Written Answers of 15 January 2001

PRIME MINISTER

  Golden Jubilee
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans there are to commemorate the 50 anniversary of the accession and coronation of Her Majesty the Queen. [144839]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt) on 23 November 2000,Official Report, columns 294–95W.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to special advisers before being seen by Ministers; [143823]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to special advisers. [143822]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 January 2001]: Special Advisers have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what contact officials in his Office have had with the media concerning correspondence from the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey regarding a constituent. [144919]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to promote awareness of Holocaust Memorial Day. [145410]

  The Prime Minister
  A national ceremony will be held in London on the evening of Saturday 27 January and will be attended by a wide audience including survivors, senior public figures, community representatives and students. The event is being produced and televised live by the BBC guided by the Home Office-led Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Roup. The BBC has plans to publicise this event in the run up to the day.
  2W
  The Government's programme for promoting awareness of the Holocaust Memorial Day also includes:
  a Holocaust education resource pack for schools for use in the week leading up to the day. Around 30,000 packs have been issued;
  guidance to local authorities encouraging them to involve local communities and publicise their events and the day more generally;
  a dedicated website www.holocaustmemorialday.gov.uk has been established by the Home Office and the Beth Shalom Memorial Centre which contains details and information about the day and local and national events.

  Telephone Tapping
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of the tapping of telephones of hon. Members. [144972]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to our hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 30 October 1997,Official Report, column 861W.

  COE/WEU
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the full composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Western European Union. [145830]

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is as follows:

  Leader:
  The right hon. Terry Davis MP
  Full representatives

  David Atkinson MP

  Sir Sydney Chapman MP

  Tom Cox MP

  Lawrence Cunliffe MP

  Bill Etherington MP

  Paul Flynn MP

  Mrs. Maria Fyfe MP

  The Lord Kirkhill

  Kevin McNamara MP

  Jim Marshall MP

  Edward O'Hara MP

  The Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede

  The Lord Russell-Johnston

  John D. Taylor MP

  John Townend MP

  John Wilkinson MP

  Jimmy Wray MP

  Substitute members

  Malcolm Bruce MP

  The Lord Clinton-Davis

  Ms Ann Cryer MP

  Mike Hancock CBE, MP

  Robert Jackson MP

  Ms Jenny Jones MP

  The Lord Judd

  The Baroness Knight of Collingtree DBE

  3W

  Tony Lloyd MP

  The Lord Rotherwick

  Ms Christine McCafferty MP

  Alan Meale MP

  Gwynfor Prosser MP

  Sydney Rapson MP

  Ms Geraldine Smith MP

  Rudi Vis MP

  David Wilshire MP.

  Ministerial Visits
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2000,Official Report, column 14W, what action he will take in respect of the visits by the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Janet Anderson) and the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Ms Jowell) to the constituency of the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire without notifying the right hon. Member of their visit to his constituency. [144432]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The right hon. Member's question has been drawn to the attention of the Ministers concerned.

  Nice Council
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if (i) policy planning, (ii) strategic lift, (iii) peacekeeping and (iv) J2 matters are included in clause J exemptions from Reinforced Co-operation agreed at Nice. [144634]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  Article J of the Treaty of Nice provides that enhanced co-operation for matters falling within the Common Foreign and Security Policy shall be limited to the implementation of a joint action or a common position.

  Article J further provides that all questions with military or defence implications shall be excluded from the provisions for enhanced co-operation in common foreign and security policy.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the impact on NATO of Reinforced Co-operation, Clause I(2), as agreed at Nice. [144637]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  Clause J of the draft Treaty of Nice makes it clear that the provisions of the draft Treaty on enhanced co-operation in the field of common foreign and security policy shall not apply to matters having military or defence implications. Article I(2) therefore does not apply to questions with military implications.

  Nice Presidency Conclusions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the letters from Nice of the (i) Spanish and (ii) Italian Prime Ministers on operational co-operation in controlling the EU external borders, referred to in Presidency conclusion section 49. [144582]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.
  4W
  The Prime Ministers of Italy and Spain wrote a joint letter to President Chirac, President-In-Office of the European Council, on 7 December 2000. A copy of the letter has been deposited in the Library.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister to which two documents section 50 of the Nice Presidency Conclusions refers. [144638]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The two documents referred to in paragraph 50 of the Nice Conclusions are:
  Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: On a Community Immigration Policy. [COM (2000) 757], 22 November 2000.

  This document was deposited for Parliamentary scrutiny on 4 December 2000.
  Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Towards a Common Asylum Procedure and a Uniform Status, valid throughout the Union, for Persons Granted Asylum. 13119/00 [COM (2000) 755], 27 November 2000.

  This document was deposited for Parliamentary scrutiny on 12 January 2001.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his position on including a declaration on Sport in the Presidency Conclusions of Nice, indicating the Treaty base for such a declaration. [144642]

  Kate Hoey
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government welcomed the inclusion of a declaration on Sport in the Presidency Conclusions at Nice as it is right to join with other member states in acknowledging the special nature of sport in modern society. The declaration makes it clear that sport should retain its independence and that the organisation of support for sport is a matter for member states and governing bodies of sport.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what manner of directive is planned to promote gender equality in areas other than employment and professional life, as set out in Annex I, V(c) of the Nice Presidency Conclusions. [144640]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The European Commission has as yet given no indication of what it is considering proposing under this heading. As usual, Ministers in the Council will scrutinise the proposals carefully when they are made. Any directive under Article 13 requires the unanimity of member states.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the planned (i) budget and (ii) roles of the(a) European Monitoring Centre on Change, (b) European Institute for Gender Issues and (c) Gender Expert network, referred to in the Nice Presidency Conclusions. [144641]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The European Commission has not yet indicated what the suggested remit and budget will be for the European Monitoring Centre on Change, the European Institute for Gender Issues or the experts' network. When formal proposals are made, the Council of Ministers will scrutinise them carefully.
  5W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the increase of state aid permissible under the Nice Treaty. [144632]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Nice Treaty did not make any changes to the rules on state aid which increase permissible aid. The recent trend in state aid has been downwards.

  European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the effect of the Nice Treaty on UK subjects committing perjury before the European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance. [144630]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Nice Treaty will have no effect on UK subjects committing perjury before the European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 263W, if she will make a statement on the result of the investigation into support for centres of social welfare in Kosovo. [144668]

  Clare Short
  We have received a preliminary report from the joint World bank and DFID team that is assisting UNMIK to prepare a social protection strategy for Kosovo. The team found that Centres for Social Welfare lack basic facilities, and has made preliminary proposals for reorganising their responsibilities and training their staff. The team will now begin a programme of work to follow up its preliminary observations. A DFID team will also visit Kosovo later this month and will discuss possible provision of training for staff of Centres for Social Welfare.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid given to St. Helena in each of the last six years for which figures are available. [144970]

  Clare Short
  Expenditure figures for UK development assistance to St. Helena over the last six financial year were:

  £ million

  Year

  Total DFID programme

  1994–95

  7,786

  1995–96

  8,695

  1996–97

  7,792

  1997–98

  8,386

  1998–99

  8,585

  1999–2000

  9,194

  South Africa
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of Government aid was for South Africa for each year between 1995 and 2000: and how much has been spent on projects for the modernisation of Government in South Africa. [145220]

  Clare Short
  In addition to contributions through multilateral agencies, DFID's direct expenditure in South Africa since 1995 has been as follows:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  17,194,000

  1996–97

  18,955,000

  1997–98

  25,823,000

  1998–99

  29,131,000

  1999–2000

  29,602,000

  Most of this money has been spent on working with various parts of government in South Africa to improve service delivery. We currently have specific commitments totalling £13.5 million to support improved public administration in national, provincial and local government.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what advice in respect of the potential health hazards posed by depleted uranium dispersed in the environment from NATO shelling has been given to British aid workers deployed in Kosovo. [145290]

  Clare Short
  KFOR has provided the United Nations Mines Action and Co-ordination Centre (UNMACC) with an information pack about depleted uranium which UNMACC distributed to each mine clearance organisation.

  It has not been necessary to provide advice more widely to aid workers on this issue. The interim statement of the United Nations Environment Programme's survey of sites where depleted uranium was used in Kosovo states that they found slightly raised levels of radiation at eight sites. We are awaiting their final report. The Royal Society is also conducting a general review of depleted uranium. We shall review our practice on advice to aid workers in the light of both reports. Our present view is that mines and unexploded ordnance pose a greater risk to assistance workers and all personnel are given mines awareness training before deployment to Kosovo.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the landmine clearance programmes in which her Department is involved. [144902]

  Clare Short
  My Department is supporting the following landmine clearance programmes:Afghanistan—United Nations Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan
  Albania—Stockpile clearance and weapons collection (co-funded)
  Bosnia—International Trust Fund for Mine clearance—Kupres region
  Cambodia—Mine clearance through Cambodia Mine Action Centre, HALO Trust and Mines Advisory Group

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  Croatia—Mine clearance through United Nations Mine Action Service
  Georgia—Mine clearance in Abkhazia via HALO Trust
  Guinea Bissau—Mine clearance via United Nations Development Programme and HUMAID
  Jordan—Equipment for mine clearance in Jordan Valley—Jordan Government
  Iraq—Mine clearance in northern Iraq via Mines Advisory Group
  Laos—Unexploded ordnance clearance via Mines Advisory Group and United Nations Development Programme
  Mozambique—Mine clearance in Zambezia via HALO Trust
  Nicaragua—Mine clearance North Atlantic Autonomous Region via Organisation of American States
  Yugoslavia-FR—Mine clearance in Kosovo in support of United Nations Mine Action and Co-ordination Centre.

  The second progress report on all activities within my Department's Humanitarian Mine Action Programme was published in September 2000. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorism Act 2000
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to lay before Parliament the draft code of practice and the sound and vision video recording code of practice under the Terrorism Act 2000. [145840]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have today laid before Parliament a draft police code of practice, made under section 99 of the Terrorism Act, and a draft sound and vision video recording code of practice under paragraph 3(4) of Schedule 8 to the Act.

  Pensioners
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will estimate the number of additional retirement pensioners in Northern Ireland who will become eligible to receive the Minimum Income Guarantee, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in consequence of the measures announced in 2000; [145119]

  (2) how many retirement pensioners in Northern Ireland are receiving (a) the Minimum Income Guarantee, (b) Housing Benefit and (c) Council Tax Benefit. [145118]

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

  TransTec Plc
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what grants were paid to TransTec plc and its subsidiaries between 1994 and 1998. [144822]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 January 2000, Official Report, columns 205–06W.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the potential energy generation from(a) off-shore wind turbines, (b) land-based wind turbines, (c) wave power and (d) other renewable sources; what proportion of the United Kingdom's annual electricity consumption this represents; and if he will make a statement. [144671]

  Mrs. Liddell
  An assessment of the prospects for the different forms of renewable energy in the UK is contained in a report produced at time of the Government's consultation on renewable energy in March 1999: "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects in the UK for the 21 Century: Supporting Analysis". A copy is in the Library of the House. The report presents different possible scenarios for the future of renewable energy in the UK.

  Assessments are currently being carried out of potential renewable energy resources in each of the English regions, Scotland and Wales.

  The Renewables Obligation will provide a sound framework for the long-term development of renewable energy in the UK. The Government have proposed targets of obtaining 5 per cent. of UK electricity supplies from renewable sources by the end of 2003 and 10 per cent. by 2010, subject to the cost being acceptable to consumers. The Government do not propose, however, to prescribe targets for each different form of renewable energy, as the balance between the different forms of renewable energy is a matter best determined by the market.

  Newsagents
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that independent newsagents are not subject to unfair competition; and if he will make a statement. [145076]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition legislation, responsibility for investigating allegations of anticompetitive practices, abuse of monopoly position and restrictive trade practices lies with the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Any evidence of abuse of anti-competitive behaviour should be passed to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Arms Sales
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the system of prior scrutiny of arms sales in the Swedish and US legislatures. [143746]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government considered the export control systems of a number of countries, as part of their review of the proposals in the 1998 White Paper on Strategic Export Controls. Following the Quadripartite Committee's second report on "Strategic Export Controls: Further Report and Parliamentary Prior Scrutiny" (HC467), the Government considered the nature and scope of prior scrutiny of arms exports in Sweden arid the US. As the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain),
  9W
  informed my hon. Friend on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 338W, the systems in those countries are very different from ours and in each case reflect their particular circumstances.

  Marine Laboratories
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the future of the Marine Laboratories, with particular reference to plans for merger at(a) Plymouth, (b) Liverpool and (c) Dunstaffnage. [144667]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Following the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) announcement on 29 June 2000 to disband the Centre for Coastal and Marine Science, the NERC Council agreed in November 2000 to provide continued funding for the work of each of the three marine laboratories for a further five years. Funding levels for the first two years have already been agreed; the Council's Science and Technology Board will consider funding levels for the remaining three years at its meeting in May 2001.

  The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory is scheduled to relocate to the University of Liverpool Campus in 2003. It will remain a NERC-owned and managed facility. Discussions with the Scottish Association for Marine Science over future management arrangements for the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory are ongoing. The NERC Council will consider future management arrangements for the Plymouth Marine Laboratory at its meeting in March 2001.

  Rural Post Offices
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the details of the business case for rural post offices. [144758]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The business case for rural post offices is an integral part of the Post Office network strategic plan. The plan, which was submitted to the Secretary of State "in strictest confidence" and is commercially sensitive, will not be published.

  British Energy/AES
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implications of the Competition Commission decision to overrule Ofgem's decision to impose market abuse licence conditions on British Energy and AES. [143900]

  Dr. Howells
  The references to the Competition Commission were made by the Director General of Electricity Supply (DGES). In the light of the Competition Commission's decision, Ofgem is considering other means of tackling market abuse.

  Produce Trade
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the draft Code of Practice covering the relationship between suppliers and producers in the produce trade. [144899]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I will do so once a draft Code of Practice is available.
  10W
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has received from the Office of Fair Trading on how the process of consultation was determined in the course of preparing the Code of Practice covering the relationship between suppliers and producers in the produce trade. [144898]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I have not yet received advice from the Director General concerning the Code of Practice. I understand the Office of Fair Trading is still in discussions with the supermarkets concerned. I have said that representatives of suppliers will have an opportunity to comment on a draft of the Code. The Director General expects that to take place later this month, once the current round of discussions with the supermarkets is complete.

  Privatisations (Advertising)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent in total on advertising(a) electricity privatisation, (b) gas privatisation, (c) telecoms privatisation, (d) rail privatisation and (e) the minimum wage since its introduction. [144451]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The expenditure on advertising was:

  £ million1

  (a) Electricity2

  47.9

  (b) Gas

  21.4

  (c) Telecommunications3

  38.5

  (d) Railtrack

  5.1

  (e) National Minimum Wage

  8.0

  1 Excluding VAT

  2 Includes the electricity generating companies; regional electricity companies; Scottish and Northern Ireland generating companies; British Energy.

  3 Includes British Telecommunications (3 offers); Cable and Wireless.

  ECGD
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to publish minutes of meetings of the ECGD management board. [145320]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is not intended that the minutes of meetings of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's Management Board should be published. The minutes of meetings of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, whose role and membership were reformed as a result of the recent Review of ECGD's Mission and Status, will, however, be placed on ECGD's website.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what appointments have been made to the management board of the Export Credits Guarantee Department following the recommendation in the recent Mission and Status Review that outside directors should play a key role in overseeing ECGD's risk management systems; and if he will provide details of the appointment procedures followed, the salaries awarded and interests declared by the appointees. [145318]

  Mr. Caborn
  The process of identifying and selecting suitable outside directors for ECGD's Management Board is still under way and no appointments have yet been made.
  11W
  These appointments are outside the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. But the selection procedures being used take account of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice and Guidance and will include the use of independent assessors.

  Trawlermen
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been received under the compensation scheme for former distant water trawlermen; what the average time is from receipt of applications to payment; and how many payments have been issued so far. [145132]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Department has so far received some 8,900 claims for payments under this scheme. The average time taken to make a payment from receipt of a claim is currently 59 days (8.4 weeks). As of 8 January 2001, 314 claims have been paid.

  Company Plans
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress on the draft directive discussed at the December 2000 meeting of the European Employment and Social Affairs Council relating to information and consultation on company plans. [144955]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Employment and Social Policy Council met on 20 December and unanimously agreed the regulation and linked employee-involvement directive on the European Company Statute. The proposed directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community was not on the agenda.

  Coalmines (Compensation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many compensation claims on behalf of coalminers suffering from respiratory diseases, which cover interim the entitlement to compensation arising from the High Court judgment of January 1998, have been settled in full for general and special damages. [144868]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: As at the end of December the Department had made full and final settlements on some 6,500 claims. In addition the Department has made a further 24,500 interim settlements. In total the Department has paid out over £104 million in compensation to former miners and their families with claims for respiratory diseases.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions during the past 12 months he has visited Corns steel works in Wales. [144873]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I visited the Llanwern plant on 8 October 1999 and keep in regular contact with the company and the trade unions representing the work force.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on other industrial sectors of the closure of Llanwern steel plant. [144881]
  12W
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I am aware that Corus is considering further restructuring. Naturally we are assessing the consequences of a change to the structure of steel plants in Wales.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the National Assembly for Wales on the impact of the Government's industrial policy on the prospects of the steel industry in Wales. [144875]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I have had several discussions with my right hon. Friend for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan), First Secretary for the National Assembly for Wales, in recent months on a range of issues concerning the steel industry in Wales. I continue to keep in close touch with him on this important issue.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the European Commission for special dispensations to help the survival of the UK steel industry. [144880]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: My Department is in touch with the European Commission about ways in which the steel industry can be assisted which meet the criteria of the Steel Aid Code of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact on the UK's balance of trade of the closure of Llanwern steel works. [144882]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: Corus figures for export are available only by product and not individual plant.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the UK steel industry's(a) imports and (b) exports were for the last year for which figures are available. [144883]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: Imports and exports for the tariff headings which most closely align with products of the steel industry during 1999, which is the last full year for which figures are available, were:

  Imports

  Exports

  1999

  6,915

  17,624

  1 Thousand tonnes

  Figures for the whole of 2000 are not yet available. Imports and exports of steel industry products in the first nine months of 2000, compared to the same period in 1999 were:

  Imports

  Exports

  20001

  5,567

  5,642

  19991

  4,953

  5,813

  1 To September

  2 Thousand tonnes

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  EU Transport Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the outcome was of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 20 and 21 December; and if he will make a statement. [144177]

  Mr. Hill
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport, Lord Macdonald of Tradeston, represented the United Kingdom at the Council.

  The Council unanimously adopted Conclusions welcoming the Commission's proposals for a new European Aviation Safety Agency. The Commission welcomed the progress made and hoped that a Common Position would be reached by June 2001.

  The Council took note of a progress report on a Commission proposal for transposing safety standards of the Joint Aviation Authorities into EC law. The Council also noted that a proposal for a directive creating generic training requirements for airline cabin crew was moving towards agreement.

  The Commission set out the main conclusions of the High Level Group set up following publication of the Commission Communication "The Creation of a Single European Sky," and chaired by the Commissioner. The conclusions focus on: creating an independent regulator; managing civil and military airspace in Europe collectively; promoting technical interoperability; and improving the training and recruitment of air traffic controllers. The Commission said it would present a Communication to the Stockholm European Council, and make legislative proposals soon after that. Member states all reacted positively. Most pointed to the need to fully involve central European countries in this work. Lord Macdonald stressed the need to separate the operation and regulation of air traffic management services.

  The Council discussed air passengers' rights. The Commission stressed the need for performance criteria for airlines. It hoped for new agreements with industry by the end of April. The Presidency noted that voluntary arrangements were preferable to legislation.

  The Commission gave a progress report on negotiations on air services agreements with the central and east European countries.

  The Presidency noted recent progress on the technical aspects of a Commission mandate for negotiating a Transatlantic Common Aviation Area with the US.

  The Commission presented its report on the definition phase of the Galileo satellite navigation project. During the debate, the UK joined other member states in recalling the Conclusions of the Cologne and Nice European Councils on the predominant role of private sector finance in the project. The Council did not reach agreement on how to proceed with the development and validation phase. The Commission will undertake further work on outstanding issues, and the project is likely to be discussed again by the Council in April.
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  Proposals on maritime safety arising from the "Erika" disaster were further debated and common positions reached on two draft directives. The first of these enhances the supervision, and responsibilities and liabilities, of ship classification societies. The second improves the targeting and standards of port state control inspections, concentrating effort on those vessels which pose the greatest safety and/or pollution risks.

  The Commission gave a presentation on elements of the second package of post-"Erika" proposals: ship surveillance; increase in provision for oil pollution compensation payments; and a new European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The UK underlined the need for the first two elements to be pursued internationally, in the context of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and supported the establishment of the EMSA, to the extent that it should provide for better quality technical support to the Commission.

  Council Conclusions were adopted reaffirming a maritime safety policy aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and the avoidance of loss of life and pollution of the marine environment. In particular the Conclusions undertook to continue negotiations with the IMO on acceleration of the introduction of double-hulled tankers, on the basis of an approach agreed by the Council in October, and, if an agreement on those terms is reached at the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee session in April 2001, to adopt a text bringing the IMO agreement immediately into Community law; emphasised the need for an adequate regime, global if possible, for compensation in the event of damage caused by oil pollution at sea; expressed the aim that Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs—"black boxes") should be compulsory within five years on all ships calling at EU ports, and that member states should continue their efforts in the IMO to secure an international agreement making mandatory the fitting of VDRs to all vessels.

  There was a debate on an amended proposal to harmonise employment standards between EU and third country crew members on intra-EU regular passenger ferry services. The UK, supported by other member states, emphasised the need to protect seafarers' employment conditions and maintain an appropriate maritime skills base.

  Political agreement was reached on a directive to improve the safety of bulk carriers, which is now subject to the scrutiny of the European Parliament.

  Agreement with the European Parliament having been reached on the package of measures for opening up international rail freight in the EU, the Council unanimously adopted the package.

  Political agreement was reached by qualified majority on a directive on working time in the road transport sector. Self-employed drivers will not be covered by the directive immediately, but their exclusion will be reviewed two years after transposition of the directive, with the aim of drawing up specific provisions. The UK is content with much of the agreed text, and was pleased to see revised definitions of working time and night work incorporated. However, as the final text did not include satisfactory provision on an individual opt-out, or a

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  temporary derogation permitting a 65 hour maximum working week, the United Kingdom abstained from the Council's agreement.

  The Council agreed Conclusions on a proposal obliging international lorry drivers to carry an attestation showing that they were legally employed. The Conclusions stated that the draft regulation should apply only to third country drivers (subject to review), and that work should continue with a view to reaching agreement on the regulation at the Council in April.

  The Commission presented its proposals on weekend lorry bans, driver training, and the amendment to Regulation 3820/85 on drivers' hours.

  There was a debate on proposals on public service obligations in the field of passenger transport by road, rail and inland waterway, and on state aid granted for co-ordination of transport in those modes. The UK was among member states to speak in support of the proposals. The Presidency concluded that public services were of general interest and needed particular treatment to safeguard them, and that there was a general desire for progress.

  The Commission presented its Green Paper on security of energy supply.

  The Council adopted a directive continuing indefinitely the harmonised start and end dates for summertime in the EU (last Sunday of March and October respectively). There will be a review after five years.

  School Transport
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the safety of school buses and coaches used by school parties. [144463]

  Mr. Hill
  Over the last two years ministerial colleagues and I have responded to two Parliamentary Questions, three letters from Members' constituents and my officials have responded on behalf of Ministers to four letters direct from the general public on this subject.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many school coaches are(a) over 10 years old, (b) over 20 years old and (c) older than 20 years. [144457]

  Mr. Hill
  There is no dedicated vehicle classification of a school coach as it is unlikely that coach operators would use their vehicles solely for the purpose of carrying school children. It is thus currently impossible to know the ages of the vehicles that are used for carrying school children, although it is generally recognised that vehicles used for school and college contracts are normally from the older section of the public service vehicles—PSV—fleet.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many buses which have been subject to spot-checks have been found by the police to have defects in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the number which were school buses. [144487]

  Mr. Hill
  In addition to its routine roadside spot checks the Vehicle Inspectorate supports the police in nationwide checks. Of these, Operation Coachman, which has been running since 1997–98, involves specific targeted 16W
  roadside checks on the condition of public service vehicles (minibuses, coaches and buses) used on school and college services. The table shows the results of Operation Coachman checks in each of the last three years and routine PSV roadside spot checks in each of the last five years. Data on routine PSV roadside spot checks carried out by the Inspectorate are not broken down to identify school buses.

  Number of vehicles examined

  Prohibition rates (Percentage)

  Operation Coachman

  1999–2000

  2,523

  17.4

  1998–99

  2,171

  18.1

  1997–98

  2,254

  18.9

  PSV spot checks1

  1999–2000

  23,516

  13.4

  1998–99

  20,635

  13.6

  1997–98

  28,045

  12.7

  1996–97

  28,809

  14.4

  1995–96

  23,987

  15.0

  1 Figures include emission only spot checks and foreign vehicles

  A prohibition notice bans the use of a vehicle on a public road. There are two types of prohibition. An immediate prohibition is issued when defects are so serious that further driving of the vehicle would involve a risk of injury. A delayed prohibition is issued for less serious defects and can come into force at any time within 10 days of the inspection of the vehicle.

  The prohibition rate at targeted roadside checks (such as Operation Coachman) is not indicative of the condition of the PSV fleet as a whole. The Inspectorate targets vehicles which are most likely to have defects. The higher prohibition rate for Operation Coachman is due to the fact that vehicles used for school and college contracts are normally drawn from the older section of the PSV fleet.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of school buses have correctly-fitted seat belts. [144459]

  Mr. Hill
  Seat belts are required to be fitted on all school minibuses and coaches, but not on other types of bus. All new seat belt installations on buses, whether fitted on a voluntary or mandatory basis, must satisfy a Vehicle Inspectorate installation check. Subsequent to this initial check, seat belts and anchorages are inspected for condition as part of the normal annual test.

  Although figures for school buses are not recorded separately, Vehicle inspectorate figures for buses in general show that a total of 2.5 per cent. of public service vehicles (covering most large buses and coaches) and 6 per cent. of Class V vehicles (covering most minibuses) failed the annual test due to seat belt or anchorage defects.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the number of school buses that comply with Government safety standards. [144460]

  Mr. Hill
  All buses are required to be constructed and operated to meet specific legal requirements for safety. Compliance with these standards is checked through statutory annual testing and through in-service checks during the year.
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  In addition to these checks the condition of buses used to carry school children receives extra attention through a special annual national enforcement campaign called Operation Coachman. This campaign shows that the incidence of defects in buses used to carry school children is approximately 17 per cent. of vehicles and is similar to the rate detected in other targeted enforcement exercises. The reason for this figure is due to the fact the Department's Agency the Vehicle Inspectorate target their attention to vehicles which are suspected of having defects during special enforcement exercises.

  Congestion Charges
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department's policy is on the introduction of congestion charges in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement. [144904]

  Mr. Hill
  The Greater London Authority Act 1999 gives power to the Mayor and the boroughs to introduce road user charging schemes in Greater London. The Government believe that road user charging can be a useful part of a transport strategy in appropriate circumstances. It is for the Mayor, and the boroughs subject to the Mayor's consent, to judge whether schemes are justified in London.

  Shrimps (Ribble Estuary)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has collated on the effect of commercial sand extraction on the decline of the shrimp harvest in the Ribble Estuary. [144944]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Secretary of State has not collated any information on the effect of commercial sand extraction on the decline of the shrimp harvest in the Ribble Estuary. He is, however, aware that commercial sand extraction is taking place at Sefton Beach within the Ribble Estuary. He has been asked by the Local Minerals Planning Authority, Sefton Borough Council, to call in two planning applications for continued sand extraction in this location for, respectively, 10-year and 12-month periods. He is currently considering this request and will announce his decision shortly.

  Local Government Boundaries
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to re-examine local government boundary configurations in major conurbations outside London, before the introduction of elected mayors. [145302]

  Ms Armstrong
  There are no plans at present to examine the external boundaries of local authorities. As part of the programme of periodic electoral reviews, the Local Government Commission for England is examining the electoral arrangements, including ward boundaries, within all local authorities. Any changes in the electoral arrangements in Metropolitan authorities would be likely to be implemented in 2004.

  Railway Companies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which railway 18W
  companies have been penalised since 1 May 1997; how much they have been fined; when they were fined; and what the reason was for the penalty in each case. [145301]

  Mr. Hill
  Details of penalties levied upon train operating companies under the terms of their franchise agreements are contained in the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's publication "On Track" and in the Authority's Annual Report. Copies of both documents are in the Libraries of the House.

  Concorde
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from British Airways concerning the airworthiness of Concorde; and if he will make a statement. [145007]

  Mr. Mullin
  An Anglo-French Working Group of senior government officials and civil aviation authority representatives was established on 17 August to co-ordinate work and review progress on restoring the airworthiness of Concorde. The Working Group has met representatives from Concorde's manufacturers and operators, including British Airways, several times. Both carriers also have regular contact with their national aviation safety regulatory authorities.

  The Working Group met for the fourth time on 15 December 2000 during which it received the latest information from the technical accident investigators. At that meeting, British Airways confirmed its commitment to take the necessary steps that would enable Concorde's certificate of airworthiness to be restored as soon as possible. The next (fifth) meeting of the Working Group will take place in Paris on 9 February.

  Flixborough Disaster
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his letter of 14 December 2000 to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, if he will make a statement on his meeting with Ralph King about the Flixborough disaster. [144669]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am due to meet Mr. King and the right hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Sir A. Hamilton) on 29 January to discuss Mr. King's views about the causes of the Flixborough disaster.

  Soil Protection Strategy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce his Soil Protection Strategy. [144666]

  Mr. Meacher
  Next month.

  Highways (Ice)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take following the judgment of the House of Lords in the case of Goodes v. East Sussex; and if he will make a statement. [145719]
  19W
  Mr. Hill
  The judgment was that there was no duty on local highway authorities under the Highways Act 1980 to remove ice from highways. Nevertheless, we expect authorities to continue to salt their roads in icy conditions in accordance with their Code of Good Practice on Highway Maintenance, which has been in place since 1989. All our soundings with local highway authorities have confirmed that it is their intention to maintain existing practices.

