Written Answers of 10 January 2001

DEFENCE

  Tank Fleets
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average track mileage completed was for(a) Warrior variants, (b) Challenger 1, (c) Challenger 2, (d) Saxon variants, (f) AVF 430 variants, (g) Sabre, (h) Striker, (i) Scimitar, (j) Spartan, (k) Sultan, (l) Samaritan and (m) Samson in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [143193]

  Mr. Spellar
  The annual track mileage completed for each vehicle type is given in the table. Given the disposition of the vehicle fleet, the mix of operational and training deployments, average figures would be unrepresentative for the fleets as a whole.

  Annual track mileage usage—1999–2000

  Serial

  Vehicle

  Annual usage (miles)

  (a)

  Warrior

  574,453

  (b)

  Challenger 1

  71,336

  (c)

  Challenger 2

  144,728

  (d)

  Saxon

  475,127

  (e)

  FV430 variants

  727,475

  (f—l)

  CVR(T) variants1

  898,235

  1 CVR(T) variants include Sabre, Striker, Scimitar, Spartan, Sultan, Samaritan and Samson

  Track mileage usage is collated centrally, based on records submitted by each unit and can serve only as an indicator of trends rather than a detailed comparator. Individual vehicle usage may vary considerably depending on operating environments. Annual allocations are used as a planning tool only and a shortfall or excess in the actual total usage is not uncommon. The one significant usage shortfall in the above figures concerns the CVR(T). This was due, in the main, to the high level of operational activity experience in 1999–2000 which resulted in less routing training activity.

  Medical Staff
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what planned level of defence medical staff is required to support the European Rapid Reaction Force if deployed at a capacity of 60,000; if defence medical staff deployed to support the ERRF will be(a) pooled and (b) operate in national field hospitals; how many medical staff have been pledged, and by which European countries, to date; how many defence medical staff, and in which specialties, have been pledged by the UK to date; and if he will make a statement. [143658]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no such entity as a standing European Rapid Reaction Force. In the maximum scale operation envisaged at Helsinki—a corps-level deployment of up to 60,000 ground troops—the UK component could 544W
  be around 12,500 strong. Maritime and air deployments of up to 18 warships and 72 combat aircraft could be made in addition. The appropriate scaling of medical staff and facilities to support such a deployment will be dependent on the operational circumstances at the time.

  Medical staff are usually deployed on a national basis, but may be employed within a multinational framework, again dependent on the operational circumstances.

  It is inappropriate for the UK to detail the possible contributions of other member states.

  Departmental Policies (Blackpool, South)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Blackpool, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [142234]

  Dr. Moonie
  My Department has only a small presence in the Blackpool, South constituency. Blackpool, South constituents have gained significantly from defence establishments and defence industry in the surrounding area, and the associated benefits that they bring to the local economy and employment. In particular, the Government's commitment to the Eurofighter programme has sustained many thousands of jobs in the area—especially at BAE Systems at Warton—and will continue to do so for years to come during production.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel visited Turkey during the last 12 months; and in what capacities. [143929]

  Mr. Spellar
  Chief of the Naval Staff, Commander in Chief Strike Command and Air Officer Administration (Personnel and Training Command) visited Turkey during 2000.

  Other visits during the year included visits by UK officers to various Turkish armed forces training establishments, ship visits to Turkey (associated with the Argonaut Deployment and NATO exercise Destined Glory) and a platoon exchange. There have also been visits to UK forces deployed on Operation Northern Watch.

  A full list of all military personnel who have visited Turkey is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to special advisers; [143804]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143805]

  Dr. Moonie
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Petroleum
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what access criteria he uses for determining whether(a) remote and (b) rural areas are adequately served by petroleum distributors; and how these criteria are employed. [144653]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The distribution of petroleum products is a commercial matter for individual companies. Local planning authorities can encourage the provision of developments such as petrol stations through the local plan, but it is for private developers to bring such proposals forward.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he takes to ensure that pricing policies of petrol wholesalers do not disadvantage independent retailers. [144655]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under UK competition law, it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of market power. The DGFT can act if pricing levels are the result of anti-competitive behaviour but he has no powers to act in relation to prices as such. On 21 November, the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) announced the findings of his inquiry into wholesale petrol and diesel prices. He said that a combination of high world oil prices and public pressure on UK retail prices had resulted in a squeeze on diesel and petrol margins in recent weeks, rather than anti-competitive behaviour on the part of the major oil companies.

  The DGFT said the Office of Fair Trading will continue to monitor the UK motor fuels market very closely and will not hesitate to take action if it finds that firms in the industry are deliberately damaging competition.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of motor fuels was marketed by(a) each of the major suppliers, (b) hyper and supermarket chains and (c) independent retailers in each year from 1996. [144656]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department collects and collates data from the individual companies that supply petroleum products into the UK market. However, this information is provided under strict commercial confidentiality constraints, and as such, data on individual company market shares cannot be published.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many independent petrol retailers(a) are in operation and (b) have been closed and sealed in each of the last 10 years. [144654]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Institute of Petroleum's "UK Retail Marketing Survey" (last published in March 2000) shows the total number of UK petrol retail outlets for each of the past 10 calendar years as follows:

  Calendar year

  Petrol retail outlets

  1990

  19,465

  1991

  19,247

  1992

  18,549

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  Calendar year

  Petrol retail outlets

  1993

  17,969

  1994

  16,971

  1995

  16,244

  1996

  14,748

  1997

  14,824

  1998

  13,758

  1999

  13,716

  Coal (Aid Scheme)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the implementation of the UK Operating Aid Scheme will result in an electricity generating company benefiting from a reduction in the price it pays for coal under contracts struck prior to 1 January. [144026]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am not aware of any steps that have been taken that will result in an electricity generating company benefiting from a reduction in the price it pays for coal under contracts struck prior to 1 January 2000.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what coal supply contracts have been cancelled or renegotiated because of Government policy on coal state aid. [144027]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am not aware of any coal supply contracts that have been cancelled or renegotiated because of Government policy on state aid.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used in the selection of members of the Import Parity Price Panel under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme; which members of the Panel have been involved in assisting companies applying for aid; and which members have a continuing association with companies that have applied for aid. [144025]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Import Parity Price (IPP) Panel Application form explained the requirements for IPP Panel members in the following terms:You will be working as part of a small team … and it will be necessary for you to be able to work closely together to come to a consensus view on difficult and complex issues related to the prices of hypothetical contracts with third country producers.
  You will need a firm understanding of economic principles and the way in which these can be applied to the question of what prices would have been in hypothetical transactions. It will be essential to have a detailed knowledge of a wide range of aspects of the operation of the coal market in the UK (including purchases of coal from non-UK sources for use in the UK). Whilst not excluding a priori candidates without past involvement in coal contracting from either (or both) the purchasing and selling end, such candidates will need to demonstrate that their skills will be directly applicable to the work of the Panel. Between them, the Panel members must have a full understanding of all aspects of coal contracting so hat due weight can be given to each feature of the contract when determining the IPP.
  You will be widely respected and regarded as independent of any relevant commercial interest by both the coal industry and the major coal purchasers.

  These were the criteria used in the selection of the IPP Panel.
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  Prior to his appointment, Mr. Brewer acted as consultant for one company which has applied for aid under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme.

  Both Mr. Horsier and Mr. Brewer have very small shareholdings in Mining Scotland plc, currently held in trust.

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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". [143607]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 245W.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [143703]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 245W.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed between the end of the first half of the current financial year and the latest date for which figures are available. [144151]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I understand from the Post Office that the information requested is not currently available.

  Energy Market
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to liberalise the energy market; and if he will make a statement. [144429]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We have secured full competition in the supply of gas and electricity and in the generation of electricity, with the benefits flowing through to consumers, while protecting disadvantaged customers and the environment.

  Low-sulphur Fuel
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance he plans to provide to help increase the number of low-sulphur petrol and diesel outlets. [144058]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government have no plans to offer financial assistance to the roll out of low sulphur motor fuels. Since August 1999, ultra-low sulphur diesel has been available at virtually every UK petrol retail outlet.
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  According to HM Customs and Excise, ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP) currently constitutes 42.5 per cent. of petrol delivered for consumption in the UK. The United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA)—the trade association representing the major UK oil refiners—has said its members are committed to ensuring the conditions exist for the Chancellor to implement his duty rate reduction in the Budget in 2001.

