Written Answers of 8 January 2001

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Middle East (Racist Incidents)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions have commenced arising from racist actions as a consequence of the present situation in the middle east; what policy the CPS is adopting towards reports to them by the police in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement. [144377]

  The Solicitor-General
  In the absence of direct evidence or a perpetrator identifying his/her particular motive in acting as alleged, it is impossible to attribute the commission of an offence to any particular event(s). Given that and the fact that the question embraces the possibility of any offence nationwide with a racist element, the information sought could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. However, I am able to confirm that the Casework Directorate of the CPS is considering a police report into two reported incidents of the publication and distribution of inflammatory material, which targeted the Jewish community. Also, I can say that any other offences reported will be reviewed by the CPS in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and, where the evidential and public interest tests are satisfied, prosecuted.

  Sentences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Solicitor-General in how many cases during the last 12 months appeals against lenient sentences resulted in an increase in the sentence that had been imposed. [143928]

  The Solicitor-General
  In the year 2000, the sentences imposed upon 85 offenders were referred to the Court of Appeal in London or are currently awaiting hearing. The court has heard 48 applications to date. In 43 cases the sentences were held to be unduly lenient and in 36 cases the sentences were increased.

DEFENCE

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he reviewed the attendance of MOD personnel at the Saville Inquiry; how many staff of what grades have attended the inquiry in each week it has sat in public; and in what capacity he is represented at the inquiry. [142278]

  Mr. Hoon
  Ministry of Defence representation at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry is kept under regular review. Public hearings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry began on 27 March 2000. By 8 December it had sat for 58 days and Ministry of Defence officials were present on all but 348W
  five days. A Grade 5 or Grade 6 official and/or a Senior Executive Officer were present on 48 days (and on five of these days leading Counsel was also present). A Higher Executive Officer or Executive Officer attended on a further five days.

  In 1998 and 1999 there were 10 days of preliminary hearings in public. On all but one day (when a Senior Executive Officer was present) leading Counsel represented the Ministry of Defence. Senior Government lawyers and Ministry of Defence officials at the level of Grade 6 and Senior Executive Officer were also present.

  The Ministry of Defence is not a party to the Inquiry. Officials attend hearings to provide whatever help the Inquiry may require.

  European Defence
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the concept of a European Security and Defence Identity; [143065]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress in setting modalities to enable EU access to NATO assets and capabilities within the framework of the Berlin plus agreements; [143059]

  (3) which elements of (a) the WEU/NATO framework on the release monitoring and return or recall of NATO assets and capabilities and (b) the NATO/WEU consultation arrangements will (i) be replaced by relevant EU/NATO arrangements and (ii) remain unchanged; [143063]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the (a) competencies and (b) working relationships of the EU Council of Defence Ministers; [143055]

  (5) what steps have been taken to ensure that, within the new ESDP structures, the rights of the non-EU European NATO members and other accession candidates will be in line with their status in WEU as associate members and associate partners; [143039]

  (6) what role Deputy SACEUR will play within the EU Military Committee; [143066]

  (7) what recent representations he has received from his Turkish counterpart regarding Turkey's prospective involvement in ESDP; and if he will make a statement; [143040]

  (8) if the EU has agreed on the implementation of the WEU exercise programme for the period 2001 to 2005; [143064]

  (9) how many uniformed staff will be allocated full-time to duties connected with the European Rapid Reaction Force; [143038]

  (10) if he will make a statement on the progress made in establishing the (a) permanent political and security committee, (b) permanent military committee and (c) permanent military staff, as envisaged by the Helsinki Summit conclusions; [143054]

  (11) what steps have been taken to ensure that the transfer of the WEU Satellite Centre to the European Union will not affect (a) WEU associate member countries' involvement in the Centre's activities and (b) the Satellite Centre's availability to the WEU. [143062]
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  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 15 December 2000]: The development within NATO of the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), based on decisions taken by the Alliance at successive Summit meetings held in London in 1990, Brussels 1994 and Madrid in 1997, has been an integral part of the adaption of the Alliance's political and military structures, enabling the European Allies to assume greater responsibility for the common security and defence as a manifestation of transatlantic solidarity. These developments have been followed with a view to providing a genuine European military capability without duplicating the military assets and capabilities already available within NATO. The ESDI within NATO has been an important element of the development of the WEU, and has been built upon to support developments in the EU, as envisaged in the Treaties of Maastricht 1992, and Amsterdam in 1997.

  At the Washington Summit in April 1999, NATO supported the EU's aspirations and announced that it stood ready to develop arrangements to provide the EU with ready access to NATO resources. In particular, NATO has agreed to develop arrangements for the EU to have assured access to NATO's planning capacities, and a presumption of availability of its common assets and capabilities, for the use in EU-led operations.

  At the NATO North Atlantic Council meeting of Defence Ministers on 5 December, it was re-affirmed that NATO
  intend to put into place arrangements for: assured access to NATO planning capabilities able to contribute to military planning for EU-led operations; the presumption of availability to the EU of pre-identified NATO capabilities and common assets for use in EU-led operations; the identification of a range of European command options for EU-led operations, further developing the role of DSACEUR in order for him to assume fully and effectively his European responsibilities; and the further adaption of the Alliance's defence planning system, taking account of the relevant activities in and proposals from the European Union.

  The detailed modalities for the availability to the EU of NATO assets and capabilities have yet to be determined. However, they will build on the previous agreements between NATO and the WEU.

  The EU, at Nice, put forward proposals on the permanent EU/NATO relationship, again building on the NATO/WEU consultation arrangements. Nice also agreed that DSACEUR will be invited to attend meetings of the EU Military Committee, as necessary, in view of his responsibilities for the European Pillar of NATO, and his potential role in EU-led operations.

  Interim structures for the Common Foreign and Security Policy were initiated at Helsinki (a Political and Security Committee, an EU Military Committee, and an EU Military Staff) and were established during the Portuguese Presidency. They will achieve their permanent status as soon as possible during 2001.

  The allocation of posts in the small permanent European Union Military Staff is still to be determined.

  Noting that there is no standing entity of a European Rapid Reaction Force, none of the forces earmarked by the UK, at the Capability Commitments Conference, for potential EU-led operations will be allocated to full-time duties with the European Union.
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  Within the European Union, there is no EU Council of Defence Ministers. Defence Ministers of the EU have however, on occasion, met on an informal basis, and they have joined their Foreign Minister colleagues in the General Affairs Council.

  The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his EU and NATO counterparts. To this end, he has had discussions with his Turkish Counterpart, and met him most recently, at the NATO Ministerials in Brussels on 4–6 December 2000.

  The Nice European Council agreed on a substantial set of provisions to enable non-EU European Allies (including Turkey) and other EU accession candidates to have close and continuous involvement in the evolution of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and to participate in EU-led operations. These arrangements do not affect their status as associate members or associate partners in the WEU. They create a new set of relationships building on arrangements in the WEU.

  At the WEU Council in Marseille in November 2000, Ministers acknowledged the work of the WEU Military Staff and noted that it is preparing to cease its activities. The final exercise of the WEU programme will be the Joint Exercise Study 2001 to be held with NATO between 11 and 15 June 2001. Sweden has identified the development of an EU exercise policy as one of its objectives for its incoming EU Presidency.

  Decisions were taken at the WEU Ministerial Council in Marseille in November, and later at the Nice European Council, to transfer the WEU Satellite Centre to the EU, as a Second Pillar agency, with effect from 1 January 2002. The detailed arrangements for the transfer have yet to be established, these will be examined by the forthcoming Dutch WEU Presidency and Swedish EU Presidency. The continued involvement of WEU associate members has been established as an important principle in this process. The residual WEU will not have any requirements of the Satellite Centre beyond 2001.

  Navy (Capabilities)
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when in 2001 HMS Invincible will carry out her last operational duties at sea before refit. [144405]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 December 2000,Official Report, column 185W, to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith).

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when in 2002 HMS Ark Royal is expected to be declared fully operational. [144403]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 December 2000,Official Report, column 15W, to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith).

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possibility of acquiring advanced assault amphibious vehicles from the US for amphibious operations mounted from the Royal Navy's LPH or prospective LPDs and ALSLs; and if he will make a statement. [143350]
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  Mr. Hoon
  We have no current plans to procure Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAAVs), which are about to enter a second stage of prototype development for the US Marine Corps and are not due in service there until 2006. UK amphibious operations are conducted using landing craft (such as the Landing Craft Utility) and helicopters to land vehicles, material and personnel of the Amphibious Task Force from the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH), Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) and Landing Ships Logistic (LSL). However, we continue to evaluate our amphibious requirements in the light of doctrinal developments, and are watching the AAAV programme with interest.

  Conflict Resolution
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations his Department has undertaken with non-governmental organisations on the development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict resolution. [143534]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Ministry of Defence has not held formal consultations with non-governmental organisations on the general development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict prevention. However, we maintain contact with non-governmental organisations and academic institutions in the field of conflict prevention, including peacekeeping. Together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, we will be expanding and developing these contacts as the cross-cutting strategy develops.

  Spent Fuel (Submarines)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of storage was of spent fuel from nuclear-powered submarines in each of the last five years. [144036]

  Dr. Moonie
  The cost of storage of spent fuel from nuclear-powered submarines in each of the last five years from 1995 to 1999 inclusive was £2.6 million, £2.2 million, £1.9 million, £1.7 million and £1.3 million respectively (all at outturn prices including VAT).

  Regimental Associations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will include in army discharge papers details of contacts and functions of regimental associations. [144052]

  Mr. Spellar
  The system of regiments and related regimental associations is unique to the army. Men and women serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force can expect to serve in more than one unit, ship or squadron and their associations therefore tend to be Service-wide. In all three Services, however, details of the relevant associations and their functions are included in discharge papers. Arrangements for obtaining contact details are also provided.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will advise members of the armed forces who choose not to extend their service of details of the functions of regimental associations and how to join; and if he will make a statement. [144053]
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  Mr. Spellar
  Although each Service has its own discharge procedures, each ensures that its personnel are informed of the existence and role of appropriate regimental, single-Service or tri-Service associations that can be joined.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many disabled people are employed as civilians by the armed forces; what the percentage in employment of disabled people is in the economy as a whole; and if he will make a statement on widening access to and participation by disabled people in such employment. [144414]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence employs over 5,900 people with disabilities, around 6 per cent. of the civilian workforce. This percentage is broadly in line with the estimated numbers of economically active disabled people in the working population as a whole. There are no restrictions on disabled people being employed in civilian jobs in the Ministry of Defence. The Department has participated in the Government's 'Positive about Disabled People' programme since 1995 and has developed its own comprehensive action plan to recruit more people with disabilities and help disabled employees develop their full potential at work.

  Service Personnel (Rehabilitation)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he takes to encourage rehabilitation of service personnel who are seriously injured during the course of their duties, and to encourage their absorption into alternative civilian re-employment with the armed forces. [144415]

  Mr. Spellar
  Members of the armed forces who are seriously injured in the course of their duties receive appropriate medical rehabilitation, either from the Defence Medical Services or the National Health Service. Those whose injuries lead to discharge from the armed forces on medical grounds are eligible for an extensive package of resettlement assistance provided by the Ministry of Defence, including help in obtaining civilian employment.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on making public the numbers and locations of United States sub-strategic nuclear weapons based in European countries. [144424]

  Mr. Hoon
  The NATO Alliance maintains sub-strategic nuclear forces at the minimum level required for its security. Alliance policy is not to reveal details of the number and locations of such forces. We support that policy.

  European Rapid Reaction Force
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent to which the contribution of nuclear-powered submarines to the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force is consistent with the Government's commitment to
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  ensuring a diminishing role for nuclear weapons in security policies under the Non-Proliferation Treaty final document. [144106]

  Mr. Spellar
  There is no such entity as a standing European Rapid Reaction Force. No nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines have been identified as part of our contribution to meeting the European Union headline goal. Nuclear-powered fleet submarines, which do not carry ballistic missiles, are not themselves considered to be nuclear weapons. Our contribution to the pool of forces and capabilities for EU-led crisis management tasks is fully consistent will Government policy on non-proliferation.

  Service Families (Travel)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions prevent(a) wives and (b) children accompanying British servicemen posted overseas from (i) moving freely and (ii) crossing borders, without the permission of the serviceman or military authorities; and what steps are taken to explain the restrictions to those to whom they apply. [144165]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no restrictions placed on spouses or dependants who accompany Service personnel overseas that would prevent them from moving freely or crossing borders.

  Army Security Service
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vehicles are assigned to the Army Security Service; under whose command they are operated; and if he will make a statement. [143710]

  Mr. Spellar
  There is no such organisation as the Army Security Service. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Army Security Patrol vehicles belonging to the newly established Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS).

  In total there are 23 vehicles held by MPGS. The vehicles are based at various locations across the country and are operated under the command of the Head of Establishment to which they are assigned.

  Far East Prisoners of War
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning requests from lawyers that former prisoners of war of the Japanese should pay them a contribution from the payment awarded by the Government; and if he will make a statement. [R] [144133]

  Dr. Moonie
  As I made clear in my statement on 7 November 2000, the ex-gratia payment for British groups who were held prisoner by the Japanese during the Second World War will be made by the War Pensions Agency direct and in full to the eligible recipients. A number of representations have been received, mostly by the War Pensions Agency, about the reported approach to the expected recipients of the ex-gratia payment by a firm of lawyers seeking a contribution towards its costs. However, the terms of any agreement to make such a contribution are a matter for the parties concerned and not for HM Government.

WALES

  St. David's Day
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the Welsh Assembly and others on declaring St. David's day a public holiday in Wales. [144285]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Assembly First Minister has written to me concerning this matter, and the UK Government are currently considering the issue, but have not yet formed a view.

  Farmers' Incomes
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the average farmer's income was in(a) Wales and (b) the smallest regional area applicable to each constituency in Wales, in each of the last 10 years. [143642]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Information is available only for Wales as a whole, and is set out in the Annual series of statistical publications, "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom", copies of which are in the Library.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the projects undertaken for her Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144074]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Outside consultants have undertaken three projects for my Department since 1 May 1997 at a total cost of £25,650. These projects are listed:

  Outside consultant

  Project

  Civil Service College

  General accounting advice

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency

  IT services

  Focus Quality Services

  Assessment for Investors in People accreditation

  My Department has not made use of academic researchers or university departments during the period in question.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken to help prevent the spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. [144468]

  Clare Short
  HIV/AIDS is a major development challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. The epidemic is undermining economic growth and fundamentally threatens social and economic development in many countries in the region. DFID gives greatest priority to
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  prevention, but we are also working to reduce the personal, social and economic suffering resulting from the illness and death caused by the disease.

  Last year my Department spent over £84 million on bilateral HIV/AIDS related work—the bulk in Africa. As national strategic plans tackle the epidemic improve, we have begun to place our support within the framework of those plans. For example, we have recently approved preparatory work for an additional £20 million to combat HIV/AIDS in Mozambique, and £65 million in Nigeria.

  UN Desertification Conference
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on Government participation in the UN Conference in Bonn on desertification. [143768]

  Clare Short
  At the Special Ministerial Segment of the meeting, the UK was represented by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development. He was supported by three officials from the Environment Policy Department of the Department for International Development and one from the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  The Conference began a major review of implementation of the Convention. This will be taken forward at the next Conference in October 2001. In his statement to the Conference, my hon. Friend underlined the importance of integrating programmes to combat desertification with developing countries' strategies for sustainable development and poverty elimination.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Recruitment Agencies
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings(a) he and (b) officials of his Department have held with recruitment agencies during the last two years. [144480]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Since my appointment I have had meetings with Manpower, Adecco, Blue Arrow, Brook Street, NES International and Hewett Recruitment. I have also met the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the Agents' Association and the Local Employment Agencies Forum. Officials in the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate have regular meetings with agencies and their associations. It is estimated that over 1,400 meetings and visits have taken place in the last two years.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect which the new Employment Agency regulations will have on recruitment agencies which arrange work experience for people of school age. [144482]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I propose to revoke certain requirements agencies must fulfil before introducing workers under 18 to employers, but propose to strengthen protections for all workers to ensure they are not required to do work they are unsuited for or which would pose a hazard to them. The new regulations will apply to agencies arranging work placements for people of school age as before. Services provided by local authorities and 356W
  certain colleges will continue to fall outside the legislation and particular regulations will continue not to apply to persons covered by section 25 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 or section 42 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.

  Manufacturing (Job Losses)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the minutes of the meetings of the ministerial group on job losses in the manufacturing sector. [144416]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There is no such group. I can say, however, that job prospects in manufacturing are kept under review.

  Online Banking
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date he estimates all post offices will be able to provide online banking services. [143283]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Over 15,000 post offices (83 per cent. of the network) are now online and the Horizon programme is well on schedule for completion next spring. Horizon now includes smartcard compatibility and opens the door for the provision of online banking services throughout the post office network. The Post Office is currently considering different IT platforms compatible with Horizon through which it can connect to banks. Their final decision will depend on the cost and functionality offered by the different options.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with post office representatives concerning the potential usage by post offices of the LINK electronic banking network. [143581]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: The usage by post offices of the LINK electronic banking network is a commercial matter for the Post Office.

  Limited Liability Partnerships
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Companies Registrar has published guidance on the information he requires before registering a limited liability partnership. [144097]

  Dr. Howells
  The Registrar of Companies intends to make guidance notes available regarding Limited Liability Partnerships in England and Wales and in Scotland. These will cover information on filing requirements. The Guidance will be provided as a series of booklets and also on the Companies House website www.companieshouse.gov.uk.

  The guidance cannot pre-empt—so it will be made available shortly following—the parliamentary debate on the Limited Liability Partnership Regulations 2001. The current estimate for the timing of this debate is the middle of January 2001.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Ernst and Young have applied for registration as a Limited Liability Partnership; and if he will make a statement. [143960]
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  Dr. Howells
  The Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 will not come into force until 6 April 2001, and it will not be possible to be incorporated as a Limited Liability Partnership before then.

  TUPE
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he plans to include comparable pension provision in the transfer of undertakings employment rights entitlements. [144181]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I am currently considering this matter in the light of views that have been expressed on it.

  European Coal and Steel Community Consultative Committee
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the record of attendance of the United Kingdom representatives on the European Coal and Steel Community Consultative Committee over the past two years; what the criteria were for the selection of candidates for the final term of appointment to the Consultative Committee for the period up to the ending of the ECSC Treaty in July 2002; and which representatives were reappointed. [144028]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Department of Trade and Industry does not keep attendance records for the United Kingdom representatives on the European Coal and Steel Community Consultative Committee.

  The membership of the Consultative Committee is made up of representatives from three coal and steel industry sectors: producers, workers, and consumers and dealers. Industry representative organisations make nominations for the producers and workers categories. The Department of Trade and Industry makes nominations for the consumers and dealers category on the basis of recommendations made by industry organisations.

  The members of the Consultative Committee for its final term of office are as listed. Those marked with an asterisk are reappointments from the previous term.

  Producers category

  Coal Sector

  Mr. Richard John Budge*

  Mr. Brian John Rostron

  Mr. Ronald Parry*

  Steel Sector

  Mr. Allan Johnston*

  Mr. David Rea*

  Mr. Ian Rodgers*

  Workers category

  Coal Sector

  Mr. Neil Greatrex*

  Mr. Patrick M. Carragher*

  Steel Sector

  Mr. Robert Shannon*

  Mr. Michael J. Leahy*

  Mr. Keith Brookman*

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  Consumers and dealers category

  Coal Sector

  Ms Jenny Kirkpatrick*

  Mr. Michael Gibbons*

  Ms Jane Heginbotham*

  Steel Sector

  Mr. Scott Macdonald*

  Mr. Derek Tordoff*

  Mr. David Nicholas.

  Courtaulds (Job Losses)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to assist workers who have been declared redundant by the Courtaulds textile factory in Peterlee; and if he will make a statement. [144296]

  Mr. Caborn
  I was very disappointed to hear of the job losses announced by Courtaulds Ladieswear at Peterlee. The protocol established by the north-east textiles task force was immediately brought into effect to ensure immediate access to rapid response funding. A strategic response group was set up, led by Easington district council, to co-ordinate the resources available. The Employment Service has the necessary arrangements in place to provide advice and guidance to the work force. I understand that opportunities exist in the area for alternative employment and that various local employers have visited the site to present group sessions to staff.

  Post Office (Labour Relations)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Post Office on the impact of new liberalised arrangements for operations on labour relations. [143885]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Labour relations are a matter for the Post Office and the trade unions.

  Nissan
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Nissan first applied to his Department for regional selective assistance for their Sunderland plant. [144144]

  Mr. Byers
  December 1983.

  Minimum Wage
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department has put in place to publicise(a) the national minimum wage legislation and (b) the confidential national minimum wage helpline. [144131]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In 1999, the Government ran a nationwide publicity campaign, including television advertisements, to cover the introduction of the national minimum wage on 1 April 1999. In the following year, the Government ran a second substantial campaign, also featuring television advertising, to publicise the increase in the main rate to £3.70 on 1 October 2000.

  The Government have also run two smaller targeted publicity campaigns aimed at particular groups: in November 1999, a campaign aimed at increasing

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  awareness of the minimum wage among ethnic minorities; and between May and August 2000, a campaign to increase awareness on the increase in the youth rate to £3.20 on 1 June 2000. In all four campaigns the confidential minimum wage helpline number (0845 6000 678) was featured highly.

  As well as paying for publicly campaigns, the Government have taken a number of other steps to ensure that awareness and understanding of the law remain high. In particular, the Government have:
  Included information with the minimum wage telephone number in Inland Revenue tax bulletins, which go to all tax registered employers.
  Established an interactive website www.tiger.gov.uk which provides the user with a decision tree and ready-reckoners to help them assess their own entitlements.
  Established a team of Revenue and DTI officials to accept invitations throughout the UK to give talks and presentations on any aspect of the minimum wage.
  Developed the role of the Inland Revenue in working closely with local communities and relevant groups.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers have been prosecuted under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. [144449]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To date there have been no criminal prosecutions for underpayment of the national minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage Act provides for civil as well as criminal powers and the civil powers have ensured that the minimum wage is being enforced effectively—but the criminal powers are there for a good reason, and will certainly be used if necessary.

  Automative Industry
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government support is provided for research into developing technology for lowering sulphur levels in the automative industry. [143170]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: The sulphur content of the average car is insignificant, and accordingly research is concentrated into other aspects of car design.

  In terms of car use, ultra-low sulphur petrol and diesel that meet European limits prescribed for 2005 are already widely available in the UK today. Such fuels have a low sulphur content of approximately 50 ppm (parts per million). All UK diesel is ultra-low sulphur, and presently 42.5 per cent. of all unleaded petrol consumption is ultra-low sulphur petrol—this figure is increasing.

  The use of such fuels is incentivised by fuel duty rebates already implemented, and further enhanced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his recent pre-budget report.

  Lower sulphur in fuel is an enabler for new technology such as gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and reduced tailpipe CO2 and NOx emissions.

  Post Office
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the commercial risk of publishing the formula proposed by the Post Office for calculating a social network payment for sub-post offices. [143655]
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  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: I am considering proposals from the Post Office, submitted to me in confidence, for the establishment of a formula.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the list of rural post offices that will formally be required by the Government to be maintained by the post office network as set out in conclusion two of the Performance and Innovation Unit report "Counter Revolution: Modernising the Post Office Network". [144267]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The formal requirement on the Post Office to maintain the rural network and to prevent any avoidable closures of rural post offices is in place. As over 9,000 post offices are classified as rural for the purposes of this requirement, it is not my intention to publish a list of them.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his most recent estimate is of the number and percentage of people living in rural areas who live within(a) one mile and (b) half a mile of a post office; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for years since 1979. [144365]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that a one-off data analysis was undertaken last year for the Performance and Innovation Unit report, which showed that 99 per cent. of the rural population live within three miles of a post office and that 94 per cent. of the UK population live within one mile of a post office. Estimates for previous years are not available.

  Insolvency Petitions
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many insolvency petitions for(a) small and (b) medium enterprises were allocated to each official receivers office in England and Wales in the last 12 months. [144056]

  Dr. Howells
  In the year to 30 November 2000, the Official Receiver acted in respect of 4,932 new company liquidations and 21,600 new bankruptcies, a total of 26,532 cases.

  These cases are not categorised in terms of size of enterprise. The company cases and approximately 65 per cent. of the bankruptcy cases are business-related failures. The majority of these cases would have been small or medium enterprises.

  The breakdown of these cases of Official Receivers' offices is as follows:

  Insolvency orders made between 1 December 1999 and 30 November 2000

  Bankruptcy orders

  Company winding-up orders

  Total

  Anglia Region

  Cambridge

  370

  53

  423

  Ipswich

  447

  62

  509

  Northampton

  527

  104

  631

  Norwich

  603

  91

  694

  St Albans

  639

  187

  826

  Southend

  593

  182

  775

  Total

  3,179

  679

  3,858

  361W

  Insolvency orders made between 1 December 1999 and 30 November 2000

  Bankruptcy orders

  Company winding-up orders

  Total

  London

  1,274

  1,055

  2,329

  Midlands Region

  Birmingham

  1,225

  340

  1,565

  Gloucester

  425

  80

  505

  Leicester

  431

  78

  509

  Nottingham

  1,077

  156

  1,233

  Total

  3,158

  654

  3,812

  North East Region

  Hull

  810

  95

  905

  Leeds

  1,055

  172

  1,227

  Newcastle

  700

  111

  811

  Sheffield

  835

  117

  952

  Stockton

  458

  61

  519

  Total

  3,858

  556

  4,414

  North West Region

  Blackpool

  839

  92

  931

  Chester

  734

  103

  837

  Liverpool

  545

  65

  610

  Manchester

  1,110

  285

  1,375

  Stoke

  370

  75

  445

  Total

  3,598

  600

  4,198

  South East Region

  Brighton

  702

  111

  813

  Canterbury

  261

  44

  305

  Croydon

  854

  328

  1,182

  Medway

  326

  108

  434

  Reading

  627

  195

  822

  Total

  2,770

  786

  3,556

  South West Region

  Bournemouth

  306

  80

  386

  Bristol

  641

  105

  746

  Cardiff

  601

  120

  721

  Exeter

  580

  41

  621

  Plymouth

  682

  68

  750

  Southampton

  532

  120

  652

  Swansea

  421

  68

  489

  Total

  3,763

  602

  4,365

  National Total

  21,600

  4,932

  26,532

  Sub-post Offices
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices in which Horizon equipment had been installed have closed; and if he will place in the Library the monthly cumulative total of such closures. [142957]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 15 December 2000]: I understand from the Post Office that the information is not available.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed between 1 January and 1 December. [144280]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In the light of the Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the post office network, the Post Office is revising its methods of collating and reporting information on the network to supply to the Postal Services Commission. The Post 362W
  Office is currently agreeing with the Commission a process and format for reporting such information quarterly.

  In the first two quarters of the current financial year, 299 sub-post offices closed. Figures for the third quarter are not yet available.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost is of installation of Horizon equipment for sub-post offices. [142958]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 15 December 2000]: Horizon is being supplied to the Post Office by ICL Pathway as a managed service. I understand from the Post Office that Horizon installation costs are not allocated on an individual office basis.

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects all outstanding claims for compensation from ex-miners from the East Kent coalfield to be settled. [144046]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am not able to provide specific time scales for the East Kent coalfield. However, given the number of claimants—130,000 nationwide—it will take at least three years to settle the last of these claims. This must be set against 15 years or more it would take if each case were dealt with on an individual basis through the courts.

  We expect that by Spring 2002 we will have processed the claims for the oldest and most ill. Claims from elderly widows of deceased miners are also being dealt with first, wherever possible.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to speed up the settlement of claims for ex-miners seeking compensation for respiratory disease and vibration white finger. [144048]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Progress in dealing with claims for respiratory disease must be speeded up. To tackle this, our contractors have increased the numbers of medical testing centres and record scanning teams, and are urgently seeking to recruit more doctors. A review and change has taken place resulting in how doctors are used and paid. We are also seeking to streamline the medical assessment process. These proposals are being taken forward with the claimants' solicitors.

  In September, I announced new fast-track proposals of higher expedited offers for those who have already had such an offer and also for new classes of claimants. This is now completed and it has generated over 15,200 offers worth £74 million.

  On vibration white finger, initial assessments on all the existing claimants will be complied by the end of next year. A further assessment may be required for those claimants seeking compensation for loss of services, but this is still under consideration.