  We have instructed the Highways Agency to continue its usual practice of keeping motorways and trunk roads free of ice and snow.

  Road users should follow the advice in the Highway Code that they should drive extremely carefully when the roads are icy.

  Conservation Areas
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to allow public consultation before he announces new special areas of conservation; and if he will make a statement. [145449]

  Mr. Mullin
  Full public consultation and discussion with affected interests on all sites has been and continues to be an important principle for the Government. English Nature has, as part of the consultation process initiated in August 2000, given all landowners and occupiers, local authorities, statutory agencies and relevant bodies with interest in new special areas of conservation the opportunity to comment. At national level, my officials consulted national interest groups and representative bodies.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the guidelines by which he will decide on the location of new special areas of conservation. [145450]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Habitats Directive requires that member states nominate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) that are the best areas to represent the range and variety of the habitats and species identified in Annexes I and II of the Directive. The criteria for the selection of Special Areas of Conservation are set out in Annexe III of the Habitats Directive.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites he is proposing for new special areas of conservation. [145451]

  Mr. Mullin
  Yes. The Government asked English Nature to consult on the following proposed new special areas of conservation (SACs) in England.

  Site name

  Administrative area

  Alde, Ore and Butley Estuaries

  Suffolk

  Arnecliff and Park Hole Woods

  North Yorkshire

  Ashdown Forest

  East Sussex

  Aston Rowant

  Buckinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Baston Fen

  Lincolnshire

  Beast Cliff—Whitby (Robin Hood's Bay)

  North Yorkshire

  Bee's Nest and Green Clay Pits

  Derbyshire

  Blackstone Point

  Devon

  20W

  Site name

  Administrative area

  Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses

  Cumbria

  Bracket's Coppice

  Dorset

  Breney Common and Goss and Tregoss Moors

  Cornwall

  Brown Moss

  Shropshire

  Butser Hill

  Hampshire

  Calf Hill and Cragg Woods

  Lancashire

  Cannock Chase

  Staffordshire

  Cerne and Sydling Downs

  Dorset

  Cumbrian Marsh Fritillary Site

  Cumbria

  Dawlish Warren

  Devon

  Dew's Ponds

  Suffolk

  Dixton Wood

  Gloucestershire

  Duncton to Bignor Escarpment

  West Sussex

  Durham Coast

  Durham

  Emer Bog

  Hampshire

  Exmoor and Quantock Oak woods

  Devon

  Somerset

  Fens Pools

  Dudley

  Ford Moss

  Northumberland

  Hackpen Hill

  Oxfordshire

  Hartslock Wood

  Oxfordshire

  Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach

  East Sussex

  Hatfield Moor

  Doncaster

  Helbeck and Swindale Woods

  Cumbria

  Hestercombe House

  Somerset

  Humber Estuary

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  Lincolnshire

  North East Lincolnshire

  North Lincolnshire

  Rennet Valley Alderwoods

  West Berkshire

  Kirk Deighton

  North Yorkshire

  Little Wittenham

  Oxfordshire

  Lyppard Grange Ponds

  Worcestershire

  Manchester Mosses

  Warrington

  Wigan

  Mendip Limestone Grasslands

  North Somerset

  Somerset

  Mobberley and Oversley Ponds

  Cheshire

  Manchester

  Nene Washes

  Cambridgeshire

  City of Peterborough

  North Downs Woodlands

  Kent

  Medway

  North York Moors

  North Yorkshire

  Redcar and Cleveland

  Overstrand Cliffs

  Norfolk

  Ox Close

  North Yorkshire

  Paston Great Barn

  Norfolk

  Peter's Pit

  Kent

  Phoenix United Mine and Crow's Nest

  Cornwall

  Polruan to Polperro

  Cornwall

  Quants

  Somerset

  Richmond Park

  Richmond upon Thames

  River Axe

  Devon

  Dorset

  River Clun

  Herefordshire

  Shropshire

  River Derwent

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  North Yorkshire

  York

  River Kent

  Cumbria

  River Lambourn

  West Berkshire

  River Mease

  Derbyshire

  Leicestershire

  Staffordshire

  River Wensum

  Norfolk

  Rixton Clay Pits

  Warrington

  Rochdale Canal

  Rochdale

  Tameside

  Roman Wall Loughs

  Northumberland

  Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes and Gibraltar Point

  Lincolnshire

  Shortheath Common

  Hampshire

  Skipwith Common

  North Yorkshire

  Solway Moss

  Cumbria

  21W

  Site name

  Administrative area

  South Pennine Moors

  Barnsley

  Bradford

  Calderdale

  Cheshire

  Derbyshire

  Kirklees

  Lancashire

  Leeds

  North Yorkshire

  Oldham

  Rochdale

  Sheffield

  Staffordshire

  Tameside

  St. Austell Clay Pits

  Cornwall

  Stodmarsh

  Kent

  Strensall Common

  York

  Site name

  Administrative area

  Dee Estuary/Aber Afon Dyfrdwy

  Cheshire; Fflint/Flintshire; Wirral

  River Dee and Bala Lake/Afon Dyfrdwy a Llyn Tegid

  Cheshire; Ddinbych/ Denbighshire; Fflint/ Flintshire; Gwynedd; Shropshire; Wrecsam/ Wrexham

  River Tweed

  Northumberland; Scottish Borders

  Severn Estuary/Mör Hafren

  Bro Morgannwg/ Vale of Glamorgan; Caerdydd/ Cardiff; Casnewydd/ Newport; City of Bristol; Fynwy/ Monmouthshire; Gloucestershire; North Somerset; Somerset; South Gloucestershire

  Asylum Seeker Support
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions on 8 January between the Minister for Local government and the Association of London Government about asylum seeker support. [145335]

  Ms Armstrong
  I met the Association of London Government on 8 January to discuss their response to the proposed local government finance settlement for 2001–02, on which I announced my proposals to the House on 27 November. I shall take into account the points they made, together with those made by the Local Government Association, individual local authorities and others before putting the Government's final proposals before the House for approval. In the course of that meeting the ALG raised their concerns about the costs of housing homeless asylum seekers.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the estimated contribution of private and commercial vehicles to total UK carbon dioxide emissions for each of the past three years in(a) percentage terms and (b) by volume. [145433]

  Mr. Meacher
  The table shows, road transport carbon dioxide emissions for the last three years for which we have data, the period 1996 to 1998 inclusive, both in(a) percentage terms and (b) by volume in million tonnes of carbon (MtC).

  Year

  (a) Percentage

  (b) MtC

  1996

  20

  31.3

  1997

  21

  31.7

  1998

  21

  31.5

  22W

  Site name

  Administrative area

  Subberthwaite, Blawith and Torver Low Commons

  Cumbria

  Tweed Estuary

  Northumberland

  Tyne and Nent

  Cumbria

  Ullswater Oakwoods

  Cumbria

  West Dorset Alderwoods

  Dorset

  Wimbledon Common

  Merton Wandsworth

  Witherslack Mosses

  Cumbria

  Woolmer Forest

  Hampshire

  Yewbarrow Woods

  Cumbria

  A number of proposed new cross border SACs with Wales and Scotland are being considered. These are listed and are the subject of separate arrangements with the devolved administrations.

  Site Investigation (Acorn Ridge)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which the site investigation of the proposed Green Burial site at Acorn Ridge, Enborne carried out by West Berkshire District Council, meets the requirements of the Planning Inspection Decision Letter (25/8/98) (Ref. T/APP/WO340/A/98/ 293497/PS). [145224]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In granting planning permission, the Planning Inspector imposed a condition requiring a site investigation to be carried out by the developers and for the details to be submitted to, and approved by Newbury District Council before development could begin. It was entirely a matter for the Council to consider whether the submitted details were acceptable and the Secretary of State had no powers to intervene, or assess, the Council's decision.

  Motorway Services (Brockworth)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the application to build a motorway services area near Brockworth, Gloucestershire. [144917]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The initial application on this site is the subject of appeal against non-determination by Tewkesbury Borough Council and the date for the appeal to be heard by an Inspector has not been finalised; any statement made now may prejudice the outcome. More recently a revised application was submitted for a motorway service area and this is still being considered by the borough council.

  Rent Rebates
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the level of
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  subsidy has been in percentage terms which is paid to local authorities towards the cost of rent rebates for each year since 1990–91. [145623]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Rent rebate subsidy as percentage of national total cost of rent rebates, England

  Percentage

  1990–91

  90

  1991–92

  86

  1992–93

  83

  1993–94

  80

  1994–95

  78

  1995–96

  75

  1996–97

  72

  1997–98

  69

  1998–99

  66

  1999–20001

  62

  2000–012

  60

  1 Provisional

  2 Estimated

  We have altered the way in which the housing revenue account subsidy system operates for 2001–02 by introducing the major repairs allowance. As a result we expect that the equivalent figure for 2001–02 will be over 80 per cent.

  Farm Plastic Waste
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a national waste collection scheme for farm plastic; and if he will make a statement. [145453]

  Mr. Mullin
  The issue of farm plastics has been raised most recently in the context of extending waste management controls to agricultural waste and is being considered currently.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Budgeted Running Costs
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the budgeted running costs and staff numbers in 2000–01 broken down by Government Office region for(a) Sport England, (b) the Arts Council, (c) the British Tourist Authority, (d) the English Tourism Council and (e) English Heritage. [144279]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The information for Sport England and English Heritage is in the table. Running costs include payroll, premises and administrative costs. The Arts Council, the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council do not have regional offices. The Arts Council and the English Tourism Council however, allocate block grants to Regional Tourist Boards and Regional Arts Boards respectively.

  Sport England

  English Heritage

  £

  Number of staff

  £

  Number of staff

  East of England

  637,000

  17

  2,446,325

  82

  East Midlands

  623,000

  17

  1,733,635

  56

  London

  612,000

  17

  5,328,961

  185

  24W

  Sport England

  English Heritage

  £

  Number of staff

  £

  Number of staff

  North East

  574,000

  16

  2,433,054

  87

  North West

  757,000

  19

  1,257,779

  38

  South East

  1,195,000

  32

  4,977,056

  193

  South West

  583,000

  17

  3,923,931

  144

  West Midlands

  678,000

  17

  1,922,649

  58

  Yorkshire

  689,000

  18

  2,385,831

  81

  Tourism (Expenditure)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the budgeted expenditure in 2000–01 broken down by Government Office region for(a) the British Tourist Authority, (b) the English Tourism Council and (c) English Heritage. [144277]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The British Tourist Authority deploys its budget in marketing Britain as a whole and no specific funds are allocated for each region. The information for the English Tourism Council and English Heritage is in the table. The English Tourism Council's expenditure is in the form of grants to the separate Regional Tourist Boards.

  £

  English Tourism Council

  English Heritage

  East of England

  476,879

  11,906,834

  East Midlands

  1—

  4,628,935

  London

  417,505

  9,675,566

  North East

  340,687

  4,769,174

  North West

  2729,413

  4,898,151

  South East

  331,517

  11,700,356

  Southern

  2426,079

  n/a

  South West

  407,758

  10,413,531

  West Midlands

  1—

  5,794,224

  Yorkshire

  367,100

  6,630,971

  Heart of England

  4502,939

  n/a

  1 See Heart of England

  2 This figure includes that of the Cumbria Tourist Board

  3 The Southern Tourist Beard covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (all within the South East Government Office Region); and East Dorset (within the South West Government Office Region)

  4 The Heart of England Tourist Board covers both the East and West Midlands Government Office Regions, as well as Gloucestershire (South West); Hertfordshire (East of England) and part of Oxfordshire (South East)

  Hospice Funding
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on Lottery funding for hospices. [144747]

  Kate Hoey
  In November 2000, the Department published a consultation paper which proposed a number of new initiatives to be funded by the New Opportunities Fund. Subject to responses to this consultation, we intend that £300 million will be made available to health initiatives, including money to provide palliative care for adults and children with life-threatening and chronic illness. This will include additional funding for hospices caring for people suffering from a range of serious conditions.

  Seeing Salvation Exhibition
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has made to the directors of the National Gallery about its exhibition for the millennium, Seeing Salvation. [145223]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I visited the critically acclaimed Seeing Salvation exhibition. Since then, in discussions with the National Gallery, we have been pleased to acknowledge the exhibition's impressive quality and its success in attracting 350,000 visitors, many of whom were first time visitors to the gallery.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to amend the provisions of the National Lottery Act 1998 concerning the process of awarding the licence to operate the National Lottery; and if he will make a statement. [145171]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I welcome the fact that the National Lottery Commission has reached a decision on the award of the new Lottery licence. In the light of the experience of awarding the new licence, I intend to review the process to see if there is scope for improving the present system. Any such review will not be instituted until all the arrangements for the new licence are completed; as a result, the scope and nature of the review still have to be decided but I envisage that it will have an independent element, and changes to the legislation have not been ruled out.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish details of the bids to operate the National Lottery. [145561]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the National Lottery Commission.

  Regional Culture Consortiums
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the achievements to date of each of the regional culture consortiums. [145527]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Regional Cultural Consortiums are independent advisory bodies providing a focus for each region's many and varied cultural and creative interests. They are currently developing cultural strategies to be published in the next few months. Each strategy will identify the priorities for that region's cultural development over the next few years and include an action plan for implementing them.

  All the Consortiums have published draft strategies or undertaken consultation on them. Some have also undertaken surveys of public attitudes to culture and audits of cultural provision in their region. In developing their strategies they are consulting a wide range of individuals and organisations, both in writing and in meetings and seminars. Most are also developing their own websites.

  The Consortiums are working closely with Regional Development Agencies to support their regional economic strategies and, in particular, to promote tourism and the
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  creative industries. They are also working with other regional partners to ensure that the energy and enthusiasm of cultural and sporting interests make a significant contribution to economic development, regeneration and social inclusion in their region.

  Film Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Film Council regarding the publication of actuarial reports on the film franchises. [145138]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  None. The consultants' reports—which are not, of course, actuarial—were undertaken on the basis that the information would be treated as commercial in confidence.

  Broadcasting Standards Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to appoint the Chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Council. [145170]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  We are currently considering candidates for the post of Chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  Museum Trustees
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from trustees and directors of national museums regarding his proposals to alter the method of appointing trustees. [145169]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Last year I consulted the trustees and directors of national museums on a number of proposals to improve the process of public appointments to the museums and galleries sponsored by DCMS. These proposals were generally well received. Seven out of 10 who commented supported the proposal that those trustee appointments made currently by the Prime Minister should in future be made by the Secretary of State, as many are already. Seven out of eight supported proposals to allow numbers of trustees to be varied and upper and lower limits to numbers set out to allow more flexibility. Nine out of 14 who commented supported the proposal that Boards should have the freedom to appoint at least 25 per cent. of their trustees.

  I also consulted on the handling of Chairmen appointments. Five of these are already made by the Secretary of State and two by the Prime Minister. Despite this there was much opposition to the proposal that nine others should be appointed by the Prime Minister and this proposal was accordingly dropped. By contrast there was little opposition at that stage to the alternative proposal that there should be consultation with the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister before Chairmen are elected, a process which in a number of cases happens informally already. However, there have also been subsequent representations on this point, and we are considering these carefully.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Colombia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK Government are taking to ensure civil society groups are involved in discussions on the search for peace in Colombia. [144425]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK has played a leading role in encouraging the Colombian Government to ensure that NGOs and civil society groups are fully involved. NGO and civil society organisations made a valuable contribution to meetings in Costa Rica on 17 October and in Bogota on 24 October 2000. We will continue to encourage this dialogue.

  We have fully involved NGOs and civil society groups in our own consultations on Colombia. On 19 June 2000 we hosted an international meeting in London to help prepare the ground for a successful conference on Colombia in Madrid in July 2000. NGO representatives participated in both meetings. My right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam) and I also met a wide range of NGOs, church and trade union leaders during our visit to Colombia in September last year. We value all these contacts.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UN presence in Colombia. [144426]

  Mr. Battle
  We fully support the work of the various UN agencies in Colombia. The British Embassy in Bogota works very closely with the UN Human Rights office in Bogota and Embassy officials have visited UN field offices on both Putumayo and Uraba. The UK has been a major contributor to the UN Human Rights office's activities over recent years, most recently contributing £108,000 in March.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present legal position of Mrs. Titina Loizidou and the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in the case of Loizidou against Turkey. [111410]

  Mr. Vaz
  Mrs. Loizidou awaits settlement of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in her case against Turkey in which she was awarded financial compensation for the loss of access to her property. The Government will continue to play their part in the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, which is responsible for supervising the implementation of judgments and for taking the necessary measures to ensure that they are implemented.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had recently with foreign ministers of European countries on Cyprus's application for membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [144409]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Foreign Secretary and I have frequent discussions with our EU counterparts on Cyprus's and all the other EU candidates' membership applications. Our most recent substantive discussions were at the General Affairs Council meetings on 20 November and 28W
  4 December 2000. Cyprus has made considerable progress in its accession negotiations. We look forward to further progress under the Swedish Presidency which will take forward the recommendations made in the European Commission's Enlargement Strategy paper of November 2000.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently had with the Turkish Government on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Loizidou against Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [144411]

  Mr. Hain
  Complementing the collective responsibility of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers to ensure that judgments of the European Court of Human Rights are implemented, the Government have taken regular opportunities in bilateral discussions to urge Turkey to comply with the judgment.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many chapters of the European Union's application for the membership of the Republic of Cyprus have been successfully negotiated; how many remain to be approved; and if he will make a statement. [144581]

  Mr. Vaz
  Cyprus has opened 29, and provisionally closed 17, of the 31 chapters of the EU's "acquis communautaire" (the body of EU legislation and practice). We expect significant further progress in the accession negotiations during the Swedish Presidency.

  Burma
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [144489]

  Mr. Battle
  The human rights situations in Burma is appalling. We take every opportunity to condemn the whole range of violations including forced labour, the persecution of the Karen and other ethnic minorities, forced relocation, torture, rape, arbitrary killings and denial of political rights which regularly take place and to call for urgent improvement. We maintain pressure on the Burmese authorities in a variety of ways, for example through supporting a tough EU Common Position; co-sponsoring United Nations resolutions; and supporting action in the International Labour Organisation.

  We do not intend to relax our international pressure for respect for democracy and human rights for the Burmese people until we see real progress.

  Sri Lanka
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government following the massacre of 25 Tamil youths held in the Bindunuwena Rehabilitation Centre in Sri Lanka on 25 October 2000. [144752]

  Mr. Hain
  We were shocked to learn of the terrible massacre at the Bindunuwewa Rehabilitation Centre. We have made clear our concerns to the Sri Lankan government and I raised the incident with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister when I visited Colombo in November. We are pleased that the government quickly undertook to
  29W
  conduct a full inquiry into the massacre. We have underlined the need for the inquiry to be independent, swift and transparent.

  It is essential that the perpetrators of this awful crime are swiftly brought to justice.

  Armenian Genocide
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the recognition of the Armenian genocide up to 1923; and if he will make a statement. [144863]

  Mr. Vaz
  The government of the day condemned the massacres; a view shared by this Government. Neither this Government nor previous British Governments have judged the evidence to be sufficiently unequivocal to persuade us that these events should be categorised as genocide as defined by the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide.

  International War Crimes Tribunal
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have appeared before the International War Crimes Tribunal; and how many have been(a) found guilty and (b) acquitted. [144903]

  Mr. Hain
  Thirty seven persons have appeared before the ICTY including those whose trials are on-going. In the trials concluded, 13 persons have been found guilty and two persons have been acquitted.

  Forty four persons have appeared before the ICTR, including those whose trials are on-going. In the trials concluded, eight persons have been found guilty. No persons have been acquitted.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects of a return to full civilian, democratic rule in Sierra Leone. [145309]

  Mr. Hain
  Sierra Leone returned to full civilian democratic rule in March 1996 when President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was elected. But his Government have been prevented from governing the whole of the country because of the long running civil war. We are confident that if all the parties involved in the conflict abide by the Abuja ceasefire agreement signed in November 2000, the Sierra Leone Government will, with the continued help of the international community, continue to extend their authority throughout the country.

  Israel
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Israeli Government on their treatment of Palestinian civilians. [145308]

  Mr. Hain
  We regularly raise our concerns about human rights with the Israeli authorities and have done so on a number of occasions since 28 September. In addition there have been EU demarches to the Israeli Authorities, most recently about the serious humanitarian consequences of Israeli closures, which greatly restricts the movement of 30W
  people, goods and money, both between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the outside world, and between towns and villages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip themselves.

  Sanctions (Iraq)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what strategic military value is given in the context of the sanctions regime applied against Iraq to the inclusion on the proscribed list of(a) dyes, (b) easels, (c) envelopes, (d) spectacles, (e) flower pots, (f) forks, (g) fountain pens, (h) girdles, (i) handkerchiefs, (j) glue and (k) hearing aides. [145319]

  Mr. Hain
  None of the items identified by my hon. Friend are on a list of items which cannot be supplied to Iraq.

  As my hon. Friend will be aware from the answer to a similar question tabled by him, 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 203W, United Nations Security Council resolution 1284 (1999) introduced "fast-track" procedures in key humanitarian and infrastructure sectors. More than $3 billion worth of humanitarian goods have already been fast-tracked to Iraq in this way. These goods, which include foodstuffs, medical, agricultural, educational, water and sanitation supplies and oil spare parts no longer require Sanctions Committee approval but only need to be notified to the UN Secretariat. Under Security Council resolution 1330 the lists of "fast-track" goods are being extended to include goods in the electricity and housing sectors.

  North Atlantic Council
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the North Atlantic Council meeting which took place on 14 and 15 December. [143749]

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were discussed at the North Atlantic Council meeting which took place on 14 and 15 December. [143738]

  Mr. Vaz
  The North Atlantic Council meeting of Foreign Ministers on 14 and 15 December highlighted NATO's progress in key areas during 2000. Ministers focused especially on:the increasing stability of South Eastern Europe, with a particular welcome for the recent changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;
  work under the Defence Capabilities Initiative towards more effective and interoperable NATO forces;
  NATO's collective determination to reinforce its European pillar and its commitment to a balanced and dynamic transatlantic partnership;
  European Defence, where NATO welcomed the outcome of the Nice European Council as the basis for permanent arrangements between the EU and NATO;
  NATO's commitment to remain open to new members;
  NATO's support for work to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

  A copy of the Final Communique setting out the conclusions of the meeting has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Panicos Tsiakourmas
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the detention of the Greek Cypriot Panicos Tsiakourmas on 12 December 2000 by Turkish forces; and what representations have been made to the Turkish authorities. [145608]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. 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. I met Mrs. Tsiakourmas and my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 9 January. We will continue to raise the issue until it is resolved satisfactorily.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to secure the immediate release of Mr. Tsiakourmas, a Greek Cypriot national by the Turkish Cypriot authorities; and if he will make a statement. [145084]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. 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. As my hon. Friend knows, we met Mrs. Tsiakourmas on 9 January. We will continue to raise the issue until it is resolved satisfactorily.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations are being made to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities regarding the medical condition of Mr. Tsiakourmas; what treatment has been provided to ensure his health does not deteriorate; and if he will make a statement. [145082]

  Mr. Vaz
  Our High Commissioner in Nicosia is keeping in close contact with the UN and the Tsiakourmas family concerning Mr. Tsiakourmas' health and welfare. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing Mrs. Tsiakourmas to see me. According to information given to us by the UN, a doctor specialising in diabetes cases saw and treated Mr. Tsiakourmas as required on 8 January. Our High Commissioner has urged the Turkish Cypriot authorities to allow Mr. Tsiakourmas regular access, through the UN, to a doctor specialising in diabetes cases. The UK Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. We will continue to make strong protests to the Turkish Cypriots and raise our concerns with the Turkish authorities, until the case is satisfactorily resolved.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations have taken place into the events surrounding the abduction of Mr. Tsiakourmas; what facts have been established in relation to the charges under which he is being detained; and if he will make a statement. [145083]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration is continuing to 32W
  conduct an investigation, but the evidence so far available raises serious questions about the circumstances in which Mr. Tsiakourmas' vehicle was abandoned in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area and the basis of his arrest. Our High Commissioner has therefore made strong representations to Mr. Denktash and we have raised our concerns with the Turkish authorities in Nicosia, Ankara and London. We will continue to press this case until it is resolved satisfactorily.

  Churches (Wenzhou)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Chinese ministers regarding the destruction of churches in Wenzhou in China; and if he will make a statement. [145268]

  Mr. Battle
  We are concerned at the disturbing reports of the destruction of non-official Catholic and Protestant churches, and Buddhist and Taoist temples in Wenzhou, China, in late 2000. Such activities run contrary to the provisions of religious freedoms contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China signed in October 1998.

  We regularly press the Chinese authorities to respect these provisions and to permit free religious worship outside the parameters of the official churches in China—we did so at the latest session of the human rights dialogue in October. We have raised specific concerns about the destruction of churches and temples in Wenzhou. We will address again the whole issue of freedom of religious belief most strongly during the next round of the high level UK/China human rights dialogue in Beijing between 12–14 February.

  Burkina Faso
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the President of Burkina Faso about the recent UN report concerning his country and breaches of UN arms and diamonds bans on anti-Government forces in Angola and Sierra Leone. [145262]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK Government have not yet made any representations to the President of Burkina Faso following the recent reports by the UN Sierra Leone Expert Panel on violations of the UN arms embargo and the link between arms and the trade in Sierra Leone diamonds, and by the UN Angola Monitoring Mechanism on violations of UN sanctions against UNITA.

  The Sierra Leone report's findings and recommendations will be discussed in detail at an Open Debate of the UN Security Council later this month. Members of the Council will then consider appropriate follow-up action. The UN Angola Sanctions Committee will also discuss the Monitoring Mechanism's report this month.

  We have previously raised our concerns with the Burkinabe authorities concerning allegations that arms have been shipped from Burkina Faso in breach of UN sanctions and I have publicly criticised its Government about this.

  Sudan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the extension by the President of Sudan of the state of emergency by another year. [145264]

  Mr. Hain
  We took careful note of statements by Sudanese officials when the state of emergency was imposed in December 1999 to the effect that it was not intended to affect individual liberties, but was necessary to allow Government business to proceed in the absence of a National Assembly. A new National Assembly was elected in December and will shortly hold its opening session. We look to the Government of Sudan, in line with their earlier statements, to lift the state of emergency as soon as possible thereafter.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the return of Ethiopian Oromo refugees from Sudan. [145364]

  Mr. Hain
  According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 13,000 Ethiopian refugees in Sudan have volunteered for repatriation. More than 4,000 of these were expected to arrive in Ethiopia in early January.

  Gambia
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the recent United Nations report concerning the role of Gambia in trafficking in conflict diamonds. [145263]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK Government take very seriously the findings of the UN Sierra Leone Expert Panel in its hard-hitting report on violations of the UN arms embargo on Sierra Leone and the link between the arms trade and the diamonds trade. The Panel's findings on the transit of Sierra Leone diamonds through Gambia are worrying.

  We look forward to the first substantive discussion of the report and its recommendations during an Open Debate of the UN Security Council to be held later this month. We will be calling therefore Gambia to take active steps to dispel international concern regarding its role in the international diamond trade.

  Chin People
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the arrest of several hundred Chin people from Burma who are seeking asylum in the Mizoram state of north east India. [145363]

  Mr. Hain
  We are aware of reports of the arrest of a number of Chin people in Mizoram last year. Officials in our High Commission in New Delhi raised this with the Indian Ministry for External Affairs. Officials have also discussed this with the Indian National Human Rights Commission. We are not aware of further arrests.

  Arms Trafficking
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives NATO is assessing to combat the spread and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in the Euro-Atlantic area. [144423]

  Mr. Hain
  Since 1999, the Ad Hoc Working Group of NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) has focused on the problem of small arms proliferation. Until early summer 2000, this was chaired by the UK. Under its auspices, several countries have held seminars and workshops on issues such as stockpile management and security, weapons destruction and border controls. These have usefully contributed to the international debate on the issue. Bulgaria, Macedonia and Switzerland have announced plans to hold follow-up seminars in 2001.

  Although no partner country has yet made a formal request for assistance on small arms under NATO's Partnership for Peace Work Programme, there were expressions of interest at an EAPC seminar on export controls held at the end of November 2000. Such assistance could include expert visits and training in issues such as border controls and end-use certification. It could also be used to work with partner countries on developing best practice in stockpile management and weapons destruction.

  In considering its future work programme, the EAPC Ad Hoc Working Group on Small Arms is preparing a food-for-thought paper on priorities for action. This follows the adoption in November of the OSCE Document on Small Arms. My right hon. Friend spoke last year about the need for the EAPC to sustain its momentum on small arms in the context of strengthening security co-operation through the EAPC. This will be important in the run-up to the July 2001 UN Conference on Small Arms.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 4 December 2000, regarding a constituent. [145600]

  Mr. Vaz
  I replied to my hon. Friend's letter of 4 December on 11 December, but unfortunately due to an administrative error it was not dispatched. A reply has now been sent and it left my office on 12 January 2001.

  Family Visit Appeal Applications
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis the charges for family visit appeal applications have been calculated. [144681]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have been asked to reply.

  The original fees for family visit visa appeals were based on an estimate of the full cost to the Immigration Appellate Authorities of handling these appeals. However, the fees have since been reviewed. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 11 January 2001, Official Report, column 609W.

DEFENCE

  Prisoners of War (Compensation)
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Royal British Legion on compensation payable to Gurkha former prisoners of war under the Japanese; and if he will make a statement. [143723]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has had no discussions with the Royal British Legion concerning former Gurkha prisoners of war in relation to the ex gratia payment for the British groups who were held captive by the Japanese during the Second World War. In general, former members of the old Indian Army, including those who served in its Gurkha regiments, are not eligible for the ex gratia scheme.

  Prior to 1947 there were no Gurkha regiments in the British Army. The old Indian Army, to which the Gurkhas who served during the Second World War belonged, was separate and responsibility for it passed to the new Governments of India and Pakistan when these countries became independent. The United Kingdom, India, and Pakistan each reached its own agreement with Japan in respect of matters arising from the Second World War.