  Power Supply
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent measures he has taken to ensure the continuity of power supply; [143922]

  (2) what monitoring he undertakes of the frequency, duration and location of power cuts. [143921]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The DTI's Engineering Inspectorate enforces the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, as amended, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. These regulations require the electricity supply companies to prevent interruption of supply so far as is reasonably practicable, to protect equipment from possible damage or interference and design and operate networks to minimise the number of consumers affected by any fault. The electricity supply companies are also required to report single interruptions of 20 megawatts or more lasting one minute or longer, or single interruption of five megawatts or more or affecting 5,000 consumers or more and lasting one hour or longer.

  Engineering Inspectors review the circumstances of each reported event and, where appropriate, investigate the circumstances to check for compliance with the regulations. In addition, Engineering Inspectors regularly challenge the performance of the electricity companies on behalf of dissatisfied consumers who report local problems to the Inspectorate.

  All electricity licensees who operate transmission or distribution systems are also required to report annually to the Gas and Electricity Markets authority on their performance in maintaining system security, availability and quality of service. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets publishes this information in an annual report called "Report on Distribution and Transmission System Performance". Ofgem's website: www.ofgem.gov.uk.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the quality of power supply to businesses and homes in Slough. [143923]

  Mrs. Liddell
  DTI Engineering Inspectors, who enforce the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, as amended, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, are aware of two major incidents involving outdoor equipment at Slough Grid substation occurring on 14 April 2000 and 1 May 2000, both of which affected approximately 21,000 consumers in the Slough area. The first incident which lasted an hour was attributed to failure of a 33kV insulator, and the second incident which lasted 45 minutes was caused by a bird straddling 33kV conductors.

  There have been other relatively minor supply interruptions in the Slough area in the last 12 months. However, Inspectors are not aware of any level of

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  complaints from consumers or reports from the local electricity companies which would indicate a general deterioration of the electricity supply.

  Particular incidents of a repeat nature or of long duration should be reported to inspectors who will investigate the circumstances on behalf of consumers to check that the local electricity company is complying with the regulations.

  Intellectual Property
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the law relating to the theft of intellectual property; and if he will make a statement. [144505]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: My Department conducted a consultation exercise on possible changes to the criminal provisions in intellectual property law early last year and as a result the Government have decided to amend the law to bring about some rationalisation of and improvement to the provisions relating to these crimes. More specifically, we intend to raise the maximum penalties for the most serious copyright and related offences to the same levels as currently exists for the trade mark offences—an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years in prison—improve the police powers of search and seizure across the board and introduce provisions on forfeiture of infringing goods in criminal in the copyright area matching the existing provisions in the trade mark area.

  Overall, these changes should provide a significant deterrent effect as well as improve the tools available to those who enforce the law relating to theft of intellectual property. These legislative proposals, which will be brought forward as soon as Parliamentary time allows, are in addition to other approaches to achieve a reduction in intellectual property crime, such as the work in the Counterfeiting and Piracy Forum to identify co-operative and other initiatives involving public sector enforcers, right holders, retailers and consumers. Raising awareness of the issues, such as links between intellectual property and other serious organised crime, the effects of dangerous or damaging fake goods and the impact of intellectual property crime on local employment opportunities, in order to persuade consumers not to buy fakes is another important area of our work.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143824]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143825]

  Mr. Byers
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Ceramics Industry
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet representatives of the British ceramic manufacturing industry to discuss the effect of increased gas prices on competitiveness; and if he will make a statement. [144447]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am always ready to meet representatives of industry to discuss energy matters.

  As I said in my previous answer on 6 November 2000, Official Report, column 13W, the immediate cause of the rise is oil related gas contracts in Europe which tie the gas price to the oil price. This has brought about a sharp rise in North West European gas prices. This in turn has set the bench-mark for GB prices through trade across the interconnector. My Department continues to monitor the UK market and will not hesitate to refer anti-competitive behaviour to the appropriate competition authorities.

  In the longer term, the key to the problem is the rapid introduction of liberalisation and competition in Europe to break the link between gas and oil prices.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Oversight Commissioner
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make available to the House the report compiled by Tom Constantine, the Oversight Commissioner, which outlines how he plans to fulfil his terms of reference. [144927]

  Mr. Ingram
  I am grateful to Mr. Constantine for his comprehensive report and have today placed a copy of it in the Library. Mr. Constantine has sent copies of the report to the political parties and other interested bodies in Northern Ireland.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143828]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143829]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Drumcree
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to promote community relations in the Drumcree area since January 2000. [144164]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

CABINET OFFICE

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143834]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143835]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

HEALTH

  Correspondence
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire, dated 28 March, concerning Tara Ballard. [142991]

  Ms Stuart
  A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 8 January.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 24 October on behalf of his constituent, Dr. Davies. [143578]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 19 December 2000]: A reply to the right hon. Member's letter was sent on 8 January.

  Doctor/Patient Ratios (Easington)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to improve doctor/patient ratios within the area covered by the Easington Primary Care Group; and if he will make a statement. [144294]

  Mr. Denham
  The average list sizes for general practitioner principals in the Easington Primary Care Group (PCG) area is 2,085 patients per GP. While this is larger than the national average of 1,845 patients per GP, it does not take into account the number of non-principals working in the area. If salaried doctors and GP principals are taken together, the current ratio of doctors to patients in Easington is 1,967.

  Currently salaried doctor (non-principal) recruitment has largely taken place in those practices with Personal Medical Services (PMS) pilots. Since the first pilots commenced in Easington in October 1999, 2.8 whole time equivalent salaried GPs have been recruited to the area. Approval for five more practices to become PMS pilots has been announced and this will lead to the recruitment of four more salaried GPs for an October 2001 start. Following this planned recruitment the average GP list size for Easington would fall to 1,849 which meets the national average and would better help the PCG address the health needs of its population.

  Clinical Governance
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions will be applied under the proposed arrangements for clinical governance to clinicians who refuse to take part in audit and clinical governance arrangements. [144439]

  Mr. Denham
  Clinical governance requires all National Health Service organisations to put in place a range of mechanisms, including clinical audit, which enable them to monitor and assure the quality of their clinical services. It does not impose sanctions on individuals. The Commission for Health Improvement will provide an independent and external check on progress in implementing these arrangements.

  However, the NHS Plan proposes that, subject to Parliament, all doctors working in primary care will be subject to clinical governance arrangements and we are working with the profession to finalise these proposals. We intend to introduce participation in clinical audit and annual appraisal as a contractual requirement, and general practitioners should, therefore, participate fully and positively in the process. Refusal to take part would be a disciplinary matter to be dealt with, where necessary, under disciplinary procedures. These procedures will be speeded up, with health authorities given a greater role in dealing with individual cases.

  From 1 April 2001, appraisal will be a contractual requirement for all hospital consultants, and must be carried out annually. Consultants will be expected to participate positively in the appraisal process. Refusal by a consultant to participate will be a disciplinary matter to be dealt with, where necessary, under the employer's disciplinary procedures. Additionally, the chief executive will report the matter to the Discretionary Points and Distinction Award Committees, and the consultant will not be considered for an award until he or she has agreed to participate fully in the appraisal process.

  The General Medical Council makes clear in "Good Medical Practice: Duties of a Doctor" that doctors should take part in regular and systematic medical and clinical audit. Indeed, clinical audit results will be a major factor for the GMC in considering whether individual doctors have met the requirement of their new revalidation system which will follow on the introduction of appraisal. This will be a powerful tool in ensuring participation in clinical audit.

  Beef (Labelling)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances beef sourced from animals raised in France can be included in a product sold in Britain and labelled as British. [144354]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Government guidelines issued last year make clear that if the place of origin of a food is not the same as the place of origin of its ingredients, additional information may need to be provided on the label to avoid misleading consumers. Failure to do this may result in contravention of existing legislation governing false and misleading labelling and presentation. The guidelines make clear in particular that products containing meat should not be described as "British" if they contain imported meat, but could be described as "made in Britain from …" with

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  either a specific (eg "French") or general (eg "imported") indication of the origin of the meat ingredients they contain. The United Kingdom has urged the European Commission to consider regulation of labelling of processed products containing beef as a matter of urgency and to bring forward proposals for consideration by the Council and the European Parliament.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the President of the Council (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers; [143815]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers. [143814]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Capital Projects (Secondary Schools)
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason the allocation of funds for additional capital projects in secondary schools in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood and Ongar is less than £30,000 per school. [143667]

  Jacqui Smith
  This Government inherited a position where less than £700 million a year was being invested by Central Government in school buildings, leading to crumbling buildings and widespread disrepair. We have already tripled annual investment to over £2 billion this year and it will rise further to £3.2 billion by 2003–04. Over the next three years, we will make available a total of £7.8 billion for investment in schools buildings.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his pre-Budget Statement on 8 November 2000 that additional capital funding of £167 million would be provided in 2000–01 for schools across England. This was distributed as additional Devolved Formula Capital for schools. Allocations were made on a per school and per pupil formula basis (which for secondary schools equated to £3,488 per school, plus £13.08 per pupil or £26.16 per Special Educational Needs pupil). All schools in England of the same type and size received the same amount. Taken together with the original allocation of Devolved Formula Capital to schools for 2000–01 of £187 million, this represents a total amount of £7,488 per school, plus £18.72 per primary pupil, £28.08 per secondary pupil or £56.16 per Special Educational Needs pupil.