  In total, the Department has now paid out nearly £300 million in compensation for both respiratory and vibration-related diseases, with around £1 million being paid out each day.
  363W
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miners from the East Kent coalfield have died while waiting for settlement of their compensation claims for(a) respiratory disease and (b) vibration white finger in the last five years. [144047]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Department's claim handling agents have registered a total of 61 claims by former miners in the East Kent coalfields who have died in the last five years, and where the date of death is after the date of claim. Of these, 52 were claiming for respiratory disease and nine were claiming for vibration white finger.

  In all these cases, the claims will be continued by the claimant's widow or dependants. In addition, where the claimant's death certificate shows that one of the respiratory diseases for which British Coal were found liable either caused or materially contributed to the death, the Department will also make a bereavement award to the claimant's widow. To date, the Department has made 37 bereavement awards to widows in the East Kent coalfields.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims have been(a) made and (b) settled by ex-miners from the east Kent coalfield for compensation for (i) respiratory disease and (ii) vibration white finger in the last five years. [144045]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In the last five years, the Department has registered 947 claims for respiratory disease from ex-miners and their families in the east Kent coalfields. In addition, some 1,073 claims have been registered for vibration white finger.

  In the east Kent coalfields, the Department has settled 56 claims for respiratory disease and 130 claims for vibration white finger.

  In addition, the Department is making interim payments wherever possible and in the east Kent coalfields has made some 343 payments to respiratory claimants, a further 164 payments have been to vibration white finger claimants.

  Irish Sea (Pollution)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the pollution incidents involving discharges above 0.01 tonnes in the Irish sea since 28 July, indicating the date, the size of the incident, the name of the company that reported the spill and the name of the company responsible in each case. [144163]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information relating to oil spill incidents in the Irish sea basin, reported to the Department of Trade and Industry, from 28 July 2000 to the present date is as follows:

  20 December 2000

  Amount (tonnes): 0.2

  Reported by: BHP

  Company responsible: BHP.

  DTI receives reports only for oil spills reported from or attributed to offshore installations.

  Ministerial Travel
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many flights including helicopter 364W
  flights were taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits in each year since 1995; on how many occasions (a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets obtained; and who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [143863]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: Ministers are under a duty to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. This Government have given a commitment to publish an annual list of visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing more than £500, as well as an annual figure on spend by all Ministers on overseas visits. The list for 1999–2000 was published on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W.

  Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his long-term strategy for manufacturing industry. [144062]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The platform of economic stability and steady growth we have established, together with policies to help firms to invest, to innovate and to grow, are the best way to secure the long-term success of UK manufacturing.

  Corus (Llanwern Plant)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from Corus on redundancies at the Llanwern plant in South Wales; and if he will place a summary of them in the Library. [144141]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Ministers and officials have close and regular contact with Corus on a range of issues and will continue to do so. It would not be appropriate to place a summary of such representations in the Library since they will include commercially confidential matters.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Online Services (Libraries)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the extra funding required by local authorities to enable them to provide online services in libraries. [143284]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The £100 million funding from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) will enable all public libraries in the UK to offer online services by 2002 and a further £20 million has been provided for ICT training for librarians. We have made no estimate of the cost of sustaining these services though each library authority will have to do so as part of their bid to the NOF and to demonstrate that they can meet it.

  Historic Field Systems
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to protect historic field systems from damage. [143767]
  365W
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Under the Monuments Protection Programme, this Department and English Heritage are undertaking a systematic review of England's archaeological resource, with a view to providing statutory protection, through scheduling, to those sites identified as being of national interest. Historic field systems are being assessed in this context. Once a site has been scheduled, specific consent has to be obtained from my right hon. Friend before any works can be carried out that could damage the monument.

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the Modernising Government White Paper. [143699]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 245–46W.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Football Association regarding future plans for Wembley Stadium since the failure of the re-development proposal; what role other sports will play in the revised proposals; and if he will make a statement. [144517]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have been kept informed of developments about the future direction of the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium by the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. I hope the Football Association will be in a position to announce details of its revised proposals as soon as possible.

  Regional Arts Councils
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) male and (b) female members there are on each regional arts council board. [144276]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have placed the figures for the current board membership of regional arts boards according to gender in the table.

  Total

  Female

  Male

  East England Arts

  16

  8

  8

  East Midlands Arts

  17

  5

  12

  London Arts

  15

  7

  8

  Northern Arts

  23

  7

  16

  North West Arts

  16

  4

  12

  Southern Arts

  20

  13

  7

  South East Arts

  18

  7

  11

  South West Arts

  15

  8

  7

  West Midlands Arts

  17

  5

  12

  Yorkshire Arts

  23

  10

  13

  Total

  180

  74

  106

  Cancer Services
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Wales has received for cancer services from the New Opportunities Fund. [144167]

  Kate Hoey
  The New Opportunities Fund has £9.75 million available to fund cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care projects in Wales. The Fund has sought applications from interested parties in Wales and is currently working to identify suitable schemes to make the best and most effective use of this money in line with national policies and local needs. The Fund expects to announce successful projects in April 2001.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Railways
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will hold discussions with the Health and Safety Executive, the relevant companies and the trades unions in the railway industry to establish a uniform set of safety standards in the industry. [143763]

  Mr. Hill
  Arrangements already exist for the discussion of health and safety issues, including standards, through bodies such as the Health and Safety Commission's Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC), which includes representatives of employers, trade unions and passengers. There are no plans to convene additional meetings prior to receiving Lord Cullen's report on the Ladbroke Grove rail inquiry, which is expected to make proposals on the subject of standards and how they are set.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the management of Railtrack the criteria for the issuing of contracts for maintenance and renewal, and the priority given to(a) quality and (b) price. [143756]

  Mr. Hill
  These are matters for Railtrack. I understand from the company that their criteria for the issuing of tenders for contracts are based upon the termination dates for the existing contracts and the strategic reorganisation of these contracts in order to maximise technical, safety, organisational and commercial benefits.

  I understand that the criteria used for evaluation are as follows:

  Tender Evaluation

  Tenders will be evaluated on the basis of the most commercially advantageous offer which demonstrates compliance with the requirements of the contract and on the quality of the Tenderer's Technical and Assurance Offers and their ability to deliver the contract requirements.

  The high level criteria against which Tenderer's submissions will be evaluated in respect of compliance with tender requirements and quality of proposals are as follows:

  Technical

  1. Overall Maintenance and Performance Strategy;

  2. Innovation and Investment;

  3. Corporate Structure;

  367W

  4. Sub-Contractor Information;

  5. Organisational Structure;

  6. Curricula Vitae for Key Personnel;

  7. Human Resources Statement;

  8. Plan Resources Statement;

  9. Mobilisation Statement;

  10. First Year Work Plan

  11. Possessions Statement;

  12. Fault, Incident and Rapid response;

  13. Office, Sidings, Works and Welfare Accommodation; and

  14. Stage 2 Details.

  Assurance

  15. Safety Proposals;

  16. Environmental Proposals;

  17. Quality Assurance Proposals.

  Commercial

  18. Percentages for Annual Fee, comprising Overheads and Profit;

  Track maintenance contracts

  Contractor

  Zone

  Contract area

  Start date

  End date

  AMEC

  East Anglian

  West Anglia and NLL

  1 April 1999

  31 March 2001

  AMEC

  South

  Sussex

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Amey

  Midlands

  Chilterns

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Amey

  Great Western

  Reading

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2002

  Amey

  Great Western

  Exeter

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2002

  Balfour Beatty

  East Anglian

  Great Eastern and LT&S

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Balfour Beatty

  London North Eastern

  ECML North

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Balfour Beatty

  London North Eastern

  ECML South

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Balfour Beatty

  South

  Kent

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Balfour Beatty

  South

  Wessex

  1 October 1999

  31 March 2004

  First

  Scotland

  North, East and Central Scotland

  1 April 1999

  31 March 2004

  First

  Scotland

  West and South West Scotland

  1 April 1999

  31 March 2004

  First

  North West

  Manchester

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  GTRM

  East Anglian

  Norwich

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  GTRM

  Midlands

  WCML South

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  GTRM

  Midlands

  WCML Central

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  GTRM

  Midlands

  W. Midlands and Cambrian

  1 April 1999

  31 March 2001

  GTRM

  Great Western

  Gloucester

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2002

  GTRM

  Great Western

  Bristol

  12 December 1999

  31 March 2002

  GTRM

  Great Western

  South Wales

  1 April 1999

  31 March 2004

  GTRM

  North West

  Preston

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  Jarvis

  North West

  Liverpool and North Wales

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Jarvis

  North West

  Merseyrail DC

  1 April 1994

  31 March 2001

  Jarvis

  London North Eastern

  Central

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  Serco

  Midlands

  East Midlands

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  Track renewals contracts

  Contractor

  Zone/area

  Start date

  End date

  A) Plain line

  Jarvis

  Scotland

  January 1998

  May 2002

  Jarvis

  London North Eastern

  January 1998

  May 2003

  Jarvis

  West Coast (Midlands and North West)

  January 1998

  May 2001

  Balfour Beatty

  Southern

  October 1998

  May 2003

  Amey/SECO joint venture

  Great Western

  January 1998

  May 2003

  Centrac (Carillion)

  East Anglia

  January 1998

  May 2001

  GrantRail, Motherwell Bridge and First Engineering

  Various minor works

  Various

  Various

  B) Switches and Crossings

  Jarvis

  Scotland

  September 1998

  March 2002

  Jarvis

  London North Eastern

  July 1998

  May 2003

  Jarvis

  Great Western

  February 2000

  March 2002

  Centrac (Carillion)

  North West

  July 1998

  July 2001

  Centrac (Carillion)

  Midlands

  May 1998

  March 2001

  GrantRail

  East Anglia

  April 1999

  May 2001

  Balfour Beatty (variation to plain line contract)

  Southern

  October 1998

  May 2003

  368W

  19. Lump Sums for Accommodation and Contract Area Overheads;

  20. Risk and Opportunities Register; and

  21. Schedules of Rules.

  I understand also that the Technical, Assurance and Commercial evaluations are brought together by identifying the different risks, opportunities, advantages and disadvantages of each tender and making a commercial adjustment to the Tenderer's commercial offer, thereby establishment the most advantageous offer overall to Railtrack plc.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the companies with contracts for maintenance and renewals working the railway industry and (b) length of each contract. [143765]

  Mr. Hill
  The following lists from Railtrack show the companies responsible for maintenance and renewals respectively and the lengths of each contract.
  369W
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will call a conference of infrastructure and maintenance companies and the relevant trade unions working in the railway system, to prepare a planned investment, maintenance and renewal programme for the entire railway system. [143762]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government's plans for investment in the railway system are set out in the 10 Year Plan for Transport.

  Following the Hatfield tragedy, at the request of the Deputy Prime Minister, the chairman of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority has been urgently considering the issue of maintenance and renewal work on the railway in close consultation with industry parties.

  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport and I will shortly be meeting the railway industry trade unions to discuss the continuing disruption on the railway.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what directions are issued to staff employing ultrasonic rail floor detectors in the event of their discovering cracks in the rail. [143764]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack's line standard (RT/CE/S/103) lists the minimum actions required when broken rail and rail defects are found. Railtrack expects its contractors to comply with its standards and to employ competent trained staff. A copy of Railtrack's line standard is available in the Library of the House.

  SSAs
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will provide amended figures for standard spending assessments in 2001–02 for those local authorities with housing responsibilities which have been given inaccurate information by his Department; [143668]

  (2) if he will list those local authorities with housing responsibilities which have been given inaccurate figures by his Department for their standard spending assessments in 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [143669]

  Ms Armstrong
  Updated information on the Government's proposals for the 2001–02 revenue support grant settlement was made available to all local authorities on Friday 15 December. The updated information takes into account the basic credit approvals announced on, or shortly after, 6 December and the taxbase figures which we expect to use for the settlement calculations. The figures for all those authorities with housing responsibilities incorporate the latest information on the apportionment of their 2001–02 basic credit approval between the general fund and the housing revenue account.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the projects undertaken for his Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144085]
  370W
  Mr. Mullin
  The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Silloth
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions if he will list all forms of assistance(a) available from, (b) allocated through and (c) provided with the support of the DETR, the DTI, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Education and Employment to Silloth in Cumbria. [143440]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: The following forms of assistance are available to, allocated through and provided with the support of the DETR, DTI, DCMS and DfEE to Silloth. (In some cases the information is provided for Allerdale and Cumbria, on the basis that it is for the district council and county council to determine which areas will be targeted for assistance):

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Objective 2—European Funding
  Silloth is eligible for Objective 2 European regional funding. Assistance available under the North West Objective 2 programme for the period 2000–06 totals £400 million. A further £240 million is available over the same period for Objective 3, which delivers the European Social Fund throughout the region.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
  Allerdale will receive about £1.712 million over the next three years as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund announced in October.

  New Commitment to Regeneration
  There is one Pathfinder in West Cumbria which covers Allerdale and Copeland.

  North West Development Agency
  Silloth has received Rural Development Programme funding of £65,900k and Redundant Building Grants of £63,201k from the NWDA.

  Housing Investment Programme
  Resources for housing for the whole of the Borough of Allerdale are provided through the Housing Investment Programme. For next year this will incorporate an Annual Capital Guideline of £1,122k, an additional amount of £122k to tackle housing problems in former coalfield areas, and £133k Disabled Facilities Grant to support the funding of adaptations.

  Local Transport Plan
  Cumbria county council received over £15 million for 2001–02 in the recent Local Transport Plan settlement.

  Department of Trade and Industry
  Silloth is eligible for Regional Selective Assistance, Enterprise Grant Scheme and SMART funding. To date Silloth has received one RSA offer of £20,000 for a project with expected costs of £183,000 and seven jobs created. The full amount of grant has been paid to the company.
  In addition, through Business Link Cumbria, small businesses in Silloth have access to advice and financial assistance. This support will continue via the Small Business Service from 1 April 2001.

  Department of Culture Media and Sport

  Lottery Awards
  Organisations in Silloth can apply for Lottery Awards funding.

  Sports Action Zone
  The Sports Action Zone for West Cumbria will receive £70k per year for at least five years.
  371W
  Department of Education and Employment

  Cumbria local education authority funding

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Standard Spending Assessment

  170.358

  186.095

  195.477

  205.842

  Standards Fund

  1.999

  2.605

  6.370

  9.733

  Class Size Reduction

  —

  —

  0.868

  1.512

  Education Action Zone

  —

  —

  —

  0.770

  Nursery Education Grant

  1.951

  0.557

  0.601

  —

  £290 million Special Grant to Schools

  —

  —

  —

  3.402

  £50 million Special Grant to LEAs

  —

  —

  —

  0.571

  Notes:

  1. At national level, £527 million was taken from the total SSA to fund the Nursery Voucher Scheme in 1997–98.

  2. Funding for the reduction of (infant)class sizes was part of the Standards Fund in 1998–99.

  3. Education Action Zone funding is paid to the Zone not to the LEA.

  4. Standards Fund/Gest figures are DfEE contribution only and exclude capital funding.

  5. Some elements of the standards fund are targeted at Adult education and under fours, these have been included.

  6. Nursery education grant data are not available for 2000–01.

  Early Years
  Cumbria has been allocated sufficient funding to create 808 (£959,904) new free part-time early education places in 2001–02 rising to 915 (£1,114,470) in 2002–03 and 1,037 (£1,294,176) in 2003–04. The Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership is responsible for setting criteria, based upon need, to decide which children should receive these places.

  Sure Start
  The Allerdale district will receive a Sure Start grant of up to £3 million over three years as part of the third wave of funding.
  Allerdale is part of the rural pilot programme which is exploring how services can best be delivered to families over a wider geographic area than that covered by other Sure Start Programmes.

  Employment and Training
  The Employment Service offers a full range of services to unemployed people in Silloth through its Jobcentres in Maryport and Carlisle. In addition, a vacancy display has been set up at Silloth's community centre, offering a freephone link to Maryport Jobcentre. This will be replaced next year by a vacancy kiosk with computer links to Jobcentre vacancies.
  Workington and Carlisle each have Jobclub and Jobplan workshops which advise clients and offer support in finding employment. Intakes are on a weekly basis and travel expenses are refunded.
  Maryport Jobcentre currently undertakes twice weekly sessions at Johnson Controls to take claims for benefit and offer employment advice to staff being made redundant. The redundancy has been declared large scale and early access to ES programmes is open for redundant workers. Ongoing meetings between Employment Services, Cumbria county council and Enterprise Cumbria Ltd. have now defined the plan to submit an application to the Rapid Response Fund to assist workers with additional support for re-training.
  The local Jobcentre works closely with the local parish council and periodically holds advisory sessions for clients at the community hall.

  New Deal for Young People
  Silloth is part of the Cumbria Unit of Delivery (UoD). New Deal for Young People in the Workington parliamentary constituency has placed 652 people into employment since April 1998, 508 of whom were in sustained employment (employment exceeding 13 weeks).

  Flooding (Burnt Oak)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement concerning the flooding of Deans Lane 372W
  Allotments, Burnt Oak, from London Underground drainage works, and the consequent claims for compensation and proper reinstatement of neighbouring drains. [143797]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: No. This is an operational matter for London Underground and I understand that they are seeking to establish whether any significant damage has occurred, before determining appropriate action.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will(a) make a statement on the Government's approach to the monitoring of air quality, (b) list those sites which the Government use for monitoring air quality and (c) make a statement on the role of local authorities in monitoring air quality. [143883]

  Mr. Meacher
  The air quality strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published in January 2000, sets objectives for eight main air pollutants in order to protect people's health and maintain sustainable development. This strategy takes account of European legislation and international agreements essential to improve air quality across Europe and the United Kingdom. Over many years successive Governments have developed a variety of national networks which monitor and measure concentrations of the main pollutants in the ambient air. My Department continues to review and extend that coverage to ensure our obligations are fully met and it produces the information necessary for proper decision-making.

  A detailed description of the networks, individual monitoring sites within the networks, and recorded measurements is available on my Department's worldwide website (http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm) within the national air quality archive. Copies of annual reports of the networks are also published on the Department's website. Summary information on measured pollution levels and their effects on people's health is available daily on Teletext and CEEFAX pages, as well as through weather bulletins. A copy of the air quality strategy is available in the House of Commons Library and a list of monitoring sites will be made available to the Library.
  373W
  Local authorities also have a key role to play in monitoring air quality. Under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, all local authorities are required to review and assess their local air quality and to designate air quality management areas where they expect any significant problems. The monitoring of current levels of key air pollutants, combined with the forecasting of likely future levels of these pollutants, is a fundamental part of this exercise. My Department has provided over £12 million worth of supplementary credit approvals to local authorities in recent years to assist with the purchase of monitoring equipment, and has provided detailed technical guidance on operational monitoring issues.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what recent instructions he has given the Environment Agency with regard to the(a) monitoring and (b) enforcement of regulations relating to air quality. [143884]

  Mr. Meacher
  In the last four months, I have issued no new instruction by way of a direction to the Environment Agency with regard to the(a) monitoring and (b) enforcement of regulations relating to air quality. However, instructions were given which indirectly relate to air quality on the 25 October 2000, when a transitional direction was issued under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 to ensure directions previously made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 continue to have effect under the new regime.

  Railtrack (Redundancies)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the recent changes in Railtrack's maintenance and renewal contracts that have resulted in redundancies in the Crewe area. [144070]

  Mr. Hill
  I understand from Railtrack that from next April responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure of that section of the west coast main line covering the Crewe area will transfer from GTRM to Jarvis under a new contract. The GTRM staff are also due to transfer to Jarvis. The issue of subsequent staffing levels within GTRM and Jarvis will be a matter for the companies.

  Eurostar Rolling Stock
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much he estimates will be contributed to public funds from the sale of the moth-balled Eurostar rolling stock to Canada; what talks have been held with the leasing companies about such sales; and what has been the total cost to public funds, including compensation paid, of the provision of rolling stock meant for services north of London. [143708]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: Under the terms of the agreement with the manufacturers of the European Night Services (ENS) rolling stock, the ENS shareholders were to receive a share in any sale proceeds if the price paid for the rolling stock was above a certain level. Unfortunately I understand from Eurostar (UK) Ltd. that the proceeds of this sale were not above that threshold and that there will therefore he no contribution from the sale.
  374W
  The Government have held no talks with leasing companies since the original agreement was reached in 1998.

  The rolling stock meant for services north of London includes both the sleeper carriages for European Night Services and the Regional Eurostar rolling stock. The Government incurred a cost of £109 million when the leases for the rolling stock were terminated and the Government guarantee was called.

  The Regional Eurostar sets originally cost £180 million. The Government consented to a sale and leaseback arrangement in 1998 to ease Eurostar' s cash flow problems and Eurostar has subsequently arranged a further leasing arrangement on two of the Regional Eurostar sets to allow their use on the east coast main line. The details of this arrangement are a commercial matter between the two parties involved.

  Railway Subsidy
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public subsidy was awarded to private railway undertakings in each of the years 1996 to 2000. [143902]

  Mr. Hill
  Train operating companies (TOCs) receive support for passenger rail services (SPRS) from the Franchising Director and income from Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs). Also, freight operating companies (FOCs) receive freight grant payments from my Department.

  The table provides, for each financial year 1996–97 to 1999–2000, details of SPRS and PTE payments to the TOCs, and freight grant payments to the FOCs.

  £ million cash prices

  SPRS payments

  PTE payments

  Freight grant payments

  1996–97

  1,809

  291

  12

  1997–98

  1,429

  375

  21

  1998–99

  1,196

  337

  19

  1999–2000

  1,031

  312

  17

  Since Railtrack was privatised in 1996–97, no public money has been paid direct to the company, but its profitability is contingent on public money. Some 90 per cent. of Railtrack's income is paid to the company by TOCs and FOCs in access charges, a substantial proportion of which are supported by public money.

  Composting
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consideration his Department is giving to grant-aiding the development of small-scale composting projects. [143909]

  Mr. Mullin
  The spending review provided substantial extra funds to local authorities for waste management. In particular, we shall soon consult on how to allocate the £140 million provided as a separate sum for waste and recycling, including composting. In addition, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently consulting on proposals for the next round of lottery funding (the New Opportunities Fund), including a new £150 million programme to foster environmental renewal
  375W
  across the UK. It is proposed that around one third of the available funding for England would help expand community sector waste reuse, recycling and composting.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received from local bodies about revising the exemption from waste management licensing for small-scale composting sites; [143908]

  (2) if he will revise the exemption from waste management licensing for small-scale composting sites. [143907]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are currently reviewing the exemption from waste management licensing for small-scale composting. The broad aim of our review is to continue to encourage the development of composting by the provision of a licensing exemption in a way which fulfils the objectives of article 4 of the waste framework directive—protection of the environment and human health.

  We received last year the following representations from local bodies and individuals about revising the composting exemption:

  Mr. Dave Middlemas and Mr. Richard Boden of the Community Composting Network, Sheffield;

  Mr. Nigel Walker of EcoTech Garden Group, Norfolk;

  Ms Rose Tannner, of the North East Sheffield Trust;

  Mrs. V. Rawlinson of Manchester;

  Ms Holly Tiffen of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust;

  Mr. Stuart Wallace of Derby;

  Mr. Ben Hooke of North London;

  A constituent of Damien Green, MP for Ashford, Kent;

  Ms Rebekah Hoyland of the Forest of Dean;

  Mr. Ian Smith of Heeley City Farm, Sheffield;

  Mr. Charlie Trousdell of KDS Composting Services, West Sussex;

  Mr. Gareth Morton, of Save Waste and Prosper, Leeds;

  Mr. Andy Moore, of the Community Recycling Network, Bristol.

  Integrated Transport
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account his integrated transport policy takes of the ease of transfer between motorcycles and the railways; and if he will make a statement. [144095]

  Mr. Hill
  Both our integrated transport White Paper published in 1998, and "Transport 2010—The 10-Year Plan", published in July 2000, recognise the importance of improving interchange between different modes of transport. The 10-Year Plan includes among its target outcomes (paragraph 6.62)better integration and co-ordination between transport modes through local transport plans and improved interchanges.

  One of the three statutory purposes of the Strategic Rail Authority will be to contribute to the development of an integrated transport system. Meanwhile, the Franchising Director has made it clear that proposals for franchise replacement should improve the "whole journey" experience from door to door, and reduce perceived barriers to switching from private to public transport.
  376W
  The 10-Year Plan also recognises the importance of well designed and located, safe and secure park and ride facilities which can be linked to both light and heavy rail services and sets out the need to develop longer distance schemes, such as "parkways" linked to rail services.

  Our guidance to authorities on local transport plans stressed the role of interchange as well as the development of local strategies for improving interchange between passenger rail and other modes.

  The guidance specifically asks local authorities to consider measures to assist motorcyclists in making integrated journeys, such as secure parking, good access and suitable facilities at public transport interchanges.

  Derelict Land Grant
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was paid out in Derelict Land Grant in each of the five years prior to its abolition; how many sites benefited: and if he will reinstate the grant as an instrument for bringing brownfield sites back into productive use. [143920]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Derelict Land Grant (DLG) scheme ceased to operate from 1994. The outturn for the years 1989–90 to 1993–94 is as follows:

  £million

  1989–90

  54.0

  1990–91

  61.7

  1991–92

  77.2

  1992–93

  101.7

  1993–94

  104.3

  Details of individual sites supported by DLG were not recorded centrally, and the information requested on sites is therefore not available.

  Since the closure of DLG, support for the reclamation of derelict land continues through funding from the current physical land regeneration schemes within the Land and Property Programme. These include the Land and Property Programme, Direct Development, the former Partnership Investment Programme, Community Investment Fund, Land Stabilisation Programme and the Land Reclamation Programme (LRP).

  Like the DLG, the LRP scheme provides funding to local authorities to enable them to reclaim derelict land for environmental improvement, especially where there is no incentive for the private sector to undertake the task, or no developer has yet been identified.

  Given that the purposes of the DLG are now fulfilled by other schemes, the Government have no plans to reintroduce it.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those sites designated as green belt for which planning permission has been granted since May 1997. [143906]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  This information is not held centrally.

  Shared Ownership Sales
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of shared ownership sales in(a) London and (b) England were to (i) existing local authority registered social landlord tenants, (ii) people in housing priority groups and (iii) others. [144286]

  Mr. Mullin
  The available information is as follows:

  Proportion of shared ownership sales by category of purchaser 1999 to 2000

  Percentage

  Category of purchaser

  London

  England

  Existing LA/RSL tenants

  15

  16

  Others on a local authority waiting list

  46

  34

  Others not on a local authority waiting list

  39

  50

  All

  100

  100

  Source:

  Housing Corporation/DETR CORE Sales Logs

  All applicants for shared ownership must be in housing need and unable to afford to buy a suitable home in any other way.

  Improvement Grants
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on the exclusion of Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency from the possibility of receiving improvement grants in 2001–02; what the underspend was on funds for improvement grants in Newcastle upon Tyne in the three preceding years; and if he gave permission for such funds to be reapplied to other purposes. [143876]

  Mr. Mullin
  It is for each local authority to decide on the provision of home improvement grants within the broad expenditure guidelines set by my Department, and to target the grants where it sees fit. No specific exclusions have been placed on Newcastle or on any other authority, and any decision not to give grants in the Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency will have been taken by the authority itself.

  Newcastle city council made use of the full amount of Government support for private sector housing renewal, which is spent mainly on grants for home improvement, in 1998–99 and 1999–2000. Had the council spent less than its allocation during these years, it would not have been able to reapply the funds to other purposes, as there was separate ring-fenced support for the grants. That ring fence no longer exists, and authorities are free to use the resources within their overall housing capital allocation for a range of housing purposes, including on home improvement grants.

  North Yorkshire County Council
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received on his Guidance Notes on Capitalisation of Local Authority Pension Fund Contributions; and if he will treat North Yorkshire county council's case for the capitalisation of £30 million of contributions as an exception within his discretion. [144431]
  378W
  Ms Armstrong
  In the formal consultation on this document, 67 responses were received. All respondents welcomed the proposal to allow local authorities to pay capital receipts into their pension funds. We have, however, always made clear that the scheme is meant to help authorities whose pension fund liabilities are significantly higher than average. On the information currently available, it appears that North Yorkshire county council does not pass this test and there seem to be no grounds for exceptional treatment.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to ease the burden on North Yorkshire county council of the extra costs as a result of the apportionment of debt to the Public Works Loan Board between the county council and York city council and the early repayment by York [144430]

  Ms Armstrong
  The arrangements under which North Yorkshire county council have been managing debt on behalf of the City of York council are set out in legislation. My Department has no power to intervene.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of his reply to the letter to him of 9 December from Mr. Charles Turnock on the problems of the railway industry. [144139]

  Mr. Hill
  I am unable to provide this information as correspondence between the Department and its correspondents is treated in confidence unless the originator chooses to make such issues public.

