whom he has received in the past 12 months on solutions to the drugs problems in Weston-super-Mare. [148372]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  So far as can be ascertained, my Department has within this period answered two letters from residents of Weston-super-Mare offering opposing views on the legalisation of cannabis.

  Drug Action Teams (DATs) have been set up across the country to deliver the Government's Anti Drugs Strategy, "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain" at the local level. It is the responsibility of these local teams to assess the extent of drug misuse in their area and to plan and implement action to tackle it. The Home Office Drugs Prevention Advisory Service has a copy of the North Somerset action plan. I understand that the DAT has proposed a research study by the University of Bath in response to local concerns about offenders and homelessness, which it is suggested are linked to the number of residential rehabilitation units based in Weston- super-Mare.

  DAT 'clinics', advertised through local press, are an opportunity for local residents to make an appointment

  339W
  with DAT members to discuss particular issues or to find out more about the work of the DAT. The first for the North Somerset DAT was held in November and these will continue on a bi-monthly basis. North Somerset DAT has also produced a media strategy, 'To proactively engage the media on substance use/misuse issues and DAT work', and so achieves wide local coverage of drugs issues.

  Naturalisation Applications
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for naturalisation on grounds of residence were granted within(a) six months, (b) nine months and (c) 12 months of the date of application in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000; and if he will make a statement. [147599]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 January 2001]: The information is given in the table. The data are not available for part of the years 1997 and 2000, due to intermittent problems with Information Technol ogy and operator error, but nevertheless comparisons can be made. The table includes only applications made under Section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981, based on five years' residence in the United Kingdom.

  Applications decided within:

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Total

  Six months

  331

  486

  1,112

  1,371

  3,300

  Nine months

  758

  722

  1,345

  1,819

  4,644

  12 months

  1,946

  1,935

  1,819

  4,733

  10,433

  Total

  3,035

  3,143

  4,276

  7,923

  18,377

  The Right hon. Member for Hartlepool
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) will change his chauffeur driven Jaguar for a different official car. [148382]

  Mr. Straw
  It is not our policy to comment on the protection arrangements for individuals, as to do so would compromise their security. Protective arrangements for public figures are regularly reviewed in the light of the threat from terrorism and other continuing risks.

  Police Funding
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the funding formula for allocating resources to police forces in England and Wales; and what weighting is given to social deprivation factors in the existing funding formula. [146918]
  340W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I will be considering the funding formula in the context of the review of local government finance, in relation to the police service.

  Various indicators are used in the calculation of the police funding formula. These indicators include population, unemployment levels and other socio-economic factors, and show the type of data that influence funding distribution through the formula.

  All the indicators used in the police funding formula are as listed:

  Police establishment

  Resident population

  Daytime population

  Households renting

  Residents in terraced accommodation

  Residents in lone parent families

  Residents in overcrowded households

  One-adult households

  Striving population

  Unemployment-related benefit claims

  Long term unemployment-related benefit claimants

  Young male unemployment-related benefit claimants

  Population density

  Population sparsity

  Built-up road lengths

  Motorway lengths

  Police pensions

  Security expenditure

  Details of the indicators and their relative value in determining the allocation for individual forces are set out in the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 2001–02. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  The predicted workload for each force, over a range of different service elements or components, is estimated each year on the basis of these indicators and for Ms the basis for distribution of funding.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Prison Service's Corporate Plan for 2001–02 to 2003–04 and Business Plan and key performance indicators for 2001–02. [148884]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service Corporate Plan for 2001–02 to 2003–04 and Business Plan for 2001–02, which includes the key performance indicators, has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

TREASURY

  Economic Activity Rate
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the economic activity rate was among(a) men aged 50 to 54, (b) men aged 55 to 59, (c) men aged 60 to 64, (d) men aged 65 to 69, (e) men aged 70 and over, (f) women aged 50 to 54, (g) women aged 55 to 59, (h) women aged 60 to 64, (i) women aged 65 to 69 and

  341W
  (j) women aged 70 years and over in each of the four quarters for which he has the most recent data (i) in the UK and (ii) in each of the parliamentary constituencies in Wirral. [146892]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 2 February 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the economic activity rate in the UK and the Wirral for men and women in various age groups (146892).
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the main source of labour market data on individuals used by National Statistics. Information from the LFS on economic activity rates can be derived on a quarterly basis for the UK and on an annual basis for parliamentary constituencies. The most recent data has been given for both. Economic activity rates in the Wirral are not available for the age groups requested. However, they are available for people aged 16 and over and these have been given.
  The tables overleaf show the economic activity rates (i) in the UK for men and women in various age groups from winter (December-February) 1999/2000 to autumn (September-November) 2000 and (ii) in the Wirral from March 1999 to February 2000.
  According to the LFS definition, the economically active are people aged 16 and over who are either in employment or International Labour Organisation unemployed. The activity rate is those economically active as a percentage of all persons 16 and over.