  This is in addition to capital investment made available to Essex LEA through Annual Capital Guidelines, grant funding for Voluntary Aided schools, New Deal for Schools, Schools Access Initiative, Class Size Initiative, School Security grant, PFI credits, National Grid for
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  Learning grant, Devolved Formula and Seed Challenge grant, and several specific grants such as School Laboratories. In round figures these total £12 million in 1996–97 (before the local government re-organisation), £11 million in 1997–98, £15 million in 1998–99, £22 million in 1999–2000 and £57 million in 2000–01. This has taken funding per pupil for schools in Essex from an average of £50 per head in 1996–97 to over £270 per head in 2000–01.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143826]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143827]

  Mr. Wills
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Northlea Comprehensive School, Seaham
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the most recent Ofsted report on Northlea Comprehensive School, Seaham, Co. Durham. [144328]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The only secondary school in Seaham, Co. Durham is Seaham Comprehensive School, which was inspected during October 2000. The inspection report will be available from Ofsted's website. I have asked HM Chief Inspector of Schools, Mike Tomlinson, to write to my hon. Friend and to place copies of his letter and the inspection report in the Library.

  New Deal (Vale of Clwyd)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have benefited from the introduction of the New Deals in the Vale of Clwyd, broken down by each New Deal category. [144452]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Figures to the end of October 2000 show that in the Vale of Clwyd constituency the following numbers of people have benefited from participation in New Deal:

  Starts on New Deal

  Jobs gained

  New Deal for Young People

  771

  378

  New Deal 25+

  321

  69

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  359

  136

  Note:

  'Starts' include those currently on New Deal.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Council
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of
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  15 December 2000, Official Report, column 298W, on Belarus, what criteria the British Council uses to assess the importance of countries to the UK. [143838]

  Mr. Hain
  The British Council's geographical priorities are based on an assessment of a country's importance to the United Kingdom—in political, commercial and historical terms—and of the Council's ability to achieve long-term influence and impact for the United Kingdom. The criteria for assessing the Council's ability to achieve impact include the need to change perceptions of the United Kingdom, the demand for Council services and receptivity to Council programmes, the accessibility of the Council's target audiences and the availability of other mechanisms for influencing perceptions of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) of 15 December 2000,Official Report, column 298W, on Belarus, when his Department was informed of the British Council's decision; and what consultation took place with his Department as part of the British Council's strategic review. [143709]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was fully consulted in the course of the strategic review which led to the decisions taken by the British Council's Board, in October 2000, to make changes to its overseas network.

  Ministerial Travel
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many flights including helicopter 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. [143871]

  Mr. Battle
  [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.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits officials from his Department plan to make to Western Sahara. [144515]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: UK officials visit Western Sahara three or four times a year. The most recent was in early December. No dates have yet been fixed for the next visit, but we expect it to be some time in the first quarter of 2001.

  Iran
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last raised with the Iranian Government the position of the Jews imprisoned in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [144369]
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  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: We and our European partners have taken every opportunity to raise our concerns about the unsatisfactory nature of the case, which I last raised with the Iranian ambassador when I met him on 19 October. While noting the reductions in the sentence of between two and six years on appeal, we hope that the Iranian judiciary will now show clemency. The EU sponsored the 4 December General Assembly Resolution expressing concern about discrimination against people who belong to religious minorities and Iranian failure to comply with the international standards on the administration of justice.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage religious tolerance in Iran. [143904]

  Mr. Hain
  Human Rights are a high priority in our dealings with the Iranian Government. We and our EU partners take every appropriate opportunity to press the Iranian authorities over our concerns about their treatment of religious minorities in Iran, particularly the Bahai and Jewish communities. The EU sponsored a United Nations General Assembly Resolution adopted on 4 December which expressed concern about discrimination against people who belong to religious minorities. The Iranian authorities are well aware that we and our EU partners view persecution on religious grounds as totally unacceptable.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [144084]

  Mr. Hain
  FCO expenditure on projects involving outside consultants was £15.8 million in 1997–98, £14.5 million in 1998–99 and £14.0 million in 1999–2000. Their expertise was sought mainly to help obtain value for money in property and information technology capital projects, both in the UK and abroad. It would involve disproportionate expense to list the projects individually.

  The FCO does not collect separate data on expenditure on academic researchers and university departments. It would involve disproportionate expense to retrieve this information and itemise the projects.

  West Bank
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the attack in the West Bank on the vehicle carrying the British Consul-General last week; what representations he has made to the Israeli Government on action taken by the Israeli Defence Forces to stop the attack; and what plans the Israeli Government have to take action against those who attacked the Consul-General. [144007]

  Mr. Hain
  On 12 December, at about 1.45 pm, the British Consul General in Jerusalem, his wife, his driver and one of the Consulate General's staff were threatened, and the Consul General's car damaged, while detained at a temporary Israeli Defence Force (IDF) checkpoint just north of Halhoul on the West Bank.
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  The Consul General's official car was stopped by the IDF when it approached the checkpoint. Also present were a group of armed civilians who had partially blocked the road with a bus. While the Consul General's car was stationary, the armed civilians made threatening gestures towards the car and its occupants, and one threw a rock at the car, damaging the rear window. The IDF personnel who were present did nothing to prevent these events from taking place.

  The British Embassy in Tel Aviv has made a strong protest to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has demanded an explanation of the IDF's failure to intervene during the incident. We have been assured that the IDF will conduct a thorough investigation. We continue to press the Israelis for a response to our protest.

  Afghanistan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the UN on mediations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and opposition groups; [144020]

  (2) if he will make a statement on UN mediations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and opposition groups. [144019]

  Mr. Hain:
  [holding answers 8 January 2000]: We have frequent contacts with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative, Francesc Vendrell, and other members of the UN. We continue to underline our strong support for UN peace efforts in Afghanistan. We welcome the agreement brokered by Mr. Vendrell on 30 October in which the Taliban and Northern Alliance gave their written agreement to peace talks. We were disappointed, however, that the Taliban withdrew from this process in protest at the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1333 on 19 December. We urge both sides to co-operate with the UN and enter genuine peace negotiations for the sake of the long-suffering people of Afghanistan.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Afghanistan. [144021]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: We remain deeply concerned at the tragic situation in Afghanistan where years of warfare have had a devastating effect on the country as its people. We strongly support the UN's efforts to bring peace. We are particularly concerned that the Taliban continue to support terrorism, benefit from the drugs trade and violate human rights, especially those of women and girls. We support UNSCRs 1267/99 and 1333/00 which impose targeted sanctions on the Taliban because of their refusal to hand over to justice Osama Bin Laden and their continued support for international terrorism.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals being considered by the UN Security Council from Russia and the US to increase existing sanctions against the Taliban. [144018]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 January 2001, Official Report, column 509W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding).
  558W
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. [144017]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Our High Commissioner in Islamabad met the senior Taliban representative to Pakistan on 10 November and 12 December. The High Commissioner underlined our strong concerns on Taliban support for terrorism and drugs trafficking, as well as their treatment of women and girls. On this last point, the High Commissioner said that the British Government regarded this as an affront to human rights. He urged the Taliban to reconsider their policy and, as a matter of urgency, rescind their edict banning Afghan women from working for international organisations. The High Commissioner also called on the Taliban to engage seriously in UN brokered peace talks.

  Jason Pope
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to establish the whereabouts of Jason Pope. [144022]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Our officials and I have raised Jason Pope's case with the governments of Angola, South Africa, Philippines, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, France, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco and Libya, and those of the Troika of Observer States to the Lusaka Protocol peace process (Russia, US and Portugal). We have also raised the case with the UN, UNITA officials, NGOs (including the Angolan Red Cross, ICRC and UNHCR) and church groups (including the Vatican).

  The case was last raised at ministerial level when I met the Deputy Foreign Minister of Angola on 29 November.