  Rail and Underground (Service Disruption)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that there is no disruption to rail and underground services to and from central London on 18 March 2001 due to political action seeking to prevent public protest. [144443]

  Mr. Hill
  This Government support the right of peaceful protest. The policing of events such as the march planned for 18 March 2001 is a matter for the relevant chief officers of police.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the new corporate structure proposed by Glas Cymru for the Welsh Water company Dwr Cymru; [144299]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the (a) financial security, (b) ability to meet regulatory targets and (c) potential risks to customers of a wholly debt financed water company; [144301]

  (3) what discussions he has had with the Director General of Water Services about wholly debt financed water companies; [144300]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the comments by the Chief Drinking Water Inspector that any (water company restructuring) proposal must first guarantee that drinking water quality can be managed safely; [144454]
  379W
  (5) if he plans to make a statement on the future of the water industry before the Director General of Water Services publishes his decision on the Glas Cymru model. [144337]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government's prime interest is to ensure that any reorganisation in the water industry will bring direct and long-lasting benefits to customers, and that companies can continue to comply with their environmental and public health obligations, including the protection of drinking water quality.

  The Director General of Water Services issued a consultation paper on the issues raised by Glas Cymru's proposals on 10 November 2000. The paper states that Dwr Cymru must remain capable of meeting all its statutory and licence obligations, including its responsibility for drinking water quality and environmental standards. The consultation period closed on 18 December 2000. The First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales has set out his views on the proposals in a response to the director general. I understand that the director intends to make a statement on the outcome of this consultation shortly.

  As explained in the consultation paper that accompanied the draft Water Bill, the Government will continue to work with the industry regulators and all other interested parties so that any further restructuring proposals brought forward by the industry have been fully examined to ensure that customer interests, drinking water quality and the environment are fully protected and that the long-term implications for the future of the industry have been fully addressed. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment met the director general on 29 November and discussed, among other issues, water industry restructuring.

  We are still examining the options for extending competition in the water industry, taking into account recent developments such as restructuring proposals. As soon as we are in a position to do so we will make a statement of our conclusions.

  Ticketing Arrangements
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the train operating companies and London Underground regarding further integration of commuter services and ticketing arrangements in London and the south-east; and if he will make a statement. [144525]

  Mr. Hill
  The shadow Strategic Rail Authority has been working jointly with Transport for London, South West Trains, Connex and Thameslink to develop inner-suburban national rail services into a 'South London Metro'. This will involve better integration of the rail services south of the Thames in the Greater London area and simplification of fares with possible options for either complete or partial interavailability between buses, Underground, Tramlink and National Rail.

  Allotments
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statutory provisions apply to allotment holders what support and advice his Department provides; and if he will make a statement. [144490]
  380W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The main provisions that apply to holders of statutory allotments are contained in the Allotments Act 1922 in respect of security of tenure for allotment holders; the Allotments Act 1925 in respect of the acquisition, maintenance and disposal of allotments; and the Allotments Act 1950 in respect of arrangements for collecting rent and the termination of tenancies.

  The Government will shortly issue for consultation a revised draft of planning policy guidance note 17 on sports and recreation. The guidance will provide advice to local planning authorities on assessing local needs for open spaces including allotments, and for encouraging new provision where there are deficiencies. My Department is supporting research commissioned by the Local Government Association to prepare and disseminate good practice guidance on the management of allotments. My Department is also preparing a general guide for allotment holders.

  Worcester Parkway Railway Station
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the development of a Worcester Parkway railway station for(a) car use and (b) rail use; and if he will make a statement. [144506]

  Mr. Hill
  The proposal for Worcester Parkway railway station is at a very early stage. Worcestershire county council is preparing initial assessments of both car and rail demand for a new station.

  Planning Law (Heathrow)
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what implications the recent court ruling relating to the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on planning law will have on his powers to decide on the planning application for a fifth terminal at Heathrow. [144442]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Our general position was announced on 19 December 2000,Official Report, column 119W. The Heathrow terminal 5 decision will be handled in accordance with that statement.

  As the statement explained, the existing primary legislation continues to apply and the Secretary of State has a duty to continue determining cases which have been called in. In all cases the Secretary of State will proceed in accordance with his usual practice.

  Leave to appeal the judgment has been granted, although whether any appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal or by the House of Lords directly is still to be resolved. As the statement indicated, if the decision of the High Court is upheld on appeal, the Government will have to decide how to deal with the incompatibility identified.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the budgeted expenditure by Government office region in 2000–01 of(a) the Countryside Agency, (b) English Nature, (c) the Housing Corporation and (d) the Environment Agency. [144274]
  381W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The budgeted expenditure, excluding running costs, by Government office region in 2000–01 of the Countryside Agency and English Nature is as follows:

  £ million

  Countryside agency1

  English Nature2

  East Midlands

  2.2

  1.0

  East of England

  2.6

  2.3

  London

  34.5

  0.2

  North East

  3.1

  1.0

  North West

  3.8

  1.3

  South East

  —

  3.0

  West Midlands

  2.6

  0.8

  South West

  4.5

  3.1

  Yorkshire and Humber

  2.6

  1.7

  1Some spending, such as that on Millennium Greens, other lottery funded projects and social exclusion cannot be disaggregated by region except at disproportionate cost.

  2Excludes Joint Nature Conservation Committee and budgeted expenditure of £9.6 million on national programmes that cannot be apportioned among regions.

  3Includes expenditure in London and the South East. London and South East regional office boundaries for the Countryside Agency are not coterminous with those of Government office regions.

  The regional boundaries of the Housing Corporation and the Environment Agency are not coterminous with those of Government office regions.

  Budgeted expenditure, excluding running costs, by Housing Corporation regional offices in 2000–01 is as follows:

  £million

  Budgeted expenditure1

  East

  78.3

  London

  379.6

  North East

  67.0

  North West

  63.5

  South East

  78.7

  West Midlands

  65.8

  South West

  48.0

  Merseyside

  43.4

  1Planned revenue funding cannot be split by region, and is not shown. Total planned revenue funding for 2000–01 is £149 million.

  Budgeted expenditure, excluding running costs, by Environment Agency operational region in 2000–01 is as follows:

  £ million

  Budgeted expenditure1

  Anglian

  78.3

  Midlands

  56.7

  North East

  59.8

  North West

  53.3

  Southern

  41.4

  South West

  44.3

  Thames

  92.6

  Environment Agency Wales

  39.1

  1Excludes Head Office and other national business units.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the budgeted expenditure of each of the Government offices for the regions for 2000–01. [144155]
  382W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The current administrative running costs expenditure (as at the end of November 2000) for each of the Government Offices for the regions is listed in the table.

  £000

  GO November 2000–01

  Expenditure to date

  Budget

  North East

  4,999

  8,292.91

  North West

  7,945

  13,630.52

  Yorkshire and Humber

  6,021

  9,358.75

  West Midlands

  6,128

  9,937.89

  East Midlands

  4,917

  7,318.82

  East

  4,478

  7,494.00

  South West

  5,428

  9,465.30

  South East

  5,804

  8,721.83

  London

  8,994

  13,935.55

  Total

  54,714

  88,155.57

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the budgeted running costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 for the regional offices for(a) the Countryside Agency, (b) English Nature, (c) the Housing Corporation and (d) the Environment Agency. [144154]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The budgeted running costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 for the regional offices of the Countryside Agency are as follows:

  Running costs (£ million)

  Staff numbers (full time equivalent)

  East Midlands

  0.7

  22.5

  East of England

  0.9

  26

  London and South East

  1.1

  34

  North East

  1.1

  23.5

  North West

  0.9

  24

  West Midlands

  1.0

  27

  South West

  1.0

  31

  Yorkshire and Humber

  1.0

  26.5

  The budgeted running costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 for English Nature's local teams, by Government Office region, are as follows:

  Running costs (£ million)

  Staff numbers (full time equivalent)

  East Midlands

  0.9

  34

  East of England

  1.7

  62

  London

  0.2

  6

  North East

  0.6

  21

  North West

  1.4

  47

  South East

  2.2

  75

  West Midlands

  1.1

  37

  South West

  2.6

  89

  Yorkshire and Humber

  1.0

  35

  The budgeted running costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 for the regional offices of the Housing Corporation are as follows:

  Running costs (£ million)

  Staff numbers (full time equivalent)

  East

  1.8

  58

  London

  3.8

  96

  North East

  1.6

  45

  383W

  Running costs (£ million)

  Staff numbers (full time equivalent)

  North West

  1.4

  33

  South East

  2.0

  50

  West Midlands

  1.4

  41

  South West

  1.5

  37

  Merseyside

  0.9

  26

  The budgeted running costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 for the operational regions of the Environment Agency are as follows:

  Running costs (£ million)

  Staff numbers (full time equivalent)

  Anglian

  7.4

  1,356

  Midlands

  8.9

  1,271

  North East

  7.2

  1,081

  North West

  8.4

  1,203

  Southern

  5.6

  875

  South West

  6.8

  1,042

  Thames

  9.7

  1,412

  Environment Agency Wales

  5.4

  961

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) budgeted running costs and (b) staff numbers for 2000–01 for each Government Office Region in England. [144275]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The current administrative budgets (2000–01) for each of the Government Offices for the Regions are detailed in the following table.

  2000–01

  Government Offices

  £000

  North East

  8,292.91

  North West

  13,630.52

  Yorkshire and Humber

  9,358.75

  Budgeted running costs (£ million)

  Budgeted expenditure,excluding running costs (£ million)

  Staff numbers (full-time equivalent)

  One NorthEast

  11.7

  122.8

  228

  Northwest Development Agency

  14.3

  164.2

  211

  Yorkshire Forward

  8.3

  158.4

  195

  East Midlands Development Agency

  7.4

  63.4

  137

  Advantage West Midlands

  9.1

  113.0

  134

  East of England Development Agency

  5.0

  32.9

  86

  South East Development Agency

  6.3

  72.3

  115.5

  South West Development Agency

  8.4

  72.3

  181.5

  London

  6.3

  273.6

  88

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the national time commitment for the chairmen of the regional development agencies; and how many(a) male and (b) female members of the board of each regional development agency there are. [144153]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Chairmen of RDAs are contracted to work for 2 days each week. The number of male and female board members for each RDA is shown in the following table.
  384W

  2000–01

  Government Offices

  £000

  West Midlands

  9,937.89

  East Midlands

  7,318.82

  East

  7,494.00

  South West

  9,465.30

  South East

  8,721.83

  London

  13,935.55

  Total

  88,155.57

  The current number of staff employed (as at 1 December 2000) in each Government Office is detailed in the following table. The figures include senior civil servants, casual staff, staff on fixed-term appointments, staff seconded out, staff on career breaks, staff on maternity leave and staff on special leave with no pay.

  Staff employed in Government Offices—2000

  Government Offices

  Number

  North East

  283

  North West

  408

  Yorkshire and Humber

  286

  West Midlands

  299

  East Midlands

  251

  East

  201

  South West

  267

  South East

  272

  London

  321

  Total

  2,588

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) budgeted running costs, (b) budgeted expenditure and (c) staff numbers for 2000–01 for each of the regional development agencies. [144273]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The most recent estimates are as follows:

  Board members

  RDA

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Advantage West Midlands

  11

  3

  14

  East of England Development Agency

  10

  3

  13

  East Midlands Development Agency

  10

  4

  14

  North West Development Agency

  9

  4

  13

  One NorthEast

  10

  3

  13

  South East of England Development Agency

  10

  5

  15

  South West Regional Development Agency

  10

  3

  13

  Yorkshire Forward

  9

  4

  13

  Water Meters
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets he has set for water preservation via the installation of water meters. [143958]

  Mr. Mullin
  No specific targets have been set for the gains in water efficiency to be achieved by metering. Metering has a role to play alongside other measures in promoting the sustainable management of water resources. The Government have a "twin track" approach, in which future requirements for water are to be met by demand management as well as resource development. Water companies have also been placed under a duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many water meters have been installed in each of the last five years in(a) new and (b) old properties. [143959]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Office of Water Services collects and publishes information on water customers taking metered supplies in England and Wales in its annual report "Tariff structure and charges", copies of which are in the Library. The numbers of household properties where water meters were installed in England and Wales in each of the past five years was as follows:

  Household water meters installed, England and Wales

  New properties

  Existing properties

  Total households

  1995–96

  155,435

  107,293

  262,728

  1996–97

  159,718

  278,183

  437,901

  1997–98

  171,722

  559,156

  730,878

  1998–99

  171,247

  486,043

  657,290

  1999–2000

  177,597

  352,997

  530,594

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given to water companies on advertising the option to fit water meters at no charge. [143957]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department has published a free information leaflet, "Water Metering: Your new rights", setting out household water customers' new rights under the Water Industry Act 1999, including the new right to free meter installation. Copies were supplied to all water companies and have been distributed widely through such routes as Citizens Advice Bureaux, libraries, benefits offices and local authorities.

  Traffic Management Schemes
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to ensure that all traffic management schemes are subjected to cost/benefit analysis and that the results of the analysis are in the public domain. [143933]

  Mr. Hill
  We have no plans to reduce the present threshold (gross costs which exceed £5 million) at which 386W
  local authorities proposing major local transport schemes are required to submit a detailed appraisal in order to be eligible for Government support for their scheme.

  For schemes below this threshold, the Government now allocate resources in response to overall programmes and strategies rather than to individual schemes. However, we expect authorities to appraise their programmes in accordance with guidance that we have issued and for components of such programmes to be justified in their own right. In cases where the impacts of components are substantial, formal appraisal is particularly important, even if the cost is less than £5 million. We have also made clear that we may ask authorities to provide such evidence to justify particular components of their local transport plans.

  Local authorities are under a general statutory duty to place reports which have informed decisions taken by councillors into the public domain, except where such documents contain exempt or confidential information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. All local transport plans are public documents.

  For roads that are the responsibility of the Highways Agency, all improvement schemes, including traffic management schemes, are assessed using the new approach to appraisal. For schemes subject to statutory procedures, the results are placed in the public domain automatically; for other schemes, they are made available on request.

  Housebuilding
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the percentage of new houses which were built on previously developed land in(a) the South-West and (b) the former Avon area in (i) 1976 to 1996 and (ii) 1996 to date. [144366]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Estimates are currently available for 1989 to 1996 only, which show, as an average for the period, that 38 per cent. of new dwellings in the South-West were built on previously developed land and 35 per cent. in the former Avon area. These figures exclude conversion of existing buildings, which is estimated to add about 3 percentage points to the annual recycling rate for England. The Government have proposed a 50 per cent. recycling target for the South-West.

  Pagham
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the compulsory purchase orders proposed for the Pagham area of West Sussex by the Environment Agency. [143156]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am replying as the only such order relates to flood defence. The Environment Agency proposed a compulsory purchase order for the River Lavant flood alleviation scheme in June 2000, which included land at Pagham. Discussions about the proposal continue with both landowners and this Department.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recommendations were made by the Special Investigations Branch, Royal Military Police concerning the Royal Irish Regiment group photograph published in The Andersontown News on 15 January; how many have been implemented; and if he will place in the Library the non-personnel conclusions and police recommendations of the SIB report. [143753]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police investigated the circumstances surrounding of the publication of the photograph published in the Andersontown News on 15 January. There were no recommendations. It is not Departmental policy to disclose Service police reports to persons or bodies outside the Department as a matter of course. These reports are prepared for internal administrative purposes and are considered confidential to the Department. The main points to arise from the investigation were addressed in my letter to you of 28 September, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the result was of administrative action taken against the Company Commander found responsible for arranging the Royal Irish Regiment group photograph, published in the Andersonstown News on 15 January; what consideration was given to taking action against those who posed for the photograph; what contacts the RIR unit has had subsequently with the Loyal Orange Lodge; on what date further guidance about posing with sectarian emblems was issued to units deployed around the Drumcree area; what guidance is available to units of the RIR deployed elsewhere in Northern Ireland; and if he will place a copy of the further guidance in the Library. [143752]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Administrative action against the Company Commander, who took the photograph that appeared in the Andersonstown News on 15 January, is still progressing through the Army chain of command. No action was considered against those who posed for the photograph. Units of the Royal Irish Regiment do not have any official contact with the Orange Order, however, individual members may do so on a personal basis. Further guidance about posing with sectarian emblems was issued to units with the three Infantry Brigade on 3 April 2000, which was in addition to the guidance sent to all units throughout the Province on the 10 March 2000. Relevant extracts of the guidance will be placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Official Publications
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list his Department's spending on official publications for 388W
  (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01 and the planned expenditure for 2001–02. [141445]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: Within the Department's central advertising and publicity budget, spending on official publications is:

  £million

  1996–97

  2.5

  1997–98

  2.1

  1998–99

  0.8

  1999–2000

  2.8

  2000–011

  1.0

  1To December 2000

  Note:

  The figures do not include spending by the Department's agencies

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each new publication issued by his Department since 1997; and what the total cost is to the Department of each publication. [141465]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: It is not possible to list each new publication issued by the Department since 1997 without disproportionate expense. Within the Department's advertising and publicity budget, the total spend on publications since April 1997 is £6.7 million, broken down as follows:

  £ million

  1997–98

  2.1

  1998–99

  0.8

  1999–2000

  2.8

  2000–011

  1.0

  1To December 2000

  Note:

  The figures do not include spending by the Department's agencies

  Degree Courses
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each year since 1990 the(a) number and (b) percentage of applicants who attended maintained schools, for degree courses at British universities in (i) law, (ii) medicine, (iii) engineering, (iv) nursing, (v) BEd teaching, (vi) accountancy, (vii) veterinary studies and (viii) psychology. [142046]

  Mr. Wicks
  Information for the years 1990 to 1994 is not available centrally. The available information is shown in the following table.

  Numbers and percentages of applicants1 through UCAS to full-time and sandwich first degree courses in the United Kingdom by previous school type and subject of study

  Year of entry

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Numbers

  Maintained schools2

  Pre-clinical Medicine

  3,610

  3,511

  3,654

  3,657

  3,406

  Nursing

  1,537

  1,547

  1,574

  1,693

  1,796

  Psychology

  8,859

  9,159

  9,183

  9,206

  9,367

  Veterinary studies

  579

  581

  637

  629

  757

  Engineering3

  10,268

  9,504

  9,426

  9,639

  9,897

  Law

  6,603

  6,439

  6,598

  7,053

  7,482

  Accountancy

  4,570

  4,347

  4,574

  4,688

  4,741

  Education4

  15,787

  14,553

  9.138

  8,326

  7,441

  389W

  Numbers and percentages of applicants1 through UCAS to full-time and sandwich first degree courses in the United Kingdom by previous school type and subject of study

  Year of entry

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Independent schools

  Pre-clinical Medicine

  2,808

  2,906

  2,919

  2,852

  2,635

  Nursing

  218

  220

  198

  176

  190

  Psychology

  2,224

  2,186

  2,139

  2,027

  2,000

  Veterinary studies

  344

  348

  355

  366

  380

  Engineering3

  2,954

  2,713

  2,727

  2,565

  2,526

  Law

  2,168

  1,979

  2,086

  2,002

  2,005

  Accountancy

  775

  758

  777

  823

  805

  Education4

  1,993

  1,856

  857

  795

  644

  Other establishment5

  Pre-clinical Medicine

  2,369

  2,348

  2,181

  1,887

  1,561

  Nursing

  2,755

  2,650

  2,818

  2,579

  2,689

  Psychology

  14,343

  13,464

  13,075

  11,346

  10,241

  Veterinary studies

  286

  339

  313

  327

  336

  Engineering3

  10,376

  9,095

  8,685

  7,864

  7,616

  Law

  8,261

  7,883

  8,137

  7,614

  7,332

  Accountancy

  4,763

  4,219

  4,088

  3,972

  3,714

  Education4

  19,858

  17,957

  10,737

  8,803

  7,838

  Percentages6

  Maintained schools2

  Pre-clinical Medicine

  41.1

  40.1

  41.7

  43.6

  44.8

  Nursing

  34.1

  35.0

  34.3

  38.1

  38.4

  Psychology

  34.8

  36.9

  37.6

  40.8

  43.3

  Veterinary studies

  47.9

  45.8

  48.8

  47.6

  51.4

  Engineering3

  43.5

  44.6

  45.2

  48.0

  49.4

  Law

  38.8

  39.5

  39.2

  42.3

  44.5

  Accountancy

  45.2

  46.6

  48.5

  49.4

  51.2

  Education4

  41.9

  42.3

  44.1

  46.5

  46.7

  Independent schools

  Pre-clinical Medicine

  32.0

  33.2

  33.3

  34.0

  34.7

  Nursing

  4.8

  5.0

  4.3

  4.0

  4.1

  Psychology

  8.7

  8.8

  8.8

  9.0

  9.3

  Veterinary studies

  28.5

  27.4

  27.2

  27.7

  25.8

  Engineering3

  12.5

  12.7

  13.1

  12.8

  12.6

  Law

  12.7

  12.1

  12.4

  12.0

  11.9

  Accountancy

  7.7

  8.1

  8.2

  8.7

  8.7

  Education4

  5.3

  5.4

  4.1

  4.4

  4.0

  Applicants1 and accepted applicants through UCAS to full-time and sandwich first-degree courses in the United Kingdom by social class and subject

  Social class

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled manual

  Skilled non-manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Not known

  Grand total

  Year of entry 1995

  Applicants1

  Pre-clinical medicine

  3,489

  3,665

  879

  845

  554

  125

  490

  10,047

  Nursing

  594

  1,948

  1,066

  560

  526

  136

  560

  5,390

  Psychology

  3,726

  11,205

  4,806

  3,444

  2,303

  658

  2,991

  29,133

  Veterinary science

  348

  647

  136

  124

  62

  7

  57

  1,381

  Engineering2

  4,254

  9,544

  4,907

  2,809

  2,242

  467

  2,580

  26,803

  Law

  2,919

  7,598

  3,062

  2,259

  1,462

  480

  2,039

  19,819

  Accountancy

  1,171

  3,978

  2,216

  1,510

  1,064

  328

  1,192

  11,459

  Education3

  4,199

  16,010

  9,306

  5,338

  3,811

  1,002

  3,840

  43,506

  Accepted applicants

  Pre-clinical medicine

  1,720

  1,571

  280

  341

  167

  29

  127

  4,235

  Nursing

  225

  596

  290

  171

  126

  31

  146

  1,585

  Psychology

  1,015

  2,671

  1,055

  782

  502

  136

  673

  6,834

  Veterinary science

  145

  248

  27

  42

  10

  2

  8

  482

  Engineering2

  2,430

  5,034

  2,411

  1,432

  1,115

  240

  1,399

  14,061

  Law

  1,541

  3,570

  1,272

  965

  592

  166

  793

  8,899

  Accountancy

  424

  1,381

  731

  538

  354

  108

  390

  3,926

  Education3

  1,285

  4,605

  2,442

  1,513

  952

  214

  1,014

  12,025

  390W

  Numbers and percentages of applicants1 through UCAS to full-time and sandwich first degree courses in the United Kingdom by previous school type and subject of study

  Year of entry

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Other establishment5

  Pre-clinical Medicine

  27.0

  26.8

  24.9

  22.5

  20.5

  Nursing

  61.1

  60.0

  61.4

  58.0

  57.5

  Psychology

  56.4

  54.3

  53.6

  50.3

  47.4

  Veterinary studies

  23.7

  26.7

  24.0

  24.7

  22.8

  Engineering3

  44.0

  42.7

  41.7

  39.2

  38.0

  Law

  48.5

  48.4

  48.4

  45.7

  43.6

  Accountancy

  47.1

  45.2

  43.3

  41.9

  40.1

  Education4

  52.8

  52.3

  51.8

  49.1

  49.2

  1Since 1996 each student has been able to make up to six applications; in 1995 each student could make up to eight applications. In the tables, applicants are counted once under each subject to which they applied.

  2Defined as sixth form centres, Comprehensive schools, Grammar schools and other secondary schools.

  3Includes general, civil, mechanical, aeronautical, electrical, electronic, production/manufacturing and chemical engineering courses.

  4Includes courses within the Education Group that lead to Qualified Teacher Status. Includes Physical Education courses in 1995 and 1996 but not in subsequent years. Since 1997 Physical Education has been available only in combination with other subjects, and combined courses are not included in the table.

  5Includes Further and Higher Education

  6The percentage of applicants excluding those with unknown previous school type.

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the social class breakdown was, in each year since 1990, of students who(a) applied for and (b) were successful in obtaining places on, degree courses at British universities in (i) law, (ii) medicine, (iii) engineering, (iv) nursing, (v) BEd teaching, (vi) accountancy, (vii) veterinary studies and (viii) psychology. [142047]

  Mr. Wicks
  Information for the years 1990 to 1994 is not available centrally. The available information for the years 1995 to 1999 is shown in the following tables.
  391W

  Applicants1 and accepted applicants through UCAS to full-time and sandwich first-degree courses in the United Kingdom by social class and subject

  Social class

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled manual

  Skilled non-manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Not known

  Grand total

  Year of entry 1996

  Applicants1

  Pre-clinical medicine

  3,493

  3,750

  885

  867

  480

  110

  445

  10,030

  Nursing

  568

  1,934

  981

  544

  521

  112

  582

  5,242

  Psychology

  3,498

  10,728

  4,672

  3,333

  2,272

  577

  2,948

  28,028

  Veterinary science

  377

  687

  134

  114

  53

  3

  43

  1,411

  Engineering2

  3,874

  8,558

  4,257

  2,498

  2,068

  424

  2,433

  24,112

  Law

  2,769

  7,027

  2,886

  2,223

  1,392

  467

  2,025

  18,789

  Accountancy

  1,180

  3,612

  1,957

  1,381

  891

  294

  1,068

  10,383

  Education3

  3,871

  14,707

  7,903

  4,994

  3,417

  799

  3,602

  39,293

  Accepted applicants

  Pre-clinical medicine

  1,781

  1,718

  305

  351

  154

  24

  138

  4,471

  Nursing

  253

  747

  311

  168

  160

  39

  157

  1,835

  Psychology

  1,074

  3,063

  1,142

  869

  587

  122

  777

  7,634

  Veterinary science

  162

  240

  36

  33

  15

  1

  7

  494

  Engineering2

  2,307

  4,834

  2,255

  1,342

  1,065

  235

  1,378

  13,416

  Law

  1,619

  3,730

  1,348

  1,080

  661

  220

  950

  9,608

  Accountancy

  457

  1,397

  754

  555

  325

  119

  423

  4,030

  Education3

  1,316

  4,693

  2,270

  1,568

  965

  187

  1,015

  12,014

  Year of entry 1997

  Applicants1

  Pre-clinical medicine

  3,349

  3,664

  801

  831

  488

  112

  710

  9,955

  Nursing

  496

  2,408

  886

  619

  662

  118

  649

  5,838

  Psychology

  3,179

  10,728

  4,206

  3,505

  2,432

  617

  2,883

  27,550

  Veterinary science

  362

  711

  157

  124

  62

  10

  85

  1,511

  Engineering2

  3,678

  8,616

  4,061

  2,481

  1,995

  434

  2,746

  24,011

  Law

  2,622

  7,458

  2,835

  2,412

  1,472

  451

  2,143

  19,393

  Accountancy

  1,086

  3,790

  1,912

  1,524

  890

  269

  1,226

  10,697

  Education3

  1,917

  8,524

  4,835

  3,444

  2,563

  508

  2,453

  24,244

  Accepted applicants

  Pre-clinical medicine

  1,818

  1,698

  294

  348

  187

  36

  196

  4,577

  Nursing

  238

  993

  295

  234

  194

  35

  210

  2,199

  Psychology

  1,082

  3,332

  1,136

  1,125

  714

  147

  888

  8,424

  Veterinary science

  125

  210

  44

  35

  14

  0

  20

  448

  Engineering2

  2,243

  4,852

  2,139

  1,325

  1,080

  223

  1,593

  13,455

  Law

  1,626

  4,160

  1,449

  1,250

  722

  215

  1,049

  10,471

  Accountancy

  438

  1,492

  751

  631

  355

  108

  554

  4,329

  Education3

  610

  2,580

  1,245

  993

  723

  111

  656

  6,918

  Year of entry 1998

  Applicants1

  Pre-clinical medicine

  3,317

  3,570

  810

  805

  463

  98

  701

  9,764

  Nursing

  415

  2,271

  856

  620

  674

  116

  827

  5,779

  Psychology

  2,980

  9,888

  4,013

  3,289

  2,161

  527

  2,886

  25,744

  Veterinary science

  378

  743

  141

  104

  68

  10

  110

  1,554

  Engineering2

  3,447

  8,317

  3,946

  2,331

  1,995

  363

  2,678

  23,077

  Law

  2,490

  7,336

  2,826

  2,430

  1,455

  435

  2,366

  19,338

  Accountancy

  1,080

  3,788

  1,913

  1,461

  947

  303

  1,377

  10,869

  Education3

  1,674

  7,697

  4,209

  2,930

  2,218

  416

  2,223

  21,367

  Accepted applicants

  Pre-clinical medicine

  1,876

  1,743

  325

  353

  170

  25

  191

  4,683

  Nursing

  201

  966

  282

  204

  209

  23

  245

  2,130

  Psychology

  1,086

  3,217

  1,149

  1,080

  614

  124

  874

  8,144

  Veterinary science

  164

  282

  24

  26

  13

  5

  31

  545

  Engineering2

  2,216

  4,709

  2,055

  1,248

  1,092

  179

  1,457

  12,956

  Law

  1,512

  4,160

  1,412

  1,318

  744

  193

  1,192

  10,531

  Accountancy

  449

  1,458

  710

  648

  371

  114

  597

  4,347

  Education3

  617

  2,562

  1,241

  936

  643

  105

  609

  6,713

  Year of entry 1999

  Applicants1

  Pre-clinical medicine

  2,984

  3,178

  731

  779

  406

  77

  877

  9,032

  Nursing

  478

  2,483

  918

  746

  803

  146

  999

  6,573

  Psychology

  2,872

  9,626

  3,733

  3,335

  2,104

  492

  2,690

  24,852

  Veterinary science

  392

  767

  164

  134

  92

  11

  142

  1,702

  Engineering2

  3,527

  8,261

  3,877

  2,325

  1,945

  404

  2,681

  23,020

  Law

  2,585

  7,362

  2,914

  2,351

  1,479

  420

  2,456

  19,567

  Accountancy

  1,047

  3,641

  1,871

  1,545

  861

  254

  1,362

  10,581

  Education3

  1,495

  6,806

  3,785

  2,718

  2,049

  404

  2,198

  19,455

  392W 393W

  Applicants1 and accepted applicants through UCAS to full-time and sandwich first-degree courses in the United Kingdom by social class and subject

  Social class

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled manual

  Skilled non-manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Not known

  Grand total

  Accepted applicants

  Pre-clinical medicine

  1,875

  1,756

  336

  399

  182

  19

  304

  4,871

  Nursing

  246

  1,075

  323

  290

  288

  34

  415

  2,671

  Psychology

  1,088

  3,364

  1,083

  1,058

  673

  142

  893

  8,301

  Veterinary science

  167

  247

  46

  37

  19

  2

  45

  563

  Engineering2

  2,161

  4,548

  1,920

  1,247

  1,034

  203

  1,449

  12,562

  Law

  1,620

  4,192

  1,467

  1,259

  754

  189

  1,289

  10,770

  Accountancy

  413

  1,439

  740

  671

  343

  84

  549

  4,239

  Education3

  541

  2,428

  1,284

  984

  776

  128

  756

  6,897

  1Since 1996 each student has been able to make up to six applications; in 1995 each student could make up to eight applications. In the tables, applicants are counted once under each subject to which they applied.