  Activity rates by age and sex for people aged 50 and over; UK; winter 1999–2000 to autumn 2000; not seasonally adjusted—United Kingdom

  Percentage

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  Winter 1999–2000

  All aged 50 and over

  36.0

  44.4

  28.9

  50–54

  79.2

  86.0

  72.4

  55–59

  65.6

  74.5

  56.9

  60–64

  37.4

  49.2

  26.1

  65–69

  11.4

  13.9

  9.1

  70 and over

  2.9

  4.7

  1.7

  Spring 2000

  All aged 50 and over

  36.3

  44.8

  29.0

  50–54

  79.5

  86.2

  72.7

  55–59

  66.1

  74.8

  57.6

  60–64

  37.8

  50.3

  25.9

  65–69

  11.6

  14.9

  8.5

  70 and over

  2.7

  4.5

  1.6

  Summer 2000

  All aged 50 and over

  36.4

  44.7

  29.2

  50–54

  79.2

  86.0

  72.5

  55–59

  66.3

  74.6

  58.2

  60–64

  38.4

  51.1

  26.2

  65–69

  11.4

  14.4

  8.7

  70 and over

  2.7

  4.3

  1.6

  Autumn 2000

  All aged 50 and over

  36.4

  44.8

  29.3

  50–54

  79.1

  85.8

  72.4

  55–59

  66.7

  74.9

  58.6

  60–64

  38.4

  50.9

  26.5

  65–69

  11.4

  14.8

  8.4

  70 and over

  2.6

  4.1

  1.5

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey
  342W

  Activity rates in the Wirral and each of its four parliamentary constituencies; for all aged 16+; March 1999-February 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage

  All aged 16+

  Wirral

  54

  Birkenhead

  54.8

  Wallasey

  52.5

  Wirral South

  58.6

  Wirral West

  50.3

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Earnings Statistics
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of (i) the number of people and (ii) the percentage of the workforce earning(a) less than £4 per hour, (b) £4 per hour and up to £4.50 per hour and (c) above £4.50 per hour and up to £5 per hour in (A) the UK,(B) the South West of England and (C) Yeovil constituency; [144614]

  (2) how many people in (a) Somerset and (b) Yeovil constituency earn (i) £3.60 per hour, (ii) £3.61 to £3.80 per hour, (iii) £3.81 to £4.00 per hour and (iv) £4.01 to £4.50 per hour; what percentage of total employees this constitutes in each case; and if he will make a statement. [144611]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Paddy Ashdown, dated 2 February 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions on hourly earnings in the UK, South West and Yeovil Parliamentary Constituency (144611, 144614). I am replying in his absence.
  The following table shows the number and percentage of jobs paid within specified hourly pay bands for the UK in spring 2000. The estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from both the New Earnings Survey (NES) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Estimates based on this methodology are not available for regions, counties or constituencies.

  Number of jobs in UK (thousands)

  Proportion of jobs in UK (percentage)

  Less than £4.00 per hour

  2,030

  8.3

  £4.00–£4.50 per hour

  2,220

  9.1

  £4.51–£5.00 per hour

  1,900

  7.8

  The improved methodology has been developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in the two surveys, the NES and the LFS, in measuring low pay. It is possible to produce estimates for the proportion of employee jobs earning within the specified hourly pay bands for smaller areas from the NES. However, the NES underestimates the number of low pay jobs since it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the lower end of the earnings distribution.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of full-time workers in(a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain earn gross pay less than (i) £279.21 per week, (ii) £257.73 per week, (iii) £193.30 per week

  343W
  and (iv) £140 per week, broken down by (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) for all workers; [145075]

  (2) if he will list the average weekly gross earnings for full-time workers in (a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain for (i) all manual, (ii) all non-manual and (iii) all workers in the last 12 months. [145074]

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Michael Moore, dated 2 February 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions on weekly earnings for workers in Scotland, the unitary authorities in Scotland and Great Britain (145075, 145074). I am replying in his absence.
  The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. However, the NES has incomplete coverage of those on low pay because the sample is largely limited to people earning above the income tax threshold. The release of NES data is restricted to figures that are derived from a sufficiently large sample of employees, and have an acceptable level of accuracy. I have provided the available data for Scotland, the unitary authorities in Scotland and Great Britain in the attached tables, only where the samples are large enough and have an acceptable level of accuracy. These are based on the 2000 NES, the latest survey for which data are available.

