Written Answers of 11 January 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Vehicle Licensing
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of vehicle licensing. [143925]

  Mr. Hill
  The system of registration of all motor vehicles will continue. A system of Automated First Registration and Licensing of vehicles by manufacturers has been developed and now covers over 60 per cent. of new registrations. A similar system is being developed for use by independent importers.

  The system of registration and periodic relicensing performs a number of important functions including the vital role it plays in the fight against crime through the maintenance of the vehicle register. It also helps to ensure that vehicles meet statutory roadworthiness and insurance requirements.

  In recent years the regime for Vehicle Excise Duty has undergone substantial changes, principally aimed at encouraging more environmentally friendly use of vehicles—for example, the introduction of a new system of graduated VED for new cards based on CO2 emissions. The Government also introduced in June 1999 a new lower rate of VED for smaller-engined cars up to 1100cc. In March 2001 this limit will be raised to 1200cc and the Government have signalled their intention of raising that limit to 1500cc from July 2001.

  For goods vehicles, the Government have taken into account the role played by road transport in maintaining a competitive economy. Thus, following the pre-Budget Report last November, VED for goods vehicles has been cut by up to 50 per cent. The Government have issued a consultation paper on the future of 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.

  Local Government (Secrecy)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning secrecy in local government executive structures. [144059]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have received representations on a number of issues relating to new council constitutions, including access to executive decision-making. We have taken account of these representations in making the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 which were laid before the House on 19 December. These Regulations,588W
  together with the powerful overview and scrutiny committees introduced by the Local Government Act 2000, will put in place a robust regime of more accountable decision-making. These arrangements will give people the right to proper access to papers and meetings of the Executive and overview and scrutiny committees will ensure that the Executive are held properly to account both for what they have done and, equally, for what they are proposing to do.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with British Gas regarding the value of the proposal to sell the Millennium Dome to Legacy plc. [144710]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have had no discussions with British Gas concerning the value of the potential sale of the Millennium Dome to Legacy plc. Any such matters will be discussed formally between English Partnerships and British Gas, from whom English Partnerships acquired the land.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions over what period the Government will receive payments from the sale of the Millennium Dome. [144714]

  Ms Armstrong
  The details of the financial implications of any sale to Legacy plc must remain commercially confidential at this stage, while negotiations continue.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects the planning decisions to be made concerning the Millennium Dome site; [144762]

  (2) if the bid of the preferred bidder for the Dome is contingent upon planning permission. [144764]

  Ms Armstrong
  Completion of the sale of the Dome and the associated land will be conditional upon appropriate planning permissions having been obtained. The timing of any such permissions will be a matter initially for the London borough of Greenwich, and will depend on how any planning applications progress through the planning system. Two initial applications relating to the Legacy plc proposals for the Dome site are currently being considered by the London borough of Greenwich. Another application, for the use of associated land around the Dome, is due to be submitted within the next several months.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many expressions of interest have been received from companies, consortia and individuals wishing to bid for the Dome site. [144765]

  Ms Armstrong
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 24 November 2000,Official Report, column 330W.

  Over 70 expressions of interest were received in response to the competition that was launched in March 1999. All of these were encouraged to elaborate and substantiate their interest, and were subsequently evaluated prior to short lists being drawn up.
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  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks were carried out concerning other potential bidders before confirming the Legacy Consortium as the preferred bidder for the Dome. [144769]

  Ms Armstrong
  Legacy plc was confirmed as the preferred bidder at the end of an extensive competition process lasting 18 months, during which more than 70 expressions of interest in acquiring the Dome site were evaluated and shortlisted in a four stage process. The final shortlist of two from this process comprised Dome Europe and Legacy plc. Dome Europe was appointed as preferred bidder, but subsequently withdrew, and discussions were then initiated with Legacy plc.

  The competition process was open to new bidders for a period of over nine months after its launch in March 1999. While other unsolicited expressions of interest have been received since the competition was closed to new entries, these have not been subjected to the same level of development and testing; nor would it have been fair to continue accepting new entries when existing bidders had already committed substantial resources to proving the appropriateness and deliverability of their bids.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of land will be sold as part of the disposal of the Millennium Dome. [144767]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Legacy plc bid currently envisages acquisition of 63 acres of land, as well as the Dome itself and some additional structures.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's estimate is of the value of the Dome site with the Dome(a) removed and (b) remaining. [144763]

  Ms Armstrong
  A pre-sale valuation of the Dome site has been undertaken in the context of the competition to identify a sustainable long-term use for the Dome. The Government estimate of the financial value of the site is commercially confidential while the process to secure a buyer continues.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information was made available to each bidder for the Dome site concerning the willingness of the vendor to accept staggered payments. [144768]

  Ms Armstrong
  The financial offers of each competing bidder have been considered and assessed on their individual merits, including in relation to proposed payment structure. In comparing bids, any deferred payments have been discounted for time and risk.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will name the parties with a financial stake in Legacy plc; [144713]

  (2) what percentage of Legacy plc's equity is owned by (a) Mr. Robert Bourne, (b) Treasury Holdings and (c) other parties. [144712]

  Ms Armstrong
  Details must remain commercially confidential while negotiations continue, but I can confirm that the total issued share capital of Legacy plc is owned by Robert Bourne and family interests.
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  Should Legacy plc be granted a lease on the Dome there is an agreement that on the grant of the lease the shareholders in Legacy plc will be:
  Robert Bourne and family interests—15 per cent.
  Treasury Holdings Ltd.—80 per cent.
  The Bank of Scotland will hold a Convertible Loan Stock Instrument which is capable of being converted into 5 per cent. of the issued equity of Legacy plc after the grant of the lease.

  Devolution
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions what plans he has for further devolution of power to the regions. [144307]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  No timetable has yet been drawn up for moving to directly-elected regional government. We remain committed to do so, where support is demonstrated in referendums.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice his Department is issuing on the possible locations of 'Terra' telecommunications masts. [144869]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to telecommunications masts generally and associated guidance ended on 31 October 2000. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  BCC, Clay Cross
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he has taken to make job openings available to those who have been made redundant with the closure of BCC at Clay Cross, Derbyshire. [143476]

  Mr. Caborn
  A Response Group has been set up to co-ordinate the action taken to support those affected by the BCC closure. Action taken so far includes the opening of an on-site Job Shop to provide advice on job vacancies, training and benefits. Two job and training fairs have been held and Rapid Response Funding secured to help provide skills assessment and retraining for those affected. In addition St. Gobain have made 122 new or replacement jobs available to the BCC work force from elsewhere in their operation. Over the longer term the Government Office for the East Midlands, working with East Midlands Development Agency and other regional and local partners, will seek to deliver a range of training, reclamation and other economic initiatives aimed at supporting the regeneration of Clay Cross. Clay Cross
  591W
  also has Assisted Area Status giving access to Regional Selective Assistance and Enterprise Grants.

  Furthermore, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced last week that Derbyshire county council has been invited to work up its proposals for a new junction on the M1 motorway between junctions 29 and 30 to serve the Markham Employment Growth Zone. This is part of a major regeneration scheme to provide more than 8,000 jobs in the North Derbyshire area. The Council's detailed proposals will be submitted to the DETR next summer so that a decision can be taken by the end of the year.

  Region

  Wales

  Scotland

  Nottinghamshire

  Yorkshire

  North East

  North West

  Midlands

  South

  January

  67

  111

  56

  191

  32

  10

  50

  12

  February

  121

  26

  47

  195

  38

  19

  51

  11

  March

  107

  11

  42

  142

  46

  32

  80

  26

  April

  55

  24

  35

  117

  52

  26

  35

  13

  May

  45

  50

  21

  69

  30

  22

  32

  6

  June

  46

  55

  36

  75

  61

  28

  58

  10

  July

  53

  14

  36

  117

  38

  32

  39

  4

  August

  17

  22

  18

  79

  58

  18

  37

  12

  September

  20

  17

  29

  81

  40

  15

  38

  7

  October

  23

  3

  11

  66

  16

  12

  33

  1

  November

  54

  21

  95

  129

  18

  10

  33

  5

  December

  99

  6

  109

  478

  175

  72

  60

  14

  The breakdown of vibration white finger claims settled (including denials) since January 2000 on a month by month basis, and by regional split, is as follows:

  Region

  Wales

  Scotland

  Nottinghamshire

  Yorkshire

  North East

  North West

  Midlands

  South

  January

  133

  66

  53

  225

  323

  8

  24

  2

  February

  60

  37

  84

  190

  213

  10

  30

  4

  March

  144

  69

  55

  356

  286

  46

  51

  8

  April

  80

  61

  39

  163

  134

  22

  29

  4

  May

  194

  86

  62

  250

  220

  46

  60

  8

  June

  216

  118

  100

  339

  267

  41

  56

  15

  July

  131

  147

  102

  211

  147

  43

  50

  13

  August

  108

  72

  108

  210

  197

  23

  43

  14

  September

  134

  83

  129

  182

  206

  20

  79

  3

  October

  219

  90

  191

  278

  243

  42

  108

  19

  November

  172

  63

  289

  334

  184

  36

  113

  20

  December

  117

  77

  169

  224

  174

  34

  75

  9

  In total the Department has now made over 64,800 individual payments, including interim and full and final settlements, to claimants in respect of compensation for respiratory and vibration related diseases, totalling over £310 million. The Department continues to pay out around £1 million per day in compensation.

  Trawlermen
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions he will make to speed up compensation claims for former distant water trawlermen who are suffering from serious ill health. [144755]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Processing staff aim to give priority attention wherever possible to claims in cases where they are aware that the claimant is seriously ill.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many settlements have been made in each month and each area since January 2000 in respect of claims for(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; and if he will make a statement. [144295]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Chronic bronchitis and emphysema claims settled (including denials) since January 2000 on a month by month basis, and by regional split, are as follows:

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former distant water trawlermen had received compensation at the latest date for which figures are available. [144754]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  As of 8 January 2001, 314 claims have been paid.

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when compensation will be paid to families of deceased former distant water trawlermen. [144756]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  All claims will be processed and payments made as quickly as possible after receipt, subject to the need to examine relevant documentation and confirm eligibility.
  593W
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will waive the probate fee for families of deceased former distant water trawlermen, where the will was for less than £5,000. [144753]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Probate fees are charged by the probate offices in appropriate cases and are not a matter for my Department.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff have been employed in his Export Licence Department in each of the past 10 years. [144175]

  Dr. Howells
  Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO). The ECO forms part of the Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate (XNP). Historical staff records do not differentiate between the ECO and other parts of the Directorate.