  Submarine Rescue
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures he has in place to ensure that submariners can be rescued from a submarine in deep water. [143727]

  Mr. Spellar
  Every rescue attempt from a submarine has to be evaluated to determine the optimum solution taking into consideration speed/time and distance. The aim is to ensure that rescue assets are on the scene as quickly as possible. The UK rescue system is based on the manned submersible LR5 which has the capability to operate to depths of up to 400 metres.

  Our submarines are also provided with alternative escape systems that are effective to a depth of 180 metres.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his letter, ref. D/US of S/LM 4333/00/M of 5 December, what advice he has received from the Medical Research Centre concerning an independent epidemiological study for Porton Down volunteers. [143729]

  Dr. Moonie
  We have received confirmation from the Medical Research Council that they are looking at the feasibility of carrying out an independent epidemiological study of Porton Down Volunteers. My officials plan to meet the Medical Research Council to discuss the matter in detail later this month or early next. Further discussions with Porton Down and an assessment of the source material in the surviving records is likely to follow.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits to each of the armed services, for the last year for which figures are available, had 36W
  previously been a member of the Army, air or sea cadets; and what percentage of recruits to each of the services this represented. [143730]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information available for financial year 1999–2000, indicates that:820 (18 per cent.) of the total intake of Naval Service ratings and other ranks had previously been members of the Cadet Forces,
  2,023 (13 per cent.) of the total intake of Army other ranks had been members of the Army Cadet Force or Combined Cadet Force,
  715 (17 per cent.) of the total RAF intake had been members of the Air Training Corps or Combined Cadet Force (RAF Section).

  Arms Dealing
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the role of(a) his Department and (b) defence attachés in private company arms trading deals abroad. [143731]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence's support to defence contractors selling overseas is provided in furtherance of the Government's policy of support for defence exports set out in my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement on 28 July 1997.

  Many personnel in the Ministry of Defence, including defence attachés, have a role in promoting the sale of legitimate UK defence equipment overseas in accordance with this policy.

  NATO (British Forces)
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in NATO. [143733]

  Mr. Hoon
  Britain's armed forces play a leading role in NATO, contributing to the full range of Alliance roles and tasks. In particular, the UK is the framework nation for the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, the ARRC, one of the great successes of the Alliance's post-Cold War adaptation.

  Armed Forces (Education)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on developments in education and training for the armed forces. [143734]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble), on 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 12.

  Altcar Training Camp
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of the Army and reserve forces training camp at Altcar, Hightown, Merseyside. [143735]

  Mr. Spellar
  Altcar Training Camp at Hightown, Merseyside is used extensively by regular forces, reserves and cadets from all three services. It is also used by members of civilian rifle clubs and the police. We have no plans to alter our use of Altcar.

  RAF Procurement
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new aircraft his Department plans to procure for the RAF; and if he will make a statement. [143737]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle), for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow) and for Preston (Mr. Hendrick), on 15 January 2001,Official Report, columns 5–6.

  European Rapid Reaction Force
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what planning capability the EU Rapid Reaction Force will have. [143739]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no standing EU Rapid Reaction Force. The EU has a small military staff which will support its ability to take decisions with military implications.

  The terms of reference of the EU Military Staff make quite clear that it is not responsible for operational planning. The Nice documents also make clear that NATO will carry out operational planning for EU-led operations that have recourse to NATO assets and capabilities. Operational planning for other operations may be carried out in existing European national and multinational headquarters, such as our own Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ).

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received on the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement. [143743]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. To date the Ministry of Defence has received approximately 180 letters from members of the public relating to European defence.

  National Missile Defence
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has held with his US counterpart on national missile defence. [143740]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), on 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 2.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to meet the US Defence Secretary to discuss missile defence. [143728]

  Mr. Hoon
  I plan to meet the new US Defense Secretary as soon as possible after the appointment is confirmed, and to discuss a range of issues including missile defence.

  Future of NATO
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the incoming United States Administration on the future role of NATO. [143741]
  38W
  Mr. Hoon
  I plan to meet the new US Defense Secretary as soon as possible after the appointment is confirmed, and to discuss a range of issues including NATO.

  New Zealand Defence Minister
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on contacts made over the past 12 months with his New Zealand counterpart. [143742]

  Dr. Moonie
  There has been no direct contact between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and his New Zealand counterpart over the past 12 months. However, I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Burton, the Defence Minister, at a meeting of Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers in Malaysia and Singapore last July. Our defence relations with New Zealand remain very good, and are based on strong and traditional links between the armed forces of our two countries.

  Chatham Dockyard Workers
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in compensating former Chatham dockyard workers who have suffered radiation exposure. [143744]

  Dr. Moonie
  Records show that as at 1 January 2001, 39 claims for compensation from former Chatham Dockyard workers had been submitted to the British Nuclear Fuels Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases, of which the Ministry of Defence is a member. Thirty were ruled ineligible because radiation dose levels were too small, seven are presently under consideration and two have been found to meet the Scheme's criteria and be eligible for compensation. The level of compensation is being assessed and following completion of this exercise offers of settlement will be made.

  A separate claim, in respect of a former worker at Chatham Dockyard, is currently being pursued as a common law case and is due to come to trial at the High Court on 12 March 2001.

  European Defence
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts about European defence. [143745]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) and my hon Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby), on 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 8.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent progress towards the headline goal on European defence. [143747]

  Mr. Hoon
  EU Heads of State and Governments met at the Nice summit in December. This represented another important milestone in the development of new European Security and Defence arrangements. Member states reaffirmed their commitment to improve military
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  capability, including by remedying shortfalls in key enabling capabilities (e.g. lift) and in the characteristics of the armed forces (e.g. availability).

  It also looked forward to the establishment of permanent political/military structures that will allow the political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations; and to a close relationship with NATO on the basis of co-operation, consultation and transparency.

  The Nice summit additionally set out details for involvement of non-EU Allies and other accession partners in European defence arrangements.

  The NATO North Atlantic Council (Foreign Ministers) on 14–15 December 2000 welcomed the Nice Proposals on European defence. It reaffirmed determination to reinforce NATO's European Pillar, and to share the goals endorsed by EU member states at Nice.

  Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the policy of the Government on the future of the anti-ballistic missile treaty. [143748]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK is not a signatory of the ABM Treaty. We recognise that the Treaty was signed in different times, but appreciate the support it has provided for strategic stability.

  The Treaty has been amended in the past. Further amendments would of course be a matter for the US and Russia.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further action he is taking to improve Defence Medical Services. [143750]

  Dr. Moonie
  Following the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) we provided additional funds to address manpower and equipment shortfalls in the Defence Medical Services (DMS). We are continuing to implement these measures and the overall new strategy for the DMS as announced by my right hon. Friend the Lord Robertson the then Secretary of State for Defence on 14 December 1998,Official Report, columns 328–29W. Together these encompass a wide range of initiatives including, for example, the new Centre for Defence Medicine which is to open in Birmingham in April. Further measures to improve recruitment and retention of DMS personnel are being developed, and additional proposals may, of course, emerge from the quinquennial review of the Defence medical agencies that I announced on 15 December 2000, Official Report, columns 276–77W.

  NATO Procurement
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of defence procurement co-operation within NATO. [143722]

  Dr. Moonie
  The UK is currently involved in over 50 equipment programmes in co-operation with our NATO allies. We recognise the importance of co-operation, and are engaged in a number of initiatives 40W
  aimed at improving the management of such programmes, as well as identifying further opportunities to co-operate where it makes military and economic sense to do so.

  Civilian Staff
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of civilian staff his Department and its agencies employ at locations in the north-east of England. [143736]

  Dr. Moonie
  As at 1 October 2000 the Ministry of Defence had 0.5 per cent. of its civilian and agency employees at locations in the north-east of England.

  US Defense Secretary
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last discussed Britain's military relationship with the United States with his American counterpart. [143724]

  Mr. Hoon
  I last spoke to Secretary of Defense Cohen at the NATO Defence Ministerial meetings on 6 December 2000. We discussed various issues, notably European defence.

  RAF Museum Hendon
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future development of the RAF Museum Hendon. [143732]

  Dr. Moonie
  The RAF Museum Trustees have substantial development plans for the Hendon site. These include the provision of extensive additional accommodation to house their growing collection of aircraft and further improvements to the Museum's educational facilities. These plans recently received generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and continue to have the full backing of the Ministry of Defence.

  In addition, the MOD has now been able to provide funds to allow free admission for children and pensioners and a reduced entry fee for adults from later in the year.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the private security industry is used to guard MOD installations; and if he will make a statement. [144857]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 2 March 2000,Official Report, columns 328–29W. Private security companies are used on certain unarmed guarding tasks by the Ministry of Defence. A number of locations where they are employed are sites controlled by Defence Estates and awaiting disposal; at these sites the role of commercial guards is to prevent vandalism and to control access on health and safety grounds. Where private security companies are employed at occupied sites they form part of an integrated guard force appropriate to the establishment concerned. Their employment is governed by guidance to ensure that their performance meets the Department's security standards, and in accordance with

  41W
  an undertaking given by Ministers to the HCDC in 1995 that 75 per cent. of the Department's unarmed civilian guarding would be regained by the MOD Guard Service.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will initiate a programme of mass screening for traces of depleted uranium poisoning for all UK soldiers who served in the Gulf War and who served or are serving in Bosnia and Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [144722]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 9 January 2001, Official Report, columns 877–79.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical evidence he has received on the effects on the human body of radiation from non-soluble ceramic, alpha-emitting, depleted uranium lodged in the lungs. [144738]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Valerie Davey) on 12 December 2000, Official Report, column 70W, and to the statement by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 9 January 2001, Official Report, columns 877–79.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts about the health effects of depleted uranium on military personnel and civilians during the wars in the Balkans. [144737]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: None. However, the Ministry of Defence is aware of concerns among NATO countries in Europe of the potential health effects of depleted uranium on military personnel who served in the Balkans. Our response to these concerns was set out in the Minister for the Armed Forces' statement to the House on 9 January 2001, Official Report, columns 877–79.

  The North Atlantic Council met on 10 January to consider the possible environmental health risks associated with the use of depleted uranium munitions in the Balkans. After that meeting, the Secretary General affirmed that NATO allies are committed to ensuring the health and safety of their Service personnel and to avoiding any ill-effects for the civil population and personnel of non-governmental organisations as a result of NATO military operations. Allies agreed that NATO should continue to cooperate fully with investigations by nations or multinational organisations on the possible effects of exposure; to produce information on the use of depleted uranium munitions during Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force in 1994 and 1995; to consult fully with all present and past NATO SFOR and KFOR contributing countries, with a first briefing to be given at a regular meeting of troop contributors on 12 January; to make available to each other, and more widely, information on any health risks associated with the use of depleted uranium munitions; and to establish a working
  42W
  group, which will include participation by non-NATO contributors to KFOR and SFOR, to act as a clearing house for the exchange of information.

  The Ministry of Defence welcomes the NATO measures outlined above.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium rounds have been fired(a) by the Navy on operational sea training from their Phalanx and Goalkeeper weapons systems and (b) by the Army at Lulworth and Bovington. [145225]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Navy has fired 270 rounds of DU ammunition on operational sea training so far this year. Historic information on DU ammunition firings is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In the Royal Navy only the Phalanx gun system has a DU ammunition variant and no DU ammunition is held for Goalkeeper.

  DU ammunition is not fired by the Army on the ranges at Lulworth and Bovington.

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which of his Department's test locations in the United Kingdom the firing of depleted uranium projectiles has taken place; how many test firings have been made at each location; what arrangements are in place for the protection and monitoring of people and the environment; and if he will make a statement. [144771]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The majority of test firing of depleted uranium (DU) projectiles has been undertaken at two locations in the UK. These are at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range, Eskmeals and the Army's Kirkcudbright training range. My answer to the previous question in respect of Eskmeals refers. Operations at Kirkcudbright, which commenced in 1981, are currently undertaken by staff from DERA Eskmeals. The current programme is expected to be completed by the end of this year. In addition, some experimental firing of depleted uranium ammunition took place between 1988 and 1990 at the, now, DERA range at West Freugh. Ammunition from Phalanx was fired into Luce Bay to examine ricochet effects. Indoor firing also took place between 1982 and 1983 at the former Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site at Foulness, which since 1999 has been part of the DERA Shoeburyness site. The building in which the firing took place was designed to prevent any escape of particulate DU into the atmosphere. It is no longer in use and was decontaminated in 1997.

  The number of test firings that has taken place is as follows:

  Rounds

  Eskmeals

  3,246

  Kirkcudbright

  16,907

  West Freugh

  315

  Foulness

  2200

  1 To date

  2 Approximately

  Statutory regulations govern the use of DU on ranges in the UK. These are the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, which controls radioactive waste discharges to the environment and the Ionising Radiations Regulation

  43W
  (IRR) 1999, which are part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. The work undertaken by DERA fully meets the provisions of this legislation.

  All staff involved in the depleted uranium firing programme were (and are) fully briefed on the safety aspects of working with DU before commencing work with this material. Although there is no legal requirement to do so, DERA local policy dictates that all staff working with DU are designated Classified Workers under both the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and preceding legislation. As such, staff are subject to a 'pre-employment' medical examination and are kept under surveillance by a medical practitioner appointed by the Health and Safety Executive.

  Exposure of individuals to ionising radiation is monitored by the use of thermoluminescent dosemeters supplied by DERA Radiation Protection Services (DRPS). Exposure to aerosol DU oxides is monitored by the use of personal air samplers. In addition, all members of staff working with depleted uranium in any calendar month are required to provide a sample of urine for uranium analysis at an independent laboratory. This is augmented by the use of the whole body monitoring facilities.

  Extensive environmental monitoring of the Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright sites has been carried out and annual reports produced since the start of the firing programme, originally by the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston. In 1993 WS Atkins Limited were commissioned to produce an independent Environmental Impact Assessment for both sites. This report concluded that activities at both locations produced a negligible impact on the local environment. It also made certain recommendations which were subsequently adopted for the ongoing environmental monitoring programme, now overseen by the DERA Radiation Protection Service (DRPS). The monitoring programme includes a strict, long-term environmental sampling routine in which checks are performed on many indicators such as grasses, streams, shellfish etc. None of the samples has ever indicated any concentration above the background level except for contamination in soil around firing and target sites.

  Copies of the annual reports are in the Members' Library at the House of Commons and are circulated to local Councils, MPs, and Environmental Protection Agencies.

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the firing of depleted uranium projectiles first took place at Eskmeals; whether such tests have been discontinued; what independent environmental monitoring takes place at this site; if the results are published; and if he will make a statement. [144772]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: Depleted uranium projectiles were fired into a semi-enclosed Butt at VJ Battery on the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range, Eskmeals (formerly part of the MOD's Directorate of Proof and Experimental Establishments) during the period between March 1981 and September 1995 when firing ceased.

  Extensive environmental monitoring has been carried out and annual reports produced since the start of the firing programme, originally by the Atomic Weapons
  44W
  Establishment Aldermaston. In 1993 WS Atkins Ltd. were commissioned to produce an independent Environmental Impact Assessment for DERA Eskmeals. The report of the assessment concluded that activities at the site produced a negligible impact on the local environment. It also made certain recommendations which were subsequently adopted for the ongoing environmental monitoring programme, now overseen by the DERA Radiation Protection Services. Copies of the annual reports of this monitoring programme are placed in the Members' Library at the House of Commons and are circulated to local councils, MPs, and Environmental Protection Agencies.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the health and safety procedures for those operatives who are dealing with spent depleted uranium shells and munitions boxes that have came into contact with depleted uranium(a) in theatres of action and (b) in domestic ordnance facilities. [145134]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Thermobaric Weapons
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research into thermobaric weapons is being carried out by the Defence Research and Evaluation Agency at Fort Halstead. [145526]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are conducting research into new types of explosives. It would be irresponsible not to keep developments in this field under review, not least to develop protective measures for our own personnel.

  As to the location and precise nature of that research, I am withholding information under Exemption 1 of Code of Practice on access to Government information.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department first considered investigating whether to add thermobaric weapons to the British inventory. [145528]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are constantly conducting research into new types of explosives and have done so for many years. It would be irresponsible not to keep developments in this field under review, not least to develop protective measures for our own personnel.

  On 23 August 2000, we issued a contracts bulletin asking industry to consider how best to provide an anti-structure weapon for the infantry in the urban environment. We acknowledged that this may involve using blast rather than fragmentation, but we have no specified how this capability is to be achieved.

  DERA (Pollution)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) who will take responsibility for pollution at DERA sites following DERA's privatisation; [144983]

  (2) who will take responsibility for marine pollution caused by DERA activities following the privatisation of DERA. [144990]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence, with advice from specialist external consultants, is addressing the issues of liability and future responsibility in relation to
  45W
  all aspects of pollution. This work is on schedule to ensure that decisions are made on all pollution issues before the new company is vested.

  The final decisions on the allocation of liabilities for any existing contamination will take into account the need to ensure that the arrangements will meet all relevant legislative requirements, as well as provide value for money to the taxpayer. Those elements of DERA which move into the private sector will be subject to the same legal obligations as any other private sector company.

  Sierra Leone
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the presence, and length of stay, of British troops in Sierra Leone. [145269]

  Mr. Hoon
  British troops are in Sierra Leone to assist the democratically elected Government to establish effective and accountable armed forces. Our intention is to achieve this through a three-year programme by the UK-led International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT). This remains our ultimate aim, but the IMATT's work assumes a stable and permissive environment. Following the rebel attacks on UN peacekeepers in May 2000, this clearly was not the case. We have therefore deployed a series of Short Term Training Teams to supplement the IMATT. The future requirement for training, and the way ahead for the IMATT is kept under review.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the security situation in Sierra Leone. [144947]

  Mr. Spellar
  We welcome the ceasefire signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front, under the auspices of ECOWAS in Abuja on 10 November and welcome the subsequent decision by ECOWAS to deploy troops in the Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone border region. However, we are disappointed that the RUF have still not fulfilled the terms of the ceasefire agreement, in particular with regard to the return of UN equipment and freedom of movement throughout the country, and we look for evidence that they will do so. In the meantime, our training of the Sierra Leone army continues, and we remain committed to supporting the Government and people of Sierra Leone. We continue to support UNAMSIL and in particular its efforts to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire.

  Location

  Primary service

  Stock numbers

  Occupancy

  Disposal notes

  Edinburgh

  Army

  765

  597

  92 in disposal

  Leuchars

  RAF

  706

  499

  51 for demolition. Awaiting increased requirement

  Perth

  Army

  16

  14

  Steady state

  Arbroath/Dundee

  RM/Army

  168

  94

  50 in disposal

  Rosyth

  Navy

  160

  84

  92 in disposal

  Helensburgh

  Navy

  811

  353

  229 for disposal. 28 held for Short Term Families Accommodation Centre. Up to 150 unmodernised properties may be demolished

  Glasgow

  Army

  247

  186

  52 quarters in disposal

  Military Attachés
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the breakdown of military attachés' time shown by the survey of attaché output undertaken by his Department for the financial year 1999–2000. [144901]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave him on 27 November 2000,Official Report, column 429W and on 29 November 2000, Official Report, column 642W. The survey of attaché output in 1999–2000 showed that the average percentage of an attachés' time devoted to promoting Defence Policy and related activities was 20 per cent., to furthering Bilateral Relations and the support of Wider British Interests was 36 per cent., and Defence Advice and Support to Other Government Departments/International Organisations/ Non Government Departments 33 per cent. The remaining 11 per cent. was, on average, devoted to supporting DESO.

  Civilian Staff (Scotland)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Marine, (c) Army, (d) RAF and (e) civilian personnel of his Department there are in Scotland. [145125]

  Dr. Moonie
  The latest data available are as follows:As of 1 July 1999, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines employed 5,086 personnel in Scotland. This represented 11.7 per cent. of all Naval and Marine personnel.
  As of 1 July 1999, the Army employed 3,825 personnel in Scotland. This represented 3.4 per cent. of all Army personnel.
  As of 1 July 1999, the RAF employed 6,037 personnel in Scotland. This represented 11.0 per cent. of all RAF personnel.
  As of 1 November 2000, the MOD employed 9,458 personnel in Scotland. This represented 9.5 per cent. of all civilian personnel.
  Figures available for Civilian personnel employment levels are more recent than those for their Service counterparts. The Defence Analytical Services Agency is currently finalising figures for Service personnel for the year 2000. These will be available shortly and will be sent to you as soon as they are available.

  Service Quarters (Scotland)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters are available to each service of the armed forces in Scotland, broken down by location; and how many are occupied by families. [145120]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Housing Executive (DHE) allocates Service Families Accommodation (SFA) on entitlement on a Tri-Service basis. The following table shows the numbers of quarters in Scotland by location and occupancy. Smaller locations are included with the nearest major base. Details of the disposal programme are also noted.
  47W

  Location

  Primary service

  Stock numbers

  Occupancy

  Disposal notes

  Prestwick

  Navy/RAF

  117

  89

  32 quarters to be reappropriated during 2001–02

  Benbecula

  Army

  113

  15

  89 in disposal with Defence Estates

  Saxa Vord

  RAF

  86

  39

  Disposal linked to Station drawdown

  Kinloss

  RAF

  920

  713

  206 considered for disposal

  Lossiemouth

  RAF

  881

  672

  Awaiting increased requirement

  Buchan

  RAF/Army

  197

  148

  Disposals linked to Station drawdown

  Inverness

  Army

  280

  208

  61 for disposal

  Thurso

  Navy

  8

  5

  Steady State

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many single accommodation places exist for each of the services in Scotland for(a) officers and (b) other ranks, broken down by location; and how many are occupied. [145121]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Fylingdales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances were given by the United States Government to Her Majesty's Government between 1980 and 1985 concerning plans to integrate the Strategic Defence Initiative of the United States with Fylingdales; and if he will make a statement. [145360]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are aware of no such plans or assurances.

  Macrahanish Airport
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what single bed accommodation there is at Macrahanish Airport; and how many married quarters there are. [145124]

  Dr. Moonie
  The former RAF Machrihanish has been passed to Defence Estates, which has responsibility for disposal of MOD surplus property. There are 172 single bedrooms within purpose built modern buildings and a further 121 spaces in older accommodation. In parallel with disposal action, MOD is currently considering whether there is any alternative military use for which the site might be suitable.

  The former Married Quarters estate was sold in September 2000 and therefore no Service Families Accommodation remains in MOD hands.

  RAF Innsworth
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with the Gloucestershire constabulary before deciding to reduce the number of his Department's police at RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [145167]

  Dr. Moonie
  Officers of the Ministry of Defence police discussed the policing arrangements at RAF Innsworth with officers from Gloucestershire constabulary in September 1998 and October 1999. We now anticipate basing an Area Policing Team (comprising eight officers) at RAF Innsworth from 1 April 2001 as well as the two Unit Beat Officers already envisaged.

  HMS Tireless
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the practicability of transporting HMS Tireless from Gibraltar to a British dockyard for repair on board a heavy equipment transporter ship. [144031]

  Mr. Spellar
  The safest and most practicable solution is to continue with the repair of HMS Tireless in Gibraltar. We have looked at the possibility of returning the submarine to the UK in a heavy transporter ship, but this would represent a major challenge. No UK nuclear submarine has ever been transported in this way before and to do so would require both considerable preparatory work on the submarine and extensive modification to the transporter ship. This work would likely take much longer than the repair programme that is currently in hand.

HEALTH

  GPs (Retirement)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general medical practitioners practising in England retired due to ill health in each of the last five years for which figures are available, before the age of(a) 60 years and (b) 65 years. [142882]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 December 2000]: The figures in the table show the number of doctors working in general practitioner practices who have received a pensions award for retirement due to ill health in each of the years 1994 to 1999 under the age of 60 and 65 years in England and Wales.

  NHS pension scheme: medical practitioners retiring on the grounds of ill-health England and Wales

  Year ended 31 March

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Male

  100

  111

  97

  99

  85

  Female

  20

  22

  27

  22

  23

  Total

  120

  133

  124

  121

  108

  Summary by age

  Male

  Age 60 and under

  96

  107

  96

  85

  81

  Age 65 and under

  100

  111

  97

  99

  85

  Female

  Age 60 and under

  20

  21

  27

  22

  22

  Age 65 and under

  20

  22

  27

  22

  23

  Total

  Age 60 and under

  116

  128

  123

  107

  103

  Age 65 and under

  120

  133

  124

  121

  108

  Source:

  NHS Pension Scheme valuation data for 1995–99 (Table 1E)

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 (i) the total amount to be spent by his Department on coronary heart disease and (ii) the funds from which that money has been allocated. [143567]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 19 December 2000]: The great majority of spending on services for coronary heart disease is contained within health authority unified allocations. It is for health authorities, in partnership with primary care groups and trusts, National Health Service trusts and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

  We have made the improvement of coronary heart disease services one of our main priorities. The NHS Plan set out our commitment to provide significant additional resources, so that by 2003–04 we will be investing an extra £230 million a year in heart disease services. This will be backed up by £120 million from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund over two years. Specific sums have been allocated to support implementation of the National Standards Framework for CHD, totalling £130.5 million in 2000–01 and £230 million in 2001–02. In 2001–02, there will also be a further allocation of £94 million, to be distributed between CHD and cancer services.

  Ministerial Travel
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many flights including helicopter flights were taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits in each year since 1995; on how many occasions(a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets obtained; and who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [143862]

  Ms Stuart
  [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 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 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Diabetes (Easington)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been diagnosed as diabetic in the area covered by the Easington Primary Care Group in the age groups(a) 10 to 19 years, (b) 20 to 29 years, (c) 30 to 39 years, (d) 40 to 49 years, (e) 50 to 59 years, (f) 60 to 69 years and (g) 70 to 79 years. [144293]

  Mr. Denham
  The table shows a count of finished consultant episodes by 10-year age groups where the main diagnosis was diabetes mellitus, for patients resident in the Easington local authority area, treated in NHS hospitals in England in 1998–99.
  50W

  Finished consultant episodes (FCSEs) where the main diagnosis was diabetes mellitus by age, for patients resident in the Easington local authority area—NHS hospitals England 1998–99

  Age

  FCEs

  10 to 19

  17

  20 to 29

  14

  30 to 39

  11

  40 to 49

  8

  50 to 59

  18

  60 to 69

  38

  70 to 79

  21

  Total

  127

  Notes:

  1. An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year.

  2. The main diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

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

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  Patients Advocacy Liaison Service
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the Patients Advocacy Liaison Service will be(a) accessible to the least mobile older people and (b) independent of the NHS. [144190]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Patients Advocacy Liaison Service will act as a welcoming point for patients and carers and will also be a clearly identifiable information point in every National Health Service trust and primary care trust. It will be reasonably accessible to all patients, including the least mobile. PALS will be integral to the NHS and will have independence to fulfil its responsibilities. The role of the Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service will be to resolve the concerns of patients and their families quickly and where possible informally. Where patients do not feel their problems are being resolved satisfactorily, they may wish to progress the matter formally and potentially seek additional support from a local advocacy service that will be available to them from outside the trust. The detail of these arrangements will be discussed during Committee Stage of the Health and Social Care Bill.

  Drop-in Centres
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has received on the operation of the new drop-in centres; and if he will make a statement. [144493]

  Mr. Denham
  Response to the opening and first few months' operation of the centres has generally been positive. Feedback from the centres suggests that patients particularly appreciate the extended opening hours and need for no appointment.

  The Department has commissioned a full evaluation of National Health Service walk-in centres. Its results will help inform the development of future centres. The final report is due in December 2001.

  Meningitis Vaccine
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adverse reactions to the meningitis vaccine were reported, broken down by degree of severity, in each of the last five years. [144510]

  Yvette Cooper
  On 1 November 1999 a national immunisation campaign started, which aimed to vaccinate all children under the age of 18 years with the new Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine by the end of 2000. Approximately 18 million doses of Meningococcal C vaccine have been distributed to date. This should be taken into account when considering the numbers of reports and reactions.

  The numbers of reports and numbers of suspected reactions following the Meningococcal C vaccines reported to the Medicines Control Agency through the yellow card scheme in 1999 and 2000 are in the table.

  1999

  2000

  Total number of reports

  2,099

  9,264

  Total number of suspected reactions

  4,592

  19,177

  Number of serious reports

  485

  2,326

  Number of serious suspected reactions

  574

  2,676

  The number of suspected reactions is greater than the number of reports because many reports list more than one reaction, e.g. nausea and headache. A reaction is classified by the MCA as serious if it is a disease, disorder, symptom or sign which is generally recognised as serious clinically or if it could be indicative of a serious disorder. The interpretation of this definition is deliberately broad; reactions such as fainting and swollen gland are classified as serious.

  Evaluation of safety data from spontaneous suspected adverse reaction reports in the context of reduction of morbidity and mortality from meningitis C, indicates that the overall risk-benefit balance of this new vaccine is overwhelmingly favourable.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish for each health authority the percentage take up by individuals of the meningitis C immunisation programme broken down between(a) children under 12 months, (b) 15 to 17-year-olds and (c) other at risk groups. [144870]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on percentage uptake of meningitis C vaccine in all age groups immunised through the current programme is still being collected. This information will be published when it becomes available.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's decision on Beta Interferon has been delayed; and on what date NICE will announce its decision. [145204]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has extended the timescale of its appraisal of Beta Interferon and the drug glatiramer acetate to develop further economic modelling on these drugs.
  52W
  We expect NICE to consult on draft guidance during the summer, on completion of its work on the economic modelling.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NICE to make its recommendations on the efficacy of(a) Beta Interferon and (b) Copaxone; and if he will ask NICE to consider the merits of the two drugs separately. [144859]

  Mr. Denham
  We expect the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consult on draft guidance later this year, following the development of further economic modelling on Beta Interferon and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone). Further details can be found on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk. NICE is giving individual consideration to Beta Interferon and glatiramer acetate.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to modify his Department's 1995 advice on drug therapies for MS to include Copaxone; and if he will make a statement. [144858]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no plans to modify Executive Letter 95(97) issued by the Department in 1995 to include glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).