  Percentage of employees

  Less than £279.21

  Less than £257.73

  Less than £193.30

  Less than £140

  Weekly earnings including overtime for full-time employees for Great Britain

  Male

  Non-manual

  15.8

  12.4

  3.7

  0.3

  Manual

  34.9

  26.9

  7.8

  0.7

  All

  23.9

  18.5

  5.4

  0.5

  Female

  Non-manual

  39.3

  32.3

  10.4

  0.9

  Manual

  79.0

  71.9

  40.5

  6.9

  All

  45.4

  38.4

  15.1

  1.8

  All employees

  Non-manual

  26.7

  21.6

  6.8

  0.6

  Manual

  42.6

  34.8

  13.5

  1.8

  All

  31.8

  25.9

  9.0

  1.0

  Weekly earnings including overtime for full-time employees for Scotland

  Male

  Non-manual

  17.9

  14.9

  4.5

  0.3

  Manual

  37.1

  28.7

  8.9

  1.0

  All

  26.7

  21.2

  6.5

  0.6

  Female

  Non-manual

  43.9

  37.3

  11.3

  0.7

  Manual

  82.8

  75.0

  46.6

  8.3

  All

  50.2

  43.5

  17.0

  2.0

  All employees

  Non-manual

  31.2

  26.3

  8.0

  0.5

  Manual

  46.0

  37.7

  16.2

  2.5

  All

  36.2

  30.2

  10.7

  1.2

  Weekly earnings including overtime for full-time employees for unitary authorities in Scotland