  The figures set out in the table show the number of permanent staff in post in XNP on 1 April each year. The figures include fractional equivalents for part-time staff.

  Number of staff in post in the Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate (XNP) on 1 April each year

  Year

  Number of staff

  1994

  136.50

  1995

  145.00

  1996

  157.33

  1997

  132.39

  1998

  142.95

  1999

  152.09

  2000

  163.48

  Before 1994 XNP did not exist in its current form. The export licensing process was undertaken by staff in a number of different Directorates. It would, consequently, entail disproportionate cost to establish the number of staff involved before that date.

  Regulatory Impact Unit
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials in his Department work(a) full-time and (b) part-time in his Department's Regulatory Impact Unit. [144706]

  Dr. Howells
  Four officials work in the DTI's Regulatory Impact Unit. Three are full-time and one is part-time.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  New Opportunities Fund
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what facilities have been built in schools utilising the New Opportunities Fund. [144675]

  Kate Hoey
  In November 2000 the Government announced proposals for a £750 million "PE and Sport in 594W
  Schools" initiative to be funded by the New Opportunities Fund. This initiative is subject to public consultation but is intended to focus primarily on refurbishing existing, and building new, indoor and outdoor sports facilities at primary and secondary schools. It is intended that £25 million of the £750 million be directed into the Space for Sport and Arts Scheme which will provide a total of £130 million to create around 300 new facilities for both sports and arts activities in primary schools in deprived areas. All new facilities in schools supported through the New Opportunities Fund would also be for community use and will be additional to current provision.

  British Tourist Authority
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the review of the British Tourist Authority. [145585]

  Janet Anderson
  I am pleased to announce that Stage One of the review of the British Tourist Authority (BTA) is being published today and copies are available in the Library of the House.

  The Steering Group for the review concluded that there was a continuing need for the services and functions carried out by the BTA and, having looked carefully at all the options, concluded that BTA should remain a non-departmental public body.

  The report recommends that the review team should look at some issues in greater depth as part of Stage Two of the review. These include the return on investment as a measurement of BTA's performance; and rate of return issues such as data for individual offices overseas, benchmarking and the quality of measurement techniques.

  The report also recommends that BTA should draw up a specific strategy to declare what services it will provide to small and medium businesses and how it will consult them. BTA should review its strategy on the balance between short and long term market investment; should seek further opportunities for partnership working; and should develop an agenda for action to ensure that the aims of Modernising Government are met.

  Overall, the report finds the BTA is regarded both by Government and the tourism industry as an effective organisation, which has become more responsive over recent years.

  Listed Buildings (Ecclesiastical Exemption)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to undertake a further review of the ecclesiastical exemption from listed building and conservation area controls. [145586]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We fully accept the need to continue to monitor the ecclesiastical exemption regime and the progress made by exempt denominations in implementing the recommendations of the 1997 Newman review. We currently have in hand a review of policies relating to all aspects of the historic environment, which will culminate in a major policy statement in the spring. Once that review is complete, and against the background
  595W
  of its conclusions, we will undertake a further assessment of the exemption.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to widen access to good quality physical education and sporting opportunities for young people. [145584]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  It should not be a matter of chance whether a child will get good sporting opportunities. There are basic opportunities that should be available to all children. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has been working closely with me to develop a range of measures that will bring real improvement. Over the next few years, our aim is to offer children an entitlement to two hours each week spent during and after school on high quality PE and sporting activity. We will consult schools, professional associations and other interested parties to identify how best to make this happen.

  To build the capacity to make this entitlement possible, we are also extending the outside help available to schools. We will shortly begin two pilot studies to extend the New Deal into sport and create a new role of sports assistant to work alongside the new sports co-ordinators to help deliver this opportunity in schools. By 2004 there could be as many as 2,000 opportunities—many of which will be offered to suitable people on the New Deal.

  Bass Stocks
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps are being taken to protect anglers' interests in respect of bass stocks around the UK coastline; and if he will make a statement; [144573]

  (2) what representations he has received from anglers and angling organisations regarding bass stocks around the UK coastline. [144574]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Following continued concerns expressed by the sea angling fraternity about the status of bass stocks in UK waters, my officials have arranged a meeting with representatives of angling groups and charter skippers on 16 January to consider whether further conservation measures are appropriate for the species. The meeting will also discuss other areas of mutual concern.

  At the same time, in order to gain a better understanding of the various bass stocks, CEFAS scientists will be contributing to the work of a new ICES Study Group on Seabass, under the chairmanship of Dr. Mike Pawson. In accordance with the terms of reference for this Group, data from all countries which catch bass in Area VII and in the Bay of Biscay and the North Sea, will be compiled in order to construct the age profile of bass stocks in these areas and, if possible, to carry out an assessment of their status in relation to safe biological limits. The first task will be to compile an inventory of the available data, which will be reviewed by the ICES Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management in May 2001. In the light of this information, the European Commission can be expected to consider whether conservation measures are appropriate at Community level.

HEALTH

  NHS Trusts (Land Sales)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the rules which govern the use of proceeds from sale of his Department's land by NHS trusts; and if these rules would apply to the sale of land by north Bristol NHS Trust at(a) the Frenchay hospital site and (b) the Southmead hospital site. [141346]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: Regional offices of the National Health Service Executive decide whether a trust keeps the proceeds from the sale of an asset. This decision is taken after careful consideration of the competing demands for capital investment within the region. The objective is to use sale proceeds from any sale of trust assets to achieve the maximum benefit for the NHS.

  In the south west region capital receipts of less than £1 million are usually retained automatically by the trust. Receipts of more than £1 million are normally retained by the Trust subject to the production of a suitable business case for the use of the money.

  The use of any proceeds from the sale of land at Frenchay and Southmead hospitals where the amount exceeds £1 million will be a matter for discussion between north Bristol NHS Trust and the south west regional office.

  Ritalin
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps NICE is taking to monitor(a) the use of and (b) adverse reactions to Ritalin in children; and if he will make a statement. [144486]

  Ms Stuart
  The National Institute of Clinical Excellence does not itself monitor the use of and adverse reactions to particular medicines. Monitoring the use of medicines is a matter for local clinical governance arrangements. The monitoring of adverse reactions is carried out by the Committee on Safety of Medicines/Medicines Control Agency (CSM/MCA). Health professionals are encouraged to submit voluntarily to the CSM/MCA reports of suspected adverse drug reactions via the yellow card scheme. These reports, together with data from other sources, are continuously reviewed to identify previously unrecognised hazards or new information on known hazards which might require regulatory action.

  Mental Health
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have agreed protocols with the police to accept into their care those with mental health needs who are detained by the police for their own safety; how many are under negotiation; and how many have no agreed procedures. [144677]

  Mr. Hutton
  All health authorities should have agreed protocols, the guidelines for which are laid out in Chapter 10 of the Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice. The police power to remove to a place of safety
  597W
  (section 136) depends on the local social services authority, health authority, trust and the chief constable establishing a clear policy for the use of power. All the professionals involved in the implementation should understand the power and its purpose and the person's other rights and follow the local policy. All local social services authorities, health authorities and trusts should have in place clear policies agreed with chief constables for the removal of people with a mental illness to a place of safety.

  Details of individual protocols are not held centrally.

  Gogay v.Hertfordshire County Council
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications for his Department of the case of Gogay v. Hertfordshire county council. [144740]

  Mr. Hutton
  This case concerns a care worker in a children's home run by a local authority who was suspended from duty when the local authority began an investigation into child protection concerns. The judgment makes it clear that, in such circumstances, a local authority must consider its obligation not to act in a way which seriously damages the relationship of confidence

  Destination of discharge by mouth for patients resident in Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority NHS Hospitals, England 1998–99

  Discharge destination

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  19 Usual residence

  8,973

  8,708

  9,545

  10,022

  8,923

  9,437

  9,781

  29 Temporary residence

  30

  26

  27

  40

  44

  43

  39

  39 Prison etc.

  2

  3

  3

  3

  2

  1

  2

  49 Special hospital

  2

  2

  6

  4

  1

  5

  7

  51 NHS provider—general ward

  246

  258

  265

  298

  281

  269

  227

  52 NHS provide—maternity ward

  15

  18

  9

  9

  12

  22

  26

  53 NHS provider—MH/MI

  9

  9

  10

  17

  20

  13

  9

  54 NHS nursing home

  8

  11

  7

  6

  5

  7

  5

  65 Local Authority Part 3 residential accommodation

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  69 LA home or care (old coding)

  7

  6

  2

  5

  12

  7

  8

  79 Patient died or stillbirth

  251

  257

  257

  226

  218

  211

  255

  85 Non-NHS (not Local A) run residential care nursing home

  4

  6

  9

  14

  3

  7

  11

  86 Non-NHS (not Local Authority) run nursing home

  14

  18

  22

  18

  16

  20

  13

  87 Non-NHS run hospital

  4

  9

  9

  6

  5

  8

  12

  88 Non-NHS (other than Local Authority) run Hospice

  2

  2

  2

  3

  2

  2

  0

  89 Non-NHS institution (old coding)

  47

  35

  42

  39

  27

  31

  27

  Not applicable (ie not discharged)

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Not known: a validation error

  61

  37

  51

  48

  54

  52

  52

  Total

  9,675

  9,405

  10,267

  10,758

  9,625

  10,136

  10,475

  Discharge destination

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Total

  19 Usual residence

  9,534

  9,072

  9,237

  9,257

  10,928

  113,417

  29 Temporary residence

  30

  59

  47

  44

  30

  459

  39 Prison etc.

  0

  4

  0

  0

  3

  23

  49 Special hospital

  2

  3

  2

  5

  2

  41

  51 NHS provider—general ward

  255

  234

  265

  237

  289

  3,124

  52 NHS provide—maternity ward

  9

  11

  16

  14

  11

  172

  53 NHS provider—MH/MI

  13

  15

  22

  22

  13

  172

  54 NHS nursing home

  7

  6

  5

  7

  12

  86

  65 Local Authority Part 3 residential accommodation

  1

  1

  2

  3

  0

  9

  69 LA home or care (old coding)

  3

  5

  9

  13

  4

  81

  79 Patient died or stillbirth

  212

  250

  353

  262

  276

  3,028

  85 Non-NHS (not Local A) run residential care nursing home

  8

  5

  9

  12

  6

  94

  86 Non-NHS (not Local Authority) run nursing home

  21

  30

  29

  29

  37

  267

  87 Non-NHS run hospital

  6

  15

  3

  3

  8

  88

  598W
  between the authority and one of its employees, unless there is reasonable and proper cause to do so. As the judgment said,
  the employee is entitled to something better than a knee jerk reaction which occurred in this case.