  The Department issued Health Service Circular 1999/176 in August 1999. This asks National Health Service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is not available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the available evidence.

  We expect NICE to produce authoritative guidance on both Beta Interferon and glatiramer acetate later this year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of health authority compliance with current guidance in respect of disease modifying therapies for MS. [144773]

  Mr. Denham
  Current guidance issued in 1995 recommends that health authorities should have in place arrangements for hospital specialists to initiate treatment in light of the available evidence and local priorities.

  Health authorities and clinicians have made different judgments because there is no authoritative guidance. We expect the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to produce such guidance later this year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if existing NHS guidance in respect of disease modifying therapies for MS will apply to(a) Copaxone and (b) other drugs licensed by the MCA. [144774]

  Mr. Denham
  No. Executive Letter 95(97) issued by the Department in 1995 does not apply to glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).

  The Department did however issue Health Service Circular 1999/176 in August 1999 which asked National Health Service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from the National Institute for Clinical

  53W
  Excellence is not available at the time the technology first becomes available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the available evidence.

  We expect NICE to produce authoritative guidance on both Beta Interferon and glatiramer acetate later this year.

  Continuing Care
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he takes to monitor, the number of beds available in the private sector for continuing care; if health authorities publish lists of the number of such beds available; and how many of such beds there were at the beginning and end of the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. [144821]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on continuing care beds is not held centrally.

  The Department collects information annually on independent private and voluntary sector nursing care homes registered under Section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984. Details are collected from the health authorities on the number of general nursing homes, mental nursing homes and private hospitals and clinics and the registered beds within these homes.

  National statistics on the number of registered beds in independent sector nursing homes as at 31 March 2000 were published in the Statistical Bulletin "Community Care Statistics 2000: Residential Personal Social Services for adults, England" in November 2000. National statistics relating to 31 March 1999 were published in the Statistical Bulletin "Community Care Statistics 1999: Private Nursing Homes, Hospitals and Clinics". Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143806]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143807]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 10 January 2001]: Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

  Dr. Saher Sadek
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an inquiry into the suspension, disciplining and dismissal of Dr. Saher Sadek, a constituent. [144900]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand that the trust is progressing this matter in line with their own employment procedures. It would therefore be inappropriate for Ministers to comment on, or initiate an inquiry into an issue which may become the subject of a legal process.

  Medicine Licensing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to increase patients' access to information about the licensing of new medicines. [144583]

  Ms Stuart
  A great deal of information is already publicly available about the licensing of new medicines, including the publication of minutes of the meetings of Medicines Act advisory bodies, Patient Information Leaflets and a Summary of Product Characteristics for every licensed product. The Medicines Control Agency continues to promote greater access to information while protecting legitimate confidential interests.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the Government's review of section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968. [144584]

  Ms Stuart
  We expect the review of section 118 to have been completed, and a final decision made, by early 2002.

  Nursing Home Charges
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if(a) stoma care, (b) ulcer/pressure sore dressing, (c) peg feeding and (d) changing catheters for residents in nursing homes will be paid for under his proposals if they are delegated and supervised by a registered nurse. [144920]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are not developing a task-based approach to the care provided by a registered nurse, but one centred on the needs of the person and input which needs the skills of a registered nurse. The nurse responsible for the individual's care will assess whether any aspect of the care can be safely delegated. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the National Health Service will pay for the input from the registered nurse.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residents currently in nursing homes will be affected by his proposals for the NHS to pay for nursing care in nursing homes from October 2001; and if he will publish estimates of those likely to be affected in future years. [144921]

  Mr. Hutton
  Approximately 35,000 residents of nursing homes will benefit from our proposals for the National Health Service to pay for care from registered nurses in nursing homes. Other changes we are making to the funding of long-term care mean that numbers will be broadly similar for the next three years.

  NICE Appraisal Committee
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the minutes of the NICE Appraisal Committee meeting held on 13 December 2000. [144775]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand that the minutes will be published on the Institute's website when they have been approved by the Appraisal Committee at its next meeting.

  Nursing Home Standard
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the tool to be used across the
  55W
  country for assessing for nursing care, referred to in paragraph 219 of the Explanatory Notes on the Health and Social Care Bill. [144923]

  Mr. Hutton
  We intend to publish guidance and the tool for a consistent approach to determining the registered nurse input to care in a nursing home in April 2001.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been issued by his Department concerning the issuing and use of digital hearing instruments; and how many such instruments have been issued to date at first wave sites; [144730]

  (2) how many NHS trust audiology services are involved in trials of digital hearing instruments; where they are located; and how many patients have benefited from the new technology in each NHS trust area; [144731]

  (3) which organisations have been consulted during the formulation of his proposals for modernisation for NHS hearing aid services. [144732]

  Mr. Hutton
  The project to modernise National Health Service hearing aid services was announced on 18 January 2000 following consultation with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. The Royal Institute for Deaf People project team is working with the 20 participating NHS Trusts to implement the project. The National Health Service trusts involved in the project are:

  Start year

  Addenbrookes NHS Trust

  2000–01

  James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear

  2000–01

  Forest Healthcare NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Leeds Teaching NHS Trust

  2000–01

  City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust

  2001–02

  Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust

  2001–02

  Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

  2000–01

  United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust (children)

  2001–02

  Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

  2001–02

  East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Queens Medical Centre University NHS Trust Nottingham

  2000–01

  The Kings Mill Centre for Healthcare Services NHS Trust

  2001–02

  Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Trust (children)

  2000–01

  University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust

  2000–01

  Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  2000–01

  The following table shows the numbers of patients and digital hearing aids that have been supplied in the first phase of the project.

  Patients

  Total digital aids

  Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust

  152

  192

  Addenbrookes NHS Trust

  153

  176

  Royal United Hospital Bath

  90

  90

  University Hospital Birmingham

  14

  14

  Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  10

  Note

  As at Tuesday 1 January 2001

  Medical Records
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to allow NHS Direct workers to have access to individual medical records; [144958]

  (2) under what circumstances nurses working for NHS Direct have access to individual medical records; and if he will make a statement. [144959]

  Ms Stuart
  NHS Direct nurses have access to a patient's previous NHS Direct consultations at that site. They do not have access to medical records held by other health service providers.

  By the end of 2001–02, all NHS Direct sites will write NHS Direct patient records to one central database, ensuring that wherever a patient called NHS Direct from, the information given in previous calls can be used to help assess the immediate issue.

  The strategic information objectives for the whole National Health Service were given in the "Information for Health Strategy", which stated that:
  patients can be confident that the NHS professionals caring for them have reliable and rapid access, 24 hours a day, to the relevant personal information necessary to support their care.

  The target for implementing this is March 2005.

  A copy of the "Information for Health Strategy" is available in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of 18 October 2000, 16 November 2000, 13 December 2000 and 9 January on behalf of her constituent, Mrs. Rita Oliver. [145097]

  Mr. Hutton
  A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent 11 January.

  Intermediate Care Services
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received intermediate care services in 1999–2000; how his Department will ensure that the NHS and local councils are able to achieve the target set in the NHS Plan Implementation Programme for the number of people who will receive intermediate care beds in 2001–02; and how this target will be broken down regionally. [145348]

  Mr. Hutton
  Complete and reliable data on the number of people receiving intermediate care services in 1999–2000 are not currently available. Guidance on intermediate care, to be issued shortly, will clarify the definition and data for 1999–2000 will be collected to establish a baseline for monitoring progress towards the targets in the NHS Plan Implementation Programme.

  Further clarification and guidance will be available in the forthcoming intermediate care guidance, planning guidance following the national beds inquiry and the National Service Framework for Older People.

  The Department is currently developing regional targets for intermediate care. Progress towards meeting the targets will be monitored through the regional performance management process.

  Old People's Homes
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the national minimum standards for homes for older people. [145105]

  Mr. Hutton
  We plan to publish the finalised national minimum standards for care homes for older people, shortly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what BSE testing he proposes to undertake in the United Kingdom during 2001. [145831]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Following the reports of an increase in the number of cases of BSE in some other European countries, the European Union has asked member states to carry out a survey for the disease. Starting on 15 January, the brains of at least 6,500 cattle over 30 months old which die on farm or in transit, or which are killed on farm but are not eligible for the over-thirty-months scheme, which will be tested for BSE during 2001 in Great Britain.

  This is in addition to the testing carried out when clinical symptoms indicate the disease may be present in specific animals.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions apply to the publication of official scientific advice on BSE risks. [144392]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: No restrictions apply.

  Hydrolysis
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the United States Department of Agriculture and with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs about the alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperature technology for the disposal of infected cattle carcases; and what conclusions he has drawn about its use in England. [143318]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: No Minister has had any such discussions. However, officials are discussing, with the company which produces it, the possibility of permitting the use of this technology in England.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what scientific reasons regulations governing animal waste by-products do not include the hydrolosis process as an approved method. [143319]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 December 2000]: The EC Animal Waste Directive, 90/667/EEC, which is implemented in Great Britain by the Animal By-Products Order 1999, sets out the permitted disposal routes for animal by-products. When the Directive was adopted in 1990, the hydrolysis process had not been developed as a disposal route for animal by-products and therefore could not be included. The Directive is under review and the
  58W
  European Commission is seeking the advice of the EU Scientific Steering committee on whether hydrolysis should be a permitted disposal route in future.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to use the members' letterboard for urgent communications with hon. Members only, and to send all routine correspondence by Royal Mail. [144448]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Officials in my Department are currently reviewing arrangements for the delivery of correspondence to hon. Members and have discussed this issue recently with colleagues at the Palace of Westminster.

  Badgers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to protect badgers in areas where tuberculosis is increasing(a) in the West Country and (b) nationally. [143951]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Badgers are a protected species under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The Government have a strategy in place to tackle bovine tuberculosis which includes the regular testing of cattle herds and extensive research (including the Krebs' trial) into the disease both in cattle and in wildlife, including badgers, as well as the development of TB vaccines. The Government's objective is to identify a sustainable policy to control bovine tuberculosis, based on sound science, which will allow healthy cattle and wildlife to co-exist successfully in the future.

  Beef (Fraud)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to his counterparts in EU member states on the prevention of fraud in relation to the import of over-30-month beef into the UK. [144325]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: This is a matter for the Foods Standards Agency.

  South Africa (Foot and Mouth Disease)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions the Government have taken in respect of meat and livestock products imported from South Africa following the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease there. [144261]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Following notification from the European Commission of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in South Africa, the Government have acted to prohibit the importation of fresh meat from South Africa. All UK Border Inspection Posts, where imports of animal products from third countries must be checked before entering the UK, have been alerted. The European Commission have also informed us that South Africa has put in place a prohibition on exports of fresh meat to the EU.

  Meat products and other products of animal origin derived from fresh meat of South African origin are also prohibited as Community import rules require the meat to come from countries or regions free of foot and mouth

  59W
  disease for a period of 12 months. There are currently no South African establishments approved to export dairy products into the UK. Any FMD susceptible products of animal origin which fall outside of the scope of European legislation would have to comply with UK national requirements which include safeguards against the introduction of FMD.

  Commission Decision 2000/623/EC prohibits the import of livestock from South Africa with the exception of horses.

  Shellfish
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on shellfish fisheries in the United Kingdom. [144260]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary announced on 10 January an industry-wide consultation on a licensing scheme to control shellfish activity. The proposal was developed within the UK Fisheries Conservation Group comprising members of the fishing industry, scientists and representatives of Fisheries Departments. I hope the wider industry will support this initiative so that appropriate controls can be introduced as soon as possible to conserve crab, lobster and crawfish throughout the UK.

  Swine Fever
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what commitment he gave to visit personally a pig farm placed under swine fever restrictions before the end of the summer recess. [144376]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I visited a pig farm affected by classical swine fever restrictions on 15 November 2000.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans the Government have to make emergency loans available to pig farmers affected by swine fever restrictions. [144391]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: None.

  Hydro-power Schemes
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the advice his Department has issued on how the introduction of hydropower schemes can assist flood prevention. [144867]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: No such advice has been issued by the Government. Relevant extracts from the Environment Agency's internal guidance in their Development Control Manual are as follows:

  6.3.13—Hydropower
  In support of the Government's policy to enhance the use of renewable energy sources the Agency aims to co-operate with developers over the use of weirs for electricity generation.
  The construction, operation or alteration of impoundments should not however be permitted to adversely affect upstream or downstream water levels. Nor should there be impediment to field
  60W
  drainage, and channel velocities should not be permitted to adversely affect channel stability. In many cases these concerns can be overcome by appropriate design.
  Some hydropower proposals utilise existing "mill type" buildings to house generating and switching equipment and may not therefore create new problems. However, sites requiring new buildings and structures in the floodplain are more difficult to accommodate. The Agency must be satisfied that the scale and location of such buildings and structures create no overall detriment, and that appropriate compensatory works are incorporated into the design.
  19.2.5
  Increasingly, existing weirs are being considered for the possible generation of hydropower. In support of the Government's policy to enhance the use of renewable energy sources the Environment Agency encourages the use of hydropower and aims to co-operate with developers in accordance with its duties, powers and available resources. Nevertheless, the Agency must be satisfied that the design of hydropower schemes will not create or exacerbate land drainage or flood defence problems before granting Land Drainage Consent.
  While there is a policy of generally supporting such schemes, there is a need to ensure that they are compatible with other interests, including environmental considerations and the risks associated with development in the flood plain. Environmental issues are likely to weigh particularly heavily in any proposed large-scale impoundment for hydro-electric generation. There are unlikely to be many circumstances in which such schemes could be managed to provide genuine flood defence benefits and be economically viable. However, novel approaches to flood risk management including this can be considered in the whole river catchment assessment studies that will be conducted using part of the £51 million additional funding recently secured for flood defence.

  Early Retirement
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 9 January 2001,Official Report, column 521W, on early retirements, how many (a) male and (b) female officials have accepted the offers of early retirement, and at what grade in each case. [145272]

  Ms Quin
  Seven(a) four male and (b) three female, all at Senior Civil Service level.

  Sea Wall, Pagham
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what English Nature's policy is regarding the criteria for use of the pumps positioned at the sea wall at Pagham. [144969]

  Mr. Morley
  I understand that English Nature have agreed to the Environment Agency's emergency plans for pumping at Pagham, provided that pumping takes place only when flow diversion is operating around Chichester.

  Flooding, Tewkesbury
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he plans to give to areas which suffered from the recent flooding, with particular reference to the Tewkesbury area; and if he will make a statement. [144918]
  61W
  Mr. Morley
  On 4 November, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced improvements to the Bellwin scheme, including an increase in the rate of payment for eligible expenditure from 85 per cent. to 100 per cent. and a promise to settle all claims within 15 days. The revisions will help local authorities to deal with the immediate requirements. No claim has yet been received from Tewkesbury borough council.

  My right hon. Friend also announced that the Government were making a further £51 million available over the next three years to accelerate river flood defence schemes and allow whole catchment assessment studies to be carried out. This additional funding is on top of the increases in funding for flood and coastal defence announced in 2000 Spending Review. Total expenditure on flood and coastal defence now approached £400 million a year.

  It has been the policy of successive Governments not to pay compensation to householders or businesses for any losses suffered as a result of flooding as this is an insurable risk. I have joined with my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in maintaining close contact with the insurance industry and have urged insurers to give priority to claims arising from the floods. In cases of genuine hardship, help may be available from the social fund. Assistance may also be available from local disaster funds where these have been established.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Modernisation
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Council if she will bring forward proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to consolidate the Vote Bundle and parts 1 and 2 of the Order Book into one gathered document bundle. [145622]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have no immediate plans to make such proposals. I am advised that the current arrangements are generally thought to work well and allow for economies in the House's printing costs. Nonetheless, should my hon. Friend have any particular concerns, he may like to contact the Deliverer of the Vote, who is always prepared to deal sympathetically with individual right hon. and hon. Members about the delivery of papers in the form that best suits them.

SCOTLAND

  Official Publications
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department's spending on official publications was for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01; and what the planned expenditure is for 2001–02. [141446]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: Spending on official publications by The Scottish Office between 1996 and 30 June 1999 was as follows:
  62W

  £

  1996–97

  1733,804

  1997–98

  1,390,895

  1998–99

  1,523,012

  19992

  206,182

  1 Excludes Historic Scotland: details not available

  2 30 June 1999

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Expenditure on official publications during 1999–2000 was £1,145; expenditure in 2000–01 to date is £4.480; and expenditure in 2001–02 is expected to be £6,000.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each new publication issued by his Department since 1997; and what the total cost was to the Department of each publication. [141470]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: A copy of the list of new publications issued by The Scottish Office between 1997 and 30 June 1999 has been placed in the Library.

  High Court of Justiciary
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in relation to the High Court of Justiciary as a criminal court of first instance and of appeal. [142391]

  Dr. Reid
  I have no responsibilities in relation to the High Court of Justiciary. The operation of this Court is devolved. However, under the Scotland Act 1998 the continued existence of the High Court as a criminal court of first instance and of appeal is a reserved matter. That Act also provides that the Lord President of the Court of Session—who is also Lord Justice General of the High Court of Justiciary—and the Lord Justice Clerk are to be appointed by The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, (i) her Department's total spending on advertising campaigns, (ii) the cost of each individual advertising campaign and (iii) the criteria that were established to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of each campaign based on these criteria. [142714]

  Dr. Reid
  Details of advertising campaigns produced by the Scottish Office in the period 1996–30 June 1999 are as follows:

  £

  1996–97

  Pre-School Vouchers

  751,195

  Right to Buy

  227,645

  Severe Weather

  101,718

  Children's Panels

  113,282

  Crime Prevention

  475,793

  Electoral Registration

  63,268

  Fire Prevention

  329,181

  63W

  £

  Food Safety

  629,968

  Organ Donors

  42,677

  Road Safety

  310,090

  3,044,817

  1997–98

  Bogus Callers

  37,000

  Childrens Hearings

  176,250

  Continence Campaign

  2,900

  Daily Record Health Supplements (NHS Green Paper)

  79,700

  Electoral Registration

  70,000

  Fire Prevention

  323,800

  Food Safety

  21,100

  Historic Scotland

  352,000

  Organ Donors

  41,300

  Referendum Reminder

  420,000

  Road Safety

  383,300

  Severe Weather

  46,000

  1,953,350

  1998–99

  Children's Panels

  112,300

  Daily Record Health Supplement (NHS White Paper)

  77,000

  Democratising Scotland

  248,500

  Domestic Violence

  630,700

  Electoral Registration

  41,000

  Fire Prevention

  225,000

  Food Safety

  21,150

  Fostering

  97,400

  Further Education

  70,000

  Historic Scotland

  410,000

  Local Government Commission

  78,000

  Nursing Recruitment

  258,300

  Pharmacy Point of Dispensing

  53,200

  Police Graduate Recruitment

  9,500

  Scottish Parliament Campaign

  1,785,000

  Teacher Recruitment

  4,200

  4,121,250

  1999–2000 (30 June)

  Census Rehearsal

  9,993

  Scotland's Parliament

  548,305

  European Elections

  32,028

  Road Safety (June) Foolspeed

  81,822

  672,148

  Pre and post quantitative and qualitative research were undertaken regularly on campaigns to measure their effectiveness. This demonstrated that most campaigns measured exceeded the targets set. Lessons learned from such research were noted for subsequent campaign planning.

  No advertising campaigns have been produced by the Scotland Office since it was established on 1 July 1999.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from the National Farmers Union of Scotland about agrimonetary compensation. [145088]

  Dr. Reid
  None.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made to Her Majesty's Treasury to ensure that agrimonetary compensation is paid automatically each year. [145089]
  64W
  Dr. Reid
  None. Representations on this matter would be for the agricultural departments.

WALES

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, (i) his Department's total spending on advertising campaigns, (ii) the cost of each individual advertising campaign and (iii) the criteria that were established to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of each campaign based on these criteria. [142721]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department runs no publicity campaigns and hence has spent nothing on advertising since its creation in July 1999. Its predecessor Department—the Welsh Office—spent £1,795,000 in 1996–97, £2,661,000 in 1997–98, and £2,685,000 in 1998–99. All the individual campaigns are evaluated separately taking into account effectiveness and value for money. Details could be given only at disproportionate cost.

  Job Losses (Manufacturing)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly concerning job losses in the manufacturing industry in Wales. [144061]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with the First Secretary, including manufacturing industry in Wales.

  Job losses are always unwelcome. However, the Government continue to work closely with the National Assembly to secure the future of manufacturing industry in Wales. The success of the Government's policies aimed at achieving sustained growth, sound public finances and stable inflation have provided the business sector with a sound platform from which to invest in the long-term future of Wales.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress being made under the New Deal policy in the Greater London area. [143532]

  Ms Jowell
  Across the Greater London area, 32,338 young people have found work helped by the New Deal to date. Additionally, over 10,000 people have found work in London through the New Deal 25 plus programme and other New Deal programmes are assisting additional groups such as older workers, disabled people and lone parents.

  In Tooting, there have been 1,016 starts on New Deal 18–24 since the beginning of New Deal to October 2000. 409 young people have found employment helped by New Deal and 254 have gained valuable work experience and

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  training via the Full Time Education and Training option (169), Voluntary Sector option (45) and Environmental Task Force option (40).

  Employment Policies
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to help unemployed people over the age of 25 to find employment. [143610]

  Ms Jowell
  Tackling unemployment among the 25 plus age group is a key priority for this Government, and we are already making significant inroads: two year plus unemployment among those aged 25 and over is down over 60 per cent. since May 1997.

  From April 2001 we are putting in place an even more intensive range of support for adult unemployed people, which will begin on the first day of registered unemployment and increase in intensity in proportion to the individual's labour market disadvantage. This help includes supported jobsearch, training for people with serious basic skills needs and those lacking soft skills, occupational work based training and work trials with employers. An enhanced New Deal 25 plus will provide high quality intensive help for people unemployed for 18 months or more. In addition, other New Deal programmes continue to address the employment needs of other groups, including lone parents, disabled people, partners of unemployed people and people aged 50 and over.

  ONE
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the ONE pilot initiatives. [143640]

  Ms Jowell
  ONE is a radical new programme helping people of working age achieve their potential and independence. There is an ongoing evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the ONE service pilots against their set objectives. The evaluation comprises quantitative and qualitative research, operational research, a database and cost-benefit analysis. The effectiveness of the pilots will be evaluated primarily by comparing results for participants in the pilot areas with those for similar people in comparable areas.

  The first results from the ONE evaluation were published on 30 November in three reports: "Why Not ONE?", "First Effects of ONE" and "ONE Basic Model Pilot and Control Areas, Analyses from the ONE Evaluation Database Voluntary Phase". All three reports provided findings from the ONE evaluation for the period when the pilots were voluntary. The broad findings from this research indicate support for the ONE service and a positive experience of claiming by those who chose to participate. There is also evidence that early intervention is changing attitudes, and providing help to also look for work as either a short or longer-term option. The reports are available at www.dss.gov.uk/asd/asd5/ (for the first two) and www.dss.gov.uk/asd/online.html for the third. They are also available in the House of Commons Library.

  Further results will be published throughout the evaluation, with the next findings on the medium term labour market effects (nine months after joining ONE) due in autumn 2001. Quantitative information on the
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  immediate labour market effects of the compulsory phase should also be available in autumn 2001, and for medium term effects from winter 2002. Information from the qualitative research for both pilots should be available earlier.

  Sustainability Funding
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out(a) the number and value of bids which he received from the most recent round of sustainability funding for pre-schools, and the number and value of successful bids and (b) the criteria by which successful bids were chosen. [143775]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: The sustainability scheme, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in May, made available £250,000 for projects that would support voluntary pre-schools and playgroups, which are developing new approaches which enhance their longer-term sustainability. This scheme is in addition to the current scheme of small grants to pre-schools and playgroups facing financial difficulties, for which a further £500,000 has been made available this year.

  Proposals for project funding were invited from Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships, working with local pre-schools and playgroups. Results were announced on 12 December.

  A total of 109 proposals were received, from 83 Partnership areas, to the value of £1,730,751. Seventeen proposals were successful, to a value of £250,218.

  We assessed all proposals carefully, taking into account a range of factors, including the number of pre-schools or playgroups likely to benefit from the scheme, involvement and commitment of other partners, exit strategies, and replicability. We also sought the views of representatives of the playgroup organisations.

  Over the last three years we have made available a total of £1.75 million for grants to voluntary pre-schools and playgroups facing financial difficulties, to give them breathing space to consider their longer-term plans as funding benefits work through to individual groups. In the first two years of the scheme, grants were made to 1,500 pre-schools and playgroups.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend the Sure Start programme in Leicestershire; and if he will make a statement. [144009]

  Yvette Cooper
  Our investment in Sure Start is set to more than double. By 2003–04, there will be 500 local Sure Start programmes, which will reach one third of all children aged under four living in poverty. The main criteria used in selecting districts for Sure Start are levels of disadvantage and poverty, though we also ensure a mix of rural, urban, semi-urban and coastal areas and a good spread across the country. As the programme develops, we shall examine ways in which Sure Start can reach disadvantaged young children living in small pockets of deprivation in otherwise affluent areas, and in rural areas. The areas invited to develop programmes will be announced in due course.

  Vocational Courses
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to encourage stronger links between schools and further education colleges in order to widen opportunities for 14 to 16-year-olds to take up vocational courses; and if he will make a statement. [144039]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The Government are committed to creating high-quality vocational opportunities for all 14 to 16-year-olds who would benefit. Vocational qualifications including the Part One GNVQ can be taken alongside the National Curriculum at Key Stage 4, and where a pupil would benefit from extended work-related learning, disapplication from some subjects of the National Curriculum is available. The Government strongly support partnerships between schools and local further education colleges as these links can offer an efficient and effective means of providing these learning opportunities. We are supporting these measures through the Standards Fund and through direct funding of local projects. In addition, the launch of the vocational GCSEs in September 2002 will boost links, as many colleges will be in a good position to offer the new qualifications to pupils in schools.

  Education Funding Councils
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the budgeted running costs and staff numbers are for 2000–01 for the regional offices of(a) the Further Education Funding Council and (b) the Higher Education Funding Council. [144152]

  Mr. Wicks
  The table shows the FEFC's allocation of running costs for the financial year 2000–01 to its regional offices. The table also includes full-time equivalent (FTE) staff numbers.

  Region

  FEFC (£)

  Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff numbers for 2000–01

  East Midlands

  427,901

  19.0

  Eastern

  514,326

  17.5

  Greater London

  966,151

  24.5

  North East

  394,360

  18.0

  North West

  615,786

  24.0

  South East

  672,416

  21.0

  South West

  709,070

  21.5

  West Midlands

  449,904

  18.0

  Yorkshire and Humber

  627,228

  19.1

  Total

  5,377,142

  183

  The total running costs for the FEFC in 2000–01, including the figures in the table, are £26,673,000, for 511 FTE staff numbers.

  For HEFCE the total running cost budget for 2000–01 is £12,385,115.

  Staff numbers for 2000–01 are 205 FTEs. There are no regional offices.
  68W
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the budgeted expenditure is for 2000–01 by region of the(a) Further Education Funding Council and (b) Higher Education Funding Council. [144156]

  Mr. Wicks
  For the financial year 2000–01, the regional breakdown of the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) allocation decision is shown in the table.

  £

  Region

  FEFC

  East Midlands

  262,453,914

  Eastern

  286,105,195

  Greater London

  573,839,388

  North East

  193,300,316

  North West

  509,688,872

  South East

  476,172,155

  South West

  313,760,583

  West Midlands

  423,451,149

  Yorkshire and Humber

  337,925,586

  Total

  3,376,697,158

  The HEFCE regional breakdown is shown in the table.

  £

  Region

  HEFCE

  East Midlands

  295,143,442

  Eastern

  295,626,898

  Greater London

  945,187,696

  North East

  214,462,773

  North West

  492,719,454

  South East

  524,828,267

  South West

  287,675,205

  West Midlands

  338,886,133

  Yorkshire and Humber

  435,385,450

  Open University

  126,684,372

  Total

  3,957,599,960

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of funding for the Higher Education Funding Council allocations to each university were in respect of research support in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) estimated for 2001–02; and what such allocations were expressed as a sum per student. [145253]

  Mr. Wicks
  Information on research funding and student numbers by institution is published by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) in their Annual reports. The reports for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000, which show student numbers during these years and funding allocations for the following academic year, can be obtained from the Library.

  Information for 2001–02 is not yet available. Provisional information about funding allocations at national level is expected to be published by HEFCE in March.

  Sheltered Employment
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has had with interested parties about the implications of the new
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  Workstep programme for the economic viability and maintenance of employment in sheltered employment factories. [144265]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The design of the Workstep programme involved extensive consultation with a full range of interested parties. This included gathering the views of disabled people themselves through a public consultation exercise and also meetings with Supported Employment providers, Trade Unions and other interested parties.

  Supported factories and businesses have and will continue to play an important role, both in supporting disabled people to progress into mainstream work and in providing longer-term support for people who face the greatest barriers to working.

  New Deal for Young People (Wansbeck)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people aged 18 to 24 in Wansbeck have found employment as a result of the New Deal programme. [144288]

  Ms Jowell
  Latest figures show that to the end of October 2000, at least 644 young people in the Wansbeck constituency have found employment helped by the New Deal programme. There may be other young people in the area who left the programme for employment without telling the Employment Service. These are not included in the figure.

  New Deal for 50-plus (Wansbeck)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in Wansbeck have benefited from the introduction of the New Deal for 50 plus. [144290]

  Ms Jowell
  Since the introduction of New Deal 50 plus in April 2000, to the end of November 2000, 108 people have entered work with the help of New Deal 50 plus in the Northumberland district, which includes Wansbeck. It is not possible at this stage to provide figures at constituency level.

  Basic Skills Policy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many times the Ministerial Committee on the Co-ordination of Basic Skills Policy has met to date; and if he will make a statement. [144719]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The Ministerial Group on Adult Basic Skills first met in November 2000. It is due to meet again at the end of this month. This group has a key role in addressing adult basic skills across Government and ensures a co-ordinated approach in helping adults with weak literacy and numeracy to improve their skills. My right hon. Friend issued a statement on the Government's basic skills proposals on 5 December.

