Written Answers of 16 January 2001

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Dropped Charges
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases have been dropped after an initial charge has been laid by the Director of Public Prosecutions, in each year from 1992 to 2000. [145221]

  The Solicitor-General
  The table shows the number of proceedings dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in each year since 1992.

  Prosecutions dropped 1992–2000

  Magistrates courts

  Crown court

  Year ending December

  Discontinued

  As a percentage of completed cases

  Prosecutions dropped

  As a percentage of completed cases

  1992

  193,110

  13.3

  8,825

  7.8

  1993

  175,025

  12.8

  7,430

  7.8

  1994

  159,803

  11.7

  7,298

  8.0

  1995

  156,628

  12.0

  8,148

  8.1

  1996

  153,274

  12.0

  7,109

  7.4

  1997

  161,461

  12.2

  7,514

  7.2

  1998

  162,661

  12.0

  8,680

  9.4

  1999

  164,682

  12.1

  9,331

  10.7

  20001

  127,078

  12.6

  7,619

  11.9

  1 January-September only

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those contracts with a value in excess of £1 million entered into by the New Millennium Experience Company which have not complied with public procurement procedures. [141408]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: Public procurement procedures are based on the presumption that competitive tendering should apply as the norm but recognise that in certain, exceptional circumstances single tender procurement is justified providing that value for money and probity criteria are met.

  In these respects the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that it has complied with public procurement procedures in the thousands of procurements of goods, works and services undertaken for the Millennium Experience project. Over 90 per cent. of procurements have been by competitive tender. Of those that have been single tender 10 were in excess of £1 million. Of those five were awarded to companies who had previously won work on the project through competitive tendering processes and were judged, for
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  The table shows separately the number of defendants whose cases were discontinued in magistrates courts, and the number of defendants whose cases were dropped in the Crown court before a jury was sworn. The table also expresses these figures as a proportion of cases completed in each year.

  Discontinuance has remained stable at around 12 per cent. to 13 per cent. of cases completed in magistrates courts during the period under review. However, the proportion of cases dropped in the Crown court has increased over recent years, from 7.2 per cent. in 1997 to 11.9 per cent. in the period January-September 2000. This is believed to be because the abolition of live committals in April 1997 removed the opportunity of testing prosecution witnesses before a case reaches the Crown court.

  Charges in criminal proceedings are initially brought by the police rather than the Director of Public Prosecutions. Each case that the police send to the Crown Prosecution Service is then reviewed by a Crown Prosecutor to ensure that it meets the criteria for a prosecution set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

  reasons of urgency and value for money, best placed to carry out necessary additional works and services. The single tender contracts awarded are:

  August 1998:
  Crown House—the Dome's Central Area and other area Secondary Mechanical work. (Crown had previously won a competitive tender).

  August 1998:
  N. G. Bailey—the Dome's Central Area electrical works (N. G. Bailey had previously won a competitive tender).

  October 1998:
  WCT Live—Design and event services.

  May 1999:
  Park Avenue Productions—Fit out of Global Zone (Park Avenue had won a competitive tender for design work on other zones but were subsequently moved to Global.

  August 1999:
  At Work/Carlton Beck—Additional zone exhibits relevant to the Shared Ground zone (At Work had won a competitive tender for design work on other zones).

  August 1999:
  SCS Interactive In-Timekeepers soft play zone.

  June 1999:

  Tiger Aspect—the Blackadder Film written and produced specifically for the Dome.
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  September 2000:
  PricewaterhouseCoopers—Management and finance support for the Company's final quarter of operation, close down and decommissioning.

  October 2000:
  McAlpine Laing Joint Venture—Decommissioning work (The Joint Venture had previously won a competitive tender to project manage the construction of the Dome).

  November 2000:
  Henry Butcher (Auctioneers and Valuers)—Removal and sale of NMEC assets. Part of the value of the contract is based on a standard percentage of realisation value.

  There is an ongoing need for specialist professional advice and support as the New Millennium Experience Company progresses towards wind down of the Company, disposal of assets and decommissioning work. It is possible that the costs of certain other professional advisers (especially legal), who were appointed on grounds of urgency in the autumn may exceed £1 million by completion of wind down and decommissioning. In each case where this occurs the Company will continue to ensure that the rates charged are competitive, that value for money is delivered and that the necessary processes applicable to the extension of contracts in these circumstances are implemented.

  Lottery Funds
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been paid out in grants in total, from Lottery funds, to(a) London and (b) Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens in (i) cash terms and (ii) as a percentage of the United Kingdom total. [145194]

  Kate Hoey
  The table shows the amounts paid to Lottery projects in London and in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens in cash terms and as a percentage of all awards. This information has been taken from my Department's National Lottery awards database, using information provided by the National Lottery distributing bodies.

  National Lottery awards made to the areas of London, Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens since the Lottery began, by local authority

  Region/local authority

  National Lottery grant totals awarded in cash terms (£)

  Percentage of the United Kingdom total

  London

  2,356,719,474

  25

  Liverpool

  121,368,909

  1.3

  Wirral

  15,489,349

  0.2

  Sefton

  14,894,452

  0.2

  Knowsley

  10,319,142

  0.1

  St. Helens

  16,785,298

  0.2

  Total1

  168,538,008

  2.0

  1 Total for Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had on the future of the Millennium Dome; and what estimate he has made of the effects on tourism in the area of the future use of the Dome site. [144912]
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  Janet Anderson
  The Government are currently in negotiation with Legacy plc, as preferred bidder for the Dome. If negotiations go well we hope to be in a position to exchange contracts in February. Legacy plc's proposals are for a high technology industrial campus or workspace, leisure and retail uses. No estimate has been made on the potential effects of Legacy plc proposals on tourism to the surrounding area.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to protect the physical security of the contents of the Millennium Dome prior to the conclusion of its sale agreement. [145016]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has enhanced on-site security and has implemented comprehensive checking and authorisation procedures to ensure that any assets leaving the site have proper sign-off. This includes the establishment of an Asset Protection Team whose role is to oversee the movement, protection, secure storage and eventual disposal of assets whether owned by a third party or by NMEC. A special vehicle inspection bay has been created to screen all vehicles leaving the site and there is now only a single exit point from which vehicles can leave.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the successful bidder for the site will be forbidden to demolish the Millennium Dome. [145417]

  Janet Anderson
  The Millennium Dome is safeguarded for a minimum of 15 years, as specified in the Competition brief, and as previously agreed under terms negotiated with Nomura.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much European funding has been obtained for tourism in(a) England, (b) north-west England and (c) Merseyside for 2001. [144909]

  Janet Anderson
  There are numerous potential sources of European funding that could benefit tourism in this country. For instance, economically depressed areas in the UK will benefit from over £6 billion of European regional funding under Objectives 1 and 2. Merseyside will receive £840 million of Objective 1 funding during the seven year programme to help economic development. Objective 2 funding totalling £500 million over this period will be providing help to parts of Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria. It is difficult to identify the precise amount of an award that would benefit a specific sector such as tourism. However, we have been advised by the North West Tourist Board that tourism in Sefton and Liverpool will benefit from an award of £1.5 million under Objective 1. There will also be support for Liverpool's bid for European Capital of Culture, Sefton's integrated tourism marketing initiative and the Merseyside Partnership's Merseyside Advantage strategy from the European Regional Development Fund.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for improving tourism in the Merseyside area in 2001. [144945]
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  Janet Anderson
  This Department's national strategy, "Tomorrows Tourism", sets out a framework for the sustainable development of tourism throughout England, including Merseyside. As part of that strategy we provide funding via the English Tourism Council to support projects in the regions. The North West Tourist Board and local partners are responsible for delivering the regional strategy for their area. We have been advised by the Board that tourism will benefit from an award of £1.5 million to Sefton and Liverpool under Objective 1 (Sefton's share of the award is £400,000) and from European Regional Development Fund support for Liverpool's bid for the European Capital of Culture, for Sefton's integrated tourism marketing initiative and for the Merseyside Partnership's Merseyside Advantage Strategy.

  Advisory Committee on Public Appointments
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will publish the membership and biographical details of his Department's Advisory Committee on Public Appointments; [145168]

  (2) on what basis appointments are made to his Department's Advisory Committee on Public Appointments. [145172]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: My Department does not have an Advisory Committee on Public Appointments, but has a pool of Independent Assessors who provide independent scrutiny within the public appointments process as laid down in guidance from the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner's guidance allows Departments the flexibility to decide the criteria for selecting Independent Assessors and the method by which they are selected. We look for people with a wide range of backgrounds and appropriate experience who are able to bring an independent view to the appointments process. We also ensure that the list is representative of the public as a whole in terms of gender, ethnicity, age and disability.

  My Department currently has a list of 40 independent Assessors and details are as follows:
  Professor Dawn Ades: Professor of Art History and Theory, University of Essex
  John Adshead CBE: Group Personnel Director, Sainsbury's
  Dr. Eric Anderson FRSE: Chair, National Heritage Memorial Fund
  Dr. John Ashworth: Chair, British Library Board
  Averil Burgess OBE: Chair, Independent Schools Inspectorate and former Board Member, Museum of London
  Antony Butler: Director, Oxford University Careers Service
  Professor Averil Cameron CBE: Warden, Keble College, Oxford
  Sue Charteris: Freelance Consultant and former Chief Executive, Merton Borough Council
  Barry Cox: Deputy Chair, Channel Four
  Jon Davey: Chair, Media Matrix Partnership
  William Day: Chief Executive, CARE International UK
  Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll: Freelance Cultural Consultant. Former Vice Chancellor, University of East Anglia and former Director Victoria and Albert Museum
  Lord Matthew Evans CBE: Chair, Resource and Fabar and Faber Ltd.
  Right hon. Lord Faringdon: Commissioner, English Heritage
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  Baroness Flather: Former local councillor and former Governor of Commonwealth Institute
  Professor Sir Brian Follett FRS: Vice Chancellor, University of Warwick
  Keith Foreman OBE: Independent Adviser to DfEE and ex Comprehensive School Head Teacher
  Richard J. Fries: Former Chief Charity Commissioner
  Jan Hall OBE: Partner, Spencer Stuart and Associates
  Sheila Hewitt: Board member, Radio Authority
  Richard Hooper: Chair, Radio Authority
  Judith Hunt OBE: Special Adviser, Local Government Association and Improvement and Development Agency
  Brian Hutchinson: Former Corporate Affairs Director. Allied Zurich
  Kate Jenkins: Chair, Kate Jenkins Associates and former senior Civil Servant
  Roger Laughton CBE: Head of School of Media, Arts and Communications, University of Bournemouth
  Janet Lewis-Jones: Freelance Consultant and Board Member of S4C
  David McDonnell: Chair, National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside
  Professor Anne McLaren: Research Associate, Wellcome/CRC Institute of Cancer and Development Biology and Board Member, Natural History Museum
  Stephanie Monk CBE: Group Personnel Director, Granada Compass Plc.
  Michael Moriarty CB: Former Deputy Chair, Radio Authority and former senior Civil Servant
  John Neill CBE: Chief Executive, Unipart Group of Companies
  Trevor Phillips OBE: Broadcaster and Member of the Greater London Authority
  Baroness Jill Piteathley OBE: Chair, New Opportunities Fund
  David Quarmby: Chair, British Tourist Authority
  Dr. Janet Ritterman: Director, Royal School of Music and Board Member of the Arts Council
  Dr. Ann Robinson: Former Director General, National Association of Pension Funds
  Peter Troughton: Chief Executive, First Arrow
  Baroness Young of Old Scone: Chair, English Nature and former Vice Chair BBC Governors
  Sir Rodney Walker: Chair, UK Sports Council.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on proposals to establish an alternative to the National Lottery. [145139]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The Government are happy for organisations or individuals to operate lotteries providing they comply with the provisions of the existing legislation. Under section 5 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 there can be only one operator of the National Lottery, although other organisations can run individual games with the agreement of the section 5 operator (which must act reasonably in its dealings with a section 6 applicant). The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 allows for four distinct types of lottery; society lotteries, local lotteries, private lotteries and small lotteries incidental to exempt entertainments. The larger society lotteries run by charities, sports clubs and local authorities must register with the Gaming Board for Great Britain. The maximum sale value of the tickets which may be sold in a single

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  lottery is £1 million. The top prize which may be offered is £25,000 or 10 per cent. of its proceeds, whichever is the higher, and each lottery may sell no more than £5 million worth of tickets in a single year.

  Regional Arts Boards
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the percentage funding is for each artistic discipline specified by the Arts Council to the regional arts boards. [145835]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Arts Council allocated funding to the regional arts boards on the basis of the RABs own business plan for the support of the arts in their respective regions and not on the basis of specified funding for individual art forms.

  Mr. Robert Bourne
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when officials in(a) his Department, (b) the Cabinet Office and (c) the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions were informed of Mr. Robert Bourne's donations to the Labour Party. [144716]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: Donations to political parties are not a factor in the assessment of bids or tenders for Government work. Decisions on the competition for the future use of the Dome have been taken on the basis of objective and independent advice on what bids best met the published competition criteria. I declared an association with Robert Bourne to my officials before consideration began in December 1999 of the bids which qualified under the competition. I included in my subsequent written declaration that Robert Bourne had made contributions to my Constituency Labour Party. On the advice of my officials, I removed myself from any part of the consideration of the qualifying bids and from the subsequent decisions on shortlisting and granting of preferred bidder status.

  Television Subtitling
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the most recent statistics are that his Department has collated on the level of subtitling of all programmes broadcast on(a) BBC1, (b) BBC2, (c) ITV, (d) Channel 4 and (e) Channel 5. [145377]

  Janet Anderson
  From the most recent information available from the BBC, over 70 per cent. of BBC1 and over 65 per cent. of BBC2 is subtitled. From the latest figures available from the ITC, published in the Commission's Annual Report 1999, the level of subtitling of programmes in that year was 66 per cent. on ITV; 50 per cent. on GMTV; 60 per cent. on Channel 4; and 32 per cent. on Channel 5.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to compel United Kingdom manufacturers of television sets to include a tuner that can receive digital signals in every new television set. [145775]
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  Janet Anderson
  The Government have no such plans, which could be contrary to our international commitments unless it is part of a European agreement. However, the proposal for the Directive on universal service and users rights relating to electronic communications networks and services stipulates in its annexe VI that all the television sets sold in Europe should have at least one open interface socket permitting the connection of a digital receiver.

  Millennium Festival (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Millennium festival in Scotland. [145894]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  National Lottery Grants
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the applications for National Lottery grants and the amounts refused by each(a) parliamentary constituency in Scotland and (b) Lottery board for each of the last five years. [145886]

  Kate Hoey
  We have contacted the National Lottery distributing bodies to request such information as they hold, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Kew Gardens (Quinquennial Review)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to conduct a Quinquennial Review of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [146066]

  Ms Quin
  The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is managed by the Board of Trustees established by the National Heritage Act 1983 and has the status of an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body. I am today announcing the Quinquennial Review of this body which will evaluate its performance and status. The Review also meets a commitment under the Government's Better Quality Services initiative which requires Departments to review their services and activities over a five-year period to decide how best to improve quality and value for money.

  The terms of reference for the Review are as follows:
  to conduct an evaluation of the performance of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew since the last review in 1995;
  as part of the evaluation, to pay particular attention to the effectiveness of postgraduate horticultural training and the quality of public education activities; and to take account of the conclusions of the Science Audit being carried out in March 2001;
  to consider in the light of this evaluation and the views of customers and other stakeholders whether NDPB status remains the most cost-effective way of achieving its own and Departmental aims, as well as Government-wide aims such as those relating to science policy and Modernising Government;
  if the review concludes that the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew should continue to function as a NDPB, then to consider what changes, if any, are required to its operating framework in the

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  light of the findings of the Review. If, however, the review concludes that a different delivery system would provide high quality, more effective and better value for money services, to set out the rationale and to recommend appropriate options to Ministers.

  The review will be conducted by a Review Team attached to MAFF's Chief Scientist's Group, working in consultation with the Cabinet Office, the Treasury and other Government Departments as appropriate.

  Interested parties are invited to submit their views to the Review Team by Monday 9 April 2001. Details of how to contact them are contained in the MAFF press notice issued today or on our website http://www.maff.gov.uk.

  GM Seeds
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the European Commission on legislative provisions concerning the adventitious presence of genetically modified seeds in seed 01 conventional plant varieties. [146065]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Commission has recently published a working paper on the presence of GM seeds in seeds of conventional varieties. The draft proposals include provisions on GM threshold levels, previous cropping requirements, isolation distances and labelling. Copies of the working paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

  We will be consulting widely on these proposals.

  Abattoir Industry
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the abattoir industry; and what matters were discussed. [143176]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: The last specific occasion was on 30 November 2000, when the Date Based Export Scheme was the subject of discussion.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the principal changes his Department is seeking on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [143931]

  Action plan for farming

  Measure

  Value

  Accounted for as DEL or AME

  Proportion paid to farmers/other intended recipients to date

  Introduced a scheme to encourage the restructuring of the pig industry in order to improve its long-term viability. (UK wide)

  £26 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  —

  Pay to dairy farmers all the agrimonetary aid that EU rules permit this year only. (UK wide)

  £22 million (in 2000–01)

  AME

  99.9 per cent. (£21.9 million)

  Pay agrimonetary compensation to beef farmers of £22 million this year only. Payments will be made in connection with Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium and Extensification Payments for the 2000 scheme year. (UK wide)

  £22 million (in 2000–01 and 2001–02)

  AME

  39 per cent. (£8.6 million)

  Agrimonetary compensation to sheep farmers of £22 million this year in respect of 1999 scheme year claims. (UK wide)

  £22 million (in 2000–01 and 2001–02)

  AME

  100 per cent. (£22 million)

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  Ms Quin
  Our goal is for agriculture to be:competitive, diverse and flexible in a world of increasingly open markets;
  responsive to consumer demand;
  environmentally sustainable;
  an integral part of the rural economy.

  Specific reforms needed will include:

  1. Decisions on market support to align EU prices with the world market and end reliance on subsidised exports;

  2. Decisions to remove constraints on EU farming that prevent the food and farming industries competing effectively on world markets eg milk and sugar quotas and compulsory set-aside;

  3. Decisions to develop the rural development regulation in order to deliver more effectively policy objectives for the environment and rural economies in ways which do not distort agricultural markets as well as to help EU farms to adjust to changes in market support; and

  4. Decisions concerning the level of CAP direct subsidies in order to meet budget constraints before and after enlargement and anticipated WTO requirements, and to release resources to deliver the reinforcement of the rural development regulation described.

  Professor Harriet Kimbell
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the comments made by Professor Harriet Kimbell at a departmental news conference concerning SEAC's meeting on 28 November 2000. [144345]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: No. Professor Kimbell's personal opinions do not fall within my ministerial responsibility.

  Farm Aid
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate, in respect of each component item of the farm aid package announced on 30 March 2000,(a) if it has been accounted for as DEL or AME expenditure and (b) what proportion has been paid to (i) farmers and (ii) other intended recipients to date. [144398]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Action Plan for Farming, launched at the Farming Summit on 30 March was supported by £203.5 million. The components of this, how they have been accounted for, and the proportion paid to farmers and other intended recipients to date are as listed.
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  Action plan for farming

  Measure

  Value

  Accounted for as DEL or AME

  Proportion paid to farmers/other intended recipients to date

  Increase support for hill farmers beyond the level specified in the Rural Development Plans submitted to the Commission. (UK wide)

  £60 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  —

  Seek from the Commission an increase in the maximum weight per animal on which compensation is payable under the over-30-months scheme. (UK wide)

  £20 million (estimate) (in 2000–01)1

  DEL

  49 per cent. (£12.3 million estimated expenditure)

  Remove charges for dairy hygiene inspections in England as soon as the necessary legislation can be put in place

  £1 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  Value represents an estimated annual saving to industry

  Hold the increase in meat inspection charges for 2000–01 to the rate of inflation. (GB wide)

  £4.5 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  Value represents an estimated annual saving to industry

  Increase the rate of grant under MAFF's Farm Waste Grant Scheme from 25 per cent. of eligible expenditure (under which uptake has been low) to 40 per cent. (England only)

  £3.5 million (in 2001–02)

  DEL

  —

  The Government will double the Regional Development Agencies' Redundant Building Grant Programmes, which operates in Rural Priority Areas, to £8 million in 2000–01. (England only)

  £4 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  0.7 per cent. (£28K) (Quarter 1 figures)

  The Government will allocate £2.3 million to create in England a European Centre for organic fruit and nursery stock.