  Local authorities need to ensure that the action that they take in relation to employees involved in allegations of abuse are appropriate in the circumstances. As the judgment makes clear, however, local authorities must in no way feel inhibited in making the inquiries that they consider appropriate to safeguard children in their care and, if there is a conflict between the interests of the child and the interests of the employee, the interests of the child should prevail.

  NHS Continuing Care
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2000,Official Report, column 148W, how many patients were released by the Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority from NHS hospital care in their area to nursing or residential home care under the supervision of social services in each month from August 1998 to November 2000, inclusive. [144496]

  Mr. Hutton
  Figures showing the destination of discharge for patients resident in the Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority are for 1998–99 (latest data available) and appear in the table.
  599W

  Discharge destination

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Total

  88 Non-NHS (other than Local Authority) run Hospice

  4

  1

  1

  2

  5

  26

  89 Non-NHS institution (old coding)

  25

  30

  37

  37

  37

  414

  Not applicable (ie not discharged)

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Not known: a validation error

  56

  33

  49

  44

  51

  588

  Total

  12,186

  9,775

  10,086

  9,991

  11,712

  122,091

  Note:

  Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) Department of Health

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2000,Official Report, column 148W, how many patients were deemed by the Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority to be ready for release from hospital care in their area to residential or nursing home care under the supervision of social services and had continued to occupy a hospital bed for more than two weeks from the date they were deemed eligible for release in each month from August 1998 to November 2000, inclusive. [144497]

  Mr. Hutton
  Quarterly information for Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority on discharge delayed while awaiting social service department funding for a residential/nursing home package or awaiting a nursing/residential home placement is in the table. Information on the length of time the discharge was delayed is not available centrally.

  Total number of patients resident in Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority aged 75 and over ready for discharge but still occupying an acute hospital bed

  Reason for delayed discharge1

  Awaiting SSD funding to residential/nursing home package

  Awaiting nursing/residential home placement

  1998–99

  April-June

  4

  30

  July-September

  17

  32

  October-December

  11

  33

  January-March

  11

  24

  April-June

  2—

  2—

  1999–2000

  July-September

  25

  20

  October-December

  17

  35

  January-March

  22

  27

  2000–01

  April-June

  21

  27

  July-September

  29

  34

  1 CIC guidance defines Delayed Discharges as: Total number of patients aged 75 and over ready for discharge from an acute bed but still occupying an acute bed in a hospital (ie no longer needing acute clinical interventions), excluding those under the care of a psychiatric consultant and learning disabilities, because of the following principal reason:

  awaiting assessment—assessment in progress, no care plan agreed. awaiting SSD funding to residential/nursing home package—assessment completed but awaiting SSD funding.

  awaiting transfer to non-acute NHS care other than in an acute bed in hospital (e.g. rehab or continuing care)—assessment completed but awaiting transfer to NHS funded non-acute bed in hospital, nursing, residential care or group home.

  awaiting nursing/residential care home placement—care plan agreed but patient awaiting placement in a non-NHS-funded nursing home or residential care home—perhaps waiting for a place in a home of their choosing under the direction on choice.

  600W

  awaiting domiciliary package—care plan agreed but awaiting services to be put in place to facilitate discharge.

  other reason

  2 Data not available due to a data quality problem

  Source:

  Common Information Core (CIC) Quarterly Monitoring returns. CIC information is currently collected quarterly (at HA level) by survey. The figures are therefore based on an in quarter 'snapshot' of activity. Data has been 'cleaned' for inappropriate rates and null returns

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 28 November 2000, concerning a constituent, which was transferred to his Department. [144735]

  Mr. Hutton
  A reply to my hon. Friend's letter was sent on 5 January.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Chile
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recognise the Chilean Government's claim to exercise control of its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. [144723]

  Mr. Hain
  As a coastal state, Chile has the rights, jurisdiction and duties in their exclusive economic zone that were provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

  Panicos Tsiakourmas
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the abduction of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas, a Greek Cypriot, by Turkish forces from the British Sovereign Base area in Cyprus on 12 December 2000. [144897]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner has made repeated strong protests about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas's arrest to Mr. Denktash and we have raised our concerns with the Turks in Nicosia, Ankara and London. On 9 January, I met Mrs. Tsiakourmas and my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love). We will continue to raise this issue until the situation is satisfactorily resolved.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas,
  601W
  on 12 December 2000, by forces of the Turkish administration from Pergamos, and his health; and what representations he has made to (a) the authorities in northern Cyprus and (b) the Turkish Government about this matter. [144721]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner is in close contact with his family and the UN concerning his health and welfare. Our High Commissioner has made strong representations to Mr. Denktash about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas' arrest. We have also raised our concerns with the Turkish authorities in Nicosia, Ankara and London. We will continue to raise this issue until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the situation of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas, who was arrested by Turkish military forces in Cyprus; and what representations the British High Commissioner has made to the Turkish authorities in relation to the welfare and whereabouts of Mr. Tsiakourmas. [144625]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Secretary of State and I have received regular reports on Mr. Tsiakourmas since his arrest. Our High Commissioner in Nicosia is in close contact with the Tsiakourmas family and the UN concerning Mr. Tsiakourmas's welfare. Our High Commissioner has made strong protests about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas's arrest to Mr. Denktash and has also discussed the case with the Turkish Ambassador in Nicosia. Our Ambassador in Ankara has raised the case with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we have done likewise with the Turkish Embassy in London.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Republic of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144407]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to visit Cyprus. However, I hope to visit the island in March.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers from his Department have visited northern Cyprus since May 1997. [144406]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), the then Minister for Europe, visited northern Cyprus in April 1999, as part of a wider trip to the island. During her visit to the north of the island she met Mr. Denktash, and party leaders Mr. Akinci and Mr. Talat.

  I plan to visit Cyprus in March.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently had with Greece and Turkey on the proximity talks on Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144400]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Secretary of State meets his Greek and Turkish counterparts frequently. His most recent substantive discussions with them on Cyprus took place at the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in November.
  602W
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met President Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus. [144408]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Foreign Secretary last met President Clerides on 12 March 1998 at the EU Birmingham Summit. The Prime Minister met President Clerides on 10 April 2000 in London. The Foreign Secretary and I met the Cyprus Foreign Minister, Mr. Kasoulides, in London on 3 October and 29 September respectively.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Mr. Rauf Denktash on freedom of the press in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144412]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK has made it clear to the Turkish Cypriots at various levels that we expect the rights of Turkish Cypriots, including the freedom of the press, to be respected. We will continue to monitor the situation.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who Her Majesty's Government's representatives will be at the next meeting of the United Nations' sponsored proximity talks on Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144402]

  Mr. Vaz
  The United Kingdom is not party to the United Nation-sponsored talks on Cyprus. However, we follow developments closely and Sir David Hannay, UK Special Representative for Cyprus, is likely to meet the parties during the next meeting. The UK urges all involved to co-operate with the UNSG's efforts to reach a just and lasting settlement.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Mr. Rauf Denktash regarding the legal action taken against Turkish Cypriot opposition politicians and journalists in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144413]

  Mr. Vaz
  The United Kingdom has made it clear to the Turkish Cypriots at various levels that we expect the rights of Turkish Cypriots to be respected, including the freedom of the press. We have expressed concern about particular instances, such as the recent case of Mr. Levent, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers from his Department have visited the Republic of Cyprus since May 1997. [144399]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), the then Minister for Europe, visited Cyprus in April 1999. The visit included meetings with President Clerides, Foreign Minister Kasoulides, Mr. Denktash, and several Greek and Turkish Cypriot party leaders.

  I plan to visit Cyprus in March.

  Belarus
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent human rights record of the Government of Belarus. [142800]
  603W
  Mr. Vaz
  The human rights record of the Government of Belarus remains poor in many respects. The political system is oppressive and undemocratic. The judiciary is not independent of the executive. Opposition politicians are harassed and have, in some cases, been subject to politically motivated legal proceedings and harsh sentencing. There is bias in the state mass media. Independent trade unions have suffered unacceptable pressure from the authorities, including having their bank accounts frozen. The Belarusian authorities have failed to investigate satisfactorily the disappearances of several opposition sympathisers. The parliamentary elections on 15 October failed to meet international standards for democratic elections.

  Minurso
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British personnel work for Minurso; what is the proposed expenditure for the 2001–02 financial year; and if he will make a statement. [144516]

  Mr. Hain
  There are currently no British military or civilian police personnel working for Minurso. The United Nations 2000–01 projected budget for Minurso was $49,317,037. They have not yet produced a projected budget figure for 2001–02.

  The Government fully support the UN's efforts to bring peace to the region and will continue to work for a just and durable settlement to the region's problems.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with the Turkish Government on the recent prison riots in Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [144580]

  Mr. Vaz
  Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed this issue with the Turkish Government. We regret the loss of life and injuries during the Turkish police operations, and our concerns about the handling of the police operations have been raised with the Turkish authorities by our officials.

  Belize and Guatemala
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the boundary between Belize and Guatemala; and what action he will take in the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of Belize. [144569]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The UK continues to support Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

  We remain committed to the long-standing British undertaking to consult internationally in the event of a threat to Belize's security and to play an appropriate part in any response. This has been the UK's position since the withdrawal of the British garrison from Belize in 1994.

  Settlement of the dispute is in the interests of all concerned. We are pleased that confidence-building measures have been agreed by Belize and Guatemala under
  604W
  the auspices of the Organisation of American States. We believe it is essential that these discussions continue and that there is early progress on implementation.

  EU Council
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for January and the major European Union events for the period 1 February to 30 June. [145522]

  Mr. Vaz
  To date we have received the detailed agendas for the following Council meetings in January:

  19 January—Brussels—ECOFIN Council

  Adoption of the provisional agenda

  Approval of the list of "A" items

  Taxation

  Report on Public Finances

  Implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact

  EMU statistics

  AOB

  12 January—Brussels—Fisheries Council (Possible)

  22–23 January—Brussels—General Affairs Council

  29 January—Brussels—Budget Council (Possible)

  29–30 January—Brussels—Agriculture Council

  No Agendas for the above are yet available.