  Performance-related Pay
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage the adoption of performance-related pay in higher education institutions. [144720]
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  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The Secretary of State has announced an additional £50 million in 2001–02, rising to £110 million in 2002–03 and £170 million in 2003–04, to help higher education institutions recruit and retain the staff they need to improve further the quality of teaching, learning and research. In return, the Secretary of State will be looking for evidence of improvements in human resource development and staff management. The Higher Education Funding Council for England is consulting on the human resource strategies which will underpin the allocation of funds, including how institutions will review the performance of staff and reward it appropriately.

  NTOtele.com
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's consultation into the responsibilities undertaken by NTOtele.com before going into receivership. [144864]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: NTOtele.com has been operating in Administration since 3 November 2000. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to seek the views of the industry on the future arrangements for National Training Organisation (NTO) coverage in the sector.

  The consultation was launched on 5 January 2001 with a closing date of 30 March 2001. The exercise is being conducted in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations.

  National Training Organisations
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when he plans to name the national training organisations that have received NTO re-recognition; [144865]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress made in the re-recognition of national training organisations. [144866]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: On 17 October, I announced plans for consultation on ways of creating a smaller and stronger NTO network. In the light of the consultation exercise that will run from 15 January to 12 April 2001, it is no longer appropriate to continue with the planned re-recognition of NTOs against the original criteria.

  Those NTOs who have prepared re-recognition applications have been offered the opportunity to present their evidence to the independent NTO Advisory Group and receive an informal feedback on areas for development.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the response to the Holocaust Memorial Day education resource pack has been; if every school has received a pack; what his assessment is of how successful the pack has been in promoting activities on Holocaust Memorial Day for schools; and if he will make a statement. [144895]
  71W
  Jacqui Smith
  The Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Education Pack was launched on 9 November as part of the build up to the Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. The pack has been produced by an education working group of experts from non-government organisations, including the Holocaust Educational Trust who, on behalf of the working group, are making the pack available to all schools. So far, almost 30,000 copies have been distributed to schools, community groups, local authorities and others.

  The education working group will be carrying out an evaluation of the pack in the spring and will use the results to inform the development of resources to support the ongoing commemoration of HMD.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those learning and skills councils which have members drawn from the ethnic minority communities. [145005]

  Mr. Wicks
  Ethnic minority communities are well represented in the initial appointments to the local Learning and Skills Councils. Of the 47 local Councils, 26 have members drawn from ethnic minority communities and in total there are 45 ethnic minority members of local Councils. This is about 7 per cent. of the total number of Council members and is broadly in line with the proportion of people from ethnic minorities in the national working population. The 26 areas where such members have already been appointed are:

  Tyne and Wear

  Derbyshire

  Leicestershire

  South Yorkshire

  North Yorkshire

  Humberside

  Birmingham and Solihull

  The Black Country

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  Staffordshire

  Lancashire

  Greater Manchester

  Greater Merseyside

  Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole

  The West of England

  Bedfordshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Hertfordshire

  Suffolk

  Berkshire

  Sussex

  London Central

  London North

  London West

  London South

  London East.

  The Learning and Skills Council will actively seek to appoint further members from an ethnic minority background to the local Councils that do not currently have such members, where those Councils serve areas
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  with a significant ethnic minority population. In a number of areas, vacancies have been left to enable early targeted recruitment of people from ethnic minority communities.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) under what circumstances someone claiming Jobseeker's Allowance can sign on by post; [145127]

  (2) what measures are in place to assist those living in rural areas with essential travel costs on public transport; what plans he has further to assist those living in rural areas with travel costs incurred by travelling to local jobcentres to apply for benefits; and if he will make a statement. [145137]

  Ms Jowell
  People claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) make written declarations each fortnight in support of their claim. The majority attend the Jobcentre to do so, but some jobseekers can send their declarations by post instead. This applies if their door-to-door travelling time to the Jobcentre by local bus would be more than an hour in either direction, or if the bus service would cause them to be away from home for more than four hours in total, or if they have a disability which impairs their mobility. They therefore do not incur travel costs in claiming JSA.

  Jobseekers who are required to make their declarations at the Jobcentre may incur some travel costs whether or not they live in a rural area. These costs are not refunded, and there are no plans to change this.

  London Borough of Wandsworth
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding he has given to the London borough of Wandsworth in each of the last three years. [145157]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I sent him on 18 December 2000.

  Standards Fund (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in Newcastle upon Tyne that will receive extra resources because they are below the target of 25 per cent. A to C grade GCSEs; how much each will receive; and where in the ranking of the eligible schools each eligible school in Newcastle appears [145249]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  All secondary schools in Newcastle benefit from additional targeted funding through the Excellence in Cities initiative. The four with 25 per cent. or fewer pupils gaining with five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C in summer 2000 will receive further support. West Denton High will receive £70,000 in 2001–02 from the new element of the School Improvement Grant targeted on low attaining schools, the rate for such schools in special measures. Walker Technology College and West Gate Community College will each receive £20,000, the standard rate for schools in Excellence in Cities areas. Firfield benefits from a separate Fresh Start grant, of £250,000 in 2000–01, and will receive notification by March of further grant in 2001–02. We have not produced a ranking of eligible schools.
  73W
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money was available to the City of Newcastle upon Tyne under the Standards Fund for each year of the Fund; how much was spent; and what was the total amount available under the Fund for 2001–02. [145250]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table shows how much supported expenditure was available to Newcastle upon Tyne for each year from 1997–98 and how much was spent up to 1999–2000. Figures on expenditure for 2000–01 are not yet available. Final allocations for 2001–02 have not yet been made. The figures include all grants paid through the Standards Fund payment system, excluding New Deal for Schools capital, which is not part of the Standards Fund programme. All figures include both Government and local authority contributions.

  Standards fund allocations and expenditure for Newcastle upon Tyne

  £

  Allocations

  Expenditure

  1997–98

  2,594,095

  2,464,546

  1998–99

  5,148,626

  5,025,456

  1999–2000

  6,585,062

  16,527,165

  2000–01

  13,492,656

  Not available

  1 Subject to final audit

  Children and Young People's Unit
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the staff complement is of the Children and Young People's Unit located in his Department; from which Government Departments and in what numbers his staff has been drawn; what is the(a) total estimated annual cost to each Department and(b) overall estimated annual cost of the unit; and what arrangements are in place to secure co-ordination with the work of Departments with responsibilities for the unit. [145397]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Children and Young People's Unit has a total of 26 staff at present. Twelve are from the Department for Education and Employment; four from the Department of Health; two from the Home Office; two from the Employment Service; one from the Treasury; and one from the Department of Social Security. A further four members of staff are new to the civil service, and include two from the voluntary sector. Althea Efunshile, currently the Executive Director for Education and Culture with the London borough of Lewisham, will take up post as Head of Unit later this month. Funding for the Unit is drawn from the £450 million allocation for the Children's Fund and not from individual Departments. The Unit is still at an early stage of its development and it is not yet possible to confirm its annual costs.

  The Unit has an inter-departmental steering group which helps ensure effective co-ordination between officials. As my answers to the other questions the hon. Member poses make clear, the new Ministerial Committee on Children and Young People's Services is the guarantor of co-ordination across Government.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the time 74W
  of the Minister of State, Home Office, the right hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), is devoted to the work of the Children and Young People's Unit within his Department; and on whose departmental vote the support costs are carried. [145398]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not possible to quantify the proportion of time that I devote to my role as Minister for Young People. However, the remit given to me by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is one of my key priorities.

  The Children and Young People's Unit has its own Request for Resources within the Department for Education and Employment's Estimate. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment's answer on 31 October 2000, Official Report, column 369W, sets out in some detail the accounting arrangements.

  Youth Policies
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on co-ordination of the activities of the Connexions Unit, the Children and Young People's Unit and the Youth Service Unit. [145399]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government recognise that it is vital to ensure their policies affecting children and young people are co-ordinated and coherent. The Cabinet Ministerial Committee on Children and Young People's Services co-ordinates work across Government on services for children and young people aged 0–19. This work includes that of the Children and Young People's Unit and of the Connexions Service National Unit, which now embraces the Youth Service Unit.

  The Children and Young People's Unit supports the Cabinet Committee in its co-ordination role and also manages the Children's Fund, which will help to improve services for vulnerable young people. As Minister of State for Young People, I have day-to-day responsibility for the Children and Young People's Unit and its activities. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for Lifelong Learning is the Minister responsible for the Connexions Service, a universal service for all 13 to 19-year-olds, and on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment chairs an Inter-departmental Connexions Ministerial Group.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the work of inter-ministerial and Cabinet Committees in co-ordinating youth policies. [145400]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Cabinet Ministerial Committee on Children and Young People's Services is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment as its vice-chair. Its remit to co-ordinate policies to prevent poverty and under-achievement among children and young people, co-ordinate and monitor the effectiveness of delivery and work with the voluntary sector to build a new alliance for children. I chair an inter-departmental ministerial sub-committee which supports the Cabinet Committee.

CABINET OFFICE

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how the work of the Social Exclusion Unit is incorporated into her initiatives on drug abuse. [145191]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government's anti-drugs strategy fully acknowledges the close link between problems associated with drug abuse and other social problems, and the work of the SEU helps to inform the ways in which the various strands of the drugs' strategy are delivered on the ground. Drug misuse is one of a combination of linked problems that can lead to social exclusion. It has been a recurrent theme in reports produced so far by the Social Exclusion Unit, in particular the reports on rough sleepers, poor neighbourhoods and opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training.

  As examples of joined up government in action, the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit is working closely with the Rough Sleepers Unit to tackle the multiple problems facing the homeless. A study of young homeless people will shortly be commissioned under the Government's drugs research programme focusing on vulnerable groups.

  Also, the Department for Education and Employment is implementing the action plan set out in the Unit's "Bridging the Gap" report. All young people between the ages of 13 to 19 will have access to a Connexions Personal Adviser to provide advice, guidance and support to help them overcome barriers to effective participation in learning and society more generally. Personal Advisers will be trained in recognising the symptoms of drug misuse, making referrals and brokering access to appropriate drugs projects and agencies.

  Buying Agency/Civil Estate
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has for(a) the Buying Agency and (b) property advisers to the Civil Estate. [145190]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Presili Pembrokeshire (Mrs. Lawrence) on 19 December 2000, Official Report, columns 162–63W.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Services Commission
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost was of the publication by the Legal Services Commission of a document listing lawyers in the Welsh language; and for what reason it was circulated to every hon. Member. [144845]

  Mr. Lock
  The cost of the translation, print and distribution of approximately 2,100 copies of the Welsh version of the Community Legal Service Directory was £33,700.
  76W
  This document was circulated to organisations including advice agencies, solicitors, libraries, courts, hon. Members and other information points to ensure that Welsh speakers accessing service have the opportunity of obtaining information in Welsh.

  This document was only circulated to hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies but a keyboard error resulted in the hon. Member for Gosport receiving a Welsh directory instead of one for the Southern region. The Legal Services Commission has assured me that this error will not occur again.

  Cross-sectoral Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the local, sub-regional and regional partnerships, boards of zones and other cross-sectoral bodies supported by his Department; how many of each there are; and with which funding streams they are associated. [144438]

  Mr. Lock
  This information is not held centrally. In delivering its objectives, the Lord Chancellor's Department works in partnership with a range of organisations both formally and informally. For example, there are 153 Community Legal Service Partnerships (CLSPs) in England and Wales. The Legal Services Commission is a key member on each of the CLSPs and it takes account of the CLSP strategic plan when determining its local expenditure from the CLS Fund. The CLSPs provide the forum for the LSC to co-ordinate its local expenditure with other funders of local legal services, such as local authorities, the National Lottery Charities Board, and charitable trusts. There are also 12 Regional Legal Service Committees (RLSC). The RLSCs are responsible for advising the LSC on its expenditure from the CLS Fund.

  The Lord Chancellor's Department also contributes to the secretariat support for a number of other committees in the criminal justice system, both at a national and local level. Some examples include the Criminal Justice Consultative Council, the Area Criminal Justice Strategy Committees and national Trials Issues Group which comprise senior representatives of the various criminal justice agencies and services.

  There is a network of Family Court Business Committees and Family Court Fora across the country which monitor the operation of the Children Act. There is one Family Court Business Committee for each care centre in the country (48). The same arrangements apply for Fora but these have been merged with Family Court Business Committees in some areas. These are not funded centrally but the Court Service pays for the administration.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the projects undertaken for his Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144081]

  Mr. Lock
  Total expenditure on projects by consultants for the Lord Chancellor's Department from May 1997 to March 2000 was £2,444,651. The total costs incurred on
  77W
  projects carried out by independent academic researchers from May 1997 to December 2000 was £126,595 and by university departments was £3,560,683. These projects are listed below.

  Projects where external consultants contracted—1 April 1997 to 31 March 2000

  Benchmark costs for civil cases

  Community Legal Service website supply/operation

  Conduct disability access audits and produce a template

  Co-ordination of Computerisation in the Criminal Justice System

  Cost and Performance in the Trial Process

  Court Service Compliance

  Design job holder and manager training—new appraisal system

  Design of leadership development programme

  Develop a business case for JUROR project

  Developing Resource Accounting and Budgeting

  Developing systems for MIDAS/Magistrates Courts Grant Spreadsheet

  Development of a website for Magistrates Court Service Inspectorate

  Development of a corporate approach—Magistrates Courts Committees

  Devise a system to streamline Magistrates Courts Grants payments

  Draft framework for Implementation of EDM/ER

  Feasibility study on CASEMAN extension

  Function point analysis for Information Services Division

  GAP analysis

  Human Rights Act Implementation in Magistrates Courts

  Immigration Appellate Authority—expansion project

  Implementation of the Court Service Change Programme

  Information Technology strategy for the civil justice system

  Investigation into re-housing the Public Trust Office

  IT projects on transforming the Crown Court Initiative

  IT Security for the LIBRA project

  Literature review on the economics of marriage UK/USA

  OASIS—Purchase and implementation of network

  Output based specification for the provision of a Management Information Service

  Personnel Officer function review

  Pilot of 360 degree feedback appraisal system

  Plea and Directions Hearings Evaluation

  Refurbishment of Millbank Tower for LCD use

  Research to assess profitability of Conditional Fee Arrangements

  Research for ACLEC for Immigration Asylum systems in other jurisdictions

  Research for ACLEC on Conditional Fees

  Research on Ancillary Relief Pilot Project

  Research on County court inquiries

  Research on Cross-jurisdictional issues in case management

  Research: comparison of Bar income with other publicly funded professionals

  Review of 1st year SLA operating effectives

  Review of Personnel Operations

  Review on efficiency of court amalgamation

  Staff Opinion Survey

  Statute Law Database investigations

  Study of services to Litigants in Person at Citizens Advice Bureau in the Royal Courts of Justice

  Use of non legally qualified claims assessors and employment advisers

  Western Circuit Audit

  78W

  Year 2000 data change—review of business impact

  Year 2000 database compliance/upgrades

  Year 2000 programme review

  Projects where independent academics contracted—1 May 1997 to 31 December 2000

  Community Legal Service: Developing joined-up solutions

  Contracting for civil litigation: modelling volumes, access and regional distributions for certified non-matrimonial civil legal aid

  IT Strategy for the Civil Justice System

  Review of the Law Relating to Profits from Crime

  Review Papers on Marriage—causes, and ways of preventing marital breakdown

  The Division of Marital Assets Following Divorce With Particular Reference to Pensions

  Projects where Universities contracted—1 May 1997 to 31 December 2000

  A Training Needs Analysis for all those Sitting on Tribunals

  ADR in the Court of Appeal

  Alternative Dispute Resolution in Commercial Cases

  Ancillary Relief Pilot Study

  Applicability to other tribunals and court jurisdictions of principals/practice in the London Parking Appeals Service

  Case Management and Listing Research

  Civil Justice Audit

  Civil legal aid for children

  Community Legal Service: Pioneer Community Legal Service Partnerships

  Contracting For Legal Services With Different Cost Rules

  Costing Fast Track Procedures Through Hypothetical Case Studies

  County court baseline data

  Criminal Justice Reform and the Organisation of Criminal Defence Services

  Economic Impact of Law on Ancillary Relief

  Economic Impact of the Quality of Legal Machinery

  Empirical Analysis of Standard Fees in Magistrates Courts

  Enforcement Review

  Factors affecting the decision to apply for Silk/Judicial Office

  Fast Track Simulation Pilot

  Government Policies and Lawyers' Roles

  Identifying Thresholds—Arrangements for contact in domestic violence and child welfare concerns

  Impact of Conditional Fees on Personal Injury Cases

  Impact of legal aid on litigants behaviour: an empirical analysis

  Impact on Courts and the Administration of Justice of the Human Rights Act 1998

  Information Meetings and associated Provisions with the Family Law Act 1996

  Judicial Appointments in Continental Europe

  Monitoring the Rise in the Small Claims Limit—2000

  New public management and the administration of justice in the magistrates court

  Professionalising Lay Justice: Effective Clerking in Family Proceedings

  Race and the Courts—Ethnic Awareness in Public Family Law Cases

  Race and the Courts—Perceptions of Unfairness and Lack of Trust

  Race and the Courts—Possession Cases

  Regional study of local authority and court processes in homelessness cases

  Regulating Legal Services

  Research for Legal Services Consultative Panel

  79W

  Review of Bailiff Law

  Use of Judicial Appointments Commissions: A Review of the US and Canadian Models.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British citizens who have retired and taken up residence overseas are in receipt of pensions which are(a) frozen and (b) uprated annually. [145179]

  Mr. Rooker
  State Retirement Pensions are paid to those who have satisfied the contribution conditions, not just UK nationals. There are 460,100 pensioners living abroad in receipt of a UK State Retirement Pension at a frozen rate and 378,900 who receive a State Retirement Pension which is uprated annually.

  Note:

  The figures quoted are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Source:

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

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his estimate is of the cost of abolishing the regulations governing the freezing of state pensions for British citizens who have retired and taken up residence overseas. [145178]

  Mr. Rooker
  The estimated cost is £300 million per annum.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has taken to advertise the winter fuel payments for men aged 60 to 64 years from 1997 to 2000 which are unclaimed. [145123]

  Mr. Rooker
  An information campaign has been running since last April. It included national and regional press advertisements, a telephone helpline, leaflets, posters and the internet. Information has been made widely available, including in doctor's surgeries, citizens advice bureaux, post offices and local Social Security offices. It aims to ensure existing and potential customers are aware of the changes and what action, if any, is required of them.

  In May last year we also wrote to around 1.2 million people identified by the Department as being newly eligible for the payments, inviting them to claim.

  It is up to the individual to choose whether to claim, however, there is no time limit for claiming Winter Fuel Payments for past winters, 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000, and we are still receiving and processing claims.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total of the unclaimed winter fuel allowance; and how many men aged between 60 and 64 years have not claimed the allowance in Scotland. [145122]

  Mr. Rooker
  In Scotland, around 50,000 men aged 60–64 have made a claim for this winter.
  80W
  The information campaign, which has been running since April, has aimed to ensure that existing and potential customers know about the changes to the scheme and what to do to get a payment, however it is up to the individual to choose whether to make a claim.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Winter Fuel Payments have been sent to people who are ineligible for the benefit in each year since 1997; and what action has been taken to re-claim these incorrect payments. [142407]

  Mr. Rooker
  During the first winter the scheme was in operation, when Winter Fuel Payments were benefit related (1997–98), under 1 per cent. (9,357) of the total number entitled were issued with a payment when they were not eligible.

  The merits of whether or not to pursue payment recovery were considered and decided on a case-by-case basis. No further information is available.

  Pensioners (Incomes)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) single pensioners, (b) pensioner couples and (c) all pensioner households were dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income in the latest year for which figures are available. [145115]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Proportion of pensioners dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income, 1998–99

  Percentage

  Single pensioners

  60

  Pensioner couples

  35

  All pensioners

  50

  Notes:

  1.Income is defined as gross (pre-tax) income.

  2.Pensioners are defined as single people over State Pension age and couples (married or co-habiting) where the man is over State Pension age.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1998–99

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the(a) mean and (b) median income of (i) single men aged 65 to 74 years, (ii) single men aged 75 years and over, (iii) single women aged 65 to 74 years, (iv) single women aged 75 years and over, (v) pensioner couples aged 65 to 74 years and (vi) pensioner couples aged 75 years and over, for the latest year for which figures are available. [145117]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Average net income of pensioners, 1998–99

  £

  Mean

  Median

  Single men

  Aged 65 to 74 years

  167

  130

  Aged 75 years and over

  145

  120

  Single women

  Aged 65 to 74 years

  144

  116

  Aged 75 years and over

  129

  115

  81W

  Average net income of pensioners, 1998–99

  £

  Mean

  Median

  Pensioner couples

  Aged 65 to 74 years

  288

  227

  Aged 75 years and over

  238

  188

  Notes:

  1. Income is defined as net income before housing costs.

  2. The amounts of income are in £s per week at July 1998 prices and are rounded to the nearest £1.

  3. Pensioner couples are defined as married or co-habiting couples.

  4. Pensioner couples are allocated to age categories based on the age of the man.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1998–99.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the value was of the basic state pension for(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples, for each year between November 1979 and April 2001; and what it would have been had it been uprated each year in line with the higher of average earnings or prices. [145116]

  Mr. Rooker
  The figures are in the tables.

  Our priorities are first, to improve the incomes of the poorest pensioners and second to help those with modest pensions or savings.

  As a result of our measures, this year around 2 million of the poorest pensioner households will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms and pensioner households will on average be £580 a year (£11 a week) better off. This year we will be spending £4.5 billion extra in real terms on alleviating pensioner poverty rising to over £5 billion a year from 2002–03— £3 billion more a year than if basic state pension had been linked to earnings since April 1998. This means that 49 out of every 50 pensioner households will experience more improvement as a result of our measures since 1998 than with an earnings-linked basic pension.

  Single pensioners

  Uprating date

  Basic state pension

  Amount if up-rated by higher of RPI/earnings

  November 1979

  23.30

  23.30

  November 1980

  27.15

  27.60

  November 1981

  29.60

  30.90

  November 1982

  32.85

  33.50

  November 1983

  34.05

  36.40

  November 1984

  35.80

  38.25

  November 1985

  38.30

  41.60

  July 1986

  38.70

  43.45

  April 1987

  39.50

  45.90

  April 1988

  41.15

  49.50

  April 1989

  43.60

  53.85

  April 1990

  46.90

  59.05

  April 1991

  52.00

  65.50

  April 1992

  54.15

  70.50

  April 1993

  56.10

  73.90

  April 1994

  57.60

  76.25

  April 1995

  58.85

  78.85

  April 1996

  61.15

  81.95

  April 1997

  62.45

  85.40

  April 1998

  64.70

  88.90

  April 1999

  66.75

  93.25

  April 2000

  67.50

  97.45

  April 2001

  72.50

  101.15

  82W

  Pensioner couples

  Uprating date

  Basic state pension

  Amount if up-rated by higher of RPI/earnings

  November 1979

  37.30

  37.30

  November 1980

  43.45

  44.20

  November 1981

  47.35

  49.50

  November 1982

  52.55

  53.65

  November 1983

  54.50

  58.30

  November 1984

  57.30

  61.25

  November 1985

  61.30

  66.60

  July 1986

  61.95

  69.60

  April 1987

  63.25

  73.50

  April 1988

  65.90

  79.25

  April 1989

  69.80

  86.20

  April 1990

  75.10

  94.55

  April 1991

  83.25

  104.85

  April 1992

  86.70

  112.85

  April 1993

  89.80

  118.30

  April 1994

  92.10

  121.95

  April 1995

  94.10

  126.10

  April 1996

  97.75

  131.05

  April 1997

  99.80

  136.55

  April 1998

  103.40

  142.15

  April 1999

  106.70

  149.10

  April 2000

  107.90

  155.80

  April 2001

  115.90

  161.70

  Notes:

  1. Rates are taken from November 1979 as the earnings link was ended in November 1980.

  2. The Retail Prices Index (all items) has been used as published by the Office for National Statistics.

  3. Average Earnings Index Whole Economy (Non Seasonally Adjusted) as published by the Office for National Statistics.

  4. From April 1994 the basic rate of retirement pension has been increased by 50p on a single person and an additional 20p on a pensioner couple to reflect VAT on fuel.

  5. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many retirement pensioners in Great Britain are receiving(a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit. [145111]

  Mr. Rooker
  The number of retirement pensioners in Great Britain who are in receipt of Housing Benefit is 1,527,000. The number of retirement pensioners in Great Britain who are in receipt of Council Tax Benefit is 2,210,000.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 1999.

  Notes:

  1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. Retirement Pensioners are defined as a benefit unit where either the claimant and/or the partner are in receipt of the State Retirement Pension.

  4. There will be an overlap between Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a large percentage of Housing Benefit recipients also receive Council Tax Benefit.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to simplify the information required for pensioners to support claims for the minimum income guarantee. [145107]
  83W
  Mr. Rooker
  We are looking at ways of making the minimum income guarantee claim form more customer friendly and in the process reducing its length.

  As part of our modernisation program we are investing money in reforms that will ensure that pensioners can access the benefit system in ways that suit them including the telephone or the internet. As a first step we have introduced a new Tele-claim service that allows pensioners to obtain claim forms and receive assistance in completing the necessary paperwork without having to leave home. These developments will reduce the complexity of the current system and will encourage pensioners to claim their correct benefit entitlement. We want to make the system simpler, easier to understand and less trouble for pensioners.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further measures he plans to encourage the take-up of the minimum income guarantee by retirement pensioners; and what proposals he has for publicising the changes to be introduced in April. [145106]

  Mr. Rooker
  The take-up campaign is ongoing and there are many more claims in the pipeline. An update on the success of the take up campaign to the end of January should be available by mid-February. In addition, we are undertaking a further mailshot in March aimed at those pensioners who were previously unsuccessful because of income or capital and will ensure that all relevant literature reflects the changes to be introduced in April. We are determined to ensure pensioners receive their entitlements and we are discussing the scope for further take-up initiatives with the Local Government Association and voluntary organisations.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incentives there are for Benefits Agency staff to improve the take-up rate for the minimum income guarantee for pensioners. [145108]

  Mr. Rooker
  The performance measures for staff in the Benefits Agency reflect our aims of providing work for those who can and security for those who cannot work. Taking action to encourage eligible pensioners to claim their entitlement to the Minimum Income Guarantee is an integral part of the work undertaken by Benefits Agency staff.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the level of the Christmas bonus for pensioners will be revised; and if he will make a statement. [145406]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have no plans to revise the level of the Christmas bonus.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency to discuss improvements to the Service; and if he will make a statement. [144887]
  84W
  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets with the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency at regular intervals, usually monthly and the last meeting took place on 11 December 2000. These meetings cover the progress towards the implementation of the Reforms as well as current performance and improvements being made to it.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2000,Official Report, column 467W, on housing benefit fraud, if he will estimate (a) the average payment made to local authorities benefiting from the weekly benefit saving scheme, (b) the average penalty payment made by local authorities under that scheme and (c) the number of local authorities (i) receiving subsidies, (ii) paying penalties and (iii) neither subsidised nor penalised. [145523]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Details of the Weekly Benefit Savings Scheme (WBS) for 1999–2000

  Number of local authorities

  Average payment/penalty for the year 1999/2000 (£)

  Receiving WBS subsidy

  304

  54,652

  Paying penalty

  42

  66,088

  Neither subsidised nor penalised

  63

  —

  Notes:

  1. Four local authorities who have been neither subsidised nor penalised still have claims outstanding.

  2. The figures in this answer relate to the latest information available and so do not correspond to the table placed in the Library in answer to my Written Answer on 8 January 2001, Official Report, column 467W. An updated table has been placed in the Library.

  3. These figures are still subject to final audit.

  Benefit Payment Card Project
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the benefit payment card project. [144837]

  Mr. Rooker
  The benefit payment card project, introduced in October 1996, was cancelled in May 1999. Up to the date of cancellation the Department's expenditure on technology to support the benefit payment card totals approximately £127 million.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  National Asylum Support Service
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of applicants entering the National Asylum Seekers Support Scheme have requested voucher-only support in each month since April. [141643]

  Mrs. Roche
  Of those applicants assessed each month by the National Asylum Support Service the number and proportion for voucher-only support are shown in the table.
  85W

  Month

  Number of voucher only applications1

  Proportion of total NASS applications(Percentage)

  April

  220

  24

  May

  590

  33

  June

  1,000

  42

  July

  570

  28

  August

  860

  28

  September

  790

  25

  October

  1,440

  32

  November

  1,210

  25

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest ten

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how the National Asylum Support Service ensures that other agencies who provide accommodation under the dispersal scheme have suitable expertise to obtain suitable accommodation for disabled asylum seekers; [144420]

  (2) what training has been given to workers at the National Asylum Support Service in order to help them deal with disability and accommodation issues; [144419]

  (3) what expertise in disability issues the National Asylum Support Service has to enable it to assess and provide for the housing needs of asylum seekers. [144417]

  Mrs. Roche
  Staff within the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) have not received formal training in disability issues. They rely on social services departments who have the relevant expertise in this area to provide an assessment of any special needs. Where such needs are identified caseworkers within the NASS will work with the accommodation provided to ensure that they are met.

  Name of establishment

  Location

  Type

  Secure Places Male

  Secure Places Female

  Total Secure Places

  Stamford House

  Hammersmith, London

  Mixed

  16

  10

  26

  Orchard Lodge

  Anerley, London

  Male only

  24

  0

  24

  Leverton

  Brentwood, Essex

  Mixed

  12

  4

  16

  Total

  52

  14

  66

  In addition, the Medway Secure Training Centre provides 44 beds for juveniles serving Detention and Training Orders in the Greater London area (33 male and 11 female places). Increasing places in the London area is a priority for the Youth Justice Board.