  £2.261 million (over two years: £0.3 million in 2000–01 and £1.961 in 2001–02)

  DEL

  12 per cent. (£273K)

  A single charge for authorisation to dispose of used sheep dip, equivalent to the current application charge of £85, should cover the full four-year period of the initial authorisation. This means that the current annual charge of £107 will not be payable during the first four-year period. (England and Wales)

  £4.7 million over four years2

  DEL

  56 per cent. (£2.65 million)— (estimated cash benefit in 2000–01)

  Business Restructuring in England:

  The Government will pump-prime the drive to improve the competitiveness of farmers by providing funding for business improvement, on a challenge basis, following the model of the Agriculture Development Scheme 1999

  £1 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  45 per cent. (£450K)

  The Government will provide funding of £1.2 million to Lantra (National Training Organisation for the Landbased Sector) to promote the economic benefits of training and to analyse the training needs of farm business

  £1.2 million (in 2000–01)3

  DEL

  52 per cent. (£935K)

  The Government will help farmers develop better business practices through tailored business advice. As farmers increasingly diversify their businesses, they will be able to draw on the wider expertise and services of the Small Business Service

  £6.5 million (in 2000–01)4

  DEL

  10 per cent. (£851K)

  The Government will continue to support the Rural Stress Information Network by extending for at least a further year the secondment of a MAFF official to that organisation. MAFF will also increase the provision of free advice to those farmers referred to it by certain organisations. The Government will increase its support to voluntary bodies dealing with rural stress on the basis of an action plan drawn up with them. The final payments, 25 per cent. (£125K), are due to be made by 1 March 2001.

  £0.5 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  75 per cent. (350K)

  Launch an electronic portal for farming

  £0.4 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  40 per cent. (160K)

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  Action plan for farming

  Measure

  Value

  Accounted for as DEL or AME

  Proportion paid to farmers/other intended recipients to date

  Business restructuring aid for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  £2 million (in 2000–01)

  DEL

  DARD—NAWAD— SERAD 100 per cent. (£1.046 million)5

  Total

  203.5

  —

  —

  1 Revised estimate now £25 million

  2 Estimated saving to industry

  3 Allocation now £1.8 million—includes element of hill support funding

  4 Allocation now £8.5 million—includes element of hill support funding

  5 In the course of 2000–01 the Scottish Executive has incurred additional costs of some £4 million towards advancing its electronic data transfer and service delivery systems, both of which offer significant improvements to farm business management in Scotland. The cost of these measures is greatly in excess of the £1.046 million provided for under the Action Plan for Farming

  Beef
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from Mr. Hugh Leman concerning the entry of imported over-30-month meat into the British food chain. [144318]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: None that I am aware of.

  Environmental Health Regulations
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions there were for breaches of(a) meat hygiene regulations and (b) pesticide safety regulations in each year from 1992 to 2000. [145246]

  Ms Quin
  In the year 1992 there were no prosecutions for breaches of meat hygiene regulations and four for breaches of pesticide safety regulations for which my Department was responsible. Other authorities will have had responsibility, especially up to 1 April 1995 when the Meat Hygiene Service was established and after 1 April 2000 when the Food Standards Agency was established. The relevant figures for subsequent years are:

  Year

  Meat

  Pesticides

  1993

  0

  11

  1994

  0

  8

  1995

  0

  10

  1996

  7

  0

  1997

  7

  4

  1998

  28

  4

  1999

  28

  9

  2000

  21

  1

  Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports his Department has received on the death of a 12-year-old lion at Newquay Zoo from feline spongiform encephalopathy; what estimate he has made of the number of animals which have died from FSE; and if he will make a statement. [145351]

  Ms Quin
  The lion, which was born on 25 July 1987, and acquired by Newquay zoo in October 1997, had been suffering from lameness and increasing inco-ordination of the hind limbs from May 2000. It was euthanased in 142W
  August 2000 and the carcase examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), Truro. Tissues were sent to pathologists at VLA Lasswade where the diagnosis of feline spongiform encephalopathy was made. This diagnosis was supported by further examinations carried out at VLA Weybridge.

  Post mortem examinations of domestic and exotic cats are routinely carried out by the VLA on behalf of MAFF, as part of the surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

  Cases confirmed to date are as follows:

  Domestic cat

  Cheetah

  Lion

  Ocelot

  Puma

  Tiger

  1990

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  10

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1993

  11

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  16

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1995

  8

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  1996

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1997

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998

  4

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1999

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  2000

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the non-departmental public bodies responsible to him which have duties relating to Scotland, indicating their budget and staffing levels. [145892]

  Ms Quin
  A list of the non-departmental public bodies that are sponsored by my Department and which have a remit covering Great Britain or the United Kingdom is set out in the annex.

  The remaining information is not held centrally in the form requested, but generally information on expenditure and staffing is published annually in the Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies". Copies of "Public Bodies 2000" have recently been placed in the Libraries of the House.
  143W
  Non-Departmental Public Bodies with duties relating to Scotland Executive NDPBs:

  British Potato Council

  Horticultural Development Council

  Food From Britain

  Home-grown Cereals Authority

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Milk Development Council

  Sea Fish Industry Authority

  UK Register of Organic Food Standards

  Wine Standards Board of The Vintners' Company

  Advisory NDPBs:

  Advisory Committee on Pesticides

  Farm Animal Welfare Council

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  Veterinary Products Committee

  Tribunals:
  Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal

DEFENCE

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Diversification Agency. [145997]

  Dr. Moonie
  We remain fully committed to defence diversification—the "spin-out" of defence technology to the civil sector for wider benefit. The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) has made a very successful start in delivering that policy objective since its establishment in 1999. The implementation of our Public Private Partnership proposals for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) will make a further and very substantial contribution to defence diversification. It will be in the interest of "NewDERA" to exploit opportunities for the "spin-out" of defence technology to the civil sector. At the same time we shall want to ensure that the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory (DSIL), the part of DERA to be retained in the MOD, also contributes fully to defence diversification activity.

  Since the DDA currently operates as part of DERA, some reorganisation over the next few months is inevitable. Responsibility for the agency, we propose, will be transferred from DERA to MOD headquarters, from where it would continue to facilitate the achievement of our defence diversification objectives. It would ensure that opportunities for "spin-out", and also the "spin-in" of civil technology to the MOD, are disseminated and exploited, and that industry is assisted with its own diversification planning. A major part of diversification activities would in future be undertaken from within NewDERA and DSTL, by existing DDA staff operating from their current locations, continuing the work that they do now, and transferred to NewDERA and DSTL for that purpose.

  We shall work closely with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the DDA continues to secure our policy objectives. Detailed new arrangements will now be worked out and we shall consult about the staffing
  144W
  implications in the normal way. In the light of experience of the new organisation, we shall consider further the establishment of a Defence Diversification Council.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what depleted uranium rounds were discharged for training purposes in Saudi Arabia on the Devil Dog Dragoon ranges in 1990–91; and if the ranges were cleared after firing. [145128]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: According to records held by my Department, a small number of DU rounds were fired at Devil Dog Dragoon Ranges in Saudi Arabia during January 1991. These munitions were fired for commissioning purposes, that is, firing at a soft canvas target in order to form a Mean Point of Impact, from which data could be obtained on the accuracy of the tank's main armament when firing this type of ammunition. The rounds fired were L26 120 mm Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) Challenger tank DU rounds, which were first deployed operationally during the Gulf Conflict.

  We do not have details of the numbers of rounds which may have been fired, or the precise dates of any such firings but contemporary authoritative records show that two areas within Devil Dog Dragoon Ranges were designated for the firing of tank main armaments, as well as for other large calibre rounds which contained no DU material. These ranges were designated T1 and T2. Contemporary records indicate that the clearance of any UK Unexploded Ordnance from these ranges was completed during March 1991.

  Thermobaric Weapons
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if animals will be used in the development of thermobaric weapons. [145370]

  Dr. Moonie
  I have nothing to add to the answer provided by my hoe. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 5 June 2000,Official Report, columns 17–18W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt).

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy towards the(a) development and (b) use by British armed forces of thermobaric weapons. [145371]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence does not have any weapons based on `thermobaric' munitions in its inventory. However, such weapons exist and it would therefore be irresponsible not to keep developments in this field under review, not least to develop protective measures for our personnel.

  We have asked industry to consider how best to provide an anti-structure capability for use by the infantry in the urban environment. It is possible that this solution may involve using blast rather than fragmentation effects.

  Should we decide to acquire such a weapon, we would ensure that this was fully in accordance with international law and our treaty obligations.

  Army Overstretch
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Army overstretch over the past three years. [145901]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 October 2000,Official Report, column 276W, to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow). Since that time, the percentage of the Army committed to operations has fallen a further percentage point to 21 per cent.

  Forces Numbers
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) trained strength and (b) trained requirement of the UK (i) regular armed forces, (ii) reserve forces and (iii) Territorial Army. [145902]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information is as follows.

  Full timed trained

  All services

  Naval service

  Army

  RAF

  Full time trained strength

  189,318

  38,604

  100,442

  50,272

  of which:

  Trained UK Regulars

  184,671

  38,127

  96,523

  50,021

  FTRS personnel1

  1,312

  477

  584

  251

  Trained Gurkhas

  3,335

  —

  3,335

  —

  Trained requirement

  198,043

  39,921

  106,133

  51,989

  for:

  Trained UK Regulars

  194,795

  39,921

  103,086

  51,788

  FTRS personnel1, 2

  201

  —

  —

  201

  Trained Gurkhas

  3,047

  —

  3,047

  —

  1 FTRS: Full Time Reserve Service personnel. Royal Air Force FTRS personnel are divided into Full Commitment (FC), Limited Commitment (LC and Home Commitment (HC)

  2 FC individuals serve in vacant regular posts, but LC and HC individuals count towards a separate requirement. The RAF requirement for FTRS personnel is for LC and HC only

  Note:

  Figures at 1 December 2000

  Reserves

  The reserve forces are split into Volunteer Reserves (which include the Territorial At my) and Regular Reserves. There is a requirement for the Volunteer Reserves but not for the Regular Reserves.

  Figures for the Volunteer Reserves

  Strength

  Requirement

  Naval service1

  2,574

  3,887

  Territorial Army2

  41,671

  41,204

  RAF3

  1,617

  2,149

  1 Naval service comprises Royal Naval Reserve at 31 December 2000 and Royal Marine Reserve at 10 January 2001

  2 Territorial Army figure does not include Non-Regular Permanent Staff in the TA

  3 RAF Figure is for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Strength at 1 December 2000, Requirement at 1 July 2000

  Figures for the Regular Reserves1

  Strength

  Naval service2

  9,870

  Army2

  33,966

  RAF2

  14,166

  1 Excludes Pensioners and Army Long Term Reserve

  2 At 1 December 2000

  Fylingdales
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with American officials on(a) the upgrading of Fylingdales and (b) the upgrading of early warning facilities other than Fylingdales. [145244]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government have had a regular dialogue with the US Administration on the issue of National Missile Defence, and looks forward to continuing this with the next US Administration. The current US Administration has not sought our agreement to the use of facilities in this country for National Missile Defence. Nor would we expect any such request from the United States until and unless the next Administration decided to proceed with deployment of such a system.

  Ro-ro Contract
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the ro-ro ship construction contract recently awarded to the winning consortium can be sub-contracted from the German Flensburg yard to a Polish sub-contractor. [145245]

  Mr. Hoon
  The ro-ro shipbuilding contracts are a commercial matter between AWSR Shipping, the preferred bidder for the Strategic Sealift competition, and its subcontractors. However, I understand that Flensburger Shiffbau-Gesellschaft intend to build all of the four ships ordered from them by AWSR in their Flensburg yard.

  Vanguard Submarines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fatal accidents have occurred on board Vanguard-class submarines since they entered into service; and what health and safety procedures have been introduced following such accidents. [145359]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since the introduction of the Vanguard class, there has been only one instance of an onboard fatality. This was on 6 October 2000. As is usual in these circumstances, rigorous formal inquiries were instigated. These included a Board of Inquiry. The report from the Board of Inquiry is currently being considered by Senior Officers. Following the accident, and in advance of final recommendations, some additional precautionary measures have been introduced.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the size of the Territorial Army. [145900]

  Dr. Moonie
  The latest available official figures give the strength of the Territorial Army as 41,671.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about trends in(a) Territorial Army centre closures since 1992 and (b) proposed closures of Territorial Army centres in 2000–01. [145904]

  Dr. Moonie
  Between 1992 and the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the number of Territorial Army Centres (TAC) remained almost constant, with any closures part of routine management of the Volunteer Estate. SDR resulted in a fundamental reorganisation, reduction and in some cases redeployment of the Territorial Army. Prior to SDR, there were 455 TACs. 342 have been retained for
  147W
  use by the TA, and 27 to accommodate cadet forces units. Of the 86 that will be disposed of, 14 of these have already been sold and a further 42 were scheduled for disposal in financial year 2000–01. It is now unlikely that all these will be sold in the current financial year.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited into the(a) RAF, (b) Army and (c) Royal Navy on cadetships and how many of them (i) had their fees paid and (ii) received a salary, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [145903]

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

  Defence Spending (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget was spent in Scotland in the most recent year for which figures are available(a) in actual terms and (b) as a percentage of the total defence budget. [145898]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Department is organised financially into Top Level Budgets reflecting major outputs rather than geographical location. Expenditure records reflect this organisation and are maintained for only commodities and Top Level Budgets. While we do not record all departmental expenditure by region, the Defence Bills Agency paid defence contractors based in Scotland some £691 million during 1999–2000, some 3 per cent. of Defence expenditure. The figures do not take account of purchases by sub-contractors.

  Scottish Personnel
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom are serving in Her Majesty's armed forces. [145905]

  Mr. Spellar
  Examination of available personal records of currently serving personnel1 has revealed the following information:

  Number

  (a) Scotland

  Naval service

  2,534

  Army

  12,853

  RAF

  5,698

  (b) The United Kingdom

  Naval service2

  42,505

  Army

  107,211

  RAF

  50,858

  1 Naval service data are based on current place of residence. This information is provided at the individual's discretion, therefore the records are unlikely to be complete. Army and RAF details are based on nationality at birth.

  2 Naval service total strength as at 1 December 2000 was 42,505 but this includes an unspecified number of Commonwealth citizens and Republic of Ireland nationals.

HEALTH

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority in England the budgeted allocations for disease modifying therapies for relapsing/remitting MS. [144860]

  Mr. Denham
  Health authorities are expected to meet the costs of drug treatments from their unified budgets. We do not hold centrally information on the amount each health authority may have allocated for specific treatments.

  Contaminated Meat
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of the recent judgment in the case of the contaminated turkey and chicken meat in Hull; and if he will review the adequacy of penalties under food safety laws. [144861]

  Ms Stuart
  Putting condemned meat in the human food chain is a very serious matter and one that could affect human health.

  The charge in this case was one of unusually serious criminal activity involving food safety, based on an intention to defraud others for financial gain. The fresh meat sector is one of the most strictly regulated sectors of the food industry. Penalties under the Food Safety Act 1990 reflect the nature of the regulatory offences generally prosecuted under it. In this case, the appropriate charge was a common law conspiracy to defraud, where the penalties available are greater than those under specific food legislation. If the law needs strengthening to ensure better protection of human health, we will not hesitate to do this.

  Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the Chief Medical Officer's Annual report was not published in autumn 2000. [145008]

  Yvette Cooper
  The last Chief Medical Officer's report was published in August 1998 by Sir Kenneth Calman shortly before he left office. The present Chief Medical Officer came into post in late September 1998. He has taken stock of the publications issued by the CMO and introduced a number of changes. He is currently exploring the opportunities for greater use of web-based publishing methods.

  After listening to a wide range of views he also intends to introduce changes to the format of his annual report. Although the previous format served its purpose well in the past, it is very detailed and it is not always clear in what areas action is being called for. The practice of the CMO's annual report containing descriptions of a wide range of Government policies which are contained in other documents added to the detailed nature of the reports.

  It is the intention of the CMO to produce a new format of the report. Although it was intended that the new report would be ready for the end of 2000, due to other pressing commitments it is hoped that it will now be published in the first quarter of this year. It will be shorter, with a clear

  149W
  focus on areas for action and in a more accessible form. The CMO has produced a number of major reports in the last eighteen months including: "An organisation with a memory: report of an expert group on learning from adverse events in the NHS"; "Supporting Doctors, Protecting Patients"; and "Stem Cell Research: Medical Progress with Responsibility".

  NHS Consultants
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS consultant posts are unfilled; and if he will list the 10 consultancy categories with the most unfilled posts. [145305]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2000. Vacancies in National Health Service trusts in England

  NHS consultants

  3 month vacancies

  3 month vacancy rates (%)

  Total consultants

  590

  2.7

  Anaesthetics consultant

  30

  0.9

  Obstetrics and Gynaecology consultant

  10

  1.0

  Surgical group consultant

  60

  1.5

  Dental group consultant

  20

  1.8

  General Medicine group consultant

  90

  2.0

  Paediatrics consultant

  40

  2.8

  Pathology group consultant

  50

  2.8

  Radiotherapy consultant

  10

  3.3

  Radiology group consultant

  70

  4.7

  Accident and Emergency consultant

  30

  5.8

  Psychiatry Group consultant

  190

  6.9

  Notes:

  1. Posts that have been vacant for 3 months or more

  2. Posts are rounded to the nearest 10

  3. Percentages are rounded to on decimal place

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2000

  Retinitis Pigmentosa
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research into retinitis pigmentosa(a) is being and (b) has been recently funded by the Government. [144932]

  Mr. Denham
  The Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry is currently funding two research projects into retinitis pigmentosa, at a cost of £494,000. In 1999–2000 MRC spent an estimated £4.10 million on projects relating to vision. The MRC also funds broader research programmes into genetics, an estimated £57 million in 1999–2000, which is of relevance to retinitis pigmentosa and many other diseases.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish a response to the Stewart report on mobile telecommunications. [145366]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Stewart report was published on 11 May 2000. On the same day we published our initial response on the Department of Health website welcoming the report and setting out its plans for implementing the recommendations. In December 2000 we published a public information leaflet on mobile phones and base 150W
  stations and announced the start of a new mobile phones and health research programme. Other initiatives that are already in place include information to local education authorities and schools and a programme of measurement and audit of mobile phone base stations.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the membership is of the mobile phone review group; what interests they have declared; and how many meetings of the group have been held since it was set up. [145864]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) (the Stewart group) was set up to investigate the public health implications of mobile phone technologies. The members were as follows:Chairman:
  Professor Sir William Stewart, FRS, FRSE
  Members:

  Professor L. J. Challis, OBE

  Professor L. W. Barclay, OBE, FREng

  Mrs. M.-N. Barton, MBE

  Professor C. Blakemore, FRS

  Professor D. N. M. Coggon

  Professor Sir David Cox, FRS

  Mr. J. Fellows

  Dr. M. Repacholi

  Professor M. Rugg, FRSE

  Professor A. J. Swerdlow

  Mr. T. R. K. Varma, FRCS (Ed.).

  Brief resumés for the members of the IEGMP were published in the report and are on www.iegmp.org.uk. They held a total of 15 meetings. Five of these meetings were open and their minutes are on the website. All members declared their interests at the outset. These records along with submitted written evidence to the group will shortly be lodged at the Public Record Office where they will be available for inspection. Their report was published on 11 May 2000. Copies are available in the Library. The report included a recommendation for a substantial research programme to be set up. This programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, was announced in December 2000 and will be launched at a meeting in central London on 9 February. The research will be undertaken under the direction of an independent programme management committee chaired by Sir William Stewart. Further details will be made available shortly.

  Ambulance Paramedics
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the result of his Department's review of the list of medicines that ambulance paramedics are allowed to administer on their own initiative; if he will indicate the time scale for implementing proposals arising from the review; and if he will make a statement. [145356]

  Ms Stuart
  On 16 November 2000, I announced changes in the law which allowed ambulance paramedics to administer parenterally a wider range of medicines to provide emergency treatment for patients suffering heart attacks and other life-threatening conditions.
  151W
  Ambulance paramedics are already authorised to administer a range of medicines for the immediate, necessary treatment of sick or injured persons. The new additions, such as the thrombolytic agent, Streptokinase, will enhance patient care especially where fast access to treatment can be the difference between life and death.