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

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  February

  8–9

  Brussels

  JHA Informal Council

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  12

  Brussels

  Education/Youth Council (possible)

  12

  Brussels

  Research Council

  15–17

  Brussels

  Informal Employment/Telecommunications Council

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  25

  Brussels

  Informal Trade Minister dinner

  26–27

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  March

  6

  Brussels

  Employment and Social Affairs Council

  8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  12

  Brussels

  Internal Market/Consumer Council

  15

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  16

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  19

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20–21

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  23–24

  Stockholm

  European Council

  March/April

  31–1

  Brussels

  Meeting of Environment Ministers

  April

  5–6

  Brussels

  Transport/Telecommunications Council

  8–10

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  8–10

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  24–25

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  May

  5–6

  Brussels

  Gymnich

  7

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  7

  Brussels

  Employment and Social Council (possible)

  605W

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  14–15

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  14–15

  Brussels

  Industry and Energy Council

  22–23

  Brussels

  Agriculture

  28–29

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  28

  Brussels

  Education and Youth Council

  30

  Brussels

  Development Council

  31

  Brussels

  Health Council

  June

  5

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  5

  Brussels

  Internal Market/Consumer Council

  7–8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  11–12

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  11

  Brussels

  Employment/Social Affairs Council

  15–16

  Gothenburg

  European Council

  18

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council (possible)

  21

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  26

  Brussels

  Research Council

  27–28

  Brussels

  Transport/Telecommunications Council

  Lockerbie
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reason was given by the Syrian Government to justify their refusal to provide documents requested by the Government during the Lockerbie trial; and if he will make a statement. [144770]

  Mr. Battle
  The Syrian authorities, in their reply to the letter of request sent by the Scottish Court in the Netherlands, stressed that, in their opinion, they should not have been asked the question in the first place and would therefore prefer not to have to send a formal reply.

  The Lord Advocate, therefore, informed the court on 8 January that it was unlikely that the court would get a formal response, certainly not within any short time scale, and that any formal response would undoubtedly be negative.

DEFENCE

  HMS Invincible
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what manpower reductions are necessary to the crew of HMS Invincible during 2001 so that HMS Ark Royal can be brought up to a full complement. [144404]

  Mr. Spellar
  The crew of HMS Invincible will be reduced to reflect the ship's programme of a phased reduction in readiness leading to her refit commencing in late 2001. Overall, the current crew level of around 640 (excluding the embarked Air Group) will reduce to about 120 in refit. Some of the manpower released will be transferred to HMS Ark Royal as part of the Navy's overall manpower management plan.

  Air Fleets
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fleet size is of(a) Tornado GR1, (b) Tornado GR4, (c) Tornado F3, (d) Harrier, (e) Jaguar, (f) Nimrod, (g) Sentry, (h) Tristar, (i) Puma, (j) Sea King,
  606W
  (k) Chinook and (l) Merlin; how many were (i) allocated to front-line units, (ii) fully serviceable, (iii) unserviceable 1 line, (iv) unserviceable 2 line, (v) unserviceable 3/4 line, (vi) on trials, (vii) held in reserve use and (viii) undergoing upgrade on 12 December; what percentage of the fleet size this represents for each category; and if he will make a statement. [143191]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 January 2001]: I will write to the right hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he was consulted on the programme to celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee; and for what reason a Fleet Review will not take place. [144838]

  Dr. Moonie
  I have been kept fully informed about the development of plans for the armed forces to celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.

  It has been agreed with Buckingham Palace that in view of the demands of a very full royal programme during Golden Jubilee year, the Queen will make a single visit to the armed forces which will reflect their role in the 21st century, emphasising the importance of the Joint Service co-operation that exists between the three Services. In view of this, it was decided that single Service events, including a Fleet Review for the Royal Navy, would not be appropriate. Contrary to reports in the press, the decision had nothing to do with budgetary constraints.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judges' Lodgings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2000,Official Report, column 167W, regarding lodgings for judges, for how many days cars were hired for the Lewes lodging during (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [144707]

  Jane Kennedy
  Cars were hired for the Lewes lodgings as follows:

  1997–98–110 days;

  1998–99–145 days; and

  1999–2000–95 days.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  RUC
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what regulations govern the wearing of personal identification, full uniform and regalia of the RUC; and what are the disciplinary procedures in the event of non-compliance. [142276]

  Mr. Ingram
  Guidance on both aspects is contained within the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Conduct) Regulations 2000 (SR 2000/315).

  Police Oversight Commissioner
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the annual budget is for the Police Oversight Commissioner; if he will break down the costs into the main budget heads; and what representations he has received regarding the moneys allocated for this purpose. [142319]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government have been in discussion with Mr. Constantine, the Oversight Commissioner, regarding the resources he requires. Mr. Constantine identified costs for the work of the Commission, and I have set aside £739,000 for this financial year and £737,000 for the 2001–02 financial year. The figures are broken down as follows:

  £000

  Year one—June 2000-March 2001

  Establishment Costs

  149

  General Office Expenditure

  48

  Commissioner's Costs

  91

  Staff and Associated Costs

  451

  Year one total

  739

  Year two—2001–02

  General Office Expenditure

  61

  Commissioner's Costs

  91

  Staff and Associated Costs

  585

  Year two total

  737

  Costs for the 2002–03 financial year have yet to be finalised.

  Table 2: Percentage benefit accuracy across benefits agency area directorates

  Income Support (IS)

  Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)

  Short Term Benefits (STB)

  Long Term Benefits (LTB)

  Area Directorate (AD)

  1996–97

  1999–2000

  1996–97

  1999–2000

  1996–97

  1999–2000

  1996–97

  1999–2000

  1. East London and Anglia

  76.07

  84.32

  —

  86.52

  87.57

  92.66

  94.79

  92.22

  2. Chilterns

  76.22

  82.20

  —

  86.13

  —

  94.73

  91.63

  85.58

  3. London, South

  77.25

  85.79

  —

  86.72

  87.79

  94.18

  89.17

  94.71

  4. West Country

  80.08

  86.26

  —

  91.63

  90.91

  94.86

  94.15

  94.38

  5. Mercia

  81.57

  87.66

  —

  80.23

  —

  94.95

  98.44

  96.30

  6. West Midlands

  86.17

  84.95

  —

  91.44

  90.84

  95.14

  92.50

  92.78

  7. Wales

  85.14

  88.21

  —

  90.89

  91.18

  94.93

  92.76

  94.83

  8. North West Coast

  80.69

  87.99

  —

  89.52

  90.91

  94.10

  93.36

  97.88

  9. Greater Manchester

  81.69

  86.67

  —

  90.51

  90.67

  95.63

  94.30

  96.13

  10. Yorkshire

  81.49

  87.08

  —

  88.02

  90.35

  93.84

  93.30

  95.95

  11. Tyne Tees

  84.23

  90.50

  —

  88.85

  93.37

  96.49

  94.43

  96.32

  12. West of Scotland

  83.97

  90.28

  —

  92.16

  93.36

  95.10

  92.46

  92.09

  13. East of Scotland

  84.82

  92.88

  —

  93.21

  92.84

  94.70

  92.21

  93.60

  National

  80.81

  86.79

  87.10

  89.38

  90.41

  94.62

  93.28

  94.75

  Notes:

  1. Short Term Benefits (STB) incorporates results for Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement allowance and Maternity Allowance. STB results in 1996–97 were based on a re-performance of local checks. Where there are no entries in the columns this designates that a check by the Quality support teams was not undertaken in that Area Directorate in that year.

  2. Long Term Benefits (LTB) consists of Retirement Pension and Widows Benefit.

  3. Jobseekers Allowance was introduced in October 1996 and Quality Support checks were undertaken to provide a national result.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the level of staff turnover in the Benefits Agency was in each of the last five years for which

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the percentage of benefit payments were found to be accurate in each benefits area directorate for (i) 1979–80, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) the most recent period for which figures are available. [143104]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 10 January 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of benefit payments were found to be accurate in each benefits area directorate for (i) 1979–80, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) the most recent period for which figures are available.
  The accuracy of benefit payments in all Area Directorates is measured by the Benefits Agency Quality Support teams which were established in 1994. Unfortunately, no data is available for 1979/80 as accuracy figures were not collated at that time. Figures for the main benefits checked by the Quality Support teams in 1996/97 and 1999/2000 (the most recent period available) are set out in the tables.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Table 1: Percentage of benefit payments found to be accurate

  National figures

  Benefit

  1996–97

  1999–2000

  Retirement pension

  93.20

  95.29

  Incapacity benefit

  91.57

  94.63

  Income Support

  80.80

  86.79

  Jobseekers Allowance

  87.10

  89.38

  figures are available in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Leaside District; and if he will make a statement. [144488]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table for each of the last complete financial years.
  609W

  Percentage

  UK

  Greater London

  Leaside

  1 April 1995–31 March 1996

  3.6

  4.8

  4.5

  1 April 1996–31 March 1997

  5.8

  5.7

  5.0

  1 April 1997–31 March 1998

  6.1

  6.6

  6.3

  1 April 1998–31 March 1999

  4.8

  7.2

  8.2

  1 April 1999–31 March 2000

  5.3

  5.9

  6.9

  Family Incomes (Benefits)
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in the U.K. were living in families dependent on supplementary benefits or income support(a) in total and (b) as a proportion of all children in the UK in each year since 1979. [144465]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Children in families receiving Supplementary Benefit/Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based), Great Britain 1979 to 2000

  Number of children (000s)

  Proportion of children under 16 in Great Britain (percentage)

  1979

  923.1

  7.3

  1980

  1,088.3

  8.8

  1981

  1,493.4

  12.3

  1982

  1,721.4

  14.5

  1983

  1,789.5

  15.4

  1984

  1,949.0

  17.0

  1985

  1,949.0

  17.0

  1986

  2,122.5

  18.9

  1987

  2,111.4

  18.9

  1988

  2,091.8

  18.8

  1989

  2,029.6

  18.2

  1990

  2,044.8

  18.2

  1991

  2,368.1

  20.9

  1992

  2,702.9

  23.6

  1993

  2,966.0

  25.7

  1994

  2,980.3

  25.6

  1995

  2,957.5

  25.3

  1996

  2,918.2

  25.0

  1997

  2,718.3

  23.2

  1998

  2,539.3

  21.7

  1999

  2,472.8

  21.1

  2000 (May)

  2,389.1

  20.4

  2000 (August)

  2,378.9

  20.3

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are given at a point in time. For 1979 the month is November, 1980 to 1984 the month is December, 1986 the month is February, and from 1987 to 1999 the month is May. Two sets of information is given for 2000: May (in line with data from 1987, and August which is the latest available data).

  2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands. Percentages are given to one decimal place.

  3. Numbers are not available for 1985 due to industrial action.

  4. Income Support replaced Supplementary Benefit in April 1988.

  5. Children of unemployed Supplementary Benefit/Income Support claimants are included in the figures up to 1996. Income Support for the unemployed was replaced by income-based Jobseeker's Allowance from October 1996; children of income-based Jobseeker's Allowance claimants have been added to figures from 1997 onwards.