  2Includes general, civil, mechanical, aeronautical, electrical, electronic, production/manufacturing and chemical engineering courses.

  3Includes courses within the Education Group that lead to Qualified Teacher Status. Includes Physical Education in 1995 and 1996 but not in subsequent years. Since 1997 Physical Education has only been available in combination with other subjects, and combined courses are not included in the table.

  Departmental Publications
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost has been to date of producing and distributing circulars, guidance and information from his Department to(a) local education authorities, (b) schools and (c) individual teachers, since May 1997. [142286]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 12 December 2000]: The Department produces a large number of publications, including those targeting schools, local education authorities (LEAs) and individual teachers. We do not centrally hold the details of the costs of producing and distributing materials to individual target audiences, and the information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Most publicity material for these audiences is funded from within:
  the schools communication budget (mostly circulars and guidance on school management);
  the advertising and publicity budget (including White and Green papers, policy documents and, from 1999–2000, the magazine for teachers); and
  a number of budgets to support individual programmes (including the literacy and numeracy strategies).

  Spend against the schools communications budget was:

  £

  1997–1998

  1—

  1998–1999

  6,217,248

  1999–2000

  5,843,500

  2000–2001

  3,538,471

  1Not Available

  Note:

  These figures include material sent to schools and material only available on request. They cover production, distribution, storage and requests for additional copies.

  Within the advertising and publicity budget spend on material for these audiences was:

  £

  1997–1998

  3,374,729

  1998–1999

  5,898,351

  394W

  £

  1999–2000

  3,843,000

  2000–20011

  835,313

  1To end of November 2000

  Note:

  These figures include production and distribution

  The spend on information supporting the literacy and numeracy strategies was:

  £

  1997–1998

  800,000

  1998–1999

  1,793,152

  1999–2000

  6,183,749

  2000–20011

  4,274,946

  1To end of November 2000

  Note:

  These figures cover production and distribution

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what total Government expenditure was in 1996–97, and what the forecast is for 2000–01, on(a) pre-school provision, (b) schools, (c) further education and (d) higher education. [142401]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Total expenditure by my Department on(a) pre-school provision (b) schools (c) further education and (d) higher education for the years 1996–97 and the forecast expenditure for 2000–01 are set out in the following table.

  Million

  Expenditure 1996–97

  Forecast expenditure 2000–01

  Pre-school provision1

  1,613

  2,104

  Schools2

  16,858

  20,904

  Further education3

  3,131

  3,493

  Higher Education4

  6,050

  6,940

  1 The forecast expenditure figures for each of these sectors are based on the current Departmental Report adjusted to include subsequent changes

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  2Figures for schools are for current and capital expenditure. For 2000–01 the pre-school and school figures are early estimates based on applying an uplift of 5 per cent. to the estimated expenditure by central and local government for 1999–2000 in cash terms with the addition of expenditure on the school standards special grant announced in the Budget 2000. Outturn expenditure may vary.

  3Expenditure figures for further education exclude assumed additional employer contributions, administration, recurrent funding to support college rationalisation, the Ethnic Minority Student Achievement Grant and student support. The total for 2000–01 includes a net £31 million extra after transferring £4 million into student support, agreed after the publication of the current Departmental Report.

  4Higher Education figures include Student Loans, Mandatory Awards and fees and Teachers' Training.

  Consultation (Young People)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to consult young people about the impact upon them of Government policies; and if he will make a statement. [142831]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government believe it is important that young people should be consulted and involved in the development of policies and services relevant to them. The new children and young people's unit has in place plans to identify good practice at national and local level in the involvement of young people and will ensure that effective strategies are in place to encourage this to happen.

  One example is where the Connexions have identified involving young people as a critical, priority area as they develop and implement the full service. The Connexions pilots are already showing evidence that this is being applied successfully. For example, in selecting people who will act as personal advisers, several pilots have consulted young people about the characteristics and competences that they would want to see and have displayed by individuals. Two pilots in particular, Coventry and Warwick and Oldham, extended this by individuals having young people contribute to the selection process. Potential candidates made a presentation to the young people and/or they sat in on the actual interviews.

  Several pilots have involved young people in the design of Connexions one-stop shop facilities (eg South Central (Hampshire), Coventry and Warwick and Oldham), including the selection of colour schemes and layouts. Several have also involved young people in designing publicity and communications materials.
  I will be working with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary with responsibility for lifelong learning, who is responsible for Connexions, to ensure that we build on this success.

  School Transport
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost of the school transport scheme was in Doncaster borough in 1999–2000. [143141]

  Jacqui Smith
  The school transport expenditure figures for 1999–2000 are not available yet. In 1998–99, the Doncaster local education authority spent £1,570,000 on home to school transport.

  North Somerset Local Education Authority
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many temporary teachers were employed in the North Somerset local education authority schools in each year since 1979. [142945]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on teacher numbers in the North Somerset local education authority prior to 1997 is not available, due to the fact that this particular authority was formed as part of the local government reorganisation of 1 April 1996. The number of short-term supply teachers on contracts of under one month employed in maintained schools in the North Somerset local authority for the whole day, on the third Thursday in January each year since the authority was created, is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1997

  30

  1998

  80

  1999

  120

  2000

  90

  Note:

  All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10

  The number of regular teachers in maintained schools increased by 6,900 between January 1998 and January 2000.

  A DfEE survey of maintained secondary schools in England in the first week of September 2000 indicated that there were about 1,000 secondary teacher vacancies.

  There was a growth of 2,000 in the number of people training to be teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers were employed in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the North Somerset local education authority in each year since 1979. [142946]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on teacher numbers in the North Somerset local education authority prior to 1997 is not available, due to the fact that this particular authority was formed as part of the local government reorganisation of 1 April 1996. The full-time equivalent of teachers (including short-term supply) employed in North Somerset local authority on the third Thursday in January each year since the authority was created is as follows:

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Nursery/primary

  660

  670

  690

  660

  Secondary

  780

  740

  740

  730

  Total

  1,440

  1,410

  1,430

  1,390

  Note:

  All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10

  The number of regular teachers in maintained schools increased by 6,900 between January 1998 and January 2000.

  A DfEE survey of maintained secondary schools in England in the first week of September 2000 indicated that there were about 1,000 secondary teacher vacancies.
  397W
  There was a growth of 2,000 in the number of people training to be teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average class size in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the North Somerset local education authority in each year since 1979. [142947]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on class sizes in the North Somerset local education authority prior to 1997 is not available, due to the fact that this particular authority was formed as part of the local government reorganisation of 1 April 1996. The available information is shown in the following table.

  Average class sizes1 in maintained primary and secondary schools in North Somerset LEA2

  January each year

  Maintained primary

  Maintained secondary

  2000

  28.3

  22.2

  1999

  28.5

  21.7

  1998

  28.4

  21.7

  1997

  27.8

  20.4

  1Classes taught by one teachers

  2North Somerset LEA was formed in April 1996 as part of the local government re-organisation

  January 2000 saw a fall in the size of the average junior class in England; and a continuing fall in the size of the average primary class, after rising for a decade. The size of the average secondary class nationally, at 22, is still five below the average primary class. Secondary headteachers are receiving an average of £50,000 this year in direct grant to spend as they choose. If this were spent on recruiting teachers, the average secondary class size could be reduced by up to 0.8. We have secured early delivery of our infant class size pledge for the vast majority of infants, including in the North Somerset local education authority. In the authority in September this year, over 97 per cent. of infants were in classes of 30 or fewer pupils.

  Widowers' Pensions
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will backdate the pension arrangements for widowers of female teachers to align them with the pension arrangements for widows of male teachers. [143138]

  Mr. Wicks
  The teachers' pension scheme has provided automatic widowers' pensions since 6 April 1988. Female teachers are able to pay additional contributions to cover earlier periods of service if they wish to do so. It is public service policy that scheme improvements are not introduced with retrospective effect.

  Small Schools
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many rural schools have received funding from the administrative support fund for small schools; how much funding was received; and on what it has been spent; [143127]
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  (2) how many schools have taken up funding from the administrative support fund for small schools; and for what purposes this money has been used. [143264]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We do not hold details of the number of schools that have benefited from this fund because the fund is allocated to local education authorities, which have an element of discretion in how they pass it on to schools.

  In 1999–2000, a total of £20 million has been passed to schools and in 2000–01 a total of £55.925 million is being passed to schools through the administrative support fund for small schools.

  The way in which the grant can be used has been extended to include the employment of more administrative staff, the provision of ICT equipment and training they need to do their jobs, the supply cover costs to release heads and teachers for them to do their professional paperwork and the purchase of bursarial services.

  Students (St. Helena)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial help his Department has given during the last 12 months to help towards the education costs of young people from St. Helena to study in the UK. [143529]

  Mr. Wicks
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 19 December 2000,Official Report, column 106W.

  Early Years Education
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance has been given to local authorities on the level of funding per child for places in early years education in 2001–02. [143588]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: Total Government expenditure on under-fives in England is estimated to increase from £1 billion in 1996–97 to £2 billion by 2003–04.

  In 2001–02, we intend to create an additional 80,000 free new early education places for three-year-olds, increasing the number able to gain access to a place to 66 per cent. The annual grant rate will increase by 2.4 per cent. to £1,188 per place. Details of this rate have been given to local authorities in the early years development and child care partnership planning guidance issued recently.

  The Government will continue to offer a free early education place for every four-year-old in 2001–02. From April 2001, funding for four-year-olds will be allocated through education standard spending (ESS). £122 million has been made available to fund providers who previously received nursery education grant for their four-year-olds. Guidance to early years development and child care partnerships makes it clear that the full value of this funding should be passed on to providers at the 2001–02 rate of £1,188 per place.

  Nursery Places
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the basis is on which funding for nursery places will be allocated to local authorities for 2001–02. [143589]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: Total Government expenditure on under-fives in England is estimated to increase from £1 billion in 1996–97 to £2 billion by 2003–04. We intend to create 80,000 additional places for three-year-olds during 2001–02.

  For three-year-olds, the Government will make £250 million available in direct grant to fund nursery education places and related earl years initiatives in 2001–02. This will increase to £328 million in 2002–03 and to £408 million in 2003–04.

  The funding for three-year-olds, paid via direct grant, has been weighted by measures of deprivation and also takes account of previous allocations of places to individual authorities. While we continue to allocate the highest proportion of places to the most disadvantaged areas, we have increased the minimum participation rate in 2001–02 for authorities with lower levels of deprivation to around 40 per cent.

  The Government will continue to fund early education places for all four-year-olds. From April 2001, funding for four-year-olds will be allocated through education standard spending (ESS). £122 million has been made available to fund providers who previously received nursery education grant for their four year-olds. Guidance to early years development and child care partnerships makes it clear that the full value of this funding should be passed on to providers at the 2001–02 rate of £1,188 per place.

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated, the amount his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the White Paper on modernising government. [143603]

  Mr. Wills
  Amounts used by Departments for the implementation of the White Paper on modernising government are integral and not separately identifiable within the resources allocated in the comprehensive spending review and the spending review 2000. These and departmental plans are set out in the respective White Papers, "Modernising Public Services for Britain", Cm 4011, and "Public Services for the Future", CM 4181; and "Spending Review 2000", Cm 4807 and Cm 4808. Details of individual departmental spends are available on the public sector outturn White Paper for 1999–2000, Cm 4812.

  Disabled People
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the operation of the way into work pilot schemes to assist disabled people. [143632]
  400W
  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: Latest figures show that to the beginning of December, 582 disabled people have been placed into employment through the Employment Service way into work pilot.

  The pilot has been successful in delivering on its aims and objectives of increasing job placings of disabled people and improving long-term relationships with employers.

  Way into work and similar Employment Service job matching initiatives are now operational in approximately two thirds of Britain, and complement the existing national job placing and employment support functions provided by Employment Service disability employment advisers (DEAs).

  Lessons learned from the pilot have been captured in a widely distributed good practice guide and have also fed into the further development of disability employment adviser and disability service manager training.

  The Employment Service will continue to deliver way into work and similar initiatives in 2001 and will aim to continue building on the success achieved by the pilot.

  Electronic Mail (Schools)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individual schools in the United Kingdom have not received a superhighway safety information pack. [143772]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: The superhighway safety pack has not been despatched to all schools in England, not least because we are trying to reduce burdens on teachers by strictly limiting what is sent to all schools. Information about the pack, including details of where to obtain it, is made available in a number of different ways, including the regular listings in DfEE publications sent to all schools; Teachers magazine and various departmental websites. Since its production in October 1999, around 18,000 copies of the guide have been despatched.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what data he collects on the format of email addresses given by schools to individual pupils. [143773]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: We do not currently collect details on the format of email addresses allocated to individual pupils. We are currently developing guidance on the format of email addresses for pupils and this will be issued in due course as an update to the national grid for learning website. This will include examples of good practice from schools where pupils are using emails.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will issue guidance to schools on the format of pupils' email addresses in order to prevent the identification of individual children; and if he will update the superhighway information pack to include such guidance. [143774]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: Guidance is already issued in the superhighway safety pack which states that it is the school's duty to ensure

  401W
  that every child in their care is safe and therefore that no individual child can be identified or contacted by visitors to the school's website.

  Ministerial Travel
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each year since 1995, the numbers of flights, including helicopter flights, taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits; on how many occasions(a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets obtained; and who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [143869]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: Ministers are under a duty to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. This Government have given a commitment to publish an annual list of visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing more than £500 as well as an annual figure on spend by all Ministers on overseas visits. The list for 1999–2000 was published on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W.

  Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Disabled People (Durham)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many registered disabled people are living in Durham. [143911]

  Mr. Wills
  The introduction of the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) coincided with the abolition of the option to register as disabled under the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944. The data now collected by the Government include the number of disabled people as defined by the 1995 Act. The labour force survey is used to provide a quarterly update of the number of people of working age with a current disability as defined by the Act and their employment status. The 1995 Act uses a wider, more inclusive definition of disability than the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

  According to the labour force survey (Summer 2000), there are 60,000 people of working age with a long-term disability as defined by the DDA living in Durham County. They account for 19 per cent. of the total working age population of Durham.

  There are no equivalent statistics for children and young people below the age of 16 or for people above state pensionable age who are disabled as defined by the 1995 Act.

  Institutional Scrutiny
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many learning and skills councils he estimates will be set up; and if they will be(a) statutorily required to publish annual reports, (b) statutorily required to publish annual accounts, (c) subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary or Local government Ombudsman, (d) subject to audit by the National Audit Office, (e) subject to audit by the Audit Commission, (f) statutorily required to admit the public to committee meetings, (g) statutorily required to hold public
  402W
  meetings, (h) statutorily required to publish the agendas of meetings, (i) statutorily required to publish the minutes of meetings, (j) statutorily required to publish the papers or documents for meetings, (k) statutorily required to keep and make publicly available a register of members' interests, (l) statutorily required to consult and report to local authorities in their areas on their plans and policies and (m) statutorily subject to scrutiny by local authorities in their areas of operation. [142397]

  Mr. Wicks
  There will only be one learning and skills council in existence as it is a national body. However, I can confirm that the LSC will have 47 local offices known as local LSCs, this will ensure that the education and training needs of individuals, communities and business will be catered for according to their unique and varied circumstances.

  The council is a single unitary body, which will be required by statute to publish an annual report and accounts, which I must and will lay before each House of Parliament. I will also arrange for copies of them to be published as appropriate.

  The council will come under the jurisdiction of the parliamentary ombudsman.

  As a non-departmental public body, the LSC will be audited by the National Audit Office in the same way as other NDPBs.

  The council will operate within a code of conduct which sets out essential information for its members, committee members and advisers about the organisation's values and its expectations of them as they carry out their duties. The council will seek to follow best practice in making available information to the public and will consult their users on a wide range of issues which may be done by means of public meetings. The council secretariat and local council secretariats will maintain registers of the financial and other relevant interests of its members which will be available for inspection. Those wishing to inspect the registers may do so.

  In preparing a plan the local council has a statutory duty to consult the relevant local authority in their area. The Learning and Skills Act 2000 also states that in preparing a plan a local council must have regard to strategies prepared by local authorities under section 4 of the Local Government Act 2000.

  A-levels
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many requests were received by A-level examination boards in England for remarking A-level exam papers in(a) 1998, (b) 1999, and (c) 2000; and what assessment he has made of the changes in grades which resulted from this remarking in each of these years. [143544]

  Mr. Wicks
  Prior to 2000, data on requests for remarking A-level exam papers were recorded separately by each awarding body in aggregated form for England, Wales, and Non kern Ireland. Collective data are not available for 1998. For 1999, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has published a "Report on Enquiries and Appeals", which includes data on requests
  403W
  for remarking for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Copies of the 1999 report have been placed in the Library. It includes an analysis of changes of grade as a result of remarking. The report for 2000 will be published in March 2001, and will give information separately for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Honours Graduates
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the starting salary for honours graduates qualifying as newly qualified teachers, in each year from 1974, at 2000 prices. [143633]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: The figures in the following table are at 1999–2000 prices, calculated using the GDP deflator. The figure for 2000 has been uprated using the forecast GDP deflator for 2000–01 of 102.0. For some years, more than one salary is shown. This is where salary increases were staged, or where further increases were awarded. The first figure relates to the salary as at 1 April, except the first 1980 figure which relates to 1 January, and the second relates to the higher salary introduced later in the same year, usually 1 December. The GDP deflator relating to the financial year in which a pay award became effective has been used to calculate the real terms figures.

  Relative values of graduate starting pay—1974 to 2000

  £

  Year

  Cash value of starting pay for honours graduates

  Converted to 1999–2000 prices using GDP deflator

  1974

  2,103

  12,458

  1975

  2,655

  12,556

  1976

  2,967

  12,349

  1977

  2,655

  11,359

  1978

  3,408

  11,245

  1979

  3,714

  10,493

  1980

  4,551

  10,877

  4,974

  11,888

  1981

  5,346

  11,670

  1982

  5,667

  11,570

  1983

  5,949

  11,613

  1984

  6,252

  11,602

  1985

  6,684

  11,778

  1986

  7,302

  12,479

  1987

  8,499

  13,790

  1988

  8,859

  13,464

  1989

  9,390

  13,311

  1990

  10,047

  13,210

  10,503

  13,810

  1991

  11,292

  13,988

  11,502

  14,248

  1992

  12,366

  14,834

  1993

  12,432

  14,528

  12,633

  14,763

  1994

  12,999

  14,980

  1995

  13,350

  14,955

  1996

  13,866

  15,049

  14,001

  15,195

  1997

  14,280

  15,071

  14,463

  15,264

  1998

  14,751

  15,126

  15,012

  15,393

  1999

  15,537

  15,537

  2000

  16,050

  15,735

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to raise awareness in the higher education sector of best practice in equal opportunities. [143903]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has impressed on the higher education sector the need to make rapid progress on equal opportunities for staff. The Funding Councils, Universities UK and the Standing Conference of Principals launched the Equality Challenge Framework on 1 January 2001 to help higher education institutions improve equality of opportunity for all staff, including compliance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

  Higher Education (Funding)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the level of funding for higher education in the current financial year; and what the level was in each of the last five years at constant prices. [143910]

  Mr. Wicks
  The following table shows the publicly planned funding for higher education institutions in England in each of the last five years and to 2003–04. Figures include capital and are in real terms at 1999–2000 prices.

  £ million

  1995–96

  5,285

  1996–97

  5,022

  1997–98

  4,945

  1998–99

  4,957

  1999–2000

  5,154

  2000–01

  5,308

  2001–02

  5,554

  2002–03

  5,667

  2003–04

  5,820

  Expenditure on higher education is planned to rise by around 18 per cent. in real terms over the period 1998–99 to 2003–04.

  Student support funding is not included in the figures in the table. In addition to institutional funding, universities and higher education colleges receive funding from private sources and from other Government Departments, for example, the extra £1 billion for science infrastructure in 2002–03 and 2003–04 from OST and the Wellcome Trust, and the extra £250 million Research Council funding announced in July.

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from representative bodies of(a) head teachers, (b) teachers and (c) directors of education on teacher supply and staff vacancies. [143935]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I receive regular representations on teacher supply and staff vacancies from organisations representing head teachers, teachers and directors of education. They share the Government's concern that
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  there should be enough good quality teachers in schools to continue the progress already made in raising standards and reducing class sizes.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from LEAs on the level of teacher recruitment. [143936]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I receive regular formal and informal representations from LEAs on this subject. In recent weeks, many of them have welcomed the fact that there are 2,250 more trainee teachers now than at the same time in 2000, after recruitment to initial teacher training had fallen each year since 1992–93. They are pleased that there are nearly 7,000 more teachers in post than in 1998. LEAs have also welcomed the funding for local recruitment strategy managers, the doubling in size of the graduate teacher programme, and the support for returner courses for graduate teachers wishing to re-enter the profession in London. We talk regularly to LEAs, especially in the south-east, about recruitment issues, and when help is requested we provide it.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the communications sent from his Department to(a) local education authorities and (b) schools in the last two months on teacher recruitment and teacher supply. [143938]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The only general communication on this subject was sent by David Normington, Director General of my Department's schools directorate, to all chief education officers on 23 November 2000. No such communications have been sent to schools.

  Education Funding
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the meetings held between Ministers in his Department and representatives of LEAs, individually or collectively, to discuss education funding for 2001–02. [143937]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My ministerial colleagues and I regularly talk to representatives of LEAs and funding issues are sometimes on the agenda. In 2001–02, real terms funding per pupil will rise in England by £150, following an increase of £300 since 1997. This contrasts with a cut of £60 per pupil between 1994–97 in real terms.

  Marking (Red Pens)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what Ofsted's policy is regarding the use of red pens for marking children's school work. [143944]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This is a matter for Ofsted and I have therefore asked HM Chief Inspector of Schools, Mike Tomlinson, to write to the hon. Member and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Youth Clubs
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of youth clubs funded by local authorities in each of the last five years. [144003]
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  Mr. Wicks
  My Department does not collect information on the number of youth clubs funded by local authorities. It is for local authorities to decide upon the level of their youth service provision in the light of local needs and priorities.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of his Ministers is due to visit India in the next three months; what the purpose of the visits will be, by whom Ministers will be accompanied, including family members or partners; and what the estimated cost of the visit is. [144013]

  Mr. Wills
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment will be visiting India in January 2001 to promote UK education and training. She will be accompanied by two officials from the Department and representatives from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the British Council. The cost of the visit is expected to be in the region of £18,000.

  All overseas visits are conducted in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of his Ministers has visited India since May 1997; what the purpose of each visit was; by whom these Ministers were accompanied, including family members; and what the cost to his Department was of each trip. [144014]

  Mr. Wills
  There has been one trip to India by a Minister from this Department since May 1997.

  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment visited India in January 1998 to promote British education and training. She was accompanied by two officials from the Department and representatives from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and British Training International. The cost to the Department of the visit was £17,034.

  All overseas visits are conducted in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code.

  TECs
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the budgeted running costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 for the training and enterprise councils, broken down by region. [144157]

  Mr. Wicks
  We do not collect information on TEC staff numbers or administrative budgets centrally in advance. The costs and staff numbers for 2000–01 by region will therefore not be known until TECs have delivered their contracts and completed their final year accounts.

  The following table shows provisional figures by region for 1999–2000 taken from TEC statutory accounts. Where the TEC has subsidiary companies, the figures include staff numbers and costs for the whole group.
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  Region

  Running costs(£)

  Staff numbers

  South East

  34,738,080

  1,138

  London1

  35,279,298

  1,056

  South West

  24,026,619

  856

  West Midlands

  31,552,888

  1,275

  East Midlands

  23,304,889

  889

  East of England

  26,356,722

  884

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  32,795,490

  1,197

  North West

  61,903,540

  2,474

  North East2

  20,053,720

  833

  Total

  290,011,246

  10,602

  1Includes provisional figures for two TECs

  2Includes provisional figures for one TEC

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been allocated in each Government Office region for TECs in 2000–01. [144172]

  Mr. Wicks
  For 2000–01, the Department for Education and Employment has allocated the following amounts to each region for the delivery of programmes and services through the TEC/COTE contract:

  £ million

  South East

  155.701

  London

  183.394

  South West

  118.316

  West Midlands

  154.150

  East Midlands

  116.092

  East of England

  113.466

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  159.206

  North West

  234.238

  North East

  104.576

  England

  1,339.135

  These allocations include funding for Investing in young people, time off for study and training, helping adults improve their effectiveness in the labour market, local competitiveness and strategic activity. TECS receive separate allocations in respect of DTI-funded business services.

  Commonwealth Education Ministers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment who has led the United Kingdom delegation to the Commonwealth Education Ministers triennial conference on each of the last five occasions. [144266]

  Mr. Wicks
  The United Kingdom delegation was led by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment at Gaborone in 1997; by Lord Lucas at Islamabad in 1994; by Mr. Nick Stuart, Deputy Secretary, Department of Education and Science at Bridgetown in 1990; by Baroness Gloria Hooper at Nairobi in 1987; and by the right hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr. Brooke) at Nicosia in 1984.

  Nursing
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to promote nursing as a career among school children in England. [144571]
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  Mr. Wicks
  The Careers and Occupational Information Centre (COIC), a unit within my Department, publishes information about a broad range of career opportunities including nursing. For example, "Jobfile" is a booklet containing information on nursing as a career and is made available to secondary schools for issue to pupils in years 9–11. A booklet for young people "Working in Nursing" contains case studies of 15 people in nursing and related jobs.