  Waiting Lists (Brent)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are on NHS waiting lists in the Brent Health Authority area; how many were on such lists in May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [145881]

  Mr. Denham
  The following figures relate to the total inpatient waiting list. Data for May 1997 are not available as data were collected only quarterly at that point. Therefore data are provided for the two nearest quarter months for Brent and Harrow Health Authority:

  Number

  March 1997

  11,481

  June 1997

  11,428

  November 2000

  8,421

  Source:

  QFO1 Quarterly return/monthly waiting times returns.

  NHS MRI Scanners: 1 September 20001

  England

  NHS Trust

  Eastern

  Addenbrooke's

  Eastern

  Bedford Hospitals

  Eastern

  East and North Hertfordshire

  Eastern

  Ipswich Hospital

  Eastern

  James Paget Healthcare

  Eastern

  Kings Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals

  Eastern

  Luton and Dunstable Hospital

  Eastern

  Mid Essex Hospitals

  Eastern

  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare

  Eastern

  Peterborough Hospitals

  Eastern

  Southend Hospital

  Eastern

  The Princess Alexandra Hospital

  Eastern

  West Hertfordshire Hospitals

  London

  Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals

  London

  Barts and The London

  London

  Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare

  London

  Epsom and St. Helier

  London

  Forest Healthcare

  London

  Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

  London

  Guys and St. Thomas'

  London

  Havering Hospitals

  London

  King's Healthcare

  London

  Mayday Healthcare

  London

  North Middlesex Hospital

  London

  North West London Hospitals

  London

  Queen Mary's Sidcup

  London

  Royal Brompton and Harefield

  London

  Royal Free Hampstead

  London

  St. George's Healthcare

  London

  St. Mary's Hospital

  London

  The Hammersmith Hospitals

  London

  The Royal Marsden Hospital

  London

  The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

  London

  University College London Hospitals

  London

  West Middlesex University

  London

  Whittington Hospital

  North West

  Aintree Hospitals

  North West

  Blackburn, Hyndurn and Ribble Valley Healthcare

  North West

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital

  North West

  Central Manchester Healthcare

  North West

  Christie Hospital

  North West

  Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology

  Acute NHS Trusts
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute NHS trusts there are in England; and what population is served by each trust. [145625]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of acute National Health Service trusts in England is 197. Population figures are not available as the se trusts do not serve fixed catchment areas.

  MRI Scanners
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the acute NHS hospitals which have an MRI scanner on their premises. [145624]

  Yvette Cooper
  A list is given in the table of those acute National Health Service trusts which currently have an MRI scanner on their premises. The provision of 33 new MRI scanners to support the accurate diagnosis and staging of cancer patients is being funded through the New Opportunities Fund. As a result of the NHS Plan by 2004 there will be a further 50 new MRI scanners.
  153W

  NHS MRI Scanners: 1 September 20001

  England

  NHS Trust

  North West

  Countess of Chester Hospital

  North West

  East Cheshire

  North West

  North Manchester Healthcare

  North West

  Oldham

  North West

  Preston Acute Hospitals

  North West

  Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospitals University

  North West

  Salford Royal Hospitals

  North West

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital

  North West

  The Manchester Children's Hospitals

  North West

  Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery

  North West

  Warrington Hospital

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Bradford Hospitals

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Calderdale Healthcare

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Carlisle Hospitals

  Northern and Yorkshire

  City Hospitals Sunderland

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals

  Northern and Yorkshire

  North Durham Healthcare

  Northern and Yorkshire

  North Tees and Hartlepool

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals

  Northern and Yorkshire

  South Tees Acute Hospitals

  Northern and Yorkshire

  The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals

  South East

  Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals

  South East

  Brighton Healthcare

  South East

  East Kent Hospitals

  South East

  Eastbourne Hospitals

  South East

  Frimley Park Hospital

  South East

  Hastings and Rother

  South East

  Isle of Wight Healthcare

  South East

  Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells

  South East

  Medway

  South East

  Mid Sussex

  South East

  Milton Keynes General Hospital

  South East

  North Hampshire Hospitals

  South East

  Northampton General Hospital

  South East

  Nuffield Orthopaedic

  South East

  Oxford Radcliffe Hospital

  South East

  Portsmouth Hospitals

  South East

  Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals

  South East

  Royal Naval Hospital Haslar

  South East

  Royal Surrey County Hospital

  South East

  South Buckinghamshire

  South East

  Southampton University Hospitals

  South East

  Stoke Mandeville Hospital

  South East

  Surrey and Sussex Healthcare

  South East

  Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare

  South East

  Worthing and Southlands Hospitals

  South West

  East Gloucestershire

  South West

  East Somerset

  South West

  North Bristol

  South West

  Plymouth Hospitals

  South West

  Poole Hospitals

  South West

  Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals

  South West

  Royal Cornwall Hospitals

  South West

  Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare

  South West

  Royal United Hospital Bath

  South West

  Salisbury Healthcare

  South West

  South Devon Healthcare

  South West

  Swindon and Marlborough

  South West

  Taunton and Somerset

  South West

  United Bristol Healthcare

  South West

  West Dorset General Hospitals

  Trent

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals

  Trent

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montague Hospital

  Trent

  North East Lincolnshire

  Trent

  Northern General Hospital

  Trent

  Nottingham City Hospital

  Trent

  Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital

  Trent

  Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals

  Trent

  United Lincolnshire Hospitals

  Trent

  University Hospitals of Leicester

  West Midlands

  Birmingham Children's Hospital

  West Midlands

  Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull (Teaching Trust)

  154W 155W

  NHS MRI Scanners: 1 September 20001

  England

  NHS Trust

  West Midlands

  Burton Hospitals

  West Midlands

  City Hospital (incorporating the Birmingham City Hospital)

  West Midlands

  Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals

  West Midlands

  North Staffordshire Hospital

  West Midlands

  Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital

  West Midlands

  Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

  West Midlands

  The Princess Royal Hospital

  West Midlands

  University Hospital Birmingham

  West Midlands

  Walsgrave Hospitals

  Medicines Directive
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 20 December 2000,Official Report, column 196W, (1) what steps he plans to take to provide a secure regulatory framework on the market for those products which are safe combinations of herbal remedies and food ingredients; and if he will make a statement; [145568]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 196W, if it is his policy to promote within discussions on the proposed Traditional Use Medicines Directive efforts to reduce the 30 year qualifying period for the demonstration of traditional use to a shorter period that reflects the conditions of the existing UK market; [145582]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 196W, if it is his policy to promote within the discussions on the proposed Traditional Use Medicines Directive the objective of extending its scope to include products which are combinations of herbs with other ingredients and which have been on the market for the qualifying period (a) as part of the combination in question or (b) as an ingredient separate from the one with which it is to be combined; [145581]

  (4) what response the Medicines Control Agency has made to the European Commission in its call for comments on the draft Traditional use Medicines Directive; and if he will arrange for that response to be published in the Official Report. [145389]

  Ms Stuart
  Our priority in continuing European discussions on the proposed directive is to achieve a secure regulatory regime for traditional herbal remedies. We are aware that there are also some traditional medicines which consist wholly or partly of non-herbal ingredients. Our current position is that, once the directive goes beyond relatively discrete categories such as traditional herbal remedies, it may become more difficult to contain the wider public health and regulatory consequences. We therefore wish to continue to review the developing shape of the directive and the implications for overall medicines regulation before firmly committing ourselves to supporting the principle that coverage should extend more widely.

  We are also considering carefully our detailed position on the definition of traditional use, including the qualifying time period, and on criteria which might apply in the case of combinations. One general consideration is that the normal regulatory requirements for medicines include demonstration of efficacy. While we have
  156W
  advocated in Europe the specific case for lifting the requirement for efficacy in the case of genuinely traditional herbal remedies, we would have concerns about the potential implications if the parameters for traditional use were set so loosely that a very wide range of medicinal products were no longer required to demonstrate efficacy.

  At this stage we do not yet know the views of other member states on specific issues relating to combination products. We would expect a clearer picture to emerge over the coming months as European discussions continue. The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has submitted our initial response to the European Commission on the preliminary draft of the proposed directive. Copies of the MCA's letter will be placed in the Library. We will continue our current consultative approach with herbal interest groups.

  Cancer
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the recently financed extra money for cancer care will be targeted in(a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry. [144973]

  Yvette Cooper
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced a national investment of £450 million earmarked for cancer and heart services which will help to raise standards of care and cut waiting times for treatment.

  Each health authority, in consultation with National Health Service trusts, will need to draw up an agreed policy for cancer services and report on their plans to use the money through the service and financial framework process.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the recently announced extra money for cancer care will be targeted at specific forms of cancer; and which research institutes and sites of excellence will benefit from the additional money. [144974]

  Yvette Cooper
  The NHS Plan announced that health authorities will receive an additional £280 million in 2001–02, £407 million in 2002–03 and £570 million by 2003–04 for improving cancer services as set out in the National Health Service cancer plan.

  The plan sets out the priorities for cancer services including improved prevention measures; increasing the cancer work force; reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment; introducing the most effective treatments (including implementing recommendations by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on anti-cancer drugs and implementing evidence-based guidance on

  157W
  effective service delivery); updating cancer equipment, and reorganising delivery of care. The aim is that, as the plan is implemented, patients with all forms of cancer will experience prompt access to treatment and care based on up-to-date evidence. Early action will include implementation of recent and forthcoming guidance on upper gastrointestinal, urological and haematological cancers; new waiting times targets to ensure rapid access to treatment for people with breast cancer, childhood cancers, testicular cancer and leukaemia; and the start of the roll out of the breast screening programme to women aged 65–70.

  All centres of research excellence will benefit from the extra money announced for cancer care. In addition by 2003, we will be investing an additional £20 million each year in the new National Cancer Research Network

  Health authority

  1999–2000 allocation per unweighted head of population £

  2000–01 allocation per unweighted head of population £

  Increase between 1999–2000 and 2000–01 Percentage

  Avon

  580

  639

  10.1

  Barking and Havering

  658

  726

  10.4

  Barnet

  637

  690

  8.3

  Barnsley

  670

  733

  9.4

  Bedfordshire

  554

  608

  9.7

  Berkshire

  530

  583

  10.0

  Bexley and Greenwich

  681

  748

  9.9

  Birmingham

  658

  724

  10.0

  Bradford

  642

  707

  10.2

  Brent and Harrow

  670

  736

  9.9

  Bromley

  613

  670

  9.2

  Buckinghamshire

  524

  575

  9.7

  Bury and Rochdale

  649

  721

  11.0

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  641

  696

  8.6

  Cambridgeshire1

  —

  595

  n/a

  Cambridge and Huntingdon1

  517

  —

  n/a

  Camden and Islington

  856

  953

  11.3

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  647

  702

  8.5

  County Durham

  677

  745

  10.1

  Coventry

  625

  690

  10.4

  Croydon

  606

  663

  9.3

  Doncaster

  671

  734

  9.4

  Dorset

  640

  694

  8.3

  Dudley

  593

  650

  9.7

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  698

  764

  9.5

  East and North Hertfordshire

  558

  611

  9.5

  East Kent

  667

  726

  8.9

  East Lancashire

  683

  749

  9.6

  East London and The City

  775

  860

  11.0

  East Norfolk1

  602

  —

  n/a

  East Riding

  616

  677

  10.0

  East Surrey

  596

  653

  9.7

  East Sussex Brighton and Hove

  680

  738

  8.5

  Enfield and Haringey

  683

  746

  9.1

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  713

  777

  8.9

  Gloucestershire

  595

  645

  8.4

  Herefordshire

  591

  643

  8.9

  Hillingdon

  627

  683

  8.9

  Isle of Wight

  730

  793

  8.6

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  730

  815

  11.6

  Kingston and Richmond

  621

  680

  9.5

  Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham

  779

  868

  11.5

  Leeds

  638

  701

  9.8

  Leicestershire

  557

  611

  9.7

  Lincolnshire

  615

  664

  7.9

  Liverpool

  747

  814

  8.9

  Manchester

  759

  830

  9.3

  Merton Sutton and Wandsworth

  670

  734

  9.5

  158W
  (NCRN) and an extra £4 million each year on prostate cancer research. The NCRN will, among many other things, further integrate research and cancer care.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2000,Official Report column 43W, on Government funding to health authorities, how much the funding allocation has been to each health authority per unweighted head of population for (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) the percentage rise or fall between the two years. [145368]

  Mr. Denham
  Health authority allocations per unweighted head of population for 1999–2000, 2000–01, and the percentage increase between the two years are given in the table.
  159W

  Health authority

  1999–2000 allocation per unweighted head of population £

  2000–01 allocation per unweighted head of population £

  Increase between 1999–2000 and 2000–01 Percentage

  Morecambe Bay

  659

  718

  8.9

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  705

  773

  9.6

  Norfolk1

  —

  658

  n/a

  North and East Devon

  629

  684

  8.8

  North and Mid Hampshire

  527

  575

  9.0

  North Cheshire

  651

  703

  8.0

  North Cumbria

  623

  681

  9.4

  North Derbyshire

  619

  675

  9.2

  North Essex

  578

  634

  9.8

  North Nottinghamshire

  622

  673

  8.3

  North Staffordshire

  646

  714

  10.5

  North West Anglia1

  602

  —

  n/a

  North West Lancashire

  694

  760

  9.4

  North Yorkshire

  587

  638

  8.8

  Northamptonshire

  581

  632

  8.8

  Northumberland

  635

  695

  9.4

  Nottingham

  607

  668

  10.1

  Oxfordshire

  519

  573

  10.3

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  593

  649

  9.5

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  677

  735

  8.5

  Rotherham

  658

  721

  9.6

  Salford and Trafford

  694

  758

  9.2

  Sandwell

  672

  740

  10.1

  Sefton

  692

  768

  10.9

  Sheffield

  684

  743

  8.6

  Shropshire

  584

  635

  8.8

  Solihull

  584

  638

  9.1

  Somerset

  596

  651

  9.1

  South and West Devon

  643

  699

  8.8

  South Cheshire

  601

  654

  8.9

  South Derbyshire

  591

  651

  10.1

  South Essex

  584

  645

  10.6

  South Humber

  643

  694

  8.0

  South Lancashire

  608

  668

  9.8

  South Staffordshire

  566

  615

  8.7

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  589

  642

  9.1

  St. Helen's and Knowsley

  692

  755

  9.1

  Stockport

  611

  670

  9.6

  Suffolk

  576

  626

  8.7

  Sunderland

  699

  768

  9.8

  Tees

  671

  736

  9.7

  Wakefield

  649

  714

  10.0

  Walsall

  650

  712

  9.6

  Warwickshire

  590

  641

  8.7

  West Hertfordshire

  595

  647

  8.7

  West Kent

  575

  629

  9.5

  West Pennine

  660

  726

  9.9

  West Surrey

  577

  633

  9.7

  West Sussex

  622

  678

  9.0

  Wigan and Bolton

  652

  719

  10.3

  Wiltshire

  569

  621

  9.3

  Wirral

  700

  770

  10.1

  Wolverhampton

  662

  724

  9.3

  Worcestershire

  572

  619

  8.3

  England total

  629

  688

  9.4

  1 Figures between the two years are not comparable due to the merger of the former North West Anglia HA into the new HAs of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

  Autism
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent in the NHS in the last year for which figures are available on treating people with autism; what research his Department has commissioned and is undertaking into the causes of autism; and if he will make a statement. [145420]
  160W
  Mr. Hutton
  Data on National Health Service expenditure on treating people with autism are not held centrally.

  There is a large volume of research on all aspects of autism. Details of projects can be found on the National Research Register (NRR), which also contains information on projects and trials funded by the Medical

  161W
  Research Council (MRC) and other research funders. The NRR shows that there are currently 51 ongoing and 82 completed projects on autism. The MRC (which is funded mainly by the Government) recently announced that it has provided £344,000 to fund one of the largest studies of the causes of autism ever attempted.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children suffer from autism; and what proportion this represents of children(a) in total and (b) in each region. [145422]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is widely accepted that the estimated prevalence rate of classic autism is between four and five per 10,000 population. Prevalence of all autistic spectrum disorders is more difficult to estimate but could be as high as 91 per 10,000. These incidence figures would imply that, in England, between 5,000 and 6,000 children up to 18 years of age are affected by classic autism and that up to 110,000 children may be affected by autistic spectrum disorders. We have no evidence of variations in the incidence of autism across regions.

  Scientific Staff
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the recruitment of(a) trainee and (b) trained scientific staff by the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [145407]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Advisory Group for Scientists and Technicians has been charged with developing plans to improve work force planning, education, training and career development among that group of staff. The Department is also developing a specific strategy for improving recruitment and retention, liaising closely with employers, professional bodies and trade unions to raise the profile of the work of scientists.

  The National Health Service Careers Service, including the website http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk has been extended to include scientists and technicians. A new generic scientists and technicians careers leaflet has also been prepared.

  To address particular recruitment and retention problems in pathology laboratories pay increases of between 7.3 per cent. and 16.7 per cent. have been offered from April 2001 to over 6,000 trainee Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers (MLSOs), MLSO1s and MLSO2s. Other scientific and technical staff have been offered a 3.7 per cent. increase.

  Food Labelling
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation on food labelling to make it an offence to remove labels when repackaging foods and to require labels to indicate(a) country of origin, (b) country of production and packing and (c) whether the produce is organic. [144757]

  Ms Stuart
  Relabelling when repackaging food is generally necessary in order to ensure that the label gives accurate information on the repackaged product. Failure to remove the original label risks causing confusion. Misleading labelling does give rise to an offence.
  162W
  Origin labelling rules are harmonised at European level. We are actively pressing for these rules to be amended to improve the amount and clarity of origin information on food labels. In the meantime, guidance issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in February last year, and placed in the Library, makes clear that origin labelling must be carefully worded to avoid confusion between the origin of ingredients and the place of final processing.

  Produce that is organic is already generally identified. Organic food production is strictly regulated by written standards. It is illegal to offer for sale any food described as organic unless it has been produced in full conformity with European rules by registered producers.

TREASURY

  Listed Church Buildings
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list by region the number of churches within each denomination which will be entitled to claim VAT reduction on repairs to listed church buildings; [144981]
  (2) if he will list the number of churches within each denomination which will be entitled to claim VAT reduction on repairs to listed church buildings. [144982]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is not available.

  Disadvantaged Groups (Scotland)
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to promote enterprise among disadvantaged groups in disadvantaged areas in the West of Scotland. [145772]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government aim to promote enterprise among disadvantaged groups in all parts of the United Kingdom. The Government have undertaken to consult on a number of tax incentives designed to increase private investment in high unemployment areas, including the proposal by the Social Investment Task Force for a community investment tax credit.

  Specific Scottish measures for promoting enterprise among disadvantaged groups in the West of Scotland are a devolved matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Income Tax (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people in Scotland paid no income tax in the last year for which figures are available; [145656]
  (2) how much revenue in(a) income tax and (b) National Insurance contributions was raised from the (i) top 1 per cent., (ii) top 5 per cent., (iii) top 10 per cent. and (iv) bottom 50 per cent. of taxpayers in Scotland since May 1997. [145657]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 29 November 2000,Official Report, column 705W.

  VAT
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from heritage groups about the level of VAT charged on repair work. [145587]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Ministers have received many representations from heritage groups and individuals about VAT on repair work, but details of the numbers are not available.

  IMF
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish the 1999–2000 report on UK operations at the International Monetary Fund. [145926]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I am today publishing the second Annual Report to Parliament on UK operations at the IMF. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Montserrat
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the means by which her strategy paper for Montserrat aims to improve the quality of life of those inhabitants living by an active volcano. [145853]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy) on 10 January 2001,Official Report, columns 1061–62.

  The Government of Montserrat/DFID Country Policy Plan sets out how our assistance has already helped and will continue to help with sustained economic and social recovery in the north of the island. All the essential facilities for normal life (utilities, road, health, education, housing) are now in place. The volcano, however, continues to pose a threat to the south of the island.

  Regional Symposia and Conferences
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department gives to regional education symposia and conferences in developing areas of the world. [145735]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Department's work in education is focused on the attainment of the two International Development Targets for education (universal primary education by 2015 and gender equality in primary and secondary education by 2005) and helping provide developing countries with an essential framework for skills acquisition and training provision. International and regional conferences which promote these objectives are eligible for DFID support. The level and nature of our support (e.g. financial, and/or DFID participation) is dependent on the relevance, likely impact and requirements of the conference.

  Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the review of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan. [145745]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) has now submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State its review report. This makes a number of recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the CSFP and enhancing its contribution to the development of DFID partner countries. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be meeting shortly with the CSC Chairman to discuss these findings and their implementation.

  Anti-corruption Bureaux
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much assistance her Department provides to support anti-corruption bureaux in developing countries; and if she will list them. [145361]

  Clare Short
  Our planned and operational support for anti-corruption bureaux in developing countries totals £11.415 million since 1998 and includes support in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Pakistan and Malawi.

  Support for anti-corruption bureaux is normally only one part of wider programmes of activity to bear down on corruption.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Sam Marshall
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what communication he has received from the Coroner concerning the Sam Marshall case in the last 12 months; and what courses are available to him to enable Crown agents who may have evidence of criminal acts to give testimony before the Coroner without facing prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. [142320]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Office has no record of receiving any correspondence from the Coroner concerning the Sam Marshall case in the last 12 months.

  In Northern Ireland, Rule 8(1) of the Coroners (Practice and Procedure) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1963 provides that a coroner has a discretion to examine, at an inquest, any person tendering evidence who is likely to have knowledge of the facts relating to the means by which the deceased came to his death. However, no witness at an inquest is obliged to answer any question tending to incriminate himself in any potential criminal charge (Rule 9(1) of the above Rules).

  Under the Official Secrets Act 1989 a Crown Servant only commits an offence if he discloses damaging information without lawful authority which, by virtue of section 7, means otherwise than in accordance with his official duty. By virtue of section 9 of the Act no prosecution may be brought except with the consent of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

FOREIGN AND COMMONW EALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Policies (Blackpool, South)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Blackpool, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [142236]

  Mr. Vaz
  We hold no information of the kind sought by my hon. Friend. The mission of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is to promote the national interests of the United Kingdom and to contribute to a strong world community. For details of the Government's achievements in meeting its foreign policy targets, the following page of the FCO website may be helpful: http://www.fco.gov.uk/directory/dyitpage.asp?page=108

  EU Bishops' Conferences
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what EU moneys are distributed to the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community; what the objectives of that organisation are; and when he last met representatives of that organisation. [144629]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is within the remit of the European Commission to decide on the targeting of such grants. I therefore suggest the hon. Member contacts the Commission directly for further information on individual recipients.

  Eurofacit Programme
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the prototype zones developed under the Eurofacit programme, for providing information on the euro. [144633]

  Mr. Vaz
  According to the European Commission, among the regions and cities operating projects at the end of 2000 were the Veneto region (Italy), Ixelles (Belgium) and Lille (France).

  For further information, the hon. Member may wish to contact the European Commission directly.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list each proposed new provision, in the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice, where unanimity is changed for a qualified majority vote, indicating for each(a) the proposed Nice, amended current treaty article, and Nice treaty declaration, (b) the purpose of the powers in each existing and new provision, (c) the reasons for Her Majesty's Government's acceptance of each provision and (d) the expected impact of the relevant provision; [144818]

  (2) if he will list the provisions in the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice which specify that Article 251 of the Community Treaty shall apply, indicating in respect of each (a) the purpose of the Treaty power so authorised and (b) requirements of vote mode in each vote in (i) a European or Ministerial Council and (ii) the European Parliament; [144819]
  166W
  (3) if, in respect of the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice, he will list each item where a change in voting procedure from unanimity to qualified majority voting has been agreed, indicating in each case (a) the article concerned, (b) the purpose and scope of the article and (c) the reasons underlying the Government's support for the change; [144890]

  (4) if he will list in respect of the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice the changes in the voting procedure from unanimity to qualified majority in the areas of (a) freedom, security and justice, (b) finance and the single market and (c) other areas in which decisions will be determined by qualified majority at the relevant Council of Ministers. [144892]

  Mr. Vaz
  For a detailed list of the articles that were extended to qualified majority voting (including those that will also become subject to co-decision with the European Parliament) at the Nice European Council, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 9 January 2001,Official Report, columns 510–12W.

  In all cases the Government supported the moves to QMV as being in the interests of the United Kingdom. These moves will make decision-making easier in an enlarged EU.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the Government assented to amendments to Article 214 of the Treaty of the European Community which would make the appointment of the President of the European Commission by the European Council subject to a form of qualified majority voting; and when in 2000 a statement giving notice of this intention was made. [144743]

  Mr. Vaz
  In the White Paper "IGC: Reform for Enlargement" the Government made clear its commitment to the effective political and administrative leadership of the College of Commissioners. Making the appointment of the President of the European Commission subject to qualified majority voting will help to ensure that the best candidate, rather than the one most acceptable to all, is selected as the President.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate each change in voting procedure from unanimity to qualified majority contained in the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice which was initially opposed(a) by the UK Government and (b) by other Governments, together with the respective reasons for such opposition. [144891]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK approached each proposed move to qualified majority voting on a case-by-case basis. The Government support the moves to QMV in the Treaty of Nice as being in the UK's interests. We successfully maintained the UK veto in areas of key national interest, such as tax, social security, Treaty change, defence, the UK's border controls and Own Resources.

  The position of other member states to changes is a matter for the relevant Governments concerned.

  EU Commissioners
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the Government assented to the amendment of Article 217 of the Treaty of the European Communities giving additional
  167W
  powers to the President of the Commission (a) to restructure the duties and responsibilities of each member of the Commission, (b) to appoint its vice-presidents and (c) to obtain with the approval of the Commission the resignation of any Commissioner. [144744]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government strongly support reform of the Commission. These Treaty changes are designed to help the Commission function more effectively, particularly after enlargement.

  Giving the President of the Commission the power to restructure the duties and responsibilities of each member of the Commission and appoint its vice-presidents will enable the President to organise the College of Commissioners in the most effective way possible. The President's power to obtain with the approval of the Commission the resignation of any Commissioner strengthens the voluntary undertaking that all members of the current Commission have given, that if the President asks him/her to resign she/he will do so. This will help to strengthen the accountability of individual Commissioners.

  Treaty of Nice
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) where and when he expects the final text of the Treaty of Nice to be signed; and who will sign it on behalf of the United Kingdom; [144856]

  (2) when the Government will (a) publish and (b) sign the final text of the Treaty of Nice; [144829]

  (3) if he will publish the text of the final version of the forthcoming Treaty of Nice as a Command Paper, prior to a substantive debate on it in the House. [144894]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Treaty of Nice will be signed by representatives of all 15 member states. Specific details about the time and place have not yet been decided, but legal and linguistic experts are currently expected to finalise the text by around the middle of February. Signature will follow shortly thereafter.

  Up to date versions of the Treaty text are available on the website www.europ.eu.int and in the Libraries of each House. Following signature the Treaty will be submitted to Parliament in the form of a Command Paper in the usual way.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a White Paper listing each amendment, declaration and obligation contained in the Treaty of Nice together with an assessment of their implications and an explanation of the reasons underlying the Government's support for them. [144830]

  Mr. Vaz
  The successful negotiation of the Treaty of Nice was a major achievement, as the Prime Minister set out in his statement to the House on 10 December and as I explained to the European Scrutiny Committee in an evidence session on 9 January. Once the final text of the Treaty has been signed it will be laid before Parliament as a Command Paper, and accompanied in the usual way by an Explanatory Memorandum.
  168W
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the textual and linguistic amendments agreed to the conclusions of the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice published on 12 December 2000. [144855]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Treaty of Nice document SN 533/1/00 REV 1 contains the clerical corrections to the draft Treaty which were examined at the meetings of the Permanent Representatives Committee on 20 and 21 December 2000. It can be found on the website www.europa.eu.int. Legal and linguistic editing is due to commence shortly.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to Cm 4595, "IGC, Reform for Enlargement", concerning the provisions for flexibility with the European Union available since 1997, if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the nature of the decisions taken and procedures used to authorise them, indicating the changes proposed in the provisional Treaty of Nice concerning such authorisations. [144745]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government strongly support the new enhanced co-operation arrangements. Though their use is likely to remain exceptional, they provide the EU with an element of flexibility that should increase its efficiency while preserving the Single Market and avoiding the emergency of an inner core.

  For the precise details of the changes proposed concerning authorisations, I refer my hon. Friend to the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  European Council Meetings
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the proposal to change the current arrangements for meetings of European Councils in the member states holding the presidency; and if it is current practice for such member states to choose the location of each meeting and be responsible for its organisation. [144854]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is current practice for member states to choose the location of European Council meetings during their Presidency, and to be responsible for their organisation.

  The Government support the move from 2002 to holding one European Council meeting per Presidency in Brussels, and from an EU of 18 to holding all formal meetings of the European Council in Brussels. This will help contribute to more efficient and cost-effective meetings.

  Official Journal of the European Community
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy in respect of the change in title of the Official Journal of the European Community to that of the Official Journal of the European Union. [144746]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government support the change: the Official Journal covers matters concerning the European Union as a whole rather than just the European Community.

  Entry Clearance Interviews
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to reduce the length of time that spouses of UK citizens are having to wait for entry clearance interviews in Islamabad; and if he will make a statement. [144724]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The waiting time for spouse visa applications in Islamabad stood at 17 weeks at 31 December 2000. This compares with a waiting time of 39 weeks at 31 December 1999. This waiting period exceeds the target time by five weeks, but is expected to be within it by the end of March. The waiting times for all other categories of settlement applications have, during 2000, been brought within the target times. These are significant reductions which have been achieved in a year during which the overall number of applications in Islamabad has grown by 28 per cent.

  Staff in Post continue to do all they can to reduce further all waiting times. The Post is currently fully staffed; new procedures have been introduced to enable more decisions to be made more quickly on all settlement applications; a new standard visa software package is being installed; and the new reception arrangements introduced in June 2000 are to be further extended so that the increasing number of new applications can be dealt with on the day of application.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Turkish Government about the arrest in Cyprus of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas; and if he will make a statement. [145159]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner has made strong representations to Mr. Dentkash 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 2001. We will continue to raise the issue until it is resolved satisfactorily.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the British High Commissioner in Cyprus about the detention of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [145437]

  Mr. Vaz
  Our High Commissioner in Nicosia has provided the Foreign Secretary and me with regular reports on the detention of Mr. Tsiakourmas. Our officials are in daily telephone contact with him and I met Mrs. Tsiakourmas on 9 January. The Government regard the detention of Mr. 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, Athens and London. We will continue to raise the issue until it is resolved satisfactorily.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Cyprus. [R] [145447]
  170W
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit the Republic of Cyprus. [145441]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Foreign Secretary has no plans to visit Cyprus. I hope to visit in March 2001.

  Ghana
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Ghana. [145186]

  Mr. Hain
  Presidential and parliamentary elections took place in Ghana on 7 December. Opposition leader John Kufuor, New Patriotic Front Party (NPP), polled the most votes (48.44 per cent.) but failed to secure the necessary 50 per cent. vote to win the first round. Vice President John Mills of the ruling National Democratic Congress took 44.8 per cent. In parallel parliamentary elections, the NPP achieved a majority taking 97 seats against the NDC's 90 out of a total of 200. Election day was generally peaceful with a few reports of violence and little sign of electoral malpractice. Overall turnout was estimated at 60–65 per cent.

  The second round run-off between Kufuor and Mills took place on 28 December. Kufuor won taking 57 per cent. of the votes cast. The atmosphere in the second round was tense. Although violent incidents occurred in some NPP dominated areas, the security forces largely behaved in a non-partisan way. The electoral process was again considered to have been free fair and transparent and to have reflected the will of the Ghanaian people.

  The hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) attended the first round of elections as an official observer.

  National Missile Defence
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with American officials on British facilities for National Missile Defence by the United States. [145307]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have had a regular dialogue with the current US Administration on the issue of US National Missile Defence. We look forward to continuing this with the next US Administration.

  The current US Administration has not sought our agreement to the use of facilities in this country for National Missile Defence. Nor would we expect any such request from the United States until and unless the next Administration decided to proceed with the deployment of such a system.

  Russia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions held in December 2000 on disposition options for surplus Russian military plutonium; and what role is being played by the G8 in developing a financial strategy to support such assistance to Russia. [145278]
  171W
  Mr. Vaz
  G8 partners are working together to develop a financial strategy to support disposition of surplus Russian military plutonium, through the Plutonium Disposition Planning Group (PDPG).

  The PDPG has been tasked by the G8 with developing an international financial plan for plutonium management and disposition, based on a detailed project plan, and a multilateral framework to co-ordinate this co-operation.

  It held its first meeting in December and will be meeting monthly to examine available project options, together with financing plans for them, and develop a programme which can be presented to Ministers before the Genoa Summit in July.

  Political and Security Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on matters discussed and decisions taken at the EU Political and Security Council Meeting held on 9 and 10 January. [145285]

  Mr. Vaz
  The European Union Interim Political and Security Committee met on 9 January and discussed current foreign policy issues and questions relating to the European security and defence policy.

  The Interim Political and Security Committee has no decision-taking powers.

  Land Mine Clearance Programmes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the land mine clearance programmes in which his Department is involved. [145429]

  Mr. Hain
  None. Although the Foreign and Commonwealth Office remains responsible for policy on the implementation of the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their destruction, responsibility for individual land mine clearance programmes rests with the Department for International Development.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the results were of the consultation on the draft International Criminal Court Bill published on 25 August 2000. [146064]

  Mr. Hain
  I have placed in the Library a report on the consultation which summarises the main points raised on the draft International Criminal Court Bill and how the Government are responding to them. The Government are most grateful to those hon. Members and others who gave comments. Valuable suggestions were received and many changes have been made to the Bill as a result.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 11 December 2000,Official Report, column 380,
  172W
  what discussions he has had with the Dutch Foreign Minister on the future of facilities at Zeist for an International Criminal Court. [143961]

  Mr. Battle
  Officials have discussed the future use of Camp Zeist, including use the International Criminal Court, with the Dutch authorities. These discussions are on-going.

  Chinese Christians
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese authorities concerning recent political attacks on Christian churches and the death of a Chinese Christian, Liu Haitao, following his detention. [145854]

  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 and the death of Liu Haitao. Such activities run contrary to the provisions on 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 UK/China human rights dialogue in October 2000. We have raised specific concerns about the destruction of Churches and Temples in Wenzhou, and the case of Liu Haitao. We will address again the whole issue of freedom of religious belief in strong terms during the next round of the high level UK/China human rights dialogue in Beijing between 12–14 February.

  Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [145421]

  Mr. Hain
  I welcome the involvement of both sides in discussions on the basis of the proposals put forward by President Clinton. I hope that the parties will seize the opportunity to bridge the gaps on his proposals. We continue to appeal to both sides to take further steps to halt the violence, action which is essential to build confidence and lay the foundations for further progress in the negotiations. Britain remains closely engaged. At the Prime Minister's request and with the Foreign Secretary's support, Lord Levy visited Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan between 5–9 January, as the Prime Minister's personal envoy. He urged the Israelis and Palestinians to take urgent steps to build confidence and to re-engage in negotiations.

  European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. [145776]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government plan to ratify the Charter within the next few months.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Top-up Fees
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions he has had with universities' representatives on the introduction of top-up fees. [145311]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend meets university representatives from time to time in the normal course of business and discusses various issues. The Government's position on "top-up" fees is clear—we are opposed to them and have legislated to prevent universities from levying such charges. Nor are "top-up" fees necessary. The Government have invested £1 7 billion (18 per cent. in real terms) in additional planned resources in higher education over the six years between 1998–99 and 2003–04.

  Teachers' Salaries
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which areas will benefit from the new teacher salary arrangements; and what assessment he has made on the impact on areas near London. [144725]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The new teachers' pay arrangements will be based on recommendations to be made shortly by the independent School Teachers Review Body. It is not therefore possible at this stage to say which areas will be affected. The Secretary of State will consult key stakeholders, including employers and trade unions, before implementing any changes.

  All teachers with the appropriate years of service are able to apply to be assessed for the threshold. For those teachers who are successful it will mean a pay increase of £2,001 and access to a further pay scale of up to £30,000. Teachers taking on additional management responsibility will receive further payment.

  School Health Care
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what requirements there are for schools to provide medical and nursing arrangements for their pupils; what plans he has to increase the requirements; and if he will make a statement. [144954]

  Jacqui Smith
  Maintained schools must by law have an appropriate room for medical aril dental examinations and for caring for sick or injured pupils, but there are no statutory requirements for schools themselves to provide medical and nursing arrangements for pupils. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has a duty to provide for medical and dental inspections and treatment for school pupils. Local education authorities and school governing bodies are required to make arrangements for encouraging and assisting pupils to take advantage of this provision. We have no present plans to change these various requirements, and have published good practice guidance on carrying them out.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to encourage local education authorities to promote awareness of Holocaust Memorial Day in schools. [145409]
  174W
  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Awareness of Holocaust Memorial Day has been directly promoted in schools through the development of an Education Pack, which was launched on 9 November as part of the build up to the 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.

  Information about Holocaust Memorial Day and the Education Pack has been provided in publications which the Department sends to schools and local education authorities, through the HMD website and in the general press. As a result, a number of local education authorities have requested copies of the Education Pack to support local initiatives.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils are eligible for free school meals in each constituency. [144116]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information on pupils eligible for free school meals has been placed today in the House of Commons Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister how many responses were received from the general public using the feedback forms in the(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 Government annual reports; how many members of staff were responsible for evaluating responses in each of those years; and what action was taken by the Government as a result of these responses. [145372]

  The Prime Minister
  Approximately 90 feedback forms, letters and e-mails were received from the public in response to the 1997–98 Government Annual Report, 99 in response to the 1998–99 Report and 110 so far in response to the 1999–2000 Report. In each case, one member of staff was responsible for collating the responses alongside other duties. The responses have helped to inform the process of developing and implementing policy, along with other forms of consultation.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those elements of QMV agreed at Nice for which the UK has secured an opt-out; and if he will identify the legal case for each opt-out. [144636]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland agreed at the Amsterdam inter-governmental conference and annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the

  175W
  European Community, the UK has an opt-in to all aspects of the free movement articles that moved to QMV at Nice (Articles 65 and 66, and parts of Articles 62 and 63).

  Under the Protocol on certain provisions relating to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland agreed at the Maastricht inter-governmental conference and annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Articles 111(4) and 123(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community which moved to QMV at Nice do not apply to the UK unless we join the single currency.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Home Affairs issues subject to QMV under Article 67 TEC. [144635]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the current Treaty arrangements, Article 67 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community (TEC) provides that most measures under Title IV (visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to free movement of persons) shall be adopted by unanimity, but makes exceptions in relation to two aspects of rules on visas for intended stays of no more than three months which are decided by Qualified Majority Voting. Article 67 also provides a mechanism from 1 May 2004 for the Council to decide unanimously, after consulting the European Parliament, to move all or parts of the areas covered by Title IV to the Article 251 co-decision procedure, which includes qualified majority voting in the Council. Finally, Article 67 also provides for two further aspects of the rules on visas for intended stays of no more than three months to be decided under the Article 251 co-decision procedure, including qualified majority voting in the Council, from 1 May 2004.

  The arrangements described will be amended as a result of the agreement reached at Nice. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 9 January 2001, Official Report, columns 510–12W, for a description of the changes in question.

  However, under the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland, which is annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, the United Kingdom does not participate in and is not bound by measures under Title IV TEC unless it exercises its right to opt in.

  Nice Presidency Conclusions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy towards paragraph 20 of Annex I of the Nice Presidency Conclusions; and if the paragraph applies to the UK. [144639]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Paragraph 20 of Annex I on the Nice Presidency Conclusions applies only to member states participating in Economic and Monetary Union. However, as stated in the pre-Budget report, one of the Government's key objectives is
  "to raise Britain's productivity performance and deliver stronger sustained growth in output and employment with low and stable levels of inflation and interest rates".

CABINET OFFICE

  Online Services
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she plans to publish information on the progress towards the Government's target that all services should be online by 2005. [146027]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  A report on progress by Departments and their key agencies is being published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of the House and it will be published on the website www.e-envoy.gov.uk/esd.htm.

  The report contains information supplied by Departments based on all the services they deliver to the citizen and to business as contained in their Public Service Agreements and Service Delivery Agreements.

  Anti-drugs Schemes
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will publish the conclusion of studies of the outcomes of anti-drugs schemes in schools, indicating the proportions that resulted in(a) a reduction of drug use, (b) an increase in drug use and (c) no change. [145784]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  There are at present no such studies awaiting publication. The Government have agreed to commission a long-term study on the impact of drug education. This will begin shortly and will be a joint project between the DfEE/DH/HO and UKADCU. The study will help the development of a UK evidence base as part of the UK Anti Drugs Strategy. The study will look at which types of educational input, and factors such as socio/economic cultural and span of education, have most impact on influencing behaviour.