  We will continue to explore all possible sources of information and assistance to try to establish Jason's whereabouts and the facts behind his disappearance.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he and his Ministers last contacted Jason Pope's family. [144008]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Baroness Scotland, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, last wrote to Jason's mother on 22 November 2000. On 18 December 2000, Jason's mother cancelled her meeting with Baroness Scotland which was due to take place the following day. Foreign Office officials remain in regular contact with the Pope family.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken to co-ordinate policy on export licences with the Department of Trade and Industry; and if he will make a statement. [144123]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through the Export Control Organisation (ECO). All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the Department of Trade and Industry to other Government Departments with an

  559W
  interest as determined by those Departments in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development. These Departments give advice to the Department of Trade and Industry on whether the application should be approved or refused, in accordance with the consolidated European Union and national export licensing criteria I announced on 26 October 2000, Official Report, columns 199–203W.

  Export licensing is a joined-up process. Officials in the FCO are in contact with officials in other Government Departments, including the DTI, on a daily basis, and there is an inter-departmental steering group that meets regularly to discuss export control issues. There are also regular meetings between officials in the main Departments to identify specific ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the export licensing system, as well as to discuss particular licence applications.

  Government Departments have worked together since 2 May 1997 to publish Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Three such reports have been published so far: copies are in the Library of the House.

  Details of the roles and responsibilities of the Government Departments involved in the export licensing process have been set out in a Memorandum from the FCO and DTI to the "Quadripartite" Committee (Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry), published on 15 June 1999 (HC540).

  Human Rights
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses to decide whether to mention particular countries, in his Department's Human Rights Annual Report 2000. [144016]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The FCO Human Rights Annual Report 2000 gives an overview of the main international human rights challenges and the Government's response to those challenges from June 1999 to June 2000. The report does not aim to provide an exhaustive analysis of human rights in every country in the world. This is already available from many other sources. Rather, the report provides specific examples of action in a number of countries—from the most widely reported to less publicised but still important grassroots initiatives—to illustrate and explain our wider human rights policies. Countries or issues not covered in past reports may well be covered in future reports.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143816]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143817]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

SCOTLAND

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143812]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143813]

  Dr. Reid
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in Accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agrimonetary compensation available in 1999–2000 has not yet been paid to UK farmers. [143841]

  Ms Quin
  A total of £643 million was available to the UK in 1999 and 2000. Of the £451 million in agrimonetary compensation announced for those years, £384 million has been paid, leaving £67 million to pay (mainly the latest packages to beef and arable farmers). The details are set out in the table:

  £ million

  Announced

  Paid

  To pay

  Available 19991

  Beef

  61.6

  61.6

  0

  Sheep

  31.2

  31.2

  0

  Arable

  170

  170

  0

  Available 20002

  Beef

  42

  12

  30

  Sheep

  32

  31.9

  0.1

  Arable

  91

  55.3

  35.7

  Dairy

  22

  21.9

  0.1

  1 First tranche compulsory

  2 Second tranche compulsory plus optional

  Agriculture (Gross Domestic Product)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the net contribution is of agriculture to GDP in England in each of the past three years after the deduction of subsidies, concessions on diesel, reductions in council taxes on farm buildings and farmland and the relevant Civil Service costs. [144251]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Agriculture's contribution to national GDP for England for the three years to 1999 is shown in the table.
  561W

  Agriculture's share of gross domestic product in England

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Including subsidies

  1.1

  0.9

  0.9

  Excluding directly paid subsidies

  0.8

  0.7

  0.6

  Excluding all subsidies, tax concessions2 and relevant Civil Service costs

  0.6

  0.5

  0.5

  1 Provisional

  2 Estimated

  Animal Feed
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from farmers on a UK derogation from the EU ban on fishmeal in ruminant animal feed; and if he will make a statement. [144341]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Representations have now been received from farmers and others explaining that fishmeal does not bear a risk of transferring TSEs to ruminant or other animals and as such should not have been included in the extended feed ban agreed on 4 December. It was for this reason that the UK resisted this part of the proposal and was able, with other countries, to obtain an exemption from the ban for non-ruminant animal feeds. We will shortly be consulting all interests on the detailed implementation of the new EC feed measures.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the importing into Britain of ruminant animal feed products that contain meat and bonemeal. [144327]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: There is no prohibition on the importing into Great Britain of ruminant meat and bonemeal. However, it is illegal in the UK to sell or supply such products for feeding to farmed livestock. Compliance with this prohibition is monitored by sampling at premises handling livestock feedstuffs.

  Swine Fever
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce an industry levy in order to part-fund compensation for pig farmers hit by swine fever, indicating whether proceeds from the levy can be used for other purposes. [144388]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I welcome the commitment made by the NFU and NPA in the summer to review with Government the longer-term implications for disease control in modern industry conditions. In addition, industry representatives proposed a top-up contribution be made by pig producers to the Government's unprecedented Pig Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. To bring this about, pig producers are currently being consulted on a proposed development scheme under the Agriculture Act 1967. The proposed development scheme would enable its trustees to use levy funds to benefit pig producers in planning for and dealing with the impact of outbreaks of pig diseases, as well as reducing the risks of such outbreaks occurring.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment the Government have made of the impact of GM agriculture on farmland values. [144339]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: There is currently no commercial cultivation of GM crops in the UK.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors underlie his policy concerning the level of Government funding for research into GM crops. [144394]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: My Department's policy for funding research in relation to GM crops is published on the MAFF website www.maff.gov.uk.

  Pesticides Tax
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy regarding a pesticides tax. [144395]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who set out the current position in relation to a pesticides tax in the pre-Budget Report on 8 November 2000.

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the payments from the Capital Modernisation Fund has been made to(a) his Department, (b) statutory bodies overseen by his Department, (c) the Countryside Agency, (d) English Nature, (e) the Environment Agency and (f) rural local authorities. [144397]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Of the funding available from the first two rounds of the Capital Modernisation Fund the bodies named have received the following proportions:

  (a) 1 per cent.

  (b) Nil.

  Parts (c) through to (f) are for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Departmental Catering
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required by domestic producers. [144331]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Catering at the Ministry's official functions is provided by external firms, who are required to discharge services with all due care and diligence and in accordance with the best professional or industry practice as well as conforming in all respects with the requirements of relevant statutes, orders, regulations, or byelaws in force.

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of over-30-month old meat products were(a) imported into the United Kingdom and

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  (b) re-exported from the United Kingdom in each of the last three years, broken down by (i) country of origin, (ii) class of product and (iii) in the case of re-exported material, country of destination. [144256]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Statistics available do not separately identify meat products from animals slaughtered at over-30-months of age.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the items covered by the ban on the sale of over-30-month meat products are(a) domestically sourced and (b) imported. [144370]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The information requested is not available. The over-30-month rule prohibits the sale of meat for human consumption from cattle aged over-30-months at slaughter.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the efficacy of controls designed to stop imported over-30-month beef from entering the British food chain. [144321]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The implementation of controls to prevent beef from animals over-30-months old entering the food chain is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.

  BSE
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment the Government have made of the effectiveness of BSE controls in(a) France, (b) Denmark, (c) Finland, (d) Germany, (e) Greece, (f) Holland, (g) Austria, (h) Belgium, (i) Ireland, (j) Italy, (k) Luxembourg, (l) Portugal, (m) Spain and (n) Sweden. [144314]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Member states' BSE controls are inspected by the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO). As a result of the current situation, the FVO is currently carrying out a series of inspections of member states' controls.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on research his Department has sponsored on the copper-manganese BSE theory. [144263]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: My Department has not sponsored any research on the copper-manganese BSE theory. However, the TSE Research and Surveillance Unit follows the progress of research in this area which is supported by other funders.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the measures relating to agriculture included in the Rural White Paper had not previously been announced. [144259]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Rural White Paper includes a number of new initiatives such as targeted help for small and medium-sized abattoirs, consultation on transitional rate relief for farm diversification and a new review group on
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  assessing public benefits of rural land uses. A number of the non-agricultural measures in the Rural White Paper will also benefit the farming community.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143798]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143799]

  Ms Quin
  Special Advisers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Veterinary Drugs
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Ministers in his Department and in the Department of Health have determined the fees to be paid by merchants and saddlers for registration in 2001–02 with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain under the Medicines (Exemptions for Merchants in Veterinary Drugs) Order 1998. [145155]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  With the consent of the Treasury, the Schedule of Fees for registration, retention and restoration have been determined. This is given in the table.