  Qualified advisers working in careers services regularly visit schools to provide information, advice and guidance to pupils on all career issues including nursing as appropriate. This work will continue through the Connexions service from April 2001.

  Each year, my Department liaises with the Department of Health to promote "Nurses Day" and "Midwives Day" in schools. Each of these days gives schoolchildren the opportunity to find out more about the two professions.

  With DfEE support, the Department of Health launched a schools competition "Make Some Noise" in June 2000, as part of a wider three-year recruitment and retention strategy to promote career opportunities within the NHS. The competition aims to raise awareness among 11 to 19-year-olds of the diversity of careers, including nursing, in the NHS. A similar schools competition in 1998–99 was very successful, with the majority of schools requesting an information pack and estimated 30,000 schoolchildren learning more about work in the NHS. Over 80 per cent. of teachers reported that students were now "quite or very interested" in a career in the NHS.

  NHS careers is a new interactive service and telephone helpline providing information and advice on all NHS careers to people of all ages including children considering careers in nursing.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to ensure that impartial information on abortion and early motherhood is made available to pupils in schools as a part of their sex education. [144188]

  Jacqui Smith
  In July 2000 we issued new sex and relationship education guidance for schools. The guidance explains that secondary schools should teach, among other things, about the responsibilities and the consequences of becoming a young parent and the arguments for delaying sexual activity. It also emphasises that there are strongly held views and religious beliefs about abortion and that the religious convictions of pupils and their parents should be respected.

  The guidance also makes it clear that teaching throughout this area of the curriculum should be impartial and should not be influenced by teachers' own beliefs and attitudes.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime and Disorder Act
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the ways in which police forces and local authorities in
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  England and Wales have used provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, with special reference to curfew and antisocial behaviour orders. [142655]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To date over 140 anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been granted in England and Wales since the provision came into force and many more applications are in the pipeline. ASBOs have been taken out in a variety of cases and with considerable success. In accordance with the commitment given by my right hon. Friend when he was at the Home Office, we will be starting a review of the operation of ASBOs in the new year and its findings and recommendations will be published.

  No applications have been received from local authorities to establish child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Following consultation with local authorities and the police we propose to extend the upper age limit to 15 and are considering what other improvements might be made.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of total natural wastage of police officer numbers in(a) the current year and (b) next year. [142656]

  Mr. Straw
  In their bids for a share of the recruitment scheme of the crime fighting fund, forces provided information on their projected wastage. Those projections were for total wastage, excluding transfers, of 5,366 officers in 2000–01 and 5,425 officers in 2001–02. Overall wastage has declined in the last three years from 5.2 per cent. to 4.7 per cent., and it is about half the level of the civil service.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in(a) Wales and (b) England at the latest date for which figures are available. [144063]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest information on police numbers is that for 30 September 2000 and is set out in the table.

  Total number of police officers

  Wales

  6,738

  England

  115,492

  Seconded officers1

  2,384

  Total for England and Wales

  124,614

  1Seconded officers are those attached to the National Crime Squad, National Criminal Intelligence Service and to central services, such as National Police Training

  Police Administration
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce administration costs of the police. [142657]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are implementing proposals from the recent report "Making a Difference: Reducing Police Paperwork", and on 28 November we issued police forces in England and Wales with a revised "Manual of Guidance for the Preparation, Processing and Submission 410W
  of Files". This will reduce considerably the number of forms officers have to complete when they pass cases to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  We are also investing in new communications technology to minimise the paperwork that officers are required to process.

  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to improve the computer systems used by law enforcement agencies in order to ease administrative burdens on police. [142676]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are providing £46 million to police forces to automate key administration of justice tasks. The electronic handling of information by the police and within the criminal justice system will substantially reduce the administrative burden on those organisations.

  We are providing £37 million to implement a modern management information system across the police service. This will improve management of performance in forces while reducing the burden of providing statistics and information on performance.

  The Home Office is also providing £500 million for the introduction of a modern, secure radio system for the police, Airwave. That system will meet officers' needs for voice communications as well as the provision and receipt of data from any location. Considerable police time will be saved from that more efficient electronic method of working.

  Electoral Reform
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on electoral reform. [142658]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have long made it clear that no change will be made to the system by which hon. Members are elected without the approval of this House and the consent of the people of this country in a referendum. We are, however, keen to modernise voting procedures where necessary, which is why the Representation of the People Act 2000 enables local authorities to experiment with different ways of voting at local elections.

  Crime Levels
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the level of crime in(a) 1997 and (b) 1999. [142659]

  Mrs. Roche
  The British Crime Survey published last October shows that there was an overall fall of 10 per cent. in crime levels in 1997 and 1999. It showed that there had been a 4 per cent. reduction in violent crime, a 15 per cent. reduction in vehicle related thefts and a 21 per cent. reduction in domestic burglary.

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the latest published statistics for crime for England and Wales. [142681]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest published statistics are those contained in the annual command paper "Criminal statistics, England and Wales 1999" published
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  on 12 December 2000, copies of which are available in the Library and on the internet. Among other statistics, these confirm the recorded crime figures published on 18 July 2000, which showed that in the 12 months to March 2000 vehicle crime was down by three per cent. and domestic burglary was down by six per cent.

  The next set of data to be published will be the recorded crime statistics covering the 12 months to September 2000. These are scheduled to be published on the 16 January 2001.

  Neighbourhood Warden Schemes
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood warden schemes have been set up in the past 12 months. [142660]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government announced the first round of 50 successful bids for the neighbourhood wardens' grant on 18 September. These schemes are in the process of being set up and are expected to become operational in the new year. A further 42 schemes were deferred for development. Redefined proposals had to be submitted by 15 December. We will announce the outcome of these bids as soon as we can.

  Anti-social Behaviour
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce anti-social behaviour. [142661]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) today at column 689.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to enable the police to share information about anti-social tenants with social landlords other than local authorities. [142667]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We encourage the police service to share information on anti-social behaviour with other agencies, including social landlords, provided only that the disclosure is legal and likely to be beneficial. The Performance and Innovation Unit is examining the law and policy on data sharing and confidentiality, and we will consider the case for further action in the light of its findings.

  Police Recruitment
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on police recruitment in Greater London. [142662]

  Mr. Straw
  I meet regularly with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss policing issues. Metropolitan police recruitment was one of the matters discussed at our meeting on 7 December.

  Home Office Statistical Bulletin 23/00 "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" published on 14 December and modified on 22 December gives details of recruitment and wastage from all forces, including the Metropolitan police, between 1 April and 30 November 2000. 1 understand that in October and
  412W
  November the Metropolitan police recruited 141 and 151 officers respectively, including transfers in. In the same months wastage, including transfers out, was 118 and 102 officers.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the difficulties in recruiting and retaining officers in Thames Valley police. [142668]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have received representations from an MP and my officials have received representations from the force. Both representations concerned the difficulties the force has been experiencing in recruiting officers and in retaining officers.

  We know that some forces are experiencing difficulty in recruiting and retaining officers. We have provided funding through the crime fighting fund (CFF) for additional recruits this year and in the next two years. There is flexibility within the CFF for forces experiencing difficulty to defer part of their allocation of recruits from 2000–01 to 2001–02.

  To help forces meet their recruitment targets the first-ever national recruitment campaign was launched on 30 August.

  The Home Secretary agreed to increase from 1 July 2000, by £3,327 per annum, the London allowance for officers in the Metropolitan police service and City of London police who joined on or after 1 September 1994 and receive no housing allowance. The Police Negotiating Board is currently looking at whether there should be an allowance for officers in any other forces and the Home Secretary awaits any recommendations it may make on this or any other issues in relation to police pay and allowances.

  Vehicle Crime
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of crime involving vehicles in(a) 1997 and (b) 2000. [142663]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In 1996–97 there were 1,245,052 recorded thefts of and from vehicles. In 1999–2000 this figure fell to 1,043,918. After adjustment to take account of changes to the counting rules introduced on 1 April 1998, this gives a reduction of 17 per cent.

  Immigration and Asylum
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. [142664]

  Mrs. Roche
  Implementation of the 1999 Act is being phased. I am satisfied that those elements already in force, including the new asylum support arrangements, the civil penalty for carrying clandestine entrants, and the one-stop appeals system are working effectively.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce the outcome of his review of the voucher system for asylum seekers. [142669]
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  Mrs. Roche
  We have said we are planning to complete the review early this year and that is still our intention.

  Licensed Premises
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with licensees and pub managers about police powers to close disorderly licensed premises. [142665]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Both the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke) and I have discussed this proposal at regular meetings this year with trade associations and professional bodies representing the licensed trade. In addition, I have also met members of the licensed trade in my own constituency to discuss these proposed police powers.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the effectiveness of CCTV in preventing crime; and if he will make a statement. [142666]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have received no recent representations on this subject. Police operational experience and research studies show that closed circuit television has considerable potential to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly when introduced as part of a package of crime reduction measures.

  The CCTV funding initiative under the crime reduction programme includes an extensive programme of evaluation that will add to the knowledge of where and in what circumstances CCTV is most effective.

  Community Policing
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of community-based initiatives to combat crime. [142670]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office continues to carry out many evaluations of community-based crime reduction initiatives. Current activity includes evaluations of a large number of projects funded under the crime reduction programme, including community-based projects to reduce burglary, vehicle crime, domestic violence, anti-social behaviour, drug-related crime and town centre violence. We are also making a number of assessments of the work of the crime and disorder partnerships under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, including an examination of the role of voluntary and community groups in the partnerships and another on consultation—including with hard-to-reach groups such as the young, the old and members of minority ethnic groups—by partnerships.

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the inspected companies scheme for the private security industry. [142671]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Private Security Industry Bill, which was introduced into the House of Lords on 7 December, provides for the establishment of the Security Industry Authority, and for the authority to run an approved contractor scheme.
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  The aim of this scheme is to maintain and raise standards in designated sectors of the private security industry. Under the provisions of the Bill, providers of security services in England and Wales will be able to apply to the Security Industry Authority for approval according to a set of criteria which the authority will determine and publish.

  The scheme will allow approved companies to advertise themselves as such, and will thus allow companies and members of the public to identify providers of security services who satisfy the authority's criteria. The authority will maintain a register of approved companies, which will be open for pubic consultation.

  DNA Database
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in establishing a database for the DNA of police officers. [142672]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  With the increasing use of DNA technology, and the substantial expansion of the national DNA database, my Department is funding the cost of processing and loading the profiles of 75,000 front-line police personnel on to a separate database, the police elimination database (PED).

  Our initial target is by April 2001 to hold samples from the 75,000 front-line staff most likely to visit a crime scene. We are making good progress towards this and by the end of November 2000 over 46,000 samples have been submitted by police forces for inclusion on the police elimination database.

  Recent improvements in the sensitivity of DNA have led to a much greater risk of accidental contamination of material by police personnel involved. Police officers are legally obliged to give a DNA sample if there is a risk that they may have inadvertently contaminated a crime scene, to eliminate them from the investigation. After each investigation these samples are destroyed. This results in a delay in subsequent investigations if samples from officers have to be taken and processed on every occasion the officer visits a crime scene, and can mean a delay in arresting suspects. It is also costly, as police forces have to pay for the costs of these repeated tests. Rather than continually carry out this process, officers can agree to their profile being held on the PED. This allows police to identify quickly and eliminate the DNA samples from the police officers visiting a crime scene.

  The Police Advisory Board (PAB) has been considering the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal that new recruits to the police service should be obliged to provide DNA samples for inclusion in the police elimination database as a condition of service, so mirroring the requirement on police officers to provide fingerprints for elimination purposes. The Police Federation of England and Wales has expressed concerns about the proposals and discussions are continuing. I have asked the PAB to reach agreement on the way forward by the end of February.

  Best Value (Police)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of best value in police forces. [142673]
  415W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Police authorities' first annual policing/best value performance plans were published on 31 March 2000. These set out their programmes of best value reviews for the next five years and the targets they have set for reducing domestic burglary, vehicle crime and, for major cities, robbery.

  The results of police authorities' first year reviews, and their progress towards achieving these targets, will be published in their annual policing/best value performance plans on 31 March 2001.

  Representation of the People Act
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received to the regulations made under the Representation of the People Act 2000; and when he plans to bring them into force. [142674]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have received responses from some 38 councils, individuals and organisations and these are now being considered. I intend to lay the draft regulations before Parliament early in the new year to come into force on 16 February 2001.

  Police Resources (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on resourcing of the police of North Yorkshire. [142675]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I received no recent representations on resourcing for the police in North Yorkshire. Under the provisional police funding settlement for 2001–02, North Yorkshire Police Authority will receive central Government funding support of £84 million, an increase of 5.4 per cent. over 2000–01. North Yorkshire also will receive additional funding of £801,000, on present estimates, for the crime fighting fund, £3,205,000 for the airwave communications system, and £2,013,806 for rural policing.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents involving the use of CS sprays by police officers in the last 18 months have resulted in formal complaints; how many complaints were upheld; and if he will make a statement. [142677]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In the 18-month period from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2000, 459 incidents involving the use of CS spray by police officers were referred to the Police Complaints Authority. Some of the incidents will have taken place before 1 April 1999. In the same period, 48 complaints concerning the use of CS spray were upheld

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances have been recorded in the last 12 months of CS spray being used by police officers in an inappropriate way. [143919]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not recorded in the format requested.
  416W
  In the 18-month period from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2000, 459 complaints involving the use of CS spray by police officers were referred to the Police Complaints Authority. Some of the incidents will have taken place before 1 April 1999.

  In this period, 48 complaints concerning the use of CS spray (10.46 per cent.) were upheld.

  Prison Deaths
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review his Department has conducted of deaths in prison during the last 12 months. [142678]

  Mr. Boateng
  Sadly, the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison in England and Wales has risen in recent years, to 91 in 1999. The figure for 2000 is 82, representing a small but welcome reduction.

  Licensing Laws
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made with preparing legislation to reform licensing laws in England and Wales. [142679]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is presently considering the responses we have received to the White Paper. He hopes to announce his final decisions on the way forward very soon. In addition, work is progressing on the detail of the policy in preparation for a Bill, which we hope to introduce as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  Burglary
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the levels of household burglary. [142680]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We are committed to reducing domestic burglary by 25 per cent. by March 2005.

  Under the reducing burglary initiative, part of our crime reduction programme, 231 local anti-burglary projects, covering over 1.3 million households, have been approved so far at a total cost of around f21 million. It is expected that the Initiative will soon be funding projects in high crime areas containing a total of over 2 million households and that it will prevent at least 15,000 offences by March 2002 and 25,000 in the longer term. Just as importantly, the lessons that we learn from the Initiative about what works and is most cost-effective in which particular circumstances, will help other crime and disorder partnerships to design their own anti-burglary strategies.

  Up to £12 million has also been made available to provide home security improvements for low-income pensioners living in high crime areas in England and Wales.

  We are also putting in place a wide variety of other measures to help reduce burglary:
  driving up the performance of crime and disorder partnerships including through development programmes, the new regional crime reduction directors, toolkits, and the crime reduction website;

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  other parts of the crime reduction programme such as the CCTV and targeted policing initiatives and "Designing out crime" will also have an impact;
  better ways of dealing with offenders or those at risk of offending, including tougher sentencing for repeat burglars.

  We have also launched the property crime reduction action team, which we expect to make a real impact on property crime by bringing together partners in central and local government, police, fire service and key players in the insurance and commercial sectors.

  We are taking forward ideas to combat bogus callers through the distraction burglary task force, and two distraction burglary projects have also been funded under the reducing burglary initiative.

  All police authorities have been required to set targets for domestic burglary reduction under the best value regime.

  And we have also set ambitious targets for tackling drugs misuse, which is strongly connected to property crime, and have launched a number of related initiatives, including new drug treatment and testing orders and arrest referral schemes.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the(a) operational and (b) target strength of the British Transport Police is in (i) London south Region, (ii) all London regions and (iii) the north-west. [144134]

  Mr. Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  The operational and target strength for the British Transport Police (BTP) in these regions is set out in the table.

  Number of Police Officers (all ranks)

  BTP Area

  Operational (current) strength

  Target strength (set 1 April 2000)

  London South Region

  303

  302.6

  All London Regions

  1,017

  1,044

  North West Region

  269

  273.1

  Handguns
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals in each of the last three years have been(a) arrested for and (b) convicted of wounding with a legally held handgun. [144575]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Arrests data held centrally and information collected on the Home Office court proceedings database do not identify the type of weapon used for violent offences.

  Information taken from the data collection "Recorded crime in which firearms were reported to have been used or misappropriated" show that in 1999–2000 there were a total of 352 notifiable offences recorded by the police in which a handgun had been reported to have caused an injury (whether fired, used as a blunt instrument or in a threat). Figures for 1998–99 and 1997–98 are 239 and 317 respectively. The totals for injuries include fatalities. Information is not available as to whether the handgun was legally held or not.

  Litter Bins (Security)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued on the security implications of the provision of litter bins at(a) railway stations and (b) other public places. [144006]

  Mr. Straw
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for security measures at railway it stations. The police provide advice on measures to improve security in other public places. Such protective security measures have been devised and are maintained to counter the current terrorist threat, to the extent that as the threat diminishes, so too will the need for restrictive security measures.

  The Home Office (Police Scientific and Development Branch) has published a standard for the production of safe and affordable litter bins which has been circulated to the industry. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Organised Crime
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on European Union initiatives to combat organised crime. [143611]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The European Council agreed a comprehensive action plan for a co-ordinated approach to the fight against organised crime at its meeting in Vienna during the Austrian Presidency in 1998. In support of this plan, the European Union has developed and implemented a significant number of proactive initiatives. The European Council Meeting in Tampere in October 1999 focused on justice and home affairs in the European Union, in particular the problems presented by organised crime. Subjects covered included human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, crime prevention, and the tools available to fight these crimes—mutual recognition of judicial decisions, EUROJUST, Europol, and the European Chiefs Task Force. Major progress was made in strengthening and implementing existing initiatives and developing new ones. The United Kingdom attaches considerable importance to this work. It has played, and will continue to play, a major role in developing and putting forward initiatives designed to strengthen European Union action and co-operation in this field. Copies of European Union Documents relating to these initiatives, which have been considered by the House European Scrutiny Committee, are available in the Library.

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated, the amount his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the White Paper on modernising government. [143604]

  Mr. Straw
  Amounts used by my Department for the implementation of the White Paper on modernising government are integral and not separately identifiable within resources allocated in the comprehensive spending review and the spending review 2000. These and departmental plans are set out in the respective White Papers, "Modern Public Services for Britain", Cm 4011, and "Public Services for the Future", Cm 4181; and "Spending Review 2000", Cm 4807 and Cm 4808. Details
  419W
  of the spends for the Home Office are available in the public expenditure outturn White Paper for 1999–2000, Cm 4812.

  Prison Hostel (Tooting)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult with local residents on the opening of a hostel for former high-risk convicted prison inmates in the Bedford ward, Tooting. [143757]

  Mr. Boateng
  The hostel in question was, between 1976–2000, an approved probation and bail hostel managed by the Inner-London Probation Service (ILPS), on behalf of the Home Office We are proposing to refurbish and reopen it in February 2001 under the management of the Langley House Trust. The essential functions of the hostel will remain unchanged, but security and staffing provision will be considerably enhanced. Preference will be given to the accommodation of London offenders and we are satisfied that the hostel will effectively contribute to public protection and the reduction of reoffending. ILPS have arranged a public meeting for 18 January to inform the local community about the proposals.

  Football Violence
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public order offences have been committed(a) in and (b) in the close vicinity of football stadiums in (i) 2000 and (ii) the previous 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [143643]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is collated centrally on arrests for football-related offences as defined in Schedule 1 of the Football (Spectators) Act 1989. No distinction is made between offences committed in stadia and those committed elsewhere in connection with football matches. The data, which are shown, cover arrests for each football season for the period 1986–87 to 2000–01 (up to 18 December 2000).

  I will make a statement once a clear indication of the impact of the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 becomes available.

  Data on football-related arrests for the period 1986–87 to 2000–01 (as of 18 December 2000)

  Season

  Arrests

  1986–87

  5,531

  1987–88

  6,106

  1988–89

  6,185

  1989–90

  5,495

  1990–91

  4,119

  1991–92

  6,738

  1992–93

  6,327

  1993–94

  4,227

  1994–95

  3,840

  1995–96

  3,437

  1996–97

  3,577

  1997–98

  3,307

  1998–99

  3,341

  1999–2000

  3,137

  2000–011

  1,333

  1Up to 18 December 2000

  Source:

  1986–87 to 1992–93—The Football League; 1993–94 to 18 December 2000—National Criminal Intelligence Service

  Essex Police
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that emergency calls dialling 999 from Essex addresses are routed to Essex police. [143665]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Arrangements for the day-to-day policing of an area, including the handling of emergency calls to police force incident rooms, are operational matters and, as such, the responsibility of the chief officer of the force concerned. Emergency calls within a police force area should normally be routed to the appropriate police force by the telephone service operator, and every effort is made to ensure that this is the case.

  I understand that problems may arise when mobile phones are used to make emergency calls. When an emergency call is made on an mobile phone the service provider identifies the location as precisely as possible and directs the call to the police area from which they understand the call to have emanated. If the signal is received in a different policing area, the caller may be put through to the wrong switchboard.

  Although this problem is less likely to occur when calls are made on land-line phones, it may occur when calls are made from addresses on the borders between two police areas. When calls are routed to the incorrect switchboard for any reason, the protocol is that the receiving police force will take details and pass them to the appropriate force as quickly as possible. This practice has been developed over several years and normally works very effectively.

  When a force is particularly hard pressed following a major incident, arrangements may be made for new emergency calls to be routed to a neighbouring force.

  Some parts of Greater London have Essex postal addresses, although they are in the area for which the Metropolitan police are responsible.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations closed in Essex in each year since 1997. [143666]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 539W.

  Asylum Seekers
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number of asylum seekers' vouchers presented at designated stores; and if he will make a statement. [143639]

  Mrs. Roche
  The national asylum support service does not hold information on the number of vouchers presented to shops participating in the voucher scheme.

  At the end of November, the voucher supplier, Sodexho Pass United Kingdom Ltd. had issued a total of 4,247,819 vouchers, which included 390,017 of the £l0 vouchers, which can be exchanged for cash at the Post Office. By the same date, a total of 2,307,645 vouchers had been redeemed, including 210,521 of the £l0 cash-vouchers and a small number of vouchers from local authority schemes, which the voucher supplier does not distinguish from national asylum support service vouchers.
  421W
  The substantial difference between the number of vouchers issued and the numbers redeemed is accounted for by the time lag between issue and redemption. Vouchers are valid for up to four weeks and retailers then have an additional four weeks in which to redeem them, so vouchers issued at the end of November will not necessarily be redeemed until the end of January. We would expect vouchers issued at the end of September to he redeemed by the end of November. At the end of September, 2,047,088 vouchers had been issued, including 189,536 cash vouchers.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the evidence which has been submitted to him in relation to his review of the voucher scheme for asylum seekers. [143927]

  Mrs. Roche
  As I said when I wrote to all Members on 28 November 2000, we intend to publish the evidence submitted to us during the review. Unless respondents have specifically advised us that they wish their submissions to remain confidential, I will place copies in the Library.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 30 November to 1 December; and if he will make a statement. [141624]

  Mrs. Roche
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, together with the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, and the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice for the Scottish Executive, represented the United Kingdom at the 30 November and 1 December Council. The business of the meeting was divided into two halves, justice and general issues and interior issues. A summary of the main matters dealt with at the meeting have been placed in the Library.

  Police (Retirement)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of early retirement and retirement on the ground of ill health to police authorities in(a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) the latest 12 months for which statistics are available; and for each of these years, what percentage of the final budget this cost accounted for. [143881]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There is no provision within the police pension scheme for officers to retire early with an actuarially reduced pension. Maximum pension benefits are payable on completion of 30 years' service and most officers retire having completed at least 30 years' service.

  Officers may also retire with an immediate pension before completion of 30 years—or reaching compulsory retirement age—on the ground of ill-health. A police authority may retire an officer on that ground if he or she becomes permanently disabled from performing the ordinary duties of a police officer. The total cost of retirement on ill health ground to police authorities is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Guernsey
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to persuade the States of Guernsey to introduce legislation against discrimination. [144034]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Insular Authorities in Guernsey are aware of their obligations under international conventions on discrimination and have undertaken, in a Billet d'État in September 2000, to propose legislation on race discrimination. My officials have recently met representatives of the Insular Authorities to discuss the form the legislation should take. The authorities have also prepared a draft sex discrimination law which is currently subject to consultation. It is planned that both pieces of legislation will be introduced in the States of Deliberation during 2001.

  Motorcycle Theft
  Mr. Õpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what actions he is taking to reduce levels of motorcycle theft in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [143905]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The National Criminal Intelligence Service has received additional Government funding to run a project aimed at tackling organised motorcycle theft. Crime prevention messages specifically aimed at motorcyclists will be included in the next phase (starting in the next financial year) of the national vehicle crime reduction communications campaign. Local authorities now have powers to provide secure parking for motorcycles under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 (as amended). The Vehicles (Crime) Bill currently before Parliament provides for statutory regulation of the motor salvage industry, which will help to prevent vehicles, including motorcycles, from being stolen to be broken up for spare parts or "rung" (ie taking on the identities of vehicles which have been written off in accidents).

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have tested positive through mandatory drug testing in each of the last five years. [143913]

  Mr. Boateng
  The numbers of positive mandatory drug tests recorded in each of the last five years is given in the table.

  Year

  Number of positive MDT results1

  1996–97

  21,590

  1997–98

  20,346

  1998–99

  19,330

  1999–2000

  17,505

  2000–012

  11,243

  1Includes prisoners testing positive on more than one occasion

  2Year to 30 November 2000

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been successfully prosecuted for smuggling drugs into prison in each of the last five years(a) in the UK, (b) at Frankland Prison and (c) at Durham Prison. [143914]
  423W
  Mr. Boateng
  Figures for the number of people successfully prosecuted for smuggling drugs into prisons are not recorded centrally. The best available measure is the number of visitors arrested, figures for which are given in the table.

  Visitor arrests

  Frankland

  Durham

  National

  1996

  10

  1

  1,320

  1997

  8

  21

  1,189

  1998

  3

  32

  1,114

  1999

  5

  11

  830

  20001

  3

  5

  492

  1Up to 20 December

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of remand prisoners have received custodial sentences in each of the last five years. [143917]

  Mr. Boateng
  Available information on the proportion of persons remanded to custody who subsequently received a custodial sentence is given in the table. This information is published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics England and Wales" (Table 2.6 of the 1999 edition, Cm 4805), copies of which are in the Library.

  Final court outcome for persons remanded in custody at some stage in magistrates' court proceedings1

  Finale court outcome-immediate custody2

  Year

  Males3

  Females3

  1995

  46

  33

  1996

  46

  32

  1997

  45

  31

  1998

  45

  32

  1999

  47

  35

  1Includes persons remanded in custody by magistrates during proceedings or on committal.

  2Includes detention in a young offender institution and unsuspended imprisonment.

  3Estimated percentages.

  Prisons (Suicides)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there were among male prisoners under the age of 25 years, broken down by prison, in each of the last five years. [143963]

  Mr. Boateng
  The requested information in respect of the 114 self-inflicted deaths among male prisoners under 25 during the last five years is set out in the table.

  Self-inflicted deaths of under 25s by establishment in England and Wales, 1996–20001

  Calendar year

  Establishment

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Total

  Altcourse

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  4

  Aylesbury

  0

  2

  0

  3

  2

  7

  Belmarsh

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Brinsford

  1

  0

  0

  2

  3

  6

  Brixton

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Castington

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Chelmsford

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Doncaster

  1

  0

  3

  1

  2

  7

  Dorchester

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  424W

  Self-inflicted deaths of under 25s by establishment in England and Wales, 1996–20001

  Calendar year

  Establishment

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Total

  Dover

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Durham

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Exeter

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Featherstone

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Feltham

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Garth

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Glen Parva

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  7

  Gloucester

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Haverigg

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Highdown

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hindley

  0

  2

  1

  1

  0

  4

  Holme House

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Hull

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Lancaster Farms

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Leeds

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  Leicester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Lewes

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  Littlehey

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Liverpool

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Low Newton

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Northallerton

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Norwich

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  Nottingham

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  PECS2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Parc

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Parkhurst

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Portland

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Preston

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  3

  Ranby

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Reading

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  3

  Risley

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Rochester

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Stafford

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Stoke Heath

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Swinfen Hall

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  3

  The Mount

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Wakefield

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Wandsworth

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Wetherby

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Winchester

  1

  2

  1

  —

  —

  4

  Wolds

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Woodhill

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Wormwood Scrubs

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Total

  22

  21

  23

  26

  22

  114

  1As at 20 December 2000

  2Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS)

  Life Sentences
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are serving mandatory life sentences. [143915]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available provisional information is for 31 November 2000. On that date there were 3,376 persons in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales serving a mandatory life sentence.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time served before release was for life sentence prisoners in the last 10 years. [143916]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on the average time served before release for life sentence prisoners in England and Wales over the last 10 years is given in the table. This information is also published in successive volumes of
  425W
  "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (table 5.5 of the 1999 edition, Cm 4805) copies of which are in the Library.