  Royal Household
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the work done in each year from 1992 to 2000 by the Central Office of Information for the Royal Household and its value; when this relationship ended; how the value of that work was transformed into grant-in-aid to the Royal Household; and for what reason. [145192]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Work carried out by the Central Office of Information (COI) for the Royal Household comprises organising media facilities for royal visits, issuing press notices, preparation of press summaries and work on the Royal website. Its value was as follows:

  Year

  1£000

  1991–92

  358

  1992–93

  361

  1993–94

  308

  1994–95

  365

  1995–96

  394

  1996–97

  388

  1997–98

  372

  1998–99

  295

  1999–2000

  172

  1 Excluding VAT

  For the years up to and including 1997–98 work was paid for from the COI vote. In 1998–99 the Royal Household was provided with a grant-in-aid from the

  177W
  COI vote with which to procure information and communication services in order to match operational responsibility and financial control with the aim of achieving best value for money. In respect of 1999–2000 and subsequent years, the COI vote was transferred to the Department for Culture Media and Sport. The Central Office of Information trading fund continues to provide services to the Royal Household on a payment basis.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Environmental Policies
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what percentage of waste produced by Lambeth Palace is recycled; whether the energy used by Lambeth Palace is purchased by a supplier committed to using energy produced by renewable means; and what motor vehicles are provided for use by the Archbishop of Canterbury. [145385]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  A policy was initiated some years ago at Lambeth Palace whereby all used white paper, newspapers and bottles are recycled. Garden waste is reused as mulch.

  The Church Commissioners as owners and managers of the property are responsible for the supply of its energy needs. Electricity for Lambeth Palace is supplied by London Electricity.

  One motor car is provided for the Archbishop of Canterbury to enable him to undertake his official duties. The car is five years old and operates on unleaded fuel.

  Wealth Accumulation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what consideration is given during the execution of their duties by the Church Commissioners to the references made in scripture to the accumulation of wealth. [145414]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners' decisions are governed by the duty, laid on them by Parliament and the General Synod, to manage their inherited assets to provide sustainable financial support for the Church of England's ministry, especially in areas of need and opportunity. They are advised on ethical investment issues by the Church of England's Ethical Investment Advisory Group whose members include, as do the Commissioners, a number of senior clergy.

  Communion Silver
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what is the present market value of all communion silver included in the financial statements of the Church Commissioners; and what plans the Church Commissioners have to realise the value of this property. [145416]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Most of the Church of England's communion plate is owned by individual churches and cathedrals, and no central record exists. No specific allowance is made in the Church Commissioners' annual financial statements for the few items of communion plate owned by them for use at See houses.
  178W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what the value was of communion silver(a) bought and (b) sold in each of the last 20 years. [145415]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  I refer the hon. Member to my earlier answer. There is no central record of transactions involving communion plate owned by the Church of England.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, (1) what was the total cost of(a) stipends, (b) staff, (c) administrative, (d) housing and (e) other costs for each (i) diocesan and (ii) suffragen bishop within the Church of England for each of the last 10 years; [145381]

  (2) what was the expenditure for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available on the home provided by the Church Commissioners to the Bishop of Exeter. [145382]

  (3) what was the annual cost of running and maintaining Lambeth Palace in each of the last 20 years. [145383]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  As stated in my answers on 18 May 1999 and 23 November 1999, the Commissioners' current policy is not to make public expenditure on individual bishops' houses or working costs. Total revenue expenditure by the Commissioners on bishops' stipends, housing and funding their working costs for the years 1990 to 1999 inclusive was:

  £ million

  Year

  Stipends

  Housing

  Working costs

  1990

  2.0

  1.7

  5.3

  1991

  2.4

  2.1

  6.0

  1992

  2.5

  2.2

  6.3

  1993

  2.4

  2.2

  6.7

  1994

  2.6

  2.7

  7.0

  1995

  2.6

  2.3

  7.4

  1996

  2.6

  2.7

  7.6

  1997

  2.7

  2.6

  8.1

  1998

  13.3

  3.0

  8.8

  1999

  13.5

  3.3

  8.5

  1 The totals for expenditure on stipends in 1998 and 1999 include pension contributions payable under the Pensions Measure 1997

  Spending on bishops' houses and working costs is subject to close budgetary control. That on repairs to buildings is limited to the minimum consistent with their proper maintenance, bearing in mind that some are listed buildings. Diocesan boards of finance are responsible for suffragan bishops' houses and the Commissioners do not have figures for that expenditure.

  Spending on working costs is that necessary to support the bishops in their ministry. It consists of the salaries and pensions of their staff, the costs of running their offices, official travel, Church meetings and functions, and other miscellaneous costs. All this expenditure is subject to detailed and continuous audit, to ensure that it is in line with the Inland Revenue's requirement that it is "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" incurred in the performance of a bishop's duties.
  179W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much was spent in the last year for which figures are available on(a) housing for bishops and (b) Church programmes aimed specifically at the homeless. [145384]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  In 1999 revenue spending on bishops' houses by the Church Commissioners was £3.3 million. Figures for expenditure on suffragan bishops' houses, which are owned by diocesan boards of finance, are not available.

  Church programmes to help the homeless are carried out by a wide variety of agencies, charities and parishes. They are numerous, are often locally based, and respond to local needs. Details of their expenditure are not held centrally.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Cleansing Services Group Explosion
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive full reports from(a) the Environment Agency and (b) the Health and Safety Executive, into the explosion at Cleansing Services Group at Sandhurst, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [143974]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have now received an interim report of the joint investigation being carried out by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive; and reports on both the Agency's and HSE's regulatory actions in relation to the site. Copies of all three reports have been sent to the hon. Member and placed in the Library of the House.

  Fair Rents
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for improvements to the fair rents system. [143975]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The hon. Member is aware of the judgment made in another place which unanimously allowed the Secretary of State's appeal against a decision of the Court of Appeal to quash the Maximum Fair Rent Order.

  The Order provides welcome protection to thousands of fair rent tenants from excessive increases. We have no plans to make further changes to the fair rents system at present.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has for long-term solutions to the problems of people sleeping rough. [143976]

  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has for long-term solutions to the problems of people sleeping rough. [143980]
  180W
  Ms Armstrong
  I am confident that we will meet the Prime Minister's target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough in England by at least two thirds by 2002. However this is not simply a numbers game and we are determined to ensure that we help rough sleepers rebuild their lives permanently away from the streets. As part of the Spending Review it has been agreed that funding will be available to help us to do this after the life of the Rough Sleepers Unit. I am determined to ensure that vulnerable people sleeping rough receive the help they need.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress with his plans for privatisation of air traffic control. [143977]

  Mr. Mullin
  The proposed public private partnership for NATS is currently progressing to timetable. Stage 3 bidders were announced on 3 November and we expect to put the partnership in place in spring this year.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reform the uniform business rate. [143978]

  Ms Armstrong
  In September we published our Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance". It detailed a number of proposals relating to business rates, including rate relief for small business. The consultation period ended on 8 December. We are now considering the many responses we have received. We will publish our conclusions in a White Paper later this year.

  Regional Housebuilding Targets
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning regional housebuilding targets. [143979]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Reviews of Regional Planning Guidance are at different stages in each region, but representations on housing policies are currently being received in the context of reviews of RPG in the north-west, south-west and south-east regions. Proposed changes to draft RPG will shortly be the subject of consultation in the north-east, east Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside. It would be impractical to try to summarise the range of views expressed in response to current consultations.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the Government's policy on the expansion in the number of mobile phone masts. [143983]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Government policy is to facilitate the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems while meeting environmental objectives. Our policy guidelines underline the importance of keeping the numbers of telecommunications masts to the minimum consistent with the efficient operation of the network. Sharing of masts and use of existing buildings and other structures is strongly encouraged.
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  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement concerning the planning controls on mobile phone masts. [143989]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Planning controls on telecommunications development are aimed at facilitating the roll-out of a modern telecommunications network while protecting the environment. A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to these controls ended on 31 October 2000. We are currently analysing responses and shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of radioactive waste management. [143984]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government's policy is that radioactive wastes should be managed in ways that protect the safety of the public, the work force and the environment, now and in the future. This is a complex issue and the UK Government and the devolved administrations will publish a consultation paper setting out detailed proposals as soon as we are ready. This paper will begin the process that will lead to the implementation of a radioactive waste management policy capable of commanding widespread support across the UK.

  New Forest National Park
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations have been received in support of the proposed boundaries for the New Forest national park. [143985]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Countryside Agency is responsible for designating National Parks, subject to confirmation of a designation order by the Secretary of State. The Agency issued a draft boundary for a New Forest National Park for public consultation last October. The consultation period ends on 19 January and responses have not yet been analysed. I therefore cannot say how many support the proposals.

  Bus Services
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that passengers are consulted more widely on the development of plans for bus services. [143986]

  Mr. Hill
  We already urge local authorities to consult widely on their local transport plans, each of which must include a clear strategy for bus services. New powers in the Transport Act 2000 will require bus users to be similarly consulted on local schemes.

  Rochford District Council
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the provision of Government aid to Rochford district council. [143987]
  182W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  In the current financial year a total of £3.273 million has been provided to Rochford in general grant. In addition, Rochford received a basic credit approval of £945,000 and a disabled facilities grant of £81,000. The Government will also be contributing £14.5 million to Southend-on-Sea borough council's scheme to improve passenger transport and reduce congestion on the A13 and Al27, which will have benefits for Rochford district.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on the introduction of regional Government. [143988]

  Ms Armstrong
  We remain committed to move to directly-elected regional government, where there is support as demonstrated in referendums. While no timetable has yet been drawn up, governance in the regions is already evolving through the work of the chambers, regional development agencies, Government Offices and others.

  Floods (Bellwin Formula)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the operation of the Bellwin formula for flood-related costs. [143990]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Between 13 October 2000 and 8 January 2001 a total of 100 local authorities had notified my Department that they had incurred expenditure for which they would consider making a claim under the Bellwin scheme. Four authorities and seven hon. Members wrote asking for consideration to be given to reducing or abolishing the threshold below which authorities must fund expenditure. Three inquiries asked for special consideration to be given to Combined Fire Authorities. In response to this exceptional level of notifications we established a general scheme applying to incidents in the months of October and November. On 4 November my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced a number of changes in the scheme, including an increase in the Government's contribution from 85 per cent. of spending above local authority thresholds to 100 per cent. and the instigation of a review of the operation of the scheme when the present floods have ended.

  A number of fresh incidents were reported in early December. In view of this we are extending the present scheme to include expenditure in connection with all incidents up to the end of December.

  Disadvantaged Communities
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policies his Department has developed to address the needs of the most disadvantaged communities. [143991]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Government are committed to tackling deprivation and the needs of disadvantaged communities through the Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. Main spending programmes, which are seen as the key for achieving the greatest impact, have been set new targets to improve the outcomes they achieve in
  183W
  disadvantaged areas and have also received substantial increases for the next three years. Targeted programmes, such as the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget and New Deal for Communities, will also play their part. The Action Plan for implementing the Strategy, which was launched yesterday, sets out further proposals for tackling deprivation wherever it occurs, in line with our objective of narrowing the gap between disadvantaged areas and the rest of the country.

  Regeneration (Falmouth and Camborne)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for regeneration programmes within the Falmouth and Camborne constituency. [143992]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government are fully committed to working in partnership with communities in Falmouth, Camborne and Redruth to deliver regeneration. We welcome the proposed integrated area Plans, the RDA partnership with local communities in Camborne and Redruth, proposals for increased higher education activity in Cornwall through the Combined Universities in Cornwall project and look forward to supporting other developments under Objective 1, and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which is available in Kerrier.

  Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to license houses in multiple occupation. [143993]

  Mr. Mullin
  As we indicated in our Housing Policy Statement, we remain committed to introducing a compulsory licensing system for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  National Rail Inquiry Service
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure that information provided by the National Rail Inquiry Service on timetables and fares is accurate. [143994]

  Mr. Hill
  The Rail Regulator ensures that the National Rail Enquiry Service (NRES) provides accurate and impartial information through the use of mystery shopper exercises, and has powers to take enforcement action against the operators who fund NRES if obligations are not met.

  Further work is in progress on improving the quality of advice provided by NRES.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what his assessment is of the impact of the bus lane on the M4; and if he will make a statement. [143995]

  Mr. Hill
  The Transport Research Laboratory's (TRL) report of their independent monitoring of the bus lane during the first year has been received. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. I have accepted the 184W
  Highway Agency's recommendation that in the light of the results, the initial accident data and feedback from the relevant emergency services the scheme should continue. The Highways Agency will carry on monitoring the scheme and the effect on accident patterns.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of regional development agencies in England in the financial year 2000–01. [143996]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The most recent estimate of the total administration costs of the nine regional development agencies in 2000–01 is £76.9 million, to manage an overall budget of £1,149 million.

  Congestion Charging
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the Road Haulage Association to discuss the introduction of urban congestion charges. [143997]

  Mr. Hill
  Our meetings with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) are frequent and cover a range of issues. Present DETR Ministers have not discussed urban congestion charging with the RHA. However, the RHA responded in writing to our consultation paper "Breaking the Logjam" on the introduction of congestion charges, and their views have contributed to the development of our policies.

  Glass Recycling
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote the recycling of glass. [143998]

  Mr. Meacher
  We are setting local authorities in England and Wales new statutory targets which will double recycling of household waste in three years and triple it in five. We have increased statutory requirements in the packaging Regulations on businesses to recover glass packaging. We have also set up the Waste and Resources Action Programme which will foster markets for recyclable materials.

  Aviation Fuel
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to minimise the environmental impact of the use of aviation fuel. [143999]

  Mr. Mullin
  Aviation is a global business and effective action needs international agreement. We are working, in co-operation with our European partners, within the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on a range of measures, including tighter standards, better operating practices, and market-based incentives. We are also supporting research and discussing voluntary measures with UK airlines.

  Heathrow Terminal 5
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the proposed timetable is for his decision on Heathrow terminal 5. [144000]
  185W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The report of the independent Inquiry Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, was delivered on 20 December 2000. The decision will be issued as soon as possible after full and careful consideration of the Inspector's report.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to BAA concerning the proposed height of buildings for terminal 5 at Heathrow. [144750]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  None.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact the proposed terminal 5 at Heathrow will have on air traffic control and the availability of runways. [144748]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow was the subject of a Public Inquiry which closed in March 1999 with the report of the independent Inquiry Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, being delivered on 20 December 2000. The report now requires full and careful consideration in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures. Consequently, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the issues raised at this stage because of the possibility of prejudicing, or of appearing to prejudice, a full and proper consideration of that report.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what surveys have been undertaken to assess the turbulence which will be caused by the proposed terminal 5 buildings at Heathrow Airport. [144749]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Such surveys are not a matter for this Department.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what distinction he makes between an environmental impact assessment and an environmental statement in relation to terminal 5. [145852]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The term "Environmental Impact Assessment" describes a procedure that has to be followed for certain types of project before they may be granted development consent. The procedure requires the developer to compile detailed information about the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed project. The information prepared by the developer is presented in a written report to the body responsible for deciding whether to grant development consent. This report is the "Environmental Statement". The term "Environmental Statement" is defined, for the purposes of those Regulations, in regulation 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988.

  The proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow was the subject of a Public Inquiry which closed in March 1999, with the report of the independent Inquiry Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, being delivered on 20 December 2000. The report now requires full and careful consideration in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures. Consequently, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the issues raised at this stage because of the possibility of prejudicing, or of appearing to prejudice, a full and proper consideration of that report.

  Roads Investment
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on investment in the road network. [144001]

  Mr. Hill
  The Ten Year Transport Plan published on 20 July last year contained provisions for expenditure on the strategic and local road networks of over £59 billion over the course of the next decade. £4 billion has already been allocated to roads in the December local transport settlement, including £1 billion to fund 39 new major road improvements and a doubling of capital maintenance to £535 million.

  Home Zones
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in implementing home zones. [144002]

  Mr. Hill
  The Transport Act 2000 makes provisions about Home Zones in England and Wales which will come into effect on 1 February 2001. Local traffic authorities will have a specific power to designate home zones in their area. They will also be able to make orders about the use of the roads and about speed reduction measures in home zones, subject to regulations to be made by the Secretary of State (for England) or the National Assembly (for Wales). We shall consult in due course about the nature and scope of the regulations to be made for England, and about guidance to local authorities.

  Meanwhile, work continues on the nine pilot home zones which the Department began monitoring in 1999. Implementation works are largely scheduled for completion by summer this year.

  Waste Management
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to ensure that, in the design and planning of waste incinerators proposed for Guildford, Capel and Redhill, account will be taken of the need(a) to ensure the health and safety of those at risk and (b) to quantify the degree of risk in each case by a properly conducted risk analysis; and if he will publish in full such analyses by dates announced in advance. [143394]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 December 2000]: The risks and effects of new incineration plants are considered under the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, as set out in the "Government Response to the 11th report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities—Waste Incineration".

  In addition, all such new incinerators require a permit from the Environment Agency under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 or Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 before they can operate. As part of the permit application, the Agency would normally require an environmental and health impact assessment that identified and quantified the emissions and exposure pathways. The assessment would

  187W
  be expected to compare the modelled emissions data to nationally and internationally recognised standards set by independent bodies such as the World Health Organisation or the Government's Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards.

  All environmental and health impact assessments are closely scrutinised by the Agency and comments are sought from statutory consultees such as the local health authority. If the permit application demonstrated that there would be unacceptable risks to the environment or to human health as a result of releases, it would not be approved. All permit applications are placed on a public register except for any information determined to be commercially confidential. In addition, for all application decisions under the 1999 Act and for all incinerator

  Company

  Gross proceeds £ million cash

  Number of staff employed

  Scotland Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  10.7

  284

  Scotland Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  27.5

  2,491

  Central Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  2.9

  635

  Western Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  15.0

  2,409

  Eastern Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  11.0

  600

  Eastern Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  29.7

  2,162

  South East Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  20.3

  3,548

  Southern Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  South West Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  11.0

  2,190

  Central Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  18.8

  3,826

  Northern Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  9.0

  3,131

  Northern Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  4.6

  516

  Western Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  8.5

  437

  Total

  169.0

  22,229

  Crematoriums
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the principle of using best available techniques not entailing excessive cost is applied to crematoriums in the UK. [144726]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Statutory guidance on the application of this principle to crematoriums was issued by the Secretary of State in 1991 and revised in 1995. The guidance was published by HMSO. A further review of the guidance is now in progress, in consultation with relevant interest groups. Under section 7(11) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authority regulators are required to have regard to such guidance.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the findings of recent ambient air quality surveys have been concerning the level of airborne mercury particles near crematoriums; and how, and at what level, such pollutants may become a danger to health. [144727]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: My Department has carried out a one year study measuring mercury particle and vapour concentrations near a crematorium site at Sutton Coldfield. That study ended in December 2000. Results so far indicate that annual mean concentrations of mercury particles are likely to be less than 0.1ng/m3 (nano-grams per cubic metre), and often below the limit of detection, while concentrations of mercury vapour are around 3.0ng/m3.
  188W
  decisions under the predecessor regime, the Agency will make publicly available a decision document outlining the basis for its decision.

  Railways
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total sale prices were of the British Rail infrastructure companies at the time of privatisation; and how many staff were employed by them. [143766]

  Mr. Hill
  The table lists the gross proceeds received from sales of each of the British Rail infrastructure companies and the number of staff employed by each company at the end of the last complete British Railways Board 4-weekly reporting period before sale.

  Mercury is a toxic substance. The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory estimate is that, while total national mercury emissions have reduced from 47 tonnes in 1970 to 12.6 tonnes in 1997, crematoriums now account for 11 per cent. of total emissions. It has not been established that there is a level at which there is no toxicological effect.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial assistance is available to(a) private and (b) local authority crematoriums which experience difficulty in financing the purchase and installation of new equipment required by legislation. [144728]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: In line with the polluter pays principle, there is no specific funding to secure compliance with environmental protection legislation. The operators of crematoriums are expected to meet any such costs themselves, such as through the cremation fees they charge.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the number of British crematoriums which do not conform to standards on emission of heavy metals laid down by existing international agreements; [145011]

  (2) if he will list the international agreements concerning the emission of heavy metals to which British crematoriums must conform; [145010]
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  (3) if he will estimate the costs of modifying British crematoriums to ensure that they conform to international obligations concerning the emission of heavy metals. [145012]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: There are no international agreements which specifically require the setting of emission limits for heavy metals from crematoriums or the making of modifications to crematoriums. But without specifying the sources from which emissions reduction must be secured, commitments to reduce heavy metals are or may be included in the hazardous substances strategy of the Oslo and Paris Commission, the Heavy Metals Protocol to the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, and in the work being undertaken to draw up daughter directives to set limit values for concentrations of various pollutants in ambient air under the EU Air Quality Framework Directive.