  6. Children are defined as aged 0–15.

  7. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance cases will include some claimants with an underlying entitlement to contribution-based benefit.
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  8. Numbers are based on sample data and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error. Samples sizes are as follows:

  1979 to 1981: 1 in 200 (Supplementary pension cases), 1 in 50 (Supplementary Allowances)

  1982 to 1987: 1 in 200 (Supplementary pension cases), 1 in 100 (E cases), 1 in 50 (Supplementary Allowances)

  1988 to 1993: 1 in 100

  1994 to date: 1 in 20

  Source:

  Supplementary Benefit Statistics Annual Enquiries, 1979 to 1987

  Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries, 1988 to 1993

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, May 1994 to August 2000

  Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1997, May 1998, May 1999, May 2000 and August 2000

  Flooding
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been provided from the Social Fund to individuals as a result of the recent flooding(a) nationally and (b) in Lewes. [144708]

  Angela Eagle
  At 5 January 2001 total payments made nationally from the 2000–01 discretionary Social Fund budget in respect of flooding were £157,684 in community care grant payments and £11,635 in crisis loan payments.

  Payments made by the Benefits Agency Central Sussex district, which covers Lewes, amount to £4,636 for community care grants and £970 for crisis loans.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in(a) Inverclyde and (b) Scotland receive the minimum income guarantee. [144498]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are around 167,500 recipients of the minimum income guarantee in Scotland, with some 3,600 in Inverclyde local authority area.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Pensioners are defined as where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  4. Cases are allocated to each Parliamentary Constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 version 1 ONS Postcode Directory.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Family Visitor Visas
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in reviewing the cost of family visitor visa refusal appeals. [144147]

  Mr. Straw
  In the debate on 20 November 2000,Official Report, column 139, on the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) (No. 2) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2446) I told the House that I would review the

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  operation of the scheme provided by those regulations within three months. This review has now been completed.

  The review undertaken by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), and me, involved a close scrutiny of the original assumptions which led to the level of fees provided by these regulations, and took account of the experience of the new appeals system since it came into force on 2 October 2000. In the light of the conclusions of the review, I am pleased to announce that the Government have decided to reduce the level of fees currently payable by family visitors who wish to appeal against decisions to refuse them visas. Regulations have been laid today to take effect tomorrow, 12 January, reducing the fees to £50 for paper appeals and £125 for oral ones, replacing the fees of £150 and £500 provided by the previous regulations.

  The review team will now be examining other issues, including the definition of family visitor and how and to whom the fees are paid within the regulations.

  Reporting Crime
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations his Department has made to allow members of the public to report crimes via the internet and e-mail; and if he will make a statement. [141628]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have commissioned work on the development of an internet portal which would enable members of the public to report minor crimes to the police using the internet.

  This exciting development is part of a wider vision for delivering police services electronically to the public which we are now working on. While many forces are already introducing services via their own websites, I believe that the public should be able to interact with their local force through a standard interface providing a wide range of services.

  Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to move a motion in respect of the procedure for consideration of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill after its presentation similar to that moved by the Minister of State, Home Office, the right hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), on 7 February in respect of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [142738]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 14 December 2000]: No decision has yet been made on the procedure for considering the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill.

  Asylum Support Vouchers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total value was of the asylum support vouchers issued in the first six months of 2000–01; and what the total cost was to public funds of issuing them. [142786]
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  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 14 December 2000]: The total value of asylum support vouchers issued in the first six months of 2000–01 financial year was £5.1 million.

  Total staffing and related administrative costs of the National Asylum Support Service, including the costs of processing application forms, allocating accommodation and administering the voucher schemes—but excluding the face value of the vouchers, and the costs of providing accommodation and travel—over this period were £6.6 million. This includes payments made under the voucher contract. However, vouchers are printed and distributed by third party providers under contract to the Home Office and the costs of this service are commercially confidential.

  Criminal Injuries (Compensation)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what circumstances prevent a person who has a criminal record from receiving compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and Board; and to what extent this is affected by whether they had a criminal record at the time they became a victim of crime. [144428]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Paragraph 13(e) of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme empowers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to withhold or reduce an award where the applicant's character, as shown by his criminal convictions (excluding convictions spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or other evidence, makes it inappropriate that a full award or any award should be made. The guide to the scheme includes an illustrative table indicating how awards are likely to be reduced by a certain percentage depending on the nature or length of the sentence imposed for criminal activity and how long ago the offence or offences were committed. A copy of the guide is supplied to all applicants.

  War Criminals
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the validity of reports of former Ukrainian SS troops settling in Britain; what plans he has to investigate such people for war crimes offences; and if he will make a statement. [144896]

  Mrs. Roche
  War crimes are among the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. The Government believe strongly that all war criminals should be brought to justice whenever possible, both those responsible for atrocities during the Second World War, and subsequently.

  Following recommendations made by the Hetherington Inquiry, Parliament passed the War Crimes Act 1991. That Act gave the courts retrospective criminal jurisdiction to try certain classes of war crimes committed during the Second World War by people who are now British nationals or United Kingdom residents. The police service diligently investigated hundreds of cases after the entry into force of the Act.

  Any new information relating to the commission of an offence under the War Crimes Act 1991 by any person within the United Kingdom's jurisdiction should be passed to the police so that they may consider whether to carry out an investigation. This includes allegations about

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  the activities of former Ukrainian SS troops, said to reside in Britain. The Metropolitan police have received information relating to these allegations, which they are currently analysing.

  When it is not possible to prosecute in this country, the United Kingdom has extensive arrangements to allow extradition to countries which are better placed to pursue a prosecution, including extradition of its own nationals. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is also considering the scope of his powers under immigration and nationality legislation in relation to individuals suspected of involvement in war crimes or crimes against humanity.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of housing benefit fraud in each of the last three years. [144137]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is in the table.

  Number of Housing/Council Tax Benefit claimants convicted

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  631 (700)

  1998–99

  714 (800)

  1999–2000

  730 (900)

  Notes:

  1. These figures are the total number of successful convictions (single combined figure for HB/CTB) reported by local authorities via the administration and policy monitoring returns.

  2. Not all local authorities return the required statistics. Approximately 69 LAs having missing data for convictions in 1999–2000, 82 LAs with missing data in 1998–99 and 65 LAs with missing data in 1997–98.

  3. The figures in parenthesis are the published estimates for the total number of claimants convicted.

  Ermina Andola Campillos
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the visa application of Ermina Andola Campillos will be decided. [144504]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  This visa application was decided on 22 November. I will write to my hon. Friend about the background to this case.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Transportation
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to require the ability, competence and knowledge of those handling and transporting animals on journeys lasting eight hours or more to be assessed by an independent person or body rather than by their employer; and if he will make a statement. [142949]

  Mr. Morley
  A proposal for independent assessment of competence of those transporting farm livestock was the 614W
  subject of a public consultation on a limited review of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, carried out in August 1999. In the meantime, the European Commission started its own review of the parent EU directive and the Commission's report has now been published on their website at: http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/en/com/availability/en_availability_2000_1.html

  We will implement changes to the Order to take account of the Commission's report and recommendations, and the outcome of our earlier consultation.

  Ministerial Travel
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, for each year since 1995, the number of flights, including helicopter flights, taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits; on how many occasions(a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets obtained; and who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [143864]

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

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

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants are employed in work relating to agriculture; what proportion of these are dealing(a) wholly and (b) partly with farm subsidies; and what proportion each category represents of the total number of civil servants. [144252]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: On 1 April 2000 there were 10,380 staff in my Department and its Agencies. The majority of these are employed in work relating to agriculture. In England, farm subsidies are dealt with mainly by our Regional Service Centres and the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA). On 1 April 2000, 2,173 staff worked in the nine Regional Service Centres and 600 staff in the FRCA.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Private Bills
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Council what arrangements she plans to make to inform the House of the compatibility of Private Bills with the European Convention on Human Rights. [145183]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 does not apply to Private Bills. However, like all legislation, any Act resulting from the passage of such a Bill can be judged in the courts, either in the UK or in
  615W
  Strasbourg, for its compatibility with the ECHR. In future when Private Bills are deposited, promoters will be asked to undertake a full assessment of the compatibility of their proposals with the ECHR and to make a statement setting out their conclusion as to whether the Bill is compatible or not. A Minister in the Government Department within whose policy responsibilities the subject matter of the Bill falls will make a formal statement saying that he believes that the promoters have undertaken a full assessment and that he does not (or, if necessary, that he does) see any need to dispute their conclusions.

CABINET OFFICE

  Opposition Parties Policies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2000,Official Report, columns 47–48W, concerning special advisers, if the results of exercises to cost policies and pledges of opposition parties are placed in the public domain; and if she will place details of the resulting documents in the Library. [144704]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  As my answer of 11 December made clear, it is for individual Ministers to determine the form of presentation.

  IT Projects
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action the Government are taking to improve their handling of major IT projects. [144628]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I refer my hon. Friend to my earlier reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 9 January 2001,Official Report, column 484W.

  Consumer Champions
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the consumer champions in each Government Department; by what process they were recruited; and what qualifications were required for these posts. [144462]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Consumer champions are existing members of the senior management of Departments and agencies, and are designated by the Departments and agencies concerned, carrying out their role in addition to their other work. They have responsibility for ensuring that consumers' views are translated into practical improvements to public services; and ensure that the changes made to public services have real meaning and impact and that they are part of a long-term strategy of improvement. The most important qualifications for the post are a commitment to this process, and an organisational position that enables them to see it is put into effect.

  The departmental consumer champions are listed on the internet at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk./servicefirst/consumerfocus/champions/htm.

  I have placed copies of this list in the Libraries of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Nursery Education
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress he is making towards providing free nursery education for three and four-year-olds. [143470]

  Ms Hodge
  All four-year-olds have been able to access a free early education place since 1998. By 2004 we will provide a free place for every three-year-old.

  This is the first Government ever to have specifically funded free nursery education for three-year-olds. By 2004 we will have doubled our spending on nursery education from £1 billion to £2 billion.

  Act of Worship
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received from local education authorities about the future of the collective act of worship in schools. [143471]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have received only seven such representations. They asked for changes to be made to the arrangements for collective worship in schools.

  We are committed to the existing arrangements, which promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Ofsted inspections and the role of SACREs underpin our commitment.

  Specialist Schools
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of specialist schools on improving standards. [143472]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Specialist schools report to us about progress on their development plans and we monitor performance in public examinations. We also commissioned research by the London School of Economics and Leeds University. All these sources of information suggest that specialist schools are having a significant impact on improving standards.

  Wired-up Communities Pilot
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the wired-up communities pilot. [143473]

  Mr. Wills
  The Wired-up Communities pilot will test how we can most effectively provide access to the internet and ICT to all homes in some of England's most deprived communities. It is one of the Government's range of initiatives to tackle the digital divide.