  Fees

  Application in respect of each premises

  Previous fee (£)

  New fee (£)

  Agricultural Merchants

  1. For registration under article 5

  197

  224

  2. For retention of registration under article 5

  122

  133

  3. For restoration of registration under article 5

  166

  190

  Saddlers

  1. For registration under article 5

  123

  127

  2. For retention of registration under article 5

  73

  78

  3. For restoration of registration under article 5

  107

  107

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Fuel Efficiency
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research the Government have commissioned on the impact of petrol and diesel prices on(a) miles travelled, (b) the sales of more fuel-efficient vehicles and (c) the design and promotion by manufacturers of fuel-efficient vehicles. [143171]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: Government research over many years has helped to assess the impact of fuel prices on traffic levels and the development and purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles and has contributed to the Government's strategic transport and environmental modelling capacity. Recent

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  research by DETR, described in Annex C of 'Modelling using the National Road Traffic Forecasting framework for "Tackling Congestion and Pollution" and "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan" ' published in December, has assessed the impact of changes in fuel prices on car traffic levels. Current DETR research includes analysis of the factors influencing both customers' new car purchasing decisions and future fuel efficiency improvements.

  Data showing trends in fuel consumption and emissions of CO2 from road transport are published in a variety of sources including the "UK Air Emissions Inventory, Climate Change—The UK Programme" and "Transport Statistics Great Britain".

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North Essex on 14 December 2000,Official Report, column 201W, on implementation of VED rates for commercial vehicles, (a) if rebates on existing vehicles and (b) the revised rates of VED on re-registered vehicles will be available to vehicle operators before 1 January 2001; and if it is his policy (i) to increase VED rates immediately and (ii) to delay the implementation of VED reductions until the Budget. [144091]

  Mr. Hill
  Application forms for operators to apply for the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rebates announced in the pre-Budget Report are currently being sent out to operators by DVLA. A number of payments have already been made. It is expected that payments will be despatched no more than four weeks after receipt of the completed application form by DVLA. The deduction of rebates from the statutory VED rates at source has meant that those taking out licences from December 2000 have, in effect, been paying the new VED rates announced in the pre-Budget Report. This reflects our intention to implement both the new rates and the payment of rebates at the earliest opportunity after the announcement of the pre-Budget Report.

  The Government have issued a consultation paper on the future VED for goods vehicles, seeking views on a number of proposals including fewer VED rate bands, greater flexibility of vehicle configuration within each rate band, better environmental signals and reduced tax on vehicle ownership. The consultation closes on 12 January.

  Repetitive Strain Injury
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information the Health and Safety Executive collates on the number of people suffering from work-related cases of RSI; and if he will make a statement. [144568]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recognise that RSI (or upper limb disorders, which is a more accurate term) is a serious problem, and we are taking steps to tackle it. The Health and Safety Commission proposes to include a specific programme on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in its strategic plan for 2001–04.
  566W
  The HSE information sheet 1/00/EMSU, "Work-related upper limb disorders statistics information sheet", contains the most up-to-date information collated by HSE on this topic. I am placing a copy in the Library.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143820]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143821]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers; [143833]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers. [143832]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Sports Participation
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase the number of people participating in sport in this country. [145173]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government made a clear commitment to widen access to sporting opportunities in "A Sporting Future for All". Since its publication in April last year, we have announced a number of initiatives which will go a long way towards meeting this commitment. £750 million will be made available through the New Opportunities Fund for sport projects in, around and for schools; £130 million is being spent on multi-use facilities in primary schools; £120 million will provide a network of 1,000 School Sport Co-ordinators to improve physical education and sporting opportunities for schoolchildren and the local community.

  Tomorrow, we will announce further steps which the Government will take to increase opportunities—not only as participant or competitor—to enjoy sport and the benefits it can bring.

TREASURY

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many adults are aged between 18 and 24 years; and if he will estimate the number of these who are(a) employed, (b) self-employed, (c) in full-time education and (d) in other categories of economic activities. [144355]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 10 January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of 18 to 24 year olds and their number in various categories of economic activity (144355). I am replying in his absence.
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the main source of labour market data on individuals used by National Statistics. There were 4,942,000 people aged 18 to 24 in the UK in summer (June to August) 2000 of which (a) 3,451,000 were in employment, (b) 1,165,000 were full-time students and (c) 965,000 were in other categories of economic activities.
  People aged 16 or over are classed as in employment by the LFS if they have done at least one hour of paid work (as an employee or self-employed) in the week prior to their LFS interview or if they have a job that they are temporarily away from. People who do unpaid work in a family business and people on government-supported training and employment programmes are also included according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention.
  Full-time students are those people aged over 16 who are still at school or in some other form of full-time education, including sandwich courses.
  The other category comprises the unemployed and the economically inactive, excluding students.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in manufacturing in each year since 1979. [R] [142879]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 December 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Richard Page, dated 10 January 2001:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of people employed in manufacturing in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979. (142879)
  The estimates are contained in the attached table and cover the number of workforce jobs as opposed to the number of persons employed. Workforce jobs are the sum of employee jobs, self employed jobs and Government Supported Trainees. These estimates are based on the results of regular sample surveys of employers which count the number of employee jobs in manufacturing, the Labour Force Survey and administrative sources. The estimate of workforce jobs thus contains second jobs which cannot be separately identified in employer based surveys.
  568W

  Workforce jobs in manufacturing—UK

  Thousands

  June 1979

  6,963

  June 1980

  6,676

  June 1981

  6,014

  June 1982

  5,683

  June 1983

  5,375

  June 1984

  5,314

  June 1985

  5,293

  June 1986

  5,178

  June 1987

  5,147

  June 1988

  5,226

  June 1989

  5,274

  June 1990

  5,156

  June 1991

  4,728

  June 1992

  4,495

  June 1993

  4,300

  June 1994

  4,317

  June 1995

  4,378

  June 1996

  4,428

  June 1997

  4,483

  June 1998

  4,515

  June 1999

  4,347

  June 2000

  4,238

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the yield from reducing the annual threshold at which the children's tax credit begins to be tapered away by(a) £1,000, (b) £2,000, (c) £3,000, (d) £4,000 and (e) £5,000. [144358]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The estimated full year yield from reducing the annual threshold at which the Children's Tax Credit (CTC) begins to be tapered away for 2001–02 is given in the table.

  Reduction to CTC threshold

  Estimated full year yield (£ million)

  £1,000

  30

  £2,000

  60

  £3,000

  90

  £4,000

  130

  £5,000

  170

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143818]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143819]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Working Families Tax Credit (Wansbeck)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Wansbeck are in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit. [144292]
  569W
  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.

  Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much(a) value-added tax and (b) income tax was collected in each year since 1995 in Wales. [144089]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 7 November 2000,Official Report. columns 121–22W.

  Healthcare Plans
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people contribute annually to low cost healthcare cash plans; and what steps he is taking to assist such schemes. [143679]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government do not collect the information requested.

  The Financial Services Authority is in discussion with the British Healthcare Association about such schemes.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the(a) percentage and (b) numerical change in youth unemployment was between (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [143376]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The number of young people aged 18–24 claimant unemployed for six months or more fell by 81 per cent. or 143,700, between April 1997 and November 2000.

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many disabled people have been helped back into work through the disabled person's tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [143377]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) is open to people who work for 16 hours or more a week, have an illness or disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job, and who are either receiving one of a range of incapacity or disability benefits at the time of their application or have been receiving certain benefits within the previous six months. In August 2000 over 25,000 disabled workers were benefiting from DPTC—37 per cent. more than were receiving Disability Working Allowance in July 1999. From October 2000, a new fast-track to DPTC was introduced to help people who have been sick for 20 weeks or more to remain in work.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the(a) value and (b) percentage of the total income tax paid by each decile of earners for the latest year for which figures are available. [142702]
  570W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The amount of income tax paid by the decile group (or taxpayers) and the percentage of income tax that each decile group are liable to is shown in the table, based on 1998–99 liabilities from the survey of personal incomes.

  Decile

  Amount of income tax liability for each decile group £ billion

  Income tax liability of the decile group as a percentage of total income tax liability

  1

  0.4

  0.5

  2

  1.2

  1.4

  3

  1.9

  2.2

  4

  3.0

  3.4

  5

  4.1

  4.7

  6

  5.5

  6.2

  7

  7.0

  8.0

  8

  9.1

  10.3

  9

  12.3

  14.0

  10

  43.5

  49.4

  VAT Relief (Property Conversion)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason he is unable to provide a disaggregated cost of the three measures outlined in paragraph 6.80 of Cm 4917; and what estimate he has made of the time that Customs and Excise staff will have to spend in ensuring that enhanced relief does not subsidise high value properties. [142251]

  Dawn Primarolo
  These measures are part of a package worth £80 million. Customs and Excise estimate that the cost of the reduced VAT rate for work on converting residential properties into a different number of dwelling units will be around £70 million and that the cost of the adjustment to the zero-rate of VAT for the sale of refurbished vacant dwellings could be around £10 million in 2001–02. Inland Revenue estimate that the cost of the measure giving tax relief for the costs of converting redundant space over commercial premises into flats for letting will be negligible in 2001–02.