  Prison Staff
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison governors were(a) relieved of their duties and (b) demoted in each year since 1995; and what proportion of governors this represented. [144651]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are 124 governing governors in publicly run prisons. Information is only available for the last two years. In the year 1999 two governing governors were moved from post at short notice (1.6 per cent). In 2000, 11 governors were moved from post at short notice (8.8 per cent). Governors are moved for a variety of reasons. These include poor health, early retirement, career moves and poorly performing establishments. On occasions, more than one factor leads to a move. No governing governor was demoted in either year.
  86W
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the National Asylum Support Service intends to monitor the needs of disabled asylum seekers. [144421]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has established a Performance Monitoring Section, which has responsibility for ensuring that the support provided to asylum seekers, including disabled asylum seekers, is satisfactory. If the NASS becomes aware that any aspect of support is not being provided this will be addressed.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the National Asylum Support Service will produce an annual report. [144418]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is one of the Directorates within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). In common with other parts of the IND the activities of the NASS will be covered in the IND Annual Report.

  Juvenile Secure Units
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many secure unit places there are for juvenile(a) boys and (b) girls in the Greater London area. [144579]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1 April 2000, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales have taken over the commissioning and purchasing of secure places for juveniles. They have provided the following information. There are currently three Local Authority Secure Units in the Greater London area as detailed in the table.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers, other than those in senior and principal grade, left through(a) resignations and (b) transfer from each of the London prisons and Feltham YOI in proportion to total officer numbers in each year for each establishment since 1995. [144652]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is provided in the tables. Due to a change in computer system during 1995–96, the information requested is not available before April 1997. The figures given in the tables represent the number of basic grade officers who have resigned or who have transferred from each of the London prisons as a proportion of staff in post.

  Resignations as percentage of staff in post

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–011

  Brixton

  1.0

  0.8

  2.2

  1.5

  Feltham

  2.6

  1.1

  4.6

  1.7

  Latchmere House

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Pentonville

  1.6

  1.8

  2.0

  3.2

  Wandsworth

  1.5

  2.3

  1.4

  0.8

  Wormwood Scrubs

  0.8

  1.8

  2.0

  2.7

  Holloway

  4.2

  4.6

  4.2

  6.6

  Belmarsh

  0.7

  1.8

  2.4

  5.2

  87W

  Transfers as percentage of staff in post

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–011

  Brixton

  8.6

  5.0

  5.5

  4.1

  Feltham

  7.2

  9.9

  18.8

  7.8

  Latchmere House

  10.3

  6.7

  3.2

  0.0

  Pentonville

  7.2

  11.1

  6.5

  2.7

  Wandsworth

  13.9

  5.5

  3.7

  4.9

  Wormwood Scrubs

  10.8

  7.2

  9.5

  5.9

  Holloway

  19.0

  5.9

  5.1

  11.6

  Belmarsh

  12.8

  7.8

  5.9

  3.7

  1 Annualised percentage using data from April 2000 to December 2000.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average level of staff sickness was in each Prison Service establishment in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) the period since 1 April 2000. [144950]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is given in the table and provides the average number of working days lost per member of staff for the periods shown.

  Establishment

  Average level of staff sickness 1999–2000

  Average level of staff sickness April-November 2000

  Acklington

  13.4

  6.4

  Albany

  10.6

  6.7

  Ashwell

  12.4

  6.0

  Askham Grange

  13.7

  6.9

  Aylesbury

  22.5

  14.6

  Bedford

  10.2

  10.1

  Belmarsh

  16.5

  14.1

  Birmingham

  19.2

  16.7

  Blantyre House

  8.2

  6.6

  Blundeston

  15.8

  7.1

  Brinsford

  14.3

  10.1

  Bristol

  15.9

  11.4

  Brixton

  17.8

  17.6

  Brockhill

  11.3

  10.5

  Buckley Hall

  —

  4.1

  Bullingdon

  16.9

  11.2

  Bullwood Hall

  19.5

  13.2

  Camp Hill

  15.2

  7.5

  Canterbury

  10.7

  11.2

  Cardiff

  13.1

  9.3

  Castington1

  23.4

  16.6

  Channings Wood

  9.3

  6.3

  Chelmsford

  14.0

  10.0

  Coldingley

  9.9

  8.1

  Cookham Wood

  13.8

  7.3

  Dartmoor

  12.6

  8.7

  Deerbolt

  12.8

  8.2

  Dorchester

  15.8

  7.7

  Dover

  12.7

  11.3

  Downview

  12.7

  9.4

  Drake Hall

  11.8

  7.0

  Durham

  12.0

  7.7

  East Sutton Park

  10.1

  7.3

  Eastwood Park

  15.7

  8.3

  Elmley

  18.3

  9.8

  Erlestoke

  13.1

  7.9

  Everthorpe

  6.4

  8.1

  Exeter

  17.6

  9.1

  Featherstone

  12.7

  12.3

  Feltham

  16.4

  11.0

  Ford

  11.8

  7.3

  Foston Hall

  15.0

  5.9

  Frankland

  9.7

  7.7

  Full Sutton

  12.0

  8.3

  Garth

  15.5

  11.4

  88W

  Establishment

  Average level of staff sickness 1999–2000

  Average level of staff sickness April-November 2000

  Gartree

  13.5

  6.6

  Glen Parva

  10.7

  6.7

  Gloucester

  15.4

  8.2

  Grendon

  13.7

  7.1

  Guys Marsh

  11.9

  9.0

  Haslar

  13.4

  8.6

  Hatfield

  8.4

  6.2

  Haverigg

  10.4

  6.0

  Hewell Grange

  7.9

  2.6

  Highdown

  12.6

  8.2

  Highpoint

  8.2

  6.2

  Hindley

  11.9

  9.0

  Hollesley Bay

  12.6

  6.7

  Holloway

  27.6

  20.5

  Holme House

  12.8

  9.6

  HQ

  5.7

  4.0

  Hull

  11.2

  7.4

  Huntercombe

  9.7

  11.5

  Kingston

  8.7

  5.2

  Kirkham

  10.7

  10.4

  Kirklevington

  13.4

  3.2

  Lancaster

  11.9

  9.5

  Lancaster Farms

  14.3

  9.7

  Latchmere House

  5.3

  7.8

  Leeds

  12.3

  9.0

  Leicester

  15.4

  12.4

  Lewes

  11.0

  8.2

  Leyhill

  14.1

  7.1

  Lincoln

  10.6

  5.7

  Lindholme

  11.9

  6.2

  Littlehey

  15.0

  13.2

  Liverpool

  13.9

  11.0

  Long Lartin

  11.1

  6.3

  Low Newton

  9.8

  9.7

  Maidstone

  11.2

  9.8

  Manchester

  15.9

  9.1

  Moorland

  9.8

  6.1

  Morton Hall

  15.0

  9.7

  New Hall

  13.5

  10.0

  North Sea Camp

  9.1

  6.5

  Northallerton

  14.2

  9.3

  Norwich

  14.9

  8.9

  Nottingham

  9.1

  6.1

  Onley

  14.8

  10.5

  Parkhurst

  12.1

  7.7

  Pentonville

  18.1

  11.0

  Portland

  10.1

  11.2

  Preston

  13.2

  10.2

  Ranby

  13.2

  8.2

  Reading

  13.7

  12.8

  Risley

  22.8

  11.2

  Rochester

  13.5

  5.2

  Send

  9.8

  4.3

  Shepton Mallet

  8.2

  7.2

  Shrewsbury

  11.4

  8.0

  Stafford

  15.7

  9.6

  Standford Hill

  19.8

  10.4

  Stocken

  9.9

  6.0

  Stoke Heath

  13.8

  10.4

  Styal

  17.8

  11.3

  Sudbury

  6.9

  5.0

  Swaleside

  12.4

  8.1

  Swansea

  19.5

  8.9

  Swinfen Hall

  9.1

  6.4

  The Mount

  11.1

  7.2

  The Verne

  13.4

  7.2

  Thorn Cross

  11.2

  6.5

  Usk/Prescoed

  6.2

  3.4

  Wakefield

  10.2

  8.3

  89W

  Establishment

  Average level of staff sickness 1999–2000

  Average level of staff sickness April-November 2000

  Wandsworth

  18.6

  12.2

  Wayland

  11.6

  7.6

  Wealstun

  11.7

  6.3

  Weare

  14.7

  8.8

  Wellingborough

  14.0

  8.6

  Werrington

  13.4

  10.5

  Wetherby

  10.2

  6.5

  Whatton

  6.2

  9.2

  Whitemoor

  16.7

  11.8

  Winchester

  19.4

  10.7

  Woodhill

  17.0

  10.1

  Wormwood Scrubs

  21.9

  13.0

  Wymott

  12.9

  10.1

  Grand Total

  13.5

  9.1

  1 Castington's sickness is over stated due to technical difficulties, potentially up to four days

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the time spent by prison staff in each Prison Service establishment on training was in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) the period since 1 April 2000. [144949]

  Mr. Boateng
  The average number of days spent by prison staff in each Prison Service establishment on training in 1999–2000 and from April to November 2000 is listed in the table. Private prisons are not required to submit training data. Data from April to November 2000 are annualised and provisional.

  Prison

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Acklington

  7.4

  4.4

  Albany

  8.5

  3.1

  Ashwell

  6.5

  5.5

  Askham Grange

  4.8

  4.6

  Aylesbury

  7.5

  7.2

  Bedford

  6.4

  5.1

  Belmarsh

  7.4

  8.1

  Birminigham

  7.9

  3.3

  Blantyre House

  6.8

  4.5

  Blundeston

  4.8

  5.4

  Brinsford

  10.7

  6.8

  Bristol

  8.1

  4.0

  Brixton

  4.2

  3.8

  Brockhill

  7.8

  5.7

  Bullingdon

  8.4

  14.1

  Bullwood Hall

  8.0

  5.9

  Camp Hill

  5.2

  3.2

  Canterbury

  6.8

  5.9

  Cardiff

  7.9

  6.2

  Castington

  11.9

  13.5

  Channings Wood

  7.9

  7.4

  Chelmsford

  6.9

  5.7

  Coldingly

  7.5

  4.1

  Cookham Wood

  9.1

  7.2

  Dartmoor

  7.6

  6.4

  Deerbolt

  6.2

  6.5

  Dorchester

  9.0

  3.5

  Dover

  7.2

  5.0

  Downview

  14.3

  5.0

  Drake Hall

  7.6

  3.4

  Durham

  9.4

  5.7

  East Sutton Park

  8.9

  8.1

  Eastwood Park

  11.8

  4.1

  Elmley

  5.1

  10.7

  Erlestoke

  10.8

  4.6

  Everthorpe

  6.5

  6.7

  Exeter

  7.1

  7.2

  Featherstone

  4.8

  3.2

  90W

  Prison

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Feltham

  11.9

  3.8

  Ford

  8.0

  5.3

  Foston Hall

  6.6

  13.8

  Frankland

  10.4

  5.9

  Full Sutton

  6.3

  4.6

  Garth

  6.5

  4.5

  Gartree

  11.2

  5.2

  Glen Parva

  6.0

  4.2

  Gloucester

  6.4

  6.3

  Grendon

  7.0

  6.2

  Guys Marsh

  7.4

  5.8

  Haslar

  7.8

  6.7

  Hatfield

  7.2

  6.2

  Haverigg

  6.0

  8.5

  Hewell Grange

  6.8

  4.8

  Highdown

  8.6

  10.5

  Highpoint

  7.2

  5.8

  Hindley

  6.8

  7.6

  Hollesley Bay

  6.0

  2.0

  Holloway

  6.5

  8.5

  Holme House

  5.5

  5.2

  Hull

  6.1

  4.7

  Huntercombe

  14.9

  13.0

  Kingston

  60.3

  5.2

  Kirkham

  6.4

  11.3

  Kirklevington

  6.4

  5.6

  Lancaster

  9.2

  7.7

  Lancaster Farms

  8.1

  6.2

  Latchmere House

  6.2

  5.9

  Leeds

  4.8

  3.0

  Leicester

  6.1

  10.6

  Lewes

  6.6

  3.9

  Leyhill

  9.9

  5.2

  Lincoln

  6.6

  4.0

  Lindholme

  6.7

  5.7

  Littlehey

  8.3

  4.1

  Liverpool

  5.4

  4.0

  Long Lartin

  9.2

  8.1

  Low Newton

  8.6

  7.1

  Maidstone

  7.3

  8.3

  Manchester

  4.5

  4.1

  Moorland

  5.9

  3.0

  Morton Hall

  6.2

  20.6

  Mount

  9.9

  4.2

  New Hall

  4.5

  2.5

  North Sea Camp

  2.4

  4.9

  Northallerton

  8.7

  6.3

  Norwich

  6.2

  5.7

  Nottingham

  6.9

  4.5

  Onley

  12.5

  8.2

  Parkhurst

  8.0

  6.4

  Pentonville

  6.2

  8.2

  Portland

  7.1

  6.7

  Preston

  7.0

  6.0

  Ranby

  6.6

  8.3

  Reading

  8.0

  4.5

  Risley

  5.0

  5.8

  Rochester

  6.3

  5.9

  Send

  10.6

  5.7

  Shepton Mallet

  8.0

  6.6

  Shrewsbury

  8.1

  1.0

  Stafford

  5.8

  3.3

  Standford Hill

  7.5

  6.4

  Stocken

  6.4

  4.1

  Stoke Heath

  11.1

  6.4

  Styal

  3.4

  4.1

  Sudbury

  6.6

  5.4

  Swaleside

  7.4

  6.1

  Swansea

  6.7

  6.9

  Swinfen Hall

  6.9

  5.8

  Thorn Cross

  6.5

  9.2

  Usk

  8.5

  7.6

  Verne

  7.2

  6.7

  Wakefield

  7.7

  7.6

  91W

  Prison

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Wandsworth

  8.6

  6.8

  Wayland

  7.0

  6.4

  Wealstun

  8.5

  7.6

  Weare

  8.2

  8.2

  Wellingborough

  6.7

  6.6

  Werrington

  8.9

  7.7

  Wetherby

  8.1

  6.5

  Whatton

  6.8

  6.7

  Whitemoor

  7.9

  8.7

  Winchester

  6.8

  6.6

  Woodhill

  8.1

  2.2

  Wormwood Scrubs

  4.9

  4.3

  Wymott

  7.5

  5.7

  Inter-war Records
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in reviewing the inter-war records relating to individuals held by the Security Service; and what is the time scale for the completion of the review. [144893]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 16 November 2000,Official Report, column 751W.

  Chelmsford Prison
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide a new centre for visitors to Chelmsford Prison; and if he will make a statement. [144852]

  Mr. Boateng
  The visitors' centre at Chelmsford prison, as at many other establishments, is run by volunteers and funded by donations from local charitable organisations. The Governor and Area Manager responsible for Chelmsford prison are in discussion with various groups about its future development and operation. Communication links between the centre and the prison have been improved and a visitors' garden has been created funded by donations. However, there are no plans to provide a new centre.

  Education expenditure in London prisons 1995–96 to 1999–2000

  £

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–93

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Belmarsh

  358,845

  348,315

  416,002

  440,854

  684,469

  Brixton

  397,147

  375,279

  439,283

  312,580

  502,152

  Feltham

  366,453

  398,786

  467,272

  592,115

  634,931

  Holloway

  335,041

  359,907

  378,720

  433,770

  620,408

  Latchmere House

  44,912

  19,332

  19,200

  18,524

  16,168

  Pentonville

  293,064

  236,496

  264,547

  318,295

  467,904

  Wandsworth

  419,132

  234,221

  224,312

  226,969

  331,514

  Wormwood Scrubs

  276,294

  275,121

  289,530

  280,952

  379,575

  Note:

  1999–2000 and 1995–96 spend includes any VAT charged, but not VAT refunds. 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 figures are net of VAT.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates in England and Wales took education courses in each of the last three years. [145161]
  92W
  The Governor plans to create a separate visitors' entrance to the prison incorporating a refurbished waiting room with toilets and baby changing facilities.

  In the visits area itself, new brighter furniture has been provided in a less formal arrangement, and a crèche is now provided in visits as well as in the visitors' centre.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what weekly financial allowances will be given to people held in prisons in England and Wales as a result of immigration irregularities. [145162]

  Mr. Boateng
  All those held in prison including immigration detainees receive money for participating in the regime of the prison. The scales of payment are a matter for each individual prison, subject to rules and a national minimum of £2.50 a week set by the Prison Service, which can be enhanced by participation in work, education or training.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been held in prison for immigration irregularities in prisons in England and Wales since 1 January. [145166]

  Mr. Boateng
  The requested information is not yet available. The most recent figures have therefore been provided. Provisional figures for 30 November 2000 show that there were 677 men and 22 women in prisons in England and Wales for immigration irregularities at that time. "Immigration Irregularities" have been taken to mean persons with an effective offence of assisting an illegal immigrant or being a deportee/detainee.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total prison education budget for(a) England and Wales and (b) each London prison was in each of the last five years. [145175]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Mr. Ruane) on 8 January 2001,Official Report, column 429W. Information on education expenditure in each London prison in each of the last five years is set out in the table. The expenditure comprises payments to education contractors, expenditure on libraries and expenditure on education materials.

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available. Data are collected only on the number of student hours and the number of teaching hours delivered.

  Foreign Language Leaflets (Prisons)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for the provision of foreign language leaflets in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will list the languages in which such leaflets are provided. [145160]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service Race Relations policy highlights the importance of prisons being aware of the needs of non-English speaking prisoners. To assist in meeting those needs, all prisons have copies of the Prisoner Information Books which provide information on all aspects of prison life for males, females and life sentenced prisoners. The books have been produced in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust and are available in 21 languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Gujerati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese and Welsh.

  Prisoner Information Books are generally made available during the induction process and copies are held by all prison libraries. Many of those prisons which have large numbers of foreign national prisoners also provide translated versions of local information leaflets in languages relevant to their prisoner population. In some prisons, audio materials are also available.

  Induction staff will be responsible for making prisoners aware of the Prisoner Information Books but thereafter the Race Relations Liaison Officer, or in a few cases a designated foreign nationals liaison officer, will be responsible for ensuring that non-English speaking prisoners have access to information in an appropriate form.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review levels of criminal injuries compensation following the judgment in the case of Heil v. Rankin. [144926]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have no plans to review levels of compensation as a consequence of the Heil v. Rankin judgment in the Court of Appeal. The tariff-based compensation scheme introduced with effect from 1 April 1996 broke the link with common law damages. Applications received on or after that date are determined by reference to a tariff of awards for injuries of comparable severity. Changes in levels of damages paid for personal injury in civil cases more generally have no effect on such tariff awards. However, compensation being awarded in the residual cases lodged before 1 April 1996 under the former common law damages scheme takes due account of the judgment.

  Prisons (Liverpool)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many new prison places have been created in the last 12 months at(a) Liverpool Prison and (b) Altcourse Prison; [145217]

  (2) what the capacity is of (a) Liverpool Prison and (b) Altcourse Prison; [145218]

  (3) how many prisoners there were in (a) Liverpool Prison and (b) Altcourse Prison on 8 January (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2003 and (f) 2001. [145219]
  94W
  Mr. Boateng
  On 12 January 2001, the certified operational capacity of Liverpool prison was 1,510 and the certified operational capacity of Altcourse prison was 850.

  No new uncrowded places were created at either prison in the preceding 12 months, although the operational capacity at Altcourse did change three times during the year to reflect changes to the number of overcrowded places available at the prison. In February 2000, the operational capacity at Altcourse increased to 900, from 860, in November 2000 it fell to 880 and in January 2001 it fell to 850.

  Official statistics on prison population are only held for the last day of each month. The total number of prisoners held in Liverpool and Altcourse prisons on the last days of January 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 are given in the table. Provisional population statistics are available for 8 January 2001 and these are included in the table.

  Date

  Population of Liverpool Prison

  Population of Altcourse Prison

  31 January 1996

  1,154

  1—

  31 January 1997

  1,243

  1—

  31 January 1998

  1,451

  459

  31 January 1999

  1,452

  670

  31 January 2000

  1,364

  685

  8 January 20012

  1,130

  755

  1 Altcourse opened on 1 December 1997

  2 Provisional figures

  Prisoner Activities
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of purposeful activity were spent on average by each prisoner in each Prison Service establishment since 1 April 2000. [145009]

  Mr. Boateng
  The average weekly purposeful activity hours in each Prison Service establishment for the current financial year to the end of November is set out in the table. The data for November included in the figures are provisional and subject to validation by prisons.

  Prison name

  Average hours per prisoner per week

  Acklington

  23.6

  Albany

  22.9

  Altcourse

  32.5

  Ashfield

  28.2

  Ashwell

  31.4

  Askham Grange

  41.5

  Aylesbury

  15.3

  Bedford

  21.0

  Belmarsh

  13.4

  Birmingham

  15.2

  Blakenhurst

  23.5

  Blantyre House

  46.9

  Blundeston

  26.0

  Brinsford

  20.1

  Bristol

  23.4

  Brixton

  15.0

  Brockhill

  21.0

  Buckley Hall

  32.8

  Bullingdon

  14.0

  Bullwood Hall

  20.8

  Camp Hill

  21.6

  Canterbury

  19.8

  Cardiff

  22.9

  95W

  Prison name

  Average hours per prisoner per week

  Castington

  22.8

  Channings Wood

  33.7

  Chelmsford

  18.1

  Coldingley

  41.3

  Cookham Wood

  25.2

  Dartmoor

  18.3

  Deerbolt

  20.9

  Doncaster

  19.1

  Dorchester

  16.9

  Dover

  24.4

  Downview

  31.0

  Drake Hall

  35.5

  Durham

  19.5

  East Sutton Park

  41.2

  Eastwood Park

  23.7

  Elmley

  22.2

  Erlestoke

  24.4

  Everthorpe

  26.7

  Exeter

  21.9

  Featherstone

  24.7

  Feltham

  15.0

  Ford

  38.4

  Forest Bank

  26.9

  Foston Hall

  25.0

  Frankland

  21.4

  Full Sutton

  17.6

  Garth

  23.4

  Gartree

  30.2

  Glen Parva

  17.9

  Gloucester

  31.0

  Grendon

  36.6

  Guys Marsh

  29.1

  Haslar

  16.0

  Hatfield

  36.3

  Haverigg

  33.4

  Hewell Grange

  44.7

  Highdown

  16.1

  Highpoint

  19.2

  Hindley

  29.9

  Hollesley Bay

  36.9

  Holloway

  21.8

  Holme House

  16.2

  Hull

  22.1

  Huntercombe

  23.4

  Kingston

  24.8

  Kirkham

  43.2

  Kirklevington

  53.3

  Lancaster

  29.6

  Lancaster Farms

  22.6

  Latchmere House

  64.0

  Leeds

  16.5

  Leicester

  18.8

  Lewes

  18.2

  Leyhill

  39.9

  Lincoln

  24.6

  Lindholme

  27.1

  Littlehey

  23.7

  Liverpool

  23.4

  Long Lartin

  18.0

  Low Newton

  23.9

  Lowdham Grange

  24.0

  Maidstone

  23.3

  Manchester

  19.9

  Moorland

  24.4

  Morton Hall

  42.4

  Mount

  17.9

  New Hall

  22.7

  North Sea Camp

  42.6

  Northallerton

  18.5

  Norwich

  19.9

  Nottingham

  18.9

  Onley

  18.0

  Parc

  24.7

  96W

  Prison name

  Average hours per prisoner per week

  Parkhurst

  20.3

  Pentonville

  17.1

  Portland

  23.4

  Preston

  21.4

  Ranby

  26.3

  Reading

  30.5

  Risley

  24.1

  Rochester

  20.3

  Send

  32.2

  Shepton Mallet

  22.7

  Shrewsbury

  25.1

  Stafford

  26.9

  Standford Hill

  41.7

  Stocken

  23.7

  Stoke Heath

  24.0

  Styal

  24.6

  Sudbury

  42.1

  Swaleside

  26.3

  Swansea

  21.2

  Swinfen Hall

  28.7

  Thorn Cross

  42.7

  Usk

  38.9

  Verne

  28.0

  Wakefield

  19.2

  Wandsworth

  16.8

  Wayland

  23.9

  Wealstun

  33.0

  Weare

  20.4

  Wellingborough

  25.3

  Werrington

  36.5

  Wetherby

  26.8

  Whatton

  30.8

  Whitemoor

  21.9

  Winchester

  16.4

  Wolds

  28.9

  Woodhill

  17.9

  Wormwood Scrubs

  21.5

  Wymott

  27.5

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Home House the Home Department what the average time spent out of cells for each prisoner in each prison establishment was(a) during weekdays and (b) at weekends in (i) 1990 and (ii) 2000. [144952]

  Mr. Boateng
  The average time prisoners spent out of Lancaster Farms cell during weekdays and weekends in each Prison Service establishment for the year 1999–2000 is listed in the table. Comparable data are not available for 1990.

  Prison name

  Weekdays

  Weekends

  Acklington

  10.1

  8.6

  Albany

  9.6

  7.3

  Altcourse

  13.0

  13.0

  Ashwell

  15.5

  15.5

  Askham Grange

  16.0

  16.0

  Aylesbury

  8.7

  5.5

  Bedford

  9.3

  7.5

  Belmarsh

  8.8

  7.6

  Birmingham

  6.8

  5.1

  Blakenhurst

  11.5

  10.3

  Blantyre House

  15.3

  15.3

  Blundeston

  10.3

  7.4

  Brinsford

  9.7

  8.5

  Bristol

  10.4

  8.8

  Brixton

  8.8

  6.8

  Brockhill

  10.0

  10.0

  Buckley Hall

  13.0

  13.0

  Bullingdon

  9.5

  8.0

  97W

  Prison name

  Weekdays

  Weekends

  Bullwood Hall

  10.0

  8.1

  Camp Hill

  11.2

  8.2

  Canterbury

  8.8

  7.5

  Cardiff

  8.8

  5.9

  Castington

  9.9

  6.6

  Channings Wood

  10.9

  7.2

  Chelmsford

  7.8

  7.8

  Coldingly

  12.4

  10.0

  Cookham Wood

  10.5

  8.5

  Dartmoor

  9.5

  6.6

  Deerbolt

  10.1

  4.2

  Doncaster

  10.3

  10.3

  Dorchester

  7.9

  6.8

  Dover

  9.3

  7.4

  Downview

  11.2

  11.2

  Drake Hall

  24.0

  24.0

  Durham

  7.5

  5.1

  East Sutton Park

  17.0

  17.0

  Eastwood Park

  11.8

  10.3

  Elmley

  8.1

  7.4

  Erlestoke

  11.5

  10.0

  Everthorpe

  11.0

  8.6

  Exeter

  6.2

  5.2

  Featherstone

  9.1

  10.1

  Feltham

  8.0

  6.0

  Ford

  13.5

  13.5

  Foston Hall

  9.6

  8.2

  Frankland

  10.0

  7.8

  Full Sutton

  9.5

  8.8

  Garth

  10.0

  7.8

  Gartree

  10.4

  8.6

  Glen Parva

  7.7

  4.8

  Gloucester

  9.3

  6.5

  Grendon

  14.7

  14.2

  Guys Marsh

  9.2

  7.7

  Haslar

  12.0

  11.0

  Hatfield

  13.3

  13.3

  Haverigg

  12.3

  12.3

  Hewell Grange

  24.0

  24.0

  Highdown

  7.8

  5.1

  Highpoint

  9.0

  8.3

  Hindley

  9.3

  4.0

  Hollesley Bay

  15.6

  13.3

  Holloway

  10.6

  10.0

  Holme House

  9.5

  7.3

  Hull

  10.0

  7.7

  Huntercombe

  10.8

  6.5

  Kingston

  12.3

  7.6

  Kirkham

  12.4

  12.0

  Kirklevington

  19.0

  19.0

  Lancaster

  10.0

  10.0

  Lancaster Farms

  8.5

  5.8

  Latchmere House

  18.4

  18.4

  Leeds

  8.3

  7.3

  Leicester

  10.9

  9.5

  Lewes

  9.3

  6.3

  Leyhill

  16.7

  16.7

  Lincoln

  10.5

  9.0

  Lindholme

  15.1

  19.0

  Littlehey

  9.8

  8.4

  Liverpool

  6.7

  4.1

  Long Lartin

  8.7

  8.7

  Low Newton

  11.0

  10.0

  Lowdham Grange

  13.5

  13.5

  Maidstone

  9.2

  8.3

  Manchester

  8.3

  7.0

  Moorland

  8.3

  5.5

  Morton Hall

  15.0

  16.0

  Mount

  8.3

  11.2

  New Hall

  10.4

  9.4

  North Sea Camp

  16.5

  16.5

  Northallerton

  5.1

  3.1

  Norwich

  8.1

  7.8

  Nottingham

  9.6

  7.1

  98W

  Prison name

  Weekdays

  Weekends

  Onley

  11.5

  9.7

  Parc

  9.2

  10.5

  Parkhurst

  10.2

  7.8

  Pentonville

  9.0

  7.0

  Portland

  7.9

  4.5

  Preston

  6.4

  5.0

  Ranby

  13.3

  12.5

  Reading

  8.2

  6.5

  Risley

  9.8

  8.6

  Rochester

  9.2

  9.8

  Send

  12.7

  12.7

  Shepton Mallet

  10.6

  9.0

  Shrewsbury

  9.9

  9.9

  Stafford

  7.7

  5.1

  Standford Hill

  14.8

  14.8

  Stocken

  12.5

  12.5

  Stoke Heath

  10.3

  7.9

  Styal

  12.0

  11.8

  Sudbury

  24.0

  24.0

  Swaleside

  9.5

  7.3

  Swansea

  8.8

  8.0

  Swinfen Hall

  10.0

  6.6

  Thorn Cross

  12.5

  12.5

  Usk

  13.8

  12.5

  Verne

  14.5

  14.3

  Wakefield

  9.2

  8.0

  Wandsworth

  8.0

  7.0

  Wayland

  10.5

  8.5

  Wealstun

  12.2

  11.8

  Weare

  10.5

  10.3

  Wellingborough

  10.0

  7.8

  Werrington

  10.8

  9.8

  Wetherby

  10.3

  9.9

  Whatton

  12.8

  12.8

  Whitemoor

  9.8

  9.0

  Winchester

  7.2

  6.5

  Wolds

  11.5

  11.7

  Woodhill

  10.2

  8.5

  Wormwood Scrubs

  7.9

  4.8

  Wymott

  12.3

  10.8

  Prisoner Accommodation
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in each Prison Service establishment are held(a) two to a cell in a single cell and (b) three to a cell in a double cell. [144948]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one and those that are in accommodation units where prisoners exceed the uncrowded capacity at the end of November 2000 are listed in the table. These figures are provisional and subject to validation.