  Average time served prior to release on life licence in England and Wales by life sentence prisoners, 1990–99

  Year of release

  Average time served (years)

  1990

  13.0

  1991

  12.1

  1992

  13.2

  1993

  14.5

  1994

  14.9

  1995

  13.8

  1996

  13.8

  1997

  14.3

  1998

  13.3

  1999

  14.8

  Reoffending
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of offenders were convicted of further offences during the two year period after they have been released from prison in each of the last five years. [143912]

  Mr. Boateng
  Two-year reconviction rates for standard list offences following release from prison are shown in the table. The rates are based on a sample of all discharges from prison each year. The 1997 rate is based on a sample of discharges during the first quarter of the year.

  About one percentage point of the increase in the rate between 1993 and 1994 can be accounted for by the addition of a number of offences to the standard list. The effect of this change in offence coverage was a little more pronounced on the rate for the 1995 and 1996 data (around 1.4 and 1.9 percentage points respectively).

  Prisoners reconvicted for standard list offences by year of discharge within two years of discharge from prison

  Year of discharge

  Percentage reconvicted

  1993

  53

  1994

  56

  1995

  58

  1996

  57

  19971

  57

  11st quarter

  Number of offences

  Offences per 100,000 population

  Number of arrests

  Arrests per 100,000 population

  England

  Homicides

  730

  1.5

  —

  —

  Violence against the person (excluding homicide)

  542,384

  1,096

  —

  —

  Theft and handling

  2,124,893

  4,293

  —

  —

  Robberies

  83,368

  168

  —

  —

  Sexual Offences

  36,043

  73

  —

  —

  Arrests

  —

  —

  11,100,542

  12,344

  Wales

  Homicides

  35

  1.2

  —

  —

  Violence against the person (excluding homicide)

  37,887

  1,292

  —

  —

  Theft and handling

  98,727

  3,366

  —

  —

  Robberies

  909

  31

  —

  —

  Sexual Offences

  1,749

  60

  —

  —

  Arrests

  —

  —

  253,810

  23,176

  1Missing data from Durham, Humberside and Staffordshire

  2Missing data from South Wales

  Police and Prison Services (Budgets)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the budget for the(a) Police Service and (b) Prison Service was spent in (i) England and (ii) Wales in the last 12 months for which figures are available in (A) cash terms, (B) as a percentage of total expenditure on these services and (C) per head of the population. [144069]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave him about Police Service and Prison Service expenditure in Wales on 30 November 2000,Official Report, column 927W.

  In 1999–2000, revenue expenditure by police authorities on the police service in England, supported by Government grant was £7,074.920 million, in cash terms. This is 94.96 per cent. of total police net revenue expenditure in England and Wales and £142.20 per head of population in England. Spend on the Prison Service in 1999–2000, on other than the prisons in Wales referred to in the earlier reply and including all headquarters expenditure was £1,791.685 million in cash terms. This represents 97.03 per cent. of the total Prison Service expenditure or £36.01 per head of population in England.

  Source for police expenditure data:

  Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Police Statistics (Actuals) 1999–2000.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded(a) murders, (b) violent crimes, (c) thefts, (d) robberies, (e) sexual crimes and (f) arrests there were in the last 12 months for which figures are available (i) in total and (ii) per 1,000 of the population in (A) England and (B) Wales. [144065]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information for the relevant recorded crime offence groups, and arrests for all recorded crimes for the yew ending March 2000 is given in the table. Recorded homicide figures, which are comprised of murder, manslaughter and infanticide, are given, and rates per 100,000 population are used.

  Firearms Certificates (Wales)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in each of the past six months the North Wales police has inspected its firearms dealer register certificate No. 116 for the purposes of(a) the transfers of firearms and ammunition and (b) the number of grants of Section 8 authorities under the Firearms Act 1968. [144446]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand that the North Wales police have made no such inspections during the period concerned.

  Racial Harassment (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded incidents of racial harassment there were in Coventry during 1999–2000; and what steps he is taking to combat this crime. [144189]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of racist incidents recorded by the West Midlands police will be published later this month as part of the annual publication "Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System". Separate information is not collected centrally for Coventry.

  The Government have made tackling racist crime a priority. Action which is already under way includes the creation of racially aggravated offences; implementation of the Lawrence inquiry recommendations; a Home Office code of practice issued to all relevant agencies on the reporting and recording of racist incidents and crimes; and a new guide for tackling hate crime from the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Hilda Murrell
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the West Mercia police on the case of Hilda Murrell; and what is the outcome of the most recent DNA tests. [142806]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No representations have been received from West Mercia Constabulary on this matter. I understand that the forensic investigation to which I have referred in previous answers is still continuing. I will be writing to my hon. Friend on this matter, as I undertook in my written answer of 30 November 2000,Official Report, column 928W.

  Radar Detectors
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the radar detectors offered for sale by Roadnet; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the equipment; and what plans he has for preventing evasion of radar detectors. [144146]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office and the police are aware of the sale of these types of device, many of which make greatly exaggerated claims for their effectiveness. We have no knowledge of the particular characteristics of any such devices produced by the company Roadnet.
  428W
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is due to commence a public consultation shortly on two draft statutory instruments which will create tough penalties for both the installation and use of such devices in a motor vehicle. The aim is to make these regulations during this session of Parliament.

  Sunday Dancing
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review regulations which(a) prevent and (b) restrict community groups and parish councils organising dances on a Sunday. [144159]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Deregulation (Sunday Dancing) Order 2000, which I made on 21 December, removed the ban on organising dances on Sundays for which the public are charged for admission.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham will receive a reply to his letters to the Minister of State, Home Office of 26 October, 9 November and 20 November, regarding Narcissa Abad and Mrs. Reid. [144121]

  Mrs. Roche
  The right hon. and learned Member was sent a reply on 22 December. I am sorry for the delay in providing a substantive reply.

  Fire Service (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of(a) the level of cover provided by the fire service in Worcestershire and (b) the central Government funding available for this service; and if he will make a statement. [144512]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The provision of fire cover is a matter for the local fire authority, in this case Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, which was established on 1 April 1998 to cover the areas of Herefordshire district council and Worcestershire county council. Fire brigades are inspected periodically by Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate. The most recent inspection of Hereford and Worcester was made in June 1999. A copy of the inspection report is held in the Library.

  The Government have responded to fire service concerns about future funding pressures by increasing the fire service element of standard spending assessments (SSAs) in England by £189.2 million over the next three years, including more than £69 million for 2001–02. Planned credit approvals for the fire service in England and Wales have been substantially increased from their present level of £35.7 million to £59.7 million in 2001–02.

  Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority received a 3.5 per cent. increase in its fire SSA for the current financial year. Its provisional fire SSA for 2001–02 is £15.266 million, an increase of 2.4 per cent. I understand that the authority has made representations to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions about the level of its provisional SSA figure.

  Criminal Proceedings
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time was between arrest and (i) commencement of trial and (ii) sentence for(a) young offenders and (b) adult offenders in the last year. [144440]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not available in the form requested. For defendants in indictable cases in magistrates courts in England and Wales for the period October 1999 to September 2000, the average time for young offenders from arrest to (i) date trial started or guilty plea accepted was 54 days and (ii) sentence was 66 days. For adults the average time from charge/laying of information to (i) date trial started or guilty plea accepted was 48 days and (ii) sentence was 58 days.

  For summary matters in magistrates courts in England and Wales for the period October 1999 to September 2000, the average time for young offenders from arrest to (i) date trial started or guilty plea accepted was 50 days and (ii) sentence was 60 days. For adults the average time from charge/laying of information to (i) date trial started or guilty plea accepted was 53 days and (ii) sentence was 57 days.

  Buckingham Palace
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrests were made, and under what powers, by Royal Parks Constabulary police officers in connection with the microlight landing in Buckingham Palace grounds on 28 December. [144626]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A 36-year-old man was arrested on the Buckingham Palace forecourt by a police officer in the Royalty Protection Division of the Metropolitan Police Service under section 25 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. He has been released on bail and at this stage has not been charged.

  Prison Service (Education)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent teacher/lecturer posts there were in the Prison Service(a) in total and (b) per thousand prisoners in each of the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [144353]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1993, education in prisons has been provided by contractors, mostly further education colleges. Prior to this it was provided by local education authorities. Information on the number of teachers employed by education providers to deliver education in prisons over the last 20 years is not held centrally.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the education budget was for the Prison Service in each of the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [144348]

  Mr. Boateng
  Expenditure on prison education is set out in the table. It does not include expenditure on education in contractually managed prisons.
  430W

  Expenditure on prison education

  £

  Year

  Payments to education providers

  Payments for libraries

  Educational materials

  Total

  1979–80

  5,747,106

  112,637

  550,630

  6,410,373

  1980–81

  7,839,615

  131,813

  542,408

  8,513,836

  1981–82

  7,760,310

  129,656

  571,714

  8,461,680

  1982–83

  8,836,640

  156,300

  760,410

  9,753,350

  1983–84

  9,854,906

  158,822

  832,363

  10,846,091

  1984–85

  10,429,129

  3,547

  1,156,009

  11,588,685

  1985–86

  10,849,085

  258,251

  1,068,983

  12,176,319

  1986–87

  13,445,382

  362,591

  1,316,690

  15,124,663

  1987–88

  14,984,168

  319,560

  1,615,321

  16,919,049

  1988–89

  17,394,787

  334,702

  1,757,317

  19,486,806

  1989–90

  20,235,312

  360,514

  2,287,548

  22,883,374

  1990–91

  22,906,556

  524,832

  2,213,519

  25,644,907

  1991–92

  26,098,455

  474,457

  2,799,836

  29,372,748

  1992–93

  28,383,039

  550,376

  2,293,757

  31,227,172

  1993–94

  28,006,230

  564,583

  2,518,220

  31,089,033

  1994–95

  33,043,804

  985,738

  2,727,418

  36,756,960

  1995–96

  33,547,723

  1,014,943

  2,393,421

  36,956,087

  1996–97

  31,206,539

  1,029,010

  2,271,829

  34,507,378

  1997–98

  32,212,505

  1,349,089

  2,612,726

  36,174,320

  1998–99

  34,812,737

  1,673,773

  2,563,365

  39,049,875

  1999–2000

  42,223,514

  1,784,587

  3,437,844

  47,445,945

  Note:

  Figures may not all be on like for like basis. For example, the spend in 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 is net of VAT whereas for earlier years and for 1999–2000 it includes VAT payments, where applicable.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) GCSEs, (b) A levels, (c) NVQs, (d) ordinary degrees, (e) Master's degrees and (f) doctorates were gained by prisoners in each of the last 20 years; how many prisoners per 1,000 each category represents; and if he will make a statement. [144352]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average recidivism rate was for(a) all prisoners and (b) those prisoners who have attained a degree in prison in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [144351]

  Mr. Boateng
  Two-year reconviction rates for standard list offences following release from prison are shown in the table. The rates are based on a sample of discharges from prison each year. Rates for 1978 and 1979 exclude prisoners discharged from sentences of three months or less. Figures for 1987 onwards are not directly comparable with those for earlier years owing to a change in methodology used to calculate the statistics; if the old methodology were used it is estimated that these reconviction rates would be five to six percentage points lower. A change in the coverage of standard list offences has resulted in an increase in the reconviction rates for 1994 onwards by between one and two percentage points. The 1997 rate is based on a sample of discharges during the first quarter of the year.

  Data are not collected centrally to enable reconviction rates for prisoners that have attained a degree while in prison to be calculated.
  431W

  Prisoners reconvicted for standard list offences by year of discharge within two years of discharge from prison

  Year of discharge

  Percentage reconvicted

  19781

  58

  19791

  58

  1980

  59

  1981

  58

  1982

  59

  1983

  56

  1984

  54

  1985

  52

  1986

  50

  19872

  57

  19882

  55

  19892

  53

  19902

  52

  19912

  53

  19922

  51

  19932

  53

  19942,3

  56

  19952,3

  58

  19962,3

  57

  19972,3,4

  57

  1Rates for 1978 and 1979 excludes those discharged from sentences of three months or less

  2Rates for 1987 and after are not directly comparable with those for earlier years owing to a change in methodology. If the old methodology had been followed the rates would have been about five to six percentage points lower.

  3A change in the coverage of standard list offences has resulted in an increase in the reconviction rates from 1994 onwards by between one and two percentage points.

  4The 1997 rate is based on a sample of discharges between January and March 1997

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours were spent per week on average in education by prisoners in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [144350]

  Mr. Boateng
  The total number of student hours for each year since 1995 is set out in the table. Information relating to earlier years is not available. This information relates only to teaching provided by education providers in public sector prisons and does not include private study, distance learning or vocational training. It is therefore not possible to provide a meaningful figure for the number of hours spent in education by prisoners.

  Year

  Total number of student hours

  1995

  9,413,457

  1996

  8,947,305

  1997

  8,879,747

  1998

  9,483,889

  1999–2000

  9,668,535

  New Prison (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made with regard to the establishment of a prison in northern or central Wales; and if he will make a statement. [142645]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service currently has no plans to build a prison in northern or central Wales. The Prison Service view is that new prison development should primarily be concentrated in areas with the greatest 432W
  shortage of places. Currently these are London, the English midlands and the north-west. We continue, however, to keep the situation under review.

  Licensing Hours
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made towards preparing legislation to reform licensing hours in England and Wales. [142652]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  When we bring forward a Bill to reform licensing law, which will be as soon as parliamentary time permits, it will include provision for more flexible licensing hours. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary intends to make an early announcement about the licensing reform package as a whole, in the light of all the responses we have received to our White Paper proposals.

  Young Offenders (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders in each year since 1 May 1997 for(a) Shropshire and (b) Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [144158]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have been asked to reply.

  The average time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders sentenced at magistrates courts or the Crown court in Shropshire for 1998 was 177 days. The equivalent figure for 1999 was 92 days.

  Data for the year 2000 are not yet available. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of arrest to sentence times by constituency.

HEALTH

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, (i) his Department's total spending on advertising campaigns, (ii) the cost of each individual advertising campaign and (iii) the criteria that were established to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of each campaign based on these criteria. [142716]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department uses advertising on television and in various other media to inform the wider public about how they are affected by departmental legislation, about the availability of NHS services and also to effect attitudinal change in such fields as smoking and teenage pregnancies. Advertising is also used to support the National Health Service recruitment and retention programme.

  Each major campaign is rigorously evaluated to ensure maximum effectiveness and value for money. Evaluation criteria are set according to the individual objectives of each campaign (for example awareness of the dangers of smoking and the availability of advice and support to help smokers give up are tracked along with changes in public

  433W
  attitude and behaviour towards smoking), and the results of each evaluation exercise are used to inform further campaign development.

  Historical data on the individual objectives and evaluation criteria for each campaign can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  The figures for the total spend on advertising for the Department for the financial years 1996–97 to 2000–01 are shown in the table.

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  12000–01

  Ambulance services

  0.40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Antibiotics

  —

  —

  —

  0.17

  —

  Blood donation

  0.38

  0.60

  1.70

  20.22

  —

  Drugs

  —

  —

  —

  0.34

  —

  Maternity

  0.10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NHS including nurse recruitment

  1.43

  1.30

  4.90

  4.21

  0.84

  NHS Direct

  —

  0.12

  0.78

  1.20

  —

  Organ donation

  —

  —

  0.77

  0.47

  0.04

  Prescription fraud

  —

  —

  0.38

  —

  —

  Sexwise

  —

  —

  —

  0.39

  —

  Smoking

  —

  —

  —

  36.18

  3.53

  Teenage pregnancy

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.48

  Travel safe

  0.85

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Walk-in centres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.17

  Winter

  —

  —

  —

  1.07

  1.75

  1Spend to date.

  2The Department's spend on blood donation advertising reduced in 1999–2000 because most of this activity was funded directly by the National Blood Authority (NBA), who took over full responsibility for this expenditure on 1 April 2000.

  3Prior to 1999–2000 advertising on smoking was undertaken by the Health Education Authority.

  The Department's spend on blood donation advertising reduced in 1999–2000 because most of this activity was funded directly by the National Blood Authority (NBA), who took over full responsibility for this expenditure on 1 April 2000.

  National Alcohol Strategy
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the National Alcohol Strategy. [142995]

  Ms Stuart
  We remain committed to the publication of a cross-Government strategy to tackle alcohol misuse, and we are working with key stakeholders across Government, the alcohol field and the alcohol industry to ensure that this commitment is delivered.

  We expect to publish a consultation paper on the strategy in the New Year.

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the outcome of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's bid for funding an emergency assessment unit; and if he will make a statement. [144064]

  Ms Stuart
  Following the first tranche of accident and emergency modernisation moneys in June 1999, bids were invited in June 2000 for allocations from the accident and emergency modernisation—additional moneys for 2000–01 fund. The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital National Health Service Trust has applied for funding for an Emergency Assessment Unit, which incorporates a medical assessment unit.
  434W

  £ million

  Financial year

  Advertising expenditure

  1996–97

  2.50

  1997–98

  2.27

  1998–99

  8.63

  1999–2000

  14.83

  2000–011

  6.81

  1Spend to date

  Major advertising spend on individual campaigns is shown in the table.

  A decision on the outcome of those bids will be made in due course.

  Cancer Care Services (Shrewsbury)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients have benefited in Shrewsbury and Atcham from the new national standards for access to cancer care services; and if he will make a statement; [143375]

  (2) what percentage of oral cancer patients at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital were given an outpatient appointment within 14 days of their GP making an urgent referral in (a) 1997 and (b) 2000; and if he will make a statement. [143373]

  Yvette Cooper
  In April 1999, we introduced the standard that patients with suspected breast cancer referred urgently by their general practitioner within 24 hours of deciding that an urgent assessment is required should be offered an appointment with a specialist within two weeks. The table gives the number of urgent breast cancer referrals seen by the Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals National Health Service Trust since April 1999.

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust

  Seen within 14 days

  Not seen within 14 days

  Percentage seen within 14 days

  Urgent referrals received within 24 hours

  Quarter 11

  1

  0

  100

  Quarter 21

  13

  0

  100

  Quarter 31

  28

  0

  100

  Quarter 41

  30

  8

  79

  Quarter 12

  46

  0

  100

  Total

  118

  8

  93.7

  435W

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust

  Seen within 14 days

  Not seen within 14 days

  Percentage seen within 14 days

  Urgent referrals not received within 24 hours

  Quarter 11

  14

  1

  93.3

  Quarter 21

  11

  0

  100

  Quarter 31

  0

  0

  3—

  Quarter 41

  3

  0

  100

  Quarter 12

  20

  0

  100

  Total

  48

  1

  98.0

  11999–2000

  22000–01

  3not applicable

  During 2000, we have put arrangements in place through a phased roll out to extend this high-quality service to all urgent suspected cancer referrals. Head and neck cancers were included in the fourth tranche of the roll out which was introduced on 1 December 2000. Data on the number of oral cancer patients seen within two weeks of referral were not collected centrally in 1997, but arrangements are being put in place to monitor performance of the all cancer two week standard, including head and neck cancers, from 1 January 2001.

  Intermediate Care Funding (North Staffordshire)
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the additional £150 million made available recurrently in 2000–01 for investment in intermediate care and related services has been allocated to North Staffordshire Health Authority. [143248]

  Yvette Cooper
  North Staffordshire received approximately 1 per cent. of the overall amount of £150 million allocated in England.

  Imported Meat
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers he has to regulate the imports of beef into the United Kingdom from France on safety grounds. [143179]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: The Government are advised on matters of food safety by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

  Beef from France may be imported into the United Kingdom under the rules of the single European market. It must have been produced in accordance with the requirements of the Fresh Meat Directive (Directive 64/433/EEC), and those of Commission Decision 2000/418/EC on specified risk material controls which came into effect on 1 October 2000. The European Commission is currently carrying out inspection missions to all member states to ensure that the European Union specified risk material controls have been fully implemented. In addition, under British law, the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996, as amended, prohibit the sale for human consumption of beef from any animal aged over 30 months at time of slaughter. These regulations apply to imported as well as to home produced beef, with certain limited exceptions.
  436W
  Article 30 of the Treaty of Rome allows member states to impose restrictions on imports on grounds of public health. Where however, the EU has legislated to govern trade in a particular product, as it has done with meat, case law indicates that member states no longer have the power to act unilaterally under Article 30.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what powers the Government have to ban the import of meat on the grounds of risk to human health; [144309]

  (2) what powers the Food Standards Agency has to ban the import of meat on the grounds of risk to human health; and what recent changes there have been to these powers. [144373]

  Ms Stuart
  Article 30 of the Treaty of Rome allows member states to impose restrictions on imports on grounds of public health. Where however, the European Union has legislated to govern trade in a particular product, as it has done with meat, case law indicates that member states no longer have the power to act unilaterally under Article 30. There have been no recent changes to these powers.

  Drugs
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what prescribing guidance his Department has issued regarding Herceptin. [143537]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department has not issued specific guidance on the prescribing of Herceptin (trastuzumab).

  The product received its marketing authorisation from the European Commission on 28 August 2000. It may be prescribed for National Health Service patients when it is clinically appropriate to do so.

  Herceptin is one of 13 cancer drugs which have been referred for appraisal to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. We expect the Institute to report the outcome of its appraisal in summer 2001.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department has made available for newly approved drugs for the treatment of cancer. [143536]

  Yvette Cooper
  The NHS Plan announced that cancer services will receive an additional £280 million in 2001–02, £407 million in 2002–03 and £570 million by 2003–04. These amounts include funding for any cancer drugs approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence following appraisals.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities fund the supply of(a) taxanes for use in ovarian cancer, (b) taxanes for use in breast cancer, (c) Ribovarin, (d) Interferon Alpha and (e) Zyban. [143535]

  Ms Stuart
  We do not hold information centrally on health authority funding of specific medicines or treatments. The Department allocates funds to health authorities for each financial year. It is then for each health authority to decide how best to spend these funds for the benefit of local patients.

  Embryology
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has received on the need for research into embryonic stem cells to understand how adult stem cells work; what examination his Department has made of this research; who was consulted; and what the outcome was of this examination. [143504]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 12 December 2000,Official Report, columns 84–85W.

  Midwives
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the current distinctive curriculum for midwifery training will be preserved through a statutory midwifery committee in the new regulatory framework. [143517]

  Mr. Denham
  We propose that the new Nursing and Midwifery Council should have a duty to set standards of training for midwifery. The issue of a midwifery committee is among those raised during consultation on our proposals, the results of which we are currently considering.

  Health Council—14 December 2000

  Agenda item

  Issue

  UK position

  Outcome

  1

  Adoption of provisional agenda.

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Adoption of 'A' points.

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council extending certain programmes of Community action in the field of public health adopted by Decisions no. 645/96/EC, no. 646/96/EC, no. 647/96/EC, no. 102/97/EC, no. 1400/97/EC and no. 1296/1999/EC and amending those decisions.

  To agree the extension of six of the eight public health programmes until the new public health programme is in place. A further two programmes are due to end on 31 December 2003 and so are not included in the proposal.

  We support the continuation of these programmes for a limited period to avoid any break in continuity in taking forward action in a number of areas. For example, the setting up of communicable diseases networks.

  The Council voted in favour of the extension of the programmes.

  4

  Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and Council adopting a Community action programme in the field of public health.

  This proposal was produced by the Commission in July in the context of a Communication on an EU Health Strategy. The Community action programme will replace the eight existing public health programmes. Common position was not reached in time for the Health Council.

  The UK broadly supports the proposal but Ms Stuart made the following points—that the UK will wish to ensure that the proposal does not try to extend the scope of Community competence and that the UK believes that although stronger co-ordination is needed, this does not require setting up a separate Community structure.

  There was an orientation debate with member states commenting on the broad principles of the proposal rather than considering the text in detail.

  5

  Council Resolution on health and nutrition.

  Nutrition was a public health priority for the French Presidency.

  The UK supports the Resolution. It fits in well with UK domestic priorities.

  The Resolution was adopted. Jane Hutt welcomed the Resolution on behalf of the UK.

  6a

  Review of regulatory and administrative legislation of the member states on the subject of advertising of tobacco products.

  The Commission's proposal for a Directive banning tobacco advertising was recently overturned on the grounds of its legal base by the European Court of Justice.

  The UK has announced proposals for domestic legislation in this area and therefore supports the Directive.

  Commissioner Byrne announced the Commission's intention to bring forward a new Directive on tobacco advertising which will cover those elements of the previous Directive that the ECJ felt were justified on the grounds of internal market harmonisation.

  438W
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the mechanisms for updating and monitoring the Midwives Rules and Code of Conduct will be maintained in the new Nursing and Midwifery Council. [143519]

  Mr. Denham
  Yes, the mechanisms for updating and monitoring the Midwives Rules and Code of Conduct will be maintained in the new Nursing and Midwifery Council.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that users of maternity services will be involved in decisions taken by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. [143518]

  Mr. Denham
  We propose that the new Council should have a strong lay membership, and a duty to consult patients and clients, and to treat their welfare as paramount.

  EU Health Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Health Council held in Brussels on 14 December. [143618]

  Ms Stuart
  I attended the Health Council in Brussels on 14 December with Jane Hutt, Minister for Health and Social Services for he National Assembly for Wales A summary of outcome of the meeting is in the table.
  439W

  Health Council—14 December 2000

  Agenda item

  Issue

  UK position

  Outcome

  6b

  Tobacco Labelling Directive.

  This Directive recasts three existing Internal Market Directives concerning the tar content of cigarettes, oral tobacco and labelling of tobacco products and updates these provisions in the light of recent scientific developments in this field. Commnon Position was reached at the June Health Council. The text has been undergoing its second reading. Compromise proposals were put forward to the Parliament but no agreement was reached.

  The UK gave its strong support to the proposed Directive and warmly welcomed the Common Position agreed at the Health Council in June. The Directive complements UK proposed UK domestic legislation well. The UK's response to the Parliament's amendments is being considered.

  The Parliament voted on the amendments on 13 December and therefore there was not enough time for the Council to agree its position. The text will now be considered under the Swedish Presidency and is likely lo go to Conciliation.

  6c

  WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

  The FCTC is WHO's first attempt at using its powers to establish a global treaty. Following a period of information collection, the negotiations began in October. A mandate was agreed to allow the Commission to negotiate in areas of EU competence.

  The UK supports and is fully participating in the negotiations.

  Commissioner Byrne commented on the need to revisit the negotiating mandate with a view to incorporating further areas of Community competence (e.g. taxation).

  7

  Council Resolution on paediatric medicines.

  The Resolution was initiated by the French Presidency. Its aim is to invite the Commission to come forward with proposals which encourage the development of medicines specifically for use in the treatment of children.

  The UK strongly supports the Resolution, although it recognises that the details of any proposals will need careful consideration. There are, for example, major ethical considerations in conducting trials in children.

  The Resolution was adopted.

  8

  Action Plan 'e-Europe 2002—An Information Society for all'.

  The Action Plan, which is now at the implementation stage It includes a chapter on 'Health on-Line'.

  DH is generally content with the proposed approach in the health chapter and is liaising closely with DTI colleagues.

  The Commission gave an oral progress report.

  9

  Clinical Trials progress report.

  The Directive will establish a legal framework for the conduct of clinical trials in the EU. It will provide safeguards to trial subjects and aid the development of medicines, including for children, across the EU.

  The UK is very supportive of the Directive.

  The Council accepted all the amendments approved this week by the European Parliament, thus avoiding conciliation. The Presidency concluded that a qualified majority vote existed in favour of the Directive despite attempts by the Netherlands to have a further debate on specific problems of concern to them.

  10a

  Communicable diseases: Implementation of the European network for surveillance and rapid reaction.

  The Community Network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases, including a Rapid Reaction Response, has completed its first year of operation.

  The UK is committed to the success of the Network, and to the 'network' principle to achieve its objectives.