  If it is decided domestically to propose heavy metals emission limits in the statutory guidance for crematoriums, we will include cost and benefit information when consulting relevant interests.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue new guidelines to British crematoriums in respect of emissions of heavy metals. [145013]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: We are currently undertaking a second periodic review of all the statutory guidance for processes regulated by local authorities under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in consultation with interested organisations. The review of the crematoriums guidance is addressing emissions of heavy metals among other issues. It is intended to issue revised guidance when the review is complete.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the United Kingdom's contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions has been for each of the past three years,(a) by volume and (b) in percentage terms. [145590]

  Mr. Meacher
  We estimate that the UK has contributed the following to global carbon dioxide emissions for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998, which

  Train accidents per billion passenger miles

  Movement accidents per billion passenger miles

  Non-movement accidents per billion passenger journeys

  Year

  Killed

  Major

  Minor

  Killed

  Major

  Minor

  Killed

  Major

  Minor

  1989

  0.24

  1.58

  11.03

  1.01

  3.93

  105.4

  1.25

  82.55

  2,687

  1990

  0

  0.53

  5.88

  1.43

  4.37

  104.1

  1.29

  67.31

  2,294

  1991–92

  0.8

  0.75

  12.01

  1.16

  3.03

  90.65

  0.63

  63.64

  2,091

  1992–93

  0

  0.13

  2.67

  0.68

  3.35

  98.93

  1.29

  100.26

  2,395

  1993–94

  0

  0.22

  5.67

  0.62

  1.8

  95.37

  1.3

  103.05

  2,793

  1994–95

  0.14

  0.5

  8.17

  0.55

  2.65

  98.41

  1.26

  85.28

  2,685

  1995–96

  0.04

  0.04

  2.24

  0.29

  1.91

  102.91

  1.23

  98.65

  2,819

  190W
  represent the latest available data, expressed as million tonnes of carbon:

  MtC

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Global emissions1

  7,856

  7,925

  7,834

  UK emissions

  162.0

  154.8

  155.5

  Percentage UK of global

  2.1

  2.0

  2.0

  1 Includes an estimate of global emissions from land use change of 1,636 MtC per year

  Children's Seatbelts
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the 5 December 2000 meeting with the Motor Trade Liaison Group, with reference to children's seatbelts. [144700]

  Mr. Hill
  The question of testing child restraints in the MOT test was discussed with trade representatives at the 5 December meeting.

  The consensus view of the meeting was that it would be impractical to include child restraints as a formal item of test. It was agreed instead that MOT testers would, in future, give advice to vehicle presenters about the fitment of child restraints whenever they noticed an apparent problem. The Department will also be running a major publicity campaign about child restraints towards the end of January and also during February. This will give 'best practice' advice on both the radio and in the 'Mother and Baby' magazine, and will include the distribution of reminder cards for people to keep.

  Railway Accidents
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the annual average figure was of serious injuries and deaths on the railways per passenger mile travelled in the two decades preceding privatisation; and what has been the annual average figure since privatisation. [144823]

  Mr. Hill
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Death and injury rates for passengers on Britain's railways can be found in the Chief Inspector of Railways' Annual Reports on railway safety, copies of which are held in both Libraries of the House. The tables list these rates, which were first published in the 1994–95 Annual Report and date back to 1989. But due to the various changes in accident reporting arrangements over the years, comprehensive data on serious injury rates have not been available since 1996–97.
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  Train incidents per billion passenger miles

  Movement incidents per billion passenger miles

  Non-movement incidents per billion passenger miles

  Year

  Killed

  Injured

  Killed

  Injured

  Killed

  Injured

  1996–97

  0.04

  6.67

  0.48

  20.71

  1.79

  1,019.68

  1997–98

  0.24

  6.5

  0.51

  21

  2.24

  1,086.2

  1998–99

  0

  1.31

  0.56

  21.84

  1.6

  1,048.05

  1999–2000

  0.9

  9

  0.43

  17.67

  2.01

  945.28

  Notes:

  1. The introduction of the Reporting of Injuries and Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) in 1996–97 resulted in a change of injury class for members of the pubic including passengers. There is now no distinction between a major and minor injury, the reporting trigger being that the injured person is removed from the site of the accident to hospital immediately.

  2. The rates shown in the tables are for injuries to passengers on all railways in Great Britain broken down into train accidents, movement accidents and non-movement accidents. Train and movement accident rates are related to billions of passenger miles. Non-movement accidents are shown per billion passenger journeys as that figure relates more closely to the use of stations.

  3. Train accidents are—collisions, derailments, trains running into obstructions, fires on board trains and missile damage to drivers cab windows. Movement accidents are injuries caused by the train but not falling in the category of train accidents, e.g. passengers falling out of a train door while the train is travelling between stations. Non-movement accidents do not involve trains, e.g. passengers falling on platforms at stations.

  Left-hand Drive Vehicles
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his most recent estimate is of(a) the percentage of left-hand drive vehicles on British roads and (b) the proportion of road accidents involving left-hand drive vehicles in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [144840]

  Mr. Hill
  The data requested are not available.

  Litter Bins
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2001,Official Report, column 418W, from the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what advice he has issued on the security implications of the provision of litter bins at railway stations. [145182]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions provides advice on a range of security measures at Railway Stations, including the provision of litter bins. The current advice is that there should be no litter bins on stations.

  This advice is currently under review. The DETR is working with the Home Office (Police Scientific and Development Branch) and other Government agencies with a view to providing safe and affordable litter bins at stations where this is judged appropriate.

  Road Gritting
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include in the standard spending allowance an additional dedicated sum for gritting and treatment to roads and paths. [144913]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  There is already a 'winter maintenance' element within the existing Highway Maintenance Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) calculation. Since SSAs are not ring-fenced, Sefton may choose to spend more or less on winter maintenance depending on local decisions on priorities. We have no plans to add any additional element or to ring fence the existing amount.

  North West Development Agency
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many jobs have been created as a result of the activities of the North West Development Agency. [145303]

  Ms Armstrong
  Measuring project outputs from the Land and Property, Single Regeneration Budget, Rural and Inward Investment programmes, the number of jobs created or attracted as a result of the activities of the North West Development Agency since 1 April 1999 is approximately 32,500.

  Wolverhampton Railway Station
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what quantitative evidence he has to show that the benefits of the planned multi-modal interchange at Wolverhampton Railway Station will exceed the costs; and if he will publish his evidence. [144930]

  Mr. Hill
  The Wolverhampton Town Centre Access scheme was proposed as part of the West Midlands Local Transport Plan in July 2000. The scheme was provisionally accepted for funding in the recently announced local transport capital settlement on the basis of the appraisal information provided with the Plan. We have indicated that the appraisal requires some more work. However, it demonstrates that the present value of benefits that can be expressed in monetary terms are of the order of £22 million compared with present value costs of £9 million. There are other benefits that have not been expressed in monetary terms. I have made arrangements for a copy of the appraisal to be placed in Library.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what monitoring his Department undertakes of the levels of depleted uranium in the Irish Sea; [144992]

  (2) what risk assessment he has made of the impact on public health of the firing of depleted uranium munitions into the Irish Sea. [144991]

  Mr. Meacher
  Depleted uranium (DU) munitions are test fired from the MOD range at Kirkcudbright into the Solway Firth. The Defence Evaluation and Research
  193W
  Agency (DERA) undertakes marine environmental sampling in the Solway Firth. The results of this monitoring are made available to the public via the local authority. Between 1981 and 1995, DU munitions were test fired at the Eskmeals range in Cumbria. These firings were conducted solely on land and no munitions were fired into the Irish Sea. There is an ongoing environmental monitoring programme in the Eskmeals area also.

  In December 1993, the MOD commissioned an independent assessment of the impact of firing DU munitions at MOD ranges. The "Environmental Assessment of the Firing of Depleted Uranium Projectiles at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright Ranges", produced by environmental consultants WS Atkins, was published in July 1995. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The report concluded that there was no significant risk to members of the public or the environment from the DU firing programme.

  Road Deaths (Sussex)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) road traffic accidents involving fatalities and (b) fatalities as a result of road traffic accidents occurred in Sussex in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [145369]

  Mr. Hill
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Number

  Year

  Accidents1

  Fatalities

  1990

  142

  164

  1991

  97

  102

  1992

  90

  93

  1993

  101

  113

  1994

  87

  91

  1995

  76

  86

  1996

  97

  106

  1997

  81

  87

  1998

  94

  102

  1999

  83

  93

  Total

  948

  1,037

  1 Accidents involving at least one fatality

  Railtrack
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask tie Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures are being taken to ensure that Railtrack produces a recovery plan better tailored to the needs of train companies. [145229]

  Mr. Hill
  The Rail Recovery Action Group, chaired by my noble Friend the Minister for Transport, brings together Railtrack, the train operators and other rail industry partners in order to achieve the earliest possible restoration of normal services. Railtrack is working with the passenger and freight train operators to produce individual rail recovery plans by 18 January, a date set by the Rail Regulator. Railtrack has assured the Group that it expects to meet this deadline.

  Car Running Costs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the average cost of car use in(a) rural and (b) inner-city areas. [145778]

  Mr. Hill
  The average expenditure on motoring per car per week for people living in(a) low population density areas was £47.60 averaged over the period 1997–98 to 1999–2000, compared to (b) £51.40 per car for London residents.

  Track Maintenance (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many maintenance staff were employed on track maintenance duty in Scotland(a) by British Rail in the year before privatisation and (b) by Railtrack in September 2000. [145891]

  Mr. Hill
  The British Railways Board's Annual Report and Accounts 1995–96 shows that 15,745 staff were employed by British Rail Infrastructure Services on infrastructure maintenance, track renewal and design duties. No separate figures are available for Scotland.

  No track maintenance staff were directly employed by Railtrack in September 2000. Upon privatisation, the former British Rail Infrastructure Service units transferred to the private sector.

  Australian Rail System
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has carried out into the running of the Australian rail system; and if he will make a statement. [145419]

  Mr. Hill
  We have not carried out any such research and have no plans to do so.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations the shadow Strategic Rail Authority is required to undertake with regional stakeholders before awarding franchises. [143981]

  Mr. Hill
  The Instructions and Guidance given to the Franchising Director (who is Chief Executive of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority) by the Deputy Prime Minister require him to consult, among others, local authorities, regional government, Passenger Transport Executives, the Rail Regulator, regional planning bodies, Regional Development Agencies and Rail Passenger Committees.

  Housing Design
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote better housing design to meet the needs of elderly and disabled people. [143982]
  195W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Housing Corporation's Scheme Development Standards already set specific design requirements for grant-aided schemes meeting the needs of elderly and disabled people. We believe the new Housing Quality Indicators will promote further improvement, by encouraging higher standards of space, layout and accessibility in both public and private sector housing.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of the British Transport police about the swearing in of constables. [145785]

  Mr. Hill
  No discussions have been held between the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable of the British Transport police regarding the swearing in of constables.

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make changes to the rules of rural bus subsidy grant. [146028]

  Mr. Hill
  We have decided in principle that the rules of Rural Bus Subsidy Grant should be changed to give local authorities more flexibility in its use. We propose to allow authorities the freedom to use up to 20 per cent. of the grant on support of existing rural bus services. Authorities will also be able to use the grant to provide ongoing support for services initially supported under the Rural Bus Challenge scheme. These changes will involve amendments to the current rule which prevents use of the grant for services which were already being run as at 1 May 1999.

  We will be consulting the Local Government Association on the details of this change and the monitoring arrangements which will be involved with the intention of new rules being in place for the coming financial year.

  Local Authority Publicity
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity; and if he will make a statement. [146032]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  As indicated in our response to the Report of the Joint Committee on the Draft Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill (Cm4529) we intend to review the Code to reflect the changes in councils' constitutions and the referendums and petitions resulting from the Local Government Act 2000.

  We have today, therefore, issued a consultation paper setting out proposed alterations to the Code. These proposals reflect in particular the importance of councils consulting with their local communities, that individual councillors can take decisions, and that referendums, petitions and mayoral elections can take place under the Local Government Act 2000. A copy of this paper has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners (Tooting)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in the Tooting parliamentary constituency(a) qualified for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2000 and (b) qualified for the Minimum Income Guarantee; and if he will make a statement. [144578]

  Mr. Rooker
  Around 11 million Winter Fuel Payments have already been made this winter and the latest information shows that around 11,300 payments were made in Tooting to those entitled.

  There are around 2 million pensioners, as singles and couples, who benefit from the minimum income guarantee, of whom around 2,700 live in the Tooting parliamentary constituency.

  Notes:

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

  2. Pensioners are define1 as where the claimant, and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  3. Figures for Minimum Income Guarantee are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  4. Minimum Income Guarantee cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 version 1 ONS Postcode Directory.

  5. Constituency information represents constituency boundaries as at May 1997.

  Source:
  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2000

  Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his policy to allow income drawdown from stakeholder pension individual pension funds. [145851]

  Mr. Rooker
  The rules allowing income drawdown will apply to stakeholder schemes in the same way as to other personal pension schemes.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his policy to allow concurrent contributions to the state second pension and stakeholder pensions. [145862]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes. As with other private pensions, this will be possible provided the member of the stakeholder pension scheme has not contracted out the State second pension.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many retired people's only income is the State Retirement Pension. [144162]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is estimated that approximately 20,000 pensioners (less than 1 per cent.) in Great Britain received no income other than the State Retirement Pension.

  Notes:
  1. Pensioners are defined as single people over State Pension age (65 and over for men, 60 and over for women) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is over State Pension age.2. The Retirement Pension category includes basic State Pension, addition pension (from SERPS), graduated retirement benefit, dependant increases and all other components of State Retirement Pension.197W
  3. Estimates are based on survey respondents' identification of different benefits and are subject to misreporting. In particular, some respondents may not have distinguished between the State Retirement Pension and Income Support, since these benefits are paid jointly. Therefore, these estimates should be treated with caution.

  4. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000 or 1 per cent, but are not necessarily accurate to that degree since they are subject to sampling error.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reports from the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate have been published in respect of(a) local councils and (b) other organisations in Scotland. [145638]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) reports on the administration of Social Security benefits by local authorities and seeks to drive up standards of administration.

  To date, we have published nine reports following BFI inspections of Housing and Council Tax Benefit administration in local authorities in Scotland.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on how the pension credit will work for those who receive less than the full basic state pension. [145156]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our proposals for how the Pension Credit will operate are set out in "The Pension Credit: A Consultation Paper" (cm 4900) published on 9 November. The illustrative figures in the Annex to the consultation paper show that the savings element of the Credit will begin to accrue when the original income exceeds £77.

  Pensioners (Benefits)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) the number of pensioners failing to take up appropriate benefits and (b) the value of funds set aside for this propose, and surplus to requirements, in each year from 1992 to 2000. [145203]

  Mr. Rooker
  Estimates of take-up for income based benefits are published regularly by the Department, and have been placed in the Library. Estimates of expenditure presented to Parliament are based on trends observed in receipts of benefits and forecasts of likely future trends; there is therefore no funding surplus.

  Pensions Link
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the recent Government Actuary's report on the affordability of restoring the pensions link with average earnings; and if he will make a statement. [145604]

  Mr. Rooker
  We believe that restoring the earnings link is not the best means of tackling pensioner poverty. We are spending more on pensioner incomes than an earnings-linked increase would have cost.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action his Department is taking to ensure the Child Support Agency(a) improves its efficiency and (b) speeds up its assessments for maintenance payments; and if he will make a statement. [144889]

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

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Bill O'Brien, dated 16 January 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  Mr Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
  I accept that the Agency's performance is still falling short of the service we want to deliver to our customers. We are striving for continuous improvement and the Secretary of State has set us challenging performance targets for this year.
  Since 1996 we have increased the proportion of non-resident parents who are fully complaint from 32% to 47.6% and in 1999/00 we collected and arranged £730.9m, compared to £400m in 96/97.
  However, I agree that there is still someway to go. In the longer term, the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 will lead to radical improvements in the service we offer our clients. Maintenance calculations will be based on a simple percentage of the non-resident parent's net income - 15% for one child; 20% for two and 25% for three or more. The simpler system of rates will make it easier for parents to know how much they are expected to pay, and sorting out child support quickly will enable parents to get on with their lives without the current uncertainty about maintenance.
  The reforms will be introduced for new cases by April 2002 with existing cases transferred at a later date when the system is seen to be working well. However, there is much that we can do in the meantime with the new legislative powers in the Act. This is why we have agreed with Ministers that the new parentage and information gathering provisions and the extension of child support jurisdiction will come into effect from the end of this month. And in April we will bring the driving licence provisions into effect. This will mean that from 31' January 2001, the CSA will be able to presume parentage if it is denied but the non-resident parent was married to the parent with care at any time between the child's conception and birth, or if unmarried he is registered on the birth certificate. The Agency will also be able to presume parentage if he refuses DNA testing or disputes a positive DNA result.
  From 31" January 2001 it will be a criminal offence not to co-operate with the Child Support Agency, carrying a fine of up to £1000. From April 2001, persistent offenders can have their driving licence removed by the courts.
  The Agency is striving to improve its performance and I am committed to continuing these improvements whilst working towards the successful introduction of the child support reforms.
  I hope this is helpful.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data he has collated in respect of the Ealing division of the Metropolitan police service on the numbers of ethnic minority officers and civilian staff in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [145174]
  199W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the numbers of ethnic minority officers and civilian staff in the Ealing division of the Metropolitan police service in each of the past five years has been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and are shown in the table. The total figures are generally lower than in the original answer. The other details in the original answer were correct.

  Year

  Ealing division

  Southall division

  Ealing borough

  Police officers from ethnic minority groups1

  1996

  17

  13

  30

  1997

  16

  17

  33

  1998

  17

  18

  35

  1999

  21

  17

  38

  2000

  —

  —

  38

  Civilian staff from ethnic minority groups1

  1996

  30

  25

  55

  1997

  30

  23

  53

  1998

  27

  27

  54

  1999

  27

  29

  56

  2000

  —

  —

  53

  1 As at 31 December apart from the year 2000, which is as at 6 December. Ealing Southall divisions merged on 1 April 2000.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of police strength levels in the Metropolitan police service for the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [144964]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: I understand from the Metropolitan police service (MPS) that the following strength targets have been adopted for the next three years:

  Number

  2001–021, 2

  26,650

  2002–031, 2

  27,644

  2003–041, 2

  28,000

  1 Figures are full-time equivalents. They include secondments to National Crime Squad, National Criminal Intelligence Service and Central Service but exclude secondments to county forces following the boundary change on 1 April 2000.

  2 It is expected that officers seconded to county forces following the 1 April 2000 boundary change will have returned to the MPS by 31 March 2002.

  The MPS plans to reach the strength figures shown, but precise strength may be affected by the budget set for the MPS, by changes to projected wastage and by the success of the MPS's recruitment plans.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were on secondment to other police forces and duties from the Metropolitan police service on(a) 1 April 2000 and (b) 30 September 2000. [145099]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 950 officers were on secondment on 1 April and 981 officers were on secondment on 30 September 2000. It is standard practice for forces to fill most vacancies that arise from officers on secondment. The table sets out the principal categories under which these secondments are recorded.
  200W

  Metropolitan police secondments

  1 April 2000

  30 September 2000

  Boundary—Essex

  32

  31

  Boundary—Hertfordshire

  183

  184

  Boundary—Surrey

  253

  247

  NCIS

  67

  71

  National Crime Squad

  321

  325

  Overseas

  17

  24

  Central Service

  34

  50

  Seconded elsewhere

  14

  14

  On attachment

  29

  35

  Total

  950

  981

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made to ensure that asylum seekers who cannot read English are sent correspondence about vouchers in their own language. [144680]

  Mrs. Roche
  Sodexho Pass UK, the company contracted by the Home Office to print and distribute vouchers to asylum seekers, produces advice leaflets in 11 languages, which include English, Somali, French, Arabic, Albanian, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Persian, Slovakian and Czech. A leaflet in the relevant language is included in the support packs the National Asylum Support Service sends out to asylum seekers along with their emergency vouchers. In addition, Sodexho Pass UK provides telephone helplines, at local call rates, in the same 11 language. The relevant telephone helpline number is printed on an individual asylum seeker's vouchers according to the language he or she speaks. Asylum seekers who are unable to communicate in one of the specified languages are issued with the English version of the leaflet and helpline number and can use their local One-Stop Service for advice about the voucher scheme.