  Customs will nor need extra staff to assure the package of measures for property conversions. The tax relief for converting flats over shops will exclude high value properties. The VAT proposals in the package will not, but their main benefit will be to smaller families, single people and the less well-off, by encouraging the creation of a greater number of good quality and relatively affordable homes.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much spending on health has increased since 1 May 1997; and by what proportion of GDP health spending will increase by 2002. [144627]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Planned UK net expenditure on the NHS in 2000–01, as announced in the March 2000 budget, is £54.2 billion. This represents a real terms increase of 18 per cent. since 1997–98.

  By 2002–03, total expenditure on healthcare, both public and private, in the UK is forecast to rise to 7.4 per cent. of GDP compared to 6.7 per cent. in 1997–98.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the proceeds from the climate change levy he estimates will be obtained from electricity generated from(a) nuclear power, (b) hydroelectric power and (c) renewable sources. [143681]

  Mr. Timms
  Climate change levy will be payable on the non-domestic use of energy. It is not possible to distinguish between domestic and non-domestic electricity according to how it is generated. Electricity from all sources is expected to account for some 70 per cent. of the levy proceeds. Energy from new renewable sources will be exempt.

  Unemployment Rates
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many constituencies in England, broken down by Government office in each region, are ranked within the top 100 by overall unemployment rate. [144282]

  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 Ms Karen Buck, dated January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question regarding the number of constituencies broken down by Government Office in each region that are ranked within the top 100 by overall unemployment rate (144282). I am replying in his absence.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish a monthly count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits. The claimant count consists of all people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits at Employment Service local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which the claim is made.
  Given below are the numbers of parliamentary constituencies in each English Government Office Region ranked with the 100 highest claimant count rate in November 2000.

  English Government Office Region

  North East

  16

  North West

  16

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  17

  East Midlands

  4

  West Midlands

  14

  East

  2

  London

  28

  South East

  2

  South West

  1

  Hospital-acquired Infection Statistics
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what requirement there is for death certificates to record information about MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections as a cause of death; [144461]

  (2) how many people have died from MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections in the last year for which figures are available. [144475]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  572W
  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Tony Wright, dated 10 January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your two recent questions on the requirement for death certificates to record information about MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections as a cause of death, and on the number of people who have died from MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections (144461, 144475). I am replying in his absence.
  The doctor who signs the death certificate must state the cause of death to the 'best of his knowledge and belief. Guidance issued to doctors asks that they describe the cause of death as fully as possible including any underlying causes or contributory conditions, as well as the immediate cause of death.
  It is not possible to give reliable figures on the number of deaths involving MRSA or other hospital-acquired infections (HAI) from routinely collected mortality data. HAI are rarely the underlying cause of death. They may be mentioned as late complications of persons dying of other disease or injuries. However few certificates involving infections indicate whether the infection was acquired in hospital or in the community or whether it was resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore antibiotic resistance and place of infection are not coded in the Ninth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases which is used for recording cause of death.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  NCIS/NCS Levies
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the National Criminal Intelligence Service and National Crime Squad levies for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [144929]

  Mr. Straw
  I am writing today to the Chairman of the Service Authority for the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) and National Crime Squad (NCS) to inform him of my decision on the proposals for increases in the levy for the two organisations.

  In reaching my decision, I have taken into account the proposals put to me by the Service Authority, as well as representations made to me by the Association of Police Authorities, Association of Chief Police Officers and others as part of the process of consultation over the levy proposals. I have considered all this against the background of the overall settlement for the police service, from which the levy for the two organisations is funded. I have also taken account of the funding which NCIS and NCS receive from other sources.

  I have decided to award an increase of £5.33 million or 4.9 per cent. to the NCS in line with the average police settlement for England and Wales. This increases the levy for 2001–02 to £114.05 million.

  In the case of NCIS, I have taken particular account of the increasing importance which good quality intelligence plays in fighting the criminal organisations behind much of the serious criminal activity in the United Kingdom; and the vital role which NCIS plays in working with police forces, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and other organisations both nationally and internationally to tackle the problem. I have therefore decided to increase the NCIS levy by £9.2 million to £49.5 million in 2001–02, which amounts to an increase in the levy of 23 per cent.
  573W
  I am satisfied that these increases in the levy and other resources will enable both NCIS and NCS to continue and enhance their work in tackling serious criminal activity such as drug trafficking, people trafficking and money laundering and bringing to justice the criminals and criminal organisations involved in it.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143808]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143809]

  Mr. Straw
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Charity Workers (Misuse of Drugs Act)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the appeal court decisions upholding the convictions of Ruth Wyner and John Brock, he will review the provision of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 that disallowed a valid defence. [144471]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Ruth Wyner and John Brock were convicted under Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) because they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent drug dealing on the premises for which they were responsible. In upholding the convictions, the Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge's summing up was fair and balanced and contained an accurate review of the evidence, including a faithful rehearsal of the appellants' denials that they were aware of the scale of the drug-dealing. The Court of Appeal noted that on the evidence before them, the jury could only have concluded that both appellants were aware of, or shut their eyes to, an obviously significant level of dealing. It would be quite wrong to amend the law to permit managers of premises, be they charity workers or not, to act in this way.

  Armed Police Officers
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in possession of a firearm and suspected of being in the course of committing a crime have been(a) shot and killed and (b) shot and wounded by armed police officers in each of the past 20 years. [144298]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Figures available are for 1991 onwards and are as follows:

  Shot and killed

  Shot and wounded

  1991

  3

  2

  1992

  3

  8

  1993

  3

  2

  1994

  2

  4

  1995

  —

  3

  1996

  —

  1

  1997

  —

  1

  574W

  Shot and killed

  Shot and wounded

  1998

  1

  1

  1999

  2

  4

  2000

  1

  3

  The figures include incidents where the person was subsequently found to be in possession of a replica or imitation firearm.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were found guilty of unlawful killing using firearms in each of the past 20 years. [144169]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will request the Director General of the Prison Service to provide a reply to correspondence and telephone calls from the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford concerning a constituent. [144160]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Director General wrote on 3 January.

  Voluntary Work
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on resources to help more people to volunteer or become involved in their communities. [144928]

  Mr. Boateng
  My noble Friend the Lord Falconer of Thoroton and I are announcing tomorrow our plans to deliver the investment and outcomes proposed by the Active Community Cross Cutting Review.

  The Active Community Settlement, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July 2000, includes £60 million over three years to support new volunteering opportunities in the public sector.

  Departments were invited to match the funds available. As a result, funding over the next three years on new public sector volunteering opportunities will amount to at least £120 million. Details of a range of projects are being placed in the Library on Thursday 11 January 2001.

  Many of the projects are specifically targeted at enabling those aged 50 and over to get actively involved in their communities as part of a National Experience corps. We hope to capture the wealth of experience this age group has to offer the community.

  My noble Friend Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill has agreed to act as Chairman for a new Advisory Group charged with developing a blueprint for a National Experience Corps, which we intend to launch in April this year. Membership of the Advisory Group and its remit will also be placed in the Library.

  The Active Community Settlement includes £35 million revenue and £25 million capital over the three years from April 2001 to modernise the infrastructure of voluntary and community organisations, to improve publicity and marketing for volunteering and to develop the national structure and standards governing mentoring.
  575W
  Community involvement will also be enhanced as a result of new investment in community groups and through the local network of Children's Funds—announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of SR2000. The overall package represents a significant new investment in volunteering and community involvement—£120 million for public sector volunteering opportunities, £60 million towards mentoring, marketing and capacity building, £50 million for community groups in deprived areas and the £70 million which has already been announced for Children's Funds.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visit (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit the constituency of Meirionnydd Nant Conwy; and if he will make a statement. [143235]

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

  European Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if revised Article 111 of the TEC applies to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [144631]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  In line with paragraph five of the Protocol on certain provisions relating to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Article 111 of the TEC does not apply to the United Kingdom.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143830]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143831]

  Mr. Rooker
  Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Benefit Overpayments (Recovery from Third Parties)
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received about appeal rights against recovery of overpayments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit from third parties. [145210]

  Angela Eagle
  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit legislation provides that where benefit has been paid to a third party, such as a landlord, the local authority 576W
  has discretion to recover any overpayment either from the claimant or from the person to whom the benefit was actually paid. Under the current review arrangements, the local authority's exercise of discretion in this respect is not a matter reviewable by a Review Board. The decision may of course be challenged by judicial review.