  The Prison Service does not collect centrally the number of prisoners held three to a cell designed for two. Prisons provide data on the total overcrowding level and on the numbers held two to a cell designed for one, known as 'doubling'. Total overcrowding includes those held three to a cell for two and those overcrowded in dormitories and larger cells.

  Prison

  Number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one

  Total number of prisoners overcrowded

  Acklington

  0

  0

  Albany

  0

  0

  Altcourse

  488

  488

  99W

  Prison

  Number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one

  Total number of prisoners overcrowded

  Ashfield

  0

  0

  Ashwell

  0

  0

  Askham Grange

  0

  0

  Aylesbury

  8

  8

  Bedford

  0

  210

  Belmarsh

  0

  231

  Birraingham

  680

  680

  Blakenhurst

  350

  350

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  Blundeston

  0

  0

  Brinsford

  78

  78

  Bristol

  56

  56

  Brixton

  242

  242

  Brockhill

  0

  0

  Buckley Hall

  52

  52

  Bullingdon

  36

  36

  Bullwood Hall

  0

  0

  Camp Hill

  26

  26

  Canterbury

  214

  214

  Cardiff

  284

  284

  Castington

  0

  0

  Channings Wood

  8

  8

  Chelmsford

  62

  62

  Coldingley

  0

  0

  Cookham Wood

  42

  42

  Dartmoor

  0

  0

  Deerbolt

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  646

  646

  Dorchester

  90

  90

  Dover

  0

  0

  Downview

  32

  32

  Drake Hall

  0

  0

  Durham

  468

  468

  East Sutton Park

  0

  0

  Eastwood Park

  60

  60

  Elmley

  222

  222

  Erlestoke

  0

  0

  Everthorpe

  0

  0

  Exeter

  252

  252

  Featherstone

  0

  0

  Feltham

  12

  12

  Ford

  0

  0

  Forest Bank

  0

  0

  Foston Hall

  0

  0

  Frankland

  0

  0

  Full Sutton

  0

  0

  Garth

  0

  0

  Gartree

  0

  0

  Glen Parva

  178

  178

  Gloucester

  138

  138

  Grendon

  0

  0

  Guys Marsh

  54

  54

  Haslar

  0

  0

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  Haverigg

  0

  0

  Hewell Grange

  0

  0

  Highdown

  0

  132

  Highpoint

  0

  0

  Hindley

  0

  0

  Hollesley Bay

  0

  0

  Holloway

  0

  0

  Holme House

  0

  0

  Hull

  0

  0

  Huntercombe

  0

  0

  Kingston

  0

  0

  Kirkham

  0

  0

  Kirklevington

  0

  0

  Lancaster

  0

  0

  Lancaster Farms

  40

  40

  Latchmere House

  0

  0

  Leeds

  806

  806

  100W

  Prison

  Number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one

  Total number of prisoners overcrowded

  Leicester

  290

  290

  Lewes

  32

  32

  Leyhill

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  282

  282

  Lindholme

  0

  0

  Littlehey

  46

  46

  Liverpool

  358

  358

  Long Lartin

  0

  0

  Low Newton

  66

  66

  Lowdham Grange

  0

  0

  Maidstone

  132

  132

  Manchester

  244

  244

  Moorland

  74

  74

  Morton Hall

  0

  0

  Mount

  72

  72

  New Hall

  56

  56

  North Sea Camp

  0

  0

  Northallerton

  204

  204

  Norwich

  232

  232

  Nottingham

  228

  228

  Onley

  0

  0

  Parc

  0

  0

  Parkhurst

  28

  28

  Pentonville

  382

  382

  Portland

  118

  118

  Preston

  470

  470

  Ranby

  70

  70

  Reading

  134

  134

  Risley

  0

  0

  Rochester

  20

  20

  Send

  0

  0

  Shepton Mallet

  100

  100

  Shrewsbury

  276

  276

  Stafford

  0

  0

  Standford Hill

  0

  0

  Stocken

  52

  52

  Stoke Heath

  90

  90

  Styal

  10

  10

  Sudbury

  0

  0

  Swaleside

  0

  0

  Swansea

  232

  232

  Swinfen Hall

  0

  0

  Thorn Cross

  0

  0

  Usk

  170

  170

  Verne

  40

  40

  Wakefield

  0

  0

  Wandsworth

  436

  436

  Wayland

  32

  32

  Wealstun

  0

  0

  Weare

  0

  0

  Wellingborough

  0

  0

  Werrington

  24

  24

  Wetherby

  0

  0

  Whatton

  0

  0

  Whitemoor

  0

  0

  Winchester

  238

  238

  Wolds

  0

  0

  Woodhill

  118

  118

  Wormwood Scrubs

  0

  0

  Wymott

  0

  0

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are sharing(a) two to a cell designed for one and (b) three to a cell designed for two at the latest date for which figures are available; what the equivalent figure was for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [1449621]
  101W
  Mr. Boateng
  The average number of prisoners held two in a single cell at the end of November 2000 and at the same point in each of the last three years is given in the table. Figures for November 2000 are provisional and subject to validation by prisons.

  The Prison Service does not collect data on the number of prisoners held three in a double cell. Prisons report the total overcrowding level, which includes prisoners held three to a cell for two and those overcrowded in dormitories and larger cells. Overcrowding figures are not collected in this form before April 1998.

  Two to a cell

  Overcrowding

  November 2000

  10,980

  11,553

  November 1999

  12.722

  13,299

  November 1998

  12.102

  13,055

  November 1997

  12.116

  n/a

  Prisoners (Location)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are held in Prison Service establishments mote than(a) 25, (b) 50, (c) 100 and (d) 150 miles from their committal court town. [144953]

  Mr. Boateng
  The following information is based on the distance that prisoners are held from their committal court town. The data was collected on 6 October 2000 and is set out in the table in the nearest format to that requested. There are about 24,000 prisoners held under 25 miles from their committal court town.

  Distance from home area (miles)

  Number of prisoners1

  Between 25 and 50

  15,000

  Between 50 and 100

  15,000

  Between 100 and 150

  6.000

  Over 150

  5.000

  Total over 25

  41,000

  1 Rounded to nearest thousand

  Dr. Daniel Wani
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Dr Daniel Wani, a constituent, will receive his travel documents. [145104]

  Mrs. Roche
  We understand from Dr. Wani's letter to you of 14 November that he sent in his travel document on 18 October. I very much regret that we have been unable to trace any evidence of receiving it. If Dr. Wani can provide recorded delivery details a further search will be made to trace the documents and action taken to amend it and return it to him speedily.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what cultural activities will take place to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. [145411]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A national ceremony, being televised, will be held in London on the evening of Saturday 27 January and will be attended by a wide 102W
  audience including senior public figures, community representatives, students and importantly survivors of the 1939–45 holocaust.

  There is a wide range of activities being planned by local authorities and community groups around the country. They have been encouraged to put details of their activities on the dedicated website www.holocaustmemorialday.gov.uk.

  We also anticipate that schools will use the new Holocaust education resource pack in the week leading up to Holocaust Memorial Day to mark the day in appropriate ways. We are receiving very positive feedback on its suitability and usefulness for this purpose.

  Northumbria Police
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) uniformed and (b) non-uniformed staff of Northumbria police there were in each year since 1996–97 and proposed for 2001–02. [145251]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Available information does not distinguish between uniformed and non-uniformed police officers as officers may be moved without notice between uniformed and non-uniformed duties.

  It is for the Chief Constable to determine the number of police officers and civilian support staff in the light of the budget set by the police authority for 2001–02. Current Crime Fighting Fund distribution for 2001–02 allocates 87 extra police recruits to Northumbria police, over and above what the force plan to recruit.

  The table sets out the number of police officers and civilian support staff for the Northumbria police for each year since March 1996.

  Northumbria police

  Year

  Number of police officers

  Number of civilian support staff

  1996

  3,668

  1,319

  1997

  3,677

  1,365

  1998

  3,769

  1,362

  1999

  3,840

  1.443

  2000

  3,788

  1,417

  20001

  3,885

  1,413

  1 to 30 September

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of crime in each main category there were expressed(a) as a total and (b) as a total per 1000 population in the Northumbria Police area for each six month period from April to October 1996 to April to October 2000. [145252]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of recorded crimes, and the number of crimes per 100,000 population, are given in the tables. The six-month periods addressed in the tables are from April to September 1996, to October 1999 to March 2000, as figures for April to September 2000 are not yet available.

  There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime which came into effect on 1 April 1998, which means that figures before and after that date cannot be directly compared. Nationally, the change particularly impacted on the categories of violence against the person, fraud and forgery, drug offences (where a new category was introduced), and other offences.
  103W

  Number of offences

  Offence group

  Apr 1996 to Sept 1996

  Oct 1996 to Mar 1997

  Apr 1997 to Sept 1997

  Oct 1997 to Mar 1998

  Apr 1998 to Sept 1998

  Oct 1998 to Mar 1999

  Apr 1999 to Sept 1999

  Oct 1999 to Mar 2000

  Violence against the person

  2,785

  2,364

  2,328

  2,375

  6,361

  6,116

  6,677

  6,886

  Sexual offences

  345

  250

  300

  314

  532

  411

  499

  484

  Robbery

  670

  654

  618

  649

  661

  686

  667

  722

  Burglary

  20,198

  19,585

  16,827

  16,501

  16,325

  15,300

  13,326

  13,133

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  34,179

  31,477

  30.630

  28,322

  31,952

  30,362

  29,459

  28,716

  Fraud and forgery

  1,037

  980

  1,173

  1,142

  2,302

  2,689

  2,362

  2,660

  Criminal damage

  23,180

  22,213

  16,488

  15,630

  15,328

  16,306

  14,541

  15,895

  Drugs offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,830

  2,104

  2,205

  2,004

  Other offences

  586

  597

  551

  609

  1,043

  990

  1,035

  1,008

  Total

  82,980

  78,120

  68,915

  65,542

  76,334

  74,964

  70,771

  71,508

  Offences per 100,000 population

  Offence group

  Apr 1996 to Sept 1996

  Oct 1996 to Mar 1997

  Apr 1997 to Sept 1997

  Oct 1997 to Mar 1998

  Apr 1998 to Sept 1998

  Oct 1998 to Mar 1999

  Apr 1999 to Sept 1999

  Oct 1999 to Mar 2000

  Violence against the person

  194

  164

  162

  166

  445

  428

  468

  483

  Sexual offences

  24

  17

  21

  22

  37

  29

  35

  34

  Robbery

  47

  45

  43

  45

  46

  48

  47

  51

  Burglary

  1,404

  1,362

  1,173

  1,150

  1,141

  1,070

  935

  921

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  2,376

  2,188

  2,135

  1,974

  2,234

  2,123

  2,067

  2,014

  Fraud and forgery

  72

  68

  82

  80

  161

  188

  166

  187

  Criminal damage

  1,612

  1,544

  1,149

  1,089

  1,072

  1,140

  1,020

  1,115

  Drugs offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  128

  147

  155

  141

  Other offences

  41

  42

  38

  42

  73

  69

  73

  71

  Total

  5,769

  5,431

  4,804

  4,568

  5,337

  5,242

  4,965

  5,016

  Credit Card Fraud
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of credit card fraud, with particular reference to cloning and skimming. [144733]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The most prevalent type of counterfeit (cloning) involves copying genuine data from the magnetic stripe on one card, without the cardholder's knowledge, and putting it onto another card: a method known as skimming.

  To combat this problem the banking industry took the decision in July 1998 to introduce onto United Kingdom plastic cards an embedded smart chip (also known as an integrated circuit card, ICC, or smart card). The information chip can store much more information than the magnetic stripe (which they will eventually replace) and can not be easily copied, amended or corrupted, so making counterfeiting prohibitively difficult and expensive for criminals to carry out. Although about 15 million chipped cards have been issued so far, only 150,000 retail terminals are kitted out to use the technology and so the remainder have to continue swiping the magnetic stripe. By 2003, however, the banking industry expects most transactions to be "smart".

  It is most important that the roll of these new cards remains on schedule. This was one of a number of issues discussed at the seminar hosted by the Home Office in November for representatives from the banking industry, the retail community and law enforcement agencies, to report on progress since the first meeting held in June to examine the reasons for the increasing levels of card fraud. Further information on the projects discussed at that seminar is given in response to other Questions asked by my hon. Friend which I have answered today.
  104W
  While this work continues and before the full benefits of chip technology can be realised, the banking industry is continuing with a wide range of initiatives designed to combat fraud. These include:—
  Working closely with the police through a special intelligence unit based at Association of Payment Card Services (APACS), which has contributed to closing down a number of organised card counterfeiting rings.
  Use of "intelligent neural network" systems to spot fraud at an early stage.
  Introduction of hot card files carrying details of lost/stolen cards. Implementation of secure methods for delivering cards.
  Training material for retail staff to enable them to identify counterfeit cards.
  Rewards for retail staff who stop a card from being fraudulently used (£10 million was paid in rewards in 1999).
  Maintaining a close partnership between banks, retailers and the police.

  The banking/retail industries and the police service will also continue to inform the public how they can guard themselves against this particular crime. The key messages are:
  Guard your cards-never leave them unattended and try not to let them out of your sight while in a shop or restaurant.
  Make regular checks to ensure you still have your cards. Report any loss immediately so as a stop can be made on your card.
  Do not discard your receipts-keep them safely and check them off against your statement.
  Contact your card issuer immediately if you spot any transaction you don't recognise on your statement.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he has met recently to discuss credit card fraud. [144734]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office hosted a second seminar in November for representatives from the banking industry, the retail community and law
  105W
  enforcement agencies, to report on progress since the first meeting in June held to examine the reasons for the increasing levels of card fraud.

  Though it was clear that much positive work is already being undertaken to tackle this area of fraud, presentations were made on those areas considered to be of strategic importance in tackling the problem of card fraud within the United Kingdom.

  As one of a number of joint initiatives, the banking and retail communities are continuing to explore the introduction of chip cards, possibly with personal identification numbers (PINs) used at the merchant's point of sale across the United Kingdom. Cross-industry working groups are tackling the various technical, operational and business issues and are making good progress. The industry is expecting to make a final decision on chip cards and PINs in spring this year.

  Two cross-industry groups, facilitated by the Home Office, were also set up after the first meeting in June to address specific issues relating to plastic card fraud. The first is considering the setting up of a dedicated law enforcement team, on an initial two-year pilot basis, to target, investigate and arrest offenders responsible for organised payment card and cheque fraud. The second group has identified the need for enhanced collection and analysis of intelligence at a 'central hub' where known fraud intelligence data from business and government agencies could be collated and interrogated by professional analysts. These groups hope to bring forward proposals in the spring.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what impact recent incidents of credit card fraud have had on e-commerce; and what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of credit card fraud. [144729]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government take the problem of card fraud very seriously and we liaise very closely with the Association for Payment and Clearing Services (APACS) to establish and promote best practice in protecting cards and their use on the internet.

  Most of the fraud experienced by e-retailers is of the same kind as that suffered by ordinary retailers who accept "card not present" transactions over the phone or by mail.

  Although the Association of Payment Clearing Services does not specifically record the level of fraud associated with the use of payment cards over the internet (these losses would normally be recorded as part of the "card not present" category), they estimate losses for 1999 to be around £4 million, some 2 per cent. of the total reported losses for that year.

  I chaired a second Home Office seminar at the end of November to seek views from the banks, retailers and others about how the increasing levels of credit card fraud could be addressed. One of the main issues is the introduction of chip cards (card authentication), which would significantly reduce the use of fraudulent cards, and the introduction of a cardholder verification system, probably using a PIN number to confirm that the user of the card is genuine. This is currently being discussed between the retailers and the banks and the outcome of those discussions is expected later in the year.

  Terrorist Suspects
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the draft UK-wide codes in connection with the functions of examining officers and authorised officers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the order under paragraph 19 of Schedule 8 to the Act in connection with a solicitor's presence at interview in Scotland. [145842]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today laid before Parliament draft codes of practice in connection with the functions of examining officers and authorised officers under the Terrorism Act 2000. I have also today laid before Parliament an order under paragraph 19 of Schedule 8 to the Act in respect of a solicitor's presence at any interview in Scotland carried out in connection with a terrorist investigation or for the purposes of Schedule 7 to the Act, relating to port and border controls.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press officers there are in his Department; and what his projected figure is for March 2001. [145564]

  Mr. Straw
  There are a total of 23 press officers in the Home Office press office, and a Chief Immigration Officer on attachment. By March 2001 it is anticipated that this figure will increase by one additional trainee at Assistant Information Officer grade.

  Police Reform
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of his consultations with police organisations about police reform; [145553]

  (2) on what plans he has consulted police organisations about a new framework of police conditions of service; and if he will make a statement. [145552]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The discussions referred to in my answer to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 26 October 2000,Official Report, column 218W, are continuing; no conclusions have been reached.

  Police Budgets
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the real terms increase in local police budgets will be in 2001–02. [145018]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on net budget requirements for Police Authorities in 2001–02 is not yet available.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of funding will be provided to local police budgets as standard spending in 2001–02 in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms. [145023]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Total Standard Spending on the police in 2001–02 will be £7,732 million. This is an increase in cash terms of 5.1 per cent. or 3.1 per cent. in real terms over the previous year.
  107W
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of local police budgets are used to fund(a) pay, (b) pensions, (c) capital financing and (d) national crime fighting agency levies. [145021]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The proportion of police net expenditure in England and Wales spent on Police Officer and other staff salaries for the latest year available (1999–2000) was 72.1 per cent; on pensions 12.7 per cent; on capital financing 1.7 per cent.; on the National Crime Squad/the National Criminal Intelligence Service levies 1.9 per cent.

  Source:

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

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of his Department's national recruitment campaign was up to 1 January; and what cost(a) has been and (b) is planned to be incurred in 2001. [145095]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The first phase of the police recruitment campaign ran from September to November 2000 and cost £5 million. The second phase of the campaign is running now and will finish in mid March 2001, the planned costs are £3.2 million. These costs include both media and production and VAT—and equate to £6.98 million ex VAT.

  The costs of future phases in 2001 have not been finalised.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the monthly recruitment intake target for the Police College at Hendon is for 2001; and how many entrants have applied in respect of each intake date to date. [145094]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that the monthly recruitment intake target for each of the next two intakes in January and March 2001 at the police college at Hendon is 200. For the remainder of the year, the planned intake target is 247 for each intake. Applicants to join as police recruits are not allocated an intake date until recruitment formalities have been completed.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entrants have been recruited in each police force area under the Crime Fighting Fund initiative. [145554]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of recruits deemed to be Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) recruits taken on by each force is detailed in the table.

  The number of CFF officers is calculated as a proportion of total recruitment. If total recruitment for the year falls short of projections, the number of deemed CFF officers may fall.

  Forces

  Deemed CFF officers April-December 2000

  Avon and Somerset

  57

  Bedfordshire

  9

  Cambridgeshire

  21

  Cheshire

  13

  108W

  Forces

  Deemed CFF officers April-December 2000

  City of London

  0

  Cleveland

  15

  Cumbria

  21

  Derbyshire

  38

  Devon and Cornwall

  56

  Dorset

  26

  Durham

  25

  Dyfed Powys

  19

  Essex

  0

  Gloucestershire

  18

  Greater Manchester

  89

  Gwent

  31

  Hampshire

  11

  Hertfordshire

  0

  Humberside

  47

  Kent

  76

  Lancashire

  62

  Leicestershire

  32

  Lincolnshire

  26

  Merseyside

  75

  Metropolitan

  311

  Norfolk

  31

  North Wales

  26

  North Yorkshire

  9

  Northamptonshire

  32

  Northumbria

  55

  Nottinghamshire

  40

  South Wales

  39

  South Yorkshire

  52

  Staffordshire

  30

  Suffolk

  27

  Surrey

  45

  Sussex

  38

  Thames Valley

  36

  Warwickshire

  21

  West Mercia

  41

  West Midlands

  147

  West Yorkshire

  61

  Wiltshire

  15

  Total

  1,823

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many completed application forms have been received by each of the police forces in England and Wales as a result of his Department's national recruitment campaign. [145101]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office centrally handles responses to the campaign and expressions of interest (EOI) in applying to join the police service. The total EOI resulting from the campaign, that have been sent on to each force are listed. Completed application forms are received by each individual police force separately.

  Breakdown of EOIs and where they were sent as at 7 January 2001

  Force

  Cumulative

  01

  Avon and Somerset constabulary

  473

  02

  Bedfordshire police

  90

  03

  Cambridgeshire constabulary

  187

  04

  Cheshire constabulary

  507

  05

  City of London constabulary

  149

  06

  Cleveland constabulary

  308

  07

  Cumbria constabulary

  323

  08

  Derbyshire constabulary

  419

  09

  Devon and Cornwall constabulary

  379

  10

  Dorset police

  192

  11

  Durham police

  358

  12

  Dyfed-Powys police

  228

  13

  Essex police

  280

  14

  Gloucestershire constabulary

  100

  109W

  Breakdown of EOls and where they were sent as at 7 January 2001

  Force

  Cumulative

  15

  Greater Manchester police

  968

  16

  Gwent constabulary

  153

  17

  Hampshire constabulary

  221

  18

  Hertfordshire constabulary

  122

  19

  Humberside police

  313

  20

  Kent constabulary

  209

  21

  Lancashire constabulary

  748

  22

  Leicestershire constabulaiy

  207

  23

  Lincolnshire police

  204

  24

  Merseyside police

  833

  25

  Metropolitan police

  1,153

  26

  Norfolk constabulary

  222

  27

  Northamptonshire police

  128

  28

  Northumbria police

  451

  29

  North Wales police

  183

  30

  North Yorkshire police

  466

  31

  Nottinghamshire constabulary

  630

  32

  South Wales constabulary

  623

  33

  South Yorkshire police

  607

  34

  Staffordshire police

  456

  35

  Suffolk constabulary

  130

  36

  Surrey police

  123

  37

  Sussex police

  203

  38

  Thames Valley police

  254

  39

  Warwickshire constabulaiy

  126

  40

  West Mercia constabulary

  294

  41

  West Midlands police

  566

  42

  West Yorkshire police

  664

  43

  Wiltshire police

  105

  Total

  15,355

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) length of service and (b) age profile of police officers serving in the Metropolitan police. [145086]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is set out in the table and reflects the position at the end of December 2000. The numbers of staff provided in the table relate to actual persons and not to full-time equivalent staff. The data have been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Number of officers

  (a) Length of service

  0–4

  4,810

  5–9

  4,064

  10–14

  5,171

  15–19

  4,557

  20–24

  4,109

  25–29

  2,391

  30–34

  467

  35–39

  58

  40+

  3

  (b) Age

  Less than 20

  73

  20–24

  1,467

  25–29

  3,362

  30–34

  5,320

  35–39

  6,226

  40–44

  5,021

  45–19

  2,822

  50–54

  1,131

  55–59

  208

  110W
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entrants there were to the Metropolitan police service on each intake start date in 2000; and what the monthly recruitment intake target was for each such date. [145093]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I am advised by the Metropolitan police that the number of entrants and the target for each intake start date in 2000 were as follows:

  Month

  Entrants

  Target

  4 January 2000

  104

  130

  7 February 2000

  61

  130

  13 March 2000

  66

  130

  17 April 2000

  101

  99

  22 May 2000

  102

  99

  26 June 2000

  98

  100

  31 July 2000

  89

  90

  No intake in August

  0

  0

  4 September 2000

  97

  95

  9 October 2000

  140

  142

  20 November 2000

  148

  150

  18 December 2000

  148

  150

  Recruitment intakes take place at five weekly intervals, so targets were set on the basis of intake dates not calendar months. The number of entrants shown includes new recruits and transfers into the Metropolitan police service

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many constables had less than two years police service in the Metropolitan police in each month of 2000. [145103]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information, set out in the table, has been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Constables with less than two years service

  Month

  Number

  January

  2,221

  February

  2,205

  March

  2,242

  April

  2,326

  May

  2,284

  June

  2,229

  July

  2,150

  August

  1,963

  September

  1,902

  October

  1,900

  November

  2,026

  December

  2,154

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many officers left the Metropolitan police service in(a) the first and (b) the second year of their service in 2000; [145079]

  (2) what the average length of service of police officers was in the Metropolitan police in 2000. [145100]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the average length of service for police officers in the Metropolitan police service in 2000 was 14.3 years for males and 10.3 years for females.
  111W
  I am also informed by the Commissioner, that 114 officers left in their first year of service and 39 left in their second year of service during the period January to December 2000.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Metropolitan Police Service officers are employed on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement; [144965]

  (2) what the (a) target and (b) actual police officer strength is of each metropolitan policing borough; and if he will make a statement. [144960]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that at the end of December 2000, 622 officers were employed on a part-time basis.

  The table sets out the targeted and actual workforce strength of the London Borough divisions. The information has been provided by the Commissioner. Each division of the Metropolitan Police has a police budgeted work force total which is set at 1 April 2000. The divisional strength figures are those for 31 December 2000. Actual divisional strength fluctuates because of wastage and recruitment variations.

  Since I last provided this information in my answer of 9 November 2000 to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow), Official Report, column 393W, police numbers in the London Borough divisions have increased by 43.

  Metropolitan Police: budgeted work force total and actual strength at divisional level

  Division

  Police budgeted workforce total2

  Actual police numbers at 31 December 20002

  City of Westminster

  1,580

  1,524.8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  557

  524.5

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  517

  493.4

  Camden

  671

  652.5

  Islington

  554

  542.9

  Harrow

  295

  292.5

  Brent

  602

  589.2

  Barnet

  517

  479.1

  Ealing

  611

  580.2

  Hillingdon

  376

  363.7

  Haringey

  533

  534.2

  Hackney

  673

  655.5

  Tower Hamlets

  548.5

  511.3

  Waltham Forest

  453

  430.3

  Redbridge

  390

  379.7

  Havering

  320.2

  298.6

  Newham

  582.6

  564.7

  Barking and Dagenham

  278.5

  264.6

  Enfield

  478

  458.5

  Southwark

  801

  762

  Lewisham

  584

  568.3

  Bromley

  440

  411.9

  Greenwich

  586

  563.4

  Bexley

  310

  306.4

  Croydon

  549

  557.8

  Sutton

  254

  268.7

  Lambeth

  875

  859.8

  Richmond upon Thames

  260

  255.1

  Hounslow

  411

  398.8

  Kingston upon Thames

  256

  252.8

  112W

  Metropolitan Police: budgeted work force total and actual strength at divisional level

  Division

  Police budgeted workforce total2

  Actual police numbers at 31 December 20002

  Merton

  290

  276.2

  Wandsworth

  555.3

  545.2

  Total

  16,708.1

  16,164.3

  Heathrow Airport1

  304

  290.3

  Divisional total

  17,012.1

  16,454.6

  1 These police posts are paid for by Heathrow Airport plc.

  2 Figures are full-time equivalents and have been rounded to the nearest one decimal point.

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent representations he has received from police forces about recording of(a) stops, (b) searches and (c) stop and searches; [145024]

  (2) what recent reports he has received about the deterrent impact of stop and search in inner city anti-robbery initiatives; [145098]

  (3) what plans the Government have to revise Code A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and if he will make a statement; [145017]

  (4) what his policy is on police recording stop-only encounters, in accordance with Recommendation 61 of the MacPherson report; and if he will make a statement. [145081]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Work on taking forward the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry has been overseen by a Steering Group chaired by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary. At its meeting on 21 November, the Lawrence Steering Group agreed to set up a sub-group to take forward further work on stop and search. The meeting also agreed that Recommendation 61 will be the subject of further consultation with the community via local police authorities, with the support of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Association of Police Authorities. The sub-group is due to report back to the Steering Group by Easter on the results of this consultation.

  No research has been carried out specifically on the deterrent impact of stop and search on anti-robbery initiatives. The recent report by the Policing and Reducing Crime Unit "The Impact of Stop and Search on Crime and the Community" found little solid evidence that searches have a deterrent effect on crime. There is, however, some evidence that the very existence of stops may prevent crime, whether or not they involve searches. Although not investigated by this particular study, it is also possible that where searches are used intensively in particular location they may have a localised deterrence or displacement effect.

  Code A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act will be revised to give officers clearer and more specific guidance on how stop and search powers should be used and to ensure that the rights of the public are properly protected. It is hoped to put a draft out to consultation in May.
  113W
  Several forces have been closely involved in the programme of work to improve the effective use of the stop and search tactic. A number of forces have recently inquired about progress on the reform programme. A joint letter updating forces on this is to be issued shortly by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Consultants
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the consultants used by his Department in 2000 and proposed to be used in 2001, and the costs involved. [145096]

  Mr. Straw
  The individual value of contracts are commercial in confidence and in the time available I have not been able to consult with all the listed providers to seek their agreement to publish details of the costs. In order to give as full an answer as possible I have provided the list of consultants and the total costs incurred for each year.