  The Home Office has grant funding agreements with several refugee organisations. As part of this agreement, refugee organisations provide a One-Stop Service to brief asylum seekers on a range of issues. One of their responsibilities is to brief asylum seekers about the support arrangements, including the voucher scheme, which may include providing briefing in the asylum seeker's own language. They have also issued joint guidance about claiming asylum in the United Kingdom that includes the support arrangements. This is printed in English, Albanian, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Kurdish (Sorani), Somali and Tamil.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been accommodated in Wales under the Government's dispersal arrangements, indicating the local authority areas concerned. [144956]

  Mrs. Roche
  The available information at the end of December 2000 is that 301 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation in the County of Wrexham in Wales by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
  1 Figure rounded to the nearest 10
  201W
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seeker applications were awaiting a final decision on 1 January. [1449051

  Mrs. Roche
  The number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision has decreased every month since January 2000. On 30 November the number stood at 69,870, the latest date for which information is available.

  Information on the number of cases awaiting an initial decision on 31 December 2000 is duo to be published on 25 January 2001 on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm as part of the regular publication of asylum statistics.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed to Liverpool; and how many of them have returned to the South East of England. [145275]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information available at the end of December 2000 is that 1,7801 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation in Liverpool under the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) dispersal scheme. The number of asylum seekers who may have returned to the South East of England following dispersal to Liverpool is not available.
  1Figure rounded to the nearest 10

  Police Custody Suites
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent analysis he has made of the extent to which police custody suites are being used for(a) those who are mentally ill or held for their own protection and (b) the drunk and disorderly. [1446761

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I am not aware that there has been any recent analysis of the extent to which police custody suites are being used for such purposes.

  Where mentally ill persons are held at police stations for their own protection they should be interviewed and examined by a social worker and a registered medical practitioner as soon as possible so that suitable arrangements can be made for their treatment or care.

  There are special requirements for custody staff to make more frequent visits to those who are drunk and they must be roused and spoken to on each visit. Some alternatives to police custody for holding drunken persons exist in a few areas and those who are severely inebriated will often be taken straight to hospital.

  Detoxification Centres
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detoxification centres have been established over the last four years for those detained by the police in a drunk and disorderly condition; and how many centres it is proposed to establish in the period until 2005. [144678]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Comprehensive information about the number of detoxification centres and plans for their establishment are not held centrally. However, work is under way to develop best practice in dealing with drunken detainees and to encourage the development of relevant facilities where appropriate.

  Animal Research (Primates)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of non-human primates used in research in the UK in each of the last five years were(a) wild-caught, (b) captive-bred outside the UK and (c) captive-bred in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [145373]

  (2) how many of the project licences granted for the use of non-human primates in each of the last five years were in severity bandings (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified; and if he will make a statement; [145379]

  (3) if he will list those establishments that have been approved as sources of non-human primates under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement; [145375]

  (4) what progress has been made in discussions with other member states in establishing a target date after which the use of wild-caught primates in European research laboratories will be prohibited; and if he will make a statement; [145374]

  (5) what percentage of non-human primates used in research in the United Kingdom are singly-housed; and if he will make a statement. [145378]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that non-human primates can be used only if no other species is suitable. In addition to regulatory testing to help ensure the safety of medicines, non-human primates are also used for other important areas of fundamental research. For example, they contribute to programmes of work relating to Parkinson's disease, visual impairment, stroke, diabetes, disorders of reproduction and vaccine development.

  The number of procedures using non-human primate species over the last five years for which figures are available, by source of animals was as follows:

  Animals obtained from:

  Year

  Within the United Kingdom

  Outside the United Kingdom

  Total

  1995

  3,565

  1,156

  4,721

  1996

  3,633

  741

  4,374

  1997

  3,547

  361

  3,908

  1998

  3,260

  395

  3,655

  1999

  3,585

  418

  4,003

  All the animals obtained from within the United Kingdom will have been bred in captivity. For the imported animals, the annual statistics do not distinguish captive-bred animals from those which were obtained from the wild. However, it is unlikely that any wild-caught animals apart from baboons have been acquired from overseas in the last five years. Eighty wild-caught baboons were used in 1995, 28 in 1996, 17 in 1997, four in 1998 and none subsequently.

  Home Office officials advocate the current United Kingdom policy on the use of wild-caught primates with other member states of the European Union at Commission-hosted meetings of the National Competent Authorities.
  203W
  Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prohibits me from naming the establishments licensed under the Act to supply or breed non-human primates within Great Britain. Animals obtained from overseas are currently imported from Mauritius, Israel, Philippines and China. It is not Home Office policy to name the source companies from within these countries.

  Information on the percentage of primates housed singly is not available. However, housing is generally in pairs or groups unless there are scientific, veterinary or welfare reasons for single housing.

  Information regarding the number of project licences in each severity banding for each of the last five years is not kept in such a way as to make it readily or easily available. I will write to the hon. Member when officials have been able to collate at least some of this information.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the programme for Holocaust memorial day. [144888]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  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.

  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.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Armenian genocide up to 1923 will not be included in the Holocaust memorial day programme. [144831]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Holocaust memorial day is focused on learning the lessons of the holocaust and other more recent atrocities that raise similar issues. We took a conscious decision to focus on events around the holocaust and thereafter, although we did examine requests to consider the atrocities and other events that preceded the holocaust. Examples include the crusades, slavery, colonialism, the victims of Stalin and the Boer war. It is always difficult to draw a line and wherever it is drawn it runs the risk of being misinterpreted.

  A particular focus on events around the period 1939–45 and thereafter should not be seen as failing to acknowledge, sympathise and respect the concerns about prior events.

  The massacres of Armenians in 1915–16 were an appalling tragedy condemned by the Government of the day and now. We understand the strength of feeling about this terrible period and extend our sympathies to the descendants of the victims.

  We fully understand that the Armenian community may feel that Holocaust memorial day is an appropriate one for them to recall the dreadful massacres of Armenia.
  204W
  Others will also seek to highlight atrocities. The Government's decision to give a particular focus to the day does not prevent recollection of other appalling events which may raise similar issues. I understand Armenians remember the events of 1915–16 on another date.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the response to Holocaust memorial day by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [144886]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  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 wow.holocaustmemorialday.gov.uk. The Local Government Association (LGA) issued a reminder circular about this on 9 January. The LGA also plan to conduct a survey of local authorities' response to the day next month. This will help to inform planning for future years.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to encourage local authorities to support Holocaust memorial day. [145589]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: On 23 October the Local Government Association sent guidance to local authorities on ways they can mark the day, encouraging them to involve local communities and groups. This guidance was produced by a working group chaired by the Acting Chief Executive of the London borough of Barnet and involved a number of representatives of non-governmental organisations with experience and expertise in holocaust education and remembrance. The guidance has been distributed to a wide range of voluntary and community groups through the Commission for Race Equality, the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service, Stonewall, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Holocaust Educational Trust, and the Inter Faith Network. This effort was reinforced by seminars for local authority chief officers run jointly by the Local Government Association (LGA) and Beth Shalom Memorial Centre.

  A wide range of activities are 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. The LGA issued a reminder circular about this on 9 January. The LGA also plan to conduct a survey of local authorities' response to the day next month. This will help to inform planning for future years.

  EU Treaties
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in respect of the amendments to be made by the Treaty of Nice, to Articles 18, 62, 63, 65 and 67 of the Treaty of the European Community, concerning movement of Union citizens within the area of the Community, and matters concerning visas, immigration, asylum, refugees, deportation and related derogations for the United Kingdom and Ireland, contained in the current Community Treaty, he will publish a description of those proposed changes, including the use of Article 251 of the Community Treaty required by the provisional agreement
  205W
  reached at Nice, together with the obligations of the associated Declaration to take further steps in these matters after 1 May 2004. [144742]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 9 January 2001,Official Report, columns 510–12W, for a description of the changes in question. The Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland, which provides the United Kingdom with an opt-in to measures tinder Title IV of the Treaty, will not be amended as a result of the agreement reached at Nice.

  Draize Test
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to ban the Draize test used to determine irritancy of products; and if he will make a statement. [145380]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Following the Government's announcement of a ban on the testing of cosmetic products and ingredients, the Draize eye safety test is no longer used for that purpose. However, national and international regulatory bodies requite that non-cosmetic products, ingredients and chemicals are tested to ensure that they are safe (for humans, other animals and the environment) during manufacture, transport and use.

  The Draize test is a safety test required for regulatory risk assessments of chemicals and a range of manufactured products which may be deliberately or accidentally brought into contact with the eyes. An example of this would be preparations used in medical eye drops.

  Some non-animal alternatives to the Draize eye test are available for some screening purposes. However, these can be used only for a limited range of test materials.

  The Home Office has published guidance and minimum severity protocols for this procedure. Such animal testing takes place only when in vitro screening tests have been used to identify, classify and eliminate materials with obvious irritant potential. Careful consideration is given to all available information on a substance to avoid testing of substances likely to produce severe effects on test animals. In this regard the Draize eye test is not carried out on strongly acid or alkaline substances or on substances which have demonstrated severe adverse skin effects in dermal tests or on substances which have demonstrated potential corrosive effects or severe irritancy in the alternative tests currently available.

  This country has taken, and continues to take, a leading role in Europe in encouraging the use of alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals used and refine the procedures to minimise pain and suffering. To this end the Home Office has funded work conducted by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), but it has been concluded that the currently available alternatives to the Draize test have significant limitations and cannot replace live animal use at this stage.

  Intoxicating Substances
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to forbid the sale to juveniles of(a) glues, (b) spray paints and (c) knives. [144751]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is an offence under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 to supply a substance to someone under the age of 18 knowing or believing that the substance, or its fumes, is likely to be inhaled for the purposes of intoxication. Under the 1996 Offensive Weapons Act, it is an offence to sell a knife to a person under the age of 16 years.

  There are no plans at present to restrict the sale of spray paints to juveniles; this would penalise young people who have a legitimate reason for their purchase. The police have the power to arrest anyone whom they reasonably suspect has committed or is about to commit an offence of criminal damage such as graffiti spraying.

  Lord Birt
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the conclusions of work undertaken by Lord Birt in his role as an adviser to his Department; and what recommendations Lord Birt has made to the Government in that capacity. [145455]

  Mr. Straw
  Lord Birt is looking at criminality and long-term trends. His work is being considered alongside work which is currently being undertaken by the Home Office, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Law Officers' Department and Her Majesty's Treasury about which I informed the House on 7 November 2000,Official Report, column 203W. This work is drawing together experience of improving the performance of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales over the last three-and-a-half years to identify the way forward for the longer term. It will take account of current reviews such as Sir Robin Auld's review of the criminal courts and a review of the present sentencing framework led by John Halliday, formerly Director of Criminal Justice Policy at the Home Office. Any firm conclusions which emerge from this work will be reported to the House.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of(a) fraud and (b) money laundering were received for each of the last five years for which figures are available by the National Criminal Intelligence Service. [145865]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Economic Crime Unit of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) is responsible for the receipt, analysis and dissemination of all reports made in the United Kingdom which may be indicative of suspicious transaction of money laundering.

  The numbers of such reports received for each of the last five years are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1995

  13,710

  1996

  16,125

  1997

  14,148

  1998

  14,129

  1999

  14,500

  207W
  Reports are passed by NCIS to the appropriate body to investigate; this is usually the Financial Investigation Unit of the particular police force concerned.

  NCIS do not routinely receive reports of fraud and no reliable central records are maintained of allegations of fraud.

  Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated level of use is of(a) cannabis, (b) heroin and (c) cocaine in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [145783]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There is no single and definitive measure of drug use. However, self-reported levels of use among a representative sample of people aged 16 to 59 and living in households in England and Wales are available from the British Crime Survey (BCS). Information on the levels of use from the BCS is given in the table. The full reports are available from the Library and on the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pubsintrol.html.

  Percentages of respondents reporting use of cannabis, cocaine and heroin, 16 to 59-year-olds in England and Wales

  Cannabis

  Cocaine

  Heroin

  1994

  Ever

  21

  2

  1

  Last year

  8

  1—

  1—

  Last month

  5

  1—

  1—

  1996

  Ever

  22

  3

  1

  Last year

  9

  1

  1—

  Last month

  5

  1—

  1—

  1998

  Ever

  25

  3

  1

  Last year

  9

  1

  1—

  Last month

  5

  1—

  1—

  1 Less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  British Crime Survey 1994, 1996, 1998 (Drug Misuse Declared in 1998: results from the BCS, Home Office Research Study 197)

  Devolution (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive about the extent to which the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 should apply to Scotland. [145896]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Subject to a number of limited exceptions the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 applies throughout the United Kingdom. As to Scotland, the exceptions relate to the Electoral Commission's functions in respect of local government boundaries and local government elections, which are devolved matters. However, section 10 (Giving advice and assistance), section 13 (Education about electoral and democratic systems), and section 145 (General function of Commission with respect to monitoring compliance with controls imposed by the Act etc.) confer powers on Scottish Ministers to extend the functions of the Commission under those sections to cover local government elections in Scotland. Section 19 of the 208W
  Act also confers a power on Scottish Ministers to transfer to the Electoral Commission the functions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.

  In addition, a number of the amendments made by Part VIII of the 2000 Act to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983 do not extend to local government elections in Scotland. But the Scottish Parliament and Executive agreed to the amendments to sections 75 and 93 of the 1983 Act (by sections 131 and 144 of the 2000 Act respectively) extending to such elections.

  The decisions which the Act leaves to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament are matters entirely for them.

  Referendums
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost to public funds was of material issued by Her Majesty's Government during the referendum campaigns in(a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) London. [145895]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 23 March 2000,Official Report, columns 666–67W.

  Police Costs (Fuel Crisis)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payments are available to police authorities in respect of extra costs incurred during the fuel crisis in 2000; and how much money has been spent in respect of each police force. [145786]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Payments will be made to police authorities in respect of the additional operational costs incurred by forces in responding to the fuel embargo protests in September and November 2000.

  Forces have been asked to submit their final claims for the additional costs incurred during the fuel dispute by the end of January to allow for assessment and payment in the current financial year.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the powers special constables have in police authority areas other than their own; and what plans he has to revise the statutes governing those powers. [145855]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The powers of a special constable in a police authority area other than their own are set out in the Police Act 1996 at Part 1, Section 30(2), (3) and (4). The Act states that:

  (2) A special constable shall have all the powers and privileges of a constable in the police area for which he is appointed and, where the boundary of that area includes the coast, in the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

  (3) Without prejudice to subsection (2), a special constable appointed for a police area shall have all the powers and privileges of a constable:

  (a) in the case of a special constable appointed for a police area other than the City of London police area, in any other police area which is contiguous to his own police area; and

  209W

  (b) in the case of a special constable appointed for the City of London police area, in the Metropolitan police district and in any police area which is contiguous to that district.

  (4) A special constable who is for the time being required by virtue of section 23 or 24 of the Police Act 1996 to serve with another police force shall have all the powers and privileges of a constable in any area in which special constables appointed for the area for which that force is maintained have those powers and privileges under this section.

  There are no current plans to revise the Police Act 1996.

  Police Numbers (Lancashire)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the police officer strengths were for Lancashire on(a) 31 March 1997, (b) 30 September 1997, (c) 31 March 1998, (d) 30 September 1998, (e) 31 March 1999, (f) 30 September 1999, (g) 31 March 2000 and (h) 30 September 2000; and how many officers were on (i) sick leave and (ii) light duties on these dates. [145025]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on police numbers is set out in the table. Information on the number of officers on sick leave for the same periods have been provided by the Chief Constable who has also informed me that she is unable to provide information on the number of officers on light duties as it is not centrally recorded on force records.

  Year/month

  Police numbers

  Number of officers on sick leave

  31 March 1997

  3,248

  106

  30 September 1997

  3,281

  169

  31 March 1998

  3,257

  175

  30 September 1998

  3,245

  126

  31 March 1999

  3,245

  173

  30 September 1999

  3,221

  164

  31 March 2000

  3,179

  178

  30 September 2000

  3,215

  174

  Firearms
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded offences involving(a) handguns and (b) shotguns and (c) rifles have been committed in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. [145726]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The requested details are given in the table.

  Number of offences involving:

  Year

  Handguns

  Shotguns and rifles

  1990

  2,537

  1,287

  1991

  3,430

  1,685

  1992

  4,023

  1,581

  1993

  4,273

  1,659

  1994

  3,087

  1,253

  1995

  3,318

  993

  1996

  3,347

  936

  1997

  2,648

  631

  1998–991

  2,687

  685

  1999–20001

  3,685

  760

  1 Years ending March, using the new counting rules for recorded crime. Figures before and after 1 April 1998 cannot be directly compared.

  Police (Avon and Somerset)
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset police regarding the current level of recruitment to the force; how many recruits have been taken on by the force since May 1997; and how many officers have left the force since May 1997. [142862]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have received no representations from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset constabulary regarding the current level or recruitment to the force.

  Information about police recruitment and wastage is collected six monthly for the periods April to September and October to March each year.

  The number of recruits taken on by Avon and Somerset constabulary 1 April 1997 and 30 September 2000 was 473.

  The number of officers who left the force between 1 April 1997 and 30 September 2000 was also 473.

  Police Statistics
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish, for each police authority broken down in the age year ranges(a) up to 35, (b) 36 to 50 and (c) 51 years and over, the level of recruitment and wastage in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990 and (iii) the most recent 12 months for which statistics are available; [143888]

  (2) if he will publish, for each police authority, the age profile of each police force in the age ranges (a) up to 35, (b) 36 to 50 and (c) 51 years and over in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990 and (iii) the most recent 12 months for which statistics are available. [143887]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available. The Home Office publishes data on overall police numbers, and a revised assessment of these at 30 September 2000 is due to be published on 16 January, along with recruitment and wastage figures. Individual police authorities and forces are likely to consider age profiles of officers, for example in their own recruitment plans.

  Information on officer age by rank was collected by the Home Office until 1989, and was included in Appendix 12 of the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for the years up to 1989. Copies of these reports are in the Library.

  Interception of Communications
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what his assessment is of the annual cost to police forces of charges levied by telecommunications companies for tracking telephone calls and e-mail correspondence; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which the payment of such charges is cost effective; [145181]

  (2) what discussions he has had with telecommunications companies over the variation in charges made for tracking telephone calls and e-mail correspondence; [145185]
  211W
  (3) what representations he has received about the level of charges made by telecommunications companies for tracking telephone calls and e-mail correspondence for law enforcement agencies; [145184]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the effect on policing in Gloucestershire of the cost to the constabulary of charges levied by telecommunications companies for tracking telephone calls and e-mail correspondence; and if he will make a statement. [145180]

  Mr. Straw
  Information on the charges mentioned is not collected centrally. Agreements are in place between communication service providers (CSPs) and law enforcement agencies which take account of the fact that a requirement to provide communication data places operational and financial burdens on the CSPs.

  The Government have received representations from one hon. Member about charges made to the police by CSPs for supplying data.

  Criminal Assets
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value was of assets confiscated from convicted criminals in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [145243]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The receipts realised from confiscation orders in England and Wales were £13,002,000 in 1997–98 and £16,510,000 in 1998–99. Provisional figures for 1999–2000 indicate that £25,044,000 has been recovered from convicted criminals in respect of the proceeds of their crimes.

  Persons convicted for selling food not complying with safety requirements contrary to section 8 of the Food Safety Act 1990, by sentence, England and Wales

  Length of sentence

  Year

  Number convicted

  Absolute or conditional discharge

  Fine

  Community Service Order

  Fully suspended sentence

  Number sentenced to immediate custody

  3 months

  4 months

  Otherwise dealt with

  1992

  157

  16

  141

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  169

  28

  140

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1994

  117

  13

  104

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  96

  12

  80

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  98

  3

  94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1997

  76

  3

  72

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998

  80

  10

  68

  —

  —

  2

  1

  1

  —

  1999

  140

  —

  37

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 One offender was not sentenced in 1999 but was held over for sentence in 2000

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of drink driving were reported by police in Merseyside from 20 December 2000 to 2 January 2001. [144915]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  However, information collected and published by the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) shows that 509 breath tests were given following collisions attended by the police in Merseyside during the period 18 December 2000 to 2 January 2001, of which 15 were positive.
  212W
  These figures are very encouraging and a clear indication of the resolve of the courts to deprive criminals of the financial benefits of their offending.