  In the light of the proposed changes to decision-making and appeals in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, to be introduced in July 2001, we have been examining current procedures to ensure that they remain appropriate, and we have taken account of representations received from a number of organisations. We have decided that, in cases where more than one person may be liable under the legislation to repay an overpayment, the person from whom the local authority decides to seek recovery should have a right of appeal to an appeal tribunal against that decision. Regulations giving effect to the new decision-making and appeals procedures for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit will be laid before the House shortly.

  Fraud
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people have been(a) prosecuted and (b) convicted of social security fraud in each of the last five years; [141433]

  (2) how many people who have been convicted of social security fraud in each of the past five years had a previous conviction for social security fraud. [141432]

  Mr. Rooker
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 December 2000, c. 48–49W]: The information is in the table.

  Sanctions for benefit fraud

  Year

  Prosecutions

  Cautions and penalties as an alternative to prosecution

  Total

  1995–96

  10,677

  —

  10,677

  1996–97

  12,863

  —

  12,863

  1997–98

  12,009

  —

  12,009

  1998–99

  11,185

  2,835

  14,020

  1999–2000

  9,977

  12,332

  22,309

  Note:

  The figures do not include sanctions for benefit fraud by authorities administering housing and council tax benefits. Penalties as an alternative to prosecution were introduced by the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act with effect from December 1998.

  Information on the number of prosecutions resulting in convictions is currently available only in respect of Benefit Fraud Investigation Service prosecutions in the years 1997–98 and 1998–99—in both years 99 per cent. of such prosecutions were successful.

  Our research suggests that approximately 5 per cent. of prosecutions involve a person with a previous conviction for benefit fraud. We are putting in place mechanisms to identify second and further convictions.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Maternal Mortality
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit Azerbaijan to investigate the safe motherhood programme. [143202]
  577W
  Mr. Foulkes
  Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, maternal mortality in Azerbaijan has deteriorated from around 10 to over 40 deaths per 100,000 live births. My Department is supporting Safe Motherhood there by providing funding of £240,000 to the United Nations Population Fund's Reproductive Health Programme for Azerbaijan, which aims to train community midwives in modern contraceptive methods and maternity care.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress being made towards attaining international targets for the reduction of maternal mortality. [143207]

  Clare Short
  The UK Government are working to help to achieve the International Development Target of a reduction by three quarters in maternal mortality by 2015. Significant progress is being made in much of Asia, but progress is slow in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV is a significant factor in increasing maternal mortality rates. Progress has also been slow because safe motherhood requires investment beyond primary health care, tackling health, education, transport and gender.

  DFID is taking a leadership role in supporting comprehensive, multi-sectoral Government-led safe motherhood programmes in Malawi and Nepal. More work is planned in Tanzania and Kenya. We are encouraging other bilateral and multilateral donors to include maternal health as a key component of health sector strengthening packages, using World Health Organisation standards for better pregnancy care. DFID is also supporting the World Health Organisation in its work to raise the international profile of maternal health.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to reduce international inequalities in the availability of digital services. [143203]

  Clare Short
  The UK is strongly supporting the G8 initiative to improve access to Information Technology (IT) in developing countries. In 2000 we established the Imfundo programme to improve teacher training through the use of Information Technology and other distance learning. DFID has also recently established a £6 million programme working with NGOs and the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation to tackle barriers to IT access in developing countries through improved regulation and by linking radio and the internet.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit the island of St. Helena to commemorate the 500 anniversary of the island's discovery. [143204]

  Clare Short
  I have no plans to visit St. Helena.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Kosovo with respect to children. [143206]
  578W
  Clare Short
  We have provided £4.5 million for UNICEF for Kosovo. We are working jointly with the World Bank, UNMIK and UNICEF on a social protection strategy for Kosovo. An assessment of children's services has just been completed. We are also funding a Living Standards Measurement Survey by the World Bank, which will measure the situation of children and their families.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries will be working with the UK on meeting the target for debt reduction. [143208]

  Clare Short
  The UK worked closely with many others in the international community last year, to achieve—and exceed—our target on implementing the HIPC Initiative. By the end of 2000, 22 countries had qualified for debt relief. We will continue to work with others to secure the full implementation of the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. However, many of the remaining countries are affected by conflict. These countries need to establish peace in order to make a commitment to poverty reduction, and to qualify for HIPC relief.

  Ensuring that debt relief benefits the poor is central to the HIPC Initiative. We are working closely with a number of HIPC countries on their national poverty reduction strategies, which will provide a framework for all development resources, including debt relief savings. Like the IMF and World bank, we have agreed to focus our international development programmes on supporting these strategies, and encourage other donors to do the same.

  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to take forward her Department's policy on releasing countries from debt. [143205]

  Clare Short
  I am pleased to report that 22 countries have qualified for exceptional debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, exceeding our target of 20 countries qualifying by end of 2000. This has resulted in over $50 billion in debt relief being agreed for these countries, which will reduce their debts by almost two-thirds on average. We hope that a number of other countries will qualify for relief this year, but for many of the remaining HIPC countries conflict is a major barrier to making substantial further progress.

  Corruption
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to strengthen legal institutions and financial systems in developing countries in order to combat corruption. [143209]

  Clare Short
  We are working to strengthen investigative capacity through the establishment of independent anti-corruption agencies (for example in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), as well as strengthening the criminal investigation capacity of police services (for example Jamaica, Malawi, Sierra Leone), and strengthening prosecutorial capacity through
  579W
  assistance to public prosecutor offices and measures to ensure judicial transparency, accountability and independence (for example India, Malawi, Uganda).

  Support for strengthening financial systems to reduce corruption includes helping governments to improve public sector budgetary and financial management (for example Ghana, Malawi, Nepal) including in particular systems for revenue collection (for example Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa) and public procurement (for example Zambia), strengthening accounting and audit systems (for example Zambia), and enhancing public oversight through stronger public accounts and other parliamentary committees (planned in, for example, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya).

  Belarus and the Ukraine
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial aid is being given to Belarus and the Ukraine; and if she will make a statement. [143210]

  Clare Short
  Britain provides technical assistance to Ukraine to assist the reform effort to the value of £9 million per year, and to Belarus approximately £100,000 per year. In addition the UK supports both countries through our contributions to multilateral agencies, including an average of £13 million and £0.9 million a year as the UK share of European Community assistance to Ukraine and Belarus respectively.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on UK aid to Tanzania. [143211]

  Clare Short
  We expect to provide £65 million in development assistance to Tanzania this financial year. This is disbursed under the terms of a Country Strategy Paper agreed with the Government of Tanzania in June 1999. I discussed our joint work when I visited Tanzania in April 2000.

  Tanzania continues to make important progress in introducing structural reforms and stabilising its economy. Both this and an increasing focus on poverty reduction in government spending makes it likely that Tanzania will qualify for debt reduction under the HIPC initiative, reaching completion point later this year.

  The recently finalised Tanzania Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) sets out the Government of Tanzania's medium-term strategy to meet the international development targets. My Department is currently considering how we can best offer further support for this.

  Conflict Prevention
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms exist to co-ordinate the work of her Department on conflict prevention with that of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. [143212]

  Clare Short
  Two sub-Committees of the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy have been established to improve joint working on Conflict 580W
  Prevention. One of these which I chair focuses on conflict prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. The other deals with conflict prevention in the rest of the world and is chaired by the Foreign Secretary. Other meetings take place on a regular basis between officials from the concerned Departments.

  Development Assistance (Trade Conditions)
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her proposal to separate development assistance from conditions relating to trade. [143213]

  Mr. Foulkes
  In our White Paper on making globalisation work for the poor, published on 11 December 2000, we announced that from 1 April 2001, all UK development assistance will be untied.

  Improving the effectiveness of development assistance is essential if we are to reduce the proportion of people living in absolute poverty. This means helping developing countries to establish and implement poverty reduction policies, finding ways of overcoming critical constraints and ceasing to finance projects that have no strategic impact. It also means donors working closely together and ending inefficient practices. Aid tying is a notable example. Donors must also develop common procedures to reduce the administrative burden on recipient governments.