  The first pilot project began in Kensington, Liverpool, last autumn. I will announce further pilot projects, to be run in partnership with the private sector, shortly.

  Employment Agencies
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the matter of employment agencies advertising at job centres. [143474]
  617W
  Ms Jowell
  No representations have been received on this matter within the past year. However, the Employment Service works closely with private employment agencies to offer the widest possible selection of jobs to its jobseekers. The Employment Service has recently, in partnership with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, issued a joint good practice document highlighting how public and private employment services can work together for the benefit of jobseekers.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on performance-related pay for teachers. [143475]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The performance threshold assessment system was formally reinstated on 22 November and will lead to a £2,000 pay increase for successful applicants.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the allocation of funds to Learning and Skills Councils in the north-east of England. [143477]

  Mr. Wicks
  The increased resources this Government have made available for education and training has meant that the Learning and Skills Council will receive a 9 per cent. real terms increase in its budget for 2001–2002. People in the north-east stand to benefit fully from their share of these increased resources, including through any allocations made to the four Local Learning and Skills Councils serving the region.

  Teacher Numbers
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the recruitment and retention of teachers. [143478]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Overall, there were 6,900 more teachers in post in January 2000 than January 1998 and 5,400 more than January 1997. A survey carried out by my Department in September 2000 suggested that the secondary school figure for that month was about the same as in January that year. This year has seen the first rise in the number of people entering teacher training since 1992.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the recruitment of teachers in shortage subjects. [143479]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Compared to 1998, before we introduced Golden Hellos, recruitment so far this year to initial teacher training courses is up 5 per cent. for science and 15 per cent. for maths. Incentives for modern languages and technology were introduced from September 2000. Recruitment so far this year is up on last, by 9 per cent. for technology and 11 per cent. for modern languages. A further 397 people have started secondary training in these four subjects through the Graduate Teacher Programme.
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  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on how many persons were recruited for initial teacher training for secondary school maths teaching in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2000–01 including recruitment under the Graduate Teacher Programme. [143480]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Recruitment to secondary initial teacher training in maths declined steadily between 1994–95 and the introduction of Golden Hellos. The figure for 1996–97 was 1,650. So far this year, 1,360 people have started training in maths, including through the Graduate Teacher Programme, which we introduced in January 1998. Between 1994–95 and 1997–98, recruitment to secondary teacher training courses in maths fell by 25 per cent. Since 1998–99 it has risen by 14 per cent. There will be a further intake to the Graduate Teacher Programme in the summer term.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the numbers of newly qualified teachers joining the teaching profession. [143481]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Around 70 per cent. of newly qualified teachers in England, in both 1997 and 1998, were in service in the maintained sector in England and Wales the March following qualification. Others were in service in further or higher education institutions or the independent sector. Some newly qualified teachers take a gap period before taking up teaching posts. By five years after qualification, some 80 per cent. of teachers have at some stage worked in the maintained sector.

  Schools Funding
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the system of allocating funds directly to schools. [143482]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  School Standards Grant for maintained schools is payable through local education authorities, which must pass the relevant sums on to schools on a pre-determined timetable so that schools receive the funding in a lump sum during the summer term. In 2001–02 the typical primary school will receive £20,000, and the typical secondary school £60,000.

  University for Industry
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in setting up the university for industry. [143483]

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the development of the university for industry. [143494]

  Mr. Wicks
  A great deal of progress has been made. Using the brand name learndirect, Ufi Ltd. has moved from its development phase to the national roll out of operations, marked by an event on 25 October 2000.

  There are now over 770 learndirect centres operating nationally in a wide range of settings. Ufi Ltd. plan that around 1,000 learn direct centres will be in place by spring 2001. Learndirect currently offers over 440 course titles focusing on its initial priorities of basic skills, Information Technology skills at all levels and business skills for small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently over 70 per cent. of learndirect learning materials are available on line.
  619W
  The learndirect information and advice service, which includes the learndirect telephone helpline (0800 100 900) and is available on the website www.learndirect.co.uk, gives access to a wide range of in partial and accurate information on learning opportunities. The helpline has taken over 2.3 million calls since its launch in February 1998, and the website has taken 780,000 hits requesting information on learning opportunities since its launch in May 2000.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on class sizes in secondary schools since May 1997. [143484]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The size of the average secondary class is 22, and in January 1997 it was 21.7. Secondary class sizes rose steadily throughout the last decade—in 1990 the figure was 20.3. Secondary headteachers are receiving an average of £50,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose this year. If this were spent on recruiting teachers, the average secondary class size could be reduced by up to 0.8.

  We have secured early delivery of our infant class size pledge for the vast majority of infants, including in North Wiltshire. In the constituency in September 2000, over 98 per cent. of infants were in classes of 30 or fewer pupils. The figure in January 1997 was 81 per cent.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on class sizes in secondary schools since May 1997. [143487]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The size of the average secondary class is 22, and in January 1997 it was 21.7. Secondary class sizes rose steadily throughout the last decade—in 1990 the figure was 20.3. Secondary headteachers are receiving an average of £50,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose this year. If this were spent on recruiting teachers, the average secondary class size could be reduced by up to 0.8.

  We are delivering our infant class size pledge for the vast majority of infants, including in Hertford and Stortford. In the constituency in September 2000, nearly 95 per cent. of infants were in classes of 30 or fewer pupils. The figure in January 1997 was 73 per cent.

  New Deal
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of recruits to the New Deal are in unsubsidised employment. [143485]

  Ms Jowell
  New Deal has delivered for young people and the economy: figures to the end of October 2000 show that 557,300 young people have joined the New Deal and we know that 262,440 of these young people have moved from benefits to work. Over 72 per cent. of the young people who have left New Deal for employment are now off Jobseeker's Allowance benefits.

  40 per cent. of young people who have so far left New Deal go into sustained unsubsidised employment—in addition, independent research has shown that nearly three fifths of those recorded as leaving for an unknown destination do, in fact, find work. Of course many more
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  are still gaining help in training and work experience which evidence shows improves their long term employment prospects.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations on the New Deal he has received from employers. [143490]

  Ms Jowell
  The Employment Service is in constant touch with employers across the country to improve its service to them. This is borne out by a record response from employers to New Deal, with over 80,000 having signed Employer Agreements to date.

  While we continue to make improvement, an independent survey of employers shows that 84 per cent. are satisfied or very satisfied with the service they receive from the Employment Service.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the destination of people leaving the New Deal. [143495]

  Ms Jowell
  Figures to the end of October 2000 show that 457,100 young people have left the New Deal. Of these, 40 per cent. entered sustained unsubsidised employment, 11 per cent. transferred to another benefit, 20 per cent. left to another known destination, and 29 per cent. left to an unknown destination. However, independent research has shown that nearly three fifths of those recorded as leaving for an unknown destination do, in fact, find work.

  New Deal's success has meant that over 250,000 young people have been helped into work. We will build on that success and strengthen the New Deal so that it will assist even more people and help ensure that the current low unemployment rate continues.

  Literacy
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding was earmarked for each of the last four years for literacy in primary schools. [143486]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Funding for the implementation of the National Literacy Strategy in primary schools over the last four years is as follows:

  1997–98: £5 million (National Literacy and Numeracy Projects)

  1998–99: £57 million (including £7 million for Year 6 booster classes)

  1999–2000: £74 million (including £24 million for Year 6 booster classes)

  2000–01: £88 million (including £21 million for Year 6 booster classes).

  In addition, a total of £96 million of Books for Schools grant was allocated to primary and secondary schools in 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  £98 million has been allocated for literacy in primary schools in 2001–02 (including £23 million for booster classes).

  Sport
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the Government's policy is on organised sport in schools. [143488]
  621W
  Jacqui Smith
  The Government are committed to supporting organised sport in schools. Competitive games are a compulsory part of the National Curriculum for Physical Education for children aged 5–14 and are one of the options available for those aged 14–16. Out of school hours, the most popular activity is sport for both primary and secondary children. The Government launched their Sports Strategy "A Sporting Future for All" in April this year. One of its key aims is to increase participation in physical activities in schools, including organised sports. 1,000 School Sports Co-ordinators are currently being appointed. They will be based in communities of greatest need, working in "families" of primary and secondary schools linked wherever possible through LEAs to Specialist Sports Colleges. They will provide opportunities for young people to compete regularly for their school and take part in a wide range of sports outside the curriculum. So far, 143 School Sports Co-ordinators are in place. On 26 September 2000, the Prime Minister also unveiled a further major investment in sport, including £750 million New Opportunities Lottery funding to strengthen the foundation of sport across the UK by building and refurbishing PE and sports facilities in over 1,500 schools and outdoor adventure facilities, which will provide even more opportunities for children to play sport in schools.

  Pre-school Provision
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on pre-school provision. [143489]

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the number of pre-school places. [143465]

  Ms Hodge
  Since September 1998, all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time, early education place. By September 2004 all three-year-olds will also be able to access a free place.

  We are making £986 million available over the years 2001–02 to 2003–04 for the provision of free places for three-year-olds, and other early years initiatives. By March 2001, some 50 per cent. of three-year-olds nationally will have access to a free early education place. We are making a further 80,000 new places available in 2001–02 which will increase to 66 per cent. the number of three-year-olds accessing a free place by March 2002.

  Total expenditure on nursery education will have increased by £1 billion, to £2 billion, over the period from 1996–97 to 2003–04.

  School Websites
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the quality of creative work on school websites. [143491]

  Mr. Wills
  We have recently launched the revised and updated version of the Superhighway Safety information pack, aimed at teachers, learners and parents. As well as addressing the whole range of internet safety issues, this free pack provides advice and guidance on what school websites should (and should not) include. For instance, we advise that schools 'showcase' their pupils' creative work. The pack's website version (http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk) also includes links to examples of particularly good school 622W
  websites, to provide schools with further ideas. Some of the websites showcased in this way have won the British Educational Communications and Technology agency's school website award. These awards are designed to encourage schools to showcase excellent examples of web publishing. As increasing numbers of schools are able to access the internet, we would expect the amount of creative work on display in this way to increase.

  ICT
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that adults in disadvantaged communities gain information and communication technology skills. [143492]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government are committed, by 2005, to providing access to the internet and information and communications technology (ICT) to everyone who wants it including those in the most disadvantaged communities.