  The Commission presented the progress report.

  10b

  Communicable disease: BSE/Epidemiological situation of CJD.

  The purpose of this item was to debate a Commission presentation on nCJD trends.

  UK (Ms Stuart) welcomed the additional measures agreed in Agriculture Council and talked about the UK experience on health and social care for nCJD patients and their families

  The Commission had circulated the latest figures showing the number of nv CJD cases across member states. The Presidency tabled Council conclusions on further work on nCJD/BSE and the importance of Health Ministers being fully associated with public health issues at a European level, which were agreed.

  440W 441W

  Health Council—14 December 2000

  Agenda item

  Issue

  UK position

  Outcome

  11a

  Presentation of new texts by the Commission: Recommendation on Alcohol and the health of Young People.

  The Recommendation refers to health promotion, education and information measures as well as 'codes of conduct" with the advertising and alcohol industries.

  The UK broadly supports the Recommendation which will complement the UK's consultation paper on a National Strategy to Tackle Alcohol Misuse due to be published in the new year.

  The Council noted the Recommendation.

  11b

  Blood Directive proposal.

  The Directive proposal aims to ensure the safety of the blood transfusion chain by setting high standards of quality and safety for the collection, processing, storage and distribution of whole blood, and blood components.

  The UK is fully committed to the proposal and played a strong role in getting this Recommendation passed during the UK Presidency in 1998.

  The Council noted the Directive proposal.

  12

  Any other business: European approach to clinical trials on AIDS research.

  The paper proposes that the Commission develop ideas on how to improve co-ordination and support for AIDS clinical trials.

  The UK recognises the need for and the difficulties of establishing European clinical trials in AIDS and other diseases and supports the proposal that the Commission should consider mechanisms for co-ordinating AIDS clinical trials in light of developments on the European Research Area.

  There was no discussion on this item.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from what date shared rooms in independent care homes for the elderly and mentally ill must form no more than 20 per cent. of places in such homes; and if he will make a statement. [143851]

  Mr. Hutton
  We announced in November an extension to the deadline for implementing the new national minimum standard for care homes for older people regarding double rooms. In order to ensure that sufficient care home capacity is maintained, existing care homes for older people that do not already provide 80 per cent. of places in single rooms now have until 1 April 2007 to do so. Multi-occupancy rooms will be phased out by April 2002.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Mid-Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the average length of hospital waiting lists for the period May 1997 to September 2000 in Mid-Essex were different from the length of waiting lists on 31 March 1997. [143114]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: Across the National Health Service in England there has been a significant reduction in waiting lists—in October 2000, there were approximately 133,000 fewer patients waiting than in March 1997 and 54,600 fewer than waiting in October 1999.

  Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust has experienced significant and sustained pressures in relation to waiting lists and emergency care and it is recognised that the trust's performance on waiting lists has been below average. Action has been and continues to be
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  taken to address these pressures, including the introduction of a waiting list policy, the introduction of a clinical management structure and the appointment of a number of new members of the executive management team. The waiting list at the end of October was 21 per cent. below its peak in 1998, and work continues to improve this position still further.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the members of the group of experts established to consider the funding of nursing care will be; how they will be selected; and if he will ensure that the group contains representation from voluntary sector nursing homes. [143758]

  Mr. Hutton
  I invited a number of key stakeholder organisations concerned with care in nursing homes to join a group helping the Chief Nursing Officer ensure that systems for implementing policy on the provision of nursing care in nursing homes are developed and applied consistently across the country. The organisations represented are:

  Age Concern

  Alzheimer's Society

  Association of Directors of Social Services

  British Medical Association

  Help the Aged

  Independent Healthcare Association

  Local Government Association

  Long Term Medical Conditions Alliance

  NHS Confederation

  Registered Nursing Homes Association

  Royal College of Nursing.

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  An extended group, including frontline workers, met for an all day meeting on 20 December, a number of representatives from voluntary sector nursing homes were invited and will continue to be involved.

  Bed-blocking (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the incidence of bed-blocking in York and North Yorkshire. [143839]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are aware of the recent difficulties regarding the delayed discharge of patients from acute beds in York and North Yorkshire. We have recently injected a substantial amount of new money into the local health and social service systems which will enable agencies to work together to provide the appropriate levels of care for those who need it.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking and what resources he will provide to ease bed blocking in North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [144441]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have allocated £62 million extra resources to health authorities to address winter staffing issues and support transitional or interim care to minimise "blocked beds" and prevent unnecessary emergency admissions. The money has been allocated on the basis of joint plans with social services. Each National Health Service region has appointed a team of change agents, including representatives of the independent sector, to target areas with (among other indicators) increasing delayed discharge rates and support them in achieving sustainable reversals to these figures.

  The Northern and Yorkshire Region was allocated £6.6 million in October for schemes to enhance capacity in intermediate care, transitional care and related cases. Of this, the North Yorkshire Health. Authority received £546,000 to facilitate discharges. More recently the North Yorkshire Health Authority received £1.086 million for winter capacity and of this £717,000 went to social care.

  Additionally, the Department asked the Winter Emergency Services Team (WEST) to examine the situation in North Yorkshire. WEST visited the North Yorkshire Health and Social Care Community and York Health Services NHS Trust on 6 November and, while it made several suggestions for action, it found that systems and relationships were robust.

  GM Foods
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of state for Health what tests are being carried out by the Government to determine the impact of GM foods on human health. [143882]

  Ms Stuart
  No genetically modified food can be marketed in the European Union until it has undergone a rigorous safety assessment under the European Commission Novel Foods Regulation (258/97). In the United Kingdom this assessment is performed by the independent Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), which publishes information on applications on their website.

  The ACNFP has also considered the practicality of post-market health surveillance for all novel foods, including GM foods. Based on their advice a feasibility study started on 1 July 2000, which will test the
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  robustness of data collection procedures. This is expected to take around 21 months to complete, the results will then be assessed by the ACNFP.

  Social Services Care
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has commissioned any cost-benefit analysis of social services care provision for people remaining in their homes. [144467]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department commissioned an evaluation of community care for elderly people, which has been carried out by the Personal Social Services Research Unit. A draft report was completed in April 1998. The study is not yet completed and further reports are expected.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will indicate for each local authority the cost, as a proportion of total revenue, of administering charges for social services care. [144466]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  MRSA
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority area(a) the number of infections with and (b) the number of deaths attributable to MRSA in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [144060]

  Mr. Denham
  Aggregate data on numbers of incidents of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) voluntarily submitted by National Health Service trusts for specialist microbiological tests since 1996 are shown in the table. These data are routinely available on a regional basis only. Data on Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias (blood infections) showing the proportion resistant to methicillin in England and Wales are published quarterly by the Public Health Laboratory Service in the Communicable Disease Report, copies of which are available in the Library. More comprehensive information about bacteraemias, including MRSA, will be collected from all acute trusts from 1 April 2001 and data will be published from 1 April 2002.

  There are no centrally held statistics on deaths caused by hospital acquired infections (HAI), including MRSA. Different doctors will have different views on the role of HAI in a patient's death as MRSA infection can take the form of many different diseases from trivial skin infection to pneumonia or septicaemia. In addition, the causative micro-organism is often not specified on the death certificate.

  Incidents of MRSA 1996–2000

  Incidents of MRSA

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Anglia and Oxford

  237

  297

  223

  North Thames

  539

  544

  289

  North West

  176

  259

  215

  Northern and Yorkshire

  150

  224

  202

  South and West

  206

  254

  101

  South Thames

  421

  385

  220

  Trent

  99

  123

  109

  West Midlands

  121

  102

  69

  Wales

  158

  176

  169

  Total

  2,107

  2,364

  1,597

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  Incidents of MRSA

  1999

  2000

  Eastern

  80

  30

  London

  290

  100

  Northern and Yorkshire

  170

  40

  North West

  180

  50

  South East

  170

  60

  South West

  40

  10

  Trent

  100

  30

  West Midlands

  30

  30

  Wales

  130

  30

  Total

  1,190

  380

  Notes:

  1. For 1996 and the first half of 1997 data have been amalgamated to the approximate boundaries of the new Regional Office areas. This allows for comparison with subsequent years.

  2. An incident is three or more patients infected or colonised by the same strain of MRSA in the same month from the same hospital.

  3. The criteria for submission of isolates of MRSA (and other isolates of staphylococcus aureus) to the PHLS for specialist tests have been revised twice since 1996 (in January 1998 and in January 2000).

  4. These revised criteria have led to a fall in the number of incidents of MRSA that were reported to the PHLS.

  Community Nurses
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts employ community nurses(a) at, (b) above and (c) below grade E. [144481]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that very sheltered housing should completely replace residential care. [144186]

  Mr. Hutton
  No. While we recognise the important role that "very sheltered housing" plays in the provision of long term care, there will continue to be a need for good quality residential care. Commissioners of care, working with housing authorities, need to ensure that a range of services is available to meet the needs of all those who require long term care.

  Care Trusts
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the practical implementation of the proposals for the functioning of the new care trusts. [144192]

  Mr. Hutton
  The introduction of care trusts signals an important step towards the closer integration of health and social care services. Their focus will be to meet the needs of local communities by arranging and providing care for users across a broad spectrum of care, from acute hospital to community health and social care at home.

  Care trusts will be responsible for all the care needs of a particular client group, such as older people, this will enable the seamless delivery of care for patients and the most effective use of resources for partnerships.
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  We will be working closely with local government organisations and primary care professionals to develop the detailed arrangements, which will support the introduction of care trusts, once the necessary legislation has been approved by Parliament.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health against what standards local councils will judge the care trusts which commission care for older people. [144194]

  Mr. Hutton
  Proposals for monitoring the integrated delivery of health and social services by care trusts and currently being developed. The work will build on the performance assessment frameworks of both health and social care, and will monitor delivery of the standards which will be set out in the National Service Framework for People.

  The performance management system for care trusts will build upon the principles of best value, integrating existing clinical governance and performance assessment frameworks, and will ensure that existing responsibilities are properly fulfilled.

  The care trusts will be required to co-operate fully with the local authority in discharging this duty.

  Patients Advocacy Liaison Service
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if advocacy, liaison and facilitation will be core functions of the Patient Advocacy Liaison Service. [144191]

  Ms Stuart
  Patient advocacy and liaison services will be available in all trusts and will act as a welcoming point for patients and carers and as a clearly identifiable information point. They will act as a facilitator to handle patient and family concerns, and have direct access to the chief executive and the power to negotiate immediate solutions. Where necessary, they will steer patients and families towards the complaints process and additional independent advocacy support.

  Great Ormond Street NHS Trust (Chairmanship)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which papers and journals the vacancy for the chairmanship of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children NHS Trust was advertised; and on what criteria the publications were selected. [144444]

  Mr. Denham
  A decision was made to publicise this vacancy in both the general and ethnic press in the host health authority area. The papers selected were the New Camden Journal, the Asian Times, Eastern Eye, Caribbean Times and New Nation on the basis that they would reach a large number of local readers.

  In addition, candidates were drawn from the London regional register of those who had responded to a national advertisement in 1999 for generic chair and non-executive appointments. These candidates had been previously interviewed by panels including independent assessors and had been deemed suitable for appointment.

  This combined approach assured a wide choice of high calibre candidates through national and local advertisement.

  Pressure Sores
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many legal claims have been made against(a) health authorities, (b) health trusts and (c) local authorities that relate to pressure sores in each of the last five years; [R] [143954]

  (2) how many complaints have been made to (a) health authorities, (b) health trusts and (c) local authorities relating to pressure sores in each of the last five years; [R] [143953]

  (3) how many claims against health authorities have been settled out of court that relate to pressure sores in each of the last five years. [R] [143955]

  Ms Stuart
  Centrally held data on complaints and claims do not go into the level of detail needed to provide the information requested.

  Child Protection Register
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in descending order the number of children per 1,000 children who are on the child protection register in each standard planning region of the United Kingdom. [144174]

  Mr. Hutton
  The proportion of children per 1,000 children who are on the child protection register in each Government office region of the United Kingdom (in descending order) is as follows (figures correct as of March 31 2000):

  Number of children on the Child Protection Register per 1,000

  Region

  London

  4.8

  South East England

  3.8

  West Midlands

  3.5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3.4

  East Midlands

  3.1

  East England

  2.8

  North West England

  2.7

  South West England

  2.4

  Wales

  2.4

  Scotland

  12.3

  Northern Ireland

  1.4

  Merseyside

  1.2

  1As at 31 March 1999

  Child protection registers are geared to the protection of the child and are primarily operational rather than statistical. The registers are not intended to be a list of all children who have been abused and who have come to official notice, but of those for whom there are currently unresolved child protection issues.

  A child may be on the register of more than one authority at a time if the protection of the child merits it. This may occur, for example, where the child is looked after by one authority but placed with foster parents in another authority, or where the child's family has moved between authority areas on many occasions. These figures should therefore not be interpreted as a record of all child abuse.

  NHS Computer Systems
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target turnaround time is for the assessment of full business cases for computer systems of a value in 448W
  excess of £1 million submitted by NHS hospital trusts by (a) regional offices accredited for approval of business cases up to a value of £20 million and (b) regional offices without such accreditation. [144254]

  Mr. Denham
  The target turnaround time for the assessment by National Health Service Executive regional offices of full business cases (FBCs) for NHS trust computer systems is two months from submission of the final version of the FBC to approval. This target is contained in the indicative project timetable for smaller schemes contained in guidance to the NHS on the private finance initiative but it is applied to all FBCs for computer systems, whether or not PFI is used.

  The target time applies whether a regional office is accredited or not. If a regional office is not accredited, the FBC must also be approved by NHS Executive headquarters, but the headquarters and regional office assessments of the FBC are carried out simultaneously to minimise delay.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all bovine carcases imported from EU countries have been subject to post mortem tests of(a) brain tissue and (b) the central nervous system; and if he will identify those parts of the central nervous system that are tested. [141719]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: Such testing has not taken place in the past. However, post mortem tests for BSE on bovine carcases aged more than thirty months and entering the food chain will be a Community requirement from 1 January 2001. When this requirement is implemented the tissues taken for testing will depend on which test is used. The validated tests available are Prionics and CEA tests on samples of brain or ENFER tests on cervical spinal cord. The carcases will be retained until the test results are known.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the approved method is of disposal of cattle slaughtered as an anti-BSE measure; how many cattle have been disposed of by this method; what are the unit costs; and how much has been spent to date on the disposal of carcases. [143317]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: The preferred method of disposal for BSE suspects, offspring cull animals, and selective cull carcases is incineration at a commercial incinerator. However, prior to 1991, when there was insufficient carcase incinerator capacity, some were disposed of by incineration on waste ground or local authority site, incineration on farm, or burial on farm or on a local authority landfill site.

  In the early stages of the selective cull, a large number of cattle had to be sent to OTMS plants for slaughter and the carcases disposed of by rendering prior to final incineration.

  Up to 30 November 2000, the total number of cattle disposed of in anti-BSE measures is 4,364,664, of which 6,246 have been buried. The remainder were rendered or incinerated.
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  To date some 470,000 animals have been consigned for direct incineration under the over-thirty-month and selective cull schemes (SCS). The vast majority of animals, however, which have been processed under these two schemes have been slaughtered and rendered prior to final destruction by incineration.

  There is no unit cost for disposal. It varies according to the charges at each incinerator and how far the carcase has to be transported.

  The total disposal cost incurred between 1 August 1988 and 30 November 2000 is approximately £711 million of which £660 million has been spent on the slaughtering, transport and disposal of OTMS and SCS animals.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent to which residual ash following the incineration of cattle may still contain proteins. [143320]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: In June 1996 SEAC studied the issues surrounding the incineration of potentially infected cattle and concluded that there was no risk to humans from ash incinerated either in power stations, cement kilns or in dedicated incinerators.

  Agricultural Land Tribunals
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the work of the Agricultural Land Tribunals over the past three years. [142297]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 13 December 2000]: MAFF is responsible for secretarial support to the seven Agricultural Land Tribunals in England. The Tribunal Chairmen and members are appointed by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and are responsible to him for the conduct of tribunal hearings under statutory rules made by him.

  The following table summarises the workload of the seven English Agricultural Land Tribunals over the last three years:

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Cases received

  301

  286

  249

  Cases dealt with or withdrawn

  280

  282

  261

  Number of hearings

  79

  82

  57

  Floods
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the insurance industry on the risk of future flooding; and if he will make a statement. [142809]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Ms Johnson) to the hon. Member for Clwyd, South (Mr. Jones) on 30 November 2000,Official Report, column 874W.
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  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has carried out to determine the area of land in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland which, being a river floodplain, is less than (i) 10 feet and (ii) 15 feet above the low water levels of the river. [142031]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: Flood defence is a devolved responsibility. No research has been undertaken to provide the information sought. However in 1995 MAFF commissioned the then Institute of Hydrology to provide estimates of potential flood risk areas in England and Wales. As part of this work, the Institute estimated the likely depths of flooding of land that would occur in a flood event with (a) an annual probability of approximately 1 per cent. and (b) an assumption that no flood defences were in place.

  These estimated depths of flooding are based on theoretical models of flooding and on published information about ground levels. While they provide a general indication of the degree of risk it is important to note that they are based on the assumption that no defences are in place but, in fact, much of the land is defended.

  Area of land (square kilometres)

  Built-up

  Non built-up

  Total

  Up to 2.9 metres (9.5 feet) depth

  548

  8,591

  9,139

  2.9 metres to 4.9 metres (9.5 to 16 feet) depth

  46

  655

  701

  Greater than 4.9 metres (16 feet) depth

  17

  826

  843

  No breakdown of these figures between England and Wales is available.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid in the last 12 months to land owners for putting land into set-aside; and if he will make a statement. [143145]

  Ms Quin
  In the 12 months to 30 November 2000, payments for land in the UK in set-aside claimed under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) totalled £144,733,633, including the first two instalments of agrimoney compensation in respect of 1999.

  It should be noted that under scheme rules claimants do not necessarily have to be land owners and that it is not possible to identify separately those who are. In addition, because of the timing of agrimonetary compensation and the fact that EU regulations allowed payments in 1999 to start one month earlier than in 2000, the total paid in this period may not be fully representative of similar periods at other times.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle compulsorily slaughtered as TB reactors in the last 12 months for which
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  records are available were (a) (i) over and (ii) under 30 months old, (b) on post mortem not showing signs of clinical infection, (c) condemned as unfit for human consumption and (d) sold by his Department for human consumption. [142989]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: Provisional data for the 12 months to November 2000 show that 6,606 TB reactors were slaughtered of which 3,340 had no visible signs of TB at post mortem. It is estimated that between half and two thirds of reactors were aged over 30 months and did not enter the food chain. The more detailed information requested is not available.

  Cattle under 30 months of age enter the food chain only after stringent meat hygiene inspection in line with EU rules and after removal of any visibly infected parts of the carcase. This practice is of long standing, applies across the EU and is considered to pose no significant risk to consumers. The Food Standards Agency has the responsibility to advise Ministers if there are any food safety considerations raised by this policy and practice.

  Forestry
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average time is for the Forestry Commission to determine felling licence applications in England; and if there is a customer service target for such determinations. [143445]

  Mr. Morley
  The Forestry Commission took an average of 7½ weeks to process felling licence applications in England last year. The Commission's customer charter sets a target of issuing felling licences within 10 weeks of receiving an application.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy on restoring priority open ground habitats for biodiversity which are currently forested by(a) self-sown and (b) planted non-native tree species. [143444]

  Mr. Morley
  We exercise a general presumption against the conversion of woodland to other land uses, unless there are overriding public benefits, such as the restoration of valuable heathland habitat in accordance with our biodiversity action plan for lowland heathland.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines the Forestry Commission uses to determine felling licence applications for lowland heathland sites. [143533]

  Mr. Morley
  The Forestry Commission uses the guidelines in its publication "Lowland Heaths and Forestry", a copy of which is held in the Library. The Commission is currently drafting more detailed guidelines, and I have asked the Commission to send the hon. Member a copy of the draft when it is published.

  Milk Development Council
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Milk Development Council on its 'White Stuff' publicity campaign. [143573]
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  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 December 20001: The Government introduced the necessary legislative changes to enable the Milk Development Council to co-operate with processors in introducing the 'White Stuff' campaign. I have also taken part personally in promotional work for the campaign. The campaign is jointly funded by dairy producers, through the Milk Development Council and dairy processors. It will be subject to review by both parties after an initial 18 month period against pre-determined criteria.

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated, the amount his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the White Paper on Modernising Government. [143605]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. McCartney), on 21 December 2000,Official Report, columns 245–46W.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 18 September on behalf of Ms Forbes. [143579]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 19 December 2000]: A reply was sent to the right hon. Member on 15 December 2000.

  Production Subsidies
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total expenditure on production subsidies for each of the past 10 years. [144043]

  Ms Quin
  The figures are set out in the table. They cover expenditure on: Arable Area Payments Scheme (cereals, oilseeds, linseed and protein), Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, Beef Special Premium Scheme, Suckler Cow Premium Scheme and Beef Deseasonalisation Scheme, and include both national and EU contributions. The major increase in expenditure in 1993–94 reflects the switch from price support to production subsidies in the MacSharry reform. The farming industry also benefits from higher food prices as a result of the CAP, which are paid for by consumers.

  April/March (financial years)

  £ million

  1989–90

  188.3

  1990–91

  281.7

  1991–92

  431

  1992–93

  434.7

  1993–94

  1,288.9

  1994–95

  1,538.3

  1995–96

  1,956.7

  1996–97

  2,089.3

  1997–98

  1,896.9

  1998–99

  2,039.6

  Agriculture Expenditure
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total expenditure was on British agriculture by(a) the British Government and (b) the European Union in the latest year for which figures are available. [144044]

  Ms Quin
  In 1998–99, total expenditure on British agriculture under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies was £3,482 million, of which £2,417 million was paid by the European Union and £1,065 million was paid by the Government.

  Farmers also benefit from expenditure on market support measures, even though this is not paid directly to them.

  Poultry Farming
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the costs of farming chickens and turkeys in(a) the UK and (b) in each other EU member state. [143842]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: The production costs and revenues falling to farmers, including poultry farmers, form part of the Farm Business Survey, the results of which are published. The EU receives this information for all member states and assesses it.

  Part of this Government's Strategy for Agriculture includes a Task Force looking at the input costs into farming which has been asked to report by March 2001.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 19 and 20 December; and if he will make a statement. [144176]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  1. I represented the United Kingdom at the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers held in Brussels on 19 December.

  2. The Council held an open debate on the Commission's proposal establishing a framework for European food law and a European Food Authority. This received a broadly encouraging response from Ministers present. On the basis of Food Standards Agency advice, I welcomed the proposed establishment of a European Food Authority, which we would like to see progressed as quickly as possible. A firm commitment to consumer protection will guide the UK in discussions on the detail of the proposal.

  3. The Council unanimously agreed a common position on a proposal laying down rules for the prevention and control of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. This creates a comprehensive framework for all the EU's TSE protection measures and provides a firm basis for future EU-wide action in this area.
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  4. A proposal to amend the CAP bananas regime to bring it into line with World Trade Organisation rules was adopted by qualified majority. This provides for a transitional tariff quota regime for banana imports, leading to a tariff only system from 2006, with the Commission authorised to adopt implementing measures to manage the tariff-quota. I voted against the measure on the grounds that neither would it end the current trade dispute nor was it evident that the implementing provisions would ensure the continued viability of the Caribbean banana export industries.

  5. The Council also discussed the CAP sugar regime. I strongly supported the Commission's proposal to extend the current regime for only two years, to permit a substantial reform to take place in 2002, although many countries expressed a preference for a five year prolongation of the status quo. Negotiations will continue under the Swedish Presidency.

  6. Under "Other Business", I raised the problems which recent flooding was causing for many UK farmers, notably flax and hemp producers who were unable to harvest their crops and were therefore, under existing rules, ineligible for CAP aids. Both the Presidency and Commissioner Fischler expressed sympathy with their plight. The Commissioner undertook to propose measures to the Management Committee to alleviate the problems concerning their eligibility for aid.

  7. The Council also agreed by qualified majority (Germany voting against) new rules governing the labelling of eggs, including a requirement to inform consumers of the husbandry system under which the eggs were produced.

  Suckler Cow Premium Scheme
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many farmers have been paid the advance suckler cow premium since 1 November; how many are awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on progress regarding the regular payment of the ASCP on an agreed basis; [143950]

  (2) if he will add interest at the rate of 8 per cent. to the advance suckler cow premium due to be paid to farmers on 6 December; and if he will make a statement. [143949]

  Ms Quin
  In England, just under 19,800 producers submitted a 2000 Scheme year Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS) claim. Of these around 15 per cent. had received their first advance payments by 5 January.

  Although the Citizen's Charter deadline for making advance payments is 6 March 2001, we fully expect that all producers who submitted a correctly completed claim will receive their advance payments during January. In addition, we have taken advantage of a very recently agreed Commission Regulation to make suckler cow advance payments at a rate of 80 per cent. of the total amount due, rather than the usual 60 per cent.

  The published Citizen's Charter target for making advance SCPS payments for the 2000 Scheme year is 6 March 2001. Interest would be considered only in cases where payments were made after this date, and where MAFF was fully responsible for the delay.

  British Beef
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the prosecution of the French Government for its illegal ban on British beef. [144346]
  456W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  The progress of European Court of Justice Cases is a matter for the Court. The deadline for the French Rejoinder which follows the Commission Response to the French Defence was extended to 22 December 2000. This concluded the written part of the procedure.

TREASURY

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the climate change levy on the use of liquid petroleum gas. [143945]

  Mr. Timms
  No such assessment has been made. In response to points raised during the consultation process, the Chancellor announced in Budget 2000 that the rate of climate change levy (CCL) on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) would be reduced by half in recognition of its use in rural areas and to discourage fuel switching from LPG to more environmentally damaging fuels.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of combined heat and power systems, including firms using their own CHP and firms importing or exporting energy, will be exempt from the climate change levy. [144120]

  Mr. Timms
  Combined heat and power (CHP) generation can make a valuable contribution to achieving emissions reductions and the Chancellor therefore announced in the pre-budget report 1999 that electricity generated in "good quality" CHP plant would be exempt from the levy. The majority of CHP schemes will be exempt from all levy payments on the fuel input and on the heat supplied. Qualifying electricity generation from CHP schemes will also be exempt from the levy where that electricity is consumed on site or sold directly to another customer.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many representations he has received concerning the effect of the climate change levy on Northern Ireland; [143947]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the climate change levy on the natural gas industry in Northern Ireland. [143946]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have received various representations concerning the climate change levy in Northern Ireland. The energy market in Northern Ireland differs markedly from that in Great Britain; in particular, natural gas is not widely available. In order to help the fledgling gas market to develop, the Government are proposing a temporary exemption from the climate change levy for natural gas in Northern Ireland.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the timetable for implementation of the climate change levy. [144474]

  Mr. Timms
  The climate change levy will come into effect on 1 April 2001, as planned.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2000,Official Report, column 85W, on the children's tax credit, what plans he has to ensure that the credit is received by taxpayers with children who have not returned the claim
  458W
  form which he issued; and if he will estimate the latest date by which a claim would need to be made in order for the credit to be paid through the PAYE system at the start of the 2001–02 tax year. [144357]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue is planning further publicity in the new year to remind people to send in a claim quickly if they want it to be included in their tax code for April. Claims submitted to the Revenue by the end of February should enable them to give employers sufficient time to use the revised codes at the start of the tax year. However, later claims will be backdated to the start of April 2001 and people have until 31 January 2008 to claim the allowance under the normal tax rules.

  Self-employed taxpayers can claim in the usual way when they receive their tax return for the year beginning April 2001.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of introducing a tax credit for all taxpayers paying income tax at either the lower or the standard rate, set at £1,000 and restricted to 10 per cent. [144356]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full-year cost of introducing a non-repayable tax credit set at £1,000 and restricted to 10 per cent. for all taxpayers paying income tax only at the basic and/or starting rate of income tax is estimated to be £2.4 billion in 2000–01. This estimate is based on the survey of personal incomes and is consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget report.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many working people have benefited from the Working Families Tax Credit in the Vale of Clwyd. [144470]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) on 1 November 2000,Official Report, column 515W.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue Service Commissioners Annual Report 1999–2000 will be presented to the House and published. [143894]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is expected that the Inland Revenue Commissioners Annual Report 1999–2000 will be presented to Parliament and published later this month.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer on 18 December 2000,Official Report, column 86W, for what reason he is unable to provide the calculation of income tax requested, based on an average person in the circumstances described. [143893]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A calculation was not given because the amount of tax and national insurance that an individual will pay will depend on their individual circumstances. However, illustrative tables of the effects
  459W
  of Budget 2000 on typical taxpayers can be found on the internet on the Inland Revenue's website on http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk. By April 2001, personal tax and benefit changes in this and previous Budgets will mean that households will be on average £500 a year better off as a result of measures introduced in this Parliament.