  Male

  Non-Manual

  Aberdeen City

  12.2

  10.1

  3.8

  0.0

  Dundee City

  13.3

  9.7

  0.9

  0.0

  344W

  Percentage of employees

  Less than £279.21

  Less than £257.73

  Less than £193.30

  Less than £140

  Edinburgh, City of

  18.0

  15.8

  4.4

  0.0

  Fife

  15.6

  12.2

  4.8

  0.0

  Glasgow City

  20.1

  17.2

  5.5

  0.2

  North Lanarkshire

  19.9

  14.7

  3.1

  1.0

  Renfrewshire

  16.9

  13.7

  8.1

  1.6

  Male

  Manual

  Aberdeen City

  31.8

  24.2

  8.3

  0.0

  Aberdeenshire

  35.9

  29.3

  9.8

  1.1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  42.0

  30.9

  7.4

  1.2

  Dundee City

  44.2

  36.8

  10.5

  1.1

  East Ayrshire

  37.5

  28.6

  10.7

  0.0

  Edinburgh,City of

  43.5

  38.2

  13.8

  1.2

  Falkirk

  25.0

  21.4

  4.8

  1.2

  Fife

  35.8

  29.0

  7.3

  0.5

  Glasgow City

  38.6

  28.5

  10.1

  2.0

  Highland

  40.3

  26.9

  6.7

  0.8

  Inverclyde

  31.8

  25.0

  4.5

  0.0

  North Ayrshire

  36.8

  28.1

  12.3

  0.0

  North Lanarkshire

  36.9

  27.4

  7.1

  0.6

  Perth and Kinross

  41.5

  29.2

  4.6

  1.5

  Renfrewshire

  28.7

  25.5

  10.6

  1.1

  South Ayrshire

  32.3

  26.2

  4.6

  1.5

  South Lanarkshire

  30.3

  21.2

  3.8

  0.8

  Stirling

  33.3

  27.8

  5.6

  0.0

  West Lothian

  30.3

  22.0

  7.3

  1.8

  Male

  All

  Aberdeen City

  19.2

  15.1

  5.4

  0.0

  Aberdeenshire

  24.8

  20.5

  6.2

  0.6

  Argyll and Bute

  27.9

  19.8

  5.8

  0.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  32.8

  24.8

  5.8

  0.7

  Dundee City

  27.4

  22.1

  5.3

  0.5

  East Ayrshire

  28.4

  21.1

  6.4

  0.0

  Edinburgh, City of

  25.7

  22.6

  7.2

  0.4

  Falkirk

  23.4

  17.7

  4.0

  0.6

  Fife

  27.1

  21.8

  6.2

  0.3

  Glasgow City

  27.1

  21.5

  7.3

  0.9

  Highland

  20.9

  21.3

  5.3

  0.5

  Midlothian

  22.4

  17.9

  6.0

  1.5

  North Ayrshire

  26.4

  20.8

  8.5

  0.9

  North Lanarkshire

  27.9

  20.6

  5.0

  0.8

  Perth and Kinross

  33.9

  25.4

  5.1

  0.8

  Renfrewshire

  22.0

  18.8

  9.2

  1.4

  South Ayrshire

  25.2

  19.8

  4.6

  0.8

  South Lanarkshire

  24.9

  18.1

  4.2

  0.4

  West Lothian

  25.6

  20.0

  6.7

  1.1

  Female

  Non-manual

  Aberdeen City

  34.7

  25.2

  5.9

  0.5

  Angus

  51.6

  46.9

  12.5

  0.0

  Dundee City

  45.6

  38.4

  11.2

  0.0

  Edinburgh,City of

  36.5

  29.8

  6.9

  0.4

  Fife

  50.6

  44.4

  13.0

  0.0

  Glasgow City

  41.8

  34.7

  9.5

  0.3

  Highland

  49.2

  43.8

  18.5

  0.0

  North Ayrshire

  47.2

  39.6

  17.0

  0.0

  North Lanarkshire

  47.3

  42.0

  8.3

  1.2

  345W

  Percentage of employees

  Less than £279.21

  Less than £257.73

  Less than £193.30

  Less than £140

  Perth and Kinross

  46.7

  41.3

  15.2

  0.0

  South Lanarkshire

  48.9

  43.8

  16.1

  2.2

  Female

  Manual

  Dundee City

  82.1

  71.4

  32.1

  3.6

  Fife

  90.0

  81.7

  45.0

  8.3

  Glasgow City

  78.8

  72.7

  40.9

  6.1

  South Lanarkshire

  82.5

  75.0

  40.0

  0.0

  Female

  All

  Aberdeen City

  42.4

  33.1

  13.1

  1.3

  Angus

  61.3

  55.0

  20.0

  1.3

  Scottish Borders, The

  62.2

  52.7

  24.3

  1.4

  Dundee City

  52.3

  44.4

  15.0

  0.7

  Edinburgh,City of

  40.9

  34.1

  11.0

  1.1

  Fife

  61.3

  54.5

  21.6

  2.3

  Glasgow City

  45.3

  38.2

  12.4

  0.8

  Highland

  53.1

  48.3

  20.7

  0.7

  Inverclyde

  53.6

  46.4

  12.5

  3.6

  North Ayrshire

  53.0

  47.0

  24.2

  4.5

  North Lanarkshire

  52.0

  47.0

  13.6

  2.5

  Perth and Kinross

  55.0

  47.7

  20.2

  0.9

  Renfrewshire

  45.9

  42.3

  18.0

  2.7

  South Lanarkshire

  56.5

  50.8

  21.5

  1.7

  All employees

  Non-manual

  Aberdeen City

  22.5

  17.0

  4.8

  0.2

  Aberdeenshire

  29.1

  25.4

  11.2

  0.7

  Angus

  38.7

  35.1

  9.0

  0.0

  Dundee City

  30.3

  24.8

  6.3

  0.0

  East Ayrshire

  28.8

  23.7

  10.2

  0.0

  Edinburgh,City of

  27.1

  22.7

  5.6

  0.2

  Falkirk

  39.6

  31.0

  8.0

  0.5

  Fife

  34.0

  29.1

  9.1

  0.0

  Glasgow City

  31.6

  26.4

  7.6

  0.2

  Highland

  36.7

  31.7

  12.4

  0.0

  Midlothian

  21.4

  17.9

  1.8

  1.8

  North Ayrshire

  31.4

  26.5

  10.8

  1.0

  North Lanarkshire

  32.8

  27.5

  5.6

  1.1

  Perth and Kinross

  38.6

  33.8

  11.7

  0.0

  Renfrewshire

  28.1

  24.4

  11.5

  2.3

  South Ayrshire

  29.1

  25.2

  7.1

  0.8

  South Lanarkshire

  34.4

  29.6

  10.4

  1.1

  West Lothian

  29.3

  25.7

  10.0

  0.7

  All employees

  Manual

  Aberdeen City

  43.4

  35.5

  18.1

  1.2

  Aberdeenshire

  52.0

  43.3

  22.8

  5.5

  Scottish Borders, The

  68.3

  58.7

  27.0