  We are taking significant steps towards tackling the difficulties adults in disadvantaged communities face in accessing ICT so that they are able to play an active part in the digital revolution. On 11 September the Prime Minister set out the Government's strategy for getting the UK online. The Prime Minister also announced over 600 successful applications in the first phase of the UK online centres funded through the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF). These CMF funded centres are specifically targeting the most deprived urban and rural areas and will provide access to ICT and learning provision. By 2002 there will be around 6,000 UK online centres throughout England. These will be based in the heart of local communities in the most convenient locations including public libraries, colleges and community centres.

  Learndirect was launched nationally on 25 October 2000. Its services are relevant to people with all kinds of backgrounds, social and economic circumstances and skill needs. The network of learndirect centres, over 770 of which are already in place, will provide local learning facilities offering a supported, end-to-end learning experience.

  Learndirect's emphasis on making learning easily accessible makes it possible to target the whole population and yet still reach those who may feel let down by traditional learning. This inclusive approach is supported by the provision of learning which is tailored to meet the needs and commitments of the learner and end-to-end learner support.

  50,000 free computer training courses are being made available for jobless people across the country under our UK online computer training scheme. We are also piloting an initiative to wire up homes and schools in some of the most disadvantaged communities in England, and we are introducing the 'Computers within Reach' pilot scheme in which, in the period up to the end of March 2001, we intend to provide 35,000 recycled computers in local pilots in deprived communities.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the proportion of education funding which goes(a) directly to schools and (b) to local education authorities. [143493]
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  Ms Estelle Morris
  Maintained schools receive delegated funding, and in 2000–01 this amounts to 84.2 per cent. of local education authorities' local school budgets. This includes devolved Standards Fund moneys. We have set a target of a minimum 85 per cent. delegation for 2001–02 and 87 per cent. for 2002–03. In addition, schools have received amounts ranging from £3,000 to £50,000 per school as School Standards Grant; this will continue for the next three years. In 2001–02 a typical primary school will receive £20,000 and a typical secondary school £60,000.

  Nursery and Pre-school Education
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the total amount spent on(a) nursery and (b) pre-school education in (i) England in 1980 to 2000 and (ii) Wales in 1980 to 1998. [141680]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: Total Government expenditure on under-fives in England is estimated to increase by £1 billion in 2003–04 compared with 1996–97. All four-year-olds already have a guaranteed early education place. The Government have made a commitment to provide a free nursery education place for all three-year-olds by 2004.

  The following table gives, in real terms at 1999–2000 prices, local education authority current expenditure on under-fives (including rising fives) in England from 1979–80 through to 1999–2000, including the nursery voucher scheme funding of £636 million in 1997–98. These figures include all local authority expenditure on nursery and pre-school education, including funding from sources outside that specifically allocated for this purpose.

  Year

  £ million

  1979–80

  500

  1980–81

  531

  1981–82

  526

  1982–83

  559

  1983–84

  578

  1984–85

  614

  1985–86

  617

  1986–87

  678

  1987–88

  1,034

  1988–89

  1,084

  1989–90

  1,172

  1990–91

  1,221

  1991–92

  1,345

  1992–93

  1,460

  1993–94

  1,533

  1994–95

  1,623

  1995–96

  1,643

  1996–97

  1,671

  1997–98

  1,778

  1998–99

  1,810

  1999–2000

  11,904

  1 Estimate

  Before 1987–88 the figures only include expenditure on under-fives in nursery schools. From 1987–88 onwards the figures include spending both in nursery schools and on under-fives in primary schools.

  Responsibility for education matters in Wales rests with the National Assembly for Wales.

  Government Policies (Blackpool, South)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [142235]

  Mr. Wills
  Blackpool LEA achieved unitary status on 1 April 1998 following local government reorganisation. It is therefore difficult to make statistical comparisons from 1997 to 2000. Outlined are details of the effect on the Blackpool, South constituency and Blackpool LEA of a range of the Department's policies.

  Sure Start

  There is a Sure Start programme centred on Mereside. There is a strong emphasis on community capacity building, particularly through training both to increase self-confidence and to promote self-sufficiency. Parents and grandparents are involved in providing some of the services, such as running storytelling and rhyme clubs. The programme has received total funding of up to £1,950,070.

  Beacon Schools

  The LEA has two Beacon Schools—Anchorsholme County Primary School and Christ the King Catholic Primary School.

  Specialist Schools

  There are two specialist schools—Bispham High School (Arts) and Montgomery High School (Language).

  Class Size

  £

  Blackpool LEA

  Revenue

  Capital

  1998–99

  73,000

  414,500

  1999–2000

  351,000

  278,125

  2000–01

  588,710

  171,200

  The September 2000 figure shows that in Blackpool there are now only 192 (4.1 per cent.) pupils remaining in infant classes of 31 or more. The figure in January 1997 was 2,369 (45.4 per cent.).

  Key Stage Test Results

  Percentage of pupils at level 4 or above in the Key Stage 2 tests

  English

  Maths

  Science

  1998

  60

  56

  62

  1999

  64

  64

  70

  2000

  72

  66

  79

  Attainment by pupils aged 15 in GCSE and GNVQ equivalents

  Percentage 5 or more A*-C

  Percentage no passes

  1998

  1999

  2000

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Blackpool

  34.6

  36.5

  36.1

  6.9

  7.3

  6.3

  England

  46.3

  47.9

  49.2

  6.6

  6.0

  5.6

  Partnership Programme for Independent and State Schools

  Langdale Preparatory School (Independent) and Claremont Primary School (State) received Independent/State School Partnerships grant of £17,000 in 1999–2000

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  for one year. The schools worked together to explore "The Development of Blackpool and its Relationship to Tourism". The project involved most areas of the curriculum with emphases on History, Geography, Science, Art, Mathematics and English.

  Funding

  PPP

  Collegiate High School—This project (supported by NDS) was signed during summer 2000 between the school, LEA and Uforia (private contractor). Work commenced on 11 September and is expected to be completed by 7 May 2001. The project is to construct an indoor sports centre on the school grounds, which will also be available to another special school. The private sector partner will contribute capital and be granted a lease to operate the upgraded facilities out of school hours. The school currently pays rent for indoor sports facilities. Total value of the project is £1,200,000 (£750,000 NDS and £450,000 private sector contribution).

  Capital (£000)

  2000–01

  1999–2000

  1998–99

  ACG

  3,437

  2,124

  642

  SCA

  70

  50

  624

  NDS

  1,863

  1,259

  661

  VA grant

  226

  93

  69

  SEED

  115

  —

  —

  PPP

  —

  —

  —

  Capital formula

  993

  —

  —

  NGfL

  371

  376

  234

  Science labs

  103

  —

  —

  SSLUs

  35

  —

  —

  Assistance with AMP

  —

  14

  —

  Access at %85

  —

  —

  9

  Security

  37

  37

  36

  Outside toilets

  —

  —

  47

  Energy

  —

  —

  41

  Under New Deal for Schools (NDS) the following schools in the Blackpool, South constituency have benefited:

  NDS1
  Baines Endowed CE—Scheme submitted by District Liaison Committee—£6,548

  NDS2

  Grange Park Junior—roof repair—£1,075 and tiling toilet floors—£9,675

  Revoe Primary—roofing—£172,000

  Thames County Primary—roofing—£11,825

  Waterloo Primary—roofing—£26,875, toilet upgrades—£12,900 and gable end correction—£2,685

  Mereside Primary—refurbishment of toilets—£22,790

  Roseacre Primary—replacement toilets—£26,875

  Collegiate High—refurbishment of toilets—£12,900

  St. George's High—refurbishment of changing rooms—£6,990

  Highfield High—repairs to brick arches—£53,750

  Palatine High—repair of brickwork—£860, resurface netball courts—£1,450, resurface tennis courts—£17,200 and repair/replace slabs—£919

  NDS3

  Collegiate High—sports facilities—£750,000

  Highfield High, Palatine High, Grange Park Infant and Junior and St. Kentigerns RC Primary—Part of 10-school package for re-roofing totalling £509,400

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  NDS4

  St. George's High—general refurbishment—£220,000

  Highfield High—refurbishment of science and food technology labs—£256,300 and part of a three-school package for replacement of temporary classrooms totalling £570,688

  Collegiate High—rewiring—£382,590

  Park School, Palatine High and Highfield High—part of a four-school package for replacement of windows totalling £220,000.

  Further Education Numbers

  Student numbers at all FEFC funded institutions, where the home postcode is in the Blackpool, South constituency 1992–97, 1997–98, 1998–99

  16–18

  Adult

  FT

  PT

  FT

  PT

  FEFC funded

  1996–97

  954

  277

  538

  4,323

  1997–98

  966

  338

  640

  4,768

  1998–99

  926

  336

  605

  4,906

  Non-FEFC funded

  1996–97

  140

  110

  120

  115

  1997–98

  84

  151

  129

  143

  1998–99

  115

  151

  180

  483

  Note:

  Under 16s included in 16–18 figures; where age unknown, included in adult figures

  Sources:

  1996–97: Individualised Student Record 10 (December 1997)

  1997–98: Individualised Student Record 13 (December 1998)

  1998–99: Individualised Student Record 16 (December 1999)

  for all FEFC funded institutions

  Modern Apprenticeships Data

  Since 2 May 1997, we know of 956 starts on Modern Apprenticeships in the Blackpool, South constituency (as at 30 September 2000). Broken down by financial year these are:

  Financial year

  Foundation Modern Apprenticeships1

  Advanced Modern Apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  0

  142

  142

  1998–99

  23

  169

  192

  1999–2000

  215

  174

  389

  2000–013

  115

  118

  233

  Total

  353

  603

  956

  1 Foundation Modern Apprenticeships, formerly known as National Traineeships, were introduced nationally in September 1997.

  2 Advanced Modern Apprenticeships, formerly known as Modern Apprenticeships, were introduced nationally in September 1995.

  3 To date.

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database

  Please note:

  1. The Trainee Database System (TDS), from which these data are taken, is less complete than Management Information supplied to the Department by Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) (around 95 per cent.).

  2. In addition, the postcode information on the TDS, from which parliamentary constituency data are compiled, are 95 per cent. complete.

  3. TEC Management Information does not provide information at parliamentary constituency level.

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  Labour Market Data

  The working age employment rate in Blackpool in summer 2000 was 74.2 per cent. compared with a seasonally unadjusted UK figure of" 75.1 per cent.

  The working age employment rate in Blackpool increased by 1.7 percentage points between summer 1997 and summer 2000.