  Vehicle Excise Duty (Motorcycles)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce vehicle excise duty to zero for motorcycles under 50 cc. [144094]

  Mr. Timms
  Any change to excise duties would be announced in the Chancellor's Budget statement.

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the extra funding for further education announced in the Government's spending review will be included in the base measure for the Barnett formula [144066]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Barnett formula was applied to the increases in funding for the Department for Education and Employment, including the extra funding for further education announced in the Government's spending review.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the proposed national health performance fund will be included in the base measure for the Barnett formula. [144067]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The national health performance fund is being funded out of the Department of Health 2000 spending review settlement, to which the Barnett formula was applied in determining the 2000 spending review settlement for Wales.

  EU Structural Funds (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if interest raised on all objective one funds allocated to Wales will be transferred to the budget of the National Assembly for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [144090]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The 2000 spending review settlement for Wales included extra resources to ensure that the National Assembly for Wales is able to draw down its full objective one funding. The funding arrangements for the devolved Administrations are set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published by the Treasury in July 2000.

  Aggregates (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the availability of aggregate material for recycling in(a) the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and (b) Argyll and Bute constituency; and if he will make a statement. [144184]

  Mr. Timms
  The Scottish Executive have recently commissioned research on the extent to which recycled minerals are being used as an alternative to primary 460W
  aggregate in Scotland. This research will be published shortly, although data on individual regions of Scotland will not be available.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of decisions taken at the Nice summit on the level of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EU budget. [144118]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There is unlikely to be any significant impact on the UK's net contribution and this continues to be governed by the financial perspective agreed in Berlin, which has created a ceiling for payments.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the budget of the EU for each year up to and including 2003–04. [144119]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC Budget for the period 2000–01 to 2003–04 can be found at footnote 1 to Table B17 of the pre-Budget Report (Cm 4917) published in November.

  Solvency Requirements
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times in each of the last five years the statutory insurance regulators have warned insurance providers that they are in breach of solvency requirements. [144182]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Information obtained in the course of carrying out regulatory functions is subject to statutory restrictions on disclosure of information.

  Excess Winter Deaths
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the contribution of influenza and related conditions to the(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 excess winter deaths for each region in England and for Wales. [141560]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 13 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 8 November 2000, Official Report, columns 269–71W and to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 22 November 2000, Official Report, columns 248–49W.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the financial impact, in terms of in-work benefits and tax credits, of the minimum wage being set at £5.00 an hour in October 2001. [144113]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards) on 28 November 2000,Official Report, columns 589–90W.
  461W
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the number of people in April 1999 entitled to higher pay as a result of the national minimum wage, using the revised ONS methodology; [144111]

  (2) if he will estimate how many people would have been earning below £3.60 an hour in April in the absence of the national minimum wage; [144112]

  (3) if he will estimate how many 18 to 21-years-olds (a) earned between £3.00 and £3.60 an hour in April 1999 and (b) earned between £3.20 and £3.70 an hour in October. [144114]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Kelvin Hopkins, dated 8 January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the national minimum wage (NMW) and people aged 18 to 21 earning between specific hourly rates of pay (144111, 144114, 144112). I am replying in his absence.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimates of the number of jobs being paid below NMW rates (£3.00 per hour aged 18–21 and £3.60 per hour aged 22 or over) for Spring (March-May) 1998, 1999 and 2000. These are based on an improved methodology which uses data from both the New Earnings Survey (NES) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS).
  Using this methodology, ONS estimate that there were 1.5 million jobs in the UK paid at less than NMW rates in spring 1998.
  This estimate does not measure the number of jobs entitled to higher pay as a result of the NMW since it makes no allowance for wage inflation. For example, some people's hourly earnings might have increased to above the NMW rates between Spring 1998 and Spring 1999 without the implementation of the NMW. In addition, it is not possible from either the LFS or the NES to identify whether an individual is eligible for NMW rates. For example, it is not possible to identify people such as apprentices, those undergoing accredited training or those with accommodation supplied who are exempt from the NMW or are entitled to lower rates.
  Information on the number of 18 to 21 year olds earning between specific pay bands using the revised methodology is not currently available. However, this information for Spring 1998, Spring 1999 and Spring 2000 will be posted on the National Statistics website from 11 January 2001.
  No information is available on the number of people who would earn less than £3.60 an hour in the absence of the NMW.

  CAT Standard
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if CAT marking covers the costs of asset management of unit trusts forming part of(a) stakeholder pensions and (b) individual savings accounts; and what plans he has to compare and benchmark such costs that are included in tax supported savings products. [143875]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  All stakeholder pension schemes must comply with the statutory restriction on charges set out in the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000—S1 1403, and the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.

  Firms may chose to offer CAT standard stocks and shares individual savings accounts. The charging limits for CAT standard ISAs are set out in the document "CAT standards for individual savings accounts" issued by HM Treasury in December 1998, and which can be found on the Treasury website at: http://www/hm-treasury.gov.uk/pub/html/savings/details.html
  462W
  The Financial Services Authority plans to launch comparative tables later this year. It expects these to cover, inter alia, personal pensions, including stakeholder pensions, and unit trust ISAs, and to provide information on price.

  Insurance Directorate
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the guidance from the Insurance Directorate to all companies of 18 December 1998, on guaranteed annuity option costs and policyholders' reasonable expectations was withdrawn on 20 July. [144170]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As I made clear to the House in an Adjournment debate on 19 December 2000,Official Report, column 56WH, the reason the advice was changed was to take into account the clarification of the law given in the authoritative judgment of the House of Lords on 20 July 2000 in Equitable Life Assurance Company v. Hyman.

  Healthcare Plans
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that compliance with the financial services legislation is not disproportionately burdensome for not-for-profit organisations offering low cost healthcare cash plans; what recent representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [143677]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 requires the Financial Services Authority to follow the principle that regulatory burdens imposed on a person or organisation must be proportionate. We have received some representations on behalf of organisations in this sector.

  Flexible Retirement Review
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he began his review of Inland Revenue rules on partial or flexible retirement; if he will publish his guidelines for the conduct of this review; and when he expects the review to be concluded. [143878]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) on 13 December 2000,Official Report, column 175W.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to the latest date for which figures are available, how many responses there have been to the minimum income guarantee take up campaign; how many pensioners(a) received and (b) were refused the minimum income guarantee; how many of those who were refused

  463W
  had too much capital; and of those who claimed, how many would not be eligible under the new income rules. [143849]

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) inquiries, (b) applications and (c) decisions have resulted from the minimum income guarantee advertising campaign. [144107]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have had 800,000 responses to the minimum income guarantee take-up campaign. There have been 143,000 additional new claims processed, of which around 62,500 have been successful. The main reasons why those that applied for the minimum income guarantee were unsuccessful were either too much income or too much capital (54 per cent. too much income—41 per cent. too much capital).

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the minimum income guarantee for(a) a single pensioner and (b) a pensioner couple by (i)£5, (ii) 10 and (iii) £15 per week. [144253]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is as follows:

  Total cost for income related benefits of increasing the minimum income guarantee over April 2001 announced rates1 assuming previous take-up

  Increase over April 2001 announced rates

  Cost in £ billion

  £5

  0.6

  £10

  1.2

  £15

  1.8

  1£ singles and £140.55 couples

  Notes:

  1. Costs are rounded to the nearest £100 million

  2. The Policy Simulation Model (PSM) for Income Related Benefits was used for these calculations

  3. The PSM for 2001–02 models the benefits system and is based on data from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for 1997–98, uprated to 2001 prices

  4. The costs exclude residential care or nursing home cases.

  5. Costs for entitlement are based on figures, which have not been calibrated to administrative records and as with all survey data may be subject to survey errors.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in the Vale of Clwyd(a) qualify for the minimum income guarantee and (b) qualified for the winter fuel payment in 2000. [144456]

  Mr. Rooker
  Around 11 million winter fuel payments have already been made this winter and the latest information shows that 16,278 payments were made in the Vale of Clwyd to those entitled. However, we are still receiving, processing and making payments on claims for this winter, so figures are not exact.

  There are around 2,700 recipients of the minimum income guarantee in the Vale of Clwyd parliamentary constituency.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for the minimum income guarantee are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Pensioners are defined as where the claimant, and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  3. Figures for the minimum income guarantee are rounded to the nearest 100.
  464W
  4. Cases for the minimum income guarantee are allocated to each Parliamentary Constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 version 1 ONS Postcode Directory.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2000.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will break down the cost of the minimum income guarantee take-up campaign into the amount spent on(a) letters, (b) television advertising, (c) other advertising, (d) the telephone helpline and (e) other costs. [143513]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is:

  £million

  (a) Letters

  1.2

  (b) Television and (c) other advertising

  4.0

  (e) Other costs

  4.0

  The telephone helpline is not part of the take-up campaign, it is a permanent feature.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it will cost to(a) increase the minimum income guarantee to £100 in April 2001 and (b) to introduce at the same time a benefit for pensioners with savings, assuming that it goes to single pensioners and married couples with an income of less than £135 a week, that it has a 60 per cent. taper, and that it interacts with existing means-tested benefits in exactly the same way as the existing minimum income guarantee. [143507]

  Mr. Rooker
  The costs of such a proposal would depend on its detailed structure, and on a number of interactions with the rest of the social security system. We will be in a position to bring forward estimates of such a proposal once we have completed the pension credit consultation exercise.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will pilot ways of increasing the take-up of benefits by using local authorities to help identify and contact those likely to qualify; and if he will make a statement. [143761]

  Mr. Rooker
  We want all potential beneficiaries to take-up their benefit entitlement. We are working with local authorities and voluntary organisations to develop ways of encouraging claims.

  Pensions (Automated Credit Transfer)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion of pensioners in(a) rural and (b) urban areas who opt to have their pensions paid into a bank account by means of automated credit transfer. [144364]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  Family Income (Benefits)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many children living in households with
  465W
  an income of less than 60 per cent. of the median have a parent in receipt of (a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) Severe Disablement Allowance; [144108]

  (2) what percentage of households with children in which an adult is in receipt of (a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) Severe Disablement Allowance have an income of less than 60 per cent. of the median. [144109]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  The number of children living in families with less than 60 per cent. median income where at least one parent is in receipt of Incapacity Benefit (IB)

  Benefit (IB)

  Million

  Before Housing Costs

  0.2

  After Housing Costs

  0.2

  The proportion of children, among those with at least one parent in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, living in households in which income is less than 60 per cent. of median

  Benefit (IB)

  Percentage

  Before Housing Costs

  35

  After Housing Costs

  43

  Notes:

  1. Owing to very small sample sizes, reliable population estimates based on receipt of Severe Disablement Allowance do not exist.

  2. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data set which is derived from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland, and 1998–99 is the latest year for which data are available.

  3. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax band and a number of other demographic variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. All numbers are rounded to the nearest 100,000 and proportions to the nearest per cent.

  4. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

  5. For those receiving disability benefits, no allowance has been made for the extra costs that may be incurred owing to the illness or disability. In these families, the measure of income may not be such a good guide to their living standards.

  6. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of children who are in families which have been dependent on income support for(a) more than one year and (b) more than two years; if he will provide separate estimates for one-parent families and two-parent families; and if he will estimate, for each family type, the number of such children who are aged (i) 0–4, (ii) 5–10, (iii) 11–15 and (iv) 16 years and above. [144363]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information requested is contained in the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2000, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the national insurance rebate incentives for(a) providers and (b) policyholders taking out stakeholder pension products from April 2001. [143877]

  Mr. Rooker
  Rebates are intended to provide an amount that reflects the cost of providing the State benefits forgone when an employee contracts out of SERPS into an occupational or personal pensions. They are not designed to favour any particular method of contracting-out. The rates of rebates that will apply to stakeholder pensions and other forms of contracting-out for the April 2001–02 financial year are set out in the Orders referred to in my written answer to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) on 11 December 2000,Official Report, column 48W.

  "Do Not Redirect" Postal Service
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those local authorities which do not operate the "do not redirect" scheme for benefit post. [143952]

  Angela Eagle
  According to information we have received from the Royal Mail, there are currently 50 local authorities who have not joined the "do not redirect" postal service.

  The list shows the authorities that have not joined, or contacted their local Royal Mail sales centre to join, the scheme to date. The Royal Mail, in turn, depends on their local sales centres to keep them informed as authorities join up.

  We believe that some of these authorities have in place arrangements with their local sorting office which fall outside the national scheme. However, we have no information on which authorities fall into this category.

  We are keen to see all local authorities using the "do not redirect" scheme but recognise that the authorities themselves are best placed to take account of their specific needs and local circumstances before deciding when to take it forward.

  Argyll and Bute

  Blaenau Gwent

  Bolsover

  Bromley

  Broxbourne

  Charnwood

  Chelmsford

  Dartford

  Daventry

  Derby

  Dumfries and Galloway

  E. Ayrshire

  E. Dorset

  E. Dumbartonshire

  E. Hertfordshire

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  467W

  Exeter

  Falkirk

  Fenland

  Flintshire

  Gateshead

  Harborough

  Inverclyde

  Isles of Scilly

  Kettering

  Maidstone

  Malvern

  Mid Devon

  Mid Suffolk

  Milton Keynes

  N. Norfolk

  N. Somerset

  N. Warwickshire

  Newport

  Norwich

  NW Leicestershire

  Perth and Kinross

  S. Gloucestershire

  S. Kesteven

  Scottish Homes

  Southwark

  Sutton

  Swindon

  Torfaen

  W. Dumbartonshire

  W. Somerset

  Wandsworth

  Wansbeck

  Western Isles

  Weymouth and Portland.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have contracted back into SERPS from COMPS and approved personal pensions in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [144284]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table:

  Year

  Contracted-out money purchase Schemes

  Appropriate personal pensions

  1992–93

  10,000

  87,000

  1993–94

  8,000

  117,000

  1994–95

  8,000

  64,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to nearest 1,000.

  2. Information produced from the Lifetime Labour Market Database, which uses a 1 per cent. sample of National Insurance Records.

  Source:

  Department of Social Security Analytical Services Division

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those local authorities which, in the 468W
  most recent year for which figures are available, received financial rewards under the weekly benefit savings scheme for tackling housing benefit fraud, indicating in each case the amount received. [144362]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the Library.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown by benefit of his estimated saving of £1 billion in benefit fraud by 2006. [144110]

  Mr. Rooker
  The public service agreement target is to reduce fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance by 25 per cent. by March 2004 and halve it by March 2006.

  The latest figures from the Government Statistical Service, published on 29 November, show that we have already achieved a significant reduction and are on track to meet our first milestone of reducing fraud and error in these benefits by 10 per cent. by 2002.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which local authorities have received information from banks and other private firms since 1997 that has facilitated the prosecution of people suspected of benefit fraud; and which of these prosecutions were carried out jointly with the Benefits Agency. [143510]

  Mr. Rooker
  Local authorities have the power to make inquiries of employers about their employees to investigate benefit fraud. The Department does not record which local authorities have used these powers or the result of those investigations.

  Powers to obtain information from banks and other specified private sector organisations on suspected fraudsters are to be introduced in the new Fraud Bill.

  State Pension
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what proportion of(a) men and (b) women reaching pension age in the most recent year for which figures are available had entitlement to a full basic State Pension in their own right. [144361]

  Mr. Rooker
  Among the half million people who most recently reached State Pension retirement age, some 81 per cent. of men and 22 per cent. of women had an entitlement to a full basic pension.

  Recently retired pensioners at 31 March 2000

  All cases

  Male

  Female

  Men aged 65 and women aged 601

  507.8

  261.2

  246.6

  With full rate of basic State Pension1

  266.5

  212.3

  54.1

  Percentage with full rate basic pension

  52.5

  81.3

  22.0

  1Thousand

  Notes:

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

  2. Includes all retirement pensioners resident in Great Britain and Overseas.

  Source:

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

  Housing Benefit Contracts
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information his Department has collated on the performance of IT Net in delivering housing benefit contracts; and if he will place it in the Library. [144521]

  Angela Eagle
  Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to administer the Housing Benefit scheme even when some administrative tasks are contracted out. While this Department continues to monitor the performance of local authorities through the programme of inspections by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI), we do not collate information on the performance of individual contractors. The BFI's report on the London borough of Islington was published on 11 December and a copy has been placed in the Library.

  Housing Benefit (Islington)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the conclusions of his inspection of the administration of housing benefit in Islington. [144522]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer from my noble Friend Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 11 December 2000,Official Report, House of Lords columns 5–6W.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases over the past five years the War Pensions Agency defended appeals from nuclear test veterans to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal; and at what cost. [143924]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men who have become eligible for the winter fuel payments this year but are not due backdated payments have been notified of their entitlement. [143515]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is estimated that around 250,000 men who are not due payments for previous years could be eligible for winter fuel payments this winter.

  Payments have already been issued to those where we have been able to establish a clear entitlement through the benefit computer system. However, the majority of this group will need to make a claim for their payment, but we cannot make them claim. An information campaign has been running since April which aims to ensure that people know what action they may need to take.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men have become eligible for the winter fuel payments this year; how many have received it; and how many have not yet received it. [143514]

  Mr. Rooker
  An estimated 1.3 million men became eligible for winter fuel payments this winter since the equalisation of the age of eligibility and the removal of the qualifying benefit condition.

  Payments have been issued to all those whose claims were determined by 9 November.
  470W
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the impact on an individual's ability to claim the winter fuel allowance of being in full-time employment after the age of 60 years. [143886]

  Mr. Rooker
  Following the European Court of Justice ruling on the case of Taylor, in December 1999, we decided to equalise the age—at 60—from which winter fuel payments could be made. If we had equalised the age at 65, around 1 million women would have missed out.

  To enable payments to be made from age 60 it was also necessary to remove the need to be in receipt of state retirement pension. Therefore payments are made to those entitled regardless of whether they are getting a social security benefit or whether they are in employment.

  An information campaign, which aims to ensure that those eligible know how and when to make a claim—if they choose to do so—has been running from April 2000.

  Customer Helplines
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets exist for the performance of customer helplines run by his Department. [143521]

  Mr. Rooker
  Targets for the performance of the Department's customer helplines are as listed:

  National benefit fraud hotline
  The line has an agreement to answer 99 per cent. of all calls offered.

  CSA National enquiry line (CSA NEL)
  80 per cent. of calls to NEL and client helplines (CHL) to be answered first time;
  80 per cent. of all calls to NEL/CHL to be answered within 20 seconds;
  95 per cent. of callbacks promised by the Agency to be made on the working day of request;
  No more than 20 per cent. of calls to be abandoned by the caller;
  95 per cent. of customers surveyed on quality callbacks (following contact with NEL, client helplines and face-to-face) to be at least satisfied with the service they have received.

  Benefit enquiry line (BEL) and customer care helpline
  Both lines have a target of aiming to answer calls within 60 seconds.

  War pensions helpline
  The helpline has a target of answering all calls within 30 seconds. In addition it has it own internal target of answering 70 per cent. of all calls offered.

  Public enquiry office
  To answer telephone calls from members of the public in an efficient and polite manner, ensuring calls are answered within 8 rings, where practical.
  To ensure that the average clearance of numbers of calls completed is at least 65 per cent. of calls offered in any given month.

  Child benefit centre
  The current target for Child Benefit Teleservice is to take 42,000 calls per week or be at least 90 per cent. effective.

  Minimum income guarantee helpline

  Winter fuel payment leaflet order line

  Winter fuel payments helpline

  New deal for lone parents helpline

  Pensions info-line
  471W
  Mortgage protection line

  Welfare reform order line

  The inherited SERPS scheme helpline
  The above helplines are contracted out to commercial organisations through the Central Office of Information (COI). All are covered by the COI standard conditions of contract, performance criteria. These are:
  Unless otherwise agreed in Annexe C or Annexe D to the Contract, the following minimum levels of performance are expected as comprising satisfactory service on campaigns:

  (ii) On live operator services, calls to be answered at least 85 per cent. of the time by a live operator on the first attempt by the caller. (To be monitored through BT stats). Where automated overflow is provided the Contractor should ensure that this is minimised.

  (iii) On automated operator services, calls to be answered at least 95 per cent. of the time on the first attempt by the caller. (To be monitored through BT stats).

  (iv) Telephone calls to be answered within a maximum of 5 rings (COI accepts that the nature of the business means that the number of rings will vary, but requires the Contractor to ensure that this standard is achieved as far as is practicable).

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated, the amount his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the White Paper on Modernising Government. [143606]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 21 December 2000,Official Report, columns 245–46W.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people in(a) Scotland and (b) the UK, who have previously been awarded a life award of Disability Living Allowance have had their Disability Living Allowance (i) discontinued and (ii) downgraded, following a review, and thereafter reinstated to the original position following an appeal in each year since 1993; [142999]

  (2) how many people, who have previously been awarded a life award of Disability Living Allowance at high rate, have had that allowance downgraded following a review, in each year since 1 January 1994. [143539]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Disability Living Allowance: estimates of the number of reviews of life or indefinite awards where value of award is reduced1,2,3

  Year

  All awards

  Awards including highest ratecare or higher rate mobility component

  1994

  600

  600

  1995

  600

  600

  1996

  600

  600

  1997

  3,600

  3,400

  1998

  8,000

  7,900

  1999

  5,000

  4,800

  2000

  1,000

  800

  472W
  1The term 'life award' is a misnomer since such awards have always been subject to change on review if entitlement changes and are not therefore payable for life. A clarification, introduced by the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, provides that such awards are now described as 'for an indefinite period' instead of, as previously 'for life'.

  2Reviews include reconsiderations and supersessions under the new system of decision making and appeals introduced from October 1999.

  3Figures for 1994 to 1999 are for the 12 months ending 30 November; those for 2000 are for the six months ending 31 May.

  Notes:

  1. Information is available only for cases where a review has resulted in a reduction in the award. This gives estimates, based on sampling, of the numbers of life and indefinite awards reduced following a review. The small numbers mean that these estimates are broad and subject to relatively large margins of error.

  2. These figures are for Great Britain. Social Security in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and discrete information for Scotland is not available.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 5 per cent. data.

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of people aged under 25 years who are members of occupational pension schemes. [144360]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is estimated that around 650,000 people under 25 are members of occupational pension schemes.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department. Figure relates to 1998–99.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what analysis his Department has made of the reasons for delays in processing juvenile criminal cases in the magistrates courts system; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [143646]

  Jane Kennedy
  My Department has not undertaken a formal analysis. It has, however, worked closely with the other criminal justice agencies to tackle blockages identified locally through consultancy assistance and ministerial visits to high caseload areas. Key actions by the magistrates courts (and other agencies) to reduce unnecessary delay were set out in a joint letter from the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary and the Attorney-General to all Chief Constables, Chief Crown Prosecutors, Justices' Chief Executives, Circuit Administrators, Group Managers, Crown Court Centre Managers, Youth Offending Team Managers and Chief Probation Officers. A copy of that joint ministerial letter of 30 November 2000 has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance he has asked the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority to provide for individual local magistrates courts in respect of bills they may have to meet in 2001–02 in the absence of a formal budget allocation from the GLMCA; and if he will make a statement. [143653]
  473W
  Jane Kennedy
  The Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority (GLMCA) has a statutory responsibility to make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs. No guidance has been provided by the Lord Chancellor's Department. A formal budget allocation for 2001–02 was issued to the GLMCA on 13 December 2000.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the transitional costs of replacing separate magistrates courts in Greater London with the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority arising in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [143651]

  Jane Kennedy
  Additional funding of £900,000 was provided for the transitional costs in 2000 to 2001. The Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority is responsible for estimating the transitional costs for the following two years, as the costs and timing will depend on how they wish to establish their new organisational structure.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to include, in statistics he collects on the performance of magistrates courts, data on the performance of(a) the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) the Police and (c) other linked organisations. [143648]

  Jane Kennedy
  No, other than where these are already published by way of regular statistical bulletins; for instance"time intervals for criminal proceedings in the magistrates courts"
  and the
  "average times from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders".

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many meetings ministers in his Department had with justices' chief executives of magistrates courts in England and Wales in each calendar year between 1990 and 1999; and how many such meetings have been held in 2000. [143645]

  Jane Kennedy
  Figures are not available for meetings with Justices' Chief Executives prior to 1995. Estimates for the following years are set out in the table. They include meetings, visits, and speaking engagements at which Justices' Chief Executives may have been present.

  Year

  Meetings/speaking engagements/magistrates courts visits

  1995

  9

  1996

  16

  1997

  20

  1998

  21

  1999

  29

  2000

  33

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to finalise the detailed financial arrangements, with particular reference to the accounting rules, for the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority; and if he will make a statement. [143644]
  474W
  Jane Kennedy
  The Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority (Financial Administration) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 no. 2810) came into force on 6 November 2000. These regulations apply part VIII of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (financial administration) to the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority.

  A consultation paper on financial issues for the Authority was issued in October 2000. Regulations taking into account responses to the paper will be laid early in January 2001. Audit arrangements and related accounting matters will be discussed with the Audit Commission and officers of the Authority early in 2001.

  All necessary regulations will be in force before 1 April 2001.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to appoint the new Chief Executive of the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority; and if he will make a statement. [143654]

  Jane Kennedy
  The appointment of the Chief Executive is an internal matter for the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority (GLMCA). The Lord Chancellor's roles is to approve candidates presented by the GLMCA prior to an appointment being made. The GLMCA have informed me that they plan to appoint a Chief Executive in March 2001.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of(a) the cost total of transferring police officers to the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority and (b) the pension liabilities involved. [143652]

  Jane Kennedy
  No police officers will transfer to the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority when responsibility for warrant execution passes from the police to magistrates courts committees next April. Accordingly police pension liability issues do not arise.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the budget for the Greater London Magistrates Court Authority in 2001–02 will be announced; and if he will make a statement. [143649]

  Jane Kennedy
  The budget for the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority was announced on 13 December. The Authority will receive £75.7 million.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the combined budgets of magistrates courts in Greater London for the financial years(a) 1989–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01. [143650]

  Jane Kennedy
  The combined budgets of magistrates courts in Greater London for the three years are:

  (a) 1998–99—£71.5 million

  (b) 1999–2000—£69.2 million

  (c) 2000–01—£70.7 million.

  Juvenile Criminal Cases
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department what analysis his Department has made of the impact of the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service on the
  475W
  overall time taken by the crimina1 justice system in dealing with juvenile criminal cases; and if he will make a statement. [143647]

  Jane Kennedy
  My Department has not made a formal analysis of the impact of the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service on the overall time taken by the criminal justice system to deal with juvenile criminal cases. The Attorney-General has ministerial responsibility for the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service. We and Home Office Ministers are working closely with the Law Officers to ensure that practical measures are in place at local level which will reduce delay in dealing with young offenders, in particular persistent young offenders. In their joint letter of 30 November last year, to all Chief Constables, Chief Crown Prosecutors, Justices' Chief Executives, Circuit Administrators, Group Managers, Crown Court Centre Managers, Youth Offending Team Managers and Chief Probation Officers, the Lord Chancellor, Home Secretary and Attorney-General set out key items where effective local efforts by particular agencies and good joint working can make a real difference to reducing delay. The key items were identified as a result of ministerial visits to areas with a high caseload and work undertaken by consultants.

  Divorce
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many couples had begun though not concluded divorce or nullity proceedings on 1 December. [144015]
  476W
  Jane Kennedy
  Information on the number of divorce proceedings begun though not concluded is not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the number of couples who will commence divorce or nullity proceedings in the 12 months after the introduction of pension sharing on 1 December. [144011]

  Jane Kennedy
  The provisional figures for the number of decrees of nullity and decrees absolute granted in 1999 were 323 and 144,233 respectively. The trend is downward; for example the numbers were 444 and 158,301 in 1991. The Government do not anticipate any significant change following the introduction of pension sharing arrangements on 1 December 2000.

  Judges' Lodgings
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in each of the last three years, and over this year,(a) how many High Court judges exceeded their allowance for staying in lodgings, (b) how many underspent on the allowance by 10 per cent. or more and (c) what was the (i) highest overspend, (ii) average overspend, (iii) lowest underspend and (iv) average underspend; and if he will make a statement. [143596]

  Jane Kennedy
  To provide the information requested would require a search of data held in manual form at local level and would incur disproportionate cost.