  1.6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  50.5

  42.1

  22.4

  5.6

  Dundee City

  52.8

  44.7

  15.4

  1.6

  East Ayrshire

  44.9

  36.2

  18.8

  1.4

  Edinburgh, City of

  50.8

  45.0

  20.7

  2.6

  Falkirk

  33.3

  30.3

  15.2

  4.0

  Fife

  48.6

  41.5

  16.2

  2.4

  Glasgow City

  44.9

  35.4

  15.0

  2.6

  Highland

  45.5

  33.6

  10.4

  1.5

  346W

  Percentage of employees

  Less than £279.21

  Less than £257.73

  Less than £193.30

  Less than £140

  Inverclyde

  37.3

  30.5

  10.2

  3.4

  North Ayrshire

  44.3

  37.1

  20.0

  4.3

  North Lanarkshire

  43.1

  34.5

  12.7

  2.0

  Perth and Kinross

  53.7

  40.2

  13.4

  2.4

  Renfrewshire

  33.9

  31.3

  13.4

  0.9

  South Ayrshire

  40.8

  35.5

  10.5

  2.6

  South Lanarkshire

  42.4

  33.7

  12.2

  0.6

  Stirling

  47.8

  43.5

  17.4

  4.3

  West Lothian

  36.8

  27.8

  12.8

  1.5

  All employees

  All

  Aberdeen City

  28.2

  22.1

  8.4

  0.5

  Aberdeenshire

  40.2

  34.1

  16.9

  3.1

  Angus

  46.2

  40.4

  14.0

  1.2

  Argyll and Bute

  38.1

  29.1

  11.2

  1.5

  Scottish Borders, The

  50.9

  43.4

  16.8

  0.6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  44.5

  38.6

  16.8

  3.2

  Dundee City

  38.0

  31.6

  9.4

  0.6

  East Ayrshire

  34.8

  28.3

  13.4

  0.5

  East Lothian

  29.3

  25.3

  9.3

  2.7

  Edinburgh, City of

  32.2

  27.6

  8.9

  0.7

  Falkirk

  37.4

  30.8

  10.5

  1.7

  Fife

  40.6

  34.7

  12.3

  1.1

  Glasgow City

  35.0

  28.7

  9.5

  0.9

  Highland

  40.1

  32.4

  11.6

  0.6

  Inverclyde

  37.7

  32.6

  9.4

  1.4

  Midlothian

  28.9

  24.7

  7.2

  2.1

  North Ayrshire

  36.6

  30.8

  14.5

  2.3

  North Lanarkshire

  36.4

  30.0

  8.1

  1.4

  Perth and Kinross

  44.1

  36.1

  12.3

  0.9

  Renfrewshire

  30.1

  26.7

  12.2

  1.8

  South Ayrshire

  33.5

  29.1

  8.4

  1.5

  South Lanarkshire

  37.6

  31.2

  11.1

  0.9

  West Lothian

  33.0

  26.7

  11.4

  1.1

  Average Earnings (£)

  Average weekly gross earnings for full-time employees for Great Britain

  All employees

  Non-Manual

  452.39

  Manual

  323.61

  All

  410.62

  Average weekly gross earnings for full-time employees for Scotland

  All employees

  Non-manual

  414.22

  Manual

  312.37

  All

  379.83

  Average weekly gross earnings for full-time employees for unitary authorities in Scotland

  All employees

  Non-manual

  Aberdeen City

  481.88

  Aberdeenshire

  444.22

  Angus

  375.65

  347W

  Average Earnings (£)

  Dundee City

  398.62

  East Ayrshire

  407.73

  Edinburgh, City of

  433.22

  Falkirk

  391.83

  Fife

  383.05

  Glasgow City

  419.57

  Highland

  369.49

  Midlothian

  416.61

  North Ayrshire

  374.75

  North Lanarkshire

  403.11

  Perth and Kinross

  348.07

  Renfrewshire

  418.48

  South Ayrshire

  416.62

  South Lanarkshire

  415.73

  West Lothian

  436.34

  Manual

  Aberdeen City

  348.52

  Aberdeenshire

  294.10

  Scottish Borders, The

  260.52

  Dumfries and Galloway

  274.54

  Dundee City

  291.64

  East Ayrshire

  292.17

  Edinburgh, City of

  300.96

  Falkirk

  355.44

  Fife

  298.02

  Glasgow City

  311.47

  Highland

  322.82

  Inverclyde

  316.04

  North Ayrshire

  305.86

  North Lanarkshire

  318.23

  Perth and Kinross

  305.81

  Renfrewshire

  353.30

  South Ayrshire

  335.40

  South Lanarkshire

  337.68

  Stirling

  279.38

  West Lothian

  328.88

  All

  Aberdeen City

  445.35

  Aberdeenshire

  371.18

  Angus

  342.05

  Argyll and Bute

  378.81

  Scottish Borders, The

  326.33

  Dumfries and Galloway

  330.36

  Dundee City

  362.17

  East Ayrshire

  365.09

  East Lothian

  361.85

  Edinburgh, City of

  404.64

  Falkirk

  379.23

  Fife

  344.77

  Glasgow City

  391.84

  Highland

  351.72

  Inverclyde

  356.85

  Midlothian

  375.60

  North Ayrshire

  346.72

  North Lanarkshire

  373.09

  Perth and Kinross

  332.80

  Renfrewshire

  396.29

  South Ayrshire

  386.21

  South Lanarkshire

  385.36

  West Lothian

  383.99

  Pensioners (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many(a) pensioners and (b) other people are living in rural areas; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years earlier. [144359]
  348W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 2 February 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on pensioners living in rural areas (144359). I am replying in his absence.
  The following table shows the estimated number of people of pensionable age and of all other ages in 1981, 1991 and 1999, resident in those local authorities in England and Wales identified as rural areas in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) classification of local and health authorities of Great Britain.