  Unfit Meat
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) convicted of selling unfit meat to the public and (b) sentenced to a term of imprisonment in excess of (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five years and over, in each year since 1990. [145002]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Section 8 of the Food Safety Act 1990 refers to the sale of food not complying with food safety requirements. This includes selling food that is unfit for human consumption.

  However the data held centrally on the Home Office's Court Proceedings Database, which only identify offences under S8 of the Act from 1992, do not distinguish the particular offence of selling food that is unfit for human consumption from the other offences given under this section of the Act. There may also be prosecutions under the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995, but we are again unable to identify specific offences.

  The table shows the number of persons convicted under S8 of the Food Safety Act 1990. The type of sentence and the numbers of persons sentenced to a term of imprisonment, broken down by length of sentence, is also given. Only two offenders were sentenced to imprisonment, one for three months and one for four months.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a consultation on regulations for the commercial use of the electoral register will be conducted by his Department. [145607]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 2 May 2000, Official Report, column 78W. We are currently considering the representations already received. The draft regulations will be ready by Easter and will be made available on the Home Office website for comment.

  Police Funding (Floods)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payments(a) are available and (b) have been made to police authorities in respect of demands on the police during the floods in 2000. [145559]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: There are no specific payments available from the Home Office to police authorities in respect of demands on the police during the floods in 2000 and no payments have been made.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions administers the Bellwin scheme that provides assistance to meet an undue financial burden of the immediate costs of tackling exceptional natural disasters or similar events. I am informed by that Department that no applications have been received, and no payments have been made, to police authorities for costs incurred from the floods.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the(a) capacity of each police training centre in respect of new recruits, (b) the number of new recruits entering training in each month from and including April 2000 and (c) the estimated future monthly (i) training capacity and (ii) number of recruits at each centre [145555]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Each of the five main National Police Training (NPT) Probationer Training Centres (NPT Ashford, NPT Bruche, NPT Cwmbran, NPT Durham, NPT Ryton) receives an intake of probationers every five weeks for their 15 week, residential, Stage 2 phase of probationer training. Each Probationer Training Centre will therefore have three intakes on-site at any one time. The five main Probationer Training Centres each has a maximum intake capacity for each course, namely:

  Number

  Ashford

  144

  Bruche

  112

  Cwmbran

  72

  Durham

  54

  Ryton

  108

  With the assistance of up to seven satellite centres (Bramhill, Harrogate, Padgate, Wethersfield, Heythrop, Hutton Hall, Tally Ho) the total NPT intake capacity for the last 10 courses has been:

  Start date

  Intake capacity

  14 February

  526

  20 March

  508

  25 April

  508

  30 May

  544

  3 July

  526

  7 August

  562

  11 September

  634

  16 October

  624

  20 November

  639

  8 January

  714

  (b) Intakes to foundation training operate on a five-weekly cycle, not a monthly cycle. Metropolitan police intake dates to the training school at Hendon are slightly different from those for
  214W
  National Police Training's Police Training Centres. The number of recruits starting training with NPT and at Hendon on each intake since April 2000 was as follows:

  Provincial forces1

  Number

  Metropolitan police

  Number

  Total

  25 April

  466

  17 April

  97

  563

  30 May

  474

  22 May

  99

  573

  3 July

  521

  26 June

  96

  617

  7 August

  517

  31 July

  85

  602

  11 September

  590

  4 September

  96

  686

  16 October

  609

  9 October

  122

  731

  20 November

  637

  14 November

  131

  768

  8 January

  697

  18 December

  137

  834

  1 Includes officers from Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Transport Police and Royal Parks Constabulary

  (c)(i) The Metropolitan Police Service will make the capacity available at Hendon to match the planned number of recruits for each future intake.
  National Police Training plans to provide about 640 places per training intake during 2001–02. The distribution of these places between NPT centres is expected to change in the course of the year as development proceeds at some sites and the need for leased satellite premises is reviewed.
  The number of places provided can be increased if demand exceeds forecasts, provided forces are able to identify and second suitable staff to act as trainers.
  (c)(ii) On each of the two remaining training intakes in 2000–01 (in January and March 2001), the Metropolitan police plan to recruit 200 officers. In 2001–02 the Metropolitan police plans to recruit 247 officers for each of the 10 intakes to the training centre.

  The total intake of recruits to NPT centres for each of the remaining two intakes in 2000–01 (in February and March 2001) is expected to be 642, utilising all the available capacity. In 2001–02, it is estimated that there will be an average of about 635 recruits per intake to NPT.

  Licensing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his plans for licensing liberalisation will include conditions of fire exits, safe capacities and noise restrictions for licensed venues. [145443]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We envisage that licences for premises selling alcohol or providing public entertainment or late night refreshment should include such conditions as the licensing authority consider necessary, in the light of the views of the police, fire authority and local residents, to ensure public safety and to reduce the risks of crime, disorder and public disturbance.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Cranfield University study, 'Licensing Law Liberalisation: The Scottish Experience', on the link between licensing liberalisation and binge drinking and alcohol-related violence. [145442]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We share the view of the Scottish Executive that the report of the study should be approached with a considerable degree of caution, and that it does not support the conclusion that changes to licensing law in Scotland made in 1976 have caused more violence or binge drinking. The report is in any event of limited relevance to our proposals for reforming the licensing laws in England and Wales, which do not involve reproducing the Scottish arrangements.

  Public Interest Immunity Orders
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public interest immunity orders have been issued in the case of Samar Alami and Jawad Botmeh. [145566]

  Mr. Straw
  I have signed one public interest immunity certificate in relation to the appeal proceedings in the case of Rv. Samar Alami and Jawad Botmeh. My predecessor, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), signed two certificates in relation to the trial proceedings in that case.

  Religious Discrimination
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to receive a report on religious discrimination from the University of Derby; and if he will make a statement. [145328]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: We received a draft report of the findings of the Derby empirical research into religious discrimination last month. All research commissioned by the Home Office is subject to external peer review before publication and this is in hand.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Telecommunications
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with OFTEL concerning further opening up of the domestic telecommunications market. [1457521

  Dr. Howells
  My colleagues and I meet with the Director General of Telecommunications from time to time to discuss ways of strengthening competition in the telecommunications market and promoting the interests of consumers.

  Petrol Retail Staff
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff full-time equivalents were employed in the independent petrol retail industry in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [145342]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This information is not available.

  Financial Management Companies
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish a White Paper on the regulation of financial management companies which advise the public on restructuring borrowing. [144483]

  Dr. Howells
  I have no plans to issue a White Paper on this matter.

  The Director General of Fair Trading has a duty under the Consumer Credit Act to review and advise my right
  216W
  hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about developments in the UK credit market. If he makes any recommendations I will study them carefully.

  Weights and Measures
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timescale he envisages for the review of the NPL/SERCO business plan for management of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory in Teddington; and what his plans are for consulting NWML's clients, customers and partners before a decision is made. [145405]

  Dr. Howells
  I envisage that the review should be completed over the next few weeks. There has been and will continue to be extensive consultation with NWML's clients, customers and partners.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the conclusions were of the most recent review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory as regards the appropriate role of(a) Government and (b) private contractors in the provision of trading standards and consumer protection work by the NWML. [145404]

  Dr. Howells
  The review is not yet complete and no conclusions have been reached.

  Abbey National/Lloyds TSB Takeover
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to protect the interests of consumers in respect of the hostile takeover of Abbey National by Lloyds TSB. [144971]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: In the first instance, it is the responsibility of the Director of Fair Trading to assess the likely impact of a proposed merger. He is currently investigating the possible take-over of Abbey National by Lloyds TSB and will advise me in due course on whether or not he believes the proposed merger may be expected to operate against the public interest. When I have received the DGFT's advice, I will consider all issues that I believe to be relevant before deciding whether or not to refer the proposed merger to the Competition Commission for a detailed inquiry.

  Mobile Telecommunications Safety
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial allocation has been made by his Department for research into the safety of mobile phones and telecommunication masts. [144674]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department has allocated £1.8 million of the Government funding towards the recently announced LINK research programme in mobile communications and health.

  Petrol Stations (Closures)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about how many petrol stations in Scottish rural areas closed in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [145908]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department does not hold information about the number of petrol stations in Scottish rural areas. The Institute of Petroleum's UK Retail
  217W
  Marketing Survey (last published in March 2000) shows that the total number of petrol retail outlets in Scotland in 1997, 1998 and 1999 was as follows:

  Calendar year

  Petrol retail outlets

  1997

  1,299

  1998

  1,201

  1999

  1,308

  Haulage Companies
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Scottish-based haulage companies have been declared bankrupt in each year since 1997. [145906]

  Dr. Howells
  The following table shows company liquidations for the transport and communication industry in Scotland from 1997 to quarter 3 of 2000.

  The transport and communication industry includes road transport, air transport, shipping, travel agents and other transport and communication—detailed figures solely for road haulage (which is only one category within road transport) are not available.

  Transport and communication (Scotland)

  Year

  Company liquidations

  1997

  20

  1998

  24

  1999

  16

  2000 (to quarter 3)

  13

  Source:

  DTI

  Company Closures
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms in the United Kingdom have ceased trading since May 1997. [145728]

  Dr. Howells
  No figures are available from Companies House for the number of firms that have ceased trading over the period in question. However, their records confirm that 58,384 limited companies went into liquidation over the period from May 1997 to December 2000. Of these, 9,838 were voluntary members liquidations, 31,649 were voluntary creditors liquidations and 16,897 were compulsory liquidations. Almost 400,000 companies were dissolved over the same period, but many of these may never have traded.

  Small and Medium Companies
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to update the limits set under section 247 and section 249(3) of the Companies Act 1985 relating to small and medium companies and groups. [145444]

  Dr. Howells
  In his response to a Parliamentary Question on 4 April 2000,Official Report, column 405W, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said that he had also decided that the current thresholds in the Companies Act which define small and medium companies for accounting purposes should be changed to the maxima allowed under EU law. However,
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  this change will be made as part of the implementation of wide-ranging proposals on small companies which we expect to emerge from the Company Law Review.

  The thresholds for groups will be considered as part of this process.

  The independent review of Company Law is expected to publish its final recommendations in May this year. The Government will then set out their response and proposed way forward in the light of the Review's recommendations.

  Fire Resistant Materials
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he takes to ensure that material sold as fire resistant meets the appropriate standards. [144741]

  Dr. Howells
  Legislation governing the fire performance of consumer goods is vigorously enforced by local authority trading standards officers who test goods using the appropriate standards. Also my Department commissions research to monitor the fire performance of goods. I also closely monitor fire statistics that, for example, show that the stringent fire performance standards specified in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 have resulted in a considerable reduction in deaths in fires started in upholstered seating. These regulations are over 12 years old and so I am minded to undertake a review. I am currently discussing such a review with my officials and I will announce my decision shortly.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the period of time for which spent nuclear fuel from the Kalkar SNR 300 is permitted to be stored at the UKAEA's Dounreay site; when he expects the plutonium fuel to be moved from Dounreay; and what its final destination will be. [145282]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Kalkar SNR 300 fuel is permitted to be stored at Dounreay until 31 December 2001. It is expected that the fuel will be removed by this date and returned to its German owners, Restabwicklung SNR 300 GmbH. UKAEA expect to return the fuel to Hanau in germany. The final destination of the fuel is a matter for its owners, but nay export of the fuel from the UK will be permitted only once its final destination and use has been notified.

  Nuclear Security
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the review of security at nuclear plants. [145280]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Security procedures at civil nuclear sites are kept constantly under review and updated in the light of changing circumstances to ensure their continuing effectiveness. The Director of Civil Nuclear Security, the Government's Regulator, is confident that existing procedures are adequate and effective.

  Manufacturing (Job Losses)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the(a) status and (b) composition is of

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  the ministerial group on manufacturing job losses referred to by the Leader of the House on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 574. 1145777]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There is no formal ministerial group as described by the hon. Member on 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 574. However in addition to work undertaken by certain Committees, different groups of Ministers do meet from time to time to discuss industrial issues, including job losses. The status of such groups is informal and membership varies according to the issue under discussion. I am advised that my right hon. Friend was referring to the ongoing activity of such informal meetings and groups.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court of Protection
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on her plans for the reform of the Court of Protection. [145736]

  Jane Kennedy
  Plans for the reform of the Court of Protection are set out in the Government's Policy Statement "Making Decisions", issued in October 1999. The Policy Statement sets out the Government's proposals to reform the law in order to improve and clarify the decision-making process for those who are unable to make decisions for themselves. This includes establishing a new single court jurisdiction which will deal with all areas of decision-making for adults without capacity. The new jurisdiction will be based at the Court of Protection. The establishment of the new Court will require legislative change.

  Family Law Act
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she will publish the final evaluation report of research into pilot information meetings under Part II of the Family Law Act 1996; and what plans the Government have to implement Part II of the Act. [146031]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Final Evaluation Report has been published today, and copies have been placed in the Library. The Lord Chancellor and I are grateful for Professor Walker and her team at Newcastle University for the very detailed and informative report they have produced.

  On 17 June 1999, Official Report, column 213W, the Government announced that they would await the Final Evaluation Report before deciding the way forward on Part II.

  The research has concluded that none of the six models of information meeting tested over a two-year period is good enough for the implementation of Part II on a nation-wide basis. It has shown that, for most people, the meetings came too late to save marriages and tended to incline those who were uncertain about their marriages towards divorce. While people valued the provision of information, the meetings were too inflexible, providing general information about both marriage saving and the divorce process. People wanted information tailored to
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  their individual circumstances and needs. In addition, in the great majority of cases, only the person petitioning for divorce attended the meeting, but marriage counselling, conciliatory divorce and mediation depend for success on the willing involvement of both parties.

  The Report has suggested testing a further model designed to address the majority of the shortcomings identified in the pilots. However, this new kind of meeting would not solve the underlying problems associated with compulsory information meetings, in particular the timing of the meetings in the divorce process and their inability to engage both parties.

  Furthermore, in the Government's view the problems with Part II are not limited to the provisions on information meetings. The new procedures would be complex and likely to lead to significant delay and uncertainty which would not be in the best interests of the couple or their children. There are concerns that the provisions would prove unworkable in practice.

  The Government therefore do not believe Part II would fulfil the principles of Part I of the Act, to which they remain committed. These principles include saving saveable marriages and, where marriages break down, bringing them to an end with the minimum distress to the parties and children affected.

  The Government are not satisfied that it would be right to proceed with the implementation of Part II and propose to invite Parliament to repeal the relevant sections of the Family Law Act 1996 once a suitable legislative opportunity occurs. This decision does not affect section 22, in Part II, relating to the funding of marriage support services, which is in force and will remain so. In addition, while it is not possible to implement separately the provisions at sections 9(3) and (4) of Part II, the Government are sympathetic to the needs of Jewish women who are denied a religious divorce, and is considering the best way forward.

  The Government will draw on the Evaluation Report and build on the initiatives already under way in their efforts to support marriage and stable relationships and to reduce the damaging impact of family conflict and relationship breakdown on children. They have taken forward a wide range of measures over the past three years to help families, including establishing the new Children's Fund and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, improving maternity and parental leave arrangements, and increasing funding for marriage and relationship support to a total of £5 million per annum by 2002–03.

  Marriage and Relationship Support
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what grants her Department has made towards marriage and relationship support in the current financial year. [146029]

  Jane Kennedy
  During the current financial year (2000–01), the Lord Chancellor's Department will spend £4 million on marriage and relationship support, an increase of £0.8 million on funding for the financial year 1999–2000.
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  The funding has been allocated as follows: Relate—£2,396,585; Tavistock Marital Studies Institute—£486,161; Marriage Care—£333,516; One plus One—£357.,000; Jewish Marriage Council—£48,313; Family Welfare Association—£99,925; London Marriage Guidance—£100,000.00; Parent) in e Plus—£60,000; National Marriage Week—£30,000; Community Family Projects—£30,000; 2as 1.net—£40,000; and Asian Family Counselling Service—£18,500.

  The funding will be spent on improving existing marriage and relationship support services, research into the most effective interventions, and disseminating good practice.

  We are increasing the amount of money available to £4.5 million from the next financial year (2001–02).

  Civil Justice Reform
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action his Department is taking in respect of the recommendations in the final report of the Civil Justice Reform Group in Northern Ireland. [146030]

  Mr. Lock
  The Final Report of the Civil Justice Reform Group was published on 16 June with a consultation period until the end of September. The Lord Chancellor's original purpose in establishing the Group was to ensure a reform programme tailored to Northern Ireland's needs and informed by those with practical experience of the system.

  The Lord Chancellor and I are very grateful to Lord Justice Campbell, who chaired the Group, and to the other members for their work. We are also grateful to those who responded during the consultation period. Broadly, the Lord Chancellor and I accept the Report's main direction and its principal recommendations. There are notable departures from arrangements in England and Wales but the Government are satisfied they are appropriate in the Northern Ireland context.

  There are a few technical recommendations in relation to expert evidence on which the Lord Chancellor and I do not share the views expressed in the Report. These will require further consideration and of course there are other points of detail to be looked at closely during the implementation process, but overall the Government are of the view that the Report's recommendations represent a major step forward in the reform of the civil justice
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  system in Northern Ireland to make it as accessible, economic and efficient as possible. Implementation will begin as soon as possible with an increase in the small claims jurisdiction early this year followed by an approximately two year rolling programme of subordinate legislation and operational changes.

  Magistrates Courts (Liverpool)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much will be spent on new magistrates courts in Liverpool in the next two financial years. [1452221

  Mr. Lock
  The provision of a new magistrates court in Liverpool forms part of a proposed Private Finance Initiative project to provide serviced accommodation for the Merseyside magistrates courts committee. Expenditure in the next two financial years will be limited to advisers' fees and is not expected to exceed £800,000.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the total cost was of Liverpool magistrates court in each year from 1992 to 2000. [145241]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department provides separate grants for revenue and capital (buildings and IT) to local authorities for magistrates courts costs. Grant is paid at 80 per cent. of expenditure/costs of scheme or item, with the remaining 20 per cent. met by local authorities.

  The total cost (revenue and capital grant) of Liverpool magistrates courts committee by financial year is:

  £ million

  1991–92

  3.0

  1992–93

  4.3

  1993–94

  4.3

  1994–95

  4.6

  1995–96

  4.2

  1996–97

  4.2

  1997–98

  4.2

  1998–99

  4.7

  1999–2000

  110.6

  2000–01

  1, 2 10.6

  1 Liverpool magistrates courts committee was amalgamated with four other local committees to form Merseyside magistrates courts committee in April 1999. Information about Liverpool magistrates court is not now collected. The cost figures quoted for Liverpool since 1999–2000 therefore represent all the courts in Merseyside.

  2 The 2000–01 figure is an estimate, as revenue grant costs will not be certain until the end of this financial year.

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Defence Diversification Agency
  Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston
  Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston
  Elmhurst Park, Suffolk: Greenhouses
  Elmhurst Park, Suffolk: Greenhouses
  Veterinary Medicines: RPS Registration Fees for Agricultural Merchants and Saddlers
  Veterinary Medicines: RPS Registration Fees for Agricultural Merchants and Saddlers
  Overseas Territories: Corporal and Capital Punishment
  Overseas Territories: Corporal and Capital Punishment
  Moses Room: Hearing Aid Induction Loop
  Moses Room: Hearing Aid Induction Loop
  Council of Europe and WEU Parliamentary Assembly: UK Delegation
  Council of Europe and WEU Parliamentary Assembly: UK Delegation
  Family Law Act 1996: Information Meetings Provisions
  Family Law Act 1996: Information Meetings Provisions
  Northern Ireland: Civil Justice Reform Group Report
  Northern Ireland: Civil Justice Reform Group Report
  Marriage and Relationship Support
  Marriage and Relationship Support
  Local Authority Publicity: Code of Recommended Practice
  Local Authority Publicity: Code of Recommended Practice
  Litter Collection on Motorways and Trunk Roads
  Litter Collection on Motorways and Trunk Roads