  Ring-fencing contracts for national suppliers not only reduces the value of aid by around 25 per cent. but is also grossly inefficient and inhibits efforts to integrate donor strategies and procedures. By untying we will be able to make better use of resources available to tackle poverty. Our action also strengthens our position in pressing vigorously for untying by others both in the OECD and in the European Union.

  Palestinian Authority
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of aid to support economic development in the Palestinian Authority. [143214]

  Clare Short
  Development assistance from the international community has contributed to economic development in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in recent years. As part of this wider effort the UK is working within the context of the Middle East Peace Process to support the building of a Palestinian nation that encourages economic and social development that benefits the poor. DFID's support includes technical assistance to increase Palestinian capacity to negotiate with the Israelis on economic and other issues. Monitoring of initiatives by DFID and the Palestinian Authority have confirmed that this assistance is having a worthwhile impact. However, economic and social benefits are being eroded by the continuing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. In a recent report the Office of the United Nations Special Co-ordinator has estimated that the confrontations, mobility restrictions and border closures are costing the Palestinian economy at least US$8 million per day.

  Globalisation White Paper
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about her White Paper on Globalisation. [143215]

  Clare Short
  The new White Paper "Eliminating Poverty—making Globalisation work for the poor" stands alongside our first White Paper published in 1997. It reaffirms our commitment to the elimination of poverty and the achievement of the International Development Targets. It sets out an agenda for managing globalisation, trade, investment and the new technologies in a way that could ensure that the abundance of wealth currently being generated brings benefits to the one in five of humanity who live in extreme poverty.

  The White Paper makes it clear that globalisation can be managed either to bring a massive improvement in life to the poor of the world or could lead to their growing marginalisation and the division, squalor, poverty, conflict and environmental degradation to which this would lead. The future is not pre-determined. It is a matter of will and choice. The White Paper is designed to help mobilise a stronger international effort to systematically reduce poverty.

  EC Development Assistance
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she and the Under-Secretary have had with their counterparts in other EC countries on the effectiveness of EC development assistance. [143216]

  Clare Short
  I frequently meet my counterparts from other EC countries. We most recently met as a group at the November Development Council where we agreed a new poverty-focused Development Policy for the EC. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary recently met counterparts from Sweden and Belgium, prior to their forthcoming presidencies of the EU, and Denmark and Germany to discuss means of improving the effectiveness of EC development assistance.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's collaboration with EU development donors. [143219]

  Clare Short
  We collaborate closely with other EU donors, including the European Commission, in order to improve the impact of our programmes on the International Development Targets. The Under-Secretary and I meet regularly with our EU counterparts to discuss development policies and their implementation. At the EU Development Council in November we agreed a new poverty-focused Development Policy for the EC as well as a new framework for preparing EC country strategies. The new framework emphasises the need for the Community to collaborate closely with other agencies, including the World Bank and the IMF. My Department is increasingly collaborating with EU and non-EU agencies in developing countries in backing poverty reduction programmes prepared by those countries.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in reforming the European Union's programmes for international aid. [143222]
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  Clare Short
  There have been a number of welcome steps in recent months to improve the management and focus of EC development programmes. Financial and staff management across the Commission is being reformed, the structure and procedures for implementation of external programmes has been improved, and the EC has for the first time agreed a clear development policy with poverty reduction as its central objective. These measures were essential to tackle the very poor performance of EC development programmes. But a great deal remains to be done before we see improved impact on the ground. We are working closely with the Commission and other member states to ensure that the reforms that have been agreed are implemented effectively.

  Everything but Arms Initiative
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received on compensation for vulnerable groups affected by the Everything But Arms proposals; and if she will make a statement on the proposals. [143217]

  Clare Short
  Since October 2000, I have received letters from the Mauritian Minister for Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources and the Fijian Minister for Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Sugar. The Jamaican Trade Minister and High Commissioner met with officials from my Department in November to discuss these issues. We have made clear to all these middle income, sugar producing countries that the Least Developed Countries do not have the capacity to expand sugar productions rapidly and that generous support is available from the EU to assist these countries to adjust to the phasing out of preferences to which they are already committed.

  HIV/AIDS
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the work of her Department on HIV-AIDS in Bangladesh. [143218]

  Clare Short
  My Department is supporting the efforts of Bangladesh to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through:funding NGOs to develop cost-effective interventions aimed at preventing transmission of the disease among individuals who are at the greatest risk of infection.
  supporting effective disease surveillance. To establish the extent of spread of the disease.

  In addition, we have worked with the Government of Bangladesh on the development of a National Strategic Investment Plan for HIV/AIDS prevention. We are actively exploring the possibility of co-financing this important initiative together with the Government of Bangladesh and the World bank.

  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the work of her Department on HIV-AIDS in India. [143223]

  Clare Short
  Helping to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in India is a high priority for my Department and we are committing substantial resources in this area. We are currently implementing three projects, at a total cost to DFID of £37 million, through the Government of
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  India's National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) and through non-governmental organisations. Between them, these projects cover some of the worst affected areas in the country, and those most vulnerable to HIV. We are now urgently considering a proposal to channel all our support through NACO and to increase our commitment to £80 million to support the second phase of the National Aids Control Programme.

  Malawi
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes her Department supports in Malawi. [143220]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 8 November 2000,Official Report, column 230W.

  Indian Sub-continent
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her proposed budget is for development assistance to(a) Pakistan, (b) India and (c) Bangladesh in the financial year 2001–02 (i) as bilateral aid and (ii) from the EU out of her Department's resources. [143221]

  EU assistance (euros, million)

  EU assistance (£ million, approx)

  Country

  Development assistance

  Economic co-operation

  Total

  Total

  UK share

  Pakistan

  25.5

  0

  25.5

  15.6

  3.1

  India

  100

  16

  116

  71.1

  13.9

  Bangladesh

  98

  0.8

  98.8

  60.5

  11.8

  Region

  0

  34.8

  34.8

  21.3

  4.2

  Total

  223.5

  51.6

  275.1

  168.6

  33.0

  Notes:

  1. December 2000 exchange rate euro 1.6319: £1

  2. Pakistan receives no economic co-operation assistance due to the military regime.

  3. Totals may not add due to rounding.

  Polio
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts her Department is taking to help with the global eradication of polio. [143224]

  Clare Short
  The global eradication of polio is achievable by 2005. The UK has contributed around £165 million towards this end since 1995, and this has directly contributed to a significant fall in the incidence of polio. We are now in the final phase, which requires intensified efforts to interrupt transmission in all remaining reservoir countries by 2002, and subsequent surveillance to ensure certification of eradication by 2005. I have recently agreed £35 million in support of the World Health Organisation's final eradication effort. This is aimed at the areas of greatest need and at catalysing support from other donors.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what categories of
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  Clare Short
  The proposed budgets for DFID bilateral assistance in the 2001–02 financial year, as published in the Department for International Development's Departmental Report 2000, are as follows:

  Pakistan (2001–02)—£10 million

  India (2001–02)—£140 million

  Bangladesh (2001–02)—£75 million.

  These figures are currently under review as part of the annual resource allocation exercise. The revised allocations will be published in the spring in our 2001 Departmental Report.

  In addition, contributions are made by the European Union, through the European Commission. The EC operates according to a calendar, rather than a financial year. In 2001, the EC plans to contribute 275.1 million euros, which is approximately £168.6 million, to these three countries. The UK provides 19.6 per cent. of this contribution, which is approximately 53.9 million euros or £33 million. Accordingly, the UK's contribution through the EC, in calendar year 2001, will be approximately 5 million euros (£3.1 million) to Pakistan, 22.7 million euros (£13.9 million) to India, 19.4 million euros (£11.8 million) to Bangladesh, and 6.8 million euros (£4.2 million) for regional economic co-operation in all three countries.

  submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143810]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143811]

  Mr. Lock
  The Special Adviser in this Department has access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Child Contact Centres
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what financial support her Department has made available to child contact centres in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [145154]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government greatly appreciate the valuable work which child contact centres do in enabling
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  parents and children to have contact in cases where this might otherwise be impossible, and in providing supported or supervised contact where this is necessary. In the financial year 2000–01 the Lord Chancellor's Department has so far agreed grants of £501,428 to contact centres or to other voluntary sector organisations which provide help to children experiencing family breakdown.
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  The grants made include £200,000 for the National Association of Child Contact Centres; £77,000 for NCH—Action for Children; £53,000 for the Coram Family Child Contact Service; £47,501 for Welfare Community Projects; £47,000 for Get Connected; £37,077 for the Norfolk and Norwich Families' House; £31,250 for the St. Andrew's Family Contact Centre; and £8,600 for the NCH Durham and Darlington Contact Centres.