  Estimated number of (thousands) of people of (a) pensionable age1(b) all other ages in local authorities identified as "rural areas"2: England and Wales 1981, 1991 and 1999

  1981

  1991

  1999

  Pensionable age

  978.3

  1,117.5

  1,191.2

  All other ages

  3,705.0

  3,911.6

  4,133.2

  Total population

  4,683.2

  5,029.1

  5,324.4

  Percentage of population who were of pensionable age

  20.9

  22.2

  22.4

  1 Men aged 65 years and over, women aged 60 years and over.

  2 See Office for National Statistics classification of local and health authorities of Great Britain (ONS: London 1999).

  Census (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of respondents to the pilot census survey undertaken on 25 April 1999 in Leeds identified themselves as Kashmiri. [145621]

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Hilary Benn, dated 2 February 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on what proportion of respondents to the pilot census survey undertaken on 25 April 1999 in Leeds identified themselves as 'Kashmiri' (145621). I am replying on his behalf.
  A census rehearsal was carried out in a number of selected areas across the country, including parts of Leeds, in April 1999 for the prime purpose of ensuring that the methods and procedures for the full census in April this year will work efficiently. Response to the rehearsal was voluntary, and there were responses from 32,718 people in Leeds.
  Although there has been no intention to publish the statistical results from the Rehearsal, an analysis of the answers to the ethnic group question in Leeds showed that there were some 81 write-in responses of 'Kashmiri' (0.25 per cent of all respondents in Leeds).

  Minimum Wage
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals in Crosby have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage. [148335]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  349W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Claire Curtis-Thomas, dated 2 February 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of workers in Crosby who have benefited from the national minimum wage (NMW) (148335).
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than NMW rates for 1998, 1999 and 2000. These are based on an improved methodology using data from both the New Earnings Survey and Labour Force Survey. Estimates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/themes/labour—market/nmw—lowpay—tables.asp
  No estimates are available for Parliamentary Constituencies.

  Tower Wagons
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the letter from the Minister for Transport of 11 January regarding the vehicle excise duty applicable to tower wagons, if he plans to harmonise the tax treatment of tower wagons and mobile cranes; and if he will make a statement. [148587]

  Mr. Timms
  Any changes to rates of vehicle excise duty will be announced by the Chancellor as part of his Budget statement.

  Euro
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many auctions by the Bank of England of notes in foreign currencies there have been over the past five years; and if he will list the(a) currencies and (b) amounts involved; [145628]

  (2) for what reason the euro notes being auctioned by the Bank of England on 16 January will not be offered to institutions in the United States of America; and if any other nations are subject to the same restrictions; [145630]

  (3) if the European Central Bank was consulted on the proposed issue of euro notes by the Bank of England; and if he will make a statement. [145627]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The UK Government have been running a euro Treasury note programme since 1992. This has involved quarterly auctions of euro-dominated Treasury notes, to reach a total outstanding of 6 billion euro.

  In the past five years the Bank has also issued on behalf of HMG a total of $4 billion of dollar denominated debt.

  The European Central Bank was not consulted on the proposed issue of euro notes by the Bank of England but was aware of the intention to issue. The UK Government and the Bank are free to determine independently the debt securities they wish to sell and the currencies in which those of denominated.

  Under the US Securities Act of 1933, euro Treasury notes may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States until 40 days after the auction, if they have not been registered.

  Financial Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases have been undertaken, and how many 350W
  successful prosecutions have resulted each year, using each sub-section of section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986; and if the replacement section of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 is now fully operational. [143880]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: There have been a total of seven prosecutions under section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986 since it came into force. Six resulted in convictions. The replacement provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 will come into operation later this year.

  Residential Mooring Fees
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the review of the levying of VAT on residential boat mooring fees; [148585]

  (2) what consultations his Department has undertaken on the levying of VAT on residential boat mooring fees. [148586]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs have discussed the issue, and will continue to discuss it, with the Residential Boat Owners Association and representatives of mooring providers.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total amount of income received from the levying of VAT on residential boat mooring fees in the last financial year; [148574]

  (2) what average amount of VAT was collected on residential boat mooring fees in the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01; [148572]

  (3) how many residential boats paid VAT on their mooring fees in the last financial year. [148573]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs and Excise do not have estimates of the number of residential boats that have paid VAT on their mooring fees, or the amount of VAT collected from these fees.