  New Deal for Young People

  Number

  Starts

  931

  Jobs total

  474

  Subsidised

  41

  New Deal for 25+

  Number

  Starts

  367

  Jobs total

  84

  Subsidised

  12

  Teaching Vacancies (North Somerset)
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many permanent specialist mathematics teaching vacancies there were in North Somerset local education authority schools in each year since 1979. [142944]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on teaching vacancies in North Somerset local education authority prior to 1997 is not available, due to the fact that this particular authority was formed as part of the local government reorganisation of 1 April 1996. The number of full-time mathematics teaching vacancies in maintained secondary schools in North Somerset local authority on the third Thursday in January each year since the authority was created is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1997

  0

  1998

  0

  1999

  1

  2000

  2

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

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

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

  Education Statistics
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of children of compulsory school age in each local education authority in England are(a) educated in that authority's special schools, (b) educated in special provision in that
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  authority's mainstream schools, (c) receiving special education in private schools or in another local education authority, (d) educated otherwise and (e) not being educated. [143439]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: The available information is to be placed in the House of Commons Library: proportion of pupils of compulsory school age in maintained special schools, proportion of pupils of compulsory school age receiving special education in independent schools, proportion of pupils of compulsory school age receiving special education in non-maintained special schools and the proportion of pupils of compulsory school age not on the roll of a school or pupil referral unit.

  Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 places a responsibility on local education authorities to provide suitable education outside school for children unable to attend school because of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise. By 2002 provision for pupils excluded from school must be full-time.

  Statutory guidance from the DfEE advises local education authorities to set up systems for collecting data on the number of children of all ages who are out of school, and their achievements. Such a register will help authorities ensure that vulnerable groups do not become lost in the system between education and employment.

  Information is collected on the number of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools.

  This is published in the Statistical First Release "Special Educational Needs in England—January 2000" in November 2000. A copy of this publication is available from the Library and can also be accessed on the Department's statistical website www.dfee.gov.uk/statistics. However, this does not specifically distinguish between forms of special provision in mainstream schools.

  We do not collect information about those pupils receiving special education in another local education authority. However, we have included in the table information about pupils receiving education in non-maintained special schools (including hospital special).

  Mixed-ability Streaming
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent assessment he has made of the merits of streaming pupils of different abilities. [143593]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Most secondary schools, and a small but increasing proportion of primary schools for their older pupils, set by ability in particular subjects. The balance of evidence supports the effectiveness of this practice in raising standards.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work permits were granted to foreign nationals during the last 12 months. [143932]

  Ms Hodge
  During the 12 month period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 a total of 102,180 work
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  permits were granted to foreign nationals. A more detailed breakdown by type and duration of permit is shown in the following table.

  Type of permit

  Up to 12 months

  Over 12 months

  Business and Commercial

  19,985

  52,571

  Sports and Entertainments

  21,107

  710

  Training and Work Experience (TWES)

  5,517

  2,290

  Total

  46,609

  55,571

  Class Sizes (Wansbeck)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of children aged(a) five, (b) six and (c) seven are taught in classes of over 30 in schools in Wansbeck; and what were the comparable 1997 figures. [144287]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have secured early delivery of our infant class size pledge for the vast majority of infants, including in Wansbeck. In the constituency in September 2000, 2.3 per cent. of five, six and seven-year-olds were in classes of 31 or more. The figure in January 1997 was 36.7 per cent.

  The latest infant class size data for September 2000 were recently published in a Statistical First Release "Infant Class Sizes in England 2000" on 1 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Employment statistical website www.dfee.gov.uk/statistics. Figures from this release show that since September 1998, 324,000 five, six and seven-year-olds have benefited from the Government's infant class size initiative. In September 2000, 30,000 children were in classes of 31 or more children, compared to 171,000 in September 1999. This demonstrates that the Government are delivering early their infant class size pledge, which is supported by some £620 million.

  School League Tables
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what course of action is open to schools who wish to challenge the accuracy of school league tables; and if amended league tables are published in the event of errors being discovered. [144291]

  Jacqui Smith
  It is open to schools to complain that data published in the annual school performance tables are in error. Where they do so we investigate thoroughly and issue errata amending the figures where appropriate. The publication of the information in league table form is, however, a matter entirely for the media.

  We have received complaints about the information published in the secondary school performance tables on 16 November last year from two schools in my hon. Friend's constituency. Following investigation the data for King Edward VI School have been amended, and the school has received an apology for the error. The figures for the second school were found not to be in error. Data are published in the Department's performance tables to a very high level of accuracy. Seven of the 5,400 secondary
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  schools and colleges included in last year's tables have had errata following errors made by the Department or its contractors.

  School Transport
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much additional grant has been given to education authorities to provide safer school transport in each of the last five years. [144455]

  Jacqui Smith
  My Department has made no specific grants to local education authorities to provide safer school transport. Funding for school transport is included as part of local education authorities' standard spending assessments, but it is for individual authorities to decide how they spend the money. The total amount spent by local education authorities on home to school transport in England in 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available, was £444 million. The Government recently announced £2.8 billion of capital investment over the next five years for local authorities in England for small-scale integrated transport schemes, including safe routes to schools. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) has also supported individual local projects on safe routes to schools. It has funded a pilot programme of site-specific advice on school travel plans, will roll out a larger programme this spring, and will help to fund local school travel plan coordinators.

  The Government have also worked with their School Travel Advisory Group on a programme of initiatives to improve safety and reduce car use on the journey to school. My Department, jointly with DETR, has produced guidance to schools, governors and local education authorities on measures to encourage healthier, safer and more sustainable school travel.

  School Funding (Staffordshire)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent on schools in Stafford shire in each year since 1997; and how much in each case was delivered outside the statutory spending assessment funding formula. [144469]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Spending on schools in Staffordshire for 1997–98 and 1998–99, the years for which this information is readily available, was £240.9 million and £255.2 million respectively. These figures are based on net institutional expenditure. The following table sets out the resources made available to Staffordshire local education authority since 1997–98. These are not directly comparable with net institutional expenditure.

  £ million

  Standard Spending Assessment1

  Special and Specific Grants

  SSA and Special/Specific Grants

  1997–98

  269.7

  12.9

  282.7

  1998–99

  297.1

  5.1

  302.3

  1999–2000

  315.4

  10.4

  325.8

  2000–01

  329.5

  21.8

  351.3

  1 Includes the under fives, primary, secondary and post-16 SSA sub-blocks.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve the consistency of decisions on special educational needs resources across the country; and if he will make a statement. [144484]

  Jacqui Smith
  We recognise that there are differences in practice between areas in the use made of funds for special educational needs (SEN). The funding arrangements allow both LEAs and schools flexibility in deciding their local priorities. We are seeking to promote good practice in this through the DfEE SEN Funding Steering Group, which is working to improve the current arrangements for reporting on SEN budgets and outturn, and to develop tools and strategies for managing an SEN budget in as inclusive a way as possible. It is aiming to produce guidance, drawing on existing LEA models, and to disseminate this by summer 2001.

  At the individual pupil level we are also working to promote better and more consistent practice, through other good practice material, for example our July 2000 report on Education Psychology Services. The revised SEN Code of Practice should also promote more consistent practice by schools and LEAs. While individual pupils with SEN will vary in their needs it is important that schools and others adopt a consistent and rigorous approach in identifying and providing for these needs.

  Consistency of good practice will also be promoted through amendments to the Education (Special Educational Needs) (Information) Regulations 1999. These amendments will require LEAs to set out their detailed arrangements for what schools might normally provide from their budgets for pupils with SEN. It will also require LEAs to publish their plans for providing appropriate SEN support. Schools will continue to be required to provide information about their own arrangements for identification, assessment and provision within their SEN policy. As with the revised SEN Code of Practice these amended regulations will be subject to parliamentary approval of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local education authorities in(a) Greater London and (b) the rest of England and Wales are currently unable to offer permanent places to all pupils in secondary schools within their boundaries; what efforts are they making to provide an education to those pupils; what support his Department is providing to them; and if he will make a statement. [144485]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My Department does not collect detailed information on the provision of school places by local education authorities in England; education in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

  It is for local education authorities to ensure sufficient school places to meet demand. They may make emergency arrangements for pupils who cannot
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  immediately be offered permanent school places by, for example, providing temporary tuition or assisting with travel to schools in neighbouring authorities. Where authorities can demonstrate insufficient school places to meet future demand, they may apply to the Department for capital funding to provide additional places. In December, the Government announced allocations of £90.9 million for LEAs in England to provide 43,260 new school places, including £10.9 million for over 4,000 new secondary school places in Greater London.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many claims of discrimination under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 have been considered to date by(a) employment tribunals and (b) the courts. [144718]

  Ms Hodge
  From April 1997 to December 2000, the employment tribunals have considered at a full and final hearing 713 claims made under the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Due to changes to the database system of the Employment Tribunals Service in 1996, statistics are not available for 1996–97.

  Seven claims under Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 had been heard by county and sheriff courts up to September 2000, the latest date for which research information is available.

  School Governors
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what powers a school governing body has to refuse to accept the appointment of a governor made by a minor local authority. [144872]

  Jacqui Smith
  Under the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act the school governing body is now the appointing body for an additional co-opted governor nominated by the minor authority named in the school's instrument of government. Where there is more than one minor authority, the governing body can choose which to seek nominations from, or can select from nominees put forward by more than one.

  In the case of a single nominee, a governing body is bound to accept that nomination unless it can show good reason why it should not do so. In these circumstances the governing body should explain its reasons and seek another nomination from the minor authority.

  Numeracy
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been allocated for numeracy in primary schools. [144445]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have provided primary schools with substantial funding, as shown, to support the implementation of the National Numeracy Strategy since September 1999:

  1999–2000: £74 million (including £24 million for booster classes)

  2000–01: £98 million (including £21 million for booster classes)

  2001–02: £98 million (including £23 million for booster classes).

WALES

  Llanwern Steel Works
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he was first informed of the possible closure of the Llanwern steel works. [144878]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have been aware of widespread speculation on the subject over several months. However, Corus plc recently confirmed that no decision has been taken about the future of Llanwern.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact in terms of lost jobs of the closure of the Llanwern steel works by Corus plc. [144877]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  While Corus has made clear that it is looking at further restructuring, the company has not made any announcements about a possible closure of Llanwern. None the less, I am working with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and with the National Assembly for Wales, to assess the potential impacts in the event of changes to the structure of steel plants in Wales.
  634W
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that the Llanwern steel works are not closed. [144879]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I have held discussions with Corus plc at the highest level and will continue to do so. The Government are committed to helping the steel industry deal with the challenges of the fiercely competitive environment in which it operates and are working closely with industry representatives on a range of issues to help it to improve competitiveness and ensure its long term future.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with trade unions representing steel industry workers in Wales. [144876]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I take a very close interest in the steel manufacturing industry in Wales and have visited a number of plants. I have met all that are interested in the industry, including trade unions and management, and I remain in close contact.