  January-December 2000
  Total cost: £13,203,090
  Consultants

  Ernst and Young

  Kermon

  PA Consulting

  Computer People

  Insight Consulting

  Insight

  University of Birmingham

  Lorien Consulting

  IWI Consultants

  SEMA

  CAPITA/RAS

  Sauve-Bell Associates

  University of Leicester

  Parkwell Management Consultants

  Willis UK Ltd

  Hedra

  Yale

  CCTA

  Colin Roberts

  Kelvin Medley-Jones

  Basic Skills Agency

  Roy Harrington

  Fiona Coffey Consulting

  DERA

  People Excellence

  Mott MacDonald

  Radley

  Prof F Burchill

  Ghizni Carroll Partnership

  Oxford Strategic Partnerships

  Hay Management Consultants

  Ionann

  Schneider Ross

  South Bank University

  Organisation and Management Development

  Clive Cole

  David Leigh

  Kudos

  WBS Consulting Ltd

  114W

  McNeil Robertson Partnership

  Advance Consultancy Limited

  Michael Briggs

  Performance Management

  Geoff Berry

  Emma Wallace

  Performance Management Group

  Symbia Ltd

  Cloran Consultants Ltd

  Capita Business Service

  Mouchel

  Pannell Kerr Forster

  Focus Consultancy Ltd

  CITI

  DBI

  Simon Green

  Brian Farrington Consultants

  Advantage Consultants

  John Hall Consultancy

  CEC Europe

  Price Waterhouse

  Goldsmiths

  Marsh UK

  Custodial Care NTO

  Towers Perrin

  Aquarius

  Professor N Anderson

  CHS Solutions

  CCTA

  AON Group

  Malcolm Ballantine Project Management

  W S Atkins

  Anite

  Organisation Consulting Partners

  Colin Welsh

  Goodcivic

  David Mathew

  SEMA

  Strategy Partners

  Gernic Software Consultants

  Yale

  Michael Peacock

  FT Knowledge

  Accent Marketing and Research

  Butler and Young

  Crown Solicitors Office

  DBI Associates Ltd

  Deloitte Consulting

  Government Actuary's Department

  MORI Ltd

  Murray and Company Ltd

  Richard Ellis St Quintin

  Rosslyn Research

  Willis Coroon Ltd.

  Bates Interactive

  Ashford Associates

  Logica

  CMG

  MHB

  115W
  January-December 2001
  Total cost: £11,019,447
  Consultants

  Lorien

  IWI Consultants

  CAPITA/RAS

  Sauve-Bell Associates

  Basic Skills Agency

  Mott MacDonald

  KPMG

  Radley

  Parkwell Management Consultants Ltd

  Alison Bowers

  Geoff Berry

  Edward Morgan

  Performance Management Group

  David Leigh

  Mouchel

  Simon Green

  Brian Farrington Consultants

  Advantage Consulting

  John Hall Consulting

  Price Waterhouse

  Marsh UK

  Aquarius

  CCTA

  Anite

  Organisation Consulting Partners

  Mike Haynes

  Synopsis

  SEMA

  David Mathew

  Beamans

  Method Applications

  CMG

  MHB.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the measures to address the decline in the number of special constables since April 1999. [145609]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Police manpower figures are collected by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate every six months—as at 30 September and 31 March each year. The total number of special constables as at 31 March 1999 was recorded as 16,484. The latest statistics, recorded at 30 September 2000, show the total number of specials to be 13,528. During this same period, 2,603 specials have been recruited and 4,439 have left the service.

  Figures indicate that the number of specials has been in decline since 1993, with both numbers recruited and numbers leaving the service showing a general downward trend. The numbers leaving the special constabulary has, however, continued to approximate or outstrip those recruited. The problem evidenced appeared to be one of retention, therefore, rather than recruitment.
  116W
  Research was completed last year into the premature wastage of special constables and recommendations made. The research found that the primary reasons given for leaving were often external to the service, but that there were some underlying factors contributing to the decision to resign. The recommendations therefore included improving: the flexibility of duties and hours offered; the management structure within which specials operate; the quality of training provided locally; and local efforts to monitor and prevent wastage. The Home Office is exploring all of the recommendations from this research with the Police Service and Association of Police Authorities.

  With retention in mind, insurance to provide legal representation for specials was introduced on 27 June 2000, applying to incidents taking place on or after that date. The insurance company providing the service has been asked to provide an assessment of the scheme at the next meeting of the Special Constabulary Standing Committee in March 2001. New conditions of service for special constables and new misconduct regulations are also under development.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables(a) were recruited by each police force and (b) left the service between 30 September 1999 and 2000; and if he will make a statement on the number of special constables. [145087]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of special constables who were recruited to and left each of the police force special constabularies between 30 September 1999 and 30 September 2000 is set out in the table.

  Force

  Recruited

  Left

  Avon and Somerset

  58

  124

  Bedfordshire

  6

  20

  Cambridgeshire

  50

  92

  Cheshire

  7

  62

  Cleveland

  4

  17

  Cumbria

  11

  36

  Derbyshire

  45

  62

  Devon and Cornwall

  81

  100

  Dorset

  38

  39

  Durham

  35

  40

  Dyfed-Powys

  23

  40

  Essex

  78

  117

  Gloucestershire

  20

  44

  Greater Manchester

  37

  127

  Gwent

  30

  9

  Hampshire

  45

  224

  Hertfordshire

  28

  44

  Humberside

  16

  53

  Kent

  84

  152

  Lancashire

  37

  71

  Leicestershire

  7

  108

  Lincolnshire

  3

  41

  London, City of

  0

  20

  Merseyside

  47

  78

  Metropolitan police

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  23

  70

  Northamptonshire

  39

  67

  Northumbria

  66

  74

  North Wales

  11

  25

  North Yorkshire

  13

  40

  Nottinghamshire

  11

  11

  South Wales

  20

  69

  South Yorkshire

  25

  35

  Staffordshire

  61

  77

  Suffolk

  63

  79

  117W

  Force

  Recruited

  Left

  Surrey

  43

  54

  Sussex

  30

  72

  Thames Valley

  46

  104

  Warwickshire

  3

  0

  West Mercia

  27

  44

  West Midlands

  128

  144

  West Yorkshire

  120

  166

  Wiltshire

  35

  45

  Total

  1,554

  2,893

  Source:

  Research Development and Statistics Directorate, Home Office.

  Vehicle Crime and Burglary
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent assessment is of police forces' progress against crime reduction targets for vehicle crime and burglary. [145085]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Crime reduction targets took effect from April 2000 and are measured against recorded crime statistics. The first opportunity to assess progress will be in relation to the recorded crime statistics for the period October 1999 to September 2000, due to be published on 16 January.

  Police Service (Regional Structure)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a regional structure for the police service; and if he will make a statement. [145547]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have no such plans, but we would of course consider on their merits any proposals from police authorities for amalgamations which might lead to more effective policing. We will continue to encourage chief officers and police authorities to take advantage of opportunities for collaboration between forces where this will help deliver Best Value.

  Beat Patrolling
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent reports he has received about the effectiveness of directed beat patrolling by police. [145548]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Last September the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales published a report "What the Public See is What They Think: They Get", which included case studies of forces where increased and targeted beat patrolling was being used more effectively and efficiently
  The Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate is about to begin research into the effectiveness of Humberside police's high visibility patrol work.

  Crime Fighting Fund
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money from the Crime Fighting Fund has been spent. [145549]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Estimated total Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) expenditure to the end of December 2000 was £41.2 million.
  118W
  CFF grant payment to forces totaled £35.1 million.

  In addition, £6.1 million has been spent by National Police Training which is responsible for the initial training of recruits to provincial forces.

  CFF grant payments to forces are paid on the basis of anticipated recruitment of CFF officers. Variations in actual recruitment may affect total amounts due to individual forces. Any overpayment may be reclaimed or offset against future payments.

  Police Accelerated Promotion Scheme
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the new accelerated promotion scheme for the police. [145550]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Work is in hand to establish an improved and extended accelerated promotion scheme, combining and developing the two existing schemes for graduate entrants and for serving officers. This work is expected to be completed by the autumn.

  Hendon Police College
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) residential and (b) non-residential training courses provided by the Police College at Hendon since May 2000 and the number of officers attending each course. [145563]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I will write to the hon. Member and will place copies of my reply in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to local authorities about the determination of the age of asylum seekers claiming to be minors; what plans he has to revise that guidance; and if he will make a statement. [145336]

  Mrs. Roche
  No such guidance has been issued to local authorities. National Asylum Support Service officials have discussed age dispute cases with local authority officials, who have responsibility for supporting asylum seeking children.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to local authorities of housing asylum seekers who fall outside the dispersal scheme. [145329]

  Mrs. Roche
  Some asylum seekers provided with accommodation by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are not dispersed. In these cases the costs of their accommodation are met by the NASS.

  Local authorities are required to house only those asylum seekers supported by local authorities under the interim scheme (which consists of in-country asylum applicants who claimed asylum before the roll-out of the new NASS support arrangements and port applicants who received a first negative decision before the NASS roll-out) and those who are eligible for social security benefits (having claimed asylum at port before 3 April 2000 and not having had an initial decision on their case) and have a priority need for accommodation under the

  119W
  homelessness legislation. Local authorities can recover these costs by way of Government grant which is subject to unit cost limits.

  Based on unaudited grant claims submitted to the Home Office the net costs of local authorities in England and Wales of providing support to asylum seekers under the interim scheme, including housing and subsistence, for the first six months of 2000–01 was £7 million.

  Detailed information about the costs of the local authorities of accommodating asylum seekers under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (the homelessness legislation) is not held centrally.

  The latest figure available for net expenditure by local housing authorities in England on securing accommodation for households under the homelessness legislation (excluding administration costs) is £74 million in 1998–99.

  Information about the number of households accommodated by local authorities in England under the homelessness legislation who are asylum seekers was not collected by central Government prior to the second quarter of 1999. Between June 1999 and September 2000, the proportion of such households was typically around 16 per cent.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of the policy bulletins issued by the National Asylum Support Service. [145080]

  Mrs. Roche
  Copies of all current policy bulletins issued by the National Asylum Support Service have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to local authorities about the duties of social services to asylum seekers who are unaccompanied minors when they reach the age of 18 years; and if he will make a statement. [145338]

  Mrs. Roche
  No such guidance has been issued to local authorities. However, over the past 12 months National Asylum Support Service (NASS) officials have had discussions with local authority organisations on the most appropriate way of ensuring a smooth transition from care under the Children's Act 1989 to the NASS system of support.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's asylum policy following the judgment of the House of Lords in the case of Aitseguer and Adan. [145334]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are disappointed that the House of Lords took the same view as the Court of Appeal in these cases, which raised issues about differing interpretations of the 1951 Refugee Convention in France and Germany.

  Since 2 October 2000 section 11 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 has provided that all European Union member states are considered safe destinations for the purpose of transfers under the Dublin Convention. This applies to all current and future cases, but the cases of Adan and Aitseguer pre-date this provision.
  120W
  The judgment will affect how we deal with a group of about 300 cases seeking to rely on similar issues. We are now considering what action to take in those cases. We already know that many of them can be distinguished from the issues in Adan and Aitseguer. We will therefore continue to make arrangements where appropriate for their transfer to the member state properly responsible for considering their claims under the Dublin Convention.

  The Government remain concerned about the effects of differing interpretations of the Refugee Convention in the different European Union member states. The United Kingdom will be actively involved in the forthcoming negotiations to establish minimum standards across the Union in respect of the qualification of nationals of third countries as refugees.

  Departmental Reports
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish his Department's(a) Business Plan and (b) annual report for 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [145330]

  Mr. Straw
  In line with usual practice, the next Home Office Business Plan is scheduled for completion to coincide with the start of the 2001–02 financial year. The next Home Office Annual Report is planned for completion and publication shortly after the spring 2001 Budget.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish his Department's summary cash plans for 2000–01 and for future years following the Comprehensive Spending Review 2000; and if he will make a statement. [145327]

  Mr. Straw
  Summary cash plans for 2000–01 were published in the Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000 (Cm 4065) published in April 2000. Plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04 will be included as part of the 2000–01 Departmental Report to be published in spring 2001. These will be in resource terms with the introduction of resource budgeting from 1 April 2001.

  Young Offender Institution Rules 2000
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the differences between the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 and the existing rules which they are intended to replace. [145337]

  Mr. Boateng
  The significant differences between the consolidated Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 and the existing rules, consolidated in 1988 are listed. During the intervening years the rules have been amended via Statutory Instrument (SI) on 16 occasions. For ease of reference the relevant year and SI number are quoted with the key differences:1989 SI331 abolished the following offences against discipline within Rule 50: mutiny, doing gross personal violence, making a false and malicious allegation against an officer, repeatedly making groundless complaints. It created the following new offences against discipline within Rule 50: detaining a person against his wish, denying an officer access to part of a young

  121W
  offender institution, fighting, intentionally endangering the health or personal safety of another, obstructing an officer, intentionally or recklessly starting a fire.
  1989 SI2142. Rule 46 extended the period for which prisoners could be removed from association without the authority of the Board of Visitors from 24 hours to three days.
  1990 SI1763. Rule 9 required governors to hear oral request and complaints daily. Established the right for prisoners to complain to the governor or Board of Visitors in confidence. Rule 14 allowed for the opening of prisoners' correspondence with legal advisers on reasonable suspicion that it contained illicit enclosures or endangered security. Rule 53 increased the maximum period of cellular confinement from three to seven days.
  1994 SI13194. Rule 49A introduced compulsory testing for controlled drugs. Rule 50 amended to include the offence of administering a controlled drug.
  1995 SI984. Rule 53 increased a governor's punishments for prisoners found guilty of offences against discipline from 14 to 21 days forfeiture of privileges; from 14 to 21 days removal from activities; from 14 to 21 days extra work; from 14 to 21 days removal from wing; from 28 to 42 additional days and from 28 to 42 days stoppage of earnings.
  1995 SI1599. Rule 7 introduced the requirement to establish a system of privileges in each young offender institution.
  1996 SI1662. Rule 3 extended the regime day in young offender institutions and expanded the scope of regime activities. Rule 5 enabled the introduction of regimes providing for stricter order and discipline, emphasising standards of dress, appearance and conduct. Rule 50 introduced two new offences against discipline relating to alcohol.
  1999 SI962. Rule 10 provided the governor with authority to impose closed or non contact visits between the prisoner and his visitor. Rule 48 stated that a prisoner could not be kept temporarily confined in a special cell or room for more than 24 hours without the authority of the Board of Visitors. Rule 50 introduced a new offence against discipline of receiving a controlled drug or other articles during a visit. Rule 53 increased the maximum punishment of cellular confinement from three to seven days. Rule 71A added powers to prohibit certain visitors in the interests of security, good order or prevention of crime.
  2000 SI1700. Rule 53 removed the punishment of cellular confinement for those aged under 18 and/or serving a Detention and Training Order.
  2000 SI1795. Rule 50 introduced the following new offences against discipline relating to racist behaviour by prisoners: racially aggravated assault; racially aggravated damage to any part of a young offender institution or any property other than his own; using threatening, abusive or insulting racist words or behaviour; displaying or drawing on property or buildings threatening, abusive or insulting racist words, drawings, symbols or other material.
  2000 SI2642. Rule 49B introduced conditional powers for governors to place inmates under constant observation using closed circuit television (CCTV) in the interests of securing good order, for the health and safety of the prisoner or the prevention and detection of crime.

  Slopping Out
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons in England and Wales engage in slopping out; and if he will make a statement. [144961]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are no prison establishments in England and Wales where slopping out is part of the operational regime. Twenty-four hour access to sanitation is provided in the majority of normal accommodation by means of integral sanitation, electronic unlocking or open access. The exceptions to this are D Wing at Exeter, C Wing at Dartmoor and B Wing at Swansea. When this 122W
  accommodation is in use, 24 hour access is normally provided by manual unlocking. Buckets are also provided in the cells as an alternative facility following which "slopping out" would take place. Consideration is being given to the provision of integral sanitation if these cells continue to be used. There is a proportion of cells in segregation units and places in health care centres where sanitation is not provided, for operational reasons.

  Police (Sick Leave)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are on long-term sick leave in each police force in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [144968]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information about the number of police officers currently on long-term sick leave is not held centrally. The table provided shows the total number of police officer working days lost in 1999–2000 due to long-term sick leave for forces in England and Wales; and the number of officers on long-term sick leave as at 31 March 2000. The table is based on information provided by forces to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

  Long term sick leave 1999–2000

  Forces

  Working days lost to long-term sick leave

  Police officers on long-term sick leave at 31 March 2000

  Avon and Somerset

  19,969

  53

  Bedfordshire

  7,618

  24

  Cambridgeshire

  9,371

  41

  Cheshire

  15,523

  83

  City of London

  5,905

  16

  Cleveland

  11,918

  1—

  Cumbria

  7,691

  36

  Derbyshire

  14,127

  63

  Devon and Cornwall

  17,622

  99

  Dorset

  5,986

  23

  Durham

  10,610

  23

  Dyfed-Powys

  7,555

  142

  Essex

  22,714

  61

  Gloucestershire

  5,882

  16

  Greater Manchester

  67,022

  220

  Gwent

  11,545

  36

  Hampshire

  22,177

  1—

  Hertfordshire

  8,894

  27

  Humberside

  8,183

  35

  Kent

  18,492

  53

  Lancashire

  26,438

  81

  Leicestershire

  14,295

  42

  Lincolnshire

  6,517

  19

  Merseyside

  35,897

  124

  Metropolitan police

  157,261

  397

  Norfolk

  8,232

  23

  Northamptonshire

  4,609

  16

  Northumbria

  29,565

  57

  North Wales

  9,483

  38

  North Yorkshire

  9,994

  184

  Nottinghamshire

  24,461

  54

  South Wales

  31,190

  159

  South Yorkshire

  27,776

  86

  Staffordshire

  16,192

  60

  Suffolk

  6,385

  21

  Surrey

  11,106

  28

  Sussex

  17,051

  72

  Thames Valley

  36,752

  102

  Warwickshire

  7,631

  28

  West Mercia

  12,873

  32

  West Midlands

  64,982

  176

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  Long term sick leave 1999–2000

  Forces

  Working days lost to long-term sick leave

  Police officers on long-term sick leave at 31 March 2000

  West Yorkshire

  23,929

  104

  Wiltshire

  4,349

  11

  England and Wales

  885,771

  2,965

  1 Details for Cleveland and Hampshire constabularies are not available.

  Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to implement Part II of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [144963]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 December 2000,Official Report, column 123W. Part II of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, together with Schedule 4 and related parts of Schedules 7 and 8, was commenced in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland, on 11 January 2001.

TREASURY

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the projects undertaken for his Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144080]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Comprehensive information is not available in the form requested.

  Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons were prosecuted for offences relating to(a) tobacco and (b) alcohol smuggling in each year since 1990. [144834]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs prosecution records are not separated between tobacco and alcohol and are not held in this format. For the number of prosecutions generated by Excise Verification Officers for both alcohol and tobacco from 1994–95 to 1997–98 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 19 July 1998,Official Report, column 300W. The figure given in that answer for 1997–98 was corrected in the National Audit Office's "Appropriation Accounts 1997–98 (Volume 16: Class XVI, Departments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer)", p.1, which was published on 10 February 1999. The figures from 1998–99 to 1999–2000 are as follows:

  Number

  1998–99

  575

  1999–2000

  645

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the measures recommended by the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review have been 124W
  implemented; and if he will list the measures which (a) have been implemented and (b) remain to be implemented. [144836]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 9 November 2000,Official Report, column 343W. A schedule reporting progress on each of the recommendations has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vehicles seized as a result of offences concerning alcohol and tobacco smuggling have been(a) confiscated and (b) restored to their owners in each year since 1990. [144835]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the numbers of vehicles seized for excise offences from 1993–94 to 1997–98 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 18 June 1998,Official Report, column 274W. The figures from 1998–99 to 1999–2000 are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1998–99

  3,193

  1999–2000

  5,200

  I regret the information on vehicle restoration is not kept. As part of the Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy launched in March 2000, Customs policy is now not to restore seized vehicles other than in the most exceptional circumstances.

  Manufacturing (North-west)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent measures he has introduced to secure manufacturing jobs in the north-west of England. [145215]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Manufacturers in the north-west of England, as elsewhere in the UK, are benefiting from the platform of economic stability that the Government's new frameworks for monetary and fiscal policy have delivered. Low inflation and sound public finances provide the right conditions for manufacturing companies to develop their full potential and offer secure employment.

  This hard-won stability provides an opportunity for all businesses in the north-west to raise their productivity performance—the key to long-term prosperity and job creation. The Government have already put in place a series of policies to strengthen productivity, including reductions in corporation tax from 33 to 30 per cent., reform of capital gains tax, and a new R&D tax credit.

  The recent pre-Budget Report proposed a package of measures that from April 2001 will help small and medium sized firms manage their entry into the VAT system, reduce their administrative burden and improve their cashflow. It also announced an enhanced role and funding for the North West Development Agency, which will enable it to target resources more effectively at local priorities.

  Regional Competition
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures he plans to enable English regions to be economically competitive within the(a) UK and (b) EU. [145213]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government keep all fiscal measures under review and any plans will be announced in the usual way.

  The competitiveness of regions is a key factor in fiscal economic policy and there are already a number of measures in place, including those announced in SR2000—such as the new Regional Innovation Fund, which forms part of the Regional Development Agencies' much increased budgets. These measures are designed to ensure that the English regions are both competitive within the UK and the EU. Coupled with the Government's sound management of the economy, they have already made the UK the leading country for overseas investment in the EU.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent measures he has instituted to guarantee matching funding on an annual basis, to ensure the draw-down in the English regions of European structural funds. [145216]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  In the Spending Review the Government announced that they would ensure funding for the European share of Objective 1, 2 and 3 within departmental allocations. The resources for match funding are provided for within the total departmental spending settlements.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of deferred capital gains tax under(a) the enterprise investment scheme and (b) venture capital trusts in each of the last three years; what estimate he has made for the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [144705]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: Separate estimates for the CGT element under both schemes are not available. Tentative estimates of the full cost of relief for both these schemes are published in Inland Revenue Statistics.

  Disabled Persons's 'Fax Credit
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking(a) to improve access to the Disabled Person's Tax Credit and (b) to speed up consideration of cases. [144717]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: When the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) was introduced in October 1999 the qualifying benefit rules were amended to give people moving off various out-of-work incapacity benefits more time in which to find a job and apply for DPTC. From October 2000, a new route to DPTC, called the DPTC Fast-Track, was introduced to help people who became sick and disabled while in work, to stay in work. In August 2000, over
  126W
  25,000 disabled workers were benefiting from DPTC—37 per cent. more than were receiving Disability Working Allowance in July 1999. The Inland Revenue are continually monitoring progress against the turnaround targets for DPTC claims (set out in the IR's Annual Plan 2000–01) and these targets are reviewed annually as part of the Department's Public Service and Service Delivery Agreements with Treasury Ministers.

  Tax Statistics
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the Exchequer yield from a 50 per cent. tax rate starting at(a) £50,000, (b) £100,000 and (c) £50,000 per annum with an additional rate of 60 per cent. starting at £100,000, and the number of taxpayers that would be affected in each case. [145248]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full-year effects and numbers affected in 2001–02 of making the changes are set out in the table.

  Change in 2001–02

  Yield (£ billion)

  Taxpayers affected (thousand)

  (a)

  50 per cent. for income tax for taxable income over £50,000

  5.7

  950

  (b)

  50 per cent. for income tax for taxable income over £100,000

  3.2

  250

  (c)

  50 per cent. rate for income tax for taxable income over £50,000 and 60 per cent. rate for income tax for taxable income over £100,000

  8.7

  950

  Estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget Report.

  Tax Evasion
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been prosecuted for tax evasion in each year between 1994 and 2000. [145211]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of prosecutions for tax offences for both Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise offences is available from their departmental reports. These can be obtained from the House of Commons Library.

  Criminals (Assets)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value is of the confiscation of the assets of criminals effected by the Customs and Excise, in each year between 1994–95 and 1999–2000. [145212]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is contained in the relevant Customs and Excise Commissioner's Board Reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when HM Customs and Excise entered into a confidentiality agreement with a third party for the purpose of evaluating evidence from that third party which may be offered in respect of current litigation; and if he will make a statement. [145133]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise are not aware of any current civil litigation cases in which such a confidentiality agreement has been entered into.

  Self-assessment
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what appraisal has been made of the efficiency and effectiveness of the self-assessment tax process by(a) his Department and (b) the National Audit office. [145388]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue conducted a public consultation exercise during 1998 and the results were published on the Inland Revenue internet site in December 1998.

  The Inland Revenue commissioned Ernst and Young to undertake a Post Implementation Review of the Self Assessment programme and they did so last March.

  The Inland Revenue are always seeking ways to improve their processes and proactively respond to suggestions made by their customers and their own staff. They hold regular meetings with the main representative bodies and publish a quarterly bulletin called "Working Together".

  The National Audit Office have reported on Income Tax Self Assessment in the Comptroller and Auditor General's reports on the Inland Revenue's appropriation accounts as follows:
  Appropriation accounts for 1995–96: HC11—xii Session 1996–97
  Appropriation accounts for 1996–97: HC251—xvi Session 1997–98
  Appropriation accounts for 1997–98: HC1—xvi Session 1999–99
  Appropriation accounts for 1998–99: HC11—xvi Session 1999–2000.

  The National Audit Office are in the process of finalising a report on Self Assessment with the Inland Revenue. It will be published in due course.

  Tax Credits (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the annual expenditure by Her Majesty's Government on(a) the Working Families Tax Credit and (b) the childcare tax credit has been in Scotland since 1997; [145669]

  (2) if he will estimate the number of families with children in Scotland who are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit; [145670]
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  (3) how many persons in Scotland are in receipt of (a) Working Families Tax Credit and (b) the childcare tax credit; [145671]

  (4) what the (a) average Working Families Tax Credit and (b) average childcare tax credit payment per week was for persons in Scotland since 1997. [145668]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) replaced Family Credit in October 1999. The data needed to estimate the answers to the first three questions are available as follows.

  The WFTC Quarterly Enquiries from November 1999 contain estimates of the numbers of families in the United Kingdom and Scotland in receipt of awards, and the average weekly values of these awards. Copies have been placed in the Library. Estimates of national expenditure on WFTC and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit appear at Table B20 of the November 2000 pre-Budget Report.

  It is estimated that at August 2000 12,900 families in Scotland were in receipt of WFTC awards which included a childcare tax credit, and that the average extra award to these families due to the childcare tax credit was £30.41 per week.

  No estimate is available of the number of families in Scotland eligible for WFTC.

  VAT
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue impact on the Exchequer of harmonising VAT on repairs and new buildings at five per cent. [145594]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs and Excise estimate that the effect of harmonising VAT on the repair, maintenance and improvement of dwellings currently at 17.5 per cent. and on the construction of new dwellings currently zero rated, at 5 per cent. would be broadly revenue neutral.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue impact on the Exchequer that would result from harmonising VAT on repairs and new buildings on greenfield land at five per cent. [145591]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry) on 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 356W.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of VAT paid by heritage groups in each of the last five years in respect of repair work on historic buildings; [145588]

  (2) how much VAT was paid by church groups in relation to repair work on churches in each of the last five years. [145610]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs & Excise do not have any reliable estimates of the amount of VAT that was paid by Church groups in relation to repair work on churches.

  Administrative Court
  Administrative Court
  "Patriotism Minister"
  "Patriotism Minister"
  Millennium Dome Site: Legacy plc Offer
  Millennium Dome Site: Legacy plc Offer
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland: Arms Finds
  Northern Ireland: Arms Finds
  Post Office: Industrial Disputes
  Post Office: Industrial Disputes
  Ofgem: Senior Staff
  Ofgem: Senior Staff
  Oftel: Senior Staff
  Oftel: Senior Staff
  DIAMOND Synchrotron
  DIAMOND Synchrotron
  Universal Banking Services
  Universal Banking Services
  Terrorism Act: Functions of Examining and Authorised Officers
  Terrorism Act: Functions of Examining and Authorised Officers
  Operation Trident
  Operation Trident
  Women Offenders: Home Office Report
  Women Offenders: Home Office Report
  Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987: Charges
  Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987: Charges
  Child Abuse
  Child Abuse
  Freedom of Information Act: Commencement
  Freedom of Information Act: Commencement
  National Asylum Support Service Scheme
  National Asylum Support Service Scheme
  Citizen's Arrests
  Citizen's Arrests
  Commonwealth Games: Air Rifles and Air Pistols
  Commonwealth Games: Air Rifles and Air Pistols
  Animals used in Licensed Experiments
  Animals used in Licensed Experiments
  Dangerous People with Severe Personality Disorder
  Dangerous People with Severe Personality Disorder
  Indecent and Obscene Material on the Internet
  Indecent and Obscene Material on the Internet
  Handguns: Use in Serious Crime
  Handguns: Use in Serious Crime
  Military Aircraft available for Operations
  Military Aircraft available for Operations
  Rail Transfer Equipment
  Rail Transfer Equipment
  EMU: Conditions for Participating in Stage 3
  EMU: Conditions for Participating in Stage 3
  Ofgem, Oftel, Ofwat and Orr: Staff Turnover
  Ofgem, Oftel, Ofwat and Orr: Staff Turnover
  Educational Projects in Museums and Galleries: DfEE Funding
  Educational Projects in Museums and Galleries: DfEE Funding
  Boarding and Tuition Fees Schemes
  Boarding and Tuition Fees Schemes
  Teachers: Stress-related Illness
  Teachers: Stress-related Illness
  Traditional Medicines: Proposed Directive
  Traditional Medicines: Proposed Directive
  Hospital Patients: Use of First Name
  Hospital Patients: Use of First Name
  Reproductive Cloning
  Reproductive Cloning
  Therapeutic Cloning
  Therapeutic Cloning
  Medical Toxicology Unit and Agrochemical Companies
  Medical Toxicology Unit and Agrochemical Companies
  Abattoirs
  Abattoirs
  Severn Railway Tunnel
  Severn Railway Tunnel
  Office of Water Services: Senior Staff
  Office of Water Services: Senior Staff
  Sustainable Development
  Sustainable Development
  Litter Collection on Motorway Network
  Litter Collection on Motorway Network
  Al2 Embankment at Witham: Cutting back of Planting
  Al2 Embankment at Witham: Cutting back of Planting
  Ice on Highways
  Ice on Highways
  Jubilee Line: Station Closures
  Jubilee Line: Station Closures
  Transport Council, 20 and 21 December
  Transport Council, 20 and 21 December
  Office of the Rail Regulator: Senior Staff
  Office of the Rail Regulator: Senior Staff
  BSE and Prion Proteins
  BSE and Prion Proteins
  European Fisheries Council Meetings
  European Fisheries Council Meetings
  Fish Species: Total Allowable Catch
  Fish Species: Total Allowable Catch
  BSE
  BSE
  Game Meat: Export from US
  Game Meat: Export from US
  BSE Testing
  BSE Testing