  Tobacco (Taxes)
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised from each of the taxes payable on each category of tobacco products in the last year for which figures are available. [148498]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information on revenue from tobacco products can be found in the HM Customs & Excise "Tobacco Factsheet", a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total amount of unclaimed working families tax credit to date in(a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) Glasgow and (d) Glasgow, Pollok constituency; and if he will make a statement. [148118]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No such estimates are available.
  351W

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Government plan to implement the provisions of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages; and if he will make a statement. [147383]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government will apply the provisions of Part II to all the languages which they regard as meeting the Charter's definition of a regional or minority language. The Government will promote the use in public life of Welsh, Scottish-Gaelic and Irish by applying a minimum of 35 provisions from Part III to each of those languages.

  Within a year of the Charter's entry into force in the UK, the Government will submit a report on UK implementation of the Charter for examination by the Charter's Committee of Experts.

  Divali Celebrations
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many invitations Ministers in his Department accepted and from whom in 2000, for Divali celebrations. [147292]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 26 January 2001]: The Foreign Secretary, Baroness Scotland, the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) and the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) and I did not accept any invitations to Divali celebrations in 2000. The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) accepted invitations from the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, the Leicester Bratma Samaj, the Shree Prajapati Association, London First and the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission in Neasden for Divali celebrations in 2000.

  UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the result of the visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education in October 1999; and what communications he has received concerning the recommendations of the special rapporteur. [148043]

  Mr. Battle
  Following the special rapporteur's visit to the UK on October 1999, and her visit report which was presented to the Commission on Human Rights in 2000, we have not received any external communications about her visit.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards will meet the special rapporteur again on 7 February to discuss the report of her visit. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State and Deputy Home Secretary will also meet the special rapporteur to discuss her concerns about the provision of education in prisons.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay 352W
  his decision to vote against resolution 2000/3 at the UN Human Rights Commission in March and April 2000 concerning the use of mercenaries; what position he will take in 2001; and what measures he has taken to regulate companies recruiting and offering the services of mercenaries. [148042]

  Mr. Battle
  The EU does not believe the Commission on Human Rights is the appropriate forum to deal with the problem of mercenary activity. We share the view that this subject should be dealt with directly in the UN General Assembly's Sixth Committee. We have not decided what position we will take if and when we are asked to vote again this year. As in previous years, the UK, along with other member states of the European Union, could not support the resolution entitled "The Use of Mercenaries as a means of Violating Human Rights and Impeding the Exercise of the Right of Peoples to Self-Determination" at the 56th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in March-April 2000.

  Work is continuing on the preparation of a Green Paper outlining options for the regulation of mercenaries and private military companies.

  Slavery
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will sponsor with its European Union partners a resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights this year condemning bonded labour and other forms of slavery. [148117]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are firmly committed to the promotion of fundamental labour standards including those covering forced and bonded labour. Discussions with EU partners continue on which initiatives should be considered at the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). The Government, along with EU partners, have no plans to sponsor a resolution at UNCHR condemning bonded labour and other forms of slavery.

  MI6
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the comments by Richard Tomlinson concerning the training of MI6 personnel in the Gosport and Portsmouth area, with particular reference to illegal entry into people's homes. [148177]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 1 February 2001]: In accordance with well established policy I am not prepared to comment on speculation about alleged intelligence operations. This applies equally to the allegations described in the book by Mr. Tomlinson, who has a history of spreading sensationalist and misleading material. I can confirm, however, that officials of the intelligence services in the UK, including those undertaking training, are required at all times to carry out their work in accordance with the law.

  EU Agenda
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the forthcoming business in the Council of the European

  353W
  Union for February and (b) the major European Union events for the period between 1 February and 31 July 2001. [149039]

  Mr. Vaz
  Forthcoming EU business in February is as follows:

  8–9 February—Stockholm—Justice and Home Affairs Council

  12 February—Brussels—ECOFIN Council

  12 February—Brussels—Education/Youth Council

  12 February—Brussels—Research Council

  15–17 February—Lulea—Employment/Telecommunications (Informal)

  19–20 February—Brussels—Agriculture Council

  25 February—Brussels—Informal Trade Ministers Dinner

  26 February—Brussels—General Affairs Council

  No agendas for the above are available at present.

  The following are the principal events in the EU between 1 March and July 2001 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue.).

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  March

  6

  Brussels

  Employment and Social Affairs Council

  8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  12

  Brussels

  Internal Market/Consumer Council

  15

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  16

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  19

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20–21

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  23–24

  Stockholm

  European Council

  March-April

  31–1

  Brussels

  Informal Meeting of Ministers of the Environment

  April

  5–6

  Brussels

  Transport/Telecommunications Council

  8–10

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  8–10

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  24–25

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  May

  5–6

  Brussels

  Gymnich

  7

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  7

  Brussels

  Employment and Social Council (possible)

  14–15

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  14–15

  Brussels

  Industry and Energy Council

  22–23

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  28–29

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  28

  Brussels

  Education and Youth Council

  30

  Brussels

  Development Council

  31

  Brussels

  Health Council

  June

  5

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  5

  Brussels

  Internal Market/Consumer Council

  7–8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  11–12

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  11

  Brussels

  Employment/Social Affairs Council

  15–16

  Gothenburg

  European Council

  18

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council (possible)

  21

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  26

  Brussels

  Research Council

  354W

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  27–28

  Brussels

  Transport/Telecommunications Research Council

  July

  6–7

  Brussels

  Informal Employment and Social Affairs Council

  10

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  13–14

  Brussels

  Regional Territories Council (Informal)

  16–17

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  16–17

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  23–24

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  Tibet
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the impact of his policy of constructive engagement with China in so far as it relates to the condition of the Tibetan people; and if he will make a statement. [147868]

  Mr. Battle
  The human rights situation in Tibet remains a matter of deep concern. It is a focus of our critical engagement with the Chinese authorities, at ministerial level and through the regular UK/China human rights dialogues.

  We press the Chinese authorities to enter into a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on a long term future in Tibet; to remove restrictions on the freedom of religion, expression and association; and to cease the harsh treatment of dissidents and the erosion of Tibetan culture and traditional practices. We also raise a number of individual cases of concern including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as the 11th Panchen Lama.

  During the last round of the dialogue, the Chinese side briefed us on resumed contacts with the Dalai Lama. We have welcomed the re-establishment of contacts with the Chinese authorities and urged both sides to take these further forward. The Chinese side also provided new information on Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and agreed to extend an invitation to the All Party Group on Tibet to visit Tibet.

  Progress on these issues remains slow. However, critical engagement allows us to press for change at the highest levels. We will continue to do so, most immediately at the forthcoming sixth round of the UK/China human rights dialogue to be held in Beijing between 12–14 February.

  Pakistan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning reports of arming warships and submarines with nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [148427]

  Mr. Wilson
  We are aware of recent media reports which allege that Pakistan has plans to develop a sea-borne nuclear capability. We regularly underline to Pakistan, and also to India, our concerns about their nuclear weapon programmes and call on them to implement UNSCR 1172 of 1998.
  355W

  Ministerial Visits
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits to India and Pakistan made by his Department's Ministers since 2 May 1997. [148428]

  Mr. Wilson
  FCO Ministers have made the following visits to India and Pakistan since 2 May 1997:

  Date of visit

  India

  June 1997

  Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP

  September 1997

  The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

  October 1997

  Right hon. Robin Cook MP

  November 1998

  Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP

  November 1999

  Peter Hain MP

  February 2000

  Keith Vaz MP

  April 2000

  Right hon. Robin Cook MP

  November 2000

  Peter Hain MP

  Pakistan

  June 1997

  Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP

  October 1997

  Right hon. Robin Cook MP

  January 1998

  The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

  February 1999

  Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP

  India
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what telephone calls have been made by Ministers to representatives of foreign Governments concerning attempts by the Indian Government to obtain information in respect of corruption investigations currently being undertaken in that country; and if he will make a statement. [148360]

  Mr. Vaz
  None.

  Entry Visa Applications
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the Minister for Europe in reviewing individual entry visa applications from the Indian subcontinent, indicating the criteria used to allow previously declined applications. [148510]

  Mr. Vaz
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have the power to intervene in cases that fall within the Immigration Rules. I will normally intervene in entry clearance applications only following representations from right hon. and hon. Members of this House where there are exceptional compelling or compassionate 356W
  circumstances. I will overturn the decision of the entry clearance officer only where I have been persuaded that the applicant qualifies under the Immigration Rules. I am happy to see hon. Members at the monthly visa surgeries which I hold. Information on visas is available at the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas from the Islamabad High Commission the Minister for Europe has personally reviewed since October 1999; and if he will make a statement. [148513]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have personally reviewed 19 visa applications—following representations from hon. and right hon. Members either at a visa surgery or by correspondence—submitted to the British High Commission in Islamabad since October 1999. During that same period the High Commission in Islamabad has considered 76,029 visa applications.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas from the Islamabad High Commission the Minister for Europe has approved since October 1999 after they were previously declined by the High Commission: and if he will make a statement. [148519]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have overturned the decision of an entry clearance officer at the British High Commission in Islamabad on 11 occasions since October 1999.I declined to intervene on eight occasions. During this period the High Commission in Islamabad considered 76,029 visa applications. As the hon. Lady knows, the queue lengths in Islamabad have declined considerably over the last 12 months. The Foreign Secretary announced on 11 December the establishment of a new office in Lahore.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Minister for Europe has received from the Hinduja brothers, their family and their representatives regarding his planned visit to India in February; and if he will make a statement. [148426]

  Mr. Vaz
  None.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Minister for Europe has to meet the Hinduja brothers, their family and their representatives during his visit to India in February; and if he will make a statement. [148425]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have no such plans.